Have Questions? We Have Answers!
See our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions our dentistry patients have had for us. If you have any additional questions not listed below, feel free to contact us at (317) 848-1884.
General
Yes! Fleming Family Dental & Aesthetics is currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, feel free to contact us or you can book an appointment online. Before your first appointment, please download, print, and fill out the patient forms and bring with you to help speed up your initial visit.
Many people do not see a dentist on a regular basis. They only go when they have a problem. This is known as “crisis treatment” versus “preventive treatment.” While these patients may feel they are saving money, it often ends up costing much more in dollars and time.
Only you, your dentist and your hygienist can determine how often to make a visit, but for most people, twice a year is sufficient. Checkups should not be a one-time event. They are necessary for regular assessments of the condition and the well being of your mouth.
Research shows that both powered and manual toothbrushes are equally effective when used properly. The best way to be sure you are caring for your teeth properly is to discuss your homecare and needs with your dentist or hygienist.
When too much oral bacteria takes up residence in your mouth, the acids they secrete can eat through the enamel, leading to holes known as cavities or dental caries. Dental cavities can be prevented with a combination of good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.
Dr. Fleming would like to begin seeing children around the age of three years old, unless parents have any concerns early on. Our goal is to make dental visits fun for your child, while also helping them learn about the importance of their oral health.
As your child gets older, we may recommend additional services for them such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants. These treatments are designed to build small teeth and protect them from tooth decay and cavities. If your child chooses to participate in sports, we’re happy to help with the right protective wear for their mouth and teeth. Almost half of dental emergencies are caused by sports injuries.
Your comfort is always a top priority here at Fleming Family Dentistry & Aesthetics, and we do everything we can to ensure that treatment procedures are comfortable for you. We use some of the most effective dental anesthetics in the industry to ensure that you don’t feel anything during your procedure, and our doctors are gentle and highly skilled at delivering the anesthetics to you effectively. We also offer amenities such as televisions in our treatment rooms so you can enjoy a program and take your mind off of your dental treatment.
First Appointment
Yes. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to fill out any remaining patient forms.
It varies, but please plan on 1 to 1.5 hours for the first visit.
Please bring the following items with you to your appointment:
- Dental Insurance Card (if applicable)
- Identification such as Driver’s License, Military ID or State ID
- New Patient Registration Form
- Patient Medical History Form (if applicable)
- Financial Policy Form
- HIPAA Consent Form
Please be sure to request a prescription prior to your appointment, or if you are unsure, contact us and we can help.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Most people who aren’t happy with their smile are eligible for cosmetic procedures. If there is an infection in the mouth, then it would need to be cleared before any procedure begins. Any person who has missing, cracked, or unhealthy teeth may wish to rejuvenate their smile with cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Cosmetic dentistry is the field of dentistry that focuses on improve the appearance of your teeth. It includes preventive care, and each treatment is provided with the goal of helping you achieve a healthier, brighter smile. Cosmetic treatments may include:
- Adult Orthodontics
- Teeth whitening
- Composite (tooth-colored) dental fillings
- Composite and porcelain dental veneers
- Dental implants
- Oral Surgery
Porcelain veneers are an effective, efficient means of improving the appearance of your smile. Veneers are placed over the front and side and biting edge of your teeth to cover chips, cracks, discolorations and change the shape of your teeth. They are easy to have placed in the mouth and typically last many years so long as they are cared for as normal teeth.
The number of teeth that are treated will depend on the number of teeth that are damaged. Some dentists will treat the teeth beside those that are affected so that an infection doesn’t spread or so that surrounding teeth have the same appearance. Our dentists will get a better look at the number of teeth that need to be treated by doing an x-ray or taking a mold.
Most whitening procedures will last for about one to two years if you don’t drink sodas and coffee or eat foods that repeatedly stain the teeth. Touch ups usually are required after one year. If you decide to use our take home whitening kit, you will have the ability to control how long and how white your teeth are.
There is minimal pain involved as the dentist will numb the area and/or use a mild sedative. Many find the experience to be very mild, and the end result yields a glowing, full smile that exceeds your expectations.
Pulling healthy teeth to replace them with artificial teeth is not recommended. If your teeth are healthy but you don’t like the way they look, there are numerous cosmetic procedures that can completely change your smile.
There are a many health benefits that accompany cosmetic treatments. One large benefit is a decrease in the risk of infection in the mouth. Removing empty spaces in the mouth via dental implants, crowns, or bridges reduces available spaces for harmful bacteria to grow. Removing unhealthy teeth from the mouth through cosmetic treatment also helps keep your smile clean and healthy.
Restorative Dentistry
Retaining your original teeth is usually better for your long-term oral health and function, and our dentists will not recommend that you have a tooth extracted unless it is causing damage to your other teeth and oral health. By restoring the tooth, you can keep your natural tooth longer and continue to enjoy a beautiful smile without the need for more extensive and expensive treatments.
Restorative dentistry is a field of dental care focused on repairing and replacing damaged teeth and their supporting structures so that you can regain full oral function. Treatments may range from fillings, inlays and onlays to implants, crowns, bridges, dentures and root canal therapy.
A denture is a type of dental prosthetic that replaces your missing teeth. It may be used to replace only a few teeth (partial denture) or to replace a full arch of teeth (complete denture). When properly cared for, a denture can last for over 10 years. You may need to have your dentures relined, rebased or repaired during that time in order to keep them fitting properly and in good condition.
A dental crown, or cap, is a type of restoration that covers the visible portions of your tooth. The main purpose of a crown is to keep the tooth in your mouth when it has been damaged beyond what a filling can repair. Crowns restore the shape, appearance and function of the tooth, and protect it from sustaining further damage. Crowns are typically recommended when a tooth is fractured or cracked, severely decayed, has a large dental filling, or has had a root canal treatment.
Dental bridges are a type of fixed (non-removable) restoration. They are most commonly used to replace one or two missing teeth, and are usually anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap with crowns. Bridges may also be anchored in place with an implant. Bridges work to restore your smile, bite and oral function.
There are several options available to replace your missing tooth. When you visit our office, our dentists will examine your mouth, discuss your oral health needs and smile goals with you, and review your treatment options. We will design a customized treatment plan to restore your tooth and your smile. Some of the tooth replacement options we may discuss include dental implants, dental bridges, or complete or partial dentures.
Yes. If your child’s teeth are damaged due to cavities, injury or other factors, our dentists will evaluate their mouth to determine if a restorative treatment is needed and which type of treatment will be best for your child.
TMJD
You should see rapid relief from symptoms, but the length of treatment depends on how the severity of the condition. When TMJD is caught early, most patients have a shorter course of treatment. If you suspect you have the symptoms of TMJD, please contact Dr. Fleming today at (317) 884-1884 to set up your initial consultation.
The TMJD treatment procedure is broken into three steps. First, Dr. Fleming will seek to relieve your pain and symptoms over the short-term. Then he will stabilize your bite to prevent further damage to the TMJ’s and your teeth. Finally, he uses long-term treatment options to permanently correct your bite. He may use some combination of the following:
- Coronoplasty – this process reshapes your tooth enamel to help slightly misaligned teeth fit better.
- Removable overlays – permanent orthotics that fit over your teeth to maintain bite alignment.
- Reconstruction – In this procedure, porcelain crowns are placed on teeth to make them higher and better-fitted to provide structural support for the jaw.
- Orthodontics – If your teeth are healthy, this may be recommended to move them into the correct position.
Dr. Fleming utilizes advanced state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose TMJD. This can include computerized instruments like the Myotronics K-7, a device designed to measure and track jaw and muscle information to gather critical information about your bite, electromyographic muscle analysis, and sonographic joint analysis in addition to the joint X-rays.
The only way to know for sure is to be examined by Dr. Fleming. If you have some combination of severe headaches and jaw or tooth pain, and your doctor cannot locate the cause or give satisfactory treatment, it is a good idea to see if you are suffering from TMJD.