Do you accept my insurance?
We submit claims to all dental insurance companies and most companies will pay us directly. We estimate the amount your insurance will pay and collect only your estimated balance at the time of service. We are participating providers with Blue Cross Blue Shield of the Rochester area.
Learn more about dental benefits.
Are payment arrangements available?
Yes. We work with Care Credit to offer monthly payment plans, including some interest-free options. Visit carecredit.com for more information. We also accept cash, personal checks, Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express. Payment is expected at the time of service unless prior arrangements have been made.
Do you offer appointments that won’t interfere with my workday?
Yes. We offer appointments at 7:00 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The office is open until 7:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. We are also open 9:00 am – 2:00 pm two Saturdays per month.
Can my whole family be seen at the same time?
Yes. Depending on the time and day there are as many as three dentists and five hygienists here. This means you can schedule your family at the same time with different providers reducing the amount of time taken out of your family’s busy schedules.
Will I always see the same dentist and hygienist?
If you would like to see the same providers at every visit just ask when scheduling and we will do our best to accommodate you. Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance does not require you to choose a primary care provider. This gives you the freedom to choose what works best for you at each individual appointment. We always do our best to schedule you based on your individual preferences so please let us know what you would prefer when you are scheduling appointments.
What if I have a dental emergency?
We set aside time in our schedules everyday to accommodate emergencies and there is always a dentist on call when the office is closed. One of our highly qualified dental professionals will treat your emergent need promptly and you can schedule follow-up care with the provider of your choice.
Do I need to wear a mouth guard when I play sports?
Mouth guards should be worn in all sports that have any chance of physical contact with another player or object. Mouth guards help cushion blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, and jaw joints. Our office can fabricate a custom-made mouth guard for a perfect fit. Custom mouth guards are less bulky and can be designed in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Why are radiographs (x-rays) important?
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when the dentist examines your mouth. A radiographic examination may show:
- Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing fillings
- Infections in the bone
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Developmental abnormalities
- Some types of tumors
- Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and unnecessary discomfort. Radiographs can detect damage to oral structures not visible during a regular exam.
What is periodontal disease and how can it affect my health?
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a bacterial infection, and all infections are cause for concern. You may not even be aware that you have gum disease because often there is no pain. Periodontal disease is usually caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. If the plaque is not removed thoroughly with daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, the gums become irritated, inflamed and may bleed easily. The irritated gum tissue can separate from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. Bacteria move into the pockets and become more difficult to clean.
If left untreated, the pockets will continue to trap bacteria causing the pocket depths to increase in size and become deeper. This process can continue until the bone and other tooth supporting tissues are destroyed.
Research suggests that there may be a link between gum disease and other health concerns. Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research suggests that this may:
- Contribute to the development of heart disease
- Increase the risk of a stroke
- Increase risk of bacterial pneumonia
- Increase the risk during pregnancy of preterm, low birth weight babies
- Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory diseases and osteoporosis
- If you value your oral as well as your overall health, a periodontal evaluation is a good idea.
What is a sealant?
A sealant is a procedure that is generally performed on a child who has been deemed to be at a higher risk for decay. Sealants are placed if the child’s molar teeth have very deep pits and grooves or appear wrinkled on the biting surface. These developmental grooves of the teeth sometimes trap bacteria that cannot be sufficiently removed by brushing. So, a protective plastic coating called a sealant is placed on the biting surface of the permanent posterior teeth. While sealants are not absolutely indicated for all children, they are a cost-effective way to help prevent cavities from developing in these surfaces of the teeth. After several years, sealants may need to be replaced or touched up due to normal wear of everyday chewing.
How can I whiten my teeth?
There are different options available to improve the color of your teeth. One option that has had very pleasing results for our patients is the custom take-home bleaching tray system. The whitening material is applied to your teeth using a tray custom fit to your mouth, so the results are ideal. Generally, optimal results are seen within a two week period. Our office also offers an economical whitening strip system that is very easy to use and will deliver favorable results in a relatively short period of time!
If you are interested in enhancing the general shape and/or contours of your teeth in addition to the color, ceramic veneers or crowns may be an option for you. Learn more about these procedures by clicking here or call our office for a consultation.
What can I do to replace my missing teeth?
We offer a variety of permanently fixed or removable options for replacing missing teeth. These restorations are supported by other existing teeth or by replacing the roots of the missing teeth with dental implants. Dental implants can be used to support single crowns, fixed bridgework, or removable full or partial dentures. Learn more about dental implants.
What are the options for replacing my silver fillings?
As older silver fillings begin to breakdown and warrant replacement for the health of the tooth there are many restorative options. Most patients are interested in improving their esthetics at the same time as improving the health of the tooth.
Tooth-colored resin fillings are a good option if the area of the tooth to be restored is not too broad and is isolated above the gum-line.
For a more severely broken tooth, or to replace a very broad filling or a filling that extends under the gums, tooth-colored porcelain restorations are the best option. These include crowns and partial crowns, called inlays, or onlays.
Individual recommendations are made considering the amount of tooth to be restored, the position of the tooth, in the mouth and the bite relationship. Our goal is to restore your tooth to excellent function and esthetics with long-term predictability.
Why do some people need to take an antibiotic pre-medication before dental treatment?
People with certain kinds of heart conditions, replacement joints, or compromised immune systems may be prescribed an antibiotic to take prior to dental visits. This helps to prevent serious infections which can occur for these high-risk patients when bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream. If you have any of these conditions please notify our office prior to your dental appointment so we can contact your physician to see if antibiotic pre-medication is indicated for you. Learn more about receiving antibiotics before dental treatment.
At what age should my child start seeing the dentist?
The first dental visit should occur shortly after the first tooth erupts and no later than the child’s first birthday.