smile institute FAQs

Like medical doctors need blood tests and x-rays to help them diagnose conditions, dentists need x-rays to help them see the things that escape the eyes. Without x-rays, our evaluation is not complete. Digital dental x-rays use high-resolution imaging to identify dental conditions such as decay, abscesses, cysts, and some tumors. X-rays also help us measure bone density. Our dentists can adjust these high-resolution images, making changes to the contrast and the brightness and even zooming in for a closer look. All of these features allow for the earliest diagnosis possible of dental conditions.

Many patients have concerns about the radiation emitted by x-rays. At West Glades Dental, we use only digital dental x-rays. Digital imaging technology emits up to 90% less radiation than traditional film x-rays, making them extremely safe as well as accurate. If you ever have questions about the safety or necessity of your dental x-rays, we are happy to answer any questions and address your concerns.

We store your digital x-rays securely in your digital chart, putting them at the tips of our dentists’ fingertips for easy comparison to note any changes in your oral health.

The frequency of your x-rays will depend upon your oral health history. We can share our recommendations for your dental x-rays at your exams.

This is a very common misconception. Implant placement is generally a very straightforward procedure and the anesthesia used is the same as the normal "numbing" for cavities. We make sure you are completely comfortable prior to beginning your procedure so that you do not feel a thing.

Because we have access to a 3-D scan of your mouth, we can plan the entire procedure before even touching you. By locating the ideal placement for your dental implant, we give you the greatest chance for success. We also take great care of the surrounding gum tissue so that the healing process is as easy as possible. Some of our patients go straight to work after their implant placement procedure! We will support you with follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and progress.

Like everything, there are simple cases and there are more involved situations, but in general, implants sound scarier than they actually are. Most patients are pleasantly surprised at the end of the procedure and often claim it was much easier than they anticipated.

If you have a missing tooth or want to learn about how dental implants can improve your oral health, contact our Boca Raton, FL dental office to schedule an evaluation. We look forward to helping improve your health and the appearance of your smile.

We like to look at your mouth as part of your body. There is a direct correlation between medical conditions and diseases of the mouth.

Our goal is to help you achieve functional, healthy teeth, and that usually results in a beautiful smile. Before we begin any dental treatment, we will make sure your gums are healthy.

The sequence and how we get you there is completely up to you. As long as there are no urgent matters that prevent us from treating your front teeth and the sequence does not affect the final result, we will take care of your priorities first.

If you have any dental conditions we feel need your immediate attention, we will let you know right away and prioritize your treatment in a way that protects your health and improves your smile.

At your exam and consultation, we can discuss your goals for your smile alongside your treatment and come up with a plan that addresses both your health and appearance.

Contact us to schedule a dental exam and learn the possibilities for your smile!

We are very conservative and usually only change restorations when they are failing or old and at risk. We do understand that many people are interested in changing their metal fillings to a more esthetic tooth-colored material and we can help with that. We can replace your dark colored fillings with composite fillings or porcelain crowns, depending on the size of your restoration.

One of the challenges with replacing metal amalgam fillings with tooth-colored restorations is that amalgams often require removing a significant amount of tooth structure. In order to effectively replace large amalgam fillings, we may need to stabilize your tooth with a crown. This should not deter you from replacing your large amalgam fillings, as our porcelain crown restorations are highly esthetic and long-lasting with proper preventive care.

Also some people think it's not healthy to have metal or "mercury" in their teeth. Research has not shown any conclusive evidence that metal fillings are a health concern, but if you feel like you'd rather remove it from your teeth, it is not a problem. We can create a treatment plan that eliminates any unsightly restorations that cast a shadow over your smile so that you have an esthetic result that gives you confidence as well as good oral health!

Not everyone welcomes the idea of braces, though they may wish to improve the alignment of their teeth for health or cosmetic reasons. At West Glades Dental, Dr. Karla Soto is a premier Invisalign provider and helps hundreds of patients achieve a straight smile each year without the need for unsightly brackets and wires.

Three million Invisalign orthodontics cases have been recorded with great results. Very few smiles cannot be improved with clear aligners so whoever tells you you're not a candidate probably does not have the expertise. Cases range from easy, mild movements to very complex, life changing cases. 

Dr. Soto will design a treatment plan that addresses your health and cosmetic concerns. She will be able to give you an accurate estimate of your cost and the length of your treatment so that you can plan accordingly. Your case will be unique to you and the amount of time you spend wearing your Invisalign aligners depends largely upon how far your teeth need to move and how compliant you are with your treatment.

Invisalign can absolutely help you improve your smile and bring your confidence back. We offer complimentary consultations, if you'd like to see what an experienced Invisalign provider can do for you.

Absolutely! We have all the diagnostic tools, equipment, and materials to make your treatment a success. Also, our doctors are highly trained in surgical placement of dental implants as well as effective, esthetic restorations. 

Very few general dentists’ offices have all the equipment or expertise we have in-house and so they have to rely on other offices, specialists, and their equipment to do the work for them. Not only are we fully equipped, but we also use the best implant system and only original parts and certified labs. We design each crown to match your natural teeth so that your smile looks seamless.

Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth. We can also use them in conjunction with other dental treatment such as dental bridges and dentures to provide you with more stability and confidence when it comes to your smile!

If you have missing teeth and want to learn about all of your tooth replacement options, including dental implants, contact our Boca Raton dental office to schedule an exam and consultation with Dr. Karla Soto or Dr. Joebeth Molero. Our experienced dentists offer pain-free treatment, exceptional patient care, and results that will make you smile.