Frequently Asked Questions

We hope you find answers to your questions in the following section. If you would like further information or have another question, please give us a call or ask during your next visit. You can also find additional information on various dental topics by using the "I Hate Dentists" search engine.

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

  Dr. Lee attends many hours of continuing education on a variety of topics each year. He has also spent the last 20 years teaching thousands of dentists and dental teams across the America, Canada, and Australia.

• How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
  

  Your dental care will be based on your individual needs. We keep precise records of each patient and will keep track of your checkups by calling you or sending a card to schedule an appointment.

• At what age should my children first see a dentist?
  

  A baby's teeth start to emerge between 6 and 12 months and that is the time to first visit the dentist. Prevention that begins at the very beginning increases the odds that your baby's teeth will be healthy for a lifetime.

• Do you accept referrals?
  

  Yes, our goal is to get all of our patients healthy and keep them healthy.

• Will I be charged if I need to cancel an appointment?
  

  We understand that things happen. All we ask is that our time be respected as we respect those we serve.

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

  Someone is on call 24/7 for patients of record.

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

  When we give patients temporaries, we provide them with material they can use to cement them back on if they should come off. If a temporary breaks, a team member is always on call that is qualified to repair it.

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

  You can pick the tooth up by the crown, making sure to never handle the roots. If the tooth is dirty, rinse gently in slow, running water. Don't scrub the tooth. Gently place the tooth back into the socket until you can get to the dentist's office. If this doesn't work, the tooth will have to either be stored in cold, whole milk or placed between your child's gum and cheek until you get to the dentist. If it is a baby tooth, do not re-insert it.

  Remember, quick action can save a tooth that has been knocked completely out of the socket.

• What different payment options do you provide?
  

  We accept cash, check, most major credit cards or a third-party credit line.

• Do you accept my insurance plan?
  

  As long as your insurance does not restrict you going to a dentist of your choosing.

• How can I ask the Doctor questions directly?
  

  Dr. Lee is very approachable and wants you to always feel right at home. He feels it is your teeth, your time, and your money, so he will answer any and all of your questions.

• I really do not like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?
  

  We do everything we can to make you feel comfortable and in total control of the situation. We can offer you sedation dentistry and nitrous oxide (this is provided free of charge). You may also like to wear headphones, close your eyes and listen to your favorite music. Perhaps most importantly, we listen to and communicate with you every step of the way. If you say it hurts, we stop. We will not resume until you are completely ready and feeling in control.

• When I get a tooth crowned, does it mean that I never again have to worry about decay?
  

  No. The crown itself will not decay but the portion of the tooth that is not covered by the crown will. To keep the uncovered tooth healthy, use a soft toothbrush and start brushing by pushing upward from the gums to the top of the crown. And of course it goes without saying – floss.

• My dentist found a cavity in a tooth that did not bother me. It has been sensitive to both hot and cold every since she put the new filling in. What is going on?
  

  There are several possible scenarios:

  1. It is possible that the decay went so deep hat is was already in the nerve and may need a root canal.
  2. The large filling could have traumatized the tooth.
  3. If the new filling is too high, the excessive biting pressure may bruise the tooth.
  4. In some instances, the filling can leak.
• Why can’t the dentist just fill my tooth rather than do a crown?
  

  When the hole left by decay is so large that it weakens the tooth, the tooth needs support from the crown.

• What can be done to make my dental visits less stressful?
  

  The more frequent your visits, the more comfortable you will become. Communication with the dentist and dental team is also important. Talk about what stresses you the most and ask what is available to help you get through feeling anxious. The dentist and dental team should explain how you can be in control during your dental appointments.

• If I had it to do over again, I would get all my teeth fixed in one visit instead of one tooth at a time. Is that possible to do?
  

  Yes, unless you dental problems are too complicated. If your time is short and your schedule is hectic, ask your dentist if a one-stop dental visit is possible.

• Why do I have to have another filing (or crown or partial denture)?
  

  It may be that your lifestyle habits are causing decay. An honest, personal review will help. Ask yourself: Are you eating sugar at bedtime and not brushing your teeth? Do you brush and floss twice a day? Are you chewing tobacco? Do you sip colas all day long? Another possibility is that you have never had a comprehensive dental exam. As a result, you were never given a full treatment plan. Or, the dentist did not tell you in the beginning that you would need more dental work.

• My wife says she can’t stand my snoring any longer. Can a dentist help me with this?
  

  Sleep apnea must first be ruled out. Then ask your dentist about anti-snoring devices which can help some snoring problems. These dental appliances look a lot like a child’s retainer from the orthodontist. The devices help keep the back of the throat open which prevents snoring. It is always best however, to find a dentist who works closely with a physician who has special knowledge of sleep disorders.

• I had a crown replaced and I don’t understand why we couldn’t just use my old crown?
  

  Crowns are very precise restorations. Once the tooth or the crown has been altered by decay or breakage, the crown no longer fits properly. Trying to make it fit will result in grooves or ledges in the junction area of the tooth and crown. This can lead to gum disease and decay because the area will not be cleansable.

