APPOINTMENTS: To make an appointment call 1 616 891-8931 or e mail appointments@gvdentistry.com

What can I expect at my first appointment?
Glen Valley is a dedicated family practice in which every patient feels welcome. Children age 1-3 see paragraph immediately following for appointment recommendations.
Children over 4 through adults, will receive an initial exam for their first visit. We require a medical history form, insurance form, and HIPPA information to be completed. (Click on the forms button at the end of this paragraph or on the homepage, and for your convenience you can fill out the medical and insurance portion of the paperwork ahead of time.) At the appointment medical and dental information will be gathered and any necessary x rays will be taken. A full set is updated every 5 years and cavity detecting x rays (bitewings) are taken every year. A treatment plan will be made for the type of cleaning needed and for any dental work that may be diagnosed. This appointment also provides a time for you to ask questions or share any concerns that you may have, including any cosmetic work you may be interested in or products you would like to know more about.

At what age should I bring my children in?
We recommend their first appointment around their first birthday. This first visit is called a "happy visit" and there is no fee. We take this opportunity to look in the child's mouth and also share helpful information and tips on keeping your child's mouth healthy right from the start. This is also a great opportunity to ask us any questions that you have. After the happy visit, we recommend to see them once a year until they turn 4, at which time, we begin the regular six month interval.
FYI to avoid oral developmental problems and decay, it is always good to ween from bottle and/or pacifier at or near one year of age. It is also important, for the months when they are using a bottle, to never allow them to fall asleep with a bottle or sippee cup in their mouth in bed. This is the leading cause of early decay in young children.

Are you accepting new patients?
Absolutely! We do accept new patients and look forward to welcoming you as part of our dental family.

Do you accept referrals?
Yes. Your referral is the highest compliment that you can give our practice. We welcome your referrals and will strive to exceed the expectations of your friends and family.

What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
Dr. Vaughan or Dr. Pound will be on call when the office is closed. If you are a patient of record you should call the main office and there will be directions to contact them.


COSMETIC

What are my whitening options?
At Glen Valley Dentistry we offer the following options for whitening (bleaching) the teeth:
Custom trays - These trays are custom-fit to your specific mouth. Impressions are taken at your first appointment and then your trays are fabricated. On your appointment to return when your trays are complete, we will try the trays in your mouth to assure proper fit, you will be given whitening gel for the trays and we will instruct you on proper use. The trays are worn for one hour each day for two weeks. This is a stronger concentration of peroxide, which provides more dramatic results. Most patients whiten or brighten 5-7 shades.

Zoom In-Office Whitening - This is the most powerful option to whiten teeth. Impressions are taken for take-home custom trays (same as above so they can be used for future touch-ups) these trays are included in the price of zoom. Then, we place a retraction device in the mouth and place isolation material around the teeth. Whitening gel is brushed onto the teeth, and a light is placed over them for 15 minutes. This process is repeated a total of three times. Afterward we apply a fluoride to prevent sensitivity. Most patients lighten or brighten 7-12 shades. Results do vary.

What does cerec do to change my gold or part metal crowns?
Cerec technology is state of the art crown fabrication. At Glen Valley Dentistry we can replace large part metal or gold crowns with all porcelain (white) crowns. This makes the tooth look more natural and is a high quality restoration.
This technology is also used for a new crown placement as well.

Can I replace my silver fillings to a  tooth colored filling?
Yes, at Glen Valley we use tooth colored composite material, so we can replace the old
amalgam (silver) fills with a more natural looking composite (tooth colored) filling.

Hover over picture to see the difference!


How can I get my teeth straightened without wires and brackets?

