FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is a cavity?
A cavity develops when a tooth decays or breaks down. If left untreated, cavities can lead to pain, fracture or even an abscess.

2. How can I prevent cavities?
The best way to prevent cavities is to have proper oral home care and see your dentist for regular 6 month check-ups.

3. What is periodontal disease or “gum disease”?
It is a serious infection of the structures around your teeth (gums and supporting bone) that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. We screen for periodontal disease during all of our comprehensive exams.

4. What are sealants?
Sealants are thin layers of composite dental material that protect the grooves in back teeth from getting cavities. We recommend sealants be placed shortly after the eruption of premolars and molars.

5. Do you place implants?
Yes, Dr. Claiborne has received formal training in the surgical placement of dental implants. All of our dentists are highly skilled in the restoration of dental implants.

6. When should my child have his/her first visit?
We recommend, along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, that your child visit a dentist by their first birthday. You can help make the visit enjoyable and positive. You can let your children know that we will answer all of their questions for them.

7. Will my insurance pay for treatment?
Our front office staff will do all they can to obtain your dental insurance benefit information and inform you of what your estimated portion will be. We are able to electronically file claims at each appointment.

8. What payment options do you offer?
We offer third party financing through Care Credit and Capital One. We also offer in-office payment plans based on the magnitude of the case. We accept cash, check or credit cards.

9. Why do I need x-rays?
 X-rays enable dental professionals to thoroughly diagnose any tooth decay you may have. Without X-rays we cannot detect decay in between teeth. In addition to a cleaning and an intra-oral exam, x-rays are a part of our comprehensive exam.

10. What kind of sedation techniques do you offer?
We offer both oral sedation (a pill is given to you before your dental visit) and intra-venous sedation (an IV line is placed in the arm to administer sedative drugs) for any dental procedure. Please schedule a screening appointment to discuss which is right for you.

11. What about emergency care?
We will do all we can to see emergency patients during normal business hours. If you call the main number (434-237-0004), you will receive detailed instructions on what to do in case of a dental emergency. We will only treat patients of record after normal business hours. We do not prescribe drugs after hours without seeing patients in the office.