Frequently Asked Questions

We happily welcome new patients of all ages to our practice! If you have any questions about new patient procedures (link to Office & Resources), please give us a call.

Yes, we offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies. We understand that dental pain can be disruptive, and we’re committed to providing prompt relief. Don’t hesitate to contact us immediately if you’re experiencing a dental emergency.

Don’t let dental pain disrupt your life. Contact us immediately for emergency dental treatment.

Certain medications or dental procedures can cause spikes in blood pressure, and for people with hypertension, these spikes can lead to serious health problems. Your dentist oversees your oral health, but your overall health is important to them too. Below, we’ve listed a few reasons blood pressure checks are now a part of most routine dental appointments.  Although you may not see a direct connection to dental work in each one, it may help to remember that your oral health and overall health is inextricably linked. Blood pressure screenings are an important part of ensuring you’re in good health—both in general and prior to any dental work. 

• Blood pressure increases during stressful times, including during dental work. For someone with dental anxiety, just sitting in the waiting room can cause a rise in blood pressure. It’s important for the dental practitioner to know about a patient’s high blood pressure before beginning any procedures.

• Certain local anesthetics constrict blood vessels, which raises blood pressure.  For those who already have hypertension, this can result in dangerous and even life-threatening conditions. If high blood pressure is detected prior to the procedure, the anesthetic may need to be changed or adjusted. 

• Blood pressure screenings at the dentist’s office can prevent serious cardiovascular complications, not only by avoiding the blood pressure spikes associated with certain procedures and medications, but also by alerting the patient to a condition that needs attention. Regular six-month visits to your dentist provide a great way to monitor your blood pressure. If your dentist detects high blood pressure, they can help facilitate the next steps toward bringing your blood pressure down and optimizing your health.

• In addition to preventing serious problems with cardiovascular health, blood pressure screenings can also point toward other potential health issues associated with high blood pressure, including diabetes or preeclampsia in pregnant women.  Regular monitoring helps to catch potential problems before they cause damage. 

According to the American Dental Association, elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of 120-129 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of less than 80 mmHg. Hypertension is defined as a systolic pressure of 130 mmHg or greater or a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or greater. A person is considered to be in hypertensive crisis with a systolic pressure greater than 180 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure greater than 120 mmHg. 

If your blood pressure reads at 180/100 or greater, it may be necessary to postpone treatment in order to avoid any complications that could arise from the use of anesthetics. You may need to work with a physician to get your blood pressure down to a safer level before treatment can be resumed. Anyone in hypertensive crisis will be immediately referred to emergency care.

Dental x-rays can detect various abnormalities in your oral health, including early detection of dental issues that weren’t found on a visual oral exam. Some of the things that Dr. Strohschein will examine in your dental x-rays include:

• Position, size, and number of teeth
• Changes in the root canal
• Bone loss in the jaw or facial bones
• Bone fractures
• Tooth decay, including between teeth and under fillings or crowns
• Abscesses and cysts
• Impaction of teeth
• How the upper and lower teeth fit together

We adhere to the ALARA principle “as low as reasonably achievable” when using our digital x-rays and imaging in our office. Four bitewing x-rays is equivalent to 1 day of background radiation.

Dr. Strohschein works with orthodontists through CandidPro and ODO which allows her to meet your needs with clear aligners. Most of this treatment can be done in the comfort of your own home to avoid monthly follow-up appointments in office.