FAQ - Chesapeake & Virginia Beach, VA

There is no question about it, having an attractive smile is a great thing to have these days and an important part of social interaction especially when meeting new people. A perfect start is just getting them cleaned by a professional hygienist and polished will remove quite a bit of the stains that accumulate from coffee, red wine, smoking, etc. Then I recommend using some whitening gel in combination with a custom made tray. Generally, what is found to be esthetically pleasing is straight, white, and shiny teeth without large spaces between them. Also important is appropriate size and proportion. Not to be neglected is healthy gums; your smile is not going to be as pleasant if your gums are inflamed and red. All of these factors and some others must be taken into account when making a plan treatment plan to maintain or perfect your beautiful and healthy smile. Your cleaning appointment is a perfect time for any concerns or questions about the current state your mouth is in, and/or what your options are to improve and enhance your smile’s appeal (or your mouths overall health) can and should be asked of your dentist and hygienist. Also, a lot of times SAME DAY TREATMENT can be provided that will dramatically improve your smile’s appearance!! Please feel free to call or visit the website and make an appointment for a courtesy consultation (no charge).

We completely understand that visiting the dentist can bring up feelings of fear or unease. Our practice is built around creating a safe, judgment-free, and calming environment for patients with dental anxiety. Here is exactly how we look after you:

• Open Communication: We explain every single step of your treatment in advance so there are never any surprises.
• Patient-Driven Pace: You are always in total control. We establish clear stop signals so you can pause your procedure whenever you need a breath.
• Anxiolysis Solutions: We offer safe, custom options ranging from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to oral conscious sedation to completely ease your nerves.

We can absolutely help! We love transforming smiles. We offer a complimentary smile makeover consultation. We offer professional whitening treatments that deliver fast, bright results, much safer than over-the-counter options! From quick in-office whitening to custom take-home kits, we offer great options to brighten your smile safely. We offer custom whitening treatments and permanent cosmetic solutions like porcelain veneers.

Your baby’s relationship with the dentist’s office should ideally start with a positive experience (especially since it can set a positive tone for a lifetime of healthy, smiling appointments), so this process should start with the arrival of the first tooth! (6-12 months old). During this quick visit your dentist will teach you how to properly clean your child’s mouth, check for normal development of mouth and face, and determine whether fluoride supplementation is appropriate.

When considering your treatment options you should want the dentist to make recommendations based on what is the very best treatment for you regardless of your insurance coverage or financial arrangements. At my office we offer several payment options to make it possible for you to get the care that you want and deserve.

1. Pre pay in full.
2. Major Credit Cards.
3. Care-Credit (no-interest options up to 2 years to pay for any procedure you want including elective procedures).
4. Financing is available through Proceed Finance, Cherry, CareCredit, and Sunbit Financial
5. Pay as you go (you may choose to pay your obligation for each visit with Cash, Check or Credit Card/Debit Card at each visit.
6. Gradual Treatment Plan (for those patients on a limited budget, or with no insurance, by prioritizing and spreading out appointments over several months or years)

Small titanium post that is inserted into your jaw with a minor surgical procedure, after implant placement a completely lifelike tooth is attached (usually after a healing period).

Absolutely, you can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth (implant supported bridge), or all your teeth (you can stabilize a removable denture with only two implants or you can get a full set of top or bottom teeth that is completely permanent! (Using only 4-6 implants). Only you and your dentist will know you have dental implants.

No, the dental implant placement procedure itself is not painful because the area is completely numbed with local anesthesia. Most patients report feeling significantly less discomfort than they anticipated. Bone tissue actually lacks pain-sensing nerve endings, making the placement surprisingly comfortable. Most patients find getting a dental implant to be less painful than a tooth extraction or a root canal, and the recovery is generally smoother.

Yes, dental implants are a significant financial investment, but they are often the most cost-effective solution over your lifetime because they are permanent. Unlike bridges or dentures, which usually need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years, a dental implant is designed to last for life.

• High-Quality Materials: Implants are made of biocompatible titanium or zirconia, which safely fuse to your jawbone.
• Specialized Expertise: The procedure requires precise surgical placement by highly trained dental professionals.
• Multi-Step Process: The total price typically covers the implant post, the connecting abutment, and the custom-crafted porcelain crown. Many modern insurance plans offer partial coverage for the surgical or restorative parts of the implant. We partner with healthcare financing companies. Because the treatment takes several months to heal, the total cost is naturally broken up into smaller payments over time.

Getting affordable dental care is highly achievable through a mix of insurance optimization, flexible payment strategies, and choosing the right treatment paths. We offer a customized membership plan that also helps our patients manage dental costs.