Your First Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why do we need to keep baby teeth?

  Even though they’re not permanent, baby teeth are important to your child’s growth and development. Your stewardship of your child’s baby teeth helps ensure the health of the permanent teeth that will follow.

• When do you start to lose baby teeth?

  Your child’s teeth started appearing when they were between six and 12 months old. The entire set should be in place by the time they turn three. And, now that it’s a couple of years after that, you’re wondering, when do children lose baby teeth? In short, most little ones start to lose teeth when they’re between five and six years old. The process is a slow one, though — it will be about seven or eight years before your child loses all of their baby teeth. When your child’s adult teeth start to grow in, there will be a dozen more of them. Yes, adults have 32 permanent teeth — your child should have all of theirs in place by the time they’re teenagers.

• Why do we take photos of our patients?

  Taking Photos of our patients’ teeth are essential when monitoring gum recession, chipping of teeth due to trauma or wear, shifting of teeth overtime whether orthodontic treatment is involved or not. When patients have the opportunity to invest in their oral health and restore/replace teeth it is rewarding to see their before and after smiles.

• At what age should a child first see the dentist?

  You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking him or her within 6 months of the first tooth erupting, or by about 12 months at the latest.
  
  At this time the dentist can give you info on:
  - Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
  - Infant Feeding Practices
  - Mouth Cleaning
  - Teething
  - Pacifier Habits
  - Finger sucking habits
  - Involvement in speech development

• What is periodontal Disease?

  Periodontal diseases are mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health.

  Causes

  Bacteria in the mouth infect tissue surrounding the tooth, causing inflammation around the tooth leading to periodontal disease. When bacteria stay on the teeth long enough, they form a film called plaque, which eventually hardens to tartar, also called calculus. Tartar build-up can spread below the gum line, which makes the teeth harder to clean. Then, only a dental health professional can remove the tartar and stop the periodontal disease process.
  Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

• Do you accept my insurance?

  Kieffer Family Dental will accept any type of Dental Insurance. We are contracted as an in-network, Premier Provider with Delta Dental.

• What does “out-of-network” provider actually mean?

  Out-of-network provider means that we have not entered into a contract agreeing to set fees by an insurance company. At times, this can result in greater out-of-pocket expenses, but is definitely not always the case. Please verify with your insurance carrier to ensure their payment to an out-of-network provider. Kieffer Family Dental strives to have competitive pricing, as well as helping you understand and maximize your insurance benefits. For example, if Kieffer Family Dental charges $100 for a service that your out-of-network insurance says they will pay 100% on and your insurance ‘allows’ $90 for the charge of that service, you will owe the $10 difference. Whereas, in-network providers would write-off that $10.

• Why do kids need to start ortho at an early age?

  Early intervention helps prevent a minor airway, bite or oral problem from becoming a serious long-term issue. It also allows an orthodontist to correct an issue that cannot be addressed once a child’s face and jaw stop growing.

• Dental specialists we may refer you to.

  What is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS)?

  Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists specializing in surgery of the mouth, face and jaws. After four years of dental school, surgeons receive four to seven years of hospital-based surgical and medical training, preparing them to do a wide range of procedures including all types of surgery of both the bones and soft tissues of the face, mouth and neck.

  What is a Periodontist?

  Periodontists are dentists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. They have had extensive training with two additional years of study after dental school. As specialists they devote their time, energy and skill to helping patients care for their gums.

  So why would your dentist refer you to a periodontist?

  Your dentist has determined that your gums require special attention. The periodontist and dentist work together as a team to provide you with the highest level of care. They will combine their experience to recommend the best treatment available to you while keeping each other informed on your progress. By referring you to the specialist, your dentist is showing a strong commitment to your dental health.

  What is an Endodontist?

  The Endodontist examines, diagnoses and treats diseases and destructive processes, including injuries and abnormalities of dental pulps and periapical tissues of the teeth. They have had two additional years of training. Endodontists examine patients and interpret radiographs and pulp tests to determine pulp vitality and periapical tissue condition. They evaluate their findings and prescribe a method of treatment to prevent loss of teeth.

  What is a Pediatric Dentist?

  A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. The additional training focuses on management and treatment of a child's developing teeth, behavior, physical growth, development, and the specific needs of children's dentistry.

  What is an Orthodontist?

  An orthodontist prevents and treats mouth, teeth, and jaw problems. They have two additional years of training. Using braces, retainers, and other devices, an orthodontist helps straighten a person's teeth and correct the way the jaws line up. Orthodontists treat kids for many problems, including having crowded or overlapping teeth or having problems with jaw growth and tooth development. These tooth and jaw problems may be caused by tooth decay, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. These problems also can be genetic or inherited.