FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQ's)

See Our List Below...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

  • Do You Take Medicaid, Medicare, or Other State-Sponsored Insurance Plans?

    No. However, we would happily see you as a self-pay patient. You'll find our prices are among the most affordable in town. 

  • Do You Take Walk-Ins?

    No. We treat patients by appointment only because there is almost always same-day availability, which can be easily accessed online.

  • Do You Do Same-Day Procedures, Such As Fillings and Extractions?

    Yes, most of the time. After an evaluation and x-ray, the doctor will review all treatment options with you (including same-day treatment options) if appropriate.

  • Will I Get My Tooth Pulled at My Initial Appointment?

    Yes, most of the time. Legally, we can only guarantee this by completing an examination, including the review of an x-ray.


    STLUD's business model and scheduling processes are intended to facilitate diagnosis and treatment at your initial appointment. The majority of extractions are completed on the same day.

  • Can I Get a Root Canal Done at My First Appointment?

    Maybe. We complete most of our planned Root Canals in-house. However, due to the complex nature of a root canal, the doctor requires more time and specialized equipment; we would need to schedule you for a longer second appointment.


    In simple cases, the doctor may be able to provide treatment on the same day; however, in most cases, they will require a follow-up visit to complete the procedure.

  • I Just Want My Problem Tooth Done. Do I Have To Get a Cleaning First?

    No. STLUD sets itself apart from other dental offices by being entirely problem-focused. Our primary goal is to diagnose and treat your specific dental issues on the same day.

  • Will You Take My Insurance?

    Maybe. Our self-pay pricing options are often more affordable than most offices, even with insurance.

  • Do You Have Payment Plans?

    No. Payment is due at the time of service. If you have Delta, Cigna, or Metlife dental coverage, we estimate your portion to be collected that day and bill your insurance company for the remainder.

  • Do You Do Sedation?

    No, we do not have general sedation or nitrous oxide. We utilize local anesthetic in your mouth's treatment area, and you will be awake during the procedure.


    You will not need a driver and can come by yourself.

  • Can You Re-Cement My Crown That Has Fallen Out?

    Maybe. We can re-cement some crowns. Before re-cementing, we must take an x-ray to diagnose why the crown fell off. The doctor who originally placed the crown is the preferred clinician to do this for you. 


    However, we understand this is not always an option, and we would be happy to evaluate and re-cement if possible.

  • Do I Need an Exam and X-Ray?

    Yes. By law, a dentist cannot treat a patient without first completing a limited exam, which includes an x-ray of the area to be treated.

  • Do You Take Out Wisdom Teeth?

    Yes. STLUD can extract the majority of wisdom teeth. Depending on the complexity, you may need a follow-up appointment to have this done. 


    In rare cases, some wisdom teeth require an oral surgery specialist, so we would refer you to a third-party oral surgery office. 

  • What Are "Phone Hours" vs "Treatment Hours"?

    Phone Hours - These are daytime hours when a STLUD staff member is available to assist you with any questions, including navigating the website, scheduling appointments, or answering general questions.


    Treatment Hours - These are appointment hours when a dentist is on-site to treat your dental problems. We are open for treatment on evenings and weekends.

  • What Should I Do if a Tooth Is Knocked Out?

    We're all at risk of having a tooth knocked out. More than 5 million teeth are knocked out every year! If we know how to handle this emergency situation, we may be able to actually save the tooth. Teeth that are knocked out may possibly be reimplanted if we act quickly yet calmly, and follow these simple steps:


    1. Locate the tooth and handle it only by the crown (chewing part of the tooth), NOT by the roots.
    2. DO NOT scrub or use soap or chemicals to clean the tooth. If it has dirt or debris, rinse it gently with your saliva or whole milk. If that is not possible, rinse it very gently with water.
    3. Get to a dentist within 30 minutes. The longer you wait, the less chance there is for successful reimplantation.
  • How Do I Transport the Tooth to the Dentist?

    • Try to replace the tooth back in its socket immediately. Gently bite down on gauze, a wet tea bag, or your own teeth to keep the tooth in place. Apply a cold compress to the mouth for pain and swelling as needed.
    • If the tooth cannot be placed back into the socket, place the tooth in a container and cover it with a small amount of your saliva or whole milk. You can also place the tooth under your tongue or between your lower lip and gums. Keep the tooth moist at all times. Do not transport the tooth in a tissue or cloth.
    • Consider buying a “Save-A-Tooth" storage container and keeping it part of your home first aid kit. The kit is available in many pharmacies and contains a travel case and fluid solution for easy tooth transport.

    The sooner the tooth is replaced back into the socket, the greater the likelihood it has to survive and possibly last for many years. So be prepared, and remember these simple steps for saving a knocked-out tooth.

  • How To Prevent Broken or Knocked Out Teeth?

    You can prevent broken or knocked-out teeth by:

    • Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports
    • Always wearing your seatbelt
    • Avoiding fights
    • Avoid chewing hard items such as ice, popcorn kernels, hard bread, etc.
  • What Are My Options if I Have Missing Teeth?

    With many state-of-the-art dental treatments and prevention options available in dentistry today, there are fewer reasons for having to extract (remove) teeth. When something does go wrong with a tooth, we try to do everything possible to restore the tooth to its original function. Removing a tooth is the last option because removal may lead to severe and costly dental and cosmetic problems if the tooth is not replaced.


    Losing a tooth can be a very traumatic experience, and it's very unfortunate when it does happen. Injury, accident, fracture, severe dental decay, and gum disease are the major reasons for having to remove a tooth. If teeth are lost due to injury or have to be removed, it is imperative that they be replaced to avoid cosmetic and dental problems in the future.


