Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
An average, healthy adults benefit from a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. Brushing three times a day and daily flossing go a long way towards maintaining a healthy mouth, but it's wise to be checked for plaque that has hardened into tartar, requiring a professional cleaning to avoid gingivitis, or more progressive periodontal problems.

What about my children, at what age do they see a dentist?
We recommend that children come in between the ages of three and four. We recommend that the child visit our office with you or an older sibling before their first appointment. This makes them feel more comfortable with our office and staff.

How can I have whiter teeth?
We now offer Zoom! in our office. This is a state-of-the-art method of whitening that is accomplished in just one visit. With this method you whiten all your teeth at once. Your teeth can whiten as much as nine shades in that one visit. See our link to Zoom!.

I'm a new patient and I know there are forms I will have to fill out before I see the dentist. Is there any way I can get copies of any forms that you need me to complete in advance?
We're happy to provide you with all the necessary new patient forms prior to your first appointment. Simply click on the following link, New Patient Information to access this form. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the form.

Is it bad if my gums bleed after I brush my teeth?
Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper or rough scrubbing instead of a gentle circular brushing motion, using a hard-bristled toothbrush instead of a soft one, plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line, or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. Contact our office for an evaulation.

I have bad breath and I brush everyday, is there something you can do to help?
Many people struggle with bad breath, or halitosis, despite daily brushing. Try brushing three times a day, flossing daily, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings and cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. If your hygiene is meticulous and you still have this problem, we can offer several solutions.

I have a temporary crown in my mouth; what happens if I break it?
Call our office as soon as possible. Sometimes you can put the temporary back on yourself using toothpaste, vaseline, or temporary cement from the drug store. If the temporary breaks, we need to see you as soon as possible to replace it. Leaving a temporary crown off for more than a couple days may affect the fit of the permanent crown.

I don't like the black fillings in my mouth. What can I do to make them look better?
Dark fillings are made of dental amalgam - a mercury silver filling material that grows dark and stains teeth as the years go by. Mercury silver fillings also expand or grow larger with age, while the tooth underneath stays the same size. This change can sometimes cause the teeth to fracture. This is one of the reasons our office no longer places amalgam fillings. We are able to replace mercury silver fillings with bonded tooth-color composite fillings; and we can restore those teeth with larger mercury silver fillings by using all-ceramic crowns.

I don't like drills. Are there any other options?
Fortunately, we no longer use the drill on most small fillings. For these fillings, we utilize air abrasion technology to spray a fine stream of aluminum oxide powder directly on the site, thus removing all decay. This procedure rarely requires the use of an anesthetic.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces, what can you do to help?
Dr. Galvin has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. Sometimes it is necessary to wear braces. We can talk to you about the option that suits you best.

What sterilization precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
The strictest regimens of disinfection and sterilization are conducted to ensure the safety of each patient and the dental team. All operatory surfaces are disinfected with a tuberculocidal disinfectant which will kill all known viruses and bacterial spores. All instruments are autoclaved for total sterility. Tuberculosis spore strip testing is conducted weekly with results analyzed by an independent lab to ensure the autoclave is operating properly. Disposable items are used whenever possible. Our dental chairs have self-contained water systems using bottled water. This allows us to regularly flush the lines with disinfectant to maintain the ADA's recommendations for dental unit water line cleanliness.

What are your office hours?
We see patients by appointment:
Mon-Thurs 7-5
Fri 9-1
Sat-Sun closed

How do I get to your office?
Our office address is 4527 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66103. If you are coming to our office via I-35, you exit on Rainbow Boulevard and go south to 46th Avenue. We are on the northeast corner of 46th Avenue and Rainbow Blvd. Click here to view map to Westwood Dental.

Do you accept my insurance plan?
We accept a wide variety of insurance plans. To determine if your plan is one of the plans we participate in, simply call our office. We are well versed in the latest coverage trends and are more than happy to discuss your plan coverage with you.

What if I need to cancel an appointment. Will I be charged?
In order to maintain a well-run office, we request that all cancellations be made at least 24 hours ahead of time.  This ensures that you'll avoid being charged for our time and preparation; it also enables us to work in other patients' emergency visits.