Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Are you seeing new patients?
Yes! And emergency patients can usually be seen within 24 hours, often on the same day if you call before noon.
Can I have my cleaning & my work done at the same visit?
Sometimes. It depends on many factors, but generally it’s safe to plan on a cleaning first, & then work on subsequent visits.
Why do I need to see a specialist?
Sometimes procedures are beyond the scope of our equipment or expertise. We can handle most procedures in-office, but we have a network of outstanding specialists to whom we refer for the more complicated procedures.
Can I eat after I have a procedure done?
It depends on the procedure. We sometimes advise waiting until the feeling comes back if you have been numbed. If teeth have been extracted, we advise a soft diet for a few days.
Procedure Questions
Do I still need to premedicate with antibiotics?
From the ADA: “In 2014, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs assembled an expert panel to update & clarify the clinical recommendations found in the 2012 evidence-based guideline, Prevention of Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures.
As was found in 2012, the 2014 updated systematic review found no association between dental procedures & prosthetic joint infections. Based on this review, the 2014 Panel concluded that prophylactic antibiotics given prior to dental procedures are not recommended for patients with prosthetic joint implants.”
Please see the article for more information.
Still recommended for antibiotic prophylaxis are patients with:
- prosthetic cardiac valve or prosthetic material used for cardiac valve repair
- a history of infective endocarditis
- a cardiac transplant that develops cardiac valvulopathy
- the following congenital (present from birth) heart disease:
- unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative shunts & conduits
- a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedure
- any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device (that inhibit endothelialization)
Why do I need xrays? Can I refuse them?
Cavities, or tooth decay, can advance rapidly and go from incipient to rampant in mere months. We need a “behind-the-scenes” look every six to twelve months to properly diagnose the state of your teeth. You have every right to refuse them, but we generally don’t recommend it.
Insurance Questions
Is my insurance going to pay their portion?
Most of the time, yes. However, we have no way of knowing until they send a check whether the insurance company will follow through or not.
I paid my portion at my visit. Will I owe more?
We do our best to provide our patients with accurate insurance estimates, but we can only go by what the insurance company tells us. Sometimes the insurance companies don’t pay what they tell us they will, but then again, sometimes they pay more. In that case we write the patient a check!
Do you offer discounts?
Yes! We offer senior citizen & military discounts!
Do you have payment plans?
Yes! For those without insurance, we offer the Cameron Dental Club pricing.