Frequently Asked Questions

We proudly serve Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Baltimore, and surrounding communities in MD.

Yes, we provide professional teeth whitening services including Zoom! whitening treatments.

We accept most major PPO plans including MetLife, Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, and many others. Our team will help verify your benefits.

We accept various payment methods and offer flexible financing options to make dental care affordable.

Yes, our digital x-rays use minimal radiation and are completely safe when used as directed.

We'll provide a detailed treatment plan and discuss all options, ensuring you understand your choices.

A typical checkup appointment lasts about 60 minutes, though this may vary based on individual needs.

Yes! We offer family-friendly care and have a special children's checkup package for just $99.

We provide a relaxing environment with comfort amenities and take time to address any concerns you may have.

Yes, we accommodate same-day emergency appointments whenever possible.

Invisalign works for most teens and adults. Schedule a consultation to determine if it's right for you.

We typically schedule brief check-ups every 6-8 weeks to monitor your progress.

Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for Invisalign. Our team can help verify your benefits.

You'll need to wear a retainer to maintain your new smile. We'll discuss retention options as you near completion.

Most patients experience minimal speech changes that resolve within a few days of starting treatment.

Clean aligners daily using the Invisalign cleaning system or gentle brushing with lukewarm water.

Remove aligners for eating and drinking anything besides water. This allows you to enjoy all your favorite foods during treatment.

Patients may experience mild pressure when starting new aligners, but Invisalign is generally very comfortable.

Most patients complete treatment in 12-18 months, though treatment time varies based on individual needs.

Treatment cost varies based on your specific needs. We offer flexible financing options and accept most major insurance plans to help make treatment affordable.

As a cosmetic procedure, veneers are typically not covered by insurance. We offer flexible financing options.

Most patients with healthy teeth and gums are candidates. Schedule a consultation to learn more.

Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant and maintain their color over time.

Maintain regular oral hygiene and dental visits. Avoid using your teeth as tools or biting very hard objects.

Most veneer treatments require 2-3 visits over several weeks.

Yes, you can enjoy most foods. We recommend avoiding excessive force and very hard items.

We ensure your comfort throughout treatment with local anesthesia and gentle techniques.

Our custom-crafted porcelain veneers are designed to match your natural teeth in color, translucency, and shape.

Yes, veneers are a permanent cosmetic solution as a small amount of enamel must be removed for placement.

With proper care and maintenance, porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years or longer.

The complete process typically takes 3-6 months, depending on your individual case and healing time.

Dental implants have a success rate of over 95% when placed by qualified professionals and properly maintained.

In many cases, immediate implant placement is possible, but this depends on your specific situation.

Dental implants are typically made of biocompatible titanium, which naturally integrates with bone tissue.

Yes, dental implants have a proven track record of safety and success spanning over 50 years.

With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, though the crowns may need replacement after 10-15 years.

Coverage varies by provider. Our team will help you maximize your benefits and explore payment options.

Dental implants require the same care as natural teeth: regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings.

Costs vary based on individual needs. We'll provide a detailed treatment plan and discuss all financial options during your consultation.

Most patients report minimal discomfort during and after the procedure, which is managed with local anesthesia and post-operative care.

Whitening doesn't affect existing dental work. We'll discuss options for achieving a uniform smile.

We recommend a professional cleaning before whitening and following pre-treatment instructions provided by our team.

Professional whitening uses stronger agents and delivers faster, more consistent results under expert supervision.

Most dental insurance plans consider teeth whitening cosmetic and don't cover it. We offer flexible financing options.

Results typically last 1-2 years with proper maintenance and good oral hygiene.

Maintain results through good oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and avoiding staining substances.

While most natural teeth can be whitened, some stains may not respond to whitening. We'll evaluate your specific case during consultation.

Some patients may experience temporary sensitivity, which usually subsides within 24-48 hours.

Yes, professional teeth whitening is safe when performed by trained dental professionals.

A typical in-office whitening session takes about 60-90 minutes to complete.

