Dental Questions, Answered

Gentle Care Dental is located in the Rinehart Center at 570 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746. We welcome patients from Lake Mary and surrounding Central Florida communities.

Gentle Care Dental is in the Rinehart Center on Rinehart Road in Lake Mary, near Lake Mary Church, the Lake Mary Senior Center, Lake Mary Fire Department Station 37, and Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital.

Gentle Care Dental is led by Dr. Monica Polakhare, DDS. She provides comprehensive general and family dental care, including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, emergency, implant, endodontic, and limited oral surgery services.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental is accepting new patients of all ages, including children, adults, and seniors.

Gentle Care Dental is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The office is closed on Sunday.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental is open Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, which can make it easier to schedule dental care around work and school.

Yes. Walk-ins are welcome when availability allows. Calling (407) 878-3888 before arriving is recommended, especially for urgent dental needs.

Yes. Same-day appointments are available when the schedule permits, including for many urgent dental problems.

Gentle Care Dental can assist patients in English, Hindi, and Marathi. Interpreter services may also be available on request.

Yes. The office is on the ground floor and has wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, restroom, and interior areas.

Gentle Care Dental offers same-day emergency dental appointments in Lake Mary when availability permits. Call (407) 878-3888 for tooth pain, swelling, a broken tooth, a lost filling or crown, or another urgent dental concern.

Severe or persistent tooth pain, a knocked-out or cracked tooth, facial or gum swelling, a dental abscess, uncontrolled bleeding, or a painful lost crown or filling can require urgent dental evaluation.

Act quickly, because the first hour matters most. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white chewing surface) and avoid touching the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds without scrubbing or wiping off any tissue. If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite down on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it in place. If that isn't possible, place the tooth in a small clean cup or container filled with milk (not water) to keep it moist, and call us right away so we can see you as soon as possible.

Go to the emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial swelling, swelling near the eye or neck, heavy uncontrolled bleeding, or a serious facial injury. For most toothaches, broken teeth, and lost restorations, call a dentist first.

Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water, and floss carefully around the sore tooth in case food is trapped. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help ease pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help if they're safe for you; follow the label directions. Never put aspirin directly on the tooth or gums, since it can burn the tissue. If you have facial swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing, seek emergency care right away.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental welcomes new patients who need emergency dental evaluation.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental performs simple and selected surgical extractions when clinically appropriate, including urgent extractions.

Root canal treatment may be available the same day in appropriate cases. Whether treatment can be completed immediately depends on the diagnosis, tooth, infection, and procedure complexity.

Dental swelling can be a sign of infection and should be evaluated promptly. Call Gentle Care Dental for urgent guidance; if swelling affects breathing or swallowing or is spreading toward the eye or neck, seek emergency medical care.

Call the office and leave a message. If Dr. Polakhare is in town and able to come in, she will — that includes holidays. We can't promise it every single time, but a real person will get back to you rather than an answering service telling you to visit an emergency room.

A typical new-patient visit includes a review of your medical and dental history, appropriate digital X-rays, a comprehensive dental examination, and a discussion of any recommended treatment. A cleaning may also be completed when clinically appropriate and scheduling allows.

Appointment length depends on the patient's needs, but a comprehensive first visit often takes about 60 to 90 minutes.

Often, yes. If the examination shows that a routine cleaning is appropriate and time is available, it may be completed during the same visit. Patients with gum disease may need periodontal treatment instead of a routine cleaning.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental provides dental care for children, including exams, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, preventive care, and evaluation of developing teeth.

A child should generally have a first dental visit by the first birthday or within six months after the first tooth appears.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental is a family dental practice, so children, adults, parents, and seniors can receive care in the same office.

Yes. Ask the office about coordinating family appointments, including Saturday visits, and the team will schedule them as close together as availability allows.

The team explains procedures in age-appropriate language, introduces instruments gradually, and works at a pace intended to help children feel comfortable.

Bring a photo ID, your dental insurance card if you have coverage, and a current medication list. Complete any requested new-patient forms before the visit when possible.

Most patients benefit from dental examinations and preventive care about every six months. Some patients need more frequent visits based on gum health, cavity risk, medical history, and previous dental treatment.

A routine cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and includes polishing. Preventive visits may also include a dental examination, gum evaluation, X-rays when appropriate, and recommendations based on your oral health.

Yes. Professional fluoride treatment is available for children and adults when appropriate based on cavity risk and dental needs. Florida no longer adds fluoride to public drinking water, so it is worth discussing at your cleaning.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental provides scaling and root planing, commonly called a deep cleaning, for appropriate patients with periodontal disease.

A routine cleaning is preventive care for patients with generally healthy gums. Scaling and root planing treats gum disease by cleaning below the gumline and along the root surfaces of the teeth.

Bleeding gums, swollen or tender gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, or changes in the bite can be signs of gum disease. Gum disease can also progress without obvious pain.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental provides dental implant treatment in Lake Mary, including implant placement and restoration for appropriate patients.

A dental implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. After healing, it can support a crown or another dental restoration.

Many implant cases take several months from placement to the final restoration because the implant needs time to integrate with the bone. Timing varies based on healing, bone grafting, implant location, and the treatment plan.

With good home care, healthy gums, and regular dental visits, dental implants can function for many years and often for decades. The crown or other restoration may need replacement sooner because of normal wear.

