Frequently Asked Dental Questions Eugene

Get Your Important Questions Answered

At Smile Institute, our team wants to help all of our patients make informed, mindful decisions about their oral health. That’s why we place such a big emphasis on making sure that any questions you have get the in-depth answers they deserve. Below, you’ll find a compiled list of some of the most popular questions we receive from our patients, along with our answers.

How often should I visit the dentist?

Dr. Sutter, as well as the American Dental Association, recommends that all patients visit the dentist once every six months for a checkup and cleaning. For those that have gum disease or suffer from other conditions, like TMJD, it may be a good idea to come in more frequently. Based on our first examination with you, Dr. Sutter can let you know how often he would recommend you visit your dentist in Eugene.

Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?

Both manual and electric toothbrushes are very effective at removing plaque and food debris from the surface of teeth. A good rule of thumb is the best toothbrush for you is the one that you feel most comfortable using! 

I have chronic migraines and jaw tension, can you help?

Oftentimes, TMJ disorder or teeth grinding will evolve to cause a variety of symptoms that can have a dire impact on your daily life, like jaw tension that makes it difficult to open your mouth and chronic migraines or headaches. Dr. Sutter is an expert at addressing these concerns and utilizes the latest technology, like T-Scans and DTR, to do so.

What qualifies as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is any issue that’s causing you out-of-the-ordinary dental pain or other symptoms, or something like a knocked-out or damaged tooth. If you’re ever in doubt about whether you need urgent dental attention, it’s likely that you do! Don’t hesitate to give our office a call—even if you don’t need same-day care, our team will schedule a visit to make sure that your oral health is still on the right track.

Will you accept my dental insurance?

Smile Institute is in-network with several dental insurance providers. Even if your plan isn’t in-network with our office, we’re happy to file claims on your behalf to help you maximize your reimbursement and minimize any out-of-pocket costs. Simply provide our front desk with your insurance information before your appointment so we can check your benefits.

Is it possible to finance TMJ treatment?

Yes! Our practice partners with CareCredit (which you can apply for through our website) to allow you to finance any dental treatments you need, including TMJ therapy. CareCredit will allow you to split the overall cost of your treatment up into more manageable monthly payments.