FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

So if you have moved and are looking for a new dentist, don’t have one currently or just want to try out a different dentist, here are a few ways to find one: Ask Friends, family, realtors and head to social media to do some research. Ask your medical professional. Stop by the dental office you drive past and inquire. Have a child in school see who sponsors your school or steps up when asked. After you have a few recommendations for a new dentist, you may want to call or visit more than one of them. Again, your relationship with your dentist is very important, so make sure you are a good fit for one another.

Here are a few more things to consider when choosing a dentist:

  • Do they take your dental insurance? If no, what options are available.
  • Do they have office hours that fit your schedule?
  • How do they approach preventive dentistry?
  • What is the dentist’s standing with the dental board?
  • How often does the dentist attend conferences and continuing education workshops?
  • What type of anesthesia is the dentist certified to administer to help you relax and feel more comfortable during any necessary dental treatment?
  • If anesthesia is necessary during a dental procedure, what type(s) do they administer?
  • If you decide to visit a dentist’s office, make sure you take note of the following:
    • Is their office well maintained? Do all surfaces and equipment in the treatment room appear clean?
    • Is the dental staff helpful and willing to answer your questions and concerns in a kind and courteous manner?
    • Do the dentist and staff wear gloves and protective gear when actually performing the treatment?

Just like any other professional, you owe it to yourself to spend time getting to know your new dentist. Choosing one may seem like it’s simple it can be. But remember, dental care is a very personal service and you want this relationship to last for years and years. So, make sure the Dental Office views of our community match what you would expect.
Do they celebrate their Patients & Staff?
How much do they give back to our community?
I would also, check what social media has to say about them. See if there is a common theme. Does it match the experience you have when you visit?

Comfort Dentistry at Southridge Dental is all the extra things we do to make your experience the best it can be. We do little things like making it so it doesn’t smell like a dental office when you come in. In order to make you feel most comfortable when you visit us, we provide a variety of different factors that will help to make your experience one-of-a-kind. The first is an obvious one, but still very important. Our staff is extremely friendly, and we strive to make sure that our patients realize that from the moment they walk through our doors. Krissy, Nichole, and Ashley are always ready to greet you. While you are waiting, we want to make sure you feel relaxed. We provide comfy couches, a coffee juice and snack station, and plenty of reading material to make you feel right at home while you are waiting.
Another thing that we provide to help relieve dental anxiety is sedation dentistry. We believe in talking to you before we start!
We have a comfort menu for you to choose from to make your visit even better. Paraffin hand wax warm neck rolls and so much more.
Explain exactly what will happen in the treatment, and make sure that you feel comfortable and allow you to ask any questions.
Before any treatment, explain all possible outcomes and sensations, so that you have an idea of what to expect.

Treatment for a front tooth will usually take an hour. A molar root canal treatment will typically take an hour and a half. Timing depends on the complexity of the tooth being treated, access to the tooth, and the skill of the dentist.

A general dentist is your primary care dental provider. This dentist diagnosis treats and manages your overall oral health care needs, including gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, and preventive education. All practicing general dentists have earned either a DDS or DMD degree (doctor of dental surgery or doctor of dental medicine, respectively). There is no difference between the two degrees or the curriculum requirements that dentists must meet. Some schools simply award the one degree, while others award the other.
Generally, three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required to become a general dentist.

Dr. Simper also completed 2 years of residency, completed his fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and is in great standing with the Dental Board.

General dentists provide a wide array of services that are vital to your continued health, including: Preventive services — These help you maintain good oral health by stopping the disease before it takes hold in your mouth. Regular exams (including diagnostic images such as x-rays) and professional teeth cleanings are a cornerstone of prevention.
Restorative Services — When a problem is found, your dentist will ensure you get timely and appropriate treatment. Probably the most common (and highly effective) dental restoration involves removing tooth decay and placing a filling in the affected tooth.
Cosmetic Procedures — Many general dentists can help you get the sparkling smile you’ve always wanted with a range of cosmetic procedures. These include teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding—even porcelain veneers. If a brighter smile is what you’re looking for, ask your general dentist about a smile makeover.

The length of a dental exam depends on the reason. Typically it is about 40 minutes.

Before starting, your dentist takes steps to minimize the pain you feel during the treatment itself. From a topical numbing gel to the filling, normally the filling doesn’t hurt. The team takes every precaution to make it painless.

Gingivitis (gum inflammation) usually precedes periodontitis (gum disease). However, it is important to know that not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. In the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria in plaque build-up, causing the gums to become inflamed and to easily bleed during tooth brushing. Although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No irreversible bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage. When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis.

Absolutely, but begin by eating soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew on both sides of the mouth to keep the pressure even. Do not chew gum or eat very sticky or hard foods. If you have missing teeth, wearing a removable partial denture can help you speak more clearly.

The cost of traditional veneers and Lumineers can have a wide range per tooth. Many factors influence how much patients pay for dental veneers, which can be made from porcelain as well as resin composite materials. If Veneers or Lumineers are something you are interested in please come in for a consultation to discuss your options.

Dental emergencies are a continuum, Emergencies are usually fractures and infections, and urgent matters are when you have pain, sudden sensitivity to sweets or hot or cold drinks.

A root canal is a dental procedure that repairs damaged or infected teeth. Instead of removing the infected tooth entirely, endodontists drill into the center of the tooth’s root to clean and fill the canals. So the answer is no they do not cause health problem but health problems can arise when your infected tooth is left untreated.

Following scale and root planning you can expect to notice less redness, less bleeding and less swelling of your gum tissue. Your mouth will taste better and feel better. Your gum health can be maintained with proper home care and regular professional care.

Reduce Stress, Wear a mouth guard or Splint, Correct Misaligned teeth, Avoid Caffeine and alcohol, Acupuncture.

Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. It can also be caused by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.

No, Teeth do not grow back after extraction. If a baby tooth is removed in a child their permeant tooth shall take it’s place however you only get one set of adult teeth.

Dental Bridges can last 5 to 15 years with good oral hygiene and regular checkups, it is not unusual for the life span of a fixed bridge to be over 10 years.

What is a Dental Implant – A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is anchored directly into the jaw bone. The implant serves as a post to hold a replacement tooth. Implants are compatible with body tissue and are permanent. What is a Dental Bridge – A dental bridge is a false tooth that is used to fill a gap from a missing tooth. The false tooth (called a pontic) is held in place using a bridge that is anchored by a crown to the teeth either side (known as abutment teeth) of the gap.

Either a dental implant or a dental bridge can serve to replace a missing tooth or teeth. While they are different dental processes, both an implant or a bridge will improve your smile and make you feel more confident. Work with us to determine the best solution for you.

You can expect to feel some pain when receiving a dental implant. However, people who undergo the procedure often say that having a tooth removed is more painful.

No, it is not bad for your teeth. Thought it’s safest in the dental office, however, is because your dentist will conduct an exam before performing or prescribing a teeth whitening treatment.

Invisible braces help straighten and realign your teeth. The treatment process used is fast, effective, and designed to require as few trips to the dentist as possible. In fact, patients who choose to go with invisible braces will spend less time in the dentist office than those who selected traditional metal braces.

The most common type of sleep apnea—obstructive sleep apnea—occurs when the airway is blocked, causing pauses in breathing and loud snoring. Since sleep apnea only occurs while you’re sleeping, you may only discover you have a problem when a bed partner or roommate complains about your snoring. But just because you snore does not mean you have sleep apnea.