FAQ

You should arrive at least 15 minutes early for your first appointment in case you need to fill out new patient paperwork. Expect your visit to last about an hour.

We will need the following items for your first visit:

• Driver’s License or other ID
• Dental Insurance Card (If Applicable)
• Patient Information Form
• HIPAA Consent Form
• Patient Authorization Form

Your biannual exam and cleaning appointment is meant to not only treat any existing issues, but also to prevent any future issues. Regular dental check-ups can help your dentist identify any problems before they become serious or painful.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children begin seeing the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears or at least by their first birthday.

A cavity is essentially a hole in your tooth and a filling is a procedure used to fill that hole. Dentists fill cavities with special materials that will protect the tooth from decaying any more than it already has. If you need a filling your dentist will most likely start by applying local anesthesia to numb your mouth. Then, they will drill away the decay around the inside of the cavity. After that they will fill the cavity with a cement-like material.

We recommend that the average patient schedule an exam and cleaning every 6 months. If you have frequent dental issues, we may recommend coming in more often.

During your biannual cleaning, we will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, do a thorough floss, cleanse your mouth with fluoride wash, and even polish your teeth. You will also be examined by the doctor for any potential issues. Every 3-5 years your cleaning will also include an X-Ray so we will have an up-to-date visual of your teeth.

According to the CDC, at least 90% of American adults have had a cavity. If you are feeling pain or sensitivity, see a hole or pit in your tooth, or see a stain or spot, call us as soon as possible to make an appointment. Any of these symptoms could be signs of a cavity. By the time a cavity becomes obvious, it has already become serious and may need a filling or more intensive treatment.

A root canal is used to treat a tooth with badly damaged or infected “pulp”. This pulp is the small, threadlike tissue in the center of a tooth. During a root canal procedure your dentist will create a small hole in the back or front of the tooth, remove the pulp, clean the area, and then fill and seal the hole.