Frequently Asked Questions

Jeffrey D. Clark, DDS, FAGD, is a cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona, who possesses more than 20 years of dental experience. Dr. Clark is patient-focused. He cares about his patients, builds long-lasting relationships with them, and focuses on personalizing care to the individual. Patients of Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence have access to the latest in dental technologies, techniques, and other resources. Dr. Clark is committed to ongoing education for himself and his staff, and he believes that the perfect smile combines optimal oral health, comfort, aesthetics, and confidence!

Absolutely. Our practice is committed to a standard of excellence. Everyone from the receptionists to Dr. Clark himself holds themselves to the highest standards at all times. We offer a full range of dental services that can be customized to your unique needs and preferences. Comprehensive treatment planning that includes both restorative and cosmetic dental care is available. If you have a dental emergency, Dr. Clark will strive to see you as soon as possible, and our entire team wants to ensure an environment that is welcoming, comfortable, and conducive to optimal oral health.

Dr. Clark never accepts anything less than the very best care and aesthetics for his patients, and you can count on him to stand behind his work. He has vast experience in the dental field and is highly respected among his peers. He is never satisfied with the status quo as a professional and continues his education so that his patients have access to the latest in dental care. His treatment planning is comprehensive and meticulous, and you can count on high-quality results with every visit.

Learn more about Dr. Clark by visiting Our Professionals page!

Patients come to us at different stages of their oral health, and we offer many different options in order to help the individual achieve his or her perfect smile. This selection also allows us to create a multifaceted treatment plan to reach your particular goals. Services offered at our North Scottsdale office include teeth whitening, Invisalign aligners, same-day crowns, porcelain veneers, dental implants, sleep apnea treatments, TMJ therapies, routine cleaning of teeth and gums and much more. No matter the reason for your visit, you will receive thorough exams, expert advice, personalized treatments, and exceptional results.

Proper infection control in a dental office is crucial, and we go to great lengths to ensure it. We protect our patients and ourselves by maintaining strict sterilization standards as well as enforcing rules to avoid cross-contamination. Our practice not only adheres to but goes above and beyond the guidelines established by the American Dental Association, Centers for Disease Control, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Patient success stories are about more than just an experienced dentist and advanced dental technologies. Our mission is to put patients at ease and make them as comfortable as possible. Our entire approach from the reception desk to Dr. Clark is patient-focused. That includes a friendly chairside manner and patient comfort solutions that you can opt for on an individual basis. At Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence, we really do care about our patients on a personal level. As our patient, you’re part of our family, and we want to ensure you a smile that is as healthy and beautiful as possible.

At Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence, we appreciate that it can be difficult for people to visit a dentist. Our entire team has a positive attitude and is friendly and patient-oriented. We care about our patients. We’re compassionate, and we’re great listeners. If something isn’t working for a patient, we can identify and correct it. Our patients know that they’re well-cared for, and that boosts their confidence.

The first step is making a patient feel welcomed and comfortable. We work to build a foundation of trust, and the relationship between a patient and Dr. Clark and his staff grows over time. If we have a patient we know is uneasy, then we can work with them to set them at ease. If we can put a smile on your face and ensure your comfort each visit, that’s a boon for your dental health now and in the future.

As a patient, you need to be confident not just in Dr. Clark but all of the dental health professionals and support staff that serve you at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence. Our clinicians are all highly skilled and trained, and the team prides itself on the health and aesthetics of your smile. Our practice is committed to ongoing education, and all of our dental health professionals attend lectures, meetings, and trade conventions in order to remain abreast of new techniques, equipment, products, and more. Membership in various professional dental associations greatly helps in this regard as well.

DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery, and it is a dental degree recognized not only in the United States but throughout the world. In the U.S., every dentist must complete this degree and earn this title in order to be licensed to practice. The curriculums for such degrees involve many courses. Each area of dentistry is covered in a comprehensive fashion, and the education also ensures a complete understanding of oral and facial structures and how they interwork. Once the degree is achieved, graduates can choose a one- or two-year residency to become more confident and competent dentists.

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a trade association of dentists in the U.S. and Canada. Achieving fellowship from the AGD is a distinction that a dentist can achieve. A fellow has been recognized by other dentists as a leader who sets a good example for others, such as through continued education.

Earning a fellowship requires more than 500 hours of education in various dental disciplines. After the course requirements are met, the dentist must pass a rigorous exam. This award is then presented to the dentist during a formal ceremony. Jeffrey D. Clark, DDS, FAGD, is among only 6 percent of general dentists who have achieved this honor.

Patients can be confident that a dentist who has earned the FAGD distinction will offer them the very best care available. The hours of work required for this award entail a level of dedication unparalleled in the dental profession. Dr. Clark is dedicated, hard-working, and committed to your long-term health.