Keep the tooth moist, avoid touching the root, and call us immediately. Quick action increases the chances of saving the tooth.

We accept various payment methods and offer financing options to help make emergency dental care accessible.

Follow-up care may be recommended depending on your treatment. We'll provide detailed aftercare instructions.

Regular checkups, wearing protective gear during sports, and avoiding hard foods can help prevent many dental emergencies.

Yes, we reserve time in our schedule for same-day emergency appointments and strive to provide immediate care when possible.

Any dental problem causing severe pain, bleeding, or trauma requires immediate attention. This includes knocked-out teeth, severe toothaches, broken teeth, or signs of infection.

Costs vary depending on the treatment needed. We offer new patient specials and flexible payment options to make emergency care affordable.

Call our office for emergency guidance. We'll provide instructions for immediate care and schedule you for the next available appointment.

We accept most major PPO insurance plans, including MetLife, Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, and many others. Our team will help verify your coverage.

Tooth bonding is not a permanent solution. However, with proper care, your bonded tooth or teeth can last many years. If you would like a more permanent solution, like porcelain veneers, Dr. Agrawal will help you explore your options.

Dental bonding and porcelain veneers may be able to treat the same problems, but they vary in price and longevity. Dental bonding is better suited as a temporary fix for cosmetic issues before you decide on a more permanent restoration. Porcelain veneers are a more durable and permanent solution for many cosmetic dental issues. At your next dental consultation, we will help you decide which solution is best for you.

Yes, bonding can cosmetically fix one or a couple of crooked teeth.  However, if you have moderate to severely crooked teeth, you may want to try Invisalign.

Professional mouthguards are made specifically to fit your mouth. Because of this, they are less bulky than store-bought mouthguards and are more comfortable and reliable. Patients don’t need to clench their teeth to keep their mouthguard in place. You can also drink water when wearing your custom mouthguard.

Columbia Family Dental Care can custom make a mouth piece for a child or adult. It does not matter what age the patient is. We will use dental impressions to get the exact size of the child’s mouth. However, it is important to replace the mouthguard as the child grows. They will eventually out grow it and will need to have a new one made.

Custom sports mouthguards are not meant to be worn at night. This type of mouthguard does not reposition your jaw when asleep and will likely fall out if you wear it at night. Oral appliances are made of different materials and are specifically meant to be worn to combat teeth clenching and grinding.

Dentists use lasers because it gives them extreme precision when performing operations. Lasers are also pain free for patients. Lasers are becoming commonly used in gum removal and reshaping. They can remove any tooth decay and remove any gum tissue that is receding.

After laser treatment gums may appear discolored. The discoloring typically comes in grey, red, purple, or slightly yellow. This is because your gums need to heal from the laser treatment. The discoloration of one’s gums can be compared to a sunburn and will go away a few days after treatment.

The first part of a root canal can be performed with a laser, but not the entire procedure. Lasers can be used to remove diseased tissue and tooth decay. They can also be used to help shape the canal. Lasers give dentists the ability to work with extreme precision without hurting the patient.

Even if you have missing teeth, you can receive dental crowns that cap off dental implants and implant restorations. If you have broken teeth with the root intact, you are eligible for dental crown care. If you have a dental or gum infection and want one or more dental crowns, Dr. Agrawal will remove your infection and make sure your mouth recovers before providing dental crown treatment.

We typically use a local anesthetic for a painless treatment. Most patients will not experience any pain during their treatment. We also offer dental sedation so that patients may not even remember their dental procedure. Although you may feel sore after treatment, we can prescribe pain medication for a quick and comfortable recovery.

Columbia Family Dental Care offers emergency dental care for patients with dental trauma. If you have an old dental crown, a fractured crown, or lost crown, we can help provide a replacement. We will check your teeth and gums to determine the best type of crown you need.

Your dentist can place a dental crown on any tooth that needs protection including your front teeth. We can custom make each cap to fit perfectly over each tooth so that it looks natural. During the first appointment, we will take impressions of your teeth. A dental lab will use them to fabricate the crown and your dentist will secure it to the prepared tooth.