420 West 15th St Edmond, Ok 73013 405.348.2266

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Here are some common questions we have been asked. If you have any other questions, please contact us so we can be more specific and thoroughly address your curiosity. We enjoy dentistry and are prepared to discuss any questions you might have.

Tooth-Colored vs. Amalgam Fillings?

Composite resins, or tooth colored fillings are a mixture of microscopic ceramic particles dispersed in a plastic resin that can be bonded to teeth. This material comes in a wide range of shades and can be molded and sculpted to create almost any shape or contour. Composite resins bond to teeth  forming a seal to reduce leakage, which is common with dark, metal fillings. For years, an amalgam of silver and mercury metal was the predominant filling material.  Amalgams are still offered in many offices, but we have chosen to refrain from the use of this metal for numerous reasons.  Amalgam use has been extremely restricted in other civilized countries due to the mercury content.  Amalgam fillings require more tooth removal for adequate retention.  And, amalgam fillings are less estheti  Tooth-colored restorations are superior for esthetics and tooth preservation. You deserve only the best, which is why Dr. Griffin offers tooth-colored restorations.  Your doctors take special care to apply these technique sensitive fillings.  If you have any concerns about the appearance of your teeth, give us a call for an evaluation to see if bonding with composite resin will give you the smile and self confidence you’ve always wanted.

Will my insurance cover my dentistry?

For patients who have insurance, we are happy to assist in processing insurance claims to maximize benefits. While insurance is designed to help offset the cost of dental care, it’s important to note that insurance estimates and pre-authorizations are not a guarantee from the insurance company. We ask patients to note that the insurance policy is a contract between them or their employer and the insurance company. The team at Griffin Smiles Comprehensive Dentistry is not a party to the intricate details of such agreements or contracts. Regardless of insurance coverage, financial arrangements between each patient and our practice will ultimately be the patients’ responsibility. If, for any reason, the estimated amount is not paid by the insurance company within 30 days, it becomes the patients’ commitment and is due by cash, check or credit card.

Why do I need to see the dentist first if I only want a cleaning?

Congratulations on your commitment to regular hygiene appointments. Your teeth will look great and you’ll be smiling all day after a cleaning with our great hygienists. They are skillful and trained to thoroughly address a variety of dental issues with you so you’re right to feel you’re in great hands when they’re caring for you.

However, at the practice of Dr. Griffin, we have the word “Comprehensive” in the name of the practice for a reason. We are here to ensure you have the very best care for your completely unique situation. Just as you would never let someone work on your car without first looking under the hood and taking the big picture into perspective, we would never want to diagnose a treatment plan for you and communicate with any of our team members about your situation without a complete understanding of your overall situation.  There are at least four different types of dental cleanings and your hygienist will be better prepared for your situation once the doctor has had a chance to accurately diagnose presence or absence of disease.  All too often disease, especially of the gums, is overlooked by patients seeing the hygienist first. We’ll communicate with you every step of the way so you know what we’re looking for and what we’re finding. We assure you that you’ll leave being glad we took this special time with you – and you’ll still have that great post-cleaning feel too.

How often do I need to come to the dentist?

This is personalized depending on your particular oral health situation. The frequency of your visits will be scheduled by you and your dentist depending on individual risk factors and the presence or absence of disease. Your positive experience and beautiful, healthy smile is at the forefront of all of our efforts. So, insurance and schedules will never dictate how often you’re welcomed into our dental home – it’s all based on what you need! Visit us for your comprehensive oral evaluation so we can give you a more specific answer and estimation on how often you’ll get to come by to see us.

What is the Cerec?  No temporary?  What is ‘crown-in-a-day’?

The short story on Cerec goes like this. You need a crown.  Historically it would take four weeks from start to finish and now it takes two hours.  Sophisticated computers dramatically improve your experience by improving your dentistry by reducing guesswork, by reducing overall procedure time and reducing bacterial infection risks.

