Cavity Treatment - MicroPrep
/ Whitening /
Sealants
IV & Conscious Sedation
/
Dental Health Education
/ Payment and Insurance
MicroPrep
Treating decay A gentler way...
Our office recently added the Microprep air abrasion cavity
preparation system, an exciting new advance in dentistry. We hope
the following information will help you better understand this
instrument and its use.
What
is the Microprep?
It's a new instrument that can be used as an alternative to the
drill in some procedures. Minute particles almost too small to be
seen with the naked eye are carried to the tooth by a stream of air,
gently and precisely spraying away decay.
What are the benefits of the Microprep?
Thanks to its precision and gentleness, the Microprep allows us
to treat decay at an earlier stage without as much removal of
healthy tooth structure. Teeth treated this way may be less likely
to require large fillings or crowns in the future. Smaller fillings
are less susceptible to wear and may last longer, and are more
comfortable immediately after the procedure.
The Microprep system creates a cavity surface that is ideal for
tooth-colored (composite resin) fillings, and it helps us place
those fillings faster than before. In many cases, the Microprep
actually allows us to complete treatment in fewer visits.
Will it hurt?
One benefit of the Microprep that many patients like is its comfort.
The Microprep system reduces heat and vibration, two major sources
of discomfort traditionally associated with fillings. That's why the
Microprep can often be used without anesthetics such as xylocaine.
This enhances our ability to treat children without the two things
they fear the most - the needle and the drill. Most patients report
the Microprep treatment feels similar to air being blown across the
tooth.
Is it safe?
Absolutely. The tiny particles we use are alpha alumina, a pure
biocompatible substance long used in medicine and food. In fact, it
is a prime ingredient in several whitening toothpastes. Only a small
amount is actually used in each procedure and most of it is
immediately removed by our evacuation system. Laboratory tests show
that patients would have to undergo about 28 typical 20-30 second
Microprep procedures in order to inhale enough alpha alumina to
equal the weight of one grain of table salt! This amount is below
federal safety limits.
What can the Microprep be used for?
Besides the composite resin fillings, the Microprep is very useful
in a number of esthetic veneers or fracture repairs. It also allows
us to apply preventive sealants in a matter of seconds, well
within the attention span of most youngsters.
What does the Microprep sound like?
The most noticeable sound a patient will hear is the evacuation unit
which removes particles from the mouth. The Microprep itself makes a
blowing sound similar to the air syringe we use to dry teeth. Most
people find it preferable to the whine of the dental drill.
Are all patients treated with the Microprep?
Not necessarily. Though the Microprep is a wonderful instrument,
it is not appropriate for every part of every procedure. For
example, we will continue to use the drill to remove silver
(amalgam) fillings and for crown preparations. Please ask us about
the role the Microprep might play in your child's treatment.
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Whitening
What
is tooth whitening? / How
do I use the gel?
/
How
long does the whitening last?
My
teeth have tetracycline stains, can I still whiten my teeth?
What
are some of the side effects of whitening?
Do
the over the counter whitening products I see work the same?
Do
I have any options other than wearing a tray at night?
What
is tooth whitening?
Tooth Whitening has also been referred to as bleaching, although
this is somewhat of a misnomer. The whitening gel is made of a
peroxide compound rather than a chlorine bleach. At the first visit
an impression is taken of each arch to be whitened. These
impressions are then turned into small, clear, soft, plastic trays
into which the whitening gel is dispensed by the patient. A small
amount of the gel is placed into the built-in reservoirs in the tray
and then the tray is worn for at least 4 hours, usually at night
while the patient is sleeping.
How do I use the gel?
Usually most patients will use the gel every night for about 2
weeks. This will of course depend on the initial shade of that
persons teeth and the desired result. An improvement can be seen in
as short as a couple days with the at home whitening procedure, and
tend to plateau after about 2 weeks. It is possible to continue to
whiten for more than 2 weeks, but as teeth reach a certain shade it
will take more time with the solution before any improvements are
seen.
How long does the
whitening last?
The length of time that teeth remain at their lighter shade is
dependent upon many factors. If a person smokes, or drinks a lot of
coffee, tea, or dark sodas, teeth will begin to darken earlier. Over
time the teeth will slowly begin to darken just from a regular diet.
Usually, doing a touch-up of a couple nights every 6 months is
adequate to maintain the lighter shade.
My
teeth have tetracycline stains, can I still whiten my teeth?
