FAQs

What insurance plans do you accept?

A common question that new patients often ask is if we accept their dental insurance at The Dentists South Shore. The answer to this question is almost always, “yes.” There are many companies that provide insurance benefits for their employees and there are several ways to purchase private dental insurance.

The Dentist South Shore also has many patients that pay for their dental treatment themselves. Dental exams and cleanings may be less expensive than you think. At our office we also have several financial options available to our patients. Prior to starting any dental treatment we print an estimate to show our patients what their benefit will cover.

The Dentist South Shore also accepts several preferred provider plans. If you have a PPO and are interested in becoming a patient at The Dentist South Shore give us a call and we will help you determine your benefits. Our front desk staff are excellent resources for questions regarding dental insurance and benefits. They take the time to make our patients concerns a priority.

Here are some common insurance companies we work with:

  • Delta Dental
  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield
  • Metlife
  • Cigna
  • Humana
  • Aetna
  • Assurant

Don't see yours on the list above? Contact Us . Our commitment to our patients goes beyond the dentistry itself. We take pride in all aspects of The Dentists South Shore.

Do you offer a payment plan?

We offer Care Credit and LendingClub , a low-interest healthcare line of credit. You can apply online.

What are your office hours?

We are open Monday through Friday and some Saturdays. We have some early mornings and later evenings. Please call us at (414) 483-1600 to schedule an appointment. Once you have your appointment, please make sure you bring your paperwork. To save time, you can get that ahead of time here and fill it out before coming into the office.

Do you see children?

We see patients of all ages. We recommend that children have their first dental visit at the age of 4 or 5 depending on the child. We invite parents to bring their younger children with them to their cleaning visits. We show the children around the room, give them a ride in the dental chair and make sure they get some stickers. This allows the children to become comfortable with the office atmosphere so when it is their turn they are excited to have their teeth cleaned.

How can I tell if my wisdom teeth are coming in?

If your wisdom teeth are coming in you will most likely feel pain and experience swelling in the immediate area. As the teeth break skin, minor bleeding occurs. If your wisdom teeth are coming in, visiting a dentist to make sure the teeth are properly aligned is recommended. Call Dr. Tom or Dr. Christian at Dentists South Shore to schedule an appointment.

Do wisdom teeth really need to be pulled out?

Visit your dentist to determine if your wisdom teeth need to come out. If you are experiencing pain in the area, your gums may be infected. Sometimes it can be very difficult to clean and floss around erupted wisdom teeth which can cause decay between the teeth. Call us at the Dentists South Shore to meet with our dentists to discuss wisdom teeth extraction.

Dentists South Shore knows the benefits of a wisdom teeth extraction

The Dentists South Shore understands that wisdom teeth extraction is an important decision. The Dentists South Shore offers an expert staff that has been taking care of individuals in the greater Milwaukee area for over 20 years by providing quality family and general dentistry. The Dentists South Shore is experienced on the many different kinds of wisdom teeth extraction dentistry that is available today.

What do I do if I have a cut in my gums?

The cut in your gums will most likely heal on its own, but it’s important to watch for signs of infection. Carefully brush and floss regularly. If the infection occurs or if it doesn’t seem to be healing, contact us at the Dentists South Shore to schedule an appointment. Signs of infection include red or swollen gums, bad breath that won’t go away, teeth sensitivity and teeth pain.

While the cut in your gums is healing, you may experience some bleeding in the area – especially if you are brushing and flossing more frequently to prevent infection. Bleeding is normal, but if you are experiencing other signs of infection or if the bleeding is heavy and lasts for more than a few days, call us at the Dentists South Shore.

What causes white gums?

If you have white gums, it may be the result of a fungal disease called Thrush or can be caused by over-the-counter teeth whitening kits. Thrush commonly begins with white spots or areas on the tongue but can spread to different areas of the mouth such as the gums or tonsils. Often seen in infants, Thrush is a type of yeast infection that occurs when the immune system is down, such as when a nursing mother is using antibiotics. To prevent spreading Thrush, sanitize all items that come into contact with the mouth, such as pacifiers and toothbrushes. If the signs of Thrush occur for more than a few days, contact your doctor.

Tooth whiteners that you find over-the-counter can also cause white gums. Essentially, they are bleaching systems and will not only bleach your teeth, but also your gums. To prevent white gums, we recommend teeth whitening systems offered through your dentist, such as form-fitted bleach whitening trays. If you do decide to use over-the-counter bleaching systems, you can prevent white gums by not overfilling the trays with bleach and keeping the whiteners off of the gums.

Why do I have bleeding gums when I’m pregnant?

Many women experience bleeding gums when they are pregnant. Swollen or bleeding gums are caused by the increase in hormones. Since this increase in hormones can lead to more plaque, it is important to visit your dentist regularly or even an extra time during pregnancy for a thorough cleaning and to make sure that the bleeding gums are not transitioning into a more serious dental concern or infection. Brushing regularly, especially close to the gums, and daily flossing can prevent bleeding gums while pregnant, but if you do see some inflammation in your gums during pregnancy, don’t be overly concerned, as it is common and most often your gums will return to normal after pregnancy.

How do I maintain healthy gums?

Healthy gums begin with proper care and maintenance. Brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, minimizing sugary snacks, and visiting the dentist regularly are the right combination for healthy gums, teeth and body. Twice a day is a good benchmark for the amount of times to brush, but brushing after every meal or snack, especially sugary snacks, is ideal. Daily flossing helps keep the gums healthy by cleaning between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. With proper home care and two maintenance dental visits per year to remove plaque and tarter, your teeth and gums will be fit and healthy.

How do dental fillings work?

We all know about cavities, but we often get asked how dental fillings work to repair these cavities. Before we rebuild the missing tooth structure with dental fillings, we first remove the decayed part of the tooth. Dental cavities are filled in the dentist’s office and they are a routine procedure. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the area and then the dentist will remove the decayed section. A liner is then placed to prevent sensitivity to the area. And depending on the depth, a base may be placed to insulate the tooth from temperature changes. Then the dental fillings will be placed to finish up the process. A number of different filling options are available.

What fillings are used by dentists now?

There are a variety of fillings used by dentists now, including the commonly known silver or amalgam fillings, gold, porcelain, and the preferred tooth-colored or resin fillings .

At the Dentists South Shore, the fillings we use are the resin or tooth-colored filling material as studies have shown that resin fillings healthy and provide patients with a more attractive smile. In most cases you cannot see this type of filling once it is completed. Amalgam (silver) fillings are only used when a resin filling will not work.

Contact Us

Layton Office

Howell Office

Layton Office Hours

Monday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-2:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Howell Office Hours

Monday:

7:00 am-3:40 pm

Tuesday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-2:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed