How does the doctor keep up-to-date on the current techniques and materials?

Dr. Lewcock subscribes to the latest industry journals and continually reads on research and development in the dental industry. The state of Texas requires a particular amount of continuing education credits each year. In addition to this, Dr. Lewcock takes time out on a regular basis for continuing education, and ensures the staff does the same. As a team and as individuals, our office makes it our responsibility to be familiar with the latest techniques and materials available.

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

In case of a true dental emergency, please contact our office voice mail for detailed information regarding getting in contact with the doctor. We will return your call as soon as possible, give you helpful information over the phone, and then determine if you need to be seen immediately.

I really do not like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?

We understand going to the dentist strikes great fear in many patients. While advances in technology and technique has greatly improved the comfort level for most patients, there are things we can offer to make your appointment more relaxing.

Do you accept my insurance plan?

Insurance & Financing: We accept most major insurance plans and will assist you in obtaining the maximum benefits your plan provides. You will be informed of your estimated insurance benefits prior to starting any treatment. While your insurance is a contract between you and your carrier, we will accept an insurance assignment of benefits. We estimate co-payment and any deductibles are due at the time of service. We accept Visa and MasterCard. We also offer payment plans through third party financing.

Insurance Patients: We understand the value of insurance benefits and will assist you in obtaining your maximum benefit. We will gladly process your insurance claim for you and will also estimate the portion not covered by insurance. This co-payment amount is due at the time of treatment and may be paid by any of the payment options listed above. Our estimates are based upon the information you have provided us regarding the benefits of the insurance plan your company has chosen. We are not privy to your insurance contract details and therefore cannot guarantee what your insurance will cover.

What payment options do you provide?

We offer affordable payment options while providing Premium Quality Dental Care!

• Cash: This includes personal checks.
• Credit Cards: Cards accepted include Visa and MasterCard.
• Third Party Financing: Care Credit® is offered which is a revolving credit line to cover your entire family's dental treatment. It does not affect your current spending limits and balances of your other cards. There is no annual fee, no pre-payment penalty, and no interest if paid by the due date.
• Our Financial Coordinator will be more than happy to assist you with any of your financial questions.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Although a child can wait until 2.5 or 3 years old, it is best to for children to have their first dental visit about 6 months after their baby teeth have erupted. This provides the dental professional an opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems as well as it affords an opportunity to provide the child a positive, non-threatening dental office experience.

How can I safely whiten my teeth?

There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile. Although there are several products available over the counter, patients need to heed caution as the treatment is not supervised by a dentist and can have detrimental effects.

For the best results and the maximum level of safety, is it best to proceed with a dentist prescribed bleaching protocol. Dr. Lewcock can help evaluate the potential for whitening your teeth, based on their current color and the causes of any discoloration. Once you have decided on the most appropriate method, you will probably spend anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks undergoing a series of simple whitening treatments.

What's the difference between a crown versus a veneer, or an onlay versus an inlay?

The American Dental Association is an excellent resource for details on these restorations. Visit www.ada.org for more information.

Dr. Lewcock will provide an in depth explanation of these excellent restorations for your teeth at your appointment but a brief description is listed below:

• Crowns: Crowns or "caps" are restorations designed to fit snugly and function as normal teeth. Crowns are used on cracked, broken, decayed, or worn teeth as well as root canalled teeth and are designed to protect those teeth from further damage as well as preserve your jaw's correct natural alignment.
• Porcelain Veneers: These are thin sheets of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of teeth. They are highly resistant to coffee, tea or other staining agents and mostly closely resemble healthy, white tooth enamel.
• Onlays: Onlays are strong, attractive, and safe alternatives to metal fillings. Onlays are used for large restorations. They restore the area inside the cusp and extend over one or more sides of the tooth. They can be fabricated out of porcelain or gold.
• Inlays: Inlays are used to restore the area of tooth inside the cusps. Inlays are a more conservative tooth restoration versus and onlay and are significantly stronger that a standard filling. Inlays are usually made of porcelain or composite resin, making them "invisible" in your smile.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

Dr. Lewcock has 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. We would be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.

Do you accept referrals?

We are honored to accept referrals from your friends and family as well as recommendations from other dental offices and professionals. We appreciate the confidence that you have in our office and appreciate the support.