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Cosmetic Dentistry | Fayetteville, GA

Cosmetic dentistry, while not a recognized dental speciality, can transform the appearance of your teeth while retaining or enhancing your oral health. According to AACD.com “…cosmetic procedures can range from basic color correction to replacing missing teeth, and everything in between.” While cosmetic dentists may employ the use of anesthesia for a surgical improvement, most procedures are non invasive. Here are a few procedures a cosmetic dentists perform.

Dental Bonding– for chipped, cracked or gapped teeth, your dentist will apply a tooth colored resin to the chipped area. They will layer resin, utilizing a UV light to harden it as they go, in order to build back the original look of the chipped tooth or teeth.

Veneer Application – you can think of a veneer as a thin shell that fits over the surface of your existing teeth to improve the color, shape, size or length of teeth. Veneers are made of porcelain or a resin composite and permanently bonded to the teeth.

Crowns – similar to a veneer, dental crowns are a porcelain or ceramic tooth look-alike that fits over a weak or damaged tooth. Crowns are made to fully encase the tooth and can last between five to 15 years depending on how well they are cared for.

Braces – these are within the realm of cosmetic dentistry because braces shift the teeth into optimal position for your bite and mouth size. Braces are one of the most common procedures a cosmetic dentist may perform, as tooth alignment is just as much about oral health as it is aesthetics.

Teeth Whitening – another common procedure for cosmetic dentists is teeth whitening. Coffee, tobacco, alcohol, predisposition and many other things can contribute to a less-than-white smile. If over the counter methods haven’t quite worked to bring back your pearly whites, you may consider speaking with a cosmetic dentist for a more intense treatment.

Gum Reshaping – when your gums appear more pronounced than your teeth, or your gemlike is uneven, a cosmetic dentist may recommend gum reshaping. Essentially, a small amount of gum or bone tissue is removed or contoured to even out the appearance of your gum line or tooth ratio.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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How to Care for Baby Teeth | Fayetteville, GA

Our babies and children may never acknowledge the benefits caring for their teeth at that age has on their adult teeth later. Yet, their health will always be better off for early interventions in proper oral hygiene. “Baby teeth” are the precursor for adult teeth, they are the placeholder and it’s important they be maintained for gum health and reduction of harmful bacteria.

Oral hygiene for our children begins the day their first tooth breaks through the gum. With a damp, soft cloth, lightly wipe your babies gums after feeding. Once more prominent, you may begin using a soft toothbrush and non-fluoride toothpaste twice a day until preschool age. At that age, the amount of toothpaste the can be safely used increases to the size of a pea.

When your child is at that age and able to brush on his or her own, it’s important to keep an eye on them. Many children find the process of brushing teeth to be boring or unimportant, but this is an important age to develop good habits. Singing toothbrushes and flavored toothpaste help encourage kids to find the process more enjoyable and help them guide them towards brushing their teeth for two minutes. Another great way to encourage your child is to brush with them and show them how to get to their molars, back of their teeth and along the front.

Tooth health matters from the day they appear, so parents who take their children’s oral hygiene seriously and encourage good habits aid the child’s adult teeth later- even if they don’t know it yet.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Best Practices for Veneers | Fayetteville, GA

Porcelain veneers are one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures people seek for their smiles. The longevity of your veneers can vary depending on how they are cared for. Here are some best practices for maintaining your veneers for years to come.

Good Oral Hygiene- Maintaining good oral hygiene such as regular brushing, flossing and incorporating a mouthwash is great for your natural teeth and veneers. Veneers are placed along the gemlike to retain the appearance of being natural, so it’s important to keep your oral hygiene up to avoid a receding gemlike that may expose the veneer.

Avoid Unnecessary Force- Nail biting, chewing ice and forceful brushing can break or dislodge a veneer; they can also be the reason your dentist recommended veneers to begin with. It’s important to make an effort to avoid these habits for the longevity of your veneers.

Stop Clenching and Grinding- This bad habit is a great way to chip or break your veneers over time. Bruxism, or the grinding of teeth at night, can be avoided by incorporating a night guard when you sleep. Reducing stress or finding alternative means to clenching your teeth will also go a long way in maintaining your new pearly whites.

Limit Staining- Porcelain is a material that resists stains, but the dental cement used to keep them in place unfortunately is not. Coffee, tobacco, wine and any other food and beverage that may stain your teeth will stain the cement over time. Eventually, if not properly cared for along the way, the cement will become discolored and look odd against your veneers – or even start to make your veneers look discolored by association.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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What Type of Toothbrush and Toothpaste is Right For Me? | Fayetteville, GA

When it comes to oral hygiene we all know its best to have a nicely bristled toothbrush and brush twice a day for two minutes. For most of us, that is a good enough rule of thumb for our oral hygiene, but how we brush also matters.

