Ask Dr. Chuck

1. How often should I see a dentist?
2. I don’t like my teeth or my smile – what can I do?
3. Why do I need a dental exam? I don’t have any teeth.
4. Do you take my dental insurance?
5. Do you have a payment plan?
6. How often do I need to have my teeth cleaned?
7. What services do you offer?
8. Do you place silver fillings?
9. Do you put people to sleep to do their dental work?
10. Why do I need a comprehensive exam? Can’t I just get my teeth cleaned?

Q: How often should I see a dentist?

That depends on several things. How well do you take care of your teeth? Do you brush, floss and use directed water irrigation every day? Are you on medications? Are you a smoker? Are you a diabetic? Do you have a lot of dentistry to maintain? What is the condition of your existing dentistry? As you can see, many factors are considered. It has to be customized to the individual. For most people, it’s at least every six months, but for many, it’s every 3 months. I do have a few patients who do very well at once a year, but their homecare is fabulous.

Q: I don’t like my teeth or my smile – what can I do?

Start by deciding what you do and don’t like about your smile. Then make an appointment for a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. Discover your options and take action. A wide variety of choices are available to improve how your teeth work and the way your smile looks. There are many services available, and most people will need a combination of services or “blended services,” which means different procedures on different teeth, working together to give you a terrific smile. For many people, the most difficult step is the first step. Go ahead and make your appointment. Delay only will lead to regret of your inaction and lost time with your beautiful smile.

Q: Why do I need a dental exam? I don’t have any teeth.

When I perform a dental exam I check a lot more than just teeth. I closely examine the hard and soft tissues for any changes. Many oral diseases don’t hurt until they are in advanced stages. Sore spots caused by ill-fitting dentures happen as tissues and bodies change with wear and age. Having regular oral examinations can help you avoid unnecessary discomfort.

Q: Do you take my dental insurance?

We currently participate with Ameritas, Delta Dental Premier, Guardian, MetLife and Principal. If you have PPO dental insurance other than those listed above, you simply pay for your services at the time of your visit. We will file all the necessary information and forms for you. The insurance company will reimburse you directly for any benefits available to you.

Q: Do you have a payment plan?

We participate with a variety of the plans available through CareCredit®. CareCredit® works like a credit card for dental work. The application process is simple and takes just a few minutes. Once you are approved, you have options for repayment depending on the amount for the services. We participate with both the “same as cash” and extended payment plan options.

Q: How often do I need to have my teeth cleaned?

How often you come in to have your teeth cleaned will depend on your dental health. We see patients every 3 to 6 months for hygiene maintenance. Over 70% of adults have periodontal disease and many do not even know that they have it. Periodontal disease, commonly known as “gum disease” is a chronic, inflammatory disease that results in the destruction of ligaments, tissue and bone support around the teeth. Many times with periodontal disease, you may not experience any discomfort until the damage is done. You can have a long standing, low grade infection that affects your entire body. Should you be diagnosed with periodontal disease, your non-surgical gum therapy can be treated right here. Anesthetic may be used to insure your comfort. Sometimes, due to certain factors, it is best to see a specialist. If this is your situation, we will refer you to an excellent specialist in the area.

Q: What services do you offer?

As a general dentist, I provide a wide range of dental services. Services include(but are not limited to): tooth colored fillings, cosmetic veneers, crowns, bridges, partials and dentures. As a lifelong learner, I’ve taken extended courses to better treat temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) issues, provide cosmetic dental solutions to improve smiles as well as implant placement to restore chewing function.

Q: Do you place silver fillings?

I haven’t placed amalgams, commonly called silver fillings, in over eight years. There are two main reasons that I don’t use amalgam any longer: the corrosive nature and the thermal coefficient of the material. Over time, silver fillings corrode allowing bacteria to get into the space between the tooth and the filling causing decay. This decay can go undetected and cause extensive damage to the tooth. The other reason, and in my opinion the most destructive, is thermal coefficient. Amalgam expands and contracts four times more than our natural tooth structure. So over time, with the changes in temperature from hot to cold and back, the filling puts stress on the tooth. Fine, hairline cracks start to appear. Then, all of the sudden, in the middle of eating something as soft as a cheese sandwich, you find part of your tooth broken off. Sometimes these cracks can go so deep into the tooth that it can cause the nerve to die or worse, you can loose the tooth if the crack goes down into the root.

Q: Do you put people to sleep to do their dental work?

I do not practice sedation dentistry. In my office, YOU, the patient, are in control at all times. I have learned techniques that allow me to gently administer anesthetic. Many times, a patient will comment that they didn’t feel a thing after I’ve given them anesthetic. The rule in my office is simple; any time you need a break for anything, all you have to do is say “unnh!” Dentistry has come a long way and it’s not supposed to hurt. By building on positive experiences, I will help you overcome your dental apprehension.

Q: Why do I need a comprehensive exam? Can’t I just get my teeth cleaned?

I meet all of my adult patients first. It gives you a chance to have my undivided attention. You are not a number to me. Each patient’s dental goals are different. I see myself like a travel agent. If you are going to Seattle and I’m trying to get you to New York, there’s going to be communication issues. I want to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your dental care. I perform a comprehensive examination that includes an oral cancer screening, x-rays, photographs, periodontal probing along with reviewing your overall health. Many medical conditions and medications can affect your oral health. After reviewing all the information gathered, I will recommend treatment and the type of hygiene (cleaning) appointment that best suit your needs. I look forward to helping you for years to come not just today.