Frequently Asked Questions

Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are always accepting new patients, both those with and without insurance.

Are you “in network” on any PPO insurance plans?
Yes, we accept plans from Aetna, Ameritas, Assurant, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, Humana, Guardian, Met Life, Principal, United Concordia, and United Healthcare among others.

Do you submit claims to the insurance companies?
Yes, as a courtesy to our patients, we submit all claims electronically, directly to insurance companies.

Do you accept payment plans?
Yes. We offer in-house, 0% financing plans up from 12 to 18 months.

How often should I have a dental check-up?
The American Dental Association recommends dental check-up exams at least twice per year, sometimes more depending on an individual’s situation or condition. We follow this standard and find that most adults and children fall into the twice-per-year category.

How often do I need to get my teeth cleaned by the hygienist?
For patients with healthy teeth and gums, twice a year is usually sufficient. However, patients with periodontal disease or other conditions or situations often require hygiene appointments three or four times a year. Your doctor and hygienist will explain what’s right for you.

At what age should I start bringing my child to a dentist?
A good relationship between dentistry and a child starts with a good experience. Often the easiest way to introduce a 3 or 4-year old to the dental office is to bring him or her to a parent’s routine hygiene appointment. This way the child can meet the dentist and hygienist and see that mom or dad did just fine without anything scary happening. After a visit or two, the doctor or hygienist might ask the child if it would be OK to count his/her teeth sometime. Most kids are happy to say yes, and some ask us! For those that aren’t so eager, we might try to “count the teeth” with a regular exam before attempting to clean the teeth.

Do you see emergencies?
Yes, we see all emergency patients as soon as possible—usually the same day. Additionally, patients can always contact our doctors after hours via our emergency call service.

What is a bitewing (BWX)? How often do I need bitewings?
A bitewing is an x-ray designed to help the doctor see cavities between the teeth that are usually not visible to the naked eye. Bitewings also allow the doctor and hygienist to see bone levels around the teeth and aid in detecting periodontal defects (gum disease). They are usually taken in sets of four, once per year.

What is a full mouth series (FMX)? How often do I need a full mouth series?
A full mouth series is a complete set of x-rays that allow the doctor and hygienist to examine in detail all teeth, roots, and surrounding bone and hard tissues. They allow the identification of cavities, abscesses, periodontal disease, and other pathology as well as give us the ability to monitor a patient’s overall dental condition over time. Many problems are not visible to the naked eye and can go unnoticed without these important x-rays. A full mouth series is usually taken every three years.

What does pre-medication mean?
It is sometimes necessary for patients to take a dose of antibiotics before having dental treatment when they have a history of certain heart conditions, surgeries, or prosthetic joint replacements. The protocol for which patients require pre-medication and when seems to change often, so it is very important to ask your physician if you require pre-medication.

What is fluoride, and is it safe?
Fluoride is a mineral added to drinking water in much of the United States and is the active ingredient in most anti-cavity toothpastes. Fluoride is safe. The American Dental Association, the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association, among many other organizations, have endorsed the use of fluoride in water supplies because of its effect on tooth decay.

Does insurance cover fluoride treatments?
Many insurance policies cover fluoride treatment s in the dental office. While some patients are fortunate enough to have insurance that covers fluoride treatments as adults, many policies stop coverage after age 16. Dr. Stiles believes that this makes no sense whatsoever. For this reason, fluoride treatments in our office are a gift from Dr. Stiles. Every patient without coverage for fluoride treatments receives the service for FREE at every hygiene appointment. The benefits fluoride treatments provide far outweigh any insurance or monetary headache, so we have taken them out of the equation altogether.

What is a cavity?
A cavity is a soft, decayed part of a tooth that if left untreated can lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss, and the need for major dental work or tooth replacement.

What are signs of periodontal disease?
A dangerous aspect of periodontal disease (gum disease) is that it can go symptom-free for years. Some symptoms that eventually start to appear include bleeding of the gums when brushing or flossing, red or swollen gums, bad breath, and loose teeth just to name a few.

What causes dry mouth?
There are many causes of dry mouth, including systemic medical conditions and medications. Inadequate saliva has many detrimental effects on teeth and gums, including cavities and gum disease. Whatever the reason, it is very important for patients with dry mouth to take the necessary steps to maintain their oral health with a dentist and hygienist.