Dentistry FAQ

Dental x-rays help Dr. Barker and our dental hygienists evaluate the areas between the teeth and underneath the gums that are not visible to the eye. This gives us important information that we need to monitor your dental health.

The spaces between the teeth and just below the gum line (where we floss) are more difficult for the patient to keep clean. Dr. Barker regularly uses dental x-rays to check these areas for signs of dental cavities, tartar buildup, infection or bone loss.

Underneath the gums, dental x-rays can also be used to assess jawbone levels. Healthy jawbone is essential to hold the teeth in place and support the bite.

Some conditions, such as periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss and teeth grinding (bruxism) can cause bone loss. Moderate to severe bone loss will cause teeth to become loose; without intervention, they will just fall out on their own. (It is important to note that this is not normal; adult tooth loss can be prevented, read more about Periodontal Therapy.)

Dr. Barker will only recommend dental x-rays when they are needed. Our office is equipped with digital dental radiography, which means that our x-rays require significantly less radiation than tradition film x-rays used in the past.

There are different types of x-rays - some show the teeth in detail, and others show the jaw joints and jawbone. We will always talk with you and explain what we are trying to see before taking any dental x-rays.

We all grew up being told to floss our teeth. If you ever wondered ‘what is the big deal?’, it is actually fairly easy to understand. The bottom line is that flossing is good thing for your dental health.

When we brush our teeth, we can usually clean the top, the front and the back pretty well, this is especially true about the front teeth. But getting the toothbrush bristles between the teeth enough to thoroughly clean these surfaces is definitely ‘mission impossible.’

Imagine washing your car, if you did not wash the sides, would it be clean? Flossing is a similar scenario, if we don't clean the sides of the teeth, they are not fully clean.

Normal bacteria that we encounter in every day life hide out in between the teeth and just below the gum line, mainly because these areas are hard to get to with brushing alone. The longer the harmful bacteria are allowed to stay put, the more harm they can do. Flossing at least once per day helps eliminate the bacteria in these hiding places.

The old saying, ‘a clean mouth is a healthy mouth’ is definitely true, keeping the harmful bacteria away can help prevent dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Visit the American Dental Association® website mouthhealthy.org for instructions on how to floss properly.

If you have questions on flossing or flossing aids, we will be glad to help!

Our Athens dentist, Dr. Lane Barker, along with our dental hygienists, recommend brushing your teeth at least twice per day along with flossing once per day.

Generally, most people do a better job of brushing if they use a powered toothbrush vs. a manual toothbrush, however, regardless of which type of brush you use, spending enough time to clean the teeth and gums thoroughly is also very important.

We recommend that our patients spend 2 minutes brushing their teeth, regardless of what type of toothbrush they use. Be sure to choose a soft-bristle brush to avoid irritating the gums.

Watch the American Dental Association® video on Brushing Your Teeth »

Cone beam computed tomography, or CBCT, is a type of dental x-ray that gives Dr. Barker the tools to view the teeth, jaws and oral soft tissue in great detail using 3D imaging software.

The benefit of detailed information and ability to view the jawbone and teeth from multiple angles with CBCT 3-dimensional imaging helps the dentist and the patient make informed decisions about treatment.

Dr. Barker uses CBCT imaging to assist in planning dental implant placement, tooth extractions, Invisalign® orthodontics and many other dental procedures.

CBCT technology is an important part of digital dentistry in conjunction with our Cerec® restorative system. Using these 3D systems together allows Dr. Barker to plan your dental implant restoration from start to finish.

Dental insurance is a helpful benefit to assist with payment for dental treatment. A dental insurance plan is usually provided by an employer as an additional group option (rider) with a medical insurance benefits package. Dental insurance premiums vary, the subscriber may pay $0-100 per month depending on the overall insurance benefits package and the coverage level provided.

Nearly all dental insurance plans are structured to only pay a portion of treatment costs; for example, fillings may be covered at 50% of the benefit allowed by the insurance carrier. Preventive care, such as dental cleanings and x-rays, is often covered at a higher rate, 90-100% of the insurance carrier's allowed benefit.

Dental insurance does not cover teeth whitening and rarely covers elective cosmetic procedures (such as dental veneers).

Dental insurance benefit allowances are determined by the insurance carrier based on a number of factors such as the number of subscribers, premiums and other data. They do not necessarily align with dental office fees.

• Dental insurance plans have ‘maximum’ annual payment caps, i.e., $1,000-$2,000 in benefit payments per year towards covered services. After the allowance is depleted, the insurance company will not reimburse dental services until the next year.
• Many carriers have exclusions, such as a ‘missing tooth clause’ that does not reimburse for replacement of missing teeth with a bridge, dental implant or denture; usually this is for the first 12 months of the plan.
• The majority of dental insurance plans have frequency limitations, such as one cleaning every 6 months, or x-rays once per year.

At Magnolia Dental Spa of Athens, getting the most benefit from your dental insurance plan is important to us too. We know that you worked hard for those insurance dollars, and we want to help you put them to good use.

Most dental insurance companies do not determine payment until after treatment is performed. Our administrative team will work with you and your carrier to obtain an estimate of reimbursement to help you with planning your care.

The first step in understanding your dental insurance plan is to ask us to contact your insurance company to get a detailed breakdown of benefits, limitations, exclusions and coverage percentages. With this information, we can help to decipher how your plan works with your treatment needs.

If this all seems confusing, we can help! Please call Magnolia Dental Spa of Athens 706.607.9772 and share your insurance details with us. We will be happy to research your coverage and get a breakdown of benefits to help you understand your policy.