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Patient Info >> Patient F.A.Q.
Can I fill out your new patient form before my first visit?
What happens on
my first visit?
Why do I need x-rays?
By whitening, am I more likely to get cavities?
How long does it take for whitening to work?
What type of toothbrush should I use?
Why floss?
Can I make payments over time?
Can I fill out your new patient form before my first visit?
Yes. You
may save time by downloading the
Patient Medical Information Form (53Kb PDF) before you visit
us for the first time. Fill it out and bring it with you
to your first appointment.
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What happens on
my first visit?
Standard procedures, state law, and common sense dictate that a
visual exam of a new patient and current x-rays occur before a
cleaning is performed.
We try to get to know you and to become familiar with your
dental past experience, and your present needs and desires. We
discuss the cause of gum disease and dental decay. We also
discuss preventive measures that can improve your dental health. We complete a dental examination that includes soft tissue exam
(oral cancer screening), look at the teeth noting anything wrong
with existing restorations or the teeth themselves, evaluate the TMJ, gum tissues and x-rays when needed. We put this information
together and decide on needed treatment.
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Why do I need
x-rays?
What a visual
exam reveals is only about 20% of what is really happening in
the areas of potential infection, cavities, bone loss, etc..
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An x-ray
provides a clear picture for a dentist to accurately
provide the necessary treatment. We use the lowest
dosage of radiation possible when taking an x-ray.
We use special low dosage digital x-ray equipment.
This is the safest method available within the limits of
the dental profession. This gives us a visual
picture within seconds of taking the x-ray. |
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By whitening, am I more likely to get cavities?
No! Dentist-supervised home bleaching kits have been around
since the mid-80's. There have been numerous studies all
resulting in no side-effects. The worst that can happen is an
increased sensitivity to cold, which goes away in a day or two
after you stop the whitening process. See
Whitening Procedure
for more information.
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How long does it take for whitening to work?
Generally, you will begin to see results in just a few days. The
entire process is usually about 2 to 3 weeks with daily
application. Depending how stained your teeth are to begin with,
the process could take several weeks and you still may never
reach the desired results. See
Whitening Procedure for more
information.
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What type of toothbrush should I use?
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The quality (time and technique) of your brushing is more
important than the type of toothbrush you use; however, most
dentists do recommend a soft bristle toothbrush with a small
head. |
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The proper technique is turning the brush so the bristles
make a "C" against the teeth. Brush slowly for a minimum
two
minutes on the upper teeth and two minutes on the lower teeth. Brush in every direction: in a circle, up and down, and
side-to-side. Brush every tooth in every direction. Don't apply
too much pressure. Let the bristles do the work and brush after
every meal! Electric tooth brushes are excellent and we will
discuss the various options.
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Why floss?
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Brushing alone, no matter how good of job you do, cannot reach
all of the areas between the teeth or just under the gum line. Flossing removes the soft deposits of plaque and food from
between the teeth and decreases irritation of your gums due to
bacterial build-up. A good rule of thumb is to only floss the
teeth you want to keep! |
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Can I make payments over time?
We expect full payment at the time of service. We accept most
major credit cards. We will be happy to assist you in billing
your insurance company. We offer a variety of payment plans
including an interest free monthly payment program for qualified
applicants. Applications are available at our front desk. See
payment options.
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