The more detailed version goes more like this. A badly broken down or diseased tooth is prepared for a crown.  Instead of taking an impression of your mouth and sending this to an outside lab to have a crown fabricated, leading dentists like Dr. Griffin are having great success using electronic impressions with a specialized digital camera. These electronic images allow the doctors to design a crown specific to your needs.  It is then fabricated by a milling office located in the office and immediately cemented permanently in your mouth.  The entire process takes an hour or two. Dr. Griffin has considered the benefits of these new restorative techniques and invested in extensive training to make this state-of-the-art procedure available to you. They have now mastered the technology and are even certified CEREC trainers. CEREC currently provides full technology for inlays, onlays, full coverage crowns and veneers and will very soon support full crown and bridge cases as well.

So, thanks to CEREC, you don’t have to struggle through two-four weeks with a temporary because your crown is done in a day.

What do I do if I have an emergency? Are you open on Friday or Saturday?

We are available to you at the first sign of discomfort, sensitivity or trauma.  Call our office 405.348.2266.  If you are having a problem during hours that our office is closed, follow the directions on the answering machine to locate the doctor designated to take care of your needs.  Dr. Griffin makes every attempt to help you during your time of need.

What are the benefits of coming to your office?

There are great dentists all over the world. There are fun, friendly, light hearted groups of people spending time together all over the world. Here, in Edmond, Oklahoma, those two elements come together. Our doctors are industry-noted dental professionals with the highest regard for excellence and amazing dedication to patient services. You’ll leave smiling, hoping to see the team members again soon as you’ve truly enjoyed their company and sensed the bond they have with one another. You get the great, leading-edge dentistry and have fun at the same time! Too good to be true? Come by and see for yourself.

Do you see children?

While we are not pediatric specialists, we do see children and are happy to serve your entire family.  

Many of our team members have multiple children, so it’s no stretch to make your child feel right at home. We want both you and your child to have a positive experience. We believe the impressions made upon your child in these early years are of crucial importance to their healthy growth and development. One negative experience in these sensitive years can have immeasurable effects.  We pride ourselves in creating powerfully positive experiences that both educate them and motivate them into a bright, happy, healthy future with the confidence that comes from having a great smile. 

Am I a candidate for Invisalign?

Not only is Invisalign versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues, but it really works.

• Are your teeth overly crowded? This occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, overly crowded teeth can cause dental decay, an increase in chances of gum disease and can prevent the normal function of teeth.
• Are your teeth widely spaced?This occurs with abnormal continued growth of the jaw bone. When teeth are missing, this issue can also be caused by the other teeth shifting due to extra space. Spacing issues in teeth can cause some periodontal diseases.
• Do you have a crossbite? This occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and/or the sides of the mouth. This issue can cause wear of the teeth, gum disease, and bone loss.
• Do you have an overbite? What people commonly refer to as an "overbite" is known to dental professionals as "overjet." It occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It's typically caused by either genetics, bad oral habits, or over development of the bone that supports the teeth. This issue can lead to gum problems or irritation, and/or wear on the lower teeth and can cause painful jaw and joint problems.
• Do you have an underbite? This occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It's usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This issue can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.

Most of the time, these are the primary candidates for Invisalign but there are other considerations when making the decision to straighten your teeth. Dr. Griffin will work with you to create a custom-designed program that will treat your specific dental or orthodontic issues in the most positive manner. If Invisalign is right for you, the treatment program will consist of a full set of aligners, made just for you.

Why should I get my teeth whitened in your office when I can buy whitening pastes, strips, trays and gels at the store?

The whitening systems sold in retail stores are weaker, diluted and often untested solutions.  These may whiten teeth, but they do not produce the same results as rapidly as the prescription strength, clinically tested and FDA approved systems we use in our office.  When you consider the costs associated with the increased amount of diluted products it takes to get the same result as we can achieve in our office in one visit, you will actually save money.  We use the best, newest technology to provide you with a brighter smile.

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