FAQS

When you first arrive at our office you will be greeted by one of our friendly team members. You will be asked to fill out new patient paperwork so that we may register you in our computer system. You will need to arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment, or you may save time by visiting our website and printing out most of the forms. 

In most cases you can have your teeth cleaned during your first visit. Dr. Tickle will come in and check your teeth and gum tissue. He will also show you on the TV screen your radiographs that were taken so that you can see exactly what he sees. Once this comprehensive exam is completed, he will make a treatment plan for any necessary treatment. He will then spend the time needs to go over this treatment plan with your to ensure any questions that you may have are answered. Once all treatment options are discussed, you will be able to make an appointment to start treatment.

At Mark Tickle, DMD, Family, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry, we understand that receiving your necessary dental care is important. Fitting your necessary treatment into your budget is equally important, and we are here to help!

Patients are sometimes concerned when they require extensive or unexpected treatment and incur out-of-pocket expenses that make them have to postpone their treatment. We will work with you in order to help you get the care you need to protect your oral health. We work with a healthcare financing company called CareCredit in order to help you fit your dental care into your budget so that you can avoid worsening conditions or putting your health at greater risk.

CareCredit offers some interest-free options as well as longer repayment plans, depending on your financial needs. You can apply easily online at carecredit.com to get pre-approval for your treatment. You can use this healthcare card for other medical expenses as well, including at the eye doctor and even at the vet!

If CareCredit is not right for you, we offer other options so you can get the treatment you need!

If you have questions about your insurance benefits, out-of-pocket expenses, or financing options, please contact our Tuscaloosa, AL dental office. Our knowledgeable team is happy to help.

We are in network for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Southland insurance plans. If you have a different insurance company and you can choose your own dentist, we are happy to file your claims for you.

Whether your insurance is in-network or out-of-network, Dr. Mark Tickle believes strongly that your health should be a decision between you and your dentist, not something dictated by your insurance company. That is why we welcome you to call us and discuss your options. After all, you and your doctor know what is best for your dental health.

Dental insurance is not usually a "catch-all" for treatment. In fact, it is more beneficial to think of dental insurance as a supplement to the cost of your care. Coverage and limits have not changed much in the last forty years, despite rising costs and advanced technology in the dental field.

We provide exceptional care for our patients and always create dentistry that is attractive, long lasting, and comfortable. Your dental care is an investment in your future health and wellness. We can offer you solutions to get the care you need and deserve.

Give us a call about your benefits, coverage, and potential out-of-pocket expenses. We also offer patient financing options to help your dentistry fit into your budget.

At Mark Tickle, DMD, Family, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry, we welcome your entire family to our Tuscaloosa, AL dental office. We have experience treating children and making their dental appointment a positive one. 

We typically welcome children who are three years old or older to our office, but if your little one has a problem before then, we are always happy to help! We will also work with you on brushing and flossing techniques for youngsters so that you can give your child the best home care possible.

When you bring your kids to our office, we will treat them gently, speak to them in a way that they can understand, and help them develop their home care skills so they can have a healthy, happy smile.

We monitor for common conditions such as decay and gum disease. We also look at the growth patterns of your little one so that we can anticipate the need for orthodontics or behavior modification. Knowing what to expect at each age is beneficial, and we will always make sure you are educated on your child’s health and any potential conditions.

Give us a call to schedule an appointment for your entire family. We value the long-term relationships we develop with the families in our community.

We gladly offer Laughing Gas to any patient who requests it. Laughing Gas is a great way to help you relax and lessen dental anxiety. You are able to drive home safely after you visit.

We believe in providing the best care possible. That is why we offer a wide range of options at our Tuscaloosa, AL dental office to meet the needs of every patient and every situation.

While tooth-colored fillings are gaining in popularity and many patients choose to have tooth-colored fillings whenever possible, sometimes they are not the best option for your unique needs. 

Silver (amalgam) fillings work better in a moist environment. Since children have active salivary glands, sometimes silver fillings work better – especially in baby teeth. Amalgam fillings also work well under pressure. If you clench or grind your teeth, you might require amalgam fillings in your molars because they can sustain greater wear and tear.

Tooth-colored fillings do have many benefits that go beyond aesthetics. The material we use to make tooth-colored fillings requires us to remove less of your natural tooth structure. This is beneficial because it leaves you with a stronger natural foundation. Composite fillings can also give us an option when making minor cosmetic repairs such as chips and gaps in your teeth.

To find out which option will work best for you, call and schedule an exam with Dr. Mark Tickle. We look forward to sharing your treatment options with you and to helping you make a good decision regarding your dental health!

There are many types of treatment such as bonding, veneers and crowns to change to color and shape of your teeth. To determine which one is right for you, your dentist will need to do an exam. Many factors such as previous restorations, the way your teeth fit together, and overall health of the gum tissue play important roles in determining what would work best for you.

