How do I know when it is time for a checkup?
Most adults require quarterly visits to maintain optimum periodontal health and longevity. We tailor our re-care visits to your unique conditions.

Do I have to floss every day? Is it really important?
You don’t have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep!

What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
We use heat sterilization and disposable barriers on everything that comes into contact with patients in the treatment environment. We instituted these procedures long before AIDS and Hepatitis were even an issue with dental sterilization. We use protective eyewear all around. In addition, we use high power magnification to provide even better vision and precision to dental procedures.

What about my children? At what age should they see a dentist? What’s your philosophy on treating children?
We love kids! I have four precious grandchildren who are the loves of my life! We are mainly or largely an adult restorative practice focusing on adolescents on up. We have found that modern pediatric dentistry requires a highly focused skill set all of its own. Children requiring restorative dentistry are best seen by one of our network of pediatric specialists for their comfort and for the highly positive kids-oriented environment that these specialists provide. We encourage you to have your child seen as early as age three, depending on maturity, by a pediatric specialist.

I’m taking my child to a pediatric dentist. When do we make the change back to a general practice? ? Adolescence is the best time to make the change. Your kids will let you know, believe me!

What’s your philosophy about orthodontics?
Early interceptive treatment and finish by age 13! Why by age 13? Age 13 is the benchmark, especially for girls, when they become VERY social. After that, social stuff is a whole lot more important than cooperating with the orthodontist to finalize a perfect case. I do offer one particular service that is FREE for children that may be the most important service I can offer. Since I treat lots of TMJ disorders, I am in a unique position to see early developing TMJ problems in children. If I can see your child when they have their four upper and lower permanent incisors in position (age 5½ to 7½), many times we can identify early developing TMJ problems that can be solved by early interceptive treatment by one of our network of astute orthodontists. Early interceptive orthodontics is one of the BEST possible services for a child. Early treatment when a child is growing solves a myriad of problems later. (This area of orthodontics is called facial orthopedics.) The result is beautiful faces, healthy jaw joints, perfect occlusions and very little TMJ-related headaches as an adult.

What if I need to cancel an appointment?
Out of respect for the doctor’s time, and our other patient’s time we ask that you make every effort to give us at least 24 hour notice, particularly if you have reserved a large block of time for major treatment. We are, however, cognizant that it is not always possible, and family or personal emergencies do occur. Please leave a message on our message center, or if it is less than 24 hours notice, call the doctor’s emergency line, so that we are then able to give your time to someone who can use it.

What’s the difference between home whitening systems and the new “Zoom Whitening”?
Zoom whitening is a method of jump-starting the whitening process by the use of a high intensity lamp. The lamp releases the oxygen in the hydrogen peroxide solutions used in the Zoom process, resulting in several shade changes over a one-hour period. Home systems, on the other hand, require time spent on a daily basis for a week or more to achieve results. Both methods are effective, but for the most dramatic change faster, Zoom is the process of choice.

Is it possible to whiten my teeth too much?
While there is nothing in the literature to indicate that this is a problem, we need to remember that all things in moderation is a good thing. There comes a point with anyone’s teeth where all the product in the world will not make them whiter. Whitening became popular in the 80’s, and so far, there is no study to indicate that there is harm. Using the whitening on a monthly basis is not required, in our estimation. An occasional touch-up is okay, like for a wedding or reunion, etc., but let’s be prudent.

What about tetracycline stain? Will it respond to whitening?
It all depends. I have seen some cases respond to whitening, but it will take longer, and will require the use of particular products and protocols to accomplish it.

How do I make a decision about cosmetic or esthetic dentistry??
We feel that decision is best made in consultation with a highly trained dentist who is familiar with, and has extensively trained for this type of dentistry. Functional dentistry, properly done, is also very cosmetic or esthetic. We are finding that esthetic desires vary widely from patient to patient. Nearly 50% of our post-graduate education is spent in learning more about esthetic dentistry. Esthetic dentistry also requires world-class laboratory support. Ultimately do you want people to look at you and say: “You look terrific—what did you do for yourself?” Or: “Nice caps!!”??