General Office FAQs
How can cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?
Click here to learn more about Cosmetic Dentistry at Westover Family Dental.
If you’re feeling somewhat self-conscious about your teeth, or just want to improve your smile, cosmetic dental treatments may be the answer to a more beautiful, confident smile.
Cosmetic dentistry has become very popular in the last several years, not only due to the many advances in cosmetic dental procedures and materials available today, but also because patients are becoming more and more focused on improving their overall health. This includes dental prevention and having a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile.
There are many cosmetic dental procedures available to improve your teeth and enhance your smile. Depending on your particular needs, cosmetic dental treatments can change your smile dramatically, from restoring a single tooth to having a full mouth make-over. Ask your dentist how you can improve the health and beauty of your smile with cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Procedures:
- Teeth Whitening: Bleaching lightens teeth that have been stained or discolored by age, food, drink, and smoking. Teeth darkened as a result of injury or taking certain medications can also be bleached, but the effectiveness depends on the degree of staining present.
- Composite (tooth-colored) Fillings: Also known as “bonding”, composite fillings are now widely used instead of amalgam (silver) fillings to repair teeth with cavities, and also to replace old defective fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are also used to repair chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. This type of filling is also very useful to fill in gaps and to protect sensitive, exposed root surfaces caused by gum recession.
- Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are thin custom-made, tooth-colored shells that are bonded onto the fronts of teeth to create a beautiful individual smile. They can help restore or camouflage damaged, discolored, poorly shaped, or misaligned teeth. Unlike crowns, veneers require minimal tooth structure to be removed from the surface of the tooth.
- Porcelain Crowns (caps): A crown is a tooth-colored, custom-made covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns protect and strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. They are ideal for teeth that have large, fractured or broken fillings and also for those that are badly decayed.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants are artificial roots that are surgically placed into the jaw to replace one or more missing teeth. Porcelain crowns, bridges, and dentures can be made specifically to fit and attach to implants, giving a patient a strong, stable, and durable solution to removable dental appliances.
- Orthodontics: Less visible and more effective brackets and wires are making straightening teeth with orthodontics much more appealing to adult patients. Also, in some cases, teeth may be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners that require no braces.
Thanks to the advances in modern dentistry, cosmetic treatments can make a difference in making your smile shine!
If I have dental emergency what should I do?
If someone has an emergency, under normal circumstances, we will try and see you that day provided it is during our scheduled hours. Call us if you have an emergency dental concern.
Click Here to learn about Emergency Dentistry at Westover Family Dental.
Do you take new patients in your practice?
Yes. We continue to take new patients. Also, referrals from our current clients are always welcome and continue to be a large part of our practice.
Click Here to learn about your first visit and what to expect.
What is basic coverage vs major coverage?
Basic treatment for insurance companies is typically checkups, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride, fillings, extractions, and root canals. Major coverage is for items such as crowns, dentures, bridges, and implants.
What if I can’t make it to my appointment?
If you cannot make an appointment (except in the case of an emergency), we request that you call us to reschedule at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment time. These appointment times are very valuable to other patients. When we make an appointment with you, it’s a promise on our part to see you on time and to set up all the necessary materials. Do your best to keep us in the loop!
What is the dentist’s approach to patient care?
Ideally, patients should seek a dentist who opts for a minimally invasive approach and recommends preventive procedures to prevent future issues. A conservative dentist will only suggest extensive dental work when simpler options will not be effective. Good oral health involves preventing dental issues.
Schedule your visit online!
Time for your routine checkup and cleaning? Interested in leaving dental flaws in the past with veneers? Maybe you want to address tooth loss with modern dentures. Either way, our team is proud to serve you at not one, but four conveniently located dental offices in your area.