My decent smile (image below :), yes, that’s what I call it, is a combination of good genes and my dentist Dr. Jason McCargar.

It takes some time to find a good and reliable dentist in the neighbourhood, and I’m glad I find Dr. McCargar. He recently changed my old Amalgam or silver fillings into beautiful white fillings, and that totally revolutionized my mouth, lol.

I decided to introduce Dr. McCargar to you, just in case you live in Phoenix or Scottsdale AZ area. McCargar is a very professional and talented dentist, and also very friendly and makes you feel at home. Him and his staff really go out of their ways to make you comfortable and well taken care of! OK. Here it is: 

Dr. Jason McCargar is a dentist licensed in both Arizona and Texas. Dr. McCargar’s dental practice in Scottsdale Arizona has built its reputation around providing the highest quality of dentistry to his patients.

In this interview Dr. Jason McCargar talks to Marta Walsh about his fascination with dentistry, what’s it like to be a patient at his dental practice in Scottsdale Arizona, gives advice on selecting the right dentist, and why he believes anyone can achieve a Hollywood Smile.

Marta Walsh: When did your fascination with dentistry begin?
Dr Jason McCargar: 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.

MW: How would you describe the “Dr McCargar” dentist experience?
DR JM: 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.

MW: What advice can you give for selecting the right dentist?
DR JM: 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.

MW: What are some common concerns people have with their teeth?
DR JM: 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.

MW: What advice can you give to anyone who needs to get braces?
DR JM: Braces are often a great way to help create a healthy, beautiful smile. For those concerned about unsightly bands, wires or brackets that can irritate the mouth, Invisalign is often an effective alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign uses a series of invisible aligners to gently move your teeth to achieve that perfect smile. Using 3-D computer technology, your dentist will create a plan to straighten your teeth using a series of clear, removable aligners. As your teeth begin to move, you will continue to contour your smile by changing your aligners approximately every two weeks. As part of your treatment, you will be required to visit your dentist every month to check your progression and to receive new aligners. The average treatment time with Invisalign is approximately 12 months, and throughout treatment you will be able to easily remove the aligners so that you can eat your favorite foods while continuing to brush and floss normally for optimal oral health.

MW: What is Zoom! Whitening? Is it painful and would it make my teeth sensitive?
DR JM: Whitening your teeth can be one of the easiest things that you can do to improve the quality of your smile. Our office offers the most reliable teeth whitening products on the market today. Using the Opalescence Boost and Zoom! in-office tooth whitening systems, a hydrogen peroxide based self-activating gel is applied to your teeth over four 15-minute sessions during one convenient appointment. This is then followed by a brief fluoride treatment. In just a single visit, you can improve the brightness of your smile by up to 10 shades! Very few patients experience tooth sensitivity following the procedure, and, with touchups and routine care, the effects of both whitening systems can last indefinitely.

MW: Which toothbrush do you recommend for daily brushing?
DR JM: Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush with toothpaste that contains fluoride. Brush using a gentle up and down motion, and make sure to clean all sides of your teeth, as well as your tongue. Electric toothbrushes, such as those produced by Sonicare and Oral B, also provide a great, gentle cleaning, and we are pleased to offer these for purchase at your dental appointment.

MW: Which simple daily routine do you recommend for maintaining healthy teeth?
DR JM: 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.

MW: Can anyone achieve a “Hollywood Smile”?
DR JM: With a smile makeover and good oral hygiene, anyone can achieve a “Hollywood Smile.” If your teeth are stained, chipped, misaligned or crooked, porcelain veneers may be just what you need to give you the healthy smile that you have always wanted. Made of porcelain, these thin restorations fit securely over your natural teeth are and virtually undetectable. They are stain-resistant and durable, and can be color matched to your existing teeth or lightened to brighten up a dull smile.

MW: What is your philosophy about beauty?
DR JM: I believe that beauty comes from within. It is the harmony of the mind, body and soul. Physical beauty is cultivated by healthy habits and self care. A healthy body leads to higher self-esteem and a positive outlook on life-both and soul.

MW: What do you love most about being a dentist?
DR JM: I love helping my patients achieve optimum oral health and the beautiful smile that they have always wanted.

It was a pleasure to interview Dr. McCargar you can find out more about his practise, Scottsdale Dental Arts and their work at the official website: www.scottsdaledentalarts.com

Jason D. McCargar, DMD, LTD
9751 NORTH 90TH PLACE
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85258
TEL 480.860.8282