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Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Tooth Extractions (Removal) When a tooth is having a toothache (see below ) one option may be to remove the tooth. Another option may be to save the tooth with a Root Canal and possibly a Crown . If a tooth with a toothache cannot be saved, or if you choose to remove the tooth even though it could be saved, there are a few options: If you are planning on having a Dental Implant done, either now or in the future: We will have a specialist (a periodontist) remove the tooth. This is because they will also place a bone graph at the same time, which will create more bone for a better situation for placing a dental implant. If you are not planning on doing a Dental Implant either now, or in the future, we are happy to remove the tooth here in this office. We remove almost any tooth in this office that is not an impacted (under the gums) wisdom tooth. Although some hard to reach teeth, or unusual circumstances, may also cause us to not remove the tooth in this office If we do not feel comfortable removing the tooth here, we will give you the information of a specialist who can help you. If you are wanting to be put to sleep to have the tooth removed we will also send you to a specialist for this procedure. Do I Have an Abs cessed Tooth? (Infected Tooth) We can get tooth pain for multiple reasons see the FAQ Page for a complete discussion. An Absces sed tooth would generally have the following: The main give away is a tooth that hurts All By Itself. Meaning you are not eating, clenching, or putting anything cold or hot on it and the tooth is aching. Sometimes this will wake you up at night Sometimes a tooth that wakes you up at night may NOT be abs cessed , but it may hurt, and wake you up, because you are cle nching or grindi ng your teeth in your sleep. Other symptoms of a possibly abs ces sed tooth MAY include: The tooth hurts when chewing, or possibly ju st by touching it with your finger or tongue The tooth my have a sharp pain to cold temperatures The tooth may have a sharp pain to hot temperatures - and sipping cold water may help it feel better An a bs ces sed tooth will often show up on a dental x-ray as having a shadow around the root of the tooth (See Below) There are a lot of other reasons for tooth pain, and sometimes things are not cut and dry and simple. Please feel free to call us to make an appointment to check things out. (The first appointment is usually only to diagnose, not necessarily to treat anything, besides giving an antibiotic. Please see "Emergency Dentistry ") Tooth with an Abscess (Dental Infection). The image on the right has the tooth outlined in Blue, and the Abscess in Red. Toohache

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Jaw Pain Content Coming Soon - Check Back November 2025 This is a Brand New Website and it is not quite finished yet. Thanks for your patience. If you have any questions about services please call us and we would be happy to answer them for you!

