Dental FAQs — Chembur

Urban Smiles is Chembur's trusted family dental clinic. Dr. Prasanna holds BDS, MDS, FIOI (USA), and PhD — credentials rare in the locality. We focus on transparent pricing, evening hours, and real outcomes over marketing claims.

Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM. Sunday by appointment. Working professionals in Chembur can come after office hours without taking leave.

Yes. We process most major Indian insurance providers and corporate health plans. Bring your policy card and we handle documentation.

Single-rooted tooth RCT starts from ₹4,500. Molar root canals range ₹6,500–₹9,500 depending on canals and crown material. We quote the full cost upfront — no surprises.

Modern dentistry is largely pain-free. We use topical + local anaesthesia before any procedure. Most patients report only mild pressure, not pain. For anxious patients, we offer additional comfort measures.

Yes. We have a dedicated pediatric dentistry setup. First visits are kept playful, short, and fear-free.

Appointments are preferred so we can give you full attention. Emergencies are accommodated same-day — call +91 77439 77555 or WhatsApp.

With proper care, dental implants last 20+ years. The crown on top may need replacement after 10–15 years. Regular cleanings every 6 months are essential.

Yes — we encourage it. Bring previous X-rays and reports. Our first consultation includes a full exam and honest treatment plan with pricing options.

Swastik Chambers, Sion-Trombay Road, Chembur East, Mumbai 400071. Near Chembur station and RK Studios. Parking available.

No. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and most patients report less discomfort than a tooth extraction. Mild soreness for 2–3 days is managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

Single-tooth implants at Urban Smiles start from ₹25,000 all-in (implant + abutment + crown). All-on-4 full-arch rehabilitation from ₹1.75 L. You receive a written itemised quote before starting — no mid-treatment surprises.

The titanium implant itself typically lasts a lifetime with good oral hygiene. The crown on top usually lasts 15–20 years before replacement.

Age is not a barrier. We have placed implants in patients in their 80s. What matters is bone density and general health — both assessed during the free 3D scan.

In carefully selected cases — especially front teeth with good bone — yes. We place a temporary crown the same day and the permanent one after healing.

All-on-4 uses just 4 strategically angled implants to support a full arch of 12–14 teeth. Ideal for patients who wear dentures or have lost most of their teeth. Fixed, non-removable, and feels like your own teeth.

Most Indian health-insurance plans don't cover implants as they're classified cosmetic. We do direct-billing for corporate plans that do, and offer 0% EMI for up to 12 months.

A bridge requires grinding down two healthy neighbouring teeth. An implant stands alone, preserves bone, and lasts significantly longer.

Clear aligners at Urban Smiles start from ₹55,000 for mild cases and go up to ₹1.85 L for complex full-mouth alignment. 0% interest EMI available for 6 or 12 months.

For adults and most teens, yes — they're invisible, removable, and cause less pain. For severe malocclusion, traditional braces may still be faster. We'll tell you honestly which is right for your case.

Mild cases: 4–6 months. Moderate: 8–12 months. Complex: 12–18 months. Metal braces typically take 18–24 months.

Mild pressure for 2–3 days after each new aligner. Much less than braces. Most patients barely notice by day 4.

No — always remove them to eat or drink anything other than water. That's actually a benefit: no food restrictions like braces.

A thin clear retainer only at night, long-term, prevents relapse. Teeth naturally want to drift back if unsupported.

Every 6–8 weeks for a 15-min progress scan. Far less than the monthly tightening visits needed for braces.

Invisalign is one brand of clear aligners. We offer multiple FDA-approved brands at different price points with the same clinical approach.

No. Modern root canals are virtually painless thanks to effective local anaesthesia and rotary endodontics. Most patients rate the discomfort lower than a filling.

At Urban Smiles: Front tooth ₹4,500, premolar ₹5,500, molar ₹7,000. Crown extra (₹4,500–₹14,000 depending on material). Written quote before we start.

Yes — in about 80% of cases. Exceptions are severely infected teeth with active pus, which need a two-visit approach for better healing.

With a crown on top, 15–25 years or lifetime. Without a crown, the tooth is 5x more likely to fracture within 2 years.

The infection spreads. Worst case: tooth loss, jawbone infection, or cellulitis requiring hospitalisation. The tooth will not heal on its own.

Almost always yes. Saving your natural tooth is biomechanically superior to any replacement. Extraction + implant costs 3–4x more.

The tooth becomes brittle without its live nerve and blood supply. A crown protects it from chewing forces. Skipping the crown often means losing the tooth within 2 years.

A few hours — once the numbness wears off. Avoid chewing on that side until the permanent crown is fitted.

In-office laser whitening at Urban Smiles starts from ₹8,500. Take-home custom-tray kits from ₹5,000. Combination (in-office + kit) ₹12,000.

Yes — when done by a dentist at regulated concentrations. The gel only affects enamel stains, not its structural integrity. Over-the-counter kits at unregulated strengths can damage enamel.

