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At the ADFC, every restoration that is offered is based on the individual situation for the specific tooth in each patient's mouth. Sometimes due to many reasons a tooth colored material is not the best option. Sometimes a gold restoration is the best option. However, wherever possible, and certainly if the restoration will show when smiling, a tooth colored material is offered. We also will treat any person of any age as long as they are comfortable and manageable in our office. Do you perform "painless" dentistry? ADFC Answer: I am told by many of my patients that I am "painless". However, I am aware that anything a dentist does is usually a form of controlled trauma. The key to painless dentistry is to perform this controlled trauma as atraumatically as possible and reduce the patient's post-operative discomfort. By using virtually painless injections and minimizing the trauma to the teeth and gums during treatment, I am able to increase patient comfort during and immediately following their dental procedures. What is your position on oral sedation for the extremely anxious or fearful patient? ADFC Answer: I have used oral medication occasionally to help certain patients feel more comfortable while receiving their treatment. My experience is that for the patients that I have prescribed preoperative oral sedation, most of them have not continued to use it once they have experienced my style of dentistry. Patients do have the option to have oral and/or intravenous sedation performed in my office. We simply need to schedule an anesthesiologist to come to the office for the intravenous sedation. How important are nutrition and systemic diseases in relation to oral health? ADFC Answer: Extremely important because we are what we absorb and our bodies cannot absorb healthy substances unless we make sure we are putting them into our bodies. The mouth is part of the whole body and can cause and/or make worse many systemic diseases. Also, many systemic diseases can cause or make worse some diseases of the mouth. One cannot separate the health of their mouth from the health of the rest of their body. How do certain medications effect the health of the oral tissues? ADFC Answer: Some can cause a direct effect by drying out of the oral tissues. Others can reduce the body's immune system giving opportunistic diseases a chance to occur in the mouth. How long does your dentistry last? Do you warranty your dentistry? ADFC Answer: No dentist has a crystal ball. However, if the dentistry is performed well, it can last a long, long time. For example, the ADA has said that the average lifespan for a crown is 7 years. I like to inform my patients that as long as they are healthy, are maintaining their restorations properly, and are coming to me for regular maintenance visits, I will warranty my dentistry for 10 years. I believe my dentistry has the potential to last a lifetime similar to a patient's natural teeth. This is assuming the patient's mouth is as healthy as possible. Any compromised treatment plan may have consequences associated with it. Do you help patients collect their benefits from their insurance company? ADFC Answer: Absolutely. We will provide the necessary information to be attached to the claim form for the patient to file with their insurance company and the insurance company will reimburse the patient directly for the fee assistance allowed under the rules of the patient's policy. We will write narratives, send radiographs, and "go to bat" for patients and do whatever we can to maximize their benefits if necessary. We file the claim form for our patients who are subscribers with Delta, Anthem, Cigna and MetLife. Do you offer dentistry that will make the mouth healthy or watch problems and only provide dentistry based on insurance coverage?