Frequently Asked Dental Questions Charleston

How often should I go to the dentist/receive dental cleanings?

The ADA standard of care is to get your teeth cleaned once every six months if your risk for cavities and bone/gum disease is low and you do not have other medical conditions that can create more bacteria and infection in your gums. Upon getting your dental exam, we will be able to assess your oral health and overall risk. It may be determined that you need more frequent dental visits given the findings.

Once your risk level is determined, we can explain and work with you to create a dental checkup schedule that best works for you and your health. Our goal is to make sure that we not only take care of your teeth and gums, but your overall health. Research shows that your oral health is heavily connected to the rest of your body. Getting proper dental care can improve your wellbeing in ways you might not expect!

Do I need to do anything before coming in for my first visit?

After you schedule your first visit, you will receive an email that will contain forms for you to complete beforehand. If you prefer, you are welcome to come 30 minutes early to your appointment to fill out your information here in our lovely reception area.

Please bring your ID and dental insurance benefits card if you have one and would like us to file it for your treatment. Our Patient Care Specialists are ready to help you!

It's been a long time since I've visited the dentist. What do I need to do?

Simply call us! There’s no shame here. Please know that you're not alone. Whether it has been 6 months or 10 years, it's never too late to get back into a healthy routine. We would be more than happy to arrange for you to have a thorough and educational exam. The happy testimonials of countless patients that have become our friends are proof that you can be like them too. We're here to help! Please call us when you are ready to take the next step.

Do you give second opinions?

In order to give a genuine and thorough second opinion, we must complete a comprehensive exam. Without looking at the whole picture, we would only be treating the symptoms and not the root cause. Our wellness philosophy and high level of care is to ensure that you can make an informed decision and that requires us being in-depth about our work.

What if I don't have dental insurance?

It’s not a problem! We believe everyone deserves access to quality dental care. That is why we offer flexible payment options, financing plans, and in-house membership programs to help make treatment affordable. Our team is happy to walk you through your options.

Do you offer financing or payment plans?

Absolutely! We partner with trusted financing providers to help make your care more accessible. Ask our team about payment options that fit your budget.

Do you use biocompatible materials?

Yes! At Elevate Dentistry, we focus on using only products that support the natural body as much as possible. For patients with specific sensitivities or concerns, we offer biocompatibility testing through a trusted third party to help determine the most suitable materials for your individual needs.

Are dental X-rays safe?

Yes. Modern digital X-rays emit low levels of radiation and are considered safe. They are one of the most powerful tools for early diagnosis and a key part of intervention. They allow us to find dental decay, pathology, and other diseases when they are still so small that we cannot see them during a visual exam. Without X-rays, we are not able to be fully comprehensive and certain if disease is present or not. We follow the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, and each patient will be protected by lead aprons.

Do you use dental lasers in your practice?

Yes. Laser dentistry is a safe, very effective, and minimally invasive way to perform treatment in the dental office. Lasers often complement other forms of treatment and possess unique characteristics that allow them to assist Dr. David in obtaining the best results. Dr. David will determine if laser dentistry is the best course of action for your individual needs during your first visit.

How is sleep health related to dentistry?

Sleep is a natural restorative process that our bodies require in order to properly rejuvenate and perform at an optimum level. A lack of sleep or obstruction of the airway can be detrimental to your oral and overall health. The first sign of sleep apnea is often teeth grinding (also known as bruxism). Catching these signs early is an imperative part of your dental exam. Many adults suffer extensive damage to their oral health due to poor sleep. Children are also affected by poor sleep health, often because of undersized jaws, tongue ties, and poor tongue postural position.

Do you offer sedation dentistry?

We offer many options for patients who need a little help to relax during their dental care. Nitrous oxide (commonly referred to as laughing gas) can help take the edge off and allow you to fully enjoy your visit. For patients in need of something stronger, we can prescribe you anti-anxiety medication to take prior to your appointment. Please note that you will need a driver to bring you to and from the office.

We are happy to help you find the level of sedation that works best for you so that you will be comfortable during your dental visit. Please make sure to tell our team about any anxiety you may be having prior to your appointment.

Can you help patients who are afraid of the dentist?

This is a very common question! You may feel like you’re alone with your anxiety, but millions of people experience some stress when faced with dental visits.

In many cases, patients don’t like seeing the dentist because they feel like they’re not in control of the situation. One of our goals at Elevate Dentistry is to get to know our patients and take the time to build trusting relationships. When you feel at ease with us, your dental care won’t seem so intimidating.

We’ll listen to your concerns and spend some time learning more about the source of your fear. You’d be amazed at how opening up about your feelings can help to reduce your anxiety!

Fear of pain and discomfort is another cause of dental anxiety. At our office, all our services are designed to maximize your comfort and reduce your stress. But if you still need help relaxing during your treatment, we offer safe nitrous oxide sedation that will make you feel slightly drowsy and detached from what’s going on around you.

Don’t let anxiety about your dental care ruin your good oral health. Call us today to learn more about the ways we can help!

Do you offer cosmetic dentistry?

Absolutely. We focus on providing you with the best results possible for your desired outcome. We often find that patients are looking for an uplifted, natural option but are worried about not being able to achieve it. At Elevate Dentistry, we listen to your goals and develop a personalized plan to get you the results you desire. We can also present you with a pre-treatment smile design that you can see your new “smile” before you begin. Call our office today to find out more!

What teeth whitening options do you offer?

We offer a variety of whitening options, using Glo Sciences. Our patients love this system and rave about how it causes little to NO sensitivity. However, it’s important to remember that you will lose 50% of your whitening results in 12 months without a maintenance plan. Our teeth also naturally darken 1-2 shades every decade of life. Home whitening maintenance is key to offsetting these trends. Glo Sciences offers a fun and effective home maintenance device that allows the results to be sustained, while still being affordable and convenient to use at home. Glo also provides whitening pens and an enamel serum to place on your teeth after whitening in order to seal in your results, keeping out staining food and drinks. We additionally make custom trays with other take-home options.

Prior to whitening, it is extremely important to make sure you do not have any active dental cavities or gum infection. If you undergo whitening while having active cavities or infection, you can make those conditions worse and possibly cause pain.

Please make an appointment with us so that we can find the best options for you to get your teeth to the whiteness you desire!

Do you offer clear aligners?

Yes! From time to time, our patients find that they are not happy with their shifted teeth and smile. Nowadays, you don’t necessarily need braces to correct your smile. We use Ortho FX to assist in providing the most predictable and efficient plan to get you back to smiling again.

Did you also know that shifted teeth lead to much higher risks when it comes to cavities, bone and gum disease, recession, and TMJ-related problems? Many of our patients choose clear aligners not just to improve the aesthetics of the smile, but to also address the cause in shifted teeth that is leading to the negative effects noted in their oral health. Come in and learn more about how your teeth and jaw alignment are closely related to your oral health and systemic health.