January 2016 - Old Milton Dental

Are Dentures Right For You?

Posted on January 25, 2016June 14, 2017 by Alpharetta Dentist

If you are missing teeth and you want a permanent solution that’s natural looking and feeling, you will probably want to look into dental implants which are available at Old Milton Dental here in Alpharetta, GA. However, for some patients implants are simply not an option. If you have diabetes or heart disease, implant surgery may not be a good choice for you, or you may simply be looking for a more affordable option that will still look attractive and maintain your oral and dental health.

Denture technology has come a very long way in recent years. Unlike the dentures your grandparents used to wear, today’s dentures are perfectly fitted to your jaws and designed to minimize slipping and discomfort. They also look incredibly natural and most people will not be able to tell that you are wearing them if you don’t say something. If you do not have enough bone mass in your jaw or you cannot afford to get dental implants at this time, you may want to opt for full or partial dentures.

If you are missing most or all of your teeth, dentures may be the best solution for you to give you back your smile and your ability to chew your favorite foods in the least amount of time possible. Also, if you are only missing one or a few teeth, you may still want to opt for a partial denture to keep your healthy teeth from leaning toward the gap and causing you problems down the line.

Almost anyone who has lost teeth or needs to have them extracted can be considered a candidate for dentures, but at Old Milton Dental we would like to see you for an examination and to discuss all of your options with you before you make your final decision. This way you will know that you’re making the best choice for your smile.

Dentures are much better than they once were, but they do still require some extra care that you won’t have to do for dental implants or a bridge. Each night you will need to take your dentures out, brush them thoroughly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and soak them in denture solution or clean water until morning.

For more information about dentures and our other services, call Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA today at 678-624-0370 or fill out our contact form.

Dental Implants FAQs

Posted on January 18, 2016June 14, 2017 by Alpharetta Dentist

You have no doubt heard about dental implants and how they can replace missing teeth with completely natural looking dental crowns. While this sounds amazing (and it is), you will likely have a few questions for your implant dentist before you commit to this procedure. At Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, we are dedicated to helping our patients understand all of their options for treatment, which is why we have created this list of FAQs to answer all of your questions.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

A dental implant is actually a titanium screw or stud that is placed in the jawbone where it will become fused to the bone as your jaw and gums heal. On the other end of the implant is an abutment that actually protrudes from the gum tissue. This is where your permanent crown will be installed so that it may act as a prosthetic tooth. The whole process can take as little as two months or as much as a year, all depending on how much time your gums and jaw take to heal.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

If you maintain good oral hygiene and you visit us at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta on a regular basis, your dental implants could last you for the rest of your life.

Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful?

No. In many cases, we can perform the entire procedure using only local anesthetic. Afterward, we may prescribe pain relief medication, but must patients find that over-the-counter nSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) like Aleve or ibuprofen take care of any residual discomfort during healing.

Are Dental Implants as Strong as Natural Teeth?

Yes. In fact, in many instances, dental implants may actually be stronger than your natural teeth. And, though your porcelain crowns will be very strong, if they are damaged or chipped over the years we can repair or replace them with ease.

For more information on dental implants and how an implant dentist can restore your smile, call us at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA today at 678-624-0370, or use our convenient online contact form to book an appointment.

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

Posted on January 11, 2016June 14, 2017 by Alpharetta Dentist

If you have lost a tooth due to trauma or if you need to have one or more teeth extracted, you are probably wondering what you should do. If only one or two of your teeth are missing, you may be considering a bridge. If you are missing a significant number of teeth, you might be thinking of dentures. At Old Milton Dental, though we’ve found that dental implants are the best option for a lot of patients in Alpharetta.

So why do people choose dental implants instead of getting a bridge or full or partial dentures? Once it has been implanted, healed and the permanent crown has been installed, a dental implant looks, feels and acts just like a natural tooth. You do not have to take your implants out at night as you do with dentures and you will not have to damage other teeth to anchor a bridge either.

If you have otherwise decent good dental and oral health, then you should be a good candidate for dental implants. For the most part, as long as you have enough bone mass in your jaw and your gums are in pretty good shape, dental implants should not present a problem.

Advantages and Disadvantages

For most patients, the advantages of dental implants far outweigh any disadvantages. However, some patients cannot get implants because they have lost too much bone mass in their jaws or because they have another condition that can cause problems, such as heart disease or diabetes.

If these issues do not affect you, then you will enjoy permanent, natural looking and feeling teeth that can last a lifetime with normal dental hygiene and regular visits to us at Old Milton Dental. One thing to note, though – the porcelain crown on your implant will not become stained like your other teeth and also will not respond to whitening, so you will want to be sure about your color choice.

For more information about dental implants and to find out if they are right for you, call us at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA today at 678-624-0370 or fill out our convenient contact form.

Teeth Whitening FAQs

Posted on January 4, 2016June 14, 2017 by Alpharetta Dentist

Teeth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dental services, as it gives our patients in Alpharetta a significant improvement in their smiles without taking up a lot of time or money. With Zoom! whitening products, we are able to offer in-office and at-home treatments that give you the brilliant results you have been hoping for. Of course, you probably have a few questions about teeth whitening, which is why we have compiled Old Milton Dental’s most frequently asked questions for your convenience:

How Effective Is Teeth Whitening?

If you go with over-the-counter strips or whitening toothpastes, you may notice an improvement of a shade or two. With professional whitening products and treatments, you will notice your teeth get several shades whiter.

Will My Teeth Get Stained Again if I Keep Drinking Coffee or Red Wine?

Yes and no. Some of your favorite foods and beverages can be some of the worst culprits of staining. After you whiten your teeth, if you follow our after-care instructions, brush and floss regularly and visit us at Old Milton Dental for professional cleanings, you may be surprised at how long your teeth stay brilliantly white between treatments.

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?

No. If used properly, professional whitening products should not hurt your teeth at all, nor should they increase sensitivity. Whitening gel can irritate your gums, which is why it is important to get customized trays made for your whitening gel, especially if you are going to do at-home treatments.

Is Teeth Whitening for Everyone?

No, whitening does not affect porcelain, so you will not see changes in veneers or crowns if you have them. Fortunately, porcelain does not stain the same way that tooth enamel does, so you should not feel the need to whiten your crowns or veneers if you chose the correct shade for them.

If you have more questions about teeth whitening and your options for a more beautiful smile, call us at Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA today at 678-624-0370, or you can book an appointment online with our contact form.

Month: January 2016

Are Dentures Right For You?

Dental Implants FAQs

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

Teeth Whitening FAQs

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