Waterbury Smiles FAQs
What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?
We believe that you will understand just what makes us different the minute you walk through our door. We provide dental care that is comprehensive courteous and responsive to individual needs and preferences of each patient. Our team of friendly and experienced people will make every effort to make you feel relaxed and at ease while under our care. To accommodate today's busy lifestyles, we also offer evening and Saturday hours as well. We provide leading-edge dental care for the whole family, so that you, your children, even your parents can all undergo dental treatment in the same location.
How does the doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?
Dr. Marini invests numerous hours attending continuing education classes to ensure that he remains up to date on the latest in dentistry. He also subscribes to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development. Our team also participates in continuing education courses as well. Caring for our patients' overall dental needs means that we remain familiar with the most recent developments so that we can continue to provide quality dental services in a comfortable, convenient atmosphere.
How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?
We recommend that you have a professional cleaning and check up at least every six months. However some individuals are more prone to gum disease or other oral health concerns which require more frequent visits. Other individuals simply need professional tartar removal more frequently. Our office regularly checks to determine what kind of ongoing professional treatment will be required for you to maintain a healthy smile for life.
At what age should my children first see a dentist?
Children typically come in to see us for the first time around the age of 3 so that we can anticipate the development of their overall bite. This provides us with an opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems. The first time we meet them, it's often at the time of one of the parent's or sibling's appointments. We'll just introduce ourselves and make them comfortable with our team. Then, on their first real visit, we treat them with special care, ensuring the experience is positive and non-threatening. You'll find that our practice has a considerable amount of experience with children, and know how to be especially gentle and considerate of their particular fears and concerns at any age.
Do you accept referrals?
Yes. We are happy to accept referrals, whether they are from other dentists or from our patients. Your referrals mean that you have been pleased with the care you received from us, which is a great compliment.
Do you accept my insurance plan?
We accept most major insurance plans and can assist you in filing your insurance. We also participate directly with Anthem Blue Cross of Connecticut & Delta Dental of New Jersey. To find out more, please contact our office.
Will I be charged if I need to cancel an appointment?
We normally do not charge for cancelled appointments. We do realize that things occasionally happen. People get sick, cars break down, situations arise that interfere with your ability to keep your appointment. So that we can conveniently and efficiently provide our services to other patients, we request that you cancel your appointment at least 24 hours before the scheduled time. Your appointment time has been reserved just for you. We don't overbook, and with the exception of patients who call us with emergencies, we schedule each individual patient to have our undivided attention. Continual missed appointments or last minute cancellations leave us with insufficient notice to offer that time to other patients who have been waiting to see us .Consequently under these extreme circumstances, our office reserves the right to charge or not reappoint those individuals.
What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
It seems like most emergencies occur outside normal office hours. But we do not believe that you should have to wait until our regular business hours to receive emergency dental care. If you do have an emergency, please call our office and our answering service will assist you in reaching Dr. Marini or Dr. Mancini.
What different payment options do you provide?
We accept cash, personal checks and most major credit cards We also offer CareCredit as another option for those individuals requiring flexible monthly interest free payments. For a complete explanation of our payment options, please contact our office.
How can I ask Dr. Marini questions directly?
Direct patient-to-doctor communication is an integral part of our practice. Dr. Marini is welcomes your questions via email or telephone and will respond in the same manner. If he is unavailable at the time of your phone call, he will return your phone call as soon as possible.
How can I safely whiten my teeth?
There are a number of procedures available to help whiten your smile, from at-home whitening products to in-office supervised treatments. The most appropriate whitening treatment for you can be determined upon an evaluation of your teeth. We can discuss the method that will best fit your individual circumstances.
What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
Your safety is considered in every aspect of your visit with us. We have a state-of-the-art sterilization center and our team is well trained in the most current sanitation techniques. We naturally always wear gloves, we use disposable supplies whenever possible, and steam/heat sterilize (autoclave) all instruments and handpieces. This is consistent with our goal of maintaining a 'state-of-the-art' dental practice in all regards. A primary concern of our practice is the health and safety of our patients and staff. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to discuss them with any member of our staff.
My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
It’s certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. However, the condition may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper "rough scrubbing" instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods, or occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.
