Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect during the initial consultation?

Our initial consultation provides us with the ability to evaluate your specific needs and to share our philosophies and belief system with you. After you have consumed and digested the information from your exam and consultation, you will decide on the treatment plan that suits you.

 

How important is the client’s Input in a treatment program?

We believe and find that when people have an active role in their own care, they are more likely to get the results they want. You can call it self-fulfilling prophecy, law of attraction, or the power of positive thinking. We provide technical excellence, progressive thinking, care, skill and judgment.

I strongly believe and am totally comfortable with the idea that there is a Power beyond us and within us that is at work in His world.

 

Will I have to have x-rays for my examination?

We find dental radiographs, commonly called x-rays, to be a very important “necessary evil” in the practice of dentistry. We get information from them that we cannot get otherwise.  Radiographs can help us find decay earlier to minimize destruction of viable tooth surfaces; and they allow evaluation of periodontal conditions in ways that save teeth and lives.  Therefore, a complete set of radiographs is a necessary and irreplaceable part of my thorough exam.

If you can provide us with current dental radiographs, we would be delighted to substitute them into our regiment and to reduce your re-exposure.  We would need this information prior to your first dental appointment.  However, I will not compromise your examination and my diagnostic ability from having no or inadequate x-rays.

So what are we doing to help minimize your radiation exposure?  We have intraoral and panoramic digital x-ray units that minimize your exposure and maximize our diagnostic capabilities.  They offer the advantage of more than 80% reduction in radiation with an almost instantaneous image and can be enhanced on the computer to show greater contrast or enlargement for hard to see areas.  Of significant value is the fact that I will not request x-rays if I can get the information I need in another manner.

 

Will your office help me with my insurance coverage?

Yes, with your appropriate assistance, we will file electronically with your insurance company the same day treatment is rendered.  Your contract, however, is with your insurance company and you will be reimbursed by them according to your particular policy.

 

What is Biological Dentistry and how is it different?

“I would describe Biological Dentistry as a healing art that appreciates the relationship of teeth and oral health to the entire person’. Let me explain more fully by comparing Biological Dentistry and traditional dentistry. Traditional dentistry has a strong focus on fixing what is broken and on tactics to keep the problem from occurring again. Traditional dentistry is disease focused; it is focused on fixing disease and preventing disease. Biological Dentistry is more health focused; it is focused on the level of health people want and the choices they make that will move them toward that level of health. Philosophically, traditional dentistry is moving away from something, away from disease; Biological Dentistry is moving toward something, toward desired health.” Biological Dentistry is traditional dentistry with many extra considerations. For example, both traditional and Biological Dentistry place fillings and crowns. Biological Dentistry would have several extra considerations (compatibility of dental materials, metal free, etc.) that traditional dentistry would not have.

Clients with interests in Biological Dentistry want technical excellence and are attuned to the relationship of their dental health to their total health and well being . Attention to particular support protocols is helpful to anyone and is of particular interest to this group.

 

Is the quality of air in dental offices a health concern?

Yes, it can be! It is well documented that patients and staff have been known to suffer adverse health effects from the off-gassing of mercury amalgam fillings. It is for this reason that we employ the latest technologies and protocols to ensure the safety of our patients and our staff. For your safety and ours, our office is equipped with several air filtration systems. The operatories are further equipped with specially designed ion filters to remove and collect airborne metals. During the mercury/silver filling removal process, our patients are protected with a nose piece that delivers oxygen for them to breathe rather than the potentially mercury-contaminated air.

 

Do your patients have the option being sedated during dental procedures?

Yes, for those who prefer to have a comfortable, floaty feeling during their restorative and/or surgical appointments, we offer Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen conscious sedation. While still fully awake, our clients can enjoy a sense of separation from the procedures at hand. The effect is fully reversible in minutes. Dr. Glaros has received the additional training required to safely and legally administer oral sedation that can be used with or without the Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen to achieve the desired level of conscious sedation. On occasion, ideal patient care includes this protocol.

 

Do you use latex?

We have done everything we can to make our office latex free, which includes gloves, “rubber” dam, polishing cups used by our hygienist, and plungers used in the local anesthetic carpules. We do not feel comfortable using the term “latex free” because we cannot be absolutely sure about every plunger, O-ring, and stopper used to dispense manufacturers products. That with which we directly touch our patients/clients is free of latex, and has been for years.

 

What is a Diagnodent?

The Diagnodent is a diagnostic device that uses a cold laser (no cutting ability) to detect dental caries. As the laser light is pointed within the tooth, the two-way head of the unit senses the reflected laser light of the site and gives an auditory as well as a digital response. The accuracy of the unit has been phenomenal and has allowed Dr. Glaros to be extremely conservative in his treatment of decay in teeth. This unit is especially effective when used with the microscopic, air abrasion.

 

What Is Micro-air-abrasion?

Micro-air-abrasion refers to a technology that involves blowing minute sand particles on the surface of a tooth with a controlled stream of air. Almost invisible particles are blown on the tooth through a tube with a pin-sized hole to dust away decayed and stained surfaces. While it is silently doing some of the work of the drill, it is decreasing dentinal sensitivity, increasing bond strengths, and producing none of the enamel crazing that can occur with high-speed drilling.

The unit can often be used without pain and without the need for a local anesthetic. Micro-air-abrasion allows for the most conservative restorations in dentistry. In use in our office since 1995, we believe that there is no substitute for the qualities that this technology offers.

 

Are local anesthetics safe?

The local anesthetics that our patients have had determined as most compatible will be the ones we select from for their use. Local anesthesia is achieved without the use of products containing epinephrine or other additives that act as vasoconstrictors – that diminish blood flow to the area of anesthesia to prolong its effect. Traditionally, this has been thought of as an overall helpful tool.

In the interest of “erring on the side of caution”, we use vasoconstrictors at the “weakest” concentrations that will still provide profound anesthesia. Since2008, we have increased our use of what appears to be a “safer” anesthetic, in that its breakdown products appear to be less of a burden and challenge to the patient than other, older local anesthetic materials.

No compromise is made regarding the very popular concept of our patients being totally numb for their operative or surgical procedures. Bravery and toughness are not qualities that we require or request of our clients. A patient’s left hand raised stops all activity in the treatment room until we determine what we need to do to address your need.

 

I am self – conscious when I smile. Do you do cosmetic dentistry?

Yes. Clients seeking “wants based care” are interested in the co-discovery of what is possible for them. Services could include idealizing function, cosmetic improvements, preventive periodontal and restoration services, or more.

 

What do you recommend for nutritional support?

There are as many protocols for nutritional support as there are health care providers, even more, because of patient’s individual symptoms and characteristics. Delightfully, there appear to be many protocols that are effective for those interested in decreasing their body-burden to toxins. Therefore, I am quite comfortable with different protocols for nutritional support. It is best when your health-care provider is working with you nutritionally before, during and after dental procedures.

 

Can you establish sensible treatment programs for out-of town clients?

Absolutely! Over the past thirty years, we have treated patients from all over the U.S. and from places as far away as Turkey, Zaire, Mexico, The Dominican Republic, Canada and The United Kingdom.