At Creative Toothwork, we want you to feel informed and confident about your oral health and your treatment options. Here are answers to the most common questions we hear from patients in Kendall and the greater Miami area about checkups, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, orthodontics, diagnostics, insurance, and appointments. At Creative Toothwork, we combine advanced diagnostics with a personal, human approach, including the use of Overjet AI software to assist in the analysis of dental X‑rays and help you clearly see and understand your oral health.
Q: How often should I visit the dentist?
For most adults and children, we recommend a dental checkup and professional cleaning every six months. Some patients with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, or medical conditions may benefit from more frequent visits. During your exam, we evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, and existing restorations, and we adjust your recall schedule based on your individual needs.
Q: What happens during a routine dental exam and cleaning?
A typical visit includes a complete examination of your teeth and gums, an oral cancer screening, and digital X‑rays when needed. Our hygienist removes plaque and tartar, polishes your teeth, and reviews your home care routine. Your dentist then discusses any findings, answers your questions, and recommends preventive or restorative treatments if necessary.
Q: How do I know if I need to see a dentist sooner than my regular checkup?
Call us if you notice tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, bleeding gums, swelling, broken fillings, or changes in how your teeth come together when you bite. These can be early signs of cavities, infection, or bite problems. Seeking care early in our Kendall office often means simpler treatments, less discomfort, and lower overall cost.
Q: Are you accepting new patients in Kendall, Miami?
Yes, Creative Toothwork is currently welcoming new patients and families in Kendall and the surrounding Miami communities. We offer comprehensive exams, cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative treatments for adults and teens. If you do not have dental insurance, we offer a complimentary exam that includes AI‑assisted analysis of your X‑rays, so you can understand your oral health before making any treatment decisions. You can request your first appointment online or call our office directly to find a time that works best for you.
Q: What should I expect at my first appointment?
During your first visit, we take time to understand your medical history, dental concerns, and smile goals. We perform a complete exam, take any necessary digital X‑rays or photos, and review your options in clear, simple language. Before any treatment is started, we discuss timing, fees, and answer all your questions so you can make informed decisions.
Q: What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring a list of medications, any recent dental X‑rays if available, and your dental insurance information if you have coverage. Arriving a few minutes early allows you to complete any remaining forms and helps us start your visit on time.
Q: What cosmetic dentistry services do you offer?
We provide a range of cosmetic options including professional teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, esthetic fillings, and smile design. After evaluating your teeth, bite, and facial features, we create a customized plan to improve color, shape, symmetry, and overall smile harmony. Our goal is to achieve natural‑looking results that fit your face and your lifestyle.
Q: Am I a candidate for veneers or bonding?
Veneers and bonding can be excellent options if you want to correct chipped edges, small gaps, discoloration that does not respond to whitening, or minor shape irregularities. Ideal candidates have healthy gums and a stable bite. During your consultation, we will examine your teeth, discuss your goals, and recommend the most conservative option that can achieve the result you want.
Q: How long do cosmetic dentistry results last?
The longevity of your results depends on the type of treatment, your bite, and your home care. With proper brushing, flossing, regular checkups, and wearing a night guard when recommended, many cosmetic treatments can last many years. We will review specific maintenance tips for whitening, veneers, and bonding at the time of your procedure.
Q: What are dental implants and when are they recommended?
Dental implants are titanium posts placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. After the implant heals, we attach a custom dental crown, bridge, or denture on top. Implants can be a great option if you have one or more missing teeth and want a fixed, natural‑looking solution that helps preserve bone and support your bite.
Q: Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Good implant candidates generally have adequate bone, healthy gums, and good overall health. Even if you have been missing teeth for several years, modern techniques and grafting may still make implants possible. In our Kendall office, we use advanced imaging to evaluate your bone and plan your case, then explain all alternatives including bridges or partial dentures when appropriate.
Q: How long do dental crowns, bridges, or implants last?
With careful home care and regular professional checkups, many crowns, bridges, and implants can last for many years. Avoiding habits like chewing ice, opening packages with your teeth, and grinding or clenching without a night guard helps protect your investment. We monitor your restorations at every visit and recommend maintenance before small problems become larger ones.
Q: Do you offer clear aligners treatment?
Yes, we offer clear aligners for many adults and teens who want a straighter smile without traditional braces. After a complete exam and digital scans, we can tell you if you are a good candidate for aligner treatment in our Kendall office or if referral to an orthodontic specialist is recommended.
Q: How long does clear aligner treatment usually take?
Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of your case, but many mild to moderate alignment issues can be improved in several months to about a year. We will review your specific plan, expected timeline, and how often to wear your aligners each day to achieve the best result.
Q: What diagnostic technology do you use?
We use a range of modern diagnostic tools to detect problems early and plan your treatment precisely. Digital X‑rays provide clear images with low radiation, while CBCT offers 3D views of teeth, bone, and nerves for implants and more complex cases. DIAGNOdent helps us identify early cavities in grooves that may not yet be visible on traditional X‑rays. Our intraoral scanner and intraoral cameras create detailed digital images of your teeth and gums, so you can clearly see what we see as we explain your options. At Creative Toothwork, we also use Overjet AI to assist in evaluating dental X‑rays and support accurate, consistent diagnosis.
Q: What is Overjet AI and how does it help my dental care?
Overjet AI is dental imaging software that uses artificial intelligence to analyze your X‑rays and add visual overlays and measurements that support your dentist’s diagnosis. It does not replace your dentist; instead, it serves as a second set of eyes, helping us spot issues earlier, explain findings more clearly, and monitor changes over time. This can improve diagnostic consistency and help you feel more confident in your treatment decisions.
Q: Are dental X‑rays and AI analysis safe?
Digital dental X‑rays use very low levels of radiation, and we follow strict safety protocols to keep exposure as low as reasonably achievable. Overjet AI only analyzes the images that have already been taken, so it does not add any extra radiation. Its role is to help us interpret your X‑rays more precisely and communicate our findings in a way that is easy for you to see and understand.
Q: How can I schedule or change an appointment?
You can schedule your appointment through our Book Online page, by WhatsApp, or by calling our Kendall office during business hours. If you need to change or cancel a visit, please contact us as soon as possible through any of these options so we can assist you promptly and offer that time to another patient and help you find a new appointment that fits your schedule.
Ready to get started? Request an appointment here.
Q: Do you accept my dental insurance?
We work with many PPO dental insurance plans and will gladly help you understand your benefits. Before treatment, we can provide an estimate based on the information from your insurance company, but please remember that final coverage decisions are made by your plan. If you have questions about your specific policy, feel free to call our office so we can review it together.
Q: What payment options do you offer?
We accept common payment methods such as major credit cards and debit cards, and we can discuss financing or phased treatment plans for more extensive care. Our goal is to help you receive the dental treatment you need in a way that fits your budget and priorities. If cost is a concern, let us know so we can review all available options.
Q: What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
If you experience severe tooth pain, facial swelling, trauma, or a broken tooth, call our office right away. We do our best to accommodate urgent visits for patients in Kendall and the surrounding Miami area. If you have life‑threatening symptoms such as difficulty breathing or uncontrolled bleeding, please call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room first.
