Q&A
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Q: What determines how often I come in for cleaning appointments? Why are cleanings so important?
Q: How do you deal with my insurance plan?
Q: What is TMJ or TMD? How can my dentist help with headaches or migranes?
Q: I get really nervous when visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?
Q: What determines how often I come in for cleaning appointments? Why are cleanings so important?
We work diligently to make sure you'll always know the state of your oral health, and anything we need to keep an eye on. Your hygienist will help you understand what interval is needed to keep your mouth healthy – which differs for each person, and can change throughout your life as a patient. Your hygiene appointment interval can range from needing appointments as frequently as every 2 months up to being scheduled every 9 months, depending on your individual needs. We'll schedule your sequential appointment before you leave. We will also send you a card, give you a call, e-mail, or even a text message when you're due for your next visit to help ensure you don't fall behind.
Most patients find they enjoy the added aesthetic benefits and the ‘clean mouth' feel of frequent cleanings – it's also the best way to keep your mouth and smile bright and healthy! Preventative care today often leads to avoidance of painful and expensive restorative work down the road. Make an appointment today and we'll help you figure out what schedule is best for you and your smile.
Q: How safe is whitening? Is there any difference between whitening I have done with my dentist and something I buy at the pharmacy?
Your smile is one of the most expressive parts of your face.Your smile can tell people a lot about you, your confidence, and your emotions. Bleaching has been proven to be both safe and effective in various clinical trials over the last several years, and ahs become one of the most popular procedures in our office. The Canadian and American Dental Association's seal of approval has been given to a wide range of tooth whitening products.
Generally, the only side effect from treatment may be some sensitivity to hot and cold foods. If this occurs, sensitivity normally disappears within 48 hours.
If you are embarrassed or self-conscious about the look of your smile, or have ever wanted to rejuvenate your pearly whites, then teeth whitening with ZOOM! Can provide a big boost in confidence, and give you the bright white smile of your dreams!
Over time, your teeth can become stained or discolored for a number of different reasons such as age, staining foods and drinks, tobacco products and even genetics. The use of Antibiotics, Fluoride or other chemicals can also negatively affect the colour of your teeth, as can dental trauma.
Downtown Dental provide our patients with many different whitening solutions, including custom bleaching trays and ZOOM! In-office Professional whitening to improve the brightness of their smiles. If you are suffering from stained or discoloured teeth, schedule an initial whitening consultation with one of our doctors.
After a ZOOM! Whitening procedure, your teeth can be dramatically whiter in only one session, typically just over an hour and gives a wonderful boost in confidence, leaving you with a brighter whiter smile – reversing years of staining.
Under the supervision of your dentist, we are able to monitor your whitening progress and ensure there are no conditions in your oral health that whitening would further injure. Over the counter whitening often employ significantly weaker whitening agents, and leaves an uneven whitening result only addressing immediate surface staining. For consistent results balanced with a focus on your oral health, your first call should be to your dentist.
A professional teeth-whitening program issued and supervised by your dentist uses a program custom-made to your needs. Take the first step to whiter, brighter teeth by discussing all of your options with us. We'll ensure that you have all of the information on whichever program you decide to follow, and give you something to smile about when it's over!
Q: How do you deal with my insurance plan?
A: Our office process most insurance plans, and submits your claims electronically to your insurance carrier. This eliminates the need for paperwork, mailing claim forms and in most cases speeds up your waiting time for insurance reimbursement. Many insurance plans make payments as quickly as five days after our submission. We also offer assistance for any paper submissions for secondary insurance or additional insurance coverage you might have. We're always here for your questions, and are happy to explain how your coverage works with your course of treatment.
Q: What is TMJ or TMD? How can my dentist help with headaches or migranes?
A: When your temporomandibular joint is misaligned, it puts excess stress on the nerves and muscles surrounding the joint. Sometimes, the temporomandibular joint is stressing certain muscles even when the jaw is at rest. This condition is referred to as TMD.
Headaches and migraines are two of the biggest symptoms of TMD. In the past, people with chronic migraines or headaches with no physical causes were told that there was nothing they could do about it. Now it is being determined that TMD is the cause behind many of these headaches and migraines.
When muscles and nerves are being strained all the time, it can cause pain in those muscles, which feels like a tension headache. In addition, when these muscles are strained, the brain will tell the body to send more blood to the area than it needs. The result is pain that can feel like a vascular headache or migraine.
Realigning the temporomandibular joint and relaxing the muscles and nerves in the head can alleviate the headaches or migraines that they cause.
Q: Do you accept referrals?
A: We love referrals, and appreciate your continued trust in our office. Wonderful people refer wonderful people, so we look forward to treating your friends with the same expert care we extend to you. Ask us about our "Care to Share" referral cards, and how you can share the great news of our office's commitment to oral health with your friends and family!
Q: My spouse snores and keeps me up at night. I have heard a dentist might be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?
A: Yes, we can! We offer Snoreguards as an effective treatment for patients with snoring and mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This patented and FDA approved method is often a solution in homes where snoring is an issue. Make an appointment or contact us for more information today. Sleep Apnea if untreated can leave certain patients prone to serious health risks. Our doctors along with your Medical physician can help treat Sleep Apnea, and help offer you solutions that fit within your lifestyle and budget. Our doctors have undergone additional certification to offer treatment for Sleep Apnea, and create Sleep Apnea devices.
Q: I get really nervous when visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?
A: We make every effort to make your visit soothing and relaxing! Nitrous oxide can be administered safely and comfortably to you through a nose piece. Stereo headphones, dark glasses, your favorite CD from our selection or from your own collection, blankets and neck support pillows are all available for your comfort and relaxation. For some of our most nervous patients, oral sedation is available. Our friendly staff is always here to serve you and make you comfortable. Talk to us about your anxiety and we can be extra sensitive to your needs, as appropriate.
