Answers to Common Questions from Your Local Margate, FL Dentist
Family Dental Associates is committed to providing the best dental care in Margate, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs and Pompano, Florida. We work hard to ensure our patients receive quality treatment in a friendly, comfortable environment. Each patient that comes to our practice is given the individual attention they deserve to ensure their treatment is both precise and accurate. During your first visit at our practice, there may be a number of questions that arise regarding treatment time, expectations, finances and more. Below are some frequently asked questions from our patients at Family Dental Associates. If there are any questions that we could not answer online, please contact us and one of our team members would be happy to assist you.
Q. How often should I see a dentist?
A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.
Q. What should I expect during my appointment?
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. 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 examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, clean your teeth and make plans for treatment, as needed. We will discuss any pain or problems you may be experiencing and answer any questions you may have.
Q. What does "painless dentistry" mean?
A. Painless dentistry is a means of ensuring your total experience in our office is as stress-free and pain-free as possible. We will discuss treatment options that may require no local anesthetic and whenever possible, alleviate pain by the means most comfortable to you.
Q. What if I have an emergency?
A. Please call our office as soon as you determine that 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 leave a message under the "emergency" prompt. A doctor will get back to you shortly.
Q. Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?
A. Yes. We accept most types of dental insurance and will process your claim for you upon receipt of your co-payment. We accept most major credit cards and offer CareCredit which allows for a payment plan at no interest to you.
Q. Can the dentist whiten my teeth?
A. There are several methods available for bleaching the teeth: in-office, overnight or daily. One session of in-office bleaching 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 any bleaching product 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.
Q. What if I have a gap in my teeth, a chipped tooth or teeth that do not respond to normal bleaching methods?
A. We have many different procedures that can help these problems. Porcelain veneers are designed to look like your natural teeth and are individually attached to the fronts of your existing teeth. Veneers can be positioned to close gaps. Bonding utilizes a composite material made of plastic 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.
Schedule an Appointment
Thank you for choosing Family Dental Associates as your local Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Pompano and Margate, FL dentists. We are always accepting new patients at our Margate dental office. If you have any additional questions or concerns that you would like addressed before your next visit at our office, please call us at 954-973-0990 and we would be happy to help you. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at your earliest convenience. We look forward to seeing you soon!