FAQs

During your visit for your initial consultation at our office in downtown Jackson, Michigan, Dr. Allan Padbury will set aside plenty of time to explain your treatment program and answer all of the questions you have for him. The entire Padbury Periodontics & Implant Dentistry team wants you to be comfortable with the plan and the process at all times. Here are some frequently asked general questions that many of our patients have to get you started:

  • Please call our office at (517) 784-2700 or fill out the form on our contact us page and we will call you to set one up. You are also welcome to stop in to make an appointment in person during normal office hours.

  • Periodontists are dental specialists with specialized/advanced dental training that allows them to treat periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) and place dental implants. General dentists refer patients to a periodontist when those patients need that specific type of care.

  • This answer varies depending on a few things, including how serious your specific dental issue is. But the short answer is this: as soon as possible. Your dental care is important to us, so we will schedule your new patient exam in a timely manner. We also occasionally have appointments open up due to cancellations, which allows us to see some patients even sooner.

  • A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, which is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. Dr. Padbury graduated from the University of Michigan Dental School in 1999 with his D.D.S. degree and in 2002 with a Master’s Degree (M.S.) in Periodontics. He teaches current dental and periodontal students there today.

  • We are a Delta Dental Premier Provider and work with most other insurance carriers. Please contact our accounts department with any questions about insurance coverage. We will be happy to help!

  • We accept all major credit cards. Individual payment plans are often available as well. We will work with you!

  • You can find us inside the Jackson Professional Plaza building located at 306 West Washington Avenue in downtown Jackson. Our office is on the second floor.

  • Life happens. We understand. Please just call us as soon as possible and we’ll be happy to take care of it.

  • Your first visit will include an initial consultation and assessment exam, which are almost certain to be more comfortable and less painful than a normal trip to your general dentist. At that point, Dr. Padbury will tell you more about your treatment plan for future visits. But patient care and comfort is of the utmost importance to us for every patient on every visit. Most procedures and even surgery generally require minimal recovery time. Over-the-counter pain medication is generally enough.

  • Dr. Padbury’s goal is to preserve your natural dentition by saving all of your teeth that can be saved. If that is not possible, he will move forward to the next step to stabilize a patient’s dentition and give them a proper, functional-looking replacement through implants.

  • Treatment costs vary. What does not vary is our desire to help. If you have dental benefits, costs are often covered at least in part by insurance. Beyond that, our team members will do everything we can to work out a customized plan to meet your needs. We also encourage our patients to look at periodontal work as an investment rather than a cost. Saving your teeth now can save you money down the road. Keeping functional teeth for a lifetime is worth the investment.

  • Following the treatment plan and home care recommendations prescribed by Dr. Padbury can go a long way in doing so. After Dr. Padbury stabilizes and treats your condition, moving forward with follow-up appointments and cleanings with both Dr. Padbury and your general dentist can help. A healthy lifestyle is also extremely important. If you are a smoker, stopping or at least cutting back on smoking can help.