Family & General Dentistry FAQs
Smiles on demand for your whole family.
Check out this FAQ section! Our expert dental care team has thoughtfully compiled answers to common questions, which will benefit your whole family.
No! You do NOT need dental insurance to become a patient at our practice.
Routine preventive teeth cleanings and checkups are extremely important for protecting your dental health and your overall health. We believe that everyone should have access to quality dental care. So even if you don't have dental insurance, we're prepared to work with you to fit your dentistry comfortably into your budget.
Ask us about our membership plan specifically designed for patients without insurance. It makes your dental care accessible and affordable.
We also offer financing options for your out-of-pocket costs. Dental financing is easy to sign up for, either at home online. or at our dental office. You receive a quick decision so that you are able to move forward with your treatment.
Dental financing takes your treatment plan's total cost and breaks it into comfortable monthly payments that don't deplete your budget. There are even interest-free plans available for well-qualified patients.
Several dental insurance companies recognize us as an in-network, preferred provider. You may be able to use your typical PPO coverage at our dental office even if we are not in your dental insurance network.
Our knowledgeable and courteous financial coordinator can assist you in understanding and utilizing your insurance coverage to help defray the cost of your dental care. Please contact us for a complimentary benefits analysis.
We provide third-party dental financing if you are considering a more extensive treatment plan. Dental financing is a service that allows people to break down the cost of dental treatment into manageable monthly payments.
An essential goal of our dental practice is to provide all patients with high-quality dental care in a peaceful environment. We will not be surprised by any set of teeth. Give us a call if it's been a long since you've seen a dentist. We promise, no judgment here!
Whether you have a fractured tooth, a knocked-out tooth, or tooth pain, we always encourage our patients to contact our dental practice as soon as possible in the event of a dental emergency. We strive to schedule emergency patients on the same day whenever possible.
A dental filling or a dental crown can often be used to heal a fractured tooth. We also offer root canal therapy for diseased or abscessed teeth and tooth extractions for teeth that can no longer be salvaged.
If you have a dental emergency, we invite you to call us even if you've never been to our dental office before.
It can be challenging to tell if you have a true dental emergency. Here are some of the problems that our dental office can handle:
- Pain or swelling in your mouth or around your gums
- Knocked-out or dislodged tooth
- An abscessed tooth or infection in the mouth
- A chipped or broken tooth
- Cracked or broken dentures
Give us a call if you're not sure if your issue is a dental emergency. We'll be pleased to assist you over the phone, and our friendly staff will evaluate your situation and determine whether you require immediate assistance. Before going to the hospital emergency room, call our office. The ER may not be fully equipped to address tooth emergencies.
Dental issues are uncomfortable and stressful to deal with. If you or a loved one has a dental emergency, whether it's a dislodged tooth or pain that's kept you awake all night, you can trust us for timely, gentle care.
The following are some of the dental emergencies that we assist with:
- Broken teeth
- Lost or broken fillings or crowns
- Cracked or broken dentures
- Toothaches, abscesses, and tooth infections
- Knocked-out teeth
We arrange time in our daily schedule to accommodate emergency patients when possible. Patients are also encouraged to call our dental office before going to the hospital in an emergency.
Because hospitals aren't always equipped to treat dental emergencies, calling us first might save you time and money. Over the phone, our specialists can evaluate your situation and determine if you require immediate assistance.
If you have a tooth emergency, don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to assist you, and we're excited to get you back on track to wellness.
All of our x-rays are taken digitally at our dental office, which benefits both our dentist and our patients.
The fact that the x-rays are ready for viewing and may be easily transmitted to another relevant care provider is appreciated by patients. Digital x-rays also release significantly less radiation (approximately 90%) than traditional film x-rays, making them extremely safe for both adults and children.
Digital x-rays produce a sharper image, allowing for a quicker diagnosis. This form of x-ray may be easily viewed on our treatment room's television monitor, making treatment recommendations simple.
Digital x-rays also have a lower environmental impact because they do not require the use of harsh chemicals in their production.
One pair of bitewing x-rays is usually recommended once a year to provide a baseline and help our dentist see things that aren't evident to the naked eye during your checkup. As a preventative step, most insurance companies pay for yearly x-rays.
Give us a call if it's time for your next cleaning and checkup! These checkups can help you protect your smile and may prevent you from needing more comprehensive treatment in the future.
Nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, is a mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide that is exceptionally safe for both adults and children.
It's a moderate sort of sedation that makes you feel peaceful and relaxed during dental operations. It can help alleviate the dread and worry that some patients have about going to the dentist.
During your procedure, we will administer nitrous oxide using an inhalation mask, which will help you relax rapidly. When you remove the cover after your operation, the nitrous oxide exits your system fast, and you can safely drive home or return to work and complete your day.
Nitrous oxide often has no long-term adverse effects once it leaves your body, making it an excellent sedative option for most dental operations.
