How can we help you?
At Peak Family Dentistry, we always have time to answer your questions and address your concerns. Below, we have compiled the questions we hear most often from our patients. If you have a question not covered here, or if you would like further information, contact our dental office today.
General Dentistry
At Peak Family Dentistry, we understand dental phobia and anxiety and always work hard to create a comfortable and relaxing environment for our patients.
Our dentists in Hackensack, NJ are also well-trained and experienced with nitrous oxide and oral anxiolysis when necessary. Nitrous oxide is a relaxation gas delivered through a small nose mask. The effects wear off when the mask is removed, making it okay for patients to drive themselves home.
For those who need more invasive dental treatments or have a special need, our Hackensack dentists have operating room privileges at Hackensack Meridian's Hackensack University Medical Center.
It is essential to have a friend or family member drive you to your dental procedure if you opt for sedation. It is also important not to make any life decisions or operate machinery or a vehicle on the day of sedation.
Our dentists want you to feel relaxed and at ease every time you visit our dental office. If you have a particular phobia, general anxiety, or an issue that requires a specialized approach, we encourage you to contact a member of our dental team today.
A Kois-trained dentist uses a structured approach to diagnosis and treatment planning. That means looking beyond a single tooth and considering risk, function, esthetics, bite stability, periodontal health, and long-term maintenance. This helps patients understand not only what treatment may be needed, but why problems developed and how to reduce the chance of repeat breakdown. This frequently begins with a series of standardized photographs and scans in order to create a digital Dento-Facial Analysis. This is the first step to developing a perfectly esthetic and functional smile for patients who require full-mouth rehabilitation.
Esthetic dentistry is dental care planned with attention to how the smile looks and how the teeth function. It may include veneers, bonding, whitening, crowns, replacement of old restorations, periodontal care, or comprehensive restorative treatment depending on the patient's needs.
No. Operating room dentistry is an important option for many special needs patients, but it may also be considered for medically complex patients, patients with severe anxiety, patients with physical limitations, or patients who need extensive dental care that is difficult to complete over multiple office visits.
Yes. Dr. Lance Vicente maintains operating room privileges at Hackensack University Medical Center and has experience with medically complex and special needs patients, where he has treated patients for over 10 years. That background helps support care planning when an operating room setting may be appropriate, both inpatient and outpatient when appropriate.
Risk-based preventive dentistry means prevention is tailored to the patient's actual risk factors. We consider cavity history, gum health, oral pH, dry mouth, medications, diet, home care, fluoride exposure, exposed roots, orthodontic appliances, medical factors, and other issues that may affect oral health.
Depending on the patient's needs, preventive care may include cleanings, periodontal maintenance, fluoride treatment, fluoridated toothpaste guidance along with lesser-effective non-fluoridated options, SDF for appropriate cases, PerioMate erythritol polishing, oral hygiene coaching, salivary or pH considerations, and a personalized home-care plan.
SDF may be used when appropriate as a caries-arresting medicament and desensitizer. It can help manage certain areas of decay or sensitivity, but it is not the right choice for every situation. Patients should know that SDF will stain diseased tooth structure where it is applied; therefore, we usually recommend this for back teeth or non-visible areas only.
Saliva helps buffer acids, protect tooth structure, and support a healthier oral environment. Dry mouth, medications, medical conditions, diet, or changes in oral pH can increase cavity risk. Understanding these factors helps us recommend prevention that fits the patient.
The right interval depends on the patient's risk. Some patients do well with routine six-month visits. Others with periodontal disease, high cavity risk, dry mouth, medical complexity, or special needs may benefit from a more customized maintenance schedule. Many of our patients opt to visit us every four months for preventive maintenance, and we often see less disease in these patients and catch problems earlier.
