(410) 224-1105

Dental FAQ’s

Covid Precautions

We have changed our procedures in light of the Coronavirus risk but dentists have always been infection controls specialists!

Our patients will use a precautionary pre-op Peroxide rinse. Dr. Ehmann, our hygienists and assistants are wearing masks and eye protection and will have face shields. Lynn and Marcia (our wonderful) hygienists are using High speed evacuation suction while using the Cavitron for cleanings.

We are still using our Ultrasonic scalers because we don’t feel our patients will receive an adequate cleaning without them. Hand scaling alone isn’t as effective to reduce biofilm plaque and inflammation.

We have air purifiers with HEPA filtration in our operatories and the hygienists are using disposable coverings and then spray disinfecting their whole rooms after every patient.

Please feel free to call with any questions or concerns. We are confident and proud of our safety protocols. We love our patients and are so grateful to be able to serve them in this unusual time!

Do you accept my insurance plan?
  •  If your dental plan allows you to freely choose your dentist, we will accept insurance payments as partial payment of your fee. We have a person in our office dedicated to helping our patients file insurance claims and work out any problems with insurance carriers.However, we do not participate with any dental capitation plans such as dental HMOs or PPOs. We feel that the quality of dentistry that we could provide under such plans would be substandard.
What is smile analysis and design?
  • Smile analysis and design are the processes that we use to ensure that your new smile is just right for you.We analyze your smile using digital photos that we take of you in combination with the models that we take of your mouth during your first visit. We’ll analyze many different factors, such as the way your teeth come together, the way the joints function, and how worn your teeth are. We’ll check on how the features of your face work together—for example, if the upper teeth follow (as they should) the natural curve of your lower lip. We’ll also look at the size, shape and color of your teeth in relation to your face.Once we have analyzed all that information, we start designing a new smile for you—a smile that is the right proportion for your face, that will not only look great but will also function well. We’ll use wax to alter the shape of your teeth on the models, then transfer that shape, using a temporary composite material, to your mouth.You’ll actually be able to see, right in your mouth, what your new smile will look like. We’ll take photos of this new you so your family and friends can see what you will look like after treatment.Our practice is different from many other cosmetic practices in that the functioning of your new smile is just as important as the way it looks. The results you’ll get from our smile analysis and smile design process is a smile that incorporates both beauty and function.
I want my front teeth to look better. What do you suggest?
  • There are many options you may want to consider if your front teeth are not straight. For example, we can change appearance of your teeth with composite or porcelain veneers like you see on the extreme makeover shows. Veneers can be done right in our office, and are a great way to close spaces between front teeth, mask dark areas, and change the color and shape of your teeth.
My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
  • Yes. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, of if you have a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away, it could be a sign of gum disease. Call our office to schedule an appointment for us to check you.Left untreated, gum disease can cause serious problems such as bone loss and tooth loss. It has also been linked to health conditions such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and premature births.
Do I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?
  • Getting between your teeth to clean them out is important, but fortunately there is a new technology available for patients who hate to floss. We recommend the use of in-office and at home ultrasonics for all of our patients. We also recommend Hydrofloss.
How can I ask the doctor questions directly?
  • During your first examination, we ask you to write down any questions that you have about your oral health, your dental treatment or our office policies. The doctors take the time to listen to these concerns and to address any issues you may have.After that first visit, you should always feel comfortable asking the doctors a question at any time. We deliberately keep our office relaxed and low-key so that patients get quality time with the doctors. We encourage you to ask questions so that you’ll feel comfortable with and confident about any dental treatments you receive.
What makes you different from any other dental practice I could visit?
  • There are many areas that set our practice apart, starting with the countless hours of continuing education that the doctors and the team members take to stay up to date on the latest dental techniques. Another difference is our emphasis on good function as well as great appearances for our cosmetic dental services. We use outstanding labs for our dental work, and offer spa services to help you feel relaxed and pampered during your visit.Another thing that sets us apart is our commitment to our dental patients, their families, and to our community. We participate in many community events, many of them at the invitation of our patients. For example, several of our staff and patients together raised $27,000 for cancer research by participating in the Walk for a Cure. We have taken part in the Cure for Diabetes bike ride, too.Each year we buy school supplies for the children at Mt. Harmony Home for Boys (for boys without families). We have taken part in food drives and supplied toiletries for the Lighthouse, a homeless shelter. We have also helped provide needed supplier for the local shelter for battered women.Many of our patients participate with us in these charitable undertakings. Some even ask us each year at holiday time what charity we are sponsoring so that they can contribute.
Will I lose a lot of my own tooth structure if I have cosmetic dentistry?
  • The amount that you’ll lose of your natural tooth depends on the position of the tooth and on how much change you’re trying to accomplish. Options for cosmetic treatments can range from whitening your teeth or recontouring your gums to more aggressive treatments that make larger changes. How much of your tooth structure you lose depends on what you decide to have done. Dr. Farley will be glad to explain your options thoroughly so you’ll know exactly what will be done in each type of procedure.
I’m having headaches, and I’m grinding my teeth at night. Is this the result of stress?
  • Stress may be a contributing factor to headaches and tooth grinding but it’s not the direct cause. Your symptoms are most likely the result of the way that your teeth line up with your jaw line, so that some teeth are pounded harder than others when you chew or speak. Although you may grind your teeth more when you’re under stress, the underlying problem—and the one that ultimately causes you to feel pain—is a physiological one.
I suffer from stress headaches. Could this be related to my teeth and jaws?
  • Yes. The big muscle that runs over the temple area along the side of your head ties directly into the jaw joints. When your bite is not right, or when you clench your teeth together, that muscle goes into spasm and causes pain. So our headache is not really caused by stress but by muscle pain.

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Ehmann Dental Care

600 Ridgely Ave, Ste # 217
Annapolis, MD 21401

410-224-1105