ask your dentist: frequently-asked questions

 

What are the different ways you can whiten my teeth?

 

For teeth whitening, Dr. Tracy and her staff offer everything from a simple teeth cleaning, which brightens your smile immediately, to leading-edge tooth polishing and whitening techniques.

 

The whitening techniques can either happen in Dr. Tracy's office, with follow-up and in-home treatments, or through a take-home whitening kit. It is prescription medicine designed to make your teeth look their best.

 

In any case, your smile will be brighter, whiter, and more healthy!

 

How can I improve my smile?

 

Dr. Tracy and her staff are committed to using the newest, best methods to improve your smile. We also work with you, as a team, to select the best options for you. Typically, smile improvement starts with an assessment of your mouth. Then, Dr. Tracy discusses your best options with you. Smile improvement may include:

  • Teeth cleaning
  • Teeth whitening
  • Ceramic (tooth-colored), veneers, inlays and overlays
  • Orthodontia (braces or Invisaline dental trays)
  • Tooth re-contouring (tooth shaping)
  • Other smile improvement options

 

What’s the difference between “silver” and “tooth colored” fillings?

 

“Silver” or metal fillings are the traditional way of filling teeth when cavities have been repaired. The treatment is proven, but is not very attractive, especially when done on the visible teeth.

 

Tooth-colored fillings, also known as ceramic fillings, blend in with the natural color of your teeth. When you smile, you look like you have a mouth full of beautiful, healthy teeth … and that is attractive!

 

My gums bleed when I brush them – is that normal?

 

Bleeding gums may be a sign of significant mouth, gum and tooth disease, and should be checked by an expert immediately. Mouth disease, if left untreated, can lead to other health problems, and must not be ignored.

 

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

 

For the best tooth and gum health, and to keep you looking your best, we recommend having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year. More frequent visits may be needed, depending on what Dr. Tracy recommends.

 

For periodontal patients, cleaning could be as often as every two months.

 

When should I have my child start seeing the dentist?

 

Dr. Tracy is pleased to provide a “Happy Visit” for our youngest patients and their families. As soon as your child has his or her first baby teeth in, schedule a “Happy Visit”, where we show them around the office, introduce your child to the staff, show them models of teeth, and have fun talking with them about tooth care.

 

Of course, if there is anything unusual, such as discoloration, abnormal gum bleeding, baby teeth coming in crooked, we recommend bringing in the child as soon as possible.

 

Do we offer nitrous?

 

Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas, is an effective relaxant, and we do offer it. However, more advanced dental practices, such as Dr. Tracy’s, also offer conscious sedation, either orally (through a pill) or through an IV, to deeply relax patients. That, coupled with local anesthesia, has proven to be the best method to keep patients relaxed and comfortable during their dental procedures.

 

Will my dental procedure hurt?

 

While each patient reacts differently, Dr. Tracy and her staff use relaxation methods, including conscious sedation, (either orally through a pill or through an IV), to relax patients. We then use local pain killers (anesthesia) to numb the area where we’ll be treating you. Most patients finish the procedure with little to no discomfort.

 

Will Dr. Tracy bill my insurance?

 

Dr. Tracy’s staff works with you and your insurance provider to make certain your dental care is billed properly.

 

What are your hours of operation?

 

Dr. Tracy’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and then one Friday a month, on a rotating basis, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment. In addition, we provide after hour emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for patients of record only.

 

Will my dental or medical insurance cover this procedure?

 

Insurance companies vary on what dental procedures they will pay for. Dr. Tracy’s team will work with you before your treatment to make certain there are no unexpected expenses.

 

Does Dr. Tracy take payments?

 

Dr. Tracy works with CareCredit payment plans and credit to cover your dental work. Discuss paying for orthodontic work with Dr. Tracy’s staff.

 

How long has Dr. Tracy been in this office?

 

Dr. Tracy and her dental staff moved into the Silver Lake office five years ago to take advantage of the newest, cleanest and most efficient dental office space available. In addition, our new location is easily accessible from the freeway and has excellent parking. Prior to that, Dr. Tracy practiced dentistry for nearly a decade in downtown Everett.

 

How much experience does Dr. Tracy have?

 

If you include the fact that Dr. Tracy “cut her teeth” at her father’s dental practice, where she worked growing up, she has over three decades of dental care experience. As a fully licensed dentist, Dr. Tracy has been providing dental care to patients for more than two decades!

 

Why doesn’t my insurance pay 100% for this dental cleaning?

 

While we will work as closely as we can with your insurance to get as much of your teeth cleaning paid for, some insurance companies do not recognize the value regular cleaning has in preventative dentistry. Make certain you discuss your payment options with our staff before your treatment.

 

How long will this dental “restoration” last?

 

Dental restorations are meant to be long lasting. With proper tooth care at home and from Dr. Tracy, including regular dentist office visits, your dental restoration could last as long as 20 years!

 

Can’t I just have all my teeth pulled and get dentures?

 

Your mouth is meant to work as a perfect system. It is less likely to break or malfunction than anything science has created. Dentistry simply helps that system function at its best level. Where possible, as many teeth should remain in place to anchor the dental work you have.

 

Is an electric toothbrush really better?

 

Used properly, an electric toothbrush, or a Sonicare system, coupled with regular flossing and frequent visits to your dentist, provides the best level of at-home dental care for your teeth.

 

Do the teeth whitening strips work?

 

The teeth whitening kits prescribed by Dr. Tracy are prescription medicine. While over the counter teeth whitening strips work, as with any medicine, treatments prescribed by a medical expert are far more effective

 

Why do I need tooth treatment when nothing is hurting?

 

You’ve heard the saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Nowhere is this truer than in dentistry. If we can catch and treat a problem before it starts to hurt, we can often prevent significant drilling, filling or other dental work. That means you are more comfortable. And don’t you want to avoid pain and hurting when you can?

 

If you have any other dental questions for Dr. Tracy, please feel free to email us at frontdesk@tracydds.com.