It's important to us you feel like you have answers to all of your questions. So, we've listed a few of our commonly asked questions in case your area of interest might be found here. However, if you need some additional information, don't hesitate to contact us. Thanks!
About Our Practice
About Your Teeth
Payment Options
Do you accept referrals?
Yes. We love referrals. Wonderful people refer wonderful people, so we look forward to treating your friends with the same expert care we extend to you. Ask us about our special "Smile Card" and other perks you'll receive when sharing the great news of our office's commitment to oral health with your friends!
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What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
Call our regular phone number at any time. If the office is closed, you'll be given Dr. Lee's direct number, allowing you to call for answers to any questions pertaining to your emergency and then come to the office for emergency treatment if needed. Dr. Lee lives close to the office and will surprise you with her willingness and availability for your emergency care.
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How can I ask Dr. Lee questions directly?
Dr. Lee loves email, so just click here to write her a note. She'll respond promptly. You can also leave her a voicemail and she'll get back to you that evening. If it's something you'd like to speak with her in person about, just call our office to make an appointment.
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What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
There are so many different ways we put your safety first: using gloves, masks and glasses; ensuring sterilization and disinfection of all instruments and counters; testing our sterilizer weekly to make sure it meets all hospital level standards and more. Our state-of-the-art sterilization center is something you can see at any time if you're interested in learning more. Each room is cleaned between patients and all proper sterilization procedures are carried out and monitored in meticulous fashion. Rest easy at Dr. Lee's practice - we're taking care of you probably better than you'll ever know!
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How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
We work diligently to make sure you'll always know what the next steps are. Your hygienist will help you understand what interval is needed to keep your mouth healthy. We'll schedule your sequential appointment before you leave. We will also send you a card, give you a call, or send you an email when you're due for your next visit. Please note that, especially if you've never been into our office, the ADA says most people need to see a dentist three times each year. Make an appointment today and we'll help you figure out what schedule is best for you.
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I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
We recommend you put it back into place and call the office so we can reset it immediately. Keeping your tooth covered is of utmost importance in this situation. Call us for guidance immediately.
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How can I safely whiten my teeth?
We offer at home and in-office whitening that can be completed in about an hour!
Make an appointment today and we'll look at what the best option for you might be.
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I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?
We make every effort to make your visit soothing and relaxing! Nitrous oxide can be administered safely and comfortably to you through a nose piece. DVD's from our selection or from your own collection, blankets and neck support pillows are all available for your comfort and relaxation. For some of our most nervous patients, oral sedation is available. Our friendly staff is always here to serve you and make you comfortable. Talk to us about your anxiety and we can be extra sensitive to your needs, as appropriate.
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Crowns, veneers, on-lays, inlays and partials...where can I learn more about these procedures?
Colgate and Crest are great resource s for you when it comes to education about each procedure. So, feel free to read more there. However, no amount of information will be tailored specifically to your need like a one-on-one conversation in our office where we can look at your mouth with you, talk about your goals for comfort and looks and then decide on an action plan that's perfect for you. So, please take advantage of our relationship with Colgate and Crest as you feel appropriate, but know that we would love to talk personally with you about these great restorative and cosmetic options.
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Do I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?
Yes. Besides cleaning your mouth, flossing daily adds years to your life by eliminating the bacteria that's around our teeth. The bacteria causes infection, which can seep into your blood stream and cause heart disease. So, besides the health of our mouth, it's the overall health consideration that makes a daily flossing habit so important. For our teeth, the infection process happens in just a couple of days! Stay on top of your overall health by flossing regularly.
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Why do I need periomaintenance? Can't I just get my teeth cleaned?
The word prophy or prophylaxis cleaning means prevention. Prophylaxis appointments, or cleanings, focus on preventing disease such as infection, bone loss, gum loss, etc. Periomaintenance means we've gone from a clean/healthy state (where only prevention is needed) into a deeper state, causing a need to really address the health issues within your mouth beyond the prevention level of care. Periodontal maintenance involves going 360 degrees around each tooth. There's a difference between preventive cleanings and periodontal maintenance. But, trust us on this one: both are important and we'll always only recommend what you really need.
