Dental Questions
To give you the best dental care possible, Dr. Bell stays current on techniques, technology and materials. He attends ongoing continuing education seminars, participates in dental conferences, and subscribes to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry. He also ensures our team is educated. So as a team, and as individuals, we’re familiar with the latest techniques and materials available.
Yes! The majority of our new dentistry's patients come as referrals from our family of patients as well as through other dental and medical specialists.
Prior to your first visit with us, we send to you a new patient evaluation that we ask you to complete and bring with you. In addition, we appreciate having all recent dental records and radiographs forwarded to our dental office.
Your treatment is important to us, so our office is willing to work with your dental insurance plan. You are ultimately the responsible party with regard to your bill. To assist you, we file the insurance claim on your behalf and accept payment from your dental insurance company. We are well versed in the latest coverage trends and can discuss the particulars of your plan with you prior to treatment.
We accept cash, personal checks and all major credit cards. Your dental insurance plan co-pay is due at the time of your visit, and you are responsible for the amount not covered by your dental insurance. However, we want you to receive the dental care you need, so we also offer third party financing through CareCredit. If you desire to apply for this service, we can link to them directly or we will assist you as needed.
A whiter brighter smile can give you the feeling of youth and vitality. Dr. Bell offers a number of options to help you have a more brilliant white smile including, at-home teeth whitening trays, Zoom!&tm; teeth whitening, or in-office teeth whitening, and porcelain veneers. Come in today and Dr. Bell can evaluate your smile and find the treatment that is right for you.
Your safety and well-being are important. Our practice utilizes state-of-the-art sterilization and disinfection techniques designed to ensure your safety. We have a specialized sterilization center and a water filtration system, which guarantees a fresh distilled water source for each dental patient.
When you join our practice – you become part of our family. Many patients, like you, have been in the practice since it began. We strive for excellence in diagnosis and treatment and have long-term team members. Dr. Michael W. Bell enjoys an excellent reputation among his peers and, was chosen by them as one of the “Super Dentists” in the November 2005 issue of Texas Monthly magazine. Dr. Michael W. Bell has achieved Mastership status in the Academy of General Dentistry. Currently about 1,800 of the 35,000 AGD members are Master.
Wear, tear and discoloration over the years can make your smile look less brilliant than you might desire. With today’s technology, materials and advanced techniques, you have many options for restoring your weak, broken, chipped, discolored or crooked teeth to their original shape and function. There has never been a better time to restore your smile.
Typically, you would benefit from a professional cleaning and oral evaluation every four to six months. However, if you are prone to gum disease or other ongoing health concerns, you might require more frequent visits. We will perform a thorough examination to determine what kind of continuing care will achieve your optimum dental health.
As a general rule, your child should be seen at or before the age of three. Early visits provide us with the opportunity to spot and prevent oral/dental problems. This allows your child’s first experience with the dentist to be positive and non-threatening. Of course, special concerns can be seen at any time.
A dental emergency can be a scary situation. You can rest assured that if you call our office, someone will return your call to help you. You must be a patient of record to use this service.
If your temporary crown comes off, don’t worry. Just carefully put it back into place with a denture adhesive and contact our office to schedule an appointment.
If your child’s tooth is knocked out during office hours, and there is no imminent medical emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness or other bodily injury, please contact us immediately. Simply describe the situation over the phone and our office staff will help you determine the safest and most appropriate plan of action.
Your bleeding gums can be caused by several things, including improper brushing, plaque and/or tarter build-up below the gum line or infection due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If you continue to experience this problem, please contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.
Visiting the dentist can be an anxious experience for you, so we have created a relaxed atmosphere. We have special headphones and digitized cable TV available in all rooms. And for more complex procedures, we also offer oral sedation to keep you comfortable and relaxed. Take a digital tour of our offices.
You are not alone. Halitosis, or bad breath, is a problem millions of people struggle with despite daily brushing. Here is a checklist of procedures to help you eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing and tongue cleaning, regular professional cleanings and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if you are already doing these things and the problem persists, we can offer several solutions. Please come see us and find out how we can help with this embarrassing situation.
Flossing may feel like a step in the morning or evening that isnt necessary, but regular flossing is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens food particles in the tight spaces your toothbrush cant reach and it exercises your gum tissues. This is necessary to avoid gum disease. So, just think of daily flossing as a necessary finishing touch.
