By Dr. R. Glenn Reese

The purpose of this report is to help you choose the right dental office for your care.  Not all offices are the same.  The type of services provided, the quality of care, the philosophy of care, and financial policies can vary widely from office to office.  I hope this report will guide you to an office that meets your needs.

1) What services do you provide?

Some offices are specialty offices – oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, for example.  These offices are limited in the scope of services they provide to their specific specialty.  Most people want to see a general dentist for their routine dental needs.  This dentist may then refer their patients to the specialty practice for certain procedures.  Different general dental practices vary in the services that they provide as well.  You should ask about your specific concerns:

Does the practice provide cosmetic services; treat children, do implants, dentures, etc. At my office, we provide a wide range of services and are glad to refer you to another office if you need specialized care.

2) Do you do a thorough initial examination and consultation?

You may have priority needs – pain or infection – that require immediate attention.  But one of your first few visits should include a thorough screening for all potential dental problems.  There is much research to show the correlation of dental health with your overall health – areas such as heart disease, diabetes, low birth rates.  There are many dental problems that cause little or no pain or other symptoms until they become serious and expensive to treat.  It is imperative that your dentist provide a thorough examination and consultation regarding your conditions and you should expect such treatment even though you are not aware of any problems.  Many of the “high volume” practices are unable to provide this level of care and focus more on treatment of pain than prevention and education.

3) Do you provide preventative services?

For me, this is one of the most important questions to consider, but it is the most difficult question to answer because it relates more to the philosophy of the dentist.  I have seen many patients over the years who have had thousands of dollars worth of dentistry done and re-done and it is failing again.  With many of these patients no one has ever taken the time to educate them about how to care for their investment and prevent future problems.  It is sad.  Once I was showing a new patient, who had a history of gum surgery, how to floss and she began to cry.  When I questioned her, she was so upset because she had gone through gum surgery three times and no one had ever shown her how to floss correctly.   She had been doing it incorrectly all these years – thus her gum problems had continued.  Prevention includes such services as periodic cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and necessary x-rays, as well as education about your specific dental problems and concerns.

4) Will you explain my treatment options and give me your recommendations in writing?

Not everyone is the same.  There may be different treatment options for your problems.  Different patients have different goals, priorities, and expectations.  Your dentist should take the time to not only get to know you and what your goals are, but to provide you with different options for treatment, the pros and cons of each, and make appropriate recommendations.  They should be able to provide you with a timetable for treatment and an estimate of expense.

5) Can you provide references?

A successful and ethical practice should be able to provide references from satisfied patients and other healthcare professionals in the area.  Also, there should be documentation of some of their past treatment cases in the area of cosmetic dentistry.

6) What are the financial policies of the office?

The office staff should be able to provide you with information regarding how insurance claims are handled, maximizing your benefits, what payment options are available, and what, if any, financing plans are available.

I hope this information helps you in choosing a dental office that fits your specific needs.  And, of course, I hope you will consider our office.  We provide a wide range of services from basic maintenance to full mouth rehabilitation and extreme dental makeovers.  We accept traditional insurance plans and if you happen to be on a plan where you are given a limited ‘list’ of preferred providers, you can still elect to see us.  We have many patients who value our comfortable atmosphere and superior level of service and choose to go outside their assigned network of dentists.  Our staff can help you with any concerns.  Financing options are available through our office.

If I cannot provide the services you need, I am happy to refer you to the appropriate professional.  We strive to educate our patients so you can receive quality treatment, protect the investment in your oral health, and minimize future problems and expenses.  We try to provide these services in a relaxed, comfortable, and fun atmosphere.  We are not a high volume “clinic”.  My staff and I attend numerous advanced continuing education courses each year to stay abreast of all the new developments in dental technology.

With this philosophy, many of my patients achieve a level of oral health where they need minimal care other than periodic maintenance.  This means I need a steady source of new patients who desire the level of care and quality of service we provide.  Feel free to call our office at 770-429-8989 with any questions or concerns you may have.  We also have free reports on other topics – Raising Cavity-Free Kids, Cosmetic Dentistry, and Implant Dentistry – that we are happy to provide to you.  Our goal is to take care of your needs in such a way that you will be happy to refer your family and friends to our office as well.

