Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We are providers for Delta Dental Premier, United Concordia, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Grid Plus Networking. However, we accept all insurance plans and will be happy to file your claim directly with your carrier.

If you have questions about your specific insurance plan, please don't hesitate to call our office for more information. A knowledgeable member of our team will be happy to assist you!

In our office, we schedule appointments in such a way that we are able to give you our undivided attention. Most dental procedures take less than one hour, and we make every effort to see you at the designated appointment time.

We are sensitive to the fact that many people are anxious about dental visits. That is why our team goes out of their way to make every aspect of your experience with us pleasant and free of worry.

An essential part our relationship with you is trust. We take the time to get to know you so we can understand what’s important to you and how we can help. Our team encourages you to ask questions because it’s easier for you to relax when you know your concerns are being addressed.

Most of us have been working in the dental field for decades, and we have helped many anxious patients get the necessary care they need. For some, all it takes to relax is a friendly word or smile. But if you need a hand to hold, we’re here for you too.

However, some people may still feel nervous and need some extra help to relax. If you like, our doctors can prescribe a sedative for you to take before your appointment. When you get to our office, you will feel calm and relaxed, and the stress of your visit will melt away. Just remember that it takes a while for the effects to wear off, so you will need a friend to drive you to and from the office.

Please don’t let anxiety ruin your oral health. We can assure you that you will have a dental visit with us that is more pleasant than you ever thought possible. Please call our Summerville, SC dental office so we can get started! 

Your child’s baby teeth play a crucial role in their dental development. We agree with the recommendation of the American Dental Association that says the first visit should take place when the first tooth appears, but no later than age one.

You may wonder why it’s so important to safeguard your child’s baby teeth; after all, they’re just going to fall out anyway!

Our goal is to keep baby teeth healthy so that they don't fall out too soon. Even as baby teeth are emerging, permanent teeth are already growing in the gums. So the baby teeth act as a placeholder, creating a space for permanent teeth to erupt on schedule.

During your child’s first few visits with us, we’ll give them time to get used to their new surroundings. When we find that your little one is comfortable with us, we will examine and clean their teeth. If we find a cavity, we need to fill it right away so the baby tooth remains intact and free from discomfort. Our doctors may also determine that your child would benefit from sealants or a topical fluoride application.

We love treating children because it’s fun to watch them develop and learn how easy it can be to have healthy teeth. Please call our Summerville, SC dental office if your child is ready for their first appointment. We look forward to welcoming them!

If your teeth are looking a little dull or discolored, we are pleased to offer two convenient teeth whitening options – professional in-office treatment and take-home kits.

Our in-office treatment is a good choice if you don't want to wait to see results or are on a timeline for a special event. We can provide fast bleaching here at our Summerville, SC office, with or without the use of a diode laser. The use of the laser has not only been shown to decrease the amount of time in the chair but also reduce sensitivity during the process.

If you prefer to manage your whitening at home, we are also pleased to offer customized take-home kits. We take impressions of your teeth and use these to create a whitening tray that fits over your teeth perfectly. Use the trays and the whitening gel every evening for about two weeks to see brilliant results.

Want to learn more about professional teeth bleaching? The best place to start is with a professional dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar that might affect the results of your whitening treatment. Please call our office to learn more about our teeth whitening solutions or to schedule an appointment!

At Finkbine Family Dentistry, we offer several different options for replacing missing teeth.

First, there are removable options – a conventional metal framework partial, an acrylic-based partial, or a Nesbit appliance. A conventional metal framework partial is the most accurate and durable option in the removable category. An acrylic-based partial is typically considered a temporary, or transitional, appliance. It is, however, far less costly than a metal framework partial. Both metal and acrylic partials are used to replace multiple missing teeth. A Nesbit appliance is a smaller partial that only replaces one missing tooth.

Second, there are non-removable options. Those include a conventional bridge or an implant-supported crown. When we create a conventional bridge, we first prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth for crowns. The bridge is a solid unit that consists of an artificial tooth suspended by crowns on either side and fills the space of the missing tooth.

In the case of an implant-supported crown, which is the best option for a single missing tooth, we refer our patients to a periodontist or oral surgeon to have the implant placed. After three months, the dental implant will have integrated with the jaw, and we can place the crown.

If you have missing teeth and would like to determine the best solution for your needs, please call our Summerville, SC dental office. Our doctors will be happy to sit down with you to talk about your options and help you decide which is right for you.