Invisalign is a technique that is used to straighten teeth without the need for wires or brackets. Patients wear aligners (left) for a series of months to move the teeth to the desired position. The aligners are virtually invisible, comfortable to wear and are worn continuously except while eating.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for invisalign?
We offer a free 30 minute consultation. At this appointment your occlusion (how your teeth bite together) will be evaluated. We will show you a short invisalign video explaining the process of how invisalign works and go over the cost. At this time we will be able to answer any other questions or concerns you may have about invisalign. Call 891-8931 to schedule or e mail appointments@gvdentistry.com   If you are a patient of record we can take the impressions for the study models at your cleaning appointment.
What happens next after it is determined I am a good candidate and want to do invisalign?
A second appointment will be scheduled which will be your "records" appointment. At this appointment photos will be taken as well as any necessary xrays ( no new xrays will be required if your regular xrays are current). A precise impression will be taken and bite record. These will then be sent to the invisalign lab and they will use state of the art technology to design your case from start to desired finish. A fee will be collected at this appointment to cover the records and the lab fee. Another appointment will be scheduled. At this third appointment you will get to see the process from start to finish of how invisalign will work . This is called the "ClinChec". At this appointment after you view the treatment, you or the dentists will have the opportunity to request changes regarding the desired result. If there are no changes the "Clinchec" will be accepted and the final amount will be due. It takes about 1-2 weeks to receive the aligners. Once your aligners are in, the next appointment will be set up to fit your first aligner. You will then return for a one week check. After that appointment you will be scheduled every 6 weeks for the duration of treatment.
Will the treatment be painful? Most people experience tooth soreness for a few days after staring each new stage. This is normal. It is a sign that the Invialign aligners are working moving your teeth to their final destination. This soreness should gradually go away a couple of days after inserting the new aligner in the series. If it doesn't promptly call the office.
Are there restrictions on what I can eat? In general, no . Unlike traditional orthodontics, you can usually eat and drink whatever you desire because you remove your aligners. Thus, there is no need to restrict your consumption of any of your favorite foods and snacks, unless instructed otherwise by the dentist.
Why do some of my aligners have bumps in them? Some of the movements require "attachments" to help the aligner grip the teeth. These bumps, or wells, are where the aligner grips the attachment the doctor places on your teeth.
Will smoking or chewing tobacco stain the aligners? We discourage tobacco use while wearing aligners because of the possibility of aligner discoloration.
Will wearing aligners affect my speech? Like all orthodontic treatments, aligners may temporarily affect your speech, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having aligners in your mouth, any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by the aligners should disappear.
What if I lose or break an invisalign aligner? You should immediately contact our office. 616-891-8931.



HOMECARE:
What is an Optimal Oral Health Score?
Glen Valley has come up with a tool to help patients know the condition of their gums and teeth. Below is a sample of the "score sheet". This score is based on an optimal, or less than optimal, scale. This scale is our version of a dental report card. The score sheet is given to patients at their initial and regular appointments. Optimal is the ideal level in which your gum tissue and teeth should be functioning. Glen Valley Dentistry's team is dedicated to assessing patients' oral health and assisting them in achieving or maintaining an optimal level.

What is plaque?
Simply put, plaque is bacteria. It's yellowish-white and sticky. It is the main contributor to periodontal disease (gingivitis, deep pockets and bone loss) , cavities and bad breath. It also begins forming again on the teeth minutes after you brush. Plaque removal is a constant task, accomplished by brushing and flossing.

Isn't it normal for my gums to bleed after I brush?
If your hands bled after you washed them would you be concerned? There is nothing normal about gums bleeding. If your gums bleed this is a sign that there is underlying problems that need attention. It may be, you are not brushing or flossing with the right technique or frequency to remove all of the bacteria. (See below for written explanation) This can also be a sign of more extensive problems such as periodontal disease, which would require a more extensive type of cleaning. Either way, your dental professional will be able to assist you. Also, beginning a more detailed home care is a great place to start.

