Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can we help you?

Making decisions about your dental treatment can seem a little overwhelming. You want to know what it is, how it works, and how the treatment will benefit your long-term oral health. We understand that you’ve got lots of questions, and you’ll find that one of our priorities is to keep you informed and educated about the details of your treatment. It’s so much easier to make good decisions when you feel that you’ve got all the information you need beforehand.

To get you started, we’ve listed below a few of the questions we hear most often. We encourage you to contact us if you need more information, and we’ll be happy to arrange a commitment-free consultation to discuss your needs.

Other

Our Round Rock dental office is always eager to help patients get the most out of their insurance plans.

Old Settlers Dental accepts most major insurance plans, and we will work with you to make sure you receive the maximum coverage available under your plan. Our team is very good at maximizing benefits for patients in Round Rock, and we are always on your side when it comes to treatment and payment options. We will be happy to process your insurance claim, and a member of our team will assist you and provide an estimate of your insurance benefits before treatment. We also encourage you to ask questions or contact us if you need clarity on benefit language. We know navigating the language can be tricky.

We Work With You to Find a Financial Solution

We will advise you of your co-payment and deductibles, and we’ll collect these amounts at the time of treatment. Your out-of-pocket expense can be paid with cash, check, and Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Our practice also works with CareCredit, a revolving healthcare credit card that we can help you apply for at our Round Rock dental office.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our team if you have questions.

Dental Bonding

We offer dental bonding in our Round Rock dental office to make small cosmetic improvements or repairs to teeth using durable, tooth-colored composite. Dental bonding is particularly useful for filling in small chips, closing gaps between teeth, or reshaping irregular teeth.

Dental bonding is permanent in the sense that it is designed to stay on your teeth through the use of permanent bonding agents. That being said, most dental restorations will need to be replaced at some point. You can usually count on several years to a decade (or more), depending on the location and involvement in chewing, as well as your home and professional dental care.

Common reasons to replace bonding:

  • Wears down
  • Becomes discolored or mismatched
  • Sustains decay around the margins
  • Breaks or falls off

Dental bonding adds to existing tooth structure and leaves much of the natural tooth intact, which is why many patients prefer bonding to more invasive or complex treatment. We can complete most dental bonding procedures in a single visit in our Round Rock, TX dental office.

If you are considering improvements to your smile, we welcome you to call Old Settlers Dental to book an appointment to discuss all of the options available to give you the smile you have always wanted.

Dental bondingis a noninvasive procedure we can often complete in one dental visit. Dental bonding is best when making small repairs to teeth, such as filling chips, narrow gaps, or reshaping damaged teeth.

Bonding Process

We use tooth-colored composite, the same material we use to fill cavities and match it to your teeth for a seamless appearance. Dental bonding in our Round Rock dental office is typically completed on teeth that do not absorb much of the force from chewing. For posterior teeth, or back teeth, a dental crown will offer greater stability and longevity.

To apply composite, we may need to numb the tooth, but not in every case. When filling a small chip or gap, the bonding material will be bonded directly to your natural tooth after applying a bonding agent and hardened with a curing light.

The Purpose of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding in our Round Rock dental office is used for cosmetic purposes, but it can also smooth a rough tooth that has been damaged, so it doesn’t irritate your mouth or tongue.

To learn more about dental bonding, give us a call. We will always present all of your treatment options and help you make a choice that works best for you.

If you are looking to repair the appearance of a tooth or a number of teeth, weighing your options is important. Dental bonding and veneers both offer cosmetic benefits, but knowing the difference is essential.

Here are some of the benefits of both dental bonding and veneers:

Dental Bonding Benefits and Limitations

Dental bonding adds to your existing tooth structure to correct small imperfections such as chips, small gaps, and non-uniform teeth.

Dental bonding is not advised for larger cosmetic issues such as large gaps or wear on the edges of your teeth. Dental bonding adheres to your natural teeth, and larger bonding cases may break off easily from daily wear.

Dental bonding has an opaque appearance and might not provide the same translucency as porcelain.

Porcelain Veneers Benefits and Limitations

Porcelain veneers can correct just about any cosmetic issue with a natural-looking outcome. In cases of extreme misalignment, we may recommend orthodontics before beginning restorative work.

