Frequently Asked Questions

Many people feel anxious or uneasy about visiting the dentist, and that worry can sometimes lead to delaying or avoiding care. Our team is dedicated to making every step of your experience as comfortable as possible — from the first phone call to understanding your concerns and providing care that supports both your health and peace of mind.

We believe in open, honest communication. That means taking the time to explain each procedure, answer your questions, and offer helpful educational resources so you feel informed, confident, and supported throughout your treatment.

Our investment in advanced technology, the option of nitrous oxide, and the compassion of our supportive and experienced team create a safe, welcoming environment where you can receive the dental care you need with comfort and confidence. 



We try to make getting in touch with our office as easy as possible. Whether text, phone, or email is your preferred method of communication, we've got your covered. Text our office number and one of our outstanding admin team members will get in touch with you.

Regular Business Hours are as follows:
Monday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm
‍
Have an after-hours emergency? Call us at 616-458-8593 and our team will coordinate a plan of action to address your problem.

Traditional Braces with Bonded Brackets‍
These brackets are attached to the tooth enamel with special adhesive. The process affects only the surface of the enamel on the microscopic level and will not cause any permanent damage to the enamel, providing you keep your teeth clean!
‍
Plaque (the bacteria that collects on teeth), if allowed to remain on teeth for even a short periods of time, can cause decalcification around the bonded brackets. It is essential that the brackets and the teeth remain clean and free of plaque at all times! Good tooth brushing habits and a diet low in sugars will prevent plaque buildup and the damage it causes to enamel and to the gums. We will give you instructions in proper oral hygiene. 
‍
The bonded brackets will withstand the forces of orthodontic manipulations and of usual eating and biting forces. Extremely high forces can be generated, however, particularly on the lower brackets. Eating hard foods (apples, carrots, ice) or foods which require tearing, can break the bonds. Replacing broken bonds slows treatment considerably. You must therefore, avoid eating any hard or sticky foods or snacks.
‍
If a bracket should come off, please call the office and we will arrange to have it re-bonded at your next appointment. This is a rare occurrence and should not present a problem if you are careful. 

We have selected brackets that are as smooth as possible. It usually takes a few days for the lips and cheeks to "toughen" to the brackets. If a sore spot develops, place a small amount of wax over the offending bracket or wire. The tissue will heal and will then be more resistant to the source of irritation. If you are involved in any active, contact sports, a plastic mouth guard should be worn. At the completion of your treatment the brackets and the bonding adhesive will be removed.  This is a simple painless procedure. If you keep your teeth clean throughout treatment they will then appear as good as the day the brackets were placed. Please do not hesitate to ask us any questions about your treatment or for assistance in maintaining a healthy mouth.
‍
Aligners
The success of this aligner system is a true partnership between your dental provider and you, the patient. Our job is to diagnose, plan treatment, and ensure that your treatment is progressing as it should with your aligners. Your job is to be a wonderful patient by understanding and complying with the following guidelines: 
• Aligners must be worn 22-24 hours a day. Aligners should be removed only to eat, brush and floss your teeth, and while drinking liquids that are high in color and/or sugar. 
• A tooth colored attachment (made of composite material) or button will be bonded to teeth to aid in specific movements. If an attachment comes off, promptly contact our office. 
• When inserting the aligners, gently slip them over the front teeth. Then apply equal pressure on both sides of the aligner, sliding your fingers to the back of the mouth until the aligner snaps into place. 
• When removing the aligners, place your fingers simultaneously on both sides of the tray and push down or lift the back portion off the teeth. Next, move your fingers to the front portion and remove the aligner completely. 
• Brush your teeth after each meal and prior to reinserting aligners. 
• Clean aligners prior to each insertion. You may use a toothbrush and toothpaste or warm, soapy water. 
• Do not soak aligners in mouthwash.  
• Always store aligners in their case and avoid extreme temperatures. 
• Aligners are designed to sequentially move teeth. It is very important to wear each aligner in sequence and for a minimum of two weeks or as directed by our office. 
• When progressing to a new set of aligners: There may be some soreness with a dull achy sensation. This is OK, it means the teeth are moving. For any discomfort, take something normally taken for a headache. The soreness should not extend beyond three to four days. 

You may notice a small space between the aligner and a tooth. This will decrease as the tooth moves into place. If an aligner does not fit properly, promptly contact our office.  If at the end of the two week period your current set of aligners are still tight, (difficult to put into place and remove) continue to wear the current set of aligners for an additional week before progressing to the next set. If the situation continues, please promptly contact our office. 
• In the event of loss or breakage, please contact our office promptly. 
• Please save ALL aligners in a safe place, until your treatment is complete.
 • When you come in for an appointment, please bring your current set of aligners as well as the previous set.

EXTRACTIONS
DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA:  For the next few days, and especially the first 24 hours, it is very important to allow your body to form a good clot and start the natural healing process. Swishing, sucking through a straw, and smoking can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils). Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours.
BLEEDING:  When you leave the office, you might be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 minutes. Don't change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding.  Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
SMOKING:  Smoking, vaping, chew, and marijuana use should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful dry socket.
PAIN:  Some discomfort is normal after extraction. To minimize pain, take two Tylenol, Nuprin, Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever every 3 to 4 hours until bedtime to maintain comfort. Take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don't exceed the dose on the label. Taking with food or milk will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
NAUSEA:  This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
SWELLING:   Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.NUMBNESS:  The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.
BRUSHING: Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days.
RINSING:  Avoid all rinsing or swishing for 24 hours after extraction. Rinsing can disturb the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper healing. This could cause bleeding and risk of dry socket. After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon salt + 1/2 teaspoon soda + 8 ounces warm water). Avoid commercial mouth rinses.
DIET:  Eat soft foods for the first two days. Maintain a good, balanced diet. Return to normal regular meals as soon as you are able after the first two days. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.
ACTIVITY:   After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
ANTIBIOTICS:  If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
SINUS EXPOSURE:  If a small hole to your sinus was exposed in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.


IMPLANTS
After implants have been placed, it is important to follow these recommendations to ensure their long-term success.
TOBACCO USE: Don't use tobacco, vape, chew, and marijuana for at least 24 hours, and avoid tobacco as much as possible for several months. Tobacco slows healing and increases the risk that your body will reject the implants, and is the leading cause of implant failure. 
CHEWING AND EATING: Avoid chewing until the numbness has worn off completely. If we have placed a temporary restoration, avoid chewing for one half-hour to allow the temporary cement to set. For the first 24 hours, drink lots of liquids and eat soft, nutritious foods, chewing on the opposite side of your mouth. After the first 24 hours, you can begin to return to your usual diet, but continue to chew on the opposite side. Avoid very hot or spicy foods, until your gums are healed. We'll evaluate your situation to determine how soon you can chew on the implant.
‍BRUSHING AND FLOSSING: Do not brush the area directly adjacent to the surgical site for 3-5 days. 
MEDICATION AND ANTIBIOTICS: If antibiotics or other medicines are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infections are gone. Take Ibuprofen and Tylenol together for pain.To reduce discomfort or swelling for the first 24 hours following surgery, use ice packs, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. 

Scaling and Root (SRP) Planing Aftercare Instructions

Do not eat anything for 2 hours after the procedure. When you do feel comfortable
enough to eat, but you still have numbness, be careful not to bite your cheeks or
tongue.
‍
For the first 48 to 72 hours, restrict your diet to soft foods such as yogurt
scrambled eggs, and soup, until you can comfortably chew. Chew on the side of
your mouth opposite of the procedure site.
‍
Avoid alcoholic drinks and hot or spicy foods until your gums are healed.
Do not use any tobacco, vape, chew and marijuana products for at least 72 hours because tobacco slows healing.
‍
If we used an anesthetic, take pain medication before the anesthetic wears off to
control any discomfort, or as recommended. It is normal to experience some
discomfort for several days after surgery.
‍
After 24 hours, reduce discomfort or swelling by gently rinsing your mouth with
warm salt water 3 times a day. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm
water.

Brush the treated area very lightly the first night. To make this more comfortable,
first rinse your toothbrush under hot water to soften the bristles.
‍
The next day, begin flossing lightly, and gradually return to your usual home care
over the next week. It is normal to have some slight bleeding for the first few days
when you brush and floss the treated areas.
‍
Brush and floss the non-treated areas of your mouth normally.
‍
Use a desensitizing toothpaste if your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure.
If we prescribed a medicated mouth rinse, use it as directed. Avoid mouthwashes
that contain alcohol.
‍
Call us if discomfort is not diminishing day by day, or if swelling increases or
continues beyond three or four days.