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As of July 2014, our office is a Delta Dental Premiere network dental provider.  As a participating network provider with Delta Dental, we accept the Delta Dental fee schedule requiring the patient to be responsible only for coinsurance, deductibles and services not covered by the plan.  In addition, as a service to our patients, our practice bills most other dental insurance programs on the patient’s behalf, including non-managed care, indemnity (traditional) and PPO plans. However, we remind you that your specific policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. Please keep in mind that you are responsible for your total obligation should your insurance benefits result in less coverage than anticipated.

Our staff will gladly submit a pre-treatment estimate to your insurance company so that you will know what your benefits will be in advance of your care. You should be aware that different insurance companies vary greatly in the types of coverage available. The fees charged for services rendered to those who are insured are the usual and customary fees charged to all our patients for similar services. Your policy may base its allowances on a fixed fee schedule, which may or may not coincide with our usual fees. 

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For your convenience, we accept cash, personal checks, money orders, most major credit cards as well as Care Credit. Payment is expected at the time services are performed. When more extensive dental care is necessary, short term financial arrangements can be made with our office manager.

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You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.

Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.  At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities.  Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health.  These include: medical history review, examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs), oral cancer screening, gum disease evaluation, examination of tooth decay, examination of existing restorations, removal of calculus (tartar), removal of plaque, teeth polishing, oral hygiene recommendations and review of dietary habits.

As you can see, a good dental exam and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth.  We are committed to providing you with the best possible care, and to do so will require regular check-ups and cleanings.

A: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommends that a child be seen by a dentist within six (6) months of the first tooth erupting, but no later than their first birthday. The reason this early time frame is recommended is so that the dentist can help teach parents how to properly care for your child's teeth, review nutritional information, and evaluate for tooth decay. You can consider these early dental checkups as "dental well visits". It is important for your child to have a familiar dental home just like they are familiar with their pediatrician office. Your dentist will discuss the frequency of dental visits. As your child ages, preventative services such as cleanings, fluoride, and sealants may be recommended. The dentist will continue to monitor for tooth and gum health along with early detection of issues from oral habits such as prolonged thumb/finger sucking or pacifier use. 

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Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it!  Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages. Unlike tooth decay, which often causes discomfort, it is possible to have periodontal disease without noticeable symptoms. Having regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations are very important and will help detect if periodontal problems exist.

Periodontal disease begins when plaque, a sticky, colorless, film of bacteria, food debris, and saliva, is left on the teeth and gums. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that inflame the gums and slowly destroy the bone. Brushing and flossing regularly and properly will ensure that plaque is not left behind to do its damage.

Other than poor oral hygiene, there are several other factors that may increase the risk of developing periodontal disease: smoking or chewing tobacco, “vaping”, certain tooth or appliance conditions, many medications, pregnancy, oral contraceptives and puberty, systemic diseases (ex. Diabetes) and genetics.

The signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include: red and puffy gums, bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, new spacing between teeth, loose teeth, pus around the teeth and gums, receding gums and tenderness or discomfort. Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

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Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc.  Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth. Tooth whitening is not permanent.  A touch-up maybe needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.

The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. To find out more about a home whitening, click here.

Our office is also happy to offer the Zoom!® Chairside Whitening System. To find out more about Zoom!®, click here.

Your dental hygienist and/or Dr. Faber can help answer treatment-specific questions over the phone or at your next dental visit.

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Our office recommends the use of an electric toothbrush, which are easy to use and can remove plaque effectively. We do offer an electric toothbrush in the office, but any over the counter electric brush will work just as effectively. Most electric brushes have similar features.

We also recommend CariFree oral hygiene products. The CariFree brand offers a range of rinses and toothpaste to protect your teeth. You can find more information about CariFree here. 

A: First, try to retrieve the crown because it is possible that it could be re-cemented if the underlying tooth is healthy. Second, DO NOT attempt to re-cement the crown with any household glue. Dental cements are approved for the mouth and non-caustic. Third, after cleaning the crown with water and a toothbrush, the crown may temporarily be placed back into the mouth with a small amount of toothpaste or Vaseline. Last, but NOT least, please call us at 517-655-1500 so that we can advise and appoint you to have the crown and underlying tooth structure assessed. We potentially can re-cement the crown with an approved dental cement!

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Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Use cold compress on the area to keep any swelling to a minimum. Call our office immediately at (517)655-1500.

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Gently floss to try to remove the object. If unable to remove please contact our office at (517)655-1500.

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Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply a cold compress to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding does not stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

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Please contact our office at (517)655-1500. Never place asprin on the tooth as it may cause damage to the gum tissue.

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Apply cold compress to control swelling. Go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

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Gently rinse off the tooth with water if necessary. Place tooth back into the socket, if possible. If not place it in a cup of milk and seek treatment as soon as possible.