A Variety of Options

There are several dental veneers options available, and choosing the right one for you is a matter of weighing your priorities in consultation with your experienced Atlanta cosmetic dentist.

Composite Veneers

• Composite resin is a material that has been used in cosmetic dentistry for many years.
• It is typically a more affordable option and is placed in just one visit.
• On the other hand, composite resin is susceptible to chipping and staining, which means that you will have to maintain your veneers to keep them looking nice.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers done by Atlanta Dental Spa

• High-quality porcelain veneers have a life-like beauty that requires much less maintenance, so we often recommend porcelain for patients who are seeking to improve multiple teeth.
• Traditional porcelain veneers effectively cover significant staining, replace dark silver fillings, fix cracks and replace worn enamel.
• Porcelain dental veneers usually can be applied in just two visits.
• Caring for porcelain veneers requires the same dental hygiene that you use for your natural teeth. When you come in for your twice yearly cleanings, we’ll use a special polishing agent to keep your veneers looking as beautiful as the day we placed them.
• Porcelain veneers can last for 10 to 15 years, and in some cases even longer.

Lumineers or UltraVeneers

• No-prep or minimal prep veneers, such as Lumineers and UltraVeneers, are made of an even thinner layer of porcelain than what is used in traditional dental veneers.
• Not only are they less expensive than traditional veneers, but they typically require little to no contouring (also known as preparation) of the existing tooth to achieve a strong bond.
• However, because of the paper-thin quality of minimal prep veneers, they might not be able to completely cover dark staining or other, more severe, tooth imperfections.

Making the Choice

To help you make a decision about the best type of dental veneers for you, request a diagnostic wax up or digital imaging to preview your smile. You should have complete control over the shape, style and color of your new teeth.

We would love the opportunity to show you what your new smile could look like with one of our dental veneers options. Contact one of our two Atlanta cosmetic dentistry locations today to schedule your consultation.

What is A Dental Implant?

Today, dental implants are typically the most effective and long-lasting way to replace a single tooth or even multiple teeth. A dental implant actually consists of three pieces:

• The titanium post, which is inserted to replace the tooth root. The jawbone grows together with the titanium (known as osseointegration), forming a strong, stable base for your new tooth.
• An abutment, which is another piece of titanium that will connect the implant to the tooth.
• The porcelain crown.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Dental implants have one of the highest success rates in dentistry. Once it integrates with the bone, the implant rarely fails.
• Because the implant replaces the root, the supporting bone remains strong and healthy.
• Unlike with a bridge, an implant requires no modification or drilling on adjacent teeth.
• While the crown might need to be replaced, the titanium implant itself should last a lifetime.
• An implant looks and functions just like a natural tooth. You can eat, brush, floss and talk normally.

Implants Not For Everyone

There are some situations when a dental implant won’t work or might not be as effective:

• Patients who do not have healthy gums or sufficient bone structure will not be able to support an implant.
• The risk of dental implant failure is higher for heavy smokers.
• Patients suffering from uncontrolled diabetes also face higher risks of implant failure, although advances in technology may make dental implants a more attainable option for diabetics.

In addition to the above contraindications, dental implants present a few drawbacks:

• The implant takes time to integrate with the bone. Only after this osseointegration period, which typically takes at least three months, can the crown be placed.
• Placing a dental implant requires surgery. While this procedure is typically quick, it does require the use of local anesthetic.

If your dentist recommends a tooth replacement, it’s important that you follow through with this recommendation. Not only can missing teeth create an unstable bite and excessive wear and tear on your teeth and gums, but a missing root can lead to atrophy of the jawbone.

Our Atlanta dentists would be happy to review your case and discuss whether a dental implant is right for your situation.

The Invisible Alternative

Invisalign^® clear braces are a very subtle treatment, making them an ideal option for adults. Because the clear plastic aligners are practically invisible once they’re in your mouth, your friends and co-workers don’t even have to know that you’re straightening your teeth. This is very important to adults who are in the public eye or who depend on their smiles for their professions, such as actors, models and sales professionals.

Not only are clear braces inconspicuous while you wear them, but they also can be removed when necessary. Just be sure to wear them at least 20-22 hours per day so you don’t throw off your treatment plan.

What You See Is What You Get

Most adults expect to be able to see the end result before they invest their hard-earned money. Using a 3-D simulation known as a ClinCheck^®, we will show you exactly how your teeth will move over the course of your treatment.

Once you see what your new smile is going to look like, you will likely be highly motivated to wear your clear braces as often as possible to keep you on schedule to reach that finish line!

When Clear Braces Are Appropriate

Our Atlanta cosmetic dentists have used Invisalign^® clear braces to effectively treat many types of malocclusions, including:

• crooked or crowded teeth
• gaps between teeth
• deep or misaligned bite

However, there are some instances when Invisalign^® is not the best option.

• Certain types of tooth movement, such as significant rotation or vertical movement, are typically more effectively accomplished with traditional orthodontic braces.
• Patients with poor self-discipline. Results depend on the patient’s willingness to wear the aligners as often as is required.
• Patients with poor oral hygiene. We recommend brushing after each meal to avoid trapping food particles between the aligners and the teeth and gums. Failure to do so will likely lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Many Atlanta adults have achieved fabulous results with clear braces. However, the only way to know if they are right for you is to come in for a consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment.

Passion For Cosmetic Dentistry

We are passionate about designing beautiful smiles. While we provide the full range of general dentistry services, we are specially trained in cosmetic dentistry. As Fellows to the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics, we have been repeatedly recognized by our peers for our award-winning smile designs.

Results speak for themselves. Our satisfied patients are excited to give testimonials about the high-quality cosmetic dentistry they receive from us.  You can also visit our smile gallery to see how we’ve transformed the smiles of our patients.

Focus On You

What truly sets us apart from other dentists is our focus on the needs and comfort of our patients. We know that dental work can be scary, especially if you’ve had painful experiences in the past. That’s why our gentle dentists go to great lengths to explain exactly what your treatment will entail, even showing you what the end result will look like through digital imaging. We use the least-invasive techniques possible, and we also offer sedation dentistry to help ease your anxiety.

Our convenient Saturday hours make it easier for our patients to find time to visit the dentist. Your oral health is important to us, and we believe that a busy schedule is never a good reason to put off dental care. (Not that there is a good reason!)

We’ve also created a serene environment so that you’ll want to visit the dentist. It’s hard for people who’ve never visited our offices to understand that we really have created a spa-like setting – complete with the tranquil sound of waterfalls, Tempurpedic® chairs and noise-cancelling headphones.

We Give Back

Our Brookhaven dentists also believe in contributing to the community that we rely on for our success. We actively participate in the Give Back a Smile Program for domestically abused victims, and Dr. Estep has earned a certificate of honor for her accomplishments in the program.

Our top Atlanta dentists look forward to helping you design your new smile. Contact us today to schedule your consultation at our new office conveniently located near Brookhaven.

What it is

Snap-On Smile is a removable appliance made of plastic that “snaps” over your natural teeth. It can be used to conceal:

• Gaps
• Misalignment
• Missing teeth
• Staining

A Transitional Smile

• Snap-On Smiles are typically a short-term solution. Many of our patients who choose them do so because they want to “try out” their new smile before making the investment in porcelain veneers or Invisalign®.

• Sometimes, there is an upcoming special event for which a patient needs that “perfect smile.” For example, we serve many models and musicians who use Snap-On Smiles for photo shoots or music videos.

How it works

• Our dentists create a mold of your teeth and then send those records to the lab to create your Snap-On Smile.

• You will have your appliance within 2 to 3 weeks (let us know if this is a rush case and we might be able to get them in under a week).

