Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Cosmetic dentistry is an important part of our dental office because we understand that looking good and feeling good are both important to patients. Some patients come to us and want to improve small details regarding their teeth while other patients come to us and would like to completely change their appearance with a full smile makeover.

While cosmetic dentistry is aesthetic in nature, it can also enhance the function, comfort, and longevity of your teeth, especially if they have signs of damage or premature wear. When Dr. Canepa designs cosmetic treatment plans for our patients, she incorporates beauty, function, and comfort so that you can have the best that modern dentistry has to offer.

Some of the cosmetic treatments we offer include:

• Professional teeth whitening
• Tooth-colored composite fillings
• Porcelain veneers
• Metal-free crowns
• Full smile restorations
• Dental bonding
• Dental implant restoration 

The type of treatment that will work best for you depends upon your goals for your appearance and your current oral health. The best way for you to decide how to proceed is to schedule a cosmetic evaluation with Dr. Canepa. She can discuss options with you that will help you feel great about your smile and your oral health.

We are a preferred provider for most Delta Dental Plans, but we accept all insurance plans that allow you to select your own dentist. The ability to choose your dentist is important to your oral health. When selecting a dentist, you naturally want someone who provides exceptional care and also someone who makes you feel welcome and comfortable. The relationship between a dentist and patient is one based on trust, confidence, and rapport. When you are comfortable with your doctor, your treatment will feel much easier and more enjoyable.

Your insurance plan may include us as an out-of-network provider, and your co-pay may be slightly higher with that choice. We believe that you will still feel like your care is worth it. We provide our patients with a higher level of service than the average office and take pride in the knowledge that our patients (even the anxious ones) report that their experiences are top notch.

Our office will be happy to bill your insurance; however, co-pays and deductibles are due at the time of service. We also have financing options for any out-of-pocket expenses for elective procedures or those treatments not covered by your dental plan.

We welcome your entire family to our Rocky River, OH dental office, including your youngest family members. We invite your children for their first dental office visit between the ages of two and four. Meeting your child at a young age and helping them grow accustomed to the dental office atmosphere will help them to have a more positive dental experience in the future. 

Your child’s first visit will likely be a “meet and greet” type of appointment. Then Dr. Canepa will perform an examination to make sure everything is progressing normally. We will always use gentle techniques and speak to your child in a way that they can understand so we provide the most pleasant experience for your child right from the start.

We work with parents on oral hygiene instruction so you can help your child stay healthy, as well as educating you on what to expect regarding development. We also offer nutritional counseling.

As your child ages and becomes better at communication and cooperation, we will provide a dental cleaning, exam, and eventually take x-rays and offer preventive treatments such as fluoride and sealants. Dr. Canepa will also provide an orthodontic evaluation because early intervention can often make treatment more successful.

Each appointment time varies depending on the procedure we are providing. For a new patient exam, x-rays, and professional dental cleaning, you can plan on approximately one hour.

At your new patient exam, we will make sure we have an up-to-date medical history and perform a full examination of your teeth, gums, and the inside of your mouth to look for any potential dental conditions that require our attention. We will also take x-rays to help us diagnose conditions we cannot see such as fractures, bone loss, decay, abscesses, cysts, and tumors.

Next, our gentle dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth, removing the calculus that collects on your teeth between cleanings. She will also alert you if she finds evidence of conditions such as gum disease and will help you take the next step to restoring your health.

We believe in a comprehensive approach to dental care, and we make sure that our first appointment with you creates a good foundation for a long-term professional relationship. You will also have time to bring your questions to our hygienist or Dr. Canepa and share any goals you might have regarding the health or beauty of your smile. 

Give us a call to schedule your next preventive appointment at our Rocky River, OH dental office. We look forward to meeting you.

Out-of-network is a term invented by insurance companies to describe dental practices that do not agree to their specific terms and conditions.

We are in-network for most Delta Dental plans. That means we agree to accept the payments from Delta Dental according to their fee schedule. They look at fees from all dental offices in our area, including chain clinics and corporate practices, and determine a compensation for each service that dentists provide.

We choose to remain out-of-network with many other insurance plans because the payments that they deem fair would cause us to have to cut corners with our patients, which is something we don’t want to do when it comes to your health! We provide above-average dentistry and above-average service while still keeping our fees reasonable and competitive for our area.

Decisions about your dentistry should be between Dr. Canepa and you. Our philosophy is that we will always recommend the treatment options that will best support your health and you can always choose to have some, all, or none of the treatment, because your health is up to you!

Even if we are out-of-network for your particular dental plan, we will still work with you to maximize your benefits, bill your insurance company for you, and provide you with the outstanding dental care you deserve in a caring and professional environment.

White teeth can make you look younger and project the image of a healthy smile. Having yellow, stained teeth might make you feel self-conscious and cause your teeth to look dirty or give the impression that you don’t brush or floss regularly, even if you do.

We believe that all patients deserve a healthy and beautiful smile. That is why we offer a wide range of professional teeth whitening options at our dental office.

In-Office Professional Whitening

This is the fastest and simplest way to achieve a whiter smile. We will treat your teeth in our office with a professional strength whitening gel and repeat the process several times until your teeth are several shades whiter. You will continue the process and do at-home touch-ups with custom whitening trays.

Custom Take-Home Teeth Whitening

We create custom trays to hold your professional whitening gel. You can whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home at your pace. This is the option that many of our patients choose because it provides great results and you can retain your custom trays for future touch-ups.

Disposable Whitening Trays

Disposable trays are a convenient and affordable option that allows you to whiten your teeth at home without impressions or having to load your trays at home. Simply pop them in your mouth and dispose of them when you are finished.