Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): General Dentistry

Due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, many dental offices were asked to cease non-emergency dental visits and surgeries. Currently, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the CDC are recommending dental teams and dental offices that reopen adapt a sterilization protocol to keep staff and patients safe. 

Twickenham Family Dentistry is fully open for standard dental services like:

• Preventive dentistry
• Dental implants
• Dental crowns and bridges
• Children's dentistry
• Sleep apnea and TMJ treatment
• Dental extractions
• Professional teeth whitening
• Dentures
• Cosmetic dentistry

Patients Are Safe within Our Sterilized Dentist Office

At Twickenham Family Dentistry, our entire dental staff works hard to keep our office sterilized and clean. We prevent the spread of COVID-19 by following strict guidelines, like:

• Disinfect all surfaces between patients
• Sterilize and cover all non-disposable instruments between appointments
• Throw out disposable equipment and protective wear
• All dental staff wears protective gear that does not leave our dental clinic
• Appointments are spaced out, so patients are not in contact
• Before appointments, our staff will call to ask about your health

What Are Non-Emergency Dental Procedures?

While dentists are available for emergency dental issues, we can now assist patients with prevention and maintenance, like:

• Dental cleaning and exams
• Digital x-rays
• Cavities
• Tooth extractions
• Fixing cosmetic issues
• Adjusting dentures

Call Us to Schedule Your Dental Cleaning

It's essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean, so we can avoid scary dental emergencies. Patients can rest assured knowing we follow strict sterilization protocols as laid out by the ADA and CDC. We invite patients to call and ask us about our guidelines that keep you safe. 

Yes! If you're looking for an exceptional dentist in Huntsville, AL, look no further than Twickenham Family Dentistry. 

We welcome patients of all ages to our Huntsville dental office and pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with patients built on trust. 

State-of-the-Art Dental Care for Huntsville Families

We aim to provide a comfortable, pleasant, and efficient experience for every patient who walks through our doors. One way we elevate the patient experience is by using state-of-the-art technology. 

With technology like digital impressions and 3-D cone beam imaging, we can provide streamlined and comfortable procedures with the best possible outcomes for our patients. 

Solutions for Dental Anxiety

We understand that not every patient feels comfortable visiting the dentist. Nitrous oxide allows us to offer dental sedation with no lingering or debilitating side effects. 

Nitrous oxide takes the edge off during dental procedures and is safe for adults and children. We can use it during most procedures, and our dentists are happy to discuss using it during your treatment. 

Twickenham Family Dentistry proudly serves patients in Huntsville, Madison, Meridianville, Moores Mill, New Market, New Hope, Lacey's Spring, Arab, Hazel Green, Gurly, and all surrounding locations.

Give us a call at (256) 539-4079 to book your next dental visit.  

If you need root canal treatment, it is always an urgent matter. A root canal treatment means you have a root infection or tooth trauma. Without intervention, the infection can spread, and you can lose your tooth and other teeth.

Sometimes a root infection does not cause pain. This happens if the infection is just starting or if the nerve is dead. Other times our Huntsville patients will report a toothache, tooth sensitivity, jaw pain, and a blister on the gum.

Whether your root infection or trauma is painful or comes without symptoms, it should be treated as soon as possible.

How Does Root Canal Treatment Work?

If our emergency dentist in Huntsville finds that you need root canal treatment, we make sure the area is numb before beginning work.

Once the tooth is numb, your dentist extracts the infected pulp and root from the tooth. We then use a temporary filling to promote healing. At a later appointment, your dentist either places a tooth-colored filling or a dental crown—the latter if the tooth is weakened by infection.

At Twickenham Family Dentistry, we believe that if you are in pain, or if your oral health is at risk, that it is always a dental emergency.

Call Us For Fast Pain Relief

If you notice signs of a root infection, contact our dental team as soon as possible.

We are happy to assist our patients and keep their smiles healthy and beautiful. 

Insurance Plans We Accept

At Twickenham Family Dentistry we accept many dental insurance PPO plans, including:

• Aetna
• Guardian
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
• Delta Dental
• Cigna
• MetLife
• Southland
• Ameritas
• Tricare

If we are not in-network with your insurance, we will still submit claims on your behalf. We do not accept fee lists with out-of-network carriers.

