Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you are interested in improving cosmetic flaws like discolored teeth, widely spaced teeth, short or eroded teeth, chips, and enamel damage, then porcelain veneers may be an excellent choice for you. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are fitted over your natural teeth, restoring their appearance and giving you a healthier, more attractive-looking smile.

Most patients with healthy teeth and gums are a good candidate for veneers. If you have decay, gum disease or other oral health issues, our Santa Rosa, CA dentist Dr. Delwiche may recommend treating these problems before proceeding with veneer placement. A healthy mouth will ensure your veneers stay bright for years to come.

Veneers look and act like natural teeth and require good oral hygiene habits to keep them looking their best. If you have questions about how to care for your veneers, don’t hesitate to ask! We will be happy to demonstrate the best way for you to keep your veneers looking healthy and natural.

The best way to find out if veneers are right for you is to call our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Amanda Delwiche. She'll perform a comprehensive examination to make sure that veneers can help you meet your goals.
 

With a smile makeover! Your Santa Rosa dentist Dr. Delwiche and her staff are experienced in many cosmetic dental procedures that can take your smile from embarrassing to bright and beautiful. Through a combination of inlays, onlays, veneers, whitening treatments, tooth-colored composite fillings, and other treatments, we can fix cosmetic problems big and small.

With a customized comprehensive treatment plan that’s tailored to your teeth and your needs, we can do just a few simple procedures or a complete overhaul of your mouth, fixing issues such as staining, yellowed teeth, cracks, chips, gaps, misshapen teeth, and more. If you’ve ever wondered if there was a way to improve a less than perfect smile, the answer is yes! We will also treat any other dental issues such as decay and gum disease, giving you a healthier, happier mouth.

Dental technology is always improving, and we can take advantage of these improvements to give you beautiful, long-lasting results that will improve your self esteem and your smile at the same time. If you’re not happy with your smile, call to schedule a consultation and let us show you all the ways we can change your mouth from shameful to shining.
 

Teeth can become yellowed and stained over time, and many people are concerned about the color of their smile. If you want a brighter smile, teeth whitening may be the answer you’re looking for. Most teeth whitening systems consist of trays that are filled with a specially formulated whitening gel and worn over your teeth for several hours per day, usually while you sleep.

At our office, we offer a professional teeth whitening system that you can use at home using customized whitening trays made to fit your mouth comfortably. We use Opalescence whitening gel, which comes in three different strengths for individualized results. Used properly, our teeth whitening system gives you whiter, brighter teeth in just a few weeks. Dr. Delwiche will work with you to create a whitening plan that suits your needs to get you the best results possible.

While not all stains and discoloring are treatable, most patients are happy with the results gained through teeth whitening. If you have questions or concerns about your specific situation, Dr. Delwiche will be happy to discuss your treatment options with you.

If you are interested in joining our Quality Dental discount plan, our office would love to assist you.

Call today for an appointment and get started on your way to a brighter, healthier looking smile!
 

Appointment times vary depending on what services you will be receiving. For a new patient appointment, plan on 60 minutes (or 90 minutes if you are getting a cleaning done on the same day).

Most oral hygiene and check-up appointments run about one hour.

Appointments for restorative work usually run about one hour but may take longer depending on the extent of the restoration and how many teeth are involved.
 

Appointments are usually available about one to two weeks from the day you call (although late afternoons are usually booked out a little further). Call today to schedule your appointment! 

Dr. Delwiche and her staff believe that you know better than anyone what your dental treatment goals are. Everyone’s mouth is different, and everyone’s priorities are different, too. We work with you to determine what you want to get out of your treatment, then help you craft a customized treatment plan to achieve your goals.

A comprehensive plan that consists of multiple procedures can seem overwhelming, so we will help you prioritize your treatments based on what’s most important to you as well as what the most immediate threats to your overall dental health are. Active decay, gum disease, and cosmetic issues are usually considered the most urgent. Decay and disease left untreated can become even bigger problems in the future. By treating them now, we can save you from further procedures and possible tooth loss.

Cosmetic issues can affect your mental health and self esteem as well as your physical health, which is why they receive a high priority. We want your smile to be at its best, and we will work with you to determine the best and fastest way to achieve the desired results.

