Questions for Your Charlotte Holistic Dentist
At Gentry Dental we believe that educating our patients is key! We want our patients to be involved with their oral health and comfortable making decisions, which is why we spend the extra time with each patient understanding concerns and answering each question.
We invite you to contact our office with any questions you may have about your overall oral health, about the services we offer, and of course questions related to insurance and billing. We are here to help and hope that you can use us as a resource!
After years of practicing, Dr. Gentry and her team have encountered several questions that commonly are asked, which we have answered below. Feel free to browse these frequently asked questions to help guide you on your oral health and understand our services.
We hope that you can find the information you are looking for and look forward to hearing from you.
General Dentistry
Choosing the right dentist to work with can be challenging, especially when you're unsure about where to start. There are a few things you should consider when looking for a new dentist beyond just convenient office hours and location. Here are some things to get you started:
- Does the practice offer comprehensive services?
- Is the office equipped with the latest dental technology? How will it benefit you?
- Does the practice feel welcoming?
- Does the dentist take the time to get to know you and listen to your concerns and goals for your oral health?
How to Find the Right Dentist in Charlotte
Asking friends and family who they trust for dentistry is a great place to start. Once you have some names, you can check out some of the reviews online to see what other patients are saying about the dentist. Stopping by for an unscheduled tour is another great way to see how the practice feels and flows.
You might also consider scheduling a consultation with a prospective provider, especially if you have some concerns about your oral health or the appearance of your teeth.
At Gentry Dental, we are always welcoming new patients, and Dr. Gentry's friendly and caring demeanor make her the general dentist in Charlotte, NC that patients enjoy visiting!
Composite resin is not only an excellent material for aesthetics, but it is also very durable. Tooth-colored fillings made with composite can last around 10 to 12 years with excellent home care and regular checkups with Dr. Gentry.
Composite Dental Fillings in Charlotte
One of the secrets of the success of composite fillings in Charlotte, NC is that the material is bonded directly to your tooth, unlike amalgam metal fillings. This provides a seal, and the filling becomes a seamless part of your tooth's structure that adds strength and protects it.
Composite also does not react to hot and cold like metal fillings do, which means they don't pull away from the tooth and breakdown as amalgam fillings are known to do.
Just like your natural tooth, keeping your teeth clean and free of decay will help protect and maintain your filling. Be sure to brush twice each day and floss once consistently.
Why does treating decay matter?
If Dr. Gentry has recommended a filling for you, it is important not to ignore or delay getting your treatment. If tooth decay is left untreated, it will progress further into your tooth and could reach your nerve where it will cause an infection. At that point, root canal therapy would be needed to preserve your tooth.
Contact Dr. Gentry today to schedule your appointment and maintain your dental health.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy can prevent tooth loss and gum disease, so it’s essential to make regular visits to your Charlotte dentist. According to the CDC, about 40% of adults over 30 have some form of gum disease, and it’s largely preventable if you practice good oral hygiene and regularly go to the dentist.
So, how often should you visit the dentist to prevent this from happening?
When to Visit the Dentist
You should visit your dentist every six months for a routine exam and cleaning. During your appointment, we’ll examine your teeth and gums for signs of decay or gum disease and perform an oral cancer screening. Then, we’ll remove the plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth; only your dentist can remove this sticky, cavity-causing buildup.
Regular preventive care can help you avoid dental issues, but if there is a concern, we can treat it quickly before it worsens.
Looking for a Holistic Dentist in Charlotte, NC?
If you would like to make an appointment with our expert dental team, we’d love to hear from you! At Gentry Dental, we want every patient to achieve and maintain the best oral health possible.
Please get in touch with our dental office at (704) 554-1007 to get started.
Dr. Gentry is conservative in her treatment recommendations, and she typically doesn’t remove metal amalgam fillings unless they’re failing. This is determined during your regular dental check-ups. 
If your metal fillings are failing and need replacement, she takes proper precautions in safely removing your old metal fillings and replacing them with tooth-colored composite fillings, or a ceramic inlay or onlay. You’ll appreciate the esthetically pleasing appearance of the composite resin fillings that we use to match your teeth, and, best of all, no one will notice your dental work.
Benefits of Composite Resin
Composite resin is the material of choice these days for dental fillings for several reasons:
- It's durable, yet easy for Dr. Gentry to work with, and it can also be used in cosmetic bonding procedures to repair chipped or fractured teeth.
- Dr. Gentry can customize composite resin so it matches your existing teeth and complements your smile.
- Composite offers longevity since it's very durable so your fillings will last for many years.
- You'll also be able to brush and floss your teeth like normal with your composite fillings, so they're easy to take care of.
Contact Our Charlotte NC Dental Clinic
You can rely on Dr. Gentry to monitor your old metal fillings, and replace them when it's the proper time. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
Every member of your family should recognize the importance of regular dental visits for cleanings and oral exams. For some, unfortunately — namely little kids and sufferers of dental anxiety — if it’s a first visit or has simply been a while, these routine checkups can be a bit unnerving, or even frightening. Here at Gentry Dental, we’re here to ensure that every Charlotte family's first visit to the dentist stands out for all the right reasons!
Upon arrival, you’ll receive a warm, friendly welcome, after which we’ll start getting to know you by learning about your dental and overall medical history, any allergies you have, medications you’re taking, and hereditary risk factors.
Then, Dr. Heather Gentry will carefully examine your teeth, gums, and mouth to check for any issues, from plaque buildup and early signs of cavities to oral cancer. After this, one of our excellent dental hygienists will clean your teeth, removing any plaque or tartar buildup. Finally, Dr. Gentry and our team will discuss their findings and offer tips for at-home practice to help you maintain optimal oral health.
Our goal, especially at the start of our relationship, is to ensure your dental health while creating an environment in which you always feel comfortable asking questions or expressing concerns.
Get the Best Family Dental Care in Charlotte with Gentry Dental!
If you’re in Charlotte and looking for an experienced dental practice to provide everyone in your family with the top-quality care you deserve with compassion, empathy, and dedication, contact Dr. Heather Gentry and the outstanding Gentry Dental team to schedule an appointment!
Although a lot of people are worried that their dental treatment will hurt, they should know that dentistry is often quicker and less invasive—and not as painful—than it has ever been because of advanced technology
Advanced Dental Technology at Gentry Dental
We use the following technology in our Charlotte, NC dental practice to help ensure a comfortable experience:
- The Vibraject or the STA wand system provides Dr. Gentry better control over the delivery of dental anesthetics, which eliminates the burning sensation you may have experienced in the past when using a local anesthetic for treatment targeting one tooth or one area of the mouth.
- Digital impressions mean an end to the goopy, messy molds we used to take. Digital impressions are also more accurate.
- Digital x-rays are quicker and safer for patients.
- Amenities such as cozy blankets, beverages to drink while you are waiting, and headphones to drown out dental office sounds while listening to your favorite music are also available.
Contact our Beverly Woods, NC office for more information
If you are worried about pain with your treatment, please reach out to us. Often simply having a better understanding of the procedure is enough to help alleviate anxiety about it. Contact our office today either by submitting an email or by calling us to learn more.