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Common Questions |
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Throughout the years, patients have
been asking us a number of questions that have been coming up quite
often. Here are just a few of the more commonly asked ones, but if
there's a question you have that we haven't answered here, please feel
free to call
us to find out more. Perhaps
we'll even add it to this list!
How does Dr.
Kostrzewski and staff keep up to date on all of the current
techniques and materials?
Dr. K and his staff are big believers
of continuing education. Just because they've finished their dental
training in a formal school doesn't mean they've stopped learning.
Every year they make a point of taking hundreds of hours of continuing
education courses to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and
technologies. Dr. K himself teaches other dentists how to stay on top
of their profession. He lectures at the Hornbrook Group, at the Pacific
Aesthetic Continuum, and is a board member of genR8TNext. Can you show
me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?
Yes, we will study the features on your
face, take the necessary radiographs, as well as digital photographs,
and then feed this information into the imaging software to get a glimpse
of what your new smile can look like. You will come back at the next
appointment to look at a picture of your new smile, and together we
will evaluate and design the roadmap to your new smile makeover. Then
you can take the picture home, and discuss all your options with your
family members and friends so that you can make an informed, careful
decision. Click here to learn more. How do I know
when it's time to come in for a checkup?
We will schedule you ahead of time for
your next cleaning and check-up, and our staff will follow-up with
you to make sure you are aware of your next appointment. Do you accept
patient referrals?
Referrals are always welcome. We're
always looking forward to new patients so we can provide the same excellent
level of dentistry that we provide to our existing patients. Do you accept
my insurance plan?
We accept many plans. Call us today
and let us show you how to maximize your benefits. I have a temporary
crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
Don't panic, we can fix it. You'll want
to call us right away and by talking to you we can tell you if you
need to come in for emergency dental treatment, or if you can wait
until the next business day. Most patients, after talking to us, are
instructed to re-adhere the piece onto the tooth with a little bit
of toothpaste. Yes, this is something you can try at home! Or, you
can try using an over-the-counter dental cement found in most drugstores
to place the temporary back. What payment
options you provide?
How can I ask
Dr. Kostrzewski questions directly?
You can click
here to ask questions directly to Dr. Kostrzewski, and they
will get back to you quickly. Or you are welcome to call our office
with
any questions
that you might have. Of course, we'd love to answer your questions
in person as well. Stop by anytime. How can I whiten
my teeth?
If you're like most of Dr. Kostrzewski's
patients, you want the simplest way possible to whiten your smile.
Our revolutionary in-office whitening system, ZOOM! whitens your teeth
in less than two hours. Patients can sit back and enjoy their favorite
movie while their teeth become whiter and whiter. By the end of the
appointment, most patients have achieved a seven to nine shade difference
in their smile. The single appointment procedure is quick and easy,
allowing you to get back to your busy life with a brilliant white smile
the same day. Or ask how we can whiten them in a few
weeks with a take-home Day White and Nite White whitening systems. Don't
put up with yellow or stained teeth any longer.
What precautions
do you take to ensure patient safety?
We use state-of-the-art sterilization
procedures. We dispose items whenever possible, and we pride ourselves
on a clean and neat facility. We follow all OSHA and American Dental
Association requirements. What makes you
different than any other dental practice I can visit?
Our team is highly trained, dedicated,
and known for their professional, yet friendly, skills in customer
service and patient care. As a group, we've take about 12,000 hours
of continuing education every year. We strive to provide exceptional
dentistry and work to exceed your expectations. At our dental office,
you will feel very relaxed and comfortable with all of our amenities,
including massages and paraffin wax treatments. We don't focus on just
the broken tooth, we pay attention to your entire face, head, neck,
and jaw, and how your smile looks and feels. We hope you will feel
free to ask us about any of these services. I really don't
like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me
relax?
We understand that some patients are
very nervous about going to the dentist. For those patients, we offer
nitrous oxide and other medications, as needed. If you have extensive
dental procedures to be performed, we can give you a tiny pill and
you can sleep while we do the rest. We also offer DVD movies, CD headphones,
and video goggles to really help take you away from the dental procedure
being performed. Click here to learn more. My gums bleed
after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
Bleeding gums is often a sign of infection
in the gums or even in the bones, and you may be a candidate for non-surgical
periodontal treatment. Our goal is have you keep your teeth healthy
for a lifetime. Please don't wait any longer to address this problem. I brush every day,
but my breath just isn't fresh. Is there anything I can do?
Disorders of the oral cavity may cause
up to 90% of all the cases of halitosis. Some of the more common causes
are: a dry mouth due to lack of flow of saliva during sleep, denture
wearing, food retention, poor oral hygiene, dental decay, gingivitis,
gum disease, an unclean tongue, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Most
of these factors cause an increase in bacteria in the oral cavity.
These bacteria produce compounds like hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan,
dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide. Collectively they are known
as volatile sulphur-containing compounds or VSC. These are the compounds
responsible for bad breath. What's the treatment? We will work with
you to institute an effective home care program that includes conventional
tooth brushing and flossing, daily irrigation of the oral tissues and
regular scraping or brushing of the tongue. We may also recommend an
oral rinse that is available only through your dentist. One of the main sources of bad breath
is periodontitis, and we will work on eradicating or greatly controlling
gum disease, which in turn will eliminate bad breath. Do I have to
floss everyday? Is it really that important?
The use of dental floss is essential
in preventing gum disease. Most oral health problems are related to
dental plaque--the soft, sticky layer of bacteria on the surface of
gums and teeth, particularly along the gum-line. When dental plaque
grows it releases toxins that irritate the gums causing gingivitis.
If left untreated it may lead to more serious form of gum disease (periodontitis).
The toothbrush can't reach difficult areas in the mouth, like between
teeth and along the gums. Using dental floss at least once a day provides
effective removal of dental plaque and cleaning between the teeth. I want my front
teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. What would
you recommend?
If your teeth are crooked, you don't
necessarily need braces. When you come in for a consultation, we can
talk to you about several other options, including porcelain veneers
and instant orthodontics. If you're a candidate for this sort of treatment,
the whole process will take about two visits rather than two years,
as is usually the case with braces. What is Smile
Analysis?
Each person has their own individual
smile, one that is uniquely shaped and balanced to the symmetry of
their face. With Smile Analysis, we can help show you what your best
smile can look like. We take into account many features of your face
and mouth to analyze and design the most enhancing smile for you. Come
in and talk to us about the exciting possibilities. What is Smile
Design?
Great care is taken to design a smile
for each patient. After we understand your needs and goals, we consider
the shape of your face, color of your eyes, shape and contour of lips.
We evaluate factors like the symmetry of your eyes and nose to the
other dimensions. Once you have your new smile, your confidence soars.
Nothing frames the face better than an attractive and beautiful smile.
People are drawn to you without knowing why. A brilliant smile radiates
joy, excitement, healthy and vitality. A smile is a celebration of
life, a reflection of the heart and your number one asset. Click here to visit our smile gallery. Why do I need a complete oral examination?Dr. Kostrzewski is extremely interested in your oral health, and prides himself on our thorough and complete oral examination. Below is a partial list of what we do for you during a complete oral examination. During and oral exam, we thoroughly check teeth for:
We check the gum tissue for:
Check the other soft tissues, including the tongue, for:
We finally put all the findings together for a treatment plan, a plan of action to restore (or maintain) optimum oral health. Please understand we make a treatment plan during every complete oral examination, even if the treatment plan is simply to have you return in six months for your next examination. We accept professional responsibly for the finding and the recommendations. We are highly trained and experienced and are often capable of performing such through exams relatively quickly, for your comfort and convenience. |
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