Suwanee Dental Care wishes you a very Merry Christmas!

Suwanee Dental Care wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We are excited to bring in 2010 with our wonderful patients! We encourage you to remember the true meaning of the season..


Best Wishes this holiday season!

Suwanee Dental Care

Dr. Bill Williams
Dr. Jeremy Smith
770-614-7300
www.suwaneedental.com

You've found your Neuromuscular and TMD Dentist!

Did you know Dr. Williams is an expert in Neuromuscular & TMD Dentistry? Check out this exciting article on one of our Neuromuscular mouth guards.

This article featured in USA Today talks about the benefits of a specially made mouth guard verses the generic boil and bite mouth guards.

This article also talks about how pro athletes from various disciplines,wear neuromuscular mouth guards because they believe it can help maximize their natural abilities. Did you know a mouth guard can do all that? There are other benefits to these custom made mouth guards as it was originally developed to treat jaw joint disorders, which includes migraine headaches and ear, neck and joint pain.

Call us for more information on this special mouth guard at 770-614-7300..
For more information on Neuromuscular & TMD Dentistry, check out our website, www.suwaneedental.com

Deserving Diva Nominations at 255

Suwanee Dental Care has received an outstanding number of nominations for our charitable Deserving Diva smile makeover. Since opening the nomination process, many worthy applicants for this free service by the doctors of Suwanee Dental Care and its makeover team (The Caudle Center, Ambience, Revival and Gwinnett Magazine). The staff and doctors have now narrowed down the 255 nominations to the top 25 and will be contacting the Top 10 for interviews soon. Once the winner is chosen, the makeover will begin. Stay tuned to blog posts and web site articles about our nominee and the reasons for her being chosen. Remember, the criteria for this year's Deserving Diva are (1) dental need primarily, (2) community service in giving back to others, and (3) financial need. We are celebrating those who are good witnesses to others and who have demonstrated strong character, a will to work and to make a difference in others life through personal sacrifice and effort.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

We at Suwanee Dental Care are thankful for you our valued patients! We want to wish you a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends and we look forward to serving you in the near future. Don't forget to come see us and donate to Toys for Tots starting November 30th!

Thank YOU~

Suwanee Dental Care Staff

Best of Gwinnett 2009, 7 great years!

Suwanee Dental Care voted BEST OF GWINNETT 2009!


Thank you to all our patients who voted for us to
receive Best of Gwinnett 2009 for the 7th year in
a row! We are certainly thankful for you and we
are proud to win such a prestigious award given
by folks in our community of Gwinnett!

~SDC Staff

Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A!

Epilepsy, Seizure Meds Have Oral Health Implications

Three million Americans suffer from epilepsy, a central nervous system disorder resulting in recurrent seizures, which can be frightening and potentially dangerous. Additionally, seizures may have implications for oral health and dental care, according to an article in General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). If you suffer from seizures, it is crucial that you keep your dentist informed, according to author Eric T. Stoopler, DMD.

"It's extremely important for patients to give their dentist a thorough history of their seizures and lists of medications and dosages. Dentists also should be updated on patients' progress with their neurologists and other health care professionals," says Dr. Stoopler.

Seizures can be treated with medication or, in some instances, surgery; but antiseizure drugs often have side effects that can cause oral health problems or complicate dental procedures. Additionally, drugs commonly used in dentistry could induce seizure activity in epileptics.

Dr. Stoopler urges seizure sufferers to make sure their dentist is aware of their specific conditions. And most important, you should make sure that your dentist knows how to handle a seizure should you have one during a dental treatment, says Dr. Stoopler.

"Armed with the full knowledge of a patient's condition, a dentist can take all the necessary steps to ensure a safe and comfortable visit," according to AGD spokesperson Mark Ritz, DDS, MAGD.

At Suwanee Dental Care, we urge epileptics to visit the dentist frequently, as side effects such as dry mouth and overgrown gums require careful attention to oral hygiene.

