What will my first visit be like?
To provide you with the best possible care, we will first thoroughly evaluate your mouth. Your first appointment will consist of a fairly comprehensive examination. This appointment will consist of all necessary X-rays, examination of your teeth and gums, the surrounding head and neck areas, and a medical and dental history. In most cases, digital photographs will be taken of your mouth and teeth. In addition, models of your teeth may be needed to help with our diagnosis.
At the conclusion of your dental examination you will receive an explanation of our diagnostic findings and, if needed, a follow up appointment with Dr. Drummond for a consultation to discuss any recommended treatment. Adult patients usually will not have their teeth cleaned at their first visit.
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Do you accept referrals?
Most of our patients learn about our office through a colleague or friend. When a patient refers someone to our office, we consider it the highest compliment we can receive. We hope that you will feel comfortable sending new patients to us, because they are always welcome.
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You recommend composite fillings but my insurance company only pays for silver amalgams. Why is this?
Current advances in research have created a widening gap between treatments that are recognized as the best options available today and those that are covered under most insurance plans. As you make your decision, please remember that most insurance companies are slow to embrace new techniques, especially when it could cost them money to provide state-of-the-art care to their customers. Most insurance companies will only cover the cheapest material to restore teeth
We provide the usual preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental services plus a few more specialized ones that you don’t usually find in a general dentist’s office:
Preventive Care
Cleanings
Regular Checkups
Patient Education
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Cosmetics/ Smile Reconstruction
Veneers
Metal free dentistry/composite restorations
We’ve been doing composite restorations instead of silver amalgams almost exclusively since 1995. Two reasons - they look better and they last longer.
Whitening/Bleaching
Implant restorations
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Endodontics
Root Canals
Most people cringe when they hear the words root canal…and comics love to compare every painful experience in life to having a root canal.
You may be surprised to hear that root canals don’t deserve their bad reputation any longer!
When dentists started really doing root canals some 40 years ago, a lot of them didn’t have much experience with the procedures - and they didn’t have the specialized, precise tools and equipment that we use today. Plus, root canals were used mainly as a last resort - after people were already badly hurting from a badly infected tooth.
TODAY, THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR A ROOT CANAL TO HURT!
In 99.99% of the root canal cases that we do, our patients report that they feel no pain. That’s because we use the right anesthetics and the right techniques. If you do feel something - we stop right away and won’t continue until we’re sure that it’s not hurting you.
So don’t believe the comics - root canals don’t have to hurt! (And why would you trust a comic to tell you anything about dentistry anyway?)
Wisdom Teeth and General Extractions
“My first dental experience came when I was 4 ½ years old. The dentist had to take out a tooth without anesthetic, and I screamed and fought the whole time. My mother had to lay across me to keep me still,” recalls Dr. Drummond.
If that’s how you think an extraction will be, think again! Because he has never forgotten that awful day, Dr. Drummond is determined that no patient of his will have to be as scared - or hurt as much - as he did then. Extracting a tooth or teeth today is a relatively simple process, and with the right training, right anesthetics and the right tools it’s virtually pain free.
So if you’re nervous or anxious, don’t worry! We really do understand - and we will make sure that you’re comfortable during the entire procedure.
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Periodontal Care
Charting and diagnosis
Non-surgical treatment
We can treat most cases of gum disease in our office, but if you need additional help we can refer you to a periodontist.
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Patient Comfort Measures
Nitrous Oxide
Great for patients who feel tense, anxious or nervous about receiving dental care. Dr. Drummond—and most of his staff members as well—use nitrous when they receive their dental care. They really do understand the anxiety that many patients feel.
Oral medication for anxiety if needed
Laughter!
Insurance
Right now, we’re not participants with any insurance company, but we do work with most dental insurances. (That’s confusing, we know, but what it boils down to is that we’re considered an out-of-network provider for most insurance plans.)
Why do we do it that way? Because we don’t want an insurance company dictating what choices YOU can make for your treatment. Treatment options are between you (the patient) and Dr. Drummond. Take fillings, for instance. Many insurance companies will only pay for silver amalgams—but what if you want to have better-looking, longer-lasting composite fillings? Because we don’t participate in any plan, your hands are not tied—and we’re free to give you what we consider the very best dentistry possible.
We will bill your insurance carrier as a courtesy to you and will try to estimate your part of the cost of your treatment. You will be expected to settle that amount at the time services are rendered. This is only an estimate of your cost, and you will be responsible for any charges not covered by your insurance carrier