Common Indiana Dentist Questions Throughout the years, patients have asked us a number of questions that have come up quite often. Here are just a few of the more commonly asked ones, but if there is a question here we have not answered, please feel free to call us to find out more. Perhaps we will even add it to our list here! How does Dr. Arnold keep up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials? In Indiana, the annual continuing education requirement to maintain state licensure is 20 hours. Because Dr. Arnold is committed to being the best he can be for you, he greatly exceeds this. In 2002, he attended over 260 hours of high quality continuing education. Through July of 2003, he has already accumulated more than 300 hours of additional advanced traning. He is always looking to be on the cutting edge, and does everything possible to provide the best of everything for his patients. He has completed courses at the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum in San Francisco in functional anterior aesthetics; the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies in advanced posterior aesthetics; The Esthetic Epitome in Charlotte in total esthetics, anterior and posterior; Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study in occlusion in St. Petersburg; The Hornbrook Group in Los Angeles for occlusion and in Houston for full mouth rehabilitation. Here is a sampling of the courses he has taken in 2003: - Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies: posterior composite restorations; principles of adhesion; aesthetic inlay/only preparation/temporization; diode laser indications and usage; metal-free crowns; intraoral photography; preventing the worn dentition; future developments in posterior aesthetics.
- Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study (in St. Petersburg): temporomandibular joint; role of muscles in occlusion; vertical dimension of occlusion; the neutral zone; centric relation; long centric; anterior guidance; cosmetic practice management.
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (annual meeting in Orlando): innovative veneers; oral conscious sedation; neuromuscular occlusion; integrated laser technology; cosmetic plastic surgery.
- Las Vegas Cosmetic Dental Extravaganza: team-building; aesthetics; crown council mastermind; posterior indirect restorations; anterior composite artistry; self-etching primers.
- Hornbrook Group Occlusion Course (in Los Angeles).
- Hornbrook Group Full Mouth Rehabilitation Course (in Houston).
- World Clinical Laser Institute Meeting in Atlantic City
Click here to view full list of continuing education courses for 2003. Click here to view full list of continuing education courses for 2002. Other Activities: - Hornbrook Group Clinical Instructor
- Fellow in the Academy of Comprehensive Ethics
- Medical Expert on cosmetic dentistry for the MDTV networ
back to top I do not like drills. Are there any other options? Because we care a lot about our patients' comfort, we use dental lasers which help us provide dentistry that is faster and pain-free. The technology uses the hydrokinetic process to gently wash away decay and prepare your teeth in a way that maximizes the bonding of tooth-colored fillings, allowing them to last longer. Because you do not need to have anesthesia, you do not have the accompanying numbness and discomfort. In cases where a drill is necessary, we have the best new electric drills on the market. They are ultra-quiet (no high-pitched scream), and the vibration and heat are significantly reduced because they retain a constant torque. back to top I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax? We understand that some patients are very nervous about going to the dentist. For those patients, we offer nitrous oxide and other medications, as needed. We also offer DVD movies and CD headphones to really help take you away from the dental procedure being performed. Each of our dental chairs is equipped with a multi-function massage pad. Warm, herbal neck wraps and blankets are also available for your comfort. back to top What is Smile Analysis? Each person has their own individual smile, one that is uniquely shaped and balanced to the symmetry of their face. With Smile Analysis, we can help show you what your best smile can look like. We take into account many features of your face and mouth to analyze and design the most enhancing smile for you. Come in and talk to us about the exciting possibilities. back to top What is Smile Design? Great care is taken to design a smile for each patient. After we understand your needs and goals, we consider the shape of your face, color of your eyes, and the shape and contour of your lips. We evaluate factors like the symmetry of your eyes and nose to the other dimensions. Once you have your new smile, your confidence will soar! Nothing frames the face better than an attractive and beautiful smile. People will be drawn to you without knowing why. A brilliant smile radiates joy, excitement, healthy and vitality. A smile is a celebration of life, a reflection of the heart and your number one asset! back to top I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend? If your teeth are crooked, you do not necessarily need braces. When you come in for a consultation, we can talk to you about several other options, including porcelain veneers. If you are a candidate for this sort of treatment, the whole process will take about two weeks rather than two years, as is usually the case with braces. We're often able to perform "instant orthodontics" with porcelain veneers, which not only straightens the teeth, but improves size, shape and color at the same time! back to top What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit? When you enter our office, you'll be treated like family! We strive to provide exceptional dentistry and work to exceed your expectations. At our dental office, you will feel very relaxed and comfortable with all of our amenities, including massages and paraffin wax treatments. We want to get to know you individually because the way we see it, the more we know about you, the better dental treatment we can provide. We do not focus on just the broken tooth, we pay attention to your entire face, head, neck and jaw, and how your smile looks and feels. We hope you will feel free to ask us about any of these services. We're here to help you in any way that we can! back to top How can I whiten my teeth? If you are like most of Dr. Arnold's patients, you