Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for the right patient. A gummy smile can happen when the upper lip lifts higher than you want when you smile. Carefully placed BOTOX® can relax that movement so more of your teeth and less gum tissue show. The change is subtle, temporary, and designed to keep your smile looking natural.

Most BOTOX® results last several months. Cosmetic results, gummy smile treatment, and jaw-muscle treatment can wear at different rates, so Dr. Patel will recommend a maintenance rhythm based on your treatment area and goals.

Most patients describe BOTOX® injections as a quick pinch. The appointment is brief, and there is no surgery or planned downtime.

Most patients begin to notice a change within a few days. Full results typically settle in within about two weeks, depending on the area treated and how your body responds.

For the right patient, yes. When jaw pain is driven by overworked muscles, targeted BOTOX® can help those muscles relax and reduce the force behind clenching. It is not the right answer for every TMJ case, so Dr. Patel evaluates your symptoms, bite, and muscle tension before recommending it.

BOTOX® is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Patients with certain neuromuscular conditions, medication considerations, or active infection near the injection site may need a different plan or different timing. Dr. Patel reviews your health history before treatment.

Bruxism is usually a combination of factors rather than a single cause: stress and anxiety, sleep disturbances, abnormal bite alignment, certain medications (some antidepressants), and genetics can all contribute. Treating bruxism usually means protecting the teeth with a night guard while you address the root drivers if possible. We coordinate with your medical providers if stress or sleep issues are part of the picture.

Most people don't realize they grind until a dentist points out the wear pattern on their teeth. Other signs: sore jaw muscles in the morning, unexplained headaches, sensitive teeth, ridges or flat tips on your teeth where they shouldn't be, and a partner who mentions hearing grinding sounds while you sleep. If two or more of those apply, it's worth getting evaluated.

Usually not well. Drugstore "boil-and-bite" night guards don't fit the precise shape of your teeth or bite, so they're often uncomfortable enough that patients stop wearing them. They also wear out faster and provide less protection than a custom-fit appliance. A custom night guard fits well enough that you forget you're wearing it, which means it actually gets worn consistently, which is what makes it work.

With normal care, CEREC crowns typically last 15 years or longer before needing replacement, comparable to or better than traditional lab-made crowns. The ceramic material is highly durable, color-stable, and bonds tightly to your natural tooth structure. Regular cleanings, good home hygiene, and avoiding habits that damage teeth (chewing ice, biting fingernails) all extend the life of your crown.

CEREC crowns are milled from blocks of high-grade dental ceramic, typically lithium disilicate or zirconia depending on the case. These materials are strong, biocompatible, and translucent enough to closely mimic the look of natural enamel. We stock multiple shade blocks so the finished crown is color-matched to your existing teeth precisely, not "close enough." For molars where strength matters more than translucency, we may use a higher-strength zirconia block.

A traditional crown requires two appointments separated by two to three weeks. At the first visit, your tooth is prepped, we take a goopy impression, and you leave with a temporary crown that often loosens or comes off entirely. The impression is shipped to a dental lab where the permanent crown is fabricated. At the second visit, the temporary is removed and the permanent is cemented. CEREC compresses all of that into a single visit. A digital scan replaces the impression. Custom software designs the crown on screen. An in-office milling unit carves it from a porcelain block. The permanent crown is placed before you leave. No temporary, no second appointment, no waiting.

It depends on the procedure. Professional whitening typically lasts 6 months to 2 years before needing touch-ups. Porcelain veneers and crowns last 15–20+ years. Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. Invisalign results last as long as you wear your retainer. Each procedure has its own maintenance protocol, and we walk you through the long-term care plan as part of the treatment plan.

A free consultation. You don't need to know what procedure you want before walking in. Most patients don't. You just need to know what you'd change about your smile if you could change anything. We listen, examine, photograph and scan, and recommend the path that gets you there. Sometimes that's one procedure. Sometimes it's a combination. Either way, the consultation is where it becomes a real plan instead of a vague intention.

A traditional filling treats a cavity by drilling out the decayed structure and replacing it with composite material. Curodont treats pre-cavity decay (early demineralization that hasn't yet broken through the enamel) by using peptide chemistry to trigger your tooth to rebuild itself. No drilling, no composite, no anesthesia. Curodont only works on this very early stage; once decay has actually broken through the enamel, a filling becomes necessary.

A well-cared-for custom night guard typically lasts 5–10 years. Lifespan depends on the severity of your grinding, the materials used, and how well you care for the appliance (rinse after wear, store dry, occasional cleaning). We adjust the fit over time as your bite changes and replace the guard when wear, breakage, or fit issues warrant.

Custom night guards are molded from a digital scan of your specific teeth and bite. They fit precisely, last for years, and are comfortable enough to wear consistently. Drugstore "boil-and-bite" guards are generic shapes that approximate a fit, wear out faster, and are often uncomfortable enough that patients abandon them. The fee difference is meaningful but the wearing-it-consistently difference is what determines whether the night guard actually protects your teeth.

