☎︎ (208) 939-4111

Pay Bill
Schedule

Category: Chris’s Updates

  • What Exactly Is Lidocaine?

    What Exactly Is Lidocaine?

    Do you ever stop and wonder what Lidocaine actually is? In an effort to better educate our patients, Here’s a short description and explanation of the product.

    What’s In Lidocaine?

    Lidocaine, sometimes referred to as Lignocaine, is a medication used to numb a specific area of tissue. Also known as a local anesthetic. To allow for larger doses for numbing, Lidocaine can be mixed with small amounts of epinephrine. It can also help to decrease bleeding and to make the numbing effect last longer. It helps relieve pain and vascular spasms as a recommended treatment of injections.

    Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic medication of the class Ib type. This means it works by blocking sodium channels and thus decreasing the rate of contractions of the heart. Local neurons cannot signal the brain when it is used locally as a numbing agent.

    Discovered in 1946, Lidocaine became more publicly available in 1948. It’s considered one of the most essential, effective, and safe medicines needed today. It’s available as a generic medication and it’s not very expensive. Xylocaine is one of the brand names it is recognized under.

    We understand that a lot of this sounds like rather unnecessary information. However, it’s good to establish a baseline when introducing a topic such as this.

    Eagle Dental Care room two

    How Long Does The Numbness Last?

    When injected, the numbing effects of Lidocaine can begin working very quickly. In as little as four minutes and can last from 30 minutes up to three hours.

    However, other factors can play a role in how long the drug’s effects last. It’s a fast-acting local anesthetic. While its effects normally last for 30 to 60 minutes, it can last much longer if administered alongside epinephrine. Something we mention earlier. Other factors include the dosage, the individual, and the presence of the infection.

    The higher the dose of Lidocaine, the longer the numbing effects will last. The amount administered depends on the type of procedure being performed. It can also depend on the number of nerves being numbed and the size of the area being treated. For example, a root canal treatment will require more Lidocaine than a simple filling.

    The More You Know

    In sum, Lidocaine is safe and effective. It is commonly used in dental offices across the country. Here in Eagle, Idaho and at Eagle Dental Care, we strive to constantly be at the top of our game. We firmly believe in educating and informing our patients so they always feel comfortable in the work that we do. If you have any questions at all regarding the use of Lidocaine or other anesthetics, please don’t hesitate to call us or ask during your appointment.

  • The Difference Between Prophylaxis Cleaning & Periodontal Treatment

    The Difference Between Prophylaxis Cleaning & Periodontal Treatment

    Periodontal Cleaning/Treatment

    At some point, you may have been told that you have periodontal disease and require a different type of teeth cleaning. The word periodontal means “around the tooth.” When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the tissue and bone which support the teeth. This results in periodontal disease which can cause bad breath, red, tender or swollen gums, painful chewing, loose teeth, sensitive teeth, receding gums and in severe cases loss of teeth.

    Periodontal disease can be diagnosed at a patient’s initial appointment and treatment recommendations vary. A periodontal cleaning requires a deeper cleaning referred to as “scaling and root planing”.

    Many patients are not aware they have periodontal disease because the disease is usually painless in the early stages. Periodontal disease is the number one reason for tooth loss and research suggests there may be a link between periodontal disease and other medical diseases. Before starting treatment, it is our goal to address all questions and concerns about treatment, prognosis, cost and even insurance reimbursement.

    Prophylaxis Treatment

    Prophylaxis is basically a dental term for a regular teeth cleaning. Regular prophylaxis appointments are recognized by the American Dental Association and dental insurance companies as a necessary preventive measure once every six months. A prophylaxis appointment means that you will receive a thorough teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist and a complete examination by a dentist. At interval prophylaxis appointments, you may have x-rays and photos taken. The dentist will use these images to assist in a thorough examination of your mouth to determine if there is need for any treatment.

    Dentist performing a prophylaxis treatment on a patient
    Dr. Thomason working on a patient

    Benefits of a regular teeth cleaning include the removal of tarter and plaque build-up, fresher breath and healthy appearance. Tarter and plaque buildup naturally occur. But if left unremoved, they can lead to serious dental problems and even become the source of serious medical concerns. Regular prophylaxis appointments will help keep your teeth, tissue and mouth in good health. It can also prevent or halt the progression of gum disease.