Call today – 770-429-8989.

Dr Reese for your Kennesaw Dentist and Acworth Dentist

By Dr. R. Glenn Reese

If you have kids, you know that introducing them to new things can be fun, challenging, exciting, frustrating, and so much more all at the same time.  This report is intended to help you get your children started out early with some good dental health habits.

Back when I was a kid, we grew up almost expecting to have civilities and when we went to the dentist it was often an unpleasant experience.  However, that is not the case anymore!  Times have changed!

Today, in our society, there are benefits that we didn’t have when I was younger.  One of the great benefits is that kids today are growing up with fluoride in the water.  People are becoming more aware of hygiene; parents are becoming more aware that they need to bring their kids to the dentist.  We know much more about the causes of dental diseases as well as how to prevent them.  And technology has made the trip to the dentist simpler, less stressful, and often fun!  Below are some tips that might be helpful in keeping your child cavity free.

1- Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth with a clean gauze pad the first week the child is home from the hospital even though they have no teeth yet.  This way, when they do have teeth they will be accustomed to the process.  This will ensure clean, healthy gums and teeth when they do come in.

2- By starting early, your baby is more likely to accept you cleaning their teeth later, when it is necessary to prevent tooth decay.  Incorporate a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste into the routine by the time your child reaches 18 months of age, or at the time his or her first molars come in.

3- Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be around the age of three or four years.  If there are concerns earlier, I would recommend seeking the care a pediatric dentist.  The dentist can make sure your child’s dental development is proceeding normally with checkups every six months thereafter.  Although baby teeth will eventually fall out, they are very important to your child’s dental development.  That is because the muscles of the mouth and jaw form around the foundation laid by the first set of teeth.

4- Stop your child’s thumb sucking habits before his or her permanent teeth come in or by the age of six.  Sucking on a thumb or even a pacifier is a natural and satisfying behavior for babies.  However, the habit can alter the position of  the baby’s developing teeth and jawbones if it continues after the permanent teeth begin to erupt.  Fortunately, the damage is usually self-correcting, unless your youngster continues the habit past the age of six.  If you are having trouble getting your child to stop sucking his or her thumb, your dentist may be able to offer some ideas.

5- Make sure your child gets the benefits of the latest in cavity prevention, including fluorides and sealants.

6- Have your dentist apply a sealant to protect the biting surfaces of the molars.  These are generally applied when the adult molars first come in around the age of six, but can also be applied to the baby teeth.  Sealants are nearly 100 percent effective in preventing cavities on the biting surfaces of molars, the most cavity-prone area of the mouth.  They are considerably less expensive than the cost of a filling, and can be applied quickly and painlessly.

7- Do not give your child a bottle with juice or milk at night.  If your child must have a bottle at bedtime, use water or try a pacifier instead.  Juices, milk and anything with sugar or acid will only feed the plaque resulting in more cavities.

8- If you live in a community were there is no fluoride in the drinking water, ask your pediatrician or dentist about fluoride supplements.

9- By seeing your dentist regularly, any abnormalities in tooth or jaw development can be identified early.  Many of these problems, when diagnosed early, are much easier and simpler to treat.  Crowded teeth or teeth not in correct alignment can be more difficult to keep clean and also lead to other problems if not treated in a timely manner.

10- Most dental problems evolve because bacteria (found in the plaque that forms on teeth) turn the sugars (found in most foods) into acids and the acids cause dental decay and other problems.  Often foods and drinks (soft drinks for example, diet or regular) contain their own acids.  Your dentist or dental hygienist can provide guidance regarding diet and its effect on the dental health of your whole family.

11- You need to help a child under 6 brush their teeth.  Studies show that children under 6 do not have the dexterity to do a good job.  One great strategy if you have a child who likes to do everything on their own is to let them do it first.  Then say that it’s Mommy or Daddy’s turn.  I know that there are children who will fight you on brushing.  There is no easy answer on how to handle it.  Some children need help or at least supervision even at older ages.

12- Finally, the most important thing to realize is that children learn the behavior they observe.  So, the reality is that your dental health is just as important as your child’s.  When was the last time you had your dental check-up and cleaning?

