In order to communicate with clarity, in a way that's considerate of your time, we've compiled this list of frequently asked questions and answers about our practice, philosophy, and procedures. If you have further questions, though, feel free to contact us by phone or email.

• How does Dr. Zoch keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
• Do you accept referrals?
• Do you accept my insurance plan?
• Crowns, Veneers, Overlays, Inlays & Partials ... can you tell me more about these procedures?
• I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. Can you help me?
• How can I safely whiten my teeth?
• Do you offer any other products or services that might help improve my oral hygiene?
• How does chronic gum disease or tooth decay increase my risk for other general physical health problems?
• What makes you different than any other practice I could visit?
  
  
  

  How does Dr. Zoch keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

  Dr. Zoch subscribes to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry. He also takes time on a regular basis for continuing education and hands-on programs regarding the latest techniques in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Dr. Zoch shares his learning with our entire staff and expects each team member to pursue appropriate continuing education as well.

  Do you accept referrals?

  We love referrals, both from other dental offices as well as from recommendations by our patients to their family and friends. It's helpful if new patients complete a patient evaluation form prior to the first visit. We also appreciate receiving recent records and x-rays ahead of time if possible.

  Do you accept my insurance plan?

  We're more than happy to help you answer this question ... simply call us with the name of your insurance carrier, and we'll let you know if we're on your particular plan. In any case, we'll be glad to file for you and help you maximize any allowable benefits due you for the procedures and treatments that we determine are in your best interest.

Crowns, Veneers, Inlays, Overlays & Partials ... can you tell me more about these procedures?

With today's technology, materials, and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or missing teeth ... bringing your smile back to its original shape and function. For example, we can apply an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a 'cap,' to cover the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful to cover large areas of decay after they've been filled. For unattractive front teeth, we can create pretty, natural shapes and shades by applying paper-thin porcelain veneers to the fronts. For patients who are missing a number of front/side teeth, we can create a removable partial denture, designed for either the upper or lower jaw, made of all acrylic or all metal. They're attached to existing teeth by means of precision acrylic clasps and must be removed for cleaning after eating, as well as for sleeping. For more information on any of these procedures, please feel free to talk with Dr. Zoch during your visit.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. Can you help me?

Dr. Zoch has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of "instant orthodontics" -- porcelain veneers -- may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In more pronounced cases, we might want to refer you to an orthodontist specialist with whom we work. We'd be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

How can I safely whiten my teeth?

Dentist-supervised teeth whitening is one of the simplest, safest ways to immediately improve the impact of your smile! So, if you're interested in finding out what whitening could do for you, we'll first evaluate your potential based on the current color of your teeth, and the causes of any discoloration. Then, we'll set you up with our simple at-home supervised program, which involves short daily sessions with a personalized whitening tray appliance. The whitening product itself is an American Dental Association approved adhesive-type gel; the concentration of which can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Overall, this whitening method can produce a 2- to 4-shade improvement!

Do you offer any other products or services that might help improve my oral hygiene?

Yes! We're convinced that many of our patients would truly see improvement in their oral health if they had access to specific, professional-quality preventive products. For example, many people today drink almost exclusively bottled water. While this is wise from many standpoints, it typically eliminates the one key source of extra fluoride in the diet (tap water). Of course, without fluoride, teeth are far more prone to decay. So we provide an excellent at-home fluoride treatment to counter this problem.

In addition to fluoride, we offer a complete line of professional quality oral hygiene products that we'd be glad to tell you more about.

How does chronic gum disease or tooth decay increase my risk for other general physical health problems?

You may not have thought about it before, but your mouth is a key entryway into the rest of the body and its systems. If your mouth has a chronic infection or disease, then your entire body may be indirectly or directly exposed to those bacteria. Furthermore, the resources needed to maintain your general health may then be diverted to handle the chronic infection, weakening the overall natural protection your other systems typically enjoy. And in fact, research documents connections between periodontal disease and poor heart health, increased risk for stroke, increased incidence of respiratory diseases, increased risk for diabetes and exacerbated symptoms in existing cases, problem pregnancies, and an increased incidence of osteoporosis in women. What's more, some studies indicate that those who lose all their natural teeth may have a much shorter life span.

What makes you different than any other practice I could visit?

We're convinced that visiting the dentist should be a friendly, comfortable experience every time for every patient. That's why we're so careful to practice truly 'gentle' dentistry: we make sure that we're familiar with all of your concerns up front, and plan your treatments so as to eliminate those concerns. We'll also work closely with you to clearly explain exactly what we see in your mouth, what we believe to be the most effective treatment options, and why. In other words, we won't proceed until you understand and feel comfortable with everything about your visit -- before, during and afterwards.