Patient Information
Periodontics & Implantology In Winter Park, FL
We accept most PPO insurances. We do not accept HMO or DMO insurances.
Scheduling
Central Florida Periodontics & Implantology is open
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM
Thursday 7:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Friday from 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM
We will schedule your appointment as promptly as possible. Please allow approximately (90) minutes for your initial visit. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that day.
We try to stay on schedule to minimize waiting at the time of your appointment. Referral of emergency patients can cause delays to the schedule, and your understanding and patience are very much appreciated.
First Visit
Please assist us at the time of your initial visit to the office by providing the following information:
- Your referral slip and x-rays from your referring dentist.
- A list of medications you are currently taking (please note that you can fill out your patient registration and medical history form on our website)
- If you have dental insurance, please bring any forms or insurance cards with you to the appointment.
Please Note: All patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation appointment.
Please notify the office if you have a medical condition or concern prior to surgery (e.g. artificial heart valves or joints, heart murmurs requiring pre-medication, severe diabetes, or hypertension).
We will review your medical history and do an depth dental health history. In addition, a thorough examination to measure for bone loss, loose teeth, bite, oral cancer screening, TMJ, and other signs of periodontal disease will be evaluated.
Will It Hurt?
We will be as gentle as possible. The periodontal exam can be completed with little or no discomfort.
Do I Need X-Rays?
We will need current periodontal x-rays in order to see periodontal disease not otherwise visible. If your referring dentist has taken x-rays, you may request that they be forwarded to us.
What Will It Cost?
Since all patients are different your periodontist must complete your examination before establishing your treatment plan and the fee for care. The fee for periodontal treatment can vary considerably depending on the type of problems, complexity and length of treatment. An approximate fee can usually be determined at the initial visit; but on occasion some initial treatment or further diagnostics must be completed before the final treatment plan can be established. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible to attain treatment goals.
Will My Insurance Cover The Cost?
Dental insurance policies often cover periodontal treatment. Please bring all dental benefit information and cards to your examination appointment. Upon request, we will submit a claim to predetermine your insurance benefits. However, this is not required by most plans.
Will I Need Surgery?
Not everyone needs periodontal surgery. If treated early, gum disease can be controlled without surgery. We will make recommendations based on your individual situation. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible to attain treatment goals.
Can My Teeth Be Saved?
The recent advances in periodontal treatment allow us to successfully treat most teeth.
When Will I Go Back To My General Dentist?
Our office and your dentist will work closely together. If crowns and fillings are needed your dentist will provide them. Regular visits to your dentist are an important part of periodontal maintenance.
What If I Don’t Have Gum Treatment?
Periodontal disease is a progressive, painless infection. Delay can cause you further bone loss and more expense. If your teeth are lost, dentures are never as effective as your own teeth. Recent research has associated untreated periodontal disease with numerous other general health problems.
Patient Registration
You may preregister with our office by downloading and printing our online Patient Registration Form. Please complete and bring with you to your appointment.
Financial Policy
Our doctor and staff are proud to be a team whose primary mission is to deliver the finest and most comprehensive periodontal services available. We are concerned about your dental care and want to ensure you that it is addressed in the most responsible manner. In order to assist you with the investment in your dental health, we have outlined our payment policy. Please call if you have any questions or concerns regarding your initial visit (407-647-2295).
Emergency/Single-Visit Payments
For single-visit procedures, our policy is that payment is due in full at the time of service. For your convenience we accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit card payment (American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover).
Multiple Visit Payment Options
- Option 1: Full Payment at Time of Service.
- Option 2: Outside Financing with Care Credit
For those who would prefer an extended payment plan.
For your convenience, payments may be made with cash, personal check, and bank draft, American Express, Discover, Visa, or MasterCard. If you have any problems or questions, please call our office and we can be reached by phone at 407-647-2295.
Insurance Information
Our insurance coordinators deal with many different insurance companies. Some companies offer many different dental plans and can change benefits, co-pays, and deductibles many times throughout the year. We do our best to provide you with accurate coverage estimates based on information available to us. At times, it is almost impossible to accurately estimate a patient’s insurance co-payment. Many insurance companies will not give out fees until after the treatment is completed. Dealing with these companies can be difficult and time consuming. As a courtesy, we ask that you keep us informed of any change to your insurance as it is important that all information about you and your insurance is current.
Although we will gladly file a claim on your behalf, you may wish to submit the claim yourself. In general, insurers process claims filed directly by patients are faster than those filed by the service providers (dental offices).
*Most dental insurance policies are limited and often only pay for a portion of the procedure(s) that may need to be done.*
Co-Payment
The majority of dental plans reimburse approximately 30-80 percent of treatment costs. With this in mind, we ask that 20 percent of the fee be paid at the time of scheduling to hold your appoinment and the balance paid at the time of treatment.