In the case of large gaps between teeth, orthodontic treatment will be necessary to avoid overly large restorations to close the gap.

To learn more about porcelain veneers or dental bonding in the Round Rock, TX area, give Old Settlers Dental a call for a cosmetic consultation.

General Dentistry

Our Round Rock, TX dentists like to see children early to help establish good oral health from the start. Generally, we like to see kids at the onset of teething but definitely before age one.

We always take our time with your child and help put him or her at ease—introducing the dental chair, which is fun to ride, the various dental instruments, and the sounds heard throughout a dental office. At Old Settlers Dental, we like to make dentistry fun for children, and our team works hard to make early associations with a dental office positive for each child.

During this initial visit and thereafter, we also take time to answer your questions and address your concerns. You are also encouraged to ask questions and voice your concerns. Your child’s dentist will also provide tips to help with your child’s oral care routine at home.

As your child ages, his or her dentistry will evolve. Eventually, your child will have regular professional teeth cleanings in Round Rock. We also provide sealants and fluoride treatments to help protect your child’s teeth as he or she grows.

We look forward to meeting your child and providing years of quality dentistry that evolves to meet his or her needs.

Oral Surgery

Hearing that you need oral surgery is overwhelming for many people. But we can assure you that at our Round Rock, TX dental office, we do everything to make your procedure as comfortable as possible.

The most common type of oral surgery we perform is tooth extraction. But Dr. Zavala and Dr. Lewcock both also have the skill and training necessary to place dental implants. 

Tooth Extractions

We only recommend extraction of a tooth as a last resort. Some cases where extraction may be necessary include a tooth with a severely infected root canal that we can’t save with treatment or a tooth that has fractured below the gum line. Our doctors may also recommend extraction to correct overcrowding or in preparation for dentures.

Dental Implants

Dental implant placement is usually a straightforward procedure where the implant is surgically placed in your jaw and allowed to heal. When healing is complete, our doctors will create a restoration to restore the tooth to full function. However, if we find that you don’t have sufficient bone for a successful implant placement, we will perform bone graft surgery. 

If you have concerns about oral surgery, please call our Round Rock, TX dental office. We will be happy to arrange a convenient consultation with one of our doctors to discuss your needs. 

Root Canals

Even when you take excellent care of your teeth, dental emergencies will occur. When you have a dental emergency, it’s important that you receive prompt attention to prevent serious problems from developing. If you need urgent attention during office hours, we will do everything we can to accommodate you the same day so you can get the relief you need.

However, it seems like most dental emergencies occur at the most inconvenient times, usually after hours. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re in pain. You most likely feel helpless because you can’t get any help at the time you need it most.

Emergency Appointments Available

At Old Settlers Dental, we’re here to help. We are always available by phone at any hour. Simply call our main office number, and you will be directed to a special emergency number where you can leave a message.

Dr. Lewcock or Dr. Zavala will return your call as soon as possible to evaluate your emergency. We will either recommend steps you can take to stay comfortable until the next day, or we’ll make arrangements to see you immediately if necessary.

You can count on us to be there for you! If you aren’t sure if your situation is a true emergency, please give us a call. You can count on us to be there for you!

 

Round Rock Orthodontics - Invisalign & Six Month Smiles Braces

As a patient, you have every right to expect to have all your questions answered thoroughly. If you’re unsure about a proposed treatment, we will be happy to offer a second opinion.

Contact Us

Your excellent oral health is our top priority, and we will take the time necessary to provide the information you need to make a decision about your dental treatment. Contact us today!

There are many adults like you who are unhappy with the appearance of crooked front teeth. This is often a problem that goes

uncorrected because we associate orthodontics with obvious metal braces.

Nobody has time to sit around and wait for traditional orthodontics to work. We’re pleased to offer two excellent adult orthodontic options – Invisalign and Six Month Smiles – that can address the esthetic problem of crooked teeth in a short amount of time.

Invisalign

Invisalign clear aligners have quickly become one of the most popular adult orthodontic treatments available. Our patients love Invisalign because there are so many great advantages over other types of short-term braces. Invisalign is made out of a smooth plastic that won’t irritate your mouth, making them easy to wear.

