by Dr. Adkins | Sep 21, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
The idea of having dental implants may cause you some anxiety. What does it involve? Does it hurt? What about recovery? Getting the answers to questions like these will help put your mind at ease and enable you to get your missing teeth restored using this great technique in dental care today.
The actual process of getting dental implants is done in several steps. First, your dentist will perform a few simple tests like X-rays or CT scans to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Then the dentist will create a treatment plan so that the implant is properly placed and has the best chance for success. The implant will be surgically placed in a separate appointment, and your mouth will be allowed to heal for a time period. Once healing is complete, a dental crown is placed on top to complete the implant process.
Concern about the potential for pain in getting dental implants should be set aside; the surgery is practically pain-free. Dentists use anesthesia to provide complete comfort during the procedure, along with simple injections if necessary. You might feel vibrations when the new teeth are placed, but it is not truly painful. If you do experience a higher degree of anxiety about the process, your dentist may prescribe medication to calm your fears.
Recovery from dental implants isn’t bad either. Your dentist will control any discomfort with medications afterwards, but the soreness you might feel is comparable to the after-effects of having a simple cavity filled. Most patients only need over-the-counter pain relievers for the first day or two after receiving implants, if at all, and then return to normal routines and comfort levels.
Dental work can be a scary situation for patients, but knowing what to expect is helpful in reducing anxiety. Modern dentistry allows dental implants to be a life-changing way to restore your oral health.
Schedule your appointment at our McDonough dental office
by Dr. Adkins | Sep 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
Dental treatments that focus on the appearance of your smile have become more popular than ever before. Cosmetic dentists have the expertise and experience to give you a whole new beautiful smile, perhaps the one you’ve dreamed about but never knew was possible. It is within reach with a visit to your cosmetic dentist!
You may not realize all of the ways that your smile might benefit from cosmetic dental procedures. Advancements in technology allow transformations to be much easier and more painless than they used to be.
What are some examples of smile improvements available through cosmetic dentistry?
Teeth whitening
Drinking coffee or sodas, eating dark sauces, smoking, and other habits cause teeth to discolor over time. Professional teeth whitening restores your pearly whites using concentrated bleaching gel and ultraviolet light. You can achieve dramatic and quick whitening results in your cosmetic dentist’s chair.
Dental veneers
Thin shells made of porcelain cover the fronts of your teeth to alter their color, shape, and entire look. Problems like spaces, chips, odd shapes, misalignments, and stains are all hidden under these durable restorations.
Crowns
Dental crowns or caps cover existing teeth that are damaged or weakened in some way. Crowns are used to offer protection, secure bridges, hide fillings, cover implants, complete root canal procedures, hide discolorations, and more.
Bonding
Another option for hiding chips or cracks, eliminating gaps, or filling small cavities is bonding. Tooth-colored composite resin is applied to the tooth’s surface and then blended in to restore its appearance in one painless, quick visit.
Dental implants
A permanent alternative to the hassles of dentures for replacing missing teeth are dental implants. These involve inserting a titanium post into your jaw so that it becomes part of your bone, and then capping it off with a crown. Implants are natural-looking and secure.
Enamel shaping
Sometimes a tooth’s flaw has to do with its enamel becoming worn or damaged. Enamel can be removed or contoured to improve the tooth’s look.
If you need a dentist in McDonough, contact us today
by Dr. Adkins | Sep 7, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
Dental veneers are thin, wafer-like shells that are placed directly on top of your natural tooth to treat problems like gapped, misaligned, discolored, or worn down teeth. Indirect veneers are made by a technician in a dental laboratory while direct veneers are formed directly onto your tooth by your dentist. Most often, dental veneers are made from either porcelain or composite resin.
If your problems include discolored, cracked, chipped, stained, gapped, or misaligned teeth, your dentist might suggest porcelain veneers as your best option. Smaller dental issues like minor cracks, chips or spots of discoloration are more suitable for direct veneers with composite resin.
To adhere either type of veneers to your teeth, a small amount of your natural tooth surface must be removed. This process is permanent, meaning you will always need a veneer to restore the form and function of your tooth. For this reason, many dentists will try other types of treatments or restorations to correct your dental problems before turning to veneers.
If you wish to avoid altering too much of your tooth enamel, “no prep” veneers may be another option to consider. This type of veneer requires considerably less of the natural tooth to be modified. Only the surface enamel is affected, rather than the dentin of the tooth underneath the enamel layer.
Dental veneers should last for at least ten years, and may last as long as twenty years with proper care. Either type of dental veneer will improve the function of your mouth and enhance the look of your smile. Consult with your dentist about the types of veneers available to restore your beautiful smile.
If you live in the McDonough area, contact us today
by Dr. Adkins | Aug 28, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
There’s a whole branch of dentistry made for giving you the smile you’ve always wanted. Cosmetic dentistry provides numerous options for treatment with the goal of improving the appearance of your smile. Often there are oral health benefits as well, but the primary purpose is making cosmetic improvements to your smile.
