FAQs Archives - Old Milton Dental

Root Canals FAQs

Posted on June 26, 2017September 25, 2018 by Alpharetta Dentist

Endodontics is the branch of dental health care that specifically deals with root canal therapy. A root canal is a procedure that removes infected tooth pulp and root tissue from a tooth, and replaces it with a filler to ensure that no infection can reenter the area. In the past, many people ran from the painful root canal treatments available, but today, your dentist in Alpharetta has many modern dental techniques to turn this procedure into a fast and pain-free appointment. Here are some more root canal FAQs:

Can I Just Take Medicine Instead of a Root Canal?

There is no antibiotic that can cure a root canal infection, because antibiotics are carried through the body through the blood. The root of a tooth does not receive any blood supply; therefore, the medication would not reach the area. Manually removing the infected area is still our best dental treatment to date.

Does a Root Canal Require Many Visits?

Most patients receive the entire root canal therapy in a single visit, and may have to return for a single follow up visit later. Root canals today take no longer than filling a tooth.

Why Are Root Canals Necessary?

If a tooth root is allowed to remain infected, it could not only spread to other teeth or throughout the rest of your body, but will eventually lead to the tooth becoming rotten and having to be pulled. This can result in a host of other oral health concerns.

Does Insurance Cover Endodontics?

Most insurance covers root canal therapy, either in full or in part. When you make your appointment with the dentist in Alpharetta, we can find out if your insurance will cover the procedure before you begin.

Learn More from Your Dentist in Alpharetta

Do you have other root canal FAQs we did not answer here? Contact us at 678-624-0370, or find us online.

Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs

Posted on February 18, 2016June 14, 2017 by Alpharetta Dentist

Cosmetic dentistry covers a rather wide range of procedures and services including Invisalign, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental crowns and tooth- colored fillings. If you are unhappy about more than one aspect of your smile, at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, we may recommend a smile makeover, in which we develop a full plan to improve your smile. These Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs should help you better understand how a cosmetic dentist can help you.

Why Are My Teeth Discolored or Stained?

Some “lifestyle staining” is caused by habits like drinking black coffee or red wine, smoking or neglecting to brush your teeth often enough. In general, as we age our teeth start to look more yellow and dull as their enamel starts to become thin and the yellow dentin on the inside begins to show through. Sometimes medications can cause teeth to appear yellow or stained as well.

Fortunately, teeth whitening addresses all of these issues, and if your teeth are too badly stained for whitening to have an effect, you can always choose to have porcelain veneers placed over your teeth for a whiter, more even smile.

Why Should I Consider a Smile Makeover?

If your teeth are otherwise perfect except for one or two things, you may not need to develop a plan to improve your smile. However, if you have more imperfections that you want to take care of, it is a good idea to consult with one of the cosmetic dentists at Old Milton Dental to create the most effective, affordable and fastest plan to get your smile in great shape.

Can Cosmetic Dentistry Help My Dental Health?

Absolutely. Crooked and uneven teeth can be difficult to brush and floss and sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to take care of your teeth and gums if they already look unattractive. Cosmetic dentistry can also repair damaged or chipped teeth and keep them from becoming decayed as well.

For more answers to your questions about cosmetic dentistry, please don’t hesitate to call us at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA at 678-624-0370 today, or you can book an appointment online with our contact form.

Dental Implants FAQs

Posted on January 18, 2016June 14, 2017 by Alpharetta Dentist

You have no doubt heard about dental implants and how they can replace missing teeth with completely natural looking dental crowns. While this sounds amazing (and it is), you will likely have a few questions for your implant dentist before you commit to this procedure. At Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, we are dedicated to helping our patients understand all of their options for treatment, which is why we have created this list of FAQs to answer all of your questions.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

A dental implant is actually a titanium screw or stud that is placed in the jawbone where it will become fused to the bone as your jaw and gums heal. On the other end of the implant is an abutment that actually protrudes from the gum tissue. This is where your permanent crown will be installed so that it may act as a prosthetic tooth. The whole process can take as little as two months or as much as a year, all depending on how much time your gums and jaw take to heal.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

If you maintain good oral hygiene and you visit us at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta on a regular basis, your dental implants could last you for the rest of your life.

Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful?

No. In many cases, we can perform the entire procedure using only local anesthetic. Afterward, we may prescribe pain relief medication, but must patients find that over-the-counter nSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) like Aleve or ibuprofen take care of any residual discomfort during healing.

Are Dental Implants as Strong as Natural Teeth?

Yes. In fact, in many instances, dental implants may actually be stronger than your natural teeth. And, though your porcelain crowns will be very strong, if they are damaged or chipped over the years we can repair or replace them with ease.

For more information on dental implants and how an implant dentist can restore your smile, call us at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA today at 678-624-0370, or use our convenient online contact form to book an appointment.

Teeth Whitening FAQs

Posted on January 4, 2016June 14, 2017 by Alpharetta Dentist

Teeth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dental services, as it gives our patients in Alpharetta a significant improvement in their smiles without taking up a lot of time or money. With Zoom! whitening products, we are able to offer in-office and at-home treatments that give you the brilliant results you have been hoping for. Of course, you probably have a few questions about teeth whitening, which is why we have compiled Old Milton Dental’s most frequently asked questions for your convenience:

How Effective Is Teeth Whitening?

If you go with over-the-counter strips or whitening toothpastes, you may notice an improvement of a shade or two. With professional whitening products and treatments, you will notice your teeth get several shades whiter.

Will My Teeth Get Stained Again if I Keep Drinking Coffee or Red Wine?

Yes and no. Some of your favorite foods and beverages can be some of the worst culprits of staining. After you whiten your teeth, if you follow our after-care instructions, brush and floss regularly and visit us at Old Milton Dental for professional cleanings, you may be surprised at how long your teeth stay brilliantly white between treatments.

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?

No. If used properly, professional whitening products should not hurt your teeth at all, nor should they increase sensitivity. Whitening gel can irritate your gums, which is why it is important to get customized trays made for your whitening gel, especially if you are going to do at-home treatments.

Is Teeth Whitening for Everyone?

No, whitening does not affect porcelain, so you will not see changes in veneers or crowns if you have them. Fortunately, porcelain does not stain the same way that tooth enamel does, so you should not feel the need to whiten your crowns or veneers if you chose the correct shade for them.

If you have more questions about teeth whitening and your options for a more beautiful smile, call us at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA today at 678-624-0370, or you can book an appointment online with our contact form.

Category: FAQs