Birmingham Family Dentist

Birmingham Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Buchanan was recently published in the Journal of the Academy of General Dentistry and also holds the prestigious Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry. Only 6% of General Dentists in the USA & Canada have earned their AGD Fellowship.

Tooth Colored Fillings

A tooth colored filling is a composite resin that is used as an alternative to amalgam. This is an excellent cosmetic option for those patients who do not want the look of silver in their mouths. These restorations are bonded to the tooth and have a great success rate.

When a tooth has a cavity the dentist removes the decay and fills the hole with a composite filling, which is ideally no more than 50% of the tooth. The tooth is what supports the filling. When you get a cavity that takes up 60% or more of the tooth, a crown is indicated. A crown covers the entire tooth and holds the tooth together.

Optimum Dental Wellness Plan for Families

No Insurance? No Problem!

Our Optimum Dental Wellness Plan is a reduced fee dental plan that allows individuals and families – just like yours – to receive quality dental services at prices that make sense in today’s economy. This Plan is designed to help eliminate problems before they happen and make caring for your oral health convenient and affordable. Consistent, quality oral healthcare is essential to a beautiful, healthy smile!

The Optimum Dental Wellness Plan is not insurance. Not all dental services are covered. The office fee schedule is subject to change. The plan covers regular cleanings. If more than a regular cleaning is needed such as periodontal treatment, the patient is responsible for the cost which is 20% off regular office fees.

Coverage is in effect for one year from the date of the first cleaning, and the second regular cleaning must be completed within this one year time frame. Payment in full for the Optimum Dental Wellness plan is required upon joining. Cash, check, or credit card is accepted. 3rd party financing companies are accepted upon approval, however a financing charge may apply.
If dental treatment is needed, payment is required at the time of service

Crowns & Bridges

A crown is indicated for fractured teeth, some root canal treated teeth or when there is not enough tooth structure to support a filling. These restorations restore the structural integrity of the tooth by providing the necessary durability, esthetics and function.

A bridge is one option that you have when deciding how to deal with a missing tooth or teeth. The replacement of missing teeth is necessary in order to maintain proper function. Tooth loss can affect the way you eat, speak and the alignment of other teeth in your mouth. If an implant can be placed, it is always the treatment of choice.

Dental bridge of 3 teeth over molar and premolar.

Types of Bridges

A bridge, by definition, is a link or connection between two permanent structures. A dental bridge is very similar in that it attaches the restorative teeth (bridge) to the natural teeth on either side of the space. This bridge acts as your new teeth, closing the space and restoring your smile. Bridges are often constructed of gold or metal frameworks with porcelain fused to the foundation. This ensures that the bridge will support the normal functions of the mouth. Bridges also can be supported by dental implants.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are sometimes referred to as partial crowns. These partial crowns are utilized when there is still a healthy tooth structure remaining. An inlay or onlay is a like a puzzle piece that will be fitted into the remaining portion of the tooth to help increase its strength. This piece is usually crafted out of porcelain or gold, but can also be made of a composite material. We will make the determination as to which restoration will work best in your specific situation.

An inlay is used when there is no damage to any of the cusps of your tooth and it is essentially placed within these cusps. An onlay is used when there is more extensive damage to the tooth structure. This type of restoration is placed over at least one of the cusps on the tooth.

Extractions & Wisdom Teeth

There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth. Sometimes a baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and the tooth must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt. At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it is nonrestorable, so your doctor may recommend removal and replacement with a bridge or implant. Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth.

After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches. Some stitches dissolve over time and some have to be removed after a few days. Your dentist will tell you whether your stitches need to be removed. A folded cotton gauze pad placed over the wound will help stop the bleeding (refer to Post-Op Instructions).

Root Canals

Root Canal, or endodontics, is the process of removing the nerve and blood supply from the roots of a tooth. A root canal is often necessary to save an infected tooth. If an infected tooth is left alone for a long period of time, an abscess can form. An abscess will show up on an x-ray as a dark spot below the apex of the root. This is actually bone loss in the jaw. It is very important to catch this problem before it progresses too far.

Why do I need a root canal?

There are a number of reasons why one of your teeth may need a root canal. These include, but are not limited to, a very deep cavity that extends into the nerve, trauma to the tooth that exposes the nerve or a crack in the tooth that extends into the nerve.

Crown Lengthening

When decay occurs below the gumline, it may be necessary to remove a small amount of bone and gum tissue. Sometimes, this procedure may be referred to a specialist (periodontist).

Crown Lengthening procedures are done for both restorative dentistry and/or to improve the esthetics of your gum line. This procedure adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be properly restored and easily cleaned.

Sometimes crown lengthening is done to improve a “gummy” smile because the teeth appear short. The teeth may actually be the proper length but excess gum tissue may be covering these teeth. During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth.