Common Questions

Helping You Make Informed Decisions

We take the time to listen to you, and give you accurate and comprehensive answers so that you can make the right dental choices for you and your family. Making health decisions can be difficult; but making uneducated decisions can be devastating. We are here to thoroughly answer your dental questions, giving you another great reason to smile!

Feel free to call us with any of your concerns. We are here to help!

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Information about the office: Read more...
• Insurance and payment: More information...
• Hygiene and periodontal questions: Find answers...
• Restorative and cosmetic dentistry: Details...

Questions About the Office:

What do I need to know as a consumer to get the best that dentistry has to offer?

As a consumer, we understand that it is sometimes difficult for you to know if the work done in your mouth is exceptional or mediocre. That's why it is important to be certain that your dentist has taken advanced continuing education courses in clinical cosmetic and restorative dentistry to keep up-to-date with the latest techniques and advancements. Asking to view before and after photos of previous completed treatment will also help you to see if you like his work. Finally, ask for references from other patients or specialists in the area to help you get a sense of the excellence of care the dentist provides.

What is the difference between a general dentist and a restorative and cosmetic dentist?

A restorative and cosmetic dentist is a well qualified, experienced dentist with advanced, post-graduate education in aesthetic restorative techniques and materials, as well as advanced study in the science of occlusion (your bite). With an eye for both beauty and function, the restorative and cosmetic dentist can focus on the aesthetics of the smile while ensuring that the bite functions properly; bringing greater comfort and longevity to your restored, youthful looking smile.

What makes your office different than any other dental practice I can visit?

Our mission and purpose is to offer you what we would want if we were the patient. We take the time to give you all the information you need to make wise decisions for your dental health. We delight in helping our patients find financial solutions for treatment, and we especially desire to bring comfort to those struggling with dental anxieties.

What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

Before you ever sit in the dental chair, much effort has been made to prepare for your visit. The chair you sit in has been sterilized, as well as every surface in the dental operatory. Each instrument that will be used has been thoroughly sterilized to ensure cleanliness. The doctor and his assistant wear masks and gloves for your safety, as well as theirs. We make this effort so you can be assured that when you leave our office, you will be taking home only the memory of a great experience!

Are you accepting new patients?

YES! We would love to provide comfortable and quality dentistry to anyone who appreciates and desires to improve or maintain their oral health.

What do I do if I have to cancel my appointment?

We understand that sometimes emergencies come up making it impossible to keep your scheduled appointment. We ask that you let us know as soon as you are aware of the discrepancy; a 24 hours advanced notice is greatly appreciated. Our receptionist will then be happy to work with you in finding another appointment time that is convenient for both of our schedules. Because our patients are so respectful of our schedule, we are diligent to be respectful of theirs. We do our very best to be ready for you at your appointed time.

What do I do if I have an emergency and the office is closed?

If the office is closed and you have a dental emergency, you are welcome to call the doctor's cell phone at (940) 206-1188 and leave a short message describing the emergency and a contact number. The doctor checks his messages regularly throughout the weekend and will return your call as soon as he is able.

I really don't like visiting the dentist. What can you do to help me relax?

Many times dental anxiety is due to fear of the unknown or fear of pain and discomfort. From the moment you enter our office, we hope to alleviate these fears by providing an atmosphere of education and peace of mind. Each team member is knowledgeable and prepared to answer any questions you might have. The doctor will explain all procedures and address all concerns regarding your treatment.

To help you relax, we provide a massage chair and neck pillows. To provide comfort during treatment nitrous oxide and enteral sedation is available. The doctor can discuss with you these relaxation options to find what is best.

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Insurance and Payment Questions:

How do I know if my insurance will pay for my treatment?

Our insurance specialist would be happy to help you to determine the benefits of your particular insurance policy. As you know, all insurance plans are not the same, but we will work to determine an honest estimate of your benefits to aid you in determining the final out-of-pocket cost of your treatment.

What is UCR, I see it on my Explanation of Benefits form from my insurance company?

“UCR”, or Usual and Customary Rate is a term used by the insurance company to represent the dental procedure fee they are choosing to use as their standard fee for basing your level of coverage. Let me again say, the insurance company along with your employer are choosing this fee. When your policy states that it offers 100% Hygiene coverage, they are committing to pay 100% of their chosen UCR. This may or may not be the actual cost of your dental care. Often, upon request, your insurance company will send you a UCR list for your policy, enabling you to better understand the coverage you have available to you.

What financing options are available?

We believe that dentistry is an investment into your future and your health. But we know sometimes the urgency of your dental health necessitates some financial flexibility. To assist you, we provide the following options:

• We accept all major credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express)
• We offer a discount for those patients who pay in full with cash or check at time of service
• We offer up to 1 year interest free loans. There is a simple application procedure which can be done in the office or on the internet. Apply...

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Hygiene and Periodontal Questions:

What is the link between heart disease and periodontal disease?

A newly published study in the Journal of Periodontology confirms recent findings that people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. The data reveals that diseased gums pump high levels of harmful bacterial components into your bloodstream. Regular cleanings to prevent or control periodontal disease and the bacteria associated with it are recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle.

How do I know it is time to come in for a check-up ?

