The most common dental care questions answered, here
We understand that you have questions when it comes to your dental care and while most questions are best answered by our experienced team, we have compiled the most frequently asked dental questions right here.
What information should I have on hand for my first appointment?
We send a Welcome Package with first visit information if you provide us with your email when you schedule your appointment. Please take a look at the information we send you and fill out and answer what applies to your particular needs.
Will my visit be covered by my insurance?
We submit your claim to your insurer electronically. You pay at the time of your visit, and your insurer reimburses you directly. Coverage depends on your plan. Before treatment, we can give you the procedure codes and fees so you can confirm your coverage with your insurer.
How often should I come in for a dental visit?
It depends on your specific needs. The goal is to catch small problems early.
Dr. Bis may suggest that you visit more or less often depending on various factors, including your home care, existing conditions or genetic predisposition to disease, as well as your risk factors which include your medical status (diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, sleep apnea) or habits such as smoking or tobacco use.
Please note that we are not here to change your habits unless you want to change them, and want to work with you in order to make your mouth and body healthier on your terms.
Do you use BPA free materials?
Yes, we have BPA free materials for those patients that have concerns with BPA and choose to avoid it. Let us know your preference if this is a concern for you.
What are your missed appointment & cancellation policies?
We ask as a courtesy to our staff and other patients that you provide at least 48 hours’ notice (2 business days) for cancellations or rescheduling. If you are not able to provide 48 hours’ notice, a service charge valued at 50% of your scheduled appointment will be charged to your account.
Will I require X-rays at each visit?
X-rays are a common concern and question from many of our patients.
How often you need to have X-rays taken depends on many factors. We take X-rays for numerous reasons including looking for decay, infections and bone loss, but there are also X-rays that we take in order to ensure you don’t have some other hidden issues like cysts, tumours, or cancer. These can lie silent and have no symptoms until it’s too late. We want to make sure we take X-rays in order to catch these silent killers early so we can treat them when they are small and not impact your life or everyday living.
If you have any concerns about X-rays, check out some of our blogs that discuss these concerns or talk to Dr. Bis so you can determine the best course of action for you.
How common is gum disease?
Gum disease is probably the most common dental problem facing Canadians today. It can progress quite painlessly until you have a serious problem, like loss of teeth or impact on medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy.
Even though you may brush and floss regularly, regular visits to the dentist will help detect gum disease in the early stages.
There are many studies that show a correlation between gum disease and its impact on worsening heart disease and diabetes symptoms. In many cases of diabetes, treating gum disease resulted in decreased diabetes results and a decrease in medication dosage. Gum disease is also linked to loss of a pregnancy or negatively impacting baby weight, and infertility.
For more information on this topic, check out our blogs.
How can I prevent cavities?
Genetic predisposition to decay, or cavities, is a huge factor in whether or not you get cavities.
Home care is important but catching cavities early is key to ensuring a lifetime of good oral health. By coming in for your check-ups as prescribed by Dr. Bis, we can catch problems early and treat them when they are small and simple rather than waiting till they blow up into invasive and expensive procedures later.
I often hear patients say: “it’s not bothering me so why fix it”. In dentistry, if it’s “bothering” you, it’s no longer a simple cavity. If you wait until you have symptoms, you are almost guaranteeing a large problem such as root canals, crowns, or loss of teeth.
Make sure you fix things when they are small and asymptomatic; don’t wait till they are “bothering” you.
When should I bring my child for the first visit?
Ideal age is around 3 unless you see problems earlier on. Don’t hesitate to bring your child earlier if there is anything you are concerned about.
The earlier you start, the more comfortable your children will be. We plan your child’s visit based on the information you give us.
Some kids are absolutely fine to hop right up in the chair and get a cleaning right from the get-go. Others are a little more hesitant and need us to take baby steps to work up to a full cleaning. Let’s see how your child does and we can discuss what is right for them on their first visit.
What can I do if I, or my child, is anxious about visiting the Dentist?
We understand that some people have anxiety and fear about visiting the Dentist. If that is the case, we invite you to come in for a consultation to discuss your fears and how to best move forward.
Ask us a Question
We are happy to answer any oral health related questions.