FAQs
Below is a list of questions we get frequently. Don't see your question? Ask us your question using the form at the bottom of the page and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Appointment Questions
How much is my first visit going to cost me?
Usually, just your time. If you do not have dental insurance, we offer a complimentary full set of X-rays & a comprehensive exam. If you will be using dental insurance, the amount you pay is based on your insurance plan. MOST insurances pay 100% for the first visit. Our team members would be more than happy to check your benefits for you.
I am in pain. Are same-day appointments and/or walk-ins available?
Yes, same day appointments are available to patients in pain. We do encourage you to call us, rather than walking in, so you can avoid a wait and secure a dedicated appointment time.
I need to reschedule my appointment – how do I do this?
Contact the office so that we can assist you with coordinating another appointment. A phone call is the most efficient way, but you may also text, or email us.
Can I schedule a first appointment just for a cleaning?
Because we haven’t met you (or your teeth yet), it is difficult for us to guarantee a cleaning on your first visit. However, we can guarantee a complementary professional polishing of your teeth on your first visit.
How do I schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon?
If you are a current patient here, our oral surgeon already has access to your dental records & a front office team member can assist you with scheduling an appt. If you are not a patient here, you have two options:
(1) Schedule a first visit with our general dentist, so we can obtain all your dental records, then we can coordinate an appt with the oral surgeon.
(2) If you already have a general dentist that you see & they recommended you see an oral surgeon, just ask them for a written referral & give them permission to share your X-rays with us. We’ll do the rest.
Do I need to arrive early for my first appointment?
It is ideal to arrive 10-15 minutes early to give you time to read & fill out your welcome packet.
How long will my first appointment last?
The first appointment averages 1 hour or less. If you choose to proceed with any treatment the same day, this will of course lengthen the time. Any of our team members can let you know how much additional time will be added, based on the treatment you are doing.
What do I need to bring to my first appointment?
Photo ID if you are 18 years or older & your dental insurance information if you have not already provided it to us.
We gather most of your information beforehand, so that we are prepared for your first visit & any questions you may have. This includes having a breakdown of any insurance benefits you may have.
Who will provide my dental care?
This depends on what procedure(s) you’re coming in for. We have an assortment of dental professionals on staff who specialize in different areas of dentistry. A general dentist will see you for your first visit & restorative treatment like fillings, crowns, bridges, etc. If you're coming in for a cleaning, you will see one of our hygienists. We also have specialists who tend to our patients that need/want specialty dentistry.
Do you take walk-ins?
To ensure our best service we always recommend calling our office ahead to schedule an appointment, as it allows us the opportunity to gather information and be better prepared for you upon your arrival – especially if you will be utilizing dental insurance. However, our treatment coordinators and front desk staff will always do their best to accommodate emergencies and walk-in appointments.
I have a busy schedule. Is it possible to have my free evaluation and cleaning and/or treatments on the same day?
We do our best to accommodate both your evaluation and treatment on the same day. However, there are certain circumstances in which a separate appointment is necessary. We want to make absolutely sure our hygienists perform to the highest standards and give each guest the time and attention they deserve. We also prefer for our guests to be seen by the same hygienist to ensure consistency within their treatment. For this reason it is important that schedule our guests carefully and we cannot guarantee your cleaning or treatment will be on the same day as your evaluation. However, our front office staff will always do everything they can to accommodate our guests’ busy schedules.
Why is your schedule so full that my appointment needs to be so far in the future?
It's no secret that COVID shifted the world. While we've overcome many challenges presented by COVID, we are now tackling what we consider the aftershock. Your patience and loyalty is much appreciated. We recently opened a third location with many facilities to help see guests. We believe this expansion will benefit our guests and increase appointment availability.
Payment/Insurance Questions
What insurances do you accept? (Do you take HMO, Medical/Dentical)
We take all PPO insurance companies. While we are not providers for HMO or Medical/Dentical, we have competitive prices and can offer a complimentary exam & X-rays so you know what treatment you may need.