When you go to pick out a new toothbrush, the package notes different bristle stiffness options such as “soft” or “hard”. Dentists recommend soft bristle brushes for people of all ages to decrease excess pressure and harsh brushing on your teeth and gums. Excess pressure while brushing can damage enamel and create microtears in your gum tissue.

Other decisions to make about your toothbrush include what materials it’s made from, bristle pattern and the addition of things like charcoal to the bristles.

Plastic toothbrushes with rubber grips line the lisle, but did you know toothbrushes are also made with bamboo and plant-based, compostable materials? Toothbrushes made from plant materials contribute less plastic waste to our world; simply cut off the bristles and burry the handle in your yard (or as recommended by manufacturer).

Bristle pattern and things like additional cleaning or whitening features are up to you. Whatever pattern you choose, all toothbrushes are designed to remove surface level food and stains. Toothbrushes featuring additives are not inherently bad – they can complement a well-rounded hygienic routine. Just be sure not to utilize only charcoal or use it too often, as it may serve to damage your enamel more than it whitens your teeth.

Toothpaste options tend to range from flavor to sensitivity level. Sensitivity toothpaste works by concealing dentinal tubules or desensitizing nerve endings. They also contain fluoride which works to strengthen enamel. While the flavor of your toothpaste is unique to you, stringent options such as peppermint may affect the enjoyment of your morning coffee.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Easy Practices for Better Oral Hygiene | Fayetteville, GA

Caring for our oral hygiene is highly important to our overall health. While we all do our best, there are habits you may have picked up along the way that may contribute significantly to the deterioration of our overall oral hygiene.

Here are some behaviors that may be worth considering the next time you step into your bathroom.

Toothbrush Storage. How we care for our toothbrush matters – a dirty or splay-bristled toothbrush can introduce unwanted bacteria or hurt your gums while you brush. The best way to care for your brush is to rinse after brushing and allow to air dry on its own.

Toothbrush Cleanliness. Keeping your toothbrush dry and clean is important for your oral hygiene and the longevity of the brush. Packing a wet toothbrush invites a warm, moist environment for bacteria to grow. Overcleaning your brush however will deteriorate the bristles faster, meaning more replacement.

Multitasking. Many of us utilize brushing time to pick out our clothing for the day or wipe the mirror. While this isn’t a bad thing, it may mean you aren’t brushing your teeth properly. Over time, the lack of care will contribute to a buildup of bacteria between your teeth or gums.

Irregular Dental Visits. Its completely understandable why people may be hesitant to visit the dentist; dental anxiety, bad experiences and strange noises can contribute to an uneasy visit. Avoiding the dentist, or having inconsistent visits can escalate what may have been a small issue under regular care.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Is IV Sedation Right For Me? | Fayetteville, GA

If you experience a physical reaction to the idea of certain stimuli being triggered by going to the dentist, you may have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is common among kids and adults alike. Whether someone has had a bad experience at the dentist or not, we all know getting a second opinion could result in more serious diagnosis. Continue reading to learn if IV Sedation may be right for you.

When dentists perform restorative procedures, there are typically a variety of sedation options available to the individual. The two main ones being nitrous oxide or intravenous (IV) sedation. The inhalation of nitrous allows a patient to relax, but IV sedation can guide the patient into a deeper relaxation and in some cases, lull them to sleep.

The following are benefits to utilizing IV sedation for sleep dentistry.

  • Administration of the drug is tailored to the patient’s needs
  • The results of IV sedation are reliable and the most effective means of sedation
  • If you are particularly sensitive to your gag reflex, IV sedation will relax the reaction, but your dentist may recommend nitrous oxide
  • In contrast to general anesthesia, IV sedation is safer and allows you to retain consciousness.
  • Due to the amount of control your practitioner has with the dosage of IV administered, your recovery time is shorter than with oral sedation.

Remaining consistent with your oral health in your daily life, as well as with regular check-ups, are the best way to avoid unfavorable experiences at the dentist. If you do enter into a restorative process, discuss your concerns with your dentist to see if IV sedation may be right for you.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Natural Ways to Whiten Your Teeth | Fayetteville, GA

As we age, the seasons change and our tastes evolve, so do our habits. Over time, daily decisions can discolor our teeth despite best practices with our oral care. While habits that discolor our teeth such as smoking and drinking coffee may require professional whitening to correct, certain foods can aid in the daily maintenance of a bright smile.

Here are some ways you can enhance your smile through your diet.

Fruit. Remember the old adage “an apple a day..” well, this hearty fruit plays another role in our health. Apples are a powerhouse food for a white smile. The crispness of an apple works our gums and strengthens them when we bite and chew. The tart taste produces saliva which helps clear bacteria that may produce cavities. Pears are another great fruit to indulge. Like apples, pears help strengthen gums while neutralizing odor-causing, stain-inducing bacteria. If citrus fruits are more your taste, reach for an orange. The Vitamin C boost is great for overall health, and the citric acid helps remove top-level stains.

