Frequently Asked Questions

Many times our patients ask us a number of questions about our practice and about dentistry in general. We have compiled a list of our patients' most frequently asked questions to help you. If your inquiry is not on the list below, please feel free to email or call our office, and we will be more than happy to answer your question.

 

How does the doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Dr. Mike reads the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry. He also continues his education on a regular basis, 50 hours per year, by attending courses on topics including endodontics, cosmetics, lasers, and dental implants. As a team and as individuals, our office makes it our responsibility to be familiar with the latest techniques and materials available. Through constant vigilance, we believe the more we know, the happier our patients will be.

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How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?

An average, healthy adult typically benefits from a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. While twice daily brushing and daily flossing go a long way towards maintaining a healthy mouth, it’s wise to have a professional check for plaque that has hardened into tartar so that it can be removed before it causes gingivitis. We make every effort to informed you of your re-care visit via email, regular mail, and phone calls.

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At what age should my children first see the dentist?

We believe a child should first visit our office around the age of one. Your child's visit at such a young age provides us an opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems and also gives the child a positive, non-threatening dental office experience. Parents are more than welcome to call for a tour of our facility before scheduling an appointment for their child.

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Do you accept referrals?

We’re happy to accept referrals from other dental offices, as well as recommendations from our patients to their family and friends. We request a patient evaluation form be completed prior to the first visit; we also require all records and X-rays to be forwarded to our office.

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Do you accept my insurance plan?

We have tried to limit our involvement with insurance companies because our priority has always been to deliver superior care to every patient. We encourage you to contact our patient care professionals to determine how we can best utilize your health benefits. We are more than happy to discuss the particulars of your plan with you prior to any treatments.

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What payment options you provide?

We accept cash, personal checks, and all major credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard and Discover. We also accept financing through CareCredit, a third-party institution. CareCredit offers interest-free payment plans, allowing you to get the treatment you need as soon as you are ready. Ask us about CareCredit; we have applications on hand now and can have a response for you in just a few minutes. Click here for more information about CareCredit.

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How can I ask the doctor questions directly?

We encourage our patients to have open, direct communication with Dr. Hwang. Therefore, he’s available daily to answer your questions through e-mail, a telephone conversation, or by simply stopping by our East Hartford dental office.

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How can I safely whiten my teeth?

There are a number of procedures available to whiten your smile, from at-home teeth whitening products to in-office supervised treatments. Dr. Hwang can evaluate your potential for whitening your teeth based on their current color and the causes of discoloration. Once you have decided on the most appropriate method, you’ll probably spend two to four weeks undergoing a series of simple teeth whitening treatments.

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What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

Our entire practice team is well versed in state-of-the-art sterilization techniques designed to ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and face masks to prevent passing germs, and it includes a specialized sterilization center. Each instrument is wrapped and autoclaved (steam sterilized) to ensure safety for use. We regularly test our sterilization equipment to keep you and our facility safe.

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What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

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 comprehensive patient education. We listen to your concerns and answer your questions to assure you feel completely comfortable with everything we do. Please let Dr. Hwang know if prior to your visit you are nervous. We will do anything possible to make you relaxed and comfortable.

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