We Do What It Takes to Communicate

We want to communicate with you as clearly as possible, in the most convenient format. So if you need answers and prefer to read about them here, please browse through these common questions. If you'd rather talk to us in person, feel free to call us or email us anytime.

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

We work especially hard to provide real excellence in dentistry. And that's easier said than done. In our years of experience treating people of all ages and oral health conditions, we've found a few principles to be true. For one, education, equipment and expertise are only tools, not guarantees of clinical excellence. So in our practice, we make a conscious, daily effort to apply these tools to the myriad of individualized situations. It takes a lot of attention to detail, and a lot more work, but we think it's worth it. And so do our patients! We like to make people smile on the inside, and on the outside.

What do I need to do to keep my teeth in my mouth forever?

We recommend these four basic rules to follow. First, remember that sugar leads to decay. So eat smart: avoid sugary snacks as well as sugary drinks. Second, floss the teeth you want to keep. A floss a day keeps gum disease away! Third, take the offensive with regard to fillings: strengthen them with proper restorations before they cause problems. Old fillings can crack, or cause your teeth to crack because with time they get new decay (cavities) underneath the old fillings. And finally, come and see us regularly: we like you, and love it if we can catch small problems before they become big ones.

What is the difference between a general dentist and a specialist?

Dr. Shah is a general dentist, trained and licensed to handle a wide variety of dental situations: preventing problems, correcting problems, enhancing smiles, and treating most dental conditions. For the majority of our patients, that's all that's ever required. But we also have expertise in recognizing cases that need a specialist, as well. After the specialist has eliminated the problem at hand, the patient can return to their regular visits with our practice.

For patients with advanced gum disease, we may recommend a Periodontist to assess and treat any diseases of the important foundational support of the teeth-- the gums and supporting bone. For patients with inner-tooth nerve damage, we may refer to an Endodontist. Their highly technical work requires specialized, tiny instruments and microscopes. For impacted wisdom teeth and complex head and face skeletal defects, we rely on Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeons to help. And finally, to straighten teeth and correct skeletal abnormalities, we work with Orthodontists and Oral Surgeons.

How do the Doctors keep up with the latest in dental materials and techniques?

Our doctors invest numerous hours attending continuous education courses (well over the required numbers). They also subscribe to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry. Everyone on our staff attends ongoing continuing education seminars and conferences in their area of specialty and classes on OSHA and CPR on a yearly basis. We also invite professional practice management consultants into the office to keep us on our toes: they provide an objective perspective that helps us continuously refine and improve our practice in all areas.

Do you accept referrals?

We realize that you value your oral health, and the care we provide to help you maintain it. So, if any friends or family members are in search of quality dental care, please tell them about us. We'd be glad to accept them into our practice based on your referral. In fact, we offer special thank you gifts to show our appreciation for such referrals.

How can kissing promote good dental health?

If you don't floss like we advise, at least take this piece of advice from the Academy of General Dentistry - kissing is linked to the prevention of tooth decay. Kissing stimulates saliva, which helps reduce the incidence of cavities. If you have no one to kiss, try sugar-free gum. It's not quite as fun, but still very effective in producing saliva.

How do I know when its time to come in for a check-up?

An average, healthy adult typically benefits from a professional cleaning and check up every six months. However, it's tough to generalize because every mouth is different. Some people are prone to gum disease, teeth grinding, or other ongoing oral health concerns that require more frequent visits; others simply need a routine professional tartar removal at regular intervals. That's why we're so careful to check methodically and determine what kind of ongoing professional treatment will achieve your optimum dental health…which could translate to a check-up every 2, 3, 4 or 6 months, according to your needs.

Is it bad if my gums bleed after I brush my teeth?

It’s definitely not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar buildup below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.

Do I really have to floss every day? What's the big deal?

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 buildup 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.

How can I have whiter teeth?

There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile. In many cases, in-office or take-home whitening can provide the change desired; in other cases, porcelain veneers offer a more effective solution. Either Dr. Shah can help evaluate your potential for whitening your teeth, based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration.

Can you show me what my teeth will look like ahead of time?

For those of you interested in enhancing your current smile, we're currently evaluating an all-new digital photography software program that will allow us to demonstrate how your new smile could look. This ViperSoft system should be in place within a short amount of time.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces, what can you do to help?

Our Doctors have a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of unsightly braces.  For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers or crowns is often sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. We’d be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation. We also offer invisalign a new way of straightening teeth.

Can you tell me more about crowns, veneers, onlays and inlays?

With today's technology, materials, and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or crooked teeth…bringing them back to their original shape and function. For example, we can apply an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a 'cap', that covers the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful to cover large areas of decay after they've been filled. Or, for large decayed or damaged surface chewing areas requiring restoration, we can apply a protective covering/filling or "onlay" made of either precious porcelain or composite resin material, thereby adding strength and preventing decay. If you need fillings, we can use porcelain 'inlays' instead of silver amalgam… actually strengthening the tooth and protecting it against further fracture. Similarly, we can restore cracked, discolored, crooked or otherwise unattractive front teeth to pretty, natural shapes and shades by applying paper-thin porcelain veneers to the outside surface of the teeth.

I'm a new patient and I know there is probably a form to fill out prior to my visit with Dr. Shah. How can I get copies of this to fill out in advance?

Please click here, and we'll be happy to provide you with the forms you will need ahead of time!

Site designed and maintained by Digital Dental Services http://www.digidental.net