Do you offer payment plans?
We accept Care Credit & typically offer 12 month payment plans with them, interest free!
How do I pay for treatment?
We accept Cash, Check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Care Credit & Flex/Health Savings accounts (FSA/HSA) typically provided by your employer.
I need braces. Do I need to pay everything up front or do you offer payment plans?
Our office offers complimentary consultations as well as payment plans that are best discussed directly with our treatment coordinators after your visit and your exact needs are determined. We do everything we can to accommodate our guests unique financial requirements as we feel finances should never be a roadblock to quality care. We also offer additional discounts for cash payments that are made in full. Additionally, our office does accept Care Credit which offers plans at no interest for 18 months on Invisalign.
I can’t afford dental care right now. What should I do?
Knowing is half the battle. We would suggest coming in for a complimentary exam & x-rays. This will give you the opportunity to find out what dental treatment you may need & discuss all financial options with one of our treatment coordinators.
I have insurance, so why is there an out-of-pocket expense for my treatment?
Insurance is a great way to help minimize your out-of-pocket expense, but it does not usually eliminate it. Insurance companies pay towards your dental services at predetermined percentages and the patient is then responsible for the difference. These percentages are typically negotiated by the employer the plan is through. Or, if you have an individual plan, you were likely offered a variety of coverage and selected the one that suited you best.
You told me I owed one amount, but now I have a bill for more. I thought my insurance company was supposed to cover this. What happened?
Since we do not work for your insurance, rather we work with them, we cannot guarantee benefits or payment on their behalf. Our staff has an abundance of experience working with insurance companies and puts in a great effort to provide you with an accurate estimate of insurance benefits. We do suggest obtaining a pre-determination/pre-authorization from your insurance company, this allows us to see if your plan has any unexpected restrictions or guidelines that may apply.
Will you change the date or put a different date on my procedure so my insurance company will cover it?
No, integrity is a core value at our practice. Instead, we have skilled treatment coordinators available to help you maximize your dental insurance benefits appropriately and minimize your out-of-pocket expense.
My dental insurance has changed. What should I do?
Contact us as soon as possible and provide us with the new insurance information.
I saw a different dentist this year. How do I know how much dental benefit I have left this year?
We verify your dental insurance coverage and benefits, but it is also best to let us know that you've seen another dentist. Sometimes they have pending claims, that will not be visible to us. You can also check the details of your insurance plan online or using their automated phone system.
How much does it cost for X procedure with X insurance?
The best way to determine the cost of a procedure is to have a treatment coordinator put together a treatment plan for you. This can only be done for patients of record. Treatment plans reflect insurance fees, coverage, and take any restrictions into consideration.
Can you provide a price list for cleanings?
Because our hygienists perform various types of dental cleanings (prophylaxis, periodontal maintenance, debridement, generalized scaling, scaling and root-planning) and because each case is unique – requiring first a measurement of your gum pockets – we are unable to provide a price list. Our goal is to design the best treatment plan for each patient based on their unique needs and diagnosis. However, we encourage you to take advantage of our complimentary initial visit offer which includes a full set of x-rays as well as a comprehensive exam with one of our dentists. Once that is complete, a treatment coordinator will go overall all recommendations and fees with you.
What is a pre-authorization?
A pre-authorization is a tool we use to notify your insurance company about what treatment we recommend for you, BEFORE rendering the services. We typically suggest pre-authorization for large-scale treatment or cosmetic services This allows your insurance company the opportunity to review the recommendations and provide us with a written estimate of how much they may pay. While it is a useful tool, and can be very helpful in anticipating your out-of-pocket cost, it is not a guarantee of insurance payment.
Is pre-authorization necessary?
The short answer is that the necessity varies by insurance. We would be happy to check into this for you!
