We are a Fee-For-Service practice. This means that we are not in network with any insurance companies. This allows us to reduce our overhead costs and pass the savings along to all of our patients.
What this means for you as an individual patient:
We ask that you pay for the full amount of the services provided on the day that you receive them. (As crowns require two appointments, the crown prep and the crown seat, we are happy to split the full cost of the crown between these two appointments if desired.)
You can still make use of your dental insurance benefits. We are happy to provide forms and other information needed for you to submit a claim. Many of our patients find that they are reimbursed for an amount equal to what their out-of-pocket costs would be at an in-network provider.
We are pleased to provide general dentistry services:
If you have an issue outside of our regular office hours, please call the office number 919-676-5610 and listen to the message in full. Often Dr. Zurawel will be on call and can advise you and/or meet you at the office for an evaluation. In the event that Dr. Zurawel is not available, you will be directed to contact a trusted colleague that is on-call and can assist you with your concerns.
Yes, we see patients of all ages, including children! We find that most children are ready for their first exam at around the age of 3 years old. We encourage you to bring your child along to your appointment for a time or two prior to their first exam. This will allow them to observe what happens at the dentist and to become familiar with the surroundings, and even take a ride in the dental chair. Our staff are very patient and will work with your child in order for them to have a positive experience, and not just push to get a procedure done. We all want to see happy faces both at the beginning and at the end of your child’s visit!
There are several different types of x-rays that may be taken at a dental office. Each of these have a different purpose.
Patients are often concerned with the exposure to radiation that comes with the taking of x-rays. With modern, digital technology the amount of radiation used is minimal. Digital x-rays use a small fraction of the amount of radiation that was once needed to take images using film. In addition, the use of proper techniques means that only the area of the jaw and teeth are being subjected to this radiation.
We are all exposed to radiation on a daily basis via natural sources such as sunlight. It is estimated that one dental x-ray is equivalent to one day of this natural background radiation. By comparison, a coast-to-coast flight makes one subject to an additional intensity of radiation which is equivalent to three days of natural background radiation.
The term “deep cleaning” is often used to explain a treatment that is technically called “scaling and root planing” or “non-surgical periodontal therapy.” It is used to treat periodontal or gum disease. In the case of healthy gums, the gum tissue is firmly attached to the tooth by a ligament, called the periodontal ligament. There is naturally a small pocket at the top edge of the tissue where the gum meets the tooth. When gum disease occurs, bacteria has caused damage to this ligament, creating a deeper pocket between the gums and the tooth. This can also lead to damage to the surrounding bone, and in severe cases, may result in the loss of the tooth. In order to remove bacteria and any plaque and tarter buildup within this deeper pocket, special instruments must be used. The goal of this “deep cleaning” is to remove diseased tissue and create a smooth tooth root surface to which the gum tissue may reattach.
The purpose of a “regular cleaning” or prophylaxis is to remove bacteria, plaque and tarter from the tooth and normal healthy shallow gum pockets. Ideally this prevents any damage to the ligament and therefore progression to a disease state.
The “deep cleaning” is a treatment for disease. Due to the disease state, this cleaning is more complicated and time consuming than a regular cleaning. Additionally, because the gum tissue is often inflamed and the tooth root is more sensitive than the crown, the use of anesthetic may be necessary to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. In many cases, a deep cleaning is performed on one half of the mouth at a time, especially if anesthetic is required. It is recommended that patients with gum disease come in more frequently for maintenance cleanings following the scaling and root planing treatment. This is to facilitate a return to healthy tissue and to prevent further disease. Some patients may have to stay on this more frequent schedule long term, while others may be able to return to a normal twice a year schedule. Diligent and frequent home care is essential in preventing the progression of disease.
This treatment is considered to be a conservative procedure. In some cases, more extensive procedures requiring visits to a specialist may be required, particularly with severe periodontal disease.
Sometimes patients that have gum disease ask if they can just have a regular cleaning. This is not advised, as it can result in the visible portions of the tooth being cleaned but leaving harmful bacteria below the gums. This leads to further damage to the gums and jaw bone. Over time this can develop into painful abscesses and even tooth loss.
There are many dental offices in the area that strive to be “one-stop shops” providing a wide variety of dental specialty services. As a small family practice, we prefer to send our patients to the top specialists in the area for these treatments. In many cases, we have personal experience with these professionals either for our own needs or those of family members.
If it is recommended that you visit one of these specialists, we will assist you in making the appointment and providing the information needed to get you the best care possible. We will contact the specialty office regarding your case, as well as giving you contact information for that office. Depending upon your preference, we can make an appointment for you, or you can schedule on your own with the specialist. The specialty office will inform us of the treatment provided for you as well as any follow-up that may be needed. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the recommendations made by a specialist and/or follow-up procedures that may be required.
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