Frequently Asked Questions

I am nervous about coming to the dentist. Is there anything that can help me?

Many people find that Sedation Dentistry offers a way to overcome anxieties associated with going to the dentist. Please CLICK HERE for detailed information about our Sedation Dentistry service. We also offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for anxiety reduction. In addition, many patients find a distraction helpful to reduce their anxiety. We offer television or DVD viewing through our over the chair LCD monitors (see dental chair potato under State –of-the-Art Technology). Wireless headphones are used for sound while viewing or perhaps you may prefer to just listen to a favorite CD.

Can anything be done about these ugly silver fillings that were put in years ago?

Many people have had silver fillings placed into their teeth because they had "cavities". These silver fillings are called amalgams. Amalgam fills the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed.

However over time, the amalgam corrodes and leaks which blackens the silver, and many times the tooth. This is easily seen as soon as a patient opens his or her mouth and is usually a source of embarrassment for the patient.

For small size silver fillings, tooth-colored composite resins may be used to replace the old silver fillings. They blend in with the tooth to look very natural.

For larger size silver filling replacements, one visit CEREC porcelain onlays, partial crowns, or crowns may be recommended to replace the old silver fillings. CEREC restorations are milled in the office and placed in the tooth during the same visit. Made of dense porcelain, the CEREC will look natural and provide many years of service.

I have a chipped tooth. Can this be repaired?

Yes! Bonding is typically painless and can yield dramatic results in a single office visit. Essentially, bonding hides any natural flaws through the placement of a thin plastic coating on the front surface of the teeth.

After treating the tooth surface, a putty-like bonding material is applied that is then sculpted, shaped and colored to suit the patient's needs. A high-intensity light causes the plastic to harden after which the new surface is smoothed and polished.

Bonding can lighten stains, close gaps and even alter crooked or malformed teeth. It can be utilized to change the shape or color of a single tooth or if necessary to revamp the entire smile.

I see you offer porcelain veneer service. Can you explain what this is?

Porcelain veneers are often used for the same reasons as bonding (to lighten stains, close gaps and even alter crooked or malformed teeth). They are considerably more durable and stain resistant than bonding.

The veneer is actually a thin piece of porcelain similar in size to a fingernail. Once it is "bonded" onto the tooth it becomes extremely strong. It also blends in with the remaining tooth structure so that it is unnoticeable to the naked-eye. Once in place, it looks, feels, and functions just like a regular tooth.

Porcelain veneers can be utilized to change the shape and color of a single tooth or if necessary, revamp an entire smile. Porcelain veneers can also be used to correct teeth that have been worn from clenching and grinding.

I seem to have bad breath all the time. What causes this?

While bad breath might be a symptom of some other disorder, it most likely stems from dental decay and periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a disease affecting gums and bone that support the teeth, and it results from inadequate tooth brushing and flossing. In this disease, the irritated gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets between the teeth and the gums. These pockets fill with bacteria and pus which give off a foul odor.

Patients with bad breath need a complete dental evaluation. If gum disease and/or dental decay is diagnosed, it can be treated readily. The patient will no longer have an infection in his or her mouth, and he or she will no longer have the embarrassment of bad breath.

Do you take dental insurance?

Yes, we accept most insurances. Please call us for details.

What about financial arrangements for having extensive work done?

Our fees are based on the quality of the materials we use and our experience in performing your needed treatment.

Our goal is not to let expense prevent you from benefiting from the quality of care you desire and need. To facilitate this goal, we have developed financial options to help you. If you would like to review these financial arrangement options with one of our team members in advance of treatment, please call our office.