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My spouse snores and keeps me up at night. I have heard a dentist might be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?
Yes, we can! We offer Snoreguards as an effective treatment for patients with snoring and mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This patented and FDA approved method works magic in homes where snoring is an issue. Make an appointment or contact us for more information today!
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My gums bleed when i brush my teeth. Should I be concerned?
Bleeding gums is never a good sign! However, the condition may or may not require professional attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by improper, rough, ·scrubbing· instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease.
If your problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs every time you brush, it's likely to be the result of some level of gum disease, and we recommend you set up an evaluation appointment with Dr. Lee. We specialize in helping patients arrest and successfully treat all stages of gum disease, through the use of our excellent non-surgical gum care procedures.
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My breath has a terrible odor, even though i brush every day. What can i do about it?
Bad breath is actually very common even though most people do not like to talk about it. How we make it go away depends on what is causing it in the first place. It could be as simple as changing the way you brush your teeth and tongue. Or it may also include replacing some of the old dental work you have in your mouth. Sometimes the first sign of cavities around failing dental work is a bad taste and not necessarily pain. Come in and let us take a look and we will figure out what the cause is.
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I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. Can you help me?
Dr. Lee 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 may be all that is needed. If they are rotated or crowed, a clear retainer can be used to straighten them out instead of braces. For teeth that are really worn or crooked, or if the color is not perfect after bleaching, then porcelain veneers may be the best choice. This is a thin leaf of porcelain that is permanently cemented to your teeth. This is the best way as it gives you total control over how your smile will look when we are finished.
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Do you accept my insurance plan?
Our office is very up-to-date on insurance. With your information we can quickly determine the level of benefits that your insurance provider offers . We are a member of numerous PPO dental plans including Delta Dental and many others. We are not part of any HMO plan. At this time our office is accepting DentiCal insurance coverage. We'll do our best to maximize your benefits. We will complete your claim forms and even help argue your case if your claim is denied.
If your carrier is up-to-date (in over 70% of the cases), the claims will be transmitted via computer modem before the end of your treatment day! If you prefer, in addition to filing the claim, we will initially ask you only for your estimated co-payment. Please understand that this is only an estimate and is based upon the information available to us. Once your carrier has paid the claim, any difference will be due upon receipt of our statement. If your insurance company postpones payment for more than 90 days, we ask that you make the remaining payment while we work together to get the insurance company to pay you their obligations. After the 60-day grace period, the remaining balance is subject to 18% APR. The range of benefits depends solely on what your employer wishes to pursue. Some plans cover as little as 30% or as much as 100% of dental services, with most falling in the 40-80% range. Most plans also have a yearly maximum.
Many plans base the amount of benefit on a schedule of fees arbitrarily developed by insurance companies. For this reason, you may receive a lower percentage than the reimbursement level indicated in your dental plan. For example, if your plan states that it will pay 70% of the cost of a specific treatment, it means 80% of the fee arbitrarily determined by the insurance company and not the actual fee charged by our office. The financial obligations for the dental treatment are between you and our office.
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What different payment options do you provide?
We consider our relationship with you to be of primary importance and will always make our recommendations based on what we believe is the very best treatment for you regardless of your insurance coverage or financial arrangements. For your comfort and convenience, we offer a wide range of financial options and welcome your suggestions and questions.
Cash payment in full - a pre-payment bookkeeping courtesy of 5% will be given for direct payment in full by cash prior to treatment.
CareCredit - interest free payment plans with low payments up to 12 months. With good credit we can get fast approval by phone.
Pay as you go - you may choose to pay your obligation for each visit with Cash, Check or Credit Card at each visit.
Gradual Treatment Plan - For those patients on a limited budget. By prioritizing treatment, those patients who do not have dental insurance or are on a tight budget can still complete their dental work by spreading appointments over several months or years.
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