People with teeth stained by tetracycline may see some improvement
in their teeth, but in most situations it is impossible to achieve a
uniform result. Often the teeth will lighten to a certain extent,
but the gray band will still be present, depending upon the extent
of the staining at the start. Usually the best way to improve teeth
stained by tetracycline is with esthetic restorative procedures.
What are
some of the side effects of whitening?
Whitening hasn’t been shown to produce any systemic side effect,
but there may be some minor local side effects. Some people may find
that after using the gel the teeth being lightened may have an
increased sensitivity to cold liquids and air. Often this can be
remedied by using a toothpaste containing potassium nitrate, or by
using the whitening gel every-other day for a longer period of time.
Since the gel does contain a higher concentration of peroxide it can
irritate the gums if left for an extended period of time. After the
tray has been filled with the gel it is recommended that the excess
is removed to prevent it from resting on the gums.
Do
the over the counter whitening products work the same?
There are a large variety of over the counter products to help
whiten teeth. Many of these may contain the same peroxide used in
the gel given out with the whitening kits. However, these products
do not contain the same concentrations as the whitening gel
dispensed by the dentist. The delivery method is often different and
sometimes less effective. Most whitening toothpastes are quickly
washed off the teeth by saliva, and many other products don’t have
the ability to release a peroxide gel over a period of time.
Do
I have any options other than wearing the tray at night?
Some people prefer to wear the tray with the gel during the day,
or while at work. This usually doesn’t adversely affect the
procedure and is generally tolerable since the tray is clear, and is
thin enough not to impede a person’s speech. There is also a
procedure now available to whiten teeth at in office appointments.
Teeth can be whitened with a couple 30 minute in office appointments
using a higher concentration gel and a special blue curing light.
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Sealants
What
are sealants and when should they be applied?
/
How they are applied?
How effective
are they in preventing decay? /
Sealants Policy
What are
sealants and when should they be applied?
Sealants (also called occlusal sealants or pit and fissure
sealants) are products of dental research which have been shown to
be effective in protecting the pits and fissures without harming the
tooth enamel or making any changes in the oral cavity. They exert
their strongest influence on the rougher biting surfaces of the
teeth and are usually applied twice; once to permanent first molars
at age six to seven, and again to second molars which appear at age
twelve to thirteen. This is especially important because the chewing
surfaces of these first and second molars are quite vulnerable to
decay.
How
they are applied?
Teeth that have been selected for treatment are cleaned with a
special conditioner solution, washed and dried. Then, with the tooth
thoroughly dried, the sealant, in a liquid form, is painted on the
biting surface of the molar. An ultraviolet light is used to
harden the material after it has been applied to the tooth. As the
sealant is hardening, it bonds to the enamel surface of the tooth
and becomes a permanent barrier to food, debris and decay. The
method is simple and painless because you are merely coating the
teeth with a thin plastic film. There is no drilling
necessary, no tooth structure is removed, and no anesthetic is
required. After applying sealants, these teeth should be
checked along with your child's other teeth at regular intervals.
If wear or loss occurs, sealants can be touched up to insure that
decay is avoided.
How effective
are they in preventing decay?
Molar teeth are used for grinding food, making it easier to
swallow and digest. When these teeth are developing, depressions and
grooves form in the chewing surfaces of the enamel. These irregular
formations are called pits and fissures and they help the food slide
off the chewing surface of the teeth. The fissures have smaller
sub-fissures and pits, some almost microscopic, which act as hiding
places and traps for food and plaque. They are difficult and
sometimes impossible to clean even with good brushing. It is also
difficult for fluoride to penetrate these areas to aid in the
prevention of decay. Fluoride helps fight decay on the smooth
surfaces of the teeth, but it is least effective in pits and
fissures. When sealants are applied to the teeth, they flow into the
crevices of the chewing surface to seal it. Since sealants act as a
barrier, food particles and plaque cannot penetrate the sealants and
break down the enamel. Therefore, with the application of sealants,
45 to 60% of the decay for molar and premolar teeth could be
avoided. Placement of sealants is easier, quicker and less expensive
than filling a tooth, and the longevity of sealants compares
favorably with that of conventional restorative materials.
Things to do:
-
You are allowed to eat and drink after
your sealant appointment.
-
Please continue to brush and floss
your teeth.
-
When you close your teeth together,
they will feel a little strange for a short time, but this feeling
will go away.
Things not to do:
Sealant
Policy
Sealants have been clinically proven to be one of the most effective
methods of preventing tooth decay. Effectiveness is further
increased by retention and maintenance of the sealants. Sealants can
last a very long time, particularly when your child remains current
with his or her six-month checkup. Touch up or repair of a worn or
fractured sealant can ordinarily be done at routine recall
appointments. Should the sealant fail and a restorative
procedure become necessary, a full credit for the cost of the
sealant will be allowed toward the cost of the restorative procedure
if the child has been seen on a regular basis.
