Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need To See A Dentist Even If My Teeth Feel Fine?

Here at Highlands Dental Care we strongly believe that “Prevention is better than Cure”. With regular checkups we can diagnose dental or other oral health problems at the initial stage itself and intervene at the right time before the problems become painful or expensive to treat. We highly encourage everyone to keep up with regular dental checkups every 4-6 months to ensure good oral health.

 

What is the First Dental Visit Like At Highlands Dental Care?

Thank you for choosing Highlands Dental Care. We are excited to make you a part of our dental family! At your first visit you will meet Dr. Sharma and our awesome team. We totally understand your dental fears and appreciate your first step towards getting dental treatment. We all will work together as a team and will not only focus on your specific concerns but will also guide you in achieving the best oral health.

Evaluation: We will assess your medical and dental health. This will help us in making the best treatment plan for your needs.

Digital X-Rays: Very crucial for the diagnosis of the dental decay, cysts, tumors or other problems which are not detected by clinical exam. We take pride in offering digital X-rays for our patients which have one-sixth the radiation exposure as compared to the traditional film X- rays. Also, it’s one of our many steps towards keeping a clean and green environment by not creating toxic waste from the developers of the traditional X-rays. Digital X-rays help us in seeing the images instantly and also can be easily transferred to your insurance companies or other Specialists if need be.

Intra-oral Pictures: “A picture is worth a thousand words” With an intraoral camera, you would be able to see the pictures of your mouth which remove all guesswork and helps you comprehend the need of recommended dental treatment.

Comprehensive Dental Exam: Your dental exam will include:

  • Analysis of x-rays and intraoral pictures
  • Gum disease evaluation
  • Oral cancer screening
  • Examination of teeth for decay or damage
  • Evaluation of existing fillings and crowns etc

We are here to help you understand your dental needs, Dr. Sharma will be happy to answer any of your queries and ease out all your apprehensions. Welcome again to a journey of your lifelong beautiful smile!

 

At What Age Should I Bring My Child To See The Dentist?

Recommendations by professionals throughout the dental industry as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is as early as six months of age. This is when a child’s teeth begin to show. Dr. Sharma will be able to examine the health of your child’s first few teeth and make recommendations.

 

When Should I Change My Tooth Brush?

Dr. Sharma recommends at least every three months. If you’re using and electronic toothbrush, make sure to check the recommendation of the type of toothbrush because you may not have to change the head of the brush often. If a patient has gum disease Dr. Sharma recommends that you change your brush more often then every three months. Also, after brushing it’s very important to wash and rinse your brush out with hot water. This will kill germs and bacteria and keep your tooth brush clean.

 

How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease

Gum disease is also called periodontal disease. Plaque and bacteria builds up in a patients mouth. When this build up is not treated in early stages it can cause gum disease. Periodontal disease can also be caused by smoking and chewing tobacco, teeth grinding, certain medications and genetics. Advanced forms of periodontal disease can cause bone and tooth loss as well as permanent damage. Dr. Sharma recommends that brushing and flossing every day as well as scheduling dental appointments every six months is the best way to fight gum disease. Some of the most common signs of periodontal disease are the following:

  • Abscessed teeth
  • Extreme tooth sensitivity
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Loose teeth and or loss of teeth
  • Red, swollen or bleeding gums
  • Receding gum line

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please call us as soon as possible. You can reach us at (630) 426-6996 or email us to schedule a consultation. Your dental health is out highest concern.

 

Do You Accept Insurance?

Here at Highlands Dental Care we accept most insurance and PPO plans but check with us. Please call our office for more information about insurance at (630) 426-6996. Prior to calling please have your insurance information ready. Also, please plan to pay your co-pay or deductible portion at the time of service.

 

What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

For your convenience here at Highlands Dental Care we accept cash, check, cashier’s checks, Visa, Master Card, Amex and Discover. If none of these payment methods suite your needs we also provide payment plans through our office or third party financing through Care Credit. We also provide discounts for those able to pay in full at the time of service. If you have any more questions regarding payment methods please give us a call at (630) 426-6996 and we’ll do our best to find the right solution for you.