FAQ
Questions patients often ask
Straight answers about treatments, costs, comfort and emergencies. If your question is not here, message us on WhatsApp.
01
Visiting Sterling
Where is The Sterling Dental Clinic?+
At 16-A, Palam Marg, Block B, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057. The nearest metro station is Vasant Vihar on the Magenta Line.
When are you open?+
Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM · Sunday closed. Appointments are booked by phone or WhatsApp.
Do you see international patients and embassy families?+
Yes. Sterling has cared for Delhi's diplomatic community for more than two decades, is on the panel of several embassies, and treats patients from 97+ countries, including many who travel to Delhi for implant treatment.
Do you work with insurance?+
We are on the panel of international insurers including Aetna and Allianz. Ask us before your visit and we will tell you what your policy needs from us.
02
Implants, crowns and bridges
What is a dental implant?+
An implant is a small titanium or ceramic post placed in the jaw bone in place of a tooth's root. Once it has joined the bone it holds a crown, a bridge or a denture firmly. The teeth next to it are not cut or damaged, and the implant helps prevent the bone loss that follows a missing tooth. At Sterling every implant is planned on a CBCT 3D scan first.
What is a bridge?+
A bridge is a fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth. A conventional bridge is held by crowns on the teeth either side of the gap; an adhesive (enamel-bonded) bridge is bonded to the back of the neighbouring teeth with less preparation. An implant is often the alternative, and the dentist will explain which suits you.
Why does a crown cost more than a filling?+
A crown covers the whole visible tooth and is made in a laboratory from ceramic or metal-ceramic, so it involves lab work and more expensive materials. It usually takes two visits, although many CEREC ceramic crowns are designed, milled and fitted at Sterling in a single visit.
What is the difference between a denture and a crown or bridge?+
A denture is removable: you take it out to clean it. A crown or bridge is fixed in place and cannot be removed. Implant-supported dentures sit in between: they clip onto implants so they do not move, and some full-arch options are fixed in place and removed only by the dentist.
03
Root canals and gums
What is root canal treatment?+
Root canal treatment removes inflamed or infected pulp from inside a tooth, cleans and seals the canals, and lets you keep a tooth that was causing pain. A root-canal-treated tooth usually needs a crown and can then last for many years.
My gums bleed. Is that normal?+
No. Bleeding gums are common, but healthy gums do not bleed. Bleeding usually means inflammation (gingivitis) caused by bacteria on the teeth, and it can progress to periodontitis, which loosens teeth. Rarely it points to a medical condition, so please have it checked.
What are the warning signs of gum disease?+
Gums that bleed when you brush, red or swollen gums, gums pulling away from the teeth, bad breath that does not go away, loose teeth, or a change in how your teeth meet. Early treatment is simple; late treatment is not.
04
Cosmetic dentistry and fillings
What is cosmetic dentistry?+
Cosmetic (aesthetic) dentistry covers treatments that improve how teeth look: whitening, bonding, veneers, crowns, aligners and full smile makeovers. Stained, chipped, crooked, spaced or missing teeth can all be improved.
What are my options for changing the shape of my teeth?+
Bonding (tooth-coloured resin shaped and hardened on the tooth), veneers (thin custom ceramic shells on the front of the teeth), crowns (caps that cover the whole tooth) and re-contouring (gently reshaping enamel). The right choice depends on how much change you want and the health of the teeth.
Do whitening toothpastes work?+
They remove surface stains with mild abrasives and can lighten teeth by about one shade. Professional whitening in the clinic changes the colour of the tooth itself and can make teeth several shades lighter in about an hour.
What are dental sealants?+
Sealants are a thin protective coating painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, usually in children, to prevent decay in the grooves. They can last for years and are checked at routine visits.
Are silver (amalgam) fillings safe?+
Amalgam contains mercury bound with silver, copper, tin and zinc into a stable alloy that has been used for more than a century. Major dental and health bodies consider existing amalgam fillings safe. Today we mostly use tooth-coloured fillings, and we do not recommend removing sound amalgam fillings without a reason.
05
Nervous patients and emergencies
I am very afraid of the dentist. What can I do?+
Tell us. You are not alone, and a good team takes fear seriously. We explain each step before we do it, numb the area properly, and offer inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide) or general anaesthesia given by an anaesthetist for longer treatment.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?+
Hold it by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or water and, if you can, put it back in the socket. If not, keep it in milk or inside the cheek. See a dentist within 30 minutes if possible: time decides whether it can be saved.
What should I do about a broken tooth or a bad toothache?+
Rinse with warm water, use a cold compress on the cheek for swelling, keep any broken pieces moist, and take a pain reliever you know is safe for you. Then contact a dentist as soon as possible. Message us on WhatsApp with a photo and we will tell you how soon we can see you.
A wire on my braces is hurting. What do I do?+
Cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball or gauze. If the wire is stuck in the cheek, tongue or gum, do not pull it out: come to the dentist or orthodontist the same day.
Certificates of Appreciation from the U.S. Embassy
U.S. Embassy Medical Unit · Certificate of Appreciation
Granted to Dr. Tarun Kumar Giroti for outstanding services and professionalism to members of the U.S. Mission in India.
Embassy of the United States of America, Health Unit, New Delhi · Certificate of Appreciation
Presented to Sterling Dental Clinic for its part in the Health Fair at the American Embassy, New Delhi, on 23 February 2018.
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