We’re here for you.

We would like to share some of our most commonly asked questions.

I would really like to avoid being referred to other offices. Will I be referred to any dentists outside of this office if I decide to become a patient here?

Dr. K will refer on occasion to several specialists outside of the office. Dr. K loves to provide some additional services when appropriate in the office— for example, she does like to help patients with front tooth root canals, or premolars. All molar root canals will be referred to specialists. Usually, she will help remove most teeth however it depends on your specific situation. Dr. K does not make dentures. Ultimately, if you are interested in dentures you may want to seek a different office. Dr. K does help her patients with clear aligners for braces and she does help to restore implants.

Why does your office take blood pressure? Is this really necessary for me to be seen?

Our office requires a blood pressure. We understand that not all of our patients seek medical care regularly, and blood pressure helps us to help you in potential emergency situations and helps provide an indicator of your overall health. We understand that not everyone’s blood pressure is in an ideal range when they seek care at our office. To safely treat you, your blood pressure needs to be less than 160/100, and ideally much lower than that. Feel free to come to our office early and relax in our cozy waiting room— avoid caffenated beverages and make sure to utilize the restroom before your visit. If you are prescribed blood pressure medication please take your medication regularly per your doctor’s instructions to help us to help you. We do utilize digital devices for initial screening— however any final reading that would be provided to your doctor in order to be seen with us will be taken with a manual blood pressure cuff to ensure we are providing the most accurate data that we can.

Can a waterflosser be used instead of regular floss?

No. The waterflosser can definitely help in the areas around the teeth, but the area in between the teeth where the teeth meet still need floss to remove the bacteria from that area. Using a C-shape with floss to keep bacteria out is the best way to keep bacteria from this area. With that being said, if you have receding gums, bone loss, missing teeth, or you just want to make sure you’re doing all you can— a water flosser is a GREAT instrument to have in your bathroom.

What’s Dr. K’s favorite tooth brush?

Dr. K loves Oral B IO toothbrushes. They have a round head and can reach behind the second molars when you close slightly. They also have sensors to help indicate when you are brushing too hard. They overall, can help you maintain good oral health when used twice daily alongside flossing.

Why does Dr. K believe in same day crowns?

When you leave the office with a provisional or “plastic crown” there is a chance that the exposure to hot and cold on this tooth could agitate the nerve of the tooth. We’ve experienced that sensitivity! When a crown can be made same day or shortly after rather than waiting for the lab, there’s less likely for the tooth to become agitated by the environment. Now that there are materials that exist that help us to mill the crown as conservatively as possible similar to those of metal— It’s better for the tooth and saves you time, an appointment to the dentist and helps with your comfort. In all situations where we can, our machine makes provisional crowns— which ensure that they are as accurate and well fitting as possible. Please be sure to ask Dr. K about your specific situation and what materials might be best.

Why is the payment process fully digital?

You may pay by mailed check, no cash, or credit card by using secure links. In this way, no one intercepts your credit card information and there is no handling of cash in our office which makes our process compliant.

Why does Dr. K utilize kiosks in her dental practice?

As cumbersome as they can seem they have allowed us to update your address and information regularly to make fewer mistakes in the check-in process. They also have allowed us to have fewer staff in the office and have helped us to retain our dental staff. Not only this fact, but they have also helped us to remain HIPAA compliant. Nobody overhears your personal information in our waiting room.

How do I know if my old filling needs to be replaced?

Dr. K will examine your restorations and let you know if a filling has a crack, or if it's starting to degrade with wear and if it's time to replace it now or in the future, or if it looks great! Our digital radiographs and intraoral cameras help us to examine your existing restorations so you are able to make a decision.

Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss?

When patients experience bleeding gums, let our team take a look. The job of the gums are to keep bacteria out of the body and help support the teeth. If they bleed it could be the progression of periodontal disease or gingivitis, or struggles with proper home care or a more serious problem. It's best to schedule an appointment with us and seek treatment with us and our trusted periodontist.

When should my child visit the dentist for the first time?

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends all children see a dentist by 6 months of age. It is important to have the child become acquainted with the dentist, to understand the nature of the dentist, and to encourage good dental habits and provide dietary information for parents early on in life. If your child hasn't yet seen the dentist, please give us a call and we would be happy to help you schedule.

Do you use latex in your office?

Northwoods Family dental does utilize latex in the dental office and we have the option to avoid using latex. It is important for you to indicate that you have an allergy to latex in your health history. We want to ensure your complete safety.

Is your office handicapped accessible?

Yes, the office is handicapped accessible. We suggest parking in our back parking lot for easy access into our building. We want our patient's to feel comfortable so if you require specific accommodations please let us know in advance of your appointment.

Can I run errands while my child has a dental appointment?

We require a legal guardian or parent to be present at all times during your child's appointment. We need to be able to speak directly with the parent during the scheduled appointment.

Does your office follow proper infection control guidelines?

Yes, we strive to maintain a clean environment in our dental office. We sterilize our autoclavable equipment between each use and we follow all safety recommendations to the highest degree to ensure all our staff and patients are safe. We all wear gloves, masks and eye protection and we use the best products to sterilize surfaces and all patient rooms. In addition we utilize a particulate filtration system to remove particles from the air.