WELCOME
Welcome to our practice website! We congratulate you on taking the first step toward a better a brighter, healthier smile. Dr. Chapa and his team believe your smile is our priority. Please utilize this website as a resource to get to know us better and learn more about your periodontal health.
Dr. Chapa is a specialist in periodontics and implantology. He believes in conservative care and surgical treatment of gum disease when necessary, including cosmetic procedures to aesthetically enhance your smile, as well as dental implants that can replace single or multiple missing teeth.
Your periodontal team’s goal is to make your visits with us as comfortable and pleasant as possible. We strongly believe that our patient’s comfort is an important part of quality dental care. Dr. Chapa believes that your right to choose a periodontist is an important freedom. We work closely with your dentist, however, a referral by a dentist is not required to visit our office. Some of our best patients have been referred to us by our best patients.
We are extraordinarily proud of our staff, which is comprised of caring and dedicated professionals. They ensure that the patient’s surgical and administrative needs are met as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. We are here to listen to your questions and concerns and to help provide solutions leading to your better health. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 512-454-6861 if you have any questions regarding your care. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It is caused by the buildup of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. If not properly removed through regular oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar, which further irritates the gums.
Periodontal disease progresses in stages, starting with gingivitis, which is the mildest form. In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and may bleed easily. However, at this stage, the bone and connective tissues that hold the teeth in place are still unaffected. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is a more severe form of periodontal disease. In periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected.
The body's immune response to the infection, along with the toxins produced by the bacteria, can cause damage to the bone and connective tissues supporting the teeth. Over time, this can lead to tooth loss if not properly managed.
Common signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include persistent bad breath, swollen or tender gums, receding gums, loose teeth, changes in bite alignment, and the formation of pus between the teeth and gums.
Prevention and treatment of periodontal disease involve maintaining good oral hygiene practices, such as regular brushing and flossing, along with professional dental cleanings and examinations. In more advanced cases, additional treatments such as scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), antibiotic therapy, and surgical interventions may be necessary to control the disease and restore oral health. It is important to address periodontal disease promptly to prevent further damage and maintain a healthy mouth.
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontists are experts in the treatment of all forms of periodontal disease, including gingivitis, periodontitis, and gingival recession.
The American Dental Association recognizes periodontics as one of the nine specialties of dentistry. Periodontists receive extensive training, including three years of additional education beyond dental school.
By choosing a specialist, you will benefit from the latest procedures for treating periodontal disease and placing dental implants tailored to your needs. In addition, Dr. Chapa can perform cosmetic periodontal procedures to help you achieve the smile you desire.
Why choose our practice?
When it comes to picking a periodontist, we know that you have options. Personalized, gentle, comprehensive patient care is our number one priority. Here are just a few things that make our practice unique:
Care and Commitment
From the front office to the exam room, our practice is made up of professionals who take your oral health very seriously. Using state-of-the-art equipment designed with safety and efficiency in mind, we are able to offer top-notch care. As you walk through our office, you will notice that everything is clean, comfortable and thoroughly sterilized. Your safety and comfort are our priority.
Honesty and Affordability
We know that the cost of care can be confusing. In addition to offering a number of in-office payment options, we also give you up-front cost information on your treatment ahead of time. We are happy to complete and file your claim forms for you and we are happy to help you navigate your dental insurance and alternative payment options such as Care Credit.
Easy Access to Dental Care and Information
We know that your time is valuable to you, and that’s why we offer early morning hours, dental appointment reminders, and a quick turnaround time on calls and appointment requests. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns in the office, over the phone or via email.
Comfort
We respect and understand that many patients experience dental anxiety. At our office, we do everything we can to make sure that your experience is as enjoyable as possible. By communicating clearly what you can expect during your treatment, we are often able to alleviate dental fear. We encourage you to bring headphones and music to listen to during your treatment and ask us about dental oral sedation options.
Personalized Service
At our practice, you aren’t just a patient. We take an interest in you and your oral health needs.
Your First Visit
What will happen on my first visit?
