The following are some of the patient questions we routinely answer. If you do not find the information you are looking for here or would like additional information, please contact our office.
A. Most of our patients utilize their dental insurance plan in our office, however, we are an unrestricted provider. This means that we are not ‘in-network’ with any of the various dental plans. We have thought this through and state this sincerely and respectfully. We truly feel the artistic skill and expertise of our dentistry along with the superior customer service provided from the very first phone call to the actual delivery of care, is exceptional. The limitations and restrictions of most dental insurance plans do not come close to providing for the true value of these services.
We will file all dental insurance claims for our patients, and the benefit checks are sent directly to you at home, not our office. We routinely and vigorously fight for your rightful benefits when claims come under question, we are your advocate, however, we are not contractually obligated by any insurance companies.
A. If it has been more than 6 months, as soon as possible. When you first visit our practice, we do a thorough evaluation of your dental health and establish an individual plan that meets the patient’s goals and necessary appointments to maintain health.
A. Absolutely. Referrals are one of the finest compliments a dentist and the office can receive. Dr. Schaefer, Dr. Malone and their team are always eager to meet new people and help them achieve better dental health.
A. There are a number of ways to ask Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone questions directly. They always welcome your questions during your visit. Before your appointment, you can also call our office or Ask Dr. Schaefer or Dr. Malone questions directly using our online form.
A. If your child’s tooth is knocked out during office hours and there is no imminent medical emergency, please contact us immediately. There is a chance Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone can replace the tooth if they see your child preferably within 2-3 hours of the injury. When you call, they can advise you on the safest and most appropriate plan of action.
A. Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone are always ready to help you, even when the office is closed. If you have an emergency, please call our Louisville dental office and follow the instructions to contact him or the dentist on call.
A. Yes, you should be very concerned about bleeding gums, especially if you haven’t had a check-up in a while. Bleeding gums can be caused by a variety of things, from a leaky filling to gum disease. While it may seem harmless, bleeding gums can cause a variety of serious health problems. If your gums bleed after you brush, call us to schedule an appointment so Dr. Schaefer or Dr. Malone can analyze the cause.
A. Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone usually recommend these procedures as part of a long-term plan. They are long-lasting, comfortable in your mouth, and look just like your natural teeth. Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone also recommend visiting the American Dental Association’s Patients and Consumers Guide website.
If you are curious about any procedure we recommend, we always welcome your questions. Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone strive to keep up on the latest research and findings. You can also use Caesy, the patient education system in our office, to print information on a particular procedure.
A. Brushing cleans about 80% of your teeth while flossing covers the remaining 20%. Although that seems like a small percentage, this area is where all of the big problems originate. That’s why Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone believe flossing is very important.
There are other ways to help you clean your teeth if you don’t like flossing. Electric toothbrushes, such as those made by Rotadent, also help clean this area. When you come to our office, Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone can tell you about the alternatives to flossing and explain the benefits of one over the other.
A. There are a variety of ways to improve the appearance of your teeth. Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone can provide OrthoClear invisible braces. They also routinely create plans that include gum enhancement, bonding, veneers and/or crowns.
Before we can make a recommendation, however, we must examine your mouth. Call us so we can schedule an appointment with Dr. Schaefer or Dr. Malone. After listening to your goals and concerns, they can suggest a way to help you enhance your smile.
A. In a smile analysis, Dr. Schaefer or Dr. Malone looks at all the factors that compose a smile; these are the shape of a smile, the size, the smile line, and the position of your teeth, lips, and gums when you smile. They listen to what you want to accomplish and any concerns you may have. Once they have this information, they can provide a custom smile design. In a thorough smile analysis, digital photos of your smile from multiple angles provide vital information.
A. Using their digital camera, “trial smiles,” and wax-ups of your teeth, Dr. Schaefer or Dr. Malone can create a model of your new smile, review the smile design results with you, and discuss the next steps to make it happen.
A. Yes. We can create “trial smiles” by quickly and temporarily adding tooth colored materials to the teeth to give the patient a realistic look at the possibilities. We also utilize wax additions to models of the teeth and enhance digital photos to allow a preview of the proposed new smile.
A. Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone are extensively trained, but because dentistry is constantly changing, they do a number of things to stay up-to-date on all of the current findings. They frequently attend continuing education courses that focus on the latest in cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry. They also belong to a variety of organizations which offer seminars and conferences on changes in dentistry. If you have a question about a new development, Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone are always happy to speak with you about it.
A. We do a variety of things that make us unique. Not only are Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone exceptionally skilled and trained, they are very enthusiastic about their patients and their dental health. Dr. Schaefer, Dr. Malone and their team strive to listen and recommend treatments that are beneficial to you. They are always happy to explain a service and take the time to perform it to the best of their abilities.
When you walk through our doors, you will see immediately what makes us different. To schedule an appointment, call us today.
A. Many patients ask Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone about whitening their teeth. Since each mouth is unique, they need to evaluate your teeth to recommend a specific method. If you want to whiten your teeth, we use several teeth whitening systems in our office, including take-home kits, and Dr. Schaefer or Dr. Malone can recommend one that will be perfect for you.
A. We can tell when people are nervous about being in a dentist’s office. Nothing seems to help them relax. That’s why we offer several amenities and oral sedation to make your visit comfortable. When you meet Dr. Schaefer or Dr. Malone, however, you may not need these. We have patients who once hated going to the dentist and now enjoy coming to see Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Malone. They have a very reassuring demeanor and are always happy to explain what they are going to do. If you need time to get ready, they will take that time to get the job done right.
A. We design your treatment to fit your budget and offer a variety of payment options, including financing through Republic Bank and other outside financing institutions such as CareCredit.
A. We know your schedule can change abruptly. Please call us immediately so we can reschedule you. If you cancel within 24 hours before your scheduled time, we reserve the right to initiate a cancellation fee.
