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YOUR TEETH GET KNOCKED OUT (OR BROKEN)

If your tooth has been knocked out, you should get to your dentist immediately, as he or she may be able to reimplant the tooth. To transport the tooth, use any of these options (and do it quickly, as the longer you wait, the less chances of a successful reimplantation):

• Put the tooth back in the socket. Bite down on gauze or a wet tea bag to help keep it in place.
• Store the tooth in a small container covered with a small amount of whole milk or saliva.
• If you cannot get it into the socket, the tooth can be carried between the lower lip and lower gum or under the gum. (Be careful not to swallow the tooth.)
• Special devices called Save-a-Tooth and EMT Tooth Saver, which contain a case and a special fluid to use if a tooth is knocked out, may be available from your dentist to keep in your first-aid kit.

When handling the tooth, only touch the chewing end, not the root. You can also apply a cold compress to the mouth area to ease pain and apply pressure, using gauze, to control bleeding.

If a tooth is fractured, you should seek medical help immediately, as exposed nerve tissue could become infected. Small chips are less of an emergency, but should be looked at by your dentist.

TIPS TO AVOID BAD BREATH

Tongue scraping- Bacteria collects on the tissue of your tongue and causes a bad odor. To avoid this, brush your tongue while brushing your teeth with your tooth brush or a tongue scraper.

Regular flossing- Bacteria can colonize in the gums between the teeth and if not removed at least once per day, an unpleasant odor can result. The solution: Floss at least once per day!

Regular hygiene visits- The hygienist uses special instruments to remove plaque and calculus leaving your teeth biologically sound. A toothbrush and floss alone, no matter how frequently used, cannot reach areas that the dental hygienist can. It’s important to attend regular hygiene visits to avoid the developing of periodontal disease.

Regular Dental Exams- Tooth decay is also a form of disease. Bacteria cause the tooth to erode which releases a foul odor. To detect any untreated decay it’s important to come in for a dental exam at least twice per year.

Regular use of alcohol-free mouthwash- Mouthwash helps lower the level of bacteria that causes bad breath. We recommend using alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent from dry-mouth.

Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol- Chewing gum helps loosen soft depositing that may accumulate on your teeth after eating and in between brushing.

The right toothbrush- An electric toothbrush is far superior in removing the bacterial layer than a manual toothbrush. Use an electric toothbrush and make sure to replace the head every 3 months.

INVISALIGN TIPS

Congratulations on starting your Invisalign Treatment! Here are a few helpful reminders...

1. Be sure to wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours a day. This is important so that you stay on track with your treatment. If you do not wear your aligners for the appropriate amount of time, the teeth will not achieve the full movement from each aligner. This will cause you to become further and further off track as you progress through treatment.
2. If your Invisalign retainer is not in your mouth, keep it in the case! When you take your aligners out to eat, do not place them in a napkin. It is very easy to throw them away accidentally. Dogs and cats love Invisalign aligners! Be sure to keep the aligners IN THE CASE and out of reach from pets and small children.
3. Keep them clean. Whenever you brush your teeth, brush your aligners. Use a soft bristle tooth brush with liquid hand soap and cold water. Toothpaste is abrasive and will cause tiny scratches in the aligners that will collect stain. We strongly recommend an ultra-sonic bath to keep them as clean as possible. Cleaning kits are sold here, be sure to ask at your next visit!
4. Step up your oral hygiene habits! Be sure to brush and floss after eating and before putting in your aligners. If there is plaque build-up or food in between your teeth after eating, and you put your aligners in with out brushing, the aligners are holding that debris tight to the teeth. This can create cavities or gum problems.
5. Now that you’ve started Invisalign, you can not be with out it! Accidents happen. If your aligners break or you lose them, be sure to put your PREVIOUS aligner back in your mouth. It is important that your teeth are held in place to ensure that the replacement aligners will fit. Let us know which aligner(s) is broken or lost, and we will order replacement(s).
6. Be sure to save all of your aligners! Once you have completed the two weeks in an aligner, put it back in its numbered bag. If down the road, relapse occurs and the teeth shift, there is a possibility we can use the aligners to straighten the teeth again.
7. We are just a phone call away! If you have any questions at all, please call the office. Several staff members have had Invisalign treatment themselves, and can answer any questions you might have.

ORTHODONTICS FAQS

One of my brackets came off...

If a bracket has come off, or if it is loose, please contact the office and be seen as soon as possible to have it replaced. The bracket should stay attached to the wire with the elastic that’s around it, but if it comes out completely, please save it and bring it with you.

My wire has come out of a bracket...

It is not uncommon for some of the lighter wires to come out from the brackets in the back. If it has come out, and it is not bothersome, it is ok to leave it the way it is until your next appointment. If it is bothersome, you can call to make an appointment to have the wire cut. If the wire has come out of any bracket other than the last one, please call and set up an appointment to have it checked.

My non-removable appliance has fallen out...

If a non-removable appliance has fallen out, please contact the office and be seen as soon as possible to have it replaced. The most important thing to do from the time it has fallen out, to the time you are seen is keep the appliance in the mouth. If an appliance has come out and it is left out of the mouth, the results that have been achieved thus far can relapse and the appliance may not fit properly back in the mouth.

I lost or broke my removable appliance...

If a removable appliance is lost or broken, please contact the office and be seen immediately for impressions for a temporary retainer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SLEEP APNEA INSURANCE COVERAGE

Does dental insurance or medical insurance cover the sleep apnea appliance?

The sleep apnea appliance is considered medical treatment and dental insurance will not cover treatment however most medical policies will consider paying for the appliance at a dental office.

Do you participate with my medical insurance?

As a dental provider we are contracted with dental policies only. Medical insurances create barriers for dental providers and usually only have medical physicians as participating providers. However, since most medical professionals are not trained in the fabrication and treatment of sleep apnea appliances, medical insurances will usually cover the appliance even though we are not in their network of providers.

How do I get my insurance to cover treatment if you do not participate?

If you medical insurance policy is not an HMO plan, we are usually able to obtain benefits from your medical carrier if you meet their guidelines for treatment. We may also be able to request a "network insufficiency" which means if your medical policy does not have any contracted providers for the service, they will provide coverage at the same rate as they would for the in-network provider. If you have an HMO policy, which does not allow members to see a physician out of their network, we may request a "gap waiver". If approved, this would allow you to be seen out of the HMO network since there are no providers in the network that perform this service.

How much does my medical insurance cover?

Medical policies vary depending an insurance companies and plans. They also set forth guidelines as to what a patient's clinical indications should be for the appliance to be considered under the medical policy. This is called "medical necessity". At the initial consult we will evaluate your signs and symptoms to make sure you are a candidate for the treatment and that you meet your insurance policy's guidelines. At the time of the consultation we will discuss how your medical insurance policy covers the sleep apnea treatment.

What do I have to do to get the waivers and reimbursement from my insurance?

Our office will contract your insurance to obtain all your benefit information and request any waivers if necessary. We will also submit all claims proving medical necessity to your insurance carrier. Our goal is to get the maximum reimbursment from your plan.