FAQ

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Dr. Carrico will first listen carefully to what disturbs you about your smile before extending her advice. She will then present your options ranging from bleaching, veneers, crowns, bridgework, or implants. Smile designs require extensive training, planning, and collaboration with a high end lab. Dr. Carrico has the detailed training to do your smile design through the Hornbrook Group and Spear Study Club and collaborates with Gold Dust Dental Lab, a nationally known exclusive lab.

We offer bridgework, partials, full dentures, and implant restorations. Learn more about these options on our Services page, then call for a consultation. With digital X-rays, intraoral photos, and a thorough assessment of your needs, Dr. Amy Carrico can help you decide which replacement option is best for you.

Yes! We love families and see many of them. Our services are diverse, so we offer dentures for our older patients, as well as sealants for our youngest patients. Call to schedule comprehensive initial exams for everyone in your family.

We offer two types of bleaching: Boost in-office whitening is a 1.5 hour procedure that instantly gives you the white, bright smile you’ve been wanting. Alternatively, we also offer semi custom take-home bleaching trays and professional strength teeth whitening gel. Apply as directed, and watch a brighter smile emerge.

Our office adheres to the American Dental Association’s recommendation that all people with good oral health visit the dentist for a checkup and professional dental cleaning every six months. In some cases, more frequent checkups and cleanings are necessary. We will schedule your next visit before you leave your appointment, so you’ll know exactly when to come see us again. Since six months is a long time, we’ll also contact you to remind you about your visit with a postcard and a phone call prior to the appointment.

Depending on your unique case, we may suggest porcelain veneers as part of a smile makeover or orthodontic treatment. Read more about these procedures in our Services area.

Dark fillings and metal crowns can be replaced with strong, esthetic solutions. Dr. Amy Carrico places only white composite resin mercury-free fillings, and she also offers all- porcelain metal free crowns, veneers, and bridges.  These cutting edge materials offer you the strength you need and the youthful, white smile you want.

People with healthy teeth and gums need to visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. If gum disease is not present, a healthy mouth cleaning is done. During this procedure, our hygienist removes plaque, stain, and tartar from your teeth. She also polishes the teeth, so they feel smooth and clean. Periodontal therapy, or a “deep cleaning,” is intended to heal diseased gums. Early signs of gum disease include bleeding, sensitive, red, or swollen gums. Sometimes patients feel no pain with early-stage gum disease, or gingivitis. The condition can rapidly escalate as bacteria multiply in the warm, wet climate of the mouth. The bacteria create pockets between teeth and gums, breaking down the bond that provides support for your teeth and causing bad breath. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for American adults, and up to 80% of the population has some level of the disease. If you are advised to have a deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, don’t delay. Let our hygiene team help you eradicate the bacteria and reverse the damage gum disease has caused in your mouth.

When gums bleed, the cause usually stems from an early-stage gum disease called gingivitis. If your gums show signs of gum disease, we may recommend a deep hygiene treatment to stop the disease and return your gums to good health. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for American adults, and it has been linked to many overall health conditions, including stroke, heart attack, and respiratory problems. Untreated, gum disease can escalate to create significant damage to your health, so call for an assessment now. We will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy for life!

We electronically file all insurance claims as a courtesy to our patients, and Dr. Carrico is an in-network provider for Delta Dental, HRI, Cigna and Dental Care Plus. Our front-office team works with insurance companies to maximize benefits for covered procedures and expedite processing of claims. Please bring your insurance card or policy to your consultation. We’ll be happy to explain your coverage. We do ask that patients pay their estimated portion at the time of treatment.

You may pay for your dental care with cash, check, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. If you would like to finance your dental work, CareCredit offers up to 24 months with no interest for qualified applicants.

Visit www.CareCredit.com to apply. We also offer a 5% discount to those who pay in full with cash or check.

Very well, actually! In addition to following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), we use disposable products as often as possible. Between each patient visit, we thoroughly clean treatment rooms and sterilize reusable instruments in an autoclave. Because we value safety, we’ve invested in a digital radiograph, which emits about 90% less radiation than a traditional X-ray machine. We also use intraoral cameras and photography for close-up images, which promotes accurate diagnoses.