Frequently Asked Questions
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General Questions
Where are you located? Our office is at 11205 N. May Ave, Suite A, Oklahoma City, OK 73120. We serve patients throughout the Oklahoma City metro area, including Edmond, Yukon, and Nichols Hills.
Where do I park? We have plenty of parking available at our office. Patients may park in any designated Dental or Melrose parking spots directly in front of and around the building.
What makes Dr. Ousley's practice different from a typical dental office? Dr. Ousley takes a whole-body approach to dental care. After 30+ years of practice, she focuses on the connection between your mouth, airway, and overall health — not just your teeth. The office offers services rarely found in general dentistry, including CBCT airway imaging, oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea, tongue tie release, and on-site myofunctional therapy. Every treatment is designed to be biocompatible and minimally invasive.
Are you accepting new patients? Yes! We welcome new patients and do our best to accommodate most visits within one week. Call us at 405-755-4450 or use the online booking form to schedule your first appointment.
What are your office hours? We are open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For urgent questions outside office hours, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call the next business day.
Do you see children? Dr. Ousley's dental practice currently focuses on adult patients. For pediatric tongue tie and myofunctional therapy, we recommend contacting Jennifer DeJonge, RDH, OMT directly at omtofok.com.
Do you offer alternatives to root canals? This is one of the most common questions we receive, and Dr. Ousley believes in giving patients an honest answer rather than just telling them what they want to hear. When a tooth has infection or damage that reaches the nerve, there are really only two evidence-based options.
Option 1 — Root Canal: Dr. Ousley believes a root canal is a safe and effective treatment when performed correctly — specifically by an endodontist specialist, not a general dentist. An endodontist has advanced training and the equipment to seal the canal thoroughly. A well-performed root canal saves your natural tooth, maintains your bite, and avoids the complications that come with tooth loss.
Option 2 — Extraction: Removing the tooth eliminates the infection but creates a new set of problems. A missing tooth must be replaced — otherwise neighboring teeth shift, bone loss occurs, and bite function deteriorates. Replacement options include a bridge or an implant. Implants involve a metal post placed in the jawbone, which raises biocompatibility concerns for patients pursuing a holistic approach. Dr. Ousley also considers the meridian tooth chart — each tooth corresponds to specific organs and body systems, and losing a tooth permanently may affect those meridian connections in ways that are difficult to reverse. Our recommendation: If you need a root canal, Dr. Ousley will refer you to a trusted endodontist specialist to ensure it is done with precision and properly sealed. We do not believe in leaving infection untreated. After your root canal is complete, we are happy to provide your restoration with a biocompatible, metal-free crown.
How soon can I get an appointment? We do our best to accommodate most new patients within one week. For urgent dental concerns, please call us directly at 405-755-4450 and we will do our best to see you as soon as possible.
What should I bring to my first appointment? Please bring a photo ID, your insurance card (dental and/or medical), a list of current medications, and any prior dental records or X-rays if available. If you have a prior sleep study or CPAP prescription, bring those as well — especially if you're interested in oral appliance therapy.
Holistic & Biological Dentistry
What is holistic (biological) dentistry? Holistic dentistry treats your oral health as part of your total body wellness. It means using biocompatible, metal-free materials; avoiding toxins like mercury and BPA; using digital X-rays that produce up to 90% less radiation; and looking at how your teeth, jaw, and airway connect to your overall health. Dr. Ousley also follows the meridian tooth chart, which maps each tooth to corresponding organs and body systems.
What does metal-free dentistry mean at your office? Metal-free dentistry means we use only biocompatible, non-metallic materials for all restorations — including composite resin, porcelain, ceramic, and zirconia. No amalgam, no metal crowns, no metal posts. Every material we use is chosen for its safety, durability, and compatibility with your body.
Do you use mercury fillings? No. We do not place any amalgam (silver/mercury) fillings. We use only composite, porcelain, ceramic, and other non-metallic, biocompatible materials for all restorations. If you have old mercury fillings you'd like removed, we follow safe amalgam removal protocols to protect you from exposure during the process.
What is SMART amalgam removal and how is it different from standard removal? SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique — a protocol developed by the IAOMT to minimize mercury vapor and particle exposure during amalgam removal. Dr. Ousley is trained in both SMART and the Hal Huggins protocol. Notably, Dr. Ousley was trained by Dr. Hal Huggins himself in Colorado Springs in 1995 — more than 20 years before the formal SMART technique was introduced. Both protocols use protective measures including rubber dams, high-volume evacuation, sectioning the filling into chunks rather than grinding, and supplemental oxygen — protecting you, our team, and the environment from unnecessary mercury exposure.
Is fluoride-free dentistry available? Yes. We offer fluoride-free treatment options for patients who prefer to avoid fluoride. We're happy to discuss alternatives during your appointment.
What does "BPA-free" mean for dental materials? BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical found in some dental composites and sealants that has been linked to hormonal disruption. Our office uses BPA-free restorations to minimize your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
What is CBCT airway imaging and why is it important? CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) gives us a full 3D view of your teeth, jaw, airway, sinuses, and skull structures — all in one scan. It evaluates TMJ joints, para-nasal sinuses, nasal septum, teeth and periodontal tissues, tongue position and airway, cervical spine, facial and jaw bones, ear structures, styloid process, and carotid artery blockages. Dual scans are taken — one with mouth open for TMJ diagnosis and one with jaw protruded for sleep diagnosis. Each scan is read by a board-certified radiologist at no additional charge and you receive a copy of the report. The scan takes about 20 seconds and produces only 68 micro sieverts of radiation — compared to 1200-3300 for a medical CT scan. Having CBCT in-office is rare among Oklahoma City dental practices.
