Frequently Asked Questions


Can I make financial arrangements?

Each treatment plan is specific to each patient. Therefore, the payment for services is handled with our office manager or financial coordinator. We do have a number of options available to enable you to obtain the kind of smile that you desire. After the consultation appointment, our staff will meet with you to discuss these options. | Back to the top |

Do you use “silver” fillings?

There has been a considerable amount of publicity in the last few years regarding this topic. It is still considered acceptable practice according to the American Dental Association to fill teeth with the amalgam (silver) fillings and that is a service that we provide in our office. However, with the advances in tooth colored restorations, it is possible now to have a metal-free mouth. As with any medication or material, there are a certain number of people who are sensitive or allergic to the metals that exist in fillings or crowns. Our team will inform you of your options and let you make the decision. | Back to the top |

What are the benefits of tooth colored fillings?

Of course one of the major benefits is the fact that the restorations actually match the tooth structure. In addition, these fillings are actually chemically bonded to the tooth structure for added strength. Amalgam (silver) fillings are placed into undercut areas and have no chemical retention. Formerly these fillings could not be placed in back teeth due to the biting forces, but with technology that is now available. | Back to the top |

Do you offer bleaching/whitening?

After much study on our parts, we have decided on an outstanding system which gives the patient the maximum whitening result. We have seen many patients’ teeth whiten ten shades or more. The system takes about 2 weeks to complete and only involves two one half hour periods per day. | Back to the top |

Can I be put to sleep for my appointment?

Although we do not offer general anesthesia in our office, we are able to prescribe medication which will relax you before the procedure. It is necessary for you to have a driver in order to use these medications, but almost all patients remark how easy the appointment went when premedicated and wished that they had used it before. In addition, we do have nitrous oxide (”laughing gas”) available if the patient desires. | Back to the top |

What is your cancellation policy?

Because we attempt to run our office in a timely fashion, we appreciate your consideration in changing your appointment AT LEAST 24 hours in advance if you find that it is impossible for you to keep the time that you scheduled. This allows us to make your time available to another patient or to adjust our schedule to better serve all patients. First time offenders will not be charged; however, those who violate the 24 hour rule continually will be assessed a fee. | Back to the top |

Do I have to have x-rays?

While all treatment performed in our office is elective by the patient, we highly encourage patients to have cavity detecting x-rays performed on an annual basis. It is impossible to be the best at what we do without this valuable diagnostic tool. We do practice radiation safety and do not expose anyone to unnecessary radiation. Many conditions will go undiagnosed without x-rays and as with any medical procedure; early detection is the key to successful treatment. | Back to the top |

What does a cleaning cost?

This is probably one of the most common questions that we get from potential new patients over the phone. Unfortunately, there is no really good answer to this as there is no way to tell exactly what procedures need to be performed for a “cleaning” for a patient prior to them being seen by the doctor and hygienist. Bone loss, inflammation, bleeding, staining, amount of calculus (tartar) all enter into the difficulty factor and subsequently the cost of the “cleaning.” | Back to the top |

Are you a provider for my insurance?

We are happy to assist you with your insurance questions. Since there are so many different companies and plans, it is impossible to list all companies with whom we have a relationship. We will help you file your insurance as a courtesy; however, regardless of your coverage, your co-payment is still required on the day of the appointment. The best way for you to find out if it is possible for you to take advantage of your benefits in our office is to call the toll free number on your insurance card and see if you are restricted to only “network” dentists. If there are no restrictions in that regard, we can utilize your insurance in helping to pay for procedures that are covered by your insurance. | Back to the top |

Is it possible to straighten my teeth without braces?

Depending on the severity of the problem, there are several alternatives to the silver brackets and wires referred to as braces. Sometimes it is possible to correct alignment problems with retainers only. (although they will need to be worn as close to 24 hours per day as possible) Other times, veneers may be placed alleviate spacing or crowding problems. If it is found that the correction needed is too complex, there is also the possibility of tooth colored braces or a process called Invisalign may be possible. The options available will be presented to you at a consultation appointment which will follow the record-taking appointment. | Back to the top |

If I have an emergency, what can I expect?

If you do have an emergency, we do everything in our power to see you that day. It is important though for you to call as early in the day as possible so that we can run our schedule as smoothly as possible. We are happy to help you with your insurance; however, all emergency visits MUST be paid for at the time of service unless you are an established patient. Most often, we will take an x-ray of the affected area, recommend treatment, and alleviate any pain that you may be having. It is possible that definitive treatment will be done that day, but it is more probable that another appointment will need to be scheduled to finish the procedure. | Back to the top |

How long will my numbness last?

The length of time that you will feel the effects of a local anesthetic will be approximately two hours or so. Although your lip or tongue may feel “fat,” you will still be able to talk and function fairly normally. One request that we make is that you do not eat solid food until your mouth feels back to normal so that you do not bite cheeks, lips, or tongues. | Back to the top |

Is it possible to have my braces (orthodontics) done at your office?

We do have a number of orthodontic patients in our practice; however, we do not do all cases of orthodontics. If it is thought that you would like to investigate braces, we will make what is called a “records” appointment for you. At that appointment, we take two different x-rays along with a set of teeth models. In the time between the records appointment and your consultation (usually three to four weeks), we will analyze the records to determine what the best treatment plan will be. If it is thought that your case is complex, we will gladly refer you to one of several excellent specialists in the area. If your case is one that we mutually determine that we will treat in our office, our treatment coordinator will discuss timing and fees with you at the consultation appointment. | Back to the top |

What is a root canal?

A root canal appointment is needed when a tooth is abscessed, very sensitive, or extensively broken. If you envision a pencil with the graphite in the center, you will have the idea of how the nerve is arranged inside the tooth. When a root canal is performed, we simply remove the infected tissue inside of the tooth just like you would take the graphite out of the pencil. Of course, we use local anesthetic just like we would for a filling. With the newly automated methods of root canal therapy, it is now possible to complete the whole procedure including the final filling in one appointment usually in less than one hour. Although we do many root canals in our practice, we do not treat molars. These are sent to our group of specialists. | Back to the top |

Do you perform extractions in your office?

Dr. Blake’s routine answer to this question is that he likes oral surgery but does not want to extract your teeth. Obviously in this era of modern dentistry and technology, it is very unlikely that a tooth would need to be extracted, but it is always the patient’s option to elect treatment that is appropriate for him. If it is decided that the tooth is to be extracted, we are able to perform that procedure in our office. Very complex extractions are referred to one of several excellent specialists with whom we already have relationships. We cannot “put you to sleep,” but it is possible to premeditate you with a tranquilizing-type drug as long as you have someone to drive you to and from the appointment.

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