Routine dental checkups are essential in ensuring good oral health.  If you have damaged or decaying teeth, cosmetic dentistry may be your answer.  With the help of a cosmetic dentist, you can restore your smile and gain more self confidence.

Cosmetic procedures usually begin with a detailed consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist.  At this stage, the patient will be advised on the dental problems present, the procedural options, and the expected end result.  The dentist will provide detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of each dental operation option available.

Common Cosmetic Procedures

1. Dental veneers

Veneers are considered as being the best option when it comes to restoring teeth that are crooked or broken. Veneers pieces are usually made of a lightweight material such as porcelain. This material is flexible and can be shaped and restructured to any particular design that's fitting to your dental structure. Dental veneers usually offer permanent results in that once they are fixed to the exterior part of the teeth, they cannot be removed.

2. Dental crowns

Dental crowns cover your tooth and stop it from decaying further. In addition, you can use a crown together with a bridge to cover up any missing teeth or close up gaps and dental spacing.

3. Dental implants

Implants are used to replace missing teeth.  Installed permanently to the jawbone, the implants are then finished up with a crown to give an attractive new look. Once in place, dental implants can be used and cleaned easily just like any other natural tooth. Unlike the natural teeth, they can never deteriorate or develop cracks.

4. Teeth Whitening

Many people around the world have problems with the color of their teeth. There are a number of whitening procedures that are effective in restoring the teeth back to a natural white color.  There are procedures done in a dental office as well as home products available from your dentist.  Both types usually involve bleaching the discolored teeth and removing any form of impurities that may have clogged around the teeth.

For more information about Cosmetic Dentistry Services or to schedule a consultation, contact us at 770-425-4001.

Dental Implants involve surgery and just as with any type of surgery there are definite risks involved.  Before you decide on an implant it is important that you fully understand the risks.

Dental sedation is as much a type of anesthetic as any administered in general surgery.  For that reason, dentists a dentist must be qualified with the essential experience and training to use the equipment and tools necessary for the patient’s safety.  Sedation dentistry requires oxygen equipment including oxygen delivery devices, suction devices, airway management and resuscitative equipment as part of a crash cart; patient monitoring devices such as a pulse oximeter, and equipment to monitor the patient’s: oxygen saturation level, heart rate, rhythm, and level of consciousness.  Emergency mediations, including reversal medication to be used in case a patient has an adverse reaction to a drug, and intravenous access supplies are also necessary.  This is the same type of equipment you would expect to find in any hospital.  Dental sedation is a medical procedure and should be used with care to maintain a safe environment for the patient.

The equipment must be carefully maintained.  A walk through of the dentist office will give you a good feel for the overall maintenance of the equipment.  Perhaps the most important piece of equipment is the dentist.  An experienced dentist should be able to determine by observing the patient if they are in any type of distress.

Contact us at 770-425-4001 for more information on Sedation Dentistry or to schedule a consultation.

IV sedation is one of several types of conscious sedation that are currently used in sedation dentistry.  It is a moderate level of sedation and may be referred to as twilight or dental sleep.  However, the patient is not actually asleep but in a very relaxed state.  When IV sedation is used, sedatives are administered intravenously allowing the dentist to control the level of sedation that the patient receives during the procedure.  After the sedatives have taken effect the patient may receive a local anesthetic to deaden the pain.  The patient will be in a deep state of relaxation which frees them from any anxiety.  They are not asleep and are able to respond to the dentist’s questions and commands. However, they will probably not remember much about the procedure.

Oral sedation also allows a patient to achieve a moderate level of sedation.  The patient is given a drug in pill form approximately one hour before the procedure.  This allows the patient, as the drugs take effect, to become very relaxed.  Oral sedation is not a pain killer, so after the drugs have taken affect the dentist will administer a local anesthetic.  The patient will remain awake, though relaxed and will be able to answer the dentist’s questions and follow his/her commands.

There are numerous benefits to having dental implants compared to dentures; benefits that have an effect on the overall quality of life.  They function more like natural teeth. Individuals that have used dentures in the past notice a dramatic improvement in their comfort with a renewed ability to eat all types of foods.  This often leads to an improvement in overall health.  Dental implants are also cared for like natural teeth. There are no messy adhesive powders or pastes to deal with and many people experience a marked improvement in speech, comfort and appearance. You will be able to speak in a natural and relaxed tone without mumbling or slurring you words, as is sometimes caused by dentures.

Dental implants protect the remaining teeth and the jawbone. When teeth are removed jawbone loss begins. However, because implants fuse to the bone they actually help to prevent bone loss and preserve the integrity of facial structures. This prevents shrinkage and the sunken appearance that so often accompanies the removal of several teeth. In fact, in patients who have had dentures the appearance of wrinkles around the month caused by posterior bite collapse and facial structure collapse may be virtually eliminated.  The fact that dental implants look and feel more like natural teeth, gives patients a renewed sense of self esteem.

Bridges require that the surrounding teeth be ground down. Dental implants do not require alternation of the surrounding natural teeth.  Partial dentures have clasps that hook onto the adjacent teeth, over time this puts pressure on these teeth as the partial rocks back and forth. Eventually these teeth can loosen and be lost as a result of this pressure. Implants do not depend on the surrounding natural teeth for support so the adjacent teeth are not damaged.

Eating better is a benefit of implants that influences a person’s overall health. Sliding, clicking dentures can make chewing difficult and often embarrassing. Dental implants function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods even in public situations with confidence and without pain. A full upper denture covers the palate of the mouth and reduces the ability to taste foods. This severely decreases the pleasure of eating a favorite food. Dental implants don’t cover the palate and allow for a much more pleasurable eating experience. Being able to eat fresh fruits and vegetables without pain or inconvenience often leads to an improvement in a person health.

Contact us today at (770) 425-4001 to learn more or to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation.