Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Quick answers about our office, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and common services.
About Gage Dental Care
What to expect, new patient info, and visit basics.
Do you accept new patients?
Yes. Gage Dental Care welcomes new patients and begins with a personalized exam and treatment plan.
Where is Gage Dental Care located?
Our office is located at 4327 Gage Ave., Bell, CA 90201.
What should I expect at my first visit?
Your first visit may include a review of your health history, an exam, and any needed imaging to help guide recommendations.
Do you treat dental emergencies?
Yes. We provide urgent care for dental pain, swelling, infections, broken teeth, and other emergency concerns.
What technology do you use?
Our confirmed technology includes digital X-rays, Zoom Teeth Whitening, and intraoral cameras to support diagnosis, communication, and patient care.
Dental Implants
Basics, healing, candidacy, and long-term care.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are small posts placed in the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots and support crowns, bridges, or full-arch restorations.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Candidacy depends on your bone support, gum health, medical history, and treatment goals. Our team can evaluate this during a consultation.
How long does the implant process take?
The timeline varies depending on healing, bone support, and whether additional procedures are needed before your final restoration.
Do dental implants look natural?
Yes. Implant restorations are designed to match your surrounding teeth for a natural-looking appearance.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care, regular dental visits, and healthy gums, implants can last many years and often decades.
Is dental implant treatment painful?
Local anesthesia is used during treatment. Some soreness afterward is normal and usually improves within a few days.
Periodontics & Gum Health
Gum disease treatment, maintenance, and specialized periodontal care.
Do you treat gum disease?
Yes. Gage Dental Care provides periodontal care for gum disease, including deep cleanings and maintenance when appropriate.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning treatment that removes plaque and tartar below the gumline to help manage gum disease.
What is periodontal maintenance?
Periodontal maintenance is ongoing cleaning and monitoring for patients with a history of gum disease.
Can gum health affect dental implants?
Yes. Healthy gums and strong bone support are important for long-term implant success.
General Dentistry
Exams, cleanings, fillings, and prevention.
How often should I visit the dentist?
Most patients benefit from dental checkups and cleanings every six months, though some patients may need more frequent visits.
What happens during a dental cleaning?
Plaque and tartar are removed, your gums are evaluated, and your teeth are polished for a clean, healthy feel.
Do you offer tooth-colored fillings?
Yes. Tooth-colored fillings can restore damaged teeth while blending with your natural smile.
Do you offer digital X-rays?
Yes. Digital X-rays help us diagnose concerns quickly and clearly while using lower radiation than traditional film X-rays.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are protective coatings placed on back teeth to help reduce the risk of cavities in deep grooves.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Whitening, veneers, bonding, and smile improvements.
What cosmetic treatments do you offer?
We offer cosmetic options such as whitening, veneers, bonding, and smile-focused restorative treatment.
Do you offer Zoom Teeth Whitening?
Yes. Zoom Teeth Whitening is available for patients who want a brighter smile through in-office whitening treatment.
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin custom shells that improve the color, shape, size, and appearance of front teeth.
Can cosmetic dentistry fix chipped teeth?
Yes. Depending on your needs, bonding or veneers may be used to improve chipped, worn, or uneven teeth.
Oral Surgery & Extractions
Extractions, bone grafting, and surgical care.
When is a tooth extraction necessary?
An extraction may be needed when a tooth cannot be saved due to severe decay, fracture, infection, or other dental concerns.
Do you offer bone grafting?
Bone grafting may be recommended to rebuild areas of bone loss, especially when planning for dental implants.
How long is recovery after an extraction?
Most patients return to normal activities within a few days, though healing time can vary based on the procedure.
Insurance, Cost & Financing
Coverage basics, payment options, and treatment estimates.
Do you accept dental insurance?
We work with many dental insurance plans and can help you understand your benefits before treatment.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
Coverage varies by plan. Some insurance plans may contribute to parts of implant treatment.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Financing options may be available for qualified patients to help make treatment more manageable.
How do I get a treatment estimate?
After an exam and any needed imaging, our team can provide a treatment plan with estimated costs.