Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For those searching for a new family dentist near me in Chagrin Falls, Dr. Hivick and the Chagrin Family Dental Care Team would love to treat you to our practice. Our mission is to earn your trust by providing high-quality dental care in a warm and friendly environment. We always welcome new patients and would like to introduce you to the numerous advantages of seeking oral health care with us.

Here are four things to look for when picking a family dentist:

1. We treat all ages – Our dentists can offer the proper care for each phase in a person’s life. So for multi-generational households or large families, we are the ideal choice.
2. Convenience for busy schedules – We understand that everyone’s lives could use a little more time, so we offer great office hours and can set up appointments that work with your schedule.
3. Comprehensive dental service – We offer all forms of dentistry, including preventive care, cosmetic dentistry, and many general dental treatments. We even treat gum disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
4. Our office is newly remodeled – Our office offers amenities like comfortable dental chairs and televisions in treatment rooms so you can catch up on the news or your favorite programs while we do our work.

Give us a call today to learn more about the exceptional dental care we provide for our Chagrin Falls neighbors and the adjoining communities of South Russell, Solon, Chesterland, Bainbridge, Novelty, Hunting Valley, Moreland Hills, and Bentleyville.

We love welcoming new patients to Chagrin Family Dental Care, and our team is ready to help you start your oral care journey off on the right foot. 

What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment?

We want to save you as much time in our office as possible. To help speed up the paperwork process please be ready to provide the following key items.

First Visit Necessary Items

• Insurance card (primary and secondary if any)
• List of allergies & medications
• Knowledge of health history

View our forms page if you would like to print off your new patient form and fill it out at home to save extra time!

Insurance Claims

Our team can assist you in filing your insurance claims after your appointment. If you have any further questions before your first dental appointment feel free to call our office at (440) 338-1711.

How long can I expect to be at the office for my initial new patient appointment?

Every dental procedure can vary with time. Typically you can expect to be at the office for at least an hour and a half. Our patients deserve to be given quality work and sometimes that can take time. We want to do a very thorough job in gathering the necessary records that will allow us to provide you with outstanding oral health care.

Contact Our Chagrin Falls Office

We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming dental office for all of our patients. Please contact our Chagrin Falls dental clinic if you have any questions on your first visit. 

At Chagrin Family Dental Care, your dentist in Chagrin Falls, OH wants to give all patients access to quality dental care. For us, this means—No dental insurance? No problem!

Our dental practice accepts alternative financing options, and we are proud to offer an exclusive club, taking care of your preventative care with an IN OFFICE SAVINGS PLAN monthly/annual subscription, and save money today.  Please go to:   https://empowerdds.com/PatientPortal/Index/RYQOIYMF and register today!

For an Affordable Dentist in Chagrin Falls, Contact Us

To learn more about our dental savings plan, please visit the forms section of our website to view or download the information. We also encourage you to reach out to a team member to learn more about plan benefits, exclusions, and other payment options.

We look forward to hearing from you.  

Dental anxiety is a real fear for many people, and at our Chagrin Falls, OH dental clinic, we understand that. Rest assured, you are not alone.

Common Dental Fears

• They are afraid of needles.
• They dislike the sound and vibration of the drill
• They fear feeling pain
• They are embarrassed about the state of their oral health

If you are anxious about visiting the dentist, one of the best ways to overcome this is to find a sympathetic dentist who will go out of the way to ensure your comfort. Ask family and friends for recommendations of a trusted dentist with whom you can build a good relationship.

How Modern Dentistry Helps

You should also know that with today’s modern dental technology, most procedures are either painless or can be done using a local anesthetic. Because a numbing gel is applied to the gums before the injection, the tiny needle stick will not hurt.

Contact Our Chagrin Falls Dental Clinic

At Chagrin Family Dental Care, we will never judge you based on the current state of your oral health or make you feel embarrassed if it’s been a while since your last visit to the dentist. We want to set you on the path to good oral health in the future.

Our office will be reopening as of May 4th with a very gradual start. Dr. Hivick will be back in the office during normal business hours. Our hygiene/teeth cleaning schedule will be starting back at a later date to allow for this gradual reopening.

New Infection Control Procedures

We have implemented some new Infection Control procedures:

• Our office will communicate with you before your appointment and ask you some screening questions. We ask that our patients wear masks when entering the office and practice 6 ft social distancing.  
• You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, toys, coffee, or water at this time.
• We will manage appointments to allow for social distancing between patients. That may mean fewer options for scheduling appointments. We will do our best to allow more time in between patients and for disinfecting guidelines as well. We appreciate your understanding in the matter for the safety of our patients and our staff. 
• Once you enter the back office, we will take your temperature, and you will be given a rinse before beginning the procedure. Our staff will have the proper PPE, including gloves, masks, gowns, safety glasses, and head caps if desired.

We never want our patients to experience pain, but we realize that dental emergencies sometimes come up. Unfortunately, you can’t plan a convenient time for your tooth to start hurting, so the best thing to do is to give us a call if you have tooth pain. That way, we can ask the appropriate questions in order to determine how best to treat you.

What You Can Do

When you call us, be sure to share all pertinent information about your tooth pain. For example, did you bite into something? Did you lose a restoration? How long has your tooth been bothering you?

All of these clues can help us to determine how to prepare for your emergency dental exam. Once you arrive in our office, we will work toward diagnosing your condition to we can restore your health and comfort. We will take an x-ray of your painful tooth and look for the cause. 

Then, we will determine the treatment necessary to restore the health of your tooth. Some of the most common causes of dental pain include infection, a broken or lost restoration, deep decay, the need for a root canal, cracks, or fractures. 

Toothache? Call Our Chagrin Falls Office Immediately

Our team is committed to your health and comfort. Rest assured when you call our office with tooth pain, we will work diligently to help you feel better.

At our Chagrin Falls office, we accept most types of private dental insurance. We are an in-network provider for the following insurance providers.

In-Network with:

• Delta Dental
• United Concordia
• Assurant/Sun Life

We accept all insurances but are not in the network with all of them.  Please give your insurance company a call to make sure that you have out-of-network benefits. Our office will be happy to help you with insurance questions.  

Call Our Chagrin Falls Family Dental Office Today!

Is your dental insurance not listed? Those are only common names we accept. If you want to visit Chagrin Family Dental but are unsure of your insurance, we are here to help. Give us a call today at (440) 338-1711 and ask our receptionist if we accept your insurance.

Submitting an insurance claim for dental procedures can be a long and draining process that many are unfamiliar with. Luckily, any patient of Chagrin Family Dental receives complimentary help with filing any dental claims.

We Will Help Any Way We Can

Our Chagrin Falls team wants you to get the maximum benefit for the services provided. Dental insurance is, however, a contract between you and your employer. We do our best to give you accurate estimates of what insurance will pay, but ultimately, you are responsible for the balance due for services rendered.

What You Can Do

If you want more information on your benefits, call the number found on your dental insurance card and request a list of information during

Partial dentures are a tooth replacement option ideal for people missing several teeth in one part of their mouth. If you might benefit from this option, Chagrin Family Dental Care can help you learn what to expect with a partial denture. First, a partial denture is custom-made for your unique smile and is designed to be removable. This way, you can take it out while you sleep and clean it.

A partial denture uses specialized clips to secure it to adjoining teeth and may also use dental implants to attach it more securely. If you are considering partial dentures in Chagrin Falls, our dental team can help you decide if this tooth replacement option is right for your dental needs.

Dental Bridges Are Another Option

One essential part of the tooth replacement process is for you to consider all possible options. For example, while partial dentures work for many people in Chagrin Falls, a dental bridge may also replace several teeth, especially adjacent ones.

