Does whitening hurt my teeth or damage my enamel?
Whitening when done correctly does not damage your teeth. In fact, low levels of carbamide peroxide (the active ingredient in whitening gel) can re-mineralize teeth and counteract bacteria that causes decay. Whitening should always be supervised by a dentist. Sensitivity resulting from whitening is due to temporary dehydration of the tooth. The stronger the active ingredient, the faster it works, but also the more likelihood of having sensitivity. In our office we customize the percent of peroxide to how tolerant your teeth are to sensitivity. We offer two ways to whiten your teeth. The first is a take home system that involves custom fit whitening trays. These trays are made from a scan of your teeth and are fabricated to exactly fit your teeth. We will teach you how to use the trays and the whitening gel at home. For most people this works well, but for heavily discolored teeth or patients that need faster results we recommend an in-office treatment. This is a very high concentration of peroxide for maximum effect. We also provide each patient with desensitizing gel to alleviate any short-term sensitivity that may occur.
Can I get a cleaning on my first visit?
Many patients call our office and request a dental cleaning. We understand this is a service that many patients want and need. In our office we do not schedule new patients to have a cleaning with the dental hygienist the same day as their first visit. We want to ensure that each patient receives the appropriate type of gum therapy that they need. Our doctors evaluate each patient’s gums and determine if a healthy mouth cleaning, or prophylaxis, is appropriate for them. If there is periodontal disease present other treatment will be necessary to maintain the bone around the tooth and prevent tooth loss. The gums and the bone are the foundation for healthy teeth and beautiful smiles, so it is extremely important that we care for them appropriately.
Do you take my insurance?
Dunwoody dental is not an in-network provider for any insurance company. We are committed to working with each patient’s insurance so that they can receive the maximum amount possible from their benefit plan. We will file your insurance for you will receive benefits as out of network providers. Many patients can receive necessary dental work with no additional costs and others may be responsible for a copay. We will verify all benefits and explain all anticipated costs prior to the start of any treatment.
Does my insurance cover it?
This is a great question! We understand that each patient would like to have their insurance cover as much as possible of needed treatment. The amount of coverage depends on the type of plan that you have. We have a dedicated team that will work with your insurance to make sure we maximize all benefits available to you. We can send pre-authorizations to find out from your insurance what they will cover.
X-rays digital radiation
At Dunwoody dental we are committed to doing what is the absolute best for our patient’s health. We understand that radiation is a concern for many patients. At Dunwoody Dental we use digital sensors for our x-rays which use 80% less radiation than traditional x-rays. The radiation you receive from normal check up x-rays is less than you get from being out in the sun for a day. The radiation emitted is so low that shields to protect the body are no longer recommended by the American Dental Association. The x-rays we take are considered safe for pregnant women. The benefits of uncovering underlying issues with your teeth far outweigh the risk from the very low dose of radiation.
