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Visiting Our Dentist’s Office in Charlotte & Concord, NC
Our skilled team of dentists and dental professionals strive to provide you and your family with quality dental care in a warm and inviting environment. That’s why we offer a variety of patient amenities to ensure your visit is a pleasant one.
Whether you’re in the lobby or the dental chair, your comfort is our top priority at McNeely and Mallette Family Dental Group. Schedule a tour of our dental office or set up a routine cleaning and exam.
We know it can be hard to fit dental appointments into your family’s busy schedule. That’s why we offer convenient family-block appointments so we can see your entire family back-to-back or at the same time.
Your time is valuable, and we want to make the most of it when you’re with us. For your convenience, our new patient forms are available for you to fill out online before your scheduled appointment.
Financing & Insurance
Learn more about how we make dentistry in Concord, Harrisburg, and Charlotte, NC more accessible.
Our family dental office verifies your insurance coverage and helps make treatments more affordable. We’re in-network with several PPO plans, accept HSAs and FSAs, plus accept CareCredit financing.
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Get all the information you need before visiting McNeely and Mallette Family Dental Group.
- I don’t have a toothache, and I brush and floss regularly. Do I really need a check-up? Biannual teeth cleanings and exams performed by our skilled dentists and hygienists at McNeely and Mallette Family Dental Group are central to keeping teeth and gums looking, feeling, and functioning well. If you have gum disease, more frequent visits to the dentist may be recommended for your oral and overall health.
Hygiene cleanings: We remove plaque and calculus (more commonly known as tartar). Plaque is a sticky deposit on teeth in which bacteria grow, and tartar is practically calcified or hardened plaque, so it’s more difficult to remove.
When tartar builds up under the gum line, causing gum disease, more extensive treatments than standard cleanings are needed to help ensure healthier gums.
Hygienists also polish teeth and floss (this is done partly to test the condition of gums and see if they bleed). We then document any bleeding or stains during the cleaning in a patient’s file.
Dental exams: Our team aims to diagnose and treat problems before they progress and require more extensive treatment. A typical exam includes a visual assessment of teeth and occlusion (bite), along with an appraisal of current restorations.
After taking your x-rays, our dentist carefully reviews them to identify areas of decay and other possible areas of concern for cysts, tumors, and other mouth disorders. Panoramic x-rays are especially revealing and beneficial to this process.
Our dentists perform a general screening for early detection of gum disease and oral cancer, as well.
A few tips: Between cleanings and exams, brushing teeth at least twice a day (in the morning and at night) is the most important thing you can do to take care of your teeth. If possible, brushing after every meal is even better. If not, chewing sugar-free gum after meals can get food particles out of teeth.
Additionally, clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners, and remember to brush your tongue. Brushing your tongue, especially the back areas, can make a big difference in how clean your mouth feels and smells and how clean it actually is.
Restorations, such as bridges and partial dentures, should be cleaned thoroughly, too, just like natural teeth. Toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months.
Our family dentists in Concord, NC and Charlotte, NC look forward to helping you and your family smile!
- What are the benefits of a dental radiograph (x-ray) examination? X-rays, also known as radiographs, are commonly used in dental exams of patients of all ages.
Panoramic x-rays, which are taken every five to seven years and show the entire mouth, are particularly useful diagnostic tools. They’re taken with a machine that circles your head, providing a complete overview of your teeth, roots, upper/lower jawbones, sinuses, and remaining hard surfaces in the mouth.
There are many problems related to teeth and surrounding tissues that can’t be seen with a simple visual examination.
An X-ray examination helps reveal:
- Small areas of decay between teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
- Deep cavities
- Infections that can develop in the mouth bones
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Abscesses or cysts
- Developmental abnormalities
- Certain types of tumors
- TMJ dysfunction
Detecting and treating dental problems early on can save you unnecessary discomfort, money, and time. In cases where x-rays help us detect oral cancer and periodontal disease early, radiographs can also help save your life!
- If my filling is still in place and my tooth doesn’t hurt, why does my dentist want to replace the filling? Constant pressure from chewing, grinding, and/or clenching can cause dental fillings to wear away, chip, and even crack. If the seal between the tooth enamel and the filling breaks down, food particles and decay-causing bacteria can work their way under the filling.
In this case, you risk developing additional decay in that tooth. If untreated, decay can progress to deeply infect the tooth and even cause an abscess or eventual loss of the tooth.
Regular dental check-ups at McNeely and Mallette Family Dental Group allow us to monitor areas of concern and help keep you in optimal oral health.
When restorations are large or recurrent decay is extensive, there might not be enough remaining tooth structure to support a replacement filling. In these cases, we may need to replace the filling with a natural-looking porcelain crown.