    When a tooth is lost, the jaw bone that helped to support that tooth begins to atrophy, causing the teeth on either side to shift or tip into the open space of the lost tooth. Also, the tooth above or below the open space will start to move toward the open space because there is no opposing tooth to bite on. These movements may create problems such as decay, gum disease, excessive wear on certain teeth, and TMJ (jaw joint) problems. These problems and movements do not result immediately, but will eventually appear, compromising your chewing abilities, the health of your bite, and the beauty of your smile.


    Options for replacement of missing teeth:


    Removable bridges - This type of bridge is a good solution for replacing one or more missing teeth, especially in complex dental situations where other replacement options are not possible. They are usually made of tooth-colored, artificial teeth combined with metal clasps that hook onto adjacent natural teeth. Removable bridges are the most economical option for replacing missing teeth but may be the least aesthetically pleasing. This is because the metal clasps on the appliances are often impossible to conceal completely.


    Fixed Bridges - This type of bridge is generally made of porcelain or composite material and is anchored (cemented) permanently to natural teeth adjacent to the missing tooth site. The benefit of this type of bridge is that it is fixed (not removable) and it is very sturdy. The disadvantage is that in order to create a fixed appliance, two healthy, natural teeth will have to be crowned (capped) to hold the bridge in place.


    Dentures- This type of tooth replacement is used when most or all of the natural teeth are missing in one dental arch. Dentures are removable artificial teeth that are made to resemble the patients' original teeth closely.


    Implants - These are a great way to replace one or more missing teeth. They may also be great to support ill-fitting dentures. A dental implant is an artificial root that is surgically placed into the jaw bone to replace a missing tooth. An artificial tooth is placed on the implant, giving the appearance and feel of a natural tooth. Implants are very stable, and durable, and are the most aesthetically pleasing tooth replacement option.


    If you are missing teeth, ask us if they need replacement and what options are available. Together we will select the best replacement option for your particular case. Prevention and early treatment are always less involved and less costly than delaying treatment and allowing a serious problem to develop.

  • What Does Heart Disease and Other Medical Conditions Have To Do With Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

    Many people are unaware that having periodontal disease (the destruction of gum tissue and bone that hold our teeth in place) can affect your overall health. Periodontal disease is one of the most common infections; often more prevalent than the common cold! Periodontal disease is not only the number one reason people lose teeth; it can also affect the health of your body!


    Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and in its earliest stages, it's called gingivitis. It starts when an accumulation of plaque (a colony of bacteria, food debris, and saliva) is NOT regularly removed from the gums and teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins/acids that irritate and infect the gums and eventually destroy the jaw bone that supports the teeth. When periodontal disease is not treated, it can eventually lead to tooth loss!


    There are numerous studies that have looked into the correlation between gum disease and major medical conditions. These studies suggest people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of systemic disease and indicate that periodontal disease may cause oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs, and begin new infections. Research suggests that periodontal bacteria in the bloodstream may:


    • Contribute to the development of heart disease
    • Increase the risk of stroke
    • Compromise the health of those who have diabetes or respiratory diseases
    • Increase a woman's risk of having a preterm, low-birth-weight baby

    Researchers conclude there is still much research to be done to understand the link between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, but enough research has been done to support that infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body.


    To ensure a healthy, disease-free mouth, we recommend the importance of regular dental check-ups and cleanings, which include a periodontal evaluation. Also, diligent home care and a proper diet can help reduce plaque and bacteria in the mouth.


    Remember….the mouth-body connection! Taking care of your oral health may contribute to your overall medical health!

  • What Can Be Done About Old, Unattractive, or Discolored Fillings?

    Most of us have fillings in our mouths that date back many years, and some may have even been placed during our childhood. These fillings may now be old, dark, and unattractive, making us feel self-conscious when we smile, laugh, and talk. Old fillings are not only unattractive, they may also be defective. When a filling is old, the margins (space between the tooth and filling) may eventually open and allow bacteria and food debris to enter, potentially causing dental decay.


    Your dentist can check your fillings and evaluate if they are defective and need replacement. Also, if you simply want to replace fillings that are unattractive, you and your dentist can decide which ones should be replaced first and what replacement options would best suit you. There are many state-of-the-art dental filling materials and procedures available today that are quick, painless, and cost effective for replacing old, unattractive, or defective fillings.


    Options for replacing old, unattractive, or discolored fillings:

    • Composite (Bonding) Fillings - These are tooth-colored fillings that can be closely matched to the color of your existing teeth. They are particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth and are one of the best ways to improve the health and beauty of your smile.
    • Crowns (Caps) - These types of restoration are used when a tooth is too damaged and cannot be repaired with a filling or other type of restoration. A crown is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens the remaining tooth structure and can be made of gold, porcelain, and other tooth-colored materials.
    • Inlays/Onlays - These restorations are custom-made fillings. They can be made of composite resin, porcelain, or gold and are made by a dental laboratory and placed by a dentist. Inlays/onlays are usually best for the posterior chewing surfaces of teeth and are utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective/unattractive fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma.
    • Porcelain Veneers - Used primarily in the front teeth, veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted and permanently cemented to the front surface of teeth. They are a great solution for fixing discolored, pitted, shipped, malformed, or slightly crooked teeth. Veneers are also used if you have unwanted spaces. Veneers are very durable, natural-looking, and do not stain. This makes veneers a very popular solution for restoring a smile impaired by old, unattractive fillings.

    As you can see, there are various options for replacing old, unattractive fillings. These treatments will provide strong, natural, and long-lasting replacement solutions to enhance the health and beauty of your smile.

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