    We follow the ADA guidelines and recommend a regular teeth cleaning every six months as a preventative measure. Since this prophylaxis appointment involves a thorough examination of the mouth, we are able to screen for oral cancer, evaluate the risk of periodontal disease and often spot signs of other dental problems. We can also provide recommendations for changing your home care routine to improve the overall health of your mouth and smile.

    Cost Comparison

    The cost difference between a routine prophylaxis cleaning and periodontal treatment can be significant. A standard dental cleaning typically costs around $75 to $200, while periodontal treatment, such as scaling and root planing, may cost approximately $200 to $400 per quadrant. If treatment is required across the entire mouth, the total can reach roughly $600 to $1,400 or more, depending on the severity of gum disease and the dental provider. This means periodontal treatment can cost several times more than a regular cleaning because it involves deeper cleaning below the gumline and requires more time and specialized care. Many dental clinics also offer in-house financing or payment plans, allowing patients to begin treatment and pay the balance over time. Other dental financing options may include dental insurance, health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), third-party financing programs, or dental discount plans.

    In Summary

    A prophylaxis cleaning is a preventive cleaning to help keep your teeth and gums
    healthy. A periodontal cleaning is considered treatment to treat Periodontal Disease and restore
    your gums to a healthy and stable condition.

    Get a Consultation

    We would love for you to give us a call or stop in if you have any questions regarding prophylaxis cleaning and periodontal cleaning. You can find us at 151 N Stierman Way in Eagle, Idaho or give us a call at (208)939-4111. You are also welcome to visit our Contact Us page and shoot us a quick message.

  • Eagle Dental Care Answers: Wisdom Teeth

    Eagle Dental Care Answers: Wisdom Teeth

    Here at Eagle Dental Care, we’ve been kicking around the idea of starting a recurring tidbit on our blog. We’re calling it “Eagle Dental Care Answers”, and it’s a piece where we answer simple questions surrounding the field of dentistry. Sometimes it’ll be humorous, other times it will be informative, but it will always be interesting.

    To kick things off, we’re tackling wisdom teeth. It’s something that comes up in conversation fairly frequently. But, have you ever asked yourself, why are they called wisdom teeth?

    Eagle Dental Care Wisdom Teeth
    What makes those teeth so wise, anyway?

    Well not to worry, we’re here to answer your question. But first, let’s provide a little more depth and context.

    What exactly is a wisdom tooth?

    A wisdom tooth is one of the three molars in each quadrant of the human mouth. Basically, it is the last of the three toward the back of your mouth. People generally get their wisdom teeth sometime in their late teenage years to their early twenties. Most adults have four wisdom teeth, one in each of the four quadrants. However, it’s possible to have none, fewer, or even more, which are referred to as supernumerary teeth. It is common for wisdom teeth to affect other teeth as they come in, which often leads to them being extracted before any problems occur.

    Nice chompers!

    Why are they called wisdom teeth?

    Now that you know what a wisdom tooth is, here is the answer to your burning question:

    Although officially known as third molars, they are commonly called wisdom teeth because they appear so late. Much later than other teeth. They come in at an age where people are presumably “wiser” than they were as a child. The appearance of wisdom teeth has been known to cause dental issues for hundreds of years; it was noted at least as far back as Aristotle:

    “The last teeth to come in man are molars called ‘wisdom-teeth’, which come at the age of twenty years, in the case of both sexes. Cases have been known in women upwards of eighty years old where at the very close of life the wisdom-teeth have come up, causing great pain in their coming; and cases have been known of the like phenomenon in men too. This happens, when it does happen, in the case of people where the wisdom-teeth have not come up in early years.” -Aristotle, The History of Animals

    And now you know why they are called wisdom teeth. This has been Eagle Dental Care Answers!

  • Eagle’s Premier Dentist

    Eagle’s Premier Dentist

    How many times have you heard the following lines:

    “We strive to provide the best quality…”
    “Here at ____, we do our very best to…”
    “You can count on receiving the very best care at…”
    “We believe in honesty and quality…”

    It seems like pretty much every business will say those words in some way or another. We’ve even used the same phrases. Our point is, how do you truly know who provides the best quality and the fairest price? The short answer is, probably a lot of establishments. But the long answer is that it takes a little research and dedication.