• I have dry mouth and I rely on cough drops. Is there any problem with that?
  

  Never keep cough drops or mints on your bedside table because it’s too tempting to eat them before going to bed (or reach for them in the middle of the night). They are both full of sugar. The sugar will lie next to your gums and teeth and cause rampant decay. Severe decay can happen in a matter of days or weeks. This is the type of habit that causes decay at the gum line and attacks all teeth, even the ones with crowns.

• I sip soft drinks all day long. I’ve heard that may be the reason I have so much decay. What do you think?
  

  There is no question that sodas are causing your decay because having small amounts of sugar in your mouth over long periods of time can be a very serious problem. It doesn’t make any difference where the sugar comes from, whether from cough drops or sipping on a soft drink throughout the day. These sugars make a perfect environment for bacteria to cause decay. This habit of sipping drinks is one of the most devastating things that your can do to teeth. You are being hit with a double whammy because the soda also contains acid, and this is doing as much dental damage as the sugar.

• I worry about the spread of disease every time I go to a hospital or doctor’s office. How do I know if my dentist is sterilizing properly?
  

  Just ask: “Do you sterilize your equipment with an autoclave using both heat and pressure or with chemicals? The American Dental Association guidelines recommend that all instruments be autoclaved between patients or be disposed of. This will prevent infection from being transmitted. Chemicals alone are not as effective.

• I have high blood pressure and I am on medication for this condition. Can the medication harm my gums or teeth?
  

  Yes. There are many medications that can cause serious problems for the mouth. Blood pressure medication can have to negative effects. It can decrease the saliva flow, which allows more decay causing bacteria to grow. It can also cause the gum tissues to swell, which may increase the chances of getting gum disease.

• I have a question concerning dental care while breast-feeding. I have a tooth that has a cracked filling which makes it temperature sensitive and difficult to chew on that side of the mouth. Will it harm the baby if I continue to breast-feed? Also, if I do get the filling fixed will I need to discontinue breast-feeding for any length of time because of medications that are used in numbing the area?
  

  The answer to both questions is no.

• My daughter has been diagnosed with TMD. The disk is out of place, in the front of the joint. As a result, it interferes with the opening and closing of her mouth. The oral surgeon is suggesting that she wear a splint for two weeks. Is this reasonable? If this does not work, he recommends surgery. What is the treatment of choice?
  

  Because of its non-invasive nature, a splint is the treatment of choice. Often the result is good. The symptoms will reflect the need for more extensive treatment (i.e., surgery). Surgery should only be a last resort.

• What can I do about my bad breath? I suck mints and clean my teeth often.
  

  Check with your doctor for any underlying medical cause such as gastric problem or sinus drainage. If the odor is really coming from your mouth, our advice is to get a comprehensive dental exam that looks at both your teeth and gums. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss the every day, and brush or scrape your tongue. This the most effective way of guarding against bad breath, when there’s no other medical reason that is causing the odor. Ask your dentist about breath control products. If you must have something in your mouth, suck on mints that are sugar-free.

• What is the difference between plaque and tartar?
  

  Plaque is a soft deposit of bacteria that grows on the teeth and can be removed easily by brushing. When the plaque has calcified (hardened), it becomes tartar. Within days, plaque that is undisturbed by brushing or flossing (usually in the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth) has to be scraped off by a dental professional.

• What causes canker sores?
  

  The exact cause is unknown. Current theories point to an auto-immune disorder. It is also believe that certain factors may initiate the chain of events leading to a canker sore. These factors include sensitivity to certain foods, certain ingredients in toothpaste, stress and trauma to the lining of the mouth.

• I thought I was too old to get decay. Is this true or not?
  

  No. Decay can destroy your teeth at any age.

• Am I too old to get braces?
  

  No. Teeth can be moved at all ages. If you want straight teeth, ask your dentist about your options.

• Drill-less, pain-free dentistry? What is it all about?
  

  There are two different techniques for removing decay and tooth structure without using the normal drill. One is an air abrasion technique that works like a miniature sand blaster; the second is laser. Both of them work very well for what they were designed to do – removed very small decay at the very beginning stage. This means that only a limited number of people – those with very small decay that is caught right away can get “drill-less dentistry.” For these people, this is a bonus because the two different techniques do not have the traditional noise of the drill, which so many people dislike. And, there is usually no discomfort for the patient with either of these techniques.

• My wife heard that there is a new way to find decay. Is this true?
  

  Modern technology has opened up a new way of going beyond early detection of decay and stopping it before it even begins. We now have magnification and special decay-detecting staining dyes that allow us to see the sings of decay just as it is beginning. We have new technology that can remove small amounts of decay without causing trauma to the tooth. And new plastic filing materials are able to flow down onto the narrow holes left by the decay. A special light hardens the liquid plastic and seals of the tooth. The technology of dentistry is moving into the next century with promising new advances and more to come.