Preparing for Cosmetic Dentistry: What to Expect
October 15, 2020
If you’re considering having some cosmetic dentistry performed, chances are, you have questions. Often times our patients come to us with concerns about cost, recovery times, result expectations, and many other things they are considering prior to an upcoming procedure – all of which are excellent questions! Whether you’re in the beginning stages and searching for the best dental office in DeSoto to perform your elected dental service, or you’ve been a patient for years and are looking to have some additional work done, we’re here to help!
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
For starters, one of the first things to understand is simply – what is cosmetic dentistry? Since different offices offer different procedures and services, it’s important to know exactly what your dentist can do before deciding which option is best for you.
Cosmetic dentistry is essentially an elective procedure that involves improving the overall healthy appearance of your smile. These services involve a wide range of options that can be tailored to your specific needs. At Lancaster Family Smiles, our team offers exceptional cosmetic dentistry practices that include:
- Gum line recontouring
- Gap corrections with bonding procedures
- Straightening options such as Invisalign, BioClear, and traditional braces
- Ceramic veneers
- Professional cleaning and whitening treatments
- Filling replacements to match your teeth
What to Know Before Your Procedure
Once you have discussed your viable options with your family dentist and come up with the right solution for your needs, it’s important to prepare by asking questions. Your trusted oral care professional should walk you through the steps from how to prepare for your upcoming procedure to tips for optimal recovery afterwards. It’s also imperative, however, for you to speak up with questions on anything you don’t understand.
Some of the most common questions and concerns we are asked by our patients prior to their cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
- Is this procedure covered by my dental insurance?
- Have others had great success with this procedure or service?
- Can I see images of previous patients’ successes?
- Will this be painful and/or how can I manage the recovery process?
- Do I need to be sedated for this procedure?
- How can I prepare for my treatment or procedure?
Preparing for Your Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure
After you’ve made the decision to schedule your elected cosmetic procedure, it’s best to begin preparations to ensure the smoothest service and recovery possible. Depending on which treatment you are seeking, your preparations could be minor or very complex. While your family dentist will be able to help you outline your preparations, here are a few of the most important steps to take prior to any cosmetic dentistry procedure:
- Call your insurance agency. Being surprised by high dental bills for something that your insurance didn’t cover is never a good thing. Always ensure you call to verify what procedures are (and are not) covered by your insurance before scheduling the service.
- Plan for down time. If you’re having a more extensive procedure done, you will want to plan for recovery time as needed. This may mean scheduling time off of work or other responsibilities.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. The most important step to ensure a healthy recovery process (and to allow optimal results), is to follow all advice given by your family dentist.
Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship: Our Commitment to Continuing Education
September 22, 2020
On behalf of our team of professionals at Lancaster Smiles, we would like to congratulate Dr. Gupta on earning her Fellowship accreditation with the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)! Her latest achievement speaks volumes to the degree of dedication our practice puts forth to continuing our knowledge of dental practices in order to provide our patients with the absolute best possible care available today. Here’s a little bit about what this certification entails and what it means to our patients and practice going forward:
What Is an AGD Fellowship?
Since 1952, the Academy of General Dentistry has been helping dental professionals across the country to continue their education efforts in order to stay abreast of the latest advancements and technology in the field. Dedicated to the advocacy for continual learning, the foundation offers a fellowship program to recognize those professionals who meet their exceptional criteria for professional training and advancement practices. In fact, their criteria are so exceptional, only 6% of general dentistry professionals in the United States and Canada combined, have achieved the coveted fellowship award.
How Is This Achievement Earned?
We are extremely proud to announce that Dr. Gupta’s dedication to continuing education has earned her this fellowship, and a place among the top 6% of dental professionals in the nation. This has been an achievement that demanded years of ongoing educational courses as well as a commitment to meeting the fellowship requirements. In order to earn this exceptional accreditation, your family dentist has undergone vigorous training and AGD testing that has included:
- Completion of 500 hours of course specified continued education (CE) programs and studies. This is a commitment of 500 educational hours beyond her licensing and degree requirements in order to stay current on the most advanced dental breakthroughs of the day.
- Maintain all proper licensing as well as maintain an AGD membership in excellent standing for a minimum of three years prior to the fellowship award.
- Successful completion (passing grade) of the 3-hour long fellowship examination following the 500 hours of CE. This examination is an extensive compilation of the latest dental professional intel of the day and requires a solid grasp of all CE obtained during that time.
