1025 South 320th ST Suite 201 Federal Way, WA 98003
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you accept new patients?
What can I expect during my first visit?
What is your financial policy?
What is cosmetic dentistry?
What is a comprehensive cosmetic analysis?
What about tooth bleaching?
What about fluoride?
What are dental filling alternatives?
Are implants effective and painless?
How do I treat halitosis (bad breath)?
When should my children first see a dentist?
How long should my teeth last?
How is periodontal disease treated?
Can headaches be related to problems with teeth?
Do you accept new patients?
Yes. We are always pleased to welcome new patients to our family friendly practice. Our aim in modern dentistry is the preservation of natural teeth for a lifetime of function, esthetics and satisfaction. For this reason, we spend considerable time discussing preventive measures, which if followed, will help you to maintain your mouth in a state of optimum health.
What can I expect during my first visit?
Your initial exam will include a medical history review and a discussion of your dental concerns. A comprehensive set of X-rays may be taken to evaluate the bone, the position of your teeth, and tooth structure not visible to the naked eye. If you have had a full-mouth series of films within the last three to five years, please bring the original duplicate x-rays with you. Your previous dentist will be able to provide these with a signed request . You can print out a Records Request form at the bottom of the HOME page.
You will view a series of DVD presentations which allows you to Co-Diagnose dental problems. You will be educated to participate in the diagnosis and in the decisions of treatment alternatives .
We will evaluate and discuss the risks of problems, and the prognosis for the following four areas.
- Your periodontal status (gums and tissues)
- The structure of your teeth (cavities, broken teeth, etc)
- How your muscles, jaw and teeth function
- The esthetics (appearance) of your smile
PRIOR TO DENTAL TREATMENT WE WILL
discuss treatment alternatives.
estimate fees before treatment begins. Insurance and privacy (HIPPA) will be reviewed.
give you written, illustrated information to take home so you can digest the concepts presented during your comprehensive exam.
What is the office financial policy?
Our office provides optimal care for the most reasonable cost to our patients. For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, and credit cards bearing a Visa or Master Card logo. A third party finance program (Care Credit) is available for extensive treatment plans.
For those patients with the good fortune to have dental insurance, we accept almost all dental insurance plans. As a complementary service we will submit your treatment to your insurance company. Most insurance plans will only pay for a percentage of the cost of treatment. We can usually estimate this coverage. Our estimate may differ somewhat from your insurance company's calculations. Thus, the amount due in our office may differ from our original estimate.
Our retired patients can receive a generous price consideration for continuing care appointments if they have been patients in our continuing care program at the recommended interval for at least two years, and are without insurance benefits and are available for short notice appointments.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
You’ll be happy to know that a small improvement in your smile can make a huge difference in the way you feel about your entire appearance. That is why transforming chipped, discolored or poorly shaped teeth into a healthy and natural-looking smile can do wonders for the quality of your life.
We can help provide esthetic renewal of teeth that meets the requirements for beauty, strength, function and longevity, and creates or restores a proportionally balanced smile. We can use tooth colored restorations, whiten the teeth, disc the teeth, and even participate in extreme makeovers.
What Is A Comprehensive Cosmetic Analysis?
First, we will photograph your current smile. Together, we will evaluate your smile, and discuss what you would like to change or improve. We will take impressions of your teeth and models for communication and treatment planning. One of the best ways to begin is to show you some Before and After photos of individuals we have treated. A mock up can be done on the models, and in your mouth to visualize the result of treatment. Often an orthodontist or periodontist will be consulted.
What About Tooth Bleaching?
After making models of your teeth we provide form fitted trays. At home, you use a powerful bleach solution one hour each day over a period of two weeks. This process reduces the possibility of sensitivity, is much less expensive then the in-office process, and the trays may allow future bleach touch-ups.
What About Fluoride?
Always controversial, fluoride has provided prevention of dental cavities to children all over the world. Every major international health care research agency has tested the safety and efficacy of fluoride, and has found fluoride to be safe and effective. Much of the water in Federal Way does not have fluoride at the recommended dosage, and many families are using bottled water that decreases fluoride. Please discuss your fluoride needs with us. We can write a prescription for your child if necessary
What are Dental Filling Alternatives?
The Dental Board of California has a complete survey of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Materials. Please click on these links for more information.
Are Implants Effective, and Painless?
The implant technology is one of the most significant innovations that has helped people save their teeth in the last century. The predictability of implants lasting for over 20 years or more is 90 to 95 percent. The placement of implants is almost pain free.
How do I Treat Halitosis (bad breath)?
Bad breath can be caused by
- bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue,
- tooth decay, gum disease, inadequate oral hygiene,
- odor-causing foods,
- the use of tobacco products,
- sinus or respiratory infection,
- continued mouth dryness,
- some medical disorders and medications.
Treatment can involve diet management, smoking cessation, meticulous patient hygiene (brush and floss) including cleaning the tongue, mouth rinses, periodontal treatment, and a physician consult and treatment. BreathRx kits are available at our office at a much-reduced price from the retail stores. Consider talking to our hygienists about a “quit smoking” program. Also, drink tea, try yogurt, beware of spicy food, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum and eat your veggies.
Be sure to discuss your concerns with our hygienists and your physician.
When Should My Children First See a Dentist?
For your first child our recommendation is at age one, primarily to give the parents some guidance. Otherwise, age three is a good age to evaluate your child's teeth and bite, and to encourage the prevention of cavities. If you notice brown areas (cavities?) on your child’s teeth make an appointment for a dental exam.
How Long Should My Teeth Last?
There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to your teeth. Corn nuts, popcorn kernels, ice cubes, hard candy, and crunchy bread and many other offenders can crack teeth. Cutting tape, fishing line, breaking nuts and other hard items can put teeth through a lot of wear and tear. Existing dentistry, such as fillings or crowns, can break down over time. Some people have very strong mouth muscles, and grind their teeth during the day and at night.
Prevention, such as treatment of cavities, correcting a misaligned bite and wearing a Biteguard can help you save your teeth for most of your lifetime. If you have periodontal disease it is important to manage the disease with impeccable hygiene, and have frequent dental cleanings below the tissue.
How is Periodontal Disease Treated?
Periodontal disease is an infection of your gums and the bone that surrounds your teeth. It is diagnosed by examining your x-rays and performing a thorough periodontal evaluation of your teeth. We may recommend scaling and root planing of your teeth in order to eliminate the bacteria below the gumline, which is the source of the infection. This procedure usually requires one hour per quadrant of your mouth, to provide enough time to thoroughly clean the root surface. Typically you will be numb for this appointment. Extra TLC and home care instructions are provided at each scaling and root planing appointment. Once you complete your initial treatment, we will likely recommend more frequent dental cleanings to maintain a healthy mouth.
Can Headaches be Related to Problems with Teeth?
Often, muscle tension, headaches and jaw pain can be a result of an uneven or non-centered bite. Many times a bite adjustment, orthodontic treatment and the wearing of a Biteguard at night can help alleviate these symptoms.
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