Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a wide range of pain management and sedation dentistry options. We understand that no one likes dental pain and we’ll do everything we can to help!

We are a comprehensive, full-service family dental practice in Cary, NC. This means we can help with a variety of problems! Whether you need family dentistry, orthodontics, dental implants, cosmetic services, sedation or pain management, and much more. View all of our services for more information!

Our office offers the latest & greatest dental technology and the best guest amenities in the Triangle. We want to provide a relaxing and comfortable environment for our patients whether they are coming in for a dental exam and professional cleaning or a more complex dental procedure. We guarantee that your dental experience at Stanley Dentistry will be unlike anywhere else.

We are proud to offer a variety of financing options to fit your needs. Give us a call for specific questions, or explore our financing options online.

We give every smile the attention it deserves in our state-of-art dental practice in Cary, NC. We value your time and do not over-schedule our dentists. While we cannot control dental emergencies, our average wait time is less than 9 minutes.

We are an open network dental practice, which means we will file your claims regardless of insurance provider. We are also eligible to file your health insurance depending on the service you are receiving. For specific insurance inquiries, please call or email us.

We know you are busy, so we offer flexible, extended treatment hours. We are open: Monday: 7:00am – 3:00pm Tuesday: 7:00am – 4:00pm Wednesday: 7:00am – 4:00pm Thursday: 7:00am – 3:00pm

The cost of teeth whitening depends on the type and method chosen. Zoom! Whitening, a chairside procedure done in-office, usually costs around $500. KöR Whitening, another chairside procedure, can cost up to $1,200 or more. Take home whitening kits, which provide whitening trays and a professional-strength bleaching gel, typically cost about $300 to $400. Generally speaking, take home whitening kits are the most cost-effective option, but chairside procedures such as Zoom! and KöR can provide more dramatic results. Ultimately, the best option for teeth whitening will depend on an individual’s budget and desired results.

Whitening will not remove plaque from your teeth. If we notice a build-up of plaque, we will recommend that you get a full cleaning before your whitening treatment.

On average, whitening lasts for around three years. This number can be bigger if you stay away from things that can stain your teeth, like red wine, tea, and tobacco.

The color of teeth and bad breath are not normally connected. Not brushing and flossing, being dehydrated, and having tonsil stones are some of the most common causes of bad breath — none of which has anything to do with how your teeth actually look. Sometimes, tooth decay can cause bad breath. In that case, a filling will help but whitening won’t. Whitening is a purely cosmetic treatment.

There are some at-home products that you can use to brighten your smile like baking soda and certain whitening kinds of toothpaste. However, it’s important to keep in mind that, for most people, these methods yield paltry results. You may see a shade or two difference but baking soda will not bring a dramatic change. If it could, we’d be using it in the office! For best results, come in for a consultation to see which in-office whitening option is right for you.

A lot of our patients assume that teeth whitening can cause long-term dental problems. Fortunately, that isn’t true. Both Zoom! and Kor whitening are completely safe. Beyond some mild sensitivity, most patients report zero post-procedure complications.

If your teeth aren’t healthy, placing veneers over them won’t help. Cavities will still grow and worsen, even with a veneer hiding them. Veneers are a cosmetic procedure that’s only meant to help transform the shape and shade of your smile. As with any cosmetic procedure, Dr. Bobbi will make sure your teeth are healthy before placing veneers.

The question everyone always wants to know: how much do veneers cost? Like almost everything in dentistry, there is absolutely no way to give a flat rate when it comes to veneers because they’re so customizable. If an office is giving a flat rate, they’re most likely allowing patients to leave their office with “one-size-fits-all” veneers that don’t look good on anyone. At Stanley Dentistry, we want to give every patient a set of veneers that works well for their unique mouth shape. This means that prices will naturally vary. Prices for veneers also depend on how many veneers the patient wants. Some people don’t really know how many veneers they need in order to get the smile they imagine. For the most accurate estimate on your veneers, come in for a consultation. We will go over every aspect of the procedure and layout a few different financing options.

