Frequently Asked Questions

When visiting the dentist, we know you may have a lot of questions about your appointment. That’s why we have posted some of our most frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions, call us at (903) 561-1122 and we can address your concerns.

How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?

In order to have optimum dental health, you should schedule a check-up with Dr. Stansbury twice a year. If you are undergoing an extensive treatment, we may ask to see you sooner.
We make courtesy calls and mail post cards to remind you of an upcoming appointment or when it is time to schedule a hygiene visit.  If you don’t hear from us, call us at 903-561-1122.

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Do you accept referrals?

Yes. We always welcome new patients to our office.  Please do not hesitate to call us to schedule an appointment.

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Do you accept my insurance plan?

In this day and age, we know deciphering your insurance benefits can be confusing. We are happy to help you with insurance concerns and will file the necessary paperwork for you. We are not a contracted provider of any plan; however, we will do our best to help you get the most from your benefits.

We feel that your insurance should never dictate the quality or timing of your treatment. If you have extensive or long term dental care, our office offers financial assistance through Care Credit, Wells Fargo, and the Dental Fee Plan. If you have any questions, call Keri at (903) 561-1122.

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

If you have an emergency, please call us immediately at (903) 561-1122. Simply follow the instructions on our answering service to enter your telephone number. Dr. Stansbury will be paged immediately and your call will be returned promptly.

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I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?

When a temporary crown falls off or breaks, call us immediately so we can schedule an appointment to evaluate the situation. If it is after hours, enter your telephone number when prompted by our answering service and Dr. Stansbury will return your call as soon as possible.

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What different payment options do you provide?

Our office accepts cash, check, and credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express. As a service to our patients, we offer several reasonable financing options to pay for more extensive work. We are pleased to provide several no interest payment plans through Care Credit, Wells Fargo and Dental Fee Plan. These options allow you to finance 100% of your dental care with no upfront costs, annual fees, or pre-payment penalties. During your consultation, we'll discuss your payment preferences as they pertain to your particular treatment plan options. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Keri, our financial coordinator at (903) 561-1122.

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How can I ask Dr. Stansbury questions directly?

Dr. Stansbury is a very friendly person and welcomes questions during your visit. If you have questions before your visit, you can go to our “Ask The Doctor” page to ask Dr. Stansbury questions directly.

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How can I safely whiten my teeth?

These days, many people are interested in having a whiter, brighter smile. Tooth whitening is one of the simplest, safest, and most popular kinds of cosmetic dentistry available today. After examining your teeth, Dr. Stansbury can prescribe a take home whitening system to suit your individual needs.   Please call us to schedule an appointment so we can recommend the correct treatment for you.

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My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?

Yes, you should be very concerned about bleeding gums, especially if you haven’t had a regular check-up in a while. Bleeding gums are never a good sign! However, the condition may or may not require professional attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by improper, rough, "scrubbing" instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease.  We specialize in helping patients be aware of and successfully treat all stages of gum disease, through the use of our excellent non-surgical gum care procedures.  While it may seem harmless, bleeding gums can cause a variety of serious health problems. If your gums are bleeding, call us as soon as possible to schedule an appointment so we can analyze the cause.

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

All it takes is one bad experience with a dentist to ruin all of your future visits. When you are here, we are determined to make your visit comfortable and as “pain free” as possible. You can help take your mind off your visit by watching our ceiling mounted TVs. To further aid in relaxation, Dr. Stansbury offers nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and the Wand Computer Controlled Anesthetic System, a pain free way to administer local anesthetic injections.

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Crowns, veneers, on-lays, inlays and partials…where can I learn more about these procedures?

With today's technology, materials, and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or missing teeth…bringing your smile back to its original shape and function. For example, we can apply an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a "cap", to cover the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful to cover large areas of decay after they've been filled.  For smaller areas of decay, we can apply all-porcelain onlays or inlays which are similar to crowns, but allow you to retain more natural tooth structure. For unattractive front teeth, we can create beautiful, natural shapes and shades by applying porcelain restorations. For patients with a missing tooth or teeth, there is the option to place a fixed partial denture which is non-removable and can be made from all porcelain or a porcelain and metal combination. For more information on any of these procedures, please feel free to call our office or check out our informative Dental Library.

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I brush everyday, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do?

MOST CERTAINLY. Recent research has revealed previously unknown causes for bad breath. We have various proprietary products available in our office that have proven useful in diminishing breath odor. If you are interested in seeing which one is right for you, ask any of our staff during your appointment, or call us at (903) 561-1122.

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I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

There are a variety of ways to improve the appearance of your teeth without braces. We may recommend porcelain veneers, which can enhance the appearance of your teeth and correct unevenly worn teeth to give you brighter, more youthful look. If you would like to change the appearance of your smile, all it takes is a phone call to get started. Call us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stansbury. After listening to your goals and concerns, he can suggest ways to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

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3806 Brookside Drive • Tyler, Texas 75701 • Phone: 903.561.1122 • Fax: 903.561.0224
©2004 Dennis E. Stansbury, DDS • Site designed and maintained by TNT Dental