Questions and Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what patients ask us most, from a first checkup to a full smile makeover.
On Video
Dr. Coleman Answers Common Questions
Short videos from Dr. Coleman on the questions patients ask him most.
New Patients, People and Place
Questions Patients Ask Before Their First Visit
Do you take my insurance?
We accept most major plans and we will verify your coverage before treatment starts, not after. If you do not have insurance, the Coleman Loyalty Plan covers preventive care and discounts everything else.
It has been years since I have seen a dentist. Where do I start?
With an exam and an honest conversation, and no lecture. For new patients, the exam and X-rays come with no out-of-pocket cost. We will tell you what is urgent, what can wait, and what it would take to get you caught up.
Can I get an implant placed and restored in one place?
Yes. Implants are placed and restored here, in the same office. On larger cases, Dr. Rice often handles the surgical side and Dr. Coleman the final restoration. For more complicated cases, we also have a periodontist who comes in, and we occasionally work with a top-notch oral surgeon in North County.
What if I am nervous about dental work?
Tell us when you schedule. We offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, and we work at the pace you need.
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes. Request an appointment online or call the office, and let us know it’s your first visit.
Do you see children?
Yes. Families come to us for checkups and cleanings, and the Coleman Loyalty Plan has a membership for children 12 and younger.
Does anyone at your office speak Spanish?
Yes. Several members of our team speak Spanish.
Where is your office?
110 Civic Center Dr, Ste. 102, Vista, CA 92084. We’ve been serving Vista since 1995, and patients come to us from across North County San Diego, including Oceanside, San Marcos, Carlsbad and Escondido.
What does FAGD mean after your dentists' names?
Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. Both Dr. Coleman and Dr. Rice hold it. It’s earned through years of continuing education, and about 6% of dentists have it.
What should I look for in a cosmetic dentist?
Real before-and-after cases from the dentist’s own patients, experience with the treatment you want, and a dentist who tells you when something simpler would do the job. Our Smile Gallery shows our own cases, labeled by treatment.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Veneers
Do porcelain veneers hurt?
Most patients report no pain at all. Preparing the teeth involves some reshaping, and you may notice some sensitivity afterward. If you’d like the area numbed, just ask — and if dental visits make you anxious, sedation is available.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
With good care, porcelain veneers can last ten years or more. How long yours last depends as much on care as on the porcelain: brush gently and floss every day, keep your regular checkups, and go easy on hard candy. If you grind or clench your teeth at night, we may recommend a night guard to protect them. Many veneer cases at our practice have been in service for 20+ years.
Can porcelain veneers be whitened?
No. Porcelain resists stains better than natural enamel, but whitening won’t change its color. If you’re thinking about whitening your other teeth, bring it up before your veneers are made.
Are veneers permanent?
Traditional veneers are. Because a thin layer of enamel is removed to make room for them, the change can’t be undone. No-prep veneers remove little or no enamel, and in some cases they can be removed later.
Am I a good candidate for veneers?
Veneers work best when your teeth and gums are in good to moderate health and you want to change how your front teeth look. Your bite matters too, especially for no-prep veneers. The exam at your consultation settles it.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About All-on-X
Do I take my All-on-X teeth out at night?
No. All-on-X teeth stay attached to the implants. You don’t take them out to sleep or to clean them.
Can I really get new teeth in one day?
For patients who qualify, yes. With enough jawbone and careful planning on 3D imaging, the implants are placed and a full set of teeth is attached the same day. Your consultation settles whether you’re a candidate.
How many implants does All-on-X use?
At least four per arch. All-on-4 uses four; All-on-X can use more, depending on your jaw and your treatment plan.
Can All-on-X replace only my upper teeth?
Yes. It can replace the upper arch, the lower arch or both, depending on which teeth are missing or failing.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Bonding
How long does cosmetic bonding last?
With proper care, bonding lasts for several years. If it chips, it’s easy to repair, and it can be replaced if it’s damaged or discolored.
Does composite bonding need numbing or drilling?
