Q. How often should I see a dentist?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
Q. What should I expect during my appointment?
A. One of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, make X-rays of your teeth as needed and complete a TMJ (temporomandibular or jaw joint) exam. After we review your dental profile, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. If treatment such as a root canal (endodontics), braces (orthodontics) or oral surgery is needed, we will plan to treat you in our office or refer you to a specialist. We will discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.
During regular follow-up visits, we will examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, clean your teeth and make plans for treatment, as needed. We will discuss any pain or problems you may be experiencing and answer any questions you may have.
Q. What does “painless dentistry” mean?
A. Painless dentistry is a means of ensuring your total experience in our office is as stress-free and pain-free as possible. We will discuss treatment options that may require no local anesthetic and whenever possible, alleviate pain by the means most comfortable to you.
Q. What if I have an emergency?
A. Please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule if you have a dental emergency during regular business hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office emergency number 641-204-2671
Q. Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?
A. Yes, We accept many types of dental insurance and will gladly file those claims for you. Any patient portion is due at time of service. We accept most major credit cards, including MasterCard and Visa. We also partner with Care Credit in offering no-interest and low-interest payment plans.
Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?
A. There are several methods available for whitening your teeth, both in office and at home. The Zoom! whitening procedure is done in our office. The session usually lasts one and a half to two hours, and you can relax and listen to music or TV during the treatment. For at-home bleaching, we make an impression of your teeth and make trays that are custom-molded to your teeth. Those trays are filled with bleaching gel and worn overnight or for a few hours during the day. This process takes approximately two weeks. The Zoom! treatment also includes having the trays made. Those trays can be used for touch-ups down the road. We also have extra gel available for purchase.
We also offer prescription-strength White Strips in our office. These are stronger than what is available over the counter and are only available in a dental office. It is important to use any whitening product under the supervision of a dentist in order to diagnosis the cause of tooth discoloration. Some cases respond better to whitening than others.
Q. What if I have a gap in my teeth, a chipped tooth or teeth that do not respond to normal bleaching methods?
A. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually and permanently attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Bonding utilizes a composite material made of plastic to fill in areas of your teeth and correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers and bonding are color-matched to the rest of your teeth.