How do I brush my teeth?
That is a great question, not asked enough since most people think they "already know how to brush their teeth." In reality there are better techniques to brushing. We recommend:
*Use a soft toothbrush and brush at least in the morning and before bed. It is also a very good idea to brush after eating, especially after candy or pop consumption.
*Use a circular motion making sure to brush up by the gum tissue. You may have to angle your brush vertically to clean inside of the front teeth.
*Brush in a pattern: we recommend beginning inside of all the teeth (since this is the area most often missed), next, outsides of all the teeth and then the top (biting surface). Don't forget to brush your tongue it collects bacteria too and is many times the cause of bad breath. Bacteria left on the tongue or teeth smells just like your food does when it's been sitting around too long!

What type of toothbrush should I use?
Our office recommends soft bristled toothbrushes only. Soft toothbrushes are gentler on your gum tissue and clean just as thoroughly as firmer bristled brushes. Soft bristled brushes also can be slipped slightly under the gumline to remove plaque. Manual toothbrushes work well to remove plaque if used with circular motions.  If dexterity is an issue, if you press too hard when you brush, or if you just don't seem to be seeing any improvement in your gum tissue, an electric toothbrush may be just the tool you need. Electric toothbrushes have heads that vibrate or move up and down, so you simply hold the brush against the tooth and the motion of the brush head removes the plaque for you. Just a note, it is still critical that the electric toothbrush is placed on every tooth surface in the mouth so complete plaque removal is accomplished!

What electric toothbrush do you recommend?

We recommend and have available for purchase the oral b triumph with smart guide, the oral b vitality and the Sonicare Flexcare. Electric toothbrushes are a wonderful tool for those who are aggressive brushers and have recession or sensitivity, patients with arthritis or anyone who enjoys the way their teeth feel after a professional polishing.
Glen Valley also recommend, and have available for purchase, ortho brush attachments for patients with braces. We also carry electric toothbrushes for children with fun handles and timer tunes. These toothbrushes also have replaceable brush heads.

What difference does flossing make?
Have you ever heard the saying, "You only need to floss the teeth you want to keep"? Well it's a cute saying and very true. One of the best preventative tools to tooth loss, due to periodontal disease, is flossing! Do you wonder why the dental team asks you that, seemingly every time they see you? Here's why - because we see people losing teeth to periodontal disease - and they don't floss! We care and our desire is to let you know flossing is a great prevention to keep that from happening to you. We will help you in any way we can (aside from following you home and flossing for you.) We have floss aids to offer, techniques to show you and free floss samples!! That's how much we want you to keep those teeth. Technique is important in flossing, just like brushing and to get the most benefit for your effort, below is a visual example of how to floss properly. The goal is plaque removal, so just popping the floss between the contact isn't giving you the best benefit of plaque removal. Make sure you slide the floss on each side of the teeth you are going in between and all the way down until you feel resistance (the bottom of the gum attachment to the tooth). Wrapping the floss around the individual tooth will help you accomplish getting to the bottom. By the way, a normal attachment is about 1-3mm below the visible top of the gum tissue.
                                                                    


POST-DENTAL PROCEDURE INSTRUCTION:

What can I expect after a.......

Composite (white filling)? -Your tooth/teeth filled may be sore for a few days. Take Tylenol or Motrin for pain. It is also normal to experience cold sensitivity for up to six weeks, if this pain/sensitivity does not subside and just gets worse over time call the office for a re-evaluation of the tooth/teeth.

Crown is done?- (Cerec, porcelain fused to metal, gold or a crown prep)
Your tooth/tissue may be sore for a few days, take Tylenol or Motrin for pain. We also recommend that you do not use the tooth that was crowned to chew for at least 24 hours to let the cement set completely.

Crown is re cemented? -Tissue around crown may be a little sore for a few day, take Tylenol or Motrin for pain. Don't chew with the crown for at least 24 hours to allow the cement to set completely.

Dentures and/or partial dentures are placed? -These appliances are just like a new pair of shoes- they will not fit perfectly in the beginning. You can expect sore spots and sometimes blisters on your tissue at first. Don't hesitate to call the office if this occurs, you will need to come in for a few minor adjustments to the appliance(s).

