FAQ

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Sometimes called aesthetic dentistry, cosmetic dentistry can be described as any one or more dental treatments that improve the beauty of your smile. And a beautiful, morecosmetic alluring smile can be the beginning of a more successful lifestyle for you

Cosmetic dentistry can include a variety of techniques, from re-contouring the teeth or gums to placing veneers on a number of teeth. It is truly an art form taking years of training, education and experience not taught in regular dental schools to master. It is grounded in the healthy enhancement, restoration and maintenance of a customized smile design. To obtain optimal results, it requires the application of advanced scientific techniques, skills, materials, and high tech equipment

Below are some of the more common cosmetic procedures we perform daily in our office. Just click on any one of them to find out more

  • Composite smile reconstruction
  • Gum Contouring
  • Veneers
  • Tooth Colored filling
  • Porcelain Crowns
  • Porcelain Bridge
  • Space Closure

What will my first visit cost?

At Center of Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry, our doctors and staff believe in making dental care affordable and accessible for everyone. If you don’t have insurance, there will be no charge for your first visit for a comprehensive exam and x-rays with recommended treatment. The doctor will perform the exam and recommend a course of treatment. The office manager will provide pricing information and discuss payment options

Choosing A Cosmetic Dentist

If you’re considering changing the appearance of your smile, you owe it to yourself to do your homework and consider several important factors. Before you randomly select a dentist, think again! Great cosmetic dentistry is truly an art form, and you will want to be sure the cosmetic dentist you choose has the talent and experience to provide the results you are expecting and deserve.

Unfortunately, too many of our patients have discovered that selecting a cosmetic dentist based on fees alone can lead to disappointing and frustrating experiences. Important factors to consider in selecting the right dental professional for your smile makeover include knowledge and skills, photography, continuing education, experience, credentials, and affiliations.

A serious cosmetic dentist will take photographs of every case in order to evaluate and scrutinize the final results of every smile makeover they perform. We would love the opportunity to share photos of our completed smile makeovers to give you a real sense of what is possible for your smile. For your convenience, we have included photos of our own smile makeover patients in our smile gallery, and once you visit our Jonesboro office, you will notice our office art is smiling “After Photos” of our stunning patients!

The field of cosmetic dentistry has changed dramatically over the past 25 years, and it is still rapidly evolving. Because cosmetic types of dentistry are not taught in dental school, it is important that your cosmetic dental team regularly participate in advanced continuing education to learn the latest information to provide you with the best smile possible!

What To Expect

During a dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will:

  • Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
  • Evaluate your risk of tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease
  • Evaluate your need for tooth restoration or tooth replacement
  • Check your bite and jaw for problems
  • Remove any stains or deposits on your teeth
  • Demonstrate proper cleaning techniques for your teeth or dentures
  • Assess how much fluoride you’re getting through your diet and use of oral hygiene products
  • Take dental X-rays or, if necessary, do other diagnostic procedures

During a dental exam, your dentist or hygienist will also ask about any health problems you have or medications you’re taking and discuss how they might affect your oral health

Are x-rays necessary?

Absolutely. It is impossible to see directly between the teeth or under the gums or bone without the use of a dental radiograph. Many diseases and conditions can only be detected with the use of dental x-rays. X-rays allow dentists to detect disease and other conditions much sooner than the clinical examination alone

At Home Smile Analysis

Please take a few minutes to reflect upon how you feel about your smile, its effect on your self-image, and how it influences the quality of your interactions with others before your first appointment at Mason Cosmetic and Family Dentistry. The following questions are intended to help you with that process:

  • Are you unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and smile? Do you like the color, size, and shape of your teeth?
  • If so, what would you like to change about your smile?
  • Have you ever found yourself looking at pictures of models/actors and wishing you had a similar smile?
  • How does your smile make you feel? Confident? Insecure?
  • Have you ever held your hand in front of your mouth when talking?
  • Do you shy away from smiling fully?
  • Have you ever not laughed because you were uncomfortable with your smile? When photographed, do you smile with your lips closed or with a big smile?
  • Are you embarrassed to see a dentist because of the condition of your teeth?
  • How would a beautiful new smile make you feel?
  • Would you like to look ten years younger?

Now that you’ve thought about how your smile makes you feel, stand in front of a mirror, smile broadly, and think about these more objective aspects of your smile:

  • Are you missing any teeth?
  • Are your teeth crooked or uneven?
  • Are all your teeth bright white or are they somewhat dark, yellow, or stained?
  • Do any teeth appear too short, too large, or too small?
  • Do you have any gray, black, or silver fillings in your teeth?
  • Do you have any old crowns or bridges with dark edges that don’t look natural?
  • Are any of the biting edges chipped or worn down?
  • Are there spaces between any of your teeth?
  • Do you have a “gummy” smile showing too much gum tissue?
  • Have your gums receded? Are they puffy or red?
  • If your answer to any of these questions is “Yes”, then here’s the good news. We can provide you with a more beautiful smile

Are all Dentists certified and licensed?

Yes, all our Dentists and Dental Assistants are certified and fully licensed

Can I schedule an appointment just for a cleaning?