want the simplest way possible to whiten your smile. Our revolutionary in-office whitening system, ZOOM! Whitens your teeth in about one hour. Patients can sit back and enjoy their favorite movie while their teeth become whiter and whiter. By the end of the appointment, most patients have achieved a seven to nine shade difference in their smile. This single appointment procedure is quick and easy, allowing you to get back to your busy life with a brilliant white smile the same day! We also offer the most popular home bleaching systems in the world, Nite White and Day White. You can rest assured that any of these three systems will give you the bright smile you've always wanted! back to top Can you show me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software? Yes, we will study the features on your face, take the necessary radiographs, as well as digital photographs, and then feed this information into the imaging software to get a glimpse of what your new smile can look like. You will come back at the next appointment to look at a picture of your new smile, and together we will evaluate and design the roadmap to your new smile makeover. Then you can take the picture home, and discuss all your options with your family members and friends so you can make an informed, careful decision. back to top How do I know when it is time to come in for a checkup? We will schedule you ahead of time for your next cleaning and checkup, and our team will follow-up with you to make sure you are aware of your next appointment. back to top Do you accept patient referrals? Referrals are always welcome! We are always looking forward to new patients so we can provide the same excellent level of dentistry we provide to our existing patients. In fact, if you refer a friend or family member (spouse or child not included) you will receive a $50 credit toward your next appointment. Referrals are the greatest compliment that you can give us. back to top Do you accept my insurance plan? We accept many plans, however, we do not participate in some of them because of their restrictions. The insurance industry sometimes makes it difficult for us to maintain our excellence while participating as a provider. Our philosophy does not allow the insurance industry to dictate the quality of care and level of service we provide to our patients. In fact, we are proud to be setting standards of excellence in dentistry. back to top I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks? Do not panic, we can fix it. You will want to call us right away and by talking to you we can tell you if you need to come in for emergency dental treatment, or if you can, wait until the next business day. Most patients, after talking to us, are instructed to re-adhere the piece onto the tooth with a little bit of toothpaste. Yes, this is something you can try at home! Or, you can try using an over-the-counter dental cement found in most drugstores to place the temporary back. back to top What payment options do you provide? Patients can pay by cash, check and all major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard. We also have two dental patient financing programs to help patients extend payments when necessary. Dental Fee Plan and Care Credit are terrific companies that we work with to be sure that you get the dental care that you want and need! Utilizing these financing programs makes major dental work even more affordable. back to top How can I ask Dr. Arnold questions directly? You can send an email directly to Dr. Arnold and he will get back to you quickly. Or you are welcome to call Dr. Arnold with any questions you might have. Of course, we would love to meet you in person, as well. Stop by anytime. back to top What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety? We use state-of-the-art sterilization procedures. We utilize disposable items whenever possible, and we pride ourselves on a clean and neat facility. We go "above and beyond" all OSHA and ADA requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our patients. back to top My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about? Bleeding gums are usually a sign of infection, and you may be a candidate for non-surgical periodontal treatment. Our goal is have you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Gum and bone disease significantly increases the risk of heart or respiratory disease because it can adversely affect your overall health and welfare. Please do not wait any longer to address this problem. back to top I brush everyday, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do? Disorders of the oral cavity may cause up to 90% of all the cases of halitosis. Some of the more common causes are: a dry mouth due to lack of flow of saliva during sleep, denture wearing, food retention, poor oral hygiene, dental decay, gingivitis, gum disease, an unclean tongue, alcohol consumption and smoking. Most of these factors cause an increase in bacteria in the oral cavity. These bacteria produce compounds like hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide. Collectively they are known as volatile sulphur-containing compounds or VSC. These are the compounds responsible for bad breath. What's the treatment? We will work with you to institute an effective home care program including conventional tooth brushing and flossing, daily irrigation of the oral tissues and regular scraping or brushing of the tongue. One of the main sources of bad breath is periodontitis, and we will work on eradicating or greatly controlling gum disease, which in turn will eliminate bad breath. Additionally, we have a product called BreathRx which is very effective at eliminating bad breath. BreathRx utilizes the ingredient Zytex, which eliminates the volatile sulphur compounds. Ask us about effective treatment and BreathRx! back to top Do I have to floss everyday? Is it really that important? The use of dental floss is essential in preventing gum disease. Most oral health problems are related to dental plaque--the soft, sticky layer of bacteria on the surface of gums and teeth, particularly along the gum-line. When dental plaque grows it releases toxins that irritate the gums causing gingivitis. If left untreated it may lead to more serious form of gum disease (periodontitis). The toothbrush cannot reach difficult areas in the mouth, like between teeth and along the gums. Using dental floss at least once a day provides effective removal of dental plaque and cleaning between the teeth. back to top
|