I really do not like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?
Many people are uneasy about seeing the dentist. We understand that and make every effort to provide a comfortable, relaxing environment. For your entertainment and also distraction, we offer televisions in every room so that you can relax and catch a movie while we work on your teeth. We can also provide nitrous (laughing gas) for those patients requiring additional relaxation measures.
Crowns, veneers, on-lays, inlays and partials…where can I learn more about these procedures?
Our web site is designed to help you learn all you need to know about the various restorative and cosmetic techniques we offer. Simply visit our Patient Education, then select your article topic from the listing provided. Happy reading!
I brush everyday, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
Millions of people struggle with halitosis( bad breath) despite daily teeth brushing. Here's a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings, and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several solutions. A plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial buildup on your tongue can significantly alleviate odor. Finally, we may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist to identify the cause.
Do I have to floss every day? Is it really that important?
A little regular flossing goes a long way, and is truly critical for your overall oral health. It loosens food particles in tight spaces that your toothbrush cannot reach; it gets rid of plaque buildup that toothbrushes alone cannot remove; and it exercises your gum tissues. All of which is necessary to avoid gum disease. So, just think of daily flossing as the finishing touch after brushing—insurance for your smile's future.
I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?
Dr. Marini 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 or composite veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In some cases, however, braces may still be needed at which time we can refer you to an orthodontist that we work in close affiliation. We'd be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.
My spouse snores and keeps me up at night. I have heard a dentist might be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?
A snoring spouse can be pretty frustrating for you - they are off in dreamland while you stare at the ceiling for hours! We encourage your spouse to come in for an evaluation so that Dr. Marini can determine what is causing the snoring. In some cases, we can prescribe and fit a special appliance called a snoreguard, which gently holds the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring. With the use of the snoreguard appliance, both you and your spouse can enjoy uninterrupted sleep!
What's a root canal?
Root canal therapy is a way to save an infected tooth. It's the only alternative to taking out the tooth. To be more specific, it's necessary to understand the structure of a tooth.
Every tooth has a hollow space inside. That space runs inside the tooth (the chamber) along its length right to the tip of the root (the canal). Inside that space is soft tissue (nerves, blood vessels, and other tissue) called the pulp, but often referred to as "the nerve". This tissue has a very limited ability to heal. When injured, either from trauma or from infection, the pulp usually dies. Tooth decay is a bacterial infection of the tooth, and when the decay gets close to the pulp, bacteria can enter the pulp chamber and infect that tissue.
Root canal therapy cleans that space, disinfects it, and fills it with a specific material used only in root canals. Following root canal therapy, as long as the tooth is properly restored, the tooth should last as long as any other tooth in the mouth.
Are Silver Amalgam Fillings bad for your health?
No, they are not. There are some people who think that silver fillings cause a variety of health problems. However, there have been a number of well-done studies recently looking at large groups of people. There are, after all, hundreds of thousands of people who have silver fillings in their teeth. No link between silver fillings and health problems has ever been demonstrated in a well done, controlled study. A very small percentage of people are allergic to the material, and react to silver fillings much the same as people who can't wear certain kinds of jewelry or eat certain foods. What has been alleged is that silver fillings cause a variety of health ailments. This has never been shown to be true.
We do not recommend replacing fillings for health reasons because there is no health benefit. If you don't like the way they look, or if you need a filling replaced for other reasons, there are alternatives to silver fillings. In fact, we use tooth colored fillings routinely because they work better than silver fillings in many situations and look great.If you have any questions or would like to discuss this issue further, feel free to speak to any of our doctors or hygienists.
Why do I need x-rays?
What a visual exam reveals is only about 20% of what is really happening in the areas of potential infection, cavities, bone loss, etc. An x-ray provides a clear picture for a dentist to accurately provide the necessary treatment. We use the lowest dosage of radiation possible when taking an x-ray. We use special low dosage digital x-ray equipment . This is the safest method available within the limits of the dental profession. This gives us a visual picture within seconds of taking the x-ray.
Waterbury Smiles provides quality general,cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services for Connecticut families. We serve the communities of Waterbury, Watertown, Middlebury, Naguatuck, Woodbury and Southbury. We invite you to make an appointment today!