FAQs
North Pointe Dental Associates – FAQ Page
When you have a toothache, you know it’s time to visit a dentist in the Tampa area. But what should you expect during your visit and how often should you visit the dentist even before that excruciating toothache? What other services does your dentist offer and how can they enhance your smile or help you restore missing teeth. These are just some of the questions that many of our patients ask when they come to see us:
A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
A. One of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, make X-rays of your teeth as needed, and complete a TMJ (temporomandibular or jaw joint) exam. After we review your dental profile, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. If treatment such as a root canal (endodontics), braces (orthodontics) or oral surgery is needed, we will plan to treat you in our office or refer you to a specialist. We will discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.
During regular follow-up visits, we will do a professional cleaning, a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, and also screen you for oral cancer. Any pains or problems that you may be experiencing can be discussed and a proper treatment plan can be arranged.
A. Painless dentistry means ensuring your total experience in our office is as stress-free and pain-free as possible. We will discuss treatment options that may not require local anesthetic and whenever possible, alleviate pain by the means most comfortable to you.
A. Please call our office as soon as you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule if you have a dental emergency during regular business hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office and our answering service will contact your doctor and he will call you back shortly.
A. Yes. We accept many types of dental insurance and will process your claim for you upon receipt of your co-payment. We offer a low interest rate payment plan and also accept most major credit cards, including MasterCard and Visa.
A. There are several methods available for bleaching the teeth: in office, overnight or daily. Zoom bleaching is done in our office. One session generally lasts one and a half to two hours, and you can read or relax during the treatment. For overnight bleaching, we make an impression of your teeth and create a mouthguard that fits your bite. Each day you fill the mouthguard with a small amount of bleaching gel and wear it overnight or for a few hours during the day. The overnight bleaching process takes approximately two weeks.
Other over-the-counter daily bleaching products are available, but it is important to use them only under the supervision of a dentist. To achieve the whitening results you desire, the ADA recommends that you seek the professional advice of a dentist, including examination and diagnosis of the cause of tooth discoloration, before you begin any bleaching program.
A. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually and permanently attached to the front of your existing teeth. Bonding utilizes a composite resin material to fill in areas of your teeth and correct chipping and shape problems. Both porcelain veneers and bonding are color-matched to the rest of your teeth.