Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Getting a dental implant placed might seem like it would be uncomfortable, but it isn't! Since we use local anesthesia to numb the area we're treating, the procedure is pain-free.

Dr. Hayder is a gentle dentist, and our caring dental team is great at helping patients relax and feel comfortable and confident about their dental care. We ensure that all our patients at Mint Dental Care have a comfortable, stress-free experience, whether we're placing an implant or a simple tooth filling.

Our Sedation Dentistry Options

Before placing your implant, we use strong local anesthetics to numb the area so you won't feel any pain. 

We also offer sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide or laughing gas. Nitrous will help you feel very calm and detached from the activity around you so you can experience a pain-free procedure. Dr. Hayder can also prescribe an anti-anxiety pill that you take before your appointment.

No Nerves, No Pain

Another reason there's no pain associated with implant placement is because there are few nerves in your jawbone to feel pain. You will feel some slight pressure as we prepare the bone for implant placement, but you won't feel any pain.

After you get home and the anesthetic wears off, you might experience some soreness or discomfort for a day or two. Store-bought pain relievers like ibuprofen are usually all our patients need to feel comfortable.

Call to Learn More about Dental Implants

If you are considering getting an implant and have questions, please call our Odessa, FL dental office to schedule an appointment to learn more.

Are you living with crooked teeth that make you self-conscious about your smile? Clear braces in Odessa, FL, are an excellent option for busy adults or teens to align their teeth with discretion and efficiency.

Most patients start to see gradual movement as soon as they begin to wear their aligners. Treatment with Invisalign typically takes around 12 to 18 months, depending on the patient's specific needs. 

For example, a patient who needs a few slight rotations or to close some gaps to align their teeth won't need as much treatment time as a patient who needs to correct an overbite or crossbite. The best way to determine how long Invisalign might take is to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Hayder, a certified Invisalign provider who can create a customized treatment plan for you.

Compliance is also integral to successful and timely treatment with Invisalign. Wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day and removing them only for meals, brushing, and flossing ensures that your teeth stay on track getting into alignment.

Would you like to learn more about Invisalign in Odessa and if it might be right for you? Contact Mint Dental Care at (813) 920-6608 and schedule an evaluation with Dr. Hayder.

It’s always best for your oral health and comfort to address broken and missing teeth as soon as possible. Dr. Hayder is an experienced dentist who offers numerous options for restoring your smile to full health. 

Solutions to Restore Broken Teeth

If a tooth is broken or cracked, we offer cosmetic bonding and dental crowns. Dr. Hayder would likely recommend bonding for a break or crack that’s more cosmetic in nature. 

We use dental crowns when a tooth’s structure is too damaged to function on its own. A crown is also called a cap or tooth cap and covers an entire tooth down to the gumline. 

Our dentist in Odessa, FL creates natural-looking crowns of all-ceramic or zirconia material that stand up well to daily wear and tear.

Tooth Replacement Options

Tooth loss can take a toll on your smile, comfort, and even your quality of life. Fortunately, we have you covered with several tooth options depending on how many teeth we need to replace:

• Dental implants
• Dental bridges 
• Partial dentures
• Full removable dentures
• Implant dentures

Of these options, implants and implant dentures most closely mimic a natural tooth’s form and function. If you don’t want to wait for a dental implant, bridges, partials, and complete removable dentures are all excellent choices to restore your smile. 

Do You Need Help with Broken or Missing Teeth?

If you have damaged, broken, or missing teeth, we would love to meet with you to explore all your options. Please call our Tampa area dental office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hayder to get started.

Yes! Dr. Hayder Kafaji and his experienced dental team provide prompt, same-day emergency dentistry for whatever problem you are experiencing. We understand how upsetting tooth emergencies can be, and we are here to help you!

Dental Emergencies We Treat

Because we care about your comfort and well-being, we always reserve time in our day for emergency patients whose situations can’t wait for treatment. Some of the most common dental emergencies we treat are:

• Toothaches
• Jaw swelling
• Inflamed, swollen, bleeding gums
• Broken teeth
• Tooth infection or dental abscess
• Broken crowns or fillings
• Loose or lost crown
• Broken dentures
• Food stuck between teeth
• Dental trauma

Dental emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, so if you have questions about another issue you are experiencing, please contact us so we can help you!

Do You Need an Emergency Dentist?

If you think you have a dental emergency, please call the team at Mint Dental Care so we can help you. We serve the communities of Odessa, Lutz, Tampa, Keystone, Citrus Park, Greater Northdale, Westchase, Carrollwood, Cheval, and beyond.

Are you worried about the cost of emergency dental care? Take a look at the details of our in-house dental savings plans that includes unlimited emergency dental exams, and call us if you’d like to sign up!

Please don’t spend too much time wondering if your problem is a dental emergency. Call Mint Dental Care at (813) 920-6608, and one of our friendly, caring team members will be happy to help you.

They will ask what you’re experiencing to determine how quickly we need to see you. We offer same-day emergency dentistry and can get you in promptly if you have a bad toothache, jaw swelling, dental abscess, or other urgent problem.

