Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most common questions we are asked in our office. If you do not see the question you have here, please contact our office so we can provide the information you need.

Would I be a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is for people who take pride in their appearance and have the desire for an attractive smile.  Nothing can detract from your image or persona more than a dingy, unattractive smile.  The advanced training our team and doctors have allows us to provide you with the best results possible.  It could be something as simple as whitening your teeth or it could be porcelain veneers that change the look and shape of your teeth that will give you the smile of a lifetime.  All of our patients who have had cosmetic dentistry have expressed how much better it has made them feel about themselves and how they tend to smile all the time now!  With today’s technology, there is no reason not to take advantage of the wonderful cosmetic dental services we can offer you.

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How long does it take to achieve a gorgeous smile?

Certainly it depends on what services will be provided, but once the diagnostics and treatment plan have been completed, a few visits over the course of about a month is all it takes.  That’s right, in just a few week’s time, you can have a fabulous new smile that will last a lifetime!

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Wouldn’t whitening be sufficient to give me the attractive smile I desire?

It depends on the appearance of your teeth.  If your teeth are crooked, chipped, and crowded, then whitening them will only give you white crooked, chipped, and crowded teeth.  A situation like that may require porcelain restorations to give you the desired result.  Porcelain restorations can overcome all of those imperfections at the same time.  However, if you are happy with the alignment and shape of your teeth, then whitening will give you a youthful, dazzling smile.

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I’ve seen other people’s crowns and they look fake.  Would mine look the same?

Our team’s training in cosmetic dentistry gives us the ability to create a smile so natural that others cannot tell that porcelain restorations have been used.  We use only “master” lab technicians to help us achieve these results.  And since we do not use metal under our porcelain restorations, there will never be an unsightly black line you see in other people’s crowns.

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Is there a correlation between my overall health and the health of my mouth?

Studies have shown that periodontal (gum) disease has been linked with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even low birth-weight babies.   Abcesses and low-grade infections in your mouth can cause your body’s immune system to work harder as well.  In our office, we routinely screen for periodontal disease and check for hidden abcesses that can be caught early to prevent more costly and damaging treatment at a later date.

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At what age do my children first need to see the dentist?

Typically we like to see patients when they’re about two to three years old, after all their baby teeth have come in.  We’ll check them to see if there are any issues or concerns, and talk about important preventive measures (such as fluoride) or about any orthodontic problems we see.

All three of our hygienists are great with kids, and one even worked in a pediatric dental office before coming to our practice.  We’ll start your child off with a very positive experience of going to the dentist!

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Will this treatment hurt?

We will make you as comfortable as possible during your treatment so that you should not experience pain.  We always wait for the anesthetic to take effect before we begin a dental procedure—just let us know if you’re not ready.  Nitrous oxide also helps many of our patients relax during treatments.

For patients who are especially fearful, or who have very long appointments, we can offer oral sedation so that they are in a relaxed, drowsy state throughout their treatments.

If you’re apprehensive, let us know!  We can help.

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How do I pay for my dental care?

We offer several payment options to let you finance your oral health investment with ease.

  • We offer a 5% discount on all charges totaling over $500 when paid in full by cash or check at the time of service.
  • We accept Master Card, Visa and Discover
  • If you would be more comfortable making monthly payments, we offer low or no interest financing plans through several different providers  (Care Credit and Chase Health Advance).  Our office pays the interest on these plans for you. Ask our knowledgeable staff for an application, or apply online today at CareCredit.

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What is CEREC?

CEREC stands for Chairside Economic Restorations and Esthetic Crowns. It is a new technology that uses computer aided design and a camera to create a custom-fitted crown, inlay, or onlay in a milling machine at our office. What does this mean to you? One visit restorations! In a single visit, we can prepare your tooth, mill your restoration, and place the permanent crown, inlay, or only. You won't have to worry about a temporary crown or follow-up visit. What more could you ask for?

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What is cosmetic dentistry?

Also called aesthetic or esthetic dentistry, cosmetic dentistry includes all dental procedures that enhance the appearance of your smile. Veneers, whitening, and tooth-colored restorations are a few of the cosmetic dental procedures we offer here in our office. An important part of cosmetic dentistry is also functionality of dental work. We focus on not only making your smile look terrific, but also on restoring or maintaining completely comfortable function of your teeth and bite. Ask us about smile analysis and smile makeovers at your next appointment.

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