Common Concerns & Curiosities

How does Dr. Swedenburg keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Dr. Swedenburg and his staff average 80 hours of continuing dental education each year. Through this process, the staff keeps abreast of new techniques and technologies as they become available. Dr. Swedenburg researches the products and services that he believes will benefit his patients, then makes careful decisions about which new technology and products to implement into his practice.

How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?

In our office we have a highly skilled, friendly computer program that makes it easy to keep track of each patients continuing care schedule. We are happy to contact you by phone, mail, or e-mail to let you know when it's time to come in.

What do I do when I have an emergency when the office is closed?

Dr. Swedenburg is always available or has someone available in the event of an after hours emergency. Call the office's direct line (972-51-SMILE), press "0" two times, and a telephone operator will come on the line to assist you with your problem.

I have a temporary crown in my mouth, what happens if it comes off?

A temporary is specifically designed to cover the exposed area of your tooth because it's critical to keep this area clean and bacteria free. If your temporary comes off during office hours, just give us a call and we'll promptly work you in. If your temporary comes off after hours, you may purchase a temporary cement at your local drug store or use Vaseline to place the crown back in place until the office opens.

What different payment options do you provide?

We believe in making financial arrangements as convenient as possible in our office. With this in mind, we offer the following payment arrangements to our patients:

Full Payment Discount: Any patient who pays in full for services over $1,000, on or before the day of treatment, receives a discount. Specifically, the discount is 5% if paid by cash/check and 2% if paid by credit card. For your convenience, we accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. Half-Payment: Patients may pay half of their balance on the day treatment starts and the remaining half the day treatment is finished. Care Credit Financing: We offer financing with the Care Credit Program, allowing our patients to have 6-9 months of interest-free or low interest rate financing for up to four years.

How can I have whiter teeth?

We offer two different teeth whitening procedures:

• Laser teeth in-office whitening
• At-home bleaching

What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

In addition to complying with all OSHA regulations, we have a special sterilization center in the office. This center is designed to provide state-of-the-art autoclaving for all the instruments used. Further, each room's water source comes from an individual bottle, preventing backflow of any kind. And, we utilize rubber dams during restoration procedures to ensure that minute particles of materials and debris are caught and removed from your mouth.

What makes you different from any other dental practice I can visit?

We approach dentistry with several things in mind: conservation, conversation, and consideration. That means that we're going to use prevention strategies to help you keep your teeth healthy so that you'll keep your teeth. And it means that we care enough about each patient to really communicate goals, oral health status, and how to accomplish optimum health. And, it means that we take advantage of many of the latest technologies to help us: an intra-oral camera to visualize what we're working with, a laser-diagnosis system to catch decay long before it advances, mercury-free composite fillings for better long-term cavity protection, and air abrasion to conserve tooth structure.

I don't like drills, Are there any other options?

In most cases, we use air abrasion techniques for fillings to conserve more tooth structure. Air abrasion simply involves using pressurized particles to gently remove the necessary amount of enamel before filling a cavity. The technique is fast, quiet, and barely felt by the patient. For more complex cases, we offer sleep dentistry and IV sedation so that the patient can relax and not perceive any necessary drilling.

Is it bad if my gums bleed after I brush my teeth?

Bleeding gums are always serious because it's a sign of "periodontal disease". However, periodontal disease is treatable and can be not only stopped, but eliminated for good-through proper home care and regular dental appointments.

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

For our patients who are truly anxious about their dental appointments, we can evaluate the situation and often may prescribe a pre-visit relaxant. We can also use a technique known as 'sleep dentistry' to prevent the patient from being aware of the treatment procedure while we work. It's important to let us know if you have these concerns, and we'll discuss ahead of time how to best handle it with you.

Whitening, implants, gum disease. where can I learn more about what you guys are talking about?

We have provided several thorough, easy to understand articles on these topics. Simply click on any of these links to find out more: whitening, implants, gum disease.

My breath stinks and I brush everyday, is it just me or is there something you can to help?

The best news about bad breath is that it's actually curable! First, it's important to determine if the bad breath is due to periodontal disease; in which case we can treat the underlying problem before checking other causes. Second, there's a list of practical tips that may help eliminate bad breath: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings, and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we recommend a revolutionary program provided by Oxyfresh. You can link to this program online by clicking the product name and order the product through their website; or for convenience you may purchase it here during your office visit.

Do I really have to floss every day? I mean what's the big deal?

Definitely yes! A little regular flossing goes a long way, and is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens food particles in tight spaces that your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets rid of plaque build-up that toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it exercises your gum tissues. All of which is necessary to avoid gum disease. So, just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing-insurance for your smile's future. And if you find flossing correctly is too difficult, just ask us about our one- handed flosser or glide flosser.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. What can you do to help?

Dr. Swedenburg has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of braces. If they need to be whitened, we offer an in-office or at-home system. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers or all-porcelain crowns may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In other cases, it may be necessary to attach 'invisible' braces behind the front teeth. We would be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

I'm a new patient and I know there is probably something I will have to fill out before I see Dr. Swedenburg. Is there any way in advance that I can get copies of any forms that you need me to complete?

We're happy to provide you with all the necessary new patient forms prior to your first appointment. Since we're nearly 'paperless', you can simply fill out the online new patient questionnaire and health history survey by clicking here.

Is there a way I can ask Dr. Swedenburg questions directly?

We encourage our patients to ask questions! Feel free to email us directly at drswedenburg@planosmiledesign.com. Or, you may call the office to speak with Dr. Swedenburg in person.