Patient Info
Initial Consultation
Our appointments are carefully planned to thoroughly perform an examination and discuss your concerns. Please expect to spend approximately 1-1 ½ hours with us at your initial visit. In most cases, at the first visit, future appointments, estimated fees, and financial arrangements will be determined.
Prior to your initial visit please complete the “New Patient Forms” online and once completed they will be securely submitted to our office. Please let us know as we can also mail out these forms to you if needed.
Please assist us at the time of your initial visit to the office by providing the following information:
- Your referral form and x-rays from your referring dentist.
- Complete list of medications you are currently taking.
- If you have dental insurance, please bring any forms or insurance cards with you to the appointment.
Note: All patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation appointment. Please notify the office if you have a medical condition or concern prior to surgery (e.g. artificial heart valves or joints, heart murmurs or any other condition requiring premedication) If your referring dentist has taken x-rays, you may request them to be forwarded to us.
Insurance & Financing
Our practice strives to deliver the finest and most comprehensive periodontal services available today. We are concerned about your dental care and want to ensure that it is performed in the most responsible manner. Our goal is to provide flexible payment options so that none of our patients have to refuse or decline a treatment due to financial reasons.
Once you have had your initial consultation, a treatment plan will be formulated and our patient care coordinator will discuss the treatment plan items and costs of treatment with you. Typically, our patient care coordinator will submit the plan to your dental insurance company first. This, typically takes a few weeks for your insurance company to review the plan and send the correspondence back. Our patient care coordinator then will contact you to discuss what your insurance will cover, and any costs that you may need to pay. We will file your insurance claim on the day of service, and any out of pocket payments will be due at that time.
Our office participates and is in-network with Anthem, Cigna and Delta Dental.
We do accept other private insurance plans, however we are not in-network. While we are not in-network with other insurance companies, we will happily submit a claim for you, and if your insurance accepts the claim, you will receive a refund check in the mail from your insurance company.
For our uninsured patients, we do have an option of In-house dental membership plan, CareCredit, and Sunbit financing as well. Please feel free to discuss these options with our patient care coordinator.
Payment Options
Payment in full is expected at the time of service unless prior financial arrangements have been made with our practice administrators.
We accept: Cash, Checks, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover
Our office also accepts online payment securely via your MyChart Patient Portal.
Post-op Instructions
Please follow these instructions after periodontal surgery as they are necessary for both your comfort and to obtain a good result. Contact our office with any questions or concerns.
- PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: After leaving the office, relax for the remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous exercise and physical activity for the next 2-3 days.
- BLEEDING: Pink saliva is normal for several days following surgery. In the case of increased bleeding, apply pressure to the surgical area with moistened gauze or 15 minutes. If the bleeding continues, a wet tea bag (not herbal tea) can be placed over the bleeding area and hold it against the site gently. Until bleeding is controlled, avoid eating or strenuous activity. Relax in a reclining chair of elevate your head with pillows. If there is no change in the amount of bleeding, call the periodontist immediately.
- PAIN: Ibuprofen is very effective for relief of dental pain. Avoid Aspirin because it may contribute to bleeding. You will be given a prescription for stronger medication if it is appropriate.
- SWELLING AND BRUISING: Apply a cold pack on the face next to the surgical area as soon as possible. Following surgery, apply the cold pack in a rotation of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off until bedtime. Swelling is normal and may increase up to 3 days following surgery. Bruising of the gums, face, and neck is common following surgery. Do not pull back the lips or the cheek to look at the surgical site. Do not use a straw, as suction as start bleeding.
- TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL: Tobacco and alcohol consumption delay healing and may cause a compromised result. Never consume alcohol when taking prescription medications. Do not use tobacco or alcohol during the healing period.
- DIET: It is best to wait 1-2 hours following surgery before eating. Cold and soft liquids are best for the first two meals. After 12 hours, foods that are soft may be consumed. Avoid hard foods, any foods with seeds, and chew using teeth away from the surgical site. Maintain normal fluid intake. Do not use a straw.
