Frequently Asked Questions

You may be a candidate for Invisalign if you have crowding, spacing, or bite concerns, but a full evaluation is required.

Your teeth and gums must be healthy before starting treatment. Addressing underlying issues  ensures safe and predictable results.

Invisalign can correct both alignment and many bite issues.

When properly planned, it improves both function and esthetics—not just appearance. Not every  malocclusion (bad bite) can be addressed by Invisalign. Your dentist make recommend  traditional braces or refer you to an orthodontist depending on your specific dental needs.

Invisalign is often one of the simplest and most effective ways to treat mild crowding. Early treatment can prevent worsening alignment and reduce long-term complications.

There is no age limit for Invisalign. Teeth can move safely at almost any age with proper evaluation.

Treatment time depends on the complexity of your case.

Minor cases may take months, while more advanced cases can take a year or longer.

You should wear Invisalign trays about 22 hours per day.

Consistent wear is essential for staying on track and achieving optimal results.

Inconsistent wear slows progress and can affect results.

Additional time in trays or treatment adjustments may be needed.

Costs typically range from about $1,500 to $5,800 depending on the level of treatment needed.

Some plans include adult orthodontic benefits, but coverage varies.

A benefits review is necessary to determine eligibility.

Insurance payments vary and may be issued upfront, in phases, or monthly.

If insurance changes, remaining costs may become your responsibility.

Coverage from a new plan is not guaranteed.

Your dentist will guide you on whether to replace it, move forward, or revert temporarily.

Prompt communication is important.

Switching is possible but not ideal due to differences in planning and financial structures.

Stopping early prevents full results and may lead to relapse.

Retention is critical to maintaining progress.

Refinements are often available to improve results before treatment is finalized.

Porcelain veneers typically range from $1,000–$2,000 per tooth, while composite veneers range from $700–$1,000.

Not every patient is a good candidate for one vs the other. Highly restored teeth may benefit from a crown instead of a veneer- and sometimes that can be considered a covered procedure.  It is important to work through your cosmetic options with your dentist in order to find out what is  the best option for your smile and your budget.

The number depends on your goals and how many teeth are visible when you smile.

Symmetry and balance are key factors. A patient can have a single veneer for a single  discolored tooth, or a full set of veneers to completely change the shape and shade,

At Limberakis Family Dentistry we listen to what the patient wants and offer recommendations  based on that conversation.

When properly designed, veneers look natural and complement your features. Some patients  want others to know they’ve had cosmetic dental work and chose to get the brightest possible  shade of veneers. We typically prefer our work to seem more inconspicuous and natural. Communicating with your dentist is essential so that we know just what type of result you are  hoping to achieve.

You can guide the outcome, but recommendations consider function, occlusion (bite), and  long-term success. Every individual is unique and is treated as such.

Previews and adjustments are made before initiating treatment and before final placement to  ensure satisfaction. Your happiness is what we strive for!

They can last many years, often decades, depending on care and habits.

It is important to remember that when any dental treatment is done, it becomes a part of the  body. Our bones, joints, cartilage etc… does not last forever, so in turn we cannot expect that  any dental work lasts forever. On average we complete about 660 chewing cycles per MEAL  and over a million chewing cycles per lifetime!

Yes, but porcelain resists staining better and is more durable. Veneers can chip and stain the  same way our natural tooth structure can chip and stain. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body and we can break that- certainly it can be done to dental work especially if the patient  grinds their teeth.

Protective measures like night guards and routine maintenance help extend lifespan of veneers  and reduce staining.  

Most patients benefit from visits every six months, though needs vary.

A comprehensive exam evaluates your oral and overall health using exams, X-rays, and  screenings.

It starts with reviewing your medical history, medications, and allergies to make sure we are  accounting for the whole person and not just focusing on teeth. Once that is completed, we take  measurements of your gums to check for areas of bone loss and inflammation. Dental  radiographs are recommended so that we can visualize the hard structure in your mouth- your  teeth and bone. X-rays help us find areas of infection and decay (cavities). Every visit we also  complete a soft tissue examination which includes an oral cancer screening. Our team may ask  questions about your blood pressure, sleeping habits or snoring, and review any particular  concern regarding your oral health.

For new patients, we typically complete a digital scan of your teeth or take intra-oral  photographs of any areas of concern so we can communicate them to you. It is always a good  time to review your specific needs and concerns so we can treat you safely and comfortably and  answer all of your questions.

Yes, modern dental X-rays use minimal radiation and follow strict safety guidelines.

Our office utilizes the ALARA standards which stands for “as low as reasonably achievable.”  Simply put, we recommend what is necessary but not more than that. X-rays are not needed at  every visit either. A complete set of dental x-rays (full mouth series) is recommended every 3-5  years, while four bitewing x-rays are often indicated once a year. If a patient has minimal caries  risk (a low rate of cavities) then we can often push that frequency out as well.

Bleeding is usually due to inflammation from bacteria and can improve with proper care.

Persistent bad breath is typically caused by bacteria in the mouth.

That bacteria can be found under the gums, in the teeth, infection in the bone, or on the tongue.  While certain foods can be odorous, chronic bad breath is usually a sign of gum disease,  infection, decay, or a lack of oral hygiene. Healthy habits like brushing twice a day, flossing,  using a waterpik, antiseptic rinses, and a tongue scraper are all great ways to reduce bacterial  buildup inside the mouth.

The decision depends on how much tooth structure remains.

Crowns and fillings are very different processes and are recommended in specific  circumstances. There can be overlap of when a filling or a crown could both be acceptable  treatments depending on the condition of the tooth. There are also situations when a filling will  not be able to achieve the recommended result or properly treat the condition of the tooth.  Certain examples can be fractured or cracked teeth, root canal treated teeth, or highly restored  teeth that simply do not have enough supporting natural tooth structure to support an even larger filling.

At our office we also like to present a third option- an inlay or onlay which can serve as the halfway point between a filling and a crown. Inlays/onlays are more conservative than crowns  but stronger than fillings.

‍

Treatment is typically recommended once decay reaches the dentin layer.

Cavities slowly move through the enamel and can often be maintained or reversed in this state. At our office we provide a treatment called Curodont which can help remineralize shallow areas  of decay between the teeth so we can hopefully prevent the need for future restorations. Once decay enters into the dentin it can advance more rapidly towards the nerve inside the tooth  which then can necessitate additional more involved treatment. Patients who have cavities in  the enamel and even in the dentin may not feel any sensitivity at all- so they can be unaware  there is a problem.

Dental problems usually worsen over time, leading to more complex care.