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That's A Good Question!We'd like to make sure you can get your questions answered conveniently and clearly. That's why we've compiled the following FAQs and answers. Of course, if you have further questions, please feel free to contact us by phone or email.
How does Dr. Stenvall keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?Dr. Stenvall subscribes to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry, and takes time on a regular basis for continuing education and hands-on programs. He's proven his devotion in this area by investing hours of study and testing. And he not only shares his learning with our entire staff, but each team member keeps up with his or her own area of expertise through continuing education as well. How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?The time-span between check-ups can vary greatly with each individual, according to their current state of dental health. For example, an average, healthy adult person typically benefits from a professional cleaning and check up every six months. You see, while twice daily brushing and daily flossing go a long way towards maintaining a healthy mouth, it’s wise to check for plaque that has Hardined into tartar, requiring professional cleaning to avoid gingivitis. On the other hand, a person who's been treated for gingivitis may require more frequent visits to keep the situation under control and prevent further trouble. When you visit our office, we'll establish an appropriate visit plan for you based on the findings of our comprehensive oral examination. What makes you different than any other practice I might visit?When you become a patient of our practice, we treat you just exactly as we would want to be treated ourselves. And that means going the extra mile to help you obtain and then maintain the best possible oral health. So, we take time to understand your dental history and evaluate the best options for your particular dental needs. Plus, we help you understand the why’s and wherefore’s of preventive care through thorough patient education. And before we write and fill your prescriptions, we use a special computer program to analyze all the medications you're taking, then pre-determine any potential drug interactions. And finally, we have the necessary advanced training, materials knowledge, and experience to provide fast, comfortable, and precise treatments and restorations through our breakthrough BIOLASE technology! For more information, just read about it in our Patient Library or ask us when you come in for a visit. At what age should my children first see the dentist?We recommend that our patients bring their children in for that first dental visit around the age of four, unless there are other concerns or accidents prior to this time. To make this a fun and non-threatening visit, we'll typically just count their teeth, introduce them to our staff, show them how the dental chair works, and let them become familiar with our equipment. This provides us with an opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems while also establishing a friendship in preparation for doing any future work on the child's teeth. How can I safely whiten and brighten my teeth?Dentist-supervised teeth whitening is one of the simplest, safest ways to immediately improve the impact of your smile! So, if you're interested in finding out what whitening could do for you, we'll first evaluate your potential based on the current color of your teeth, and the causes of any discoloration. If you decide this is the right treatment for you, we'll set you up with either a simple, tailored at-home whitening system called Nite White or ZOOM!®, a chairside whitening system. Nite white requires short daily sessions for 10 days to two weeks. ZOOM!® process from DISCUS Dental takes just a one-hour treatment session to lighten your teeth without sensitivity problems and with long-lasting results. After you undergo one of our whitening methods, you'll be amazed at the lighter, healthier teeth that result! I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?If your temporary crown comes off or breaks, carefully wrap up the piece(s), place it into a protective container, and call our office to schedule an appointment for Dr. Stenvall to re-apply it as soon as possible. Under NO circumstances should you attempt to re-glue the crown or crown pieces back into position. My child has had an accident and his/her tooth has been entirely knocked out. What do I do?If your child’s tooth is knocked out during office hours, but there is no imminent medical emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness, or other bodily injury, please contact us immediately to see Dr. Stenvall as soon as possible. Simply describe the situation over the phone and our office staff will help you determine the safest and most appropriate plan of action. Also, if at all possible, retrieve the lost tooth and place it temporarily back in its socket or in a glass of milk until you can get the child in to see us. What different payment options do you provide?We accept cash, personal checks, and all major credit cards. We also provide access to a special financing option known as Care Credit. Simply let us know ahead of time if you desire to use this option, and you can get set up directly online or at our office. What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?Our entire practice team is well-versed in state-of-the-art sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and face masks to prevent passing germs, but includes a unique, state-of-the-art triangular sanitation center. This center uses the latest 'stainless steel cassette' method of handling all our non-disposable equipment: from the moment we're through using a set of tools or utensils, they're isolated, put through a high-tech series of sterilization procedures, and then kept sterile until the very moment we use them again. Ask for a tour of the center, and you'll not only be impressed, but reassured: your safety is a top priority. My breath has a terrible odor, even though I brush every day. What can I do about it?Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here’s a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings, and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several solutions. First, we will analyze your breath's actual contents with our specialized device called a 'halimeter'. This lets us know exactly what is causing the odor, and helps us determine how best to eliminate the cause, not just the symptoms. Next, we will provide a 'breath kit': including a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue and significantly alleviates odor; and a specially-prepared toothpaste and rinse designed to actually break the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, we may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist to identify and treat the cause. Crowns, Veneers, Onlays, Inlays & Partials…can you tell me more about these procedures?With today's technology, materials, and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or missing teeth…bringing your smile back to its original shape and function. For example, we can apply an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a 'cap', to cover the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful to cover large areas of decay after they've been filled. Or, for smaller areas of decay, we can apply all-porcelain onlays or inlays… similar to crowns, but retaining more natural tooth structure. For unattractive front teeth, we can create pretty, natural shapes and shades by applying paper-thin porcelain veneers to the fronts. And, for patients who are missing a number of front/side teeth, we can create a removable partial denture, designed for either the upper or lower jaw, made of all acrylic or all metal. They're attached to existing teeth by means of precision acrylic clasps, and must be removed for cleaning after eating, as well as for sleeping. In fact, we even offer metal-free partial dentures with "clear clasps", eliminating unsightly wire clasps that can take away from your smile's beauty. For more information on any of these procedures, please feel free to talk with Dr. Stenvall during your visit. Do I really have to floss every day? Is it really necessary to be so meticulous?A little regular flossing goes a long way and is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens food particles in tight spaces that your toothbrush cannot reach, it gets rid of plaque build-up that toothbrushes alone cannot remove, and it exercises your gum tissues. All of which is necessary to avoid gum disease. So, just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing—insurance for your smile’s future. I really don't like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?We understand that many people have qualms about having their teeth worked on so we strive to create a relaxing atmosphere. We all have a positive attitude about our work that's hard to beat. Plus, our entire staff is trained to be alert and aware of your concerns, so that we can make your visit as comfortable as possible. Of course, for extreme anxiety and/or complex procedures, we do offer nitrous, and/or can recommend oral sedation as needed. I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. Can you help me?Dr. Stenvall has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In more pronounced cases, we might want to refer you to an orthodontist specialist we work with. We’d be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation. Do you accept my insurance plan?We currently take part in most traditional insurance plans, except for HMOs and DMOs. In any case, we're well-versed in the latest insurance coverage trends and will be glad to file in order to help you maximize the benefits due you. My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Should I be concerned?Bleeding gums is never a good sign! However, the condition may or may not require professional attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If your problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs every time you brush, it's likely to be the result of some level of gum disease, and we recommend you set up an evaluation appointment with Dr. Stenvall. We specialize in helping patients arrest and successfully treat all stages of gum disease through the use of our excellent non-surgical soft tissue management program. What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?In case of a true dental emergency, please contact our office voice mail and let us know the nature of your condition. Dr. Stenvall carries a beeper 24 hours a day, and your call will be returned a.s.a.p. We'll give you helpful information over the phone, then determine if you need to be seen immediately. Is there a way I can ask Dr. Stenvall questions directly?We encourage our patients to have open, direct communication with Dr. Stenvall. Therefore, he’s available daily to answer your questions either via e-mail or voice mail. Depending on office traffic and the complexity of your questions, he strives to respond within 24 hours. |
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©2002 Warren R. Stenvall, DMD
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