Extraction? - When you have had a tooth extracted (removed), you need to take special care of your mouth. Refrain from certain activities on the first day and this may help you feel better and heal faster. Follow these instructions to help with the healing process:
For at least the next 48 hours-Do not drink through a straw (may dislodge the blood clot). Do not drink HOT liquids ( may increase swelling). Do not drink alcoholic beverages (this will thin the blood and slow the healing. Do not smoke (smoking will break down the blood clot, causing a painful tooth socket)
To control bleeding - bite firmly on the gauze placed by your dental assistant (two pieces of gauze are in there) The pressure helps to form a blood clot in the tooth socket. Bite on the gauze until the bleeding stops (about 30-45 minutes). Slight oozing of blood in the first 24-48 hours is normal.
To minimize pain-- To lessen any pain, if medication is prescribed use as directed, if not, take Motrin (ibuprofen) as needed. Do not use any pain reliever containing aspirin, as this will thin your blood, taking longer for the blood clot to form in the socket. Liquid and soft foods are recommended for the first day or two.
To reduce swelling- To reduce swelling, put an ice pack on your cheek near the extraction site. You can make an ice pack by putting ice in a plastic bag and wrapping it in a thin towel.
Call the office if- (616) 891-8931- Pain becomes more severe the day after your extraction. Bleeding becomes hard to control. Swelling around the extraction site worsens. Itching or rashes occur after you take a medication prescribed by our office, which are sign of an allergic reaction.

Laser gum therapy? - You may experience some tenderness around the tissue that was lased. If this does occur Tylenol or Motrin may be taken and/or rinse with a warm salt water rinse. The tissue around the teeth may sometimes look/turn a gray color, but it should be back to a pale pink color in 2-3 days. Avoid flossing in those areas for 48 hours to allow healing to occur

Occlusal guard?- At first, this appliance may feel as though it fits too tight around your teeth, over time it will become more comfortable. If you run the occlusal guard under warm water before placement it will fit on more comfortably. To care for your new appliance, clean it with toothbrush/toothpaste in the morning and store it in the provided case during the day. Periodically (every 1-2 months) you may want to soak the appliance in denture cleaner for no more than 20 minutes, this will give it a more thorough cleaning.

Periodontal chip is placed? - Avoid flossing around the area where the chip was placed for the first few days. Brush as normal, but be careful to brush lightly in the area the chip was placed for the first few days.

Root canal therapy?- You can expect some soreness in the jaw area for a few days, take Tylenol or Motrin for pain. The soreness is due to the dentist removing the bacteria from the root of the tooth. If pain gets worse over time, call the office.

Scaling and Root Planing (Quad Scale) ? - Following an intensive scaling an root planing appointment you could experience some tenderness of the gum tissue. If this is the case we recommend taking Tylenol or Motrin. Rinsing with warm salt water, will also have a soothing affect on the tissue. It is imperative that diligent home care, as prescribed by the dentist or hygienist is followed.

Sealants are placed? - The sealant has already been cured (hardened) with the light, so you are able to eat and drink immediately. Sealants are checked at every recare appointment.

Zoom whitening procedure? -There is a possibility that you may experience sensitivity after Zoom Whitening. The sensitivity can be managed by taking an over the counter pain reliever and using a professional strength paste. For your convenience, our office carries MI Paste, which contains calcium and phosphate to help minimize sensitivity. The MI Paste may be placed into your bleach trays and worn for 2-5 minutes a day until sensitivity subsides.
Some things to avoid: foods with high stain qualities for the first 24-48 hours after whitening. i.e. ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, grape juice, colas, red wine, coffee and tea. Also tobacco products should also be avoided as much as possible. This will help you to maintain that bright new smile! Touch ups. In your take home kit you were given trays and a tube of gel. These are for future touch ups. Remember 48 hours after your in office bleaching, your teeth will be their maximum whiteness and brightness. Touch ups are generally done anywhere from 6-12 months after your initial zoom treatment. Factors such as frequency of stain producing food/drink intake and/or amount of cigarette/pipe use, will effect how soon after your Zoom procedure you will need to touch up.

