Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to Medicaid and Texas CHIP, We accept most dental insurance companies. Here are few examples: United Health, Assurant Health, Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, Care Credit, Spring Credit.
Although most dentistry procedures are covered by your insurance; we do offer an extensive list of payment plans, cosmetic procedure loans and other types of credits. Our goal is to divide your treatment costs into smaller monthly payments.
The basic problem in dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a lack of saliva. This can be caused by diseases of the salivary gland, medications that decrease salivary flow as a side effect or as a natural result of aging. This decrease in saliva can lead to a number of severe dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and mouth infections.
The best way to combat this problem is to use sugar free candy or gum and to drink plenty of water. Do not use sugared candy or soda, as they can lead to rapid dental decay in patients with dry mouths. Several over the counter products are also available that can help with some dry mouth symptoms. If you’re concerned that you may have xerostomia, contact your dentist or physician to determine its cause and see what might work best in your situation.
If a manual toothbrush is used for the appropriate amount of time, and done with proper technique, it can perform just as well as a powered toothbrush. But many people don’t brush for the recommended two to three minutes. Children are also good candidates for powered brushes as their brushing habits tend to be less than optimal.
While everyone certainly does not need an electric toothbrush, in many instances they can be beneficial. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about which brush is best
When a tooth is lost, a whole series of events can begin to occur. Chewing on the affected side becomes more difficult and over time the remaining teeth can actually tilt and erupt into the open space.
Depending on the location of the missing tooth, we would most likely recommend either a dental implant, a bridge, or a partial denture.
All of these options have their benefits and drawbacks. If you would like more information your dentist can usually schedule a consultation to go over the specifics of your case.
You’re not alone! Whether it’s been 6 months or 6 years, it’s never too late to get back into the routine.
At our office, we can arrange for you to have a thorough and educational exam appointment. We have been taking care of people just like you for over 50 years – take advantage of our experience! We’re here to help!
In a perfect world everyone would brush and floss twice a day. Plaque builds up over time and this sticky bacterial film can solidify and turn into calculus or tartar. This cement-like substance is removed by the hygienist at your regular cleaning visits. A six-month interval not only serves to keep your mouth healthy and clean, it allows potential problems to be found and diagnosed earlier.
In some instances a six-month schedule in not enough. Based on your dental history, rate of calculus buildup, and pattern of decay a 3 or 4 month interval may be needed. Your dentist can work with you to determine what will be best for you.
Yes. After years of research and testing, the X-rays conducted within the field of dentistry have been made as safe as possible. Although they may give off trace levels of radiation, the specialty, lead-lined full body aprons worn by patients are specifically designed to protect the body from any stray radiation.
Usually, yes! There is an array of measures any dentistry professional can take to help relieve your toothache. Whether you need a root canal, extraction, an antibiotic, or any other service or procedure, all dentists are trained to uncover the source of the pain and offer a viable and immediate solution for tooth pain of all kinds.
Simply put, a root canal is a procedure that involves removing the nerve from the inside of the tooth. This is in order to remove the dead nerve as a form of preventative maintenance and pain control, as well as a means of treating the infection
Ideally, most children should begin seeing the dentist around the age of 6 months or when they begin teething. While you as a parent can help by teaching them proper dental hygiene, it is essential that your child begins to visit the dentist early in life.
A little-known fact, many insurance companies have a clause that states that patients will not be charged to replace a tooth that was missing prior to the date in which the insurance went into effect
A medical condition that occurs as a result of a tooth being extracted and improperly managed, dry socket happens when you get a tooth pulled and the blood clot either fails to form properly or becomes dislodged via the action of smoking or sucking on a straw. A very painful condition, dentists will typically pack the socket with dry socket paste, bone graft material, or surgical foam in order to relieve the pain and promote the healing process.
Simply put, in terms of those who may have one or a number of missing teeth, dental implants are essentially replacement teeth that are implanted with a small screw into the jawbone, in order to repair the smile and prevent further damage that may be caused by missing teeth.
Yes and no. On the one hand, you definitely need to brush your teeth at least twice daily in order to keep decay at bay. On the other hand, flossing is also imperative as it gets into spots that your toothbrush just can’t. Ideally, you should floss every time you brush. However, don’t skip brushing just because you ran out of floss. Simply put it on the list and resume flossing when you have purchased more.
Do-it-yourself teeth whiteners and pastes are not the best. However, the methods used by your dental professional work well and can last many months or even years with regular maintenance
Gums bleed for an array of reasons; usually brushing too hard is the least of your concerns. It is most often a sign of periodontal disease, gingivitis and other gum diseases. While many decide to brush less aggressively as a remedy, that course of action won’t treat the problem. Your dentist can come up with a much more effective treatment plan for bleeding gums — and less frequent or aggressive brushing is typically not a part of the package.