Dr. Stone's Office

(605) 584-2983

82 Dunmire Dr., Lead, SD 57754

Dr. Stone's Office > Services > Comfortable Dentistry

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Comfortable Dentistry

Do you put off dental visits because of overwhelming anxiety? If the answer is yes, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that millions of people feel exactly the same way when facing dental visits.

There are a variety of reasons why patients experience dental fear. You may feel that you’re not in control during treatment, or your fears may be the result of a bad dental experience in your childhood. Whatever the cause of your anxiety, we’ve found that a gentle approach and concern for your needs can help you overcome your fear and regain a beautiful, healthy smile.

Your Comfort Is Our Top Priority

At Dr. Stone's Office, we’re committed to providing a friendly and welcoming environment. Our professional team will take their time to make sure that every member of your family is listened to with kindness and respect for your concerns. Advanced experience and state-of-the-art technology combine to make every visit with us comfortable and efficient.

If you experience anxiety, we know that your primary concern is minimizing the amount of time you spend in the dental chair. Once we’ve developed a treatment plan, we can combine different procedures so you can have multiple restorations taken care of in just one visit.

Many of our patients tell us that their dental treatment was so comfortable that they don’t even remember most of what happened during their procedure. Relaxing is easy with our soothing amenities like massage chairs, pillows, and blankets.

Compassionate Care for Your Child

As a parent, it’s hard to see your child struggle with dental visits. You know how important it is to see that they get the care they need, but the last thing you want is for them to feel unhappy or afraid. Dr. Stone uses a friendly and compassionate approach to put kids at ease. If we find that your child is resistant to treatment, we’ll refer you to a specialist who’s equipped to handle your child’s needs effectively.

Our goal is to do everything we can to help you and your family achieve excellent oral health in the least stressful way possible. We understand that even the most basic treatments can be upsetting if you suffer from dental phobia. Your comfort is as important to us as it is to you, and you can be assured that we are here to help you feel safe and secure.

If you’ve been putting off dental visits because of debilitating anxiety, our team would enjoy having the opportunity to show you the difference that supportive and gentle care can make to your overall experience. Please call Dr. Stone's Office today to arrange an appointment with Dr. Stone to discuss your child’s dental treatment.

Darby W.

I have nothing but positive things to say about Northern Hills Dental. Every one of my visits to Dr. Stone’s office has been enjoyable and stress free. The staff and Dr. Stone himself are welcoming and friendly, making you feel right at home. They provide excellent service and care about each and every patient and their needs. If you’re looking for a great dentistry, Northern Hills Dental in Lead is the place to go.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm afraid of the dentist?

If you’re feeling apprehensive about dental visits, we can help. Your comfort is our top priority, and if you’re feeling stressed about your treatment, we need to address your concerns. You can be confident knowing that we’ve helped many nervous patients receive comfortable dental care.

First, we'll numb the area to be treated so you will not feel anything. Dr. Stone uses special techniques to ensure that your injection is as comfortable is possible. For kids, we just take our time and make it a point not to push them if they’re not ready for treatment. If your child has difficulty sitting still for appointments, we’ll refer you to one of the top pediatric dentists in the area who is better equipped to handle your children’s needs.

If you suffer from significant anxiety, our doctors can also talk to you about a mild sedative that you take before you arrive for your appointment. Just take the medication about an hour before your appointment, and you'll arrive at our office feeling calm and relaxed. When you get here, we'll help you de-stress with our comfortable massage chair and pillows and blankets.

We urge you not to put off important treatment due to anxiety and worry. Please contact our Lead dental office, and we will be happy to answer any questions you have about our stress-free dental treatment.

I'm not feeling any pain. Why are you recommending this treatment?

Prevention is the key to protecting your oral health and avoiding more serious problems from developing. If we recommend treatment at our dental office and you are not feeling pain, that is actually a good thing. It means that, by using a preventive approach to oral health care, we have detected an underlying problem and can correct it before it becomes more serious.

If we find a problem, you may not feel any pain because your tooth is made up of several layers. You may not feel a cavity developing in the outer layer of your teeth because there is no pain sensation in that part of your tooth.

However, if decay continues and gets close to the pulp or the nerve of the tooth, the pain starts and can be unbearable. Dr. Stone and his team strive to prevent this from occurring, which can eliminate needless pain and discomfort, and reduce the likelihood of costly treatments like root canals.

At Northern Hills Dental, our philosophy is to provide our patients with the best preventive care possible. This allows you to avoid a sudden dental emergency that causes pain and interrupts your busy life. Please contact our office if you have questions about the ways in which we can make your dental treatment comfortable, safe, and efficient.

Why should I go to the dentist if I don't have a problem?

This is a question dentists hear frequently. The answer is that by visiting a dentist periodically, you'll keep visits short and you'll drastically reduce the likelihood of developing a problem.

Gum disease, for instance, is responsible for 60 percent of tooth loss in the country. And gum disease can get underway long before you would be aware of it. The same is true for decay. Only your dentist will be able to see the beginning of a cavity. Having a small decayed area repaired is much easier – and cheaper – to accomplish than is the repair of a large cavity, which may require some elaborate steps like root canal and a crown.

The general recommendation is that you visit your dentist twice a year. Even if there's no dental problem, it's good to at least have your teeth cleaned. That is simply the removal of any plaque that may be collecting on your teeth. Cleanings are important for the prevention both of decay and gum disease. The process will also leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean. Talk to your dentist about a checkup schedule that's right for you.

I have chronic pain around my ears. What should I do?

More than 15 percent of adults live with some form of chronic facial pain, according to the American Dental Association. Discomfort around or in the ears is one of the more common symptoms. Others include tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises that accompany opening the mouth, headaches and neck aches.

If you experience any of this discomfort, see your dentist. With a thorough exam that might include X-rays, your dentist will likely be able to pinpoint the source of the problem and recommend a corrective course of action. If the pain is near the ears, the problem may be in the temporomandibular joint of the jaw, which is in front of the ears.

The source of the pain may be something easily recognizable, like a sinus infection, a decayed tooth or the beginning stage of gum disease. Your dentist will know the best way to attack the problem. The treatment may be something as simple as stress-reducing exercises or a prescription for muscle relaxants. Give your dentist the opportunity to help.

I dread going to the dentist! Help!

People are afraid to go to the dentist for a number of reasons. They might be embarrassed about their teeth. They might even think that their teeth have gotten so bad that having a smile they like is completely impossible. Or maybe they've had a really bad experience in the past and are now fearful of the dentist. It could also be that finding a new dentist for their family is a nuisance and they're afraid of making the wrong choice.

If any of these situations resonate with you, please give us a call and let us know.

We have helped many people who are just like you, who felt they would never be able to get through a dental appointment. Instead, they found new hope at Dr. Stone's Office. Just because you haven't succeeded in the past doesn't mean you can't in the future. Our friendly team will show you empathy and compassion, and Dr. Stone has a gentle touch that our patients appreciate. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we'll discuss your concerns and your options to create a plan that's just right for you.

Call us. We can help!

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Reid Stone DDS

“Dentistry is an industry where advancements in technology are rapid, and I enjoy constantly learning and implementing new technology and techniques to better treat our patients.”

Dr. Stone received his Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University, and then attended the University of Colorado, School of Dental Medicine, where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. In addition to his education, Dr. Stone participates in many hours of continuing education courses each year; far exceeding the 100-hours required every five-years to maintain his South Dakota Dental license.

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