Apr 1, 2022 | Dental Topics 3, Teeth Whitening, Blog
Do you have a single tooth that has darkened due to trauma? The first step in determining if a damaged tooth can be lightened is to visit your dentist for a thorough examination.
Your dentist will need to identify what is causing the dark staining. To do this, your dentist may perform x-rays or other tests to learn if the pulp of the tooth is “vital” or alive. If the tooth is deemed to be alive, external bleaching may yield the whitening results you are seeking. Your dentist can create a single-tooth bleaching tray to whiten the traumatized tooth effectively. This type of tray keeps the bleach away from other teeth, producing the best color match for your overall smile.
However, if it is determined that the nerves have died and it is no longer a living tooth, your dentist may need to perform a root canal. Darkening of a dead tooth can happen immediately or may develop over time after a root canal procedure has been performed. For this type of tooth trauma, your dentist or endodontist may recommend bleaching the tooth from the inside.
Stains from a non-vital tooth come from the inside, rather than outside, of the tooth. Therefore, your dentist needs to put the bleach inside the tooth. This type of teeth whitening is a routine procedure that involves making a small opening in the tooth through which to bleach the tooth. Once this procedure is complete, you can assess with your dentist whether the desired results have been achieved. If the whitening is not enough, the tooth can then be bleached externally as well. If the results are still not acceptable, you may want to consider a tooth-colored veneer or crown.
If you have a darkened tooth marring your smile, consult your dentist to determine the best teeth whitening treatment to return your smile to its bright, white best.
If you live in the Conyers area contact us today
Oct 24, 2024 | Dental Topics 3, Dental Information, Blog
Modern lifestyles can be extremely stressful as many people have to deal with deadlines, demands and other frustrations that make up daily life. This can be an issue if you’re constantly under stress as it may affect your health. There are numerous health conditions that can be affected by high stress levels, and one of these is teeth grinding.
What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a condition that causes you to clench and grind your teeth together. It normally occurs during sleep so you may not even realize you have bruxism. This condition is likely to be identified by your family dentist in Conyers due to teeth becoming worn down and chipped, or quite often a sleeping partner will complain about the grinding noise during the night.
What Does Stress Have To Do with Bruxism?
Teeth grinding has been linked to high levels of stress and anxiety. It’s been shown that people under stress are more likely to grind their teeth, particularly if they don’t have any coping mechanisms.
How Could Teeth Grinding Affect Me?
Teeth grinding can have more of an effect than you might imagine. It can cause teeth to become cracked, sensitive or even loose. Excessive grinding can damage the gums and bone surrounding your teeth, or may cause a painful disorder called TMD. This affects the jaw joints or temporomandibular joints, and can cause headaches, earache and facial pain.
How is Bruxism Treated?
Your dentist in Conyers is likely to recommend a custom-made night guard which is worn while sleeping to protect your teeth and jaws from any further damage. It works through preventing your teeth from coming into contact. Additionally, you may be prescribed a muscle relaxant to help prevent clenching. It can be helpful to reduce stress levels through various measures which can include exercise, yoga, meditation or stress counseling.
We treat patients from Conyers and the surrounding area
Mar 6, 2025 | Dental Topics 3, Implant Dentistry, Blog
If you have lost one or more teeth due to decay, disease or damage, you may be wondering what your options are for restoration. While there are several choices available to replace missing teeth, dental implants are considered the most innovative and advanced treatment option offered in dentistry today. A dental implant is a fabricated tooth root placed in the jawbone to secure a replacement tooth or bridge. With vigilant oral care, dental implants are highly successful and can last for a lifetime.
Dental implants are known to most closely act like your natural teeth. Their feel, function and appearance resemble that of a natural tooth. Unlike dentures, dental implants do not require special glues or adhesives. Implants are cared for exactly like your natural teeth, only requiring you to brush and floss normally and maintain regular dental checkups and cleanings.
Another benefit of dental implants is their ability to preserve your natural facial structure by preventing and slowing the bone resorption caused by tooth loss. Traditional dentures do not offer this advantage.
Patients who choose traditional dentures to replace missing teeth may also find they have trouble eating or speaking due to ill-fitting or slipping appliances. Because they function like natural teeth, with dental implants you will enjoy all your favorite foods and never have to worry about your dental appliance shifting or clicking.
Consult with your dentist to find out more about how dental implants can provide you with a lifelong solution to your missing teeth. Your dentist will assess your specific needs and determine if you are a good candidate for implants, so you can get back to enjoying life with a full set of healthy teeth.
