Frequently Asked Questions

family and cosmetic dentist in Greenville

Your family and cosmetic dentist in Greenville, Michigan

What is cosmetic dentistry, and what are cosmetic dentistry procedures?

Cosmetic dentistry improves the aesthetics of teeth, gums, and facial balance. It focuses on enhancing the color, position, shape, size, alignment, and overall smile appearance. 

Some types of Cosmetic Dental treatments are:

What Is A Dentist?

A dentist is a specialist who has been trained to diagnose, treat and prevent oral health conditions problems. Your Greenville dentist, Dr. O’Donald, has completed many years of medical schooling to practice family and cosmetic dentistry. 

After schooling, a dentist can receive either a DDS or DMD degree. DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, and DMD stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine. Some doctors specialize in pediatric dentistry, which means that they work with children from infancy through their teenage years. There are other specializations that a dentist may go to school for:

  • – Oral and maxillofacial 
  • – Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
  • – Endodontics 
  • – Periodontics 
  • – Prosthodontics  

Dr. O’Donald specializes in family dentistry, providing dental care for a 6-month-old child to senior citizen patients. He also specializes in cosmetic dentistry, which offers dental services to create beautiful smiles.

Are Regular Dental Cleanings Necessary?

Here at John C. O’Donald, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we know how busy life can be. Fitting a dental appointment into your busy schedule seems challenging for families. Please take advantage of our family dental practice by scheduling your cleanings altogether.

Proper at-home oral hygiene is brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing each night. Doing this keeps many oral hygiene problems away. Although, scheduling a cleaning twice a year is highly recommended to maintain proper oral hygiene and catch the hard-to-reach issues before they become more severe.

Do I Need To See A Dentist Even If My Teeth Feel Fine?

It’s imperative to schedule regular cleanings here at John C. O’Donald DDS. Dr. O’Donald recommends seeing you twice a year. Many problems can exist without knowing. Read here to learn more.

Not only can we identify problems before they become painful and expensive, but we can also help keep your smile looking fantastic. We know how important it is to feel comfortable with your smile. Because of this, we offer many treatments to help improve patient aesthetics.

What’s A Dental Cleaning Like At John C O’Donald

Sixth-month cleanings are recommended for proper oral hygiene. At John C. O’Donald DDS, an appointment will include:

  • – A full oral examination.
  • – Oral cancer exam.
  • – Professional x-rays to catch cavities
  • – Complete cleaning to remove tartar, debris, and plaque.

Dr. O’Donald will coordinate with your hygienist and recommend a treatment plan for any found problems. We’ll also recommend any aesthetic and cosmetic dental procedures to improve the aesthetics of your smile. Please call our office at 616-754-7414 to schedule an appointment or any additional questions. 

At What Age Should I Bring My Child To See The Dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends visiting your dentist as early as six months or when a child’s teeth begin to show. Dr. O’Donald will be able to examine the health of your child’s first few teeth and make recommendations.

When Should I Change My ToothBrush?

Dr. O’Donald recommends at least every three months. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, make sure to check the recommendation of the type of toothbrush because you may not have to change the head of the brush often. 

If a patient has gum disease, Dr. O’Donald recommends that you change your brush at least every three months. After brushing, thoroughly wash and rinse your brush with hot water to kill germs and bacteria. 

How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease

Gum disease is also called periodontal disease. Plaque and bacteria build up in a patient’s mouth. When this build-up is not treated early, it can cause gum disease. Periodontal disease can also be caused by smoking and chewing tobacco, teeth grinding, certain medications, and family genetics. Click here to read more.

Advanced forms of periodontal disease can cause bone and tooth loss and permanent damage. Dr. O’Donald recommends that brushing and flossing every day and scheduling dental appointments every six months is the best way to fight gum disease. Some of the most common signs of periodontal disease are the following:

  • – Abscessed teeth
  • – Extreme tooth sensitivity
  • – Chronic bad breath
  • – Loose teeth and or loss of teeth
  • – Red, swollen or bleeding gums
  • – Receding gum line

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call us as soon as possible. You can reach us at 616-754-7414 or email us to schedule a consultation. Your dental health is our highest concern.

Do You Accept Dental Insurance?

We bill most insurance and PPO plans but please check with us beforehand. Call our practice for more information about insurance at 616-754-7414. Please have your insurance information ready. 

What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

For your convenience, here at John C. O’Donald DDS, we accept cash, checks, cashier’s checks, Visa, Master Card, and Discover. If none of these payment methods suit your needs, we provide payment plans through our office or third-party financing through Care Credit. If you have any more questions regarding payment methods, please call us at 616-754-7414, and we’ll do our best to find the right solution for you. Also, please plan to pay your co-pay or deductible portion at the time of service.