Frequently Asked Questions Does Smileshapers accpet Dental Insurance? Does Smileshapers treat Children? Do you suffer from Cold Sores or Canker Sores? Do you suffer from Senstive Teeth? Have you had the Laser Scanner to look for Cavities? What Causes Gum Disease? Can I have gum disease if I dont have symptoms? Isn't Tooth loss a part of growing old? Why do I need a "Professional" cleaning? What is plaque? What is Tartar? How should I be cleaning between my teeth? What is Tooth Whitening? Are there any side effects with Tooth Whitening? How long does tooth whitening last? What are cavitie and why do they occur? What causes bad breath? What causes an abcess? Should I be concerned about AIDS at Smileshapers? What if I have an infection? What products are available at Drug Store for Dental Emergency? Does Smileshapers accpet Dental Insurance? Smileshapers is a Cosmetic Dental Practice that is dedicated to providing our guests the best dentistry that we can offer. This can only be done by not partnering with any Insurance Provider. Therefore, we work with a few select PPO Plans. Your insurance can and will assist you with your treatment and services but we believe you deserve more for yourself. We have several different payment options to help make the finest dentistry affordable. It is our goal to provide our patients with the highest level of Service in Las Vegas! Back to Top Does Smileshapers treat Children? We encourage patients as young as 3 years old to visit our practice. Even if nothing is accomplished and the child's confidence is improved, it was a successful time together. We will always try to treat children but if we feel the procedure may be too tough a referral to a children's specialist will be recommended. Back to Top Do you suffer from Cold Sores or Canker Sores? Do you suffer from frequent canker sores or cold sores that just don't want to heal? We can show you how to eliminate up to 80% of those canker sores, and get rid of your cold sores! Dr. Silva Battaglin and Dr. Adam Persky of Smileshapers takes these annoying and uncomfortable problems quite seriously, and has done an in depth search for cures and prevention that really works. We can help! For immediate relief and prevention of Canker Sores and Cold Sores contact our Practice. We can help you with pain relief and prevention techniques Back to Top Do you suffer from Senstive Teeth? If you, or one of your family members has sensitivity to cold foods or drinks, sweets, acidic fruit, the touch of a tooth with a toothbrush, or simply sensitivity when you even breathe in cold air, then we can help. Dr. Battaglin and Dr. Persky of Smileshapers has been frustrated about dentistry’s inability to adequately treat sensitive teeth. They have searched for the answer for years, and has now discovered an incredible treatment that is quick, easy and only takes seconds to apply. And it’s not even expensive. For a quick treatment of sensitive teeth, call us to schedule this service. It will make a very positive change in your daily life! Back to Top Have you had the Laser Scanner to look for Cavities? Have you ever gone to the dentist and been told a cavity was found that wasn’t there six months before, yet when the filling was placed it was very large? Have you wondered why the filling was so large when the cavity wasn’t even present just six months before? The fact is that the cavity was there for quite some time. The dentist just couldn’t see it, and the cavity wasn’t big enough to show on the x-rays. By the time the dentist knew it was there, the cavity was already large. The greatest advance in dental diagnostics since the x-ray, the Laser Scanner can detect new cavities years before any other means of cavity detection. The Laser Scanner shines a harmless laser beam into the tooth. If tooth decay is present, even in small amounts, it will be reflected back at the sensor in the laser. The laser will alert the doctor to the presence of a cavity, and also provide an indication of how much tooth decay is present. The result? Small Cavities are found much earlier, so no more big fillings! Don’t you wish we’d had this when YOU were a child! Contact us to schedule your Laser Scan! Back to Top What Causes Gum Disease? The main cause of periodotal disease is bacterial plaque, the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. This plaque causes your gums to become swollen and tender. The plauqe builds up on the teeth, causing the gums to become red and sensitive. In this early stage, it is known as gingivitis. Surprisingly, gingivitis affects more than 50% of the population. Gingivitis is a reversible condition if you follow a daily hygiene routine. Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, in which the gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets. When the bacterial plaque enters into these pockets, the area becomes infected. If your gum disease is left untreated, you may need surgery. Back to Top Can I have gum disease if I dont have symptoms? Yes. Gum disease affects three out of four adults at some time in their lives. It doesn't necessarily hurt and you may not even be aware that you have it until an advanced stage. That's why scheduling routine visits with your dentist is important. Your risk of getting gum diseas may increase if you smoke or have certain medical comditions. It is therefore vital to keep your dentist informed of your general health. Back to Top Isn't Tooth loss a part of growing old? Gum disease and tooth loss are not an inevitable part of the aging process. The fact is, you can have control over your dental destiny. If you brush and