Q: What insurances does Altadena Dental accept?
A: We will file with any dental insurance under the sun, but we are network providers for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama, Delta Dental, Southland, Guardian, Metlife, Cigna, and United Concordia. We also have financing options for those people who dont have dental insurance.
Q: Where is Altadena Dental located?
A: We’re located right in Vestavia Hills easily accessed from I459 or Hwy280. Located on Acton Road between Altadena Country Club and the Colonnade, Altadena Dental is very convenient to all our pateints. Our street is Devereux Circle and the office is across from an emergency vet clinic on Acton. Please see map for more details.
Q: I’m nervous about coming to the dentist, how can you help me?
A: Our patients rave about how our office doesn’t feel like a dental office at all! With comfortable chairs and sofa, warm colors, plasma television and bottled water, our reception area is catered to you! Once in the treatment room, you will love the soft leather and amazingly comfortable chairs along with a relaxing massage feature. The tv in the room helps take your mind off dental work as well and if you need nitrous (relaxing gas), we have that too. We will do whatever it takes to make sure you are as comfortable as possible and have a wonderful dental experience!
Q: I’m thinking about whitening my teeth…how long does it last?
A: Whitening usually takes between 3-4 weeks depending on how yellow the teeth are to begin with. You will wear the custom trays 30 minutes twice a day. If your teeth become sensitive, then gear it back to wearing the trays 30 minutes once a day. Once you achieve your desired shade, then touching up once a week for 30 minutes is ideal depending on how much coffee, tea and cola you drink. If you don’t drink anything dark such as coffee or tea, then touching up may only need to take place once a month.
Q: What kind of toothbrush should I use?
A: As long as you use a “soft” bristled brush, then you can use any brand your heart desires. Stay away from medium and hard bristled brushes because these can wear away the enamel on your teeth and make your gums receed.
Q: What about “silver” fillings versus “white” fillings?
A: Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting “white” or tooth-colored composite fillings. We exclusively use tooth-colored fillings because they “bond” to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. The tooth colored fillings are also much more esthetic. However, “white” fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken-down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient.
Q: I grind and clench my teeth when I sleep so i wake up with headaches…what can be done?
A: You need to get a custom bite splint made especially for you. It is made with soft liner on the inside and a very hard acrylic on the outside. It fits only on your top teeth and basically provides space when you grind and clench. This helps to relieve the TMJ (lower jaw joint) and it also keeps the teeth safe from being cracked and chipped. You wear it only when you sleep and will notice a difference immediately.