- When I floss, my gums bleed. If they don’t hurt and my teeth look fine, is it really a big deal? If your gums are not sore, it’s safe to assume your bleeding gums are not the result of hard brushing or flossing. Bleeding gums with no apparent cause are always a warning sign, often indicating such conditions as gingivitis or even gum disease.
Gingivitis: Inflamed, bleeding gums are not a one-way ticket to gum disease. In fact, if caught early enough, gingivitis can be treated and even reversed. Your first line of treatment may include lifestyle changes. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and high stress levels can all contribute to gingivitis.
Choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles can ease gum damage, too, and getting regular dental cleanings control plaque and tooth decay. It’s important to stop gingivitis before it progresses, as studies have shown more and more serious illnesses are associated with gum disease. Heart disease, strokes, diabetes, osteoporosis, and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis have been linked to poor oral health.
Other causes: Though not the first suspect in a simple case of bleeding gums, oral cancer is also a possibility. Oral cancer can be difficult to diagnose because many of its symptoms are associated with other medical conditions. They include sores, difficulty swallowing or moving the jaw, bleeding gums or cheeks, and continuous pain in the mouth.
If our dentist finds no other causes for your bleeding gums, he may recommend a visit to a specialist. Regular check-ups are vital to cancer prevention, as are good oral hygiene, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining a balanced diet.
Please inform our team if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms. You’d go to the doctor if a cut on your hand were infected, so do your gums the same service! They’ll thank you later.
- Is there anything that can calm my nerves during an exam? Nitrous oxide is one of the safest anesthetics and sedation dentistry options used in dentistry. Nitrous oxide is a colorless blend of oxygen and nitrous oxide gases with a pleasant, sweet smell and taste, and it’s also known as “laughing gas.”
Enhanced comfort through sedation: Inhaling nitrous oxide creates a sense of well-being and relaxation. We use it to help individuals who experience anxiety or fear about dental treatment feel more comfortable and at ease. Nitrous oxide also increases a patient’s pain threshold and, when necessary, makes the administration of anesthetic injections more comfortable.
Combined with our caring team, sedation dentistry can be especially beneficial for children and adolescents who experience dental anxiety. It has also been found helpful if a patient has a strong gag reflex that interferes with dental treatment. In addition, nitrous oxide helps make dental office visits less difficult for individuals with mental or physical disabilities.
We have special equipment, which we regularly check and calibrate, to monitor the proportion of nitrous oxide released. Trained members of our dental staff administer the gas and adjust the flow rate for each patient.
Side effects: Nitrous oxide has few side effects and/or risks. It is non-addictive, and patients remain fully conscious during treatment.
Nitrous oxide is administered comfortably with a mask over the mouth and nose, and a pleasant feeling of calmness is almost immediate. Normal breathing of pure oxygen for several minutes completely reverses the effects of nitrous oxide, so adults can usually leave the dental office on their own accord.
Some individuals may experience slight nausea if nitrous oxide is administered on a full stomach. For this reason, we advise limiting food intake for several hours before treatment, although fasting is not typically necessary.
Nitrous oxide is not effective if a patient has extreme dental anxieties or claustrophobia (because of the mask used to administer the gas). Because nitrous oxide requires inhalation, it is also ineffective if the patient has blocked nasal passages. For unknown reasons, it doesn’t affect about 10% of individuals.
- How can cosmetic dentistry improve your life? Benefits: A more beautiful smile can make life more beautiful, and it’s easier to accomplish than ever with our cosmetic dentists in Charlotte, NC and Concord, NC.
Studies show that a healthy and attractive smile helps raise self-esteem, increase confidence, improve your personal as well as professional life, and help you make a better first impression.
Options: Sometimes it doesn’t take much treatment for you to feel better about your smile, and there are a variety of subtle yet noticeable ways to enhance it.
There are also more significant and dramatic treatment procedures (and combinations of procedures), often called “smile makeovers,” that can totally change your teeth and gum appearance, giving you the smile of your dreams.
Advancements in dental technology allow our dentists to address various issues affecting smile aesthetics. Some common cosmetic dentistry treatments include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, bridges, and orthodontic solutions such as Invisalign®.
Replacing old amalgam (silver) fillings with tooth-colored fillings can also be considered cosmetic in nature, as we do it to improve the health, structure, and appearance of teeth. Really, any dental treatment that aims to enhance the appearance of your teeth, gum shape, and smile can be considered cosmetic.
- Is professional teeth whitening safe? You have several options when it comes to whitening your teeth, depending on your schedule and your brightening expectations. Our cosmetic dentists in Concord, NC and Charlotte, NC recommend the best and safest whitening option for each individual after meeting them.
