FAQ

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 some of 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 and ProLending 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, as long as you have healthy gums. If you have gum disease, it may take 3-4 months to help decrease the bacteria causing it before we move forward. 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.

Some patients may experience mild discomfort or soreness when they first start wearing Invisalign aligners or when they switch to a new set of aligners. However, this discomfort typically goes away within a few days.

There are no dietary restrictions with Invisalign because the aligners are removable, allowing patients to eat and drink as they normally would.

Patients typically need to visit the dentist every six to eight weeks to check on the progress of their treatment and receive new sets of aligners.

Invisalign aligners should be worn for approximately 22 hours a day, only being removed for eating, brushing, and flossing.

Invisalign is an excellent choice for individuals who have mild to moderate orthodontic issues, such as crooked or crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, or mild bite problems.

Yes, porcelain and ceramic veneers are considered permanent cosmetic procedures. They need a thin layer of enamel to be removed from your teeth before placement and 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 receiving 2-4 porcelain or ceramic veneers typically experience little 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.

Yes, we offer no-prep composite resin 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.

Our office offers comfortable, lifelike veneers made from high-quality porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin. Each material is chosen based on its strength, durability, and natural appearance. During your consultation, your dentist will help you determine which veneer is right for your smile.

You should have your teeth cleaned every six months to help prevent cavities, gum disease, and staining.

For most patients, the answer is yes. Cleanings are generally 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 for other treatments or services.

Even good oral health patients should see their dentist for regular 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. These visits allow our team to diagnose issues before they become a bigger problem and help reinforce good brushing and flossing habits to maintain good oral health.

Generally, no. Getting your teeth cleaned should never be a painful experience for you or your child. Our dental hygienists are trained to perform gentle cleanings without causing you or your child pain. However, patients living with tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues, may experience some increased sensitivity, which may make their cleaning uncomfortable. That said, our team takes every step needed to make your experience as comfortable and relaxing as possible. 

Generally speaking, a dental emergency refers to any problem that needs immediate treatment. This may be to stop bleeding, alleviate severe tooth pain, treat 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! 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 your first instinct is to go to the hospital when you’re experiencing pain in your mouth, wait to see the dentist! Hospital emergency rooms are designed to help patients with medical emergencies, but they can’t treat your dental pain, injury, or infection. Unless you’re experiencing uncontrolled bleeding or swelling, call our office for dental care. Our dentists have the training and facilities needed to treat your symptoms and provide relief.

Due to the fact that there are different types of discoloration, it is important to use the correct teeth whitening treatment. While the label of a teeth whitening kit may tell you which type of discoloration the product is suitable for, it cannot tell you the cause of your discoloration. Some teeth whitening treatments can also do more damage to your teeth than good. Yout dentist can provide you with teeth whitening treatments that will work for you. Whether that means coming into the office for treatment or guidance on using a kit at home, we are here to support you throughout your treatment.

No, teeth whitening does not work on dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or veneers. You may not be the best candidate for whitening treatment if you have extensive dental work. However, our dentists will work with you to find a solution to improve the look and quality of your smile.

For other patients, the discoloration is intrinsic or inside the core of the teeth. Overexposure to fluoride or traumas to the teeth are the most common causes of intrinsic discoloration. Some people, however, have discoloration caused by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Where both types of discoloration exist, it is usually a result of prolonged damage to the teeth. It is normally observed in older patients. In these cases, we may not be able to remove these stains.

Discolored teeth are one of the most common issues for patients at Chester Road Family Dental. No matter how well you brush or floss, you may still end up with discolored teeth. For some patients, discoloration is from habits such as drinking tea, coffee or smoking. These habits cause what is known as extrinsic discoloration, which means the discoloration is on the surface of the teeth.