Common Questions

What do you mean by “concierge dental service”?

Our concept is comprehensive treatment for a year without the nickel-and-dime model that most offices have adopted. By eliminating the need for extensive staff to bill insurance and the 90 days between our treatment and the insurance payment to the office, I am able to offer comprehensive service for a fraction of the fee a traditional dental office charges.

How much are lab and material fees?

The fee for a lab product (crown, bridge, denture, etc.) depends both on the product and the laboratory. Not all labs create the same level of quality or beauty in their products. A typical price range for a crown is as little as $60 per crown and as much as $500 or more. 

Do you have same visit crowns?

Yes, my office offers 1 visit crowns (material fee apply). 

Do you do extractions and wisdom teeth?

Yes I do most, but not all extractions. Some teeth are positioned in such a way that a surgeon, sometimes in a hospital setting, is needed to remove it safely. 

Do you place implants?

I do place implants, however the nature of an implant is such that failure may not be evident for a year or more after it is placed.  In addition if bone manipulation is needed the implant may not be ready to restore (turn into a tooth) for over a year.  For these reasons I am currently not including implants in my concierge service. 

Do you do root canals?

Yes I do root canals.

Do you make house calls?

No, we do not make house calls.

What days are concierge dentist appointments available?

Appointments are available for concierge patients Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm, and one Saturday per month by appointment only.

What happens if I miss an appointment?

We understand everybody misses an occasional appointment. One missed appointment has no impact on your ability to make appointments. After 3 missed appointments you will be limited to appointments Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Is there a guarantee on dental work?

Typically lab work (crowns, bridges, dentures, partial dentures, etc.) with the exception of bite guards have a warranty offered by the lab that manufactures the crown (but not your tooth beneath it). We can not guarantee body parts (natural teeth). We will allow you to choose your laboratory from a variety of labs with a variety of price ranges for the same products. Items made “in house” will be replaced at no cost if they break during your membership. 

We completed my treatment plan and I do not require any extensive treatments. After my concierge membership runs out can I continue to come for my routine visits?

Yes, you can continue as an existing patient.  If you only require two simple recall visits with no periodontal treatments or restorative treatment, you can opt for individual recall visits.   For patients with periodontal disease we suggest Tier 3 if you have no other treatment needs and your periodontal disease is stable/managed.

What is an inlay?

An inlay is a filling where the “filling material” is porcelain/zirconia/gold rather than tooth colored plastic called an acrylic resin. Inlays are substantially more durable and have to be replace much less often than fillings. It is import to realize all dental restorations will fail if you do not do proper maintenance.

I have a treatment plan from another dentist. Can I bring it to you and have you follow it?

I will review the treatment plan and make sure it is appropriate. If it is, I am happy to follow your treatment plan from another dentist. 

How much is my initial visit?

If you pre-pay for your concierge service the initial visit is included in your fee. If you would like a comprehensive exam and treatment plan with needed x-rays prior to joining the concierge service the fee $300 and includes all needed x-rays, intra oral photographs, periodontal examination, and individualized treatment plan.

What is periodontal disease and what causes it?

Periodontal disease is a fancy way of saying “gum disease".  It is very common in the United States. In most cases periodontal disease is the result of less-than-ideal oral hygiene. 

What is the treatment for periodontal disease?

For the most part the treatment consists of cleaning the teeth. Periodontal disease involves the root surfaces of teeth, which are not typically exposed in a healthy mouth. Because the roots of the teeth need to be cleaned under the gums, we often will numb your mouth during a periodontal treatment. 

What is HbA1c and why do you test it?

HbA1c is a measure of your blood sugar over time. Periodontal disease and high blood sugar go hand-in-hand. In order for our office to be able to effectively treat your periodontal disease we need to be sure your blood sugar is appropriately managed. 

Your office do some things and use a lot of instruments I am not used to seeing at the dentist, why?

In Colorado a number of dental offices are huge corporations disguised as local dental offices. They have policies in place to maximize profit for share holders, which is the primary responsibility of a corporation. My primary concern is being able to deliver the best care as easily and effectively as possible. Because I am not beholden to dividends and shareholders I am able to direct funds to better and more modern equipment. Testing blood sugar is not especially profitable, but it is needed to require ideal treatment. 

What if I have an emergency?

I provide emergency dental service to my patients.  Messages are checked after lunch and every morning.

How can I pay?

Cash and debit or credit card are preferred payment methods.