I hope this report has been educational and helpful.  If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment for our Healthy Teeth Check-up, please call 770-429-8989.

I also have other free reports about cosmetic dentistry, dental makeovers, and questions to ask when choosing a new dentist.  I hope you will consider joining our dental family.  Feel free to share this information with your family and friends.  We always welcome new patients!

So call now to speak with one of our friendly and helpful staff.  They will be happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment to visit our office.

770-429-8989

2320 Baker Road

Acworth, Ga. 30101

Dr Reese for your Kennesaw Dentist and Acworth Dentist

One way to replace missing teeth is with a bridge. A bridge involves crowning one or more teeth on either side of the space where a tooth is missing. A bridge is constructed and permanently cemented onto these anchor teeth.

Implants

Another way to replace a missing tooth is with an implant. An implant replaces the root of the missing tooth and a crown is then placed on top of that implant to replace the tooth. Advantages of implants include not having to alter any surrounding teeth and preserving the bone in the area of the missing tooth.

Dental Hygiene

This is an important area for all of our patients. I have seen numerous patients who have had extensive dental treatment fail because they were never taught how to care for their treatment! It is important to formulate a hygiene schedule and home care routine that fits your individual needs. In addition to regular cleanings, we counsel you regarding diet, your general health, medications, and other factors that can affect your dental health and the success of any treatment you receive. It has been known for years that certain diseases and medical conditions affect your dental health. More recent research has shown that your dental health can have a significant affect on your general health!

Crowns

Crowns may be recommended to change the shape, color, or size of existing teeth for cosmetic reasons. More often they are used simply to strengthen teeth. We can put a great deal of force on our teeth when chewing or grinding. Teeth may be weakened by various means including trauma, bruxism (grinding), decay, large fillings, and root canals. Once weakened, they are more prone to fracture, cracking, or even splitting which could lead to the need for root canals or even extractions! Crowns actually encircle the tooth and add strength. This helps prevent further damage and expense. Crowns may be constructed of all porcelain, a combination of porcelain and gold, or completely of gold. Sometimes inlays or onlays (partial crowns) may be considered. A number of factors must be considered and Dr. Reese will help you decide what treatment option is best for your case.

Missing Teeth

If you are missing one or more teeth, it is important to replace those teeth. If not replaced, the remaining teeth may drift or change position. This can lead to spaces, a change in your bite, or greater forces and increased wear on your remaining teeth. Two common ways to replace teeth are bridges and implants. Numerous factors must be considered to determine the best treatment for you. After a detailed examination, Dr. Reese can discuss your options and make recommendations for your particular case.

Call Dr Reese if you need a Dentist near Kennesaw or an Acworth Dentist

770-429-8989

What problems and situations can be treated, improved, or corrected?

1) Stained or discolored teeth or fillings
2) Chipped or missing teeth
3) Spaces between teeth
4) Crooked smile
5) Black or silver fillings
6) Great smile but not as white, bright or young-looking as you would like

What are some of the solutions available?

1) Bleaching

This procedure has become a very popular, easy solution for many patients who want to change the color of their teeth. We offer 3 levels of bleach techniques in our office.

a) Crest White Strips – These can be purchased over-the-counter at many local retailers. We offer a “professional strength” version at our office which is stronger than the product you can purchase elsewhere. For some patients these products provide adequate results at a minimal cost.

b) Home bleaching (custom-made trays) – This option involves a visit to our office where we will take an impression of your teeth and construct clear plastic trays that fit accurately around your teeth. When these trays are ready you will receive a packet containing gels in various strengths which will fill the trays and bleach your teeth to the desired shade over time. This is a very effective method of bleaching but does involve wearing the trays for extended periods of time.

c) Zoom II in-office bleaching – This technique provides immediate results! In a single visit of between 1-2 hours, using a special gel and light, your teeth can be shades lighter. Custom trays and gel are also provided for home touch-ups. The Zoom II is the latest in bleaching technology.

