Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes your general dentistry so spectacular?

A number of factors come into play to create a welcoming, soothing experience in our dental spa. First and foremost is the extensive experience and eye for beauty enjoyed by our medical professionals. With a background in both dentistry and art appreciation, our team utilizes a special touch with all of his procedures. Our attention to detail, compassionate nature and honest interest in the health, beauty and well-being of our patients is consistently evident.

Our staff is also highly knowledgeable and compassionate, providing prompt answers to your questions and even prompter attention to your every need. A personal concierge is part of our staff, ready and willing to help you with everything from procedural questions to recommendations for area restaurants or venues. The office itself adds another layer of comfort and panache. It boasts sophisticated yet calming décor, wide windows and fresh flowers on a regular basis.

2. What is included?

General dentistry encompasses a wide range of procedures for individuals as well as entire families. Our general dentistry team performs:

• Teeth cleaning

• Oral exams and X-rays

• Dental filling options that include tooth-colored, metal-free fillings

• Bonding, Inlays and Onlays

• Dental implants, crowns and bridges

• Dentures

• Root canals

• Sedation dentistry

While we offer all the standard procedures you’d expect from a general dentist, we also go above and beyond with:

• Cosmetic dentistry

• Smile makeovers

• Periodontics

• Invisalign orthodontics

• Advanced Dental Health + Beauty line of products

3. How often should I see my general dentist?

The frequency of visits to your general dentist often depends on the overall health of your teeth. While the long-time standard has been two general dentist visits per year, though our team may recommend additional visits for extra cleanings or examinations.

Those suffering from periodontal disease, for instance, may wish to increase their visits.

4. How safe are dental x-rays?

Exposure to all sources of radiation -- including the sun, minerals in the soil, appliances in your home, and dental x-rays -- can damage the body's tissues and cells and lead to the development of cancer. Fortunately, the dose of radiation you are exposed to during the taking of X-rays is extremely small.

Advances in dentistry over the years have lead to the low radiation levels emitted by dental X-rays. Some of the improvements are new digital X-ray machines that limit the radiation beam to the small area being X-rayed, higher speed X-ray films that require shorter exposure time compared with older film speeds to get the same results, and the use of film holders that keep the film in place in the mouth (which prevents the film from slipping and the need for repeat X-rays and additional radiation exposure). Also, the use of lead-lined, full-body aprons protects the body from stray radiation (though this is almost nonexistent with the modern dental X-ray machines.) In addition, federal law requires that X-ray machines be checked for accuracy and safety every two years, with some states requiring more frequent checks.

5. What are dental sealants, who should get them, and how long do they last?

Sealants are a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth -- usually the back teeth (the premolars, and molars) -- to prevent tooth decay. The painted on liquid sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and groves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.

Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the dental sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

Sealants can protect the teeth from decay for many years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wear at regular dental check-ups.

6. When will drill-less dentistry become a reality?

Drill-less dentistry, also called air abrasion and micro-abrasion, is being offered by some dentists. Air abrasion can be used to remove some tooth decay, to remove some old composite restorations, to prepare a tooth surface for bonding or sealants, and to remove superficial stains and discolorations. The air abrasion instrument works like a mini sandblaster to spray away the decay, stain, or to prepare the tooth surface for bonding or sealant application. With air abrasion, a fine stream of particles is aimed at the tooth surface. These particles are made of silica, aluminum oxide, or a baking soda mixture and are propelled toward the tooth surface by compressed air or a gas that runs through the dental hand-piece. Small particles of decay, stain, etc., on the tooth surface are removed as the stream of particles strikes them. The remnant particles are then "suctioned" away.

7. What is the latest word on the safety of amalgam-type fillings?

Over the past several years, concerns have been raised about silver-colored fillings, otherwise called amalgams. Because amalgams contain the toxic substance mercury, some people think that they are responsible for causing a number of diseases, including autism, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

The American Dental Association (ADA), the FDA, and numerous public health agencies say amalgams are safe, and that any link between mercury-based fillings and disease is unfounded. The cause of autism, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis remains unknown. Additionally, there is no solid, scientific evidence to back up the claim that if a person has amalgam fillings removed, he or she will be cured of these or any other diseases.
In March of 2002, the FDA reconfirmed the safety of amalgams. Although amalgams do contain mercury, when they are mixed with other metals, such as silver, copper, tin, and zinc, they form a stable alloy that dentists have used for more than 100 years to fill and preserve hundreds of millions of decayed teeth. The National Institutes of Health conducted several large-scale studies that concluded in 2006 that amalgam fillings were safe.

In addition, there has been concern over the release of a small amount of mercury vapor from these fillings, but according to the ADA, there is no scientific evidence that this small amount results in adverse health effects.