Cosmetic Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions

Patient education is the cornerstone of building trust and confidence. Dr. Stone and our team are dedicated to providing you with the highest level of care and consideration for all your prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry needs. We encourage you to peruse our FAQs, Patient Resources, Before and After Photo Gallery, and individual treatment description pages (such as Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, and Crowns and Bridges to learn more. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to call (954-568-9100) or email us. If you’re ready to take the first step toward restoring your smile, contact us for a free consultation today.

1. How long have you been in practice?
I have been practicing Dentistry and Prosthodontics in the Fort Lauderdale area since 1979. I began in an office on East Commercial Blvd. for 10 years, moved to an office behind the Galleria Mall for 5 years, and I have been at my present location at the North West corner of Federal Hwy. and Oakland Park for 16 years now.

2. What is a Prosthodontist?
A Prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the esthetic restoration and replacement of teeth, restoring optimum appearance and function to your smile. Prosthodontics is one of the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. My Prosthodontic training includes four years of dental school and two years of intensive classroom and laboratory training. Prosthodontists usually treat difficult and complex dental problems, such as people who are missing many teeth or who have significant functional or esthetic problems. Areas of dentistry covered include: crowns and bridges, dentures, cosmetics, temporo-mandibular joint function and dental implants, traumatic injuries, congenital or birth anomalies, snoring and sleep disorders, and oral cancer reconstruction. Prosthodontists are masters of complete oral rehabilitation.

3. Why would I need a Prosthodontist?
A Prosthodontist provides an extremely high level of care for patients who are missing teeth or have significant damage to their existing teeth. While the general practitioner is capable of handling most simple crown and bridge procedures, when it comes to restoring an entire arch or the whole mouth, the Prosthodontist is best utilized for this difficult and complex type of dental treatment. Patients contemplating dental implants or major changes in their appearance should consult with a Prosthodontist to assure that they are gaining the best possible care for their dentition. These difficult treatments require the expertise that is only available by a trained Prosthodontist. Rigorous training and experience provide Prosthodontists with the special understanding of the dynamics of the smile, the preservation of a healthy mouth, and the creation of tooth replacements. Serving as the “architect” of a dental treatment plan, Prosthodontists collaborate with general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to your dental concerns.

4. What is a crown and is it different from a cap?
A crown is a complete covering of a tooth to restore function ad/or esthetics. A cap is a term that means the same as a crown. Crowns can be made from several different materials including porcelain fused to a metal base (we only use gold alloys), all porcelain, porcelain fused to a zirconium base, or all metal. Metals used in my practice are limited to gold or gold alloys. We have a dental laboratory on premises that fabricates crowns for us to my exact specifications.

5. What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a replacement for a tooth root. Implants are placed using a minor surgical procedure, usually in the office. The implant then needs to have a tooth or fixed bridge replaced on top of the implant to make it function like a tooth. Implants can also be used to stabilize removable dental appliances like dentures or partial dentures.

6. Is there a specialty of Implantology?
No, there is no specialty of Implantology and anyone who tells you they are a specialist in this field should be avoided. Right now, we have specialists in Oral Surgery, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics who place dental implants. You should look for someone who is very experienced with dental implants and who has undergone a great deal of training throughout the years. It is also a good idea to utilize someone who works with dental implants quite a bit on a day-to-day basis.

7. How much do dental implants cost?
The important thing here is to get the information on all of the costs associated with the dental implants. Fees vary tremendously and you have to know what you are paying for and what kind of warranties are available to you for the work that will be performed. Make sure that your dentist discusses all of the fees you will incur. If you have two dentists who will be working with you (one placing your implants and one restoring them) make sure you know what both of their fees will be, and make sure that you know who is responsible for what procedure. See our “How Much do Dental Implants Cost?” post to learn more.

8. What is a veneer?
A veneer, as the name implies, is a thin covering of a tooth, usually just on the visible side, to correct esthetics. It minimizes the amount of tooth removal as compared to a crown when correcting shape, function, or color of a tooth is desired.

9. Do you accept insurance?
Yes, our practice accepts all insurance that allows a patient to choose the provider of his or her choice (PPO). We are a fee-for-service office, which means that all fees are collected before or at the time of service. As a courtesy to our patients, we submit all claims on their behalf, including any x-rays, narratives from the doctor, etc., to ensure you quickly receive the maximum benefits allowed by your insurance company.