FAQs

Questions: For answers to our most frequently asked questions about cosmetic dentistry, click on the questions below. Click TOP OF PAGE text to return to the questions.

1. Are you accepting new patients/guests?
2. I’ve never been to a dentist, how does it work?
3. Do you take my insurance?
4. How can I afford my cosmetic dentistry treatment?
5. Do you pull teeth?
6. What are “crowns and veneers?”
7. Do you do “bonding?”
8. What are inlays and onlays?
9. What is “Neuromuscular” Dentistry?

Answers:

1. Are you accepting new patients/guests?
Yes!  We love to meet new guests and work with them to create a personalized dental plan that will get their mouth and teeth as healthy as possible as soon as possible and meet their dental goals and needs!

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2. I’ve never been to a dentist, how does it work?
Some of our new guests wish to have a consultation prior to their examination and diagnostic work-up.  In this initial consultation, you would meet with one of our treatment coordinators who can answer many questions for you about our cosmetic dentistry practice and the kind of life-changing dentistry that we provide.

Other guests choose to schedule the initial comprehensive examination and diagnostic work-up with the doctor.  This provides the doctor with the necessary data and documentation to begin creating your personalized dental plan for you. 

After this visit is completed, you would return and meet with a treatment coordinator to review your personalized dental plan, answer any questions or concerns you may have, and arrange your future visits according to your goals and needs.  The doctor can be available to answer any clinical questions about cosmetic dentistry you may have.

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3. Do you take my insurance?
The Smile Centre Team is more than happy to assist you with your insurance filing.  We can print the ADA (American Dental Association) standardized claim forms for any insurance company or provide you with any necessary billing receipts that you may need for receiving your reimbursements.

We are currently participating in some Preferred Provider Networks(DPO/PPO), like MetLife’s, Delta Dental’s and a few others.  We do not participate with any Dental Maintenance Organizations (DMO/HMO).  You are welcome to ask our Guest Services Representatives if we are “in-network” providers for your insurance benefits.

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4. How can I afford my cosmetic dentistry treatment?
There are many ways that might be right for you to financially achieve your dental treatment goals and needs.  Many of our guests have used our convenient payment options to achieve their healthy smiles while others have found great success arranging outside financing. 

This highlights the importance of meeting with one of our treatment coordinators to discuss your choice of your recommended personalized dental plan options.

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5. Do you pull teeth?
We do not recommend pulling teeth unless the tooth is absolutely unsavable.   At The Smile Centre, we recommend the highest quality dental treatment options and educate our guests on all their options for treatment.

Many people do not realized that when a tooth is removed, the height of the jaw bone where that tooth root was will decrease without the tooth there.  If it is necessary to remove the tooth, bone graft can be placed to minimize this bone loss and treatment options to replace the lost tooth, such as placing an implant or bridge to maintain your chewing capability and prevent further complications, will be discussed.

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6. What are “crowns and veneers?”
Crowns and veneers are porcelain restorations made by a laboratory and used at The Smile Centre to restore teeth to a healthy and cosmetically enhanced state. They look, feel and have comparable strength to your natural teeth!

Crowns and veneers are used when tooth structure has been lost due to chipping, clenching and grinding, and/or decay to replace the lost tooth structure.  Veneers cover the entire front surface and biting edge of a tooth going only partially up the tongue side.  At The Smile Centre, veneers are recommended whenever possible to maintain as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.

If too much tooth structure is lost, crowns are required to cover up and protect  whatever remains of the natural tooth.  Porcelain restorations are the treatment material of choice and quality to attaining both the cosmetic and dental health results desired.

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7. Do you do “bonding?”
“Bonding” is a very generalized term in dentistry.  Bonding can refer to the process of temporarily or permanently cementing crowns and/or veneers as well as adhering a plastic resin composite filling material.  This question usually arises in regard to cosmetic treatment of the front teeth.

The plastic resin filling material is not a successful, long-term option for cosmetic dental treatment performed on front teeth (incisors).  Your front teeth have to work like scissors.  A very strong, hard edge is required to perform this cutting and biting action.  Additionally, the restoration must be fitted to have stronger leverage and adherence for staying in place long-term as the cutting, biting, pounding action places daily stresses and torque on these teeth. 

While a wonderful alternative for small fillings, the plastic resin filling material simply does not have these necessary qualities.  Because The Smile Centre is focused on quality cosmetic dentistry dental treatment and care, we do not recommend this material for attaining your goal of a new beautiful smile, but instead recommend porcelain crowns and/or veneers.

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