Yes, and the sooner the better. Bleeding when brushing or flossing is the most common early sign of gingivitis, which is reversible with a proper cleaning and improved home care. Skipping the visit because the gums bleed lets the inflammation progress, and gingivitis that goes untreated can develop into periodontitis, which is no longer reversible. At your visit we examine the gums, measure pocket depths, and decide together whether a routine cleaning is the right starting point or whether your case calls for a deeper cleaning first. The exam tells us which path fits, and we walk you through it before any treatment begins.

Most patients with healthy gums and a stable home routine come every six months. Patients with a history of gum disease, dry mouth, active orthodontics, certain medications that affect the gums, or recent restorative work often benefit from coming every three to four months. We set the right interval together at your exam, based on what your gums and your imaging actually show, not a one-size rule.

A routine cleaning on healthy gums should not hurt. Some pressure and some scraping sensation is normal, especially in spots where tartar has built up between visits. Sensitivity tends to be highest for patients who have not been seen in a while, who have receding gums and exposed root surfaces, or who have inflamed gums from gum disease. Tell your hygienist if any area is sensitive. We can adjust technique, use a different instrument, apply a topical numbing agent, or pause for a moment whenever you need it. A cleaning should never be something you grit your teeth through.

A routine cleaning (prophylaxis) is for patients with healthy or mostly-healthy gums. It removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gumline and is generally completed in a single visit. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is for patients with active gum disease, where tartar has worked its way deeper along the tooth roots and the gum pockets are measurably deeper than healthy. Deep cleanings are typically done one half of the mouth at a time under local anesthetic and are followed by closer recall intervals to keep the gums on the path back to health. See our [periodontal treatment](/periodontal-treatment/) page for the details.

A routine cleaning is the standard hygiene visit: hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tartar, polish, floss, and exam. It is the right fit for most patients with healthy gums. [Guided Biofilm Therapy](/guided-biofilm-therapy/) is a modern, protocol-driven alternative that uses a disclosing solution to make the plaque visible, an air-and-water powder spray to remove it gently, and only then any minimal hand instrumentation for residual tartar. Patients with sensitive teeth, orthodontic hardware, implants, or veneers often find Guided Biofilm Therapy more comfortable and more thorough than a traditional cleaning. We offer both. The doctor will help you choose the path that fits your case.

The surgery itself is done under local anesthesia (with sedation available if you prefer), so you don't feel the placement. Most patients describe recovery as similar to a routine tooth extraction: mild soreness for a few days, controlled easily with prescribed pain medication, swelling that peaks at day 2-3 and resolves quickly. By the end of the first week, most patients are back to normal activities.

Yes. The titanium implant itself is meant to last a lifetime. Once it integrates with your jawbone, it's a permanent part of your structure. The crown attached to it typically lasts 15+ years before needing replacement (similar to any porcelain crown). Good home hygiene and regular cleanings are the best protection for the long-term life of both the implant and the crown.

Plan on 4–6 months total from consultation to final crown. The implant placement itself is one appointment. Then 3–6 months while the implant fuses with your jawbone, a process called osseointegration. Then a final appointment to place the crown. The wait is the integration phase. Shortcutting it risks the implant's long-term success. Cases that require pre-treatment such as a bone graft or sinus lift add a few additional months on the front end.

Modern composite fillings typically last 7–15 years before needing replacement, comparable to or longer than silver amalgam fillings. The lifespan depends on the size of the filling, where it is in your mouth, and your bite and habits. Good home care and regular cleanings extend the life. If a filling does need replacement, the procedure is straightforward and we use the opportunity to verify the surrounding tooth is still healthy.

No. The tooth is fully numb during the procedure thanks to local anesthesia. We use techniques that minimize the discomfort of the injection itself, and most patients are surprised at how comfortable the numbing process is. After the filling is placed, you may have mild sensitivity to cold for a day or two, especially on larger fillings. That resolves quickly as your tooth adjusts to the new material.

Yes. We routinely replace silver amalgam fillings with tooth-colored composite when patients want to update their smile or have concerns about mercury content. The procedure is straightforward. The old filling is removed, the tooth is cleaned and prepared, and a new composite filling is placed. The visual difference is immediate. Insurance coverage depends on whether the replacement is medically necessary or cosmetic. If your plan has out-of-network benefits, we file as a courtesy and make every effort to estimate your portion, but estimates are not guarantees.

Applying for an eligibility check with our partners runs a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score. If you accept a loan and complete the financing, that step may show on your credit report the same way any other line of credit would. The application itself is risk-free to your score.

Minutes, usually. Most of our partners run a soft credit check at the application stage and return a decision in seconds. Cherry, in particular, was built around instant approval. You can apply from your phone the same day as your consultation and have an answer before you leave.

For anything related to your CareCredit card, contact CareCredit directly. Synchrony Bank issues and services the card and they handle payments, balance, promo period status, account changes, and lost or stolen cards. CareCredit cardholder support is at (866) 893-7864, Monday through Sunday 8am to midnight ET. You can also sign in to your account at carecredit.com for live chat and online account management.

