FAQs

If your doctor has recommended a crown to you, it is likely either to correct a broken tooth or to repair a tooth that has deteriorated due to decay. The decay in your tooth eats away healthy tooth structure much like rust eats away at metal. If not removed, decay will deteriorate the tooth to the point where extraction is the only viable treatment option. Sometimes, decay is removed leaving healthy tooth structure, but not much of it. A crown can then be placed, restoring the look and function of your tooth, while allowing you to keep your natural, underlying tooth structure. Most crowns are precision-milled porcelain or full metal (gold or silver) and are individually customized for each application in each patient, giving you a natural, long lasting smile.

Yes, we do offer digital X-rays. Digital X-rays use less radiation and are safer for you than traditional film X-rays. You will find that in our dental practice, we research the latest trends in technology to find the solutions that promote your overall health, safety, and comfort.

Research shows that fluoride reduces cavities in both children and in adults by halting tooth decay. It also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay becomes visible. Interestingly, many people continue to be misinformed about fluoride and fluoridation. Fluoride is a safe chemical component when used correctly. When your dentist applies fluoride to your teeth, usually in the form of a fluoride varnish, gel, or foam, that fluoride is more concentrated than the fluoride contained in toothpaste or mouthwash. The ADA recommends that dental professionals use any of the professional-strength, fluoride varnish, gel, or foam products carrying the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

You are not alone. Most people want to have a nice smile since it is the first thing others often notice about you. You may be interested in a few minor adjustments or you may have concerns that need more attention. Some smiles can be enhanced with simple whitening or bonding treatments. Other smiles need porcelain veneers, crowns or bridges, gum contouring, periodontal therapy, or a combination of all these techniques. Drs. Waters and Davidson will suggest a treatment plan for you based on your goals, your areas of concern, and the overall condition of your oral health. Contact us for a complimentary smile evaluation to determine what course of action will produce the best solution for you.

Drs. Waters and Davidson have a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of unsightly braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. We would be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

Attention to detail, respect for the individual and a true concern for each patient are the hallmarks of our personal care and our quality product. We are committed to helping you fulfill your ultimate self-image.

Losing a back tooth will darken your overall smile, making it look smaller and narrower. Your smile will appear to stop short, and the look will be exaggerated if your missing tooth has teeth remaining on both sides of it. Function during chewing will be reduced, and function of many teeth can be affected by losing just one tooth. When you are missing a tooth, you compensate by chewing differently, putting pressure on different parts of your mouth. This can cause your other teeth to shift, creating gaps and spaces and may even cause fractures that result in additional tooth loss or the need for restorations.

By replacing missing teeth either with a bridge or implant, you will alleviate the problems associated with missing a tooth and will give your smile back its beautiful, full appearance. A bridge is one solution for replacing a tooth. By using neighboring teeth as the supportive structure, your dentist at Waters Davidson Family Dental places a porcelain restoration into the vacant space, restoring the functionality and look of your smile.

A dental implant is also an excellent solution for replacing a missing tooth. Dental implants involve the placement of a titanium post directly into the jawbone. Once the post has bonded to the bone, it can act as a new, solid support for a natural-looking, porcelain restoration. Implants can replace a single tooth or an entire set of teeth, offering more function and durability than traditional dentures.

During your first appointment, your overall dental and oral health will be assessed with a comprehensive oral evaluation. Upon completion of your medical/dental health form, we will ask you to tell us your goals regarding your smile, teeth, and gums. Digital photos and X-rays will then be taken of your teeth to identify areas of decay, cracked teeth, and malfunctioning restorations. Our goal is to preserve as many of your teeth as possible by catching decay in its earliest stages. We will also assess your gums and will recommend the appropriate hygiene treatment for you.

Over the years, patients have given us the compliment of referring family and friends to our practice. Our reputation for excellent dental care depends on two things: our good work and your beautiful smile! Your confidence in our care motivates us to continue to strive for excellence. Thank you for your referrals. Your trust and support are greatly appreciated.

Due to a recent increase in broken appointments, we are finding a need to implement a short-notice cancellation fee. When any appointment is cancelled without 48 hours notice it is VERY difficult for us to provide services to patients awaiting care. There have been enough last minute cancellations lately that it is concerning to our business.

Please note, as of May 1, 2024 we may charge $60/hr for an appointment that is canceled with less than 48 hours notice. Also note, any failed appointment is automatically subject to the $60/hr fee.

Many people who notice chipped or cracked teeth but who don’t remember when the injury occurred, damaged their teeth while they were sleeping. Grinding or clenching your teeth during the night will cause your teeth to chip, crack, and even break. To keep you from seriously damaging your teeth, we recommend a dental appliance called a nightguard. A custom-fitted nightguard protects your teeth from grinding and clenching in your sleep, and Drs. Waters and Davidson will take great care in making sure you have a proper fit to prevent pain in your jaw joint.

Do you suffer from headaches? You may find that a side benefit of your nightguard is headache prevention. Many headaches begin during the night, caused by the extreme pressure generated as you grind and clench your teeth. Ask us about having a nightguard custom created especially for you.

Yes, we do offer monthly payment plans with our financial partner, CareCredit®. We provide a variety of ways for you to pay for your treatment so that it fits comfortably into your personal or family financial goals. Our team works with you to create the solution that best accommodates you, so you can have the beautiful, healthy smile you have always desired.

Dental insurance is designed to assist you in paying for your dentistry; however, most procedures are not fully covered by your insurance. Cosmetic dentistry, in particular, is not covered by most dental insurance plans. To help you afford your smile, we offer a variety of payment options, in addition to a monthly payment plan provided by our financial partner, CareCredit®. We also pay special attention to maximizing the benefits that your insurance does provide. Ask us how you can comfortably afford your dentistry, while maximizing your dental insurance benefits.