Of course the 3 levels vary considerably in price. You can achieve similar results with both the home bleaching and the Zoom II – IF you are willing to wear the trays consistently. A staff member familiar with the various products and techniques can counsel you regarding what technique may be best for you and what results you can expect. Our office has been providing cosmetic bleaching for over 20 years and we are glad to offer you a free consultation to help you decide how to proceed.

Bleaching will have little or no affect on the color of existing fillings or crowns. For this reason, whitening is often a first step for other cosmetic services. After bleaching, we will match the new fillings, laminates or crowns to your new whiter smile.

2) Re-contouring/reshaping –

Minimal reshaping of your existing teeth can sometimes produce dramatic results. Normal wear or grinding can produce sharp, jagged edges. Teeth may be slightly out of alignment. Often we can altar the shape of your teeth to produce an ‘optical illusion’ of a smoother, straighter smile. There are limitations – random changes only to make the teeth look better could have negative long-term consequences.

3) Replacing old fillings with the white composite material

If you have the old silver amalgam filings that tend to darken over time, most can be replaced with the newer white composite fillings. These materials have been significantly improved in recent years. They hold up as well as, if not better than, the old silver fillings and look so much better. The older white fillings you may have often become stained or have dark lines around the edges. The newer filling materials offer better shade matching and are more stain resistant. When considering new fillings, you may want to bleach your teeth first. The new fillings can then be matched to the new, whiter shade of your teeth.

4) Cosmetic Bonding – direct bonding

This type of bonding involves using the white composite filling materials to fill in spaces or change the shape and contour of your front teeth. This can provide a quick, one visit, and dramatic change to your smile. There are limitations, depending on the size of the area and the strength of the materials, but this can be an effective and less expensive solution to porcelain veneers.

5) Cosmetic Bonding – porcelain veneers

This type of bonding involves bonding custom-made porcelain facings onto the front of your teeth. At the initial visit, the teeth are shaped and a precise model is made of the teeth. A dental lab will use the model to construct veneers that will be cemented to the teeth at a second appointment. In general, porcelain veneers (also called laminates) offer a stronger, longer lasting, and more aesthetic result than direct bonding. There are limitations related to your bite and the amount of change involved. Laminates are an “in between” solution for situations that cannot be handled by cosmetic ‘direct’ bonding, yet are not serious enough to require crowns.

6) Crowns –

Crowns may be recommended to change the shape, color, or size of existing teeth for cosmetic reasons. More often crowns are necessary to restore strength to a tooth as well as to improve its appearance. A tooth weakened by past fillings, fractures root canals or other reasons require the added strength that crowns provide. has just weakened over time. Other procedures could improve the appearance of a tooth but would not provide the long-term strength necessary for long-term success. There are also different types of crowns for different situations.

7) Missing Teeth –

If you are missing one or more teeth, it is important to have them replaced. If not replaced, the remaining teeth may drift or change position. This shifting can lead to spaces, a change in your bite, or greater forces and increased wear on remaining teeth, Two common ways to replace teeth are bridges and implants. Numerous factors must be considered to determine the best treatment for you. After a detailed examination, Dr. Reese can discuss your options ane make recommendations for your particular case.

As you can see, cosmetic dentistry is not always simple. It involves a thorough diagnosis of past problems, present conditions, and patient desires and expectations. It also requires a thorough understanding of available techniques, their limitations and experience with their application. You will not find this in the high-volume dental clinics. It is not uncommon to utilize several or all of the above-mentioned procedures to achieve a beautiful, long-lasting result. It is also important not to over-treat. I have had patients come in asking for 6 or 8 porcelain laminates to whiten their smile when in reality their teeth were healthy and looked fine except for the cooler. All they needed was bleaching and possibly some minor bonding. An honest, ethical approach to their treatment saved them $5,000 to $8,000. Unfortunately I have seen cases over-treated costing the patient unnecessary expense and doing immeasurable permanent damage to their teeth. If I cannot help you or do not feel a treatment is in your best interest, I will tell you.

I hope this report helps explain some of the cosmetic services available for my patients today. Feel free to call our office today at 770-429-8989 for a free cosmetic consultation. We also have other reports on various subjects that may interest you. We would love to have you and your family and friends as part of our patient family.
Call today – 770-429-8989.