Frequently Asked Questions

Read through this Q&A section in case your area of interest is covered. If you still have a questions when you're finished reading, just contact us for more details!

• At what age should my children first see Dr. McCarley?
• Do you accept referrals?
• Do you accept my insurance plan?
• Will I be charged if I need to cancel an appointment?
• I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
• How can I safely whiten my teeth?
• What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
• My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
• I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?
• I brush everyday, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
• Do I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?
• I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

At what age should my children first see Dr. McCarley?

If your child has a serious injury to the mouth or teeth, or if they are experiencing dental pain, Dr. McCarley needs to see them as soon as possible. Otherwise, we recommend scheduling your child for a happy visit when they are three years old. We make this appointment a very pleasant experience for them with rides in the dental chair, lots of show and tell about the dental equipment and instruments and positive reinforcement like praise, stickers and small toys for their cooperation. If the child is willing, we may be able to examine or even polish their teeth. However, the most important goal of this initial visit is to establish the dental office as a non-threatening and fun place to visit.

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Do you accept referrals?

The greatest complement our patients can give is the referral of their friends and loved ones.

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Do you accept my insurance plan?

We will accept any freedom of choice insurance plan, but we are not a provider within any network, should you have to choose from a list of participating providers. However, with most dental insurance plans, you are given the option to go out of network. We will be more than happy to accept assignment from your insurance company for a maximum of 60 days. Should your insurance not pay within that 60 day period you will be billed for the balance and be expected to pay the remaining balance.  Upon your arrival, we will request a copy of your insurance card and driver's license. We will call to get a breakdown of benefits from your insurance company.  This will give us an idea of your dental benefits. This will only be an estimate, not a guarantee of benefits.

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Will I be charged if I need to cancel an appointment?

When an appointment is reserved for the doctor's time, we hope that you understand we are devoting all the time to you, our valued patient. We do understand that there will be lifes little unexpected circumstances that have to be dealt with on an individual basis, but normally there is a $25 missed appointment fee unless we're notified greater than 24 hours before the appointment time. So, yes, all appointments are subject to a $25 missed appointment fee.

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

This is usually not an emergency if there is no pain, but we do need to see you within 48 hours. The temporary needs to be recemented or remade to maintain space for the permanent crown.

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How can I safely whiten my teeth?

We use a fast, safe and effective tooth whitening system that is dispensed into a customized bleach tray for accurate, convenient at-home bleaching. You can achieve exceptional teeth whitening results in 10-14 days, when used for 30 minutes twice a day.

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 What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

The safety of our patients is our first priority. Strict infection control protocol such as room disinfection, instrument sterilization and personal equipment are used to prevent and control the spread of germs and diseases for your safety as well as ours. We also do blood pressure monitoring before every major procedure, and during longer procedures.

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

Yes, bleeding is a sign that something is wrong. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would be concerned! Likewise, if your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it is also something you should be concerned about. The presence of blood indicates that inflammation or even infection is present, caused by bacteria in plaque and tarter. If there is only soft plaque causing inflammation, brushing twice daily and flossing correctly once a day should eliminate the hemorrhaging within a few days. However, if calcified plaque (tarter or calculus) is present, the bleeding will not subside until a dental hygienist removes the hard deposits. It is recommended that you have your teeth cleaned professionally at least every six months.

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I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?

If listening to relaxing music on our headsets is not enough, we offer nitrous oxide sedation to help take the edge off??, which is administered through a plastic, sterile, nose piece. For the most timid, oral conscious sedation such as Valium or Halcion may be used. With this type of sedation, you will need someone to drop you off and pick you up for your appointment.

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

The most common cause of halitosis (bad breath) is bacteria-laden plaque. Even if you are brushing regularly, if you are not also flossing every day, the plaque in between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach can cause mouth odor. Plaque is actually food particles left behind after eating that are then broken down by enzymes and bacteria in the mouth. It's sort of like leaving food out of the refrigerator it eventually decomposes and smalls bad! The other cause of bad breath is the presence of sulphur compounds that become embedded in the surface of the tongue. Brushing your tongue every time you brush your teeth should eliminate this. There are also a variety of tongue cleansers or tongue scrapers on the market for the same purpose.

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

It is hard to believe that a little piece of string can be so vital to your oral health, but it's true. If you don't floss, you're really doing only half the job necessary to clean your teeth and gums properly. Brushing generally only cleans the tops, front and back of your teeth, but does not clean the surfaces between the teeth. Early stage gum disease is usually most severe between the teeth. It is also where a lot of decay begins. Flossing can also give you a fresher, cleaner feeling mouth and prevent bad breath. You only have to floss once a day to help prevent the build up of plaque and tarter.

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

There are many options to choose from, but not all are right for every patient. These options include: bleaching, bonding, laminates or crowns. Dr. McCarley will diagnose and evaluate your dental situation and recommend the correct treatment to complete a beautiful smile and restore you to optimal dental health.

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