dental, dentistry, dental practice, dental office, laser dentistry, 10 REASONS TO CHOOSE US / FAQ – Dr. Donald Marks D.D.S

10 REASONS TO CHOOSE US / FAQ

10 REASONS TO CHOOSE US

• Highly trained general dentists who perform most procedures on-site including cosmetic dentistry, fillings of all types, bleaching, crowns and bridges, root canal therapy, periodontal maintenance, implant placement and restoration, oral surgery procedures.

• High-tech equipment, including lasers at NYC location (only 5% of dentists currently own this type of laser which cuts both hard and soft tissues).

• Highest quality materials and sterilization equipment/ procedures.

• Ultimate regard for promptness — our patients’ time is valuable and we strictly adhere to schedule.

• On call 24/7 by beeper.

• Emergencies are addressed as promptly as possible.

• Relaxation techniques available including nitrous oxide analgesia, oral medications and hypnosis.

• Close relationships with a variety of specialists which allows for prompt, well-coordinated treatment when necessary.

• We listen to our patients. We will offer a variety of treatment plans depending on patient’s wants and desires, economics and insurance considerations.

• Highly trained auxiliary staff will help with scheduling needs, insurance issues.

FAQ

What is your recommended daily routine for my teeth?
































Brushing after every meal has been the mainstay of proper oral hygiene for many years. Flossing and/or oral irrigation (Water Pik) have been added as “must” over the last several years as more awareness of periodontal disease and its causes has been disclosed. Mouthwashes act as adjuncts to the oral care regimen but rarely can take the place of good mechanical cleansing of the teeth and gums.

Again, everyone is different. A thorough evaluation by your dental professional can help to guide you as to your individual needs


How often should I visit the dentist?
































Generally, we recommend recall visits every 6 months at which time you’d receive a full examination of your teeth, gums and surrounding oral tissues. A full series of X-rays is required at your first visit, and then once every 5 years thereafter. Check-up X-rays are taken once every year to check for cavities between the teeth that we would normally not be able to visualize.

Again, these are general guidelines which may need to be tailored to your individual needs. Factors which may require more frequent recalls include presence of periodontal disease, history of periodontal surgery, high caries rate, rapid tartar and/or stain buildup, and presence of certain medical conditions that may affect oral health.


What is the best way to brush and floss?
































Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride. With a light grip, hold the brush and plant the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the area where your teeth meet your gums. Using small circular motions, brush the teeth as well as the gums. Brush your tongue and your cheeks as well. It will help combat bad breath! Unfortunately, the bristles of the toothbrush will not reach in between the teeth. Therefore, it is one of life’s necessary evils to floss every day to get rid of the bacteria and food debris which have accumulated throughout the day. You should floss between your teeth at least once a day. Gently wiggle the floss in between the teeth, and then move the floss in an up and down motion, rather than back and forth. If you have difficulty manipulating the floss, you can purchase floss holders in the drugstore which will make the task easier for you to accomplish.


Should I use mouthwash?
































In addition to brushing and flossing , utilizing certain mouth rinses can aid in preventing gum disease and cavities as well. Antimicrobial mouth rinses, such as Listerine, reduce the bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity in dental plaque which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of periodontal (gum) disease. It also serves to freshen the mouth and curb bad breath. Fluoride mouth rinses, such as ACT, help reduce and prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel. Clinical studies have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by toothpaste alone.


Do I need to take antibiotics for my heart before going to the dentist?
































The American Heart Association in conjunction with the American Dental Association recently changed their guidelines concerning the need for certain patients to take antibiotics prior to dental procedures. The information listed below was taken from the American Heart Association website.

Antibiotic prophylaxis with dental procedures is recommended only for patients with cardiac conditions associated with the highest risk of adverse outcomes from endocarditis, including:

  • Prosthetic cardiac valve
  • Previous endocarditis
  • Congenital heart disease only in the following categories:
  • Unprepared cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduits
  • Completely repaired congenital heart disease with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedure*
  • Repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device (which inhibit endothelialization)
  • Cardiac transplantation recipients with cardiac valvular disease

*Prophylaxis is recommended because endothelialization of prosthetic material occurs within six months after the procedure.


Do you accept insurance?
































Our office policy is payment in full at the time services are rendered. We will be glad to help you with your insurance submissions so that you receive your reimbursement as quickly as possible.

We do participate in several PDP (Preferred Dentist Program) or PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans by which you receive a scheduled discount off of our regular fees as a plan member. These include MetLife PDP, Aetna PPO, United Concordia, DHA, Fortis, Guardian DentalGuard and Cigna PPO .


How are emergencies handled?
































One of our dentists is always “on call” 24 hours a day, 7days a week. If you have a true emergency that requires immediate attention, a call to our office will prompt you on how to contact us. If we deem it necessary to treat you immediately, we will make arrangements to do so at either of our facilities, or refer you to a specialist as appropriate.


Do you accept new patients?
































New patients are always welcome in our practice.


Do you accept payment plans?
































As stated above, our office policy is payment at the time services are rendered. However, if you are undergoing extensive restorative work that requires multiple visits, payments may be spread out over the term of treatment.


Do you accept credit cards?
































We are glad to accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.


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