Patient guides
Plain-language dental guides.
Short, practical guides on first visits, insurance, fillings, crowns, whitening, and what to do when something breaks. Written for families in Johnstown and across Fulton and Montgomery Counties, and reviewed by Dr. Anthony J. D'Addio, DMD.
All guides
Every guide, newest first.
When your dentist is watching a tooth
“We will keep an eye on it” should leave you with a clear plan. Learn the five details to confirm before leaving the dental office.
Patient guideWhitening, bonding, or veneers?
The three most common cosmetic options, how they compare, and how to choose the least invasive treatment that can plausibly achieve your goal.
Patient guideUsing out-of-network dental benefits
Out of network does not mean your benefits are unusable. It means the billing flow works differently. Here is what actually happens, said in ordinary language.
Patient guideYour child’s first dental visit
The ADA and AAPD recommend a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, and no later than the first birthday. Here is what happens at the…
Patient guideImplant placement vs. restoration
Placement is surgery, restoration is the crown or bridge on top. Two phases, usually two providers. How Dunning coordinates with a trusted oral surgeon.
Patient guideLost crown or broken tooth?
A plain-language triage guide for the most common dental urgencies, aligned with ADA emergency guidance. Which need the ER, which need a same-day call, and which can wait.
Patient guideFilling or crown: how dentists decide
When a filling is the honest answer, when a crown is the honest answer, and how to keep the conversation about your tooth grounded in what is actually there.
Patient guideHaven’t seen a dentist in years?
If it has been a few years since your last dental visit, the two thoughts that show up first are: will I be judged, and how bad is it? Both…
Patient guideWhy some dentists don’t take insurance
An honest explanation of non-participating dental practices, how courtesy-claim billing flows, and how to compare a practice's fees to your dental plan.
Patient guideNew to Amsterdam? Choosing a dentist
Insurance, distance, doctor continuity, transferring records: the factors that actually matter when picking a new dental practice in the Amsterdam, NY area.
Patient guideProfessional whitening vs. drugstore strips
An honest comparison of professional and over-the-counter whitening, written by a dentist who recommends both, for the right patients.
Patient guideTooth extraction vs. root canal
When a tooth can be saved with a root canal and when extraction is the more honest answer, plus what comes next for replacement.
Patient guideBridge or implant: which fits you?
Two fixed replacement options for a missing tooth. Neither is universally better. How Dr. D'Addio thinks through the decision honestly.
Patient guideDoes your filling need replacing?
Visible cracks, new sensitivity, dark margins, roughness: how to read the signs that an old filling is failing before it becomes a crown-sized problem.
Patient guideFour questions before a dental crown
The questions that separate a thoughtful crown recommendation from a rushed one, written by a dentist who practices conservative restorative care.
Patient guideHow often should you see the dentist?
A plain-language guide for families who want steady preventive care, fewer surprises, and a clear next step when something feels off.
Still have questions? Call us.
A short call answers what a guide cannot: your plan, your schedule, and the right first visit for you.
Honest dentistry for families who want the long view.