Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you’ve been told you may need a sinus lift before getting dental implants, you might be wondering why, and if it’s really necessary. At our dental office in Cary, NC, we take the time to walk you through every step of your dental implant journey, including any extra procedures needed to ensure long-term success.

A sinus lift is a special procedure that’s sometimes recommended when there isn’t enough bone in the upper jaw, particularly near the back molars, to securely hold a dental implant. This often occurs if a tooth has been missing for a while or if the sinus cavity is located low in your jaw. During a sinus lift, we gently raise the sinus membrane and add bone material to create a strong, stable foundation for your future implant.

While not everyone needs a sinus lift, it’s an important part of planning for implants when bone loss is a concern. At Signature Smiles, we use advanced imaging, such as CBCT scans, to assess your bone structure and determine exactly what’s needed for a safe and predictable implant placement.

Need a Sinus Lift? Call Our Cary Dentists

Our goal is to set you up for long-term success, with a beautiful, functional smile you can count on. If you’ve been wondering about your options, schedule a consultation with our experienced dentist in Cary, NC, and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Teeth whitening can be safe for sensitive teeth, especially when performed under the guidance of dental professionals like our team at Signature Smiles. We understand that every smile is unique, and we take extra care to tailor our whitening treatments to your specific needs, especially if you’ve experienced tooth or gum sensitivity in the past.

Tooth sensitivity can happen when the enamel is thin or the gums are slightly receded, exposing more of the tooth’s inner structure. That doesn’t mean whitening is off the table; it simply means we’ll opt for a gentler approach.

Gentle Teeth Whitening at Signature Smiles

At our dental office in Cary, NC, we offer professional-grade whitening options that are more effective and safer than store-bought kits. We’ll start by assessing your enamel and sensitivity level, then recommend an in-office or take-home treatment that best suits your needs.

Many of our patients with sensitivity benefit from a slower, more gradual whitening process, paired with desensitizing toothpaste or fluoride treatments. We’ll guide you through each step and answer any questions you may have along the way.

Call Our Cosmetic Dentists in Cary, NC

Your comfort is always our top priority. If you’ve been putting off whitening because of sensitivity, please let us know. Dr. Archie Cook, Jr. and our team will help you find a solution that makes your smile shine.

It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous about getting a dental implant, especially if you’re worried about pain. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and manageable the dental implant process really is.

We Focus on Your Comfort and Safety

At Signature Smiles, we take your comfort seriously. When you come in for a dental implant at our dental office in Cary, NC, the area is completely numbed using local anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure itself. Many patients compare the experience to getting a routine filling. It might sound intimidating, but it’s often much easier than expected.

After the procedure, it’s common to experience some mild soreness, swelling, or tenderness for a few days, especially near the implant site. We’ll provide you with clear aftercare instructions and recommend over-the-counter or prescribed pain relief if needed. Most people find they can return to their normal routine within a day or two.

If you’re still feeling anxious, we also offer sedation options to help you feel more relaxed and at ease during your visit.

Dental Implants in Cary, NC

Dental implants are a long-term investment in your health and confidence, and we’re here to make every step of the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. If you’re curious but a little unsure, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our caring dental team in Cary, NC.

Our team at Signature Smiles only accepts dental emergency patients with an appointment—we do not accept walk-ins at this time. We know that dental emergencies don’t follow a schedule, which is why we’re here for you when the unexpected happens. If you’re experiencing pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or any other urgent dental issue, we make every effort to see emergency patients the same day, even without a prior appointment.

Our team understands the stress that a dental emergency can cause. Whether it's a cracked tooth during dinner, a loose crown, or your child’s sudden toothache before a big school day, we make it a priority to provide fast, gentle care when you need it most. Just give us a call, and we’ll walk you through the next steps and work to fit you in as soon as possible.

Call Our Emergency Dentists in Cary, NC

When you arrive, we’ll quickly assess your situation, relieve your discomfort, and explain your treatment options in clear, compassionate language. We’ll always focus on getting you out of pain and back to feeling like yourself again.

Even if you’re not a current patient with us, you’re welcome to reach out to our dental office in Cary, NC, for emergency dental care.

A full smile makeover is one of the most exciting journeys you can undertake to boost your confidence. Our team at Signature Smiles is here to make the process comfortable and entirely customized. One of the most common questions we get is: "How long will it take?" And the honest answer is: it depends on your unique goals, the treatments involved, and your schedule.

Smile makeovers are completely custom. Some patients may only require a few cosmetic enhancements, such as bonding or whitening, which can be completed in one or two visits. Others may need a combination of treatments, which could take several months to a year. The beauty of a smile makeover is that we take it one thoughtful step at a time, always keeping your lifestyle, comfort, and goals in mind.

At our dental office in Cary, NC, we start with a one-on-one consultation to discuss what you’d like to improve. We’ll take digital scans, photos, and impressions to map out your personalized plan and even show you what your future smile could look like with digital mock-ups.

Ready to Learn More? Call Us Today!

Throughout your makeover, we’ll schedule appointments at a pace that works for you so you never feel rushed. There’s no better time to rediscover your confidence.

Contact us now to schedule your consultation. 

Absolutely! At Signature Smiles, we love seeing families, and we mean the whole crew! From tiny first-tooth milestones to grandparents who’ve seen it all, our family dental office in Cary, NC, is designed to care for every generation under one roof.