Visit www.agd.org to learn more about the organization and fellowship.

Cosmetic dentistry addresses many different concerns, including tooth discoloration, teeth that are chipped or cracked, gapped teeth, misshapen teeth, and so forth. During your first visit to our Scottsdale office, Dr. Clark will perform an in-depth exam and evaluation, and then provide a treatment plan specific to your unique wants and needs.

Depending on your overall dental health status, Dr. Clark may recommend one or a combination of the following:

• Teeth whitening
• Dental implants
• Porcelain veneers
• Invisalign clear aligners
• Cosmetic tooth bonding
• CEREC same-day dental crowns

While cosmetic dentistry may not be necessary for a person’s physical health, it can help them significantly in other ways. People with great-looking smiles have more confidence and are better prepared for the interactions that success often demands. Dr. Clark works with each patient to achieve goals that are specific to them. This can include addressing problems related to color, location, size, shape, and the alignment of the teeth.

Some people are thrown off by the term cosmetic dentist. It may seem like a label that can apply to just about any dentist. Consider that most dentists listed in the Yellow Pages describe themselves as family and cosmetic dentists. We believe that you cannot be both. Dr. Clark has considerable experience specifically as a cosmetic dentist. That means that he has dealt with complex restorative treatment plans and intricate smile improvements. He has advanced training and experience that allows him to diagnose cosmetic issues properly and develop appropriate and effective treatment plans. Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence is committed to the highest standards of aesthetic and technical expertise at all times.

There are many aspects to your mouth, and these all need to be in harmony in order to ensure optimal function as well as ideal aesthetics. If some aspect of your mouth is unhealthy, it can eventually undermine the other parts. Preventative care is important because it significantly lessens the chance that you will have complex dental problems in the future. If we just treated your cosmetic concerns, more serious problems could be lurking below the surface. By treating your overall oral health, we are saving you time and money as well as helping you avoid potential health risks down the line.

Our mission is to achieve comprehensive dental wellness for each and every patient. Preventative dental care is an important aspect of that but so is patient education. We listen to our patients and offer advice that is individualized. This includes detailed explanations regarding your oral health and in-depth discussions about the treatments we recommend and why we’ve advised them. Additionally, we give our patients the information and other resources needed to carry out proper at-home prevention.

Dr. Clark recommends that you brush twice daily and floss once daily. Flossing each day is by far the best way to avoid plaque building up on your teeth. Daily flossing also helps to prevent gum disease and actually contributes to your overall health as well.

Dr. Clark recommends a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles. Soft bristles are gentler on the gums, and a small head makes it easier to brush well around each individual tooth.

Absolutely. Flossing each day is the most important step you can take in preventing gum disease. Flossing removes plaque from between the teeth, which is where brushing is generally ineffective.

Six months is the general industry rule used for cleanings and examinations. However, this depends on the periodontal health of your particular teeth and gums. Be mindful that the longer the interval between cleanings, the greater the buildup of plaque and thus, the higher the risk of gum disease. Dr. Clark may recommend a higher interval to you based on your specific dental needs.

By law, you are allowed to have your teeth cleaned without a dental exam if you had a dental exam within the last 365 days. If your previous cleaning was within a year, but at another office, we can contact them to confirm your previous checkup. If your last checkup occurred longer than a year ago, then we have to perform a dental exam prior to cleaning your teeth.

We get smile improvement questions often. You may expect the answers to be simple, but in truth, they rarely are. Your smile is unique, and the enhancements that are right for someone else may not be appropriate for you. Whether we are making a minor smile adjustment or planning a total smile makeover, great attention to detail is required. It all begins with a consultation through which Dr. Clark will discuss your goals and preferences, inform you about your cosmetic and restorative options, and help you make the best choices for your smile. Those recommendations may include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, clear aligners, and even tooth replacement. By the end of your consultation, we will have a plan in place and can even show you a preview of the finished product through digital imaging.

Gum disease can be present without any obvious indications, so you may not know, and only a dental professional could identify it. Gum disease is a big reason why regular dental exams are so important. However, there are some telltale signs, such as persistently bad breath, receding gums, gums that are red or bleeding, new spacing developing between teeth or teeth that have loosened. If you notice any of these signs, then you schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.

Yes. In fact, routine dental cleanings include professional polishing. However, if you’d like to whiten your teeth even further, contact Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence. Dr. Clark can help you determine if teeth whitening is right for you and whether other options are available.

Yes! Dr. Clark can replace dark fillings and metal crowns with stronger solutions that are more aesthetically pleasing. Dr. Clark has used composite resin fillings for many years now, and porcelain crowns are an option as well.

