During your first appointment, your overall dental and oral health will be assessed with a comprehensive oral evaluation. Upon completion of your medical / dental health form, we will ask you to tell us your goals regarding your smile, teeth, and gums. Digital photos and x-rays will be taken of your teeth to identify areas of decay, cracked teeth and malfunctioning restorations. The goal of our dental services is to preserve as much of your teeth as possible by catching decay in its earliest stages. We’ll also assess your gums and recommend the appropriate hygiene treatment for you.

Do you accept new patient referrals?
Over the years, patients have given us the compliment of referring family and friends to our practice. Our reputation for excellent dental care depends on two things: our good work and your beautiful smile. Your confidence in our care motivates us to continue to strive for excellence.
Thank you for your referrals. Your trust and support are greatly appreciated.
My teeth keep chipping and cracking. What causes this? What can I do about it?
Many people who notice chipped or cracked teeth, but don’t remember when the injury occurred are likely to have damaged their teeth while they were sleeping. Grinding or clenching your teeth during the night will cause your teeth to chip, crack and even break. To keep you from seriously damaging your teeth, we recommend a dental appliance called a night-guard. A custom fitted night guard protects your teeth from grinding and clenching in your sleep. Our doctors Matlaga and Simmons take great care in making sure you have a proper fit to prevent pain in your jaw joint. Do you suffer from headaches? You may find that a side benefit of your night-guard is headache prevention. Many headaches start during the night, caused by the extreme pressure generated as you grind and clench your teeth. Ask our dental offices about having a night-guard custom created for you.
I want and need a lot of dental work, but I’m afraid I can’t afford it. Do you offer monthly payment plans?
Yes, we do offer monthly payment plans with our financial partner, Care Credit™. We provide a variety of ways for you to pay for your treatment so that it fits comfortably into your personal or family financial goals. Our team works with you to create the solution that accommodates you so you can have the beautiful, healthy smile you have always desired.
I want cosmetic dentistry. Does my insurance pay for it?
Dental insurance is designed to assist you in paying for your dentistry. Most procedures are not fully covered by your insurance. Cosmetic dentistry, in particular, is not covered by most dental insurance plans. To help you afford your smile, we do offer a variety of affordable dental care payment options in addition to a monthly payment plan provided by our financial partner, Care Credit™. We also pay special attention to maximizing the benefits that your insurance does provide. Ask our team how you can comfortably afford your dentistry and maximize your dental insurance benefits.
What different payment options do you provide?
Nothing is more important than your health. At Parkside Dental Practice we are committed to providing you with affordable, high-quality treatment that fits your budget.
Payment Options
Parkside Dental accepts payments by cash, checks, Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express® and Discover®. We also offer low- and no- interest financing options through CareCredit. A fee reduction is also given when a cash payment is made in full, prior to the treatment.
Senior Citizen Discount
We are happy to offer senior citizen discounts! Ask our team for more information.
Insurance Policy
Most dental insurance will not cover all of your treatment; however, Parkside Dental coordinators always work to maximize your dental benefits for all our dental services. Our office policy for dental insurance requires that the patient, once his/her coverage has been verified by our business office team, pay for at least that estimated portion of the treatment not covered by insurance carriers on the day that the treatment is rendered. We ask that each patient bring the proper insurance form(s) at each visit, and that the patient information portion of the insurance form be filled out completely in advance of the visit. Please present the completed forms to the front desk team member, after signing in, upon your arrival at the dentist office.
We are happy to help you if you need assistance in understanding your dental insurance coverage. Please do not hesitate to consult our business office team. They will make certain that you are able to receive the maximum allowable benefit from your insurance in the resolution of your dental needs.
My gums bleed. Why is this?
Gums affected by periodontal disease become red and inflamed, often bleeding during brushing or flossing. Timely treatment can reverse these conditions. However, if these conditions are ignored, your periodontal disease can worsen, becoming a condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis is much more difficult to treat through basic dental care.
Periodontitis affects your gums, bone and teeth in a manner that cannot be reversed. To prevent tooth loss, you may require more extensive, specialized treatment from your general dentist or even a periodontist. If left untreated, periodontitis results in tooth loss – teeth either fall out on their own or must be extracted. If you don’t diagnose and treat periodontitis in its early stages, you may require extensive surgery to save your teeth and may put yourself at risk for other serious health problems.
My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
It is certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough ‘scrubbing’ instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods or occurs every time you brush, contact our dental offices to set up an evaluation appointment.
What is periodontal disease?
Gums affected by periodontal disease become red and inflamed, often times bleeding during brushing or flossing. If treated in a timely manner, these conditions can be reversed, preventing periodontal disease from developing. Periodontitis is much more difficult to treat.
Periodontitis affects your gums, bone and teeth in a manner that cannot be reversed. To prevent tooth loss, you may require more extensive, specialized treatment from your general dentist or even a periodontist. If left untreated, periodontitis results in tooth loss – teeth either fall out or must be extracted. If you don’t catch periodontitis in its early stages, you may require extensive emergency dental surgery to save your teeth and may put yourself at risk for other serious health problems.
According to Caesy Dental Education, “Ailments associated with periodontal disease include respiratory disease, pneumonia, strokes, ulcers, difficult-to-control diabetes, low birth weight babies, and infective endocarditis, a dangerous infection of the heart valves. Researchers recently discovered that this chronic infection in your mouth creates an open doorway for plaque bacteria to enter the blood stream. These bacteria – Streptococcussangguis – may cause blood clots that can block your arteries and even trigger a heart attack.”
How do sealants protect teeth?
A sealant is a plastic material that your dentist uses to apply something to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth—premolars and molars. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids and guarding against disease-causing bacteria.
Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. However, toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to efficiently extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food.