FAQ

FAQ

During Your First Visit:

Q: Does my insurance have coverage for periodontal treatment and or exams?

A: Most dental benefit plans will assist you. Check your plan for specific restrictions and limitations.

Q: I recently had X-rays taken by my general dentist. Can you use these, or do you have to take new ones?

A: Most often we are able to request copies of the X-rays from your general dentist. Depending on type of films taken; we can eliminate or reduce the number of X-rays necessary by our office.

Q: Can I have treatment performed on the same day as the exam?

A: It will depend on what type procedure is advised, but we do offer same-day treatment for simple procedures.

Q: How long is the appointment going to take?

A: The examination time can vary, but most take approximately one hour.

Prior to Surgery:

Q: Can I eat prior to surgery?

A: Yes, provided you will not be sedated during surgery.

Q: What if I am going to be sedated?

A: You must not eat or drink anything six hours prior to surgery. However, it is important to take your routine medication at least two hours before a morning procedure with as little water as possible. Do not drink any water two hours prior to sedation.

Q: Can I drive after the procedure?

A: If you have been sedated for the procedure you must not drive for the rest of the day. If you are taking narcotic medication, we recommend that you NOT drive.

After Surgery

Q: When can I start brushing my teeth again?

A: You may resume brushing and flossing on all teeth except the surgical area 24 hours after surgery. Avoid brushing the surgical area until your stitches are removed.

Q: If I took two tabs of Amoxicillin prior to surgery, when do I take my next dose?

A: It depends on the time of your surgery. If your surgery occurs in the morning, take one tab in the afternoon and one before bedtime. Begin the next day as instructed by your prescription. If your appointment is scheduled for the afternoon, take one tab before bed, then take one tab three times a day after that.

Q: I have bleeding in the area of my surgery. What should I do?

A: Place damp gauze in the site and apply firm pressure for at least 15 minutes. Gently remove the gauze and make sure the bleeding has stopped. It is important not to spit. Instead, swallow normally. A small tea bag kept in the area under pressure will also help stop bleeding.

Q: I have some swelling and bruising after surgery. What should I do?

A: Some bruising or swelling is normal after surgery for 2-3 days. To reduce swelling on the 2nd and 3rd day, apply a warm compress for 20 minutes at a time. All swelling should be gone after the 4th day. If not, please call our office. To reduce the chances of swelling, apply two ice packs to either side of your mouth for 20 minutes at a time on the day of your surgery.

Q: How soon can I resume work?

A: Typically after one or two days. If surgery was performed using IV sedation you may not drive for 24 hour afterward.

Q: When can I resume exercise?

A: We do not recommend running, jogging or regular exercise until the fourth day after your surgery. On the 4th day begin light activity for the 1st week to maximize healing.

Q: How long will I feel pain after my surgery?

A: Usually pain is present for 2-3 days following surgery. It also depends on your unique pain tolerance.

Q: Can I still smoke?

A: Since it can cause serious complications, you must not smoke for 30 days after surgery.

Q: What can I eat?

A: Eat soft foods like apple sauce, yogurt or any other cold and soft foods within two hours of surgery. Please avoid crunchy foods such as chips and nachos or heavy chewing foods like steak until your stitches are removed.

Q: What prescriptions should I finish?

A: Please take medications as indicated on the label of the bottle.

Q: What if the oral dressing or bandage comes off before my follow-up appointment?

A: Please discard the dressing and return to office at scheduled time.

Q: What if a suture(s) comes out?

A: This is fairly uncommon, but loss of one or two sutures can be neglected. However, if bleeding persists in the area or more sutures fall out, please call our office.

Q: I missed one or two doses of my antibiotic. Should I continue taking it, or stop?

A: Please continue until you run out of medicine.

Q: I had a bone graft done and now I am seeing and feeling small particles come loose the area. Is this normal?

A: If you notice one or two particles loosen in the area, it is fine. If you feel more particles come out at a greater frequency, please call our office.

Procedural Questions:

Q: What is a bone graft made of?

A: We use sterilized cadaver bone. It is very safe and effective.

Q: What is crown lengthening?

A: Crown lengthening is a procedure where a portion of bone and gum tissue surrounding a tooth is removed in order to expose more of the crown (the visible portion of tooth).

Q: Why is crown lengthening recommended?

A: Crown lengthening is necessary for several reasons: 1) to expose more of the tooth in order for your dentist to place a crown, 2) to expose an area of decay below the gumline to perform a filling, and 3) to remove gum tissue in order to expose more of the tooth for aesthetic purposes.

Q: What is gingival grafting surgery?

A: Gingival grafting surgery is a procedure where gum tissue is removed from a donor site, or when donor tissue is added to an area that lacks adequate gum tissue. It may also be used to create sufficient root coverage in an area of gum recession.

Q: Why is gingival grafting recommended?

A: Gingival grafting is needed for a few different reasons: 1) to create thick tissue in an area that is too thin, 2) to acquire root coverage in an area of root exposure, 3) to create even gum line for esthetic reasons.

Q: What is a "frenectomy"?

A: During a frenectomy, we reattach the muscle that connects the lip to the gums. It is re-attached in a lower position and/or severed to prevent attachment causing a heavy pull in the area which can contribute to gingival recession

Q: Why is a frenectomy needed/recommended?

A: A frenectomy is required when the muscle attaching the lip to the gums is too prominent, causing a heavy pull that can contribute to recurring gingival recession.

Q: What is Osseous surgery?

A: Osseous surgery involves exposing the teeth and surrounding bone in order to gain access and remove granulation tissue or calculus.

Q: Why is Osseous surgery recommended?

A: Osseous surgery is recommended due to an increase in pocket depth and infection that cannot be resolved using scaling or root planning.

Q: What are the procedures called "scaling and root planing"?

A: Scaling and root planing are methods of removing plaque and tartar from teeth in pocket depths greater than 3mm.

Q: Why are scaling and root planing recommended?

A: Scaling and root planing are recommended when patients experience difficulty maintaining proper home care due to deep pockets between teeth.

Q: What are dental implants?

A: Dental implant replicates the root of a tooth, allowing for a more natural, durable tooth replacement.

Q: What is a sinus lift surgery?

A: A sinus lift surgery is performed by creating an opening into the bone and raising the sinus membrane. A bone graft is inserted in the space in preparation for the placement of a dental implant.

Q: Why do I need a sinus lift prior to or during implant placement?

A: Implants can only be placed into a solid bone foundation. Sometimes lifting the sinus is necessary to create a sufficient foundation.

Q: Why is bone grafting needed?

A: Bone grafting is needed to create more bone mass to enable implant placement.