Side effects of seizure medications:

• Increased incidence of infection
• Xerostomia (dry mouth)
• Gingival hypertrophy (overgrown gums)
• Delayed healing
• Bleeding gums
• Postoperative bleeding

Dental visit tips for epileptics:

• Take medication prior to your appointment.
• Inform your dentist of your complete medical history, including seizure history, medications and dosages and contact information for other health care providers.
• Schedule appointments within a few hours of taking medication.
• Tell the dental team immediately if you experience an aura.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before your appointment.

Gummy Smiles

Excessive gingival display or delayed passive eruption

When you smile, do you feel the appearance of your upper teeth is overshadowed by excessive gum tissue? Are you of the opinion that your upper teeth appear too short compared to the amount of gingival tissue displayed when you smile? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, you may have a condition that is commonly called a “gummy smile” or excessive gingival display.

Gummy smile can have a negative affect on the esthetics of your smile. The good news is that a gummy smile can be corrected through various treatment options.

Causes of a Gummy Smile

There are several possible causes of gummy smile, including:

• An excessive display of gum tissue in your upper jaw can result from the abnormal eruption of the teeth. Teeth covered by excessive gum tissue appear short, even though they may actually be the proper length.
• The muscle that controls the movement of your upper lip could be hyperactive, causing your upper lip to rise up higher than normal. When this occurs, more of your gum tissue is exposed when you smile.
• The manner in which your upper jaw bone grew and developed could cause the appearance of a gummy smile. For instance, if there was an excessive bulging protrusion of the upper jaw within the gum tissue, you would experience an obvious gummy appearance when you smile.

Gummy Smile: An Esthetic Problem or Something More?

The smile line or esthetic zone — the teeth that are showing when you are smiling — is determined by several factors, including:

• The shape and size of your lips.
• Your facial muscles.
• The shape and size of your teeth.
• Your gum tissue.

The optimal smile line appearance should reveal the least amount of gum tissue possible. Gum tissue visible in the smile line should have balanced, even contours that are in harmony with the upper lip. It is for this reason that many people with a gummy smile or excessive gingival display feel their smile to be unattractive, oftentimes feeling reluctant to smile at all.

However, depending on the factors causing a gummy smile, more serious underlying dental conditions could be present. For example, if you have a gummy smile caused as a result of how the teeth erupted and how the jaw developed, you may also have an uncomfortable or improper bite that could ultimately affect your long-term oral health.

Gummy Smile Treatments

If you think you have a gummy smile, visit your www.suwaneedental.com for confirmation and treatment options. Your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth and gums to determine the extent of the excessive gingival display and any possible causes. This examination may involve conventional and/or digital impressions of your teeth and gums. You may also need X-ray imaging so that the tooth roots and jaw bone can be carefully examined.

Depending on the nature of your specific clinical condition, treatment for your gummy smile could include one or more of the following:

• Same-day laser treatments (in minor cases).
• Surgical lip repositioning.
• Orthodontics to move the teeth into more suitable positions.
• Surgical Sculpting of the gingival tissues and bone to create healthier and more attractive looking gum contours.
• Maxillofacial surgery to reposition the bone.

For example, according to the American Academy of Periodontology, a periodontist — a dentist specializing in the gums, soft tissues and other structures supporting the teeth — can perform a “crown lengthening” procedure to correct the appearance of a gummy smile. During this procedure, the periodontist will remove the excess gum tissue — and possibly bone — in order to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This Surgical Sculpting procedure can be performed on one or more teeth to create an even gum line or a more natural looking smile. As a result, gummy smile sufferers see more of their teeth when they smile and less of their gums.

The American Academy of Periodontology states that the benefits of crown lengthening procedures include increased comfort and confidence when smiling, eating and speaking, as well as improved periodontal (gum tissue) health.

Authored By: Allison DiMatteo

ORAL-SYSTEMIC HEALTH (YOUR ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTH)

Researchers have found that periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss) is associated with other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Likewise, pregnant women who have periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering pre-term and/or low birth weight babies.