We treat patients from Conyers and the surrounding area
Apr 15, 2022 | Dental Topics 3, Implant Dentistry, Blog
Dental implants are an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to decay or damage. With implants, an artificial tooth root is placed into your jawbone to provide support for crowns and dentures. When considering implant treatment, you may have some of the following questions and concerns:
- Who is a candidate for dental implants? Implants can be placed in almost anyone after adolescence or when bone growth has completed.
- Is implant surgery painful? No, implant treatment is usually performed under local anesthesia in your dentist’s office.
- How long does it take to place dental implants? Depending on the number of implants placed, the procedure can usually be completed in less than an hour.
- What kind of recovery can I expect after a dental implant procedure? Healing from implant surgery is usually quick and uneventful. Any pain or discomfort should be minimal and easily controlled with anti-inflammatory medication. Most patients can return to normal activity the next day.
- How long will it take before I receive my new teeth? Because the implants need time to fuse to the bone, the entire process can take up to six months. Typically, you will receive some form of temporary teeth during this period. Treatment time varies depending on your treatment needs.
- Is caring for my implants difficult? Caring for your dental implants is the same as caring for your natural teeth. Implants simply require consistent brushing and flossing and regular dental visits for routine cleanings.
- How long will my implants last? When cared for properly, dental implants should last for decades.
- Are dental implants safe? When used in qualified candidates, dental implants are an exceptionally low-risk restoration option.
In general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 98%. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
If you need a dentist in Conyers contact us today
Dec 16, 2022 | Dental Topics 3, Implant Dentistry, Blog
Dental implants have been in use for more than sixty years, and over that time period, they have risen in popularity among cosmetic dentists as the top-of-the-line tooth restoration for patients with missing teeth.
Dental implants have two main components: a screw-like base and a fabricated tooth-like replacement that sits on top of the screw. Typically the screw is made from titanium and is extremely durable. The screw is surgically implanted directly into the patient’s jawbone, and over time, it fuses directly into the bone. This process is known as osseointegration and it’s the reason dental implants are so successful.
This bond with the bone allows the implant to serve as a complete replacement for the roots of a missing tooth. Dental implants can be used to anchor a single tooth, a dental bridge or even serve as one of several secure implant anchors for dentures.
The bones of the jaw thrive through the stimulation of a tooth’s natural roots. Remove the roots and the bone begins to shrink. This is the reason dentures seem to shift over time. The denture is the same shape; it’s the bones that are changing. Because dental implants mimic tooth roots in the bone, the bone remains stimulated, and continues to be healthy, providing support for surrounding tooth roots and the patient’s facial bones.
Dental implants have a very high success rate. They look very much like natural teeth. They are stable and secure and are considered by many cosmetic dentists to be the best choice for replacing one or more missing teeth.
If you are missing a tooth and you want the best restoration available, talk to the cosmetic dentist in Conyers about dental implants. You might be surprised to learn about all the benefits dental implants can offer you to replace your missing tooth.
If you need a dentist in Conyers contact us today
Sep 21, 2023 | Dental Topics 3, Dental Information, Blog
It can be difficult to avoid the signs of aging and lifestyle on your teeth. They can become stained or yellowed over the years, but they don’t have to remain that way. You might choose to have your smile professionally brightened at your dentist’s office, but you’ll want to maintain those pearly whites. Here are some tips you can follow at home to keep your smile bright and beautiful.
Eat crunchy foods.
Crunchy foods are often acidic, which means they naturally help clean your teeth. Examples include apples, pears, celery, and carrots. Crunchy foods are also more abrasive, so the cleaner your teeth will become as they are naturally scrubbed during chewing. The cleaning benefit comes with the crunch, so eat them in their whole form instead of cutting or crushing them up.
Consume dairy products.
Foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt contain minerals such as phosphorus and calcium. These mineral help strengthen your teeth and make them whiter. Your smile will be more appealing and healthier when you include dairy in your diet.
Don’t forget strawberries.
The malic acid in strawberries helps reduce tooth discolorations, and the rough texture of the fruit buffs your tooth enamel. This creates a smoother and brighter look. In addition to eating strawberries, you can also crush them to mix with a half teaspoon of baking soda and a bit of lemon juice. Apply this mixture onto your teeth for five minutes to improve their appearance.
Try baking soda.
As mentioned above, baking soda can help clean teeth if used in moderation. Rub a pinch of baking soda onto your teeth and then rinse it away, or mix it with hydrogen peroxide and salt to naturally brighten your smile.
Use a straw.
If you can’t eliminate dark beverages like wine or colas from your diet, drink them from a straw so that the liquid goes straight into your mouth instead of over your teeth.
Get an electric toothbrush.
Stubborn stains on tooth surfaces are often more responsive to cleaning with an electric toothbrush instead of a manual one.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