Helping to make your dental care financially comfortable and affordable is important, and we proudly offer a variety of options:

• Cash or personal checks
• VISA/MasterCard
• 3-, 6-, 12-, or 18-month, no-interest payment plans, as well as low interest and extended payment plans through CareCredit®.
• We are also happy to estimate fees and insurance reimbursement for you before you begin your recommended treatments, and we will gladly file your insurance forms.
• Wellness Program:  We offer an alternative to insurance in our practice! It is called our Wellness Program. It starts by simply pre-paying (with a hefty reduction) for the basic diagnostic and preventative services that most patients need in one calendar year. Any additional dental treatment recommended and completed within that year will also receive an additional 15% discount. Please call for additional information.

Optimal, comprehensive dentistry is what we practice, and we do not base our treatment on what insurance will or will not pay. We base our treatment on what is best for you, and any treatment not paid by insurance is your financial responsibility.

Gums affected by periodontal disease become red and inflamed, often bleeding during brushing or flossing. Timely treatment can reverse these conditions. However, if these conditions are ignored, your periodontal disease can worsen, becoming a condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis is much more difficult to treat.

Periodontitis affects your gums, bone, and teeth in a manner that cannot be reversed. To prevent tooth loss, you may require more extensive, specialized treatment from your general dentist or even from a periodontist (a doctor with additional education and training in the supportive structures of the mouth). If left untreated, periodontitis results in tooth loss ― teeth either fall out on their own or must be extracted. If you don’t diagnose and treat periodontitis in its early stages, you may require extensive surgery to save your teeth, putting you at risk for other serious health problems like heart disease.*

It is certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing; however, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough “scrubbing” instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or, gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or if it occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set-up an evaluation appointment.

Gums affected by periodontal disease become red and inflamed ― often times bleeding during brushing or flossing. If treated in a timely manner, these conditions can be reversed, preventing periodontal disease from developing. However, periodontitis is much more difficult to treat.

Periodontitis affects your gums, bone, and teeth in a manner that cannot be reversed. To prevent tooth loss, you may require more extensive, specialized treatment from your general dentist or even from a periodontist. If left untreated, periodontitis results in tooth loss ― teeth either fall out on their own or must be extracted. If periodontitis isn’t caught in its early stages, you may require extensive surgery to save your teeth, which may put you at risk for other serious health problems.

A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars.) This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids and guarding against disease-causing bacteria.

Thorough brushing and flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth; however, toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to efficiently extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food.

Most dental pain brought on by chewing is caused by a fracture, or crack, in the tooth. The pain can be corrected by placing an inlay/onlay or a porcelain crown or with more advanced treatment. You want to correct the pain as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth. Contact us today to schedule a visit.

Porcelain veneers improve your smile by correcting a multitude of cosmetic concerns, including: gaps in teeth; chips and broken teeth; dull or yellowing teeth that cannot be whitened with traditional means; “gummy smiles” (showing too much gum when one smiles); and, crooked teeth. Porcelain veneers broaden, straighten, whiten, and beautify most any smile. This procedure can be done in as little as two clinical visits. Many of our patients feel like this was the best improvement they could have made for their overall confidence. Ask us about how porcelain veneers can improve your smile at your next visit, or send us an email.

Dentist-directed, at-home whitening and in-office whitening procedures are both effective ways of brightening your smile. In either case, your dentist customizes the treatment to ensure your happiness with the results.

Your personalized home-whitening kit involves a special tray that is customized to fit over your teeth. You also receive prescription whitening gel, which is inserted into the tray before you wear it. Dr. Waters or Dr. Davidson will give you detailed instructions about how long you should wear the tray each day, and you should expect the entire home-whitening process to take between two and four weeks, leaving you with a dazzling smile.

If you desire immediate results, visit Drs. Waters and Davidson for an in-office whitening procedure. Again, the treatment utilizes a special tray that fits around your teeth; however, with your dentist’s supervision, a much more powerful whitening gel is used, giving you amazing results in just a few hours!

There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile, from at-home whitening products to in-office supervised treatments. Drs. Waters and Davidson evaluate the potential for whitening your teeth based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration. Once you decide on the most appropriate method, you will spend anywhere from two-to-four weeks undergoing a series of simple whitening treatments.

• At-home whitening trays and products use peroxide-based gels to bleach your teeth. Generally, the process involves the daily application of the gel in a formed “mouthguard” for about a two-week period. Side effects may include short-term tooth or gum sensitivity.
• In-office whitening is a procedure that takes place in a single visit to your dentist. It involves the application of a specially formulated gel that, when exposed to a type of light energy, penetrates the stains in your teeth, breaking them up, and leaving your smile brighter and whiter. The entire process takes under an hour.
• Porcelain veneers are a good option for people who have tetracycline-stained teeth, for those who cannot whiten their teeth with traditional means, and for people who want a more permanent solution. Porcelain veneers are more permanent because they do not stain with time, and they also correct many other concerns you may have, including crooked teeth, gaps in teeth, and gummy smiles. Most of the smile makeovers you see on television are accomplished with porcelain veneers.

• Our office has received exceptional training in signs and symptoms of Sleep Apnea, including what to look for during examinations and visits.
• Upon arriving at our office, we gather as much information as possible to see if you have a history of any of the ailments listed above, as well as a screening process to ask about symptoms you may be having that seem “normal”.

If you currently suffer from any of the symptoms listed, please call our office right away, at (913) 782-1330, to schedule a special Sleep Apnea consultation appointment for a comprehensive evaluation.