Frequently Asked Questions

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can lead to serious dental and overall health problems if it’s not treated.  It causes the loss of the bone in your jaw that supports your teeth, so you could lose your teeth.

The bacteria that cause periodontal disease have also been linked to systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, and it has also been linked to premature births.

In our practice, we stress the importance of daily flossing and periodic teeth cleanings to keep the bacteria that cause periodontal disease under control.

Your insurance company may often cover part of the costs of your treatment.  However, because insurance companies are for-profit businesses that are designed to make money, they may not be willing to pay for the treatment that you and your doctor have agreed upon, even if it is the best treatment for your overall dental health.

We will help you get the maximum reimbursement possible for your treatment from your insurance company. However, you should remember that you are ultimately the one who makes the decision about your care.  Regardless of what the insurance company says, we will always offer you what we think is the best option for your care.

We understand that for some people coming to the dental office is a nerve-wracking experience.  We can provide assistance in many ways.

First, our office is truly different than a traditional dental office. There is no unfriendly, cold waiting area here - just a warm, inviting, living room-like area where you can enjoy a few minutes of restful quiet during your busy day.

We also offer two different methods of helping you feel relaxed during your treatment. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, pleasant-smelling gas that is completely safe and will leave your system quickly, so you can drive home safely from your appointment.

For patients who are extremely anxious about dental care, conscious sedation may be a good choice for you. You simply take a small pill before you come to our office (you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment).  During your treatment, you’ll be in a completely relaxed, drowsy state - your dental work - will be completed before you know it, and you probably will not remember much of what happened.

Please don’t let fear or anxiety keep you from getting the dental care you want and need.  There are good options available to you, and we’ll be glad to help.

At your first visit to our office, we’ll take your health history and do a complete examination and screening.  This will include any necessary x-rays, any intraoral pictures, a cancer screening and a soft tissue exam.  Dr. Baker will talk with you about what you want and expect from your dental care, and you’ll have plenty of time to share your thoughts and ask any questions you may have.  At the end of this examination, Dr. Baker will determine the amount of time required for a soft tissue maintenance (cleaning).

While the top priority in our office is providing very high quality dental care, we do this in a spa-like atmosphere.  We specialize in making our patients feel relaxed, pampered and well cared for.  So when your appointment is over, your teeth will look and feel great, and you’ll feel refreshed, renewed, and reinvigorated!