How does the
doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
Dr. Sciantarelli is extensively trained,
but because dentistry is constantly changing, he does a number of
things to stay up to date on all of the current findings. He frequently
attends continuing education courses that focus on the latest in
cosmetic and restorative dentistry. He also belongs to a variety
of organizations, which offer seminars and conferences on changes
in dentistry. He reads dental journals from cover to cover and encourages
his staff to never stop learning. If you have a question about a
new development, Dr. Sciantarelli is always happy to speak with you
about it.
back to top
Can you show
me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?
Yes. Our office has a digital imaging
system. We can take pictures of your teeth with our digital camera
or intra-oral camera and use our imaging system to create a picture
of how a particular treatment or procedure would change the appearance
of your teeth. If you have questions about our digital imaging system,
Dr. Sciantarelli would be more than happy to demonstrate how it works.
back to top
Do you accept
referrals?
Yes. In fact, our practice thinks
of referrals as invitations. We always welcome new patients to our
office.
back to top
What different
payment options do you provide?
We want all of our patients to be
able to afford dental care. Since payment is due at the time of treatment,
we offer several payment options. Our office accepts cash, check,
and credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Discover, or American
Express.
We are pleased to offer CareCredit,
which lets you begin your treatment immediately and pay for it over
time with low monthly payments. They offer a full range of No Interest
and Extended Payment Plans for extensive treatments. For more information,
our financial coordinator is happy to discuss CareCredit with you.
Insurance
Dental insurance is intended to cover
some, but not all, of the cost of your dental care. Most plans include
co-payments and a deductible, which must be paid by the patient when
treatment is rendered.
Please realize that Dental Insurance is just a method of payment-it is not a method of treatment! Insurance has a limited pay out based on the terms & conditions of your policy.
Since insurance can be confusing,
we will fill out and file your insurance forms as a courtesy to you.
Your coverage will be estimated as closely as possible, but until
we receive the payment from the insurance company, it is just an
estimate. Some companies will have exclusions or limitations we are
not aware of unless you let us know. We will help you get the maximum
benefit we can, but the ultimate responsibility for payment lies
with you.
back to top
How can I
safely whiten my teeth?
Many of our patients ask about whitening
their teeth. If your teeth are cracked, chipped, or discolored, Dr.
Sciantarelli may recommend restorative services, such as veneers
or bonding. If you want to bleach your teeth, we can suggest our
whitening system in our office. Since each mouth is unique, we need
to evaluate your teeth to recommend a specific method.
back to top
My gums bleed
after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
Yes, you should be very concerned
about bleeding gums, especially if you haven't had a check-up in
a while. Bleeding gums can be caused by a variety of things, from
a leaky filling to gum disease. While it may seem harmless, bleeding
gums can cause a variety of serious health problems. If your gums
bleed after you brush, call us as soon as possible at 361-855-7171
to schedule an appointment so we can analyze the cause.
back to top
I really do
not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to
help me relax?
We can tell when people are nervous
about being in a dentist's office. Nothing seems to help them relax.
That's why we offer oral sedation as well as nitrous oxide
to make your visit comfortable.
Before we can give you sedation or
nitrous, however, we need to discuss your medical history with you.
We will ask whether you or anyone in your family has had difficulty
with anesthetics. We also want to know if you are pregnant, taking
steroids, or on medication for high blood pressure.
back to top
Crowns, veneers,
onlays, inlays and partials. Where can I learn more about these
procedures?
Dr. Sciantarelli usually recommends
these restorative procedures as part of a permanent restoration.
They are sturdy, gentle on your mouth, and look like your natural
teeth. You can learn more about these procedures on our Patient
Library. As our patient, Dr. Sciantarelli can
also give you access to the Caesy website, which has information
on
these procedures and
others. If you are curious about any procedure we recommend, Dr.
Sciantarelli also welcomes your questions.
back to top
I want my
front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What
would you recommend?
There are a variety of ways to improve the appearance of your teeth without braces. We will take study models of your teeth and then do the treatment with wax to see how it will look and which method will work the best. That way you can see the results before we even start! We may recommend porcelain crowns or porcelain veneers.
To find out which method works best
for you, call us so we can schedule an appointment with Dr. Sciantarelli.
After listening to your goals and concerns, he can suggest ways to
help you straighten your smile.
back to top
My spouse
snores and keeps me up at night. I have heard a dentist might be
able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?
Certainly. We offer
snore-guards, a small appliance that holds the mouth and throat open
while you sleep and thus, prevents snoring. These devices are easy
to use and we custom fit them to ensure your comfort. If you or your
spouse snores, we suggest visiting us for an evaluation.
back to top