To safeguard your dental health, you should visit your dentist for teeth cleanings and checkups on a regular basis.
According to the American Dental Association, healthy patients should see their dentist every six months for preventive care (ADA). Patients with gum disease will need to see their hygienist for tooth cleanings more regularly in order to keep their condition under control. Patients with gum disease may require three to four cleanings per year.
Preventive dental examinations and teeth cleanings are critical for maintaining both your oral and general health since science has demonstrated obvious links between gum disease and non-dental health issues such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- High blood pressure
- Challenges during pregnancy
We know that it's never been more crucial for our patients to preserve their health with routine preventive dental treatment in light of these discoveries.
Our dental practice places a high priority on relationships, and we take the time to get to know our patients so you may feel at ease receiving the dental care you require. These are the kinds of connections that our patients value and rely on to keep their teeth healthy.
Please make an appointment with us to plan your next dental visit. Even if it has been a long time since your last, you will appreciate our welcoming atmosphere.
When a tooth becomes infected, a root canal is frequently advised. Because most tooth infections are painful, you'll probably be in a lot of pain if you need a root canal.
Our skilled dentist will gently remove the diseased tissue from inside your tooth during root canal therapy. When the dentist is certain your tooth is free of infection, they will then seal it with a temporary filling and give it time to heal.
Our dental team prioritizes patient comfort, and we use cutting-edge equipment to make your root canal treatment as painless as possible. For patients who are afraid of root canal treatment, we can offer a dental sedative called nitrous oxide.
Root canal therapy not only relieves the pain of a dental infection but it also protects the natural structure of your tooth, preventing tooth loss. After root canal treatment, we will propose either a tooth crown or a dental filling to restore and reinforce your tooth. When you rebuild your tooth, you will be able to perform all of the functions you had before your tooth got infected.
For more information about root canal treatment and how we can help safeguard your smile, contact us today.
Because you are likely in much pain when you require a root canal, root canals are generally associated with discomfort. However, it is crucial to note that your pain is caused by an infection deep within the nerve of your tooth, not by the root canal treatment itself.
Root canal therapy is a simple technique that removes infection from inside your tooth while also preserving the original tooth's structure. The technique is simple, and cutting-edge technology mixed with dental anesthetics guarantees that you are comfortable throughout your treatment.
When bacteria corrode your tooth and reach the nerve in the inner canals, an infection develops, which can be rather painful. Unfortunately, if your tooth becomes infected at this time, it will not heal without treatment. If left untreated, an infection will worsen, affecting your nearby teeth and perhaps resulting in tooth loss.
For individuals who are nervous about root canal treatment, we also offer Nitrous Oxide sedation.
To learn more about how we can help with root canals or to make an appointment, call our dental office today!
Root canal therapy is an excellent way to save your natural tooth and avoid tooth loss. The operation, however, causes your tooth to become more brittle since it eliminates the damaged nerve tissue from inside your tooth. A dental crown strengthens and protects your tooth's root. It also assures that your teeth can do all of the chewing functions that they did before the infection.
The dentist places a temporary filling on your tooth during root canal therapy to allow it to heal. Although a permanent filling can sometimes restore your tooth, we usually advise a crown to reinforce it once it has recovered.
Our office can handle every part of your root canal treatment and dental crown, ensuring that you get a high-quality restoration that will last for years. Our reputable dental lab usually completes your crown in two to three weeks.
If you have any questions concerning root canal therapy or dental crowns, please contact our office for more information.
Yes! We offer a couple different sedation options.
Nitrous Laughing Gas
Also known as laughing gas, Nitrous is beneficial in calming a patient's anxiety before a procedure. It is a sweet-smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas that you can breathe.
It is used primarily for its anesthetic and analgesic properties. It is a safe and effective gas that is inhaled by the patient. It is the most commonly used sedation technique in dentistry.
There are many advantages to using Nitrous.
- The depth of sedation can be altered at any time to increase or decrease sedation.
- There is no after effect such as a "hangover."
- Inhalation sedation is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs, etc.
- Inhalation sedation is very effective in minimizing gagging.
- It works rapidly as it reaches the brain within 20 seconds. In as little as two-three minutes, its relaxation and pain-killing properties develop.
Oral Sedation
Are you extremely anxious about visiting the dentist? We can administer an oral sedative to help relax you before performing any restorative dental procedure. Safe and effective, Oral Sedation allows you to remain awake and aware, but your anxiety will be reduced for any dental procedure.
Oral Sedation can also be combined with a light amount of Nitrous Oxide gas to increase your relaxation.
Advantages to patients include:
- Treatment is completed when you are in a more relaxed mood.
- You will have less difficulty sitting through a lengthy procedure.
- Multiple treatments and full mouth restorations can occur during the same visit.
- Less discomfort after treatment.
Schedule today!
(912) 638-9001
300 Main St #101
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
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Office Hours:
Monday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.