Call our Santa Rosa, CA dental office today to make a consultation appointment and we will be happy to create a custom comprehensive treatment plan that will have you smiling!
 

Gum disease is a progressive, inflammatory condition that can severely damage your gums over time and even cause you to lose your teeth. During your hygiene appointment, we will review the causes of gum disease and give you advice on how to prevent it.

If you currently have gum disease, our goal will be to stop it from progressing further. A number of different treatment techniques are available, and we will discuss our recommendations, which will vary depending on the severity of your condition.
 

We accept many insurance plans and are a preferred provider for Delta Dental Premier and Shirrell. For patients without dental coverage, we have an in-office dental membership called Quality Dental Plan that can save you money.

Patients are expected to pay for their portion of dental services at the time of treatment. For those patients desiring to spread out payments over time, we partner with a third-party vendor, Care Credit, to offer twelve months of interest-free financing on your approved credit.

If you are interested in improving cosmetic flaws like discolored teeth, widely spaced teeth, short or eroded teeth, chips, and enamel damage, then porcelain veneers may be an excellent choice for you. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are fitted over your natural teeth, restoring their appearance and giving you a healthier, more attractive-looking smile.

Most patients with healthy teeth and gums are a good candidate for veneers. If you have decay, gum disease or other oral health issues, our Santa Rosa, CA dentist Dr. Delwiche may recommend treating these problems before proceeding with veneer placement. A healthy mouth will ensure your veneers stay bright for years to come.

Veneers look and act like natural teeth and require good oral hygiene habits to keep them looking their best. If you have questions about how to care for your veneers, don’t hesitate to ask! We will be happy to demonstrate the best way for you to keep your veneers looking healthy and natural.

The best way to find out if veneers are right for you is to call our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Amanda Delwiche. She'll perform a comprehensive examination to make sure that veneers can help you meet your goals.
 

While individual plan coverages vary, most cosmetic procedures are not covered by dental insurance. If you are in need of other dental treatments, our office can work with your insurance coverage to determine if cosmetic materials such as tooth-colored composite fillings or porcelain crowns can be used to give you an improved aesthetic with your treatment.

We will be happy to review your cosmetic treatment plan to determine if your insurance plan will cover some or all of the services, as well as reviewing your payment options. In addition, we offer a discount plan through our office, the Quality Dental Plan. Members of our Quality Dental Plan receive a 15% discount on many of our services, including cosmetic services, as well as free preventative care such as exams, cleanings, and x-rays.

The Quality Dental Plan is available to both new and existing patients. If you are interested in more information on the Quality Dental Plan and enrolling yourself and your family, let our office know and we will get you signed up! You can also enroll during your next appointment. Call our office today to schedule a consultation and we will work with you to create a cosmetic treatment plan that fits you and your budget.
 

With a smile makeover! Your Santa Rosa dentist Dr. Delwiche and her staff are experienced in many cosmetic dental procedures that can take your smile from embarrassing to bright and beautiful. Through a combination of inlays, onlays, veneers, whitening treatments, tooth-colored composite fillings, and other treatments, we can fix cosmetic problems big and small.

With a customized comprehensive treatment plan that’s tailored to your teeth and your needs, we can do just a few simple procedures or a complete overhaul of your mouth, fixing issues such as staining, yellowed teeth, cracks, chips, gaps, misshapen teeth, and more. If you’ve ever wondered if there was a way to improve a less than perfect smile, the answer is yes! We will also treat any other dental issues such as decay and gum disease, giving you a healthier, happier mouth.

Dental technology is always improving, and we can take advantage of these improvements to give you beautiful, long-lasting results that will improve your self esteem and your smile at the same time. If you’re not happy with your smile, call to schedule a consultation and let us show you all the ways we can change your mouth from shameful to shining.
 

Teeth can become yellowed and stained over time, and many people are concerned about the color of their smile. If you want a brighter smile, teeth whitening may be the answer you’re looking for. Most teeth whitening systems consist of trays that are filled with a specially formulated whitening gel and worn over your teeth for several hours per day, usually while you sleep.

At our office, we offer a professional teeth whitening system that you can use at home using customized whitening trays made to fit your mouth comfortably. We use Opalescence whitening gel, which comes in three different strengths for individualized results. Used properly, our teeth whitening system gives you whiter, brighter teeth in just a few weeks. Dr. Delwiche will work with you to create a whitening plan that suits your needs to get you the best results possible.