Private & Group Insurance
As a courtesy to our patients with dental benefit plans, we will submit necessary claim forms and other information to your insurance company.
Upon receipt of an insurance payment, any balance due will be billed to you. If you have deposited an excessive co-payment, it will be refunded to you.
Surgical Instructions
Pre-operative Instructions
The following instructions may be helpful when preparing for your upcoming surgery. Please do not hesitate to call our office if you have any last minute questions. We can be reached at (407) 647-2295 during regular business hours.
Prior to surgery you should receive your pre/post-operative prescriptions with the following instruction sheet. For your convenience, please have your prescription filled prior to your scheduled surgery. Please bring your filled prescriptions with you to your appointment.
Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics. ***If you are a patient for whom Antibiotic Pre-Medication is required, take the prescribed antibiotics 1 hour prior to your surgery.***
We keep the office cool, so dress warmly. You may bring your iPod or MP3 player with you if you would like.
In order to evaluate your progress and healing, we will need to see you for weekly post-operative checks during the first 1 – 5 weeks and an examination of tissue maturation about 10-12 weeks following the surgery.
Sedatives and IV Sedation
If you elect to use one of the following oral sedatives or IV sedation, you must have a ride to and from the office.
Post-operative Instructions
These instructions apply to the surgical procedure just completed. They are designed to help you minimize post-surgical discomfort and inform you of any situation that may require special attention.
Pain Medications
It is not unusual to have discomfort for at least the first week following your surgical procedure. You will be given a prescription for medication to help you tolerate the post-surgical recovery period. Please take your medications as directed. If necessary, you may take your pain medication more frequently than every 4-6 hours to stay ahead of the soreness. It is advisable to not take pain medication on an empty stomach to decrease nausea.
As an alternative to prescription pain medications, some patients have found taking a combination of over the counter Ibuprofen and Tylenol to be effective. You may take the combination in either of the following dosages: 3 Advil Liqui-Gels and 2 Regular Strength Tylenol or 3 Advil Liqui-Gels and 1 Extra Strength Tylenol, every 4-6 hours as needed.
Note: When taking any prescribed medication containing Acetaminophen (Tylenol), i.e.; Percocet, Hydrocodone, Vicoden or Tylenol with Codeine, you should not take additional Tylenol so as not to exceed the safety level of Acetaminophen. Please contact the office with any questions you may have.
Antibiotics
An antibiotic may be prescribed following your surgical procedure. Take as directed until gone. It is advisable not to take these medications on an empty stomach to decrease nausea. For women taking birth control pills, be advised that antibiotics may interfere with their effectiveness.
Swelling
Swelling may occur following your surgical procedure and will typically increase 2-3 days after the procedure. To minimize the swelling, place an ice pack over the outside cheek area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Use ice for the first day then warm, moist heat the second day on, following the procedure.
Bleeding
A small amount of bleeding is normal, if excessive or continuous bleeding occurs:
- Do not rinse your mouth.
- Elevate your head when lying down.
- Apply moistened gauze to the immediate area with moderate pressure for 20 minutes, repeat if necessary.
- Enclose a moistened tea bag in a gauze square and apply pressure for 20 minutes.
- Call the office if bleeding persists.
Rinsing
Do not rinse for the first 24 hours. After that, you may use a warm salt water rinses (1cup to 1/2 teaspoon of salt). Repeat as necessary to help keep the dressing clean.
Brushing
Do not brush the surgical site until instructed. You may resume normal brushing/flossing in other areas of the mouth the following day.
Suture Removal
You may notice increased discomfort 3-4 days after the surgical procedure. As the tissues begin to heal, they may pull against the sutures and dressing.
*If you are a patient for whom Antibiotic Pre-Medication is required, take the prescribed antibiotics 1 hour prior to your suture removal appointment*
Smoking
Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks following your surgical procedure. It will significantly slow healing and can compromise results.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
Diet
Until comfortable, avoid chewing on the side where surgery was completed. Avoid hot foods and liquids for approximately 1 hour following the surgery so as not to soften the dressing. A soft diet is recommended, such as cottage cheese, oatmeal, soup, eggs, yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, casseroles, smoothies and certain fruits, which are more easily eaten. Avoid hard crunchy foods, such as chips or crusty bread and anything acidic. Remember, adequate nutrition is essential for feeling better as well as for healing.
Food Suggestions
When preparing a post-op menu, please consider some of the following choices:
- Jell-O
- Bananas
- Yogurt
- Pasta
- Milk Shakes/Smoothies
- Eggs
- Fish
- Ensure/Slim Fast
- Soups
- Pudding
- Apple Sauce
- Oatmeal
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Mashed Potatoes
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