FAQs
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT MY FIRST APPOINTMENT AT ARDEN DENTAL GROUP?
During your first visit at our office, our team will want to get to know you and understand your dental needs and goals. Your first visit often will include a dental exam, as well as X-rays. During the dental exam, Dr. Lee, Huffman, or Clark will check for problems. Be prepared to discuss any dental issues you have been experiencing. If required, your dentists will recommend dental treatment to improve your dental health. You also will fill out our new patient forms, so be sure to bring any information you may need about your dental and medical history, as well as any medications you are currently taking. Your oral health is inherently linked to your overall health, so it is important for our dentists to understand any medical conditions. We look forward to getting to know you!
WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY AND NEED TO BE SEEN RIGHT AWAY?
We make it a priority to see emergency cases as soon as possible. With four dentists and extended hours at our Arden, North Carolina, dental office, we are often able to see emergency visits when needed. If you or a family member experiences a dental emergency, please call us at 828-358-3443 as soon as possible.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL IN-HOUSE PAYMENT PLANS?
At Arden Dental Group, we have developed an in-house financing option – to help take care of you and your budget. ADG Dental Savings Plan members receive substantial savings on dental care. Each member saves 15% off all services, including cosmetic dentistry procedures not typically covered by insurance companies – such as veneers, NightGuards® and Invisalign®. Dental Savings Plan members also are offered payment plans to help budget for their dental care. For qualified members, we offer interest-free options to provide even better care. With our ADG Dental Savings Plan, there are no waiting periods, no annual maximums, no exclusions, no hidden costs, and no pre-existing condition clauses. It’s like insurance, but better! To join the ADG Dental Savings Plan, simply pay $349 for the first member and $289 each for any additional family members. For a family of 4 or more, you pay a flat rate of $1,125 (as a one-time enrollment fee per family for all members enrolled on the same day). The ADG Dental Savings plan is good for 1 year from the start date. If you would like more information about our affordable dentistry in Arden, North Carolina, ask one of our team members for details or check out our plan brochure.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR REPLACING MISSING TEETH?
We provide several options for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are permanent tooth replacements that replace both the root and crown of the missing tooth by being surgically placed in the jaw. Partials are removable dental appliances that can replace multiple missing teeth. A bridge is a fixed dental restoration that is anchored to the adjacent teeth with dental crowns. Our experienced dentists at Arden Dental Group can help you determine which tooth replacement option best fits your needs.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP WITH UNSTABLE DENTURES?
Unstable dentures can make eating and speaking difficult. Dental implants can help you achieve a secure, comfortable fit. Endosteal implants are surgically placed in the jawbone; following a period of healing, your dentures can be attached to the implants for a stable fit. Mini implants are another option for providing a better fit for your dentures. Mini dental implants are smaller in diameter than endosteal implants, and placement is minimally invasive. Your denture can be attached to the mini implants for increased stability. Call us at 828-358-3443 today to learn more about how we can improve the fit of your dentures.
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a dental problem that begins with the buildup of plaque and bacteria on the teeth and gums. Periodontal disease often can be prevented by daily brushing and flossing. When the gum tissue becomes infected, it can lead to bone loss, tooth loss, and receding gums. Good oral health is crucial to good total health; periodontal disease has been linked to several serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and more. We offer periodontal therapy at our dental office to treat this disease. With scaling and root planing (deep cleaning treatments) and diligent home care, your mouth can heal from periodontal disease.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE A DENTAL EXAM AND CLEANING?
We recommend that you visit our dental office every six months for a regular dental exam and cleaning. During this visit, we will clean your teeth by removing plaque and calculus that your floss and toothbrush may have missed, and we will polish your teeth for a healthy, shiny smile. Our dentists also will perform routine exams to check for tooth decay, periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other dental problems. Through regular dental exams and cleanings, as well as daily brushing and flossing, you can achieve and maintain optimal oral health!
HOW CAN I PREVENT CAVITIES?
You can prevent cavities by brushing your teeth at least twice every day and flossing once every day. It is also essential to visit your dentist every six months for a regular dental cleaning and exam. Daily brushing and flossing prevents the buildup of plaque, which causes cavities, and your dental cleanings (like those at our office) can remove plaque and buildup that your toothbrush cannot reach. Other dental treatments, such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants, can further help to prevent cavities. Use a fluoride toothpaste, and ask our dentists and dental team about our fluoride treatments and sealants.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE CROWDING OR SPACING ISSUES?
If you would like to correct the crowding or spacing of your teeth, you can choose adult orthodontics or veneers. Adult orthodontics involves moving and straightening your teeth through Invisalign® or Six Month Smiles®. Veneers are thin shells bonded to the surface of your natural teeth to correct the appearance of crowded or spaced teeth. Our experienced dentists can help you decide which choice is best for you!
WHAT CAN I DO TO TREAT STAINED OR DISCOLORED TEETH?
The teeth whitening services we offer at our dental office can effectively treat stained and discolored teeth. Contact us today to learn more about professional teeth whitening and how we can improve the appearance of your smile.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP A GRINDING OR CLENCHING HABIT?
If you grind or clench your teeth, it is very important to properly treat your condition. When left untreated, teeth grinding and clenching (also known as bruxism) can lead to your teeth becoming worn down, flattened, fractured, or chipped, and the enamel can be worn down to expose deeper layers of the teeth. In addition, grinding and clenching the teeth can result in jaw pain, headaches, earaches, chronic facial pain, and increased tooth sensitivity. To treat grinding and clenching, your dentists may recommend a night guard. A night guard is worn while you sleep and prevents teeth grinding and clenching. Your dentists also may recommend dental crowns, which can restore teeth that have become worn or damaged due to teeth grinding and clenching. Correcting your bite and straightening your teeth with Invisalign® or Six Month Smiles® also may help. If you suffer from the symptoms of bruxism, please contact our dental office soon to discover which treatment is right for you.
DO YOU HAVE A PATIENT REWARDS PROGRAM?
All Arden Dental Group patients may enroll in our Dental Celebrities program. Participants can win points toward rewards by keeping your appointments, practicing good oral hygiene, telling friends about our practice and posting reviews. Rewards include gift certificates and entry in regular contests and drawings for fun prizes.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION?
Recovery following tooth extraction generally takes a few days. You can take painkillers as prescribed for pain, and apply an ice bag for 10 minutes at a time to keep the swelling down. After tooth extraction, a blood clot usually forms in the tooth socket. Your dentists will pack gauze into the socket and instruct you to bite down to minimize bleeding. Be sure to replace gauze pads before they become soaked with blood. In some cases, your dentists may place a few stitches (usually self-dissolving) to close the gum edges. If a blood clot does not form in the socket, or if the blood clot breaks loose, it can expose the bone in the socket. This is a painful condition called dry socket. If this happens to you, your dentists can place a sedative dressing over the socket for a few days to protect it while a new blood clot forms. To help avoid dislodging the blood clot, do not rinse or spit forcefully or drink from a straw for 24 hours following the extraction, and do not smoke. We recommend that you eat soft foods for a couple days following the extraction as the extraction site heals. Continue to brush and floss your teeth every day, but avoid the extraction site until it has healed.