Detailed, Quality Dentistry About Us Detailed, Quality Dentistry After 35 years of serving the Triad Dr. Timothy C. Brown made his first steps towards retirement by selling his practice to Samuel Bartlett in September 2020. Dr. Tim Brown stayed on board for a few months to make sure there was a smooth transition for his patients. Dr. Sam Bartlett has tried to continue the legacy that Dr. Tim Brown began. Any who know Tim know that there were big shoes to fill. Continuing the Legacy After taking over for Dr. Brown I can not tell you how many times I heard from a patient I was meeting for the first time "I trusted Tim, and if Tim trusts you, then I know that I can trust you." This is the Legacy I am trying to continue. I believe that Dr. Brown gained this trust by treating people like . . . well, like people. Talking to them like people, explaining things to them like people, and just being their friend. Here at Salem Creek Family Dentistry we strive to treat you like friends and family by: Giving quality, detailed dentistry to every patient, every time. Helping every patient feel comfortable and relaxed. Explaining your dental issues in a way you can understand, and then giving you options for how to move forward - you are in control. Meet The Team Sam Bartlett Learn More Dentist Meredith Learn More Receptionist / Office Manager Karen Learn More Registered Dental Hygienist Mandi Learn More Registered Dental Hygienist Kristal Learn More Certified Dental Assistant Hannah Learn More Certified Dental Assistant Dr. Sam Bartlett I received a bachelor degree from Weber State University in Utah. I then attended dental school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry where I graduated with "High Distinction". While I was in dental school some of my extended family moved to Salisbury, North Carolina. After visiting the area several times we decided that this was the place we wanted to stay. We now live in Kernersville and we love it there. My wife Michelle and I have 4 young children and we love to hike, camp, swim and garden. We are an “outdoors” family and being in North Carolina allows us to spend time both at the beach, but more especially in the mountains. I believe strongly in treating each patient the way I would treat a family member - being honest, transparent, and relational in my approach. Meredith Receptionist / Office Manager Meredith has over 21 years of experience as both a dental assistant and an office administrator. She sees every day as an opportunity to create new relationships with our patients and grow the ones that already exist. She is married to her high school sweetheart with one daughter and a fluffy Corgi. In her free time she enjoys live music, get togethers with family and friends, and a good book. Karen Registered Dental Hygienist Karen was raised and resides in Stokes County, NC. She completed her dental hygiene degree in 1990 at Guilford Technical Community College and became licensed the same year. After almost 30 years at her previous office, she joined Salem Creek Family Dentistry in May 2020. Karen's patients frequently comment about how thorough she is in every aspect of her job. They also comment about how friendly she is and how they feel like she really knows them on a personal level. She is married with 2 grown children that are starting families of their own. In her free time she enjoys seeing her grandchildren, shopping, and exploring new places with her husband. Mandi Registered Dental Hygienist Mandi is a 2000 Graduate of Guilford Technical Community College. She was born and raised in Davidson County. Mandi is married with two daughters. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her animals and spending time with family. Her goal as a hygienist is to continue to provide patients with a thorough and relaxing dental cleaning. And her patients agree that she does just that! Kristal Certified Dental Assistant Kristal was born, raised and resides in the Welcome area of Davidson County. She is a North Davidson High School graduate. She graduated from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Dental Assisting Program in 1994. She gained the title of Certified Dental Assistant after completing the Dental Assisting National Board Exam in 1994 and has maintained her Certification since 1994 through continuing education courses. Kristal is great at making patients feel comfortable during dental procedures. She always knows what is needed, and when it is needed, and when the patient needs a break. Kristal has two children: a daughter and a son that have grown to be young adults. In her free time Kristal enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys going on motorcycle rides and attending football games, basketball games, races and concerts. Kristal loves the beach and spending time at her cabin in the mountains. Hannah Dental Assistant Hannah was raised and resides in Yadkin County, NC. She is a Forbush High School graduate. She completed her dental assisting at Peidmont Dental in Pleasant Garden, NC in 2016. Hannah married her husband Adam in 2016 and they lived in Jacksonville NC on Camp Lejeune for 2 years before coming back to Yadkin county. Hannah has two kids, Cooper and Elise. Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and taking the kids to the beach when they can! Hannah joined our practice in June 2024! Office Slideshow

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Tooth Colored Fillings At our office we almost exclusively do tooth colored fillings. Although silver fillings (amalgam fillings) are incredibly safe and durable (see this technical information from the American Dental Association ), most patients now prefer to do tooth colored fillings. The cost for tooth colored fillings and silver fillings is the same. Occasionally, if a cavity is far under the gums, or in a very difficult to reach spot, we will do a silver filling on that tooth (because silver fillings have a better long-term outcome in these situations). We will always talk to you about it before we do a silver filling.

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea New Patient Exams The first time you come to the office you can expect the following: You will be here for about 60-90 minutes Please either fill out your paperwork beforehand (see Patient Forms ) or arrive about 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. We will input all of your paperwork into the computer system We will assess your gum health We will take any needed dental x-rays - generally we take x-rays of all your teeth The dentist will do an exam We will go over any dental issues we find and give you options on how to address the issues We will answer any questions you have If there is time , your teeth will be cleaned (see Dental Cleanings )

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Emergency Dentistry No one likes to be in pain, or to be worried about their mouth or teeth. We can get tooth pain for multiple reasons see the FAQ Page for a complete discussion. During an emergency appointment you can expect the following: We will ask you questions to learn about the problem We will take any needed dental x-rays The doctor will perform an exam and ask any additional questions We will get a game plan for how to move forward If there is time , we will address the issue. But this appointment is really to get a game plan. We do not know if your problem will take 2 minutes to resolve or take a 2-hour appointment. Rather than blocking out 2 hours for every emergency appointment, and then having to charge for a 2-hour appointment, we do a short emergency exam so that we can schedule the appropriate time length to address your issues. If there is a dental infection, at a minimum an antibiotic can be given to you to get you out of pai n This is also not an exam to look at multiple teeth or multiple issues . To do that you need a comprehensive exam - or a "new patient" exam (click here ) Do we always come to a conclusion about the problem? The short answer is "no". Sometimes dental issues can be complex. For example: sinus issues, clenching and grinding (click here for more info), and even heart attacks can make your teeth hurt. So it can take some time to figure out what is going on. We do not want to treat a tooth that does not need any help! Sometimes with mild, non-specific, pain the best thing to do is to wait! Sometimes if we simply wait a week or two the problem will resolve on its own (or get a little worse so that we can determine what the actual problem is). Any follow-up visits to determine the true cause of your dental issue are FREE. We will not charge you multiple times just because it took us two visits to determine the cause of the problems.

