Yes, we gladly welcome new patients.
No, you do not need a referral. Simply call to make an appointment.
Many people do not see a dentist on a regular basis. They only go when they have a problem. This is known as "crisis treatment" versus "preventive treatment." While these patients may feel they are saving money, it often ends up costing much more in dollars and time. This is because many dental problems do not have symptoms until they reach the advanced stages of the disease process. An example is tooth decay when we tend to hear, "Nothing hurts... I don't have any problems."
Tooth decay often does not hurt until it gets close to the nerve of the tooth. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a huge cavity who has never felt a thing. The dentist can usually detect a cavity 3-4 years before it develops any symptoms. This early detection can help you prevent root canal treatment.
If you were referred for specialized care; the first appointment would be a consultation. This is where we get to know you and your dental concerns so we can diagnose and discuss treatment options.
Even if you know exactly what type of treatment you wish to receive, the consultation allows for an assessment of your oral health and situation, and determine if a certain procedure can be done. We discuss health history and medical conditions that can impact the type of treatment best for your lifestyle.
We can contact your general dentist to forward any current x-rays to us. These x-rays will allow the prosthodontist to get a better idea of what is going on and changes that have occurred since the x-rays.
In addition, please bring a full list of all medications you are currently taking and dates of surgeries or medical procedures you have had in the past few years. This information is vital because of the impact certain medications and surgical procedures can have on your treatment options.
That depends on the age of the x-rays. X-rays over 6 months old will not show the current condition of your mouth. Teeth shift and change over time. A six-month old x-ray may not show an accurate picture of your teeth. We use digital x-rays, which has a variety of benefits.
Rarely will we perform treatment on a first visit.
Dr. Miller is very thoughtful in planning out the best treatment options for each patient to provide the best results. This also helps you prepare for the dental procedure to be performed. We do not want your first visit to be overwhelming.
Perfect! Our Hygienist would love to see you. Call us for an appointment.
Our goal is to help make your dental treatment as convenient and affordable as possible. We will submit all claim forms on your behalf and help you maximize your dental insurance benefits.
We offer payment schedules for complete treatment plans and interest free financing through Care Credit.
Yes, Dr. Miller has extensive experience in cosmetic dentistry. We offer a number of cosmetic dental procedures including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and cosmetic bonding.
Dr. Miller generally sees adult patients, but sees adolescent persons based on their specific needs. Please contact our office for specific questions and arrangements regarding your situation.
A dental exam can reveal early signs of decay and disease that you may not see or feel. Catching these conditions early can help control them before they get worse and harder to treat. Additionally, getting a cleaning by a trained professional will remove plaque in areas you may have missed or cannot reach.
On average, seeing a dentist twice a year works well for many people. People with very little risk of cavities or gum disease can do fine seeing their dentist just once a year. People with a higher risk of dental disease might need to visit every three or four months, or more. This high-risk group includes:
• Smokers
• Pregnant women
• Diabetics
• People with current gum disease
• People with a weak immune response to bacterial infection
• People who tend to get cavities or build up plaque
The schedule for any person may change during a lifetime. In times of stress or illness, you may need to see the dentist more often than usual. The dentist may help you to fight off a temporary infection or treat changes in your mouth.
You should brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before going to bed. You should floss once a day as well. Flossing reduces the amount of bacteria in your mouth. There are millions of microscopic bacteria feeding on food particles left on and between teeth. Brushing your teeth gets rid of some of the bacteria in your mouth. Flossing gets rid of the bacteria the toothbrush can't reach. That's the bacteria hiding in the tiny spaces between your teeth. If you do not floss, you allow plaque to remain between your teeth. Eventually it hardens into tartar. Plaque can be removed by brushing. Only a dental professional can remove tartar.
Composite is a tooth colored resin/ceramic filling material of many different forms that can be bonded to your teeth to create an excellent restoration. Resin is used for white fillings and, in some cases, as an in-office veneer material. Composite fillings have taken the place of silver/mercury fillings in most dental practices.
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place. Typically, periodontal disease occurs when plaque builds up on the teeth and hardens. The gums can become swollen and red in the early stage of the disease, called gingivitis. As the disease advances, periodontal disease can lead to sore and bleeding gums, pain while chewing and tooth loss.
Sensitivity toothpaste, which contains strontium chloride or potassium nitrate are very effective in treating sensitive teeth. After a few weeks of use, you may notice a decrease in sensitivity. Highly acidic foods such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons, as well as tea and soda can increase tooth sensitivity, and work against sensitivity toothpaste. If you do not get relief by brushing gently and using desensitizing toothpaste, see your dentist. There are special compounds that can be applied in-office to the roots of your tooth to reduce - if not eliminate - the sensitivity. High-fluoride containing home care products can also be recommended to help reduce tooth sensitivity.
Commercial whitening toothpastes vary greatly in their ability to whiten teeth. They work by removing surface stains from the teeth with the use of mild abrasives. However, unlike professional whitening, some whitening toothpastes do not alter the intrinsic color of the teeth. Toothpastes that are effective in removing stains can also destroy tooth enamel in the process. These toothpastes use harsh abrasives. With repeated use, harsh abrasives begin to damage tooth enamel and can contribute to increased tooth sensitivity. If you would like to try a whitening toothpaste, consult with us so we can help you make a great choice.
