My Blog
Posts for: May, 2016

When the multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter and TV personality Jason Derulo was recently asked about his ideal woman, his answer covered a remarkably broad spectrum. "There’s no specific thing," he said, "so I think it’s unfair to say what my ‘type’ is." But it turns out that there is one thing the So You Think You Can Dance judge considers essential: A beautiful smile.
"I’m not into messy teeth," Derulo said. "If the grill has spaces and different colors, it’s not my vibe."
As it turns out, he may be on to something: A number of surveys have indicated that a bright, healthy smile is often the first thing people notice when meeting someone new. Yet many are reluctant to open up that big grin because they aren’t satisfied with the way their teeth look. If you’re one of them, consider this: Modern cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of ways to improve your smile — and it may be easier and more affordable than you think.
For example, if your smile isn’t as bright as you would like it to be, teeth whitening is an effective and economical way to lighten it up. If you opt for in-office treatments, you can expect a lightening effect of up to 10 shades in a single one-hour treatment! Or, you can achieve the same effect in a week or two with a take-home kit we can custom-make for you. Either way, you’ll be safe and comfortable being treated under the supervision of a dental professional — and the results can be expected to last for up to two years, or perhaps more.
If your teeth have minor spacing irregularities, small chips or cracks, it may be possible to repair them in a single office visit via cosmetic bonding. In this process, a liquid composite resin is applied to the teeth and cured (hardened) with a special light. This high-tech material, which comes in colors to match your teeth, can be built up in layers and shaped with dental instruments to create a pleasing, natural effect.
If your smile needs more than just a touch-up, dental veneers may be the answer. These wafer-thin coverings, placed right on top of your natural teeth, can be made in a variety of shapes and colors — from a natural pearly luster to a brilliant "Hollywood white." Custom-made veneers typically involve the removal of a few millimeters of tooth enamel, making them a permanent — and irreversible — treatment. However, by making teeth look more even, closing up spaces and providing dazzling whiteness, veneers just might give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
If you would like more information about cosmetic dental treatments, please call our office to arrange a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Cosmetic Dentistry — A Time for Change.”

For most dental procedures you’re usually back to your regular routine in no more than a day or two (or even hours) afterward. For the most part, the mouth heals rather quickly.
But there may still be a short period of discomfort after tooth extraction, gum surgery or similar invasive procedures. The good news is you will most likely have no need for strong narcotic painkillers — milder, over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient to manage your discomfort.
The most common of these are known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This group of pain relievers — which include aspirin and ibuprofen — block the release of substances in the body known as prostaglandins that stimulate inflammation that increases pain in damaged tissues. They’re much preferred for mild to moderate pain because they don’t have the side effects of steroids or narcotics like morphine or codeine. They also tend to be less costly than these other prescription drugs.
But while they’re reasonably safe, they can cause problems if you exceed the recommended dosage or use them for prolonged periods. Their blockage of certain chemicals reduces the clotting mechanism in blood leading to a blood-thinning effect. Not only will this increase bleeding, it can also damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers if used over a period of weeks. Improper dosage of NSAIDs has also been linked to miscarriages and repeat heart attacks, which is why they’re not recommended for use during pregnancy or with patients with a history of heart or intestinal problems.
But if taken as directed by your physician or dentist — usually no more than 2,400 milligrams a day and only for a few days — such side effects are quite rare. The benefit is much more common: about five hours of pain relief from a single dose for most people. With the help of ibuprofen or similar drugs, you’ll be on your feet after your dental work in no time.Â
If you would like more information on managing pain after a procedure, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Treating Pain with Ibuprofen.”
That’s a question worth asking Brooks Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in McDonough, GA.
If you live in McDonough and are facing root canal therapy, tooth extraction, or are missing teeth, crowns and bridges might be options you want to investigate.
Crowns and bridges are both permanent prosthetic dental devices. A crown, also known as a cap, is a tooth-like device that covers a damaged tooth. It is usually made of ceramic, porcelain, resin, or stainless steel. A crown procedure usually takes more than one visit to your McDonough dentist. During the first visit, the dentist will analyze your situation and prepare the tooth for a crown. That preparation will probably involve some alteration, either filing down of the tooth or adding filling so that it can support a crown. Your McDonough dentist will then take an impression of your teeth so that a laboratory can create a permanent crown for you. Finally, your McDonough dentist will attach a temporary crown until the permanent crown is ready; it will be permanently attached during your next visit.
A bridge is used to fill a space caused by a missing tooth or teeth. With bridgework, your McDonough dentist will likely need to do the procedure in more than one visit; the procedure will be similar to a crown procedure. The dentist will need to assess your situation and prepare the two teeth to which the permanent bridge will be attached. This usually involves reduction of the tooth to fit crowns to which your McDonough dentist will anchor the bridge. The dentist may give you a temporary removable prosthesis to use while your permanent bridge is being made. During the second visit, your McDonough dentist will permanently attach your bridge.
Like crowns, bridges are custom-manufactured to your particular needs.
Both procedures are among the most common, safest, and effective dental procedures done today.
If you are seeking the services of a qualified dentist in McDonough, consider contacting Brooks Cosmetic and Family Dentistry. For more information call 678-583-0330.