Options: With in-office whitening procedures, you can get a brighter smile in just 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. For the convenience of whitening in your own home, we also offer custom whitening trays and professional-strength whitening gel.
There are also a variety of over-the-counter gels, strips, and toothpastes designed to whiten your teeth, but they contain less concentrated ingredients. These results can take up to a month.
Safety: Numerous studies have examined the effects of whitening and bleaching methods to check for safety. Some products, including certain whitening toothpastes and take-home kits, have been evaluated and approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
While having the ADA seal of acceptance is a good sign, many safe and effective products don’t have an ADA seal simply because their manufacturers didn’t seek one.
Precautions: The most common side effects of teeth whitening, both the in-office and take-home varieties, are teeth and gum sensitivity. However, this sensitivity is usually temporary and should subside soon after you’ve stopped using the product.
Bleaching isn’t recommended for children under 16, as their teeth are still developing. It’s also not recommended for pregnant women.
- Am I a candidate for dental implant restorations? Candidacy: Dental implant candidates must be in overall good health with adequate jawbone and healthy gums. Please schedule a consultation at McNeely and Mallette Family Dental Group to see if you qualify for the top way to replace missing teeth.
Innovation: Our restorative dentists in Charlotte, NC and Concord, NC work hard to stay at the forefront of dentistry with leading technology and techniques. If you or someone you love struggles with ill-fitting, uncomfortable dentures or a retainer with false teeth, we have a permanent solution using dental implants.
Quickly becoming the preferred method of dental replacement, implants can give your smile a second chance. They are useful in denture stabilization, but we can also use them in conjunction with crowns, bridges, and single-tooth replacements.
Permanent implants are not only more durable and long-lasting than traditional tooth replacements; they also look and feel more like natural teeth. Most importantly, they function like natural teeth, so you can chew, talk, and smile with confidence again. In addition, because the implant procedure allows us to save more of your healthy tooth structure, fixed implants can prevent bone loss.
Many patients suffering from advanced tooth decay, root canal failure, trauma to the mouth, or extreme natural wear and tear on teeth benefit from this revolutionary option in restorative dentistry.
Precautions: Dental implants are best performed after adolescence when the teeth and jawbone fully develop. Additionally, the implant procedure can be more complicated for individuals with periodontal (gum) disease, active diabetes, immune deficiencies, and for patients who smoke.
To ensure that you get the treatment that’s right for you, please keep our dental team informed and up-to-date on your entire medical history and dental habits.
- What should I do in case of a dental emergency? Let’s face the facts. Accidents happen, and especially when it comes to our teeth and mouths, they can be pretty frightening. Being careful is good prevention, but being prepared promises reassurance in any oral health emergency.
It’s important to know when home care will suffice and when a trip to McNeely and Mallette Family Dental Group is necessary.
Here are some guidelines to help you through common situations:
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Toothache/Sore Gums: Rinse with warm water to remove any food or debris; if you notice anything lodged between teeth, floss to remove it.
Take an over-the-counter pain medication (but never apply the medication directly to tooth or gums), and visit our team if the pain persists.
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Chipped Tooth: Save the pieces if you can, and rinse them thoroughly. Apply an ice pack or a cold compress to the swollen lip or gum tissue near the chipped tooth to prevent swelling.
If the area is bleeding, apply gauze for ten minutes or until the bleeding has stopped. Visit us as soon as possible.
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Broken Tooth: With recent advancements in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, you might not lose your tooth. If there’s enough remaining healthy tooth structure, we can create a crown that will “grab onto” your natural tooth, eliminating the need for root removal.
While the success of this process, known as “crown lengthening,” depends on the severity of the break, it’s worth asking about options other than complete removal. Our restorative dentists in Concord, NC and Charlotte, NC will help you find the best solution.
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Knocked-Out Tooth: Depending on the situation, find the tooth. Holding it by the crown only, rinse it briefly with warm water. If possible, gently reinsert the tooth into the socket and bite down on gauze or cloth to keep it in place.
If you cannot reinsert it, place it in a container of milk or salt water. See our team as soon as possible – if treated within two hours, there’s a chance we may be able to salvage the tooth.
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Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissues including the gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue, tend to bleed heavily. This is because the tissue contains a great deal of blood flow.
First, rinse with a warm, mild salt-water solution to help control the bleeding. Next, apply pressure with a gauze or a moistened towel for 15 to 20 minutes. Afterward, to reduce swelling and help stop residual bleeding, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth.
In the event of a serious soft tissue injury in which the bleeding is profuse or the damage is visibly traumatic, it’s best to stay calm, keep applying pressure, and go to the emergency room.
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