Family & General Dentistry FAQs

No! You do NOT need dental insurance to become a patient at our practice.

Routine preventive teeth cleanings and checkups are so important for protecting your dental health and your overall well-being. We believe that everyone should have access to quality dental care. So even if you don't have dental insurance, we're prepared to work with you to fit your dentistry comfortably into your budget.

Ask us about our membership plan specifically designed for patients without insurance. It makes your dental care accessible and affordable.

We also offer financing options for your out-of-pocket costs. Dental financing is easy to sign up for, either at home online, or at our dental office, and you'll receive a quick decision so that you can move forward with your treatment.

Dental financing takes your treatment plan's total cost and breaks it into comfortable monthly payments that don't deplete your budget. There are even interest-free plans available for well-qualified patients.

We accept most traditional PPO dental insurance plans and are in-network with several major carriers. That means your routine cleanings and exams may cost you little to nothing out of pocket. Even if we're not in your network, you can still use your out-of-network PPO benefits at our office — we'll file claims on your behalf and help you maximize whatever coverage you have. The best way to confirm your specific benefits is to call us with your insurance card handy. We'll do a complimentary benefits check and tell you exactly what your plan covers before your first appointment.

Dentists aren't interested in making you feel guilty if it has been a while since you've had dental care. They just care about your dental wellness. Think of dentists as partners who are on your side and striving to defend your oral health, rather than worrying about what they might think of you on a personal level.

An essential goal of our dental practice is to provide all patients with high-quality dental care in a peaceful environment. We will not be surprised by any set of teeth. Give us a call if it's been a long since you've seen a dentist. We promise...no judgment here!

Whether you have a fractured tooth, a knocked-out tooth, or tooth pain, we always encourage our patients to contact our dental practice as soon as possible in the event of a dental emergency. We strive to schedule emergency patients on the same day whenever possible.

A dental filling or a dental crown can often be used to heal a fractured tooth. We also offer root canal therapy for diseased or abscessed teeth and tooth extractions for teeth that can no longer be salvaged.

If you have a dental emergency, we invite you to call us even if you've never been to our dental office before.

It can be challenging to tell if you have a true dental emergency. Here are some of the problems that our dental office can handle:

• Pain or swelling in your mouth or around your gums
• Knocked-out or dislodged tooth
• An abscessed tooth or infection in the mouth
• A chipped or broken tooth
• Cracked or broken dentures

Give us a call if you're not sure if your issue is a dental emergency. We'll be pleased to assist you over the phone, and our friendly staff will evaluate your situation and determine whether you require immediate assistance. Before going to the hospital emergency room, call our office. The ER may not be fully equipped to address tooth emergencies.

All of our x-rays are taken digitally at our dental office, which benefits both our dentist and our patients.

The fact that the x-rays are ready for viewing and may be easily transmitted to another relevant care provider is appreciated by patients. Digital x-rays also release significantly less radiation (approximately 90%) than traditional film x-rays, making them extremely safe for both adults and children.

Digital x-rays produce a sharper image, allowing for a quicker diagnosis. This form of x-ray may be easily viewed on our treatment room's television monitor, making treatment recommendations simple.

Digital x-rays also have a lower environmental impact because they do not require the use of harsh chemicals in their production.

One pair of bitewing x-rays is usually recommended once a year to provide a baseline and help our dentist see things that aren't evident to the naked eye during your checkup. As a preventative step, most insurance companies pay for yearly x-rays.

Give us a call if it's time for your next cleaning and checkup! These checkups can help you protect your smile and may prevent you from needing more comprehensive treatment in the future.

Nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, is a mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide that is exceptionally safe for both adults and children.

It's a moderate sort of sedation that makes you feel peaceful and relaxed during dental operations. It can help alleviate the dread and worry that some patients have about going to the dentist.

During your procedure, we will administer nitrous oxide using an inhalation mask, which will help you relax rapidly. When you remove the cover after your operation, the nitrous oxide exits your system fast, and you can safely drive home or return to work and complete your day.

Nitrous oxide often has no long-term adverse effects once it leaves your body, making it an excellent sedative option for most dental operations.

For most healthy adults, every six months is the right schedule — one cleaning and checkup in the spring, one in the fall. This gives us a chance to catch small problems (like a cavity forming or early gum inflammation) before they turn into bigger, more expensive ones. If you have gum disease, a history of cavities, or other ongoing dental health concerns, we may recommend coming in every three to four months. Your needs are reassessed at every visit, so your schedule can change over time. If it's been longer than six months since your last checkup, don't let that stop you — we're always glad to welcome patients back, no matter how long it's been.

The most common signs are a persistent, throbbing toothache — especially one that gets worse when you lie down — sensitivity to heat that lingers after the heat is removed, swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth, or a tooth that's darkened in color. Some teeth that need root canals don't cause any pain at all, which is why regular x-rays matter. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call us right away. We schedule emergency patients as quickly as possible and can usually see you the same day.

Your first visit is mostly about getting to know you and your mouth. We'll take a full set of digital x-rays, do a comprehensive exam of your teeth, gums, and bite, and check for anything that needs attention. You'll also meet with a hygienist for a thorough cleaning. After the exam, we'll sit down with you and explain what we found — clearly, without pressure. If treatment is recommended, we'll go over your options, timeline, and cost before anything is scheduled. Most first appointments run about 90 minutes, so plan accordingly.

Yes — Falko Family Dental is a true family practice, which means we see patients of all ages, including kids. We recommend bringing children in for their first visit around age one or within six months of their first tooth coming in. Early visits help kids get comfortable in the dental chair, let us monitor development, and make it much easier to catch any problems before they become bigger issues. We make every effort to keep appointments fun and low-stress for little ones.

A family dentist and a general dentist provide the same types of care — cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, and more. The term "family dentist" signals that the practice sees patients of all ages, including young children. A general dentist may focus primarily on adults. At Falko Family Dental, we treat children starting with their first dental visit, teens, adults, and seniors, all in the same office.

The American Dental Association recommends a child's first dental visit by age one or within six months of their first tooth coming in. Early visits let us check that your child's teeth are developing normally, introduce them to the dental environment in a low-stakes way, and give parents guidance on brushing, diet, and fluoride. Starting early makes future visits easier.

A standard checkup at our Rock Hill office includes a professional cleaning by one of our hygienists, a full exam by Dr. Klaudia or Dr. Andrew, digital X-rays (taken on a schedule based on your age and cavity risk), and a review of any concerns. Most appointments take 45 to 60 minutes. We talk through what we find and go over any recommended treatment before you leave. There are no surprises.