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We hope you find answers to your questions
in the following section. If you would like further information or
have another question, please give us a call or ask during your next
visit. We are always ready to help our patients in any way we can. Our doctors subscribe to the latest
industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the
dental industry. They also take time on a regular basis for continuing
education classes and seminars and ensure the staff does the same.
As a team and as individuals, our office makes it our responsibility
to be familiar with the latest techniques and materials available. back to top Our entire practice team is well-trained
in state-of-the-art sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient
safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and facemasks to prevent
passing germs, and includes a specialized sterilization center and
a water line cleaning system. The office also subscribes to Emory University's Autocheck system which ensures that our sterilization units
are performing optimally. back to top In case of a true dental emergency,
please call our office as soon as possible. If we are closed, there
will be a message stating the phone number of the doctor on call.
The doctor on call will speak with you over the phone and determine
if you need to be seen immediately. back to top Believe it or not, children should
have their first dental visit about six months after their primary
teeth have erupted, or generally around their first birthday. This
examination provides the dentist an opportunity to spot and prevent
any potential oral health/dental problems and review good habits
for oral hygiene with the parents. Children usually are brought in for
their first dental cleaning at around three years of age. We recommend
children come into the office to observe a routine visit before their
initial cleaning- either that of a parent or an older sibling. back to top We encourage our patients to have
open, direct communication with our doctors. Therefore, they are
available daily to answer your questions either over the phone or
via email. Depending on office traffic and the complexity of your
questions, they strive to respond within 24 hours. back to top If your child has an imminent medical
emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness, or other
bodily injury, seek medical help immediately. Otherwise, contact
our office; describe the situation over the phone and our office
staff will help you determine the safest and most appropriate plan
of action. Do not attempt to clean or wash the
tooth. If possible, reinsert the tooth in your child's mouth, or
place the tooth under the tongue. If neither is possible, place the
tooth in a small glass of milk and bring to the office with you. back to top It is certainly not desirable to have
bleeding gums following brushing. Bleeding gums can be caused by
of the following: improper, rough, "scrubbing" instead of gentle,
circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled toothbrush instead
of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line;
or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this
problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods or
occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation
appointment. back to top Millions of people struggle with halitosis,
or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here is a checklist
of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing,
daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings,
and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances.
However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists,
we can offer several solutions. First, we can provide a plastic tool
called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your
tongue and can significantly alleviate odor. Or, we can recommend
a specially prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break
the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, we
may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection
or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with
your family physician or specialist to identify the cause. back to top Snoring is tough on any relationship!
And, since it can be caused by a number of factors, we encourage
you to have your spouse come in for a consultation and analysis with
your dentist to determine the cause. In some cases, a person may actually
stop breathing for short periods during the night- a condition called
sleep apnea, which we would recommend you see a medical doctor for.
In other cases, snoring can be caused by enlarged anatomical structures
within the mouth and throat. During sleep, the throat area relaxes,
allowing these structures to collapse against one another and obstruct
airflow. In the latter situation, we can prescribe and fit a special
appliance called a "snore-guard," which gently holds the mouth and
throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents
snoring. back to top We are happy to accept referrals from
other dental offices as well as from recommendations by our patients
to their family and friends. Your referrals truly are our best compliments! back to top We think the following sites are very
helpful. They provide key information about a variety of important
dental health topics. back to top What is your policy on payment for dental appointments? Payment for dental procedures is due at the time services are performed unless previous arrangements have been made with our staff. For your convenience we accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. As a patient courtesy, if you have dental insurance coverage, we will be happy to file your claim for your reimbursement. By supplying us with your most recent information, we can expedite your reimbursement from the insurance company. Since insurance coverage varies from plan to plan, if you have any questions regarding your covered benefits, we encourage you to contact your insurance carrier or your employer for details. For extensive treatment we offer a partnership with Capital
One financing. They provide interest-free and long-term payment plans. For additional information, you can visit their website at www.capitalonehealthcarefinance.com or call them at 1.877.559.5050. If you have additional questions regarding our payment policies, please contact our Office Manager, Debbie Gattone, at 404.266.1300. back to top |
