Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about dentistry and oral health issues. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today!


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What insurance do you accept?
Most insurances accepted, please contact our office for specific insurance information

Do you take payments?
We make individualized financial arrangements with patients as needed. Generally, we expect full payment (or your portion after insurance) the day of treatment unless other arrangements have been made.

How do you sterilize your instruments?
Much of what we use is disposable. The instruments that are reusable are cleaned ultrasonically and then heat sterilized. We test our sterilizers regularly to ensure proper processing.

Do you accept new patients?
Yes.

What records should I get from my previous dentist?
Usually the most current set of X-rays you had taken is all that is needed. Generally, if the X-rays are more than two years old they are not useful unless it was a panoramic type or full-mouth set of X-rays.

Are Amalgam (Silver) fillings harmful? Should I have them replaced?
No, they are not harmful. They should only be replaced if they are broken or worn out, if the tooth needs a crown, or if you want to improve the look of that tooth with a tooth colored filling. It is true that mercury is one of the components, but there is no proven health risk.

For more information on this click here.

To see the American Dental Association's (ADA) official statement on the safety of Amalgam fillings click here.

At what age should a child begin seeing a dentist?
Three years old is a good time but any time after the child's first birthday is a good time to introduce him/her to the dentist when a parent comes for their own checkup.

When are my child's baby teeth going to come in? When do they get loose? When do the permanent teeth come in?
Please click here to see a chart showing normal tooth development.

Do children need a fluoride supplement?
The answer varies by child and by where you get your water from. Ask us when you see us next. Generally, bottled water has some fluoride but each brand is different. "Reverse Osmosis" type water filters remove 100% of fluoride from the tap water. Other filters leave the fluoride in the water.

If you live in the following Arizona cities your tap water has the optimum level of fluoride in it. If you live in any other city, in rural areas, or use bottled and/or reverse osmosis treated water talk to the dentist about what, if any, supplementation is needed.

Arizona Cities with optimum fluoride in the water:
  • Bisbee
  • Chandler
  • El Mirage
  • Gilbert
  • Glendale
  • Mesa
  • Phoenix
  • Tempe
  • Tucson (soon to have fluoride)
  • Yuma
For more information from the State of Arizona go to: www.hs.state.az.us/cfhs/ooh/waterfluoridation.htm

What are the benefits of the "Waterlase" laser?
  • Heat and vibration are the causes of most of the pain associated with the drill. Since cutting the tooth with Waterlase Technology does not cause heat or vibration, MOST DENTAL PROCEDURES CAN BE PERFORMED WITH NO PAIN, VIRTUALLY ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR ANESTHESIA IN MOST CASES.

  • The Waterlase removes decay very precisely which allows you to keep a healthy tooth sturcture and have healthier teeth longer.

  • The Waterlase effectively performs numerous soft tissue (gums) procedures with little or no bleeding and gives your dentist a new high-tech tool for many procedures that previously required referral to a specialist. Now you can have them performed during your scheduled appointment.

  • The Waterlase avoids many common problems of the high speed drill, including cracks in the teeth from the vibration and rapid turning of the drill burrs which can weaken your teeth, creating future problems. The Waterlase decontaminates as it cuts reducing the chance for bacterial contamination.

  • The Waterlase prepares your teeth in a way that maximizes the bonding of tooth colored fillings, allowing them to last longer.

    • What can the "Waterlase" be used for?
  • Decay Removal
  • Cavity Preparation
  • Complete Root Canal procedures
  • Bone procedures
  • Reshape "gummy" smiles
  • General soft tissue procedures
  • General dentistry for enamel and dentin
  • Avoid being "numbed"
  • Avoid the shot and pain