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At Abbeville, our primary goal is to make your visit comfortable and relaxing. We feel the more you know about your visit, the more at ease you'll be. You can find a list of our commonly asked questions below. If you don't see your question, please feel free to call us at 806-794-7171 or 806.68.SMILE. We are always happy to address your concerns.


How does the doctor keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Our doctors are highly trained, but because dentistry is constantly changing, we do a number of things to stay up to date on all of the current findings. We frequently attend continuing education courses that focus on research in cosmetic, restorative, and preventative dentistry. The doctors and members of our staff also belong to a variety of organizations that offer seminars and conferences on changes in dentistry.

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Can you show me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?

Yes. Our office has a digital imaging system. With this, we can take a picture of a particular area of your mouth and show you how the procedures we suggest will look in the end.

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How do I know when it's time to come in for a checkup?

When you first visit our practice, we recommend visiting us every three to four months. If you take good care of your teeth, we may adjust this time period depending on the state of your teeth.

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At what age should my children first see a dentist?

Children should visit the dentist when they are two to three years old. At Abbeville, we do a complimentary Happy Visit for young children. During this visit, we introduce them to the office and lean them back in the chair so we can look at their teeth. If a child is receptive, we’ll quickly polish their teeth. Our goal is mainly to make it fun and teach kids that they can have a great time visiting the dentist.

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Do you accept referrals?

Yes. We always welcome new patients to our office.

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Do you accept my insurance plan?

In this day and age, insurance can be confusing. We accept a variety of insurance plans and can discuss with you how our services fit in with those plans. Call us at 806-794-7171 for more information.

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Will I be charged if I need to cancel an appointment?

We know your schedule can change abruptly. Please call us immediately so we can reschedule you. If you cancel within 24 hours before your scheduled time, we reserve the right to charge you a cancellation fee.

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What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?

If you have an emergency, please call our office number at 806-794-7171 and follow the instructions to contact our on-call doctor.

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I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?

When a temporary crown falls off or breaks, call us immediately so we can schedule an appointment to evaluate the damage. If it’s after business hours, call our number to contact our on-call doctor.

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What different payment options do you provide?

We request payment at the time of your scheduled appointment. Our office accepts cash, check, and any major credit card for payment. If your insurance plan has a co-pay, the amount is due at the time of your visit. Any amount not covered by your insurance is your responsibility.

Quality dental care should never be limited by price. If you need extensive dental care and are concerned about financing it, contact our financial manager. We have a variety of options, including a prepayment savings program, outside interest-free financing options, or family health care card, that can make the dental work you need affordable.

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How can I safely whiten my teeth?

Many of our patients ask about whitening their teeth. Since each mouth is unique, we need to evaluate your teeth to recommend a specific method. If your teeth are cracked, chipped, or discolored, our doctors may recommend restorative services, such as veneers or bonding. If you want to bleach your teeth, we use Zoom and BriteSmile in our office. We can also prescribe a take home treatment on request.

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What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

We take several precautions to ensure your safety as our patient. First, we keep up-to-date on the latest sterilization procedures and research. Our office complies and exceeds OSHA standards for safety. Our instruments are thoroughly sterilized in accordance with ADA accepted guidelines and are brought to your chair in a sealed bag. Most importantly, we have a sterilization center where we can maximize efficient sterilization and minimize the chance of contamination through human error. If you have any questions, we would be happy to demonstrate our sterilization procedures.

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What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

We are a friendly, high-tech and in-touch family-based and community minded practice that knows you try your best to take care of your teeth. With that in mind, Abbeville offers a variety of services that are designed to make you and your family comfortable while you’re here. That’s because we believe a positive experience in our office will help you stay motivated in maintaining your dental health. If you would like to see what makes us different, come in for a free initial consultation.

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My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?

Bleeding gums can be a symptom of gum disease; recent research indicates that this disease can contribute to a variety of health problems, including heart disease and stroke. If your gums are bleeding, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with us. Because our four dentists are trained in a variety of fields, they can provide a multidisciplinary approach to your diagnosis and treatment.

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I really do not like visiting the dentist, is there anything you can do to help me relax?

At Abbeville, our primary goal is to make your visit comfortable and relaxing. That’s why we offer a variety of services, such as headphones, nitrous, and massage mats, to help you take your mind off your visit and make it as smooth and efficient as possible.

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Crowns, veneers, on-lays, inlays and partials…where can I learn more about these procedures?

We know it is important to have as much information as you can about the procedures we recommend. At Abbeville, we are experts in our field and we invite you to feel free to ask us any questions. We will gladly explain these procedures and discuss with you the advantages of each.

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I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

There are a variety of ways to improve the appearance of your teeth without braces. We offer many cosmetic services, including Invisalign® to straighten your teeth. If you would like to enhance the appearance of your smile, call us so we can schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. After listening to your goals and concerns, we can suggest ways to help you straighten your smile.

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My spouse snores and keeps me up at night. I have heard a dentist might be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?

Certainly. We offer snore-guards, a small appliance that holds the mouth and throat open while you sleep and thus, prevents snoring. These devices are easy to use and we custom fit them to ensure your comfort. If you or your spouse snores, we suggest visiting us for an evaluation.

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What is Smile Analysis?

In a smile analysis, we look at all the factors that compose a smile; these are the shape of a smile, the size, the smile line, and the position of your teeth, lips, and gums when you smile. We listen to what you want to accomplish and any concerns you may have. Once we have this information, we can provide a custom smile design.

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What is Smile Design?

Using digital imaging software, our doctors will generate an image of your new smile, review the smile design results with you, and discuss the next steps to make it happen.

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What can you do for my Migraine Headaches?

We offer a wonderful new device that helps to relax your jaw. The NTI device snaps into place and fits comfortably on either the upper or lower front teeth. It is worn during sleep and prevents the intensity of muscular parafunction. There is a more discreet version for daytime use, which is usually required (in addition to the nighttime device) for 6 to 8 weeks for best results. To learn more, visit www.headacheprevention.com.

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©2004 Abbeville Dentistry
Ronald A. Hawkins, DDS, Britt D. Bostick, DDS & Mayada S. Khater, DDS
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