Questions Broken Arrow Patients Ask
Have a question about visiting the dentist? Find answers about appointments, insurance, dental treatments, emergencies, and more. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, call Dentistry For You in Broken Arrow at (918) 355-1391.
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse the topics below for answers to common questions about our office and the dental care we provide.
Booking, Hours and Costs
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, of every age. Call (918) 355-1391 or send the contact form and the front desk will find a time and check your insurance before you arrive. Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and a list of any medicines you take including vitamins and supplements.
What are your office hours?
Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. We are closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The slot straight after the lunch closure is often the easiest to get at short notice.
Where exactly are you?
At 2522 E Kenosha St in Broken Arrow, OK 74014, in the Tiger Plaza building on the east side of town. E Kenosha Street is OK-51B. Parking is at ground level off Kenosha, with no garage and no long walk.
What insurance do you accept?
More than twenty plans, including Aetna, Aflac, Ameritas, Best Life, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Careington, Cigna, Delta Dental, Dentaquest, GEHA, Guardian, HealthChoice, Humana, MetLife, Mutual of Omaha, Physicians Mutual, Principal, Sunlife, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Unum, CommunityCare and many more. United Concordia includes Tricare and Active Duty plans, and veteran patients are welcome by VA referral. Acceptance depends on your individual policy, so call with your card and we will check.
What if I do not have insurance?
Plenty of our patients do not. You still get the cost of treatment before the work starts, and a larger plan can be staged across several appointments so the urgent work happens first. Ask the front desk about financing options.
How much will my treatment cost?
You get the number before treatment, not after. We check your insurance first, then tell you what the plan covers and what is left for you to pay. We will not quote a price over the phone for a tooth nobody has examined, because that would be a guess.
Emergencies, Sedation and Checkups
Can I be seen the same day for an emergency?
We make every effort to see dental emergencies the same day. Call (918) 355-1391 as early as you can and describe what happened. For facial swelling with fever, difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing, go to an emergency room rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
Act within the hour. Pick the tooth up by the crown, never the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk, not water, and do not scrub it. Put it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk, and get here fast. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back, because that can damage the adult tooth forming above it.
Do you offer sedation?
Yes. Nitrous oxide, which most people call laughing gas, wears off within minutes so you can drive yourself home. Oral sedation goes deeper and most patients remember little of the appointment, but it lasts hours and you will need someone to drive you. Tell the front desk when you book, because it changes how the visit is scheduled.
I have not been to a dentist in years. What happens?
The same exam as anybody else, and nobody will lecture you about the gap. What comes out of it is a list in order of urgency: what is a problem now, what will be soon, and what can wait. That can be worked through over months if that suits you better.
How often should I have a checkup?
Every six months suits most people. If you have gum disease, get cavities easily, smoke, or have a condition such as diabetes that affects the gums, three or four months is often better. We will tell you which applies to you.
Do I need X-rays at every visit?
No. X-rays are taken based on your own risk rather than a fixed timetable. Someone with no recent decay needs them far less often than someone with several new cavities. We use digital X-rays, which need a much lower dose than older film systems.
Children, Gums and Coming From Out of Town
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
Around their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Very little happens clinically at that age. The point is that the child learns the dental office is an ordinary place before they ever need anything done there.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding gums almost always mean inflammation from plaque along the gum line, not that you are brushing too hard. The instinct is to clean that area less, which makes it worse. In the early stage it usually clears within a couple of weeks of proper daily cleaning between the teeth. If it carries on, have it looked at.
Does teeth whitening work on crowns and fillings?
No. Whitening only lightens natural enamel. Crowns, veneers, bridges and tooth-coloured fillings keep the shade they were made in. If you have visible restorations on your front teeth, whiten first and then have those remade to match.
Do you see the whole family in one visit?
Yes, and for patients travelling in from Bixby, Jenks, Coweta or Owasso it is usually the sensible way to do it. Tell the front desk how many people and roughly when suits, and they will group the appointments.
Which areas do you serve?
Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Coweta and Owasso, all from the one office on E Kenosha Street. Coweta is one of the shortest drives, because OK-51 runs west out of Coweta and becomes E Kenosha Street.
How long does a first appointment take?
Allow about an hour. That covers the conversation about what brought you in, a full-mouth series of digital X-rays, a complete exam of the teeth, gums, mouth and jaw including an oral cancer screening, and going through the findings and the costs with you. If there is time and nothing needs dealing with first, the cleaning usually happens the same day.
Why do you close for an hour at lunch?
The whole office closes from noon to 1:00 p.m., so there is no cover during that hour. It is worth knowing when you book, particularly if you are driving in from Bixby, Jenks, Coweta or Owasso. The appointment straight after the closure, at 1:00 p.m., is often the easiest one to get at short notice.
Do you treat patients who grind their teeth?
Yes, and it is more common than most people realise. Grinding wears teeth down, cracks them, and is the most frequent reason crowns and veneers fail early. A night guard is one of the cheapest things in dentistry and protects everything else you have had done. Ask at your next checkup if you wake with a sore jaw or headaches.
Can I bring my child to my own appointment?
Yes. It is also one of the better ways to introduce a small child to the practice, because they get to see the room and the chair with nothing happening to them. If you would rather they were seen too, say so when you book and we will put the appointments together.
Do you take walk-ins?
Call first rather than arriving unannounced, even in an emergency. A two-minute call means the front desk knows you are coming, can tell you what to do on the way, and can have a room ready.
New Patients and What We Offer
New Patient Questions
New Patients: What to ExpectHow long will my first visit take?
Allow about an hour. That covers the conversation, a full-mouth series of X-rays, a complete exam including an oral cancer screening, and going through the findings and the costs with you.
What should I bring?
Your insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of any medicines you take including vitamins and supplements, with the doses. If you have had X-rays elsewhere in the last year, ask that office to send them over.
Will I get a cleaning on the first visit?
Often, yes. If the exam does not turn up anything that needs dealing with first, the cleaning usually happens the same day. If there is active gum disease, a standard cleaning is not the right treatment and we will explain what is needed instead.
It has been years since I saw a dentist. Is that a problem?
It is common and nobody will lecture you. The exam is the same either way, and what comes out of it is a list in order of urgency that can be worked through over months if that suits you.
Can I fill in the forms before I arrive?
Yes, and it saves time at check-in. The new patient forms are online through PatientViewer, or you can fill them in on a tablet in the office if you would rather.
Questions About Our Services
Dental Services in Broken ArrowDo I need a referral for any of these?
No. You can book any treatment listed here directly with the front desk. If something needs a specialist we will say so and help arrange it.
Can several treatments be done in one visit?
Often, yes, and for patients travelling in from Bixby, Jenks, Coweta or Owasso it usually makes sense. Sedation is available if a longer appointment would be easier to get through.
How do I know which treatment I need?
You do not have to. Describe what is bothering you when you call (918) 355-1391 and the front desk will book the right kind of appointment. The exam decides the rest.
Are these covered by insurance?
Most restorative and preventive treatment is covered to some degree; purely cosmetic work usually is not. We check your plan before treatment starts and tell you what it pays and what is left for you. See the payment options page.
What if I need something outside this list?
Ask. The list covers what we do most often, not everything. If it is outside what this office does, we will tell you that plainly and point you to someone who does it.
Cleanings, Checkups and Family Care
Questions About Cleanings
Teeth Cleaning and Prevention in Broken ArrowHow often should I have my teeth cleaned?
Every six months suits most people. If you have gum disease, get cavities easily, smoke, or have a condition such as diabetes that affects the gums, three or four month intervals are often better. We will tell you which applies to you rather than applying one rule to everybody.
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
A routine cleaning should not hurt. You will feel scraping and vibration, and sensitivity is common if your gums are inflamed or your roots are exposed. Tell the hygienist and they can work more gently or numb the area. A deep cleaning below the gum line is usually done with the area numbed.
Do I really need X-rays every time?
No. X-rays are taken based on your own risk, not on a fixed timetable. A patient with no recent decay needs them far less often than someone with several new cavities. Digital X-rays use a much lower dose than older film systems.
