Your Questions. Our Answers.

You will be completely numb during the procedures, and you can even be sedated.  Dr. Bernstein's numbing process itself is usually completely painless.

In the past, dentists had to make room for a metal substructure underneath porcelain work, but that is no longer the case.  Porcelain restorations are typically the thickness of a fingernail or a contact lens, so that thickness is the amount of tooth structure that needs to be prepared so that the ceramist can provide you with the restorations you are looking for.

Dentistry is expensive.  We know.  Even inexpensive dentistry costs a lot.  To get the highest quality dental work this year costs about $3,000 per tooth. Implant crowns are more.  Financing is available to help you afford the high-quality dental work you want.

We design our work to last a lifetime, but we understand from experience that is not always the case. Our restorations are dependent on the health of the underlying teeth. But with good daily care at home along with regular check-ups and cleanings, your restorations should last a long time.  

The most common risk, whether you're having a filling, a veneer, or a crown, is the possible need for a root canal.  Rarely, dentistry exposes underlying problems such as fractures that can lead to tooth loss.  There are other uncommon risks that we will discuss with you in person and in writing.

We want you to be completely happy with your smile before you bond it in.  We will communicate with you all along the way.  In the beginning, you will tell us what you are looking for.  We will then design your smile in wax on a model of your teeth.  At your first big visit, after preparing your teeth, we will make temporaries based on the wax design.  You will then tell us any modifications you'd like to make.  At that point we will order the porcelain work.  At your next visit, we will try in the porcelain to see if you like your new smile.  If you do, we will permanently cement your new veneers.  But if you don't like the porcelain, we will send it back to our ceramist for modifications.  We will not cement the porcelain until you are happy with your all new smile.

Through Care Credit, you can finance your dental work at 0% interest for 6-12 months.

The short answer is we don't know.  We are an out-of-network, private practice.  Elective cosmetic dentistry typically not a covered service.  If we are replacing existing dental work, or if some of the work we are doing is necessary restorative work, it's possible your insurance may reimburse you for a small percentage of the fee.

Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Tran are both licensed sedation dentists.  Your sedation options range from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to a mild sedative pill, to profound sedative pills, to I.V. sedation, to general anesthesia with an anesthesiologist.  Our goal is for you to be completely relaxed and comfortable during your visits. 

The first visit is focused on understanding your concerns, evaluating your oral health, and discussing options. You’ll have time to ask questions, and there is no expectation to make a decision that day.

Dental anxiety is very common. We move at a pace that feels manageable, explain what’s happening as we go, and offer comfort-focused options when needed. The goal is to make care feel calm and controlled.