Oftentimes our patients ask us a number of questions about our practice and dentistry in general. We have compiled a list of the most frequent questions we have heard from our patients in order to assist you. If your inquiry is not on the list below, please feel free to email or call our office, and we will be more than happy to answer your question.

• Can you show me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?
• Do you accept referrals?
• What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
• What different payment options do you provide?
• Is there a way I can ask the Doctors questions directly?
• Crowns, veneers, on-lays, inlays and partials... where can I learn more about what you guys are talking about?
• I want my front teeth to look better, but I don't want to wear braces, what can you do to help?
• I've worn artificial teeth for years and have recently encountered difficulty in chewing. What should I do?
• Can I come in and get a doctor's opinion without having any work done?
• How do you go about educating us, the patients, on various topics and procedures? 

Can you show me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?

We routinely use Image FX dental imaging to help our patients visualize the end results of cosmetic and restorative work. By simply ask the right questions, taking various photos of your current smile, and keying in the correct input into the computer, we'll generate a graphic image to demonstrate accurately how your procedure will affect your smile.

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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 a patient evaluation form be completed prior to the first visit; we also require all records and x-rays to be forwarded to our office.

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What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?

For true dental emergencies, we have a 24-hour emergency service. When you call our office during closed hours, you will speak with a representative at a message center. The representative will then relay the emergency message to the doctor currently on-call and the doctor will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

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What different payment options do you provide?

We accept cash, personal checks and all major credit cards. Your insurance plan co-pay is due at the time of your visit, but we can bill deductible payments over a period of time according to your particular situation. Please let us know ahead of time if you desire to pay in installments so that we can structure an appropriate plan for you. We also accept the Dental Fee Plan; an affordable plan with low, fixed rates ranging from 5.9% to 12.9% APR. Click here for more information.

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Is there a way I can ask the Doctors questions directly?

We encourage our patients to have open, direct communication with Drs. Heard, Heard and Vogel. Therefore, they are available daily to answer your questions either via e-mail or voice mail. Depending on office traffic and the complexity of your questions, they strive to respond within 24 hours.

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Crowns, veneers, on-lays, inlays and partials... where can I learn more about what you guys are talking about?

At your first appointment, Drs. Heard, Heard or Vogel will be happy to explain any of these procedures to you. You can also visit the American Dental Association's Web site at www.ada.org to find out more.

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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?

Drs. Heard, Heard and Vogel have 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, it may be necessary to attach 'invisible' braces behind the front teeth. We also offer Invisalign, the invisible way to straigten your teeth. Invisalign works through a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. You can have straight teeth without traditional braces. We'd be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

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I've worn artificial teeth for years and have recently encountered difficulty in chewing. What should I do?

You should set up an appointment with us right away. Your oral health affects your overall health, so please don't hesitate. During the appointment we will assist your problem and most likely will properly fit you for custom dentures or implants.

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Can I come in and get a doctor's opinion without having any work done?

Of course you can. We welcome all kinds of questions and look forward to consulting your inquires. For a fee of usually less than $50, we can consult you on any dental concern. We do request you bring your x-rays with you if you are not a patient of ours. Just call our office and set up a consultation appointment.

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How do you go about educating us, the patients, on various topics and procedures?

We like to focus on one-on-one education with our patients, to make sure they understand certain dental topics and procedures. We pave our way with words, and explain all options thoroughly. We tell the advantages and disadvantages of any procedure. We also use the CommuniDent education system in our office. CommuniDent is a multimedia education system geared towards teaching patients about dental topics and procedures in detail through art video technology. To learn more about CommuniDent, click here.

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