In our office we offer the Carifree cavity test as well as the Velscope oral cancer screening as a service that is included in the cost of getting your teeth cleaned (prophy) or having periodontal maintenance. The Carifree cavity test is like taking your blood pressure. It gives us a number that indicates a patient’s risk of getting cavities. Thus, we can prevent cavities before they form. The Velscope is a technology that enables us to find oral cancer before it is visible in the mouth. Finding oral cancer as soon as possible is the key to survival. In the near future we will also provide Laser Bacterial Reduction. This is a new technology allowing the hygienist to “sterilize” the gum tissue around the teeth after the cleaning with a laser. This stimulates better blood flow and promotes faster healing. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Posts Tagged ‘Dental cleaning’
What else do you get with your cleaning?
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010Summer dental cleaning
Monday, August 9th, 2010This is the time of year when the rain lightens up a little bit and the sun shines on Albany, Oregon. Along with summer comes busy schedules. Don’t forget to get your teeth cleaned (dental prophylaxis, periomaintenance) in order to keep your smile beautiful and healthy. As a family dental practice, it also a good time for our younger patients to make it in before school starts. Have a safe and fun summer! It doesn’t get better than the Willamette Valley during the summer. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
What does dental insurance cover?
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010Dental insurance is very different depending upon what you or your employer pays for. Typically, insurance covers preventative care such as dental cleanings (prophylaxis), deep cleanings (scaling and root planing), x rays, or exams, very well. In some cases they may pay 100% of the cost after you have met your deductible. On other procedures such as root canals, dental implants, fillings, bridges, dentures, crowns (caps), or extractions (pulling a tooth), they may pay a percentage of the cost. However, every insurance is different and it is a good idea to find out what they will pay prior to having treatment to determine your budget. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Stefanie or Sarah at our office. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Haven’t been to the dentist in a while?
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010Life happens and people move, change careers, simply forget, or have more pressing issues and don’t get their teeth cleaned for while. It’s never too late to work on having great oral health and we have dental appointments specifically designed in order to get patients back on track with their oral health. Sometimes, it is little more than just getting a dental cleaning, x rays, and an exam to get back to healthy. However, just like your car, the longer you wait between getting it serviced can also create a little more work to get it where you want it to be. Don’t be embarrassed or feel guilty, we are here to help you achieve your dental goals and get you back on track with what you want. Dentistry is a life long process and can go in many different directions depending upon the patient. If you have questions or want us to take a look, check out our website at www.drkutsch.com Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist
Nervous about dentistry?
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010There are many options today in dentistry to decrease the amount of anxiety involved in your appointment. Sedation dentistry is a rapidly growing area in our field. We offer nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, and oral sedatives, which is in the form of a pill taken prior to the appointment. Both of these help decrease the amount of anxiety that the patient experiences during their appointment. These can be utilized for something more simple like a cleaning or longer appointments for crowns, root canals, and implants. It is completely up to the patient’s comfort level. We can also utilize our specialist for IV sedation dentistry in the most extreme cases. Sedation dentistry has been around for over 100 years. If you are nervous about going to the dentist, this is okay and normal. There are options to help make you more comfortable. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
When do I start taking my child to the dentist?
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010Children typically have all twenty of their baby teeth by three years old. We recommend that children begin visiting the dentist with their parents around two years of age to in order to get familiar with the office and to clean their teeth once they are comfortable with the environment and our team. We are a family dental practice and have patients ranging from two years old to 100. Since dentistry is a lifetime process, the earlier that problems are detected the smaller the problem and the better experience for children. Our dental team loves caring for children and most of them have kids of their own so they know what it can be like to visit the dentist for the first time. If you have questions about your child’s oral health, don’t hesitate to ask. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Don’t be embarrassed about your mouth
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010It is never too late to do something positive for your oral health. Our dental team is very competent in working with patients who are just looking to get back into an oral health routine or who haven’t been to the dentist in a very long time. Having dental problems can be embarrassing and they always seem to happen at the most inopportune time. We are here to help anyone who is interested in taking a step in the direction of better oral health. Whether you just want an exam or have problems with things like gum disease (periodontitis), dental cavities (caries), missing teeth, cosmetics, or simply want a cleaning, we are here to help. Your oral health plays a crucial role in your overall health, especially your cardiovascular system. Dr. Carson Kutsch DDS Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Keeping your teeth clean may just save your life
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010One of the best investments in life is in your own health. How much would any of us give to be in optimal health until the day we cease to exist? With heart disease being the number one cause of death in the United States, there are ways to decrease your risk with your oral health. Did you know that periodontal disease (gum disease) is directly related to health problems such as heart disease, strokes, and diabetes? It can also adversely affect people that are pregnant, immuno-compromised, or those with cancer. Keeping your teeth clean is important in decreasing the amount of inflammation and infection in the gum tissue, thus, putting less stress on the rest of the body. There is never a better time than now to get your teeth cleaned and work toward optimal oral health. You deserve it! Dr. Carson Kutsch DDS Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Pregnancy and oral health
Monday, May 10th, 2010Having a baby is one of the most exciting times in life but also puts a lot of stress on your body including your mouth. Research has shown that mothers with better oral hygiene have better pregnancies and healthier babies. It is very common for women to experience soreness in the gum tissue (gingivitis and periodontitis) and even pathologies such as pyogenic granulomas during their pregnancies. We routinely have our pregnang patients increase the frequency of their dental cleanings during their pregnancy to insure optimum oral health. If you have questions about dental treatment during your prenancy, please feel free to ask. Dr. Carson Kutsch DDS Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
Monday, May 3rd, 2010Most patients get their teeth cleaned two to three times per year. However, there are numerous types of “teeth cleaning.” Patients with mild gingivitis get a different type of treatment (prophy) than those with periodontitis (gum disease). The primary reason for having your teeth cleaned is to decrease your risk of gum disease, thus also reducing your risk for other systemic problems such as heart disease, diabetes and various forms of cancer. So, how many times per year should you get them cleaned? This depends upon the patient’s long term goal for their teeth and their overall health. Some patients do just fine with having their teeth cleaned twice per year while others prefer to be seen four times per year. If it has been quite a while between cleanings, this is not to worry but it can take a little extra work to get everything back to healthy. It is not uncommon to fall out of routine cleanings with changes that happen in life such as moving, changing jobs, etc. We are here to help you achieve great oral health not to lecture people about missing their cleanings! Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com