Are sealants only for children?
They are most useful on children’s permanent molars soon after those teeth come through, because that is when the deep grooves are most vulnerable. Adults with deep grooves and a history of decay can have them too.
Questions About Family Care
Family Dentistry in Broken ArrowCan our whole family be seen on the same day?
Usually, yes. Tell the front desk how many people you want seen and roughly when suits, and they will group the appointments so one trip covers everybody.
Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?
Yes. They hold the space the adult teeth need to come into, and losing one early can crowd what follows. Decay in a baby tooth can also reach the nerve and cause the same pain and infection it would in an adult tooth.
I have not been to a dentist in years. Is that a problem?
It is common and nobody will lecture you. The exam is the same either way, and the treatment plan starts from where you actually are, dealing with anything urgent first and staging the rest.
Questions Parents Ask
Children’s Dentistry in Broken ArrowMy child is frightened. What can you do?
Tell us when you book so we can allow extra time. We explain everything before we do it and let children handle the mirror or the suction. It also helps a lot if adults avoid mentioning pain beforehand, because reassurance that it will not hurt teaches a child that hurting was a possibility.
Are dental X-rays safe for children?
Digital X-rays use a very low dose, and we only take them when there is a reason, such as checking for decay between teeth or seeing how adult teeth are positioned. We do not take them to a fixed schedule.
What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth?
If it is a baby tooth, do not put it back, because that can damage the adult tooth forming above. If it is an adult tooth, hold it by the crown, rinse it in milk if dirty, put it back in the socket or keep it in milk, and call (918) 355-1391 immediately. The first hour matters.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Questions About Cosmetic Work
Cosmetic Dentistry in Broken ArrowDoes insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
Usually not, because most plans only cover treatment that is medically necessary. There are exceptions: a crown on a cracked tooth is restorative even though it also looks better, and bonding to repair a chip sometimes qualifies. The front desk will check your specific plan before you commit to anything.
How long does whitening last?
Most people keep a noticeable result for one to three years. It depends far more on what you drink than on the treatment. Coffee, tea and red wine are the main culprits. Custom trays make topping up straightforward.
Are veneers permanent?
The veneers themselves are replaceable, but preparing a tooth for a traditional veneer removes a thin layer of enamel, and that part does not grow back. Once a tooth is prepared it will always need a veneer or a crown on it. That is why we go through the smaller options first.
Can you fix just one tooth?
Often, yes. Matching a single restoration to the teeth either side of it is the harder job, particularly on a front tooth, but it is done routinely. If you are also planning to whiten, whiten first, because a porcelain restoration will not change colour afterwards.
Questions About Whitening
Teeth Whitening in Broken ArrowWhy not just use a supermarket whitening kit?
You can, and for light staining it may be enough. The differences are strength and fit. Professional gel is more concentrated, and custom trays made from impressions of your own teeth hold it against the enamel instead of letting it leak onto the gums, which is what causes most of the sensitivity people get from strips.
Will whitening damage my enamel?
Used as directed, no. Whitening gel works by oxidising the stain molecules inside the tooth, not by stripping the surface. What does cause trouble is overuse, so follow the schedule you are given rather than doubling up.
Will it whiten my crowns and fillings?
No. Whitening only works on natural enamel. Crowns, veneers, bridges and tooth-coloured fillings keep the shade they were made in. If you have visible restorations on your front teeth, whiten first and then have those replaced to match the new shade.
My teeth are sensitive already. Can I still whiten?
Usually. Tell us first so we can check there is no untreated decay or exposed root surface behind the sensitivity. From there it is manageable: a lower-strength gel, shorter wear times, or a desensitising toothpaste for a couple of weeks beforehand.
Questions About Veneers
Porcelain Veneers in Broken ArrowHow long do porcelain veneers last?
Ten to fifteen years is a reasonable expectation, and many last longer. What shortens that is grinding, biting fingernails or ice, and gum disease that changes the gum line. A night guard is worth having if you grind.
Is having veneers painful?