18–36 months depending on lifestyle. Smokers, heavy coffee drinkers and turmeric-curry fans need more frequent top-ups.

No — it only whitens natural enamel. If you have front crowns or veneers, we match them to your newly-whitened shade separately.

About 20% of patients feel mild cold-sensitivity for 24–48 hrs. The fluoride treatment at the end minimises this. Sensitive toothpaste for 3 days helps.

In-office: fastest result, one visit, highest concentration gel under supervision. Take-home: gentler, lower cost, gradual over 2 weeks. Both get similar final shades.

No. It's abrasive and erodes enamel over time. Dentist-supervised whitening is cheaper in the long run and actually works.

2–3 weeks before. Gives time for initial sensitivity to settle and for the colour to stabilise.

Porcelain veneers at Urban Smiles: ₹9,500–₹18,000 per tooth depending on material (emax, feldspathic or zirconia). Composite veneers from ₹4,500/tooth. 0% EMI available on full-smile packages.

For a smile line (what people see when you smile): 8 veneers for most patients, 10 if your smile is wide. We never over-prescribe.

Minimally. 0.3–0.5 mm of enamel is reshaped — less than a typical filling. The process is considered conservative in modern cosmetic dentistry. Lumineers (ultra-thin) require even less.

Porcelain veneers: 10–15 years average, some patients reach 20. Composite veneers: 4–7 years. Replacement is straightforward.

No. Hand-layered porcelain with translucency, natural incisal edges and micro-texture mimics real enamel. Digital Smile Design avoids the fake "Hollywood row of tiles" look.

Aligners: fix alignment only, don't change colour/shape. Veneers: fix front-teeth colour, shape, small alignment issues. Crowns: for heavily broken or root-canal-treated teeth. We'll tell you exactly what you need.

Yes — usually recommended. Whitening the non-veneered teeth first gives a consistent final shade. We plan this into the treatment sequence.

Conventional porcelain veneers: no, some enamel is reshaped. Composite veneers and Lumineers: largely reversible.

Zirconia crown: ₹9,500. Emax porcelain: ₹12,000. PFM (metal-ceramic): ₹4,500. Full-ceramic bridge: ₹22,500+ for 3-unit.

Zirconia and emax: 15–20 years. PFM: 10–15 years. Metal: up to 25 years but aesthetically poor. With good hygiene, many last longer.

Zirconia: stronger, ideal for back teeth and bridges. Emax: more translucent and aesthetic, ideal for front teeth. We match the material to the tooth.

For small-to-medium damage: a filling is enough. For large damage, cracks, or after root canal: a crown is essential to prevent fracture.

No. The tooth is numbed during preparation. Mild soreness on the gum for 24 hrs is normal.

Yes — for select single-tooth cases, we offer in-house CAD/CAM milled crowns delivered in 2 hours. Ask during consult.

Bridge: faster, no surgery, but requires grinding 2 neighbouring teeth. Implant: preserves healthy teeth, lasts longer, more expensive upfront. We'll explain trade-offs for your specific gap.

Floss threaders or water-flossers are essential to clean under the pontic (the fake tooth). Regular cleaning every 6 months.

A planning method that uses photos, video and 3D scans to simulate your new smile on-screen before any treatment. It ensures you know exactly what you're agreeing to.

₹2,000 for the full consultation with simulation. Fully deducted from treatment cost if you proceed.

No. DSD is used to plan veneers, aligners, implants, crowns, whitening, full-mouth rehab — any cosmetic or restorative work.

Yes. The whole point of DSD. On-screen first, then with an in-mouth 3D-printed mock-up for select cases.

About 1 hour for the full simulation + options review. You leave with printed before/after images.

No — DSD is a planning tool. The actual treatment is done afterwards according to the approved plan.

Yes. We give you a printed visualisation and a digital copy. No pressure to decide on the spot.

By age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing. The Indian and American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry both recommend this.

First-visit check-up: ₹500. Cleaning + fluoride: ₹1,200. Sealants: ₹800 per tooth. Tooth-coloured filling: ₹1,500. Most families spend ₹2,000–₹3,000/year in total.

We do a "ride the chair" no-treatment visit first. Tell-show-do method. Nitrous (laughing gas) for those who need it. Never forced restraint. Most scared kids are smiling by visit 2.

Yes. We use digital RVG which emits 90% less radiation than conventional X-rays. Total exposure from one dental X-ray = 1 day of background radiation from the sun.

First screening at age 7 — we catch crossbites, crowding or jaw issues early. Most active orthodontic treatment starts 10–13 years old.

Before age 4: usually outgrown. After age 5–6 it affects adult teeth alignment and jaw shape. We offer habit-breaker appliances — painless and effective.

Yes. Infections in baby teeth can damage the adult tooth developing below. Baby molars don't fall out till age 11–12 — that's years of pain if untreated.

Fluoride toothpaste, sealants on molars, no night-time milk bottles, limit sweets to mealtimes, 6-monthly check-ups.