While not all stains and discoloring are treatable, most patients are happy with the results gained through teeth whitening. If you have questions or concerns about your specific situation, Dr. Delwiche will be happy to discuss your treatment options with you.

If you are interested in joining our Quality Dental discount plan, our office would love to assist you.

Call today for an appointment and get started on your way to a brighter, healthier looking smile!
 

The soft tissue laser makes it easy to perform a number of treatments less invasively and more comfortably with greater precision and control than is possible with manual instruments. Patients who have received treatment with the laser experience a shorter healing time with minimal bleeding and discomfort. Infection can be vaporized at the source, and when the laser is used for periodontal treatment, only diseased tissue is removed, leaving healthy tissue intact. 

Dental bonding and veneers can both be used to correct a wide range of cosmetic flaws in your teeth, such as cracks, gaps, shortened teeth, and misshapen teeth. Veneers are porcelain shells that are bonded to your natural teeth while bonding is done with a composite resin that is shaped and then hardened into place with a special UV light.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both procedures. Veneers require some removal of healthy tooth structure to create a properly sculpted site to cement the veneers firmly. Veneers usually require two visits to complete the procedure; the veneers must be custom-created to fit your teeth, and the teeth must be prepped before the veneers can be manufactured. You will need to wear temporary veneers during this process.

Bonding can be done directly onto the tooth with very little prep work and minimal loss of healthy tooth material. The composite is soft and shapeable until it is cured, allowing Dr. Delwiche to craft it into the desired appearance in a single visit. However, bonding is not as strong or durable as porcelain veneers. For this reason, bonding is usually recommended for more minor cosmetic repairs.

Ultimately, the choice between veneers and bonding depends on your individual situation and the desired outcome. Our dental office in Santa Rosa, CA will be happy to schedule you a consultation to determine whether bonding or veneers is the solution you’re looking for!
 

Fillings and crowns can be done with a variety of materials. Our Santa Rosa, CA dentist and her staff will work with you to select the material that is right for you and your situation.

We prefer tooth-colored composite fillings for cavities and bonding for the best cosmetic results as well as a healthier, stronger tooth. This material is custom-blended to match the color of your natural teeth so that nobody will ever know the difference. Composite fillings also allow us to leave more of your healthy tooth intact, which reduces the risk of cracking or additional decay in the future.

For crowns, we offer various metals including stainless steel and gold, as well as acrylic and ceramic crowns. For the best aesthetics, we do recommend all-ceramic crowns, which look completely realistic so you can keep your dental work between you and Dr. Delwiche! If you are concerned about the strength of all-ceramic crowns, we also offer porcelain-over-metal crowns, giving you both strength and cosmetic advantages all in one.

Our office will be happy to work with you and your insurance company to choose the crown option that is right for you. Call today to schedule a consultation!
 

Dental insurance will usually cover necessary procedures such as fillings, root canals, periodontal treatments, and extractions. Cosmetic procedures are generally not covered by insurance, but every plan is different. Our office will be happy to review your insurance coverage and your treatment plan to create an estimate of what your insurance will cover and what your responsibility will likely be. Keep in mind that estimates are not a guarantee of coverage.

If your insurance plan does not cover the procedures you choose, we have financial options available to you. In addition to cash and check payments, we accept Visa and MasterCard as well as Care Credit. If you do not have a Care Credit account, we will be happy to help with the application process. Once approved, Care Credit acts like a credit card for many medical and dental procedures, allowing you to break up your payments into monthly installments.

We also offer an in-house dental savings plan that can help reduce the cost of your smile makeover. Members of our Quality Dental Plan enjoy many benefits, including free basic services such as exams, x-rays, and cleanings; and discounts on other services, including cosmetic services. Ask about the Quality Dental Plan for more information about enrolling.
 

Dr. Delwiche and her staff believe that you know better than anyone what your dental treatment goals are. Everyone’s mouth is different, and everyone’s priorities are different, too. We work with you to determine what you want to get out of your treatment, then help you craft a customized treatment plan to achieve your goals.

A comprehensive plan that consists of multiple procedures can seem overwhelming, so we will help you prioritize your treatments based on what’s most important to you as well as what the most immediate threats to your overall dental health are. Active decay, gum disease, and cosmetic issues are usually considered the most urgent. Decay and disease left untreated can become even bigger problems in the future. By treating them now, we can save you from further procedures and possible tooth loss.

Cosmetic issues can affect your mental health and self esteem as well as your physical health, which is why they receive a high priority. We want your smile to be at its best, and we will work with you to determine the best and fastest way to achieve the desired results.

Call our Santa Rosa, CA dental office today to make a consultation appointment and we will be happy to create a custom comprehensive treatment plan that will have you smiling!
 

Yes! We understand that some of our patients have fear and anxiety related to the dentist, and we want to make sure that they have access to high quality dental care just like everybody else. In addition to basic relaxation options such as heated massage chairs and televisions to help distract you, Dr. Delwiche is skilled in the use of both nitrous oxide and oral sedation.

Sedation dentistry is an excellent choice if you suffer from dental anxiety. You will remain conscious during the entire procedure; the gentle sedation options we offer simply relax you and make even long procedures seem shorter. You will feel very relaxed and calm and may not even remember the procedures afterwards but will be fully awake and able to communicate with the staff if you need to.

Dr. Delwiche will work with you to decide what sedation techniques will work best for you. We can even use a combination of oral sedation and nitrous oxide if necessary. Remember, oral sedation will leave you groggy for a while after your appointment, and you will need transportation to and from our office.

To find out if sedation dentistry is right for you, please don't hesitate to give us a call!
 

Absolutely! We love treating kids, and kids love coming to see us. We make it easy for your entire family to get the same high quality care in one convenient location. Call today to schedule an appointment for you child! 

The soft tissue laser makes it easy to perform a number of treatments less invasively and more comfortably with greater precision and control than is possible with manual instruments. Patients who have received treatment with the laser experience a shorter healing time with minimal bleeding and discomfort. Infection can be vaporized at the source, and when the laser is used for periodontal treatment, only diseased tissue is removed, leaving healthy tissue intact. 

Gum disease is a progressive, inflammatory condition that can severely damage your gums over time and even cause you to lose your teeth. During your hygiene appointment, we will review the causes of gum disease as well as how to prevent it.

If you currently have gum disease, our goal will be to stop it from progressing further. A number of different treatment techniques are available, depending on the severity of your condition. Scaling and root planing, medications, and surgery, including grafts, may all need to be applied to treat the problem. Dr. Delwiche will help you determine what treatments are best for your situation.

We will also give you recommendations on how you can help the treatment and keep it from reoccurring through home care routines. Proper brushing and flossing techniques as well as regular checkups and cleanings at our Santa Rosa, CA dental office will all help to keep your gums and teeth healthy. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease as well as causing many other health problems, so you may want to consider quitting if you are a smoker.

If you think you have gum disease or want information on how to prevent it, schedule an appointment to get started on a treatment plan right away!
 

Gum disease is a progressive, inflammatory condition that can severely damage your gums over time and even cause you to lose your teeth. During your hygiene appointment, we will review the causes of gum disease and give you advice on how to prevent it.

If you currently have gum disease, our goal will be to stop it from progressing further. A number of different treatment techniques are available, and we will discuss our recommendations, which will vary depending on the severity of your condition.
 

Yes! We understand that some of our patients have fear and anxiety related to the dentist, and we want to make sure that they have access to high quality dental care just like everybody else. In addition to basic relaxation options such as heated massage chairs and televisions to help distract you, Dr. Delwiche is skilled in the use of both nitrous oxide and oral sedation.

Sedation dentistry is an excellent choice if you suffer from dental anxiety. You will remain conscious during the entire procedure; the gentle sedation options we offer simply relax you and make even long procedures seem shorter. You will feel very relaxed and calm and may not even remember the procedures afterwards but will be fully awake and able to communicate with the staff if you need to.

Dr. Delwiche will work with you to decide what sedation techniques will work best for you. We can even use a combination of oral sedation and nitrous oxide if necessary. Remember, oral sedation will leave you groggy for a while after your appointment, and you will need transportation to and from our office.

To find out if sedation dentistry is right for you, please don't hesitate to give us a call!
 

Yes!

We understand that some of our patients have fear and anxiety related to the dentist, and we want to make sure that they have access to high quality dental care just like everybody else. 