Cosmetic dentists complete training in specialized procedures that some dental practices may not offer. If you’re looking for ways to enhance your look, seek help from a reputable and qualified cosmetic dentist to assist you in achieving your goals. It’s a matter of communicating what you dislike about your smile, undergoing an examination so that the dentist can make recommendations, and then deciding your treatment plan together. Some patients choose only a single procedure, and others pursue several in order to get their final beautiful smile.
What are some common cosmetic dental procedures?
- Veneers – thin layers of porcelain are bonded to the fronts of teeth to hide many kinds of flaws, like chips, cracks, discolorations, gaps and more. Veneers provide a durable way to instantly improve smiles.
- Implants – a titanium rod is surgically placed into the jaw bone to create a new root for a missing tooth. After healing, an artificial tooth is secured on top to finalize the restoration. Implants provide a secure, natural looking, and permanent alternative to dentures.
- Teeth whitening – stains and discolorations are removed in only an hour’s time through professional whitening methods. Dramatic improvements can be made to smiles without the hassles and waiting of at-home whitening methods.
- Crowns and bridges – teeth that have decayed or weakened from root canal treatment may ultimately fall out. Strengthening of a tooth can be achieved through a crown, which covers the entire tooth to protect it from cracks and possible cavities. A bridge replaces more than one missing tooth to fully restore a smile.
- Invisalign – crooked teeth can be improved using Invisalign clear plastic aligners. This series of removable trays gently moves teeth into better alignment without the embarrassing process of traditional braces.
No matter what is making you unhappy with the appearance of your smile, it’s worth your time to schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist. Chances are that you’ll be on your way to a brand new smile!
Schedule your appointment at our McDonough dental office
by Dr. Adkins | Aug 21, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
Everyone in your family deserves high quality oral care, no matter if they are 2 or 22 or 62! Establishing a relationship with a family dentist is a great way to ensure all of you get reliable, consistent, excellent dental treatment so that you’ll all be smiling for years to come.
A family dentist offers full service options to meet all kinds of oral health needs. Both preventative and diagnostic treatments are performed to help you avoid problems with your teeth and gums, but when issues do arise they can be accurately identified and treated.
Find a practice that is convenient for you and others in your family, and employs a dentist and staff who make each of you feel comfortable and confident. The idea is to choose a dental office and stick with it for years to come so that you’ll receive consistent and personalized treatment while feeling at home in the dentist’s chair.
When choosing a dentist, schedule a consultation to learn more about the services and office. Most family dentists provide services such as:
- General dentistry – using modern technology and methods to meet the oral health needs of every family member
- Pediatric dentistry – focusing on dental needs of children to establish good hygiene habits, become comfortable with dental treatment, reduce decay, and avoid oral health issues in the future
- Professional cleanings – removing plaque and tartar to prevent cavities and gum disease, as well as improve the appearance of your smile
- Dental fillings – fillings for cavities, often made from composite resin material that matches your tooth
- Dental implants – artificial tooth and root that is integrated into the jaw so that it looks and feels very natural as a replacement for a missing tooth
- Crowns – cap that covers an existing tooth that has been damaged and requires rebuilding to make it functional and attractive
- Dentures – partial or full restorations to replace multiple missing teeth
No matter the current condition of your family’s teeth, it’s a good time to find a family dentist and get everyone the care they need for bright smiles ahead.
If you need a dentist in McDonough, contact us today
by Dr. Adkins | Aug 14, 2017 | Blog, Dental Topics, Uncategorized
More and more people today are heading to their dentist’s office to brighten their smiles through teeth whitening treatments. Although you can try to maintain white teeth by limiting foods and drinks that stain or stopping habits like smoking, the truth is that teeth are prone to discoloring over time. If you’re considering undergoing teeth whitening, get the facts before you go.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Most people are able to have their teeth whitened successfully without any issues. However, not everyone has good enough oral health to safely undergo treatment. Healthy teeth and gums are necessary so that the procedure is comfortable and effective. Patients with extensive fillings or crowns may not be the best candidates. Teeth that have extremely dark stains or discolorations from certain things like medications may not attain desired results.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate?
A complete oral examination by your licensed dentist is the best way to determine if teeth whitening is right for you. During the assessment, your dentist will look for decay, receding gum lines, fillings, enamel condition, tooth sensitivity and more to decide if treatment is advised. Sometimes dental work can be done to restore oral health and then whitening becomes an option.
What is the process?
Most professional teeth whitening treatments performed in a dental office are done with a high concentration peroxide bleaching agent and enhanced with special lighting to activate the gel. The dentist usually coats your gums with a product to limit sensitivity, and then the bleaching gel is carefully placed onto your teeth. Light is directed to the area, typically in three 15-minutes sessions. The dentist monitors the entire process for your safety and comfort.
What results can I expect?
It is important to discuss your specific case with your dentist prior to treatment so that you have realistic whitening goals in mind. The degree of whitening often depends on the level and cause of your tooth discoloration. Some patients achieve a couple of shades brighter, while others whiten up to ten shades.
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