    Eagle Dental Care – Eagle’s Premier Dentist Office

    Dr. Thomason of Eagle Dental Care
    Dr. Chris Thomason

    People say that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, but that’s basically what the internet encourages. We look a brief snapshot of a business, whether it be a restaurant, bank, hotel, etc., and we judge it. We all have different tactics. Many include glancing at the pictures or logos, looking at where they’re located, and maybe checking out a few reviews.

    We’d like to cut through all of that white noise at Eagle Dental Care. We do believe that we are Eagle’s premier dentistry location. But we’re not going to pitch you on our quality or our website, we want you to come check things out for yourself. Come meet Dr. Thomason and see if he’d be a good fit for you and your family.

    We can tell you all day long that we are the premier dentist office in the greater Boise area. We can tell you all day long that we offer the highest quality and have the best doctor and staff, and so on and so forth. But at the end of the day, none of that matters unless you actually feel that way.

    Our Invitation

    Eagle Dental Care waiting room desk and sign
    Feel right at home at Eagle Dental Care.

    We encourage anyone looking for a new dentist to make the time to visit us and see what “premier” really looks like. We’d love for you to meet our staff, tour our office, and understand our products and how billing works. We’re not keeping any secrets, we want you to feel as comfortable as you possibly can when visiting the dentist.

    Premier Service From A Premier Dentist

    We think we do a good job here at Eagle Dental Care. We do believe that we offer the best service at a fair price. We’d love for you to learn more about us. Please feel free to poke around our website, take the virtual tour of the office, read about our services, etc. Then stop by or give us a call at 208-939-4111.

  • A New Look at Eagle Dental Care

    Same Great Care, Great New Decor

    When I arrived at Eagle Dental Care, I had a mental checklist of things I wanted to accomplish. Chief among them was getting to know our wonderful patients and staff. A little further down on the list, you’d find tasks like getting us some high-tech equipment like our new cone-beam CT scanner for imaging. Near the end of that list, but still an important part of it, was sprucing up our decor in the office and putting a personal stamp on the look and feel of the place. I knew that project would come later on, but I’m excited to announce that we’re currently in the process of a makeover.

    Now, we’re lucky in that we are not doing any demolition or wall building. The structure of the office will remain the same but will undergo a spruce-up from top to bottom. To ensure that we don’t have to close the office or have patient care suffer during the redesign, we’ve opted to tackle the project in steps. Thus far, we’ve done a complete paint job and are now working on the floors.

    Once those are done, we’ll be receiving a shipment of some new furniture for our dental rooms and reception area. One thing I’ve learned during this process is that dental chairs take a long time to ship — sadly, using Amazon Prime two-day shipping isn’t an option. It kind of works out, though, because we won’t have to move a new chair in before the floors are done. In addition to these big alterations, we’ll also be getting some new, quieter dental equipment.

    There’s no way I could’ve spearheaded this project on my own, as having an eye for decor isn’t one of my natural talents. We worked with an interior designer to help generate ideas that were both practical and attractive. I’m very glad we did, as she’s brought a ton of great options to the table. I also owe a big thank-you to Julie, our office manager, for taking a lot of initiative on this project. Without her help, I’m sure the results wouldn’t have been as awesome as they’re shaping up to be.

    Throughout the process, our goal has been to create an environment that’s reflective of our values as a practice. We hope to create a welcoming, comfortable environment that offers the latest and greatest in dental services and equipment. I might be biased, but I’d say we are well on the way to achieving our goal. I’m very glad we waited a while to get the ball rolling on the project. It feels like perfect timing.

    I’m very grateful to our patients for being understanding throughout the makeover. Thankfully, we haven’t had to turn our office into a construction site, but I’m still humbled to see how accommodating our patients have been. If you haven’t stopped in this summer, I urge you to come in, if only to check out our new digs.

    We may have missed the window for our new office design to be considered spring cleaning, so let’s call it a summer spruce-up. Come check it out and let us know what you think.

