Composite fillings do cost more than silver fillings. The material itself is much more expensive. The time it takes the doctor to do an excellent job on these technique-sensitive restorations is much greater, also.

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I'm nervous about seeing a dentist. How can you help?

Our staff works hard to make you and your family's visits to our office relaxing and stress-free. Our gentle, caring service includes using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for patients who would like to feel more comfortable during treatment by reducing anxiety.

Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound with chemical formula N20. In a dental office it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant slightly sweet odor. It is commonly known as laughing gas for the exhilarating effects of inhaling it.  It has been used in dentistry for its anesthetic effects.

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What are dental implants?

Implant dentistry has evolved to the point where missing teeth can be replaced with long-term predictability. Whether it is one tooth, a few teeth or all of your teeth, implant replacement can give you the most natural look and feel. Dental implants replace the tooth root and serve as an anchor. This treatment allows teeth to be restored naturally without harming or involving your surrounding teeth. Dental implants can also be placed to anchor and support partial or full dentures, eliminating the need for dental adhesives. Small metal posts are connected to the implant, allowing the replacement tooth to be secured with dental cement or a small screw.  Imagine having the confidence to eat the foods you previously avoided! 
 
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How can I repair my crooked teeth?

Many adults dislike their crooked teeth and think that the only solution is lengthy orthodontic treatment with braces. Thanks to improved technology and materials, your dentist can now skillfully and quickly change those crowded, crooked and missing teeth into beautiful smiles. Richard C Bolten DDS will discuss the best treatment for you, whether it is porcelain veneers, bonding or crowns. A beautiful, confident smile plays a significant role in how you feel about yourself.

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How often should I have my teeth cleaned?

It is recommended that patients with healthy teeth and gums have a dental cleaning appointment every six months. Patients with gum disease may require cleanings more frequently, between every three to four months. By maintaining a regular preventative maintenance plan, many major dental problems can be avoided. Even patients who wear full dentures should have regular dental checkups.  Dentures that no longer fit properly can cause sores that may serve as entry points for bacteria.

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Why do I need fluoride?

Fluoride is the greatest breakthrough in preventive dentistry in more than 50 years. It has dramatically reduced the incidence of tooth decay in children. Plus, it can reduce root decay and root sensitivity in older adults. It strengthens and rebuilds tooth enamel in all ages. Fluoride combines with your tooth enamel to strengthen it and increase its resistance to attacks from harmful decay-causing acids.

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Do my children need dental sealants?

The likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are prime candidates for dental sealants. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. Pits and fissures, however, are places that are extremely difficult to clean. Toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque. So these are places that are especially prone to decay. In fact, most cavities form in pit and fissure areas, and permanent molars are extremely susceptible to this form of decay. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque and food.

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What is gum (periodontal) disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum tissue that supports your teeth. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down and form a pocket. The sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth is called plaque, and is made mostly of bacteria. When plaque is not removed through good oral hygiene, it builds up along the gum line and increases your risk of developing periodontal disease. During your checkup, your dentist will examine your gums. He will use an instrument called a periodontal probe to gently measure the depth of the tissue surrounding each tooth. The probe will determine whether you have developed any pockets and the depth of those pockets. If periodontal disease is diagnosed, your dentist may provide treatment or may refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in the treatment of periodontal disease.

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Why should I floss?

Brushing alone cannot reach all of the areas between the teeth or under the gum line. Flossing removes the soft deposits of plaque and food between the teeth and decreases irritation of the gums due to bacterial buildup.

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Why do I need to take premedication before treatment?

If you are a patient with certain heart conditions or prosthetic joint replacements, your dentist or physician may recommend that you take antibiotics before your dental appointment. To determine if an existing heart condition poses a risk, your dentist needs complete health information on your medical history form including the name and address of your family physician or cardiologist.

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What about your sterilization procedures?

The health and safety of you, the patient, is foremost in our practice. All our hand pieces and dental instruments are HEAT and STEAM sterilized. Our sterilizing equipment is monitored by an outside company on a regular basis. Whenever possible we use instruments/materials that can be disposed of after one use on patients. In addition, every room is cleaned thoroughly between every patient visit.

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What are my payment options?

We offer Care Credit, a payment plan that provides interest free financing as well as extended payment plans with low interest.

We also accept the following credit cards: Visa, Master Card and Discover, as well as personal checks and cash.

We will bill your insurance company for you.

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