Dr. Delwiche is skilled in the use of both nitrous oxide and oral sedation. To find out if sedation dentistry is right for you, please don't hesitate to give us a call! 

Nitrous oxide (sometimes called "laughing gas") can create a feeling of euphoria, which may make you laugh easier, but its primary effect is to relax you and leave you calm and less aware of any fear or anxiety you may feel during dental procedures. Most people report an enjoyable feeling of drowsiness and relaxation, making their dental visits more pleasurable and less stressful.

Nitrous oxide is a quite safe sedation technique, and our office is trained and experienced in administrating it in the correct dosage to ensure the proper calming effect. We will monitor your status during the administration of the nitrous and during your procedure, so you can relax and enjoy a painless and low-stress dental visit. If you do laugh a little, that's okay too!

If you are sensitive to nitrous oxide or have had a bad reaction in the past, make sure to let us know. We have other sedation options available. There's no need to have an uncomfortable, fearful dental experience with our office! We take every step to ensure you are relaxed and comfortable from massage chairs and a gentle touch to nitrous oxide and oral sedation.

If you've been avoiding the dentist because of fear or anxiety, call us today. We'll be happy to discuss sedation options and answer any questions you may have. Let us work together to remove your dental fears!

No! The mild sedation techniques used by Santa Rosa, CA dentist Dr. Delwiche will leave you conscious and able to move, respond to instructions and talk to the staff. It will simply make you very calm and relaxed during your procedure. Many patients report not remembering the procedures afterward, and time seems to go much faster, so even a long procedure will seem short and painless!

Our staff will monitor your status during your visit to make sure you remain healthy and safe under the sedation.

Nitrous oxide sedation is started just before the procedure in our office. You will inhale the nitrous gas through a special mask and will usually experience a feeling of drowsiness and possibly euphoria. The nitrous oxide is processed quickly by your body, and by the end of your procedure, you should be alert enough to drive home.

Oral sedation is administered by a pill taken the night before your procedure and may be supplemented by a second pill once you arrive at our office or by nitrous oxide gas. The pill will make you quite relaxed and drowsy, and a friend or family member will need to drive you to and from your appointment. We recommend you not drive or operate machinery until the effects of the sedative have worn off. You should be able to return to work and normal duties the next day.

Call our office if you have questions about sedation dentistry and whether it is right for you.
 

Nitrous oxide is the preferred technique in our office for several reasons:

• We can easily adjust the dosage even during your procedure.
• You don't need to remember to take any medication before you arrive at our Santa Rosa, CA dental office.
• The effects of nitrous diminish quickly, which means you can safely drive to and from your appointment without arranging for accompaniment.

Oral sedation can often be used to produce a deeper level of relaxation than the nitrous gas and is also an option if you are sensitive to nitrous oxide or cannot take it for another reason. If you choose oral conscious sedation, Dr. Delwiche will give you a prescription to take the night before your appointment. By the time you arrive at our office you will already be in a deeply relaxed state and may not even remember the details of your visit.

With either sedation technique, numbing medication (such as novocaine) will also be used to ensure your visit is completely painless!

Both oral sedation and nitrous gas are helpful for calming dental anxiety. Everyone's body is different, and there are situations where one method will work better than the other. Dr. Delwiche and her staff will review your medical history and current health to determine what is best for you.
 

Fillings and crowns can be done with a variety of materials. Our Santa Rosa, CA dentist and her staff will work with you to select the material that is right for you and your situation.

We prefer tooth-colored composite fillings for cavities and bonding for the best cosmetic results as well as a healthier, stronger tooth. This material is custom-blended to match the color of your natural teeth so that nobody will ever know the difference. Composite fillings also allow us to leave more of your healthy tooth intact, which reduces the risk of cracking or additional decay in the future.

For crowns, we offer various metals including stainless steel and gold, as well as acrylic and ceramic crowns. For the best aesthetics, we do recommend all-ceramic crowns, which look completely realistic so you can keep your dental work between you and Dr. Delwiche! If you are concerned about the strength of all-ceramic crowns, we also offer porcelain-over-metal crowns, giving you both strength and cosmetic advantages all in one.

Our office will be happy to work with you and your insurance company to choose the crown option that is right for you. Call today to schedule a consultation!