FAQs

How do I know when it’s time to come in for a checkup?

An average, healthy adult person typically benefits from a professional cleaning and check up every six months. While brushing three times a day and daily flossing go a long way towards maintaining a healthy mouth, it’s wise to check for plaque that has hardened into tartar, requiring professional cleaning to avoid gingivitis, or more progressive periodontal problems.

How can I have whiter teeth?

There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile, from at-home bleaching products to in-office supervised treatments. Dr. Bufano can help evaluate your potential for whitening your teeth, based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration. Once a decision has been made on the most appropriate method, you’ll spend anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks undergoing a series of simple whitening treatments. Most patients can expect to end up with teeth approximately 2 shades brighter on the dental shade chart.

What about my children, at what age do they see a dentist?

Our office recommends that children come in for their first dental examination no later than their first birthday. In striving to give your child a positive first dental experience, we recommend that your child attend a cleaning with you or an older sibling to get acquainted. This helps strengthen the trust and bond between the dental staff and your child.

What different payment options do you provide?

We accept cash, check, and credit cards. Your insurance co-pay is due at the time of your first visit. We also offer no-interest financing with approved credit.

What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

When you become a patient of our practice, we think of you as a person, not just another set of teeth to fix and clean. Our goal is to help you obtain and then maintain the best possible oral health. So, we take time to understand your dental history and evaluate the best options for your particular dental needs. Plus, we help you understand the why’s and wherefore’s of preventive care through thorough patient education.

Is it bad if my gums bleed after I brush my teeth?

It’s certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.

I really don’t like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?

We understand that some people have fear or anxiety when visiting the dentist. Our goal is to create a calm and relaxing experience for each patient. In doing so we provide iPods for your musical enjoyment. For more invasive procedures we provide Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) to our patients who request it.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don’t want to wear braces, what can you do to help?

Dr. Bufano has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping or the addition of porcelain veneers/crowns may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In other cases, it may be necessary to wear braces. We’d be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.