Frequently Asked Questions

Healthy gums DO NOT bleed. When gums bleed, the cause usually stems from early-stage gum disease, called gingivitis. If your gums show signs of gum disease, we may recommend a more advance hygiene treatment to stop the disease and return your gums to good health. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults, and it has been linked to many overall health conditions, including stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and respiratory problems. Untreated gum disease can escalate to create significant damage to your health, so call for an assessment now. Our professional team will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy for life!

That sounds like an easy question to answer, but it isn't! Your smile is unique, and we won't compromise your individuality with smile enhancements. Smile design dentistry done right requires an initial consultation in which we will discuss your goals, preferences, and options for care. Generally speaking, we may suggest porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, all-white restorations, and/or replacement teeth. Orthodontics may also be involved. After your comprehensive evaluation and consultation, we'll present a smile makeover plan for your new smile. Feel free to discuss any concerns you may have with the doctor.

One of the unique aspects of our practice is our on-line medical and dental history forms. Click the FOR PATIENTS tab and you will find these documents. If you have time, please fill these out before your appointment, and it will help speed up your check-in time at your initial visit.

We accept most types of dental insurance, and will file your insurance claims for you at the time of service. We will be happy to help research your benefits to maximize the reimbursement you receive from your insurance carrier. Please note that your insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company, and your plan is specific for you, based on what your employer has chosen. We will estimate what your insurance will pay at the time of service, and you will be responsible for your co-pay and deductible at that time. Feel free to call us if you have more detailed questions about dental insurance.

Most children respond well to a dental visit around ages two - three, though the ADA recommends children have a first visit at one year of age. Bring your child with you to your appointment so that he or she can become acclimated to the dentist's office. If you notice any development problems with your child's mouth or teeth, call us to schedule a visit immediately. Otherwise, we'd like to begin teaching your children how to care for their teeth and gums when they reach two years of age. By age three or so, they can begin hygiene treatments and regular checkups. Check back soon to see video clips of some of our best youngsters as they have their hygiene visits!

To provide optimal care, we take bitewing X-rays once a year and a panoramic X-ray every three years. Because we use a digital system, our patients are exposed to about 80-percent less radiation than with a traditional radiograph. X-rays and intraoral photographs help us track your oral health and address problems early, when conservative dentistry can correct most issues. If you haven't had a checkup and X-rays in a while please call for an appointment.

Our office recommends that patients with healthy teeth and gums schedule a routine appointment every six months. We will clean your teeth and assess for dental disease, oral cancer, tooth decay, and other potentially serious problems. By finding trouble in the early stages, we can often correct problems with conservative treatment. Patients with periodontal problems (gum disease) may need to visit us more frequently; we will advise you how often depending upon your condition. If it has been longer than 6 months since your last dental visit, please give us a call and we can schedule a time to begin your care in our office.

Invisalign and SureSmile are both systems of clear aligners that are almost undetectable and are completely removable. The technology uses computerized 3D graphics to reposition your teeth incrementally over one to two years depending on the severity of your case. Every two weeks a new aligner will be given to you until the final results are achieved. You will be amazed at this new technology so feel free to ask more questions. Click for more information about both.

We understand in today’s economy that some treatment plans require some extended payment options. We have several plans available to discuss with you. We have both interest free options and longer reduced interest plans available to best suit your individual needs. Please call our office and we can discuss those various payment opportunities with you. We gladly accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover.

We are located in the Dierbergs center on Wentzville Parkway adjacent to Petsmart. Yes, we gladly accept new patients. Please refer to our map and office hours located on this website.