This option differs from a partial denture in that it’s fixed and non-removable. A dental bridge also depends on your healthy, natural teeth for security, but we reinforce those teeth with dental crowns to ensure your bridge is held as tightly as possible. You treat a dental bridge just like natural teeth, brushing and flossing daily to remove food debris that might irritate your gums.

To learn how partial dentures and dental bridges can improve your daily life, we encourage you to contact us today.

Dentures have come a long way in recent years and now look as natural as your own teeth. Not only has the appearance of dentures greatly improved, but the fit is more secure and comfortable, too. If you’re considering complete or partial dentures in Chagrin Falls, keep reading.

Having Multiple Missing Teeth

Losing one or more teeth due to gum disease, trauma, untreated cavities, or heredity can cause a host of problems if the teeth are not replaced. If you don’t have enough bone left to support a dental implant or would like a more cost-effective option, dentures may be the right solution for you. Both partial and complete dentures offer these benefits:

• Improve your speech and chewing
• Help fill in facial features and make you look younger
• Boost your confidence and self-esteem
• Provide a relatively inexpensive way to replace teeth

Partial dentures work best for replacing only part of a tooth and when the remaining teeth are not severely decayed. Partial dentures can be removable or permanent. If you’ve lost all your top or bottom teeth, complete dentures will give you the support you need.

Give Our Chagrin Falls Office A Call Today

To find out more about complete and partial dentures in Chagrin Falls, call us to schedule a consultation today.

Which option is best for you depends on a number of factors including how many teeth are missing, where they are located, your insurance coverage and budget, and your needs and goals.

What Our Team Will Do For You

Dr. Hivick will discuss all of these factors with you and help you make an informed decision that meets your needs. Some of the options for tooth replacement we offer at Chagrin Family Dental include bridges, partials, dentures, and dental implants. In some cases, a combination of tooth replacement methods may even be appropriate such as bridges or dentures held in place using dental implants.

In order for your veneers to have the best success rate possible, there are several prep items needed to take place.

Our Commitment To You

Our goal is for all treatments we provide to be as conservative as possible. With veneers, this is no exception. However, oftentimes we have to re-contour the teeth to provide high quality, long-lasting result. This is determined on an individual basis, and Dr. Hivick will help you reach a decision that you both can agree on.

Interested In Veneers? Call Our Office Today

Some individuals don't need as much prep as others. The best way you can prevent long prep time is to make sure your teeth are clean and cleared of tartar and plaque by brushing thoroughly and flossing your teeth. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Everyone deserves to have a smile they are confident. Whether it's wanting Invisalign trays to help straighten teeth or other cosmetic procedures, our team is here to provide those services.

Dealing With Insurance

Typically, insurance coverage does not allow for cosmetic procedures due to it not having a negative impact on an individuals overall oral health. However, if you have areas in your mouth that you want improvement, schedule an exam to see if insurance will cover. We will always check to see what is covered under your benefit prior to initiating treatment.

Call Our 44022 Dental Office Today

Even if your insurance doesn't cover certain cosmetic procedures, our Chagrin Family Dental office can find procedures that work best for you and your budget. Call for a consultation today!

Call our office and schedule an examination and consultation with Dr. Brian Hivick. He'll check your teeth and discuss your concerns with you.

Cosmetic Dentistry Options in Chagrin Falls

We have a number of different options available to improve the appearance of your teeth, depending on your particular concern. You may be an excellent candidate for Invisalign, veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, crowns, and more. 

Crown placement typically occurs in one office visit.

Your Visit to our Chagrin Falls Office

At your crown appointment, we'll prep your tooth and then scan the tooth.  We will fabricate the crown here in our office and then cement the crown the same day. The appointment is usually about three hours from start to finish, with some downtime between prep and crown cementation.

On rare occasions, we will send the scans to a lab and make a temporary for you to wear in the meantime. In those cases, there would be a second appointment.

