 |
|
Question. What are your hours of operation?
Answer. 7:00 am- 3:00 pm Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
11:00 am - 7:00 pm Tuesday |
Top
|
|
Question. How soon can I get and appointment?
Answer. We will attempt to get you is ASAP according to your needs. A non-pain suffering individual may take up to two weeks however to get in. |
Top
|
|
Question. Do you accept insurance?
Answer. We will complete your insurance forms for you at the conclusion of your visit. You can then submit them for payment. Payment will come to you directly. |
Top
|
|
Question. What is a "Zero-Balance" office.
Answer. Simply said, we do not carry account balances. We offer third party financing for those who desire their treatment and need some help with making extended payments. |
Top
|
|
Question. Do I have to have X-Rays done?
Answer. Yes & No
If you have current images from another office, they may be acceptable, otherwise we will have to make current images. These will be minimally Cavity detection films and a panoramic film. |
Top
|
|
Question. Should I pre-med if it has been 8 years since my heart condition?
Answer. Basically yes. Unless we have a written notification from your physician that you are not required to be pre-medicated we have to insist upon having an antibiotic coverage. |
Top
|
|
Question. Do you see children?
Answer. We will see children older then 10 in the office. |
Top
|
|
Question. Why do I need radiographs?
Answer. Radiographic images are made to allow the doctor to see where he otherwise could not. They are not fool-proof and thus you may have other images recommended. |
Top
|
|
Question. What precautions do you take when removing mercury fillings?
Answer. We have several precautions. The use of a rubber dam is routinely placed around the tooth (teeth) being treated. A negative ion generator is working at the head of the chair circulating while we are removing the filling. We also use an extra-oral HEPA vacuum to catch air borne particulate matter. An alternative air source is available as well as gowns to be worn while extracting the filling and a chelating oral rinse can be used upon completion of the procedure.
We will often have you get a Vitamin C IV drip at a local naturopaths office. |
Top
|
|
Question. Do you follow "detox" protocols
Answer. Yes, we do. As a member of Dr. Huggins Dental Alliance, we follow his strict protocols as part of our commitment to your wellness program. |
Top
|
|
Question. Do you know of any doctors who can assist me with my detox?
Answer. Yes, we work with several doctors in the local area who are very skilled in the realm of systemic detoxification. |
Top
|
|
Question. Why does a dentist treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea?
Answer. A dentist, properly trained, is the best doctor to treat you non-surgically. We work with the mouth (muscles, jaws, and teeth) regularly and our understanding of materials science position us as the best one to treat these conditions. |
Top
|
|
Question. What are the Signs and Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Answer. Loud snoring due to cessation of breathing
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Awakening during sleep that may include gasping or choking
Fragmented or non-refreshing sleep
Poor memory or difficulty with concentration
Irritability and personality changes
Decreased sex drive
Morning headaches |
Top
|
|
Question. How do you treat it?
Answer. We first must diagnose the nature of the snoring. Most of these issues are positional in nature. By using our diagnostic instruments we can determine (usually close to 100% of the time) if you are a candidate for oral appliance therapy. |
Top
|
|
Question. What is Oral Appliance (Dilator) Therapy?
Answer. It is the application of either a semi-custom or custom fitted device to the teeth, for the purpose of moving your jaw to a particular position that optimizes your airway when you sleep. |
Top
|
|
Question. Does it cost much?
Answer. That depends on your particular condition. For a simpler case where snoring is the only issue, the fee is considerably less. If it is for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the fee is higher. |
Top
|
|
Question. How can I pay for it?
Answer. We accept Cash, Check, or Charge cards (Visa, Master Card or Discover). We can provide you with a medical insurance form to be sent in for those with medical coverage. |
Top
|
|
Question. Why don't you accept insurance for this treatment?
Answer. The sad fact is that there is a wide diversity in coverage for the services we provide. There aren't two companies that cover the services at the same rate. Much like trying to hit a moving target. This uneven playing field has made providing these services, under an insurance model, very difficult. We have had to take this position due to this. |
Top
|
|
Question. How long is an average TMD/TMJ treatment?
Answer. Approximately 80% are completed with Phase I care in about 12 weeks. Upon Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) Phase II can commence |
Top
|
|
Question. What is Periodontal Disease?
Answer. It's an infection of the gums. It starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form calculus or tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria which attacks the soft tissue around the gums. This early stage gum disease is called Gingivitis. Symptoms include red swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath and sometimes, an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontis. At this sever stage, bacteria destroys both the gums and the supporting bone structure! Pockets form where teeth are separated from the gums and surrounding bones. Left untreated, Periodontis eventually results in tooth loss. |
Top
|
|
Question. What's the best way to treat Periodontal Disease?
Answer. Laser Periodontal Therapy (tm) a patented laser alternative (non-painful) to conventional gum surgery (very painful). |
Top
|
|
Question. What's different about LPT?
Answer. Using a special kind of laser called the PerioLase, the laser fiber, which is only about as wide as a couple of human hairs, is inserted between the gum tissue and your tooth, where it painlessly removes the noxious elements that cause gum disease. |
Top
|
|
Question. How many treatments will I need?
Answer. LPT doesn't take much time at all--just two two-hour sessions versus eight to ten one-hour sessions with surgery. You don't have to worry about bleeding, stitches or post-treatment infection, because your gums haven't been cut. |
Top
|
|
Question. Is it very expensive and will my insurance cover it?
Answer. The good news is, LPT is actually less expensive--by about 20%--then conventional periodontal surgery. The code for our therapy is the same as for conventional surgery, thus they should reimburse you for Laser Periodontal Therapy without question. |
Top
|
|
