Ladd Dental Group

Teeth Whitening FAQ's

Is tooth whitening a new procedure? "Tooth whitening was discovered about eighty years ago as a side effect of a product that decreased inflammation and bleeding after gum surgery. In 1989, the American Dental Association approved the first whitening product for consumers. How does Venus White work? Venus White teeth whitening products contain peroxide which releases oxygen molecules to break up the chains of protein that comprise tooth stains. As a result, light travels through the dispersed protein links and makes the teeth look whiter.  What is carbamide and hydrogen peroxide? Carbamide and hydrogen peroxide are oxidizing agents commonly encountered in cosmetic dentistry, where they are used to bleach teeth. The bleaching obtained is proportional to the length of time the peroxide is applied to the tooth and the concentration used. How do teeth become stained? There are two major types of stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains result from a cha…

Root Canal Explained "Has your dentist told you that you need root canal treatment? If so, you're not alone. Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with the root canal, or endodontic, treatment. This page explains root canal treatment in detail and how it can relieve your tooth pain and save your smile.  What is endodontic treatment? “Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth. Root canal treatment is one type of endodontic treatment. To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development. The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the r…

Indiana Medicaid Dental Insurance
Covered DentaQuest Dental Services
"DentaQuest provides your dental services under Hoosier Healthwise. Dental care is very important for your health and well-being. You need to have regular check-ups every six months at your dentist's office.

Below are the dental services that are covered under Hoosier Healthwise. 
PlanDental Benefits CoveredPackage A AdultOne exam and cleaning per year Bite-wing x-rays once every 12 months, one complete set of x-rays every 3 yearsRestorations such as fillings and stainless steel crownsPeriodontal care includes deep cleanings and surgical treatment for gum diseasePartials, full dentures, immediate dentures, and repairs to partials and denturesExtractionsPackage A ChildTwo exams and cleanings per year Fluoride varnishSealantsBite-wing x-rays once every 12 months, one complete set of x-rays every 3 yearsRestorations such as fillings and stainless steel crownsEndodontic procedures such as root canals Periodontal ca…

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for me?! 

"Many people fear dental procedures. They worry about the pain they might feel as well as their vulnerability and potential discomfort. Sedation dentistry can definitely help patients feel more relaxed during dental work, but is it the right choice for you? What Is Sedation Dentistry? With sedation, the dentist administers a drug before or during the dental procedure. Only one type — general anesthesia — renders the patient completely unconscious. The other forms will relax you, but won’t knock you out completely. The most common types of sedation dentistry include the following: Nitrous oxide: A gas that relaxes you during the procedure. It wears off quickly, so your dentist might let you drive yourself home after the appointment.Oral sedatives: Oral sedatives, such as diazepam, also help relax patients during dental procedures. You typically take them an hour or so before your appointment. You’re fully awake but less anxious, and you might fe…

What is a Periodontist 

"A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. They are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures. Periodontists often treat more problematic periodontal cases, such as those with severe gum disease or a complex medical history. Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (in which the infected surface of the root is cleaned) or root surface debridement (in which damaged tissue is removed). They can also treat patients with severe gum problems using a range of surgical procedures. In addition, periodontists are speci…

After Wisdom Tooth Removal
"The removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully. 

Immediately Following SurgeryThe gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a half hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded.Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged.Take the prescribed pain medications as soon as you begin to feel discomfort. This will usually coincide with the local anesthetic becoming diminished.Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.Place ice packs on the side of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation.Bleeding A certain …