Keep In Mind

• Snap-On Smiles are not permanent, although with proper care they can last months or even several years.
• In addition to proper dental hygiene, your Atlanta dentist will tell you how to care for your Snap-On Smile.
• The appliance does add some bulk to your natural teeth, so there is an adjustment period during which you will have to adjust your speech. Most people adjust very quickly. though.
• While you can eat and drink with your Snap-On Smile, we recommend that you remove it at night.

We offer many options for Atlanta residents looking for cosmetic dentistry. Snap-On Smiles offer an affordable option for trying out a new smile, but only an experienced cosmetic dentist will be able to help you make the best choice for your situation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our award-winning cosmetic dentists!

Deciding how to straighten your teeth can be a difficult decision. Many of our Atlanta Invisalign patients ask us if Invisalign is as effective as metal braces. The answer is that they can be, depending on what type of tooth movement is required.

Invisalign can effectively treat a broad range of cases, from crowded teeth to jaw problems, but there are certain types of malocclusions that are better treated by traditional metal braces.

Here, we’ve listed some of the primary pros and cons of Invisalign and traditional braces.

Invisalign

Pros

• Traditional metal braces can be less costly, depending on the provider.
• Traditional orthodontic braces may be a better solution for patients with complex misalignments or severe over- or under-bites.
• Permanently affixed to your teeth, so they don’t require you to keep up with a series of aligners.

Cons

• Two words: “Metal mouth.”
• Brackets and wires can irritate the mouth.
• Frequent checkups to adjust the braces can be quite painful.
• Oral hygiene is more difficult. The brackets trap food particles and often require a special brush or oral irrigator.
• Metal brackets pose the potential for injury to the cheeks, lips or tongue, especially to athletes or others who are active.

We hope this overview has helped you in your decision between Invisalign and regular braces. If you are in the Atlanta area, please stop by our Buckhead or Roswell cosmetic dentistry office for a consultation.

Periodontal disease

Mouth-Body Connection

Our oral health is tied to our overall systemic health. The toxins generated by periodontal bacteria have been linked to pre-term labor, as well as cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.

Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease

• Poor oral hygiene
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Smoking
• Hormonal changes
• Certain medications and diseases
• Heredity
• Poor nutrition

Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy

Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy is a safe, effective method used to treat periodontal disease by regeneration of tissue. The diode laser targets unhealthy tissues in the mouth through a thin fiber. Stimulation of the cells cause the formation of new root surface coating and new connective tissue formation on tooth roots.

We use lasers in combination with the more traditional periodontal tartar removal techniques, such as scaling and root planning, which means that we are attacking your gum disease with all the tools in our arsenal.

The benefits of periodontal laser therapy include:

• Minimal bleeding, because the lasers aid in clotting
• Certain procedures do not require anesthesia
• Procedures performed on soft tissue may not require stitches
• Minimal swelling
• Faster healing and tissue regeneration

Perio Protect

Another conservative treatment that we offer is the Perio Protect Method. These trays fit over your upper and lower teeth and deliver medication directly into the deep gum pickets around your teeth, destroying the bacteria that is harbored there.

Your Periodontal Therapy Plan

In addition to Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy and Perio Protect, some patients require antibiotics or even tooth extraction. Our Atlanta dental experts customize your treatment based on your specific health needs. The only way to determine the best periodontal therapy for your situation is to visit our Atlanta dentists for a consultation today.

Latest in Dental Technology

• At Atlanta Dental Spa, we pride ourselves on our modern approach to dentistry. The Invisalign technology uses a series of clear alignment trays that are constructed using a medical-grade polymer. These trays gently and effectively reposition your teeth.

• Using computer simulation, we show you how your teeth will move over the next 1-2 years. So you get to preview your new smile and make any adaptations before we start the Invisalign^® process.

Specialized Invisalign Training

• Our Roswell cosmetic dentists are not only passionate about giving their patients beautiful smiles, but they are also at the top of their field.

• We regularly participate in training from the Aligntech Institute, where we learn specific clinical competencies to enhance the effectiveness of the Invisalign procedure. Because of this in-depth training, we are adept at identifying patients who will benefit from Invisalign^®.

