Common Questions

What type of payment do you accept?

Our office is a “fee for service” practice. We accept Master Card, VISA, cash, and checks. Consumer financing is also available with CareCredit.

What type of insurance do you accept?

Dr. Gartner is a participating provider for Delta Dental. Dr. Gartner’s staff is most willing to help patients with other insurance programs where benefits can be utilized in our office. Some preferred provider programs allow benefits to be utilized with a specialist and predetermination will calculate co-pay.

What are our office hours?

Dr. Gartner’s office hours are Monday-Thursday from 8am to 4pm, with lunch from noon to 1pm, and Fridays from 8-12pm. Our office is not open on weekends.

Why have I not heard about periodontal disease before?

It is not unusual for patients under regular care to have few obvious warnings of periodontal disease. Often their care has been directed toward controlling periodontal disease, but the patient did not understand the relative importance. Most of our patients have had careful documentation over the years but just didn’t understand the message.

What are the alternatives?

Alternative medicine is an important theme today. We work carefully to help patients do as much as possible for themselves with home care, antimicrobials, and control of host factors. Sometimes loss of teeth is inevitable, and hopefully one can still maintain some of the natural dentition to support dentures or bridgework.

Are the materials we use safe?

Current science and technology has allowed us to utilize human materials for regeneration. Dr. Gartner works with the American Red Cross certified tissue bank. All materials come from donors for whom medical and social history is known. Also, processing eliminates all life forms. We are always concerned about transfer of infectious, such as hepatitis or HIV, and there has never been an incident of infection from dental bone. We also use other sources including synthetic materials, bovine, and porcine materials. We will discuss thoroughly any risks or alternatives before treatment.

Is treatment painful?

Everything we do is managed very well with local anesthetic and a kind and gentle touch. Most often, patients return to work and function normally after surgical treatment. Eating is limited for a week or so, but speech is not impaired. If patients are particularly anxious, we often prescribe medications to help them relax. We also offer nitrous oxide during procedures to make the patient more comfortable.

How do I start?

The initial appointment is one of discovery and takes about an hour and a half. Much information transpires in the course of a thorough medical history and dental exam. The patient learns about periodontal disease and how it is treated, and is given a status report. Tentative treatment is outlined at this appointment along, with all necessary recommendations, such as interaction with the restorative dentist.