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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PATIENTS Clinical questions:
What is the difference between a cleaning at my regular dentist’s office and Dr. Cheng’s office? Dr.
Cheng works very closely with her hygienists and shares many clinical skills for
the best periodontal management of patients. There are daily, morning meetings about each individual
patient regarding their periodontal needs to ensure continuity of care.
Dr. Cheng is also available to address any periodontal changes or
challenges. Often times, Dr. Cheng
will personally check the work done. In
other words, we are very tuned into your periodontal needs since this is our
specialty. Why
do I need to see a periodontist? Periodontists are dentists who have additional training
and specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gum disease.
If you or your dentist have concerns about your periodontal health, you
should consult with a periodontist. Early
treatment and prevention are key to saving your teeth. If
I have surgery, how long will it take to heal? The
mouth heals fast typically. You
might be uncomfortable for a few days, but it is not necessary to restrict your
normal activities. Please, however,
refrain from very heavy exercise after a procedure. How
much pain can I expect? During procedures there is no pain because you are numb.
The discomfort that you may have following procedures is typically
controlled well with over-the-counter pain relievers such as tylenol, ibuprofen,
etc. Is
surgery in your office like having wisdom teeth taken out? Periodontal
surgeries are generally done just around the teeth vs. deep into the jaw bone.
As a result, the surgery area is more superficial rather than deep in the
bone and the discomfort is less. How
often do I have to use my tools that you give me? Daily! If
you want the best healing response and want to maintain good health, it’s
important to use your special dental hygiene tools every day. Why
do I have to get my teeth cleaned so often? This will vary with each individual case. Daily
cleaning will help keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won’t
completely prevent it. A
professional cleaning is necessary to remove calculus and plaque from places
your home care tools cannot reach. The
intervals between visits may range from every few weeks to four times per year.
Your periodontist will design a schedule that best fits your periodontal
needs. Will
I be o.k. to drive myself home? Yes. Sometimes
you may feel a bit tired after lying back in the chair for a while, but there
should be no problem with driving home. Do
you use general anesthesia and put me out for treatment? No. However,
you may use nitrous oxide for relaxation and we also use local anesthesia for
pain control. What
are the risks if I choose to not do the treatment you recommend? This will vary with each individual case, but you could
ultimately lose your teeth if proper periodontal care is avoided. Why
do children need to see a periodontist? Sometimes children have specific gum conditions that require periodontal care.
About Dr. Cheng:
What
is a periodontist? A periodontist is a dentist who has additional training
specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gum disease. Is
Dr. Cheng gentle? Yes! Dr.
Cheng is very gentle. She considers
patient comfort to be extremely important. Does
Dr. Cheng have a nice chairside manner? Dr. Cheng is warm, friendly, and enjoys relaxed personal
conversation. Does
Dr. Cheng speak Chinese as well as English? Yes! She
speaks 3 dialects of Chinese. However,
for billing and scheduling conversations, patients should have an English
interpreter available. How
long has Dr. Cheng been in practice? Dr. Cheng has been a periodontist for over 20 years, and established her private periodontal practice in
Issaquah, Washington, in 1990. Insurance:
Will
my insurance pay for this? Your dental insurance will pay for periodontal services as outlined in your company benefits booklet. Scheduling:
Are
you accepting new patients? Yes! New patients are always welcome at Dr. Cheng’s office. Do
I have to be referred by another dentist to see Dr. Cheng? No. We
welcome self-referred patients at Dr. Cheng’s office.
Does
it take long to get into your office for an appointment? No. New patient appointments can usually be made the same week of calling in. Will
my child miss much school to have a procedure performed? No. Depending on the type of treatment your child may need, it may be recommended to take the day of the procedure off. The subsequent few days should be reduced physical activity for best healing. Do
I have to take much time off work for appointments? Generally no. Depending on the type of treatment you are scheduled for, you may want to take the day off. We recommend reduced physical activity for a few days after procedures are performed. Do
you have movie glasses and other fun relaxation things? Yes! We have CD and cassette players, massaging chairs, video movie glasses, warm blankets, and nitrous oxide gas. Is
your office easy to find? Yes! We are located just north of I-90 in Issaquah, Washington. Please see our map for driving directions. How
long do treatments take? Depending
on your dental health, treatment can be as brief as ½ hour to as long as a 3
hour procedure. Dr. Cheng will be able to
give you a treatment recommendation plan after she evaluates you.
Together, you and Dr. Cheng will decide on a treatment plan. Is
there plenty of parking? Yes, we have ground level, easy-access parking surrounding our building. Is
your staff friendly and easy to talk to? Yes.
Dr. Cheng’s clinical and business staff have many years experience in
communicating with patients involved in dental care.
We believe that all questions are important and deserve a thoughtful,
professional answer. Do
you see patients of all ages? Yes.
People of any age can have a need for periodontal treatment—even young
children!
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