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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Not all first visits to Dental Solutions of Columbus are the same, but we typically schedule 90 minutes for a new patient appointment. This time is reserved exclusively for you to ensure that in addition to your x-rays and cleaning with one of our dental hygienists, there will also be sufficient time for a thorough examination and consultation with Dr. Sitaram. If you have questions, whether they be general or specific to a treatment you’re interested in, you will be able to ask them without feeling rushed. We make time to listen, which is especially important for people who have experienced dental anxiety.
If you have scheduling constraints on the day of your appointment, please let us know. When we’re aware of your needs as our patient, we’re better equipped to meet those needs and exceed your expectations.
We love taking care of little smiles just as much as big ones. We welcome children of all ages at Dental Solutions of Columbus, and we are here to help children with special needs have positive, effective dental experiences, too. We know how important your child’s health and self-esteem are and we want you to know that they’re priorities to us as well.
Insurance plans vary greatly in coverage as well as benefit explanations, and we know they can be confusing. Most plans cover similar basic preventive care, but for coverage questions beyond that, we will do research and consult with you about the specifics of your plan (based on the information provided to us by your insurance). Some plans have a copay that is due at your appointment, some insurance covers up to a certain dollar amount for particular treatments but leaves the remaining portion to you, and some coverage amounts are determined on a percentage basis with a fixed percent being “covered.” The vast majority of dental insurance plans don’t cover 100% of very many treatments.
Depending on the treatment you come to us for, your medical insurance may also apply. We file medical insurance claims for some oral surgery, TMJ therapy and gneuromuscular dentistry treatment to relieve TMD, and when we treat for obstructive sleep apnea. Please contact us about your insurance so we can help you maximize your benefits. Prior to scheduling treatment, we will provide cost estimates broken down by projected insured and uninsured costs so you can plan accordingly.
We offer patient financing through CareCredit®. With a CareCredit payment plan, you can finance 100% of treatment with no upfront costs, no prepayment penalties, and no annual fees. Contact us to learn more about applying for CareCredit or to ask about your other payment options (of which there are several).
Rest assured, Dr. Sitaram and our team are dedicated to protecting your overall health and safety. Although the traditional “film based” x-rays have evolved over time to emit less and less radiation, the computer-enhanced sensor we use with digital x-rays further minimizes the radiation needed to produce high-quality images. This advanced technology, combined with the lead aprons we provide patients to wear while x-rays are taken, allows us to confidently state that dental x-rays are indeed safe. Many dental health problems can’t be detected during a visual examination by the naked eye, so we think you’re safer with these x-rays than without them!
We like to keep things simple whenever possible. Brush at least twice daily, floss once a day, and rinse with fluoridated, alcohol-free mouthwash if you can. Drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, and avoid tobacco products. If you chew gum, choose sugar-free. Come see us every six months or more frequently if needed, depending on your individual oral health needs. Take good care of your teeth so they can be there for you for years to come!
If your gums feel tender or sore, or if they look red and swollen, you might have gum disease. It ranges from gingivitis to more severe forms and stages of periodontitis. Other warning signs include gums that bleed more than you’d expect after flossing, receding gums, pain or sensitivity in your teeth, loose-feeling teeth, and persistent bad breath that can’t be attributed to what you last ate. You should visit our office every six months even if your gums look and feel great, but please visit us sooner than that if you notice any of these signs or symptoms of gum disease.
Oral conscious sedation is sometimes mistakenly referred to as “sleep dentistry,” but though patients feel extremely calm and relaxed, they are still awake and able to respond. Some people doze in and out during conscious sedation or even snooze peacefully, but that’s because they’re so relaxed, not because the sedation method made them sleep. Intravenous (IV) anesthesia is another sedation method we offer and our oral surgery center in Columbus, Indiana. It does cause you to sleep all the way through treatment. Contact us to learn more.
While we strive for perfection, there is no forever-perfect dental filling. Over time, fillings can change shape as a result of the harsh environment they’re exposed to in the mouth. Pressure from chewing and clenching or grinding causes fillings to wear away, chip, and even crack. Remember that pen you were munching on earlier or that cold ice you were crunching? Using our mouth for what we’re supposed to—and what we’re not supposed to—puts our fillings to the test! When the seal between a filling and the tooth enamel breaks down for whatever reason, decay-causing bacteria can make its way under the filling. Left unaddressed, this decay can progress to deeply infect the tooth, potentially causing an abscess and eventual tooth loss. If we recommend replacing a filling now, we’re only trying to save you from future pain and additional dental expenses that could be avoided by being proactive. We truly have your best interest at heart.
We’re glad you asked. We say yes! The metal-free, all-ceramic material we use for crowns made in our CEREC milling machine is part of the IPS e.max system by Ivoclar Vivadent. This system has proven itself time and again after 40 million bio-friendly restorations and counting, 10 years of clinical evidence, and high crown “survival rates.” Recently, results from 20 different clinical studies were compiled, representing more than 1,000 restorations, and the resulting overall success rate for the IPS e.max system was 97%! We think that you and your smile deserve this kind of success.
When wisdom teeth don’t come in properly, they can cause serious problems. Some grow in at the wrong angle or don’t even make it that far, getting trapped or “impacted” under the gums. This can cause infection and pain. We all hate a toothache! Other wisdom teeth issues include crowding that makes other teeth crooked, cysts that develop on the jaw, bone loss, and damage to adjacent teeth. Wisdom teeth usually grow in between ages of 15 and 25, so we encourage people in that age range (and their parents) to be aware of possibly pesky wisdom teeth and the trouble they tend to cause.
If you are missing teeth and are looking for a solution, we consider you a candidate for dental implants. We invite you to schedule a convenient consultation with Dr. Sitaram or Dr. Hostalet to see! There are some important things to consider before you decide on this revolutionary, life-improving treatment. For example, implants are best placed after adolescence, when the teeth and jawbone are both fully developed. Additionally, implant placement can be more complicated for individuals with periodontal (gum) disease, bone loss in the jawbone, active diabetes, immune deficiencies, and for patients who use tobacco products.
It sounds like you’re suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, which affects the flexibility and function of the temporal jaw joint and surrounding muscles. This disorder can have far-reaching negative effects, decreasing feelings of overall well-being and significantly lowering a person’s quality of life. Dr. Sitaram can help you find long-term pain relief from TMD and bite misalignment through gneuromuscular dentistry. It combines TMD therapy, restorative dentistry, and orthopedics (dealing with needed correction of certain bones and muscles) to bring comfort to patients, many of whom have been searching for a solution for years. Learn more to see if you could be next!
Snoring that isn’t related to allergies, a cold, or sinus problems could definitely be a dental issue. Before beginning treatment, the specific cause of snoring should be determined. Occasionally, it originates in the central nervous system, but it’s more likely obstructive sleep apnea. Review these signs and symptoms of sleep apnea to get a better idea of the condition your husband might be suffering from, and contact us to schedule a convenient consultation to learn more about treatment that will have you both sleeping better soon.
We go out of our way to see patients with dental emergencies as quickly as we can. If you call our office after hours with a dental emergency, you’ll be directed to call a dedicated emergency line. Simply leave us a message, and we’ll promptly return your call. If the trauma of your emergency is severe or if any bleeding is profuse, call 911 right away.