Several studies have come out recently pointing to a very strong link between gum disease and heart disease. Scientists are still working out the exact reasons why, but the evidence from these is so strong that there is no doubt to many that the link between the two is solid. The studies show that almost all patients with heart disease also had some stage of gum disease.

Heart disease has long been the deadliest disease in the United States, and still manages to kill over 600,000 people in our country every year, according to the CDC. We’ve been grappling with this problem for a long time, and most people are aware of long-standing links of obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise and even smoking to increased risk and the epidemic of heart disease in America. While these links are still true, and still very important factors when looking at the patterns of this illness across the country, gum disease is now coming to light within the scientific and medical communities. So let’s explore more about what gum disease is.

WHAT EXACTLY IS GUM DISEASE?

Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque, bacteria, and food particles and an overall lack of hygiene and care. If this persists, the gums become infected by the bacteria and eventually become very inflamed. Treating gum disease is a long a difficult process, and treatment procedures can be painful and unpleasant. Not only does this affect your gums and overall oral health, having all of that bacteria and inflammation in your mouth, but there is a link between gum disease and your overall health.

SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?

We know heart disease is epidemic, it accounts for almost 1 out of every 4 deaths in the United States. What if we told you that gum disease is common among many adult patients, but because most patients don’t die from direct causes of gum disease it’s not seen as such a threat? Many patients also avoid going to the dentist, so the disease remains widely under-diagnosed.

THERE ARE TWO THINGS YOU SHOULD TAKE AWAY FROM THESE FINDINGS:

1. Visit your dentist regularly. Part of the problem with heart disease is that it usually does not show symptoms until later on in the disease. The symptoms are usually severe, i.e. a heart attack and a lack of other indicators makes the disease hard to diagnose if not monitored preemptively. This is also true of other systemic diseases, which begin to show early signs within the mouth, before becoming symptomatic in other parts of the body. Your dentist really does look out for your overall health, and regular cleanings and oral exams can spot dental problems as well as more serious health concerns.
2. Brush and floss regularly. You knew it was coming! The only real preventative for gum disease is regular brushing and flossing. Don’t be afraid to ask your hygienist if you need some help with your technique or help finding the right products for you.

According to the CDC, the United States spends over $100 billion annually on heart disease. That’s a lot of money! The United States also spends just $2 billion annually on dental products… what would happen if we made an adjustment here?

If you had a better smile, what would you do? Would you laugh more, smile with your teeth for photos, or be more assertive and confident? We all have things we don’t like about our appearances- whether it’s our hairstyle, our weight, or even our wardrobe, it’s easy to hold back in everyday life because of how we feel about the way we look.

When it comes to your smile, making improvements for the better can seem like a monumental task. For someone with crooked, cracked, chipped, or even missing teeth, the blow to self-confidence can be significant, but so can the task of restoring the smile. Where do you start? Will the changes last? How much will they cost? Will they make you feel better about your smile?

At Kennestone Dental Designs, we completely understand all of these concerns. We want you to know that feeling uncomfortable with imperfections in your smile is normal, but not something you should have to deal with. You may have been to a cosmetic dentist in the past, and had less than satisfactory results, leaving you wary and uncertain of trying to restore your smile again. At our practice in Marietta, Georgia, we stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in both general and cosmetic dentistry and always make sure that our treatment options are the best available for our patients.

That’s why we’re confident about the results we can give you, both in general dental care and cosmetic restorations. It’s our mission as a practice to improve people’s lives through dentistry- and this is one place where cosmetic dentistry really shines. Many patients are surprised at the effect that a few adjustments and treatments can have on their overall appearance.

HOW CAN COSMETIC DENTISTRY GIVE YOU A BETTER SMILE?

• Whitening. Teeth whitening is probably one of the most well-known and popular treatments out there because it is non-invasive, simple and produces a dramatic change in a patient’s appearance- usually after 1 treatment. Whitening your teeth can make you appear younger and take years off your look, without being too ‘obvious’ of a change.
• Bonding. No one goes through life without a few scratches and bruises, and your teeth are no exception. Teeth can become scratched, chipped, cracked or even pushed out of alignment due to forces out of our control, especially accidents. Bonding is a fast and simple way to mask these minor imperfections. Dental bonding is a versatile type of cosmetic dental treatment, and can help fix a variety of imperfections, usually in just one visit to the dentist.
• Tooth-colored fillings. While fillings might not seem like a cosmetic issue, the side effect of traditional mercury-amalgam fillings can be unsightly. Visible silver or metal fillings are a sign that you’ve had oral work done, and many patients don’t like the look of a mouth full of silver. Tooth-colored fillings use an alternative material that closely matches the shade and sheen of patients’ natural teeth. The result is a flawless appearance, where no one will be able to tell you’ve had fillings unless you tell them.

