Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. We welcome kids of all ages and have a child-friendly space with games, a play area, and a team who knows how to keep visits positive and low-stress for young patients.

Yes. If you're dealing with sudden pain, swelling, or a broken tooth, we can help—often the same day. We also offer weekend and extended hours by appointment.

If you miss a visit, just give us a call. We’ll help you get back on the schedule and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

Yes, we offer family scheduling so you can book visits for everyone at once. It’s a simple way to keep your household’s dental care on track.

We’ll explain everything clearly—what we found, what your options are, and how much it may cost. No pressure, no surprises. Just a plan that works for you.

We work with most major dental insurance plans and will help you understand what’s covered before any treatment begins. Our team can walk you through your benefits and out-of-pocket costs.

You’re not alone—and we get it. We take a calm, understanding approach and offer comfort options like blankets, music, and breaks during treatment. We’ll walk you through everything so you always know what to expect.

Yes. We use digital X-rays, which require very low levels of radiation. They help us detect issues early and plan your care more precisely.

Your first visit includes a full exam, digital X-rays, a gentle cleaning, and an oral cancer screening. We’ll also talk through your dental history, answer your questions, and build a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.

Most checkups take about an hour. That gives us enough time to clean your teeth, complete your exam, and go over anything you’d like to ask or discuss.

Whether you choose clear aligners or braces, it’s normal to feel mild pressure when starting or adjusting treatment. This usually fades within a few days and means your teeth are shifting as planned.

Once treatment is done, we’ll provide a custom retainer to keep your teeth in place. Wearing it as directed will help protect your new smile for the long term.

Rinse them daily with lukewarm water and a mild soap, or use a clear aligner cleaning solution. Avoid hot water—it can warp the plastic.

Some patients notice a slight lisp when first starting aligners, but it usually goes away in a few days. Braces don’t usually impact speech at all.

We usually see patients every 6–8 weeks to check progress and give you new aligners or make adjustments to your braces. These visits are quick and help keep everything on track.

Most patients finish orthodontic treatment in 12 to 24 months. Some cases may be shorter or longer depending on the complexity of tooth movement. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during your visit.

Most teens and adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners are great for mild to moderate crowding or spacing. Braces may be better for more complex cases. We’ll help you decide what’s right for your goals.

With aligners, you can eat whatever you like—just remove them during meals and brush before putting them back in. With braces, we’ll give you tips on what to avoid (like sticky or hard foods) to keep your brackets and wires in good shape.

For the best results, wear your aligners 20–22 hours a day. Take them out only to eat, drink (except water), and brush your teeth.

The cost of treatment depends on your unique needs and how long treatment lasts. We’ll walk you through pricing during your consultation and offer flexible financing to help fit your budget. We also accept most major insurance plans.

Most patients experience very little discomfort during veneer treatment. We use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during any enamel preparation. Afterward, some patients feel slight sensitivity for a few days, but it usually fades quickly.

If you have dental anxiety, we’re happy to talk through additional ways to help you feel at ease.

Most adults with healthy teeth and gums are good candidates for veneers. If you’re looking to fix chips, discoloration, spacing, or mild alignment issues, veneers may be a great fit. During your consultation, we’ll review your oral health and goals to determine which type of veneer is best for you.

Veneers are easy to maintain. Brush twice a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste, floss daily, and continue with your regular checkups. While veneers resist staining and wear, keeping your gums and surrounding teeth healthy is key to making your smile last.

Porcelain, eMax, and Empress veneers are highly resistant to stains and maintain their color over time. Composite veneers are more porous and may pick up stains from things like coffee or red wine over time. Regular cleanings and good at-home care will help keep all veneer types looking their best.

Veneers are generally considered a cosmetic treatment, so most dental insurance plans do not cover them. However, we offer flexible payment options to help make treatment more manageable. During your consultation, we’ll walk you through costs and financing choices.

Yes, you’ll be able to eat and chew as you normally would. Veneers are strong and built to withstand everyday use. That said, we do recommend avoiding habits like biting into ice, using your teeth to open packages, or chewing on pens, which can damage both veneers and natural teeth.

Porcelain, eMax, and Empress veneers typically require two or three appointments: one for the consultation, another for preparation and impressions, and a final visit to place the veneers. Composite veneers can often be completed in just one visit, especially if minimal shaping is needed.

Veneers are carefully designed to match the color, shape, and feel of your natural teeth. Porcelain, eMax, and Empress veneers offer a translucent finish that reflects light much like real enamel, making them especially lifelike. Composite veneers can also be made to look natural, though they may not offer the same level of shine and depth.

Whichever option you choose, our goal is to make sure your smile looks seamless and authentic.

Yes, veneers are considered a permanent treatment. For porcelain, eMax, and Empress veneers, a small amount of enamel is removed from the surface of your teeth to ensure a secure fit and natural appearance. This means the teeth will always need to be covered moving forward. Composite veneers may require less enamel removal, but the commitment is still long-term.

The lifespan of your veneers depends on the material. Porcelain and eMax veneers can last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care. Empress veneers generally last 5 to 10 years. Composite veneers have a shorter lifespan, typically around 5 to 7 years, but they can be repaired or refreshed more easily.

No matter the material, good brushing habits and regular dental visits will help your veneers last as long as possible.

