Offering Answers about Quality Cosmetic Dentistry

Here are 10 questions that we often hear from our patients. Including these FAQs and our answers is a way that we can communicate with you clearly and conveniently. However, if you have questions that we haven’t addressed here, please feel free to contact Dr. Rothenberger directly.

• How does the doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
• Do you accept referrals?
• Do you accept my insurance plan?
• I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?
• What payment options do you provide?
• My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
• Crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays … where can I learn more about these procedures?
• I want my front teeth to look better, but I don’t want to wear braces. What would you recommend?
• I'm a new patient and I know there will be forms to fill out before I see the Doctor. Can I get copies of those forms in advance?
• My spouse snores and keeps me up at night. I’ve heard that a dentist might be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?

How does the doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Dr. Rothenberger is committed to continuing education. He attends four to six courses a year on cosmetic dentistry, orthodontic dentistry, and new materials. That is 60–100 hours a year in continuing education, when only 10–15 hours is required. Dr. Rothenberger also ensures that each staff member attends at least two 2- to 3-day seminars in our areas of expertise, so that as a team we’re familiar with the latest techniques, materials, and technology available, which all results in long-lasting benefits for our patients. Dr. Rothenberger also subscribes to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry. He invites experts in the field to come and provide personal instruction to our staff, and he belongs to a local study club that provides peer consultation and review of difficult cases.

back to top

Do you accept referrals?

We’re happy to accept referrals from other dental offices as well as from recommendations by our patients to their family and friends. We request that a patient evaluation form be completed before the first visit. We also require all records and x-rays to be forwarded to our office.

back to top

Do you accept my insurance plan?

Our office accepts nearly all of the major insurance plans. To determine if your plan is one of these, simply click on our “Insurance” icon on our home page and check the list. Also, we’re well versed in the latest coverage trends, and are more than happy to discuss the particulars of your plan with you before any treatments you may undergo.

back to top

I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?

If your temporary crown comes off, the best immediate solution is to stabilize it with temporary cement or tooth cement. This is typically something that we provide at the time we place the temporary crown. If the crown has actually broken into several pieces, simply wrap the pieces up carefully in a protective container. Either way, you’ll want to contact our office at your first opportunity to schedule a time for Dr. Rothenberger to reapply the crown.

back to top

What payment options do you provide?

We accept cash, personal checks, and all major credit cards. Your insurance co-pay is due at the time of your visit, but we’ll be happy to help you structure a payment plan after that time to pay out any remaining charges. For expensive or extensive procedures, we’re also pleased to offer financing plans through Care Credit.

back to top

My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?

Bleeding gums are definitely something to be concerned about. 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 buildup below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. Most of the time, we find chronic gum disease to be the culprit. Your best and safest solution is to contact our office for an evaluation appointment.

back to top

Crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays … where can I learn more about these procedures?

With today’s technology, materials and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or crooked teeth, bringing them back to their original shape and function. For example, we can apply an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a cap, that covers the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful to cover large areas of decay after they’ve been filled. Or, for large decayed or damaged surface chewing areas requiring restoration, we can apply a protective covering/filling or onlay made of either precious metal, or composite resin material, thereby adding strength and preventing decay. If you need fillings, we can use porcelain inlays instead of silver amalgam, actually strengthening the tooth and protecting it against further fracture. Similarly, we can restore cracked, discolored, crooked or otherwise unattractive front teeth to pretty, natural shapes and shades by applying paper-thin porcelain veneers to the fronts. If you’re interested in finding out more about these procedures, improve your education by checking out our patient library.

back to top

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don’t want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

Dr. Rothenberger has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of 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. In other cases, it may be necessary to attach “invisible” braces behind the front teeth. We’d be happy to consult with you about the appearance of your front teeth and create a treatment plan to accomplish your objectives.

back to top

I'm a new patient and I know there will be forms to fill out before I see the Doctor. Can I get copies of those forms in advance?

Please give us a call and we'll be happy to provide you with the forms you'll need ahead of time.

back to top

My spouse snores and keeps me up at night. I’ve heard that a dentist might be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?

Snoring is tough on any relationship! And, since it can be caused by a number of factors, we encourage you to have your spouse come in for a consultation and analysis with Dr. Rothenberger to determine the cause. In some cases, a person may actually stop breathing for short periods during the night — a condition called sleep apnea. In other cases, snoring can be caused by enlarged anatomical structures within the mouth and throat. During sleep, the throat area relaxes, allowing these structures to collapse against one another and obstruct clear airflow. In the latter situation, we can prescribe and fit a special appliance called a snore-guard, which gently holds the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring.

back to top