Sunday, December 26, 2010

Are You Enduring A Toothache And Need Answers?

Many people wait until a toothache becomes severe before they decide to seek professional care says Marietta, GA dentist.  There are many reasons for the delay, but most people hold off on treatment due to busy lifestyle, fear, or money.  All three with a little planning can be overcome. Teeth are like cars; they are either maintained or an emergency breakdown is in the future. Avoid a more costly emergency to the dentist. Regular dental visits are not only better for your overall health, but your pocket-book as well.
More and more, it is common knowledge that gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health issues. So, for those of you that think you do not have the time to visit the dentist regular basis, you may be making detrimental choices for your overall health.
A toothache, odontalgia is caused by many different conditions.   The most common is dental caries, a cavity that has progressed near or into the nerve tissue.  Cracked tooth, an abscess, periodontal (gum) disease, an exposed root from gum recession, trauma, wisdom teeth, and TMJ are just to name a few more.  The pain often comes from inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth.
If normal chewing radiates severe pain, or your tooth is sensitive to hot and cold or swelling has occurred, it is time to seek professional care.  Although some discomforts in the mouth can be treated with over-the-counter with medications, a severe toothache usually require a trip to the dentist.  Swelling, fever, severe pain, discharge around the tooth are signs you need help.  If your dentist tells you that your tooth is infected, he may drain the infection by placing a surgical opening in the gums for the abscess to drain.  You may also require root canal therapy to clean out the infection inside your tooth.  The root canal may be done in as little as one appointment, although it is also common to require more visits.  If the tooth is deemed hopeless by your dentist, the only option is an extraction.  Although a root canal to save your tooth is preferred over extracting it, both should solve your immediate problem. Once a tooth is extracted, it is gone for good and can adversely begin to affect the teeth left in your mouth.
Should your dentist decide a simple filling or crown will stop the pain, then perhaps an old restoration has begun to leak causing sensitivity and pain.  A dentist will usually decide to restore your tooth with a simple filling, unless the tooth has little supporting structure after the decay or old filling is removed, then a crown will be advised.
Antibiotics are often prescribed when infection is present.  It is important that other medical conditions, such as TMJ (tempromandibular joint), sinusitis, ear and throat infections are not confused with a toothache.  Pain can be referred along nerves in the mouth and jaw making people believe they have a toothache.  Your dentist has ways to test if a tooth needs treatment.
The dentist offices of today are much different from years past.  Techniques to control discomfort in the office and when a patient returns home have much improved.  Nitrous Oxide gas, commonly referred to as laughing gas can be administered by your dentist for analgesic and anesthetic effects. This helps to relieve anxiety and discomfort.   Topical anesthetic is commonly used before injections helping numb the area.  Many dentists user a smaller gauge needle to administer anesthesia believing it to cause the less discomfort.  Techniques for delivery of anesthesia, such as the rate injection may also help with pain.  Sedation dentistry can be also be an option.
Many patients put off seeing a dentist due to inability to pay.  Companies such as Care Credit, Chase Health Advance and Wells Fargo Health Advantage offer a comprehensive range of payment programs making it possible to receive care now, and pay over time.
If a nagging toothache is bothering you, don't let your busy schedule hold you back from seeking dental treatment. Realize the over-all health benefits of regular dental visits and move it to the top of your to-do list.  If you have fear of dental pain, remember the dental offices have come a long way from years past and are better at keeping a patient comfortable.  If money is the problem, a loan is well worth the investment to your health.  If you are enduring a nagging toothache, don't hesitate to fix it.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

We Noticed You're Missing A Tooth- Replace It Now Says Marietta Dentist

Marietta dentist, Dr. Kirk Kimmerling asks, are you missing a tooth somewhere in your mouth, and think no one can tell? That gap between your teeth may be more apparent than you think, especially when you speak and laugh.  For those of you who think one missing tooth is not that big of a concern, it should be.  Once a tooth is missing, the downhill slide begins.  If the tooth isn't replaced, the surrounding teeth begin to fill in the missing space, and bone loss can occur where the missing tooth once was.  If that isn't enough, plaque and tartar can begin to develop making it difficult to brush between shifted teeth.  For some, a speech problem arises.  Tooth loss and shifting teeth can create an environment difficult to speak.    Think it's all bad news?  Well, it's not!  There is an implant procedure performed by dentists that can give you back your tooth.  A dental implant could be just the procedure to fill your gap, keep your teeth straight and put you where you use to be.

