Frequently Asked Questions

A: Many people are uncomfortable when visiting the dentist. Your comfort is our highest priority and our office is designed so that you can enjoy a relaxing dental visit.

A: Millions of people struggle with halitosis, (or bad breath), despite daily teeth brushing. Here is a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and if the problem persists, we can offer several solutions.

First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue, significantly alleviating  odors. Or, we can recommend a specially prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break down the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, if we  suspect a systemic or internal problem, such as an infection or some other underlying condition, we may recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist in order to identify the cause.

A: 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 cavities (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.

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

A: Research shows that fluoride reduces cavities in both children and 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.

A: You are not alone. Most people want to have a nice smile since it is the first thing others 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. Louscher and Brantner will suggest a treatment plan for you based on your goals, on your areas of concern and on the overall condition of your oral health.

A: 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 on both sides of it. Function during chewing will be reduced, and the 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 in the need for restorations.

A: 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 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’ll also assess your gums and will recommend the appropriate hygiene treatment for you.

A: 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 using a dental appliance called a night- guard. A custom fitted night guard protects your teeth from grinding and clenching in your sleep. Drs. Louscher and Brantner take great care in making sure you have a proper fit in order to prevent pain in your jaw joint. Do you also suffer from headaches? If so, you may find that a side benefit of your night-guard is headache prevention. Many headaches start during the night, caused by the extreme pressure generated as you grind and clench your teeth. Ask us about having a night-guard custom created just for you.

A: Dental insurance is designed to assist you in paying for your dentistry. Most procedures, however,  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. We also take great care to maximize the benefits that your insurance does provide. Ask us how you can comfortably afford your dentistry, while maximizing  your dental insurance benefits.

A: 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/Discover

We are happy to estimate fees and insurance reimbursement before beginning your  recommended treatments and will gladly file insurance forms for you.

Optimal, comprehensive dentistry is what we practice, but 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.

A: Yes, we do offer monthly payment plans. 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.

A: 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. 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 and may put yourself at risk for other serious health problems.

A: 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; use of a hard-bristled toothbrush 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.

A: 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. Periodontitis, however,  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 you don’t catch periodontitis in its early stages, you may require extensive surgery to save your teeth and may put yourself at risk for other serious health problems.

A: 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 help 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.

A: 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, 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.

A: Porcelain veneers improve your smile by correcting a multitude of cosmetic concerns including: gaps in teeth; chipped and broken teeth; dull or yellowing teeth that cannot be whitened with traditional means; “gummy smile” (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 boosting their overall confidence. Ask us at your next visit about how porcelain veneers can improve your smile.

A: Dentist directed at-home whitening and in-office whitening procedures are both effective ways of brightening your smile. In either case, Drs. Louscher and Brantner will customize the treatment to ensure your happiness with the results.

Your custom home whitening kit involves a special tray that is specially made to fit over your teeth. You also receive prescription whitening gel, which is inserted into the tray before you wear it. Dr. Louscher or Dr. Brantner 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 bright smile.

A: There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile-from at-home whitening products to in-office supervised treatments. Dr. Louscher and Dr. Brantner evaluate the potential for whitening your teeth based on their current color and on 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.

A: There are multiple ways to whiten your teeth.

1. At home whitening trays. These products use peroxide-based gels to bleach your teeth. Generally, the process involves the daily application of the gel in a formed “mouth guard” for about two weeks. Side effects may include short-term tooth or gum sensitivity.
2. Porcelain veneers. People who have tetracycline stained teeth and cannot whiten their teeth with traditional means, as well as people who want a more permanent whitening solution will opt for porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers are a great way to whiten your teeth in a more permanent fashion. The veneers do not stain over time, and they also correct many other concerns that 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.