Popular Questions

At what age should my children first see a dentist?
Children should have their first dental visit about 6 months after their primary teeth have erupted, or generally around their first birthday and certainly by age 3. This provides us an opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems; it also gives the child a positive, non-threatening dental office experience. Read more about Children's Dental Care.

How do I know when it’s time to come in for a check-up?
We would like to see you twice a year if you have good dental health. We may adjust this time period depending on the state of your oral health.

I really do not like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?
We understand many people are apprehensive about having their teeth worked on. We strive to create a soothing and comfortable environment, and offer pleasant distractions during your visit such as music and television to calm the senses.

We also provide sedation dentistry services for patients who feel they need a little help to relax in the dental chair. If you have concerns about seeing the dentist we will be more than happy to discuss your options for a stress-free, relaxing dental visit.

Do you accept referrals?
Many of our patients invite their family and friends to join our practice. The referrals we receive are the highest compliment. We will strive to make your visit enjoyable so that you too will feel inclined to recommend our practice to your family, friends and co-workers.

What payment options do you offer?
Investing in your dental care may be easier than you think. We want to help you achieve your goals by offering you several different payment options. For your convenience we gladly accept cash, checks and major credit cards. We also accept assignment on most dental insurance plans and offer financing through CareCredit® and Chase Health Advance™. Our mission is to deliver the finest dental care available today. Our goal is to help you make this investment as affordable as possible.

What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
Our staff is committed to your safety throughout your visit with us. We use only disposable or steam-sterilized instruments and pre-packaged, single-use dental materials in your care. In addition, we are regularly updating our methods and procedures in cosmetic, restorative and comprehensive family dentistry.

I brush every day, but my breath just in not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
Halitosis, or bad breath, can be reduced and eliminated through careful and regular dental care at home and in our office. If you have not recently had a checkup, we would advise you to come in for a routine exam so that we can try to determine the cause of the problem, which may be untreated periodontal disease. Once we discover the culprit of your breath concerns, we can offer options to treat your needs, including products for fresher breath.

My spouse tells me that I snore and keep her up at night. I have heard a dentist may be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?
Losing sleep because of snoring can be incredibly frustrating. We recommend that you see Dr. Durden for a consultation so that he can determine the cause of the snoring. If it appears that it will help, we offer oral appliances to alleviate the problem.

If necessary, Dr. Durden may refer you to a sleep clinic for a sleep study to rule out sleep disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea. This will ensure you get the best treatment possible for your unique problem.

Read about more popular topics in dentistry on the Winterville Dental blog.

Do you have questions about dental care for you and your family? We invite you to Contact Us – one of our friendly team members will be delighted to assist you!