Asked often
The questions that come up at the desk
These are the practice’s own answers, written for the questions patients actually ask before and after a visit. If yours is not here, the office will answer it on the phone.
Chart AFillings, crowns and implants
A composite filling is tooth-coloured, so it blends with the tooth rather than showing as silver. It is every bit as durable as amalgam, and insurance often covers both the same way.
A crown is a cap placed over a tooth, and it is commonly recommended after a root canal. There are three options: porcelain fused to metal, which is tooth coloured; gold, which is the most durable and is usually used on molars; and all-ceramic or all-porcelain, which has no metal in it and suits the front smile zone.
Two. The first visit is the preparation and takes about an hour and a half, and an impression goes to the lab. You leave with a temporary crown on. The final crown is seated about ten days later.
An implant is a titanium post fused to the jaw bone that acts as an artificial tooth root. Unlike a three-unit bridge it does not require shaving down the healthy teeth on either side. Two or three implants can also be used to stabilise a lower denture.
Chart BWhitening and dentures
Replace them at least every five years, and have them checked at least once a year. Some patients prefer twice a year. An in-office reline is softer and temporary; a lab reline is firmer and permanent.
It takes about an hour. A barrier goes over the gums first, then the whitening gel is applied and agitated every five to seven minutes. After fifteen minutes it is removed and reapplied. MI Paste is recommended afterwards if your teeth feel sensitive.
Chart CChildren and insurance
Fluoride helps prevent decay and cavities, and it matters most for children because it mixes with the enamel as the teeth are forming. Sealants are a plastic coating applied to the biting surface of the permanent teeth to help keep cavities out.
Most dental insurance plans are accepted. Delta, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna and Guardian are the preferred providers. All major credit cards are accepted, and the Citi Health Care card is available if you need to begin treatment before you can pay for it.