PATIENT INFO

New Patient Information in Lebanon, MO


Your First Visit

Our goal for your first visit to Lebanon Family Dentistry LLC is to get to know you better and to become familiar with your past dental experiences in order to establish a customized treatment plan that addresses your needs.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

Your first exam will last for approximately one hour while our doctor performs a thorough exam and dental cleaning. X-rays will also be taken which allows us to examine your mouth for cavities, periodontal disease, jaw problems and any sign of oral cancer. These records help Dr. Sanders customize your treatment.

OPEN COMMUNICATION

We believe that the first step to great oral health understanding why it's important. If you have any questions about your treatment or need any recommendations regarding your health, we are here to answer them. We hope that by working together, we will achieve a true partnership and keep your smile beautiful and healthy.

Frequently Asked Question

  • Q. How often should I see a dentist?
    A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
  • Q. What should I expect during my appointment?
    A. One of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, make X-rays of your teeth as needed and complete a TMJ (temporomandibular or jaw joint) exam. After we review your dental profile, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. If treatment such as a root canal (endodontics), braces (orthodontics) or oral surgery is needed, we will plan to treat you in our office or refer you to a specialist. We will discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.

    During regular follow-up visits, we will examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, clean your teeth and make plans for treatment, as needed. We will discuss any pain or problems you may be experiencing and answer any questions you may have.
  • Q. What does “painless dentistry” mean?
    A. Painless dentistry is a means of ensuring your total experience in our office is as stress-free and pain-free as possible. We will discuss treatment options that may require no local anesthetic and whenever possible, alleviate pain by the means most comfortable to you.
  • Q. What if I have an emergency?
    A. Our schedule does allow for a limited number of "emergency" appointments. They do fill up quickly, so please be sure to call us as soon as you beleive you have a dental emergency. Tooth pain usually does not go away without treatment, so it is always best to schedule an appointment at the first sign of discomfort.
  • Q. Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?
    your co-payment. We offer a low interest rate payment plan and also accept most major credit cards.
  • Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?
    A. There are several methods available for bleaching the teeth: in-office, overnight or daily. One session of in-office bleaching generally lasts one and a half to two hours, and you can read or relax during the treatment. For overnight bleaching, we make an impression of your teeth and create a mouthguard that fits your bite. Each day you fill the mouthguard with a small amount of bleaching gel and wear it overnight or for a few hours during the day. The overnight bleaching process takes approximately two weeks.

    Other over-the-counter daily bleaching products are available, but it is important to use any bleaching product only under the supervision of a dentist. To achieve the whitening results you desire, the ADA recommends that you seek the professional advice of a dentist, including examination and diagnosis of the cause of tooth discoloration, before you begin any bleaching program.
  • Q. What if I have a gap in my teeth, a chipped tooth or teeth that do not respond to normal bleaching methods?
    A. We have many different procedures that can help these problems. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Veneers can be positioned to close gaps. Bonding utilizes a composite material made of plastic to fill in areas of your teeth and correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers and bonding are color-matched to the rest of your teeth.
  • Q. What kind of toothbrush should I use?
    A. Adults should use a small to medium size toothbrush with soft to medium bristles. The head of the brush needs to be small enough to brush all areas of the mouth thoroughly, specifically the back of the mouth, which can be hard to reach. Children should use small toothbrushes with soft bristles. People with sensitive teeth can benefit from using gentle, soft bristled toothbrushes. Many kinds of toothbrushes are available. Your dentist can help you decide which type of brush is most suitable for you.
  • Q. How often should I replace my toothbrush?
    A. The American Dental Association recommends that you replace your brush every 3 to 4 months. With each use the bristles become worn and cleaning effectiveness decreases. Depending on your oral health, you may need to replace your brush sooner. Typically, children need to replace their toothbrushes more regularly than adults.
  • Q. Is a powered toothbrush more effective than a manual toothbrush?
    A. Generally, manual toothbrushes are just as effective as powered toothbrushes. Children may find brushing with a powered toothbrush more exciting. If you have difficulty using a manual toothbrush, a powered toothbrush may be much more comfortable and easier to use. Regardless of what toothbrush you choose, be sure to select one you like and find easy to use.
  • Q. Is one type of toothpaste better than others?
    A. No. However, we recommend you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, and carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which means it has been assessed for safety and effectiveness. Studies consistently show that fluoride helps strengthen and rebuild tooth structure, and helps prevent dental decay.
  • Q. How often should I floss?
    A. You should floss once daily to prevent cavities from forming in between the teeth. Flossing also helps preserve the health of your gums.
  • Q. Should I brush or floss first?
    A. As long as you brush and floss thoroughly, it does not matter if you brush then floss, or floss then brush. But flossing before brushing enables the fluoride in your toothpaste to better reach the areas between the teeth.
  • Q. How often should I see a dentist?
    A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
  • Q. What's the difference between a cap and a crown?
    A. A cap is the same as a crown. Both restorations are designed to restore a tooth that is severely broken, fractured or decayed by literally covering or capping the tooth. Dentists often use the term crowns. But most people call stainless steel or gold restorations crowns, and tooth-colored restorations caps.
  • Q. What's the difference between a partial denture and a bridge?
    A. Both are used to replace missing teeth. A bridge is sometimes called a fixed partial denture. It fills a space previously occupied by a tooth. There are three main types of bridges. A fixed bridge is the most popular, and consists of a filler tooth attached to two crowns, which fit over existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.