A more detailed explanation is, some insurance companies "require" pre-authorization. In these cases, a pre-authorization is mandatory and declining one could result in insurance denying payment for services rendered. While other insurances may only recommend it for select services or if the cost exceeds a certain amount. Pre-authorizations are never a bad idea, but keep in mind the response rate takes approximately 2-6 weeks, depending on the insurance company. Luckily, our treatment coordinators are very knowledgeable and will advise you on when you should pre-authorize and when it is unnecessary. We typically suggest pre-authorization for large-scale treatment or cosmetic services.
General Questions
Do you treat children?
Yes
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes
I'm pregnant, can I come in for a cleaning?
Usually, yes. However, your oral health, as well as your overall health (including baby’s), is our highest priority. It is important to coordinate this with your OBGYN. They are accustomed to corresponding with dental offices & usually have a dental clearance form readily available in their office. If not, we would be more than happy to provide you with one.
What should I do if I require premedication?
Let us know and we can provide you with a prescription. If you aren’t sure, we’d be more than happy to contact your medical doctor.
Are your offices accessible to patients with disabilities?
Yes
Treatment Questions
What kind of X-rays do you take?
We take digital X-rays, which require very little radiation
Do you do same day cleanings?
The hygienist's availability does not always coordinate with your first visit, which is primarily used to establish you as a patient by obtaining all necessary records. While we cannot guarantee a complete cleaning at the first visit, we can offer a complimentary polish, which removes soft plaque above the gum line & gives you that squeaky clean feel, and then bring you back in for a full-service cleaning.
Do you do braces (Orthodontics)?
Yes! We have an orthodontist that does traditional braces, clear bracket braces, as well as Invisalign, all here in the same office
Do you do root canals?
Yes
Do you do regular extractions & wisdom extractions?
Yes, we have two specialists that can do extractions: our periodontist and our oral surgeons.
Do you do implants?
Yes, we have a periodontist that places implants for our patients, here in our office.
What is the difference between a deep cleaning and a regular cleaning? Which type of cleaning will I receive?
The type of cleaning we do is personalized to each guest's individual needs and not every patient will require a deep cleaning. First, the hygienist will take measurements of each gum pocket (also known as periodontal charting); the depth of these pockets determines which type of cleaning is clinically best for the patient. In general, gum pockets measuring between 1-3 millimeters are considered healthy and will fit snugly around your tooth. Periodontal chartings of 4 millimeters or deeper can be concerning since plaque and bacteria could lead to tissue inflammation and gums pulling away from the tooth, causing other a number of other problems that need to be addressed.
How many visits will a deep cleaning take? Can I get it all done in one appointment?
Deep cleanings are typically split into two sessions but in rare cases can require up to four different sessions, depending on the severity of the case. There are three main reasons for this: The first, and most important reason we choose to do the deep cleaning in multiple sessions is for your comfort! A deep cleaning is a very thorough procedure, in which the hygienist's take their time gently removing calculus. They can usually deep clean 1/2 of the mouth in 1 hour and we've found that timeframe is what is most comfortable for our guests. Beyond one hour the jaw starts to get fatigued and staying open can become a challenge, especially for guests with TMJ. The second reason is simply to give our hygienists enough time to do the job right. They need time and patience to ensure to the deepest tartar and plaque is removed and the gum pockets will have time to seal back into place correctly. During this procedure you may find it more comfortable to be numbed and we prefer to not numb the entire mouth in one visit, increases the chances of biting your lip, tongue or cheek. The third reason we split deep cleanings into multiple visits is because a lot of insurance plans simply do not allow us to bill all 4 quadrants (or a full mouth) deep cleaning in one day. They too appreciate the time and comfort considerations necessary for this procedure and can reject claims for full mouth cleanings completed on the same day. It is important to note that your out of pocket costs and insurance billing will not be affected whether you have your deep cleanings done in 2, 3 or 4 sessions. So, although it would be more efficient and profitable for our office to do the full mouth in one visit, we choose to focus on guest comfort, thorough and detailed work by our hygienists and saving you headaches down the road when working with your insurance company.
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