A lot of people who are interested in getting veneers fear that they’ll make their smiles look unnatural. At some offices, dentists force patients through a bad experience, giving them limited options and few chances to customize their veneers. Fortunately, that’s not how we do it here. At Stanley Dentistry, we strive to give you the shape, shade, and size veneer that you want. Our doctors and assistants will sit down with you to find out exactly what look you’re going for. At the end of the day, we want you to leave our office happy and confident. We do, however, take into consideration some things that patients don’t always think about. Dr. Bobbi has twenty-five years of experience in cosmetic dentistry and knows how to make each and every patient’s veneers look amazing. If Dr. Bobbi encourages you to go in a certain direction with your veneers, it’ll be for a good reason. We promise that post-procedure, you won’t have the stereotypical blocky veneer teeth. You’ll have the smile of your dreams.

Veneers are not natural enamel so traditional methods of whitening won’t whiten your veneers. Actually, whitening toothpaste will cause staining. Whitening toothpaste polishes enamel but creates small scratches on veneers.

One of the most common side-effects of severe or late-stage periodontal disease is gum recession. As bacteria grow in the gums, the ability for the gums to stay attached to the teeth deteriorates. The teeth will begin to look “long” as the gums gradually pull away from the teeth.Unfortunately, gum recession is permanent. The gums are very resilient but they cannot grow back without some assistance. If your gum recession is severe, we will recommend a gum graft which is a way to artificially repair recessed gums. Dr. Rob uses artificial tissue to “graft” over the affected area, similar to a skin graft.If gum grafts sound a little intimidating, there is an alternative. For less severe cases, we can use a kind of collagen called AlloDerm that regenerates gum tissue. If you’re interested in getting gum grafting or Alloderm at the Stanley Dentistry office, schedule a consultation today.

In the past, receiving a crown took at least two appointments, separated by a two-week wait period. With the CEREC 3D Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (3D/CAD/CAM) system, we can create ceramic restorations in the course of a single treatment session.

During a dental crown procedure, a dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth that is being restored. The cementing process is fairly quick and, thanks to the anesthetic, completely painless. Post-procedure, most patients experience some mild discomfort that they can alleviate with acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

The CEREC mill starts with a small block of porcelain that it then files down into the shape of the scanned tooth. We choose to use porcelain for our crowns because it’s durable, aesthetically pleasing, and stain-resistant.

In the last few decades, dentists have exchanged the old method of using amalgam fillings (metal fillings) for more realistic composite, tooth-colored fillings. If you get a new filling, you’ll most likely get a composite filling but there are still millions of people who have old amalgam fillings.These fillings work fine but a lot of our patients find them unsightly. If they want, we can remove the old filling and place a tooth-colored filling instead. However, if the old filling is intact and in good condition, insurance will not cover a replacement. Replacing an amalgam filling for a composite filling is considered cosmetic.

The price of cosmetic dentistry varies widely. Some procedures (like whitening) are very affordable while others are a larger investment. There is no way to determine exactly what the price of your individualized treatment will be until your consultation. During the consultation, our financial coordinator will walk you through your financing options.

Cosmetic dentistry is a big umbrella that a lot of offices use to include a wide variety of services. At Stanley Dentistry, we consider anything that boosts the confidence of our patients to be cosmetic dentistry.

A lot of patients come in knowing that they want to improve their smile. Very few patients come in knowing exactly what procedures will help them reach that goal. Fortunately, that’s where we come in. During a cosmetic dentistry consultation, Dr. Bobbi will take a look at your teeth and give you some recommendations.Each and every patient is different so there’s no quantified equation for getting a perfect smile. Of course, our doctors and assistants will be with you during each step of your treatment. Before you know it, you’ll have the smile you’ve always wanted!

