Frequently Asked Questions

How do Dr. McDougal and Dr. Richards keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

The doctors attend many hours of continuing education courses per year. They are always striving to improve themselves and learn about the latest dental techniques and technologies. Dr. McDougal and Dr. Richards are members of a variety of dental associations. Dr. McDougal also lectures frequently at dental seminars and is also part of the teaching faculty for the Center of Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry group.

Do you accept referrals?

Yes! We love referrals. Some of our most loyal patients have been referred to us by other patients. We are always looking forward to seeing someone new in order to provide the same excellent level of dentistry we already offer to our existing patients. We feel referrals are the highest compliment you can give us when you send a friend or family member to our office.

What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?

We offer a 24-hour answering service and always have a doctor on call. If you ever have an emergency, the doctor can be paged at any time. We are happy to help you.

What different payment options do you provide?

Our office accepts Cash or Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. We also offer Care Credit that has numerous options that are interest free to the patient. Please contact our Administrative Team for any questions.

How can I safely whiten my teeth?

We offer these whitening procedures: Zoom, Bravo, Opalescence, and Liquid Smile. All four have been researched by the American Dental Association and have been proven to be safe for tooth structure. Zoom is a two hour in-office procedure that offers dramatic results quickly. Bravo, Liquid Smiles, and Opalescence are take-home procedures used during the day or night on a daily basis for about two weeks. All four are excellent procedures resulting in a dazzling smile.

What makes you different from any other dental practice I can visit?

We are distinguished from other dental practices in the area by our highly trained hygienists, doctors, and other team members. We offer multiple forms of sedation so you are completely relaxed and have an in-house laboratory to better serve you. This means we have faster turnaround on all porcelain work (crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays) and can make adjustments to fit or shade during your appointment. We strive to provide exemplary dentistry in an exceptional environment.

I really don't like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?

We understand some patients are quite fearful. That's all right. To help calm your nerves, we offer Halcion (relaxing tablets) or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). For more extensive procedures, we can offer IV sedation. Our staff is friendly and supportive, and Dr. McDougal and our hygienists are very compassionate and gentle. You have nothing to fear because we are very concerned with our patients' comfort.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

We offer a variety of aesthetic and oral procedures to make your smile beautiful without orthodontic treatments. Some of the options are Invisalign, porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. Because of our in-house dental laboratory, we can custom shade to the desired color and shape of the restoration.