FAQs

In order to communicate with clarity, in a way that’s considerate of your time, we’ve compiled this list of frequently asked questions and answers about our practice, philosophy, and procedures. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us.

How does Dr. Patel keep up to date with all of the current techniques and materials?

Dr. Patel subscribes to And the best part the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry. He also takes time on a regular basis for continuing education and hands-on programs regarding the latest techniques in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Dr. Patel shares his learning with our staff.

Do you accept referrals?

• We love referrals, both from other dental offices as well as from recommendations by our patients to their family and friends. It’s helpful if new patients complete a patient evaluation form prior to the first visit. We also appreciate receiving recent records and x-rays (less than one year old) ahead of time if possible.

Do you accept my insurance plan?

We’re more than happy to help you answer this question…simply contact us with your name, phone number, and insurance carrier, and we’ll respond to let you know if we can file on your plan. In any case, we’ll be glad to file for you and help you maximize any allowable benefits due you for the procedures and treatments that we determine are in your best interest.

What makes you different than any other practice I could visit?

We’re convinced that visiting the dentist should be a friendly, comfortable experience, every time, for every patient. That’s why we’re so careful to practice truly ‘gentle’ dentistry: we make sure that we’re familiar with all of your concerns up front, and plan your treatments to eliminate those concerns. We’ll also work closely with you to clearly explain exactly what we see in your mouth, what we believe to be the most effective treatment options, and why. In other words, we won’t proceed until you understand and feel comfortable with everything about your visit– before, during and afterwards.

What will happen during my checkup and cleaning?

During your check up and cleaning, you will be checked for oral cancer, gum disease, cavities and jaw joint health. Necessary x-rays will be taken to assist in your diagnosis. Your teeth will be cleaned by one of our gentle and caring licensed dental hygienists and you will be instructed on how to care for your teeth and gums to prevent dental and gum disease.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don’t want to wear braces. Can you help me?

Dr. Patel 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 with whom we work. We’d be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

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. 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. For more information on any of these procedures, please feel free to talk with Dr. Patel during your visit.

What is a cavity and how can it be fixed?

The outer shell of the tooth is made of enamel, a highly mineralized material which is the hardest substance in the body. Under the enamel is dentin, a softer less mineralized layer, which covers the pulp or nerve of the tooth. Plaque is a sticky substance, which adheres to the tooth and is filled with bacteria. Some of these bacteria feed off of the sugars you eat. When these sugars are broken down, the bacteria excretes acid which breaks down the enamel and causes a cavity. Our office uses beautiful tooth colored restorations as well as the traditional silver amalgam fillings. We will help you decide which is best for you. In cases where the cavity is large, the tooth is often times better restored with a white or gold colored inlay or onlay which is custom made in a lab and provides for greater strength than a directly made restoration. In cases where a significant portion of the tooth is missing, a crown, which covers and strengthens the entire tooth is best.

Why do you have to take x-rays? I don’t want to be exposed to unnecessary radiation.

X-rays allow us to see in between your teeth to detect cavities before they become large. They also help to detect bone loss and detect tumors, cysts, un-erupted teeth and other problems not seen with the naked eye. Rest assured, our digital x-rays will expose you to 80% less radiation than conventional “film” radiographs. Additionally, you will be shielded with a lead abdominal shield and a thyroid collar.

What age should my child visit the dentist?

We suggest starting at 6 months after the child have their first teeth or when the child is 1 year old. Any dark spots in the child’s teeth or concerns about a child’s dentition warrants a visit to the dentist. We will gladly see children age 3 and above.

What are sealants?

Grooves on the chewing surface of teeth serves as a niche for bacteria and food, which can destroy tooth structure and causes decay. Toothbrush bristles are too large to reach into these grooves. Sealants, a tooth colored plastic coating, are applied to hard-to- reach grooves of permanent teeth to seal out bacteria that cause tooth decay.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affect the gum and bone. When bacteria lies in the sulcus of the gums, it secrets toxins that causes the gum to become inflamed resulting in detachment of the gums and bone loss around the teeth. Plaque can harden into calculus or tartar, which can be removed when cleaned professionally. Signs of periodontal disease include bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, pus between the teeth and gums, and loose teeth. The first step in treatment of periodontal disease is a special cleaning referred to as “deep cleaning” or scaling and root planing. This procedure helps remove plaque and tartar from the root surfaces.

How can I safely whiten 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. Then, we’ll set you up with our simple at-home supervised program, which involves short daily sessions with a personalized whitening tray appliance. The whitening product itself is an American Dental Association approved adhesive-type gel; the concentration of which can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Overall, this whitening method can produce a 4 to 6-shade improvement!