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When should
I start bringing my child to see the dentist?
 We
like to see children in our office by the age of three or four
for a "Happy Visit". By then
their primary teeth are in, and they are ready to meet the
dentist. Even if they
don't have dental work performed, they can meet our team
and see what a dental office really looks like and hopefully
learn going
to the dentist can be fun. Of course, if your toddler accidentally
chips or knocks out a tooth prior to this age, you should
let us know right away.
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What is the
difference between a crown and an onlay?
These restorations are most generally
used in instances where a tooth has been fractured, broken,
or had root canal treatment. A crown is often referred to as a "cap" because
it fits just like a cap covering the whole tooth. Where as,
an onlay is more conservative allowing you to keep more of your
own natural tooth. When possible we provide treatment that is conservative,
but
we always do what is best for your dental health.
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If I should
have an after hours emergency, what should I do?
Calling our office after hours will give you the option of either
leaving a message that will be returned as soon as we are back in the
office, or receive an emergency number to contact Dr. Nordhus or one
of his team members we will be more than happy to help you.
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Do you accept
my insurance plan?
Millions of people regularly use their
benefits when they visit a dentist. Often people are surprised
to find what they expected from their dental plan is not what it
actually provides. We will do the paperwork to file all your
claims maximizing your benefits. However, it is our goal to help you
get the treatment that is best for you.
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I don't want
braces, but I do want straighter teeth. What else can be done?
Dr. Nordhus has a number of ways to
improve the look of your front teeth without the use of braces.
For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping
and the
addition of bonding, porcelain veneers or crowns is often sufficient
to give them a bright, uniform look. Once he has assessed your bite,
oral
health, and structural condition of your front teeth, Dr. Nordhus
can determine what is best for you.
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What is the
benefit of composite (tooth colored) bonded fillings over silver
mercury (amalgam) fillings?
 Your
teeth will not only look nicer with bonded composite fillings, but
they will serve you better for many more years. Because they are bonded
to your tooth, they add strength
to your teeth. The margin, where the filling meets your tooth,
is sealed helping to prevent new decay starting
under the filling.
There has been a lot of controversy
about the silver mercury filling due to the mercury. There have
been accusations that the mercury causes physical illnesses. Although
there is no scientific evidence supporting this theory, silver
mercury fillings have been found to
breakdown or crack over time allowing decay to occur under the
filling.
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 Do you have
payment options?
We offer a 5% courtesy adjustment for those who pay in full with cash
or check prior to their appointment when expenses exceed $500. If you
have dental insurance, we will file your insurance to maximize your
benefits; however, you are responsible for you estimated portion at
the time of service.
We accept cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. In addition,
we can either tailor payment options to meet your needs or refer you
to Healthcare
Finance.
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I really don't
like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help
me relax?
Our team uses a number of methods
to help patients stay relaxed and calm during treatment. We
have available (by appointment) a dental anesthesiologist who can provide
I.V. sedation for patients.
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Can you tell
me more about crowns, veneers, onlays and inlays?
 With
today's technology, materials and advanced techniques, we have many
options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored and/or missing
teeth, bringing your smile back to its original shape and function.
For example, we can apply
an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a "cap", to cover
the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful
to cover large areas of decay after they've been filled. For
smaller areas of decay, we can apply all-porcelain onlays or
inlays. similar to crowns, but retaining more natural tooth structure.
For unattractive front teeth, we can create beautiful, natural
shapes and shades by applying paper-thin porcelain veneers to
the fronts.
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Should I replace
a missing tooth with an implant?
An implant and crown fit so securely
you won't even notice it when you chew and speak. When an implant
is placed, it is not necessary for us to alter the structure
of the adjacent teeth, so their strength and integrity are
maintained. Also,
an implant replaces the roots of a tooth, helping to fend off
the
bone loss occurring when it is missing. In essence, an implant
is the next best thing to your natural tooth.
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