The preparation appointment is done with the area numbed and most patients describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. Some sensitivity to hot and cold between the preparation and the fitting is normal, and the temporary veneers protect the teeth in the meantime.
How many veneers will I need?
It depends on how many teeth show when you smile and how different they are from each other. Some people need two, some need eight. Matching a single veneer to its neighbours is possible but is the harder job, so we will be honest about whether one will blend.
Can veneers be removed later?
A veneer can be taken off and replaced, but the tooth underneath has had a thin layer of enamel removed to make room for it, and that does not come back. Once a tooth is prepared it will always need a veneer or a crown. That is the part to be sure about.
Questions About Gum Contouring
Gum Contouring in Broken ArrowDoes gum contouring hurt?
The area is numbed, so the procedure itself is not painful. A soft tissue laser seals as it works, so there is little bleeding and most patients describe the following days as tender rather than sore. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually enough.
How long does it take to heal?
Most of the healing happens within a few days to a week, and you can usually go back to normal the next day with a softer diet for a short while. Full settling of the gum line takes a few weeks, which is why we do contouring before veneers rather than after.
Will the gum grow back?
Tissue removed with a laser does not normally grow back to where it was. That is what makes the result stable, and also why the planning matters: we measure first and take a conservative amount rather than guessing.
Is it covered by insurance?
When it is done purely for appearance, usually not. When it is done for a clinical reason, such as removing overgrown tissue or as part of crown lengthening so a crown has enough tooth to hold on to, it often is. The front desk will check your plan.
Questions About Metal-Free Work
Metal-Free Dentistry in Broken ArrowAre ceramic crowns as strong as metal ones?
Modern high-strength ceramics such as zirconia are strong enough for back teeth, where the chewing forces are highest. Older all-ceramic materials were not, which is where the reputation for fragility comes from. The material is chosen for the tooth rather than applied to everything.
Should I replace my existing amalgam fillings?
Not usually, if they are sound. Replacing a filling means removing more tooth, so an intact amalgam that is sealing well is generally better left alone. When one is cracked, leaking or has decay under it, it needs replacing anyway, and that is the natural moment to change material.
Why does my old crown have a dark line at the gum?
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have a metal substructure under the porcelain. As the gum recedes slightly over the years that metal edge starts to show as a grey line. All-ceramic crowns have no metal in them, so there is no line to appear.
Is this about metal allergies?
Sometimes. True allergy to dental metals is uncommon but real, most often to nickel in some alloys. For most patients the reasons are how it looks and how light passes through the material rather than a medical one.
Fillings, Crowns, Bridges and Dentures
Questions About Fillings
Dental Fillings in Broken ArrowHow do I know if I need a filling?
Often you do not, which is the point of regular checkups. Early decay causes no symptoms and shows on an X-ray long before you feel anything. By the time a tooth is sensitive to cold or sweet things, or food keeps packing into one spot, the cavity is already well established.
Does getting a filling hurt?
The tooth is numbed first, so you should feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. The numbing injection itself is the part most people mind, and a topical gel beforehand takes the edge off that. Tell us if you feel anything sharp and we will add more.
How long do fillings last?
A composite filling commonly lasts seven to ten years or more. It depends on size, where it is, whether you grind, and how well the area is kept clean. No filling is permanent, so they get checked at every visit.
Why does my tooth still feel odd after a filling?
Mild sensitivity to cold for a couple of weeks is normal, particularly after a deeper filling. What is not normal is pain on biting, or a filling that feels high when your teeth meet. That usually means the bite needs a small adjustment, which takes a few minutes. Call us rather than waiting it out.
Questions About Crowns
Dental Crowns in Broken ArrowHow long does a crown last?
Ten to fifteen years is typical and many last considerably longer. What shortens that is decay at the margin where the crown meets the tooth, grinding, and gum disease. The crown itself does not decay, but the tooth underneath still can.
Why do I need a crown after a root canal?
A root-treated tooth has had its inner tissue removed and is more brittle than a living tooth, so it fractures more easily under normal chewing. A crown holds the remaining structure together. Skipping it is the most common reason a successful root canal ends in extraction a few years later.
