The following are questions we most frequently hear from our patients. If you would like further information or have another question, please call our Chicago dental office or ask during your next visit. We are always ready to help our patients in any way we can.

How does the doctor keep up-to-date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Dr. Alfe teaches courses on a variety of subjects and evaluates not-yet-released products for many dental supply companies so she is often exposed to the newest materials before they are even available to other dentists.

Can you show me what my smile can look like ahead of time with imaging software?

Yes, and I will also show you before and after photos of patients who had procedures similar to what you are interested in so you can see my work, done on real patients.

Do you accept referrals?

Accept? We welcome them!

I have a temporary crown in my mouth. What happens if it comes off or breaks?

If it is in one piece, try to fit it back over your tooth. Keep in mind that the crown is like a puzzle piece and will only go on one way. If it doesn’t slip easily into place, do not force it. If you can get it to sit back onto (or into) the tooth, you can apply Fixodent to the inside of the crown, then gently put the crown back onto (or into) the tooth, apply slight pressure until it feels secure, gently close your teeth together and then clean off the excess Fixodent with a wet finger. A thick mixture of Vaseline and talcum powder will work well if you don’t have Fixodent handy. Either of these materials will hold your temporary crown in place for a short time if you can’t come into the office right away. Be very careful when you are eating since the temporary can dislodge again. Try to chew on the other side of your mouth (good advice whenever you have a temporary crown in place!)

Temporary Crown Care - printer friendly

What different payment options do you provide?

We are a fee for service office, which means that we will help you estimate your insurance reimbursement. The forms of payment we accept include: cash, your personal, traveler's or bank check, MC, Visa, AMEX and Discover cards. In addition we offer Capital One Healthcare Finance and Springstone Patient Financial (both are affordable monthly plans) as well as CareCredit which is a healthcare card that can be used in many different healthcare offices as well as some spas!

What makes you different from any other dental practice I can visit?

As you can see from Dr. Alfe’s professional and educational credentials, she is very highly trained and experienced. And Dr. Alfe combines these attributes with compassion. Her vision for the dental visit involves the feeling of coming to visit friends, in a warm, caring, and fun atmosphere. Her practice is also a place of individualized care, where patients have the feeling of being truly “taken care of” in a world where the term “customer service” is often only lip service. Dr. Alfe’s practice is about esthetic, comprehensive, and compassionate care with a feminine flair.

I really do not like visiting the dentist. Is there anything you can do to help me relax?

Your comfort is always top of mind! While you receive the finest of dental care, we can provide you with medications that will relax you, warm neck pillows, blankets, lavender eye pillows, soothing music of your choice, a great movie or sitcom to watch and most importantly…..the knowledge that you are totally in control of your visit and your treatment!  We invite you to review our list of Chicago Smile Spa Creature Comforts to help plan your next visit with us.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

Do you mean those metal buttons and wires? How about Invisalign, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, or chairside bonding? Talk to us!

What is involved in an “Extreme Makeover” of my smile?

Dr. Alfe makes each smile as individual as each patient. She takes her time during every step of the process to make sure that you are completely satisfied with how your new smile is taking shape. Dr. Alfe will sit with you and show you examples of her actual work so you can see real results done on real people. You and Dr. Alfe will also review photos of your smile and she will ask you questions and listen to your input. Together, you and Dr. Alfe will identify what your goals are for a new and improved smile.

Dr. Alfe’s goal for each patient is this: “I want my patients to get this sort of reaction from an old friend whom they haven’t seen in a while…’Gee, you look GREAT! Did you lose weight? Different hair cut? New glasses? Face lift?’ And my patient is smiling to herself, knowing that her new, rejuvenated, natural-looking smile causes this sort of reaction. My goal is the smile that is so beautiful it is noteworthy to others but so natural that it is almost undetectable to others.”

Do you suffer from migraines/headaches/neck or shoulder pain ?

Have frequent sinus infections? Have sore teeth or jaw aches? Would you like a non-chemical way (no need to pop any more pills!) to relieve your discomfort? Dr. Alfe can provide you with an NTI-tss, the only FDA approved, custom-fitted nightguard that is designed to greatly decrease clenching and grinding.  Clenching and grinding your teeth has been shown to be one of the main causes of migraine, neck and shoulder, and sinus pain.  The NTI device is small and comfortable…it is NOT like one of those football player nightguards! Visit http://www.chicagosmilespa.com/pages/patient_library/advancedbite.htm   or, for even more information than I’ve provided, visit http://www.nti-tss.com