Are you Accepting new patients?
Our practice is always accepting new patients! The referral of a family member, friend or co-worker is the greatest complement that a patient can provide us.
Do you take insurance?
We accept dental insurance as long as you have the freedom to choose your dentist. We have intentionally chosen not to be a “Preferred Provider” for any insurance company so If you have a ppo plan, please check with your insurance to confirm whether you can go “out of network.” We will gladly file your claims, and you will be responsible for any costs not covered by the plan.
While dental insurance may sound like a valuable benefit, All of today’s plans offer limited coverage and often require patients to see providers from a restricted list. These limitations can directly affect the treatment options recommended and provided, as they can be based primarily on what the insurance covers..
Contrary to what many insurance companies want you to believe, dentistry is not a commodity like a loaf of bread or a set of tires. It is a professional relationship founded on trust where the patient is highly dependent on the dentist’s recommendations and expertise. One of the biggest mistakes a patient can make is choosing a dental office solely because it accepts their insurance.
Treatment recommendations can be highly subjective, and all dental treatment is irreversible. The most cost-effective approach to dental health is receiving the necessary, appropriate treatment done well the first time. Many patients ultimately find that at the end of the day their insurance does not provide the value they expected. Who they see matters greatly, and maintaining their oral health is far more important to them than their dental plan.
Can I just have my teeth cleaned?
Teeth cleaning (dental prophylaxis) is a vital part of maintaining oral health, but it should only be performed after a thorough examination by a dentist, including a review of any necessary x-rays. Skipping this step may allow conditions such as gum disease, tooth decay, or other oral health issues to go undetected and untreated.
At our practice, we require all patients to undergo a comprehensive examination—as outlined in the Services section of our website—before scheduling a dental hygiene (cleaning) appointment. This process ensures that every aspect of your dental health is properly evaluated and addressed.
Once the comprehensive exam is completed, we schedule a full one-hour dental hygiene appointment tailored to your specific needs.
It’s been a long time since I had any dental care. What’s the best start?
If you're not currently experiencing significant discomfort or have any urgent esthetic concerns, the best place to start is with a Comprehensive Examination, as described in the Services section of our website.
Following this exam, we’ll be able to identify and prioritize any treatment needs, review your options, and create a personalized treatment plan. This plan will reflect your goals and preferences while remaining realistic in terms of time and financial considerations.
In most cases, treatment can be phased over time, beginning with the most urgent needs and progressing in a way that works best for you.
I had a coupon for a free exam and x-rays at another office, but i’m not comfortable with the recommended treatment - what would you recommend?
If you're not completely comfortable with or don't fully understand the treatment that was recommended to you, the best next step is to schedule a Comprehensive Examination with our office.
This exam allows us to thoroughly assess your current dental condition and develop a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs. If recent x-rays were taken at another office, we recommend having them emailed directly to you so that you can forward them to us—we may be able to use them if they are of diagnostic quality and taken within a reasonable time frame.
Please note that we do not offer “free second opinions”. A proper evaluation takes time, care, and attention to detail. Our focus is not on confirming or disputing another dentist’s recommendations, but on determining what is truly best for you based on our own clinical judgment.
Coupons and special deals can be great—for pizza or a car wash—but never when it comes to your health.
Do you have an in house dental savings plan?
An in-house dental savings plan is a marketing tool designed to encourage patients to commit to a year of “discounted” services with the perception that they will be saving by paying upfront for this special plan.. These plans are often targeted at patients who do not have dental insurance.
Besides locking the patient in for one year, these plans typically offer a one-size-fits-all approach to maintenance—usually covering “two regular cleanings per year.” However, many patients may not require two dental hygiene visits annually and can maintain their oral health comfortably with visits once a year or every nine months. Additionally, some patients may need periodontal treatment or treatment from a periodontist, services which are generally not covered under these plans. This limitation could potentially delay a necessary referral.
It’s also important to note that any percentage “discount” offered by these plans is based on arbitrary fees set by that particular dental office.
Patients are better served by finding the best dentist they can, receiving a thorough examination, and obtaining a customized, prioritized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
My previous dentist “did everything” - implants, root canals, sedation, orthodontics, wisdom tooth extractions, TMJ treatment - do you “do everything” at your practice?
There is a common misconception in dentistry that you won’t find in other professions. Many patients believe that seeing a dentist who claim that they can “do everything” means that is better for the patient, but this is not the case. Would anyone expect one physician to perform and be good at plastic surgery, colonoscopies, and cataract surgery Or hire an attorney who handles criminal law, probate, and immigration law. Like these professions, patients receive the best dental care when they see the most qualified professional for each phase of their treatment.; sometimes that is a general dentist, but other times, it is far better to see a specialist who focuses exclusively on a particular area of dentistry.
