The Finest Reconstructive Dentistry Of The Best Dalton Dentists

Comprehensive Dental Examination

When medical issues or a lifetime of dental challenges have become overwhelming for your smile, our dentists are here to help. Dr. Hughes and Dr. Patterson have years of training and experience in full mouth comprehensive dentistry.

If you have a long list of dental problems and don't know where to begin, the first step is to schedule an appointment with us for a thorough dental examination with necessary dental x-rays, photos, a periodontal (gum) assessment and an oral cancer screening. This visit takes about an hour; your dental exam provides your dentist with the information he needs to understand the ‘big picture› of your individual oral health.

Consultation & Treatment Planning

Following your complete dental examination, we will invite you to return to our office for a consultation visit. The doctor will talk with you about your dental health and review options to treat any high priority issues like abscesses, tooth pain, gum infection or severe teeth grinding (bruxism), if present.

Your goals are important during this discussion. You and the dentist will develop a treatment plan that not only improves your oral health and helps to prevent future dental emergencies, it also creates opportunities to improve your smile appearance in the process.

• As we review treatment options with you, we will talk about your preferences, such as tooth shade and brightness, the overall shape and size of your teeth, and how the gum line frames your smile.

A comprehensive dental treatment plan is a ‘road map’ that you and your dentist will follow together to rebuild your smile. We will advise you on when to schedule each step, along with the estimated costs of treatment.

Our first concern with reconstructive dentistry is to eliminate any infection or disease, like periodontal disease. This is followed by restorative treatments, including dental crowns to rebuild teeth, and tooth replacement procedures like dental implants, bridges or partial or complete dentures.

We also want to understand ‘how you got here’. We may recommend a dental nightguard to manage teeth grinding or clenching for example, or the use of oral rinses to help with dry mouth related to medications.

The Oral Health Connection

Dentistry is not just about fixing teeth, keeping your smile healthy also plays a role in your physical health. Like any other type of infection, an oral infection from tooth decay or periodontal disease triggers a response from the entire body.

Gum infections have been linked as a risk factor for patients with systemic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Medical professionals also generally recommend that patients undergoing cancer treatment see the dentist to rule out any oral health problems so that the body's immune system is not stressed further by harmful dental bacteria.

Financing

Our dentists present reconstructive dentistry as a step-by-step treatment plan. Some services are recommended right away, and others can be phased with the patient's budget. We want to be your dental health partner and help you get the treatment you need to restore health to your smile. Our treatment coordinator will meet with you to work out financial arrangements that make sense for your needs.

Dental Insurance

Most traditional dental insurance plans offer some level of reimbursement for restorative dentistry procedures. We will be happy to research your coverage to help estimate what your insurance will pay. Please read our Facts about Insurance to learn more about dental insurance.