experience real answers to your questions
Q: I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?
A: Yes! Your comfort is our highest priority, and our office is designed so that you can enjoy a relaxing dental visit. For entertainment and distraction, we offer amenities, such as massage dental chairs, neck pillows and blankets, and MP3 players. Nitrous oxide is also offered to keep you comfortable and relaxed. You may also enjoy aromatherapy during your treatment or a protein shake afterwards. For those patients who feel especially anxious, we offer sedation dentistry via an oral sedative or an I.V.
Q: I know I need X-Rays, but I'd prefer not to be exposed to unnecessary radiation. Do you offer digital radiographs?
A: Yes, we do offer digital radiographs. Digital radiographs use less radiation and are safer for you than traditional film radiographs. You will find that in our dental practice we research the latest trends in technology to find the solutions that promote your overall health, safety, and comfort.
Q: I just want my smile to look good. What are some options to help the appearance of my smile?
A: You may be interested in a few minor adjustments, or you may have concerns that need more attention. Some smiles can be enhanced with simple whitening or bonding treatments. Other smiles need porcelain veneers, crowns, or bridges; gum contouring; periodontal therapy, or a combination of all these techniques. You are not alone. Most people want to have a nice smile since it is the first thing others notice about you. Dr. Hamlett will suggest a treatment plan for you based on your goals, areas of concern, and overall condition of your oral health.
Q: How can porcelain veneers help my smile?
A: Porcelain veneers improve your smile by correcting a multitude of cosmetic concerns including: gaps in teeth; chips and broken teeth; dull or yellowing teeth that cannot be whitened with traditional means; "gummy smile" (showing too much gum when one smiles); and crooked teeth. Porcelain veneers broaden, straighten, whiten and beautify most any smile. Many of our patients feel like this was the best improvement that could have been done for their overall appearance.
Q: What is a crown and why do I need one?
A: A crown can restore the look and function of your tooth while allowing you to keep your natural, underlying tooth structure. Most crowns are precision-milled porcelain and are individually customized for each application in each patient, giving you a natural, long-lasting smile. The crown is positioned over your damaged tooth, and it looks and feels completely natural while restoring function to the area. If you suspect you need a crown, it would be to either to correct a broken tooth or to repair a tooth that has deteriorated due to cavities (decay). The decay in your tooth eats away healthy tooth structure much like rust eats away at metal. If not removed, decay will deteriorate the tooth to the point where extraction is the only viable treatment option. Sometimes, decay is removed, leaving healthy tooth structure, but not much of it.
Q: What are my options to replace a missing tooth?
A: Your options are a bridge or an implant. By replacing missing teeth with either with a bridge or an implant, you will alleviate the problems associated with missing a tooth and will give your smile back its beautiful, full appearance. A bridge is one solution for replacing a tooth. By using neighboring teeth as the supportive structure, Dr. Hamlett places a porcelain restoration into the vacant space, restoring the functionality and look of your smile. A dental implant is also an excellent solution. Dental implants involve the placement of a titanium post directly into the jawbone. Once the post has bonded to the bone, it can act as a new, solid support for a natural looking, porcelain restoration. Implants can replace a single tooth or an entire set of teeth, offering more function and permanence than traditional dentures.
Q: I want cosmetic dentistry. Does my insurance pay for it?
A: Dental insurance is designed to assist you in paying for your dentistry. Most procedures are not fully covered by your insurance. Cosmetic dentistry, in particular, is not covered by most dental insurance plans. To help you afford your smile, we offer a variety of payment options, in addition to a monthly payment plan provided by our financial partner, CareCredit®.