Please assist us at the time of your initial visit to the office by providing the following information:
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Your referral slip and x-rays from your referring dentist.
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A list of medications you are currently taking (please note that you can fill out your patient registration and medical history form on our website.)
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If you have dental insurance, please bring any forms or insurance cards with you to the appointment.
Please Note: All patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation and surgical appointments.
Please notify the office if you have a medical condition or concern prior to surgery (e.g. artificial heart valves or joints, heart murmurs requiring pre-medication, severe diabetes, or hypertension).
We will complete an in-depth medical and dental health history and a thorough periodontal examination, which may include additional radiographs, pocket probing measurements, tooth mobility, and recession charting to measure for bone loss, loose teeth, bite, oral cancer screening, TMJ, and other signs of periodontal disease.
Scheduling
Dr. Chapa is available:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
7:30am - 3:30pm
7:30am - 3:30pm
7:30am - 3:30pm
7:30am - 3:30pm
We will schedule your appointment as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you as quickly as possible.
We try to stay on schedule to minimize waiting at the time of your appointment. Referral of emergency patients can cause delays to the schedule, and your understanding and patience are very much appreciated.
To schedule your appointment today, please call us at 512-454-6861.
Financial Policy
Our doctor and staff are proud to be a team whose primary mission is to deliver the finest and most comprehensive periodontal services available today. We are concerned about your dental care and we want to ensure that it is performed in the most responsible manner. In order to assist you with the investment in your dental health, we have outlined our payment policy.
Payment is due in full at the time services are performed. (We will file your claim to your dental insurance company for your direct reimbursement of any possible covered charges, however, you are responsible for paying the full charges on the day of service).
Please note that in some situations payment may be required in advance of treatment and will be determined on an individual basis. All arrangements other than full payment at the time of service must be made in advance of your appointment.
For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit card payments (MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover Card), as well as HSA/FSA credit/debit cards. We are happy to provide you with a receipt upon request for you to obtain personal reimbursement to your HSA/FSA account.
For those that would prefer an extended payment plan, our office works with Care Credit, a healthcare financing company that makes having a healthy smile affordable for almost everyone. You can easily apply for financing for your dental procedure through the link below. For treatment plans with out-of-pocket costs of $1000.00 or more, Care Credit can provide you with the monthly payment and deferred interest options that you might be looking for. Apply at the following link: www.carecredit.com.
Please call us at 512-454-6861 if you have any questions or concerns regarding your financial options. Thank you!
Insurance
We will be happy to assist you with filing your dental claims. Although we do not participate in-network with any dental plan providers, including Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP, most traditional PPO/DPO plans will reimburse you for our services at the “out-of-network” rates based on your specific policy and plan benefits. Patients are responsible for paying for services in full at the time of treatment. We will then submit a claim to your dental insurance company for any eligible benefit portion that will be reimbursed to you directly from your dental insurance provider. Final reimbursement by your dental insurance provider may vary due to insurance maximums, deductibles, and co-payments and exclusions. Also, please remember that we file your claim with your insurance as a courtesy to you, and any dispute concerning final payment by your dental insurance carrier should be directed to them.
To help us process your dental insurance claims as quickly and efficiently as possible, please provide the office with your most current dental insurance information including the name, date of birth, member ID and group number of the insured party, insurance company name with claims mailing address and telephone number. We realize insurance coverage can change yearly, so as a courtesy, we ask that you keep us informed of any change to your dental insurance so that we can process your claim correctly.
If you require treatment beyond regular periodontal maintenance, x-rays and regular exams, we are happy to submit a Predetermination (pre-treatment estimate) to your dental insurance company at your request based on your individual treatment plan. Your dental insurance provider will then inform you and our office of estimated benefits they should pay, and what your out-of-pocket costs will be. A Predetermination estimate could take up to 8 weeks depending on your dental insurance provider. Please be aware that a Predetermination estimate is not a guarantee of payment, and you are still responsible for payment of any services rendered that are not reimbursed to you by your dental insurance carrier.