Every individual is different and we want to offer the personalized attention your smile deserves. We offer a consultation first to discuss options for missing or broken teeth. Our dentists can advise you about whether you are a candidate for single or multiple dental implants or a full arch/mouth replacement. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

As with a lot of things in dentistry, dental implants don’t come with a firm price tag. Dentists will frequently price implants after taking into account these factors: Difficulty of the procedure Number of implants Health of the patient Dentists who offer low flat rates on their dental implants are most likely giving sub-par care. Unfortunately, cutting corners in the dental implant world is easy. Many dentists don’t use dental implant surgical guides (which means they perform the surgery effectively blind) because it can save a little cash. Others will leave out important steps to make the procedure faster and thus cheaper. At Stanley Dentistry, we believe in performing the best dental implant procedures no matter what. We also believe that all patients should be able to get that specialized care which is why we offer financing options. With an investment as big as dental implants, make sure you’re getting the top-notch treatment that you deserve.

Dental implants are just as strong as natural enamel. Plus, because they aren’t susceptible to decay, you won’t ever have to worry about cavities.

Dental implants are incredibly realistic, whether you get one or a whole arch of them. Post-procedure, no one will be able to notice a difference between your implant and your natural teeth. After a while, you might forget too!

Once a dental implant fuses with the bone, it’s stability and longevity is unmatched by any other dental procedure. The crowns on dental implants can become worn after a decade of wear, but the implant itself rarely (if ever) needs maintenance. Most of the patients who get their implants done at Stanley Dentistry have them for life. It’s important to remember that an important factor in the longevity of implants is care. Here at Stanley, smoking and poor dental hygiene are two of the biggest causes of implant failure.

Caring for your dental implant is easy. We provide convenient post-op instructions and can answer any questions you have over the phone. After your implant site has healed, the dentists and dental professionals at Stanley Dentistry are uniquely qualified to provide continuing care for your dental implant. Using technology specifically designed to maintain the integrity and health of implants, your dental hygiene team will care for you in the office and educate you on optimal oral hygiene for your new smile.

Unfortunately, we cannot give Invisalign treatment to patients with dental implants. Even if you’re only straightening one tooth, Invisalign inadvertently moves all of the teeth in that arch. An implant, unlike a real tooth, cannot move once a doctor places it so it would cause the Invisalign treatment to be unsuccessful. We recommend that patients who need both get Invisalign first and then get dental implants.

Are you having any problems with an old implant? We will take the time to carefully evaluate the situation and explain all of your options. There is no reason to be embarrassed by your smile if an old dental implant breaks or cracks. Come in for a consultation and we will explain how we can fix your dental implant, using the same technologies and standards of quality that we use on all of our new dental implants.

Depending on the severity of the damage to your implant, replacing a dental implant can be done in only one or two visits to our office.

Typically, dental implants are very sturdy, but sometimes if a dental implant was not aligned properly or your bite changes, a dental implant can crack or break. If you have an old, broken dental implant, we can use our Biohorizions technologies to replace or repair your damaged implant. At our office in Cary, NC, we have the expertise and technology to completely restore your smile from start to finish.

With proper care, Dr. Rob’s fully-guided dental implant system is extremely successful. This system, known as Omega Teeth®, removes all the guesswork which means each implant goes exactly where it needs to go. The most common reason why implants fail is that the doctor blindly places them at a bad angle or in the wrong position. With Omega Teeth®, that never happens.

Dental implant procedures sound invasive and painful but most patients report only feeling manageable pain post-op. The mouth is excellent at healing itself and does so rather quickly.During the procedure, we use IV sedation to make sure the patient is comfortable and relaxed.

A lot of patients come into our office wanting a dental bridge but very few actually leave our office with one. That’s because we always recommend that our patients get dental implants instead of bridges because they’re longer-lasting and come with a lot less maintenance. Dental implants are more expensive than bridges but, in the long run, you will actually save money by investing in a dental implant. Bridges need replacing — most implants don’t.

