Frequently Asked Questions
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I brush twice daily but don't know if I'm doing a good job.  What
should I do differently?
Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — that's right, 120 seconds!
Most adults do not come close to brushing that long. To get a feel for the
time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your teeth, use
short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach
back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration.
Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section as follows:
Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
Clean the chewing surfaces
For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue, too

Do I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?
Floss reaches areas your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets rid of plaque
buildup that toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it protects your gum
tissues from irritation. It's a safeguard against gum disease. So, just think
of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing - insurance for your
smile's future.

Why do I need to have dental x-rays taken?
Radiographic or X-ray examinations provide your dentist with an
important tool that shows the condition of your teeth, its roots, jaw
placement and the overall composition of your facial bones. X-rays can
help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal disease,
abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumors. X-rays
also can show the exact location of impacted and teeth that are not
erupted. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of
disease that may not be possible to detect through a visual examination.

Are the dental x-rays safe?
The ionizing radiation that you receive from one dental x-ray is
substantially in technology have made dental x-rays safer. Doses of
radiation are kept at the lowest practical value to minimize patient
exposure. This is done with the use of a long cone position-indicating
device, appropriate settings on the machine, using newer, high-speed film
and having the patient wear a lead apron and thyroid collar.  ** with the
"new" Digital X-Rays, the radiation is 80% less than with the traditional x-
rays taken in the past.


I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear
braces.  What  would you recommend?
We offer a variety of aesthetic and oral procedures to make your smile
beautiful without orthodontic treatments. Some of the options are
porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns, all of which we can explain to you
further if you’re interested.

I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do
to help me relax?
We offer nitrous sedation and, in some instances, oral sedatives. You will
find that, once you’re introduced to Drs. Dunn and Dr. Armstrong and
their staff, you will be more at ease. We have a fun, light-hearted
environment for maximum comfort. You will also be able to use pillows
and CDs to make your visit more comfortable as you listen to music.  OR
bring your own IPOD.

Your dentists are not on the list of dentists provided by my
employer and insurance. Can I still go to them for treatment?
You can always go to the dentist of your choice. The question is whether
you will have benefit coverage for the treatment you receive if it is
provided by a dentist who is not on the plan's list. This depends on
contractual agreements between the plan purchaser (often your
employer), the dentists on the list and the plan administrator. Under
certain contracts, such as a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
program, patients are given a financial incentive to go to certain dentists
but do receive some level of dental benefit, regardless of the treating
dentist. Other plans, such as capitation programs, do not provide any
benefit coverage for treatment given by "non-participating" dentists. In all
instances where this type of plan is offered, patients should have the
annual option to choose a plan that affords unrestricted choice of a
dentist, with comparable benefits and equal premium dollars. (for other
insurance related questions and answers see the INSURANCE page)