Our Patient Appreciation Plan

At Twickenham Family Dentistry, we understand that many patients forego necessary and basic dental procedures due to financial concerns. We believe that everyone should have access to dental care, which is why we created the Patient Appreciation Plan.

We hope to help everyone have access to necessary preventive dental care along with restorative and cosmetic treatments. Our plan allows patients to access dental cleanings, exams, children's dentistry, and other dental services. 

This is not an insurance plan, and fees are determined by a straight discount from our dental office’s set fee schedule, not by an insurance company.

Call Us to Arrange a Dental Cleaning

If it's been a while since your last dental cleaning and exam, give us a call today so we can put you on the calendar. Every dental check-up is an opportunity for Dr. Brian K. Cook to check your teeth and gums for signs of decay, infection, disease, or another dental issue. 

Regular dental cleanings and oral exams are essential to long-term oral and overall health. Regardless of age or dental history, everyone should schedule at least two dental visits per year. However, those with persistent or systemic issues may be advised to visit the dentist more frequently.

These appointments allow your dentist to thoroughly clean between teeth, along their surfaces, and at the gumline, and diagnose and preemptively treat minor issues before they develop into problems like gum disease or tooth decay.

The Preventive Value of Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings

Regular dental exams allow your dentist to quickly identify minor issues that could threaten your oral health in the future. These include cavities, uneven or excessive tooth wear, plaque, or tartar buildup.

These exams are also vital for overall health, as they allow dentists to assess bone and muscle health in the jaw and monitor for signs of severe conditions like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, oral cancer, or infections that could spread elsewhere in the body.

The Best General and Preventive Dentist in Huntsville, AL

If you’re in Huntsville and looking for a caring and experienced dental team to provide you and your family with the best preventive dental care, including cleanings and oral exams, contact dentist Dr. Brian Cook and the helpful Twickenham Family Dentistry team to schedule an appointment!

Tooth-colored fillings are the most popular cavity treatment restoration. Dentists relied on silver amalgam in the past, but today, most dentists and patients prefer a more natural-looking option.

Reasons to Choose Tooth-Colored Fillings in Huntsville, AL

• Keep more of your natural tooth structure compared with a silver amalgam.
• Enjoy a natural-looking filling that does not draw attention to itself.
• Composite resin in tooth-colored fillings can also fill cracks and conceal tooth flaws.
• Feel confident knowing that your tooth-colored filling is durable.
• Tooth-colored fillings do not expand or contract with hot liquid, as do amalgam fillings.
• Tooth-colored fillings are mercury-free for peace of mind.

More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are made with strong composite resin applied in layers after treating your tooth. Your dentist can use this same resin in cosmetic dentistry to bond and fill unsightly or flawed teeth affordably.

Additionally, patients prefer tooth-colored fillings to their silver counterparts because they are aesthetically pleasing.  

The benefits of cosmetic fillings are many, and we think you’ll be pleased with the results. If you have a lot of silver fillings, talk to your dentist about switching these to our tooth-colored option.

Contact Your Huntsville Dentist Today

If you have silver fillings you’d like to replace or suspect a new cavity, we encourage you to contact a dental team member to arrange a visit with the dentist today.

At Twickenham Family Dentistry, we provide tooth-colored fillings to match your natural smile. Tooth-colored fillings are made from composite resin and are more aesthetically pleasing than silver amalgam fillings of years past. 

The Tooth-Colored Filling Process

• Exam and X-Rays — Our Huntsville dentist conducts a thorough oral examination, including dental x-rays, to ensure we know the precise location and size of the cavities. 
• Remove Decay and Disinfect the Tooth — Next, we gently and thoroughly remove the decay and disinfect the tooth. 
• Place Filling Material — We carefully place the tooth-colored composite resin into the cavity and mold the resin to match the natural contours of your tooth, ensuring a seamless fit.
• Cure the Resin — The next step involves using a special light to harden or cure the composite resin. This process solidifies the material quickly, allowing it to bond strongly with the tooth structure.
• Polish and Adjust — We polish the filling and check your bite to ensure the filling doesn’t interfere with how your teeth come together. We make any necessary adjustments at this time.
• Final Inspection—Finally, we ensure that the composite's color and shape perfectly blend with your natural teeth, providing functional support and a pleasing appearance.

Call Us for Tooth-Colored Fillings in Huntsville, AL

Tooth-colored fillings are just one way we commit to high-quality, aesthetically pleasing dental care. Call us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cook or Dr. Kestner.