How does the doctor keep up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?

In terms of quality and quantity, our doctors deliberately pursue the finest continuing education courses available. In addition, they attend more of these courses than is required by mandate of the state dental board. This is done for their own professional development as well as to fulfill their commitment to their patients to offer them the finest, most up-to-date treatments available.

How do I know when it is time to come in for a checkup?

We recommend that healthy adults, and children three years of age and older, have a checkup and professional cleaning every six months. While proper dental hygiene, such as twice-daily brushing and daily flossing, help maintain your dental health, a professional cleaning is needed to remove unseen tartar that can lead to gum disease. In addition the doctor conducts a thorough oral, head and neck examination. Many dental diseases, such as oral cancer and periodontal disease, are painless in the early, treatable stages.

At what age should my children first see a dentist?

We recommend that young children first visit our office at about three years of age. This gives us an opportunity to detect and prevent any possible problems and gives the child a positive, non-threatening dental experience.

Do you accept referrals?

Our best patients come from referrals.  We are happy to see anyone that you recommend to us.

Do you accept my insurance plan?

We accept most major insurance plans and will file your claims for you. If you have questions about insurance, please talk with one of our friendly, knowledgeable office staff.

What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?

If you have a dental emergency, please contact our office voice mail and let us know the nature of your condition. We will return your call as soon as possible and determine if you need to be seen immediately.

I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?

If you have a temporary crown that breaks or comes off, carefully wrap up the pieces, place it into a protective container, and call our office for an appointment to re-attach it as soon as possible. Please—do not attempt to re-glue the crown or pieces back into position.

My child has had an accident and his/her tooth has been knocked out. What do I do?

First, make sure there is no imminent medical emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness or other bodily injury. If not, please call our office immediately. Simply describe the situation over the phone and our office staff will help you determine the safest and most appropriate plan of action.

What different payment options do you offer?

We accept cash, checks and major credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard and Discover. We also offer six-month, same-as-cash financing through our partnership with Wells Fargo Financial.  For those requiring more comprehensive care such as smile makeovers or full mouth reconstruction, we have made special arrangements for low interest loans through The Toledo Area Community Credit Union.

If you have questions about financial arrangements, please talk with our knowledgeable office staff. They will be happy to help you.

How can I ask the doctors questions directly?

We encourage open, direct communication with all of our doctors. They are available to answer your questions either via e-mail or voice mail. Depending on how complex your question is and our daily patient load, we try to answer your questions within 24 hours.

How can I safely whiten my teeth?

A whiter, brighter smile can be achieved in just a few weeks in the privacy of your home with a prescription strength tooth whitening system.

Our tooth whitening program utilizes soft, flexible “trays” custom made to fit your teeth. We will show you how to add whitening gel to your trays. You will wear them for a minimum of two hours a day. Typically, within two weeks you will have a brighter, whiter smile. Unlike systems purchased “over the counter,” you will be closely supervised to achieve optimum results. Sometimes we will increase or decrease gel strength to customize the result.

What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

For the safety of our patients, we utilize a state-of-the-art sterilization center. We also have a bottled distilled water system that guarantees fresh water for each patient. All of our staff is trained in the latest sanitation techniques to ensure patient safety, and we wear masks and gloves to prevent passing germs.

What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

The answer to this question is best reflected in our mission statement where our pledge to you is fourfold:

• To warmly welcome you into a comprehensive health care environment where you can truly feel comfortable and "at home;”
• To carefully diagnose and to offer you a comprehensive treatment proposal that clearly identifies your unique needs, bearing in mind your values, needs, and financial means. We pledge to present alternative treatment options with prudent professional advice, and to make responsible referrals when necessary;
• To deliver precision, quality dentistry in a gentle, skilled, and caring manner in order to achieve an environment for optimal dental health. We pledge to meet and exceed recommended continuing education requirements by deliberately seeking out the finest continuing education resources, workshops, and speakers available; and
• To foster and help you to establish lifetime preventative dental care habits. We recognize that you must understand how to properly maintain the optimal oral environment that we attempt to create with the treatment skills that we possess.

