While we would be happy to answer all of your questions personally, we find that there are certain questions that get asked over and over again. To save you some time and trouble, we've tried to list as many of those as we could here. Take a look, and if your specific question isn't answered, or if you need further clarification, please don't hesitate to contact us!
What kind of insurance do you take, and how do I submit a claim?
We are a provider for Delta Dental Premier Plan as well as AARP Delta Dental Plan, but we work with all insurance companies to help you process your claim quickly and efficiently. If you have dental coverage other than Delta, you will pay for your visit at the time of service, and we will electronically submit your claim for you so that you will receive the payment for your claim directly.
Do over-the-counter whitening products work?
As you have noticed, over-the-counter whitening products are flooding the market, and the short answer is that they do work - to a degree. In order to avoid any potential side effects, over-the-counter products are much less potent than those that we use in our practice, and so will not make nearly the impact of those we use. Additionally, one of the most common side effects of the whitening solutions is to increase the sensitivity of your teeth - ie. to hot and cold, etc. Since the bleaching trays included with over-the-counter products are just generic trays, and not fitted to your mouth, there is more likelihood that the solution will leak out during the process and cause increased gum and tooth sensitivity.
In our office, we have several different options to use to whiten and brighten your smile. They all start with a custom fitted tray to hold the solution. This custom fitting not only minimizes the likelihood of leakage, but also ensures that the solution is optimally positioned to produce the most benefit. Whether we decide to treat you in the office or to send you home to do your bleaching while you sleep, we think you'll be amazed at the results. We can say that whitening is probably one of the easiest and yet most effective treatments we do. You, too, can have a dazzling smile!
What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
While back in the "stone age" there was a definite difference in the philosophy of treatment between a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a Doctor of Dental Medicine, today there is no difference between the way they are trained or the way they treat their patients. The truth of the matter is that certain schools award a DDS (the original degree awarded to dentists), and other dental schools opt for the DMD degree. All dental schools today emphasize the importance of both proper diagnosis and appropriate and skilled clinical treatment. In our practice we recognize that your mouth is just one part of your overall well-being, and we use our experience along with all of the tools of modern dentistry to keep your mouth in tip-top health!
How do I pick the correct toothbrush and how often should I get a new one?
Selecting a toothbrush can be a daunting task! The array of sizes, shapes and textures is sometimes overwhelming but, basically, there are only a couple of things that you need to keep in mind. Most importantly, you should always choose a toothbrush with soft bristles. While it might seem logical to try and scrub off any plaque build-up with a hard bristle brush, in all likelihood, you will not remove the plaque, but you will end up damaging your gums and possibly the enamel of your teeth as well. A soft bristle brush will remove anything that is removable without inflicting damage on surrounding tissues. And secondly, choose the size head that best fits in your mouth. Just as a child is given a "youth" size brush, an adult with a small mouth should choose accordingly. A brush that is too large for your mouth will make it much more difficult to get into hard-to-reach areas, and leave your mouth only partially clean, so choose a brush that fits your mouth and look for rounded heads to avoid accidentally poking your gums or surrounding mouth tissues.
For most of us, brushing for about two minutes a minimum of morning and night will go a long way toward keeping your mouth healthy. Combine this with daily flossing to remove food and debris trapped between teeth and you are doing just what we recommend to maintain a fresh and healthy smile. We do recommend that you replace your brush regularly - usually every one to three months. If you notice that the bristles of your brush are bent, it is time to replace it. Similarly, if you have been sick or have a cold, replace your brush to avoid recontaminating yourself! And, don't hesitate to ask us to show you the proper ways to brush and floss when you have your next hygiene visit. We'd be delighted!
Do you recommend a particular toothpaste?
Actually, the most important thing about selecting a toothpaste is that you find it pleasant to use! While we do recommend that you use a fluoride toothpaste to minimize cavities and decay, unless you like the taste of your toothpaste, it will be hard for you to brush as long and as often as necessary to maintain good dental health. So, if that bubble gum flavored toothpaste "floats your boat," go for it!
And...another word about fluoride... We recommend fluoride for all of our patients, young and old. Even for adults, fluoride will actually heal microscopic cavities as they form, and works to harden your teeth to make them less susceptible to decay causing bacteria. So, unless you have some valid reasons to do otherwise, pick a fluoride toothpaste that tastes good and leaves your mouth feeling fresh and clean!