floss every day and see your dentist regularly, you will improve your chances of maintaining healthy teeth and gums throughout your life. Back to Top Why do I need a "Professional" cleaning? A professional cleaning is a scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove normal plaque, calculus and stains. While the main objective of the cleaning is to help prevent gum disease, it can also improve the appearance of your teeth by making them look clean and bright. Polished tooth surfaces make it more difficult for plaque and debris to accumulate. Back to Top What is plaque? Plaque is a sticky film that constantly forms on all areas of your teeth. It is composed of bacteria, it's by-products, and saliva. Plaque bacteria use sugars to grow and to form acids which attack enamel and can cause cavities. Plaque that builds up along the gumline and between teeth can be harmful. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins that can irritate the gums causing them to turn red, swell and bleed, the signs typically associated with gingivitis. Recognizing gingivitis is important because it is reversible. Unnoticed, ignored or simply not taken care of, gingivitis can sometimes progress to a more advanced stage called periodontitis. Back to Top What is Tartar? Minerals in your saliva combine with plaque at the tooth surface and harden into rough, unsightly deposits called calculus (tartar). Calculus provides a rough surface that makes thorough plaque removal more difficult. Brushing and flossing can't remove calculus once it has formed. It can only be removed during a regular professional dental cleaning. Back to Top How should I be cleaning between my teeth? There are many ways to clean in between your teeth, like flossing. Did you know that if you don't floss, you're leaving up to 40% of your tooth surfaces untouched and uncleaned? Back to Top What is Tooth Whitening? Tooth whitening is a procedure that utilizes hygrogen peroxide gel to lighten discoloration of the teeth. The structure of the tooth remains unchanged, only the color is made lighter. Back to Top Are there any side effects with Tooth Whitening? Some may experience tooth sensitivity. These symptoms are always temporary and disappear within 1-2 days after completion of treatment. Back to Top How long does tooth whitening last? Typical results last several years. However, if you continue to use staining substances like coffee, tea, tobacco, or red wine, you can touch-up for a few days once or twice a year. Back to Top What are cavitie and why do they occur? Cavities are a destruction of the tooth enamel. They occur when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as milk, pop, raisins, cakes or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in cavities. This process is also called "tooth decay." Back to Top What causes bad breath? Bad breath can be caused by such things as certain foods, poor oral hygiene, gum disease, a dry mouth (xerostomia), tobacco products or a medical disorder. When bacteria accumulate because of poor oral hygiene or gum disease, or when saliva is lacking, bad breath can result. Saliva is necessary to wash away food particles and bacteria. Certain medications and disorders can lead to a dry mouth. Sometimes a sinus infection, postnasal drip or other respiratory tract infection can cause bad breath. If bad breath is persistent, contact us to determine whether the cause is of dental origin. Back to Top What causes an abcess? When the pulp of a tooth becomes infected (often from a deep cavity or a deep crack), the infection can spread throughout the pulp. If root canal treatment is not done, the infection may travel into the tissues near the root tip. This can cause the adjacent bone to erode. The pocket of pus that forms is the abscess. If the abscess increases in size, it can become more painful. Back to Top Should I be concerned about AIDS at Smileshapers? A recent survey of dental patients showed that patient protection was #1 on their list of concerns about dental care. Some patients have even quit going to the dentist because of their fears. Fortunately, trips to the dentist have never been safer. The case in Florida where the patient was apparently infected with the AIDS virus by her dentist is the only such case out of tens of millions of dental treatments performed since the introduction of the virus. The Center for Disease Control still does not know the method of infection. However, even one case is too many. We have responded by adopting "universal (or standard) precautions". These involve sterilizing all instruments in dry-heat ovens or steam autoclaves to kill any bacteria. Disposable items are used whenever possible. The chance of contracting an infection in the dental chair is extremely remote, but the chance of losing one's teeth because of lack of proper dental care is extremely likely. Back to Top What if I have an infection? If your face or jaw swells up noticeably and/or if you develop a fever. Please call our emergency line, it is possible you have an infection, and a prescription of an antibiotic would be appropriate. Back to Top What products are available at Drug Store for Dental Emergency? For loss of fillings- temporary fill. For loose crown (either temp or perm)- temporary cement. For broken tooth- temp material that can cover the tooth and make a temporary cap. For tooth pain- various medications to apply that will temporarily relieve tooth pain. For canker sores- various medications that are topical applications to relieve pain. All products vary from $5 to $15. 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