Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
Your first appointment begins with a warm welcome from our front office team and a review of your medical history and goals. We take any necessary digital X-rays and complete a comprehensive exam to assess your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw health.
After your cleaning, Dr. Hana Gabriel discusses the findings, answers your questions, and creates a personalized treatment plan. We encourage you to share any concerns so we can tailor your care and schedule the next steps that fit your timeline.
Absolutely. Our family practice welcomes toddlers experiencing their very first dental visit, teens, and adults who need preventive or advanced restorative care. We tailor every appointment to the developmental stage and comfort level of each patient.
For children, we focus on education and gentle techniques that build trust. Adults benefit from extended appointment options, thorough explanations, and personalized home-care recommendations that make it easier to keep every smile in the household healthy.
We work with most major PPO dental insurance plans and are happy to verify your benefits before treatment begins. Our administrative team files claims on your behalf and provides detailed estimates so you know exactly what to expect.
If you do not have insurance, we provide flexible financial solutions such as:
- Monthly financing through trusted third-party partners.
- An in-office savings plan that covers preventive visits at a reduced rate.
- Payment with major credit cards, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.
Let us know your needs, and we will design a payment approach that keeps care accessible.
From the moment you call our office, we focus on creating a calm, judgment-free environment. We take time to explain each step before it happens, use gentle techniques, and offer noise-canceling headphones, blankets, and other comforts that help you relax.
For patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety, we can discuss sedation options to make treatment even easier. Our goal is to build trust over time so you feel confident returning for regular care.
If you experience severe pain, swelling, or a broken tooth, call our office right away. We reserve time each day for urgent visits and will guide you through next steps to relieve discomfort and protect your smile.
While you are on your way, keep any knocked-out tooth moist in milk or saliva, avoid chewing on the affected side, and use a cold compress to minimize swelling. Prompt care greatly improves the chance of saving the tooth.
Preventive Care
Preventive dental care includes the routine services designed to keep your smile healthy and avoid costly treatment later. During these visits we monitor your oral health, remove buildup, and share tailored coaching so you can maintain strong teeth at home.
Typical preventive appointments may include:
- Professional cleanings to remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains.
- Digital X-rays and oral cancer screenings as needed to catch concerns early.
- Fluoride or sealant applications to strengthen enamel and protect vulnerable areas.
Most people benefit from a dental checkup and professional cleaning every six months. These visits allow us to remove hardened buildup and spot early warning signs before they turn into bigger issues.
If you have gum disease, wear braces, or experience frequent cavities, we may recommend more frequent appointments. We will partner with you to create a schedule that fits your needs.
Dental sealants are thin protective coatings that we paint onto the grooves of back teeth. Once hardened, the sealant forms a barrier that keeps food particles and bacteria from settling into the pits where cavities commonly start.
We typically recommend sealants for children soon after their permanent molars erupt, but adults with deep grooves or a history of decay can benefit as well. The procedure is quick, painless, and can protect a tooth for many years.
Warning signs of gum disease include gums that bleed when brushing, persistent bad breath, and tissue that looks red or swollen. As the infection advances you may notice gum recession, sensitivity, or teeth that feel loose.
You can greatly reduce your risk by brushing twice daily, cleaning between teeth, and visiting us regularly for professional cleanings. We also provide personalized periodontal therapy and home-care guidance to help you keep your gums healthy.
Healthy daily habits keep your smile strong between appointments. Brush for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and clean between teeth with floss or a water flosser to remove bacteria your brush cannot reach.
Choose water and nutrient-rich foods, limit sugary snacks, and wear a custom nightguard or sports mouthguard if one has been recommended. If something feels uncomfortable or breaks, call us promptly so we can prevent small problems from becoming emergencies.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing the appearance of your smile while preserving the health and function of your teeth. Treatments can brighten enamel, reshape the gumline, close gaps, and create balanced alignment.
During a consultation we evaluate your oral health, review photos, and discuss your goals in detail. Together we create a customized plan that delivers a confident smile with results that are meant to last.
Professional whitening can keep your smile radiant for 12 to 18 months, but longevity depends on lifestyle habits. Coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco can shorten results, while rinsing with water after meals helps preserve brightness.
We often provide custom trays so you can complete quick touch-ups at home. Regular cleanings and mindful dietary choices will help your whitening treatment stay vibrant.
Cosmetic dentistry can address chips, discoloration, worn edges, uneven spacing, and more. By balancing tooth shape, size, and shade, we design a smile that complements your facial features.
Your treatment plan may include a single procedure such as bonding or whitening, or a combination such as Invisalign®, veneers, and crowns. We guide you through each option so you can choose the approach that best meets your goals and budget.
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-crafted shells that cover the front of your teeth to instantly transform their shape and color. They are bonded securely to create a natural-looking smile that is stain resistant and durable.
Veneers are ideal for patients with stains that do not respond to whitening, small gaps, minor misalignment, or uneven tooth edges. During your consultation we evaluate gum and enamel health to ensure veneers are a long-term solution for you.
Yes. We use high-quality materials, and detailed photographs to craft restorations that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Our lab partners hand-finish each case so the texture and translucency mimic real enamel.
Before treatment we review mock-ups and smile previews so you can visualize your results. Your feedback guides every design decision, ensuring you leave with a smile that feels like you.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry repairs or replaces teeth that have been damaged by decay, fractures, or wear. Our goal is to restore comfortable chewing function while protecting the surrounding teeth and gums.
Treatments may include fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures. We evaluate each tooth carefully to determine the least invasive way to rebuild your smile.
Dental fillings are used to repair teeth with small cavities or minor fractures. After removing the damaged portion, we place a tooth-colored composite material that bonds to your enamel and seals out bacteria.
Composite fillings blend naturally with your smile and require minimal tooth preparation, making them a conservative and durable choice for most patients.
Partial dentures are removable appliances that replace several missing teeth and anchor to the healthy teeth you still have. Full dentures replace all teeth in the upper or lower arch when no natural teeth remain.
We design dentures to fit securely and comfortably, and we can incorporate dental implants to add extra stability. During follow-up visits we make any adjustments needed so you can eat and speak with confidence.
Your comfort is our priority. We use local anesthetic to numb the treatment area and offer sedation options when appropriate, so you can relax throughout the procedure.
Advanced technology such as digital impressions and rotary instruments allows us to work efficiently and gently. After treatment we share detailed home-care instructions to minimize any post-visit tenderness.
Daily care keeps your restorations strong and attractive. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth, and follow any specific instructions we provide for bridges, implants, or dentures.
We also recommend that you:
- Visit us regularly so we can monitor the condition of your restorations.
- Avoid chewing on ice or hard objects that could crack porcelain or composite.
- Wear a nightguard if you clench or grind to protect both natural teeth and restorations.
If you notice any changes in fit or comfort, schedule a checkup so we can address the issue quickly.