After surgery, dental implant patients walk out of the Stanley Dentistry office in Cary, NC with new teeth. As part of the procedure, Dr. Robert Stanley fits patients with a temporary dental prosthesis that they wear during the six-month healing process. After that time is up, they come in and get their permanent crowns, which are specially made to accommodate their needs and wants.While some patients do request prescription painkillers post-op, many patients report needing only acetaminophen and ibuprofen to manage the pain. Dental implant patients typically get back to their everyday routines within a few days after their surgery.

Like most other dental offices, Stanley Dentistry recommends that children get sealants soon after their molars erupt. It’s a safe, easy, and pain-free way to keep your child’s teeth healthy. In the long run, they save families a lot of money.

Advanced gum disease is not something that you can treat at home. Periodontal disease is not just “dirty” gums — it’s a continually growing disease in the gums. That disease won’t just go away on its own, unfortunately. To prevent gum disease, we encourage our patients to brush and floss regularly.If that still won’t keep the gums healthy and pink, we recommend getting special anti-bacterial toothpaste that can help fight off early gum disease.

We typically recommend scaling (or deep cleaning) for patients who have periodontal disease. Scaling includes removing all of the disease-causing bacteria from the gumline. Although scaling can mean a much cleaner, healthier smile, it will not reverse damage caused by periodontal disease.A loose tooth, which is a byproduct of gum recession, is not something that can be fixed with scaling. However, a mixture of gum grafts and bone grafts may be able to help save it. The earlier you detect a loose tooth, the better. If you notice a slightly loose tooth, come into the Stanley Dentistry office immediately.

The number one cause of periodontal disease in our patients is poor oral maintenance. Not brushing, flossing, or going to the dentist for regular cleanings can cause gum disease. The best way to avoid periodontal disease is to take your oral health seriously.

One of the most common side-effects of severe or late-stage periodontal disease is gum recession. As bacteria grow in the gums, the ability for the gums to stay attached to the teeth deteriorates. The teeth will begin to look “long” as the gums gradually pull away from the teeth.Unfortunately, gum recession is permanent. The gums are very resilient but they cannot grow back without some assistance. If your gum recession is severe, we will recommend a gum graft which is a way to artificially repair recessed gums. Dr. Rob uses artificial tissue to “graft” over the affected area, similar to a skin graft.If gum grafts sound a little intimidating, there is an alternative. For less severe cases, we can use a kind of collagen called AlloDerm that regenerates gum tissue. If you’re interested in getting gum grafting or Alloderm at the Stanley Dentistry office, schedule a consultation today.

Insurance will, in many cases, cover a portion of the cost of fillings. Typically, it’s about a 60% coverage rate if the policy-owner has paid their deductible. Of course, this depends on your specific plan. During your consultation, we will give you a free insurance check to see what your insurance will and won’t cover.

If a filling falls out, you will undoubtedly notice. Not only will you have the physical filling as proof, but you’ll also have an exposed nerve that will feel just as painful as it sounds. If this happens, make an appointment with your dental specialist immediately.In other cases, fillings wear out or crack. Patients don’t always notice when these things happen because they don’t leave the tooth completely exposed (so there typically isn’t a lot of pain). If a filling cracks, you may experience some hot and cold sensitivity but chances are, you won’t know what’s wrong until you visit your dentist. That’s why it’s best to see one of our doctors every six months so they can diagnose any latent filling problems.

Unfortunately, fillings don’t last forever. Fillings typically last around five to ten years though some patients keep their fillings for fifteen to twenty years. The size of the filling is perhaps the biggest factor when considering how long it’ll last. Large fillings have a much higher likelihood of falling out whereas small fillings can frequently last for decades.