What an AGD Fellowship Means to Our Lancaster Smiles Friends and Families
Dr. Gupta and staff are all deeply committed to offering the most comprehensive and caring dental services in the area. It is this commitment that has led to her continued dedication to CE courses and achieving the AGD fellowship as a way to provide our patients with the best, most knowledgeable care. We’d like to extend our congratulations again to Dr. Gupta for this impressive achievement as we let our family of patients know how committed we are to stay at the top of our field – for you, our patients! This latest achievement is just one of the many ways your local family dentist is ensuring you receive top-notch care at every appointment, and now she has the fellowship award to show for this dedication!
Discover How You Can Achieve a New Smile with Dental Implants
November 3, 2019
When choosing how to replace your missing teeth, you can opt for a solution that is less invasive and requires more frequent replacements such as dentures or a fixed bridge, or you can invest in a longer-lasting, durable, and fully functional option like dental implants in Lancaster. Patients who choose the latter experience great success, and so can you, but first, you might want to know more about what you can expect from this surgical procedure. To find out, read on to learn about each phase and how you’ll achieve your new and improved smile.
(more…)4 Tips to Extend The Lifespan of Your Veneers
October 23, 2019
After researching veneers in Lancaster, you think they’re the perfect cosmetic solution to refresh your damaged and discolored smile. In as few as three visits to your dentist, you’ll have a symmetrical, bright, and straight grin that you won’t want to wait to show off to your friends and family. When you make an investment in your grin, it makes sense that you would want to make it last as long as possible. To keep your veneers looking clean, white, and healthy, it’s best to take a few precautionary measures. Read on to learn how to preserve your beautiful smile so it can last for years to come.
(more…)Nervous to Get a Root Canal? Sedation Can Help
September 19, 2019
Every time you take a sip of some delicious hot coffee, it sends a jolt of pain through one of your teeth. However, you have a serious fear of the dentist. You summon all your courage to go get it looked at, but then they tell you that you need a root canal in Lancaster. What exactly is a root canal? Can you get sedation dentistry to make the whole thing easier? Continue reading to find out.
(more…)7 Signs You Might Need a Root Canal in Lancaster
July 15, 2019
For many people, the words “root canal” are some of the scariest words in the English language. The procedure has a reputation of being painful. However, the pain associated with those words actually comes from the pain they experience before treatment. The procedure itself doesn’t hurt any more than getting a simple filling. But what exactly is a root canal? And how do you know when you need a root canal in Lancaster? Let’s look at 7 signs that a root canal may be necessary.
(more…)Here’s How to Find the Best Family Dentist in Lancaster
April 12, 2019
Finding the right dentist for you and your family can lead to quality oral healthcare for years, and even decades to come. But how do you know which family dentist in Lancaster is the best one for you? When looking for a new dental practice, there are some essential factors to keep in mind to ensure that you pick a dentist that’s best for you and your loved ones. It’s important to find a practice that you not only enjoy going to, but it should also be somewhere that your kids feel comfortable and happy. The more positive experiences that your kids have early on, the more likely they are to continue to care for their oral health as they grow.
(more…)Family Dentist In Lancaster Gives Tips For National Children’s Dental Health Month!
February 12, 2019
Did you know that an estimated 42% of children ages 2-11 have untreated cavities? Unfortunately, cavities not only affect your child’s smile now but in the future as well. Since February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, it’s a great time to learn about the importance of good oral health in the early years and how you can prevent problems from the start. Not only will you minimize the amount of dental work your child needs from a family dentist in Lancaster
A Dentist Compares Dentures vs Dental Implants in Lancaster
January 16, 2019
Do you avoid smiling or eating around others because you worry that they might notice your missing tooth? You are not alone. In fact, nearly 70% of adults aged 35 to 44 in the United States have one or more missing teeth, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Fortunately, thanks to advancements in modern dental care there is now a range of options to restore your smile, including dentures and dental implants. Want to know which option is right for you? Find out below why dental implants in Lancaster are the best long-term solution to replace missing teeth.
(more…)Ring in the New Year with a New Smile with a Cosmetic Dentist in Lancaster
December 29, 2018
The new year is coming. Are you ready for it? Do you have any big plans and dreams that you want to pursue this year? Perhaps one of the things you want for 2019 is a new and improved smile. After all, it’s one of the first things that people notice about you. Unlike with the typical resolutions that end up in failure in February, don’t give up on your goal of a perfect smile. Start the new year off right by talking to a cosmetic dentist in Lancaster about how you can transform your teeth and boost your confidence in 2019.
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