One Convenient Stop for Every Smile

We know how busy life gets, so we make it easy to schedule multiple family members back-to-back (or all at once, if you're a carpooling pro). You won’t have to drive all over town because we’ve got you covered with a full range of services, including cleanings and exams, wisdom teeth extractions, and restorative care like crowns, dentures, and dental implants for adults and seniors.

The Same Friendly Faces Every Time

Here’s the part our patients love most: you’ll see the same friendly faces at every visit. We’re a small, veteran-owned, family-operated practice, so you won’t be shuffled between unfamiliar dentists. Our patients know us by name, and we know theirs. We take the time to explain things in clear, friendly terms, making anxious patients feel comfortable, and treat every member of your family like they’re part of our own.

Comfort for Every Age and Stage

Do you need nitrous oxide for your nervous teen, or require laser periodontal care? Give us a call! We’re also pleased to offer comfort amenities, like noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, heated or cooled neck wraps, and even lip scrub and moisturizer. 

Affordable Care You Can Feel Good About

For more accessible and affordable dental care, we invite you to contact us to discuss our financial options. We offer a military discount, an in-house dental savings plan, and accept insurance as well. 

Contact us today to discover more about our services and financial options, or to schedule your next dental appointment with us.

The length of Invisalign treatment depends on your unique smile. Most of our Invisalign patients finish treatment in about 12 to 18 months. If your teeth just need a little fine-tuning, it could be as quick as six months. 

For more complex changes, it might take closer to 24 months. But don’t worry, we’ll walk you through everything from the start.

Comfortable Orthodontic Care

We kick things off with a consultation, where we use advanced digital scans to create a 3-D model of your teeth. Then, we will design your custom treatment plan by mapping out how each aligner will move your teeth toward your dream smile.

You’ll wear each set of aligners for about a couple of weeks, 20–22 hours a day, even while sleeping. We encourage patients to remove their clear aligners only to brush and floss their teeth. Never allow your aligners to come into contact with heat, such as leaving them in the car on a hot day or wearing them while sipping a hot coffee. This can damage the aligners and set back your progress.

Ready to Try Invisalign in Cary, NC?

Invisalign is a great choice if you want something discreet, low-maintenance, and flexible. You’ll start seeing changes before you know it!

Give our Cary dental office a call to schedule your consultation. We’d love to help you get the straighter, more confident smile you’ve been waiting for. 

Laser dentistry is often significantly more comfortable than traditional dental tools, and many of our patients are surprised by how easy their appointments feel with it. At Signature Smiles, we use advanced Solea laser technology and soft tissue lasers for everything from gum treatment to cavity work. Laser dentistry is especially ideal for patients who feel anxious about dental visits.

Why and How We Use Laser Dentistry

Unlike drills and scalpels, lasers are quiet, precise, and minimally invasive. In many cases, there’s little to no need for anesthesia, which means no numb lips afterward and no waiting for the feeling to come back. Laser dentistry also reduces bleeding, swelling, and healing time, which makes recovery smoother and faster.

Our dentists at Signature Smiles use laser treatment for gum disease therapy, gentle reshaping, small fillings, and more. It’s especially helpful for kids or adults who are sensitive to noise or have a fear of the dental drill. Many of our patients describe Solea treatments as “easy” or even “relaxing.”

Learn More About Laser Dentistry in Cary, NC 

If the sound or feel of traditional tools has made you nervous to visit the dentist, laser dentistry may be the gentle solution you’ve been looking for. Call us today to learn more about how we use laser dentistry at Signature Smiles.

Sedation dentistry is very safe for both children and older adults when administered by experienced professionals. Signature Smiles offers several sedation options tailored to your comfort level, medical history, and the type of procedure you need.

Our sedation dentists in Cary, NC, provide:

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) — This is a mild sedative that helps calm nerves and wears off quickly. It’s ideal for children and adults alike.
• Oral sedation — Oral sedation is a pill taken before your appointment to help you feel deeply relaxed while still awake.
• IV sedation — IV sedation offers deep relaxation and comfort, with little to no memory of the procedure.
• General anesthesia — For more complex or extensive procedures, we coordinate care with a licensed anesthesiologist who comes directly to our Cary dental office.

For children who feel anxious in the dental chair or require multiple procedures, nitrous oxide is often an effective way to make visits smoother and more positive. For older adults, especially those with medical conditions or heightened dental anxiety, oral sedation or general anesthesia can make treatment more comfortable and stress-free.

We always take the time to review your medical history, medications, and any concerns before recommending a sedation plan.

Let Your Worries Melt Away

Call us today to learn more about sedation dentistry in Cary, NC, or to book your appointment.

Absolutely! Dentists can play a significant role in addressing sleep-related issues, particularly snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Dentists are experts in facial anatomy, so they’re uniquely qualified to recognize airway problems and create custom oral appliances that help keep your airway open during sleep.

At Signature Smiles, we take sleep health seriously because it impacts your overall well-being, not just your teeth and gums. Dr. Archie Cook, Jr. is a proud member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), which means he has advanced training in identifying and managing sleep-disordered breathing. 

Do I Need Sleep Apnea or Snoring Treatment?

If you or a loved one snores loudly, feels excessively tired during the day, or has been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, a custom dental appliance may be the solution. These small, comfortable oral devices reposition your jaw or tongue to help keep your airway open while you sleep. They're easy to travel with, easy to wear, and can lead to better rest and improved quality of life.

Call Our Dental Team Today 

Our team at Signature Smiles works closely with sleep physicians and other specialists to provide a collaborative, comprehensive approach to care. If you’ve had a sleep study or are noticing signs of poor sleep, we’d love to talk to you about how oral appliance therapy can help.