No one wants to hear that they have a cavity. For kids (and parents), “cavity” sounds like a death sentence, and “filling” signifies a long, painful, and expensive procedure. Luckily, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In most cases, cavities require only a short, pain-free appointment to our office in Cary, North Carolina.During a cavity filling, our dentists administer a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. They then use a small drill to remove the decay from the tooth and kill any existing bacteria. Once the tooth is ready, the dentist places the filling.At Stanley Dentistry, we typically use a composite resin material for the filling. Composite fillings are tooth-colored and look just like natural teeth. During the procedure, one of our dentists will place the composite (which looks like a paste) into the cleaned cavity. The composite will naturally take on the shape of the cavity as the dentist places it. After the cavity is filled, the dentist will use an ultraviolet light to “cure” (or harden) the composite. Post-op, your dentist will ask you to bite down to make sure the cavity hasn’t affected your natural bite.

Our dentists use a local anesthetic to numb the area before completing the filling. This ensures that the patient is comfortable and pain-free for the entirety of the procedure. After the filling, most patients experience little to no discomfort and no downtime.

We know that many people have anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist so we’ve tried to create a calm, soothing environment for everyone who walks through the door. We offer blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and other amenities (located in our comfort menus) to make every visit to the Stanley Dentistry office a good one.

Frenectomies can be life-changing for babies and kids who need them. They can make everything from eating and drinking to speaking and smiling that much easier. Children who are tongue or lip-tied need to get frenectomies when they’re young because the healing process is significantly easier when they’re little. A frenectomy on an adult is doable but, like with tonsillectomies, it requires a longer healing period and can come with additional complications.

Tongue ties are more likely to cause problems with speech than lip ties.

For one to two weeks after the surgery, patients should stick to a soft food diet. Ice cream, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and apple sauce are all great post-frenectomy foods.

A frenectomy may make it easier for a child to smile.

A tongue or lip tie “revision” is another way to say frenectomy.

Lip tie and tongue tie are not the same things. Tongue ties happen when the lingual frenum is too thick or stiff, causing speech impairments or difficulty eating. Lip ties affect the labial frenum, which is the small band of flesh that connects the upper and lower gums to the lips. Frenectomies, along with proper therapy, can treat both lip ties and tongue ties.

If a tongue-tie or lip-tie is affecting your child breastfeeding, we recommend getting them into the office for a frenectomy as soon as possible. The procedure is very non-invasive and can mean the difference between your baby gaining needed weight during their first year.

As with all surgeries (even minor ones), frenectomy patients should expect some minor bleeding and swelling post-op. Because we use a tiny laser to perform the surgery, the bleeding is very minimal. For pain, we recommend using Tylenol and Advil. Within a week or two, frenectomy patients should be feeling back to normal!

Usually, insurance companies will cover sealants for children. If you want to make sure your insurance covers sealants, you can speak with our insurance specialist before your appointment.

Sealants are non-invasive and don’t require any surgery, sedation, or painkillers. Sealants are made of plastic and do not pose any harm to your child.

Placing sealants is simple, fast, and painless. Dentists use an acidic gel to slightly roughen the chewing surface of the tooth. This increases the tooth’s ability to bond to the plastic sealant. After rinsing and drying the tooth, the dentist will place the sealant and harden it using a blue light.

Children usually get their first molars at six and their second molars at twelve. If you notice that your child’s molars have erupted, schedule an appointment at our Cary office. It’s best to put sealants on early to ensure that the molars start off (and stay) healthy.

Like most other dental offices, Stanley Dentistry recommends that children get sealants soon after their molars erupt. It’s a safe, easy, and pain-free way to keep your child’s teeth healthy. In the long run, they save families a lot of money.

To find out if Invisalign is right for you, call us to schedule your consultation or schedule online today.

We are more than happy to help you fit the cost of your Invisalign into your monthly budget. We offer 0% financing to better serve you.

Invisalign is extremely personalized — no two people have the exact same treatment. This means a gamut of different prices, depending on the length of treatment and severity of the case. During your Invisalign consultation, Dr. Bobbi will take a look at your teeth and give you an estimate of how expensive the treatment will be.

