Dental FAQ in Newport Beach, CA
Do you have questions about your oral health or about the dental services offered at Smrecek Dentistry? Read our FAQ page to find answers! If you have additional questions, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jaclyn Smrecek, our experienced dentist in Newport Beach, California, please contact us at 949-759-8606.
What services does Smrecek Dentistry offer?
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Aesthetic dentistry
- Comprehensive dentistry
- Digital dentistry
- General dentistry
- Restorative dentistry
- Preventative dentistry
- Veneers
- Full-mouth reconstruction
- Bioclear (black triangle closure & composite veneers)
- Invisalign® clear aligners
- Retainers
- Extractions
- Bone grafting
- Implants
- Night guards
- Sleep apnea appliances and snore guards
- Composite fillings
- Crowns
- Implant crowns
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
- Periodontal maintenance
- Prophy (teeth cleaning)
- Gum grafting and gum surgery
- Crown lengthening
How often should I visit Smrecek Dentistry for regular checkups?
It is recommended to have regular checkups at least every six months (twice a year). This is if you have healthy gums. If you have gingivitis or periodontitis, it is ideal to come in every four or even every three months for cleanings, with the goal of getting your oral health back to stable place that you can maintain with your at home oral hygiene routine.
Can Smrecek Dentistry help with teeth whitening?
We offer a variety of whitening treatments.
- In-office Zoom whitening gets great results in just one 90 minute visit. You will leave our office with a noticeably whiter smile.
- Custom whitening trays can be made for patients to whiten at home. They fit your teeth intimately to ensure the bleach stays on your teeth and does not get everywhere in your mouth.
- Veneers can be done to whiten and brighten a smile if a patient has tried bleaching in the past and has not been able to achieve the level of whiteness they desire. Veneers can also correct the shape on length of the teeth that the patient may also be bothered by.
What is Invisalign orthodontic treatment, and how does it work?
Invisalign orthodontic treatment moves and aligns your teeth with the use of clear aligners that you wear 22-24 hours of the day. Every one to two weeks you put in the next aligner of the series, until the treatment is complete. It is a much more appealing option when you need orthodontic treatment then the traditional bracket and wire braces.
Invisalign clear aligners are a great treatment as it is a great way to straighten your teeth, broaden and widen your smile and improve your bite. When you properly align your teeth and make your bite as ideal as possible, you prevent chipping and wear on your teeth, gum recession and can allow for less invasive cosmetic treatment like minimal prep veneers, instead of crowns.
Are there alternatives to traditional braces at Smrecek Dentistry?
Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces, by replacing the need for unattractive brackets and wires with clear aligners that are practically invisible!
How do I schedule an appointment with Smrecek Dentistry?
To schedule an appointment you can call the office at 949-759-8606 or go to SmrecekDentistry.com to request an appointment online.
If you are having a dental emergency, please do not hesitate to call the office, and you will get the emergency number from the voicemail. This will get you in touch with Dr. Smrecek by connecting you directly to her cell phone. She is very good at getting back to patients within the hour. She can consult with you on what to do, and if needed, meet you in the office for an after-hours visit.
What are the benefits of choosing Invisalign clear aligners over traditional braces?
Invisalign treatment is practically invisible and is a better option aesthetically. Also, the aligners can be removed to brush and floss your teeth as usual, then can be placed immediately back in. Braces can get in the way of keeping your teeth clean, by making brushing and flossing harder. This can lead to tooth decay, white spot lesions on your teeth or gum disease if you are not able to put the extra effort required to keep your teeth clean while in tradition braces.
Does Smrecek Dentistry accept insurance for dental treatments?
We accept many insurance plans. They way we do it here may be a little different, as we are an out-of-network provider. This isn’t a problem, but actually a benefit to you. The benefit is that your treatment recommendations will never be based on what insurance covers, as we believe patients must be in charge of making their own healthcare decisions. Being out of network also allows us to provide more personalized attention to each of our patients and allows us to use the best labs and ceramists. With that being said, you can expect reimbursements for most services we provide and we will support maximizing any benefits that you have by filing dental claims on your behalf.
Can I get a dental cleaning and checkup on the same day at Smrecek Dentistry?
It is ideal to get your dental cleaning and checkup on the same day. There is no better time to examine your mouth when it is at its cleanest!
How long does an Invisalign treatment typically take?
The length of Invisalign treatment depends on how much crowding there is, how rotated the teeth are, and on how much bite correction is needed. Most cases are nine to 12 months on average. If you are curious how long your treatment may take, please come in for a complimentary consultation where Dr. Smrecek will use an iTero® digital scanner to take digital models of your teeth. With the scan they will develop a digital treatment plan and will be able to tell you how long your Invisalign treatment will take.
What are the common signs of gum disease, and how can Smrecek Dentistry help?
Some common signs of gum disease are:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Bright red, dark red or dark purple gums
- Gums that are tender to touch
- Gums that bleed easily
- A toothbrush that looks pink after brushing your teeth
- Spitting out blood after brushing and flossing your teeth
- Persistent bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Gums that pull away from your teeth (receding gums), making your teeth look longer than usual
- New spaces developing between your teeth that look like black triangles near the gumline
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Is sedation dentistry available at Smrecek Dentistry?
Yes. We offer different levels of sedation:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
- Oral conscious sedation – light sedation (taking mediation prior and during the appointment to make you sleepy)
- IV sedation – “twilight” sedation; completely asleep and still breathing on your own
- General Anesthesia– heavy sedation where you are completely asleep and need assistance of a machine to help you breath as you are unconscious
Can Smrecek Dentistry assist with emergency dental situations ?
Yes. If you are experiencing a dental emergency while the office is closed, please call the office and you will be given the number to the on-call doctor with is Dr. Smrecek herself 99% of the time. She is very good about answering her personal cell for emergency calls, and if she misses your call she usually get back promptly within the hour. She can consult you on what to do in your situation, and can even go into the office to see you for an “after hours” visit.
If you experience a dental emergency during office hours, and need urgent care, we will make room in the schedule to see you asap or refer you to where you need to go.
How much does Invisalign treatment cost at Smrecek Dentistry?
It depends on the length of the case but it ranges from $5,000-$7,000.
What age is appropriate for a child’s first visit to Smrecek Dentistry?
The best age for children to come to our office is when they are pre-teen/early teenager and have all their permanent “adult” teeth. Pediatric dentists specialize in baby teeth. If it is time for your child to graduate from their pediatric dentist to a general dentist when they have predominantly permanent “adult” teeth.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist, ideally a pediatric dentist, should be at 6 months old. It is very important to start them on the right path and get familiar and comfortable around the dentist before they ever need treatment. It’s never fun to have your first dental visit when you are already in pain or have a problem. It’s crucial to build positive dental experiences.