We Love Answering Your Dental Questions in Decatur

When you’re responsible for overseeing your family’s dental health, you are sure to have many questions. Dr. Parker and Dr. Betts want to make it as easy as possible for you to get the information you need to care for all your smiles.

Below, we’ve answered some of the most common Decatur dental questions we hear. If you have other questions, just give us a call at 256-274-8680. You can also schedule online. Be sure to set up your next checkup as well!

How old does my child have to be for their first dentist appointment?

Our dentists love children. He has three of his own and three grandchildren, too. He recommends waiting until your children are between 2 and 4 years old to bring them in for their first dental appointment. When your child gets a bit older, they can participate in one of our Hands-On Learning Labs. They’ll get to wear a lab coat, make teeth impressions, and more as they learn about oral health and dental careers.

What is Whitening For Life?

With our Whitening for Life program, you’ll enjoy a lasting white smile while you’re a patient with us. All you have to do is pay a one-time fee of $99 and see our team every six months for a dental checkup. At each checkup, you’ll receive whitening gel and custom trays to maintain a whiter, brighter smile at home.

What dental insurance does your practice accept?

Our office is happy to file your insurance for you. We strive to help you obtain all your benefits while providing you the best care possible. You can receive your care from our doctors even if you don’t find our name on the insurance company website or the list your employer provides. And if you don’t, ask about our in-house Dental Savings Plan! For up-to-date information, call our office – we’re happy to tell you how your plan works.

Are root canals painful?

Not at all. Modern root canals remove infections causing toothaches. Without a root canal, you’ll continue to be in pain until the tooth is finally extracted. Our doctors are highly trained to use numbing agents and will adjust yours to make sure you’re comfortable. He can also administer laughing gas. A root canal procedure ends pain, and more importantly, it can save your tooth.

Do you offer metal-free tooth fillings?

Yes, we offer traditional amalgam fillings and composite resin fillings so you can choose what’s best for your situation. Both can effectively treat decayed teeth, but sometimes, a patient will prefer a composite filling if they want it to blend in with surrounding teeth, or because they are more sensitive or allergic to metal in standard fillings.

Do you treat emergency patients?

We offer same-day dental emergency services. We are here for you when you need us most. All you need to do is call the office and let us know what’s going on. We’ll get you into the schedule as quickly as we can so that you can get out of pain as fast as possible. If it’s after hours, you will be redirected to a doctor’s personal phone.

How should I replace a missing tooth?

If you have lost an adult tooth, it is important that you restore your smile with a long-lasting and naturally functioning replacement like a dental implant. The implant itself will replace your tooth root and create a strong foundation for a restoration like a dental crown or bridge. Once in place, this restoration should last as long as a decade, perhaps more depending on your situation, and your implant should last the rest of your life. Choose the stability of a dental implant when replacing a missing tooth.

Visit Charles F. Betts, Jr., D.M.D. Family Dentistry

We can see you as soon as tomorrow!

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