I can say with 100% certainty that if a dentist needs specialty care—such as orthodontics, root canal treatment, or implant surgery—they will see an orthodontist, endodontist, or periodontist/oral surgeon, respectively.
At our practice, we believe all patients deserve this same level of care.. We work closely with a select group of board-certified dental specialists, all experts in their fields, to collaborate and seamlessly coordinate referrals as part of your treatment plan.
Your general dentist remains the central figure on your care team—developing a manageable, personalized treatment plan, coordinating specialty care on your behalf, completing restorative and cosmetic treatment, and maintaining your oral health.
Nothing hurts, so everything should be ok, right?
The Absence of pain is not a reliable indicator of the state of your dental health. Most dental problems have no pain associated with them. Gum disease which essentially is the eroding away of the supporting bone around teeth usually has no symptoms - left untreated, this condition will eventually lead to tooth loss. Active dental decay is also initially painless; it’s progression is variable, but it will with certainty affect more of the tooth over time - what was once a simple restoration can quickly turn into a situation involving more extensive treatment or unfortunately tooth loss. oral cancer has no initial symptoms and may never develop symptoms for the patient even though it is spreading and affecting more of the area.
I have a really bad toothache - who should I see?
The answer to this question is: it depends.
In most cases, the best place to start is with a general dentist, who can evaluate the tooth in question as well as your overall oral health. From there, you’ll be presented with treatment options—if the tooth is savable—along with an estimate of the costs and any necessary referrals to a specialist.
Please note that this initial appointment is diagnostic only and does not include any treatment for the tooth.
However, if you're certain about which tooth is involved and have no interest in saving or replacing it, then scheduling directly with an oral surgeon for extraction would be the more appropriate route - we can provide you with a referral when you call.
How often should I be having my teeth cleaned?
The interval between dental hygiene appointments should be specific for the patient and not a set interval for all patients.. Traditionally, every 6 months has been the most commonly used time frame mainly based on a dental insurance model; however, many patients with good oral hygiene can comfortably come less frequently - every 9 months or once annually. There are other patients who have had fairly extensive prior treatment who are far better to have a shorter dental hygiene interval (3-4 months) to minimize the need for additional treatment. One of the main benefits of regular hygiene appointments is not only to remove the plaque and calculus that has built up but to assess your entire oral condition to determine the presence or absence of areas that may require treatment.
I don’t like having x-rays - do I really need to have them? Can I just sign a waiver to not have them taken?
Dental x-rays are a critical diagnostic tool that provide essential information for detecting conditions such as tooth decay, abscesses, periodontal disease, and other underlying pathologies. They are equally valuable in establishing baseline oral health and confirming the absence of disease.
The frequency of taking x-rays should be tailored to each patient's specific needs—not based on a one-size-fits-all schedule. Patients with excellent oral health and minimal previous dental treatment generally require x-rays less frequently than those with a history of moderate to extensive dental work.
Thanks to digital radiography, radiation exposure from dental x-rays is extremely low. For perspective:
The average person is exposed to about 3.1 millisieverts (mSv) of natural background radiation annually.
A typical dental x-ray exposes you to just 0.005 mSv—less than 1.6% of your daily background radiation.
Dental x-rays should be regarded similarly to routine medical tests such as blood work or imaging—performed when indicated and based on your individual risk factors. Prior x-rays do not always reflect your current oral health status, and relying solely on past images may result in missed diagnoses.
When x-rays are clinically indicated—especially during an initial exam—not taking them would compromise our ability to provide safe and effective care and would fall below the standard of care.
Please note:
Patients cannot legally waive necessary x-rays in advance as one cannot consent to substandard or negligent care. Patients who strongly oppose dental x-rays for any reason will be better served by seeking a dental practice whose philosophy more closely aligns with these personal preferences.
Do you treat children?
To help ensure a positive early experience with dental care, young children are best seen by a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dental offices are specifically designed for children, and their teams are specially trained to manage the unique needs of young patients in a friendly and supportive environment.
Once children reach their teen years, we are typically able to see most of them comfortably in our practice.
If you need a referral to a trusted pediatric dentist, please don’t hesitate to give our office a call—we’ll be happy to assist you.
I don’t have dental insurance - should I try to buy a dental plan?
Some patients feel that having dental insurance is essential in order to care for their teeth, primarily due to concerns about cost. While it’s true that dental treatment can be an investment—like many other aspects of life—delaying care often leads to more complex, and expensive problems down the road.
Dental insurance plans are often marketed in a way that makes them seem highly appealing. However, the limitations, exclusions, and restrictions that come with many of these plans can prevent you from receiving the level of care that is best for your long-term oral health.
It’s important to understand that purchasing dental insurance or discount plans with the hope that they will fully cover future treatment is never effective..