Permanent Crown Cementing

Once your permanent crown is ready, which usually takes about one to two weeks, you can return to our office, and we'll cement your permanent crown securely in place. 

Call our office and schedule an examination and consultation with Dr. Brian Hivick. He'll check your teeth and discuss your concerns with you.

Cosmetic Dentistry Options in Chagrin Falls

We have a number of different options available to improve the appearance of your teeth, depending on your particular concern. You may be an excellent candidate for Invisalign, veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, crowns, and more. 

Which option is best for you depends on a number of factors including how many teeth are missing, where they are located, your insurance coverage and budget, and your needs and goals.

What Our Team Will Do For You

Dr. Hivick will discuss all of these factors with you and help you make an informed decision that meets your needs. Some of the options for tooth replacement we offer at Chagrin Family Dental include bridges, partials, dentures, and dental implants. In some cases, a combination of tooth replacement methods may even be appropriate such as bridges or dentures held in place using dental implants.

Which option is best for you depends on a number of factors including how many teeth are missing, where they are located, your insurance coverage and budget, and your needs and goals.

What Our Team Will Do For You

Dr. Hivick will discuss all of these factors with you and help you make an informed decision that meets your needs. Some of the options for tooth replacement we offer at Chagrin Family Dental include bridges, partials, dentures, and dental implants. In some cases, a combination of tooth replacement methods may even be appropriate such as bridges or dentures held in place using dental implants.

Yes. Not everyone is a good candidate for Invisalign.

Traditional Braces

Some patients are better suited to have traditional braces. Dr. Hivick will help you determine whether or not you would be a good candidate to have your teeth straightened with Invisalign. 

Schedule Your Orthodontic Consultation in Chagrin Falls Today!

We will schedule a consultation with you and use our best knowledge to figure out what procedure will have the best results.

Call our office and schedule an examination and consultation with Dr. Brian Hivick. He'll check your teeth and discuss your concerns with you.

Cosmetic Dentistry Options in Chagrin Falls

We have a number of different options available to improve the appearance of your teeth, depending on your particular concern. You may be an excellent candidate for Invisalign, veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, crowns, and more. 

Many conditions that once required antibiotic prophylaxis no longer require such medication. We will review with you the latest recommendations from the American Heart Association as well as the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons to determine whether or not you still need to pre-medicate. We will also consult with your medical doctor to help clarify this.

Check-ups are vitally important to your overall health. Bacteria building up deep in the gums where a toothbrush and floss can't reach could have severe consequences on oral and overall health. Which is why it is imperative to maintain your dental cleanings.

What We Recommend

We agree with the recommendation of the American Dental Association and other organizations that say you should have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined every six months. Depending on your unique needs and your current level of dental health, it may be appropriate for you to come to our office more often, and if this is true in your case, we will discuss this with you.

Make Sure You & Your Family See Your Chagrin Falls Dentist

Our team greatly cares for every patient's oral health. If you haven't seen a dentist in six months call us today and schedule your appointment!

First of all, great job! It is so important to your overall health to brush twice a day and floss as often as possible.

Wy We Tend To Get Cavities

However, even though you're doing such good work taking care of your teeth, it is still important for you to get regular care from a dentist and cleanings from a dental hygienist. This is because your teeth are full of ridges and other tiny formations that make it easy for plaque to get trapped.

The Dangers Of Plaque

When plaque develops in these areas or beneath your gumline, it's easy to miss these spots, and over time, that plaque will harden into tartar, which can only be removed with professional tools. Once tartar has developed, the stage is set for cavities, gum disease, and other problems.

Contact our Chagrin Falls Dentist

Schedule your appointment with us today to make sure plaque doesn't develop into a cavity that needs a filling or crown.

When it comes to preventive dental care, your Chagrin Falls dentist Dr. Brian Hivick has several recommendations:

Maintain Your Dental Cleanings

Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. For most people twice each year is adequate and gives Dr. Hivick the opportunity to detect problems in their earliest stages. When we discover dental issues early, they are generally less invasive—and less expensive—to treat. Other people might benefit from more frequent visits to the dentist, depending on their current oral health.