What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A veneer covers only the front surface and is for appearance. A crown covers the whole tooth and is structural. If a tooth is cracked or heavily filled it needs a crown, because a veneer would leave the weak parts unsupported.
My temporary crown came off. Is that an emergency?
It is not dangerous but it does need dealing with, because the prepared tooth is sensitive and the neighbouring teeth can drift enough to stop the permanent crown fitting. Keep the temporary if you can find it and call (918) 355-1391.
Questions About Bridges
Dental Bridges in Broken ArrowBridge or implant, which is better?
It depends on the teeth either side of the gap. If they already need crowns, a bridge uses work you were having anyway. If they are healthy and untouched, an implant avoids cutting them down, and it also preserves the bone in the gap, which a bridge does not. An implant takes months; a bridge takes weeks.
How long does a bridge last?
Ten to fifteen years is a reasonable expectation. Bridges fail most often because of decay or gum disease affecting a supporting tooth, not because the bridge itself breaks, so cleaning underneath it matters a great deal.
How do I clean under a bridge?
Normal floss will not pass through, because the bridge is joined across the gap. You use a floss threader or a superfloss to pass floss under the false tooth, or a small interdental brush. We will show you at the fitting. This is the single biggest factor in how long the bridge lasts.
Does a bridge look natural?
A well-made porcelain bridge is hard to pick out. The hardest part is the false tooth where it meets the gum, because there is no tooth emerging from the tissue. Shaping the underside so it sits neatly against the ridge is what makes the difference.
Questions About Implants
Dental Implants in Broken ArrowHow long does the whole process take?
Usually three to six months from placing the implant to fitting the final crown, because the bone needs time to fuse to the post. If a graft is needed first, add several months to that. You are not without a tooth in the meantime; a temporary is provided where the gap shows.
Does getting an implant hurt?
The placement is done with the area numbed and most patients report less discomfort afterwards than they expected, often comparable to an extraction. Soreness and some swelling for a few days is normal and usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
Am I too old for an implant?
Age itself is not a barrier. What matters is bone volume, gum health and general health, particularly anything that affects healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes or smoking. Those are assessed at the consultation.
How long do implants last?
The post itself often lasts decades. The crown on top is the part that wears and may need replacing at some stage, in the same way any crown does. The most common cause of implant failure is gum disease around the implant, which is preventable with cleaning and regular checks.
Questions About Dentures
Dentures in Broken ArrowHow long does it take to get used to dentures?
A few weeks for most people, and longer for a first full denture. Speech and eating both feel strange at first. Practise reading aloud, and start with soft food cut small, chewing on both sides at once. Several small adjustments in the first month are normal rather than a sign something is wrong.
Why has my denture become loose?
The ridge of bone underneath shrinks gradually once teeth are gone, so a denture that fitted well a few years ago no longer matches the shape it sits on. The fix is a reline, which resurfaces the fitting side to the current shape, rather than a whole new denture.
Should I use denture adhesive?
A small amount can help confidence, particularly early on. What adhesive should not be doing is holding up a denture that no longer fits. If you are relying on more and more of it, the denture needs relining or remaking.
Can implants make my denture more stable?
Yes, and it is most worthwhile on a lower denture, which has far less suction available than an upper. A small number of implants lets the denture clip into place so it does not lift while you eat or talk.
Root Canals, Extractions and Oral Surgery
Questions About Root Canals
Root Canal Treatment in Broken ArrowIs a root canal painful?
The reputation comes from the pain people arrive in, not from the treatment. The tooth is numbed thoroughly first, and most patients say it feels much like having a filling. The severe throbbing that brought you in is usually gone by the next day.
Why not just pull the tooth out?
Extraction is quicker and cheaper on the day, and then you have a gap. Replacing a tooth with an implant or a bridge costs more than the root canal would have, and no replacement works quite as well as a real tooth that has been kept. We will give you both options honestly.
Do I really need a crown afterwards?
