An exam and x-rays are needed in order for the doctor to properly diagnose what type of treatment is needed. The doctor can only see above the gum line. X-rays allow the doctor to see below the gum line and properly diagnose treatment.

We strongly recommend that a parent be present during their child’s treatment in case we should have any questions and/or issues. We understand there are times where you may need to leave during your child’s appointment. If this happens, we may require that you sign a waiver allowing us to perform the needed procedure(s) in your absence. We also require a phone number where you can be reached during that time. As a general rule, we do prefer a parent to be present during the duration of the appointment.

It is difficult to quote fees without knowing exactly what is needed. For example:

• There are different levels of cleanings which can’t be determined until an exam is performed.
• There are many surfaces of the tooth where decay can develop. Therefore, it is difficult to quote a fee without knowing the size of the filling and how many surfaces are involved.

Therefore, without x-rays and/or examining the patient, it is difficult to quote fees over the phone.

The dentist will do a thorough exam to diagnose what type of cleaning is needed. They will also address any other issues that may be of importance to your overall dental health.

While we do not forbid a parent from going back with their child, it has been our experience that children typically do better when the parent is not in the room.

Yes, we see children of all ages. We do everything we can to make sure their first visit at Family Dental Center is a positive one. We want them to look forward to coming to the dentist!

Yes, we are accepting new patients. If you are happy with the services you receive, we would appreciate you telling your friends and family. The best compliment you can give us is to refer your friends and family!

We accept all insurance plans and are happy to assist you by filing your claims to your insurance company. We are a premier provider with Delta Dental.

Many employers offer Flexible Spending Accounts to their employees as part of their benefit package. Flexible spending accounts allow employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for certain healthcare expenses not reimbursed through other means. Some of the reimbursable expenses include dental services. Please contact your Administrator or IRS for more detailed information on your flex dollars. We will gladly accept most flexible spending cards as payment. However, some flexible spending cards require a PIN number, which we are not able to process. In these situations, we will ask for another form of payment and provide you with a receipt. You can then submit the receipt to your Flexible Spending Administrator for reimbursement.

We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. We also accept most Flexible Spending Cards.

While we understand emergencies do happen, we do request a 24-hour notice if you need to cancel an appointment. This allows us to schedule other patients who may be waiting to be seen.

For routine exams and hygiene visits, it is recommended that you make your next appointment after each hygiene visit, as these appointments fill up fast. This is especially true if you need early morning or late afternoon. This assures that you will get an appointment that fits in your schedule. Treatment plans can usually be scheduled within a couple of weeks.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends taking your child to his or her first dental visit by the age of 1 year. Family Dental Center follows the protocols of the ADA, and we try to use this first appointment as a “get to know your child” visit. Children have teeth by age 1, and it is important to establish a dental home as early as possible. This has been shown to be effective in educating both parents and children.

Amalgam fillings are often used at Family Dental Center. The amalgam material has been around for years, and has been shown to be a very strong and durable restoration. In fact, the ADA, FDA and AMA (American Medical Association) have shown it to be a very good restorative material with no health risks.

The ADA has endorsed fluoride as a cavity preventer for years. It works by creating a harder enamel, more resistant to the harmful effects of the acid released by the bacteria known to cause cavities. Research has also indicated that fluoride is somehow involved in the process of inhibiting the bacteria itself.

While not all patients need their wisdom teeth out, our dentists may recommend it to you. This is specific to each patient, but a few reasons we may recommend removal of your wisdom teeth may include: lack of room for them to erupt straight, cavities on them due to inability to keep clean, increased plaque accumulation on them or pain noted by the patient in the area.

Sealants are preventive “coverings” for your teeth that have deeper grooves on the chewing surfaces. It is a non-invasive process where your hygienist places a resin material on the grooves, smoothing them out, to prevent food and bacteria from getting caught in the areas. They are usually recommended for your 6 year and 12 year molars, but may be recommended on other teeth as well.

There are few instances in which implants are used. One is to restore a single space, and another is to help stabilize dentures. An implant as a single tooth replacement option has many benefits. It is essentially a “screw” placed in the bone, on to which a crown is fitted to replace a space where a tooth is missing. It essentially acts like a natural tooth, and allows the patient to function normally while easily keeping the area clean. In the denture stabilization method, a number of implants are placed in the bone and a denture is custom fitted to attach to these implants. It helps to keep the dentures in place, and offers a patient more function and security.

Depending on the location of the missing tooth, there are generally three options for replacing a tooth. One option is an implant. This is a great way to replace a space without disrupting the adjacent teeth. Another options is a bridge. This is similar to a crown, in which the teeth adjacent to the space are prepared and then a bridge is fabricated that involves three teeth, the space and the two adjacent. It is cemented in and restores function while closing the space. The third option is called a partial denture. It is basically a removable retainer with a fake tooth on it that is placed in the space.

Our dentists at Family Dental Center recommend any ADA endorsed toothpaste that contains fluoride. There are a variety of flavors and “specialty” toothpastes that help certain problem areas. At your dental visit, your dentist can recommend a specific product based on your dental exam.

An electric toothbrush is a great option for a toothbrush because often, they have timers to help the patients brush for the recommended 2 minutes. Also, the vibrations have been shown to remove more plaque and food than manual toothbrushes.

X-rays are usually taken yearly to help assist the dentist in diagnosing cavities between the teeth. It is also used to monitor changes in the bone level, which is associated with overall periodontal health.

Tooth whitening is usually not covered by insurance, but it is always recommended patients ask our business assistants to further look in to their specific coverage.

It is recommended that children stop using their pacifier no later than age 3. If the habit continues, they can develop crooked teeth and/or bite problems.

One possible reason children may grind their teeth may be due to the unstable bite that is present with baby teeth. As children grow, baby teeth are lost and adult teeth come in. These changes occur over a number of years, and during that time, children may grind. Once the bite stabilizes with adult teeth, often times, children stop grinding their teeth.

No, as long as you use the recommended products as directed, and under the guidance of your dentist. The active ingredients in the tooth whitening gels prescribed by dentists are either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, and have been shown to be completely safe for your teeth and gums.

Veneers are minimally invasive restorations often used to cover discolored teeth or to straighten minor imperfections. The dentist removes a small amount of enamel on the front of the tooth, and a veneer is fabricated and cemented where the enamel was removed.

It is recommended that patient’s floss at least once a day. Research has shown that it takes 24 hours for the demineralization process to start. So, to help reduce the amount of bacteria and food between the teeth, it is best to floss at least once a day.

Unfortunately, a new cavity can form under a crown or filling if a patient’s home care and diet are not ideal. A cavity needs three things to form: a tooth, a carbohydrate food source and bacteria. So, if a patient properly cleans the tooth from bacteria and food, the likelihood of developing a cavity dramatically decreases. Patients have even more of a chance at being cavity free if their diet is high in protein, fruits and vegetables with minimal carbohydrates and sugars.

It is recommended by the ADA to replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

Children normally get their first tooth around 6 months old.