At Home Care For Your Teeth

Brush and floss diligently. With the different types of toothbrushes, toothpastes, and flosses on the market today, it’s easy to find the dental tools that you prefer. Whether you prefer to go high-tech with an electronic toothbrush or if you would rather stick to an old-school toothbrush, it’s crucial that you use it regularly. Brush at least twice each day to help keep plaque from forming on teeth. Flossing is just as important because your toothbrush cannot reach all the nooks and crannies of your mouth.

• Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Avoid candy and sweets as well as sugary beverages, all of which can contribute to the formation of cavities. If you do indulge, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward and brush your teeth about a half-hour later.

Schedule a Dental Appointment in Chagrin Falls

If it’s time for a preventive visit to the dentist, give us a call!

Yes, drilling is required with composite fillings because we first need to remove the decayed portion of the tooth. However, there's nothing to worry about because we will numb the tooth using a strong local anesthetic that prevents you from experiencing pain.

Pain-Free Dental Fillings in Chagrin Falls, OH

The goal of placing a composite tooth filling is to restore a tooth to full health and comfortable function. Removing the decay prevents it from spreading, and the filling strengthens the tooth to compensate for the minimal tooth structure we remove.

Trust an Experienced Dentist

Dr. Hivick is an experienced dentist in Chagrin Falls, OH, who places multiple tooth fillings every day and is skilled in the art of giving comfortable injections. He will carefully explain why a filling is necessary and use a digital x-ray to show you the cavity so you can understand how treating it will benefit you.

Dr. Hivick's expertise and caring nature ensure your comfort from the moment you are seated in our dental chair.

Do You Need a Composite Dental Filling?

If you're due for an exam or have a cavity and need a dental filling in Chagrin Falls, please call Chagrin Family Dental Care. We look forward to helping you with your family's dental needs.

Call our office and schedule an examination and consultation with Dr. Brian Hivick. He'll check your teeth and discuss your concerns with you.

Cosmetic Dentistry Options in Chagrin Falls

We have a number of different options available to improve the appearance of your teeth, depending on your particular concern. You may be an excellent candidate for Invisalign, veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, crowns, and more. 

Understanding the signs and symptoms of a tooth infection can be tricky because they're different for everyone. If your tooth is infected or abscessed, it's typically quite painful. You'll need root canal treatment to alleviate pain, eliminate the infection, and preserve your natural tooth.

Some other signs of a tooth infection may be:

• Pain or tenderness when biting or chewing
• A constant, painful toothache that doesn't go away
• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Facial swelling
• A white bump or blister by the infected tooth

What Happens during Root Canals in Chagrin Falls?

If you need root canal treatment in Chagrin Falls, OH, Dr. Hivick starts by numbing the area around the infected tooth, which immediately alleviates your pain. Next, he carefully eliminates the infected tissues from your tooth and ensures that your tooth is clean and infection-free before temporarily sealing it with a filling. 

Now we give your tooth time to heal. After healing, you'll return to Chagrin Family Dental Care so Dr. Hivick can strengthen your tooth with a permanent crown or filling. Rebuilding your tooth ensures you can enjoy all the chewing functions you had before your tooth became infected.

Contact us at (440) 338-1711 if you have questions about root canal treatment.

Dr. Hivick strives to provide all dental care in a comfortable environment, free of pain. We always make sure you are comfortable prior to initiating treatment, and we give patients the ability to notify us if they are still feeling any sensation. With adequate anesthesia, a root canal should be no different than a filling.

Contact Our 44022 Dental Clinic

If you have any questions about the root canal process at Chagrin Family Dental Care, please give our 44022 clinic a call. We look forward to hearing from you.

One of the most common sleep apnea treatments is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. With this therapy, a mask is worn over your nose during sleep. The mask provides continuous airflow into the nose and mouth to keep the airway open. 

