General dentist who opened Quartz so patients could ask what their treatment is made of, and why.
General dentistry in Salem, Oregon
Plain answers about materials, sleep and your jaw
A general dental practice where you can ask what a filling is made of, how a night guard or sleep appliance works, and when a question belongs with your physician instead.
- General dentists
- Written estimates
- Sleep and jaw questions welcome
- Unhurried visits
How we work
Ask what it's made of
Many patients arrive with questions about materials, about snoring and sleep, or about a jaw that clicks or aches. We answer in plain words, show you what we see, and tell you which parts are dentistry and which belong with your physician.
Our care is not a substitute for medical care. We are general dentists. When a question needs a sleep physician, a physical therapist or an orofacial pain dentist, we say so and send our notes with you.
Materials explained
We tell you what a material is made of, how long it tends to last and what the other options are.
Jaw and sleep questions
We look at clenching, jaw pain and signs of disturbed sleep, then refer you when the question is medical.
Unhurried visits
Visits leave time for questions, and you can ask us to pause at any point.
A referral, not a guess
When a concern is outside dentistry, we say so and point you to the right clinician.
How we decide
We would rather explain one choice well than offer ten.
Explained
Every option comes with what it is made of, what it costs and what waiting means.
Preserved
We keep natural tooth structure whenever it can be saved.
Referred
When a concern is medical, we send you to a physician and share our findings with your permission.
3
General dentists4
Team membersSat
Morning appointments1
Written plan before treatment
Our Services
Care for teeth and gums, with extra time for questions about materials, sleep and your jaw.
Materials and restorations
Fillings, crowns and inlays, with the choice of material explained: what it is made of, how it is placed and what the trade-offs are.
Tooth-colored fillings
Ceramic crowns and inlays
Gold restorations
Material safety sheets on request
Sleep and airway
Screening questions, a look at your airway and bite, and oral appliances for sleep apnea your physician has diagnosed. We do not diagnose sleep apnea; a physician does, usually after a sleep test.
Airway and bite screening
Appliances made on a physician's recommendation
Follow-up with your physician
Appliance adjustments
Jaw pain and clenching
An exam of your jaw joints and the muscles around them, a look at tooth wear, and a night guard when it makes sense. We cannot promise how you will feel afterward, and we refer you when the pain may come from somewhere else.
Jaw joint and muscle exam
Night guards (occlusal splints)
Bite and habit review
Referral to a physician or physical therapist
Check-ups and gum care
Exams, cleanings and the X-rays your dentist decides you need, with a hygienist who leaves time for questions. Gum care is part of every visit.
Comprehensive exams
Professional cleanings
Digital X-rays when needed
Oral cancer screening
Our Practice
Add your photos of the practice, the rooms and the team here. These are samples.
Sample photos.
Meet Your Care Team
Three general dentists and a hygienist, each with time set aside for your questions.
General dentist who gives extra visit time to jaw pain, clenching and worn teeth.
General dentist who screens for airway and sleep concerns and fits appliances a physician recommends.
Hygienist for cleanings and gum care, with time at each visit for questions he passes to your dentist.
From first call to follow-up
Four steps, with room for your questions at each one.
Request a visit
Use the form or call us. Tell us the day that suits you and how you like to hear back.
Exam and questions
Your dentist examines your teeth, gums and jaw, looks at X-rays if you need them, and listens to what you want to know.
A written plan
You get your options in writing, with what each is made of, how many visits it takes and an estimate, before anything starts.
Care at your pace
Treatment starts when you say yes. We follow up, and we refer you to a physician when your question is medical.
What patients tell us
A few words from patients about their visits.
“I asked three times what the filling was made of, and nobody rushed me. The dentist wrote it down and gave me the safety sheet to take home.”
Jonna P.Teacher
“My physician ordered a sleep test. Dr. Salas explained how an appliance would fit with that plan and said she would send her notes to my doctor.”
Bruce J.Retired electrician
“I clench at night. Dr. Alawi looked at my jaw, explained what he saw and told me when to check with my doctor instead.”
Cierra C.Bookkeeper
“I had the estimate in writing before I decided anything. On the day, there was nothing I hadn't already read.”
Perry M.Bus driver
Sample reviews.
“I came in for a cleaning and left knowing which questions to ask my doctor.”
Bruce J.Retired electrician
Sample reviews.
Bring us your questions
Request a visit and we'll set aside time to go through them.
Request a visit
Tell us a good time and how you'd like us to reply.
Phone(503) 555-0133
Hours
- Monday – FridayToday
- 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- SaturdayToday
- 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- SundayToday
- Closed
Ready to ask your questions?
Request a visit and our team will take it from there.