Q. How often should I see a dentist?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
Q. What is the difference between a dentist that is a D.D.S. and a dentist that is a D.M.D.?
A. In short, NOTHING! The Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) and the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) are equivalent degrees. The degree your dentist earns is based on the dental school he/she attended. In general, most of the dental schools that opened in the 1970's or later are D.M.D. programs. Those programs that began prior to this time are D.D.S. programs.
Q. Do you treat children?
A. Yes! The dentists of North River Dental provide dental care for the entire family. We will be more than happy to schedule appointments for the littlest members of the family. However, we are not a pediatric dental office. If the doctor believes that the determined necessary treatment would be best suited in the care of a pediatric dentist (pedodontist), a referral will be made. For more information regarding dental care for children, please visit
http://www.aapd.org/pediatricinformation/faq.asp
Q. In what order do the teeth erupt?
A. The baby teeth (aka, primary or deciduous teeth) begin erupting, on average, around the age of 7 months and most of the baby teeth have been lost by age 13. The first adult tooth usually erupts at the age of 6. The diagram below details the eruption of both sets of teeth. All eruption times are approximate! Some children are early to teethe, just as many get their teeth later!
Q. What should I expect during my appointment?
A. One of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, make X-rays of your teeth as needed and complete a TMJ (temporomandibular or jaw joint) exam. After we review your dental profile, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. If treatment such as a root canal (endodontics), braces (orthodontics) or oral surgery is needed, we will plan to treat you in our office or refer you to a specialist. We will discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.
During regular follow-up visits, we will examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, clean your teeth and make plans for treatment, as needed. We will discuss any pain or problems you may be experiencing and answer any questions you may have.
Q. Are dental x-rays safe?
A. Yes! Dental x-rays are extremely safe. Our office uses digital x-rays which expose the patient to an extremely minimal amount of radiation. In fact, many of the x-ray systems use so little radiation that they are designed so that the dentist and assistant can consistantly stay in the room during exposure without harm.
Q. I am moving. How can I get a copy of my x-rays so that I can take them with me?
A. Please call the office during regular business hours and our staff will assist you in compiling your x-rays and dental chart. Please allow 10 business days to receive your chart.
Q. What does “painless dentistry” mean?
A. Painless dentistry is a means of ensuring your total experience in our office is as stress-free and pain-free as possible. We will discuss treatment options that may require no local anesthetic and whenever possible, alleviate pain by the means most comfortable to you.
Q. Do you offer sedation?
A. We administer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and can prescribe you medication that can be used to relax you at the time of treatment. We do not perform IV sedation.
Q. Can you see me today?
A. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. We will make every effort to offer you a "same-day" appointment, if available, with one of our four, highly qualified doctors. If you are flexible in terms of 1.) seeing ANY of the four doctors and 2.) the time you can be seen, it is rare that you will not be accomodated the day you call.
Q. My insurance does not cover tooth-colored fillings. Can you do silver fillings instead?
A.The dentists of North River Dental only use materials that they feel will give you the best result. We do not offer silver (i.e., amalgam) fillings because the bonded (tooth-colored) fillings also have great longevity and are more esthetic.
Q. What medications affect my birth control?
A. In general, all systemic antibiotics decrease the effectiveness of birth control. If the dentist prescribes you an antibiotic for a dental infection, please use alternative methods of birth control until the completion of the antibiotic.
Q. What is considered a true dental emergency?
A. True dental emergencies are rare. Extreme swelling and/or pain are considered true dental emergencies.
Q. What if I have an emergency?
A. Please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule if you have a dental emergency during regular business hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office for the emergency protocol.
Q. What should I do if my temporary or permanent crown comes off?
A. During normal business hours, please call our office and we would be happy to schedule you to recement your temporary. If our office is closed, or if you are unable to come into the office, there are over-the-counter temporary cements that work well. Place a small amount of the cement in the underside of your temp and push it back onto your tooth. Fixadent (denture adhesive paste) and toothpaste are also suitable alternatives. If you recement the temporary yourself, please call our office when convienient for you so that we can schedule you properly.
Q. Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?
A. Yes. We accept many types of dental insurance and will process your claim for you upon receipt of your co-payment. We accept most major credit cards and upon approval, offer a low interest rate payment plan through Care Credit.
Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?
A. There are several methods available for bleaching the teeth: in-office, overnight or daily. One session of in-office bleaching generally lasts one and a half to two hours, and you can read or relax during the treatment. For overnight bleaching, we make an impression of your teeth and create a mouthguard that fits your bite. Each day you fill the mouthguard with a small amount of bleaching gel and wear it overnight or for a few hours during the day. The overnight bleaching process takes approximately two weeks.
Other over-the-counter daily bleaching products are available, but it is important to use any bleaching product only under the supervision of a dentist. To achieve the whitening results you desire, the ADA recommends that you seek the professional advice of a dentist, including examination and diagnosis of the cause of tooth discoloration, before you begin any bleaching program.
Q. What if I have a gap in my teeth, a chipped tooth or teeth that do not respond to normal bleaching methods?
A. We have many different procedures that can help these problems. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Veneers can be positioned to close gaps. Bonding utilizes a composite material made of plastic 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.