Although reports suggest that periodontitis may contribute to these conditions, it is important to understand that just because two conditions occur at the same time, doesn’t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other. The relationship could work the other way. For example, there is evidence that diabetics are more likely to develop periodontitis and have more severe periodontitis than nondiabetics. Or two conditions that occur together may be caused by a third factor. People who smoke or use alcohol are at increased risk of developing periodontitis and a number of other health conditions, including oral cancer.

Researchers are working hard to find out if periodontitis does have an effect on other health problems by looking at what happens when periodontitis is treated in individuals with these problems. If there was a cause and effect relationship, we would expect that a treatment that leads to an improvement in periodontal health would also improve other health problems. The results from initial studies are intriguing. For example, some studies suggest that treating periodontitis in people with diabetes can improve their blood sugar control, but other studies have not found this connection.

Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, prevention of periodontitis may turn out to be an important step in maintaining overall health. In most cases, good oral health can be maintained with good daily oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and regular professional care.

Tell your dentist about your overall health, especially if you have had any recent illnesses or have any chronic conditions. Provide a health history including medication use, both prescription and over-the-counter products, and let your dentist know when there are changes. Also, if you smoke, talk to your dentist about options for quitting smoking. This will help ensure that you get the most complete and appropriate care.

The Velo Project

Have you heard the news?

Andy Velo is the IT guy in country music

You can vote for Best of Gwinnett in 2009

Suwanee Dental Care Blog

I Love Suwanee Blog

Sleep your way through your next visit!

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is used to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for certain people receiving dental treatment. It enables individuals too afraid to go to the dentist to receive the dental care they need while avoiding the common apprehension known as dental phobia.

According to to the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS Education), a professional dental organization dedicated to ensuring that patients receive safe, comfortable and anxiety-free dental care, 30 percent of the population avoids the dentist due to fear. This fear prevents people from receiving necessary routine dental care, potentially compromising the health and functionality of their mouth and systemic health.

What Is Sedation?

Sedation is a process used to establish a relaxed, easy and calm state through the use of sedatives which can be administered in a variety of ways. In the past, intravenous (IV)
sedation was predominantly used to sedate a dental patient, now we can sedate patients using just a small oral pill. Sedation is both safe and effective when administered by a trained professional.

Oral sedation dentistry is now the most common technique used in the United States and Canada. The technique is easy and requires no needles. Best of all, the medications create such a comfortable experience that most patients do not remember the visit; it is as if they slept through the treatment. In reality, oral sedation dentistry maintains a level of consciousness in the patient for safety and cooperation.

Regardless of the type of sedation dentistry you receive, it is important to have a responsible caregiver accompany you to the procedure (and drive you there if you must take oral medication before arriving for your appointment). The caregiver should drive you home after the procedure is complete and stay with you for an additional two to four hours at home.

One of the major benefits of sedation dentistry is that people often feel like their dental procedure lasts only a few minutes, when in fact it might have taken hours to perform. Therefore, complex dental procedures such as smiles makeovers or extensive rebuilding procedures that normally require multiple visits can often be performed in fewer appointments.

Check us out at www.suwaneedental.com

Dr. Smith

Before You Jump In...Check Things Out Here

They come from Europe, Asia, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and all around the USA.

Many people call us after looking at scores of dental web sites for months, hoping for an insight as to who would be the ideal dentist for themselves and their family. So many questions and so little time with so little information in some dental web sites. But, the reason many do end up calling our practice is our special information we share with our patients. This is some of that information...enjoy.

Dental Bonding

Do you have a gap in between two of your front teeth but you don’t want braces? Do you have a minor chip that is too small a problem for veneers?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, you might be the perfect candidate for dental bonding.

Whether your teeth have been chipped, stained or cracked dental bonding can make a difference. Dental bonding procedures are used to repair physical damage, but can also fix hereditary flaws and or structural damage that has been caused by decay.