The suggested period of time between teeth cleanings for someone with healthy gums is 6 months. However, if you have periodontal disease, or gum disease, you may need your teeth cleaned every 3 to 4 months. To determine the health of your gums at home, check to see if the tissues are pink, with no irritations or bleeding. The only way to be sure of the health of your teeth is through an exam. The dental hygienist checks each tooth for periodontal pockets, areas where the gums have started to pull away from the teeth. Through x-rays, the doctor can know what is happening under the gumline, and personalize the correct teeth cleaning regimen for your needs.

Is it bad if my gums bleed after I brush my teeth?

Healthy gums do not bleed unless they are accidentally injured during hard brushing, or irritated by hardened plaque/tartar build up. In most cases, we find bleeding gums indicate the presence of some level of gum disease. So if you're gums bleed regularly for no apparent reason, we recommend that you contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment so we can help you regain that healthy smile.

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Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry Questions: 

Why should I be concerned about a cracked tooth?

Cracked teeth are a problem waiting to happen. And, unfortunately, you can't always tell how big of a problem it will be. If a small portion of a tooth breaks then the treatment of bonding, a composite, or possibly a crown could be completed in order to repair the tooth and prevent further breakage. It is possible, however, that enough of the tooth structure could break away, leaving a damaged tooth that cannot be saved. Through x-rays, and regular yearly exams, the doctor can keep watch on those teeth that are a concern.

What is a veneer?

A veneer is a cosmetic procedure to enhance your smile. This veneer is a thin piece of porcelain or plastic that is cemented to the front of the tooth. Read more...

What is a crown?

A crown, or “cap”, is a porcelain or metal restoration that covers a broken or damaged tooth to protect it from further damage. Read more...

What is a root canal?

In the center of each tooth there is live nerve tissue called the root. When the root becomes damaged due to trauma or infection, the nerve tissue can become inflamed. This inflammation can be very painful; particularly sensitive to cold, hot or sweet. A root canal can ease the pain and repair the tooth by replacing the diseased nerve tissue with sterile cement. You should immediately have relief from pain and discomfort following the root canal treatment. However, because the root is no longer alive, the tooth may darken in color and become brittle over time. Therefore, the doctor suggests that within one year of the root canal, a crown should be placed on the tooth to protect it from cracking and breaking.

Is it a problem that my jaw clicks when I open my mouth?

If your jaw is clicking when you open your mouth, then your joint is not healthy. Your bone is popping out of its joint and the muscle is becoming fatigued. Many people live with a popping jaw for a long time without any ill affects. However, over time your stressed muscle can become painful and difficult to use. Through a simple procedure called “Equilibration” the doctor can improve your joint motion, ease your jaw muscle, and protect your teeth from unnecessary wear. Read more...

What are the early signs of an unhealthy bite?

If you have an unhealthy bite, your teeth are not biting down with equal pressure. Some of the early signs of this condition are cracked teeth, worn down teeth, gum recession, bone recession, headaches, neck aches, jaw clicking, grinding or bruxing. If you find yourself with any of these conditions, please let the doctor and the hygienist know at your next appointment. By improving your bite now, you can save yourself a lot of discomfort and expensive dental treatment later. Read more...

Why save my teeth? Why not just get dentures?

If you have lost your natural teeth, dentures are an alternative treatment. However, they will never provide for you the comfort and assuredness of permanent teeth. Regular dentures use suction to stay in place, but they are not permanently attached to the bone. Over time these dentures can get loose and more difficult to use. Patients often find it very difficult to chew meat, and harder foods because of the instability.

If you are contemplating dentures, there is a new treatment called “Implant Retained Dentures” that provides the closest alternative to natural teeth. Implants are placed in the jaw bone to provide stability and strength. With the use of Implant Retained Dentures, patients are able to chew and smile with comfort and confidence. Read more...

If I need more extensive work, can my treatment plan be done in stages?

Yes. There are some dental procedures that need to be done in tandem with others in order to achieve a quality end result. But, whenever possible, the doctor will let you know the stages of treatment and the time necessary between each stage in order to help you plan and be prepared for your restorative treatment.

What is the difference between restorative and cosmetic dentistry?

Restorative dentistry applies dental techniques to repair damaged teeth, gums and bone so they can be restored to a state of health, function, and comfort. Cosmetic dentistry applies dental techniques to improve the beauty and aesthetics of a persons smile. When you combine the skills of restorative dentistry with the beauty of cosmetic dentistry, the end result is a healthy, beautiful smile that you will enjoy for your lifetime.

Why would I want to spend money on cosmetic dentistry?

Because you want an ageless smile. Some say that an aesthetic smile will improve your place in the business world and will bring you the confidence to be more competitive. Those are reasons for making cosmetic changes, but I believe the most important reason for making a cosmetic change to your smile is because you want a bright, engaging smile.

My child has accidentally knocked out a tooth, what do I do?

Contact the doctor's office immediately. The sooner the tooth can be treated, the greater the chance of being able to restore the tooth. So, if this occurs during off-hours, contact Dr. Tryon on his cell phone. If possible, place your child's tooth in a cup of milk as the calcium from the milk will continue nourishing the tooth.

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