How
does Dr. Bucher keep up to date on all of the current techniques and
materials?
Dr. Bucher subscribes to
the latest industry journals to stay current on research and development in the
dental industry, and attends ongoing continuing education seminars and
conferences on areas of interest such as implants, restorative dentistry,
and prosthodontics. In fact, he's completed over 700 hours of study. He also ensures that
staff pursues studies in various areas of expertise, so that as a team and
as individuals, we're familiar with the latest techniques and materials
available. This gives us an excellent basis from which to help you with your dental care.
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What
makes
Dr. Bucher different from any other dental practice I can visit?
When you become a
patient of our practice, we get to know you as an individual. Since
our goal is to help you obtain and, then, maintain the best possible oral
health, we take time to understand your dental history, assess your current
dental health status, and think through the best options for your particular
needs. We also make sure we equip you with the information you need to
make wise and healthy choices for your own long-term dental health.
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Do
you accept referrals?
Sure! Satisfied patients are our best
source of new clients. Referring other family and friends is the highest
compliment you can give us and we feel sure, after just one visit, you’ll
want to spread the news that our practice is the place to be for quality
dental care!
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Our office is more than happy to assist you
with the processing of your insurance claims so as to maximize your benefits
with your insurance company. However, as
the patient, you are ultimately responsible for your account, so it is
always suggested that you check the particulars of your plan in order to
anticipate your out of pocket expenses. We would be happy to answer
any more questions you may have. Simply ask one of our friendly and
knowledgeable team members. We are here to assist you!
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We have developed several payment methods
to ensure that your dentistry is affordable. We accept Visa, Master
Card
and Discover. If you would be more comfortable making monthly
payments, we offer low or no interest financing plans through Citi Health
and Care Credit. Ask our knowledgeable staff for an application, or apply online.
Citi Health
Apply online at
https://www.citicards.com/cards/portal/healthcard/nsc/content.do?screenID=5000 or
call toll free 1-866-832-8762.
Care Credit
Apply online at
http://www.carecredit.com/
or call toll free (800) 677-0718.
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There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile.
Sometimes, our bleaching process will provide the change desired.
In other cases, bonding or porcelain veneers offer a more effective solution. Dr.
Bucher can help evaluate your potential for whitening your teeth, based on
their current color and the causes of any discoloration. If you opt
for the bleaching process, you'll find that our meticulously fit custom
trays and gel produce expert results. Typically, this process results in teeth approximately 2
shades brighter on the dental shade chart. If you opt for veneer
application, you'll simply need a couple of appointments at our office.
To read more about either of these options, please look them up in our
Smile Makeover section.
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Our entire practice team is well versed in
state-of-the-art sterilization and disinfection techniques designed to
ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and face masks
to prevent passing germs; it includes a specialized sterilization center.
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Dr. Bucher has a number of ways to improve
the appearance of your front teeth, without unsightly braces. For
slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping or bonding maybe
all that is needed. Customized porcelain veneers may be needed to provide a
brighter and more uniform look. Dr. Bucher would be happy to sit and
discuss your wishes and the available options.
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You can find more in-depth information
about each of these options by visiting the American Dental Association.
Below is a brief description of each:
-
CROWNS:
designed to fit snugly and function as normal teeth,
crowns are used on cracked, broken, decayed or worn teeth and are designed
to protect those teeth from further damage as well as preserve your jaw's
correct natural alignment.
-
PORCELAIN
VENEERS: These are thin sheets of ceramic
that bond directly to the front surfaces of teeth. They are highly
resistant to coffee, tea or other staining and most closely resemble
healthy, white tooth enamel.
-
PARTIALS:
Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached
to pink or gum colored plastic bases that are generally connected by a metal framework.
Partial dentures attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices
called precision attachments. Precision attachments are
generally more esthetic than metal clasps and they are nearly invisible.
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An average, healthy adult person typically
benefits from a professional cleaning and check up every six months.
However, it's tough to generalize because every mouth is different.
Some people are prone to gum disease, bruxism (grinding), and other ongoing oral health
concerns that require more frequent visits; others simply need a routine
professional tartar removal at regular intervals. That's why we're so
careful to check methodically and determine what kind of ongoing
professional treatment will achieve your optimum dental health.
