Frequently asked questions

Please call us at 641-892-4898 as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule your appointment. 

Call our office at 641-892-4898 and we will be happy to assist you.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the American Dental Association and the Iowa Dental Association have strongly recommended dental offices postpone non-essential appointments for 3 weeks starting March 17. We at Central Park Dentistry have elected to follow this recommendation in order to protect staff, patients and their families.

If you have routine appointments during this time a team member will be getting in touch with you to reschedule. During the next 3 weeks, if you are a current patient and have a dental emergency, please call our office. We will have staff available during normal business hours or instructions on how to contact us for emergency care for patients who are asymptotic and who have not been in contact with people who are experiencing symptoms.

Please call the office at 641-423-4225 if you have any questions or concerns. We will continue to monitor the situations as well as receive the best recommendations on a day to day basis. Thank you for your understanding.

We accept all types of privately purchased and employer benefit dental insurances.

We are not sure which insurer has the best rates o­n the premium that you pay. From what we see, the best insurance benefits patients privately purchase is from Farm Bureau and is either Blue Dental or Delta Dental insurance. In general, the best benefits come from employer insurance programs.

Care Credit is a patient payment plan that is offered nationwide, and is accepted by our office. Usually, 12 months of no interest payments are available through the plan. You can apply for Care Credit online, or in person at our office.

To qualify for Care Credit, you will need two forms of ID that can be verified. For example, a state issued driver’s license and/or another form of credit approval. You must be 18 years of age to apply. Employment history, home ownership, or rental history is very helpful when applying.

If you would not qualify for care credit, you can discuss our standard financial arrangements with our front desk personnel, or seek other forms of credit from outside lending services.

Several different options are available to change the shape of teeth, make teeth look longer close, spaces between teeth, or repair chipped or cracked teeth.  Among the options are bonding, crowns, veneers, and re-contouring.

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied to the tooth surface and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth.  A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth.  The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies above the gum line.  Veneers (also sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin.  Custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth.  These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth.  Recontouring or reshaping of the teeth is a procedure in which small amount of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth’s length, shape, or surface.

If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone.  Between 9 percent and 15 percent of Americans state they avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety of fear.  The first thing you should do is talk with your dentist.  The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist.  Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she, will be better able to work with you to help you feel safe.  We make every effort to understand your fears and make you comfortable- from the ways we interact with you, to the nitrous, or other sedatives options, you will know you are in a place you can trust.

All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives.  Some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness.  Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stain only and do not contain bleach.  Over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching substance) that helps remove stains on the tooth surface, as well as stains deep in the tooth.  None of the home use whitening toothpastes can come even close to producing the bleaching effect you get from your dentist’s office.

First, it’s important to note that more than 25 percent of all oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and who only drink alcohol occasionally.  To answer, your question, the following are the common signs and symptoms or oral cancer:

• Swelling, thickening, lumps, bumps, rough spots/crusts/, or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth.
• The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
• Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within two weeks.
• A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of your throat.
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue.
• Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or changes in the voice
• Ear pain
• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fir together- a change in your “bite”
• Dramatic weight loss

A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can cause decay.  Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants should be used at least once a day.  Start as soon as the teeth first appear in the mouth.

In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a dentist when the first tooth appears, no later than his/her first birthday.  Pediatric physicians also recommend this.

90% of wisdom teeth can be taken care of here at Central Park Dentistry.  We can also offer you many ways to be comfortable while it is done.