While we can’t always fully resolve the issue that day, we’ll relieve your pain and ensure you are safe and comfortable until our next available appointment.

We Treat All Dental Emergencies

All dental emergencies are scary, painful, or both, and we know your only thought is to get relief and resolution as quickly as possible. Anything that’s out of the ordinary with your oral health, even if it’s only a chipped tooth, can send you scrambling and looking for prompt, same-day emergency dentistry.

Trust Dr. Kafaji and his experienced dental team to handle a wide range of tooth emergencies, including:

• Tooth pain
• Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
• Lost dental crowns or tooth fillings
• Bleeding or swollen gums
• Jaw pain and swelling
• Dental trauma
• Broken dentures or appliances

Call Your Emergency Dentist in Odessa, FL

Do you live in Odessa, Lutz, Tampa, Keystone, Citrus Park, Greater Northdale, Westchase, Carrollwood, Cheval, and need same-day emergency dentistry? Call Mint Dental Care, and a friendly team member will be happy to help you.

Would you like to save on emergency dental costs or everyday dentistry? Please take a look at our in-house dental savings plan that includes unlimited emergency dental exams and many other benefits.

At Mint Dental Care, we offer a variety of cosmetic dental procedures to help our patients achieve their ideal smile. These include treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, and Invisalign clear braces. During your consultation appointment, we will take the time to get to know you as an individual and determine which of these options (or a combination thereof) will give you the best results. Here's a brief overview of each procedure: 

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are made from composite resin, a durable plastic material that a cosmetic dentist matches to the color of your natural teeth. Composite resin is used to fill in cavities and repair chipped or cracked teeth.

Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is another way to improve the appearance of your teeth using composite resin. This procedure is typically used for small cosmetic changes, such as closing gaps between teeth or changing the shape of a tooth. 

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that a cosmetic dentist bonds to the front surface of your teeth. Veneers are a popular choice because they provide long-lasting results and are natural-looking while being very durable. They are used to correct a wide variety of aesthetic concerns, such as gaps, chips, stains, and misshapen teeth.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure that can be performed in our dental office or at home using a custom-fitted whitening tray. Teeth whitening effectively removes stains and discoloration from your teeth caused by aging, smoking, certain foods and drinks, or certain medications. Professional teeth whitening can give you dramatic results in just one visit!

Invisalign Clear Braces

Invisalign clear braces are practically invisible aligners that gradually move your teeth into their proper position. Invisalign is an excellent alternative to traditional metal braces for patients who want straighter teeth without metal wires and brackets. If you're looking for a discreet way to straighten your teeth, Invisalign might be right for you. 

What's Your Smile Strategy?

Are you searching for a cosmetic dentist in or around Odessa, FL? When it comes to cosmetic dental procedures, we have everything you need to help you achieve your ideal smile! Whether you're looking for a simple tooth-colored filling or something more elaborate like porcelain veneers or Invisalign clear braces, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and goals. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a consultation appointment!

We understand how important it is for everyone to feel confident about their smiles. That's why nearly every treatment we provide improves the health and beauty of your teeth. Even a tooth filling can be aesthetic when a natural-looking material like composite resin is used.

How Cosmetic Dentistry Improves Your Smile

If there's something about your smile you'd like to improve, we would love to help you! We use cosmetic dentistry at our Odessa, FL dental office as follows:

• Conceal smile imperfections like chipped or broken teeth
• Improve the shape, size, and spacing of teeth
• Straighten teeth without metal braces
• Improve the ratio between your teeth and gums
• Whiten dull, stained, or discolored teeth

We use high-quality materials for fillings, bonding, porcelain veneers, and aesthetic dental crowns to help us create a subtle improvement or a head-turning smile makeover.

Schedule a Cosmetic Dental Appointment

If you want to see what options are available to improve and enhance your smile, please call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hayder. He will talk to you about your wants and desires and perform an exam to determine your needs.

If we need to resolve underlying issues like cavities or gum disease, we'll do that first. Then we'll work with you to create a smile makeover that will fill you with confidence and make great first impressions wherever you go!

We understand that not everyone has access to dental insurance, but it’s important that everyone has access to quality dentistry. If you are uninsured, we are pleased to offer an in-house membership plan to help reduce the cost of dental treatment.

We Can Help You Save on Dental Costs

With our dental savings plan, you pay an annual fee and receive numerous benefits (details still TBD)

• Two free exams, cleanings, and x-rays
• Discounts on all other services

Our plan is also convenient because it eliminates the typical limitations of dental insurance, including:

• No waiting period
• No deductibles
• No denied claims
• No yearly maximums
• No pre-existing conditions

If you would like to learn more about our plan and how you can save on dental expenses, please call our Odessa, FL dental office to get started.

Convenient CareCredit Financing

We also accept CareCredit financing for anyone who wants to break down the cost of their dental treatment into manageable monthly payments. CareCredit offers no-interest financing as long as you pay off the balance in the agreed period.

Approval rates are high, and it takes only minutes to apply. A member of our team will be happy to help you get started, or you can apply directly at CareCredit.com.

Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have questions or would like to get started with our dental savings plan.