    Download This Month’s Newsletter

  • A Pop-Up Summer

    Camping, Biking, and Exploring the Wilds of Idaho

    I’ve always wanted a camper. As you may know, I’m a huge nature lover, and spending time in remote places is one of my favorite ways to relax. Tent camping is a ton of fun, but as I’ve learned from experience, it’s not always the best when you’re camping with young children. I figured the arrival of summer was the perfect impetus to step the Thomason family camping game up a notch.

    The first decision we had to make was which type of camper would make the most sense for us. We don’t have the space for a fullsized RV at the house, and I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of paying a chunk of change every month to store the RV in some far-flung lot miles away from our house. After doing plenty of research, we came to the conclusion that a pop-up camper we could fit in the garage was our best option. So far, I’d say we made the right call.

    To test out and fiddle with the camper, we took the kids to Roystone Hot Springs in Sweet. It may not be anyone’s idea of off the grid, but we wanted our maiden voyage to give us the chance to make any adjustments before heading off to wilder surroundings. As a bonus, it was a ton of fun. Now that we’ve ironed out the kinks, I’m looking forward to spending a good portion of the summer exploring some remote places.

    In my excitement to get going, I’ve already booked a few places to visit, including a trip to Deadwood. I’m also trying to pressure my brothers into camping in Copper Basin with me. If you know of any spots worth checking out, I’m open to recommendations. The more secluded and farther off the beaten path, the better.

    More than anything, I’m looking forward to introducing my kids to the wonders of camping. In our daily lives, we are constantly connected to an endless stream of stimulation and information. Our phones buzz with alerts throughout the day, and emails seem to arrive every second. For me, taking some time to disconnect is the perfect remedy. There’s nothing quite like being in a place where you can’t go online even if you want to. My hope is that the pop-up camper will provide just enough comfort to get the kids excited about camping without making it feel like just another trip.

    When I think of getting away from it all, I don’t want to imply that I spend my camping trips in quiet contemplation. There’s certainly some of that, but I also enjoy firing up the dirt bike and tackling some terrain. That’s another thing I hope to get the kids into this summer. I was lucky enough to receive the “brother discount” on a 50cc Honda, which will be the perfect introductory bike for Avy and Jett. Given that Max just turned 1, I think I’ll wait a little while before I get him behind the handlebars.

    Like a kid with a new toy, I’m looking forward to spending as much time as possible with my camper this summer. Fingers crossed that, by the end of it, my family doesn’t think I secretly want to become a reclusive mountain man.

    Download This Month’s Newsletter

  • Fun, Family, and Gratitude

    Why Memorial Day Is My Favorite Holiday

    When you ask somebody what their favorite holiday is, the more common answers are Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Independence Day. I guess I’m an outlier in this regard, because Memorial Day has been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember. The reason I look forward to the holiday is partly because of where it falls on the calendar, and partly due to specific family traditions.

    I always travel to Eastern Idaho for Memorial Day, and there’s no better time to visit. I grew up in farm country, which can be pretty desolate-looking during much of the year. That’s not the case in late May, however. The fields of grain are green and popping, the grass is gorgeous, and the weather is almost always perfect. The entire landscape feels like it’s exploding with life.

    To take advantage of the natural wonders, I always float Henry’s Fork (the North Fork of the Snake River) with two of my brothers. We spend the days floating and fishing and the evening cooking and barbecuing at my brother’s home. As an added bonus, Memorial Day always happens during the stonefly hatch, which makes for ideal fishing conditions. The experience is always a blast. As we grow older and busier, spending quality time with my brothers gets harder. I cherish these trips for that very reason.

    Of course, Memorial Day isn’t all about cookouts and fishing trips. It’s also a time to take a moment to remember those who are no longer with us, particularly those who have served our country. As a patriotic American, I try to always keep in mind the sacrifices of the brave men and women protecting our nation. The impact these selfless folks have on all of us isn’t limited to a holiday, but it’s great that we have a day to celebrate them.

    I also use Memorial Day weekend to commemorate my parents. They’ve both passed away, and our family always visits their gravesites during Memorial Day weekend to honor their memory. It’s a very special, intimate experience for all of us and one that brings us closer together as a family unit.