An exam to determine your oral health is an essential first step. The hygienist will perform cleanings based on your oral health. They will quickly schedule your cleaning, allowing proper time for them to give you the attention you deserve

Financial Information

Our team makes paying for dental care as simple as possible. We accept cash, check, MasterCard, and Visa, and we also offer financing and file most insurance claims as a courtesy. Before conducting dental work, we will review your estimated costs and work with you to find a practical payment plan that suits your budget.
Insurance

We accept and electronically file most insurance claims. If you have questions about your plan benefits, don’t hesitate to call our front office team for answers. Please prepare to pay your portion of the balance at the time of your visit. We will gladly estimate and inform you of all costs before performing procedures.

Health and Safety

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides the legislative framework to promote, stimulate and encourage high standards of health and safety at work. It places a duty upon employers to safeguard so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees, including the provision and maintenance of safe plant and systems of work.

Although the main responsibility for compliance with the Act rests with the employer, every employee also has a responsibility to ensure that no one is harmed as a result of their acts or omissions during the course of their work.

Employees have a duty under the Act, to take reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves and others and to co-operate with employers and others in meeting statutory requirements. The Act also requires employees not to interfere with or misuse any assistance provided to protect their health, safety and welfare in compliance with the Act.

Employers and employees also have a duty to ensure the safety of the many patients, visitors and students who come on to the site.

Do you treat children?

We do. However, the age at which we accept children as patients may vary by location

Are you accepting new patients?

Always. As a new patient at our clinic, your first appointment will include a comprehensive exam, x-rays and a consultation with your office manager. They will answer all your questions, as well as go over your suggested treatment plan, pricing options and will help you schedule any future appointments

Sedation Techniques

The following types of sedation are used in dentistry:

Inhaled minimal sedation – You breathe nitrous oxide — otherwise known as “laughing gas” — combined with oxygen through a mask that’s placed over your nose. The gas helps you relax. Your dentist can control the amount of sedation you receive, and the gas tends to wear off quickly. This is the only form of sedation where you may be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.

Oral sedation – Depending on the total dose given, oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you take a pill. Typically, the pill is Halcion, which is a member of the same drug family as Valium, and it’s usually taken about an hour before the procedure. The pill will make you drowsy, although you’ll still be awake. A larger dose may be given to produce moderate sedation. This is the type of anesthesia most commonly associated with sedation dentistry. Some people become groggy enough from moderate oral sedation to actually fall asleep during the procedure. They usually can, though, be awakened with a gentle shake.

IV moderate sedation – You receive the sedative drug through a vein, so it goes to work more quickly. This method allows the dentist to continually adjust the level of sedation.

Deep sedation and general anesthesia – You will get medications that will make you either almost unconscious or totally unconscious — deeply asleep — during the procedure. While you are under general anesthesia, you cannot easily be awakened until the effects of the anesthesia wear off or are reversed with medication.

Regardless of which type of sedation you receive, you’ll also typically need a local anesthetic — numbing medication at the site where the dentist is working in the mouth — to relieve pain if the procedure causes any discomfort.

Q. Does It Cost a Lot?

No one knows the value of a tooth until it is gone. Typically people who lose teeth are too embarrassed to let other people know. They avoid smiling too big or laughing out loud. They lose the confidence to chew effectively so they avoid eating certain foods and/or avoid eating in public or even with friends. It affects their confidence, their health and their social life.

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. They are permanent and non-removable. They are strong and they restore one’s natural chewing ability. And they look great so there is no excuse to not laugh and smile as big as you want.

Most of our patients have three questions about implants.

  1. How much do they cost?
  2. How long does it take?
  3. How much will it hurt?
  • Cost – Many people have heard that implants cost a lot of money. Every case is different so the total cost will vary from patient to patient. But the interesting thing that we have found is that even though the initial cost may seem like a lot, over time dental implants become the less expensive option. The reason for this is because the dental implant lasts a very long time and they do not damage or harm the remaining existing teeth. In fact they help maintain the strength and durability of those existing teeth. On average treatment options other than dental implants become more expensive after seven years. So when thinking long term, the dental implant is great way to invest in your mouth. In addition to saving money, we have found that our patients are very happy with the results – usually happier than they had anticipated. They love the way the implants allow them to have a worry free smile and bite, and they believe that dental implants are well worth the money they spent. Our promise to you is that we will let you know exactly how much your case will be before we get started, and we will do our best to work with you in finding a way to make dental implants financially available to you.
  • Time – How much time is involved in getting a dental implant? Again, every case is different but most people are surprised to find that the time commitment for a dental implant is very little. A few appointments with minimal to no down time for recovery is all it takes. Our promise to you is that we will do our best to carefully plan out your case in a way that works best for your schedule.
  • Pain – Here is where dental implants really surprise people. There is not a lot of pain associated with dental implants. Dental implants are placed when the area is completely numb, and once the numbness wears off there is minimal discomfort. Patients are constantly telling us how pleased they are with how comfortable and easy the procedure was. Our promise to you is that we will give full attention to your comfort.

If you feel dental implants may be right for you, please give us a call at +8801620541527. We would love to help restore your teeth and give you the confidence and smile you deserve!