Nov 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
There are times when a tooth is so damaged from decay, trauma, or cracking that a filling isn’t the best choice. In these cases, a dental crown may be recommended for long-term tooth health. If a tooth is missing completely, your dentist may suggest a dental bridge to fill the gap between two bordering teeth.
Dental crowns, or “caps,” completely cover and protect your damaged tooth. It is bonded in place, giving you a stable, strong, and attractive alternative for your original tooth. Because it is customized for you using impressions your dentist makes of your teeth, it is a perfect match in size, shape, and position to your natural tooth.
Dental crowns can be the perfect solution to a severely damaged tooth. You won’t need to worry about pain, tooth stability, or your appearance when you choose a dental crown. Depending on what material is used, your crown can look as natural as your own tooth.
Dental bridges are designed to span a gap caused by a missing tooth. Having a gap in your smile can affect you in more ways than just cosmetics. Chewing and talking can become problematic as teeth adjacent to the gap begin to shift, leaving the potential for gum disease or jaw issues.
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap between two teeth. They are cemented onto the pair of teeth that border the empty space vacated by one or more missing teeth. The bordering teeth act as anchors for the bridge, and are trimmed down to hold a dental crown. Between the two crowns is a replacement tooth, customized for you by your dentist. Once the bridge is in place, you will regain the ability to smile freely while the bridge maintains the shape of your face and lips. You will speak more clearly and be able to eat a greater variety of foods. A dental crown also protects your healthy teeth from issues related to bite alignment.
Dental crowns and dental bridges are excellent choices for overall dental health, and can last a lifetime. To prevent damage to your dental work, avoid chewing things like ice or hard candy. It is also important to maintain regular dental checkups.
We look forward to seeing you in our Conyers dental office
Nov 7, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
If you’re thinking of having your look transformed to give you a celebrity smile, a smile makeover may be in your future. Numerous procedures are possible for a variety of issues that might be making you unhappy or embarrassed about your smile. Before you get started on a makeover, learning the general rules about the process may help you decide if it’s the step you want to take.
First, every smile makeover is different for each patient. It depends on the tooth, jaw, or gum issues that you might have. It also depends on your goals for your smile. Some patients may have only one problem to address, while others have multiple flaws and are looking for a total transformation.
Some common things that smile makeovers take care of include crooked teeth, gaps, chips, discoloration, missing teeth, unappealing gums, and broken teeth. Types of procedures that are often performed during smile makeovers are teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding, crowns, dental implants, bridges, gum contouring, and braces.
As you can see, the variety of treatments means there is also a variety of time frames involved. Some procedures can be completed in a single dental visit, while others may take months for full treatment. Many smile makeovers are done more quickly than you might think, with quick procedures creating a big difference in your appearance and confidence level. The recovery for most procedures is often fast, and discomfort is typically well-managed by medication and other methods.
The goal of smile makeovers is to permanently improve your smile so that you’ll be happier and feel better about your look. Most procedures provide permanent results, especially with good oral hygiene and regular checkups. So if you’re dissatisfied with your smile and considering a change, see your dentist to get started on a smile makeover now.
If you need a dentist in Conyers, contact us today
Oct 28, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
If you feel your smile is less than perfect, you may be considering a smile makeover. Issues such as stained, crooked, chipped, or misaligned teeth can all be corrected with a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures. By combining treatments like teeth whitening, dental veneers, crowns and bridges, bonding, braces, and gum recontouring, your smile can improve drastically.
To make sure you are happy with your results and get the most from your smile makeover investment, there are a few tips you should follow:
- Take care to choose the most qualified cosmetic dentist. Do your homework and make certain to identify a dental professional who not only has the best dental education, but also stays current on new technology and with whom you feel comfortable.
- Communicate your smile makeover goals with your dentist. Bring in photographs of the kind of results you would like to achieve and be sure you and your dentist are on the same page with regards to the end result of your smile makeover.
- Make sure you understand how your planned treatments or procedures may affect the functionality of your teeth. Your dentist should be able to explain to you how certain procedures such as veneers might change the way you eat or talk.
- Research any proposed treatments or procedures so that you understand the entire process, as well as how to maintain your end results so that your smile makeover will last.