Dental bonding involves the use of composite resin that is specially formulated to be color-matched to each patient’s teeth to provide a totally natural-looking result.

As with most dental procedures, the amount of teeth you need fixed will determine how long the procedure(s) will take, however minor dental bonding can usually be done in approximately an hour.

The procedure starts by applying an etching solution to the damaged teeth (If decay is involved, it will need to be drilled out first). The etching solution makes grooves that allow for adhesion of the composite bonding agent. The resin is then applied to the teeth in several layers. After each layer is applied it is hardened with a powerful curing light. Once the appropriate number of resin layers have been applied, the tooth can be sculpted and polished until an aesthetically pleasing result is achieved.

Some insurance companies will help pay for dental bonding, especially if your teeth have been causing you discomfort. Having insurance that covers bonding can be extremely beneficial because, although bonding is inexpensive compared to other forms of cosmetic dentistry, costs can still add up.

Another great thing about dental bonding is that the result looks and feels completely natural. Resin bonding tries to keep as much of the natural tooth in tact as possible.

So if you have a minor dental imperfection that is bothering you, or a tooth that needs to be repaired due to decay, consider dental bonding. It’s the quickest and easiest way to take your teeth from damaged to drop-dead gorgeous.

Ask us about Dental Bonding today, 770-614-7300

Dr. Jeremy Smith DDS

104.7 The Fish Radio

This week we started a series of advertisements on the radio station "The Fish" FM 104.7
We are highlighting our use of sedation dentistry which features taking a small, blue pill which significantly sedates people who are very phobic about dental treatment and also has a nice amnesiac effect. The patient needs to be brought and taken home by someone because they cannot drive. It is a great way to get alot of dentistry done at one time and not remember what happened.

Listen for me on The Fish!

Dental Lumineers (Thin Porcelain Veneers) are used to make teeth look whiter, straighter, larger or to fill in gaps, spaces, cover discolorations and add life to dull, dead teeth. They are bonded on and are made to stay for a long time, numbering in the years if not decades. Some are made with preps (taking a little tooth enamel away) and some are no-prep variety for more strength in the bonding process. Both work and not everyone is a candidate for these procedures. Only a cosmetic dentist can tell for sure.

Members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry are among the most qualified to know what systems work best for many patients. In addition to Lumineers, the first such product to become known nationwide, there are many high end products like this now available. We have aligned with some of the best laboratories in the United States and can readily say that the improvements are significant. Look for Venus Smile and Venus Porcelain at a Venus Smile Center for wonderful results. Proline from Pittman is also an extremely aesthetic porcelain veneer.

I hope this assists you in knowing more details about this fascinating aspect of dentistry.

Sincerely,

Bill Williams, DMD, MAGD, MICCMO
Suwanee Dental Care
suwaneesmiles.com

A Venus Smile Center
Master in the Academy of General Dentistry
Master in the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics
Director Kenya Medical Outreach, Inc.
Sustaining Member, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

Smile Makeovers

Look at your smile in the mirror... do you see anything you would like to change?

Several simple procedures we can do to your teeth can make a huge difference in your smile. Smile makeovers are a combination of procedures, like straightening teeth, repairing a chipped or broken tooth, replacing missing teeth, re-contouring gums, whitening discolored teeth, and other cosmetic procedures. The goal of smile makeovers is to give the patient a smile that is brighter, whiter, and more even. This can be done through a variety of procedures, though some of the most commonly used ones involve the use of veneers, crowns, and onlays. These procedures allow us to perform smile makeovers with dramatic results in a relatively small amount of time.
At Suwanee Dental Care, we have the ability to do your smile make over all under one roof. We even have a technique that allows you to be sedated through the use oral medications which allow you to have your work done in one visit, with no memory of being in the dental chair.
Our staff would love to talk to you about how this is possible, just give us a call at 770-614-7300

Sincerely,

Dr. Jeremy Smith