On a back tooth, yes. A root-treated tooth has lost its blood supply and is more brittle, and it usually has a large cavity already. Chewing forces crack these teeth. Skipping the crown is the most common reason a successful root canal ends in extraction a couple of years later.
My tooth stopped hurting on its own. Am I fine now?
Probably not. Pain that stops suddenly after being severe often means the nerve has died rather than recovered. The infection carries on quietly and usually reappears later as an abscess. It still needs looking at.
Questions About Extractions
Tooth Extraction in Broken ArrowDoes having a tooth out hurt?
The area is numbed, so you feel firm pressure and movement rather than pain. Tell us if you feel anything sharp and we will add more anaesthetic. Discomfort afterwards is normal for a few days and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
What is dry socket and how do I avoid it?
A blood clot forms in the socket and protects the bone underneath. If it is dislodged, the exposed bone causes a deep ache that usually starts three to five days later. Avoid it by not smoking, not using a straw, not rinsing hard and not spitting for the first 24 hours. If it happens, come in; we can dress the socket and it settles quickly.
Do all wisdom teeth need removing?
No. A wisdom tooth that has come through straight, has room and can be cleaned is fine left alone. The ones that cause trouble are impacted or partly through, because the gum flap over them traps bacteria and they are impossible to clean properly.
How long until I can eat normally?
Soft food for the first day or two, chewing on the other side, and avoid anything very hot. Most people are back to normal within a few days for a simple extraction and about a week for a surgical one.
Questions About Oral Surgery
Oral Surgery in Broken ArrowWill I be asleep?
Most oral surgery here is done with local anaesthetic, so you are awake but the area is completely numb. Oral sedation and nitrous oxide are available if you would rather be relaxed and remember less. If a case needs general anaesthetic, we will refer you.
What is a bone graft for?
Bone shrinks where a tooth is missing, and an implant needs enough bone to anchor into. A graft rebuilds that volume. It is also placed at the time of an extraction to preserve the ridge when an implant is planned for later.
How long is the recovery?
Swelling usually peaks around the second day and then improves. Most people take it easy for two or three days and are back to normal within a week. A bone graft needs several months to mature before an implant can go in, though you are not uncomfortable for that whole period.
Should I take time off work?
For a straightforward surgical extraction, the rest of that day and ideally the next. For impacted wisdom teeth, two to three days is sensible, particularly if your job is physical.
Urgent Problems and Nervous Patients
Dental Emergency Questions
Emergency Dental Care in Broken ArrowWhat counts as a dental emergency?
Severe or worsening toothache, facial swelling, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, bleeding that will not stop, a lost crown or filling causing pain, or an injury to the jaw. Facial swelling with fever or difficulty swallowing needs urgent medical attention rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
What do I do with a knocked-out tooth?
Act within the hour. Pick it up by the crown, never the root. If it is dirty, rinse briefly in milk or saline, not water and do not scrub it. Put it back in the socket if you can and bite gently on a cloth, or keep it in milk. Then get to the office. An adult tooth replanted quickly can survive; a baby tooth should not be put back.
Can I be seen the same day?
We make every effort to see dental emergencies the same day. Call as early in the day as you can, because same-day appointments get taken.
What if it happens when you are closed?
We are open Monday to Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Outside those hours, call (918) 355-1391 and the message will tell you what to do. For facial swelling with fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a serious injury, go to an emergency room rather than waiting.
Toothache Questions
What to Do About a ToothacheWhy does my toothache get worse at night?
Lying flat increases blood pressure in your head, and that raises the pressure inside an already inflamed tooth. There are also fewer distractions. Propping your head up on an extra pillow genuinely helps, and it is the simplest thing to try first.
The pain stopped on its own. Do I still need to come in?
Yes. Severe tooth pain that disappears suddenly usually means the nerve inside the tooth has died rather than recovered. The infection does not go away with the pain; it carries on quietly and generally returns later as an abscess or facial swelling.
Can I put aspirin on the tooth?
No. Aspirin held against the gum burns the tissue and causes a chemical ulcer, and it does nothing for the tooth because pain relief works through the bloodstream. Swallow it instead.