    A partial denture is removable, and typically consists of replacement teeth attached to gum-colored bases that are connected via metal framework. The denture is attached to natural teeth with either metal clasps or precision attachments, which are virtually invisible.
  • Q. If I get a root canal, do I need a crown?
    A. Not necessarily. While, most teeth do need a crown following a root canal, every tooth that needs a crown does not need root canal treatment.

Glossary

-A-

Abscess - infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease

Amalgam - a silver and mercury material used for fillings

Anesthetic - a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures

Anterior - the teeth in the front of your mouth

Antiseptic - an agent that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs

Apex - the very tip of the root of a tooth

Aspirator - a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth

-B-

Bleaching Agent - a gel used to whiten and brighten teeth

Bonding - a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage

Bridge - one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth

Bruxism - the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping

-C-

Calculus - the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar

Canine - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals

Caries - another name for cavities or decayed teeth

Cavity - a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay

Central - the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth

Crown - an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal

Cuspid - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as canines

-D-

Decalcification - the loss of calcium from the teeth

Deciduous Teeth - also called "baby teeth”

Dental Implants - an implant is attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth

Denture - a removable set of artificial teeth

-E-

Enamel - the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line

Endodontist - a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth)

Extraction - the removal of a tooth or teeth

-F-

Filling - a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity

Fluoride - a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay

-G-

Gingivitis - inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth

Gums - the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth

-I-

Impacted Tooth - often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction

Incisal - related to incisors (see below)

Incisor - one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth

Inlays - a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth

Instant Orthodontics - alternative to braces using bonded porcelain veneers or crowns

-L-

Lateral - these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals

-N-

Night Guard - a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the teeth. Often used to treat TMJ

-P-

Pedontist - also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth

Periodontist - a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease

Plaque - a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay

Posterior Teeth - the teeth in the back of the mouth

Primary Teeth - also known as "baby teeth" or deciduous teeth

Prosthodontist - a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth

-R-

Root - the portion of the tooth below your gum line

Root Canal - cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed

-S-

Sealant - plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent decay. Used most commonly for children

Secondary Teeth - the permanent teeth

Six-Year Molar - commonly known as "the first molar"

Sleep Apnea - a potentially serious disorder in which a sleeping person may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, often continuously throughout the night

-T-

Tartar - see calculus

TMJ Syndrome - a disorder associated with the joint of the jaw, often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes.

Tooth Whitening - a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth

Twelve-Year Molar - commonly known as "the second molar"

-V-

Veneer - a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth
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