By bpurdie July 03, 2014
I was told that I had insurance coverage at 2 different appointments which I went to at Vista Smiles. Both times, it turns out there was a mistake and I was not covered, however, both times Vista Smiles told me I was and to go to my appointment. They did write off one visit which was nice but told me that I would have to pay for the second visit in full. I realize that this was not totally thier mistake but I would not recommend this dental office as, obviously, they do not protect the patient enough to get proper verification. When you have assurance that you are covered, that should be the end of the discussion and the dental office should take it up with the insurance company and not put stress and financial burden on the patient. It's a shame because they have a great clinical staff. ...read more
By The BIG V.P. January 05, 2009
My wife and I have been going to Dr. Tommy Pitts for over 18 years. He performs general dentistry including, cleanings,fillings, root canals, crowns, etc. He is very gentle and patient with his patients. He administers any injections in such a way to minimize pain. His bedside manner is paramount. He is very knowledgeable, compassionate, experienced, competent, and affordable. He is not in my dental network, but, I am will to pay the extra cost because he is that GOOD! Vince The BIG V.P. ...read more
29204 Dentist Root Canals – Debunking the Myths The internet is fraught with myths about everything. In this “information age” you might think it would be easy to find the truth, but that’s not always the case. Dentistry is no different. It’s no surprise that dental myths are abundant, especially in regard to some of the more intimidating procedures. However, advancements in dental technology have made it possible to receive the advanced care you need with little to no discomfort. Here are some common myths you might hear about root canals debunked. Contact our dental office to learn more. Myth 1: Root canals are painful. Long ago, this might have been the case. However, modern advancements in the techniques and technology available to dentists have made this procedure quick and relatively painless. In fact, the damaged tissue often causes more day-to-day pain and discomfort than the procedure itself will! Myth 2: Root canals can cause illness. In the 20th century there was a popular misconception that a root canal could put you at risk of developing illness or an infection. Not only has this been definitively disproven, but root canals have actually been shown to help prevent illness. According to a study published in a journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery), root canals can lower your risk of certain cancers by up to 45%. Myth 3: Extraction is a better option. When possible, it’s always preferable to keep your natural teeth. In addition to the inconvenience of dealing with a missing tooth, removing teeth can cause the surrounding ones to loosen and shift over time, possibly necessitating more procedures in the future. The success rate of a root canal treatment is extremely high and the tooth itself, with proper care, can last for a lifetime. Don’t let misinformation about dental care stop you from receiving the treatments you need. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and set the record straight on root canals. 3261 Harrison Rd., Columbia, SC 29204 ...read more
By Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia November 27, 2018
Dentist Near Me Even a healthy mouth is lined with bacteria. Normally, your daily oral hygiene routine helps prevent oral health complications. However, it is possible to develop an excess of bacteria and fungi, which can lead to additional problems. Here̢۪s what you should know about oral thrush and what you can do to prevent it. What is it? Oral thrush is caused by a collection of the fungus Candida in your mouth. Bacteria and fungi occur naturally in your mouth, but it is important that they are not permitted to build up. Thrush can appear as white, thick scrapes on your tongue or inner cheek. It may also look like patchy, white sores. Who does it affect? Young children, infants, and the elderly are at a higher risk of developing oral thrush. If you have a weakened immune system or diabetes, it is even more important that you stay active to keep your mouth healthy and prevent issues like oral thrush. Smokers also tend to develop oral thrush more than other patients. What can it do? Oral thrush can lead to trouble swallowing and tasting. As it develops, it can become painful. Oral thrush can make affected areas feel like they are burning, and slight bleeding can occur if you are scraping your tongue or cheeks. Some describe the feeling as having cotton in their mouth. Thrush can spread. If you have a weakened immune system, it is possible that thrush moves into your lungs, digestive tract, and even your heart. How can I prevent It? Our best recommendation for preventing oral thrush is a vigilant daily oral hygiene routine that includes a thorough brushing and flossing of your teeth, and includes your tongue. We sometimes recommend a patient use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Just like brushing your teeth, your tongue depends on daily cleaning to stay healthy and free of germs and bacteria. The American Dental Association recommends that for some patients it might be helpful to consider an antimicrobial toothpaste or mouthwash. Check with our doctor to see which solutions might be best for you. We cannot overstate the importance of regularly scheduled dental exams. If you are a diabetic, it is even more important that you schedule regular visits to our office. By having your mouth checked by our staff, we can work with you to prevent oral health issues like thrush. For more tips on keeping your mouth healthy or to schedule your next visit, please contact our office. Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia 3261 Harrison Rd., Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 738-1114 http://columbiasc.dental/ ...read more
By Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia October 03, 2018
Columbia SC Dentist When buying a toothbrush, toothpaste, or coming in to our office, you often hear the word “plaque” associated with the health of your teeth. Plaque is one of the main reasons why it is so important to keep up with a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing two times each day for at least two minutes, and flossing regularly as well. Here’s what you need to know about plaque and what it can do to your smile. What is Plaque? If you haven’t brushed your teeth in a while, you might feel a film-like, sticky buildup on your teeth. This is plaque, a bacteria layer that grips onto your teeth. There isn’t anything you can do to stop plaque from forming, but brushing and flossing as well as keeping up with regular dental visits are your best defenses for cleaning plaque off your teeth. What Plaque Does to Your Teeth & Mouth Without regular brushing and cleaning, plaque builds up and multiplies. As plaque is left untreated, it hardens to form tartar (also known as calculus). Plaque also leads to decay, as it produces an acid that damages your teeth. When you come into our office for a dental examination, we thoroughly clean your teeth to ensure that any buildup is taken care of. Tartar can cause staining on your teeth if left untreated. Plaque is the leading cause of gingivitis, causing your gums to swell and become red or bloody. What You Can Do The most important steps of keeping plaque in check is to stick to a daily brushing routine. This means brushing twice each day, for two minutes each time, and flossing at least once daily. Plaque occurs naturally, and when you come into our office for a complete examination, we work with you to clean off any buildup. Maintaining regular visits to our office is one way to ensure tartar buildup is minimized and managed. It is particularly important that you are brushing your teeth all the way to the gum, because the gum line is an area that is prone to plaque buildup. Brush gently, as vigorous brushing will only do more damage than good, especially to your gums. Sticking to your daily brushing and flossing routine will help keep your teeth free of plaque buildup. Make sure you are brushing in the morning and before bed. If you don’t brush before bed, bacteria and plaque will build up throughout the night. Schedule a visit to our office so our experienced, professional dental team can clean your teeth, giving you a smile you can be proud of. For more tips on keeping your teeth healthy or to schedule your next visit, please contact our office. Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia 3261 Harrison Rd., Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 738-1114 ...read more
By Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia July 18, 2018
Implants, veneer treatments and whitening of teeth are only a few of the many dental treatments that dentists offer their patients and prospective patients. Many people choose cosmetic dental treatments and other dental fixes to improve their dental conditions. Some individuals simply abandon dental c... ...read more
Having dental insurance is a necessity. It is important to have some sort of dental coverage because visits to the dentist and dental exams can become quite costly. Without dental insurance, you could end up spending a fortune on dental work. Prior to applying for dental insurance, you may have severa... ...read more
