Frequently Asked Dental Questions Corbin

Will I remember anything from my dental appointment if I’m sedated?

The medications we use are designed to keep you from remembering all the parts of dentistry you'd rather forget, including sights/sounds/smells. While you may remember a friendly face or a gentle word from some point during your sedation, we've found that our patients remember very little, if anything, from their sedation appointments.

Will I feel any pain during my dental appointment if I’m sedated?

Not if we can help it! With conscious sedation, we still numb you just like we would for traditional dentistry, and our goal is always to have a painless outcome. Because your body is still conscious (doing its own basic jobs without help), we still check in with you throughout your sedation to be sure you are comfortable and not experiencing any pain.

Will I say anything embarrassing while sedated?

Not at all! While those "David After Dentist" videos remain popular, we have yet to have a single patient behave out of character or reveal any juicy secrets. You are still yourself, just the most relaxed version!

Do I have to have silver fillings?

No! While silver fillings have their place in dental history, we only place tooth-colored composite fillings in our Corbin dental office.

Will my dental crown look like a real tooth?

Absolutely! Porcelain crowns, while designed to be strong enough to withstand the incredible forces your jaw muscles exert, can also be quite beautiful. We can choose together what shade matches your smile best, or take the pressure off of you and choose the best match for you ourselves. We also may advise a gold or silver crown if strength on a back tooth is what you need, but the choice is ultimately yours! 

Will my dental crown fall out?

Dental crowns are cemented in place with a very strong bonding agent or cement. Crowns are designed to stay on your tooth; of course, how well you take care of your tooth still matters! The tooth still must be brushed and flossed daily to stay strong and keep the crown on solid ground. You wouldn't want to drive your brand-new car on anything but the smoothest pavement, and you should treat your "new tooth" with just as much care!

Will getting dental implants hurt?

No! Most of our patients have found that with implant placement, they sometimes only need over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen for a few days as the tissues heal. You do not even feel the implant in its place once it has healed, as it remains like it is a part of your bone in its healthiest state!

My parents lost all their teeth; will I lose mine?

You are not destined for the same outcome! Just like dentistry in their youth was different, dentistry today offers several options for replacing missing teeth in Corbin. How you take care of yourself is a huge part of your own dental success, but just because your parents lost their teeth, it does not mean that you will lose yours, too. Let us meet with you to help you plan to keep your teeth for life and give you the tools and knowledge your parents may not have had access to, to help YOU have a great outcome!

What can I do about my missing tooth/teeth?

We have so many choices today to replace missing teeth! Every person is unique, so we would love to spend time with you, learning about what your goals are for your smile. This includes how long you want your tooth replacement to last, what kind of foods you want to eat, and whether you want a solution that is removable or fixed. 

Why does my tooth hurt?

Toothaches can be so painful! It's hard to think about anything else when your tooth hurts. While there is more than one cause for toothaches, a very concerning and common source is an infection. It's always best to start with our office to help find the source of your pain and come up with a fast plan that works for you to take care of that pain, sometimes with the help of our caring and trusted specialists, so that your infection does not become dangerous. You deserve the best when you're feeling at your worst!

How do I find a trustworthy dentist?

Earning your trust is one of our top priorities. Have you not been listened to at your previous dentist's office? Felt like you were being pushed to buy things you didn't want, or have treatment you were not sure you needed? Our job is to make sure you have honest information, and while we will always recommend for you the same quality level of care we would recommend to our sister/brother/mother/father/best friend, we make sure you know that you hold the power to make the decision that is right for you. We would never want you to complete treatment you aren't comfortable with, and what matters at the end of the day is that you get your needs met and your voice heard. We rest easily every night knowing we've done an honest day's work, and we want to be the team that earns your trust.

How often should I be getting a checkup & cleaning?

The average patient should receive at least two professional checkups and cleanings each year, or one every 6 months. Routine appointments give us the chance to catch and treat dental problems during their earliest stages before they can cause any lasting damage, and regular dental cleanings can help prevent the development of many issues in the first place.

Can I bring my child to see you?

Of course! We love getting to know and serving entire families, including their youngest members. Some pediatric-specific dental treatments are still best performed by a pediatric dentist, and once we meet your child and determine their needs, we will be able to discuss further if that’s even relevant for your child. Whether you have a toddler, teenager, or someone in between at home, we’re happy to see them and provide the services their growing smile needs. And, we’ll always go out of our way to make sure your child feels comfortable at every visit.

Can you help me with a dental emergency?

Yes! We always do our best to make emergency patients our top priority when they call in, and we’re often able to see them the exact same day. If you or a loved one is dealing with a lot of dental pain because of an accident or severe toothache, give us a call right away, and we’ll work to see you as soon as possible.

I’m really nervous about visiting the dentist. Can you help with this?

Yes. To make it easier for our more anxious patients, Dr. Whitaker has taken special training in order to administer IV sedation, and she is actually the only dentist within a 50-mile radius qualified to do so. This method is fast, safe, and guaranteed to help even the most fearful patient relax in the dental chair and enjoy a stress-free appointment. To learn more about it and how it could help you, give us a call today.

Will you accept my dental insurance?

Our practice is out-of-network, so we are happy to go over your policy with you and let you know how you can use your benefits to help you save on your dental care. We also offer flexible financing solutions and an in-house membership plan as alternatives to traditional insurance.

Is there a way I can finance my dental care?

Yes! Our patients can sign up for a low-to-no interest payment plan from Cherry and CareCredit right through our website. They have a wide variety of plans that can break up the cost of your care in whatever way best suits your budget. To explore your options and sign up for one today, click on the button on our New Patients page.