┃Helping Patients Achieve a Lifetime of Dental Health┃
COMMON QUESTIONS
How often should I have my teeth cleaned?
At what age do you recommend that my child be seen?
What are your office hours?
Do you take my insurance plan?
Do you offer a payment plan?
What should I bring to my first appointment?
I have not been to the dentist in several years. How long will it take for my first appointment?
┃How often should I have my teeth cleaned?
Most people should plan to have their teeth cleaned every six months. This is important for two reasons. First, plaque tends to harden into a substance called calculus after six months in most mouths. The calculus can only be removed by the dentist or hygienist with special equipment. If the calculus is allowed to remain on the teeth, it acts as a safe haven for more bacteria, which form even more calculus. In addition to cleaning your teeth twice yearly, we also like to perform an examination at each dental visit. This consists of checking the teeth for any damage, performing an intra-oral cancer screening, and checking the integrity of any previous restorations. This is a general guideline only, as those with periodontal problems will require more frequent care.
┃At what age do you recommend that my child be seen?
The American Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental exam at age one. We focus on dental development and look for early signs of dental disease. With children under the age of three, we perform an exam only. After three, we try to perform the cleaning, but we base our decision on the individual child and their level of fear. We never force a child in our office.
┃What are your office hours?
Monday & Wednesday: 8am-5:30pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 7am-4pm
Friday: By special appointment only
┃Do you take my insurance plan?
We at Dr. Robert Kleypas' office are highly trained and familiar with the many nuances of dental insurance. We will gladly file your insurance claim for you and only require that you meet your co-pay at the time of service. Some procedures such as preventative care (cleanings) may not require any out-of-pocket expense.
Our office takes all indemnity and PPO insurance plans. DMO's are ineligible. Please call the office with your insurance questions and we will gladly pre-determine your benefits.
┃Do you offer a payment plan?
We do have two independent companies, Care Credit and Sunbit Financing, that will extend credit for dental work. When your application is submitted, they can usually provide an answer within the hour. Some of their plans are zero interest for one year. Click below for more information about Sunbit and a lightning fast response.
We do offer an in-house payment plan with convenient terms. Call for details.
┃What should I bring to my first appointment?
It is a good idea to bring the name and dosage of any prescription medications that you may be taking. Many patients bring their medication bottles with them to their appointment. It is also important to let us know if you require pre-medication prior to a dental appointment. Those who require pre-med are usually aware of this but it includes anyone with a recent joint replacement, artificial heart valve, history of significant heart murmur, etc. Also, bring your insurance card and emergency contact information.
┃If I have not been to the dentist in several years, how long will it take for my first appointment?
If you have not been to the dentist in two years or more, we will schedule your first appointment with the dentist. At this appointment, appropriate x-rays are taken and the dentist will conduct an initial examination. This allows us to determine what your current dental status is before we appoint for a cleaning. Some patients who have been away for years are in serious dental condition while others are near normal. If time permits, we try very hard to get your cleaning done at the same appointment. Irregardless, the first appointment normally takes an hour.