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Children Dentistry Does Your Office see Kids? Yes, we see kids of all ages At What Age Should I First Bring My Child to the Dentist? We see kids as young as 18 months (or as soon as they have their first tooth). Please have them come in for their first visit no later than age 3. It is important to bring kids to the dentist when they are this young to help them get used to the environment. Starting visits when they are young really helps things go smoother when we need to start doing things like getting x-rays or placing preventative Dental Sealants What Procedures Are Done for Kids In Your Office? We do almost any procedure on kids including Cleanings Dental Sealants Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns on Baby Teeth Baby Tooth Root Canals Tooth removal We often use Laughing Gas on younger children Do You Ever Send Kids to a Pediatric Dentist? Yes We want every kid to have a great experience at the dentist, and sometimes that means sending them to a specialist I feel like we do really well with kids here, we have done plenty of fillings on 5 and even 4 year olds, but sometimes kids just need an environment that is completely tailored to them. The last thing we want is for a kid to have a traumatic experience and to not want to return to the dentist, sometimes this means that I ask them to see a specialistfor their treatment. When Do I Let My Child Brush Their Own Teeth? Well, the correct question should be "When do I let my child Floss and brush their own teeth?" But I will let it slide, just this once Okay, so the answer to the question: Kids can brush and floss all they like at any age. BUT we also need an adult to brush their teeth once a day untill about age 7 or 8 , (see AAPD website ) We also need an adult to floss their teeth once a day until about age 8 . - It depends on the maturity of the kids. (see AAPD website ) One good way to get your child used to a toothbrush is to give them and Extra Soft toothbrush as a chew toy as a baby (under very close supervision as they can gag themselves). This helps them get used to the feeling of it in their mouth. How Much Toothpaste Should I use for my Child? What Kind of Toothpaste Should I Use for My Child? Please use a fluorideToothpaste for your child. Fluoride has been proven over and over to be safe, and to decrease the amount of cavities by 25% (See ADA website ) For kids under the age of 3, use only a grain or rice amount of fluoride toothpaste - twice a day (see the AAPD website ) For kids ages 3-6 use about a pea size of fluoride toothpaste - twice a day For kid ages 6 to adult - a pea size of fluoride toothpaste is still enough - twice a day What Causes Cavities and How do I Prevent them for my Child? Click here to see the discussion on this topic

Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dental Sealants What are Dental Sealants? Some of our teeth have grooves in them (usually the 16 back teeth). Depending on the person these grooves may be shallow or deep. Deep groves can be difficult or impossible for the toothbrush to adequately clean making them at high risk for cavities Dental Sealants reduce cavities in the chewing surface of these teeth by 80%. (ADA Website ) Who do you Recommend Gets Dental Sealants? Most dental offices routinely recommend Dental Sealants on 6 year and 12 year molars on kids. This is becacuse (1) Teeth are actually more suspectable to cavities the first few years they are in your mouth and (2) kids are generally not as good at brushing their teeth. At our office we also routinely recommend dental sealants for adults when the grooves in their teeth are very deep. usually judge how well the toothbrush is able to clean the grooves in your teeth by how much stain is in the grooves of your teeth. If the grooves are very dark and stained, the toothbrush is having a hard time cleaning them out, and we would recommend Dental Sealants as a preventative measure. (please see the examples below)

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Cosmetic Dentistry Content Coming Soon - Check Back November 2025 This is a Brand New Website and it is not quite finished yet. Thanks for your patience. If you have any questions about services please call us and we would be happy to answer them for you!

