Anxious Patient
Bad Breath
A: Millions of people struggle with halitosis, (bad breath) despite daily tooth
brushing. Here is 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 alternative solutions.
First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue significantly alleviating odor. Or we can recommend a specially- prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break down the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, if we suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or another underlying condition, we may recommend a visit with your family physician or with a specialist in order to identify the cause.
Crowns
A: If your doctor has recommended a crown to you, it is probably either to correct a broken tooth or to repair a tooth that has deteriorated due to cavities (decay). The decay in your tooth eats away at healthy tooth structure much like rust eats away at metal. If not removed, decay will deteriorate the tooth to the point where extraction is the only viable treatment option. Sometimes, decay is removed, leaving healthy tooth structure, but not much of it. A crown can then be placed, restoring the look and function of your tooth, while allowing you to keep your natural, underlying tooth structure. Most crowns are precision-milled porcelain or full metal (gold or silver) and are individually customized for each application in each patient, giving you a natural, long-lasting smile.
New Patient/First Appointment
A: Over the years patients have given us the compliment of referring family and friends to our practice. Our reputation for excellent dental care depends on two things: our good work and your beautiful smile! Your confidence in our care motivates us to continue to strive for excellence. Thank you for your referrals. Your trust and support are greatly appreciated.
Insurance
A: Dental insurance companies contract themselves out to negotiate rates. However, these rates have not changed since 1976! Yes, that’s not a typo, 1976! We certainly do not want our work & diagnosis dictated by insurance companies; therefore, we choose, at this time, not to be a part of any network. But, there is good news…
The good news is most dental insurance companies will still pay well (*and many even the SAME*) as if you were in network.
A: We will file ANY insurance you present to us in full with your insurance card with all the information, as long as you have out of network benefits on your plan, which most insurance companies do have. We are NOT a part of any network; however many plans allow you to go out of network.
A: THOUSANDS! Yep! We have thousands of patients that come here out of network, finding their insurance pays the same, or their out of pocket costs are minimal (and well worth it).
A: The best thing is for patients to contact your insurance company (the # can be found on the back of your dental card) inquiring them specifically about your benefits. It is also a great help to understand how your benefits work as they will give YOU, the consumer this information.
Digital X-rays (Radiographs)
A: Yes, we do offer digital X-rays. (Radiographs) Digital X-rays use less radiation and are safer for you than traditional film based X-rays. You will find that in our dental practice, we research the latest trends in technology to find the solutions that best promote your overall health, safety, and comfort.
Fluoride
A: Research shows that fluoride reduces cavities in both children and adults by halting tooth decay. It also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay becomes visible. Interestingly, many people continue to be misinformed about fluoride and fluoridation. Fluoride is a safe chemical component when used correctly. When your dentist applies fluoride to your teeth-usually in the form of a fluoride varnish, gel, or foam-that fluoride is more concentrated than the fluoride contained in toothpaste or in mouthwash. The ADA recommends that dental professionals use any of the professional strength, fluoride varnish, gel or foam products carrying the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Improved Smile
A: Dr. Wohlers has 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 may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. We would be happy to talk further with you about the option that best suits your individual situation.
Losing/Missing a Tooth
A: By replacing missing teeth (either with a bridge or with an implant), you will alleviate the problems associated with a missing tooth and will restore your smile to its beautiful, full appearance. A bridge is one solution for replacing a tooth. By using neighboring teeth as the supportive structure, your dentist places a porcelain restoration into the vacant space, restoring the functionality and look of your smile. A dental implant is also an excellent solution. Dental implants involve the placement of a titanium post directly into the jawbone. Once the post has bonded to the bone, it can act as a new, solid support for a natural looking, porcelain restoration. Implants can replace a single tooth, or an entire set of teeth, offering more function and permanence than traditional dentures.
Payment
A: Dental insurance is designed to assist you in paying for your dentistry. Most procedures are not fully covered by your insurance. Cosmetic dentistry, in particular, is not covered by most dental insurance plans. To help you afford your smile, however, we offer a variety of payment options in addition to a monthly payment plan provided by our financial partner, Care Credit® We also pay special attention to maximizing the benefits that your insurance does provide. Ask us how you can comfortably afford your dentistry while maximizing your dental insurance benefits.
A: Helping to make your dental care financially comfortable and affordable is important and we proudly offer a variety of options:
• Visa®, Mastercard® Discover®, and American Express®
• Cash
• Personal checks
• Financing through CareCredit™ -custom code needed Get from Martha
We are happy to estimate fees and insurance reimbursement before beginning your recommended treatments and will gladly file insurance forms for you. Optimal, comprehensive dentistry is what we practice, and we do not base our treatment on what insurance will or will not pay. We base our treatment on what is best for you, and any treatment not paid by insurance is your financial responsibility.
Nighttime Gritting of Teeth/Nightguard
A: Many people who notice chipped or cracked teeth, but who don’t remember when the injury occurred, damaged their teeth while they were sleeping. Grinding or clenching your teeth during the night will cause your teeth to chip, crack, and even break. To keep you from seriously damaging your teeth, we recommend a dental appliance called a night-guard. A custom fitted night guard protects your teeth from grinding and clenching in your sleep. Dr. Wohlers take great care in making sure you have a proper fit in order to prevent pain in your jaw joint. Do you also suffer from headaches? If so, you may find that a side benefit of your night-guard is headache prevention. Many headaches start during the night, caused by the extreme pressure generated as you grind and clench your teeth. Ask us about having a night-guard custom created especially for you.