For anything related to servicing your Cherry loan, including payments, balance, account changes, and autopay, contact Cherry directly. Once the loan is funded, they handle it from there and we don't have visibility into your account on our end. Cherry customer support is at (888) 839-7171, Monday through Friday 9am to 9pm ET and Saturday 9am to 6pm ET. You can also email support@withcherry.com or sign in to your account at consumer.withcherry.com.

It depends on the lender. Our preferred partner Cherry approves credit scores as low as 520 with an industry-leading 75% approval rate. Our other partners, CareCredit, Lending Club, and Sunbit, each use their own approval thresholds. None of them use a hard credit check at the application stage, so checking your eligibility doesn't hurt your score. We'd rather you apply and find out than self-disqualify.

For anything related to your Lending Club Patient Solutions account, contact the bank that services your account. Comenity Capital Bank handles the patient credit accounts, including payments, balance, promo period status, and account changes. Comenity Capital Bank customer support is at (866) 954-9258, with TDD/TTY at (888) 819-1918. You can also manage your account online at comenity.net/lendingclubpatientsolutions.

Try another. Each of our financing partners uses slightly different underwriting, so a no from one lender doesn't mean a no from all of them. Cherry, Sunbit, CareCredit, and Lending Club each have their own approval criteria. We can also talk through breaking treatment into phases so you can move ahead with what makes sense right now and finance the rest over time.

Any treatment we provide, from a single crown to a full smile makeover. Financing makes the most sense for cosmetic cases such as porcelain veneers, smile makeovers, and teeth whitening. It also fits orthodontics like Invisalign, dental implants, full-arch treatments like Teeth in a Day, and the portion of restorative work that runs above your annual insurance maximum. There's no procedure type that's off limits.

For anything related to servicing your Sunbit loan, contact Sunbit directly. Once the loan is funded, they handle payments, balance, autopay, and account changes. Sunbit customer support is at (855) 678-6248, available seven days a week. You can also manage your account at mysunbit.com or through the Sunbit mobile app.

Patient financing is a structured monthly payment plan for the portion of your treatment that insurance doesn't cover, or for treatment plans that fall entirely outside insurance (cosmetic care, orthodontics, some implant work). Instead of paying the full investment up front, you spread it across monthly payments through a reputable third-party lender. We offer it because premium care shouldn't be gated by what insurance happens to cover that year.

Yes. Most patients who use financing are using it for the portion of treatment that insurance doesn't cover. We file your insurance as a courtesy and apply whatever it reimburses to the total, then financing covers the rest. The two work together, not against each other.

Many do. Fluoride isn't just for kids. Adults with dry mouth (often from medications), a history of frequent cavities, significant restorative work to protect, or other elevated-risk factors benefit meaningfully from professional fluoride applications. The cost-to-protection ratio is one of the best in dentistry. We recommend it case-by-case based on your specific cavity risk, not as a default upsell at every visit.

Yes. Professional fluoride applications use carefully controlled concentrations applied topically and rinsed (or wiped) before swallowing. The amount of fluoride that actually reaches your bloodstream from a treatment is minimal. The American Dental Association and major health organizations endorse fluoride treatment as safe and highly effective for cavity prevention. We use FDA-approved products and adjust the concentration to your age and case.

Each individual procedure within a reconstruction is comfortable, done under local anesthesia, with sedation available for longer or surgical phases. The recovery after surgical phases (implants, extractions, grafts) is typical of those procedures. A few days of manageable soreness controlled with prescribed medication. Most patients are far more anxious about the IDEA of reconstruction than the actual experience. The biggest discomfort is usually what brought them in. Once the foundation phase is done, most patients describe daily life as dramatically better.

Most reconstructions span 6 months to 18 months from first phase to final restoration. The exact timeline depends on what's involved. Cases with implants need 3–6 months of healing time built in. Cases with orthodontics need the aligner or brace phase plus retention. Cases with extensive gum work need stabilization time. We sequence the phases around your life and pace appointments so treatment doesn't dominate your calendar.

A smile makeover is primarily cosmetic. It focuses on improving how your smile looks, usually with healthy underlying teeth. Full mouth reconstruction is primarily restorative. It rebuilds function and structural integrity when there's significant damage from decay, wear, trauma, or missing teeth. The procedures often overlap, but the starting question is different: "how do you want this to look" vs. "how do we make this work again." During your consultation we identify which path your case actually needs.

For most patients, every 6 months. Patients with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, or significant restorative work often benefit from more frequent visits (every 3–4 months). We set your recall schedule based on your specific risk factors, not a generic default.

Dentistry at East Piedmont is out-of-network with every dental insurance carrier. That's a deliberate choice. Staying out-of-network lets us spend the time, use the materials, and deliver the experience our patients expect, without an insurance company dictating the standard of care. If your plan has out-of-network benefits, we file your claims for you as a courtesy and make every effort to estimate your patient portion before treatment begins. Insurance estimates are not guarantees, because the final decision always comes from your carrier and the contract you have with them. If your treatment is not fully covered, we will talk through the investment and available financing options before you move forward.

