Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled a list of questions that we are often asked at our practice regarding our cosmetic and restorative dental services. If your questions are not answered here, feel free to contact us at our office with any inquiries or concerns that you have.

Q: Do you offer financing for cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures?

A: Our practice offers financing through Capital One^® Healthcare Finance^sm. Your new smile is an investment in your health and appearance. We strive to individualize payments options. Learn more about the financing and insurance options we offer at our practice or visit www.capitolonehealthcarefinance.com to apply for dental financing online today.

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Q: I haven’t been to the dentist in 20 years because I am fearful of all dentists. I’m also worried that it’s too late to save my teeth. With encouragement from my family, I have decided to find a dentist that will work with my anxiety. I have read about sedation dentistry but I don’t want to be "out of it." Can you offer any suggestions?

A: You didn’t say what specifically terrifies you about going to the dentist, but dental fears are not all based on the same issue. You’re doing the right thing to look for a dentist that understands dental anxiety. It may surprise you to know that hundreds of thousands of people avoid the dentist because of fear. In my practice, we help identify the basis of your fear. Once the basis for your anxiety has been identified, we can work with you to alleviate that fear.

Sedation dentistry is one option for patients with dental anxiety, but for those who don’t want to be “out of it,” nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is an excellent option. It will allow a patient to relax without being heavily sedated. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. When inhaled, it is absorbed by the body and has a calming effect. It’s perfectly safe and has been commonly used for a long time.

Don’t worry that it’s too late to save your teeth. Dentistry has advanced greatly in the past 20 years and it is very likely that you will be able to save your teeth. I encourage you to contact our practice - we understand dental anxiety and enjoy working with patients who suffer from this condition. The sooner you begin this process, the more likely you will be able to get the dental care necessary to save your teeth.

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Q: I learned about porcelain veneers on the show Extreme Makeover. How do you decide which patients can benefit from this treatment? My teeth are fairly straight but the enamel is not attractive. Would veneers be a good option for me?

A: From your question, it sounds like you would be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are beautiful restorations, but they are not appropriate in every situation. Commonly, veneers are placed on teeth with healthy surrounding gum tissue, but that have some of the following issues:

• Spaces between the teeth
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Stained or discolored teeth
• Misshapen or crooked teeth
• Teeth with defective enamel

Because porcelain veneers are about 0.3mm to 0.5mm in thickness, they do not require as much tooth reduction as a full coverage crown. Once they are bonded to the teeth, porcelain veneers are extremely durable and natural looking due to the high quality porcelain used to craft them. The color and shape of your veneers are customized to achieve the specific smile you desire. Free consultation appointments are available at our practice to evaluate your smile and determine if porcelain veneers are the best solution for you.

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Q: I have a terrible snoring problem and I have tried everything short of surgery to fix it. I heard from a friend of mine that some dentists are able to provide non-surgical solutions for snoring. Is this something that you offer at your practice?

A: If your snoring is caused by obstructive sleep apnea and you have several healthy teeth left in your mouth, you may be a good candidate for a device called a snore guard. Less costly, cumbersome, and invasive than other sleep apnea and snoring solutions, the snore guard works by propping open the upper and lower teeth and moving the lower jaw and tongue forward as you sleep to keep your airway clear of obstruction. While wearing the device, air is able to flow easily through the mouth and trachea, which can eliminate your snoring problem all together. You will need to contact our office to schedule an evaluation to be certain that this is the right solution for you.

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