Your Questions

Convenient Answers for Every Concern

We don't want to leave any stone unturned when it comes to answering your questions. That's why we've included these 'frequently asked questions' and our answers. If you have concerns not listed here, however, please don't hesitate to email or call our office!

• How do Dr. Estes and Dr. Slaughter keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
• Can you show me a personalized example of how my smile can look, before I choose to undergo treatment?
• I really don't like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?
• What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?
• At what age should my children first see the dentist?
• How can I have whiter teeth?
• My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Should I be concerned?
• Crowns, Veneers, Onlays, Inlays & Partials.can you tell me more about these procedures?
• My breath has a terrible odor even though I brush every day. What can I do about it?
• What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
• Do you accept my insurance plan? And, what about payment options for my part of the bill?

How do Dr. Estes and Dr. Slaughter keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Our doctors subscribe to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry, and take time on a regular basis for continuing education and hands-on programs. In particular, Dr. Estes has completed a wide variety of courses on advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry, including the PAC-Live courses, the Pankey Institute courses, Pete Dawson's courses on occlusion, and John Kois' occlusion courses as well. Plus, the doctors both share their learning with our entire team, expecting all team members to keep up with their own areas of expertise through individualized continuing education as well.

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Can you show me a personalized example of how my smile can look, before I choose to undergo treatment?

We routinely use dental imaging to help our patients visualize the end results of cosmetic and restorative work. By simply asking the right questions, taking various photos of your current smile, and keying in the correct input into the computer, we'll generate a graphic image that accurately demonstrates how your procedure will affect your smile. It's a fun process and usually produces excited smiles all around.

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I really don't like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?

We understand that people have qualms about having their teeth worked on so we strive to create a relaxing atmosphere. We all have a positive attitude about our work that's hard to beat. Plus, our entire team is trained to be alert and aware of your concerns so that we can make your visit as comfortable as possible. For extreme anxiety and/or complex procedures, we are experts in 'sedation dentistry'.allowing you to complete difficult or lengthy restorative and cosmetic procedures while actually 'dozing through' just one or two easy appointments and with no memory afterwards of any aspect of the visit. We'll discuss the most appropriate approach to your individual concerns when you come in for your consultation.

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What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

In our practice, we take a step further than what we think you'll find elsewhere. We genuinely get to know you as a person so that we can establish an effective, long-term plan for giving you a lifetime smile. This means putting your concerns at the top of our list and helping you comfortably attain the very best oral health possible. Dr. Estes and Dr. Slaughter offer a wealth of hands-on experience in restorative and cosmetic dentistry using the very latest materials and methods. Over the years, we've worked hard to build and develop a dynamic team of self-motivated, confident, competent professionals who are experts not only in technical skills, but in people skills as well. In fact, from the time you first call our office, you'll find yourself being treated with a rare level of kindness, respect, and concern. We look forward to getting to know you!

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At what age should my children first see the dentist?

We recommend that our patients bring their children in for that first dental visit when they are able to sit in a dentist's chair without fear. Generally, this is around the age of three. To make this a fun and non-threatening visit, we'll typically just count their teeth, introduce them to our team, show them how the dental chair works, and let them become familiar with our equipment. This provides us with an opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems while also establishing a friendship in preparation for doing any future work on the child's teeth.

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How can I have whiter teeth?

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. We'll then choose the more appropriate of our two systems: either a one-visit laser-whitening method or a slower-paced, at-home supervised program. Either way, we tailor the program to suit your individual needs. Overall, the in-office method can produce up to an 8-shade improvement, whereas the at-home method may result in approximately a two-shade improvement.

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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 us. 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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Crowns, Veneers, Onlays, Inlays & Partials.can you tell me more about these procedures?

With today's technology, materials, and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or missing teeth.bringing your smile back to its original shape and function. For example, we can apply an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a 'cap', to cover the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful to cover large areas of decay after they've been filled. For smaller areas of decay, we can apply all-porcelain onlays or inlays. similar to crowns, but retaining more natural tooth structure. For unattractive front teeth, we can create pretty, natural shapes and shades by applying paper-thin porcelain veneers to the fronts. For patients who are missing a number of front/side teeth, we can create a removable partial denture, designed for either the upper or lower jaw, made of all acrylic or all metal. They're attached to existing teeth by means of precision acrylic clasps and must be removed for cleaning after eating, as well as for sleeping. For more information on any of these procedures, please feel free to talk with Dr. Estes or Dr. Slaughter during your visit.

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My breath has a terrible odor even though I brush every day. What can I do about it?

Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here's a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings, and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several solutions. First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue and significantly alleviates odor. We will also recommend a specially-prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, we may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist to identify and treat the cause.

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What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

Our entire practice team is well-versed in state-of-the-art sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and face masks to prevent passing germs, but includes a unique, state-of-the-art sterilization center. This center uses the latest method of handling all our non-disposable equipment: from the moment we're through using a set of tools or utensils, they're isolated, put through a high-tech series of sterilization procedures, and then kept sterile until the very moment we use them again. Ask for a tour of the center and you'll not only be impressed, but reassured: your safety is a top priority.

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Do you accept my insurance plan? And, what about payment options for my part of the bill?

We will be happy to file for you in order to maximize the benefits due you through any insurance plan that you're on. However, we are not part of any particular plan, PPO or HMO. Our front office team is well-versed in the latest coverage trends and is more than happy to discuss the particulars of your plan with you prior to any treatments you may undergo. For the portion of the bill that remains your financial responsibility, we offer several types of payment options.  You may choose to pay by personal check, cash, major credit card, or via interest-free financing through Care Credit. If you do not have dental insurance we offer a discount for patients who desire to pay their full amount up front in cash or check.

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