The answer to this question depends on a range of variables specific to your teeth. When you visit Dr. Clark for an exam, he will assess your fillings and make recommendations based on that.

The ADA recommends dentist-supervised teeth whitening for superior results. Dr. Clark can examine your soft tissues and tooth enamel and determine which whitener is best for you. He may recommend at-home teeth whitening or in-office bleaching with GLO. Our professional-strength whitening solution contains hydrogen peroxide, which has been proven safe and effective in clinical studies, and fluoride, which will help strengthen your tooth enamel. Call us today and reserve an appointment to determine which is the best teeth whitening option for you.

Digital X-rays emit 80-percent less radiation than traditional radiography. The digital images are immediately available to view from a chairside monitor in the operatory. Another advantage of digital X-rays is that the resulting images can quickly and easily be emailed to insurance companies as well as other specialists. In addition, digital X-rays do not require any hazardous materials for developing the images, and that makes the technology much more environmentally friendly.

Snoring is often caused by blocked airways. If this is the case with your spouse, Dr. Clark can make a custom Snore Guard or sleep apnea guard. Such guards allow for unobstructed airways throughout the night. Custom mouth guards for snoring are thin and flexible, and most patients have little trouble adjusting to wearing them at night. Call our office to make an appointment. We can answer your questions and determine if an oral appliance is the right solution for you.

Chronic headaches may be a symptom of bruxism, a misaligned bite, or a TMJ disorder. Dr. Clark can carefully examine aspects like your bite, jaw, head, and neck to determine the underlying causes of your pain. If the headaches pertain to these causes, the problem can often be corrected with a custom night guard. Contact our office to learn more about headache relief with nonsurgical therapies.

Yes! We offer nitrous oxide sedation.

If you are already a patient in our records, you can contact us at 480 585 1853. We offer an after-hours emergency phone line and always have someone on call.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. This will give you time to fill out forms, such as your medical history, and provide us your insurance details.

Alternatively, you can download the forms, which are available on our Patient Forms page. Fill them out at your convenience and bring them with you to your appointment. If you have dental insurance, bring your insurance card or other information with you as well.

Your first visit will include a comprehensive dental exam, including a soft tissue exam, which focuses on your gums, mouth roof, tongue, and underneath the tongue. We will examine your jaw and bite as well as the overall condition of your teeth. X-rays may be needed for an accurate assessment. Finally, we’ll perform probing in order to detect any bone loss around your teeth. We’ll then discuss the results with you and offer our professional recommendations on how to proceed.

Once the exam is concluded, we’ll perform a thorough cleaning in order to remove plaque and tartar buildup. We will also polish your teeth to improve their appearance. Finally, you’ll have the option of a fluoride treatment that can further protect your teeth.

Dr. Clark welcomes new patients. To schedule your first appointment or any subsequent appointments, you can schedule through the website or call us at 480 585 1853.

Yes. Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence never obligates you to have a treatment performed. You can also contact us later to have that treatment scheduled for another time.

Yes. Our goal is to ensure that you are as informed as possible about your oral health. From there, you have the final say in which treatments are performed.

Our practice usually does not request that dental records be transferred. If there is a specific concern with your dental history, such as periodontal disease, you can request that the previous dental office forward your records.

Yes. Dr. Clark will take emergency cases during regular business hours, and we’ll do everything we can to provide same-day services. If you have a dental emergency, please call our office to schedule an appointment, and we’ll get you in as soon as possible.

Cancellations must be made 24 hours before an appointment.

Maintaining our scheduling calendar is an important aspect of keeping dental services affordable. If a patient does not show up, we still incur the overhead. We do understand emergencies occur and are sensitive to these situations. However, after you miss an appointment for the second time, we will require payment in full before scheduling any future appointments. If you need to cancel, just call us 24 hours in advance, and we can then fill that spot with a patient who has a pressing need. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence accepts:

• Cash
• Debit cards
• Personal checks
• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
• Discover
• HSA and FSA cards
• CareCredit Healthcare Financing

We accept most insurance plans. Please contact us at 480 585 1853 to determine if we can accept your particular coverage.

Yes. Accepting CareCredit is an important part of making dental care as accessible and affordable as possible for our patients. CareCredit is a healthcare-oriented credit card that lets you pay for treatments and other out-of-pocket medical expenses. Once approved, you can charge your dental expenses and, depending on the credit option you chose, may be able to make deferred-interest payments.

Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence is committed to protecting your privacy and securing your personal information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines. For more information, please visit our Privacy Policy page.

At Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence, our mission is to provide you the best dental care possible and exceed your expectations in all that we do. Our entire team is friendly and compassionate, and we work hard to provide you an office that is always relaxed and welcoming. Call us today at 480 585 1853 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental family!