The obvious benefit of Invisalign is aesthetics. A major reason adults ask for Invisalign is that they don’t like the appearance of traditional braces. Invisalign offers patients a nearly-invisible way to straighten their teeth — no metal required.Another pro of Invisalign is ease and comfort. While not pain-free, you can take out your Invisalign trays whenever you want. This, however, means that most Invisalign treatments take longer than traditional braces. Invisalign also will not work in severe cases of misalignment.

Unfortunately, we cannot give Invisalign treatment to patients with dental implants. Even if you’re only straightening one tooth, Invisalign inadvertently moves all of the teeth in that arch. An implant, unlike a real tooth, cannot move once a doctor places it so it would cause the Invisalign treatment to be unsuccessful. We recommend that patients who need both get Invisalign first and then get dental implants.

Patients wear each set of aligners for a period of ten days to two weeks, depending on their unique case. Some patients finish treatment within four months while other, more difficult cases can take up to eighteen months. When you come in for a consultation, we will discuss your options and be able to determine the length of your Invisalign treatment.

To get the best results possible, patients have to wear their Invisalign aligners for 22 hours out of the 24 hour day. Those two extra hours are solely for eating. The most important rule for Invisalign wearers: take out your aligners before you eat anything.Food can damage and stain the aligners or get stuck between your teeth and the aligner, encouraging tooth decay. Coffee, soda, and tea have a similar effect. The only thing you should be consuming when wearing your Invisalign is water. For everything else, take them out before digging in.

Invisalign and braces basically do the same thing. They use constant pressure to gently push the teeth into alignment over an extended period of time. Braces use metal and ceramic to do this while Invisalign uses sturdy plastic.Invisalign is not necessarily better than braces since they can both typically accomplish the same task. In some cases, our doctors may recommend braces over Invisalign because of the severity of the case (if the teeth are too tightly packed, Invisalign won’t work). In other cases, they may recommend Invisalign because it’s easier on the patient.

Although most patients say Invisalign is less painful than traditional braces, there is a little pain that comes along with Invisalign. Patients typically experience some discomfort when they first put in a new aligner, but that’s only temporary. We recommend taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen during that first day to alleviate the pain.

Advanced gum disease is not something that you can treat at home. Periodontal disease is not just “dirty” gums — it’s a continually growing disease in the gums. That disease won’t just go away on its own, unfortunately. To prevent gum disease, we encourage our patients to brush and floss regularly.If that still won’t keep the gums healthy and pink, we recommend getting special anti-bacterial toothpaste that can help fight off early gum disease.

The number one cause of periodontal disease in our patients is poor oral maintenance. Not brushing, flossing, or going to the dentist for regular cleanings can cause gum disease. The best way to avoid periodontal disease is to take your oral health seriously.

One of the most common side-effects of severe or late-stage periodontal disease is gum recession. As bacteria grow in the gums, the ability for the gums to stay attached to the teeth deteriorates. The teeth will begin to look “long” as the gums gradually pull away from the teeth.Unfortunately, gum recession is permanent. The gums are very resilient but they cannot grow back without some assistance. If your gum recession is severe, we will recommend a gum graft which is a way to artificially repair recessed gums. Dr. Rob uses artificial tissue to “graft” over the affected area, similar to a skin graft.If gum grafts sound a little intimidating, there is an alternative. For less severe cases, we can use a kind of collagen called AlloDerm that regenerates gum tissue. If you’re interested in getting gum grafting or Alloderm at the Stanley Dentistry office, schedule a consultation today.

In the past, receiving a crown took at least two appointments, separated by a two-week wait period. With the CEREC 3D Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (3D/CAD/CAM) system, we can create ceramic restorations in the course of a single treatment session.

During a dental crown procedure, a dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth that is being restored. The cementing process is fairly quick and, thanks to the anesthetic, completely painless. Post-procedure, most patients experience some mild discomfort that they can alleviate with acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

The CEREC mill starts with a small block of porcelain that it then files down into the shape of the scanned tooth. We choose to use porcelain for our crowns because it’s durable, aesthetically pleasing, and stain-resistant.

