Patient Information

You probably want to know (and should) about how we do things. Before you even get to a treatment chair, you want to know what to expect. After a professional treatment, you absolutely need to know what to do in the coming hours or days.

You no doubt have questions about your first visit, insurance and making appointments. You may also be interested in knowing something about the equipment we use.

The dental procedures are only part of the journey

We're a friendly, caring team, dedicated to providing a complete experience for our family of patients. It's vitally important to us, you might say it's our mission, to guide you... before, during and after the actual procedure. It's more than our job... it's our responsibility.

For answers to your questions about insurance, our treatment approach and the technology we use, check out the links below and on the right. There's also important advice on what to do after your visits with us.

Most importantly, talk to us. Let us know what you need. Your questions and concerns are always welcome. Good communication is essential to keeping our promise to you... that we'll do everything we can to make your experience with Guaranteed Smiles easy and stress free.

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  What to Expect on Your First Visit

  You can help us get to know you better right from The start. To do that (and save time), download and complete the New Patient form.

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  Appointments

  Mon. 9 - 6 Tues-Wed. 8-5 Thur. 7-4 To schedule an appointment: Call us: 303-703-4544 Contact Us form Online Schedule an Appointment

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  Financial Policy & Insurance

  We accept over 20 insurance and discount plans. We can help you file claims and offer various payment options.

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  Our Advanced Technology

  Guaranteed Smiles is a modern dental office. We keep up on technology and use the finest equipment available. From digital imaging to intraoral cameras,

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  Treatment Protocol

  It's critically important that a modern dental office maintain the highest standards of personal and environmental cleanliness.

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  Home Instructions

  Home care is always important following a general dentistry or cosmetic procedure. It may be simple precautions or more involved tasks.

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First Visit

We promise to make all your visits pleasant and thorough. First and foremost, we listen. You tell us what you're experiencing and what your expectations are. We take a look and provide a complete diagnosis and explanation of treatment options. Some form of treatment, cleaning and x-rays for example, may be done on the first visit.

To make sure we provide you with the best smile health you deserve, here's how you can help us help you:

• Complete the New Patient Form. You can do this online or print the form, fill it out and bring it with you. It tells us about your medical and dental history - vitally important for both of us.
• If you have a medical referral slip, send it to us or bring it with you.
• Bring a list of medications you're presently taking (name, dosage, frequency)
• If you had x-rays in the last 6 months, ask your previous dentist to send them to us. If you need help getting them, let us know. We'll do current x-rays, if needed.
• Provide us with a copy of your medical or dental insurance cards and/or forms. Your policy ID and any applicable forms allow us to better help you process any claims.
• Visit our Financial Policy & Insurance page for more information about those topics.

IMPORTANT: A parent or guardian must accompany all patients under 18 at the consultation visit.

Appointments & Scheduling

Our regular office hours are: Mon 9-6; Tues & Wed 8-5; Thur 7-4. Closed Fri.

Guaranteed Smiles is a full service dental practice. We handle regular checkups, all general and cosmetic treatments. Typically we can get you scheduled within a week or two from your request. We'll do everything we can to fit you into the time and day most convenient for you.

The easiest and best way to make an appointment is to call us 303-703-4544. Next best way is to use the Schedule an Appointment form on our website. There you can tell us what you prefer and we'll do our best to accommodate your schedule.

After hours, you'll get an automated answering system. You can leave a message - we check those messages frequently. You will also hear a number you can call if you have an emergency.

Here are a few things to keep in mind about appointments:

• We try our best to stay on schedule to minimize your waiting. Dr. Maggie provides many types of dental services; circumstances may lengthen a procedure and impact schedules.
• Emergencies may arise and disrupt schedules... for us or you. Please let us know in as much advance time as possible if you cannot make an appointment. We'll do the same.
• If you're experiencing pain or have a dental emergency, every attempt will be made to see you that day. Call us right away.

We'll do our part to limit inconveniences. If and when disruptions occur, we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding.

Financial Policy & Insurance

We're dedicated to providing the finest dental care, while making sure our patients are afforded convenient and comfortable financial arrangements. The Guaranteed Smiles staff is well informed on insurance and finance options. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Insurance Logistics

As a courtesy and convenience to our patients, Guaranteed Smiles will prepare and submit your insurance forms for reimbursement. We accept over 20 insurance and discount plans.

• We typically need your insurance company name, address, phone, group number, policy holder’s name & address, social security number, date of birth.
• Your insurance policy is a contract solely between you and your insurance company. We're not a party to that contract.
• You're responsible for any account balance not covered by insurance.

General Financial Policy

You will be asked to pay for services which are not expected to be covered by insurance, at the time of service. We accept cash, check, Visa, Mastercard and Care Credit. We understand special circumstances may arise. If that happens, please discuss it with our office manager.

We'll send you a monthly statement. If insurance payments are not reflected within 6 weeks from your treatment, call us so we can discuss appropriate follow up.

Treatment Protocol

The cornerstone of a healthy, environmentally safe dental practice is trust. When you choose Guaranteed Smiles for your dental care, we want you to know:

We follow all best practices and federal requirements relating to cleanliness, infection control and universal health precautions. We will not compromise on these practices.

Health protections of clients and staff alike are important enough to warrant government oversight. That, however, is not why we maintain the highest safety standards. We do it because we're in the business of health care... smile health care. It's integral to everything we do.

Infection Control

Everyone benefits from rigorous infection control — you, your dentist, and the dental team. Dr. Maggie and the entire Guaranteed Smiles team follow recommended procedures of several federal agencies: the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These measures include:

• Disinfectant hand soap
• Gloves and face masks
• Chemical disinfection of countertops and surfaces
• Sterilization of all equipment before every use
• Disposable materials

We sterilize all reusable equipment, including dental hand pieces. We use an autoclave, a device that kills bacteria and viruses by steam, heat and pressure.

