Throughout the years, patients have been asking us a number of questions. Here are just a few of the more commonly asked ones, but if there’s a question you have that we haven’t answered, please feel free to call us to find out more. Perhaps we’ll even add it to this list!
- How does Dr. Rinaldi keep up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?
- Can you show me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?
- Do you accept referrals?
- How can I safely whiten my teeth?
- What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?
- What payment options do you provide?
- Do you accept my insurance plan?
- My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
- I brush everyday, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
- I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?
- What is Smile Design?
How does Dr. Rinaldi keep up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?
By law, dentists in Massachusetts are required to take 20 credits of continuing education each year. Dr. Rinaldi exceeds that expectation by at least three times by taking 75 hours of continuing education credits each year. Dr. Rinaldi also subscribes to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry. As a team and as individuals, our office makes it our responsibility to be familiar with the latest techniques and materials available.
Can you show me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?
We routinely use dental imaging to help you visualize the end result of cosmetic and restorative work. By simply asking the right questions, taking various photos of your current smile, and keying in the correct input into the computer, we will generate a graphic image to demonstrate accurately how your procedure will affect your smile.
Do you accept referrals?
We are happy to accept referrals from other dental offices as well as from recommendations by our patients to their family and friends. Your referrals are our best compliments!
How can I safely whiten my teeth?
Dr. Rinaldi can whiten your teeth up to 10 shades lighter in a dramatic one-hour procedure using the Rembrandt Sapphire Plasma Arc Light with the Rembrandt Lightning System. For our first-time patients we provide an extraordinary tooth-whitening offer. New patients with comprehensive examination, x-rays and cleaning receive this one-hour, dramatic, in-office tooth whitening procedure for just $450—normally a $550 value.
What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?
At Dr. Rinaldi’s office we treat you like a member of our family. We listen to your needs and invite you to tell us what is going on with your dental health. We respect your time and encourage you to co-diagnose your dental problems with Dr. Rinaldi.
When you become a patient of our practice, we think of you as a person, not just another set of teeth to fix and clean. Our goal is to help you obtain and then maintain the best possible oral health. So, we take time to understand your dental history and evaluate the best options for your particular dental needs. Plus, we help you understand the whys and wherefores of preventive care through thorough patient education.
What payment options do you provide?
We offer affordable payment options while providing premium quality dental care!
- Cash: This includes money orders and personal checks.
- Credit Cards: Cards accepted include Visa and MasterCard.
- Third Party Financing: A separate line of credit to cover your entire family’s dental treatment. It does not affect your current spending limits and balances of your other cards. There is no annual fee, no pre-payment penalty, and no interest if paid by the due date. Monthly payments need only be 3% of the total balance. Our financial coordinator can fill in all the details for you.
Do you accept my insurance plan?
Insurance & Financing: We accept most major insurance plans and will assist you in obtaining the maximum benefits your plan provides. You will be informed of your estimated insurance benefits prior to starting any treatment. While your insurance is a contract between you and your carrier, we will accept an insurance assignment of benefits. We estimate co-payment and any deductibles are due at the time of service. We accept Visa and MasterCard. We also offer payment plans through a third party.
Insurance Patients: We understand the value of insurance benefits and will assist you in obtaining your maximum benefit. We will gladly process your insurance claim for you and will also estimate the portion not covered by insurance. This co-payment amount is due at the time of treatment and may be paid by any of the payment options listed above. Our estimates are based upon the information you have provided us regarding the benefits of the insurance plan your company has chosen. We are not party to your insurance contract and therefore cannot guarantee what your insurance will cover. Any balance not paid by insurance within 60 days will be the your responsibility.
My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?
It is 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 brush everyday, but my breath just is not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here is 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.
We recomment Oxyfresh to freshen your breath, and to help fight against plaque buildup. For a healthy mouth, beautiful smile and fresh breath, Oxyfresh products deliver the confidence coming from real results. We start with a tongue cleaner that removes odor-causing compounds and bacteria, then brush with Oxyfresh concentrated toothpaste, designed to fight decay and freshen your breath. Finally, you will rinse your mouth with Oxyfresh patented alcohol-free mouthwash. This “one minute solution” provides up to eight hours of fresh breath confidence. Oxyfresh uses its very own pharmaceutical formula to fight bad breath by attacking and neutralizing volatile sulfur compounds, the rotten-smelling bacterial by-products mainly responsible for bad breath. Most commercial mouthwashes use alcohol, nearly 30 percent by volume in some cases, to actually kill the bacteria. The truth is the alcohol robs moisture in mouth and compounds the problem of bad breath.
I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?
Dr. Rinaldi 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 veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. We would be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.
What is Smile Design?
The highlight of smile design is watching your eyes light up the first time you look in the mirror at the change that has taken place. Our experience of watching our patients react to their new smile is almost overwhelming. We see an immediate change in their confidence and their interaction with others. The result is the creation of a beautiful new smile with a comfortable neuromuscular occlusion.
Typically changing the clinical smile is rewarding, but when clinical changes affect the psychological and emotional components—that is exhilarating! Most see dentistry simply as a repair and maintenance facility. But when your life is changed in such drastic measures, it confirms the reason many of us got involved in dentistry in the first place, which is to help others.