The aligners are also removable so that you can take them out for special occasions, but Invisalign is so discreet that most people won’t know you’re wearing them. Since they’re removable, oral hygiene is also much more efficient.

Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles are another short-term option that can straighten your front teeth in just a matter of months. The action of Six Month Smiles is similar to traditional braces, but focuses only on the teeth that show when you smile.

Please contact our Round Rock dental office to schedule a commitment-free consultation to discuss our adult orthodontic options.

Sedation Dentistry

For people who have anxiety over going to the dentist, sedation dentistry can be a real godsend. Some may have a debilitating fear of sitting in the dental chair—even for a routine cleaning, a strong gag reflex, sensitivity to pain, and a tough time getting numb with a local anesthetic. Many people simply avoid going to the dentist at all, which can have a long-term impact on their oral health.

Oral Sedation

With oral sedation, one of our doctors will prescribe a medication that can help you get relaxed before you even get to our office. There are several different types of pills you can take, but all have the same effect: to make you more comfortable during treatment. (Be sure to arrange for a ride to and from our office if you go this sedation route.)

IV Sedation

With IV sedation, a sedative is pumped directly into the bloodstream, and you will feel the effects immediately. You will sleep during treatment, and you will remember little if anything about it.

Don’t let anxiety or other sensitivities keep you from taking good care of your oral health. Contact our Round Rock dental team to find out more about sedation dentistry before your next appointment!

Anxiety makes dental treatment a challenge for many people. It is a very common problem, and at Old Settlers Dental, we offer safe, effective sedation to help you easily get the care you need to maintain oral health.

People experience fear of dentists for many different reasons. You may have a negative reaction to the sights and smells of a dental office, or you may find sitting in the dental chair for long periods uncomfortable. A common reason for dental anxiety is a bad experience with a dentist in the past.

Sedation dentistry incorporates a number of calming approaches that have helped many people overcome their fear. Communication is essential – we can best help you when we know that you’re apprehensive. This allows us to adjust your treatment so we can help you relax.

Types of Sedation

We also offer oral sedation, which is usually administered through anti-anxiety medications. For our most fearful patients, we can also arrange IV sedation with a trusted specialist right here in our Round Rock dental office.

But a compassionate team of caring professionals can really make all the difference. We pride ourselves on building long-term relationships so that you can relax and know that you’re being cared for by friendly people who always have your best interest at heart.

Please don’t postpone dental treatment due to anxiety. Give us a call to learn more about our gentle approach to dentistry.

Teeth Whitening

If you’ve been looking for effective teeth whitening, you know there’s an overwhelming variety of over-the-counter products available. But it’s good to remember that you get what you pay for, and that’s especially true for teeth whitening. Lots of people spend money buying all sorts of products only to be disappointed by the results and the discomfort of irritated gums.

Our Round Rock dentists can provide whitening gel that is stronger than any store-bought system. You can be confident that the results will not only be spectacular but we also carefully adjust the concentration to eliminate any sensitivity.

We will start by talking about your goals so we can be sure to provide the desired results. At this time we will also evaluate your existing situation and determine how teeth whitening will work for you. At Old Settlers Dental, we offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening options.

KöR Teeth Whitening System

For in-office treatment, we are proud to use the KöR Teeth Whitening System. We provide you with a customized set of whitening trays that you wear for about two weeks while you sleep for amazing results. If you’d like more control over your whitening, we offer NiteWhite, a take-home kit that also provides excellent results.

An important advantage of professional teeth whitening is that we can guide you so you can find the type of product that is exactly right for you. Please contact our Round Rock dental office for more information or to arrange an appointment for your next cleaning.

TMJ Treatment

Word of mouth is one of the best ways we connect and help more people in our community to practice better dental health.  We are thrilled when our patients send referrals our way. Whether it’s friends, family, or recommendations from dental professionals, we’re happy to take care of their needs. We value the confidence that you place in our team, and we’re grateful for your support!

Contact Us

Tell one and tell all to call our Round Rock TX dental office today to set up an appointment.