Common QuestionsThroughout the years, patients have been asking us a number of questions that have been coming up quite often. Here are just a few of the more commonly asked ones, but if there's a question you have that we haven't answered here, please feel free to call us to find out more. Perhaps we'll even add it to this list!
How does Dr. Kostrzewski and staff keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?Dr. K and his staff are big believers of continuing education. Just because they've finished their dental training in a formal school doesn't mean they've stopped learning. Every year they make a point of taking hundreds of hours of continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies. Dr. K himself teaches other dentists how to stay on top of their profession. He lectures at the Hornbrook Group, at the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum, and is a board member of genR8TNext. Can you show me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?Yes, we will study the features on your face, take the necessary radiographs, as well as digital photographs, and then feed this information into the imaging software to get a glimpse of what your new smile can look like. You will come back at the next appointment to look at a picture of your new smile, and together we will evaluate and design the roadmap to your new smile makeover. Then you can take the picture home, and discuss all your options with your family members and friends so that you can make an informed, careful decision. Click here to learn more. How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?We will schedule you ahead of time for your next cleaning and check-up, and our staff will follow-up with you to make sure you are aware of your next appointment. Do you accept patient referrals?Referrals are always welcome. We're always looking forward to new patients so we can provide the same excellent level of dentistry that we provide to our existing patients. Do you accept my insurance plan?We accept many plans. Call us today and let us show you how to maximize your benefits. I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?Don't panic, we can fix it. You'll want to call us right away and by talking to you we can tell you if you need to come in for emergency dental treatment, or if you can wait until the next business day. Most patients, after talking to us, are instructed to re-adhere the piece onto the tooth with a little bit of toothpaste. Yes, this is something you can try at home! Or, you can try using an over-the-counter dental cement found in most drugstores to place the temporary back. What payment options you provide?
Patients can pay by cash, check, and all major credit cards, including Discover, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. We also have a dental patient financing program, Dental Fee Plan to help patients extend payments when necessary. Our flexible payment plans, including interest-free financing, will take the fear out of dental expenses. We help process your insurance forms and also offer free consultations and second opinions.
How can I ask Dr. Kostrzewski questions directly?You can click here to ask questions directly to Dr. Kostrzewski, and they will get back to you quickly. Or you are welcome to call our office with any questions that you might have. Of course, we'd love to answer your questions in person as well. Stop by anytime. How can I whiten my teeth?If you're like most of Dr. Kostrzewski's patients, you want the simplest way possible to whiten your smile. Our revolutionary in-office whitening system, ZOOM! whitens your teeth in less than two hours. Patients can sit back and enjoy their favorite movie while their teeth become whiter and whiter. By the end of the appointment, most patients have achieved a seven to nine shade difference in their smile. The single appointment procedure is quick and easy, allowing you to get back to your busy life with a brilliant white smile the same day. Or ask how we can whiten them in a few weeks with a take-home Day White and Nite White whitening systems. Don't put up with yellow or stained teeth any longer. What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?We use state-of-the-art sterilization procedures. We dispose items whenever possible, and we pride ourselves on a clean and neat facility. We follow all OSHA and American Dental Association requirements. What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?Our team is highly trained, dedicated, and known for their professional, yet friendly, skills in customer service and patient care. As a group, we've take about 12,000 hours of continuing education every year. We strive to provide exceptional dentistry and work to exceed your expectations. At our dental office, you will feel very relaxed and comfortable with all of our amenities, including massages and paraffin wax treatments. We don't focus on just the broken tooth, we pay attention to your entire face, head, neck, and jaw, and how your smile looks and feels. We hope you will feel free to ask us about any of these services. I really don't like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?We understand that some patients are very nervous about going to the dentist. For those patients, we offer nitrous oxide and other medications, as needed. If you have extensive dental procedures to be performed, we can give you a tiny pill and you can sleep while we do the rest. We also offer DVD movies, CD headphones, and video goggles to really help take you away from the dental procedure being performed. My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?Bleeding gums is often a sign of infection in the gums or even in the bones, and you may be a candidate for non-surgical periodontal treatment. Our goal is have you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Please don't wait any longer to address this problem. I brush every day, but my breath just isn't fresh. Is there anything I can do?Disorders of the oral cavity may cause up to 90% of all the cases of halitosis. Some of the more common causes are: a dry mouth due to lack of flow of saliva during sleep, denture wearing, food retention, poor oral hygiene, dental decay, gingivitis, gum disease, an unclean tongue, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Most of these factors cause an increase in bacteria in the oral cavity. These bacteria produce compounds like hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide. Collectively they are known as volatile sulphur-containing compounds or VSC. These are the compounds responsible for bad breath. What's the treatment? We will work with you to institute an effective home care program that includes conventional tooth brushing and flossing, daily irrigation of the oral tissues and regular scraping or brushing of the tongue. We may also recommend an oral rinse that is available only through your dentist. One of the main sources of bad breath is periodontitis, and we will work on eradicating or greatly controlling gum disease, which in turn will eliminate bad breath. Do I have to floss everyday? Is it really that important?The use of dental floss is essential in preventing gum disease. Most oral health problems are related to dental plaque--the soft, sticky layer of bacteria on the surface of gums and teeth, particularly along the gum-line. When dental plaque grows it releases toxins that irritate the gums causing gingivitis. If left untreated it may lead to more serious form of gum disease (periodontitis). The toothbrush can't reach difficult areas in the mouth, like between teeth and along the gums. Using dental floss at least once a day provides effective removal of dental plaque and cleaning between the teeth. I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. What would you recommend?If your teeth are crooked, you don't necessarily need braces. When you come in for a consultation, we can talk to you about several other options, including porcelain veneers and instant orthodontics. If you're a candidate for this sort of treatment, the whole process will take about two visits rather than two years, as is usually the case with braces. What is Smile Analysis?Each person has their own individual smile, one that is uniquely shaped and balanced to the symmetry of their face. With Smile Analysis, we can help show you what your best smile can look like. We take into account many features of your face and mouth to analyze and design the most enhancing smile for you. Come in and talk to us about the exciting possibilities. What is Smile Design?Great care is taken to design a smile for each patient. After we understand your needs and goals, we consider the shape of your face, color of your eyes, shape and contour of lips. We evaluate factors like the symmetry of your eyes and nose to the other dimensions. Once you have your new smile, your confidence soars. Nothing frames the face better than an attractive and beautiful smile. People are drawn to you without knowing why. A brilliant smile radiates joy, excitement, healthy and vitality. A smile is a celebration of life, a reflection of the heart and your number one asset. Click here to visit our smile gallery. Click here for post-op instructions. Why do I need a complete oral examination?Dr. Kostrzewski is extremely interested in your oral health, and prides himself on our thorough and complete oral examination. Below is a partial list of what we do for you during a complete oral examination. During and oral exam, we thoroughly check teeth for:
We check the gum tissue for:
Check the other soft tissues, including the tongue, for:
We finally put all the findings together for a treatment plan, a plan of action to restore (or maintain) optimum oral health. Please understand we make a treatment plan during every complete oral examination, even if the treatment plan is simply to have you return in six months for your next examination. We accept professional responsibly for the finding and the recommendations. We are highly trained and experienced and are often capable of performing such through exams relatively quickly, for your comfort and convenience. |
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FAQs
Written by Walter Kostrzewski
Thursday, 02 June 2011 13:38
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203 Cherry Street, Milford CT 06460
Phone:1-800-917-5269