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IV & Conscious Sedation
A variety of medications can be
used for oral sedation. The doctor will prescribe the medication
best suited for your child based on age, weight, health, and dental
needs.
Oral Sedation
Oral Sedation is recommended for young, apprehensive children and
children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to
reduce the anxiety associated with dental treatment. Your child may
be drowsy and even fall asleep, but will remain responsive and not
become unconscious.
I.V. Sedation
I.V. Sedation is recommended for
apprehensive or very young children and children with special needs
that would not work well under oral sedation. The doctor performs
the dental treatment in our office with the child anesthetized under
I.V. sedation, which is administered and monitored by an
anesthesiologist and nursing staff.
The
decision to use anesthesia services to complete dental treatment is
made through consultation between parents, pediatric dentist and the
anesthesiologist. If unusual circumstances or medical conditions
exist, hospitalization for dental treatment may be recommended.
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Dental Health Education
What is a Dental Health Educator? If most people were asked
this question they probably would reply, "That's a person who
teaches you how to brush and floss your teeth." True, but this is
only a small part of the whole picture! In reality, a Dental
Health Educator is an individual who: Is an extension of the
dentist's care and knowledge to patients, parents and other staff
members in the office, and to the outside community.
-
Teaches individualized programs on Preventive Dental Education to
pre-kindergarten through high school.
-
Produces educational materials for use in preventive dentistry.
-
Counsels parents on nutrition , proper brushing and flossing
techniques, and preventive education.
-
Provides prenatal counseling for expectant parents.
-
Provides career counseling for high school and college level
students.
-
Conducts in-service programs for nursing staff and individuals
involved in the care of pediatric and handicapped patients.
-
Offers programs for community and service groups and for scout
troops.
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Payment and Insurance
Payment is expected for services at the time they are rendered, to help
control billing/accounting costs unless specific arrangements have been
made prior to the appointment. The parent presenting the child for
treatment is responsible for charges incurred.
McIlwain Family Dentistry is not a contracted
provider with any insurance companies. If your insurance offers
out-of-network benefits and allows you to choose your own dentist, we
will be happy to assist you in completing and filing your insurance
claims.
If you are planning to use insurance, please contact
our office and we'll be happy to go over our policies to facilitate your
claims.
Dental insurance coverage does not, however, relieve a
patient of responsibility for full payment of treatment charges. We accept Visa, MasterCard,
and American Express or payment plans can be arranged through
other financing agencies.
About Dental Insurance
If you have dental or medical insurance, we are
anxious to help you receive your maximum allowable benefits. We ask that
you read your policy to be sure that you are fully aware of any
limitations of the benefits provided.
The fees charged for services rendered to those who
are insured are our usual and customary fees charged to all patients for
similar services. Your policy may base its allowances on a fixed
fee schedule which mayor may not coincide with our usual fees.
Insurance companies reimburse a contracted amount commensurate with
average quality from an average practitioner, in an average office with
an average staff. We sincerely believe that our office operates far
above those guidelines. You should be aware that different insurance
companies vary greatly in the types of coverage available. Also, some
companies pay claims promptly and others delay payments many months.
Because your insurance policy is a legal agreement
between you and your insurance company, all patients/parents are
directly responsible for all charges. Realistically and legally,
your insurance company reimburses you for dental expenses.
As a courtesy service to you, our patient, we will complete forms
pertaining to your claims and send them promptly to you or to your
insurance company. We will also be glad to send in a pre-authorization
of benefits to your insurance company to let you know what your
insurance reimbursement will be before care is started. This often
involves
detailed paper work, writing letters to insurance consultants, and
making long distance telephone calls. We are happy to do this
because we realize how important it is to you.
In our experience, it is not realistic to
expect the insurance company to cover all services, irrespective of the
premium the patient may be paying. Solid business principles tell
us that you get what you pay for. It is our goal to help you
obtain the insurance coverage to which you are entitled. This is why
our Insurance Coordinator has spent many hours organizing insurance
information. She will be happy to take time to work with you, and
please remember it is the insurance company that dictates your coverage,
not our dental office.
We require insurance deductibles and/or co-payments
to be paid at the time of treatment, but for your convenience, will
process your insurance forms to help you receive your insurance
benefits.
Please feel free to ask questions. Our office
and practice have been built on education, communication, integrity and
sincerity.
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