    Given that Mother’s Day is also in May, I wanted to close by paying tribute to my mother, Bonnie. She passed away four years ago this month, but she continues to be an inspiration to me. She was always my biggest supporter and never failed to have a word of encouragement for me when I needed it most. A mother’s love is the closest thing to God’s love, and in my experience, that is true. I miss her all the time, but I feel grateful to have been raised by such wonderful parents.

    If your mom is still with us, I hope you take the time to express your love to her this month. I also encourage you to take a moment, even in the midst of your cookout, to pay tribute to those who’ve lost their lives serving our country. We wouldn’t be here without our mothers and service people, and now’s the perfect time to show our gratitude.

    Download This Month’s Newsletter

  • The Endless Process of Unpacking

    The Endless Process of Unpacking

    Turning Our House Into a Home

    Last month, I mentioned that we recently moved into a new home. We’re deep in the midst of the unpacking process and starting the effort of turning our new house into a permanent home. While my excitement about settling in hasn’t cooled one bit, I’m beginning to feel like the universe is playing an April Fools’ joke on me when it comes to unpacking. I swear that all this stuff can’t be ours! If I never have to cut through a strip of packing tape again, you won’t hear me complaining.

    That said, adding some personal touches to the home has been really rewarding. We’ve been doing some painting, and while I’m no Picasso, I do enjoy putting a Thomason-family stamp on our house. When you move in, it can feel like you’re just renting or staying in a hotel room. Slowly but surely, though, we’re planting down our roots and furniture. Our next step is to start building some memories. I hope that when we look back on the early days in our new house, our kids remember the cardboard palace that was a jungle gym for them and a headache for their dad.

    “When you move in, it can feel like you’re just renting or staying in a hotel room. Slowly but surely, though, we’re planting down our roots and furniture. Our next step is to start building some memories.”

    Speaking of painting, I’m excited to dye some Easter eggs with the kids this year. We’ll get some respite from the moving madness when we head to Eastern Idaho for a big family celebration. We’ve done Easter at home for the past couple of years, so I’m looking forward to a bigger gathering this time around. Avy and Jett are the perfect ages to enjoy going on an Easter egg hunt, and, despite the fact they’re the kids of a dentist, they love candy as much as the next little one. Max isn’t old enough to hunt for anything outside arms’ reach, but I’m sure he’ll enjoy the trip all the same.

    Later in April, I’ll be floating down the middle fork of the Salmon River with my eldest brother, Mike. He goes every year, but I haven’t been able to join him because of life-changing events that have coincided with the trip. Last year, Max was born in April. The year before that, I was in the process of getting started at Eagle Dental Care. Three years ago, well, I have no excuse for that one. I just missed it. I’m so excited to be able to join him this year. The days will be spent floating and fishing, and the nights will see us sleeping on the shore. My brother is a certified mountain man, and he says it’s the closest you can come to an Alaskan adventure in the lower 48.

    In other news, I want to extend a giant thank-you to all of our patients for referring their friends and family. Our practice is growing at a pretty remarkable rate, and I’m humbled by the enthusiasm you have for our work. To thank our patients for their referrals, we will start running a monthly contest for those who refer new folks to us. The prizes are going to be awesome, so be sure to stay tuned for information about the contests. If you want to stay up to date on all things Eagle Dental Care, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook.

    Oh, and if you need way too many boxes, I might know a guy looking to unload some. Just a thought.

    Download This Month’s Newsletter

  • The Thomason Family Has Landed

    Building Our Nest in Eagle

    My wife, Meredith, and I have been searching for a home in Eagle for the past eight months or so. We’ve been in love with the town from the moment we came to the Treasure Valley. When I started at Eagle Dental Care a little over a year ago, the desire to make our permanent home here grew even stronger.

    It wasn’t a quick process, but I’m proud to say we’ve found our family home. The real estate process went a lot smoother than we could ever have hoped. We were lucky enough to work with a great Realtor who made it painless. Moving, on the other hand, has included more than its fair share of headaches. Never having to pack and unpack everything again is all the more reason to really plant our roots in the new home.

    As we ate some food from Dickie’s Barbeque Pit on our first night in the new home — if you think we were going to do dishes on the first night, think again — Meredith and I took a moment to recognize just how lucky we are to be a part of this community. Avy, our oldest, will be starting first grade in the fall, and we timed the move so she’ll be totally settled for the beginning of the school year. She and Jett will finish up the year at their current school, and we’re hoping this will be the only school change for many years to come.

