Frequently Asked Questions

Regular teeth cleaning removes plaque, making sure it doesn't stay on your teeth long enough to cause cavities. Regular check ups ensure your teeth are checked for any issues before they become big problems. This gives you the best chance of preventing cavities, cracks, gum disease, and other issues by correcting any small problems before they become big ones. Regular cleaning and check ups can save you time, money and painful conditions down the road.  

When bacteria gets into a tooth it creates a cavity which eats away at your tooth. If left untreated, it will continue to develop which can cause the tooth to further erode. This can result in the tooth becoming weakened and breaking, or the cavity reaching the nerve resulting in extreme pain or infection. If this happens the tooth will need either a root canal or to be pulled. A filling, done to remove the cavity when it is small, can prevent all of these things from happening and can help you keep your teeth and avoid painful conditions and costly procedures down the road.  

When a tooth needs a very large filling or has cracks, pressure on the tooth from chewing can cause the tooth to break. If the tooth cracks too deeply, it often cannot be saved and needs to be pulled. To prevent this, a crown is placed over the tooth to hold it together and evenly distribute the forces on it to prevent it from cracking. This can save the tooth from further damage and result in being able to keep your tooth for much longer than if a crown is not placed. Though the crown is more expensive, it should help preserve your tooth longer than other treatment options which is why it is recommended. 

As a courtesy to our patients, we do accept several dental insurances, however plans vary drastically and exact benefits are determined on an individual basis. It is best to call your insurance company to find out what your benefits will cover. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Independent dental clinics are typically owned and operated by the dentist who works in the clinic. Corporate chain dental clinics are owned by large corporations who then hire dentists as employees. Independent dentists are able to control every aspect of their office, including the quality of materials, time spent with patients, which labs to use, and which specialists to refer to. Unfortunately, corporate chains often restrict the quality of products used, limit appointment times, and pressure employees to push treatment to increase profits. When a corporation needs to make money off the clinic, they need to make more money than an owner operated clinic and often do so by reducing quality.

Dr. Charron has worked for both types of clinics and has seen first hand the negative effects corporations have on the quality of patient care. He enjoys being able to use the highest quality materials and labs and spend the time it takes to get quality results. 

Invisalign is a dentist supervised type of removable braces that involves clear retainers moving your teeth to create a straighter smile. These cases involve adhering attachments (little buttons) to the teeth, which allows the retainer to place specific forces on each tooth to move them correctly. The ability to have buttons placed on your teeth, the professionally taken impressions, and the regular dentist supervision ensures you get the best result from your Invisalign case. 

Mail order braces are limited in the amount of movement that is achievable as there are no attachments placed on the teeth. There are also significant limitations in having to do your own at home impressions and not having professional supervision. These cases are often much less successful than dentist supervised cases. 

Night guards you purchase from the drug store are simply plastic that will be between your teeth. They are better than nothing and can reduce the damage caused by clenching and grinding by acting as a barrier and shock absorber. However, these night guards have a habit of being uncomfortable, falling out, and they are not intended to reduce jaw pain.  

Night guards that are created by Dr. Charron are made with a special technique that places the jaw in a position called centric relation. This is where the night guard, when bitten down upon, guides the jaw into a neutral position that allows the surrounding musculature to relax. This relaxation reduces the strain on muscles throughout the night and the resulting jaw pain. These specialized night guards are made to fit your mouth comfortably and snuggly so you don't wake up with sores or with it having fallen out during the night.