In order to communicate with clarity, in a way that's considerate of your time, we've compiled this list of frequently asked questions and answers about our practice, philosophy, and procedures. If you have further questions, please feel free to [ contact us ].

• How does Dr. Patel keep up to date with all of the current techniques and materials?
• Do you accept referrals?
• Do you accept my insurance plan?
• What makes you different than any other practice I could visit?
• What will happen during my checkup and cleaning?
• I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. Can you help me?
• Crowns, Veneers, Onlays, Inlays & Partials…can you tell me more about these procedures?
• What is a cavity and how can it be fixed?
• Why do you have to take x-rays?
• What age should my child visit the dentist?
• What are sealants?
• What is Periodontal disease?
• How can I safely whiten my teeth?
• What is the ZOOM! Professional Whitening system?

The outer shell of the tooth is made of enamel, a highly mineralized material which is the hardest substance in the body. Under the enamel is dentin, a softer less mineralized layer, which covers the pulp or nerve of the tooth. Plaque is a sticky substance, which adheres to the tooth and is filled with bacteria. Some of these bacteria feed off of the sugars you eat. When these sugars are broken down, the bacteria excretes acid which breaks down the enamel and causes a cavity.

Our office uses beautiful tooth colored restorations as well as the traditional silver amalgam fillings. We will help you decide which is best for you. In cases where the cavity is large, the tooth is often times better restored with a white or gold colored inlay or onlay which is custom made in a lab and provides for greater strength than a directly made restoration. In cases where a significant portion of the tooth is missing, a crown, which covers and strengthens the entire tooth is best.

X-rays allow us to see in between your teeth to detect cavities before they become large. They also help to detect bone loss and detect tumors, cysts, un-erupted teeth and other problems not seen with the naked eye. Rest assured, our digital x-rays will expose you to 80% less radiation than conventional "film" rediographs. Additionally, you will be shielded with a lead coat.

We suggest starting at 6 months after the child have their first teeth or when the child is 1 year old. Any dark spots in the child's teeth or concerns about a child's dentition warrants a visit to the dentist. We will gladly see children age 3 and above.

Grooves on the chewing surface of teeth serves as a niche for bacteria and food, which can destroy tooth structure and causes decay. Toothbrush bristles are too large to reach into these grooves. Sealants, a tooth colored plastic coating, are applied to hard-to- reach grooves of permanent teeth to seal out bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affect the gum and bone. When bacteria lies in the sulcus of the gums, it secrets toxins that causes the gum to become inflamed resulting in detachment of the gums and bone loss around the teeth. Plaque can harden into calculus or tartar, which can be removed when cleaned professionally. Signs of periodontal disease include bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, pus between the teeth and gums, and loose teeth. The first step in treatment of periodontal disease is a special cleaning referred to as "deep cleaning" or scaling and root planing. This procedure helps remove plaque and tartar from the root surfaces.

Dentist-supervised teeth whitening is one of the simplest, safest ways to immediately improve the impact of your smile! So, if you're interested in finding out what whitening could do for you, we'll first evaluate your potential based on the current color of your teeth, and the causes of any discoloration. Then, we'll set you up with our simple at-home supervised program, which involves short daily sessions with a personalized whitening tray appliance. The whitening product itself is an American Dental Association approved adhesive-type gel; the concentration of which can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Overall, this whitening method can produce a 4 to 6-shade improvement!

The Zoom! Chairside Whitening System is an advanced tooth whitening procedure that is safe, effective, and fast. It is ideal for anyone who wants immediate results. In a little over one hour, your teeth are dramatically whiter. The procedure begins with a preparation to cover the lips and gums. The Zoom! clinician then applies the Zoom! Whitening Gel, which is used with a designed light that work together to break up stains and discoloration. The Zoom! lamp increases the effectiveness of the Zoom! gel by 33% or more.