While this sleep disorder therapy is effective, some patients have a hard time sleeping with a mask on. The machine can make noise which could disturb the patient or their partner. Many people don't use CPAP even when prescribed. The transition to wearing a nasal air mask can be difficult for people, especially if the mask is not a good fit or the settings are too high. 

What Are My Best Alternatives to CPAP Therapy?

Dr. Hivick at Chagrin Family Dental Care understands that CPAP therapy may not be effective for everyone. If you find it difficult to sleep with a CPAP, or if your partner is disturbed by the noise from the machine—you may be interested in an oral device that keeps your airway free by repositioning your lower jaw. 

Some of the oral appliance therapy devices we use in our Chagrin Falls, OH dental office, include the Myerson EMA appliance, the TAP appliance, and appliances from SomnoDent. We know that your sleep is essential to you, and comfort is crucial in order to relax. 

Please Call Our Chagrin Falls Dental Office

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but have a hard time adjusting to CPAP therapy, give Chagrin Family Dental, located in Chagrin Falls, a call today. Dr. Hivick will work hard to provide you with the good night's sleep you deserve. 
 

A good night's rest is crucial for a successful next day. People with sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, may have a hard time sleeping through the night. There are popular sleep disorder treatments available; it's essential to determine which one is the most effective for your lifestyle.

While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is considered very effective in treating sleep apnea, many patients have a hard time adjusting to it. As many as half of the patients prescribed CPAP stop using it.

If you have sleep apnea but have a hard time transitioning to CPAP, Dr. Hivick may be able to provide alternative sleep treatments. An oral appliance, for example, is an effective option to CPAP for treating mild to moderate sleep apnea. An oral appliance may be the perfect solution for ending your snoring, managing sleep apnea, and improving sleep quality. 

Finding the Right Oral Appliance in Chagrin Falls

At Chagrin Family Dental Care, we can help you find the perfect oral appliance for you. We offer many effective brands, including the Myerson EMA appliance, the TAP appliance, and appliances from Somnodent. Dr. Hivick will fit the device to you to make sure that it meets the shape of your mouth. 

If you are having a hard time with your CPAP and would like to learn more about effective alternatives, give our Chagrin Falls, OH, dental office a call to find out more information. 

Do you feel consistently tired even after a full night's rest, or do you have a partner that complains about your snoring? If so, you may have a serious condition called sleep apnea. If you are interested in learning more about sleep apnea, contact Chagrin Family Dental Care today. 

How Serious Can Snoring Be?

Snoring can be more than just a nightly annoyance for your partner—it keeps you (and them) from quality rest. Did you know that more than 90 million Americans snore every night, and obstructive sleep apnea causes about half of our snoring? Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, while those with the sleep disorder almost always snore.

Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing is obstructed, waking you up in the middle of your sleep. Regular snoring doesn't always wake the snorer up and is more of a hindrance to sleep mates than to your health. 

How Does Sleep Apnea Snoring Look Like?

What's the difference between regular snoring and sleep apnea? You can pay attention to some tell-tale signs of sleep apnea: waking up during sleep choking or gasping for breath, drowsiness, and fatigue throughout the day, and sleeping open-mouthed. People with sleep apnea tend to be louder snorers and do so almost nightly.

If you think your partner has sleep apnea, pay attention to their breathing. Do you sometimes notice that they hold their breath, or stop breathing? If you pay attention, you'll hear them gasp for air or even make a choking sound. They may not wake up directly, but their sleep is interrupted and disturbed. 

Not all snoring is related to sleep disorders; there are other reasons why you're snoring, including:

• Age
• Health and weight
• Sinus congestion
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Medication
• Sleeping on your back

Please Contact Our Chagrin Falls Office

If you snore and notice that your day-to-day life is affected by lack of sleep, call your Chagrin Falls, OH dentist to be evaluated for sleep apnea.