FAQ

The American Dental Association recommends having your teeth cleaned every six months to achieve and maintain optimal oral health and wellness. If you need additional treatments as recommended by your dentist, our office will help you schedule your next appointment to get your needs addressed in a timely manner.

Yes, generally, preventive care such as checkups and cleanings are covered in full by your dental insurance. Many major insurance plans cover two preventive dental visits per year. While most insured families receive the majority of preventive services for free, we offer many different payment options so uninsured patients can still receive the dental care they need, and in a manner that fits their budget.

Regular preventive visits are the best way to keep your gums healthy and your teeth cavity-free. You can expect to see the dentist every six months so that our dentists can monitor any changes in your oral health and provide prompt treatment recommendations as needed.

Your preventive visit will take about an hour, giving us enough time to take care of you, and giving you enough time to ask any questions you may have about your oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your next dental exam and teeth cleaning.

Yes, many teens can enjoy a healthier, more attractive smile with Invisalign Teen! Invisalign Teen helps our young patients straighten their teeth and improve their smiles without the need for the metal mouth that comes with traditional braces. This treatment option uses a blue indicator dot on the aligner, so you and their dentist know if your child is wearing their aligners properly.

Invisalign typically works faster than braces and other clear aligners. Many patients begin to see their desired results in as little as six months. Most patients complete treatment in 12-24 months, depending on their treatment needs. Your dentist will provide you with a roadmap for your treatment and let you know what to expect before you receive your first aligners.

In most cases, yes. Many major dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatment the same way they cover braces. Your insurance may cover up to 50% of your Invisalign treatment, depending on your coverage. Our team will help you understand your insurance coverage and maximize your benefits whenever possible.

For most patients, Invisalign is a very affordable orthodontic treatment option. While every case is unique to your smile, the cost of your Invisalign treatment is comparable to that of traditional metal or clear braces. No matter your treatment needs and goals, our team will provide a complete breakdown of all out-of-pocket costs during your consultation and discuss insurance, financing, and payment options.

Veneers are a permanent cosmetic procedure. They need a thin layer of enamel to be removed from your teeth prior to placement and are bonded to the remaining tooth structure. For this reason, only a trained dental professional can make repairs or adjustments to your veneers.

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. A set of ceramic veneers will last 20 years or more, which is why we recommend it to our patients.

Generally, no. Patients who receive 2-4 veneers typically experience no discomfort. However, patients who receive eight or more veneers may experience some sensitivity or tenderness in the gums. Your dentist will take every precaution during your veneer preparation and administer local anesthetic or sedation as needed to ensure your comfort.

On average, you can expect the process of getting your 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. While you wait for your final veneers to come back from the dental lab.

While there are many options available to today’s patient, our practice offers veneers made from high-quality porcelain. We choose porcelain for its strength, durability, and lifelike appearance, providing years of lasting smiles.

If you’ve lost one or more teeth due to trauma, disease, or decay, it’s important to replace those teeth as soon as you can. Missing teeth can impact your oral health as well as your overall physical well-being, causing problems biting, chewing, and eating properly. You also have a greater chance of developing gum disease, TMJ, a misaligned bite, and other issues if you go without replacing your missing teeth.

Yes, we do! Our team will do everything possible to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. That’s why we offer oral sedation to patients undergoing an implant procedure. Given in the form of a pill taken about an hour before treatment, oral sedation allows us to create a comfortable and safe dental experience for all our patients.

You will require a minor surgical procedure to place the implants in your jaw. Following your procedure, it’s normal to experience some pain and swelling while your mouth heals. Our team will provide you with detailed postoperative instructions and prescribed pain relievers as needed to help you manage any discomfort you may experience.

The full cost of your dental implant procedure will depend on your overall treatment needs, such as the extent of restoration required to complete your smile. Our team strives to provide our implant dentistry services at fair and affordable prices. No matter your needs, the Mount Vernon Dental Smiles team will do everything we can to help you fit quality care into your lifestyle and budget.

There are many products and techniques available for patients who want to achieve a whiter smile, and with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the method that is right for you. The best way to begin any teeth whitening regimen is to schedule an appointment and talk to your doctor about the differences between in-office professional whitening and at-home whitening.

With teeth whitening, there are two different active ingredients that you could be using - carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. If you’re using an at-home treatment, it should be listed on the packaging. Otherwise, ask your dentist. Due to the gentler strength of carbamide peroxide, it is ideal for at-home whitening kits where a professional is not available, and dentists agree that the key to long-term teeth whitening is regular at-home treatment. Take-home kits are significantly cheaper than in-office teeth whitening and significantly more effective than store-bought whitening strips or brush-on whiteners.

Professional teeth whitening has been proven as safe and effective, grounded in simple science. The whitening chemicals, oxidizing agents, react with the foreign substances to break down and remove them more thoroughly than simply brushing your teeth can. Once the stains are removed, saliva will fill some cracks and remineralize, but regular teeth whitening is necessary to maintain white teeth.

During an office visit, your dental professional will apply the whitening gel and, depending on the system being used, will shine a light source directly onto the teeth. The entire office visit generally takes about 90 minutes with immediate results. The dentist generally cleans your teeth and places some sort of protective barrier on your gums before the whitening begins. The gel sits on your teeth for several minutes before the dentist washes it off. It is usually reapplied several times before the procedure is over. Many people report increased sensitivity in their teeth during this process, but new gels contain sodium fluoride, which reduces this side effect significantly.

Your teeth are made of two layers - enamel and dentin. Enamel is the white protective layer of the tooth. Damage to the enamel can expose your dentin. Dentin is the core of the tooth. It also has a darker, yellow color. In addition to that, cracks in the enamel can fill with staining substances, like dark foods. If left for a long time untreated, stains can be difficult to remove.

It’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible when you experience a dental injury, infection, or other emergency condition. Delaying care will prolong your symptoms, and may even cause your condition to worsen. Be sure to seek assistance from a trained dental professional as soon as possible.

The total cost of your treatment will depend on your case and unique needs. That said, we do everything we can to offer affordable dental care at transparent prices, including all emergency services. We also offer flexible financing options to help you cover all out-of-pocket expenses.

We do everything we can to see you! That’s why we offer same-day or next-day appointments to get you in as quickly as possible. Walk-ins are accepted as scheduling permits. We can’t guarantee appointment times, so be sure to call us in case of an accident or emergency.

Dental emergencies can sometimes be frightening and we understand your first instinct may be to go to the hospital. But unless you’re experiencing severe symptoms of uncontrolled bleeding or swelling, you should contact your local dentist right away.