Most patients are able to return to work within a day or two after implant placement. If your job is physically demanding, we may recommend taking a bit more time to recover. We’ll go over your post-op care instructions in detail to make sure your healing goes smoothly.

Yes. Every implant crown is custom-designed to match your natural teeth in color, shape, and size. The result is a restoration that looks, feels, and functions like a real tooth, often indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.

Caring for implants is just like caring for natural teeth. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with your regular dental visits. With the right care, your implants can stay healthy and secure for many years.

Other options include dental bridges or removable dentures, but these don’t offer the same stability or bone support. We’ll help you compare all your choices so you can decide what feels right for you.

If you have gum disease, we’ll need to treat it first. Healthy gums and bones are essential for implant success. Once your gums are stable, implants can be a great long-term solution.

With good care, dental implants can last a lifetime. The visible part of the implant—the crown—may need replacement after 10 to 15 years due to wear, but the titanium post is designed to be permanent.

Coverage varies depending on your plan. Some policies help with parts of the process, such as the crown or imaging. Our team will check your benefits, explain your options, and help you plan for any out-of-pocket costs.

Cost depends on the number of implants you need and whether any preparatory work (like bone grafting) is required. We’ll give you a clear estimate up front and offer flexible payment options to make treatment more manageable. We also work with most insurance providers to help you get the most from your benefits.

We use local anesthesia and gentle techniques to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Most patients describe the recovery as mild, similar to a routine extraction. If you feel nervous, we’ll walk you through your options for managing discomfort and anxiety before, during, and after your visit.

Most dental implant treatments take about 3 to 6 months from start to finish. This includes healing time after implant placement and the final placement of your crown. Some patients may require additional steps, like bone grafting, which can extend the timeline. We’ll outline your full treatment plan before we begin, so you always know what to expect.

Whitening may not be recommended if you're pregnant, nursing, under 16, or have untreated cavities, gum disease, or extremely sensitive teeth. It’s also less effective if you have crowns or fillings on your front teeth. During your consultation, we’ll help you determine if whitening is right for you.

Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic treatment, so it’s typically not covered by insurance. However, we offer competitive pricing and flexible payment options to help make it more accessible.

Good brushing and flossing habits, along with regular dental cleanings, are key to keeping your smile bright. Using a whitening toothpaste and limiting stain-causing foods will also help extend the effects of your treatment.

For the first 24 to 48 hours, we recommend avoiding foods and drinks that can stain, like coffee, tea, red wine, tomato sauce, or berries. After that, you can return to your normal diet. Rinsing with water after meals can also help maintain your results.

In-office whitening usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. You’ll leave the same day with noticeably brighter teeth. For take-home options, we’ll give you custom trays and a whitening plan that works over 1 to 2 weeks.

Most patients see their teeth whiten by 3 to 8 shades. The final result depends on the natural color of your enamel and the type of staining you have. We’ll review your goals ahead of time and help set realistic expectations.

Surface (extrinsic) stains from food, drink, or smoking respond well to whitening. Deeper (intrinsic) stains caused by injury, medications, or enamel defects may not respond as well and might be better treated with veneers or bonding.

Some patients feel mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a day or two after treatment. This is temporary and usually fades quickly. If you already have sensitive teeth, let us know—we can adjust the formula or recommend products to minimize discomfort.

Yes, professional whitening is safe when supervised by your dentist. We use proven systems with controlled ingredients to protect your enamel and gums, making the process both safe and effective for most healthy adults.

Whitening results typically last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. This depends on your eating and drinking habits, oral hygiene routine, and whether you smoke. Avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can help extend your results.

Absolutely. We’ll find the cause of your pain—whether it’s an infection, deep cavity, or cracked tooth—and treat it right away. Our goal is to get you out of pain quickly and comfortably, with a clear plan for next steps.

If you have an urgent issue outside regular hours, call us—we offer extended and weekend hours by request. We’ll get you the care you need as quickly as possible.

In some cases, yes. We’ll explain everything before you leave and let you know if you’ll need a follow-up to complete treatment or monitor healing. You won’t be left wondering what happens next.

Many emergencies can be avoided with regular checkups, good brushing and flossing habits, and common-sense precautions. Wear a mouthguard during sports, avoid chewing hard objects like ice or pens, and don’t ignore small dental issues—they often grow into bigger ones.

We accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, and CareCredit financing. We also work with most major insurance providers and will help you understand what’s covered before treatment begins.

We use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during urgent procedures. If you’re anxious or nervous about treatment, let us know—we’re here to help you feel at ease.

A dental emergency is anything that causes severe pain, bleeding, swelling, or visible trauma to your teeth or gums. Common examples include a knocked-out tooth, a broken or cracked tooth, a painful abscess, or bleeding that doesn’t stop. If you’re unsure, call us—we’ll help you decide what to do next.

Act fast. Try to gently place the tooth back into the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, keep the tooth moist by storing it in milk or between your cheek and gums. Contact us immediately—your best chance of saving the tooth is within the first hour.

We do everything we can to see emergency patients the same day. We offer extended hours and weekend availability by request, so you’re not stuck waiting in pain. Just call—we’ll guide you through your next steps right away.

Yes. You don’t need insurance to be seen for an emergency. We welcome all patients and offer a reduced-rate emergency exam. We also provide flexible payment options so you can focus on feeling better, not finances.