Below are the answers to the questions our patients ask most. If you don’t see a question that you’d like to ask, e-mail us or give us a call at 828-348-7663.
FAQ overview
- How do Lumineers® work?
- How can I safely whiten my teeth?
- Crowns, veneers, inlays and partials…where can I learn more about these procedures?
- What is CEREC?
- I want my front teeth to look better, but I don’t want to wear braces. What would you recommend?
- How does Dr. Powell stay up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?
- What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
- What different payment options do you provide?
- Do you accept my insurance?
- Do you accept referrals?
How do Lumineers® work?
Lumineers® are thin, custom fabricated shells that can instantly whiten teeth, close spaces and visually straighten natural teeth. They are installed over existing teeth, as well as crowns or bridgework. Installation is noninvasive. There is no grinding or pain involved, and no sensitivity before or after treatment. For more extensive information, visit the Lumineers® Web site at www.lumineers.com, or Google Lumineers 28803.
How can I safely whiten my teeth?
It can be confusing choosing from among the many bleaching and whitening products on the market. When you request whitening from our office, first we evaluate your teeth to see if whitening is recommended. If whitening is appropriate, we use the Nupro Gold Whitening system. During a 20 minute appointment in our office, we take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and from these impressions we make custom fit whitening trays. Using these trays and the Nupro Gold bleaching gel you can whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home. If your teeth are cracked, chipped or discolored, we may recommend restorative services, such as Lumineers© to give your smile the best possible makeover.
Crowns, veneers, inlays and partials…where can I learn more about these procedures?
Please ask us! Dr. Powell welcomes your questions on these and any of the procedures we provide. Our Caesy Patient Education System, which we can help you access at our office, can print out additional information that you can take home. Also, visit our Cosmetic Care page for a brief explanation of these procedures.
What is CEREC?
CEREC is a computer-aided system that allows us to create strong, tooth-colored, porcelain-ceramic, dental restorations in our office in one visit. (A crown now takes an hour and a half from start to finish.) The CEREC system makes crowns, veneers and inlays (to replace fillings) that are healthier and a lot more attractive than traditional methods. They also fit so precisely that they allow for saving more of the tooth, leave no gaps for food to slip under causing decay, and can last a lifetime. Dr. Powell has performed more than 2,000 CEREC procedures and has two milling machines in his offices to make your process even faster and more convenient.
I want my front teeth to look better, but I don’t want to wear braces. What would you recommend?
After evaluating your teeth and discussing your goals for your smile, Dr. Powell can recommend several options. For example, Lumineers® can change the size, shape and color of your teeth. Lumineers® are razor-thin, porcelain veneers that are placed over your existing teeth, no grinding or shaving. If all you need is minor straightening, Lumineers® can do it in just two visits. And the list of options goes on. To find what is possible for your smile, call our office at 828-348-7663 in beautiful Asheville, NC 28803 or e-mail us to set up an appointment for a consultation today.
How does Dr. Powell stay up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?
To ensure his patients benefit from the remarkable advancements in dentistry today, Dr. Powell attends many, many hours of continuing education seminars and conferences each year-much more than is required of him. He has studied under leading dental professionals and attended programs at the foremost dental institutions in the country. After his advanced CEREC training, he was a founding member of a local CEREC study club dedicated to teaching other dentists about CEREC. Dr. Powell is currently working on his certification to become a Patterson Certified Trainer in CEREC at the Academy of General Dentistry.
What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
Our staff goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to patient health and safety. All necessary steps are taken to keep our offices clean and our equipment sterile. We thoroughly sterilize all of our instruments to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines. Our sterilization center features state-of-the-art equipment that maximizes efficient sterilization and minimizes the chance of contamination. If you are interested, we’d be glad to show you our sterilization center and demonstrate how the equipment works to protect you and all our patients.
In addition, when a procedure calls for it, patients are given protective eyewear and/or ear-wear. With our digital x-rays, patients are not exposed to radiation. The use of metals in our office is at a bare minimum. And body bibs protect your clothing at all times.
What different payment options do you provide?
We accept cash, check and credit cards, such as MasterCard, VISA, Discover and American Express. We also offer long-term financing through Care Credit (Google CareCredit28803), an outside financing company, often at 0% financing. For more information on any of these options,
call us at 828-348-7663 or e-mail us. We are happy to help you decide which options will work best for you. For more information on this topic, click here.
Do you accept my insurance?
We are happy to work with you regarding your insurance plan. We will:
- Assist you in maximizing your benefits
- Help you in filling out your paperwork
- Provide all supporting materials you need to make a claim
- Answer any other questions about dental insurance and payment
We have found over the years that patients do best (i.e. receive benefits faster) when they file the insurance themselves and, if necessary, talk with the insurance companies themselves. But we are here to help you get it filed accurately and quickly. For more information on this topic, click here.
Do you accept referrals?
Yes. We always welcome new patients, especially when current patients have recommended us to them. Please have your family, friends and neighbors call us at 828-348-7663 for an appointment, and be sure to have them tell us that they were referred by you.