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dentures and Partials Sometimes a tooth can not be saved and needs to be removed (see Tooth Removal Page ). When this happens there are several options: 1) Leave a space or gap where the tooth was 2) Replace the tooth or teeth with Dental Implants (Learn More Here ) 3) Replace the tooth or teeth with a Dental Bridge (Learn More Here ) 4) Replace the missing tooth or teeth with a Partial (a "Partial Plate") or replace all the top or bottom teeth with a Denture (a "Full Plate"). This is what we talk about here. 5) You can also attach a Partial or Denture to Dental Implants to make them more stable (Learn More Here ) Partial ("Partial Denture" or "Partial Plate") What is a Partial? When some of the top teeth, or some of the bottom teeth are missing a Partial can be made to replace those teeth A Partial rests on your gums and teeth, and has hooks that wrap around your remaining teeth to hold the partial in place There are several different materials we can use to make a Partial. (see pictures below) If only one or two teeth are missing we may be able to make a flexable partial that has no metal in it If multiple teeth are missing, or teeth on oposite sides of the mouth are missing, it is usually best to make a metal based partial for increased streangth If the remaining teeth are weeker , we may make a non-metal partial even if you are missing multiple teeth in different areas of the mouth. These partials are usually easier to add additional teeth to in the future , if you loose more teeth How is a Partial made ? There are usually 5 appointments needed to get a Denture made correctly. It may be possible to skip some appointments depending on your situation. The first two appointments we will be getting impressions (or "molds") of your teeth The next two appointmeents are making sure that we know how your top and bottom teeth meet up with each other, and making sure that the Partial will fit correctly, and making sure it will look correct. The last appointment we will give the partial to you. Are Partials Hard to Get Used To? While your P artial Denture will be comfortable, and as stable as your remaining teeth allow it to be, it is a foreign object and will take some getting used to It will take some practice to learn how to Take it in and out Eat with it Clean it Some people need to practice speaking normally again (usually by reading a book out loud) The more you wear your partial, the quicker you will get used to the way it feels in your mouth How Long do Partials Last? Hopefully more th an 10 years. But it depends on a lot of factors, such as: What it is made of (metal, plastic, flexible plastic) What teeth are one it (front teeth are more likely to come off than back teeth) How hard you bite, and how your teeth come together How careful you are with it (often the reason they break is because they are dropped) If they break, they can usually be repaired, and the repair usually only takes one day Also, if you have problems wit h more of your natural teeth, we can usually remove the "trouble" tooth from your mouth, and add a plastic tooth to your partial to replace the tooth you had to have removed. For More Information, and for Instructions on " How to Take Care of a Partial", please look at the document below: Denture and Partial Denture Instructions Denture (or "Plate" or "Full Plate") What is a Denture ? W hen all the top teeth, or all of the bottom teeth, are missing they can be replaced with a Denture (or "Plate") A denture rests on your gums How is a Denture made? There are usually 6 appointments needed to get a Denture made correctly. Depending on your situation we may able to skip some appointments The first two appointments we will be getting impressions (or "molds") of your teeth The next two appointmeents are making sure that we know how your top and bottom teeth meet up with each other, and making sure that the Denture will fit correctly, and look correct . The last appointment we will give the Denture to you. Are Dentures Hard to Get Used To? While your Denture will be comfortable, and as stable as your gums allow it to be, it is a foreign object and will take some getting used to It will take some practice to learn how to Take it in and out Learn to eat with it Lean to clean it Some people need to practice speaking normally again (usually by reading a book out loud) The more you wear your Denture, the quicker you will get used to the way it feels in your mouth How Long do Dentures Last? Hopefully more than 10 years. But it depends on a lot of factors, such as: How hard you bite, and how your teeth come together How careful you are with it (often the reason they break is because they are dropped) If a denture breaks they can usually be repaired, and the repair usually only takes one day. For More Information, and for Instructions on " How to Take Care of a Denture", please look at the document below: Denture and Partial Denture Instructions What if I am going to be having my last teeth removed before getting my Denture? How long will I have to go without teeth? Almost always the answer is that you will not have to go without teeth. We generally are able to have the false teeth made beforehand so that we remove your last remaining teeth and then give you the false teeth to wear right after.

