New Patients 470-999-6489

Current Patients 404-252-1216

47 Perimeter Center East Suite 160 Atlanta, GA 30346

Dental FAQs Atlanta, GA

Oral health is a complicated topic. Even for those who know a lot about it, information is constantly changing and updating. This is one of the many reasons why your regular dental check-ups are so crucial. At Sandy Springs Dental, we know that our patients have questions about their oral health and dental procedures. Therefore, we have included important patient information and common questions to help inform your oral health journey. 

FAQs in Atlanta, GA

What are the benefits of composite dental fillings?

Traditionally, dental fillings have been made of silver amalgam. However, our dental office uses only composite, or tooth-colored, filling material. Our dentist and team have chosen to use composite filling materials in order to provide you with a more natural-looking result and to promote better long-term oral health. There are many benefits to composite fillings, including:

  • Material that bonds to your tooth to provide more support for the tooth’s structural integrity
  • Reduced risk of the treated tooth breaking or fracturing in the future
  • Insulation from temperature changes caused by foods and beverages
  • Better seals around the edges of the damaged area, increasing the tooth’s resistance to decay and leaks
  • The ability to correct cavities that are too small for amalgam fillings to repair
  • Fillings that can be repaired and replaced without being removed from the tooth
  • No mercury or other metals are used, making the filling safer

When you receive a composite dental filling, our dentist will carefully select a filling that matches your natural tooth color to give you a more beautiful and healthier-looking smile. Fillings can usually be placed in a single appointment.

What is oral surgery?

Oral surgery includes several surgical dental treatments. Oral surgery aims to improve the function, health, and appearance of your smile and the surrounding structures, such as your jaw. In many cases, we strive to provide the most conservative treatment possible. However, oral surgery may be necessary to correct certain conditions and improve oral and overall health. Oral surgery may include:

  • Tooth extraction (for teeth that are decayed, damaged, or infected to the point that an effective restoration is impossible)
  • Wisdom teeth removal (for wisdom teeth that are impacted or have grown in at an incorrect angle)
  • Jaw surgery (to treat a TMJ disorder, correct uneven jaw growth, or improve the fit of dentures)
  • Bone grafts (to increase bone density or improve the chances of a successful dental implant)

While we provide many oral surgery treatments at our office, we also work closely with other dental professionals and hospitals to ensure you receive the high-quality results you deserve. Our dentist will carefully evaluate your smile and needs to determine whether oral surgery is the best treatment choice for you.

What are dental inlays & onlays?

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations used to repair damage or decay. If the damage is not extensive enough to warrant the use of a dental crown but is too serious to be repaired with a filling, our experienced dentist may recommend a dental inlay or onlay. Also known as partial crowns, inlays, and onlays are custom created from porcelain, a composite resin material, or gold.

Our dentist will ensure that your custom inlay or onlay perfectly fits your tooth to restore your smile’s health, function, and appearance. Once placed, they are virtually undetectable in the mouth and conserve much of your natural tooth structure.

Both inlays and onlays are used to restore damaged teeth. The difference between a dental inlay and a dental onlay is that an inlay is used when the damage does not reach the cusps of the tooth, while a dental onlay is used when the damage extends to one or more of the cusps. We will help you determine whether you need a dental inlay or onlay to restore your smile.