FAQ
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Q?
Do you accept insurance?
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A.
We will try and work with insurance. First and foremost we will help you make decisions based on your oral health. Whereas we do not participate in any plan, we expect payment at the time of service; we will try to help you maximize your benefits. Remember, our relationship is with you, not with the insurance company. They are not interested in helping you with your best choices for your oral health, but rather making the cheapest choices for you without considering you best interests.
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Q?
Do you treat children?
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A.
We treat children over the age of 12. We will see children under 12, but only for preventive services which may include education, oral hygiene instruction, home care, nutritional counseling, examinations, radiographs, routine cleaning and sealants.
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Q?
Can I get a full set of dentures in your office?
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A.
Yes, we will be happy to discuss what type of dentures would be best for you and if any procedures prior to fabrication of the dentures would help in retention and comfort.
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Q?
Do you accept Medicare?
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A.
No.
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Q?
Does the doctor do whitening and does it hurt?
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A.
Yes, we perform whitening procedures on a routine basis and satisfaction is guaranteed.
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Q?
I’m afraid of pain, does (it) hurt?
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A.
No, whitening is safe and pain free, some patients, a small percentage, may experience some sensitivity, if this were the case, we would distribute anti-sensitivity medicines so that one may resume whitening comfortably.
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Q?
Do you have gas in the office?
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A.
We find that most patients who have had gas (nitro oxide) for dental procedures do not find it necessary with our comforting and gentle techniques.
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Q?
Do you offer payment plans?
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A.
Yes, we offer several methods of payment, we would be happy to discuss which plan is best for you.
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Q?
Do you have pictures of completed work? Before and After?
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A.
Yes we have completed work in photographs, also some “before and after “photos of patients who were kind enough to give us permission to use them as models.
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Q?
Do you guarantee your work and for how long?
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A.
That varies on the type of treatment done, on the compliance of the patient, and the goal that is to be achieved by the treatment. Guarantees are typically between one and five years. We expect however, with comprehensive dentistry, to have that work last 20+years.
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Q?
Does the doctor do white fillings?
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A.
Absolutely. Composites (a mixture of glass and resin) and porcelains are both used for teeth colored restorations.
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Q?
Why is dentistry so expensive now?
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A.
Actually, dentistry has not kept pace with the rate of inflation, but instead continues to lag. What is expensive are supply costs, equipment costs, laboratory costs and the general cost of doing business are what is expensive.
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Q?
How much does a crown cost?
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A.
That depends on the type of material used. The amount of technical difficulty involved by both the dentist and the laboratory and the amount of time. Some teeth may need additional internal strengthening or build up material prior to crowning, this may or may not be included in the fee.
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Q?
Why does my insurance company say that your office exceeds the “usual and customary” fee?
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A.
The insurance companies create this “usual and customary fee” from dental practices accepting insurance that may or may not be in your geographic area. This fee they fabricate is not in your best interest. In fact, their business is to hold on to your money from your premiums as long as they can in order to make money with your money.
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Q?
Do you think silver/mercury amalgam fillings are safe?
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A.
Whereas the American dental association (ADA)’s position on silver/mercury amalgam filling is one supporting safety of usage. What we do know is that in time, they expand, leak, crack, frequently crack the teeth and attract and contain cavity causing bacteria in the gaps.
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Q?
Why do I need more than one cleaning?
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A.
Sometimes there are cement-like deposits of debris deeper on your root next to the gum than you may be aware. For some, this debris can be extremely tenacious and require block numbing, heavier instrumentation and additional appointments. If not removed, the bacteria can travel deeper into your gum pockets and cause further damage including loss of gum attachment to tooth, loss of bone around tooth, and/or loss of tooth (teeth).
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Q?
I am coming from another dental office; do I still need a new patient exam?
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A.
We find very few offices that are as thorough we are. Since we are now helping you in your oral health, we prefer to do our own examination. It is also legally necessary.
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Q?
What is the difference between a cap and a crown?
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A.
Basically they are the same. These were terms to describe the replacement of the portion of your tooth that xxxx above the gum line.