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Insurance Plans What Insurance plans do you accept? While this office is not, and never has been, considered "In Network" with any insurance provider, as a curtesy we file with any insurance. However a few insurance companies do not let us file with them (such as Medicaid). Insurances that we work with all the time include: Delta Dental Medicare Ameritas UHC Cigna UNUM Blue Cross Blue Shield and Many Others What is the difference between "In Network" and "Out of Network"? Going to a dentist that is "In Network" with your dental insurance means that your dentist agrees not to charge over a certain "Price Cap" for a specific procedure. If you go to a dentist that is "Out of Network" the patient is required to pay any amount that is over this "Price Cap". As long as our prices are below the "In Network Price Cap", it does not cost a patient any extra to come to us, even though we are Out of Network with your insurance. There are hundreds of different insurance plans out there, and they change their Price Caps all the time. But dozens of years of sending claims to insurance companies has taught us that we are below the Price Cap for practically every procedure for almost every insurance. Occasionally a patient has to pay $6 or so for a cleaning, or an extra $30 for a crown, or other similar amounts. But for most patients, and most insurance plans, the amount you pay at our office will be the same as you would pay for an In Network Dentist . Some known exceptions are listed below: We are not In Network with Medicaid (we are not a "Medicaid Provider"). Any patients with Medicaid Insurance would have to pay the full price for any Treatment. Delta DPPO plans refuse to pay any amount towards your dental work in our office (because we are Out of Network). You would have to pay the full price for any Treatment. When Am I Expected to Pay for my Dental Appointment? Just like at the grocery store, all payment is expected at the time of service. If you have a dental insurance, we only ask that you pay the amount that your dental insurance is not expected to cover . There are some exceptions to this rule depending on your particular insurance companies policies How Much does Dental Insurance Usually Cover? While every insurance is different, the amounts below are what Dental Insurance generally cover Preventative (cleanings, exams, x-rays) - 90-100% Basic Fillings - 70-80% Crowns or Bridges - 40-50% Root Canals - 70-80% Dentures and Partials - 70-80% Tooth Removal (Extractions) 50%-70% Cosmetic - 0% What Else Should I Know about Dental Insurance? A few things you may like to know about dental insurance. Generally there is a "Waiting Period " after you get dental insurance. This is a period of time when they will not pay for any "major" work. For a crown, this period is usually one year. So they usually will not pay anything towards a crown unless you have had the insurance for more than a year. Most insurances have a "Missing Tooth Clause ". If you were missing a particular tooth BEFORE you had the insurance, they will NOT pay to replace the tooth. You have to have the insurance at the time the tooth is lost in order for the insurance to put any money towards replacing that tooth.

Detailed, Quality Dentistry Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dental Cleanings The first time you come to our office our Dental Hygienist will assess your gum health. After that we will re-assess your gum health every 12 - 18 months. There are 4 different types of cleanings that we perform in our office based off of your individual needs. A regular "healthy mouth" cleaning Most common for those that are up to date with their dental appointments: for most people this is a 6-month interval. For thoes who want to know, the technical name for this is a "Prophylaxis", and the dental code is D1110 for adults, and D1120 for kids. A "medium" cleaning This is for those who have not been to the dentist for a while who (1) have a lot of buildup on their teeth and irritated gums but (2) do NOT have any bone loss (or at least very little bone loss). The technical name for this is "Scaling in the Presence of Gingivitis" and the dental code for this is D4346 Generally, a "catch-up" cleaning is done about 6 weeks later to get any residue and to help the gums heal (a "Prophylaxis" cleaning) A "deep cleaning" This is for those who have not been to the dentist for a while who (1) have a lot of buildup on their teeth and irritated gums and (2) DO have bone loss. When we have buildup on our teeth for extended periods of time the gums get irritated, but, more importantly, the bone actually disappears from around our teeth (moving away from the bacteria). This bone loss is permanent (in almost all cases). In rare cases bone grafting can be done to try to get some bone back around the roots of the teeth. To remove all the excess buildup that is deep under the gums we generally have to get the gums numb. We usually do this in two separate visits (one half of the mouth at a visit). The technical name for this is "Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing" and the dental code is D4341 or D4342 (depending on the number of teeth involved). For a whole mouth the code D4341 would be submitted to insurance 4 times, once for each fourth of the mouth. This is so that if a person only needs 1/4 of their mouth deep cleaned they can have a lower fee than someone who has to have their whole mouth deep cleaned. This is not my system; it is how every office has to do it by law. After a deep cleaning is done "maintenance" cleanings are now needed (see below) A "maintenance" cleaning When bone is lost from around teeth, which is what made the deep cleaning necessary in the first place, there is now a pocket, or a permanent bacteria trap, between the gums and the tooth. This makes things harder to keep clean at home, and harder to get cleaned during dental visits. For this reason, after a deep cleaning more frequent dental cleanings are now needed (usually every 3-4 months), and the dental cleaning now has a different name, and actually cost more. The technical name is "Peroidontal Maintenance" and the dental code is D4910 Other types of cleaning s There are actually more types of cleaings. If your bone loss is severe, we may refer you to a specalist (called a "Periodontist") for an exam and possible cleanings in their office. For a lot of really detailed information on gum disease you can check out the American Dental Association website here