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Q. When did your fascination with dentistry begin?

A. Having undergone an extensive smile makeover myself, I was fascinated by how such a small change could have such a large impact on someone’s self-esteem. That was the beginning of my fascination with dentistry-and my desire to help others achieve that same feeling.

Q. How would you describe the ”Dr McCargar” dentist experience?

A. My staff and I understand the anxiety that accompanies many people’s visit to the dentist. This is why we are committed to making sure that our patients receive a lot of TLC during their time with us. Providing our patients with many of the comforts of home helps to put them at ease and make the experience of a smile makeover even more rewarding.

Q. What advice can you give for selecting the right dentist?

A. I believe that the right dentist interacts closely with their patients. For me, interacting with patients is a key to understanding what’s important to them. I take a personal interest in my patient’s lives, learning their vision of a perfect smile. Then together, we work to deliver those ideals.

Q. What are some common concerns people have with their teeth?

A. One of the most common concerns that I have heard has to do with the safety of silver (amalgam) fillings. Silver (amalgam) fillings have been used to fill cavities since the 1800s. In recent years, the safety of these fillings has come under scrutiny because the amalgam used in the fillings is composed of mercury, silver, copper, and tin, and in high levels, mercury can be toxic. After reviewing 34 recent studies, the FDA (in 2006) declared that these types of fillings are still a safe and effective option for treating cavities. At Scottsdale Dental Arts, we are committed to providing you with the safest dental treatment possible, and as such, we offer only resin composite (tooth colored) fillings for our patients. These fillings are a safe, effective way to treat cavities, and offer the added benefit of being more esthetically appealing because they blend better with the natural color of your teeth.

Q. Which simple daily routine for maintaining healthy teeth?

A. Brushing and flossing are two of the most important steps you can take to achieve optimum oral health. Not only do brushing and flossing keep your teeth clean, but done together they can actually add years to your life by eliminating dangerous bacteria that lives around your teeth. Recent studies have found that this bacteria causes infection that can spread into your blood stream and cause heart disease. So for a clean mouth and a happy heart, we recommend that you brush at least twice a day and floss at least one time per day.