Advance Dental: Blog

We are OPEN and Ready to take care of YOU! COVID-19 is in the news everywhere, and we are closely monitoring the situation here at Advance Dental. We already, as a daily practice, assure universal precautions as outlined by CDC and OSHA standards of infection control, and safety is always our number one focus. Our high standard of care ensures that your trust and safety are never compromised. At this time, we are also taking extended measures to further protect all of our patients and team members, including the following:  Anyone with a cough or fever will not be allowed in the building and should stay home. We will be happy to reschedule your appointment for a later date. Before your appointment, we ask that you stay in your car until we are ready to seat you in your personal operatory. Simply call us when you arrive, and we will let you know when it's time to come in. Please limit the number of individuals coming to your appointment as they may be asked to wa...

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month In the United States alone every hour of every day someone loses their life to oral or oropharyngeal cancer. It is the cancer of the mouth and upper throat. Only forty percent of patients diagnosed will live longer than five years. Patients often end up suffering from facial disfigurement or trouble talking and eating. Its fatality is directly linked to its late-stage diagnosis. Dentists are often the first to identify oral cancer symptoms in patients, which is why offering oral cancer screenings is crucial. Early detection and prevention are key. Symptoms of Oral Cancer Dentists should provide their patients with information on the symptoms and indicators of oral cancer. If a patient has an abnormality in their mouth that does not improve or disappear after two to three weeks, they need to see a dental professional immediately. Urge your patients to perform self-checks and be vigilant of symptoms, such as: Sores or ulcers that d...

National Safe Toys and Gifts Month December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. During their first winter, many children will receive teething toys and children with special needs may continue to enjoy them as their second set of teeth come in. There are many safe options available, but parents and other gift-givers may not be aware of how to use them and keep them clean. The Teething Process Babies’ first teeth usually start coming in when they are about six months old. Dentists recommend that biannual checkups begin at this point. For the most part, the front bottom teeth come in first, followed by the front upper teeth, with the last of the twenty baby teeth erupting by the time the child is three. Particularly during the early months, children’s gums will be sore and they will seek relief by biting down on whatever objects are available. Maintenance Besides cleanliness and choking hazards, the other issues with toy selection are chemical composition and intended u...

Progression of Gum Disease One of the biggest advancements in dentistry in recent years is our improved understanding of gum disease. Gum recession was once considered to be a normal part of the aging process. But dentists now regard it as treatable and have identified a number of diseases with which it shares high rates of comorbidity. While exciting investigations into causative relationships between gum disease treatments and other diseases are ongoing, it is important for patients to be up-to-date on what is already known about prevention. Low-Level Gum Inflammation Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease. It is so common that when many people notice symptoms, such as seeing blood when they spit their toothpaste, they do not realize there is anything wrong. Inflamed gums will look swollen and discolored, but gingivitis is usually not evident until it has already progressed relatively far. It may also cause bad breath. There are many things that could cause gingivitis...

Fall is open enrollment for many employers.  Now  is the time to  enroll or review  your current dental insurance company, plan and benefits. As you are evaluating your dental plan, please keep in mind that we are In-Network with Delta Dental Premier, Lakeland ASR and Dental Health Options by Health Resources.   Some of our patients have dental insurance that is Out-of-Network. We do work with and file for them daily. There are some Out-of-Network insurances that still have good coverage in our office.  Although, if you can switch to one of the above In-Network dental insurances, you will have a greater savings in our office. For those patients who are unable to obtain dental insurance, we do offer an in-office dental savings plan. Details can be found simply by clicking the link below. Dental Savings Club We understand that insurance, in general, can be confusing and overwhelming. Any of our administrative staff wo...

At Advance Dental, we are blessed to have a family of patients who trust us and value the dedication, personalized care and attentiveness that we've given to people in the community over the years. Did you know that most of our new patients come from referrals by people like yourself? Chances are that you're one of them. We wanted to take this opportunity and ask you to help us spread the word. If you have friends or relatives who could benefit from our services, can you please give us a referral? It will mean the world to us, and will make you their hero for years to come! :)

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, we wanted to remind you to take advantage of any  unused dental benefits  you may have. Each year you receive a maximum amount from your dental insurance company, and in most cases the unused portion of this amount is  lost  when the new insurance year starts. These are benefits you have already paid for! Your dental care is important to us, and we want to make sure you get the care you need without overpaying for it.  If you have been postponing dental treatment or are overdue for a routine exam and cleaning, now is a great time to come in. Please call us at  574-271-9910  or  request an appointment online . We're looking forward to seeing you soon. Your Dental Family at Advance Dental

Dental Care for Children Dental  Care for Children Even the smallest teeth need attention and care. Infants will start to teethe at about six months old, and many of the baby teeth will erupt above the gum line by the time the child is one year old. This is why the first  dental  appointment for your child should take place between their first and second birthdays. A child’s first dental appointment does not typically involve any treatment. Instead, this visit is a wellness check or "chair-ride" for the infant to discuss oral care during development and introduce oral care habits as a routine to keep up with throughout their life. The First Appointment At the appointment, you can hold your child in your arms while your dentist examines his or her teeth and mouth. You should use this opportunity to discuss your child’s medical history and any issues you’re concerned about. Your  dentist  will review the child’s teething and tooth development to see...

Dr. Stangebye is celebrating 28 years of excellence this year! Many of our patients have known Dr. Stangebye for a very long time. Some patients were even inherited from Dr. Nauss and have been with our dental family for the full 28 years. Our patients are considered part of our dental family. For those of you who have not been with us as long, here is a little history about our practice and Dr. Stangebye.  Dr. Stangebye was born and grew up in Hobart, Indiana. He graduated from River Forest High School in Hobart where he participated in football, wrestling, track and field and band. It was actually in band where he met the love of his life, Sue. He has also had an everlasting love for all things mechanical, especially airplanes and motorcycles. Following high school, he obtained his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, specializing in Electrical Engineering. He then began pursuing his dental career at Indiana University School of Dentistry. He grad...