Taking the Time to Get to Know You & Your Smile

Most children and adults should visit the dentist for a routine cleaning every six months. However, if you have a great risk of developing dental and oral disease, you should visit more often. Smoking, alcohol consumption, pregnancy, diabetes, periodontitis and gum disease, poor dental hygiene, and some medical conditions are factors we consider when suggesting how often you should receive cleanings and checkups. These appointments are very important in making sure your teeth and gums are healthy and that any developing problems such as decay, oral cancer, and gum disease are caught and treated as soon as possible.

Whether you have broken a tooth or have a painful infection, it is important to stay calm and take the right steps to save your smile. If the problem is life-threatening, you should call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. For less severe problems that occur during office hours, we will do everything we can to get you in the same day. Dr. Fiscus is also available to consult with you after hours and will perform emergency services if necessary.

Professional teeth-whitening is more precise and effective than over-the-counter solutions. If we determine teeth whitening is a safe option for your smile, we can offer a home-bleaching system from Opalescence, which produces results that can last for one to three years with occasional retouching. This treatment will require two appointments. At the first, we will take an impression of your teeth, and at the second, we will provide you with your custom-created bleaching trays and whitening treatment. We also offer take-home or in-office disposable trays that require only 15 minutes per application. No matter your time or monetary limitations, we have a teeth-whitening option for you.

We offer custom-made dental appliances that help to reposition the jaw, opening the airways and making it easier to breathe. This helps reduce snoring. The appliance is fabricated based on molds created of your upper and lower teeth. Appliances are more comfortable and easier to use than CPAP machines.

We accept all insurance plans and will submit your claims. We are preferred providers for Delta Dental Premier Option, but not for all insurance plans. If you have another insurance plan, you will receive your out-of-network benefits, which often will completely cover exams and cleanings. If you have questions about your insurance, we are happy to answer them and to inform you of your benefits.

Dr. Fiscus takes full responsibility for utilizing the latest techniques and materials. In addition to subscriptions to industry journals, Dr. Fiscus & his staff stay current with the latest research and developments by taking continuing education courses.

Occlusion refers to the bite, or the way the upper teeth and bottom teeth contact each other. Proper occlusion is important for promoting the health of the jaw and smile, as well as overall health.

TMD stands for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Symptoms of TMD can include any of the following:

• Tenderness or pain in the face
• Jaw Pain
• Ear pain
• Neck pain
• Stiff Jaw
• Chewing discomfort
• Difficulty chewing
• Headaches
• Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Jaw Locking
• Painful clicking of the jaw
• Improper bite when eating and chewing

However, it is important to remember that some jaw clicking is normal, and there can be other causes for facial pain, sinus pain, earaches and headaches.

If your dentist suggested teeth cleanings every three or four months, you most likely have or had adult periodontitis, as this is the treatment recommended by the American Academy of Periodontology. If this is the case, more frequent cleanings are essential to ensuring the condition is properly treated, as periodontitis can potentially lead to many problems with your teeth. We do not believe your insurance company should dictate your health care. Dentists are the only professionals able to legally diagnose and recommend dental treatment, based on your unique needs, no matter your insurance benefits. The treatment a dentist recommends for you is the treatment needed to keep your teeth as healthy as possible, regardless of insurance benefits and costs. If you choose not to move forward with our recommended treatment, we cannot be held responsible for the results.

We recommend receiving a full-mouth series of x-rays (16 images) every five to seven years, based on your specific needs. We recommend bitewing x-rays (two to four) every 12 to 18 months based on your needs. These x-rays are essential to detecting decay and other conditions that can’t be seen during a visual exam. We use state-of-the-art digital x-ray technology, which exposes you to significantly less radiation than traditional x-rays, making them completely safe for you and all members of your family.