Patient Info
Frequently Asked Questions
Appointments
Smile Innovations is open Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Please note that our office will be closed in observance of the following holidays:
New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas
For your convenience, we offer the following methods to schedule your appointments:
- Online scheduling: To request appointment availability, please select the Request Appointment button to fill out the form. Our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm your appointment.
- Call our office at (480) 820-7777
The American Dental Association recommends twice-yearly exams and cleanings. Some people may need more frequent check-ups based on their dental needs. After your first exam, we’ll be able to determine the best frequency for your dental health.
- Insurance card/information
- List of current medications and medical conditions
- X-rays taken in the last 6 months (if available)
Please call our office at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment. We’ll work with you to help you find another date that fits your schedule.
We understand that unforeseen situations may arise that are out of your control. If you miss an appointment, please contact us as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you within 24 hours. Contact our office to see appointment availability.
Treatments
My Time Dental Centers provides General, Pediatric (ages 8 and older), Cosmetic, Restorative, Oral Surgery, Financing, CBCT, Advanced Implants/Dentures and Endodontic (Root Canals) dental services. Please click on our informational categories for more details.
We will conduct a thorough examination on your first visit to determine the best course of action to achieve dental health and your goals. We will provide Comprehensive treatment planning, including:
- Take full mouth x-rays/Panoramic/CBCT to identify any current problems and to use as a baseline on future visits to detect early signs of problems.
- Assess gum condition and health.
- Examine teeth for cavities and condition of old dental restorations.
- Perform a head and neck exam, including salivary glands and lymph nodes, for swelling or other abnormalities.
- Screen for oral cancer and TMJ (jaw joint) abnormalities.
- Clean and polish your teeth.
Many health conditions are directly related to the condition of the mouth and can affect both oral and systemic health, so your medical information is very important in diagnosing issues with your teeth, gums, and mouth.
Fillings can last for many years, but over time they wear down, discolor, crack and sometimes fall out. Early detection of problems with existing fillings and crowns can help you avoid getting cavities under the restorations and causing more serious decay. Let us know if you’re experiencing any changes with your teeth or existing restorations. We’ll check your fillings at every visit to determine if any need to be replaced.
Composite fillings are widely preferred to amalgam today to fill new cavities and replace old fillings needing repair. However, there are some instances when amalgam is still recommended, based on your individual health profile. In addition, some insurance providers will not approve composite fillings in posterior teeth, which would increase your out-of-pocket expenses.
Absolutely. Dental x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools. Without them, it is impossible to make diagnoses. Many oral conditions occur between teeth or under the gums or bones, undetectable by the human eye, and may have no early signs or symptoms. Left untreated, these conditions can create serious dental and systemic health issues, including loss of teeth, bone, as well as problems associated with your heart, liver, and kidneys. Early detection with x-rays can make treatment much less painful, more efficient, and less expensive. The American Dental Association recommends getting a full series every three years.
Sedation
Many dental procedures can be completed under local anesthesia. However, dentistry causes many patients to have moderate to severe anxiety. In order to help our more anxious patients, or for more complex procedures, inhalation sedation (Nitrous Oxide/Laughing gas, oral sedation (Pills) and IV sedation are available.
Largely unknown to the public, Novocaine is an obsolete anesthetic and is no longer in use due to its adverse effects, such as anaphylaxis and rash/hives. The more common local anesthetics used in dentistry include Lidocaine, Septocaine, Marcaine, Prilocaine, and Mepivacaine. Local anesthetics work by blocking the nerves that supply sensation to the teeth and soft tissues in a specific area. The sensation of ‘pressure’ is not possible to eliminate with local anesthesia, but you should feel no pain during the procedure. You are totally alert, aware, and able to function normally. The effect wears off fairly quickly; however, it is common for patients to experience mild, yet transient heart rate increase during the administration of most local anesthetics.
Known as nitrous oxide or “laughing gas,” you’ll experience a feeling of euphoria after just 2-3 minutes of breathing in the gas. You’ll be aware of your surroundings and be able to respond to questions. Inhalation sedation has very few side effects (may cause nausea if too large a dose is given) and is 100% eliminated from the body within 3 to 5 minutes after the gas supply is discontinued. You do not need an escort when using this form of sedation.
This form of anesthesia is termed “anxiolytic” because it has a tendency to eliminate anxiety. It may cause drowsiness and you may fall asleep during your procedure but allows the doctor to communicate important instructions to you during your procedure. We provide you with medication to be taken before your appointment, allowing you to be fully relaxed by the time we begin your dental treatment. You may not be safe to drive, so you should expect to have someone bring you to our office and take you home after your appointment.
These drugs are administered into the bloodstream, allowing you to close your eyes and relax in a semi-conscious (moderate sedation) state with little or no memory of the treatment. You will not be safe to drive, so you should expect to have someone bring you to our office and take you home after your appointment. Not all patients are good candidates for this type of sedation, so your doctor will need to complete a consultation with you to determine your candidacy for IV sedation.
Children
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, you should begin cleaning your child’s gums with a soft cloth soon after birth. As soon as the first tooth appears, start brushing twice daily with a soft infant toothbrush and just a smear of toothpaste. When you come in for your child’s first visit, we’ll show you how to brush properly.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends visiting the dentist as soon as the first tooth appears, or by the child’s first birthday. We can look for potential problems and help your child get to know us as their friend. These early visits can make your child’s experience with a dentist a positive one.
Please note that patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all visits. We want to meet with both of you to discuss findings and treatments, and to address your questions and concerns.
Financial Info
My Time Dental Centers offers several payment options:
- Cash, check or credit card at the time of service
- Payment plans – For major treatments, we will work with you to develop a payment plan.
- Insurance
- Several financing options available, even with bad credit!
- In-House insurance plan
If you have insurance through one of our approved providers, only your estimated portion of the fees will be required at the time of service.
If you do not have insurance, we will require payment at the time of service or as specified in your payment plan.
Yes, we accept most major insurance plans. Please contact our office to verify that your insurance is one of our accepted providers.
No, we do not accept Medicare in our office. However, we do have a number of payment options and will be happy to discuss these options with you before your appointment.
We are pleased to accept CareCredit, a medical credit card that can be used for dental health expenses. For more information, please ask our staff or visit the website at CareCredit.
Yes, we offer both short-term, interest-free financing and longer-term financing with low monthly payments. We will be happy to work with you to find the best payment option for you!