Frequently Asked Questions
We are affordable and accept 97% of dental insurance plans such as Cigna, Aetna, Delta, Sunlife Financial, United Concordia, Humana, GEHA, MetLife, United Healthcare, Ameritas, Guardian, BCBS, Lincoln Financial, Principal…We understand insurance can be tough to understand; our insurance expert will help answer any questions you may have as well as maximize your benefits!
Yes! If you have a dental emergency, please give The Family Dentist of Westlake a call at 440-871-8588 and we will get you in same day! In addition, we have evening hours available on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s for your convenience. We also have an emergency line available- please call the office at 440-871-8588 and the answering machine will direct you to Dr. Kurt Langenderfer’s emergency contact number.
Yes! The Family Dentist of Westlake office hours:
- Mondays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tuesdays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.*
- Thursdays: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.*
- Friday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
*Evening hours available.
Yes, we offer Invisalign! Invisalign is a form of orthodontics to adjust and straighten teeth. Invisalign uses clear, plastic aligners instead of metal brackets to move teeth to the desired position.
Without proper brushing and flossing, bacteria accumulates on the surface of your teeth and in between teeth and causes bad breath. Poor oral hygiene also leads to gum disease when the bacteria buildup causes sticky plaque and tartar to invade and irritate your gum tissue. Give us a call at 440-871-8588 to scheduled for a cleaning and fluoride with our awesome hygiene team!
The process where the nerve and tissue are removed from the nerve chamber on the inside of the tooth. Small handheld and rotary files are used to clean out the nerve supply and that is then filled in with a rubberized filling material. Root canal therapy allows you to keep your original tooth.
A protective, usually all porcelain, covering that encompasses the entire tooth and is bonded to the remaining natural tooth. We like to say a crown is like a football helmet that goes over the core of your tooth to protect it.
At The Family Dentist of Westlake, Dr. Kurt Langenderfer will evaluate each patient to determine if they are a candidate for Invisalign. Invisalign is the clear alternative to braces that is much easier for cleaning and eating. The clear aligners are changed every 10-14 days and at the end of treatment, clear retainers are made for retention.
We have two different options for whitening here at The Family Dentist of Westlake. We have take-home bleach trays called Opalescence GO ($61), it is 10 trays that you wear for 15 minutes a day for 10 days in a row. We also do custom bleach trays ($250) where we take impressions of your teeth, fabricate trays that are delivered in 1-2 weeks. You wear the trays for 15 minutes a day for two weeks. In addition, we offer Zoom in Office ($350). Zoom Teeth Whitening is a form of laser treatment. It lightens the staining or discoloration of tooth enamel. It is a simple, non-invasive procedure that usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour.
Yes! We offer implants. An implant is an artificial tooth option for replacing a missing tooth. An implant replaces a missing tooth without involving the surrounding teeth. A titanium base is placed into the bone by an Oral Surgeon, and a crown is fabricated and attached to replace the missing space above the bone by Dr. Kurt Langenderfer.
X-rays help us diagnose areas of decay in between the teeth that we are unable to see clinically. They can determine if there is an infection around the root of the tooth and evaluate the bone levels that support the teeth.
There are multiple options for replacing missing teeth. Implants, bridges, and removable appliances are all ways to replace missing teeth. Depending on where the missing tooth is located, and the overall health of the mouth will determine which type of replacement is best for you. Replacing missing teeth is recommended so that surrounding teeth do not move or shift to fill the missing space resulting in a change in your bite.
Supplemental fluoride treatments help strengthen the teeth by re-mineralizing the enamel and preventing new cavities from forming. If you are at high risk for decay, we recommend fluoride treatments on a more regular basis. We also have a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste that is recommended for patients with a high risk of decay.
The cavity will spread and become larger. Eventually the cavity will enter the nerve chamber and will require a root canal and a crown to save the tooth, in some circumstances the tooth may not be restorable and will require extraction.