Vegetables. Vegetables may not seem like the most likely way to maintain pearly white teeth, but the benefits of eating veggies go beyond nourishment. Vegetables contain a mix of water, fiber and texture that work to scrub and clean your teeth. Celery and other fibrous vegetables act like natural flossers while the texture of veggies like cauliflower scrub away at surface buildup.

Dairy. Dairy products such as milk and yogurt are rich in calcium. This mineral works to strengthen your tooth enamel, an important contribution to long-term oral health. Each of your teeth have their own shell of enamel that protect it from erosion and cavities, but we only generate tooth enamel once in our lifetimes. It’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene to protect this enamel since once it has eroded, there is no way to get it back.

Of course, it’s not recommended to consume only teeth-whitening foods, but in addition to proper oral hygiene, these foods can aid in the fight against stains.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Survival Tips for Dental Implant Surgery | Fayetteville, GA

Oral surgery, like any, comes with it’s own set of procedures, expectations and realities. One of those realities is that the post-operation side of that gorgeous new smile are a few side effects. Before we share our insight on how to care for your mouth post-operation, it’s important to understand why aftercare is so important.

Dental implants are installed into your jawbone, hardware replacing natural roots, and an enamel tooth fitted over the outstanding base from the gumline. For your body to adjust, and the surgery site remain stable and heal, the patient must remain gentle with his or herself. Here is how we suggest you tend to your dental implant post-operation care.

Expect to be sore. Your gum tissue and jawbone have just endured dental implant surgery; the surgery site will be sore. An over-the-counter medication may be recommended for the first day or so following the procedure. However, you may quickly find a more relaxed pain medication such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol does the trick.

You may be swollen. This is completely normal and to be expected. Due to the nature of a dental implant procedure, the surgery site is likely to swell. In some cases, this means the jaw, gum and cheek(s) are all inflamed for up to a week. You can relieve some of the swelling by applying ice to the affected area(s). We recommend 15-minute intervals between applications; 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for an effective reduction in swelling.

Bruising. Bruises are a result of disrupted blood cells under the surface of your skin. We all know that bumping into a table can cause bruising; so can dental implant surgery. Likely more noticeable as swelling decreases, your jawbone and cheeks may be bruised following surgery. Discoloration of the bruises will fade over time. Potassium from the consumption of bananas and other foods may aid in the reduction of bruises.

In the week or so following surgery, you should notice a significant reduction in facial swelling and discoloration. Your healing will have progressed to the point where you may return to routine daily activities. If healing begins to stagnate, or worsen during this time, call your dentist immediately.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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What Do I Need to Know About Dentures? | Fayetteville, GA

Dentures are a great option for adults who have lost some or all their teeth due to trauma or decay. Dentures are removable acrylic replacements for missing teeth. They can be created to fill in gaps, or replace a full set of teeth, depending on your need.

Here are some things to consider if dentures are an option for you:

  • They take some getting used to. As with any new thing in our lives, speaking with new dentures will take some practice
  • Made of synthetic materials, a denture might not feel like your teeth, but are hand created to look good and be comfortable to wear.
  • Dentures are available as a full, partial, or implant-supported set.
    • Full Dentures. Used for patients missing either arch or both, full dentures are permanently secured into a base. They can be held in place via adhesive or suction.
    • Partial Dentures. More like a retainer, false teeth are held by a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Partial dentures are for patients missing only a few teeth.
    • Implant-Supported Dentures. These dentures snap into implants inserted into a patient’s jawbone. The implants give the denture more support, preventing movement while you speak, eat or drink.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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What are Dental Restorations? | Fayetteville, GA

Dental restoration is a broad term for any number of treatments that work to repair discolored, decayed, chipped, cracked or missing teeth. While we all need to maintain regular cleanings, its important to understand what your options are if you encounter a situation where dental restoration is necessary. Here are a few of the most common restoration procedures.

Fillings. Tooth fillings are the most common dental restoration procedure and its likely you, or someone you know has one. Decaying teeth, or teeth with cavities can be filled as a way to stop decay. Once performed with gold and silver amalgam, many fillings today are performed with composite resin.

Crowns. As the name suggests, a crown is a tooth-shaped cap places over a damaged tooth. When a crown is placed on a tooth, it will restore the tooth’s shape and size, as well as its appearance and strength to hold a bridge or cover an implant.

Dental Bridges. Bridges are false teeth that are made to fill a gap due to one or more missing teeth. Anchored on either side of the missing tooth by crowns, the bridge is cemented into place, completing the restoration.

Dental Implants. An implant may be recommended when the roots of the tooth are missing. A small metal post is placed into the jaw bone where the tooth once was and is topped with a replacement tooth. Dentures. A denture is a removable dental appliance for missing teeth. Made of acrylic resin over a metal frame, they can be created to replace a few, a row or a full set of teeth based on your needs.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.