When is a toothache an emergency?
Facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or pain that is not controlled by over-the-counter medication all mean you should be seen straight away. Swelling spreading towards the eye or under the jaw needs an emergency room rather than a dental appointment.
Broken Tooth Questions
I Chipped or Broke a ToothIs a chipped tooth an emergency?
A small chip in the enamel with no pain is not urgent, though it should still be looked at before a rough edge cuts your tongue or the chip gets worse. A break that exposes yellow dentine or a pink or red spot in the middle is urgent, and a tooth broken at the gum line needs seeing straight away.
Should I keep the broken piece?
Yes, bring it. It cannot always be reattached, but for a clean fracture of a front tooth it sometimes can, and either way it tells us exactly how much structure is missing.
What if it does not hurt?
A broken tooth that does not hurt still needs looking at. Pain depends on whether the break has reached the nerve, not on how serious the damage is. A tooth can be cracked through the root and feel nothing until infection sets in.
Can a broken tooth be saved?
Usually, if you are seen before the break extends. Chips are bonded, larger breaks are crowned, and a break that has reached the nerve needs root canal treatment and then a crown. A fracture running below the gum into the root is the one that often cannot be saved, which is why time matters.
Questions About Dental Anxiety
If You Are Afraid of the DentistI have not been in ten years. Will I be judged?
No, and it is far more common than people think. Nobody here is interested in lecturing you about a gap. The exam is the same either way and the plan starts from where you actually are.
What is the difference between nitrous oxide and oral sedation?
Nitrous oxide is breathed through a small mask, works within minutes, and clears within minutes of stopping, so you can drive yourself home. Oral sedation is a tablet taken beforehand that produces a much deeper calm and often leaves little memory of the appointment, but it lasts for hours and you need someone to drive you.
Can I just come and look without any treatment?
Yes. Ask for a consultation rather than an exam. You can sit in the room, meet the dentist, ask questions and leave, with nothing done. For some patients that first visit with no instruments involved is what makes the second one possible.
What if I panic during the appointment?
Agree a stop signal before we start, usually raising your left hand, and we stop when you use it. Knowing you can stop at any moment is itself one of the more effective things for anxiety, because most of the fear is about not being in control.
Questions About Sedation
Sedation Dentistry in Broken ArrowWill I be unconscious?
No. Both options here keep you conscious and able to respond. You will be relaxed and much less aware of what is going on, and with oral sedation many people remember very little afterwards, but you are not put to sleep.
Can I drive myself home?
After nitrous oxide, yes. It clears within a few minutes of the mask coming off. After oral sedation, no. You will need someone to bring you, take you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.
Is sedation safe?
For healthy patients it has a long track record. Safety comes from the assessment beforehand, which is why we go through your medical history, your medications and any breathing problems such as sleep apnea before agreeing to it. Be straightforward about all of it, including anything you take recreationally.
Does sedation replace the numbing injection?
No. Sedation manages anxiety; local anaesthetic manages pain, and you still need it. The advantage is that a sedated patient is far less bothered by the injection itself, which for many people is the part they dread most.
Straightening Your Teeth
Questions About Orthodontics
Orthodontics in Broken ArrowAm I too old for clear aligners?
No. Teeth move at any age, as long as the gums and the bone supporting them are healthy. Treatment can take a little longer in adults because the bone is denser, and a good many adults choose clear aligners because they are so discreet.
How long does treatment take?
Simple cases, such as mild crowding of the front teeth, can be a few months. A full case involving the bite is usually eighteen months to two years. We will give you an estimate after looking at X-rays and models rather than guessing at a first glance.
How many hours a day do I need to wear my aligners?
Most treatment plans require about 20 to 22 hours of wear each day. Aligners only move teeth while they are in, so if they are regularly left out for long periods the teeth may not move as planned and treatment can take longer.
Do I have to wear a retainer forever?
In some form, yes. Teeth drift back towards where they started, and that tendency never fully disappears. Most people wear a retainer full time at first and then at night indefinitely. Stopping is the single most common reason people need treatment twice.
