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The following is a list of the questions we get asked most often. Browse through the list to see if the question you have is here. If you need any further information or have any other questions, please contact our office.
 At what age should my children first see a dentist?
We usually like to see our patients between the ages of two and three so that they can get accustomed to our office while they’re still young. However, some pedodontists (children’s dentists) like to see babies within a few months after birth to check for any possible dental problems and train parents in the necessary routines in caring for new baby teeth.
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Do you accept referrals?
Absolutely! The highest compliment we can receive is when patients think highly enough of us to recommend our services to their friends and family. It’s our favorite way to grow the practice, and let’s us know we are on the right track in caring for our guests.
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Do you accept my insurance plan?
We do accept payments from most insurance plans, and we are happy to file your claim for you. Our office financial policy states that payment for services rendered are due at the time of service. Our guests are responsible for any unpaid balances on their family account. We are devoted to maximizing your insurance benefit for you, but please understand that our goal is to make excellent dental health decisions for you- not the insurance company. In some cases, insurance companies attempt to limit dental options to cut costs, but this practice does not allow us to provide the quality of dentistry that we feel our patients deserve.
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How can I ask Dr. Beaty questions directly?
You can email Dr. Beaty directly from this site.
You may also call him, or, if your question is more involved, schedule a consultation. He will be happy to sit down with you and discuss any dental questions or problems that you may have. Dr. Beaty does not charge for second opinions or consultations.
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 How can I safely whiten my teeth?
The materials and procedures used for whitening or bleaching are safe as long as a licensed dentist monitors them. If you ignore the doctor’s recommendations, however, bleaching may cause some harm to your teeth.
There are three options for whitening. The first are over-the-counter agents, which are approved by the FDA for consumer purchase. These have limited effectiveness. You may see some change in the color of your teeth, but it may not be significant or long lasting. Some examples of these products are for sale in the dental section of your grocery store or pharmacy.
The second option is a take-home bleaching kit. This option is provided in a dental office. We will custom fabricate trays to fit your specific teeth, and then instruct you in the use of a bleaching gel that is placed into the trays. You wear the trays a few hours each day for two to four weeks and usually results in dramatic changes to the color of your teeth. Take-home trays are very safe, and are probably the most effective way to lighten your teeth and keep them that way over a long period of time (you can use the trays for later touch-ups, too).
The fastest way to brighten your smile is light-activated bleaching. It is generally the most expensive option. It requires a single visit to the office, where your teeth undergo treatment under a special intense light. This treatment, while safe, is the most likely to result in your teeth feeling sensitive or painful. That’s because you’re trying to condense four weeks of gentle bleaching into one intense session. This can be a great option for an emergency situation where time is of the essence, and fast results are paramount. The downside to the procedure, in addition to an increase in short-term sensitivity, is the lack of ability to maintain the color change over time. Additional sessions can be costly to combat the ever present problem of “shade rebound,” where the bleaching effect fades.
All of the whitening methods have different applications. Dr. Beaty will be glad to discuss the options with you and to help you decide which treatment is best for your particular situation.
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What makes you different from any other dental practice I could visit?
Our difference is in how we define success: not by the quantity of patients, or expense per capita, but in the quality of care we provide our guests, and the personal investment we make in each person. Our guests are like family, and you cannot put a price tag on that.
When we hear our patients tell us how much they enjoyed their time with us, and that they look forward to seeing us again, we know we are on the right track. Some are surprised they could feel that way about going to the dentist! Our professional staff desires our patients to feel comfortable and confident and valued. Nervous patients are relieved when we take the time to answer all questions and concerns. Costs are always discussed prior to treatment to alleviate any financial concerns. We educate our patients so they can make the best decisions about the treatment that is right for them. Then we use advanced technology and techniques to work efficiently and painlessly, crafting fine dentistry that is worthy of praise.
The end result is a patient that knows they are a valued part of our practice. Not just another number. We take the time to provide extra attention to each patient, and we truly have a personal, emotional investment in each one. We celebrate our patients’ good times, sympathize and grieve with them during difficult times, and take extra special care of them at all times.
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My gums bleed when I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
It is certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough, ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; lodging of food or hard debris below the gum line, or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If the problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods or occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.
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 Do I really have to floss every day?
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 your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets rid of plaque build-up toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it exercises your gum tissue. Think of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing - insurance for your smile's future.
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I want my front teeth to look better, but I don’t want to wear braces. What would you suggest?
Dr. Beaty has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of orthodontic braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers, crowns, or bridges may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. Bleaching and a routine cleaning can go a long way toward improving the presentation of your smile. In other cases, it may be necessary to utilize orthodontic treatment to achieve the desired results. The good news is that orthodontists now offer many options for braces including clear porcelain brackets and Invisalign. We would be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.
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What is smile analysis and design?
Smile analysis is the process we use to evaluate your current smile. We’ll take x-rays, photos, and models of your teeth in order to look at their shape and size. We even mount your models on a special machine called an articulator that allows us to simulate your bite and assess how your teeth fit together and relate to each other.
Then, taking all this information, we design a smile that’s right for your particular face—and the right smile is different for every person. We use what is known as the “golden proportion,” which is a ratio that occurs frequently in nature and in many man-made objects as well (the Great Pyramids, for example). We don’t look at just individual teeth; we take care that whatever treatments or changes we recommend harmonize with your whole mouth and honor the contours of your face.
“Patients come to the office with an agenda- a checklist of things they would like to accomplish,” Dr. Beaty explains. “It’s not their fault that they may not know how to achieve that result- that’s why I’m here. It’s my job to assess the situation, evaluate the needs and desires of our guests, and provide a tailored plan to achieve their goal. Focusing on individual teeth can sometimes be short-sighted, and can lead to headaches in achieving the ultimate goal of dental health. Instead, we take a complete, comprehensive approach to designing your smile, so that whatever we do will last.
Your benefit from this thorough smile analysis and smile design process is a long-lasting, dazzling smile. We want you—and everyone you know—to say, “Wow!” when you flash a vibrant, confident new smile.
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