Frequently Asked Dental Questions – Lake Havasu City, AZ

The Answers You’ve
Been Looking For

Having worked with patients for many years now, Dr. Gonzalez and Dr. Kurtz have noticed that certain questions come up more often than others. For your convenience, we’ve listed the answers to said questions on this page. If there’s anything you’re particularly concerned about, take the time to read below. If you finish and haven’t found what you’re looking for, don’t worry; we’re always here to answer your questions, so feel free to call us.

How Soon Do I Need to Schedule My Next Appointment?

If you haven’t seen a dentist in the last six months, you should definitely make arrangements to visit our dental office for a checkup and cleaning in the near future. Generally speaking, you should have at least two dental appointments a year in order to keep plaque and tartar under control before they cause more serious problems. More frequent appointments might be needed depending on the state of your oral health.

Are Sensitive Teeth an Emergency?

If your teeth suddenly become sensitive (meaning they hurt whenever they touch something particularly hot or cold), it might point to exposed tooth roots, a crack in the enamel, and other potential issues. You can use toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth to try and relieve the discomfort, but it is important to visit our dental office as soon as you can so that we can figure out exactly what is going on.

Can You Improve the Way My Smile Looks?

We can! While keeping your teeth healthy and clean will always be our primary focus, we also recognize that many patients are also concerned about appearances. Depending on the type of corrections you want, we can offer a variety of services, including veneers, whitening, and direct bonding. We can go into more detail about the different treatments and which one might be right for you during a consultation where you explain your personal smile goals.

Is It Okay to Ignore a Missing Tooth If No One Can See It?

It’s a mistake to think that a gap in your smile is the worst of the damage that tooth loss leads to. Without a full set of teeth, chewing becomes more challenging than it should be, and you may find you can’t speak as clearly as you used to. Also, your jawbone will start to break down due to a lack of stimulation, and your remaining teeth will drift out of place and throw off the balance of your bite. It’s always better to have a tooth replaced by an implant, a bridge, or partial dentures as soon as you can.

What Should I Do If I’m Nervous About My Visit?

Let us know right away if you’re anxious about receiving dental care; we offer different forms of sedation that help calm your nerves and put your mind in a relaxed state during your treatment. Nitrous oxide is useful for mild anxiety, but patients with moderate to severe fears (or those who generally have trouble sitting still for a long time) might want to consider oral conscious sedation instead; we’ll help you decide which one best fits your situation.

Will You Accept My Insurance?

We’re happy to accept a wide variety of dental plans and are in-network with a number of providers. Our team will make sure you completely understand the benefits you’re entitled to under your policy, and they’ll handle the process of filing a claim for you.