A smile makeover can not only improve your looks, but your self-confidence as well. Taking care to prepare and make the right choices will get you on your way to a beautiful new smile you will be proud to share with the world.
If you live in the Conyers, contact us today
Oct 21, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
Going to the dentist can be stressful. Many of today’s family dentistry practices strive to provide high-quality dental care while putting you in the most relaxed setting possible. Offices are offering a variety of extras and conveniences to make a visit to the dentist enjoyable and stress-free for every member of your family.
When choosing a family dentist, you may find some of the following amenities to make your visit more comfortable:
- Complimentary beverage center with coffee, hot tea, bottled water and juices
- Complimentary after school snacks
- Business center with free wi-fi and high-speed internet access
- Valet parking
- Family block appointments
- Kid’s waiting room with video gaming equipment, toys, and kid’s movies
- Kid-friendly treatment rooms
- Tempurpedic or massage dental chairs
- Headrest pillows
- Warm blankets
- Jaw rests to keep your jaw from getting tired
- High definition flat screen TV’s in the waiting room and exam rooms
- Extensive movie selections for viewing while you wait and during treatment
- iPods with headphones to listen to during treatment
- Safety sunglasses to keep your eyes safe from glaring dental lights during treatment
- Oral sedation and laughing gas (nitrous oxide)
- Hot towels to freshen up after treatment
When researching family dentistry offices, consider what types of patient amenities they provide to make you and your family members feel more at ease during dental visits. With the availability of warm, inviting reception areas and comfortable, state of the art treatment rooms, your family should never have to feel uncomfortable or fear a visit to your family dentist again.
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Oct 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
Porcelain veneers are thin layers of white porcelain that are placed on the front of a person’s teeth to improve the look of your smile. When maintained properly, veneers are long-lasting and can be kept for many years. While porcelain veneers are extremely durable and stain-resistant, over time the glaze that covers the veneer can wear off and allow the veneer to stain. Veneers can also acquire stains to the sides as the porcelain ages. While it is not possible to whiten veneers with professional teeth whitening like you can natural teeth, there are some options for lightening darkened veneers:
- If you have translucent porcelain veneers, it is possible to whiten the back of your teeth. This process will lighten your natural teeth, which will then reflect through the veneer making them appear whiter.
- Brush your teeth with a special polishing toothbrush intended to remove the composite that causes stained veneers. This type of polish works well on the stains that appear around the edges of veneers, giving them a whiter appearance. Your dentist can recommend the type of polishing toothpaste that would best suit your needs.
- A cosmetic dentist can professionally clean veneers that have lost their luster due to worn off glaze. If they are unable to restore the veneers to the whiteness you desire, your cosmetic dentist could replace the veneers with a bright, new set.
Porcelain veneers do not stain easily. However, as they age if you find they have not maintained their brightness, consider trying some of the above methods to return them to their original beauty. If you find your porcelain veneers have darkened with wear and age, consult with your dentist about options to whiten and brighten your veneers and improve your smile.
Our dental office is located in Conyers
Oct 7, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics
An implant overdenture combines the use of traditional dentures and implant technology to create a denture that fits over your remaining natural tooth roots or dental implants. These root or implant supported dentures are held in place by dental attachments which provide excellent stability and support for your dentures. Overdentures were developed to help patients missing some or all of their teeth regain a quality of life that may have been lacking since they lost their teeth.
There are several benefits to implant overdentures when compared to traditional dentures:
- Saving your natural roots or having implants placed slows bone loss by stimulating the bone in your jaw when you eat or chew.
- Because overdentures are better fitting by design, they are more stable and allow you to chew food more thoroughly. This promotes better digestion and allows you to absorb more nutrients.
- The increased stability provided by overdentures also means you are able to speak more clearly, as there is no slipping or clicking of your dentures.
- Loose dentures are not a worry with overdentures. Sticky adhesives and messy denture creams are unnecessary when you have implant overdentures.
- With overdentures, the natural shrinkage that occurs from an under-stimulated jaw does not occur. This keeps your face from looking sunken, as can often happen with traditional dentures.
To find out if you are a candidate for implant overdentures, schedule an evaluation by your dental professional. Overdentures could be the best, most natural treatment for restoring your oral health and beautiful smile.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office