Ask Four States Dental Care: When should my child visit for a check-up?

At Four States Dental Care, we think a child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. At Four States Dental Care, Drs. Kunkel and Matousek and our dedicated staff make a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child's first dental visit and treatment. We want you and your little one to feel at ease from the moment you walk through the door.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. Your child's first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or "baby" teeth typically erupt by age 3.

If you have any questions about pediatric dentistry, or about your treatment with Drs. Kunkel or Matousek, please feel free to give us a call today!

Imagining your life with Invisalign®, from Four States Dental Care

You might be wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Dr. Kunkel and our team thought we’d share this list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment at Four States Dental Care.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit Four States Dental Care during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Drs. Kunkel or Matousek - who are certified Invisalign® providers - will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

To learn more about Invisalign, please give us a call!

What helps you relax at Four States Dental Care?

Drs. Kunkel and Matousek-Ronck know not everyone is thrilled to see the dentist. But at Four States Dental Care, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Four States Dental Care that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff? Could it be something about Drs. Kunkel or Matousek?

Let us know by posting here or on our interactive Facebook fan page!

At Four States Dental Care, a comfortable and caring environment

We view our relationship with our patients as a key part to this practice. The atmosphere here at Four States Dental Care is one where you will always feel comfortable. We strive to make every appointment an experience that will not only make you smile, but want to come back and refer your friends and family!

After their cleanings, our patients talk about how great our Hygiensts are, and how relatively painless treatment is after seeing Dr. Kunkel. There are many advancements in the dental field today that make things from painless local anesthetics to root canals that are as simple as a filling appointment. We want our patients to feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. So with that, Dr. Kunkel and Dr. Matousek are always finding ways to continue their education to make this possible. We love our patients and want to serve them in the best way!