Frequently asked questions

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What do I need to bring?

If you are a new patient you will want to bring the new patient forms with you or arrive early so you can complete them before your visit.  

Please be sure to bring your own mask to wear during your visit.

How Do I Cancel my Appointment?

Please call us at 641-892-4898 as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule your appointment. 

How Do I Change my Address and Tel No?

Call our office at 641-892-4898 and we will be happy to assist you.

How are you handling appointments during the COVID19 outbreak?

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the American Dental Association and the Iowa Dental Association have strongly recommended dental offices postpone non-essential appointments for 3 weeks starting March 17. We at Central Park Dentistry have elected to follow this recommendation in order to protect staff, patients and their families.

If you have routine appointments during this time a team member will be getting in touch with you to reschedule. During the next 3 weeks, if you are a current patient and have a dental emergency, please call our office. We will have staff available during normal business hours or instructions on how to contact us for emergency care for patients who are asymptotic and who have not been in contact with people who are experiencing symptoms.

Please call the office at 641-423-4225 if you have any questions or concerns. We will continue to monitor the situations as well as receive the best recommendations on a day to day basis. Thank you for your understanding.

What type of dental insurance does CPD accept?

We accept all types of privately purchased and employer benefit dental insurances.

We are not sure which insurer has the best rates o­n the premium that you pay. From what we see, the best insurance benefits patients privately purchase is from Farm Bureau and is either Blue Dental or Delta Dental insurance. In general, the best benefits come from employer insurance programs.

Can you tell me more on how you qualify for the care credit program, and what if you don’t qualify?

Care Credit is a patient payment plan that is offered nationwide, and is accepted by our office. Usually, 12 months of no interest payments are available through the plan. You can apply for Care Credit online, or in person at our office.

To qualify for Care Credit, you will need two forms of ID that can be verified. For example, a state issued driver’s license and/or another form of credit approval. You must be 18 years of age to apply. Employment history, home ownership, or rental history is very helpful when applying.

If you would not qualify for care credit, you can discuss our standard financial arrangements with our front desk personnel, or seek other forms of credit from outside lending services.

Beyond simply changing the color of my teeth, I’m interested in changing the shape of my teeth. What options are available?

Several different options are available to change the shape of teeth, make teeth look longer close, spaces between teeth, or repair chipped or cracked teeth.  Among the options are bonding, crowns, veneers, and re-contouring.

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to the tooth surface and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth.  A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth.  The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies above the gum line.  Veneers (also sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin.  Custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth.  These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth.  Recontouring or reshaping of the teeth is a procedure in which small amount of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth’s length, shape, or surface.

I have a terrible fear of going to the dentist yet I recognize the importance of seeing the dentist to maintain good oral health. What should I do?

If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone.  Between 9 percent and 15 percent of Americans state they avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety of fear.  The first thing you should do is talk with your dentist.  The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist.  Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she, will be better able to work with you to help you feel safe.  We make every effort to understand your fears and make you comfortable- from the ways we interact with you, to the nitrous, or other sedatives options, you will know you are in a place you can trust.

How do whitening toothpastes work and how effective are they at whitening teeth?

All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives.  Some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness.  Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stain only and do not contain bleach.  Over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching substance) that helps remove stains on the tooth surface, as well as stains deep in the tooth.  None of the home use whitening toothpastes can come even close to producing the bleaching effect you get from your dentist’s office.

I’ve been a cigarette smoker for a number of years and am concerned about the possibility of developing oral cancer. What are the signs and symptoms of oral cancer?

First, it’s important to note that more than 25 percent of all oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and who only drink alcohol occasionally.  To answer, your question, the following are the common signs and symptoms or oral cancer:

  • Swelling, thickening, lumps, bumps, rough spots/crusts/, or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth.
  • The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth
  • Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
  • Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
  • Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within two weeks.
  • A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of your throat.
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue.
  • Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or changes in the voice
  • Ear pain
  • A change in the way your teeth or dentures fir together- a change in your “bite”
  • Dramatic weight loss
What should I use to clean my baby’s teeth?

A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can cause decay.  Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants should be used at least once a day.  Start as soon as the teeth first appear in the mouth.

When should I take my child to the dentist for the first check-up?

In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a dentist when the first tooth appears, no later than his/her first birthday.  Pediatric physicians also recommend this.

I need to have my wisdom teeth extracted. Do I need to go to an oral surgeon or can I be seen in your office?

90% of wisdom teeth can be taken care of here at Central Park Dentistry.  We can also offer you many ways to be comfortable while it is done.

Have a question you don't see answered here?
Simply send us a quick email and we'll be happy to answer whatever questions you might have!

 

Can you get work done on your teeth while you are pregnant?

Yes! You can get work done on your teeth while pregnant. Ideally, the work is done in the second trimester, but any toothaches or potential problems should be dealt with as soon as possible any time during pregnancy. Most everything done is safe for the baby and mother.

The overall health of both of you is what is important. Premature birth and low birth weight have both been linked to gum disease, so if you find out you are pregnant and haven’t had a cleaning in a while, it is a good time to schedule a check-up.

What is the best thing to do if a tooth gets knocked out?

Well, of course it depends on if part of the tooth is knocked out (chipped, fractured, and broken) or if you mean the whole tooth is knocked out (tooth and full root). We will discuss the later.

First, other injuries that may have occurred are the first priority such as a concussion, or cuts, or neck injury. Primary first aid is most important.

If a tooth is completely knocked out, find it and inspect it for any fractures, if none, gently rinse any dirt off under running water–do not scrub! Leave all the tissue or bone o­n the tooth in place.

If you can put the tooth back in, in its correct position, that is the best. It is best done fairly quickly, or soak the tooth in saline or milk or many schools have a “Save a Tooth” system to soak the tooth in. Call your dentist immediately or go to the ER. Time is important.

Then the dentist can determine if they can place the tooth back in or if it is best to leave the tooth out and look at other ways to restore the patient’s smile.