The Pensak Houghton Dentistry staff is happy to answer your questions about our practice and services. If you don’t find the answer to your question, please contact us.
Our Office
- Do you accept payment directly from insurance companies? No, we find that dealing directly with insurance companies interferes with our ability to focus primarily on your dental and general health instead of finances.
That being said, we do respect any insurance coverage you may have, and will make every effort to help you get reimbursed as quickly as possible. - How can I pay for my appointment?
Dental fees are due / payable upon treatment. All dental fees are the direct responsibility of the patient.
For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard and Interac.
- Are you available evenings or weekends?
We have some very limited evening hours available, but are really just a Monday to Friday operation.
However, our regular patients know that they can contact us anytime, including at home on weekends, if an emergency occurs.
If you have a dental emergency, call us at (403) 278-8482 or email us as soon as possible.
- What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
If you have a dental emergency, call us at (403) 278-8482 or email us as soon as possible.
- What do you consider a dental emergency?
A lost filling or crown, broken or chipped tooth or a knocked out tooth are all examples of emergencies that should be treated as soon as possible.
If you have a dental emergency, try to locate the broken or missing piece of your tooth and contact us at (403) 278-8482 or email us as soon as possible .
- Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we love accepting new patients to our clinic.
- Who is the dentist I will be seeing?
Dr. Pensak and Dr. Houghton are both accepting new patients. We can book you in with whoever you prefer, or whoever can see you the soonest.
- What if I am nervous about coming in for my appointment?
Anxiety around dental appointments is common. That's why we offer sedation.
Sedation can be used for a range of dental treatments from invasive procedures to simple teeth cleaning. Through the use of medication, sedation allows you to relax during dental procedures.
- Do you treat young children?
Yes, we are committed to early education and oral health prevention for kids to help keep their young, developing smiles healthy.
We have Children's Hygiene Program and tailor our services to the unique needs of children.
- At what age should I start bringing my child to your office?
We recommend booking your child’s first appointment within six months of their first tooth appearing.
We offer an exam for infants and toddlers that allows parents to be involved and the child to have their 'teeth counted' in a comfortable, playful setting.
Our Services
- Do you use mercury fillings?
No, we haven't used mercury fillings since 1995.
- What type of fillings do you use?
We generally use white, composite fillings which can be closely matched to your existing teeth.
- What is an impacted tooth?
The term "impacted" applies to a tooth that has not fully erupted. A tooth may become impacted because of crowding or malposition. Third molars (wisdom teeth) are most likely to become impacted.
- Why do wisdom teeth have to be removed?
Impacted teeth require removal for any one of several potential problems. The most common problem associated with impacted teeth is infection and the resultant pain and swelling. These infections tend to recur until the impacted tooth is removed. Impacted teeth can cause damage by promoting decay or by eroding the roots of adjacent teeth. An erupting wisdom tooth may cause some crowding by pushing on the roots of existing teeth.
- What is an implant?
A dental implant is a synthetic root made of titanium that serves as a replacement for the root of a missing natural tooth. The implant is placed in the upper or lower jaw and allowed to fuse with the bone. A replacement tooth can then be fabricated on this platform. Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth. Implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. Dental implants are a proven restorative option with a long clinical history. Dental implants preserve the integrity of the facial structure and reduce the inconvenience associated with tooth loss.
- Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Anyone who is missing one or more of their teeth due to injury, disease, or decay may be a candidate for dental implants. If one, a few, or all teeth are missing, dental implants in conjunction with a crown or bridge can replace those teeth. Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits that dental implants offer. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you're healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you're probably healthy enough to receive dental implants.
- Is there pain or discomfort involved with dental implants?
Yes, there will be some discomfort for the first few days but most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Implants are placed in a very gentle fashion and care is taken to preserve the various tissues involved. IV sedation and/or local anesthesia are used to eliminate any discomfort at the time of the procedure.
- Can you fix the shape and colour of my teeth?
Our dentists are fully equipped to manage a number of cosmetic procedures including teeth whitening and veneers.
These services can help to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile.