Frequently Asked Dentistry Questions – McMinnville, OR

Got a Question? We Can Help!

With dentistry comes many different treatments, all with their own unique characteristics. This can make it difficult to know which form of care is right for you. Additionally, if you are thinking about paying us a visit but aren’t sure if we can satisfy your needs, we encourage you to look over our most frequently asked dentistry questions and responses. If you have additional questions, please give us a call directly!

Do you place dental implants?

Yes, we do! Dr. Ramsay performs the surgical portion of dental implant treatment in-house for your convenience. We can restore these dental implants with crowns, bridges, and dentures, so you can address any level of tooth loss entirely under one roof. We’ll clearly explain all the steps of your procedure, personalize your treatment in extreme detail, and perform the planning phases using our advanced technology.

How often should I visit for a cleaning and exam?

We recommend that you visit our dental office once every six months for an exam and cleaning. If you have gum disease, we will ask you to come in more often, usually every three to four months, so we can make sure that your treatment plan is effective. Biannual visits are intended to catch underlying conditions (i.e. gum disease, oral cancer) as well as remove tartar, which at-home care cannot successfully do.

Can you treat my gum disease?

Not only can we treat your gum disease via traditional scaling and root planing methods, but we can treat even severe levels of gum disease via the Chao Pinhole Technique. Dr. Ramsay is one of the only dentists in the area qualified to perform this significantly less invasive treatment for gum recession caused by gum disease.

How can I make my smile whiter?

There are two ways to whiten teeth at our dental office. With KOR whitening, you can just as easily whiten teeth in the comfort of your own home as you can in our dental office! Both utilize professional-grade bleaching gels, but in-office whitening can be completed in a single appointment. Take-home whitening requires two weeks of daily application for about 30 minutes per session.

I’m having a dental emergency! Can I visit as a new patient?

Existing patients are welcome to come to our dental office to have their dental emergency handled, but so are brand-new individuals. Our goal is to get you out of discomfort as soon as possible, and Dr. Ramsay has the expertise to keep you at ease while addressing the source of your dental issue. If you feel nervous about care, multiple sedation options are available.

How do you protect my child’s oral health?

We offer multiple services to make sure your child’s oral development is occurring as planned. One of the most effective solutions for protecting vulnerable teeth from decay