Same recommendation as traditional cleanings: every 6 months for most patients, every 3–4 months for patients with periodontal disease history or higher risk factors. Insurance coverage generally treats GBT the same as standard cleanings, so your benefit schedule doesn't change. We adjust your recall interval based on your specific case.

Traditional cleanings rely on metal instruments to scrape plaque and tartar from your teeth. Effective but often uncomfortable. GBT uses warm-water airflow with a fine powder spray to lift the same buildup more gently and reach places metal instruments can't. Most patients find GBT dramatically more comfortable, and the result is often a cleaner feeling than they've experienced from routine cleanings before.

Your annual maximum is the most your dental insurance will pay in a single benefit year. The exact cap varies by plan and is typically the hardest constraint on what insurance contributes to a larger treatment plan. Once your insurance has paid out that maximum, your coverage ends for that benefit year, and any additional care is out of pocket until the new benefit year starts. The exact maximum and benefit year reset date are in your policy documents, and we verify both before any treatment begins.

Insurance is a contract between you and your carrier, not between us and your carrier. Carriers often don't share the full details of your specific plan with the practice. We make every effort to get an accurate estimated portion in advance, but the binding answer always lives in your policy documents and your carrier's customer service line. The more familiar you are with your own coverage, the fewer surprises there are. Your policy is the source of truth.

No. Cosmetic procedures aren't covered by dental insurance, in-network or out-of-network. That's industry-wide, not a Dentistry at East Piedmont rule. We're upfront about it so there are no surprises, and we partner with reputable third-party financing so the investment is manageable. Most patients qualify for flexible monthly payment plans.

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance starts paying its share. Most dental plans have a small annual deductible, usually 50 to 100 dollars, that resets at the start of each benefit year. Preventive care such as cleanings and exams usually doesn't require the deductible to be met first. General and restorative care typically do. We collect your deductible at the visit if your plan applies one. Your exact deductible amount is in your policy documents.

A frequency limitation caps how often your plan covers a particular service. The most common example is two cleanings per benefit year, six months apart. Other limits can apply to X-rays, fluoride, and some restorative work. If you've already had a service this year and need it again sooner, the second one usually becomes out of pocket. Your specific limits are spelled out in your policy.

No. Dentistry at East Piedmont is out-of-network with every dental insurance carrier. That's a deliberate choice. Staying out-of-network lets us spend the time, use the materials, and deliver the experience our patients expect, without an insurance company dictating the standard of care. If your plan has out-of-network benefits, we file your claims for you as a courtesy.

A missing tooth clause means your insurance won't cover the replacement of a tooth that was already missing before your current coverage started. If you lost a tooth before you signed up for the plan, the plan often excludes coverage for replacing that specific tooth, including crowns, bridges, and implants. Many plans include this clause; many don't. Your policy documents will spell out the exact language.

It's a deliberate choice. Staying out-of-network lets us spend the time, use the materials, and deliver the experience our patients expect, without an insurance company dictating the standard of care. The experience at our practice is what it is because of that choice.

The fee we quoted you doesn't change. If your insurance ultimately reimburses less than estimated, the difference becomes your responsibility. We work through payment options with you once the claim settles.

Call or text us with your insurance card handy. We make every effort to get an accurate estimated portion in advance and walk you through that. Insurance estimates are just that, though. They are estimates, not a guarantee of coverage. The binding answer always lives in your policy with your carrier.

A pre-determination is when we submit your treatment plan to your insurance ahead of time and ask what they expect to cover. There's a catch. Carriers are not obligated to honor a pre-determination. They can issue one, then pay a different amount when the claim comes in. We find them highly unreliable for that reason. If you want to know what your plan will actually pay, you're better off calling your carrier directly. We'll give you the ADA codes from your treatment plan. You read them off to the carrier and ask for estimated coverage on each. The answer you get directly from your carrier carries more weight than a pre-determination on paper.

Your estimated portion, based on your specific plan. We calculate that ahead of time so the number isn't a surprise. The total fee we quoted you is the fee. We stand behind that quote.

A waiting period is the time you have to be enrolled in a dental plan before certain procedures are covered. New plans often include a 6 to 12 month waiting period for major services like crowns, bridges, or implants, even if those procedures are technically included in your benefits. Preventive care such as cleanings and exams usually has no waiting period and is available right away. Your specific waiting periods are spelled out in your plan documents.

Your aligners need to be in your mouth 22 hours a day, come out for any food or drink besides cool water, get a quick clean with a soft brush before going back in, and live in their case whenever they're not on your teeth. We pulled the full care routine, including what to do if you lose or break one, onto a single reference page you can bookmark: [Invisalign® aligner care instructions](/invisalign-care-instructions/).