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Early visits provide several advantages:
they give us the opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral
health/dental problems and they can also give the child a positive,
non-threatening dental office experience. That's why we recommend
parents bring their child in between the ages of one and two. We slowly introduce
dentistry at each visit so that each and every child will develop a
positive, lasting relationship with proper dental care.
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In order to maintain a well-run office, we
appreciate as much notice as possible for appointment cancellations.
This enables us to work on other patients who need to be seen. A
minimum of 2 business days notice is requested.
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In case of a true dental emergency after
hours, simply call the office at 518-218-1881 and leave a message. Dr.
Bucher will
return the call as soon as possible.
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If your temporary crown comes off the best
temporary solution is to attempt to re-adhere the piece onto the tooth,
using either toothpaste (Yes! It works!) or an over the counter dental
cement found in most drugstores. Simply hold the crown in place for about
two minutes after applying the adhesive, and then be careful not to use that
side of your mouth. Then, you'll want to call our office the next business
day and set up an
appointment. If the crown can't be repositioned or it is broken, then you'll want to call Dr. Bucher to inform him of the
situation so that he can advise you accordingly.
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This
is an emergency that requires immediate action to save the tooth. The longer
the tooth is out of the mouth, the less the chance it can be saved. First,
look at the tooth. If the tooth is only about ¼ of an inch long and the
child is younger than 7 years old and has not lost a baby tooth in this area, it is
likely the tooth is a baby tooth that was nearing the time to come out
naturally. This is not a problem as long as bleeding and swelling can be
easily handled. If the child is over 7 years old and the tooth is about an inch long, it needs to be placed
back as soon as possible. Grab it by the white (enamel) end. The root will
be slightly yellow. If the root is clean, try not to touch it. If it is
clear to you by looking at the shape of the other teeth which side is the
front and which is the back, place the tooth back into the socket until it
is even with the other teeth. Then call our office immediately for further
instructions or to schedule an emergency appointment. If the tooth is dirty,
place it in milk if available, or water (if milk isn’t available). If no
milk or water is available and it is reasonable to do so, have the child
hold the tooth under his or her tongue until you can get to the office.
DO NOT SCRUB THE TOOTH TO
REMOVE DEBRIS.
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Healthy gums simply do NOT bleed. So, if
your gums bleed after you brush, you need to pay attention. Bleeding gums
can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough, 'scrubbing' instead
of gentle, 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, please contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.
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Millions of people struggle with halitosis,
or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here’s 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. Also, there
could be 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. For
additional information, please read the brief article on Halitosis in our
Patient Library.
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It's been said "Only floss the teeth you
want to keep." And that's no exaggeration! A little regular flossing goes a
long way, and is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens
food particles in tight spaces that your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets
rid of plaque build-up that toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it
exercises your gum tissues. All of which helps to prevent gum disease. So,
just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing—insurance
for your smile's future.
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What
are implants and how do they work?
Dental implants are artificial tooth
roots that can support new teeth and stabilize dentures.
They are an ideal option for people who have lost teeth due to
significant decay, periodontal disease or injury. Dental
implants have been used in dentistry for over 25 years. Over
the past 10 years their use has expanded as knowledge, research
and technology have developed. Their use in situations when
traditional crowns or bridgework would have been planned is
actually a more conservative treatment approach. For
instance, if a tooth was lost, the adjacent teeth would need to be
reduced and crowned to anchor the bridge replacing the lost tooth.
With an implant, the adjacent teeth would NOT need to be reduced
to accommodate a bridge. This is a much more conservative
approach since fewer teeth are involved in the process.
For denture wearers dental implants
can help support and stabilize their dentures. Many people
can now eat and function more confidently with implant-supported
dentures.
All implant candidates must be
evaluated from a prosthetic and surgical standpoint. The
ability to create natural-looking and properly functioning crowns,
bridges or dentures must be evaluated along with the needs of all
the remaining teeth. The amount of bone available for the
placement of implants is very important. Procedures are now
available to help replace lost bone so more people have the option
for implants.
The implant process takes time and
planning and each case requires individual evaluation. Dr.
Bucher would be happy to discuss your implant options with you.
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