Visiting Us From Nearby Towns
Questions From Broken Arrow Patients
Dentist in Broken Arrow, OKWhere exactly are you in Broken Arrow?
At 2522 E Kenosha St, in the Tiger Plaza building on the east side of town. Kenosha is OK-51B, so it is a straightforward run from most of Broken Arrow, and parking is off Kenosha with no garage to deal with.
Are you taking new patients in Broken Arrow?
Yes, of every age. Call (918) 355-1391 or send the contact form and the front desk will find a time and check your insurance before you arrive.
Can I be seen the same day if a tooth breaks?
We make every effort to see dental emergencies the same day. Call as early as you can, because same-day appointments fill up.
Do you see children as well as adults?
Yes. This is a family practice, so a whole household can be seen here and appointments can be grouped so one trip covers everybody.
Questions From Bixby Patients
Dentist Near Bixby, OKHow far is your office from Bixby?
Roughly twenty minutes depending on where in Bixby you start and which route you take. Memorial to Kenosha, or east on 151st and up through Broken Arrow, are the two usual approaches.
Is there a dental office closer to me in Bixby?
There are dentists in Bixby, and for a routine cleaning the nearest one may suit you. Patients tend to travel to us when they want one office for the whole family, sedation options, or a practice that makes every effort to fit emergencies in.
Do you accept the insurance plans common around Bixby?
We accept more than twenty plans, including the large carriers most employers in the Tulsa metro use. Call with your card and the front desk will check yours specifically.
Questions From Jenks Patients
Dentist Near Jenks, OKHow long does it take to get to you from Jenks?
Usually around twenty-five minutes, depending on where in Jenks you start and how the Creek Turnpike is moving. It is a straightforward run east rather than a trip through downtown Tulsa.
Can you see our whole family on the same trip?
Yes, and for patients driving in from Jenks that is usually the sensible way to do it. Tell the front desk how many people and roughly when suits, and they will group the appointments.
Do you treat teenagers in braces?
Yes. Patients in braces need more frequent cleanings because brackets and wires trap plaque, and we offer braces and clear aligners here as well.
Questions From Coweta Patients
Dentist Near Coweta, OKHow far is your office from Coweta?
About fifteen minutes. OK-51 runs west out of Coweta and becomes E Kenosha Street, and our office is on it. For Coweta patients it is close to a straight line with no turns to remember.
Is there much dental care in Coweta itself?
Coweta is a smaller town, so the range of treatment available locally is narrower than in the larger suburbs. Patients often come to us for the things a small practice may not offer, such as implants, sedation or orthodontics.
Do you take Oklahoma HealthChoice?
HealthChoice is on our accepted list, along with more than twenty other plans. Acceptance depends on your individual policy, so call with your card and the front desk will check.
Questions From Owasso Patients
Dentist Near Owasso, OKHow long is the drive from Owasso?
Usually around thirty minutes. The common route is south on US-169 and then east onto the Broken Arrow Expressway or across to Kenosha. It is the longest of our service-area drives, so most Owasso patients book appointments that make one trip worthwhile.
Is it worth coming that far for a cleaning?
On its own, probably not. Owasso patients generally come to us because a whole family can be seen in one visit, or for treatment such as implants, sedation or orthodontics, and then keep their cleanings here because the records and the history are already in one place.
Can you combine several treatments into one appointment?
Yes, and for patients travelling from Owasso it usually makes sense. Sedation is available if a longer appointment would be easier to get through.
Questions From North Broken Arrow Patients
Dentist in North Broken ArrowHow do I get to you from north Broken Arrow?
Come south off the Broken Arrow Expressway on any of the main north-south streets, then east onto Kenosha. From most of the north side it is under ten minutes.
Is there parking?
Yes, at ground level off E Kenosha Street in the Tiger Plaza building. There is no garage and no long walk from the car.
Do you see the whole family?
Yes. Every age is treated here, and appointments can be grouped so one trip covers the household.
Still Have a Question?
We’re happy to help. If you have a question about scheduling, insurance, or a dental concern, give our office a call.