FAQ

You should have your teeth cleaned every six months to keep your teeth free from cavities, your gums pink and healthy, and your smile looking bright.

For most patients, the answer is yes, cleanings are covered by their insurance. Basic preventive care, such as checkups and cleanings, is covered up to 100% by most dental insurances. In-depth periodontal (“deep”) cleaning may be covered up to 50%-80%, depending on your individual coverage. Our team will be sure to confirm your benefits and help you understand your coverage as well as any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur during your visit.

Even patients with healthy teeth and gums should see their dentist for preventive visits. You should expect to schedule preventive appointments for you and your children twice a year (or every six months) to have your teeth cleaned and examined by our friendly team.

Getting your teeth cleaned should never be a painful or stressful experience. Our dental hygienists are trained to perform gentle cleanings without causing our patients any pain. However, for patients who have tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues, the increased sensitivity may cause some discomfort.

Missing teeth make it difficult to properly eat your food, leading to digestive problems and nutritional deficiencies. After you lose a tooth, your jaw will also begin to shrink, which will cause your facial muscles to sag.

Yes, our team offers oral sedation to patients undergoing implant surgery to ensure they enjoy a relaxed and painless experience.

Yes, we do. Our office has partnered with CareCredit to offer affordable financing solutions and help our patients get the care they need when they need it.

Dental implants are made from a metal called titanium. This type of metal is strong, long-lasting, and biocompatible, meaning that it fuses with the surrounding bone tissue in your jaw. Once placed, the implants will be absorbed by your jawbone to provide a stable foundation for your artificial teeth.

Getting an implant can take time. You will visit our office 3-4 times over 6-12 months during your dental implant treatment experience. The full process includes your initial consultation, treatment planning, surgery, and follow-ups to check on your progress.

Getting an implant involves a minor surgical procedure, during which your dentist will insert the implants into your jawbone. Be sure to follow the post-operative care instructions we provide you with to ensure a comfortable recovery. Once your mouth had healed and adjusted to the new implant, it will feel as natural and comfortable as a normal tooth.

Compared to traditional braces, clear aligners offers many benefits to our patients! Your aligners are transparent and virtually invisible when you speak or smile. The aligners are also removable, so you can enjoy your favorite meals and snacks without damaging your aligners or getting food caught in hard-to-reach places the way you might with braces. This makes clear aligners an excellent choice for busy adults or image-conscious teens, making for a comfortable and convenient treatment experience.

Many young patients may be candidates for clear aligner therapy. Be sure to talk to our dentist about an orthodontic consultation for your teen or tween to see how we can help every member of your family enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles.

For some patients, yes. The cost of clear aligners treatment is covered in part by many major dental insurance providers. However, some insurance providers consider clear aligners a cosmetic procedure rather than a necessary orthodontic procedure, like metal braces. The important thing to understand is that your out-of-pocket expenses will depend on your individual plan and stated benefits. To help you understand your benefits and make the most of your coverage, our team will confirm your benefits and answer any questions you may have.

Just like any orthodontic treatment, the total cost of your clear aligners will depend on your unique needs. Thanks to the unique flexibility of clear aligners, your treatment plan is tailored to your case, so you’re only paying for the treatment you want and need. Your dentist will perform a full dental assessment and draft up a treatment plan during your visit. At this time, our team will provide you with a breakdown of all treatment costs so you know what to expect.

A number of over-the-counter products are available that promise to increase the brightness of your smile, but you are sure to achieve better results with professionally administered tooth whitening treatments Store-bought treatments such as whitening toothpastes, strips, and whitening kits can provide some degree of whitening over time, but take repeated treatments over weeks or months. For fast, effective whitening in an hour or less, book a visit with your dentist.

The total cost of your whitening treatment will depend on your case. As with any treatment, your teeth whitening procedure is tailored to your unique cosmetic needs. Your dentist will perform a full cosmetic assessment and draft up a treatment plan during your consultation. At this time, our team will provide you with a breakdown of all treatment costs so you know what to expect.

This can vary depending on the patient. Avoiding food and beverages that stain your teeth can help maintain your results. Maintaining a good at-home brushing and flossing routine will also help keep your teeth brighter for longer. That said, the effects of your teeth whitening treatment can last an average of 1-3 years. Be sure to schedule touchup treatments as recommended by your dentist to keep your teeth pearly white and perfect!

Yes, teeth whitening is a completely safe, common procedure. Millions of people safely and comfortably brighten their teeth every year. Our peroxide-based bleaching treatments are powerful yet gentle on teeth, using specifically formulated ingredients that brighten teeth without causing irritation to your sensitive gums.

Generally, no, teeth whitening is a very comfortable procedure! Modern whitening treatments are designed to brighten teeth without causing any irritation or pain. That said, it's normal to experience some temporary sensitivity in your teeth during or immediately after an in-office whitening session. However, our dentists take every precaution to minimize any discomfort you may feel.

Veneers are considered a permanent cosmetic procedure. They need a thin layer of enamel to be removed from your teeth prior to placement and are bonded to the remaining tooth structure with cement. For this reason, only a trained dental professional can make repairs or adjustments to your veneers. Otherwise, you may damage your tooth.

The lifespan of your veneer depends on the type you choose, and your veneers will eventually need to be repaired or replaced just like any other dental work. Composite veneers can last up to 5-7 years with good at-home care. A set of porcelain or ceramic veneers will last 10-20 years or more, which is why we recommend it to our patients.

Generally, no, veneers don’t hurt. Patients who receive 2-4 porcelain or ceramic veneers typically experience little to no discomfort. However, patients who receive 8-10 veneers may experience some sensitivity or tenderness in their gums. Your dentist will take every precaution during your veneer preparation and administer local anesthetic as needed to ensure your comfort.

Veneers are used in a wide range of cosmetic flaws. They can treat chips, cracks, stains, discolorations, gaps between teeth, and worn-down enamel, instantly improving the appearance of your smile.

On average, you can expect the process of getting your ceramic or porcelain veneers to take 3-4 weeks. You’ll visit our office 2-3 times during this time, from your initial consultation to the final fitting and application.

In addition to veneers made from porcelain or ceramic, we also offer no-prep composite veneers. No-prep means that this type of veneer can be placed without removing any enamel from your tooth. The tooth-colored composite resin is sculpted directly onto your tooth by your dentist and cured, meaning that it can be done in less time than porcelain or ceramic veneers.

We offer high-quality veneers made from porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin. Each material is chosen for its strength, durability, and lifelike appearance.

Generally speaking, a dental emergency refers to any problem that needs immediate treatment. This may be to stop bleeding, alleviate severe tooth pain, treat a tooth infection, or save a damaged tooth.

Dental emergencies are more common than you might think! Our skilled dentists and friendly staff treat a wide range of common emergencies, such as dental infections, bleeding in your teeth or gums, mouth sores, knocked-out teeth, and chipped, cracked, or broken teeth.

Our dentists will do everything we can to see you ASAP! Walk-ins are accepted as scheduling permits, and we try to fit same-day or next-day appointments in whenever possible. We can’t guarantee appointment times, so be sure to call us in case of an accident or emergency.

While we understand your first instinct is to go to the hospital when you’re in pain, don’t! Hospital emergency rooms are designed to help patients with medical emergencies, but they can’t treat your dental emergency. Unless you’re experiencing uncontrolled bleeding or swelling, call our office right away. Your dentist has the training and facilities needed to treat your symptoms and provide relief.