A tiny tube-like cylinder is placed in your jawbone, replacing the root of the tooth you once had.  The implant is usually made of titanium or other metals that the body does not reject, allowing it to osseointegrate, adhere to the bone.  This process can take up to three to six months.  Once the period passes, then the implant can be restored and the prosthesis, a tooth is attached.  The new tooth is customized, made to fit only you according to your surrounding teeth and tissue.

Before you can decide if an implant is right for you, you must be evaluated by a dentist.  He will look at many factors such as your overall health.  Illnesses, such as diabetes, leukemia, osteoporosis and sinus problems may make it more difficult for the bone to grown around the implant impeding success.  Certain medications taken by patients also can give the patient a poorer prognosis for healing.  Of course, smoking is usually considered a red-flag for an implant.  It is well documented that smokers are at higher risk for gum disease.  This creates a more difficult environment for an implant to succeed.  If you pass by these three criteria, your dentist will take x-rays to help determine if an implant is right for you.

If you have been considering replacing a missing tooth, then perhaps it is time to set up a consultation with a dentist.  He will give you a personal evaluation,  and find out if your insurance covers any of the procedures.  If you are not a candidate, your dentist will tell you alternative treatments. Implants require meticulous home care and regular hygiene visits to the dentist.

If you have decided an implant is right for you and have been given a green light by a dentist, it is an excellent way to replace a natural tooth.  The dental implant can make you feel like you never lost it.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Two Cosmetic Dentists in Marietta,GA, Drs. Kirk Kimmerling And Alex Krempa Partner To Welcome New Patients

We all know how important a person's smile is in today's world.  That is why it is the great pleasure of Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, Marietta cosmetic dentist to welcome Dr. Alex Krempa, also a cosmetic dentist in Marietta to his dental practice.  "It wasn't easy finding the perfect match," says Dr. Kimmerling.  He wanted an intelligent, caring doctor with distinction.  Dr. Krempa is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in Birmingham.  He won the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award and was inducted into the exclusive National Dental Honor Society, OKU.  He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Krempa played NCAA Division I Golf and was named ESPN's Academic All-American Golfer and the Big South Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year.  "Quite an impressive award in perseverance," remarks Dr. Kimmerling.
Dr. Kimmerling is a graduate of Emory University School of Dentistry with the distinction of winning the Oral Pathology Award. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, also from Emory.  He is a mentor to the Medical College of Georgia dental students, a native of Cobb County and a graduate of the local McEachern High School.  He has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years.
Both are members of the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association.
Drs. Kimmerling and Krempa perform a wide variety of dental services as dentists in Marietta; from routine cleanings, teeth whitening and tooth colored fillings to root canals, extractions, implants and veneers.
Drs. Kimmerling & Krempa are paving the way for other Marietta cosmetic dentists.  They provide their patients with technology for excellent and comfortable care.   "There is an incredible environment here," says one staff member.  "We have what it takes to give our patients outstanding care. " There is a separate room totally dedicated to patient education helping patients understand treatment options more thoroughly.  Patient education is available on every television in all 13 operatories.  They offer American Dental Associate pamphlets and have a separate library resource center.  Many patients take home the informative booklets.
Both Dr. Kimmerling & Krempa explain treatment options to every patient, and are able to answer any questions a patient might have.  The dental assistants take an Expanded Duties Dental Assisting Course recognized and approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.  They also answer questions.
The office offers technology that helps give patients a positive experience.  An iTero provides digital impressions for crowns, relieving patients of the uncomfortable impressions of the past.  A Diagnadent Laser discovers cavities earlier at a patients cleaning.  Logicon software for digital radiography is clinically proven to find 20% more cavities preventing misdiagnosis.  They have the newest decay detecting inta-oral light with advanced magnification, the Soporo. The office provides software for a chartless office, and offers digital radiography.  The dentists, dental assistants and hygienists each wear 2.5 to 3.86 magnification and light assistance Orthoscoptic Lens and Discovery Zeon head lamps providing better vision.
Comforts are offered in the office.  Televisions are provided in every operatory, free, convenient parking available, and even warm blankets.
The positive experience does not just end with dentistry.  The front staff is thorough at every appointment.  They answer questions concerning insurance and out-of-pocket costs.  As a courtesy, they gladly file dental insurance claims, minimizing the patient's expense.
It is the great pleasure of  Marietta Dentists Drs. Kimmerling & Alex Krempa to invite new patient to experience their staff and introduce you to their office.