We’ve Got You Covered

• Invisalign isn’t right for everyone. After your consultation, you and your dentist might decide that another option, or a combination of approaches, better meets your desires. And we’ve got you covered!

• Our Roswell dentists provide the full range of cosmetic dentistry services, from porcelain veneers to teeth whitening to laser gum lift, and more.

A Day At The Spa

Our patients who grew up dreading visits to the orthodontist are amazed that they actually look forward to their visits with our cosmetic dentists. We designed our Roswell office with our patients’ comfort in mind – from the waterfalls, bamboo and orchids that greet you, to the Tempurpedic dental chairs and 27” flat-screen TVs that you can watch during your visit.

Whether you’re looking for an Invisalign doctor in Roswell, or just want to discuss your options for improving your smile, stop by or give us a call today to schedule your consultation!

Why crowns?

Because a crown covers the entire tooth, it might be indicated if the tooth is severely broken or weakened from decay. For those patients who need a dental implant or bridge to replace a missing tooth, a crown would be used to cover the implant or hold the bridge in place.

Strength and Beauty

• We expect our teeth to withstand extraordinary forces, all while maintaining their beauty. Traditionally, crown patients had to choose between strength and beauty. Metal was the strongest and most durable option, while all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns were the most natural-looking.

• Dentists used to shy away from using porcelain on teeth that were subjected to heavy forces, because the material would not hold up to the wear and tear. Not anymore!

• Thanks to a revolutionary new material (IPS e.Max lithium disilicate), strong and natural-looking smiles are now possible. Studies have shown e.Max to be much more durable than other restoration material.

• And it’s beautiful, too! IPS e.Max is available in 16 A-D shades, 4 bleach shades and 4 levels of translucency. That means we can precisely match your porcelain crown to your surrounding teeth.

Explore Your Options

Ultimately, your dental solution should be based on what’s best for your health and what will give you the most natural, confident smile. After all, smiling is good for your health! Luckily, Atlanta dental patients no longer have to choose between strength and beauty. If you would like to explore whether you should fix your broken, missing or decayed tooth with a porcelain crown, call our cosmetic dentists for a complimentary consultation.

The Problem With Wisdom Teeth

• Wisdom teeth are the set of molars in the back of your mouth that usually begin to erupt in the late teens and early twenties.

• For many of us, wisdom teeth tend to come in misaligned, potentially causing crowding or damage to adjacent teeth, the jawbone or even nerves.

• They also are harder to reach with a toothbrush and floss, making them more vulnerable to tooth decay. And if the teeth are partially erupted, bacteria can enter the tooth and gums to cause infection.

Why It’s Better Not to Wait

• Your dentist takes periodic X-rays to check on the presence and alignment of your wisdom teeth. Along with an oral surgeon, your dentist will recommend the best approach to wisdom teeth removal.

• Often, based on their current position and predictions about how they might grow, the decision is made to remove wisdom teeth before problems develop. Waiting until the roots have become more established can make the extraction more complicated and potentially more painful.

What to Expect

• When wisdom teeth are still impacted (meaning they have not erupted beyond the surface of the gums), they must be surgically removed. This involves a small incision and removal of the bone covering the tooth, as well as removal of the wisdom tooth itself.

• After the surgery, you can expect some bleeding at the extraction site, as well as facial swelling and minor pain. Apply ice to minimize swelling, and take your doctor-prescribed pain relievers.

Sedation Dentistry

• At Atlanta Dental Spa, we strive to keep your level of anxiety about dental procedures as low as possible. Patients who undergo invasive procedures or who have dental anxiety seem to favor sedation dentistry.

• The use of a sedation pill and/or nitrous oxide, along with a local anesthetic, induces a feeling of relaxation, making the process of removing your wisdom teeth painless and worry-free.

If you have questions about wisdom teeth extraction or our gentle approach to dentistry, call our Atlanta dentists today.