Bella Dental Services Blog

Heart health and oral health seem to be closely connected. Medical studies have shown that there are higher levels of gum disease-causing bacteria in people with heart disease. A direct cause-and-effect relationship has yet to be shown, but there are a couple possible ways gum disease may lead to heart disease:

• Inflammation. The body’s natural response to a bacterial infection is inflammation. It is possible the bacteria that cause gum disease enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation of the arteries.
• Thickened arteries. If the bacteria from gum disease enter the bloodstream, it is possible the bacteria stick to fatty plaque (not the same as dental plaque) in the arteries, which would cause thickening and blockages of the arteries.

The buildup of bacteria and mucus in your mouth causes a sticky substance to form on your teeth; this substance is dental plaque. If not removed with good dental hygiene habits, plaque can lead to gum disease.

For improved oral and overall health, prevent gum disease by:

• Visiting the dentist for regular cleanings
• Brushing at least twice a day
• Flossing once a day

Although we always have some plaque on our teeth, teeth cleaning helps keep bacteria at bay. Professional dental cleanings remove hardened plaque that cannot be removed with your toothbrush.

If you live in Clarkston, Tucker or the surrounding Georgia areas, you can prevent gum disease and maintain oral hygiene by scheduling a dental cleaning at Bella Dental Services. Please contact Bella Dental Services to learn more.

When more than one cosmetic dental procedure is needed to enhance your smile, you may be a perfect candidate for a smile makeover. Many qualified cosmetic dentists, like those at Bella Dental Services, offer smile makeovers to correct multiple issues all at the same time. When the procedures are chosen and performed with adequate forethought, your Clarkston cosmetic dentist may be able to save you both money and time in the dentist’s chair.

What Can a Smile Makeover Correct?
 

Cosmetic dentistry is both a science and an art. During your initial consultation at Bella Dental Services in Clarkston, Georgia, Dr. Cooper will evaluate your facial appearance, skin tone, gums and teeth to create the most aesthetically pleasing smile possible. A smile makeover can correct such problems as:

• Stained or discolored teeth
• Small gaps or crookedness
• Gummy smile
• Cracked or missing teeth

Smile Makeover Procedures
 

A Bella Smile Makeover is a total revamping of your smile that can create truly magnificent results. Our cosmetic dentist can offer you a variety of possibilities and help you in selecting the best treatment plan designed for you. Some of the most popular procedures include:

• Porcelain crowns
• Dental implants
• Porcelain veneers
• Invisalign invisible braces
• Teeth whitening procedures
• Gum recontouring
• Bite rehabilitation

The total cost of your smile makeover depends greatly on what procedures need to be performed. When weighing the costs, don’t forget that when performed by an experienced cosmetic dentist, many of these procedures will last a lifetime.

If you are self-conscious about your smile for any reason and would like to discuss your Bella Smile Makeover options with a highly qualified cosmetic dentist, please contact Dr. Roderick Cooper at Bella Dental Services in Clarkston Georgia today.

Both dental implants and root canals can be used to treat a damaged or infected tooth. Without treatment, an infection will spread and could be a detriment to the surrounding teeth. Root canals opt to save the natural tooth while dental implants remove it entirely. Thus, the question lies whether or not you wish to save the natural tooth (if it is feasible), or extract the damaged tooth and replace with an implant and crown.

A study published in the Journal of Endodontics in 2008 followed 129 patients with dental implants and 143 with root canals for three years. On average, researchers found that both methods had similar success rates – 98 to 99%. During a consultation with experienced Clarkston cosmetic dentist, Dr. Roderick Cooper, you will receive an individual evaluation to determine which procedure is financially and aesthetically the best fit for you. 

About Dental Implants
 

If your tooth is severely damaged, it may be more cost effective to place a dental implant than have a root canal and crown that may eventually fail in the long term. During a dental implant procedure, a titanium screw is placed in your jawbone during surgery and rests under the gum for 3-6 months while it actually fuses to the jawbone. After the appropriate healing period, Dr. Cooper will uncover the implants and place a dental crown over the screw.

About Root Canals
 

When a tooth suffers some sort of trauma, whether it is a deep cavity or a hit to the mouth during an accident, the nerve may be irreversibly damaged. In these cases, a root canal can be performed to hollow out the nerves and lay a dental crown over the tooth. Many dentists believe that saving your natural teeth should be the first priority.

Root canal therapy saves more than 17 million teeth each year and, in general, is less expensive than extracting a tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. It’s important to discuss with a qualified Clarkston cosmetic dentist whether the tooth is salvageable during your initial consultation.

If you live in the Clarkston, Georgia area and are interested in learning which cosmetic dentistry procedure is right for you, please contact Dr. Roderick Cooper at Bella Dental Services today to schedule your first appointment.

If you are looking to enhance the appearance of your smile, nothing will have a greater impact on the appearance, function, and longevity of your results than your cosmetic dentist. Choosing your cosmetic dentist is the most important step in the process. Here are a few tips to help you find the right cosmetic dentist for you.

What to Look for During the Research Phase
 

Before you go into your first consultation with a Clarkston cosmetic dentist, it is important to research the dentists in your area. Some qualities and assets you should consider are:

• Training – a trained cosmetic dentist will have taken postgraduate courses in cosmetic dentistry and be completely comfortable with the latest techniques and treatment practices like Invisalign and porcelain veneers. Not all dental schools offer courses in cosmetic procedures, so it is vital you locate a dentist who continues his education to remain up-to-date on developing techniques and materials
• References from other patients – client testimonials remain a valuable resource to you. Some cosmetic dentists display photo albums of commercially available photos that show the “possibilities.” References from other patients allow you to evaluate your dentist’s personal client care in addition to their actual work.
• A sense of perfectionism and artistic eye – in order to create the best possible smile, you need a cosmetic dentist who goes to extraordinary lengths to satisfy clients. Finding one who is meticulous in craftsmanship and precise in the execution of treatment plans is imperative.

The final step in choosing a cosmetic dentist is your initial consultation. During these consultations, you will learn more about treatment plan options from each dentist. Comparing these plans will help you find the right cosmetic dentist for you. In addition, while you finalize pricing and create goals, be aware of your interactions with the cosmetic dentist to ensure a trusted relationship.

Please contact Bella Dental Services in Clarkston, Georgia to schedule an initial consultation today. At this time, you will receive a personal evaluation by an experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. Roderick Cooper; he will create a treatment plan for your specific aesthetic goals.