When you hear the term "general dentistry," you might think of routine teeth cleanings and perhaps getting your cavities filled. And while those procedures are definitely a part of general dentistry, there's a lot more that falls under the umbrella.

Preventative Maintenance

A large part of general dentistry is focused on preventative maintenance. This means taking measures to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy. This can involve treatments, such as routine teeth cleanings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, oral cancer screenings, and more. All of these measures are important in keeping your smile healthy and happy. 

Restorative Procedures

If you happen to develop an issue with your teeth or gums, general dentists perform restorative procedures, such as filling cavities, root canals, crowns and bridges, dental implants, dentures and partial dentures, and tooth extractions.

Orthodontics

While not all general dentists provide orthodontic services, many do. Orthodontic treatment can correct problems with alignment (like overcrowding or gaps) and bite problems (like an overbite or underbite). If you're considering orthodontic treatment, please ask us about Invisalign. 

Emergency Dentistry

A dental emergency can strike at any time, often when you least expect it. Whether you're dealing with a loose filling, cracked tooth, a knocked-out tooth, or a sudden toothache, it's important to know how to handle the situation. If you're experiencing a dental emergency, please call us immediately at 813-920-6608.

Looking for a Dentist?

As you can see, a lot falls under the umbrella of general dentistry! From preventative maintenance to restorative procedures to orthodontics, dentists have a wide range of skills and knowledge. So if you're looking for a general dentist in (or around) Odessa, FL, to help you maintain your oral health, we'd love for you to consider us!

Yes! We are a privately-owned dental practice, and you can expect to see Dr. Hayder and the same friendly team every time you visit. 

We understand that dental care is enough of a challenge for some people without adding unfamiliar faces to the picture. You can have peace of mind knowing that you will be seen by a dentist who knows you and understands your unique needs.

Patient Relationships Are Important to Us

Developing trusting relationships with our patients is important to us, and that doesn’t happen in one visit. We care about your oral health, but we also care about the person behind the smile and what’s important in your life.

You are never just another number on a chart to us—you are a valued and respected member of our dental family. 

Establishing an ongoing relationship with the same dentist and team also benefits your dental treatment. Dr. Hayder gets to know you and what’s unique about your oral health situation so that he can tailor treatment plans with your specific needs and goals in mind.

Schedule Your Next Dental Exam with Dr. Hayder

Dr. Hayder and our team would love to welcome you to Mint Dental Care, where we offer a warm and friendly environment. If you are due for your next exam and teeth cleaning, please call our Odessa, FL dental office to schedule a convenient appointment.

Root canal treatment is typically permanent and can last a lifetime unless all the infected tissues aren't initially removed, your tooth doesn't properly heal, or it becomes reinfected. This can cause your original root canal to fail.

If your tooth becomes infected, Dr. Hayder uses root canal treatment to preserve your natural tooth and eliminate the infection. An infected tooth left untreated won't resolve on its own and worsens, putting surrounding teeth in danger and negatively impacting your overall health.

During your root canal in Odessa, Dr. Hayder gently removes the infected tissue inside your tooth and temporarily seals it with a filling to allow it time to heal. Once it's healed, you'll return to Mint Dental Care to have your tooth rebuilt with a permanent crown or filling to ensure you can eat and chew with ease again.

Some signs of root canal failure may be swelling around the treated tooth, pain or discomfort, or bloody, pus-filled discharge. If you notice any of these signs, contact your dentist right away. We may be able to re-treat a failed root canal. 

If you have concerns about a previously treated tooth or questions about root canal treatment, contact your Odessa dentist at (813) 920-6608.

At Mint Dental Care, we know how challenging it is for patients with dental anxiety to get the important care they need. We don’t want anyone to forego treatment for any reason and offer soothing sedation dentistry at our comfortable Tampa, FL dental office.

Nitrous Oxide for Short-Term Relaxation

Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is mild, short-term sedation option that won’t leave you with any drowsy after-effects. It is easy to administer because you inhale the nitrous and oxygen gas mix through a comfortable facial mask. In moments, you’ll feel the sedative effects that include a light tingling sensation and a feeling of comfort and well-being.

When we remove the mask, the effects wear off quickly, so you can drive yourself safely from your appointment. 

Oral Conscious Sedation 

Oral sedation involves taking an anti-anxiety medication about an hour before your appointment. This means that you will feel very drowsy and relaxed by the time you arrive with the help of a designated driver. 

The medicine has long-term effects, so you will remain calm throughout your procedure. We can also combine oral sedation with nitrous oxide for an extremely relaxing and stress-free experience.

Of course, we always use strong local anesthetics to numb the area of the mouth we’re treating to ensure completely pain-free dental treatment.

Experience Pain-Free, Stress-Free Treatment

At Mint Dental Care, stress-free dentistry and a great patient experience are our priorities. If you think sedation dentistry can help you at your next appointment, please call our Tampa-area dental office and let us know.

We proudly serve patients from Tampa, Odessa, Greater Northdale, Keystone, Westchase, Carrollwood, Citrus Park, Cheval, Lutz, and surrounding communities.