We've Been Asked This Before...
Here are some common questions we've heard in the past. Click on the question to reveal the answer.
DO YOU RECOMMEND I WHITEN MY TEETH?
Tooth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten and enhance your smile. At our office we offer professional, in office, whitening as well as take home systems with bleaching trays. We have carefully chosen our whitening system to obtain the best results while maintaining complete patient comfort. Be sure to ask about our Whiter. Brighter. You. for Life patient loyalty program!
CAN YOU TREAT ME IF I AM IN A WHEELCHAIR?
Yes! Our office is handicap accessible and most treatment can be performed without you ever needing to transfer to the dental chair. Dr. Chapman and his staff will make every effort to ensure you comfortably receive the oral care you deserve.
WHICH SHOULD I BE USING, A MANUAL TOOTHBRUSH OR AN ELECTRIC ONE?
Studies have shown that for most people, an electric toothbrush will do a better job at removing plaque. Which toothbrush is right for you? Ask your hygienist and she will be happy to discuss it with you!
HOW SAFE ARE DENTAL X-RAYS?
Dental radiographs (often called x-rays) are an important part of your dental care. Dental radiographs help Dr. Chapman see tooth decay under old fillings or between your teeth, diseases in bone, gum disease and some types of tumors. The amount of radiation used to obtain radiographs is very small (about 0.005 millisieverts) and is less radiation than you receive every day just by living in the United States (about 0.008 millisieverts).
CAN YOU PUT ME TO SLEEP DURING MY TREATMENT?
While we make every effort to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during treatment, we do not perform sedation in our office.
DO YOU ACCEPT MY INSURANCE?
We will process nearly all forms of insurance. Please see our Insurance page for more information.
I'VE HAD DENTURES FOR YEARS BUT THEY DON'T FIT ANYMORE! WHY?
Over time, the gums and bone in your top and bottom jaw can shrink or change shape. Even well-made dentures can lose their fit as these changes occur. Dr. Chapman recommends an annual exam and oral cancer screening for wearers of complete dentures.
Why do i need dental exams?
DENTAL EXAMS ARE RECOMMENDED EVERY SIX MONTHS TO HELP SPOT TROUBLE EARLY AND PREVENT BIGGER AND MORE COSTLY TREATMENT LATER. OUR DENTAL HYGIENIST WILL START BY CLEANING BUILD UP OFF YOUR TEETH AND MAY MEASURE AREAS OF THE GUMS. IF IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE YOUR REGULAR CHECK UP YOUR GUMS MAY BE SORE OR SENSITIVE IN SOME AREAS.
wHAT ARE EARLY SIGNS OF DENTAL TROUBLE?
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS YOU SHOULD SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
- MOUTH SORES
- JAW PAIN
- REDNESS OR SWOLLEN FACE
- HOT, COLD OR SWEET SENSITIVITY
- BROKEN TEETH
-DRY MOUTH/BAD BREATH/BLEEDING GUMS
- MOUTH SORES
- JAW PAIN
- REDNESS OR SWOLLEN FACE
- HOT, COLD OR SWEET SENSITIVITY
- BROKEN TEETH
-DRY MOUTH/BAD BREATH/BLEEDING GUMS
I SEE YOU HAVE A DDS DEGREE. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DENTISTS WHO HAVE A DDS AND DENTISTS WHO HAVE A DMD?
In the United States, DDS and DMD degrees are equivalent. The American Dental Association specifies: “The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. They are awarded upon graduation from dental school to become a general dentist. The majority of dental schools award the DDS degree; however, some award a DMD degree. The education and degrees are the same.” Harvard University was the first dental school to award the DMD degree. Harvard only grants degrees in Latin, and school administrators thought the Latin translation of Doctor of Dental Surgery ("Chirurgae Dentium Doctoris," or CDD) was too cumbersome. A Latin scholar was consulted and suggested "Medicinae Doctor" be prefixed with "Dentariae." This is how the DMD, or "Dentariae Medicinae Doctor" degree, was started. Other dental schools made the switch to this notation, and in 1989, 23 of the 66 North American dental schools awarded the DMD. There is no meaningful difference between the DMD and DDS degrees, and all dentists must meet the same national and regional certification standards in order to practice.