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 Our patients ask a lot of good questions!
Here are the answers to those we hear most often, but we will always
be glad to give you more information or to answer any other questions
that you may have.
How does the
doctor stay up-to-date in her field?
To keep current in the
techniques and technologies that will benefit her patients, Dr.
Reagan attends many hours of continuing education programs each year and
participates in several dental study groups. She has taken courses
at the Dawson Center for Advanced
Dental Study and implant
restoration courses using the Straumann system.
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At what age
should my children first see a dentist?
We recommend that children
come to see us when they are between 18 and 24 months of age. This
will introduce them to our office and allow us to check for any problems
with their teeth and gums. We try to ensure that children have a
very positive experience during their visit; they get a chance to
look around the office and take a ride in the dental chair. We want
them to leave with the idea that the dental office is a friendly,
good place to visit.
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Do you accept
referrals?
Yes, we love referrals
of family members, friends and neighbors of our current patients.
We appreciate your trust and confidence in us. It is the highest
compliment you can give
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What do I
do if I have an emergency?
If you have a dental emergency,
please call our office for assistance right away. If the emergency
occurs after normal business hours, our phone message will give you
directions on how to reach us.
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What different
payment options do you provide?
We offer several different
payment options so that everyone who needs or wants dental care is
able to afford it. We accept cash, check or credit card, and offer
some longer term payment plans (some with low or no interest) for
more extensive dental work.
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How can I
safely whiten my teeth?
Whiter teeth can give
your smile and your entire face a whole new glow. We offer several
different teeth whitening products so that you can choose the one
that works best for your situation. We provide the Zoom
Whitening System for inpatient treatments and either Zoom or Trés White for
take-home treatments. We will be glad to discuss the alternatives
with you.
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My gums bleed
after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
It may be. Bleeding gums
are often a sign of periodontal disease, a serious bacterial infection
that can destroy the supporting tissue (gums) and the bone around
your teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth
loss and has also been linked to other serious health conditions
including heart disease, diabetes and stroke. If your gums are bleeding
consistently, you should have them checked for periodontal disease.
Please call our office to schedule an appointment.
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I really do
not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to
help?
Please do let us know
if your fears are making it difficult for you to get dental care.
We can suggest several methods of helping you relax. We use nitrous
oxide-a very light sedation-for some procedures such as filling cavities.
If you need more extensive work, we may suggest oral sedation (where
you take a pill to keep you in a relaxed, drowsy state) or IV sedation
(where you go into a deeper state of relaxation and an anesthesiologist
monitors you.) Through the use of oral and IV sedation, patients
can get more dental work done in one visit. This is especially beneficial
for patients who have delayed getting needed care for months or even
years.
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Do I have
to floss every day? Is it really necessary?
Even if you brush your
teeth several times a day, there are areas that you can't reach with
a toothbrush. Flossing helps remove the plaque on those hard-to-reach
areas of your teeth as well as any food between the teeth or below
the gum line. Studies have shown that daily flossing can reduce the
inflammation of your gums, which can lead in turn to an improvement
in your overall health.
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I want my
front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What
would you recommend?
There
are several ways that we may be able to enhance the appearance of
your front teeth without braces. For example, you may be a candidate
for tooth recontouring, in which we reshape your teeth's length,
shape or surface. Porcelain
veneers are another possibility. Veneers
are very thin sheets of porcelain that can be permanently bonded
onto teeth. They can be used to cover teeth that are stained, chipped
or out of alignment. Please come in and talk to us about your options.
We will work with you to find an affordable and attractive solution
that will make you look and feel great.
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