How can we help you?
At Ponce de Leon Family Dentistry, we believe in empowering our patients to make good decisions about their dental health. Education is important, and we've found that the patients who ask questions and remain engaged in their care have the best long-term results and the strongest commitment to home care.
We encourage you to ask questions about your care, our practice, and the services we offer. Dr. Haeussner will take the time at each appointment to meet with you and answer any questions or concerns you have. We have also compiled a selection of some of the questions we hear the most often. Take a moment to look through these and see if your question is answered here. If it isn't or if you'd like more information, don't hesitate to give us a call at (904) 797-9009 or send us an email using the convenient online contact form found on the Contact page of this website.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns
Absolutely! At Ponce de Leon, we love new patients and can't wait to get to know you and make you a part of our dental family.
Some patients come to us concerned or embarrassed because they haven't seen the dentist in a long time. They are worried that they will be judged or shamed for the health of their teeth. At our St. Augustine dental practice, we will never shame or judge you. We recognize that people miss out on needed dental care for all kinds of reasons. The important thing is that you're here now and we are happy to help you have a smile that both feels great and looks good.
We offer a range of treatments to meet your family's needs from regular preventive exams and cleanings to comprehensive smile makeovers. We also offer advanced services such as CEREC same-day crowns and restorations, orthodontics (including invisible braces), and treatment for teeth grinding and sleep apnea. If you have a dental emergency, don't hesitate to call us. We will get you in as soon as possible, usually the same day – even if you are not a current patient.
Many of our patients are "snowbirds" – they come to see us during the winter and see another dentist up north in the summer. We are happy to coordinate with another provider to make sure you have top notch care year-round!
Dental Implants
We recognize that many of our patients are on tight budgets. Fears that dental care will break the bank often keep people away and prevent them from getting the care they good for good health.
To make getting your dental care easier and more affordable, we are happy to offer multiple payment options for our patients. We are in-network with Humana PPO, Florida Combined Life, and Delta Dental Premier, but we can accept and file any PPO policy.
As payment for your treatment, we accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. We also accept CareCredit and CitiHealth, two health care credit card options that allow you to break larger fees into smaller monthly payments.
We also offer an in-house financing plan. For more information about this plan or to apply, just give us a call at (904) 797-9009.
Orthodontics
Yes! We are a family dental practice, and we love providing care to entire families!
We typically recommend that children begin coming to our practice around age 3. By this time they should have all their baby teeth in and we'll be able to get a good idea as to how dental development is progressing. Plus, by age 3, children can usually communicate pretty well, sit still long enough for an examination or a cleaning, and follow our directions. They will be able to ask and answer questions, and they will have developed a natural curiosity about the world.
Childhood dental care is so important. For one thing, it's important to establish dental care early so that your child can see that the dentist's office is a safe and comfortable place to be. This will help alleviate the potential for dental fears as your child grows up. Additionally, building these habits early sets the stage for ongoing excellent dental health habits so that your child's healthy smile can remain that way for a lifetime.
If you have any concerns about your child's dental health or their dental development prior to this age, please call our office. We can discuss your concerns with you and determine whether a referral to a pediatric dental specialist is the right option for your family.
Sedation Dentistry
Yes.
Many patients avoid seeing the dentist for routine care or put off treatment for a problem until it has spread and become a painful situation. We want to make it easier for everyone to get the care they need when they need it. Your safety and comfort are important to us.
Ponce de Leon Family Dentistry offers oral sedation for patients who struggle with dental fear or anxiety. You simply take a prescribed pill before your appointment. Once the medication takes effect, you will feel calm and relaxed. Some patients become so relaxed that they actually fall asleep during their procedure! This also makes it easier for anyone who needs more extensive treatment because we can complete more procedures in a single visit, which prevents you from having to return to the office multiple times.
Because the medication does not cause you to lose consciousness, you will be able to ask and answer questions during your treatment. Time may seem to speed up and the sounds of the dental office, which some people find bothersome, will fade into the background and be barely noticeable.
If you have put off dental care because of fears, please call us today to find out more about sedation dentistry and see it is right for you.
Smile Makeovers
Each dental plan is different in what treatment they will cover and what percentage of the treatment will be covered. Some plans may cover a treatment completely while others expect their customers to pay for the same treatment out of pocket. Generally speaking, most plans have the best coverage for preventive services but don't cover cosmetic treatments (although that might vary depending on the circumstances behind the need for the treatment).
In any case, we are more than happy to review your insurance plan with you, help you understand what is covered and what isn't, and estimate any out-of-pocket costs. You will usually need to pay a copay at the very least and this is due at the time of treatment.
For our patients without insurance, we have several options to help you pay for the dental care you need. We accept both CareCredit and CitiHealth Card, two health care credit cards that allow you to break up your larger treatment costs into smaller monthly payments. We also offer an in-house financing plan, and we are happy to discuss this plan with you. Just give us a call at (904) 797-9009 to learn more about our financing plan or to ask any questions about your coverage.
Teeth Whitening
Absolutely!
While we applaud your commitment to good home care, routine check-ups and cleanings at our St. Augustine dental practice are still a crucial part of your preventive care plan.
Even with the proper brush and good technique, you are bound to miss areas. This isn't your fault; it's just the way teeth are. Teeth have all kinds of little nooks and crannies, including the spaces between your teeth and just below your gumline, where your brush and floss can't reach very well. Unfortunately, bacteria love to set up shop there. As the plaque remains in place, it eventually hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with professional instruments.
Our hygienists are highly skilled and will take the time to carefully examine each tooth and gently but thoroughly remove all the traces of plaque and tartar from your teeth that brushing and flossing have left behind. These cleanings are vital for preventing both cavities and gum disease.
These appointments are also important because they are the perfect opportunity for your hygienist to review your home care routine and make sure you are getting the most out of it. Hygienists also know what to watch for and will alert Dr. Haeussner to the presence of any symptoms of gum disease so that this can be addressed promptly.
Is it time for a cleaning? Most people should have a professional cleaning at least twice a year. Call us today to schedule yours. If you are a snowbird and regularly see a dentist up north during the summer months, call our office to get your second yearly cleaning during winter. We are happy to coordinate care with your northern dentist.