Frequently Asked Questions
Questions & Answers
Your health and well-being is very important to us. Although our website provides a very valuable set of articles, topics, videos, Dr. Kitzmiller’s news and articles on his blog and this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page, we want you to feel comfortable asking us about dentistry especially as it relates to your oral health.
Contact us or write your questions down so you don’t forget to ask them at your next visit!
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General FAQs
We take your health very seriously and have always followed the OSHA and ADA guidelines for sterilization and disinfecting our office. Since the arrival of the novel Coronavirus (COVIS-19) we are taking extra steps. Read several articles about it on Dr. Kitzmiller’s blog with dates in March, April, May 2020 and beyond.
We will make every attempt possible to bill your dental services to your insurance company. However, Dr. Kitzmiller is not an in-network provider with any insurance company. We will file your claims to your insurance carrier for your convenience. There are times when insurance benefits will not cover a procedure or service. In these instances, you are responsible for the remaining, unpaid balance. We do not compromise your care based on the limitations of your insurance benefits.
New patients can contact our office at 919-362-1341 to inquire about emergency appointment availability. Emergency appointments require a diagnostic exam and x-rays prior to any treatment being done. Treatment need and cost will also be presented to you prior to the start of treatment. We provide emergency care after hours for our established patients. If you are a patient of record with Apex Dental Group and need assistance please call our office and follow the instructions to contact us.
Sometimes the tooth that has been knocked out can be re-implanted, if you can get to the dentist right away. Make sure to pick up the tooth by the crown or enamel portion and NOT the root. If the tooth is dirty or contaminated it should gently be rinsed with milk or water. Store the tooth in milk, saline or saliva and get to a dentist quickly.
Adults may start taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen every eight hours. You can also apply an ice pack on the area and contact us as soon as possible. If your face swells up it can be life threatening, you need to go to the emergency room if you cannot reach a dentist.
Try to place it back in and give Apex Dental Group’s office a call. The temporary crown needs to be cemented back in otherwise the adjacent teeth might shift and your new crown might not fit. Toothpaste is an easy way to hold the temporary in place.
First Visit Tips
Yes, complete and return the patient information forms found on the patient information page under the forms section. We need one set for each patient 3 days prior to your appointment to assure we have all of your insurance information updated. Keep the Financial Policy and HIPAA Privacy Policy for your records.
Arrive about 15 minutes prior to your appointment time so we can get final information in the registered in system and get you seated with the dental team on time.
If you don’t choose to use the Google Maps link to find us, we have provided a printable PDF on the contact page with a map and driving directions.
Yes, write down your questions or concerns and bring them with you. Our dentist and dental team are happy to discuss all of these with you. Writing them down makes the process go smoothly and ensures you remember to ask.
All first appointments require a parent or guardian to be present to discuss the dental visit. All children under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in case of a medical emergency, however there are some exceptions with parental consent.
See: Patient Information Page under Parental Responsibility Section
If you bring your current x-rays to your initial appointment, we may not need to retake or charge you for new x-rays. Contact your previous dentist to have current x-rays sent to you prior to your appointment with our office. We take Bitewings once each year and a Panorex every three years.
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants are sturdy root replacements for teeth. They act and function like normal teeth.
See also: Restore Your Smile page
Anesthesia is always given and is a simple as doing a filling! If you have to have a tooth removed and bone graft placed, you may need to relax after the surgery. There is minimal or no discomfort for either. We also offer nitrous oxide to relax patients.
When properly planned with cone beam x-rays, diagnostic studies, placement with surgical guides, they look and feel like normal teeth. If you wait too long to have a tooth extracted (loose bone), the results can vary drastically.
See also: Patient Education Center – Topics Page
When compared to bridges they are longer lasting and more predictable. Start your implants early, and do bone grafting when needed to preserve the bone.
See also: The chart on the implant costs on the ‘Restore Your Smile’ Services page.
Routine brushing and flossing is required daily – just like your natural teeth. Your implants will not get decay, but you can lose bone around them. Implants are susceptible to bone loss if not cared for.
Check out these areas of our website for more information and videos:
Decisions about your teeth affect your overall health, your bone structure now and in the future, your appearance and consequently, your confidence. It is not a decision to take lightly. Dr. Kitzmiller is here to help you make the right decisions for your individual situation. He listens and educates you on your options and makes recommendations specific to you! Apex Dental Group is your partner in dental health.
Check out these areas of our website for more information and videos:
Dr. Kitzmiller is your dental implant professional in Apex, North Carolina. He is a qualified, experienced implant dentist whom is a member of International Congress of Oral Implantologists at the highest “Fellowship” level. Apex Dental Group has all of the leading-edge technology in the office and is considered a “digital practice.”
You can be assured that you are choosing the right implant dentist when you choose Apex Dental Group.
Apex Dental Group will be happy to discuss your situation and whether or not Dr. Kitzmiller recommends dental implants for you.
Check out these areas of our website for more information and videos:
Smile Improvement FAQs
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell made of porcelain or composite resin that are custom fit then adhered to front surface of your tooth to improve your smile. Veneers look like natural teeth and improve the imperfections that plague your teeth.
See also: Cosmetic Treatments Page
Your gums and teeth must be healthy and any disease or decay treated before the veneer can be placed. The process of placing veneers is permanent because your tooth enamel is altered. If you clench or grind your teeth, the thin veneers may chip or crack and although they can be repaired or replaced. Discuss your consideration with Dr. Kitzmiller at your next appointment to find out if his assessment classifies you as a candidate for veneers and learn all the options to design your smile.
See also: Smile Design and Cosmetic Treatments and Topics in Patient Education Center pages.
Other Trusted Resources
2 Min 2X (Teach your child to brush 2 minutes 2 times per day)
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