Many adults with missing teeth can be candidates for implants. Bone volume, gum health, medical history, smoking, bite forces, and the condition of nearby teeth all affect treatment planning.

Implant placement is performed with local anesthesia. Temporary soreness, swelling, or tenderness can occur afterward, and the dentist will provide post-treatment instructions based on your procedure.

Many patients return to routine activities within a few days, but bone integration around the implant takes longer, often several months.

Yes. Bone grafting may be performed when additional bone is needed to preserve an extraction site or support future implant treatment.

An implant replaces a missing tooth root and can support a restoration without relying on neighboring teeth. A traditional bridge is supported by adjacent teeth, while a denture is removable and rests on the gums.

Implant coverage varies widely by dental plan. The office can review available benefits and provide an estimate, but final payment is determined by the insurance carrier and the terms of the patient's plan.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental offers Invisalign clear aligner treatment for appropriate patients.

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners, not a type of treatment on its own. Like other clear aligners, it uses a series of clear, removable trays to gradually move teeth without traditional metal braces.

Yes. In addition to Invisalign, Gentle Care Dental offers Dandy clear aligners. Both are clear, removable aligners; which option fits best depends on your teeth, your goals, and your examination.

Invisalign and Dandy are different brands of clear aligners made by different companies. The general approach is the same, but the aligner materials, treatment planning, and cost can differ, so Dr. Polakhare can explain which option suits your case.

Patients wear a planned series of custom clear aligners that move the teeth in small steps. Progress is checked at periodic dental visits.

Treatment time depends on the complexity of tooth movement and patient compliance. Some mild cases may take months, while more complex treatment can take a year or longer.

Invisalign aligners are generally worn most of the day and night and are removed for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing, and flossing. Follow the wear schedule prescribed for your treatment.

Patients commonly notice pressure or mild soreness when a new aligner is started. This usually improves as the teeth adjust.

Yes, because the aligners are removable. Take them out for meals and for drinks other than water, then clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in.

Yes. Retainers help reduce unwanted tooth movement after orthodontic treatment, so a retention plan is an important part of maintaining the result.

Many teenagers and adults with crowding, spacing, or certain bite problems can be candidates. An examination is needed to determine whether clear aligners are appropriate for your specific case.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental provides tooth-colored composite fillings to repair teeth affected by decay, small fractures, or failing restorations when appropriate.

Yes. Dental crowns are used when a tooth needs additional protection because of significant decay, fracture, a large restoration, root canal treatment, or other structural damage.

Yes. Dental bridges are available as one option for replacing missing teeth.

Yes. Cosmetic services include professional teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, veneers in selected cases, and restorative treatment designed to improve the appearance of the smile.

Often, yes. Tooth-colored composite bonding may be used to repair minor chips, reshape teeth, close small spaces, or improve appearance when clinically appropriate.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental performs root canal treatment for appropriate cases.

Persistent tooth pain, pain when biting, prolonged temperature sensitivity, swelling, deep decay, a dental abscess, or significant tooth damage can be signs that a tooth needs root canal evaluation.

Local anesthesia is used to keep the tooth numb during treatment. Root canal therapy removes inflamed or infected tissue that may already be causing significant pain.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental performs simple and selected surgical extractions when a tooth cannot be predictably restored or removal is otherwise appropriate.

Gentle Care Dental can evaluate and remove selected wisdom teeth. More complex cases may be referred to an oral surgeon.

Gentle Care Dental welcomes patients with or without dental insurance. Because network participation varies by insurance company and specific plan, and we are still completing credentialing with some networks, call (407) 878-3888 before your visit to verify current participation and benefits.

Call the office with your insurance company and plan information. The team can help review current participation and available benefits, and you may also confirm network status directly with your insurance carrier.

Yes. Many patients can still receive care out of network, depending on their plan. Benefits, reimbursement, deductibles, and patient responsibility vary by policy.

When treatment is recommended, the office can review the treatment plan and estimated patient responsibility before care begins. Insurance estimates are not a guarantee of payment.

No. Dental plans can include deductibles, annual maximums, coinsurance, waiting periods, frequency limits, downgrades, exclusions, and other plan rules.

Cost depends on the examination, X-rays, and treatment needed. The office can explain recommended care and estimated fees before treatment begins.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental welcomes patients without dental insurance. Ask the office about current payment options.

We don't charge a cancellation fee. We do ask for a courtesy call if you can't make it — a full hour is blocked out and held for you, and a heads-up lets us offer that time to someone who's in pain.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental uses digital dental imaging to evaluate teeth, bone, restorations, and other oral structures when X-rays are clinically appropriate.

Yes. CBCT 3D imaging is available for situations where three-dimensional information can improve diagnosis or treatment planning, such as selected implant and surgical cases.

Call Gentle Care Dental at (407) 878-3888 or request an appointment through gentlecare.dental.

Yes. Patients can submit an appointment request through the Gentle Care Dental website. The office can then confirm the appointment details.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental is a family dental practice in Lake Mary and is open Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Yes. Gentle Care Dental welcomes walk-ins when availability permits. Calling ahead is recommended so the office can advise you on the best arrival time.

Gentle Care Dental is located at 570 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746. Call (407) 878-3888 or visit gentlecare.dental.