Frequently Asked Questions

The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning. Our office endorses that recommendation.

One of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. Typically, we will take necessary X-rays, evaluate your gums, screen you for oral cancer, and examine your teeth and gums. We will discuss any pain or problems you may be experiencing and answer any questions you may have. At that time, we will either present your options for treatment or schedule a consultation appointment specifically for that purpose. At the presentation of treatment one of our business team members will also discuss finances, insurance, and appointments with you.

If you feel you have an emergency, go immediately to this Web site and review the sections titled Emergency Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Please call or e-mail our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. If we are out of the office and the emergency is critical, go to the closest emergency room or call 911. If the emergency is not critical, leave a message on our answering machine or send it to our e-mail. If we are out of town, one of our staff members will be checking the e-mail and answering machine and will get back in touch with you. Please be sure to leave your full name and phone number.

We do not offer in-house payment plans, but we do employ a company that offers our approved patients monthly payment plans with no interest up to twelve months. You may call our office for information on this company, CareCredit, or you can go to their Web site at www.carecredit.com.

We have several methods available for whitening vital teeth: the in-office method, at-home method, or a combination of the two methods. In order to achieve the whitening results you desire, the ADA recommends you seek the professional advice of a dentist, including examination and diagnosis of the cause of tooth discoloration, before you begin any whitening program.

The three methods mentioned above vary in price, duration, and time necessary to reach the level of whiteness you desire. Please call our office for an in-depth discussion of these very popular and safe whitening processes.

Please remember that any crowns, veneers, bonding, or white fillings you currently have in your mouth will not change color. They may require replacement after whitening is complete. Also, note that whitening is not permanent; occasional short whitening sessions may be required to maintain the desired level of whiteness.

We accept MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards.

If you have treatment that exceeds $500.00 and you pay it in full before or at the initial treatment appointment with a check or cash, you will receive a 5% reduction of your fee.

If you have treatment that exceeds $500.00 and you pay it in full before or at the initial treatment appointment with a Visa or MasterCard credit card, you will receive a 3% reduction of your fee.

Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually and permanently attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Bonding utilizes a composite material made of resin to fill in areas of your teeth and correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers and bonding are color-matched to the rest of your teeth.

We always enjoy seeing children in our office and we strive to make their visits positive and enjoyable. Many parents wonder if it is best to accompany their children in the treatment rooms for their appointments. In our more than twenty-five years of experience we have found that children communicate and cooperate much better when parents remain in the reception area. An assistant will be with the child at all times. We do invite parents to join us in the treatment room for a short consultation at the completion of each visit. If a child is not ready to cooperate fully in our environment, it may be necessary to refer them to a pedodontist who is a specialist trained to treat only children.

At the initial appointment we will need a parent or custodian present to complete and initial forms. At that time we will also discuss acceptable treatment with the parent/custodian. After this conversation, your teens will be able to come alone to their appointments; however, it is important that we are able to contact you by phone anytime they are in our office alone. If it is time for your teenager to have x-rays, your verbal permission is required. Please make sure that permission is given before the appointment.