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Frequently Asked Questions

1) Do you accept my insurance?

We accept most PPO and Indemnity dental insurances, and some discount dental plans. Some of the PPO insurance companies we accept are...

• Aetna 
• Ameritas 
• Anthem Blue Cross 
• Assurant 
• Banner
• Blue Cross Blue Shield 
• Careington 
• Cigna 
• City of Mesa
• Connection Dental 
• Delta Dental 
• Dental Network of America (DNoA)
• Dentemax 
• Dental Blue 
• Guardian 
• Humana 
• Lincoln Financial Group 
• Meritain Health 
• Metlife 

• Principal 
• SecureCare Dental 
• Sunlife Financial 
• Total Dental Administrators (TDA) 
• Tricare Dental Plans 
• United Concordia 
• United Healthcare 
  
• We do not accept AHCCCS, DMO or HMO plans.

2) Can I be “put under” for my dental treatment?

Our dentists offer conscience sedation and nitrous (laughing gas).

3) Will it hurt?

Dr. Taryn and Dr. Karbasi are extremely gentle. Sometimes people may experience pressure or sensitivity during some dental procedures, but we make each visit as painless as possible.

4) Is it true x-rays are harmful?

X-rays do emit radiation, but we take all necessary precautions to make sure everyone is safe and protected from the radiation. In fact, all of our x-rays in our office are digital, meaning they are modern and up to date and emit the lowest amount of radiation. People are exposed to more radiation flying on an airplane then getting dental x-rays!

5) What can I do to whiten my teeth?

Coffee, teas, and dark sodas and some foods can stain your teeth so make sure you brush or rinse your mouth after. Latest trends say “oil pulling” helps whiten teeth, but we haven’t tried it yet. Oil pulling or swishing is when you use olive oil or coconut oil and swish it in your mouth for 20 minutes then spit it out. Another option is to whiten your teeth of course. We offer in- office dental whitening with ZOOM! Whitening, or take home whitening. We offer take-home whitening to our patients! (As long as there is no decay or active periodontal disease)

6) What are dental sealants, who should get them, and how long do they last?

Sealants are a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth -- usually the back teeth (the premolars, and molars) -- to prevent tooth decay. The painted on liquid sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and groves of the teeth forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth. Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the dental sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants. Sealants can protect the teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wear at regular dental check-ups.

7) I am interested in changing the shape of my teeth, what options do I have?

Several different options are available to change the shape of teeth, make teeth look longer, close spaces between teeth or repair chipped or cracked teeth. Among the options are bonding, crowns, veneers, and recontouring. Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to the tooth surface and hardened with a special light, which ultimately "bonds" the material to the tooth. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped "caps" that are placed over teeth. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. Veneers (also sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth. Recontouring or reshaping of the teeth (also called odontoplasty, enameloplasty, stripping, or slenderizing) is a procedure in which small amounts of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth's length, shape or surface. Each of these options differ with regard to cost, durability, "chair time" necessary to complete the procedure, stain resistant qualities, and best cosmetic approach to resolving a specific problem. Talk to Dr. Peifer to see if one is right for you.

8) I have a terrible fear of going to the dentist, but I need to go. What should I do?

If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone! Between 9% -15% of Americans state they avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. The first thing you should do is talk with our dentists. We have many patients that used to fear appointments, and now they are coming in regularly and are so calm! The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with Dr. Karbasi,  Dr. Taryn and our hygienists. Once we know what your fears are, we will be better able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more comfortable.

The good news is that today there are a number of strategies that can be used to help reduce fear, anxiety, and pain. These strategies include use of medications (to either numb the treatment area or sedatives or anesthesia to help you relax), use of lasers instead of the traditional drill for removing decay, application of a variety of mind/body pain and anxiety-reducing techniques (such as guided imagery, biofeedback, deep breathing, acupuncture, and other mental health therapies), and perhaps even visits to a dentophobia clinic or a support group.

9) There are so many toothpastes to choose from, which is the best?

When purchasing a toothpaste for you or your child, select one that contains fluoride. Fluoride-containing toothpastes have been shown to prevent cavities. However, one word of caution: check the manufacturer's label; some toothpastes are not recommended in children under age 6. This is because young children swallow toothpaste and swallowing too much fluoride can lead to tooth discoloration in permanent teeth.It is also wise to select a product approved by the American Dental Association. The ADA's Seal of Acceptance means that the product has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness and that packaging and advertising claims are scientifically supported. Some manufacturers choose not to seek the ADA's Seal of Acceptance. Although these products may be safe and effective, these products' performance have not been evaluated or endorsed by the ADA.

Next, when considering other properties of toothpaste -- such as whitening toothpastes, tartar-control, gum care, desensitizing, etc. -- the best advice for selecting among these products may be to simply ask your dental hygienist or dentist what the greatest concerns are for your mouth at this time. Finally, some degree of personal preference comes into play. Choose the toothpaste that tastes and feels best. Gel or paste, wintergreen or spearmint all work alike. If you find that certain ingredients are irritating to your teeth, cheeks or lips, or if your teeth have become more sensitive, or if your mouth is irritated after brushing, try changing toothpastes. If the problem continues, come see us.

10) How do I schedule an appointment?

Call us at (480)782-8825 to schedule an appointment. You can always request an appointment online by visiting our website at avalondentalaz.com.

11) What can I expect at my first visit?

We offer two types of first visits. One appointment for dental emergencies and one to establish you as a new patient. If you are coming in for the first time and need an emergency visit, you can expect to get an exam and x-ray. Our dentist will examine the tooth or area of concern and inspect the x-ray. He/she will then determine what treatment is necessary. That emergency visit can last anywhere from 15-30 minutes, plus the length of time to do any necessary procedure to get you out of pain. If you are coming in to establish yourself as a new patient, you can expect to see our hygienist first for x-rays, and periodontal charting (where the hygienist evaluates your gums to determine what type of cleaning your teeth need) and a cleaning. Then you see our dentist for a comprehensive exam where he will examine each tooth and the overall health of your teeth and gums. If you have any concerns or questions  Dr. Karbasi or Dr. Taryn can answer any of those for you, as well as give you a treatment plan if needed. That first appointment for a new patient lasts anywhere from 60-90 minutes.

12) Can I get my dental treatment done right away?

Our first priority is to diagnose and treat any urgent conditions that pose an immediate threat to your oral and overall health. Our next priority is prevention, which means to control the disease process, while promoting wellness and helping you maintain good overall oral health. After these, we can proceed with any dental treatment , including major dental treatment, cosmetic work, and alternative and optional dental treatment.

13) I had a toothache and my dentist told me I need a root canal. He put me on antibiotics and it stopped hurting. Do I still need the root canal?

Yes. Even though your tooth feels better since you were prescribed antibiotics, the underlying disease process did not change. Patients sometimes believe that antibiotics will "cure" a dental infection in the same way they can cure a medical infection such as strep throat. However, this is not the case. Once the inside (pulp) of a tooth becomes diseased, a root canal (or extraction) is necessary even if you are not experiencing pain or swelling.

14) What services does your office provide?

We offer almost every dental procedure possible! Dr. Karbasi and Dr. Taryn offer crowns, fillings, bridges, dentures, extractions, root canals, periodontal treatment, cosmetic work including veneers and bonding, and whitening! In some cases it is necessary to be referred out to a specialist. Those cases may include to see an orthodontist to get traditional braces, an endodontist for a root canal (if it is in the patients best interest), an oral surgeon for a difficult extraction (including impacted wisdom teeth, or an implant), a periodontist if the patient has sever periodontal disease or needs implants or grafting, and last a pedodontist if a child needs to be put under for dental treatment. Dr. Taryn or Dr. Karbasi will advise you on what dental treatment you may or may not need and can answer any questions you have.

15) Do you check for oral cancer?

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Yes! Our dentists and our hygienists look for signs of oral cancer in your mouth at every routine checkup. You can help us by advising us of any unusual color changes in the tissues in your mouth (red or white areas), abnormal growths, ulcerated areas that don't heal, areas of numbness or pain, or any problems with chewing or swallowing. Oral cancers often are found on the sides of the tongue, under the tongue, and on the soft palate, though they can occur on any soft tissues throughout the mouth. People who drink alcohol or smoke are more likely to get oral cancer, but anyone can get it, which is why early detection is so important.​