Below are some of our most Frequently Asked Questions. Click on a Question below to see its Answer.
| Q: What should I expect on my first visit? |
| A: If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, or you’ve ever been treated for periodontal disease, we usually prefer to schedule you for a 1 hour appointment so we can perform a thorough exam and determine what type of cleaning you may require. One of our staff will greet you at the front, and escort you to the treatment area. We will take all necessary X-Rays and perform an oral exam (with an oral cancer screening), so that we can chart all of your existing fillings, missing teeth, etc. Either Dr. Jones or one of the Hygienists (Stephanie or Keri) will evaluate the health of your gums, and answer any questions or concerns that you might have. If a simple cleaning and polishing is appropriate, we can often take care of that right then. |
| Q: What if I have an emergency after hours? |
| A: We believe that proactive treatment can eliminate many emergency type events, however all patients of record are informed on how to reach Dr. Jones on his cell phone in case of emergency. |
| Q: Are silver fillings safe? |
| A: I have not seen a single study from a reputable, non-biased health organization which disputes the safety of silver (Amalgam) fillings. They were one of the best restorative materials we had for the past 50 years. That being said, I don’t routinely use them because I feel the newer tooth colored fillings offer many advantages over silver ones, specifically the ability to bond or adhere to the tooth. That is not the case with silver fillings. With those, we make a “keystone” shaped cavity preparation, place the silver while it is still soft, and when it hardens, it is locked into place. The tooth colored fillings chemically bond to your tooth, like epoxy, and help hold the tooth together. |
| Q: What can I do about my stained or discolored teeth? |
| A: We can typically make significant improvements in the color of your teeth with our “Deep Bleaching” technique; however it does have some limitations. Bleaching (or whitening) your teeth will not change the color of your existing fillings or crowns. We may need to utilize multiple techniques to bring out your best smile. |
| Q: What can I do about my stained or discolored teeth? |
| A: We can typically make significant improvements in the color of your teeth with our “Deep Bleaching” technique; however it does have some limitations. Bleaching (or whitening) your teeth will not change the color of your existing fillings or crowns. We may need to utilize multiple techniques to bring out your best smile. |
| Q: I just want a cleaning, do I need to have X-Rays? |
| A: If you have current (within the past year) X-Rays from your prior dentist, then most times we do not require new ones to be taken. If you don’t have current X-Rays, then we will require some so that we can give you an accurate assessment of your oral health. The number and type of X-Rays will depend on what teeth you have and where they are positioned in your mouth. |
| Q: Can I make payments or finance my treatment? |
| A: As with any professional service, payment is expected on the day of service. We accept all major credit cards. We do not offer any in-house financing, however, we work with several companies that offer 12 month NO INTEREST financing, or up to 36 month low interest financing. |
| Q: At what age should my child first see a dentist? |
| A: Around 18 months to 2 years is when we recommend a child begin seeing a dentist. What we suggest to our patients is to bring their child with them when they get their teeth cleaned. What we want is your child to get accustomed to us in a relaxed setting, prior to needing any treatment. During this “Happy Visit” (after you’ve had your teeth cleaned), we will invite them to sit in the dental chair and watch the TV, we will count their teeth (if they’ll let us), and let them pick a toy from the prize box. |
| Q: Can I really watch TV or a movie while having my teeth worked on? |
| A: Yes!! Each treatment room is wired for cable television, DVD Players, music from the satellite radio, local radio stations, or CD player-Simply let us know your preference! |
