Patients

We accept most PPO insurance plans but it is always important to call and check with your insurance carrier as well to confirm that we are a provider within your plan.  We try our best to be insurance gurus and answer questions to the specifications of your personal plan but insurance companies are an ever-changing enigma.  It is essential that the patient is knowledgeable about their insurance to achieve predictable success and maximum benefit usage with least out of pocket expense

Yes, Dr Beck is a cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry aimed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile. Smile enhancement can have dramatic results on your overall appearance; even the smallest step can boost your confidence, self-esteem, and make you want to smile more. With modern advances in dentistry, cosmetic procedures can range from a basic color correction to replacing missing teeth, and everything in between.

There are three options to make teeth lighter without removing tooth structure:

1. Store-bought treatments: I recommend Crest Whitestrips.  These are pieces of plastic that are wrapped around the upper and lower teeth with pre-distributed whitening gel.  They are a lower concentration (around 6%) of whitening product but are best for a quick pick up without initial expense of custom trays or for long term bleaching (meaning several months of daily application) in severe staining cases.
2. Take Home Whitening Trays: My Personal recommendation.  This consists of two quick appointments where custom trays are made specifically for your teeth and whitening gel is provided to use at home.  There are two strengths of whitening gel depending on if you prefer to wear the trays overnight or complete daily 1 hour applications.  The trays are used every day for two weeks and then again on an as needed basis to do regular maintenance.  Touch ups are usually recommended every few months or so depending on the cause of your staining.  I like this option because you get the best results with the least amount of sensitivity.  For those with sensitive teeth, this is also the best option because whitening applications can be alternated with a fluoride gel to reduce sensitivity.  Teeth WILL be sensitive to acids and temperature during whitening procedures and teeth that are already sensitive are VERY hard to bleach well without pain.  I know because I have extremely sensitive teeth.
3. In Office Whitening: This procedure provides the quickest results but is also the most harmful to the teeth and gums.  There is always resulting tooth sensitivity and gum irritation due to the high percentage of whitening gel used.  It is great for the person who does not remember to wear whitening trays consistently for two weeks but in my opinion, I do not recommend this option because there is more harm than good that can be done.  It is available on request for those seeking the quickest results.

I always say; first tooth, first visit.  It is most important for your little one to establish a trusting relationship early on with the doctor and dental office so that they build a foundation of fun associated with the dentist.  Their early appointments will be 10-15 minutes max.  And even better if they have a sibling to watch first!  Establishing a good dental home will help combat adult dental anxiety as well.  Always easier to start off on the right foot early than play catch up!

Dental insurances are expensive and most max out at between $1500-2000 per year.  Most only cover a portion of fillings, crowns, root canals, etc and you are still paying a portion out of your own pocket.  If your company offers this as a benefit, then take advantage of the opportunity!  However, if you personally will be paying full premiums out of pocket, it is not worth it for the average patient.  Better to put the money you would be spending on those premium each month into an interest bearing HSA account that can grow with you.  Most patients only need cleanings, exam and x-rays each year and can pull from the HSA when needed for larger items.  Before you make any decision though, I advise putting pen to paper and seeing if what I said is true for yourself.

Even the most attentive brusher and flosser will get tartar and calculus buildup on the cheek-side of the upper molars and behind the lower front teeth. This is due to the presence of saliva ducts that empty from your cheek and under your tongue. Depending on your diet and family genes, this saliva flow can have higher concentration of protein and mineral content, which can lead to quicker buildup of tartar and calculus in some patients. Most patients only notice the lower front teeth buildup though due to the curious nature of our tongue and its constant exploration of our mouth.

Recession may be caused by a myriad of different factors – agressive tooth brushing, grinding or clenching, acid based diets, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), periodontal disease, or bone loss. It is usually more prevalent in fair skin individuals with thinner gum tissue as well. There can be a single cause but usually it is a combination of the above that cause the gums to pull back and expose the root surface of the tooth. This newly exposed root surface (called cementum) is porous and softer than existing enamel. It is easily worn or notched during brushing once exposed. Patients also experience sensitivity in that area as a result of temperature fluctuations during eating (ie: ice water during a hot cooked dinner), acidity of the foods being eaten (fruits, citrus, soda, etc), and touching. See below for recommendations for sensitive teeth but once recession happens, it cannot predictably be re-covered with gum tissue. Measures must be taken to decrease sensitivity with newly exposed tooth surfaces and prevent further tooth wear or gum recession.

Teeth can be sensitive for many different reasons and the best solution is to schedule an appointment to get it checked out.

• Cavities:  Patients may notice sweet sensitivity, temperature sensitivity, or even random pain not linked to any action.  If a cavity gets big enough, it may need a root canal. Main signs of a dying tooth that needs a root canal are prolonged pain to hot or cold for over 20 seconds or spontaneous, unprovoked pain.
• Recession (see above) and newly exposed root surface as a result of recession: Best solution if you suspect recession is the cause is brushing with a sensitive toothpaste like Sensodyne. If there is still sensitivity with Sensodyne, I find it very helpful to massage a pea sized amount of toothpaste along the exposed root with my finger and allowing the paste to sit on the tooth overnight.  It will take several nightly applications but eventually the paste will help to clog the exposed pores and help with sensitivity.  Brushing too hard or grinding/clenching will cause these areas to become sensitive again.
• Sinus Infections or Congestion: If the upper molars are sensitive to temperature or biting and you are an allergy sufferer or just plain sick, then this may be caused by close proximity of tooth roots to the floor of the maxillary sinus.  Pressure on the tooth roots from liquid in the sinus can mimic tooth pain.  Taking a course of decongestants or allowing sickness to play its course prior to making a tooth diagnosis is always a wise idea.
• Grinding or Clenching: Most patients will notice a generalized tenderness or sensitivity of teeth on both sides, usually molars but not always.  There may also be a random sensitive tooth that consistently moves throughout the mouth.  There may also be muscle sensitivity or tightness or facial, neck or head muscles.  A hard nightguard is recommended in these instances or if grinding or clenching is suspected by your dentist.  If left untreated, grinding and clenching can result in tooth death or fracture and loss of tooth.