Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Category: Dental Appointments

Yes! We are currently accepting new patients and we would love to see you! Please call our office to schedule an appointment or make an appointment request online.
We can generally schedule your new patient exam/ cleaning in the next one or two weeks. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, all efforts will be made to see you the same day you call or the very next business day.
If you are a new patient, we recommend that you visit our new patients page to know what to expect at your first appointment. If you still have questions, please give us a call.
Yes! We can see children as young as 3 years old!
No. A parent or legal guardian must accompany patients under the age of 18 to their dental appointments.
Absolutely! Please let us know in advance if you need any special arrangements.
Yes! It is very important to keep up with your oral health during your pregnancy. However, it is important to get a release from your doctor indicating that you can have dental treatment and x-rays.
A copy of your id is required to verify your identity and to minimize the chances of identity theft.
We do recommend that you arrive 10-15 minutes early for your first appointment in our office. This is so you can have time to resolve any insurance issues and complete your new patient paperwork if you did not do it online.
No. We only offer a mild form of sedation to relax you during your dental treatment. We do not offer IV sedation option at this time.

FAQ Category: Treatment

Category: Treatment
With today’s technologies and advancements, root canal therapy is generally a very comfortable procedure for most patients. The root canal procedure involves removing the nerves and disinfecting the canals in your roots and putting in a permanent filling material. This procedure generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete depending on the tooth being worked on. Keep in mind additional procedures such as a permanent filling and a crown may be required after your root canal procedure.
Category: Treatment
A dental crown or a dental cap is a material that is made to cover your tooth. It is meant to prevent your tooth from fracture or may be the only option to save your tooth if your tooth is found to have extensive decay or damage. It involves making your natural tooth a little smaller so that a crown can be placed and your bite will still feel normal. A tooth that has been recommended for a crown is very likely not a good candidate for a filling. Doing a filling instead of a crown may further compromise the tooth, causing it to fracture or could result in your filling falling out in a very short amount of time.
Category: Treatment
Most modern crowns do not have any metal and are designed to match the shade of your natural tooth.
Category: Treatment
No. Our office does not offer mercury based amalgam (silver) fillings. We only offer mercury free composite resin filling materials which are designed to match the natural color of your tooth!
Category: Treatment
A patient that has been recommended for a deep cleaning most likely has some form of periodontal (gum) disease. These patients usually require a more extensive cleaning that involves going under the gums to remove the build-up and bacteria that is causing them to lose bone.
Category: Treatment
This will vary for many different reasons. We hope your dental treatment will last you a lifetime, however, dental treatment just like most things in life experience normal wear and tear and may have to be replaced occasionally.
Category: Treatment
A dental bridge attaches to natural teeth. A dental implant stands alone and does require treatment of the teeth adjacent to the missing space. Some patients a better candidate for a bridge and some patients are better candidates for a dental implant.
Category: Treatment
Dental implant treatment can take 3-6 months to execute. This is because proper time must be given to allow the implant to fuse with the bone before the crown can be attached to the implant.
Category: Treatment
Absolutely! Same day crowns fabricated in the office are of comparable quality to crowns that come from a dental lab. In fact, most dental labs use the exact same technology we use to fabricate their crowns!
Category: Treatment
Sometimes, we may decide to send your crown to a dental lab. This may be required if a different material is required for your treatment that we cannot make in the office. For example, we cannot make gold crowns in the office. Your crowns/ veneers can also be sent to a lab if a professional ceramist is required to get the best esthetic outcome.
Category: Treatment
If you are getting a same day crown made in our office, you can expect to be here from 90-minutes to 2 hours. This may sometimes take longer depending on the complexity of your case.
Category: Treatment
It may take 4-6 weeks to get your dentures fabricated. There are generally 5 steps involved in the denture making process. We work with a dental lab to ensure your dentures are made with the highest quality materials. We do not cut corners!
Category: Treatment
Generally, yes! It is possible to fabricate your dentures prior to your extractions. Once your extractions have been completed, you can start using your dentures the same day! These are called immediate dentures. Schedule a consult with our office to find our if you will be a good candidate for this option.
No. We only offer a mild form of sedation to relax you during your dental treatment. We do not offer IV sedation option at this time.

