Over the years patients have given us the compliment of referring family and friends to our practice. Our reputation for excellent dental care depends on two things: our good work and your beautiful smile. Your confidence in our care motivates us to continue to strive for excellence. Thank you for your referrals. Your trust and support are greatly appreciated.

If your temporary crown comes off or breaks, carefully wrap up the piece(s), place it into a protective container and call our office to schedule an appointment for Dr. Puntillo to re-apply it as soon as possible. Under NO circumstances should you attempt to re-glue the crown or crown pieces back into position.

Helping to make your dental care financially comfortable and affordable is important and we proudly offer a variety of options:

• Cash or personal checks
• 5% cash courtesy for advance payment of entire treatment plan
• VISA/MasterCard
• 3, 6, 12, or 18 month - No interest monthly payment plans as well as low interest and extended payment plans through CareCredit.

We are happy to estimate fees and insurance reimbursement before starting recommended treatments and will gladly file insurance forms for you. Optimal, comprehensive dentistry is what we practice and we do not base our treatment on what insurance will or will not pay. We base our treatment on what is best for you and any treatment not paid by insurance is your financial responsibility.

There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile, from at-home whitening products to in-office supervised treatments. Dr. Puntillo evaluates the potential for whitening your teeth based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration. Once you decide on the most appropriate method, you will spend anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks undergoing a series of simple whitening treatments.

Fortunately for patients like you there is a relatively new filling preparation technique known as air abrasion, which removes decay and prepares teeth for fillings. Dr. Puntillo simply cleans out and prepares the site to be filled by sending a blast of tiny, high-speed aluminum oxide particles into the cavity itself. The particles hit the tooth under high pressure, bounce off at high speeds and consequently blast away any decay. Air abrasion is quiet, quick and relatively painless and avoids sacrificing tooth structure.

It is certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough 'scrubbing' instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods or occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.

Many people are uncomfortable with visiting the dentist. Your comfort is our highest priority and our office is designed so that you can enjoy a relaxing dental visit. For entertainment and distraction, stereo headphones with music, video glasses for watching movies and heated massage cushions are available so you can keep your mind on more pleasant things. Nitrous oxide is also offered to keep you comfortable and relaxed. You may also enjoy paraffin hand treatments or a heated facial/sinus mask during your treatment.

In addition to the information on the Web site, the Patient Library has several informative articles, including those covering crowns and porcelain veneers. If you don’t find the information you are looking for please contact our office and a team member will happily assist you.

Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here is a checklist of procedures that can 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 your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several solutions.

First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue and significantly alleviates odor. Or we can recommend a specially prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, we may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist to identify the cause.

Dr. Puntillo has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of unsightly braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. We would be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

Attention to detail, respect for the individual and a true concern for each patient are the hallmarks of our personal care and our quality product. We are committed to helping you fulfill your ultimate self-image.