Frequently Asked Questions

Officially, the recommended age for a first look by a dentist is 12 months of age. But, some kids don’t have any teeth erupted at that age or very few. Other kids may have what appears to be nearly a full set of teeth near that age. We recommend a more common sense approach: bring your child in for the first exam when all front 8 primary teeth are present, as well as erupting the first primary 1st molars, which typically occur at 16 months of age. The chronological age for this phase can range from 11 months of age to 18 months old. 

If there is enough tooth structure to support a filling, we will recommend that as treatment. However, if there is less than 50% of natural tooth remaining after the fracture takes place, or some of the natural retaining walls are tooth become very thin following the trauma, we may recommend a crown or veneer (if it is a front tooth).

Our office does the restorative portion of the implant process, which involves a custom titanium interface called an abutment as well as a full coverage crown. The abutment is attached to the implant to a specified amount of torque and is covered by a fully functioning and esthetically correct crown. The actual implant surgery, which involves placement of the titanium screw into bone, is performed by one of our excellent local specialists that we work with in the local West Seattle area.

We offer mild forms of sedation in the forms of nitrous oxide, as well as deeper medicated sedation with safe, short acting benzodiazepine oral medication. We are up to date with the latest techniques and WA state guidelines in this form of patient care. If you’re comfortable, we’re comfortable! And makes doing our job way more pleasant!

Yes, with the exception of teeth that have previously had root canal treatment and require retreatment of the procedure or additional surgery. After evaluation, we would refer to our endodontist, who is a specialist in root canal therapy and surgery. Also, some cases that become difficult to finish to the same standard as a specialist performing the work would also be referred to our endodontist for completion.

Regardless of how long it’s been or how good or poor one’s homecare is, we objectively determine what type of scaling (cleaning) someone requires by assessing bone level, gum health, and amount of plaque and calculus (tartar) build up on the teeth and gums. Some individuals require scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning. This need is determined by the combination of elevated gum pocket depth readings and visible deposits of tartar from the xrays. This type of cleaning requires local anesthesia for patient comfort, and requires 2, 2 hour long appointments spaced about a week apart.

No! Having xrays taken of your oral cavity is part of the minimal diagnostic standard of care and is a very important part of your exam. A patient cannot refuse the basic diagnostic standard of care of xrays because it puts the dental office in a direct position of negligence. So by agreeing with a patient to forgo xrays would be admitting to legal negligence and violating patient standard of care. Dental xrays are relatively inexpensive and radiation very minimal to be of concern.

Motorcycles, reality TV shows, fitness classes, sappy teenage romantic comedies, lame action movies, why our country doesn’t have socialized health care, cost of higher education, cost of elderly care, the crappy traffic in Seattle, millennials’ vacation choices? Cuz that’s his jam baby. That’s his jam.