Hi, I'm Dr. Bhat, Welcome to North Fulton Smiles. Come on in, let us make you feel good about your teeth.
North Fulton Smiles - Feel good about your teeth.
Preventative Care
Routine Prophylaxis: Prophylaxis is another way of saying "Having your teeth cleaned." This process helps prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and the build-up of tartar. Prophylaxis involves "scaling", the removal of plaque and hard tartar from along the gumline, and dental polishing, which makes the surface of teeth smoother, and harder for plaque to build up on. Prophylaxis should ideally be performed on your teeth twice a year or more as recommended by Drs. Bhat and Lee.
Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride Treatments help prevent tooth decay by strengthening the tooth structure. These treatments are beneficial for anyone, but can become necessary for people suffering from gingivitis or dry mouth, and are recommended for those with a history of frequently getting cavities. Fluoride used for professional treatment is of a higher concentration than of fluoride found in toothpaste or mouthwash.
The treatment process typically lasts only a few minutes. A gel or foam containing fluoride may be applied directly to the surface of the teeth with a cotton swab or in a rinse. Fluoride gels, mouthwashes, and supplements are also available with a prescription.
Back to Top ↑
Treatment of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums, usually caused by plaque build-up. It may eventually cause the gums to recede, which can lead to teeth, including healthy ones, becoming loose or falling out. Periodontal disease exhibits few symptoms during its earliest stages, so regular dental check-ups are essential for prevention or early diagnosis.
During a routine dental check-up, the dentist will use a periodontal probe to check for excess space, or "pockets", between the teeth and gum tissue. Depending on the degree of the periodontal disease, there are different options for treatment. In less severe cases, "scaling", the process of cleaning plaque deposits from the gumline, may be sufficient. For more advanced cases, root "planing", the smoothing of the root area of the tooth, may be necessary. Oral irrigation, flushing out the area around the gumline with an antibacterial wash, can give the gum tissue an opportunity to regenerate. In cases where bone loss has already occurred, the dentist may recommend you visit a periodontist, a doctor who specializes in gum care.
Back to Top ↑
Resin (White) Fillings
Fillings are necessary if a cavity has developed in a tooth and decay has begun to occur. If decay is allowed to spread it can lead to more severe problems, including bone loss. Getting a filling to repair decay can prevent you from later needing crowns, root canal treatment, or tooth extraction.
A local anesthetic is given, decayed areas of the tooth are removed, and a composite resin filling is put in the decay's place. Composite Resin can be bonded to the tooth in layers, allowing the dentist to preserve more of your natural tooth. It is also comparatively inexpensive, and is tooth-colored and less noticeable than metal fillings.
Back to Top ↑
Crowns
Crowns, or caps, are porcelain and/or metal partial casts of teeth that are placed over fractured or significantly decayed teeth to protect the tooth from breaking down further.
Applying a crown requires that your dentist reshapes the damaged tooth, creating sufficient space for the crown. Next, an impression of the reshaped tooth is made so that the interior part of the crown will fit the tooth. A temporary crown is placed over the tooth during the period it takes to manufacture the permanent crown, and the dentist applies the permanent crown on a subsequent visit.
Back to Top ↑
Bridges
Bridges are used to replace missing teeth. Bridges are synthetic teeth that are secured in the mouth with crowns applied to the teeth adjacent to the tooth which is missing. Bridges help prevent the teeth surrounding the missing tooth from drifting out of position, as well as prevent gum disease, tooth decay, or the loss of further teeth.
Bridge application is begun by reshaping the teeth on either side of the missing tooth to prepare them for crowns. An impression is made of the area, and a temporary bridge built from that impression is put in place. After the permanent bridge has been made, the dentist will cement it into place.
Back to Top ↑
Dental Implants
Another option for replacing missing teeth is having Dental Implants installed. A metal anchor is inserted into the jawbone, allowed to heal, and a metal post is installed into the anchor a few months later. After healing is fully completed, an artificial tooth is made and is screwed or cemented to the post. The implant can then be treated as one of your own, natural teeth.
Back to Top ↑
Extractions
Tooth extractions may be called for if a tooth is damaged beyond repair, or if a tooth is misaligned or unnecessary and therefore causing damage to adjacent teeth.. A local anesthetic is given, and the tooth is rocked gently back and forth until it loosens from its foundation and can be removed. Wisdom Teeth extractions vary in the degree of difficulty, and may need the expertise of an Oral Surgeon.
Back to Top ↑
Root Canal Treatment
The root canals are the parts of the tooth where the pulp containing the nerves and the blood vessels that feed the tooth are found. Root Canal Treatment becomes necessary if an infection of the pulp inside
the tooth occurs. If this type of infection spreads, it can affect the bone surrounding the tooth, and cause sever pain, swelling and eventual tooth loss.
In Root Canal Treatment, the tooth is anesthetized, and an opening into the chamber is made. Infected tooth pulp is removed, the root canals are cleaned and enlarged, and a filling and sealant is put in the pulp's place. Having a protective crown applied to the tooth afterwards is usually necessary. The effects of the treatment are typically permanent, but the crown or canal filling may eventually need to be replaced.
Back to Top ↑
Cosmetic Procedures
Whitening: In-office tooth whitening can significantly increase the whiteness of your teeth in one visit. A special gel partially containing peroxide is applied directly to the teeth by the dentist. A lamp that emits light in the blue wavelength is shone on the teeth to activate the gel, making it easier for it to penetrate the enamel. With proper dental care, the effects of the treatment can be long-lasting.
Veneers: Veneers are shells made of porcelain that are bonded to your own teeth to correct discoloration, hide chipped teeth, or cover misaligned teeth.
An impression of your teeth is made to construct the veneer with, and the teeth are prepared for it by being gently scraped until there is enough space for the veneer. The teeth are cleaned and polished. A special solution is applied to the teeth that makes their surface slightly rougher, which makes it easier for the veneer to bond, and the veneer is then bonded using composite resin.
Invisible Braces: Invisible braces are a relatively new method of straightening teeth that are crowded, spaced, or otherwise misaligned. Sets of clear plastic trays molded to your teeth are made using impressions and photographs or your teeth, and are designed to have the same effect on misaligned teeth as traditional braces. These trays are worn over your own teeth, and new molds and trays are made for you every few weeks, causing gradual improvement of your smile.
Invisible braces are completely clear and do not affect your appearance at all. They are safe and easy to remove on your own, so that no changes in your daily dental hygiene or diet are necessary. They are comfortable, effective, and safe to use for anyone age twelve and up.
Back to Top ↑
Northeast Metro Atlanta dentistry at its finest..
North Fulton Smiles provides dental services in Roswell, Alpharetta, John's Creek, Milton, Sandy Springs, and other North Fulton area cities, with offices conveniently located at 1240 Upper Hembree Road in Roswell. Our services include Fillings, Bridges, Dentures, Implants, Root Canal Treatments, Sealants, Tooth Extraction, Treatment of Periodontal Disease, Tooth Whitening, and other Cosmetic Procedures.
