Burnsville MN dentist -- FAQ

Financial and office questions
Q: What can I expect on my first visit?
Q: Will I be charged if I cancel an appointment?
Q: What if I have an emergency when the office is closed?

Dentistry-related questions

Q: How often should I visit the dentist for a checkup?
A: For most people, twice a year is sufficient. Checkups are necessary for regular assessments of the condition and the well being of your mouth. A six-month period is a long time in the life of a cavity, and it is for this reason that visiting the dentist every six months is important. Regular checkups are also essential in the fight against gum disease.

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Q: Are x-rays really necessary?
A: There are many diseases and dental problems which cannot be seen by the naked eye. These may include decay under old fillings, teeth trapped below the gums, cavities between the teeth, bone loss as a result of gum disease, and changes in bone structure which can be affected by many systemic diseases.

X-rays can detect these problems and are, therefore, a useful and important diagnostic tool!

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Q: What is gum disease?
A: Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss currently. Anyone at any age can have gum disease. Gum disease attacks the gums as well as the bone, which together form the foundation for your teeth. As the bone literally dissolves away from around your teeth, they become loose and fall out.

Gum disease is caused by plaque. If the plaque is not removed on a daily basis, it will form tartar, which is a breeding ground for germs that cause gum disease. Bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease. Puffy, tender and red gums are also signs of infection.

Regular visits to your dentist are the best way of stopping gum disease early before too much damage has been done. Gum disease will not go away by itself or with good home care. Plaque deep under the gums can only be removed with professional cleanings.

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Q: How does a tooth decay?
A: Plaque causes tooth decay. Plaque is a clear and odorless bacteria-laden film that forms on the teeth. The bacteria in plaque interact with the starches and sugars we eat and form an acid. This acid breaks down or de-mineralizes teeth. Our saliva, however, act to help re-mineralize teeth. When the demineralization process is faster than that of remineralization, a cavity forms.

Many steps can be taken to slow down or prevent this breakdown process. Eliminating or drastically reducing your intake of sugars will help greatly in preventing tooth decay. Proper brushing and flossing, and removal of the plaque will also help. And, of course, regular visits to the dentist are critical in detecting cavities early and maintaining a healthy mouth.

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Q: Is tooth whitening safe?
A: Teeth whitening with carbamide peroxide under dentist supervision is safe for teeth and gums. Some patients experience increased tooth sensitivity and temporary discomfort of their gums. These symptoms tend to disappear 1-3 days after stopping the whitening process.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits may cause problems that you may not be aware of, such as irritation of the gums and surrounding soft tissue. Over use of over-the-counter home teeth whitening can erode tooth enamel largely because these kits have high acid content.

The best and safest way to whiten your teeth is under dentist supervision.

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Financial and office questions

Q:What can I expect on my first visit?
A: When you arrive for your first visit, we will ask you to complete a form on your health history and any medications you may be taking. We will ask you to fill out only the forms necessary to begin your dental treatment. If you would like to complete these forms prior to your visit, they are available here.

If you are covered by dental insurance, please bring your card and/or claim form. This will allow us to accurately submit your claim.

Your initial appointment will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. In order to document your existing dental condition, we will complete a comprehensive exam, including x-rays, a screening of your gum tissues and an oral cancer exam. There will also be time to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. This information allows us to propose a treatment plan that will meet your needs, desires and budget.

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Q: Will I be charged if I cancel an appointment?
A: We require that all appointment cancellations be made at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. This will allow you to avoid being billed for your visit, and it allows us to see emergency patients.

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Q: What if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
A: In case of a dental emergency when we are closed, please contact our office and our voicemail will provide you with a number that will put you in touch with one of our doctors. Upon contacting a doctor, he or she will provide you with any needed instructions over the phone and determine if you need to be seen immediately.

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		Dentistry-related questions Q: How often should I visit the dentist for a check-up? Q: Are x-rays really necessary? Q: What is gum disease? Q: How does a tooth decay? Q: Is tooth whitening safe? Financial and office questions Q: What can I expect on my first visit? Q: Will I be charged if I cancel an appointment? Q: What if I have an emergency when the office is closed? Dentistry-related questions Q: How often should I visit the dentist for a checkup? A: For most people, twice a year is sufficient. Checkups are necessary for regular assessments of the condition and the well being of your mouth. A six-month period is a long time in the life of a cavity, and it is for this reason that visiting the dentist every six months is important. Regular checkups are also essential in the fight against gum disease. Back to top Q: Are x-rays really necessary? A: There are many diseases and dental problems which cannot be seen by the naked eye. These may include decay under old fillings, teeth trapped below the gums, cavities between the teeth, bone loss as a result of gum disease, and changes in bone structure which can be affected by many systemic diseases. X-rays can detect these problems and are, therefore, a useful and important diagnostic tool! Back to top Q: What is gum disease? A: Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss currently. Anyone at any age can have gum disease. Gum disease attacks the gums as well as the bone, which together form the foundation for your teeth. As the bone literally dissolves away from around your teeth, they become loose and fall out. Gum disease is caused by plaque. If the plaque is not removed on a daily basis, it will form tartar, which is a breeding ground for germs that cause gum disease. Bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease. Puffy, tender and red gums are also signs of infection. Regular visits to your dentist are the best way of stopping gum disease early before too much damage has been done. Gum disease will not go away by itself or with good home care. Plaque deep under the gums can only be removed with professional cleanings. Back to top Q: How does a tooth decay? A: Plaque causes tooth decay. Plaque is a clear and odorless bacteria-laden film that forms on the teeth. The bacteria in plaque interact with the starches and sugars we eat and form an acid. This acid breaks down or de-mineralizes teeth. Our saliva, however, act to help re-mineralize teeth. When the demineralization process is faster than that of remineralization, a cavity forms. Many steps can be taken to slow down or prevent this breakdown process. Eliminating or drastically reducing your intake of sugars will help greatly in preventing tooth decay. Proper brushing and flossing, and removal of the plaque will also help. And, of course, regular visits to the dentist are critical in detecting cavities early and maintaining a healthy mouth. Back to top Q: Is tooth whitening safe? A: Teeth whitening with carbamide peroxide under dentist supervision is safe for teeth and gums. Some patients experience increased tooth sensitivity and temporary discomfort of their gums. These symptoms tend to disappear 1-3 days after stopping the whitening process. Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits may cause problems that you may not be aware of, such as irritation of the gums and surrounding soft tissue. Over use of over-the-counter home teeth whitening can erode tooth enamel largely because these kits have high acid content. The best and safest way to whiten your teeth is under dentist supervision. Back to top Financial and office questions Q:What can I expect on my first visit? A: When you arrive for your first visit, we will ask you to complete a form on your health history and any medications you may be taking. We will ask you to fill out only the forms necessary to begin your dental treatment. If you would like to complete these forms prior to your visit, they are available here. If you are covered by dental insurance, please bring your card and/or claim form. This will allow us to accurately submit your claim. Your initial appointment will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. In order to document your existing dental condition, we will complete a comprehensive exam, including x-rays, a screening of your gum tissues and an oral cancer exam. There will also be time to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. This information allows us to propose a treatment plan that will meet your needs, desires and budget. Back to top Q: Will I be charged if I cancel an appointment? A: We require that all appointment cancellations be made at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. This will allow you to avoid being billed for your visit, and it allows us to see emergency patients. Back to top Q: What if I have an emergency when the office is closed? A: In case of a dental emergency when we are closed, please contact our office and our voicemail will provide you with a number that will put you in touch with one of our doctors. Upon contacting a doctor, he or she will provide you with any needed instructions over the phone and determine if you need to be seen immediately. Back to top