Frequently Asked Questions

Over time, sanitation and infection control in healthcare settings have become a topic of media attention and public concern. We recognize the importance of this issue, and we are glad that patients are becoming more aware of it. Patient safety is a top priority in our office at all times, and we believe this should be universal among all medical offices. Outside of our office, that is not always the case, and we urge you to ask this question of any doctor, dentist, or other professional that you visit.

We are happy to outline our sanitation practices:

• We meet or exceed all standards set by OSHA, American Dental Association, Center For Disease Control and other regulatory agencies
• Whenever possible, we use individually sealed, disposable materials to reduce cross-contamination potential
• ALL reusable instruments and hand pieces are cleansed and sterilized
• After each patient, everything is sterilized using an autoclave, which is tested weekly
• All surfaces and equipment in the exam rooms are scrubbed, sterilized, and covered as appropriate
• Our staff wears disposable gloves, eye protection, and facial shields when performing procedures.

If you would like to set up an appointment, or you need to cancel one, you can call our office at 210-558-3133 and our friendly staff will be happy to help you. We understand how hectic and busy modern life is, and we are committed to providing quality dental care, at your convenience. We work with you to arrange a time and date that fits your schedule. Once your appointment is made, that time slot is reserved for you. We avoid overbooking, so that you won’t have to spend an inordinate amount of time waiting in the reception area. For this reason, we respectfully request that you notify us of any cancellation at your earliest possible convenience, so that we can fill your time slot. Please be aware that a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required in order to avoid a $50 cancellation fee.

We make the payment process simple. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards. We also accept cash or personal checks. Our office staff will submit forms to your insurance company if you would like. To prevent misunderstandings and streamline the insurance billing process, we charge all services directly to the patient, who is ultimately responsible for all fees incurred. We will help you with insurance paperwork and prepare any forms or other information that you may need.

Absolutely! Check out our patient resources for a downloadable PDF that you can fill out and bring with you.

We are open:

Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Alternating Fridays: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m

We are here to help. Feel free to call us and ask any questions that you may have.

There’s no avoiding the need to get around flossing your teeth daily. It clears food buildup and plaque from between teeth and under the gum-line. If you don’t, plaque hardens into tartar, which forms wedges and widens the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets and bad breath. Over time, gums pull away causing teeth to shift and loosen.

Oral injuries are often painful, and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. If you have knocked out a tooth, these tips may be able to save it:

• Call our emergency line at 210-558-3133
• Rinse, do not scrub, the tooth to remove dirt or debris
• Do not attempt to replace the tooth into the socket as this could cause further damage
• Get to our office. Successful re-implantation is possible only when treatment is performed promptly
• If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse it in milk.

There are over-the-counter teeth-whitening solutions available, but they do not have the same effect as our professional whitening systems. The over-the-counter products also take weeks to start showing results, and can be overly complicated or messy.

Like other investments, if you whiten your teeth, the length of time you can expect it to last will vary. If you smoke, drink red wine or coffee, or consume other acidic foods, your bright smile may begin to fade more quickly than you expect. In general, a teeth whitening procedure can last up to a few years. If the results begin to fade, occasional touch-ups can be done to regain it’s former shine.

Come in for a consultation and we will assess what whitening procedure works for your smile.

Commercial whitening toothpastes vary greatly in their ability to whiten teeth. They work by removing surface stains from the teeth with the use of mild abrasives. However, unlike professional whitening, some whitening toothpastes do not affect the deeper color of the teeth. Toothpastes that are effective in removing stains use harsh abrasives that can also destroy tooth enamel in the process and cause sensitivity. If you would like to try a whitening toothpaste, consult with Dr. Wood first about your individual needs.

We take into account the following factors when evaluating a cosmetic veneer procedure:

• Your goals and aesthetic preferences
• The color of your teeth. Veneers are semi-translucent and your natural color may show through
• Your lifestyle and habits. For example if you grind or clench your teeth these can cause the veneers to chip and crack.