    “Spring is a time of new beginnings, so it’s exciting to be able to spend this one in a new home. I’ve moved a lot during my life, but this move feels different. It feels permanent.”

    The house itself is quickly becoming a playground for the kids. We have a bigger yard and more space than before. Once we get rid of the seemingly infinite number of boxes, they’ll have even more room to play. Personally, I’m looking forward to getting the fire pit in the backyard going. It won’t be long before it’s the perfect weather to roast marshmallows. Compared to last year — and especially compared to the weather in Eastern Idaho — it’s been so warm that I find myself worrying when the snow will arrive. Maybe we just got lucky this year, but I haven’t counted out the cold just yet.

    Spring is a time of new beginnings, so it’s exciting to be able to spend this one in a new home. I’ve moved a lot during my life, but this move feels different. It feels permanent. You never know what the future will hold, but I get the sense that we’ll look back on this transition a decade from now and smile. We couldn’t be happier to be here in Eagle, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

    I’m excited to turn my attention to sprucing up the office once we get fully settled,. There are a few changes I’ve been hoping to make for a while now, but one decorating project at a time is more than enough for me. Luckily, the Eagle Dental Care team will be able to lend a hand during the process of improving our office. Another bonus is that it won’t involve any packing and unpacking. I’ve done enough of that for one year.

    It may not feel like we’ve had much of a winter, but I still want to wish everyone a happy spring season. If it ends up snowing in mid-March, you can blame me for jinxing us all.

    Download This Month’s Newsletter

  • The Majesty of Idaho

    Why I’m Proud to Call the Gem State Home

    One of the first joint excursions my wife, Meredith, and I took was to the McCall Winter Carnival. Even though over 60,000 people attend the event every year, it felt like we were all by ourselves. As we roamed the streets, looking at the massive snow sculptures, we were transported to another world. To use a phrase from a classic song, we were “walking in a winter wonderland.”

    A few years later, we were married and had two kids. Given how much we enjoyed the carnival, we figured they would as well. Avy and Jett were amazed by what they saw. Sculptures as big as a truck are impressive to adults, but to kids, they are borderline magical. Now that Max has joined the family, we’re hoping to make another trip up to McCall this year. He may not be old enough to understand the effort and time that goes into the sculptures, but we’re certain he’ll have a great time all the same.

    Being able to attend one-of-a-kind events like these is part of what makes Idaho so appealing. I may be a little biased — I was born and raised in the Gem State, after all — but I would say we live in one of the greatest places in the country. From pristine wilderness and outdoor adventures to quaint towns and burgeoning cities, Idaho truly has it all. The problem is that I just don’t have the time to take part in all the activities that catch my eye, especially as work gets busier and my family grows larger.

    “I may be a little biased — I was born and raised in the Gem State, after all — but I would say we live in one of the greatest places in the country.”

    I guess I should file that complaint under “good problems to have.” Every corner of our state has secrets waiting to be discovered, and it will take us years to cross everything off our Idaho bucket list. As the kids get a little older, we’ll be able to tackle some of the more rugged terrain. In my experience, the most scenic places take a little work to trek through. As soon as Max can handle it, you can bet we’ll be camping and hiking with him in tow.

    There are a few places that are near and dear to my heart that I cannot wait to share with my family. Given that I grew up in Rexburg, eastern Idaho and Wyoming are home to many of these locales. As a kid, I used to ski at the Grand Targhee Resort, and I want to introduce that pastime to the next generation of Thomasons. I also have fond memories of Grand Teton National Park. In fact, it was on a fishing trip on the Teton River that I made the decision to pursue dentistry.

    The pleasures of exploring our state and the surrounding areas are something I don’t take for granted. I feel lucky that Meredith and I are able to raise our children in such a spectacular place. Now, it’s just a matter of making sure they get to experience the best of it.

    Before I go, I want to wish Meredith a happy Valentine’s Day. She’s my valentine every day of the year, but I would be remiss if I didn’t include a little shoutout to her. She is the greatest person I’ve ever known, and I don’t know where I’d be without her.

    Download This Month’s Newsletter