No. Aligners come out for every meal and snack and for any drink that isn't water. Coffee, tea, juice, wine, all out. Eating with aligners in will stain them, warp them, and slow your treatment. The upside: no foods are off-limits while you're in Invisalign®. Brush your teeth or rinse before putting your aligners back in, and they go right back to doing their job.

Most patients describe a feeling of pressure or tightness for the first day or two after starting a new aligner. It's the aligner doing exactly what it's supposed to: gently moving your teeth into a new position. Discomfort fades quickly as your teeth adjust. There are no wires to poke your cheeks, no brackets to scrape your tongue, and no emergency visits for broken hardware. Compared to traditional braces, most patients find Invisalign® noticeably more comfortable.

Yes, always. Teeth want to drift back to where they started. That's true after any kind of orthodontic treatment, Invisalign® or braces. A retainer holds your new smile exactly where you (and we) worked to put it. Most patients wear retainers full-time for a few months after finishing treatment, then transition to nights only. Plan on a retainer being part of your routine for life if you want to keep the result.

Yes. Your first set of retainers after treatment is included in the price you pay.

Most Invisalign® cases take six to eighteen months from your first aligner to your final smile. The exact timeline depends on how far your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear your aligners. Mild cases finish faster, complex cases take longer. We'll give you an honest timeline during your consultation, based on your actual case rather than averages.

For most adult and teen cases, yes. Invisalign® can handle the great majority of cosmetic alignment issues: crowding, spacing, mild to moderate bite problems, and tooth rotations within reason. The difference is in the experience, not the outcome: same straight teeth, without the wires and brackets. For very complex bite issues or severe rotations, traditional orthodontics may still be the better tool. We'll tell you honestly during your consultation which approach fits your case.

Often yes, but it may require pre-treatment. Bone grafting can rebuild enough bone to support an implant, and modern grafting techniques are reliable and well-tolerated. Sinus lifts (a specific kind of grafting in the upper jaw) can create space for implants in areas that would otherwise be off-limits. For very advanced bone loss, full-arch implant solutions like Teeth in a Day are designed to work with less bone than single implants require. The 3D scan at your consultation shows us exactly what you're working with, and we tell you honestly what's possible.

Several things, usually gradual. The teeth next to the gap begin to shift toward the empty space. The tooth above or below starts to drift because it has nothing to bite against. The jawbone where the missing tooth used to be starts to recede because there's no root stimulating it. Over years, this leads to bite problems, additional tooth loss, and changes in facial structure, that sunken look people associate with significant tooth loss. Replacing the tooth with an implant, a bridge, or a denture stops this cascade. Sooner is easier than later.

Four main paths, in roughly increasing investment level. Traditional removable dentures, either full or partial depending on how many teeth are missing. Dental bridges, when you have healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Single or multiple dental implants, the gold standard for replacing one or several teeth permanently. And full-arch implant solutions like Teeth in a Day, which replaces an entire upper or lower arch with a fixed set of teeth in a single day. The right path depends on how many teeth you're missing, your bone health, your goals, and your budget.

It depends on what your mouth needs that day. Many patients receive a healthy-mouth cleaning at the first visit. If we see active gum disease, complex medical history, or something that needs more time, we slow down and make the right plan first.

With traditional removable dentures, most patients can eat most foods after an adjustment period, but harder foods (steak, apples, corn on the cob, crusty bread) can be challenging because the denture isn't anchored. Many patients end up avoiding certain foods entirely. With implant-supported dentures, the denture doesn't move during chewing, so most foods stay on the menu. With fixed implant teeth (Teeth in a Day), there are no restrictions at all. You eat exactly like you would with natural teeth.

Yes. The shape of your mouth changes gradually over time, especially after tooth loss. The jawbone slowly recedes where teeth used to be. Traditional dentures typically need a "reline" (a procedure that reshapes the inside surface of the denture to match your current mouth) every 3–5 years. Full replacement is typically needed every 5–10 years as wear accumulates. Implant-supported dentures need less frequent adjustment because the implants stabilize the bite. We build the long-term care schedule into your treatment plan.

It depends on how many teeth you're missing, your jawbone health, your budget, and what experience you want day-to-day. Implants (single, multiple, or full-arch like Teeth in a Day) cost more up front but function like permanent teeth. Eating, speaking, smiling are all unconstrained. Dentures cost less up front but are removable, may slip, and require ongoing maintenance. Many patients end up at implant-supported dentures, which split the difference. A few implants stabilize a denture so it doesn't move. We walk you through all three options honestly during your consultation.

The earliest stage (gingivitis) is fully reversible with proper cleanings and home care. Once it progresses to periodontitis, damage to bone and supporting structures is generally not reversible. Progression can still be stopped and the disease controlled with proper treatment and ongoing maintenance. Catching it at the gingivitis stage is the difference between "fully fixable" and "manageable for life."

The earliest signs are subtle: bleeding when you brush or floss, red or slightly swollen gums, persistent bad breath. As it progresses, you may notice gums pulling back from teeth (recession), loose or shifting teeth, and visible pus around the gum line. Many patients don't notice these signs because they develop gradually. Routine professional evaluation catches it earlier than self-checks.