If a filling falls out, you will undoubtedly notice. Not only will you have the physical filling as proof, but you’ll also have an exposed nerve that will feel just as painful as it sounds. If this happens, make an appointment with your dental specialist immediately.In other cases, fillings wear out or crack. Patients don’t always notice when these things happen because they don’t leave the tooth completely exposed (so there typically isn’t a lot of pain). If a filling cracks, you may experience some hot and cold sensitivity but chances are, you won’t know what’s wrong until you visit your dentist. That’s why it’s best to see one of our doctors every six months so they can diagnose any latent filling problems.

Frenectomies can be life-changing for babies and kids who need them. They can make everything from eating and drinking to speaking and smiling that much easier. Children who are tongue or lip-tied need to get frenectomies when they’re young because the healing process is significantly easier when they’re little. A frenectomy on an adult is doable but, like with tonsillectomies, it requires a longer healing period and can come with additional complications.

Tongue ties are more likely to cause problems with speech than lip ties.

For one to two weeks after the surgery, patients should stick to a soft food diet. Ice cream, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and apple sauce are all great post-frenectomy foods.

A frenectomy may make it easier for a child to smile.

A tongue or lip tie “revision” is another way to say frenectomy.

If a tongue-tie or lip-tie is affecting your child breastfeeding, we recommend getting them into the office for a frenectomy as soon as possible. The procedure is very non-invasive and can mean the difference between your baby gaining needed weight during their first year.

At Stanley Dentistry, we pride ourselves on offering stress and pain-free oral surgery. For many of our surgeries, we use IV sedation so patients don’t feel or remember the procedure at all. When they wake up from surgery, we prescribe either prescription pain killers or over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to manage any discomfort.Compared to other parts of the body, the mouth heals incredibly quickly. Our patients usually only need a few days of recovery after oral surgery before they’re back in their normal routine.

Oral surgery includes procedures that go beyond the typical scope of family dentistry (fillings, crowns, etc.). These surgeries typically involve some sort of sedation.

Our doctors complete oral surgeries every single day. With more than twenty-five years of experience, Dr. Bobbi and Dr. Rob know everything there is to know about surgical dentistry. They use state-of-the-art techniques and cutting-edge technology to ensure each and every patient’s safety. You can rest assured that at Stanley Dentistry, our doctors will do everything they can to make your experience as stress and pain-free as possible.

As with all surgeries (even minor ones), frenectomy patients should expect some minor bleeding and swelling post-op. Because we use a tiny laser to perform the surgery, the bleeding is very minimal. For pain, we recommend using Tylenol and Advil. Within a week or two, frenectomy patients should be feeling back to normal!

Unfortunately, fillings don’t last forever. Fillings typically last around five to ten years though some patients keep their fillings for fifteen to twenty years. The size of the filling is perhaps the biggest factor when considering how long it’ll last. Large fillings have a much higher likelihood of falling out whereas small fillings can frequently last for decades.

No one wants to hear that they have a cavity. For kids (and parents), “cavity” sounds like a death sentence, and “filling” signifies a long, painful, and expensive procedure. Luckily, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In most cases, cavities require only a short, pain-free appointment to our office in Cary, North Carolina.During a cavity filling, our dentists administer a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. They then use a small drill to remove the decay from the tooth and kill any existing bacteria. Once the tooth is ready, the dentist places the filling.At Stanley Dentistry, we typically use a composite resin material for the filling. Composite fillings are tooth-colored and look just like natural teeth. During the procedure, one of our dentists will place the composite (which looks like a paste) into the cleaned cavity. The composite will naturally take on the shape of the cavity as the dentist places it. After the cavity is filled, the dentist will use an ultraviolet light to “cure” (or harden) the composite. Post-op, your dentist will ask you to bite down to make sure the cavity hasn’t affected your natural bite.