Oral injuries are often painful, and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. If you have knocked out a tooth, these tips may be able to save it:
1. Rinse, do not scrub, the tooth to remove dirt or debris
2. Place the clean tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gum or under your tongue
3. Do not attempt to replace the tooth into the socket as this could cause further damage
4. Get to the dentist. Successful re-implantation is possible only when treatment is performed promptly
5. If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse it in milk.
6. Call us and get into the office ASAP.
Research today suggests a link between gum disease and diabetes. It seems that people with diabetes are more prone to gum disease. If blood glucose levels are poorly controlled you may be more likely to develop gum disease and could potentially lose teeth. Like all infections, gum disease can be a factor in causing blood sugar levels to rise and make diabetes harder to control. Be sure to see us regularly for check-ups and follow home care recommendations. If you notice other conditions such as dry mouth or bleeding gums, be sure and tell us. And don't forget to mention any changes in medications.
Chemotherapy and Radiation can cause a number of problems in the mouth, some of which might include: mouth sores, infections, dry mouth, bleeding of the gums and lining of the mouth and general soreness and pain of the mouth. It can be harder to control these things while undergoing treatment as the immune system is generally compromised as a result of the treatment. There are some special mouth rinses that can be prescribed to help with discomfort during treatment. It is very important to see your dentist before treatment begins and then to continue with recommended follow-up care. These treatments can cause dry mouth, and recommendations might be made for additional care both in-office and at home.
Visits to the dentist include more than just "checking teeth." While patients who wear dentures no longer have to worry about dental decay, they may have concerns with ill-fitting appliances or mouth sores to name a few. Annual visits to the dentist (or sooner if soreness is present) is recommended. During these visits, an oral cancer screening and head and neck exam will be performed as well as an evaluation of the fit or need for adjustment or replacement of the existing appliances.
If you have a dental emergency, contact our office for further instruction. If your emergency is taking place during normal office hours, we will do our best to see you as quickly as possible. For emergencies happening after hours or during the weekend, contact our office for an emergency number to reach the dentist. We will get in touch with you quickly to recommend a course of treatment.
The American Dental Association recommends a minimum of two visits per year (every six months) for an oral examination and professional dental cleaning. Some patients benefit from more frequent visits, your dentist will recommend a schedule that is best suited for your condition.
The following guidelines are important to brushing correctly:
1. Use a soft bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
2. Place your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gum line. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gum line.
3. Use short back and forth strokes or tiny circular movements to brush your teeth. Each movement should be no bigger than the size of each tooth.
4. Use gentle strokes while brushing. Gentle strokes are effective in removing plaque, while too much pressure can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
5. Brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the outer, inner, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
6. Time it - don’t cut your brushing short! Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes.
The following guidelines are important to flossing correctly:
1. Take 18″ of floss and wind it around the middle finger of each hand. Use these fingers to take up floss as it becomes dirty. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the floss leaving 1–2 inches in between for cleaning.
2. Gently move the floss up and down the spaces of your teeth. Never snap the floss down onto your gums, as it can cause damage.
3. As you move the floss down into the space between two teeth, slide it up and down against the surface of one tooth. Gently clean at the gum line as well. Repeat this for the other tooth.
4. Repeat this process for all of your teeth.
Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors, including the types of food you ingest, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and other causes. Going to your dentist will help you determine the cause of your bad breath, so that you can take steps to eliminate it.
Regardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular checkups to the dentist will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath.
Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.
A Dental Implant is a piece of titanium with the shape of a natural tooth root that is placed on your jaw bone and serve as foundation to replace one or more teeth.
If a patient is missing one or more teeth, the ideal option to replace them may involve dental implants, but other options exist. Schedule a consultation today.
Dental implants are a very safe option when done by a properly trained expert.
The process starts with proper diagnosis including models, radiographs and CT scan to determine the proper position and measure the amount of bone available to receive an implant. After proper planning, the surgery is very safe, done under local anesthesia and with complications in less than 2% of the cases. Most of the patients do not swell or report mild pain after the procedure. Once the implant is placed, an appropriate time to heal between 3 to 6 months is required.
All dental implants are not the same, they can vary in shape, surface treatment, type of connection, material and brand. Most commonly used implants nowadays are made of titanium and have the shape of an artificial root to which a crown or prosthesis can be connected to. We use the highest quality dental implants, ensuring you the best outcome possible with longest durability.
Bone grafts are needed on case by case basis, depending on the amount of jaw bone loss either at the time of tooth extraction or due to bone atrophy. During your consultation we will review in detail your plan to avoid unnecessary bone grafts.
A Prosthodontist is a dentist Specialized in Implant, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry. To become a Prosthodontist, Dr. Miller had to pursue three additional years of full time clinical training in a school setting to become a Prosthodontist and has been caring for patients over 25 years.
Anyone seeking the highest standard of care; from missing one or more teeth, having problems with the appearance of their smile, dealing with complex dental problems or needing help with TMJ problems. Patients who feel they are in a difficult dental situation can be better served by a Prosthodontist. It all starts with a consultation.
A general dentist is a skilled professional in treating overall dental conditions, more advanced cases require a more specialized level of training. That includes high esthetics or cosmetic requirements, implant dentistry, implant dentures, implant bridges or full mouth reconstruction. If you general dentist offers a complete mouth reconstruction, he may be going beyond his scope of clinical training. Verify credentials and expertise before proceeding with actual treatment and feel free to obtain a second opinion.
(205) 982-8955 2200 Valleydale Rd #110 Hoover, AL 35244 drkmilleroffice@gmail.com