No-prep veneers are ultra-thin porcelain shells that bond directly to your natural teeth without removing any enamel. They're a great option when you want a refined cosmetic change while keeping your tooth structure fully intact. Not everyone is a candidate. No-prep veneers work best when your teeth are slightly smaller or when minimal correction is needed. During your free consultation, we'll tell you whether no-prep or traditional veneers are the right path for your smile.

Caring for your veneers feels just like caring for your natural smile. Brush twice a day, floss daily, keep your regular dental cleanings at Dentistry at East Piedmont, skip using your teeth as tools (no opening packages, no chewing ice), and wear your custom night guard. With routine care, your veneers stay beautiful for years to come.

Most porcelain veneers cost up to $2,500 per tooth. Your actual investment depends on the complexity of your case, the number of teeth, and the level of customization. Think of veneers less as a product and more as commissioned artwork. We'll walk you through your exact investment during your free consultation.

No, but they do require a permanent change to your tooth structure. We reshape a small amount of enamel to make space for the porcelain shell. The underlying tooth stays healthy, and the veneer itself protects the front surface once it's bonded in place. Once you have veneers, you'll always need them on those teeth, and with routine care, your natural teeth beneath your veneers stay healthy for decades.

No. Your veneers are bonded to your teeth with a strong dental adhesive and designed to stay in place for years. Like your natural teeth, they can be damaged by hard habits like grinding, chewing ice, or biting fingernails. If a veneer does come loose, we can usually re-cement the original one without having to remake it, as long as the veneer itself isn't damaged. The best protection is the same care you'd give your natural smile.

No. The best veneers look so natural that no one would know you weren't born with them. Our doctors design your smile around your face, your skin tone, and the way light reflects through natural enamel. You get a refined version of you. Not a transformation that announces itself.

Yes. Veneers are a long-term cosmetic restoration, often lasting decades with good care. Because a small amount of enamel is reshaped during preparation, your teeth will always need veneer protection once placed. You'll find that's a small trade for years of a smile you actually love.

No. You'll be more comfortable than you expect. Tooth preparation is done with local anesthesia, so you don't feel the work being done. Settle in with noise-cancelling headphones, a cozy blanket, and your favorite show on the TV while we work. Some mild sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal as you adjust. If you want the deepest level of comfort, we offer a variety of sedation options.

Two to four weeks from your first consultation to your finished smile. You come in for your initial visit and smile-design conversation, return for tooth preparation and digital scans, then return one more time for placement. Between appointments, your veneers are hand-crafted by our trusted ceramists, artisans who specialize in cosmetic dental work. The artistry takes time. The result lasts for years.

In almost every case, yes, especially on back teeth that handle chewing pressure. A tooth that's had a root canal becomes more brittle over time because it no longer has a living pulp inside. Without a crown to protect it, the tooth is significantly more likely to fracture, which can mean losing it entirely. We can usually place the crown the same day using CEREC technology.

No, and this is the biggest misconception we hear. Modern root canals are done with thorough local anesthesia and (if you'd prefer) sedation. Most patients say the procedure itself is far more comfortable than the toothache that brought them in. The pain associated with root canals is from the infection, not the treatment. Once we remove the infected pulp, the throbbing typically resolves within hours.

Almost always no, if the tooth can be saved. Extraction creates a new problem (a missing tooth) that requires a more expensive solution (an implant or bridge) to fix properly. Root canal + crown saves your natural tooth, preserves your jawbone, and costs less than an implant overall. Extraction makes sense only when the tooth is too damaged to save reliably. We'll give you our honest assessment.

It depends on which sedation we use. After nitrous oxide, yes. The effect wears off within minutes once the gas is turned off. After oral or IV sedation, no. You'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours while the medication wears off. We confirm your ride before the appointment.

Before nitrous oxide you can eat and drink normally. Before oral or IV sedation you'll need to fast (typically no food or drink for 6 to 8 hours before the appointment). We give you specific instructions based on your sedation plan and your appointment time when we schedule.

Different comfort levels fit different needs. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a light, breathe-in-through-a-mask option. You stay awake and aware, just relaxed. It wears off within minutes after we turn it off, so you can drive yourself home. Oral sedation is a pill you take before your appointment. You stay awake but deeply relaxed, with little to no memory of the procedure. You'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours. IV sedation is a deeper in-office option, administered through an IV by Dr. Bauman, our IV-sedation-trained lead. You stay technically conscious but you may have little memory of the procedure. You'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you afterward. General anesthesia is reserved for select complex surgical cases, including some Teeth in a Day procedures. For those cases, Dentistry at East Piedmont brings in a board-certified anesthesiologist to administer and monitor anesthesia while you are fully asleep.

Most medical conditions are compatible with sedation, but some require special consideration. Sleep apnea, certain heart conditions, certain medications, and pregnancy each change the picture. We review your full medical history before any sedation appointment and coordinate with your physician when that's warranted. If sedation isn't safe for your specific case, we'll tell you and walk through alternative comfort approaches.

