Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The American Dental Association recommends that you see a dental hygienist for a professional cleaning every six months. Dr. Ko and Dr. Mark recommend this for most patients; however, in some cases, we recommend that you come see us more often, especially if it's been a while since your last cleaning.

If you're due (or overdue) for a professional dental cleaning, please call Smiles of Carolina today for your appointment!
 

Good hygiene habits are very important, and brushing and flossing every day as directed by Dr. Mark and Dr. Ko will go a long way toward preventing cavities and gum disease. Unfortunately, even the most diligent brushing and flossing cannot remove every bit of plaque and tartar like a professional cleaning can. Even with excellent hygiene habits, plaque can still build up in the hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and just beneath the gum line. Over time, even small plaque and tartar deposits can cause cavities and periodontal disease to develop.

Call Smiles of Carolina today to schedule your professional cleaning with one of our skilled dental hygienists.
 

Smiles of Carolina is open extended hours and on Saturdays to provide convenient appointment times to our patients. Call today to schedule your appointment at a time that's right for you!

Most insurance companies, in the interest of keeping their own costs low, will only pay for the bare minimum of any type of dental treatment. While the bare minimum is okay for some patients, it's not right for everybody. At Smiles of Carolina, we believe that you deserve better than the bare minimum. Before committing to a treatment program, we will discuss the program with you and explain why we feel that it is necessary. Ultimately, the choice is always yours.

At Smiles of Carolina, we believe that people of all ages deserve to have a healthy and beautiful smile. We offer orthodontic correction using ClearCorrect, the invisible braces system. Crooked and misaligned teeth have a significant impact on your overall oral health, so call our Knightdale dental office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ko or Dr. Mark.

Crowns and bridges made with older dental technology often left a visible dark line right by the gum that gave away the fact that the wearer had dental restorations. Today's crowns and bridges can now be made completely free of metal for realistic, natural-looking dental crowns and bridges that are practically indistinguishable from your own teeth.

If you are in need of a dental crown or bridge or if you are interested in replacing an older restoration, please call Smiles of Carolina today!
 

Both dental implants and dentures are effective methods of replacing missing teeth. Your Smiles of Carolina dentist will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you find the treatment that best fits your needs and your lifestyle. For example, while dentures cost less than dental implants, they are not a permanent option and need regular maintenance to stay in great shape. For some patients, the best solution might even be a combination of dentures and implants.

To schedule a consultation with one of our dentists to discuss dentures or dental implants, please call our Knightdale dental office today!
 

Most insurance plans cover dentures and partials. Call your insurance company to determine the full extent of coverage and the portion for which you are responsible. If you need assistance with this, simply let us know, and we will be happy to help!

Not only do digital x-rays expose patients and staff to up to 90% less radiation than traditional film x-rays, they also have the following additional benefits:

• They are better for the environment because they don't require developing.
• They can be viewed on a computer monitor within seconds of taking the image.
• They can be enhanced and enlarged for better diagnostics.
• They can be sent to other providers in an instant via email.
• They can be placed in your electronic patient file for immediate retrieval.

Smiles of Carolina exclusively uses digital imaging technology. Schedule an appointment with us today and find out what a difference digital imaging can make!
 

While you may not even notice mild gum disease, if left untreated, it can turn into a very big problem. Gum disease causes bleeding and tender gums, receding gums, sensitivity in the teeth, and loose teeth and can eventually lead to tooth loss. Additionally, gum disease has been linked to a number of very serious health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and certain types of cancer.

At Smiles of Carolina, we have a variety of techniques and treatments available to prevent or stop gum disease. Please call us today to schedule a periodontal appointment with Dr. Ko or Dr. Mark.
 

Root canal therapy has an undeserved bad reputation. This effective and important therapy is typically not painful and will help to relieve the pain caused by the infection we are treating. We take the time to make sure you are properly numbed and comfortable prior to beginning the procedure. Our skill in rotary endodontics helps to speed up the process and facilitates complete treatment of the infection that is causing the problem.

If you are in pain and think you might need a root canal, please call Smiles of Carolina today.
 

If you have good oral health and hygiene but your teeth are discolored from staining or certain medications, teeth whitening may be the perfect choice for you. The best way to determine if teeth whitening can help you is to call Smiles of Carolina today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark or Dr. Ko.

While over-the-counter whitening kits are cheaper than professional whitening, professional teeth whitening kits give better results in less time. The concentration of the whitening ingredient is higher in professional whitening kits, which means you can get more whitening in a shorter period of time. Additionally, professional whitening kits are customized so that the trays fit your mouth perfectly for more even coverage. Professional teeth whitening products also contain an added desensitizing ingredient to make teeth whitening comfortable even for those with sensitive teeth.

Call Smiles of Carolina today for a teeth whitening consultation with either Dr. Mark or Dr. Ko.
 

Tooth-colored fillings are made of composite resin, which is composed mainly of plastic and silica. They contain no metal or mercury. These fillings are placed in layers with each layer being cured before the next one is added. The fillings bond to your tooth, making it stronger from the inside, and can also be placed in a single visit.

Bruxism is the medical name used to describe grinding and clenching of the teeth, a serious condition that can cause considerable damage to your teeth and pain in your jaws. At Smiles of Carolina, we use Ultraflex night guards to treat bruxism and protect your teeth. Call us today so we can get started relieving your jaw pain.