The best approach?
Find a dentist you trust, schedule a comprehensive examination, and work together to create a detailed, phased treatment plan that is realistic and manageable—both in terms of time and financial commitment.
Your oral health is an important part of your overall well-being, Rather than focusing only on whether you have insurance, focus on finding a dentist that will provide you a, personalized, and proactive approach.
I’m tired of taking care of my teeth and thinking of getting dental implants so I don’t have to worry about anything anymore - do implants really last forever?
Dental implants have revolutionized modern dentistry, offering a durable and functional solution for replacing missing teeth—whether it's a single tooth, multiple teeth, or a full arch. For many years, the primary options for tooth replacement included fixed bridges (which rely on adjacent teeth) or removable partial and complete dentures. Fortunately, dental implants have greatly expanded the possibilities for long-term, stable tooth replacement.
While dental implants offer many advantages, it's important to understand that they are not without potential risks or complications. Like any medical prosthesis—such as artificial knees or hips—dental implants require maintenance, revision, and replacement over time. This can involve both time and money.
Although implants do not decay, several factors can contribute to complications:
Improper planning, placement, or design of the implant and prosthesis
Inadequate maintenance or follow-up care
Excessive bite forces, which may cause bone loss, loosening, or fracture
Material wear or damage, including screw loosening or breakage, discoloration, or fracture of components such as acrylic, porcelain, or zirconia
Not every patient is an ideal candidate for implants, and selecting the right case is essential to long-term success. When complications do arise, they can be difficult, costly, and sometimes untreatable.
While nothing used 24/7 can be expected to last forever, dental implants remain one of the most effective and predictable tooth replacement options when properly planned and maintained.
I just graduated from college and and I think I’d like to have veneers for all of my front teeth - are you a cosmetic dentist?
You may often see the term “cosmetic dentist” in advertisements, but it’s important to know that Cosmetic Dentistry is not a recognized specialty by the American Dental Association.
For many patients, “cosmetic dentistry” commonly means using porcelain veneers and crowns to improve the appearance of their smile. While this approach can create beautiful, immediate results, there are important considerations and potential drawbacks that are not always discussed.
The process requires significant, irreversible removal of healthy tooth structure. A quick search of “tooth preparation for porcelain veneers” will show how much natural tooth must be shaved down—this weakens the tooth and may lead to future problems that did not exist before treatment.
Some advertise “no-prep veneers,” but these can result in teeth looking bulky or produce veneers that are so thin they are prone to fracture over time. The long-term consequences of extensive “smile makeovers” involving multiple veneers—sometimes as many as 20 teeth—can be especially harmful, particularly for younger patients. Potential issues include porcelain fractures, tooth sensitivity, recurrent decay, and gum recession, all of which can lead to ongoing dental care.
At our practice, we focus on providing beautiful aesthetic crowns and veneers only after carefully exploring more conservative alternatives such as orthodontics, tooth whitening, bonding, and tooth recontouring. Our goal is to enhance your smile while preserving your natural tooth structure and long-term oral health.
I’m extremely nervous having dental treatment - do you have nitrous oxide or can I be put to sleep when I have treatment?
We do not have nitrous oxide or do any type of oral or IV sedation at our practice.
Is there a fee if I miss my appointment?
Our practice sees a very limited number of patients each day to provide high quality Personalized care. Your scheduled appointment time is reserved exclusively for you. we do not double-book appointments in anticipation of cancellations.
Missed appointments increase our operating costs which then need to be passed on to all of our patients. Because of this, we strongly encourage patients to hold off on scheduling if they are unsure about their availability, their ability to keep the appointment, or if they are not yet ready to begin treatment (which is completely understandable).
Please be advised that a fee of $129 will be charged for any missed appointment without at least 24 hours’ prior notice.
I’d like to become a new patient, what do I need to do?
Dental Insurance:
If you have dental insurance and wish to use it, please check with your insurance company about the possibility of going “out of network.” Our practice chooses not to participate as a Preferred Provider with any insurance company.Transfer of Records:
Please contact your previous dental office and request that they email your x-rays and any other relevant records (such as implant information) directly to you. You can then forward these records to dreyrhee@yahoo.com. This helps ensure your records are complete before your first appointment.Scheduling Your Initial Visit:
Please schedule a Comprehensive Exam, as described in the Services section of our website. Note that dental cleanings are not performed during this initial exam. We will schedule a separate, full-hour appointment with our dental hygienist for that service.New Patient Forms:
To save time at your visit, you can download and complete our new patient registration forms from the Patient Resources section of our website before your appointment.Premedication with Antibiotics:
If your physician has prescribed antibiotics to be taken before dental appointments, please make sure to obtain the prescription and take it prior to your visit. This is important because we will be assessing the health of your gum tissue during your appointment.