No. Healthy gums don't bleed. Bleeding means inflammation (gingivitis) or deeper gum disease (periodontitis). Ignoring it leads to bone loss and tooth loss.

Routine scaling (cleaning): ₹1,500. Deep cleaning with root planing: ₹3,500 per quadrant. Laser gum therapy: ₹5,000 per session. Gum surgery (severe cases): ₹8,000–₹15,000.

Scaling: no. Deep cleaning (root planing): done under local anaesthesia — no pain during, mild soreness for 2–3 days. Laser therapy: less painful than root planing alone.

Gingivitis (stage 1): yes, reversed completely with scaling + hygiene. Periodontitis (stage 2+): controlled, not cured. Requires 3-monthly maintenance cleanings.

Not until the gums are healthy. We treat gum disease first, then whiten. Whitening on inflamed gums causes severe sensitivity and can worsen recession.

Yes — strong bidirectional link. Gum inflammation worsens blood-sugar control and is associated with cardiovascular disease. Treating gum disease helps both.

Only in severe cases (deep pockets >6 mm, advanced bone loss). 80% of our patients are treated with scaling + laser therapy alone.

Every 3–4 months — not the usual 6 months. Gum disease is a recurring condition that needs tighter monitoring.

Simple extraction: ₹1,500. Surgical extraction: ₹3,500. Impacted wisdom tooth: ₹4,500–₹7,500 depending on complexity. CBCT scan: ₹2,500 if indicated.

During: no — done under local anaesthesia. After: mild-to-moderate discomfort for 3–5 days, manageable with prescribed painkillers. Modern techniques cut pain and swelling in half vs old methods.

When it's impacted, causing pain, infection (pericoronitis), damaging the neighbouring tooth, or preventing orthodontic work. Not every wisdom tooth needs removal — we only recommend it when necessary.

Simple extraction: back to normal in 2–3 days. Wisdom tooth surgery: 5–7 days, with most patients back to work in 48 hours.

Yes — soft, cool foods like dahi, smoothies, soup, rice. Avoid straws, hot drinks, smoking and alcohol for 48 hours.

A painful condition where the healing blood clot is lost from the socket, exposing bone. Caused by smoking, spitting, straws, or rinsing vigorously in first 48 hrs. Painful but treatable.

Yes, in carefully selected cases — especially front teeth with intact bone. Done during the same visit. Saves 4–6 months of treatment time.

Not always. Simple extractions: usually not. Surgical / infected cases: yes, usually 5 days. We prescribe only when clinically indicated.

Starts from ₹1.75 L (All-on-4 single arch). Complete both arches: ₹3.5–6 L depending on material. Crown-only rehab without implants: ₹1.2–2.5 L. Detailed written quote after free CBCT consult.

A full arch of 12–14 permanent teeth supported by just 4 implants strategically angled. Can be done in a single day in eligible cases. Revolutionises denture-wearers' lives.

3–9 months depending on whether you need extractions, gum treatment, implants, and final prosthetics. You have functional temporary teeth throughout — never left without.

Vastly. All-on-4: fixed, non-removable, 90% bite force, no palate coverage (taste returns), no adhesives. Dentures: 20% bite force, movement while eating, bone continues to shrink.

No. We've rehabilitated patients in their 80s. Age is not a factor — general health and bone quality are, both assessed during CBCT.

For All-on-4 cases: yes — extractions, implants, and same-day fixed temporary arch in one visit. The permanent prosthesis fits 3–6 months later.

Most Indian health-insurance plans exclude implants and cosmetic work. We help with 0% EMI for up to 24 months and work with corporate dental plans for the covered components.

Implants: lifetime with care. Crowns and bridges on implants: 15–20 years. Maintenance is the single biggest predictor of longevity.

Routine scaling + polishing + fluoride + exam: ₹1,500. Heavy stain + deep cleaning: ₹2,500. Extra X-rays if needed: ₹500 each.

Every 6 months for most people. Every 3–4 months if you smoke, have gum disease, diabetes, or drink a lot of tea/coffee/wine.

No. This is the biggest myth in Indian dentistry. Scaling removes tartar — teeth feel "different" because they're finally clean, not because they're loose. In fact, skipping scaling is what loosens teeth.

It removes surface staining from coffee, tea and tobacco — teeth look visibly whiter. For deeper yellowing, you'll need a separate whitening treatment.

No for healthy mouths. Mild discomfort if you have heavy tartar or gum inflammation — the first cleaning in years can be slightly uncomfortable. Subsequent ones are easy.

Bitewing X-rays catch cavities between teeth that we can't see with eyes or mirrors. Standard of care recommends once every 18–24 months.

Yes — in fact, pregnant women should be more diligent. Hormonal changes cause pregnancy gingivitis. Avoid elective X-rays; cleaning itself is safe.

Some corporate plans do. Preventive cleaning is inexpensive regardless — far cheaper than the fillings and gum treatment you'll need without it.