How can we help you?
You have a lot to consider before making decisions about your dental treatment. We don't expect you to be experts – that's what we're here for! We'll always explain everything to you in as much detail as possible, but you may get home and think of a question you forgot to ask. In this case, we encourage you to give us a call so we can find the answer you're looking for. You have a right to understand the details of your dental treatment, why it's necessary, and how it benefits you, so please never hesitate to ask!
Here are a few questions our patients ask most often, but you probably have your own that aren't listed here. Just give us a call, and we'll be happy to help!
Other
Like many of us, you probably have more questions than answers when it comes to your dental insurance coverage. At Malcolm George Dentistry, we know that figuring out the details of your plan’s specific coverage, the list of procedures included, and the portion you’re responsible for can seem overwhelming.
We understand! Since there are no blanket answers, it's difficult to know for sure what’s covered without breaking down the terms of your plan.
Treatments covered by dental insurance vary widely and depend on your insurance company and your individual plan. In general, many policies cover the cost of preventive services like routine dental exams, professional cleanings, and x-rays (as needed) for you and your family.
The rates for simple and complex dental procedures also differ from one policy to the next. Depending on your coverage, you may be responsible for some portion of the cost of preventive treatments. However, we'll be happy to submit a pre-authorization for your specific treatment and help determine what your responsibility is before we begin treatment.
If you have questions about coverage for specific treatments or about your policy in general, please don’t hesitate to contact our Portland dental office. We’ll be happy to help find the information you need to make informed decisions about your dental treatment.
Children's Dentistry
Yes! At George Family Dentistry, we love treating children of all ages. Dr. George's gentle touch, combined with the personalized attention of our caring staff, will make your child's visits pleasant and help them feel positive about dental visits. Please call our office if you have questions or if you'd like to arrange an appointment.
At George Family Dentistry, we are happy to see children once their baby teeth have erupted (broken through). We get a lot of pleasure out of helping kids enjoy a positive experience every time they visit our Portland, IN dental office. Getting your child started on a lifetime of good oral health care habits is one of the best things we can do for them.
The goal of the first visit is for Dr. Malcolm George and our team to meet them and show them that visits to the dentist can be fun. It’s important for us to make sure that your child gradually gets used to being around us in the office environment. Our professional team takes all the time needed to treat your child with the special care they need to help them feel safe and secure.
As parents, we know that you may have questions and concerns about planning your child’s first trip to see the dentist. We understand, and we welcome all your questions. Please feel free to call our office to arrange an appointment to stop by and visit so you and your child can get to know Dr. George and our team.
Cleanings & Exams
Gum disease (referred to as periodontal disease or gingivitis) is the number one cause of tooth loss today. It’s an infection that causes tooth loss because it affects the gums and bones that hold your teeth in place.
Anyone can get gum disease, which is caused by plaque that’s allowed to sit on the teeth. The plaque needs to be removed every day with brushing and flossing or it will form a harder substance called tartar. In fact, tartar is so hard that it can only be removed by a dental hygienist during a professional dental cleaning.
One of the first symptoms noticed by most people with gum disease is bleeding gums. You may also see other signs that gum disease is present, like red, tender, or puffy gums.
Unfortunately, you may have serious gum disease and not notice any symptoms at all. This is why we strongly recommend routine exams and cleanings. They are the best way to catch gum disease in its early stages before too much damage has been done.
Gum disease doesn’t go away by itself, and you can’t prevent it just by brushing and flossing more, although that’s always a good idea! The only way to prevent gum disease or treat it when it occurs is with routine professional dental cleanings.
Once you’ve had gum disease, you are always at risk for getting it again. Please call George Family Dentistry for an appointment, and we’ll be happy to perform a thorough exam and cleaning to prevent and treat gum disease.
Crowns & Fillings
Absolutely not! Our goal is to do everything we can to keep you out of pain. By the time you are in pain, the problem may already be very severe. This means that, most likely, we will have to choose treatments that are more complicated and possibly more costly than they would be if we addressed the problem while it was still small.
If you want to avoid ever reaching this point, we encourage you to follow a routine of regular dental visits. The time to see us is when there are no visible problems. If we see a potential problem with our digital x-rays, we can treat it right away, long before it ever causes you any pain.
We recommend that you come in to see us twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Dr. George or our dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits if you have a history of dental problems. Another important part of keeping your teeth healthy is good oral hygiene practices at home. Brushing and flossing twice a day, combined with regular exams and cleanings, is the easiest way to keep your teeth healthy and free of disease.
Please contact our Portland, IN dental office, and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment.
Your Comfort
Making the decision to protect your teeth is the first step to a healthier smile. If you’ve been proactive with your health care, the answer may be as simple as staying current with routine dental exams and cleanings. These preventive treatments are absolutely necessary for staying a step ahead of decay and disease.
If you currently have some dental problems that need attention, we’ll take the time to talk to you about what’s going on and how we can help. There are many options available that allow us to keep your teeth healthy and intact long into the future.
Teeth with mild to moderate decay can usually be fixed with a simple filling. A tooth with more severe decay or damage may require a dental crown to fully protect it.
Without proper oral hygiene and routine dental care, you may find yourself facing a root canal infection. If this happens, we must remove the infection and protect and strengthen the tooth with a crown. Without a root canal, the tooth will most likely be lost.
The time to take steps to protect your oral health is sooner rather than later. If you’d like to learn about all the ways we can keep your teeth healthy, please call George Family Dentistry to arrange a convenient appointment.