After whitening, rinse bleach trays with cool water and clean with a toothbrush.


RECARE APPOINTMENT

I'm not sure about getting x rays every year. Do they expose me to a lot of radiation? Are they really necessary every year?
There is very little radiation exposure in a dental x ray. However, we are aware of the concern and are committed to keeping that exposure to the absolute minimum. This is why we use digital radiography, this decreases the amount of radiation by 80-90%. We also take cavity detecting bite wings once a year as a rule. We feel this is the minimum amount of time to make sure new decay will be detected in a timely fashion. Some patients may require x rays more or less often, but this recommendation is made by the dental professional, who considers what is in the best interest of the patient's oral health.

The hygienist told me I need to come in 3 or 4 times a year. I don't understand why that is necessary? Insurance seems to feel twice a year is enough.
Each hygienist at Glen Valley is committed to their patients oral health. They do a careful evaluation of your mouth, by taking the appropriate x rays and measurements around each individual tooth to do an assessment of your individual mouth. If she is recommending more frequent cleanings, you can be confident it is because she is concerned about your oral and systemic health and is interested in doing what is best to allow you to keep your teeth for a lifetime. A very gentle and serious reminder when it comes to insurance coverage, it is there as an adjunct, they have not yet personally looked into your mouth and do not have the same level of responsibility to your oral health as we do. Insurance is not determining what is best for you, they only let you know financially how much they assist you in payment.

What's the difference between a sealant and a filling?
A sealant is placed on the biting surfaces of a healthy tooth to prevent decay. A sealant is applied by first conditioning the surface with etch, then it is rinsed and dried.The tooth colored sealant material is then brushed on and exposed to a light, so the sealant will harden and bond to the tooth.
A filling is placed on a tooth that was unhealthy because of the presence of decay. When the tooth has the decay removed with a dental drill, the area in which the decay was removed is now "filled" with a tooth colored material to restore the function of the tooth.

What is the Velscope?

It is an early oral cancer detection device, used in combination with traditional oral cancer examination procedures. The Velscope allows the health car
e professional to visualize mucosa (tissue inside the mouth) abnormalities that may require biopsy. Velscope, by detecting pre-cancerous lesions early, may save thousands of lives.
Oral Cancer Facts:

Every hour, every day oral cancer kills someone in the U.S.
In the past 30 years, there has been a 60% increase in oral cancer in adults under the age of 40
Oral cancer is the only cancer that has not shown a decrease in the mortality rate in over 30 years
48% of patients diagnosed with oral cancer, die within 5 years
Early Diagnosis will save lives and if caught early enough....the 5-year survival rate can be as
high as 81%

How does Velscope benefit?

Existing screening protocol usually finds potentially abnormal cells only on the surface (visible to the eye). Currently, almost 2/3 of oral cancer cases are diagnosed in the late stages. Velscope can show abnormal tissue below the surface, even before they become apparent to the clinicians eye. This is a huge benefit because oral cancer found in its early stages can increase (by 81%) the survival rate.

How does Velscope work:

Fluorescence is the energy expelled by cells after absorbing a high energy input before they return to their normalenergy level. Velscope emits a safe, high energy blue light that excites the tissues beneath the surface down to the basement membrane. As the tissues return to normal energy levels, the tissues re-emits the absorbed energy in the form of fluorescence. Special optical filters in the Velscope handpiece enable the clinician to immediately view the different fluorescence patterns emitted by the tissue, which can be used as an additional diagnostic tool to help differentiate between normal and abnormal cells. Typically, healthy tissue shows up with a green glow and the abnormal suspicious tissue may cause a loss of fluorescence and thus appear dark. The Velscope examination takes less than 3 minutes and does not require any rinses or stains.

How does the dentist use the Velscope?

A dentist can use the velscope as a screening tool to allow a more informed decision in determining whether an area of suspicion should be biopsied. This is nice for the patient because it eliminates the need to biopsy something that is benign.
Click button to view velscope video