Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I have Dr. Johnson as my dentist?

Do you go to your dentist, yet still get cavities, your gums yet bleed, have an odor in your mouth? Then, maybe you're treating the symptoms, rather than treating the problem. Maybe you'd benefit from hearing our Story of Dentistry, getting to the "root" of the problem. (Norwegian humor, sorry)

2. Can my dentistry be made affordable?

Yes, we accept most insurance programs. Any balance can be completed via four methods:

1. Cash or check (5% courtesy)

2. Visa, Mastercard

3. 1/2 down prior to treatment, and the remaining 1/2 before completion of treatment

4. Care Credit

3. How often are x-rays needed?

This depends on your risk. diet, home care, patient history, all are factors in periodontal disease and tooth cavities. If your risk is low, no cavities in the past year, good diet, good home care, x-rays are infrequent. We follow the ADA guidelines, we do not treat you by your insurance company guidelines. Your insurance company's recommendations are in their best interests, not yours.

4. What kind of toothpaste do you recommend?

I don't. See Disease/Home care

5. Should I brush or floss first?

Chicken or egg story: I don't care, just clean the collars daily to the bottom.

6. How often do I need to get my teeth cleaned?

Like ofteness of x-rays, it depends on your risk, home care, and past history. Some will need cleanings more often, more aggressive, depending on your "collar depth", gum or bone disease.

7. What causes gum recession?

Like the economy, the recession can become depression if not controlled. Recession occurs from multiple factors: over aggressive tooth brushing, genetics, mal-positioned teeth, aging, or occlusal disease where one clenches or grinds. Or a combination of the above.

8. Does de-sensitizing toothpaste (i.e. Sensodyne) work?

This depends on the cause of the sensitivity. If it is a broken down tooth, cracked, broken filling, decayed, or has recurrent decay...good luck, it won't be of any help. Nor will it help if the pulp is dying due to a past big cavity, or trauma to the tooth.

If it is because of conventional garden-type gum recession, a new toothbrush used incorrectly, or traumatic tooth brushing, yes de-sensitizer i.e. Sensodyne will be of value, but not like the directions on the box. Ask me how.

9. What can be done about canker sores, or cold sores?

Two different animals, two different problems. For internal canker sores, apthors(?) ulcers there is a quick in-office medication we apply. For herpetic, viral HS, there is antiviral medication for in office application. Did you try over the counter, like Abreva? Call me with those results. The stuff we use really works!

10. What is the difference between fluoride in the water, topical fluoride in toothpaste, and that applied in a dental office?

Fluoridated water helps the developing tooth ages 0-10 years, making the developing enamel less resistant to the acid attack on your teeth; topical fluoride applied, makes the surface less soluble, more cavity resistant.

Too much fluoride in the developing tooth can cause fluorsis; while in reality you can never get too much topical fluoride (just don't swallow it). I often dispense prescription fluoride, especially to teeth at risk due to poor diet, and poor home care. But then again, are we merely treating the symptom, wouldn't you rather treat the problem?

11. What about emergencies and new patients?

We welcome both, and our sophisticated, people-friendly scheduling allows time each day for emergencies and new patients. For emergencies, I caution you to call early, as this time reserved each day is quickly consumed.

12. White fillings or silver fillings, what do you recommend?

I do either. Each patient is given the necessary information in order they can decide. Are silver fillings a risk? Today, much discussion is ongoing, and much misinformation and paranoia exists. The ADA maintains silver fillings are safe. Personally, I yet have viable, strong, silver fillings in my mouth since I was age 12. (Those were placed last century!!)

Some insurance companies only cover silver fillings on back teeth, but I caution patients to never, never, never choose treatment based on your insurance company guidelines--they really don't care about you, they just want your insurance premium. After discussion of pros/cons of white bonded fillings or silver fillings, the patient makes the choice.

13. "I'm apprehensive", "I don't like needles", "I hate dentists", what now?

Well, me too. I'd hate dentists if I had to go every 6 months to get more fillings, crowns, etc. That is why I preach prevention, whereby once your mouth is restored, you protect it just like changing oil in your newly rebuilt car engine.

Good diet and home care is the solution to long range fear problem. In the mean time, I invite anyone to come in, take a tour, meet the staff and myself to discuss your concerns and fears. Then, if you decide to pursue having us as your dental health leader, we'll address your fears. We have a multitude of approaches to quell your apprehension. Need testimonials? Scan through our testaments, or I can give you specific patients who were like you.

14. When is the ideal time to do a crown?

Sounds crazy, but "the day before you break the tooth". Many teeth have cracks, or are weakened by past large cavities. Any filing is only as strong as the remaining tooth holding it in (like a patch on your tire or fender), where a crown has strength by itself. With ideal home care and diet will predictably serve you for years. Any teeth at risk will be shown to you on our intra-oral camera, and then you can take the cracked tooth photo home, then decide which is best, repair or crown.