The best defense against disease is information. The more you know about our procedures and policies, the more comfortable you will feel.

Pain Management

Modern dentistry has removed most of the fear from the dental experience. At Guaranteed Smiles, we do everything we can to make your visit as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Check out our testimonials. You'll find comments that include "pain-free, enjoyable and comfortable, a positive experience, put me at ease".

All patients are not created equal. Pain management is customized to each patient and treatment. Local anesthetics are typically used for general dentistry procedures. When necessary, other sedative treatments may be recommended.

Dr. Maggie will discuss all the options with you.

Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)

An anxiety treatment option used in dentistry for many years is nitrous oxide (laughing gas). It's a sweet-smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas you can safely breathe.

When this gas is used, the patient receives 50-70% oxygen, along with the nitrous oxide. The patient breathes on their own and remains in control of all bodily functions. He or she may fall asleep and could experience mild amnesia regarding his or her appointment.

Advantages to using Nitrous Oxide

• 1 The depth of sedation can be adjusted as needed during the treatment.
• 2 There is no after-effect, i.e. "hangover".
• 3 There are no vital organ (heart, lungs, etc.) side effects with Inhalation sedation.
• 4 Inhalation sedation is very effective in minimizing gagging.
• 5 It works rapidly - causing relaxation and stress-free results in as little as 2-3 minutes.

Reasons to NOT use Nitrous Oxide

You should not utilize nitrous oxide if you have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You may also not want to use it if you have emphysema, exotic chest problems, MS, a cold or other difficulties with breathing.

Our Advanced Technology

As your dental and smile health provider, you can be assured Dr. Maggie and her staff utilize the most modern general and cosmetic dental equipment. The Guaranteed Smiles team is also continually monitoring advancements in dental technology, in both equipment and procedures. Here are examples of our advanced technology.

Guaranteed Smiles Utilizes Digital Imaging Technology

Dental radiographs (x-rays) are invaluable aids in diagnosing, treating, and maintaining dental health. They allow us to detect cavities in between your teeth, determine bone level and analyze the health of your bone. We can also examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, as well as assess damage when trauma occurs.

Digital imaging exposure time is about 50 percent less than traditional radiographs. In fact, digital x-rays result in 1/6th the radiation exposure to you, almost imperceptible.

Since we view the image on a computer monitor, digital x-rays also offer more precision than holding film up to the light. More precise images simply means better overall diagnostics.

Further, having patient digital images on computer enables us to quickly and easily send them to specialists or insurance companies when needed.

Intraoral Camera

Most of our patients are comfortable with the advanced technology at Guaranteed Smiles. They're used to processing information on computers, TV screens and mobile devices.

While examining a patient, Dr. Maggie utilizes an intraoral camera, a tiny camera - sometimes only a few millimeters long. An intraoral camera gives her clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth and gums. The enlarged images allow Dr. Maggie to see details standard mirror examinations may miss. This means faster diagnosis and less chair-time for you!

As with digital x-rays, we save intraoral camera images on our computer. They provide a permanent record of treatments and can be printed for you, other specialists, labs or your insurance company.

Home Instructions

Your smile health... teeth, gums and mouth... depends on two things. Professional dental care and your home care. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, Dr. Maggie and staff will guide you as to instructions following various treatments.

You can learn more about proper brushing and flossing, as well as oral hygiene products, on our Oral Hygiene page. Visit the Dental Health page for links to more dental education... Including Child Dentistry, Periodontal (gums) Maintenance and a Dental Dictionary.

The more you know, the better you can manage your dental health... your smile health. Here are guidelines for some of the common procedures, after you leave our office.

After Composite Fillings (white fillings)

The technology and materials used for fillings has improved immensely. Typically, you can resume normal eating, brushing and flossing the same day. It's always good practice to allow a little more time, 48 hours for example, before using such things as gum, hard or sticky candy.

Keep in mind a new filling may cause your bite to feel slightly different for a few days. A short adjustment time is perfectly normal.

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the area will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. If that happens, hang on to the temporary and call us at 303-703-4544. We'll want to re-attach it as soon as possible. To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Brush normally, but floss carefully and don't pull up on the floss. Than could dislodge the temporary. Pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.

The permanent crown or bridge will usually be put in on a second visit. Bridge work may require a third visit, but only in special situations.

It's normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside in a few weeks. If your bite feels uneven, you have persistent pain, or you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 303-703-4544.

After Tooth Extraction

After a tooth extraction, a blood clot needs to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. We'll ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. After the blood clot forms, it's important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing.

• Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours.
• Limit vigorous exercise for 24 hours, as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted you may experience some pain or swelling. An ice pack (or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn) applied to the area (outside your mouth) will minimize swelling. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you're comfortable.

It's important to resume a normal dental routine after 24 hours, including brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and keep your mouth fresh and clean.

After a few days you'll feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling or a reaction to any medication, call our office immediately at 303-703-4544.

After Cosmetic Reconstruction

It will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed, it takes a few days for the brain to "recognize" the new feel.

The teeth also require time to heal after structural changes. It's normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 3 times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4 hours should help.

Don't be concerned if your speech is affected the first few days. You'll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is just a normal brain response to the new size and shape of your teeth and should subside in about a week.

Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.

Food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid sticky candies, hard foods and substances (such as nuts, peanut brittle, ice or fingernails). Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.

If you engage in sports, let us know so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, we'll provide a night guard you can wear while you sleep.

Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.