Your Questions.

We want to communicate with you as clearly as possible, in the most convenient format. So if you need answers and prefer to read about them here, please browse through these common questions. If you'd rather talk to us in person, feel free to call us or email us anytime.

 

How does Dr. Henbest keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Dr. Henbest subscribes to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry, and attends ongoing continuing education seminars and conferences on areas of interest such as implant dentistry and cosmetic reconstructive dentistry. He also ensures that our staff pursues studies in our areas of expertise, so that as a team and as individuals, we're familiar with the latest techniques and materials available.

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Do you accept referrals?

We’re happy to accept referrals from other dental offices as well as from recommendations by our patients to their family and friends. We request that a patient evaluation form be completed prior to the first visit; we also suggest that all recent records and x-rays be forwarded to our office.

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Do you accept my insurance plan?

Our office is willing to work with any insurance company. This means that we'll be happy to file your insurance for you, and will accept payment from them as well. However, we do ask that patients understand up front the limitations of their own coverage, and take responsibility for their portion of the bill not covered by insurance. For example, our fees are not negotiable, as they've been determined based on our time, materials and overhead costs. Unfortunately, insurance companies vary in their coverage amounts for various dental procedures.

We also advise our patients be aware of the limited nature of dental insurance in general. People are typically accustomed to thinking in terms of medical insurance coverage, where deductibles are high, but serious and catastrophic conditions are covered. In contrast, dental insurance universally has low deductibles but does NOT provide for catastrophic or major problems.

In any case, we're well-versed in the latest coverage trends, and are more than happy to discuss the particulars of your plan with you prior to any treatments you may undergo.

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What different payment options do you provide?

We accept cash, personal checks, Visa and Mastercard. Your insurance plan co-pay is due at the time of your visit, and you're responsible for the entire amount not covered by your insurance. For more extensive procedures, or in cases where patients prefer to pay over time, we are happy to offer third party financing through Care Credit, Dental Fee Plan and Patriot Financial Services. Please let us know ahead of time if you desire to apply for this service, and we'll direct you as needed.

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How can I have whiter teeth?

There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile. Sometimes, an at-home bleaching system will provide the change desired; in other cases, porcelain veneers offer a more effective solution. Dr. Henbest can help evaluate your potential for whitening your teeth, based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration. If you opt for the whitening process, you’ll probably spend anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks undergoing a series of simple at-home treatments, resulting in teeth approximately 2 shades brighter on the dental shade chart. If you opt for veneer application, you'll simply need a couple of appointments at our office. To read more about either of these options, please look them up in our patient education section.

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What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

Our entire practice team is well-versed in state-of-the-art sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and face masks to prevent passing germs, but includes a specialized sanitation center and a water filtration system that guarantees a fresh, individualized, distilled water source for each patient.

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What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

When you become a patient of our practice, we think of you as a person, not just another set of teeth to fix and clean. Our goal is to help you obtain and then maintain the best possible oral health. So, we take time to understand your dental history and evaluate the best options for your particular dental needs. That means looking beyond the surface problems and considering the underlying issues that may either be causing problems now, or that may lead to problems down the road. And we recommend long-term solutions, so that your smile lasts a lifetime.

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I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces, what can you do to help?

Dr. Henbest has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of unsightly braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In other cases, should 'invisible braces' or something similar be the best solution, Dr. Henbest can coordinate your care with the appropriate orthodontic specialist. We’d be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

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Can you tell me more about crowns, veneers, onlays and inlays?

With today's technology, materials, and advanced techniques, we have many options for restoring weak, broken, chipped, discolored, and/or crooked teeth…bringing them back to their original shape and function. For example, if you need fillings, we can use precious metal or composite resin 'inlays' instead of silver amalgam… actually strengthening the tooth and protecting it against further fracture. Or, for large decayed or damaged surface chewing areas requiring restoration, we can apply a protective covering/filling or "onlay" made of either precious metal or porcelain, thereby adding strength and preventing decay.

For cracked or worn teeth requiring protection or resurfacing, we can apply an all-porcelain crown, somewhat like a 'cap', that covers the entire outside of the problem tooth. Crowns are also helpful to cover large areas of decay after they've been filled. And, they're extremely effective in reconstructing an entire bite, when used on a complete set of upper and lower chewing surfaces.

Similarly, we can restore discolored, crooked or otherwise unattractive front teeth to pretty, natural shapes and shades by applying paper-thin porcelain veneers to the fronts. If you're interested in finding out more about these procedures, improve "Your Education" by checking out our patient library.

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