15. When is it best to start my child at the dentist?

I treat many kids. I always recommended the best time is 1 1/2 - 2 years when all 20 baby (deciduous) teeth are nearly erupted. AND when the child is emotionally stable enough to accept and look forward to new experiences and environments. Sometimes the first visit is merely a ride in the chair.

The ADA and WDA are changing my philosophy on age, and will introduce a program whereby by age one, the parents get a child Home Care Dentist for early review of family and child risks of decay.

Any dental visit will require the parents have provided adequate guidance for the child to accept such care.

16. Do over the counter tooth whiteners work?

You tell me, did yours work? Was the value there? did it fulfill your goals? Most don't work according to those patients reporting to our office.

We offer deep bleaching, which, with ideal patient compliance, fulfills the goal of most patients. That being a younger, more robust, more youthful smile; a reversal of that dreaded aging grayness, and elimination of unsightly stain and spots on their teeth. Tell me what you've done; I'll show you what we've done.

17. The above answer sounds as though your confidence borders on cockiness.

Maybe, there is a fine line between the two. However, today with our improved techniques and our great materials, along with excellent patient compliance, these help me "look good". Therefore, I can help you "look good". What else can I offer besides my very best? I attend a plethora of unending continuing education courses, and I am confident in those services we offer.

We don't fail often in reaching our patients' smile enhancement goals, and if we do fail, I merely don't charge the patient (i.e. free!) So you tell me, is that confidence or cockiness?

18. Is chewing gum ok?

Personally I've never understood chewing gum. Cows have their jaws moving up and down for a purpose, must we? Is gum ok for you? Yes, provided it is sugarless, and ideally contains xylitol.

19. I have soft teeth, what's the deal?

20. Will my pregnancy ruin my teeth?

21. Is mouthwash effective or safe?

22. Is there really a tooth fairy?

23. Fluoride varnish, what is it?

24. How much does a crown cost?

25. 2nd opinions, do you offer them?

26. Patient compliance, what is it?

If you, the patient, don't want to get better, why are you going to the doctor? The doctor can guide you, make recommendations, but you must comply, you must want to get better. Just like your aerobics teacher, do you get healthier merely by going to the class and watching, or must you participate? Patients heal thyself. After you hear the Story of Dentistry, you'll see the easy process of gaining ideal dental health.

27. What is root canal therapy?

Once the pulp of the tooth dies (necrosis), which may be due to various reasons (decay, trauma, fracture) you can do one of two things:

1. remove the tooth
2. remove the infected, dead, pulp (nerve)

Root canal therapy is removing the pulp, allowing the infection (abscess) at the tip of the tooth to heal. Therefore treating your infection at the tip (apex), without removing the tooth. Root canal therapy is one of the more comfortable treatments you can have completed.

28. What is the damage of "soda pop"?

The damage can be three fold: (1) the sugar bathes the entire tooth surface, casing a high acid level to develop, destroying enamel (cavities); (2)if sugarless soda, the constant carbonation can erode tooth structure; (3) the low pH of the soda contains ready-to-attack acidity to the enamel. These lower pH sodas, flavored with lemon, lime, and other citric flavors are referred as the destructive "power of sour". Want more information, call me for a Power of Sour brochure.

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“I have a long lasting relationship with my dentist, Dr. Orvis Johnson. He has taken care of my dental health since I was in my 20's and continues to do so with the utmost of care and kindness. My three children are patients of Dr. Johnson as well, and I highly recommend him to anyone who asks about who to go to for their dental needs.

Dr. Orvis Johnson maintains his high standards each and every day and extends his vast knowledge of dental health to all of his patients. He continues to expand his own knowledge on a daily basis, keeping up to date with new technologies and techniques.

I recommend with great confidence, Dr. Orvis Johnson and his highly trained staff. They provide the best care anywhere and are available anytime to answer questions, provide guidance, and assist in helping you maintain your dental health.”

-Susan Fiebig

“Dr. Johnson's primary focus is prevention. We have been his patients for close to 30 years, and all during that time he has stressed processes and procedures that keep our teeth and gums healthy.

He and his highly professional staff always treat us with respect, and work to ensure that we receive the best care possible.”

-Howard and Sherry Freiberg

“We have been patients of Dr. Johnson for less than a year, and though we are closer to age 80 than 70, he has already been successful in educating us, and instilling NEW habits for us regarding our dental care.”

-Ralph and Patricia Rosenthal

“My name is Mary Showers. I am 82 years old and I have been a patient of Dr. Orvis Johnson for 14 years. I have seen dentists all my life, but Dr. Johnson seems to be the one who is able to keep my 82 year old teeth strong, clean, and healthy. I have all my own teeth-no dentures or false teeth. He is always so patient, kind, reassuring, gentle and knowledgeable. He keeps me smiling!”

-Mary Showers

“I started with Dr. Johnson 30 years ago. I hated the thought of going to the dentist before that, he saved me from false teeth. Best dentist ever!”

-Barb

“Dr. Johnson and his staff are extremely knowledgeable in their profession. Dr. Johnson not only "shows" you what your "bad habits" are doing, but educates you to reform those habits into "new" and "productive" habits.”

-Kris Alt