Patient questions, answered
The things people ask us on the phone every week — about visiting, about costs, and about what each treatment actually involves.
About visiting the clinic
Where exactly is ORADENT Dental Care?
We are at 48, Maharani Indira Devi Road, Parnasree, Behala, Kolkata 700060, West Bengal — near Sakshi Baban, opposite Gurunan Math. There is an auto stand directly outside, and the clinic is on the ground floor.
What are your opening hours?
We are open Mon – Sun, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM & 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM. You can book any available slot online up to 30 days in advance.
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
Walk-ins are welcome but you may have to wait. Booking online takes under a minute, confirms your slot immediately, and means you are seen at the time you chose.
How do I book an appointment?
Use the booking form on this site — pick a date, pick a free time slot, and enter your name and mobile number. Your slot is confirmed on the spot and you get a reference number. You can also call or WhatsApp us on +91 98301 69230.
Can I change or cancel my appointment?
Yes. Call or WhatsApp us on +91 98301 69230 with your reference number and we will move or cancel it. Please give us as much notice as you can so the slot can go to someone else.
Who will treat me?
Dr. Nabanita Chaklader, BDS (WBUHS), a dental surgeon with declared special interests in root canal treatment and in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Is the clinic suitable for children and elderly patients?
Yes. We treat all ages, and appointments for children and for elderly patients are given extra time so nothing is rushed.
What about sterilisation and infection control?
Instruments are cleaned, packed and autoclaved between every patient. Single-use items are used once and discarded, and surfaces are disinfected between appointments.
Do you handle dental emergencies?
Yes. For severe pain, swelling, a knocked-out tooth or bleeding after an extraction, call us on +91 98301 69230 rather than booking online, and we will fit you in.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash and UPI. We will give you a clear estimate of the cost before starting any treatment, so there are no surprises.
Root Canal Treatment (RCT)
Is a root canal painful?
No. The tooth is fully anaesthetised, so the procedure itself feels like having a filling. What hurts is the infection beforehand — and the root canal is what stops it.
Can it be done in one sitting?
Often, yes, particularly for front teeth and teeth without active infection. Molars and abscessed teeth are usually safer over two visits.
Is it better to just extract the tooth?
Almost never, if the tooth is restorable. Nothing replaces a natural tooth as well as the natural tooth. An extraction also starts bone loss and lets neighbouring teeth drift.
How long does a root-treated tooth last?
Properly treated and properly crowned, it can last a lifetime. The two things that shorten it are skipping the crown and untreated gum disease.
Dental Implants
Is implant surgery painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic and most patients report less discomfort than a difficult extraction. Mild soreness for a few days afterwards is normal.
How long does the whole process take?
Typically three to six months from placement to final crown, because the bone needs time to fuse to the implant. The waiting is what makes it last.
How long do implants last?
The titanium post is designed to be permanent. The crown on top may need replacing after ten to fifteen years of normal wear.
Do I need a bone graft?
Only if the bone at the site has already resorbed. We can tell you after the X-ray at your first consultation.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
How long does wisdom tooth surgery take?
Most take twenty to forty minutes. The planning beforehand takes longer than the procedure.
How much swelling should I expect?
Swelling peaks around 48 hours and settles over the following few days. Ice for the first day, warm salt-water rinses from the second.
Will my jaw be numb afterwards?
The anaesthetic wears off in a few hours. We assess nerve proximity on the X-ray beforehand precisely to avoid lasting numbness.
Do I need someone to come with me?
For a straightforward extraction under local anaesthetic, no. For longer surgical cases we recommend it.
Tooth Extraction
How long does bleeding last?
Oozing for a few hours is normal. Steady bleeding beyond that means the clot has been disturbed — bite on fresh gauze and call us.
When can I eat?
Once the numbness has gone, so you do not bite your lip or cheek. Start with soft, cool food.
Can I go to work the next day?
After a simple extraction, usually yes. After surgical removal, plan a quiet day.
How soon can the gap be filled?
Bone needs about three months to heal before an implant. A temporary replacement can be made much sooner.
Scaling & Polishing
How often should I have my teeth cleaned?
Every six months for most people; every three to four months if you have gum disease, diabetes, or smoke.
Does scaling hurt?
Not usually. Healthy gums feel only vibration and cold water. Inflamed gums can be tender, which is itself a sign the clean is needed.
Will it whiten my teeth?
It removes surface staining, so teeth look noticeably brighter — but it does not change the natural shade of the enamel. That needs whitening.
My gums bleed when I brush. Should I stop brushing?
No — the opposite. Bleeding means inflammation from plaque. Keep brushing gently and come in for a clean.
Tooth Filling
Will I need an injection?
For a shallow filling, often not. For anything reaching the dentine, local anaesthetic makes it comfortable.
Can I eat straight afterwards?
Yes — composite is set hard with a curing light before you leave. Just wait for numbness to pass.
Why is my filled tooth sensitive to cold?
Mild sensitivity for a week or two after a deep filling is normal. If it persists or worsens, come back and let us check the bite.
Do you remove old silver fillings?
Only when they are failing, leaking or fractured — not routinely, since replacing a sound filling means removing more tooth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Does whitening damage enamel?
Professionally supervised whitening at correct concentrations does not. Temporary sensitivity is the usual side effect and settles.
How long does whitening last?
Typically one to two years, less if you drink a lot of tea, coffee or red wine, or use tobacco.
Are veneers reversible?
Ceramic veneers are not, because enamel is removed. Composite bonding largely is. We will always tell you which category a proposed treatment falls into.
Will my new teeth look fake?
Not if they are planned properly. We match shade, translucency and shape to your face and age.
Pediatric Dental Care
My child is terrified. What can we do?
Book a visit with no treatment planned. Meeting the clinic without anything happening is often all it takes to break the fear.
Should I stay in the room?
For younger children, yes. For anxious older ones, children sometimes cope better without an audience — we will judge it together.
When do adult teeth come through?
The first permanent molars and lower front teeth appear around age six. The rest follow through to about age twelve.
Is thumb-sucking a problem?
Not before four or five. Beyond that it can affect the position of the front teeth and the shape of the palate, and is worth addressing.