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We begin each initial
visit with a consultation. This is an opportunity
to address any concerns or questions you may
have and to develop a plan to achieve the highest
quality long-term dental health. Your comfort
and care are top priorities for us. After the
consultation, we will perform a complete oral
exam; including a periodontal examination and
necessary X-rays, oral cancer screening, oral
hygiene instructions, cosmetic evaluation and
smile analysis. An intra-oral video camera
allows you to easily view your dental condition
during the examination.
Based on the results of the oral
exam, we will recommend a course of treatment that
best suits your specific needs.
X-rays are often a
necessary and valuable method of assessing
your oral health in order for us to plan your
treatment effectively. With conventional X-rays,
a very small amount of radiation is involved
in taking a dental X-ray and the risk of exposure
is minimal. Here at Dr. Salvi’s office,
we offer an enhanced product known as digital
X-rays. With digital radiography, the process
is computerized. Instead of x-ray film, we
place a sensor next to your tooth, and within
seconds your X-ray is displayed in sharp, vivid
detail on a computer screen. Because of this
short exposure time, the amount of X-ray radiation
is reduced by as much as 90 percent. Once the
X-ray image is on our computer screen, we can
enhance it to make a more precise diagnosis.
We can save images on our computer for instant
retrieval, and once they're digitized, we can
easily send them to insurance companies or
specialists, as needed.
Please note that we never take
x-rays that are not needed. However, many dental problems
can be properly diagnosed only with the aid of dental
x-rays. In order to provide the best care, we recommend
that 2-4 bitewing x-rays be taken every year, and a
full mouth series of x-rays every 5 years. Our x-ray
equipment meets or exceeds requirements for the safety
of our patients and staff.
Our DIAGNOdent LASER detects
even the smallest cavities at the earliest possible
level. This laser actually looks beneath the surface
of your teeth to detect decay on the inside. This
has become important because with the widespread
use of fluoride, the outer tooth surface is more
decay resistant but decay can get an undetectable "foothold" and
grow to the inside of the tooth before symptoms appear.
DIAGNOdent helps our patients avoid the liklihood
of root canal infections. This is truly a breakthrough
in terms of cavity detection and prevention.
You may complete an
appointment request form online that will be
emailed directly to our appointment desk. One
of our staff will call you promptly to schedule
your appointment. Or if you prefer to
schedule your appointment by speaking to one
of our friendly staff, you may call us at 760-745-2111.
Your comfort is a
priority to us. We offer several options
for pain management including relaxation techniques
such as virtual reality DVD goggles and personal
CD music. Should you require more advanced
management, we do offer nitrous oxide, or “laughing
gas”. Should you have specific
needs or concerns, simply mention your concerns
to us, and we'll work together with you to
put you completely at ease.
Absolutely! The highest
compliment our patients can give is the referral
of their friends and family. “Word
of mouth” is our best source of advertising.
We’re more than happy to accept referrals
from other dental offices as well as from recommendations
by our patients to their family and friends!
In fact, if you have someone you'd like to
refer, please pass along our website address
so that they can familiarize themselves with
our practice prior to their visit.
In case of a true
dental emergency, Dr. Salvi can be reached
on his pager by dialing the office number and
following the instructions on the message. He
will return the call promptly, providing as
much helpful information as possible over the
phone and arranging to see you in person as
needed.
We accept cash, personal
checks, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express and ATM.
Your insurance co-pay is due at the time of
your visit, but we'll be happy to help you
structure a payment plan after that time to
pay out any remaining charges. For extensive
procedures, we're also pleased to offer financing
plans through Care Credit. For more information,
click here http://www.carecredit.com/.
Our office accepts
all indemnity insurance plans, which allow
the patient freedom of choice to select their
dentist. We have elected to participate
with a few Preferred Provider Organization
(PPO) which allow patients to seek the care
in or out of their insurance network. Please
call your insurance company to inquire about
our participation in your plan. If we do not
participate with your plan, please let us know
as we can evaluate future participation.
A Note Regarding Dental
Insurance
Our billing department
will complete and submit all of the necessary
forms directly to your insurance company. However,
we remind you that your insurance coverage
and policy is an agreement between you and
your insurance company, not between your insurance
company and our office.
We will do our best to ensure you
receive your maximum benefit allowance, however we
do not guarantee any estimated coverage. Please keep
in mind that you are responsible for your total financial
obligation in the event that your insurance benefits
result in less coverage than anticipated. If there
are ever any questions regarding your outstanding balance,
please do not hesitate to contact us, as we are happy
to go over any concerns you may have.
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