Common Concerns
It's important to us that we provide clear answers to all of your questions, both when you're with us, and when you're at home. So here are our responses to the most frequently asked questions about our practice, philosophy, and services. And if we've left something unanswered here, please email or call us at the office!
- How does Dr. Gage keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
- Can you show me a personalized example of how my smile can look, before I choose to undergo treatment?
- How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
- Do you accept referrals?
- What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
- I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
- Is there a way I can ask Dr. Gage questions directly?
- How can I have whiter teeth?
- What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?
- What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
- My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Should I be concerned?
- I really don't like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?
- My breath has a terrible odor, even though I brush every day. What can I do about it?
- Crowns, Veneers, Onlays, Inlays & Partials. Can you tell me more about these procedures?
- Do I really have to floss every day? Is it necessary to be so meticulous?
- I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. Can you help me?
How does Dr. Gage keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
Dr. Gage subscribes to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry, plus takes time on a regular basis for continuing education and hands-on programs. In fact, he's consistently networked with the masters in each specific area of dentistry that has been of interest to him, studying under their direct supervision to learn the latest techniques. And he not only shares his learning with our entire staff, but each team member keeps up with their own areas of expertise through continuing education as well.
Can you show me a personalized example of how my smile can look, before I choose to undergo treatment?
We routinely use dental imaging to help our patients visualize the end results of cosmetic and restorative work. By simply ask the right questions, taking various photos of your current smile, and keying in the correct input into the computer, we'll generate a graphic image that accurately demonstrates how your procedure will affect your smile. It's a fun process, and usually produces excited smiles all around.
How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
The time-span between check-ups can vary greatly with each individual, according to their current state of dental health. For example, an average, healthy adult person typically benefits from a professional cleaning and check up every six months. While twice daily brushing 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. On the other hand, a person who's been treated for gingivitis may require more frequent visits to keep the situation under control and prevent further trouble. When you visit our South Burlington, VT office, we'll establish an appropriate visit plan for you based on the findings of our comprehensive oral examination.
Do you accept referrals?
We're happy to accept referrals from other dental offices as well as from recommendations by our patients to their family and friends. We do appreciate having new patients complete a patient evaluation form prior to the first visit-available on-line; we also appreciate receiving all records and x-rays ahead of time if possible as well.
What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
In case of a true dental emergency, please contact our office voice mail and let us know the nature of your condition. The system will page us, and Dr. Gage will return your call as soon as possible and give you helpful information over the phone, then determine if you need to be seen immediately.
I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
If your temporary crown comes off or breaks, carefully wrap up the piece(s), place it into a protective container, and call our office to schedule an appointment for Dr. Gage to re-apply it as soon as possible. Under NO circumstances should you attempt to re-glue the crown or crown pieces back into position.
Is there a way I can ask Dr. Gage questions directly?
We encourage our patients to have open, direct communication with Dr. Gage. Therefore, he's available daily to answer your questions either via e-mail (link from our site!) or voice mail. Depending on office traffic and the complexity of your questions, he strives to respond within 24 hours.
How can I have whiter teeth?
Dentist-supervised teeth whitening is one of the simplest, safest ways to immediately improve the impact of your smile! So, if you're interested in finding out what whitening could do for you, we'll first evaluate your potential for based on the current color of your teeth, and the causes of any discoloration. We'll then recommend that you start by using our at-home supervised program, which we'll tailor to suit your individual needs. After this process is complete, we may also recommend a follow-up one-visit intensive treatment at our office to bring your teeth to their lightest possible shade. Just ask for a consultation on this and we'll get you started!
What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?
We're convinced that healthy teeth are a result of an overall healthy approach to life. And part of that approach includes your commitment to health. So we approach each patient with a goal of first understanding the big picture of his or her dental health, helping them understand it, and then assembling a practical game plan for obtaining the best possible outcome. That means preventing problems before they happen, restoring troubled teeth to long-term health and function, and creating beautiful smiles from the inside out.
What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
Our entire practice team is well-versed in state-of-the-art sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and face masks to prevent passing germs, but includes individualized water supply units for each operatory, and use of a state-of-the-art sanitation center for sterilizing non-disposable items. Just ask for a tour, and we'll show you the details of the system. Our priority is your comfort and safety.
My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Should I be concerned?
Bleeding gums is the result of some level of gum disease, and we recommend you set up an evaluation appointment with Dr. Gage. We specialize in helping patients arrest and successfully treat all stages of gum disease, through the use of our excellent non-surgical gum care procedures.
If your problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs every time you brush, it's likely to be the result of some level of gum disease, and we recommend you set up an evaluation appointment with Dr. Gage. We specialize in helping patients arrest and successfully treat all stages of gum disease, through the use of our excellent non-surgical gum care procedures.
I really don't like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?
We understand that many people have qualms about having their teeth worked on. So, we strive to create a relaxing atmosphere. We all make it a point to ask about and help counter your concerns, so that we can make your visit as comfortable as possible. In some cases, this may mean offering nitrous oxide or oral anti-anxiety prescriptions, and in other cases it might mean use of a very deep relaxation state known as 'sleep dentistry'. If you're concerned about your upcoming treatment, we'll be happy to discuss it and create a plan to keep you entirely comfortable throughout.
My breath has a terrible odor, even though I brush every day. What can I do about it?
Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here's a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings, and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your problem persists despite your best hygiene efforts, we can help you identify and treat the cause rather than just attack the symptoms.
In fact, our office has been fortunate enough to work directly with the most successful 'breath specialist' in the country. who discovered the key culprit to bad breath: odor-causing sulfur bonds that breed continuously on the back of the tongue. The solution? We recommend a system that includes a tongue scraper for daily elimination of bacterial build-up, which significantly alleviates odor; it also includes a patented toothpaste and rinse containing chlorodioxyn- a substance that actually breaks the odor-causing sulfur bonds.
Of course, if we suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, we may also recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist to identify and treat the cause.
Crowns, Veneers, Onlays, Inlays & Partials.Can you tell me more about these procedures?
With today's technology, materials, and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or missing teeth.bringing your smile back to it's original shape and function. For example, we can apply an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a 'cap', to cover the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful to cover large areas of decay after they've been filled. Or, for smaller areas of decay, we can apply all-porcelain onlays or inlays. similar to crowns, but retaining more natural tooth structure. For unattractive front teeth, we can create pretty, natural shapes and shades by applying paper-thin porcelain veneers to the fronts. For patients who are missing a number of front/side teeth, we can create a removable partial denture, designed for either the upper or lower jaw, made of all acrylic or all metal. They're attached to existing teeth by means of precision acrylic clasps, and must be removed for cleaning after eating, as well as for sleeping. For more information on any of these procedures, please feel free to talk with Dr. Gage during your visit.
Do I really have to floss every day? Is it necessary to be so meticulous?
A little regular flossing goes a long way, and is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens food particles in tight spaces that your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets rid of plaque build-up that toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it exercises your gum tissues. All of which is necessary to avoid gum disease. So, just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing-insurance for your smile's future.
want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. Can you help me?
Dr. Gage has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of unsightly braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In more pronounced cases, we might want to refer you to an orthodontist specialist we work with. We'd be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.
Patients who have experienced sedation dentistry with our office are never afraid of a visit to the dentist again! You'll be sedated just enough to be unaware of the treatment, and be totally relaxed in the comfortable chair. You'll wake up refreshed, with little or no memory of the procedures that were completed...