We gladly offer Laughing Gas to any patient who requests it. Laughing Gas is a great way to help you relax and lessen dental anxiety. You are able to drive home safely after you visit.

Emergencies happen and we understand that. It most cases, we try to do same day treatment. Your time is valuable and we try to take advantage of your time while you are here. If the proceedure will be too involved, we make every effort to temporize the tooth and we will reappoint you when we have the proper amount of time to complete the proceedure and make sure it is done correctly.

When a tooth is avulsed the most important thing is keep it moist. Try very hard not to touch the root of the tooth. Wash off any dirt that is present with milk or a solution called "Save a Tooth." Once cleaned, try to gently re-insert the tooth back in the socket. If it will not go with light pressure, do not force it. Keep the tooth moist and call your dentist as soon as possible. The tooth will most likely need a root canal. That may be done at the time it is placed back in the socket, or it may be delayed for a few weeks to allow tissue to heal.

We know that dental emergencies can arise, and whether you are a new or existing patient, we will do our best to treat your emergency on the same day. Dental pain or a broken restoration can disrupt your life completely, and we are committed to treating you quickly and effectively. If you experience a dental emergency, call our office right away. We are happy to help.

Sometimes the best thing for your dental health is to extract a troubled tooth. Whether it has deep decay, cracks, or a serious infection, we can take care of most extractions right here in our Tuscaloosa, AL dental office. From baby teeth to wisdom teeth, we take your comfort seriously. We will make sure you are numb for your treatment so you don’t feel a thing. 

If you have a complex extraction and Dr. Mark Tickle believes a referral to an oral surgeon would be best for you, he will recommend a trusted local oral surgeon and make sure to coordinate your care so that you receive excellent continuity of care as well as effective and timely aftercare treatment.

If you have a dental emergency or suspect you require an extraction, call us right away. We will help you get back on track to great oral health!

We make every attempt to get you in the same day. In some cases we may be able to temporize you tooth and get you out of pain that day until a definitive solution can be done. However, most of the time we try to give you a permanent fix the day you call.

We gladly offer Laughing Gas to any patient who requests it. Laughing Gas is a great way to help you relax and lessen dental anxiety. You are able to drive home safely after you visit.

No. We strive to achieve complete anesthesia or "numbness." We will test the area before beginning to make sure everything feels good. We use state of the art equipment such as heat treated nickel titanium rotary files to ensure that the procedure goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. 

You will be able to eat after surgery. You generally want to eat softer foods while the surgical site heals. Foods high in protein will help provide your body the building blocks it needs to aid in healing. Foods to avoid after surgery are hard, crunchy and sharp such as potato chips, french fries and other fried foods.

Dental implants are a fantastic way to replace missing teeth. Implants are posts made from biocompatible titanium that are designed to integrate with your bone and provide a stable foundation for your dental implant crown. They provide an anchor, similar to the tooth root, to which a restoration may be mounted to complete your smile and your chewing surface. 

Most patients are good candidates for dental implants. To find out if you are a good candidate for tooth replacement with dental implants, we will evaluate your bone density and medical history. Certain illnesses and medications can prevent you from having dental implants.

We will also discuss your lifestyle to make sure that dental implants are a good choice for you. If you already have partials, dental bridges, or dentures, dental implants can secure your dentistry to give you more stability and self-confidence when you eat and speak. They also have the added benefit of assisting in the prevention of the bone loss that occurs when you start to lose teeth.

If you have missing teeth and would like to learn more about how dental implants can benefit you, call our Tuscaloosa, AL dental office today to learn more. We look forward to finding the tooth-replacement option that works best for your health and smile!

The implant process is typically done in phases. The surgical time is about 30-45 minutes. The healing process for implants is usually 3-4 months before your crown or denture can be attached. Bone must grow and fuse to the implant in a process called osseoinegration. Once this takes place the restoration can be made.

No. The implant is placed under local anesthesia, just like a crown or a “filling”. Most patients tell us they have very little to no discomfort after the implant is placed and that is easier than having a tooth removed.

We gladly offer Laughing Gas to any patient who requests it. Laughing Gas is a great way to help you relax and lessen dental anxiety. You are able to drive home safely after you visit.

We gladly offer Laughing Gas to any patient who requests it. Laughing Gas is a great way to help you relax and lessen dental anxiety. You are able to drive home safely after you visit.

We gladly offer Laughing Gas to any patient who requests it. Laughing Gas is a great way to help you relax and lessen dental anxiety. You are able to drive home safely after you visit.

No. We strive to achieve complete anesthesia or "numbness." We will test the area before beginning to make sure everything feels good. We use state of the art equipment such as heat treated nickel titanium rotary files to ensure that the procedure goes as smoothly and quickly as possible.