Dr. Bauman leads our IV sedation care and oversees the sedation itself. A dedicated team member continuously monitors your vital signs throughout the procedure. That includes heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. The monitoring equipment is the same standard you'd see in any properly equipped surgical setting.

No. Sedation manages anxiety and consciousness; local anesthesia manages pain. We use both. Even under IV sedation, the area being treated is fully numbed with local anesthesia. The combination is why most patients describe their sedated procedures as the easiest dental work they've ever had.

Depends on the level. With nitrous oxide, you stay aware and will remember the visit, just feeling relaxed. With oral sedation, most patients remember little or nothing of the procedure. With IV sedation, you typically have no memory of the visit at all. That's often the point for anxious patients or long procedures.

When administered properly by trained providers with appropriate monitoring, all three sedation levels we offer are safe. We review your medical history thoroughly before any sedation, coordinate with your physician for complex cases, and monitor vital signs throughout the procedure. Some medical conditions require special consideration (sleep apnea, certain heart conditions, certain medications), and we identify those during the consultation and adjust the approach accordingly.

We decide together as part of your treatment planning. Three things guide the recommendation: the procedure (a single filling vs a multi-hour reconstruction), your anxiety level, and your medical history. Most short or single-tooth procedures don't need anything beyond local anesthesia. Anxious patients or longer surgical visits often benefit from oral or IV sedation. For select complex surgeries, such as some Teeth in a Day cases, general anesthesia with a board-certified anesthesiologist may be recommended. We never push a sedation level you don't need.

Common signs include loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep (your partner notices), gasping or choking awakenings, excessive daytime fatigue despite a full night's sleep, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and high blood pressure. A proper diagnosis requires a sleep study supervised by a sleep physician. We refer you if you haven't had one yet.

CPAP is the gold-standard treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea and works very well for patients who tolerate it. Oral appliances are most often a fit for patients with mild to moderate apnea, or for patients with more severe apnea who genuinely can't tolerate CPAP. Many patients try CPAP first; an oral appliance becomes the option when CPAP doesn't stick. We coordinate the decision with your sleep physician.

With proper care, the procedures in a smile makeover are designed to last decades. Porcelain veneers and crowns commonly hold up for many years before needing replacement. Implants are designed to last a lifetime when the surrounding bone and gums stay healthy. Whitening fades gradually and may need touch-ups every so often. Your mouth is in constant use, under constant stress and friction, so your routine cleanings, recall visits, and at-home maintenance directly impact how long your makeover holds up. Your treatment plan includes the long-term care protocol that protects your investment.

A smile makeover combines whatever procedures will get you to the smile you want. That can be as simple as professional whitening paired with a few porcelain veneers, or as comprehensive as veneers, implants, Invisalign, and crown work coordinated over several months. The procedures aren't decided in advance. They come out of your consultation, where we map backward from your goal to the treatments that get you there.

Anywhere from two appointments to twelve months, depending on what's involved. A whitening-plus-veneers makeover can be done in two to three weeks. A makeover that includes implants needs healing time (typically 3–6 months between phases). A makeover with Invisalign follows the orthodontic timeline (6–18 months for the aligner phase). Your treatment plan will include a realistic timeline from day one, paced around your life.

A smile makeover is primarily cosmetic. It focuses on improving how your smile looks. A full mouth reconstruction is primarily restorative. It rebuilds bite function, structural integrity, and oral health when there's significant damage from decay, wear, missing teeth, or trauma. The procedures often overlap, but the starting point is different. We'll tell you honestly which path applies to your case during your consultation.

No. Because Teeth in a Day is a longer surgical appointment with a deeper sedation plan, you need a responsible adult to bring you to the appointment, drive you home, and stay with you afterward. We confirm your ride before surgery. You should not drive for at least 24 hours after anesthesia, and you should not drive while taking prescription pain medication. For this level of surgery, we recommend having someone stay with you at home for a minimum of 48 hours after surgery.

You start with liquids and very soft foods, then follow a soft-food plan while your implants heal and integrate with the bone. That usually means foods you can cut with a fork, such as eggs, soft fish, pasta, mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, soups, and well-cooked vegetables. After healing and final restoration, the goal is to help you return to a much more normal way of eating than removable dentures allow. We tell you exactly when it is safe to add firmer foods back in.

The surgery itself is planned with sedation or anesthesia, so your comfort is managed during the appointment. For many Teeth in a Day cases, we recommend full anesthesia administered and monitored by a board-certified anesthesiologist because the surgery can take several hours. After surgery, soreness, swelling, and bruising are normal. We give you clear instructions for medication, ice, rest, cleaning, and soft foods, and we follow your healing closely. If something feels wrong or your pain increases instead of improving, we want you to call.

