This section of our Web site contains frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Oral Health Center and our model of care.
           
Q. What is evidence-based dentistry?
A. Evidence-based dentistry is an approach to oral health care that requires the judicious integration of systemic assessments of clinically relevant scientific evidence, relating to the patient’s oral and medical condition and history, with the dentist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s treatment needs and preferences.
We strive to incorporate the best scientific evidence with the dentist’s clinical expertise and our patients’ preferences.

Q. What is a risk factor?
A. We focus on treating the causes and risk factors of dental disease. We identify the risk factors that cause problems, and then take measures to guard against them. It’s proactive care versus reactive treatment.

Q. What is a risk assessment?
A.   We calculate a person’s chance of getting a disease over a certain period of time. Calculations based on all the factors that have been scientifically proven to be related to the risk of the disease. Risk status is a balance between risk factors and protective factors. The goal is to minimize risk factors by targeting protective factors to those who are at-risk.

Q. What is the non-surgical approach to periodontal disease?
A. Fortunately, science is giving us new methods for dealing with these bacterial infections in a non-surgical manner. By using medicines to help fight gum disease, we can significantly reduce the need for more invasive gum surgery.

Q. What is fluoride varnish?
A. A small amount of concentrated fluoride is placed in a resin base and sold as a varnish that is brushed onto the teeth. It hardens on contact with saliva and stays in contact with the teeth for several hours or days, but is not meant to adhere permanently. Varnishes primarily are used to arrest tooth decay in smooth surface of teeth and can be used to remineralize white lesions.

Q. Do you accept new patients?
A. Yes, currently we are accepting new patients in our practice. Make an appointment

Q. Do you accept my insurance plan?
A. We accept most insurance plans. Please call for updated insurance information. Read more

Q. What makes you different from any other dental practice?
A. We use the latest advances in dental medicine to prevent and treat oral diseases. This office is also home to several national research studies. Read more

Q. How does the doctor keep up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?            
A. Staff and providers attend internal/external continue educational courses, monthly meetings and review professional journals.

Q. What payment options do you provide?
A. We accept cash, personal check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Read more

Q. How many dentists/specialist do you have?
A.  We currently have two general dentists, a Pedodontist, Orthodontist and an Endodontist.  Read more

Q. What is the difference between white fillings and silver fillings? And will insurance cover white fillings?
A. Silver amalgam and composite resin are the two most common materials used to restore teeth damaged by decay. There are situations where one material is preferable over the other, and similarly, there are disadvantages to both of these filling materials.
 A resin filling costs about 150 to 200 percent more than comparable silver filling. Most insurance benefits don't cover the additional cost of composite fillings, so you must pay the difference.

Q. What are your sterilization techniques?
A. We pride ourselves on a very high standard of sterility and cross-infection control and all of our staff is carefully trained in these techniques. We have adopted “universal (or standard) precautions and follow OSHA, CDC, OSAP and ADA guidelines. Read more

Q. How are insurances different?
A. Our fees are the same for all patients, whether or not you have dental insurance. There is a great variety of dental insurance plans that are offered to the public. As a courtesy to you, we accept and file claims to most insurance companies.   Dental insurance is intended to cover some, but not all of the cost of your dental care. Your deductibles and co-payments are due at the time of service.  If you have questions regarding your out of pocket expense or what your plan will consider as a covered charge our professional staff will be happy to assist you. Read more

Q. Are silver fillings, fluoride or x-rays a danger to my health? What are the alternatives?
A. Dental amalgam, or silver filling material, is a mixture of mercury, and an alloy of silver, tin and copper. The release of mercury in silver fillings is so small that it is much less than what patients are exposed to in food, air and water. There are, however, other materials that can be used for restorations. These include gold, porcelain, and composite resins. These materials are more costly than amalgam and, with the exception of gold, are not as durable.

Fluoride is a compound of the element fluorine, which is found universally throughout nature in water, soil, air and in most foods. Fluoride is absorbed easily into the tooth enamel, especially in children's growing teeth. Once teeth are developed, fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is visible.

Radiographs, or x-rays, help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal disease, abscesses, and many abnormal growths such as cysts and tumors. They can help pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through a visual examination. All health care providers are sensitive to patients' concerns about exposure to radiation. Your dentist has been trained to prescribe radiographs when they are appropriate and to tailor the radiograph schedule to your individual needs. By using state-of-the-art technology, such as digital radiography, and by staying knowledgeable about recent advances, your dentist knows which techniques, procedures and X-ray films can minimize your exposure to radiation.

Q. At what age are my children supposed to see a dentist?
A. The general rule is between 18 and 24 months. Some children require a bit more time to be comfortable. If an area of concern is noticed, then the child should see a dentist as soon as possible.

Q. Why is it important to fix baby teeth that have decay? Aren't they going to come out soon anyway?
A. It is very important to maintain the baby teeth because these teeth hold space for the future eruption of the permanent teeth. If a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic treatment. Infected baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to develop improperly resulting in stains, pits and weaker teeth.

Q. Should my child wear a mouth guard while playing sports?
A. It is strongly recommended that children wear a mouth guard while playing any contact sport. It is always better to prevent an injury than to repair one. The earlier a child begins to wear the mouth guard, the easier it is to become comfortable and continue to wear it as they get older.

Q. When is the best time to remove wisdom teeth?
A. If your dentist determines that your wisdom teeth need to be removed, it is best done when the roots are three-fourths developed, usually in the adolescent years. Removal at this time allows for an easier procedure and decreases the risk of damage to the nerves in that area.

Q. What is a PRR restoration?
A. Dentists use preventive resin restorations, a combination of composites and sealants, to treat early caries found in the pits and fissures. A dentist would use this combination when the carious lesion extends into and beyond the enamel so that the use of sealants alone will not suffice. These restorations should only be placed in the non tress-bearing regions of the dentition. Use of preventive resin restorations is generally governed by the desire to treat small lesions conservatively.