FAQ Category: Tooth Pain/Dental Emergencies

If you are experiencing a toothache, we recommend contacting our dental office ASAP. If you are not able to reach a dentist, taking a combination of over-the-counter Tylenol and Motrin for tooth pain is recommended. If this is not effective, we recommend making an appointment with your dentist for an evaluation. Some patients find Orajel to be effective for dental pain. Please use all medications as directed.
Please visit our dental emergency page for more information. If you have additional questions or need to be seen, please call our office.
If you have been seen in our office before and you are experiencing a dental emergency after hours, please send a TEXT message to (910) 302-5718 to reach the dentist on call. This number only receives text messages and not phone calls. Please do not try to call this number.
It is normal to experience some level of pain/ discomfort following most dental procedures. If you have been prescribed medications please take them as directed. If you have not been prescribed medications, you may take Tylenol and/ or Motrin. If you are experiencing extreme pain/ discomfort, swelling that you are not comfortable with or have more questions please contact our office immediately. If after hours, please send a TEXT message to (910) 302-5718 to reach the dentist on call.

FAQ Category: Cost

Category: Cost
For patients without dental insurance, we are currently offering a dental cleaning, x rays and dental exam for $89. If you have dental insurance, your insurance may cover 100% of your treatment or you may have a small out of pocket expense.
Category: Cost
The exam, x-ray and extraction of one tooth may range from $250 - $500. This will vary depending on the difficulty of the extraction and the type of x-ray necessary. If you have dental insurance, you may only have to pay a small out of pocket expense.
Category: Cost
A root canal may range from $700-1200 depending on the type of tooth being treated. Keep in mind you may require additional procedures such as a permanent filling and a crown after your root canal procedure. Your dental insurance may help cover the cost of your root canal procedure.
Category: Cost
The cost of a dental implant to replace one missing tooth may range from $3,500 - $5,000. Cost may vary based on which tooth is being replaced and additional procedures that may be necessary. Dental insurance may help cover the cost of your dental implant.
Category: Cost
Dentures are partials will range from $1,200 - $1,700 per arch. Your dental insurance plan may help cover the cost of your dentures and partials.
Category: Cost
No. We make every effort to fabricate all of our dentures and partials using the highest quality materials and dental labs. We do not cut corners. We also pride ourselves in exceptional follow up care after the placement of your dentures. 
Category: Cost
You can expect to pay several thousands of dollars out of pocket for implant dentures regardless of your dental insurance coverage. We recommend you schedule a free consultation with our office for a more accurate quote.
Category: Cost
A take home whitening kit generally costs around $200.  The in-office whitening system (Zoom!) generally costs around $300. Dental insurance generally does NOT cover whitening procedures.
Category: Cost
A dental crown will range from $1,000 - $1,300 depending on what type of dental crown you require. Dental insurance may help cover the cost of your dental crown.
Category: Cost
The price of one dental filling will vary from $90 - $350. This depends on the size of the filling (how many surfaces), and which tooth is being filled. Your dental insurance plan may help cover the majority of the cost of your filling.
Category: Cost
Veneers and Lumineers will range from $700 - $1200 per tooth. Dental insurance plans generally do not cover the cost of cosmetic procedures such as veneers or Lumineers.
Category: Cost
Deep cleanings can cost between $150-$300 for each quadrant. Dental insurance may help cover the cost of your deep cleaning.
Category: Cost
Six month smiles braces will range from $3,500 - $4,000. Invisalign braces will range from $4,500 - $5,000. Some insurance plans may cover the cost of your orthodontic treatment.
Category: Billing/Insurance
We highly encourage you to look into our in-house membership plans if you want to save money on your dental treatment. Click here for details. It is designed to save patients without dental insurance hundreds to thousands of dollars on their dental care.

FAQ Category: Billing/Insurance

Category: Billing/Insurance
Yes, we do offer affordable and convenient payment plans. We offer both in-office payment plans from 6-12 months. For patients that need longer terms, we can extend financing for up to 60 months through a third party.
Category: Billing/Insurance

It is not uncommon to have a balance even if you have dental insurance coverage. Here are some reasons to consider:

  • Your insurance company may not fully pay what was estimated
  • You may still owe a co-pay or a deductible
  • Your insurance company may have denied a portion of or all of your treatment
  • Your insurance benefits may be maxed out
  • You may have a waiting period that has not been met
  • Your treatment may have been downgraded by your insurance company
Category: Billing/Insurance
We are in network with most major insurance companies such as United Concordia, MetLife, Delta Dental, HealthSmart, Aetna. If we are not in network with your insurance company, we can still bill any insurance company on your behalf.
Category: Billing/Insurance
No, we do not have a sliding scale.
Category: Billing/Insurance

Yes, it is the patient’s responsibility to pay any portion of the bill their insurance company did not pay in-full or has denied.

Category: Billing/Insurance
We highly encourage you to look into our in-house membership plans if you want to save money on your dental treatment. Click here for details. It is designed to save patients without dental insurance hundreds to thousands of dollars on their dental care.