- ORAL HYGIENE: Following surgery, proper hygiene must be maintained during the healing process. The prescribed mouth rinse should be used according to the instructions provided to help aid in keeping the surgical site clean. All other teeth and gums not affected by the surgery should be cleaned twice daily with a tooth brush and floss. Do not spit.
- SINUS LIFT: Do not blow your nose. If you must sneeze do so with an open mouth. Limited bleeding from the nostril on the surgical side of the body is normal. You may notice small granules in your mouth/nose for several days following surgery. This is normal, but contact your periodontist if you notice granules in your nose. Avoid flying in an airplane, scuba diving, or any other activity that increases the pressure in your nasal or oral cavity.
- COMPLICATIONS: Post periodontal surgical complications are very rare. However, do not hesitate to contact your periodontist or the clinic at any hour should a problem arise.
- GENERAL: If there is persistent bleeding, severe discomfort that cannot be relieved, extensive swelling, or any other problem that does not appear to be normal, please do not hesitate to call the periodontist or your general dentist office.
Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns.
Oral Hygiene Instructions
One of the easiest ways to help prevent gum disease is to brush and floss every day, so therefore it is very important to know the correct way to take care of yourteeth and gums. It does not matter if you brush first or floss first, as long as you do both (twice a day!).
Equipment
The most commonly used toothbrush is the manual toothbrush. Another option is the electric toothbrush, which uses electrical power to move the brush head. The resulting vibrations that are created gently clean the teeth.
It is important to always choose a soft brush head when using either a manual or electric toothbrush, and to replace the toothbrush when the bristles begin to bend (or every two to three months).
All dental flosses are equally effective. This means that it does not matter which type of floss you choose to use. There are many different varieties of floss, including waxed, unwaxed, flavored, and shred-resistant, so there is a type of floss out there for everyone!
How to Brush
Position the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. While applying slight pressure, gently move the brush in a circular motion using short strokes. Use this method to clean the front of your teeth, then move to the back of your teeth, then the biting surfaces, and then your tongue, using the same gentle movements. Be sure you are constantly moving the brush head to avoid damaging your gums!
How to Floss
Using about 18 inches of floss, wrap the floss around your middle finger. Wrap the rest around your other middle finger, leaving 2-3 inches of floss between your fingers. While tightly holding the floss between your thumbs, insert it between two teeth.
Curve the floss into a “C” shape against the tooth, and gently slide it up and down. Then, with the floss still in between the two teeth, switch the “C” shape against the adjacent tooth, and repeat the sliding motion.
Move to the next tooth over, and repeat the process, unwrapping fresh floss from your middle finger as you go.
Mouthwash & Rinsing
There are several brands of over-the-counter mouth rinses which claim to kill germs that cause gum disease. However, you still must floss at least once a day to mechanically remove all the bacteria and plaque on the tooth surfaces.
Rinse vigorously for as long as the manufacturer advises to dislodge plaque and food particles that have been loosened by the brushing and flossing.
Listerine is the preferred mouthwash.
- Listerine may be contraindicated with excessive tobacco use/alcohol consumption.
- Nonalcoholic mouth rinses (such as Crest Pro-Health) are also available over the counter.
If you use a Waterpik, always place it on a low-to-medium setting. Should you choose to use Listerine in the unit, mix the mouthwash with warm water (1/3 mouth wash to 2/3 water) to irrigate. Place the tip straight through the spaces in the teeth. Do not angle the tip up or down. If the pressure is too hard, reduce the setting.
Biotene, Oasis Spray, GC Drymouth Gel are recommended for patients who suffer from dry mouth. They are alcohol-free and help to lubricate and condition the oral tissues.
Tongue cleaners / scrapers
The top surface of the tongue accumulates excessive amounts of plaque! Brushing the tongue is helpful, but using tongue cleaners / scrapers is far more effective. Do this every night! You'll be surprised how much plaque you remove and how this contributes to breath freshness!