Frequently Asked Questions

A routine checkup should not be painful. If you have sensitive areas, we can use numbing gel, extra local anesthesia, or sedation options when appropriate and adjust how we work so you stay as comfortable as possible.

We accept most PPO plans along with Medicaid and HMO coverage and can check your specific benefits for you. If you do not have insurance, we can talk through fees, CareCredit, and in-house payment options before treatment begins.

You can call our office or request an appointment online. Let us know if you are anxious or overdue so we can plan extra time to listen, explain, and make your first visit as calm and supportive as possible.

You can still start with us, even if it has been a long time. We will look at your current health, talk through what you are most worried about, and create a simple plan that helps you move forward at a pace that feels comfortable.

Most checkups take about 60 minutes, depending on whether you are due for X-rays and how much cleaning is needed. We leave time to answer your questions and explain any findings so you never feel rushed.

If your teeth and gums are generally healthy and you’d like to address crowding, gaps, or mild to moderate bite issues, Clear Aligners may be a good option. The best way to know is to schedule a visit, share your goals, and let us honestly walk you through what’s possible.

You may feel gentle pressure or soreness when you switch to a new set of aligners—that’s a sign they’re working. This usually fades after a day or two, and most patients find it easier to manage than the rubbing and poking that can come with metal braces.

Many patients finish in about 12–18 months, but some cases are shorter or longer. Dr. Simpson will give you a personalized time frame based on how much movement your teeth need and how consistently you can wear your aligners.

Most people adjust quickly. You wear the aligners most of the day, remove them to eat and brush, and clean them with a simple routine. Because they’re clear and removable, they tend to work well for work, school, and social events.

The cost depends on how complex your case is and how long treatment will take. At your consultation, we review your goals, outline a plan, and give you a clear estimate, including how insurance, CareCredit, or in-house payment options might help.

With good home care and regular checkups, implants can last many years and often for decades. We’ll give you clear instructions on how to care for them and see you regularly to keep the surrounding gums and bone healthy.

Costs depend on how many implants you need, whether bone grafting is involved, and what type of restoration is placed on top. At your complimentary consultation, we’ll give you a clear breakdown, review how your insurance may help, and talk through payment options like CareCredit and in-house plans.

During implant placement, the area is thoroughly numbed and often supported with sedation, so you should not feel pain. Some soreness afterward is normal, but most patients manage it with over-the-counter medication and are back to normal routines within a few days.

Bone loss is very common with long-term missing teeth. In many cases, we can use bone grafting or specific implant positions to work with your existing bone. CBCT imaging helps us see exactly what’s possible before we recommend anything.

Most healthy adults with one or more missing teeth can consider implants, especially if they want a stable, long-term solution. At your consultation, we’ll check your bone levels, gum health, and overall health and let you know honestly if implants are a good fit or if another option would be better.

Whitening only lightens natural enamel, not crowns, veneers, or fillings. If you have visible restorations, we may suggest whitening your natural teeth first and then updating old restorations to match your new shade, so your smile looks even and natural.

Results vary, but many patients enjoy a brighter smile for a year or more, especially with good home care and mindful habits. We’ll talk about how coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco affect your results and how occasional touch-ups with custom trays can keep your smile looking fresh.

Some people feel temporary sensitivity during or after whitening, especially to cold foods and drinks. We plan ahead for this by using desensitizing products, adjusting exposure time, and giving you simple at-home tips; in most cases, any sensitivity fades within a couple of days.

When done correctly and monitored by a dentist, professional whitening does not harm healthy enamel. We evaluate your mouth first, choose products that fit your situation, and apply them in a controlled way to protect your teeth and gums.

Most adults with healthy teeth and gums and surface stains from things like coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco are good candidates. At your visit, we’ll check your teeth and gums, talk about your goals, and let you know honestly if whitening will help or if another cosmetic option might serve you better.

Absolutely. Many of the people we see in emergencies are already anxious before anything goes wrong. Our office is designed to be an anxiety-friendly sanctuary: calm environment, comfort menu, sedation options, and a team that explains everything and never judges.

Yes. We can handle most urgent needs here, including severe toothaches, broken teeth, lost fillings or crowns, infections, and injuries to the soft tissues. If something is outside what’s safe to treat in our office, we’ll guide you to the right place and support you with follow-up care.

Costs vary depending on what is wrong and what treatment you choose. We’ll give you a clear estimate before we begin, explain how your PPO, Medicaid, or HMO plan may help, and talk through payment options like CareCredit and in-house plans if needed.

Our priority is to get you more comfortable, not add to your pain. We use effective numbing, gentle techniques, and sedation options when needed, and we move at a pace that respects how you’re feeling. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the visit feels.

Yes. We hold time each day for urgent needs and do our best to see you the same day you call. If our schedule is completely full, we still talk through your situation, offer guidance, and work to get you in as soon as possible.

Most people do well with a checkup and professional cleaning every six months, though some may need visits more or less often depending on their health and risk for problems. During these visits, we keep an eye on changes, clean areas you can’t reach at home, and talk through any concerns so small issues are caught early and your family can stay on track.

If you or a family member has a dental emergency, call our office right away so we can talk through what’s happening and get you in as soon as possible. We reserve time most days for urgent visits and will do our best to see you the same day, ease your discomfort, and create a clear plan to protect your tooth and overall oral health.

They often do. As we age, gums can recede, teeth can wear or chip more easily, and existing fillings, crowns, or dentures may need attention; that’s why regular visits matter even if you “feel fine.” Our job is to watch for these changes early, explain what they mean, and offer gentle, realistic options to keep your smile comfortable and stable.

For seniors, preventive care is about comfort, function, and protecting the work you’ve already invested in your smile. We pay close attention to gums, dry mouth, medications, wear on teeth, and any changes in bite or dentures, then adjust cleanings and checkups to keep eating, speaking, and smiling as easy as possible.

Yes. We routinely care for older adults with medical conditions, mobility challenges, or anxiety about treatment. We take extra time, adjust positioning, review medications, and work closely with family or caregivers so visits feel safe, manageable, and respectful for everyone involved.

For older kids and teens, we focus on building steady habits and keeping things low-pressure and respectful. We talk about brushing, flossing, snacks, sports mouthguards, and early signs of crowding or grinding in simple language, so they understand what’s happening and feel involved in their own care—not talked down to.

Yes, we accept most PPO plans as well as Medicaid and HMO plans, and we’re happy to check your specific benefits for you. Our team helps you understand what your plan may cover, what your costs might be, and handles claim filing so you can focus on care instead of paperwork; if you don’t have insurance, we can also talk through CareCredit and in-house payment options.