What is a panoramic X-ray and what does it show? A panoramic X-ray gives us a broad view of your entire mouth in a single image. It evaluates your TMJ joints for arthritis changes, maxillary sinuses for infection or chronic sinus problems, nasal septum for deviation, teeth and periodontal tissues for cavities and bone loss, facial and jaw bones for fractures, and the styloid process for elongation. The panoramic X-ray takes about 20 seconds and produces only 68 micro sieverts of radiation — for comparison, one day of natural background radiation from sunlight is 8 uSv, and a medical CT is 1200-3300 uSv.
Do you offer Botox and dermal fillers? Yes. Dr. Ousley offers Botox® and JUVÉDERM® dermal fillers as part of our cosmetic services. Dentists are uniquely qualified to administer facial injectables — we have advanced knowledge of facial anatomy, nerves, and musculature from years of dental training. Botox can also be used therapeutically to relieve jaw tension, TMJ pain, and teeth grinding (bruxism). Treatments are performed in the comfort of our dental office.
Sleep Apnea & Oral Appliance Therapy
Can a dentist treat sleep apnea? Yes — dentists specially trained in dental sleep medicine can provide oral appliance therapy (OAT). Dr. Ousley is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, the highest level of credentialing in this field. While a medical doctor must diagnose sleep apnea, Dr. Ousley works closely with sleep physicians to provide and manage oral appliance treatment.
What is oral appliance therapy and how does it work? An oral appliance is a custom-fitted device worn during sleep that gently repositions your lower jaw and tongue forward, opening the airway to prevent the collapse that causes apnea episodes and snoring. It's compact, silent, and easy to travel with — unlike a CPAP machine. Studies show compliance rates as high as 90% over two and a half years, compared to only 25% for CPAP after one year.
What is the difference between a CPAP and an oral appliance? A CPAP delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open. It is the most effective treatment for severe sleep apnea, but many patients find it uncomfortable and stop using it. An oral appliance is a quieter, more comfortable alternative that works especially well for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Some patients use both together for the best outcome.
Do you do at-home sleep studies? Yes. We offer at-home sleep tests that can be done in the comfort of your own bedroom. Results are reviewed by a board-certified sleep physician who will provide a diagnosis and recommend the right treatment for you.
Does insurance cover oral appliance therapy? Many medical insurance plans — including Medicare — cover oral appliance therapy for diagnosed sleep apnea. We now bill medical insurance and Medicare directly for sleep appliances. Coverage varies by plan, so call our office and we can help verify your benefits before treatment begins.
How do I care for my oral appliance? When you remove your appliance in the morning, brush it with toothpaste and your toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, and put it back in its container with water for the day. One to two days a week let your appliance soak in water with an effervescent tablet. Always bring your appliance and container to every follow-up appointment. You may also experience a temporary change in your bite relationship in the mornings — this is why you are strongly encouraged to wear your upper AM aligner for 10-15 minutes each morning to reset your bite.
Tongue Tie & Myofunctional Therapy
What is a tongue tie and how does it affect adults? A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a restrictive band of tissue under the tongue that limits its range of motion. In adults, a restricted tongue can contribute to sleep apnea, mouth breathing, jaw pain, TMJ issues, dental crowding, headaches, neck tension, and speech difficulties — and frequently goes undiagnosed for years.
Do you use a laser for tongue tie release? Yes. Dr. Ousley uses laser technology to perform frenectomies, offering patients a more precise and comfortable procedure compared to traditional surgical methods. Laser frenectomy typically means minimal bleeding, faster healing time, reduced risk of infection, and in most cases no sutures are needed. It is performed right here in our Oklahoma City office.
What is a frenectomy and is it painful? A frenectomy is a simple procedure to release the restrictive tissue under the tongue. Dr. Ousley performs frenectomies in a coordinated care approach — timed with myofunctional therapy for the best functional outcome. Most patients report minimal discomfort and quick healing.
What is myofunctional therapy and do I need it? Myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a program of targeted exercises that retrain the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to work correctly — like physical therapy for your mouth. It is often essential before and after a tongue tie release to ensure lasting results. Our on-site therapist, Jennifer DeJonge, RDH, OMT, works with patients ages 4 and up.
My child has a tongue tie — can you help? Dr. Ousley's frenectomy practice is currently focused on adult patients. For pediatric tongue tie evaluation and treatment, we recommend contacting Jennifer DeJonge, RDH, OMT directly at OMT of Oklahoma — one of Oklahoma's most experienced myofunctional therapists, who works with children as young as age 4. You can reach Jennifer at omtofok.com.
Insurance, Fees & Scheduling
What insurance plans do you accept? We accept most major dental insurance plans. For sleep apnea appliances, we also bill medical insurance and Medicare directly. Please call our office at 405-755-4450 to verify that your specific plan is accepted before your appointment.
How much does mercury filling removal cost? A thorough exam includes X-rays, intraoral pictures, and dental and medical history to determine the number, size, and location of your metal fillings. A simple removal can start at approximately $250 per tooth. Dr. Ousley's office will file your dental insurance to help with the cost.
What should I bring to my first appointment? Please bring a photo ID, your insurance card (dental and/or medical), a list of current medications, and any prior dental records or X-rays if available. If you have a prior sleep study or CPAP prescription, bring those as well — especially if you're interested in oral appliance therapy.
Do you offer virtual or phone consultations? For certain questions — especially about sleep apnea, tongue tie, or holistic options — Dr. Ousley may be able to do a brief phone consultation. Call us at 405-755-4450 to ask if this is appropriate for your situation.