What is a family dentist?
Your family dentist is the captain of your oral health team. They assess your oral health, diagnose any problems, suggest treatments or procedures and devise a plan for your ongoing dental needs.
A family dentist will also assess when you need the services of a dental specialist such as a periodontist (gum specialist), oral and maxillofacial surgeon, orthodontist, pediatric dentist, prosthodontist ( specialist in advanced crowns, bridges, implants and dentures) and other specialists as well.
Your family dentist works with the members of their team, the dental hygienists, dental assistants and front desk staff, to help you achieve the best oral health possible.
This is my first appointment, what do I need to know?
Your first dental appointment will be a looking, talking and planning appointment. We will review your overall health, examine your head, neck and oral tissues, your teeth, your gums, your jaw joint (TMJ) and your smile. We will likely take some radiographs (x-rays) and possibly some pictures and moulds of your teeth. We will discuss with you your chief concerns and wishes for your oral health and then suggest a dental hygiene plan. This is your opportunity to ask any and all questions you may have.
After your appointment we will review your treatment plan and estimate, go over any insurance benefit or other questions and plan your appointments. Some people prefer shorter, more frequent appointments, some prefer longer appointments so they can get more done and come back less often. This is an individual choice depending on what you prefer or what works best for you.
How often should I see a dentist?
This decision is an individual one and depends on your overall dental health. Some people who have more serious gum issues or have specific dental problems need to come in often. Those with excellent dental and gum health require fewer visits. We continue to assess and re-assess your oral hygiene to help determine the frequency of your appointments.
When should my child come in for their first dental appointment?
Current recommendations are that your child should be first seen at about age one. We recommend a friendly complimentary orientation visit first before the "real appointment". Let your child come in, visit with our fish in our beautiful aquarium, go for a ride in our "space chair" and get to know the gadgets we use to count and "sparkle" their teeth. A fun first dental experience will generate a comfortable dental experience in the future and build a great patient-dentist relationship for life!
Does my insurance plan pay for everything?
Sometimes an employer will offer dental benefits as part of an employee benefit package in order to make their business an attractive place to work. There are so many different dental insurance plans ranging from the most elaborate to the most basic of coverage that it is not always clear what is covered and what is not. You will want to look into what your individual plan offers to know what is covered for you. You should consider your dental benefit plan a benefit but not expect it to cover everything you may need for optimal oral health. We are happy to help you maximize your dental benefits, but we will always plan and recommend treatment on what is best and needed for you.
What kind of tooth brush should I use?
The best manual toothbrush for you is one with soft bristles or extra soft if you have gum recession or sensitive teeth and with a small enough head that can reach into the back spaces. We also highly recommend electric brushes such as the Braun Oral B Series or Phillips Sonicare. Ask us which one we recommend for you.