Frequently Asked Questions

To help you get acquainted with our practice and our procedures, we’ve listed below the answers to some of the common questions that we most frequently receive.

• What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?
  

  You’ll notice the difference in the personal attention that you receive during your treatments and in the time that we spend with you. You’ll also find that we’re not baffled by difficult problems—we thrive on finding solutions that give you good oral health as well as the beautiful smile you want.

• How does the doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
  

  To keep up-to-date on the latest dental technologies and procedures, Dr. Harris takes many, many hours of continuing education each year. He has completed courses at two institutions known for the quality of their classes: The Pankey Institute for Continuing Dental Education and the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study.

  Dr. Harris also stays active in local and national dental organizations, where he can meet and discuss advances in the profession with other dentists.

• What different payment options do you provide?
  

  We do everything possible to make your dental care affordable. We take cash, checks and all major credit cards, and offer CareCredit financing for some treatments.

• Do you accept my insurance plan?
  

  We do accept most insurance plans, and will work with you to ensure you get the maximum benefits that you’re entitled to under your policy.

• What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
  

  Your safety is of the greatest importance to us, so we use gloves and masks during treatment and carefully follow all procedures for sterilization of equipment. We also monitor our sterilizer on a regular basis to make sure that it is working properly.

• How can I safely whiten my teeth?
  

  White teeth are a great way to brighten your smile! We believe that take-home whitening offers great results, and can provide you with either Opalescence or Zoom! Whitening take-home kits.

• I really do not like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?
  

  You’ll find our office is a friendly, welcoming place, and you may feel more comfortable here than you’ve ever felt in a dental office. However, we do recognize that some patients are very nervous when it comes to getting needed treatment, so we offer nitrous gas (laughing gas) and oral sedation to help your relax.

• Do you accept referrals?
  

  We welcome them, and appreciate your confidence in us. We’ll do our very best to live up to your recommendations.

• I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?
  

  Good news—there are many alternatives, including crowns and veneers, that could give your front teeth a whole new look. To see what would work best in your case, please schedule a smile evaluation with us.

• What is Smile Analysis?
  

  Smile analysis is the process of taking an in-depth look at your smile to see where we can make improvements. It involves a thorough examination of your mouth and gums, looking at pictures of other people’s smiles so we can see what you like, listening to your input about what you want, and finally developing a plan for your smile makeover using all this information.

• How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
  

  The frequency of your visits to our Dallas dental office will depend on your dental health. Generally, we encourage patients to come and see us every six months.

  Because we understand that you have a very busy schedule, we’ll remind you when it’s time for a visit with a postcard and a phone call.

• At what age should my children first see a dentist?
  

  Generally, we recommend that a child come to see us when he/she is around three years old. Of course, if you or your pediatrician have any specific concerns about the oral health or dental development of a child of a younger age we’ll be glad to schedule an appointment for him or her.

• Crowns, veneers and partials…where can I learn more about these procedures?
  

  We invite you to check out the Patient Library section of our web site, which has explanations of many dental procedures. You might also want to refer to the American Dental Association Web site, which is an excellent source of information about these and other dental topics.

  Of course, we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about specific procedures. Just ask!

• I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
  

  When you get a temporary crown, we’ll give you a handout that covers just about every problem that can arise. Please follow these instructions.

  If you can’t find the instructions, simply place the crown back on the tooth using Vaseline to hold it in place. Then call our dental office in Dallas for further instructions.

• My child has had an accident and his/her tooth has been entirely knocked out. What do I do?
  

  Don’t scrub the tooth. If possible, quickly rinse it off and insert it back in your child’s mouth. If you can’t put it in his/her mouth, keep the tooth wet by immersing it in a glass of milk. Call us right away, and we’ll arrange for a time for you to come in.

• I brush everyday, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
  

  Bad breath can be caused by many different conditions, including periodontal disease. We’ll be glad to check you for underlying problems and help resolve them. We also offer Breath Rx, a breath-freshening treatment that many people find very effective in treating bad breath.

• My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
  

  Absolutely! Bleeding gums are often a symptom of gingivitis (an inflammation of the gums) and periodontal disease. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause tooth and bone loss and may contribute to systemic problems such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

• Do I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?
  

  Yes, it really is. Flossing removes any food debris caught between teeth and helps remove dental plaque, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.