My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?

Yes. If each morning, you shampooed your hair and your scalp bled, you would want to see your doctor. Bleeding gum tissue is the most common symptom of early gingivitis, but is also present in other, more advanced stages of gum disease. Bleeding with brushing can also warn of other disease processes and should always be investigated.

I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?

Dental Group West is pleased to offer a safe and effective solution to the anxiety that prevents millions of Americans from seeking dental treatment each year.

Intravenous sedation, also known as conscious sedation, allows patients to drift off into a pleasant level of sleep while their dental work is being done. Patients feel no pain and often have no memory of the procedure. The new drugs used for conscious sedation are quickly reversed when treatment is complete, so patients wake up quickly and feel fine after the procedure, though driving afterward is not permitted.

If apprehension has prevented you from seeking dental treatment, please give us a call to discuss this treatment option.

Crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays and partials…where can I learn more about these procedures?

Our website has been designed to provide you with comprehensive information about the services we offer, but if you want even more information about a wide variety of dental topics, visit the American Dental Association website.

I brush everyday, but my breath is not fresh. What can I do?

Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad brush, despite daily brushing. Here is a list of procedures that can help the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings; and careful cleaning of dentures or other oral appliances. If your hygiene is meticulous and you still have bad breath, there are a couple of things that might be beneficial.

We can provide you with a plastic tongue scraper that removes bacterial buildup on your tongue. Or we can recommend a special rinse or toothpaste designed to break the odor-causing sulphur bonds that cause bad breath. Sometimes an underlying systemic or internal problem such as an infection may cause bad breath, so we may recommend a visit to your family physician to identify the cause.

Do I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?

Regular flossing truly is critical for your overall dental health because it loosens food particles in spaces your toothbrush cannot reach, gets rids of plaque toothbrushes alone cannot remove, and exercises your gum tissues. Most gum disease starts between the teeth where your brush cannot reach. Very often daily flossing along with brushing eliminates all bad breath issues.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What do you recommend?

Dental Group West can offer you a number of options to improve the look of your front teeth without wearing braces. Sometimes careful reshaping of the enamel is enough. Porcelain veneers can give slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth a bright, uniform look. Please give us a call to discuss what would best suit your individual situation.

My spouse snores and keeps me awake at night. Can you help?

Snoring is tough on any relationship! It can also be caused by a number of factors, so we encourage you to have your spouse come in for a consultation with one of our doctors. In some cases, a person actually stops breathing for short periods during the night, a condition called sleep apnea. In other cases, snoring can be caused by enlarged anatomical structures in the mouth and throat. When a person is asleep, the throat relaxes and allows these structures to collapse against one another and obstruct air flow. In this situation, we can prescribe and fit a special appliance called a snore-guard that gently holds the mouth and throat in an open position and prevents snoring so you can get a good night’s sleep. Many times we will work with your physician to determine if a sleep apnea exists prior to appliance therapy.

What is Smile Analysis?

Each person has a unique smile, a smile that’s proportional and flattering to your face. A smile analysis shows you what your best smile would look like by determining the proper aesthetics with relationship to your facial symmetry, lip line and phonetics.  We use a 12 point system to help design your ideal smile.  You are also an active part of the whole process and must approve each step before we proceed to the next.

What is Smile Design?

Though we as dentists enjoy the challenge and the pursuit of the ideal smile for our patients, the best part of the process is the last—when the new owner looks in the mirror and smiles. We often see an immediate boost in people’s confidence and the way they interact with others when they have a beautiful new smile that not only properly fits their face, but is comfortable when functioning as well. This is the heart of neuromuscular dentistry.

Many people see dentistry as repair and maintenance, but when patients’ lives are changed in such a drastic fashion, it reinforces why many of us went into dentistry in the first place—to help people.