Usually not. Bonding adds resin to the tooth without removing any tooth structure, so most small repairs need no numbing and no drilling.
How do I take care of bonded teeth?
Brush and floss as usual, without brushing too hard. Avoid biting down on hard things like ice or hard candy, and keep your checkups and cleanings every six months.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry
Can I do a smile makeover in stages?
Yes. Phased treatment plans let you spread a makeover over time, starting with what matters most to you.
How do I know which cosmetic treatment is right for me?
Start with what you want to change and how long you want the result to last. At your consultation, we’ll look at your teeth, your gums and your bite and recommend the simplest treatment that gets you there.
Can I see my new smile before treatment starts?
Often, yes. Smile imaging and our iTero Lumina scanner can preview a new smile, and if you’re a candidate for no-prep veneers, a Trial Smile lets you try the look on your own teeth first.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Crowns and Bridges
Are all dental crowns made of porcelain?
No. Crown materials are chosen case by case. Options include all-ceramic, porcelain fused to metal and gold.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The area is numbed before the tooth is prepared, and sedation is available if dental visits make you anxious. Some mild discomfort afterward is possible.
How do I take care of a crown or bridge?
Brush and floss as usual, including under a bridge, avoid chewing hard things, and keep your regular checkups.
Can a crown go on a dental implant?
Yes. A crown is the final step of a single-tooth implant, and a bridge can be anchored on implants too.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The area is numbed before anything starts, and computer-guided numbing (a gentle wand instead of a traditional injection) is available. If you’re anxious, nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are options, and for cases that call for IV sedation, an anesthesiologist comes in. Some soreness while the area heals is normal.
Am I too old for dental implants?
What we look at is your jawbone, your gums and your overall health. Heavy smoking and some health conditions can make implants a poorer fit, and if implants aren’t right for you, we’ll talk through the alternatives.
How long do dental implants last?
With good care, an implant can last a lifetime. The care is the same as for your natural teeth: brush and floss every day, and keep your regular checkups.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
Coverage for implants varies from plan to plan. We accept most major plans and will go through what yours covers with you. If you don’t have insurance, ask about the Coleman Loyalty Plan and financing.
What if I don't have enough bone for an implant?
Your 3D scan shows how much bone is there. Sometimes the bone needs preparing before an implant can go in, and sometimes a different option is the better fit. Either way, you’ll know where you stand after your consultation.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Dentures
Why does my lower denture keep slipping?
An upper denture gets support from the roof of your mouth. A lower denture has less to hold onto, so it can slip and shift. A better fit helps, and implants can hold a lower denture steady.
Why has my denture become loose over time?
The gum ridges under a denture change over years of wear. That can loosen a denture that fit snugly when it was made.
Do I need denture adhesive?
A well-fitting denture is held by natural suction, and some patients like adhesive for extra security. A snap-in denture holds onto its implants, so it doesn’t rely on adhesive.
Is a partial denture the same as a bridge?
No. A bridge is fixed in place. A partial comes out, and it’s held with hidden clasps or with implants.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Full Mouth Reconstruction
How long does full mouth rehabilitation take?
It depends on what your mouth needs. Most plans are done over a series of staged appointments, and your consultation gives you the plan and its stages.
How is the work shared between the two dentists on a complex case?
Most of the time, Dr. Coleman and Dr. Rice each treat their own patients. On larger or complex cases, Dr. Rice often handles the surgical side and Dr. Coleman the restorations.
Can I be sedated for longer reconstruction visits?
Yes. Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation (no needle to get started) are available, and for cases that call for IV sedation, an anesthesiologist comes in.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Checkups and Cleanings
How often should I get a checkup and cleaning?
Every six months for most people, and more often if you have gum disease or a higher risk of it.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding gums can be an early sign of gum disease, which is often painless at first. A checkup tells you where things stand, and early gum disease can often be reversed.
Can brushing remove tartar once it has formed?
No. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it has to be removed by a dental professional at a cleaning.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign
How long does Invisalign take?
Typically about 6 to 18 months. It depends on how much your teeth need to move, how consistently you wear the aligners, and other factors. We’ll give you your expected timeline at your first visit.
Does insurance cover Invisalign?
If your dental plan covers braces, it will often cover Invisalign too. We’ll go through your coverage with you, and financing is available.
Can I take my aligners out?
Yes, to eat, drink, brush and floss, and for a special occasion. The rest of the time they should be in, so your teeth keep moving on schedule.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Will I be asleep?
No. With nitrous oxide you stay aware and relaxed. With oral conscious sedation you’re awake but very calm, and most patients remember little of the visit. IV sedation is given by an anesthesiologist.
Can I drive myself home after sedation?
After nitrous oxide, yes. After oral conscious sedation or IV sedation, no: you’ll need someone to drive you home and stay with you until it wears off.
Do I still get numbed if I'm sedated?
Yes. Sedation keeps you calm, and local numbing takes care of the area being treated.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea?
No. A sleep study is the only way to diagnose it, and a physician makes the diagnosis. The dentist’s role is making and fitting the oral appliance.
Does snoring mean I have sleep apnea?
Snoring alone doesn’t tell you; only a sleep study can. Loud snoring with pauses in breathing, gasping or daytime tiredness is a reason to get checked.
Who is more likely to have sleep apnea?
Risk goes up with family history, age, being male, excess weight, a large neck, and a small lower jaw or receding chin.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
Is professional whitening better than store-bought kits?
Professional whitening uses professional whitening gel, applied in the office with your gums protected or at home in trays made for your teeth, and your exam checks first that whitening suits your teeth.
Does charcoal or oil pulling whiten teeth?
We don’t recommend either. Charcoal is abrasive and can wear away enamel, which doesn’t grow back, and oil pulling hasn’t been scientifically evaluated for dental benefits.
Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some patients notice mild, temporary sensitivity or gum irritation afterward. It usually fades on its own.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth-Colored Fillings
Can you replace my old silver fillings?
Yes. Old dark metal fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored composite. We’ll look at yours at your exam.
Are composite fillings mercury-free?
Yes. Composite resin fillings contain no mercury.
How do I take care of my fillings?
Brush and floss, go easy on sugary, sticky and hard foods, wear a night guard if you grind your teeth, and keep your checkups twice a year.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth
Do wisdom teeth always need to come out?
No. Some people have room for their wisdom teeth and never have a problem with them. Your exam and X-rays show whether yours are likely to cause trouble.
Can all four wisdom teeth come out in one visit?
Often, yes. It depends on your oral health and how complex the extraction is, and we’ll recommend what makes sense for you.
How long do gums take to heal after wisdom teeth removal?
About one to two weeks. Follow your care instructions, and call us if pain or swelling increases.
Before You Decide
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatment
Can a dentist treat TMJ disorder?
Yes. A dentist can treat TMD with bite adjustment, custom night guards and other conservative care, and refers out the rare cases that need surgery.
Is my ear pain from my jaw?
It can be. Ear pain is a common TMD symptom and is often mistaken for an ear infection. An exam can tell you which it is.
Will I need surgery?
Treatment starts conservative. Severe cases may need surgery, and if yours does, we’ll refer you for that care.
Before You Send
Questions About the Virtual Smile Consult
Is the virtual smile consult really free?
Yes. You send your photo and your questions, and Dr. Coleman’s video reply costs nothing.
Who reviews my photo?
Dr. Coleman reviews every submission himself and records your video personally.
Do I have to be a patient?
No. Anyone can send a photo, whether you’ve been here before or not.
How soon will I hear back?
Usually within two business days. Dr. Coleman records every video himself.
Bring Your Questions
Schedule a Visit in Vista
Our Vista office is a short drive from Oceanside, San Marcos, Carlsbad and Escondido. If you’d rather start from home, send a few photos of your smile and Dr. Coleman will record a video walking you through your options.