A dentist told me I needed a “deep cleaning,” is that true?

I’m going to put this into words most people can understand and not in dental insurance speak. There are basically two types of patients that come to the office for cleanings ( the dental term for that is prophylaxis appointments. We in the biz call those prophy’s) A prophy is for your standard patient that has some build up on his/her teeth, but is generally healthy. In this patient, no bone loss is present, meaning the bone around each tooth is where it should be and the patient doesn’t have much root exposed. On the flip side of the coin, there are those patients who do have bone loss, creating a much deeper place to clean (Again, we in the biz call this a ‘pocket’) People with deep pockets in the presence of bone loss require scaling and root planning, insurance talk for ‘deep cleaning.’

Are digital x-rays safe?

Dental x-rays have been used for decades and are one of the most important diagnostic tools used in dentistry. For years, x-rays have been used to identify abnormalities like cavities, and gum and bone disease. When talking about the relative safety of x-rays, you should understand that many of our simple, day-to-day activities expose you to some radiation from the sun, minerals in soil, and even your microwave. At Clark Dental Studio, we use digital radiographs (x-rays) to provide us with detailed images. We choose digital x-rays because they’re effective, reduce your exposure (compared to film x-rays), and completely eliminate the need for traditional films. Digital x-rays are also better for the environment since there’s no hazardous material to dispose of. How frequently we take digital x-rays depends on the current condition of your teeth and your dental history. Dr. Clark may decide that x-rays twice a year would be right for you, but other patients who see us regularly and don’t have a history of frequent cavities or gum disease may only require x-rays every few years. If you’re a new patient and haven’t had updated x-rays taken recently, we may suggest a set of x-rays to establish a baseline that allows us to stay on top of any oral health changes. We take your safety and comfort very serious at Clark Dental Studio, and we encourage you to talk to us about your concerns. Please call us with any questions you have about the safety of our digital x-rays.

Dentistry seems pretty subjective. Why is that?

There are many procedures that can be done to teeth with issues that could alleviate the problem. For example, if someone breaks half of their tooth, a really big filling might work. Also, a crown might fix the problem, or someone might determine that a root canal is necessary THEN a crown. Another dentist might say the best thing to do would be get the tooth extracted and get an implant. All of those are viable options with varying costs and time commitments. Depending on the situation, some treatment will be more or less aggressive/conservative with different degrees of longevity.

Do you accept emergency patients?

Dental emergencies are usually scary and almost always painful. Part of providing you high quality dental care means being here when you need us, especially in an emergency. If your emergency occurs during business hours, just give us a call at (423) 266-7927, and we'll do our best to see you that day. After hours, we're just a phone call away. Simply leave a message and we will return your call promptly. We'll evaluate your emergency and tell you what you can do to keep yourself comfortable until you can get in to see us the next day.

Do you accept my insurance?

We accept many insurances and will submit most claims for our patients’ convenience. If you have questions about your specific insurance coverage, please call our office. We will work with you and your insurance to ensure that you always receive the maximum benefit you are entitled to. Currently, we work with the following insurance companies. However, this list changes frequently, so your best bet is to give us a call and check! Aetna Ameritas Blue Cross/Blue Shield Cigna Delta Dental Guardian River Health United Concordia

Does whitening damage teeth?

No. When used properly, teeth whitening products do not damage your teeth. Tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the human body. It contains tiny openings that can catch stains and discoloration. The whitening product we use flows into these little holes to lighten the stained tissue under the enamel. There are many options for whitening your teeth. These include over-the-counter toothpastes, rinses, and whitening strips. At Clark Dental Studio, we offer convenient customized take-home kits. We have found that doing whitening treatments every day at home for two weeks produces the most dramatic, long-lasting results. Many things can contribute to staining and dulling of your teeth, including: Age – As you age, your teeth darken due to everyday wear and tear and the accumulation of stains over the years. Foods that stain your teeth – Drinking a lot of coffee, tea, or red wine and eating dark berries and other deeply colored food and beverages can cause staining over the years. Tobacco use – Over time, nicotine leaves brownish deposits on your teeth, which soak into the enamel and cause discoloration. Oral hygiene – Practicing good oral hygiene isn’t just good for your oral health. When you brush and floss regularly, you remove a lot of the debris that stains your teeth. Please contact our office if you would like more information about our efficient, affordable teeth whitening.

I think I need a smile makeover. What are my options?

No matter what dental concern you have, we can help! Today, thanks to advances in dentistry, we have access to more updated treatments than ever before. For some people, a smile makeover may consist of a few fillings or a new crown. Others may require more comprehensive services to ensure the healthiest smile possible. Whatever your needs, we can help! The goal of any treatment at Clark Dental Studio is to leave your teeth healthier and more attractive than when we started. With all the updated procedures available today, there’s really no limit to the amazing transformations we can create. We start by taking steps to ensure the underlying health of your teeth. Once we know your smile is as healthy as it can be, we can work on improving esthetics with procedures like crowns, dental bonding, veneers, and teeth whitening. Your wants and desires lay the foundation for the work we do. It’s important that we understand your goals to ensure that the final result exceeds your expectations. Together we’ll develop a plan that fits your needs perfectly and leaves you with a smile you can be proud to show off. Would you like to learn more about our smile makeovers? Please call our Chattanooga dental office to arrange a convenient consultation with Dr. Clark.

Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush?

Bleeding gums are not normal. Gums that bleed and are tender or swollen are almost always a sign that gum disease is present. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection of your gums. It is caused by bacteria that are allowed to sit on your teeth. If you do not have routine professional dental cleanings, this can quickly become a big oral health problem. If we do not treat gum disease when it first appears, it will get worse. Advanced gum disease will cause the bone that holds your teeth to start to break down. You may notice this is happening if you feel that your teeth are becoming loose. Without treatment, you may eventually lose the tooth. Treatment for gum disease usually includes a deep cleaning. During this procedure, one of our hygienists gently cleans the areas underneath the gums. If your case is more severe, we will refer you to a specialist who has the necessary skill and training to deal with gum problems. If you do not have symptoms, it does not mean you don’t have gum disease. People often have gum disease without any symptoms at all. That’s why it’s important to stay up to date with your exams and cleanings. If our hygienist does find signs of gum disease, she will treat it with a special deep cleaning treatment. Then she will discuss ways that you can keep your teeth healthy and free of disease. With regular dental treatments and proper brushing and flossing, you can avoid gum disease altogether. Please call Clark Dental Studio to schedule your next professional cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Educating our patients about the value of conscientious oral health care is one of our top priorities. When you're informed, it's easier to understand why you need a certain procedure and how it will benefit you.

We encourage and welcome all questions! It's essential for you to be involved with your own care, and your questions help us understand what your expectations are and what's important to you.

Here are a few frequently asked questions to get you started, but you may have others that you don't see listed. In this case, please call our Chattanooga dental office or fill out our handy online contact form.

I think I need a smile makeover. What are my options?
Why should I worry about gum disease?
Do you accept emergency patients?
Does whitening damage teeth?
Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush?
Do you accept my insurance?
Are digital x-rays safe?
Why is the name of your office Clark Dental Studio? What does that even mean?
What’s the difference between veneers and crowns?
What exactly IS a root canal?
A dentist told me I needed a “deep cleaning,” is that true?
Dentistry seems pretty subjective. Why is that?
Should I get a bridge or implants?