The dental implants are designed to become a long-term part of your jaw structure as they integrate with the bone. The teeth attached to them are fixed in place, not removable like traditional dentures, so you do not take them out at night. The same-day teeth you leave with are temporary fixed teeth for the healing phase. After your implants heal, Dentistry at East Piedmont verifies the fit, checks the bite, reviews the smile design with you, and completes your final prosthesis. Long-term success depends on routine hygiene, maintenance visits, and protecting the prosthesis as directed.

Teeth in a Day is a longer, more involved surgical appointment, often lasting several hours. For that reason, we recommend full anesthesia administered and monitored by a board-certified anesthesiologist, so you can sleep comfortably while your extractions, implant placement, and same-day fixed teeth are completed. Depending on your health history, treatment plan, and comfort level, alternatives can include IV sedation, nitrous oxide, or oral sedation. During your consultation, Dr. Bauman and the team will review the safest and most appropriate sedation option for your case.

It is not recommended. Smoking, vaping, and other nicotine products greatly increase your risk of implant failure and void your warranty. If you smoke or vape, tell us during your consultation. We will talk honestly about the risk, what needs to change before surgery, and how to protect your implants while you heal.

The "day" in Teeth in a Day refers to the surgical day itself. You arrive with failing or missing teeth and leave with a fixed set of same-day teeth secured to your implants. The full process is longer because your implants need time to heal and integrate with your jawbone. The sequence usually includes a consultation and 3D scan, a separate surgical appointment, follow-up visits during healing, a prototype smile review, verification steps, delivery of your final prosthesis, and long-term maintenance. We explain the full timeline before treatment begins so you know what happens on surgery day and what happens after.

Conventional dentures sit on top of your gums and rely on suction and adhesive to stay in place. They can move while you eat or speak, they need to come out for cleaning, and they do not give the jawbone the same stimulation as natural tooth roots. Teeth in a Day is different because the teeth are fixed to dental implants that integrate with your jawbone. They are not removable dentures. The treatment is a larger investment and a surgical plan, but the stability, function, and long-term maintenance are fundamentally different.

Dentistry at East Piedmont provides a limited warranty for Teeth in a Day prosthetics. The temporary hybrid appliance is covered for repair or replacement for up to 6 months. Fabrication of the final hybrid prosthesis usually begins 4 to 6 months after surgery unless your doctor advises a different timeline. The final hybrid prosthesis has a limited warranty as well. Repairs or replacements are covered for up to 2 years, years 3 to 5 are handled at lab cost, and after 5 years replacement coverage is 80% of the restoration fee. The warranty depends on your follow-through. You need to maintain good oral hygiene, care for the prosthesis, keep routine exam appointments at Dentistry at East Piedmont, use recommended protective appliances, and notify us immediately if something feels wrong. Nicotine use voids the warranty. The warranty does not cover accidents, trauma, neglect, poor hygiene, lost appliances, or failure of bone or tissue structures related to other medical treatments or illnesses.

No. Crowns, veneers, fillings, and other restorations keep their original color through whitening. The bleaching gel only works on natural enamel. If you're planning veneers or crowns, we usually whiten first, then match the new restorations to your brightened natural teeth, so your whole smile stays consistent. If you have existing restorations that no longer match your natural teeth, whitening alone won't fix that mismatch.

Professional whitening results typically last six months to two years depending on your habits. Coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas, berries, and smoking are the biggest culprits for re-staining. Patients who use their custom take-home trays every few months keep their bright shade for years. The fade is gradual, so you have time to schedule a touch-up before anyone notices.

Some patients experience temporary sensitivity during or after whitening, usually to cold drinks or pressure. It fades within a day or two. Professional whitening is gentler than drugstore strips because we calibrate the gel strength to your sensitivity level and can pre-treat with desensitizing agents if needed. If you have a history of sensitive teeth, tell us during your consultation and we'll adjust the protocol.

Drugstore strips and toothpastes use diluted whitening agents that can't penetrate deep enough to make a dramatic difference. They also apply unevenly. Strips don't conform to your tooth shape, so some spots get treatment and others don't. Professional whitening uses clinical-strength gel, fitted to your teeth via custom trays or applied in-office under controlled conditions. The difference is usually two to five shades brighter, with results that hold up.

A custom-fit night guard can help when grinding or clenching is part of the pattern behind your TMJ symptoms. It gives the jaw a protected place to rest and helps reduce the force on your teeth and joints. Off-the-shelf guards do not fit your bite precisely, which makes them less comfortable and less reliable for consistent wear.

Surgery is not where TMJ treatment usually starts. Most care begins conservatively with a custom night guard, bite adjustments, habit changes, and coordination with medical providers when needed. Surgery is reserved for severe structural problems with the joint itself. If your case points in that direction, we coordinate with an oral surgeon and explain the reasoning clearly.

Common signs include chronic jaw pain (especially in the morning), clicking or popping when you open your mouth, headaches with no obvious cause, ringing in the ears, sore jaw muscles, and sensitive teeth from clenching or grinding. Most people experience one or two occasionally; if you have multiple symptoms persistently, an evaluation is worth it. We pinpoint what's actually causing them.