Want more information? Browse our list of cosmetic and general dental services to see all of our available treatment options. You can also read more about our office, and contact us or set up an appointment online.

Many patients have concerns about certain aspects of their smiles. Problems such as tooth discoloration, cracks, or chips can keep you from feeling your best and your smile from shining its brightest. Today, cosmetic dental options such as dental veneers address these and many other problems, giving patients the smiles they have always wanted.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells placed over the front side of the natural tooth to make cosmetic corrections in size, shape, or color. Veneers are custom-made for each patient to fit the size and color of the patient’s natural dentition. They are permanently bonded to the surface of the tooth.

What Problems Can Veneers Solve?

• Discoloration
• Chips and cracks
• Crooked and misaligned teeth
• Uneven teeth
• Improving the size of small teeth
• Gaps

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

In general, porcelain veneers cost between $800 and $2,000 per veneer across the United States. Patients favor veneers because of their versatility, lasting effectiveness, and natural appeal. During your visit, you can find out if veneers are an appropriate solution in your case, and the cost according to your individual coverage plan.

What is the Difference Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers?

Veneers can be made from porcelain or a resin composite material. Resin veneers are thinner and require removing less of the tooth’s surface for placement than porcelain. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin and reflect light in a way that closely resembles natural teeth. Patients may have a preference for one over the other, or the dentist may have a recommended preference based on the patient’s unique circumstances.

How Do Porcelain Veneers Work?

The process usually requires just three visits to the office. At Kennestone Dental Designs in Marietta, your first visit is for diagnosis and treatment planning. It involves a consultation, x-rays, and making a mold of the teeth. After an examination, we can determine if dental veneers are the best option or appropriate treatment in your case.

The next phase involves preparation. Since veneers are permanently placed on the tooth’s surface, the surface needs to be prepared to accept the bonding. To do this, the dentist must roughen the surface by removing around a ½ millimeter of enamel. This is also about the same thickness as the dental veneer. Once removed, the dentist will make an impression of the tooth or teeth prepared for veneers to be sent to the laboratory. At the laboratory, special technicians match the surface of the tooth in color and construct the veneer to fit your tooth precisely. It can take up to two weeks to construct veneers because each veneer is custom-made by a real artisan.

Finally, Dr. Smith or Dr. Adkisson will examine the veneer for fit and color before final placement. Once we achieve the proper fit, a special bonding agent is applied to the tooth’s surface. The veneer is then placed over the cleaned, polished, and etched tooth, and a special light is used to activate the bonding process. Once cured, the veneer has a permanent bond on the tooth.

A beautiful smile makes all the difference in the world, and dental veneers are another option in giving you the smile you have always wanted. Contact us to get more information about our dental porcelain veneer services, or schedule an appointment online now!

Over time, teeth yellow or become stained from food and drink. Unfortunately, toothpaste alone cannot keep teeth at their whitest, and at home whitening kits only deliver marginal results. If your pearly whites are not quite so pearly anymore, professional teeth whitening might just be the thing that gets you smiling again.

At first glint, getting your teeth whitened might seem like an extra on your list. Look a little closer though, and you’ll see there are some important reasons for going for that beautiful glow. At Kennestone Dental Designs in Marietta, it’s important to us to help all patients achieve their perfect smile and a level of confidence that makes them feel good about themselves. That’s why we’re passionate about cosmetic dentistry, and using Zoom! Whitening to help patients dramatically whiten teeth in almost no time at all.

BETTER FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First impressions are lasting ones so we all want to make the best one possible. The confidence you get form having and showing off noticeably white teeth is associated with a positive and conscientious personality, and traits such as intelligence and reliability.

INCREASED SELF ESTEEM

Having a beautiful smile gives you a boost of positivity. Feeling good about yourself is important in your daily life. When you feel good about yourself you are more likely to take chances and believe that you can achieve your goals.

LOOK YOUNGER

Teeth discolor with age and can make you look much older. Having your teeth whitened can restore a more youthful look, as well as a more youthful attitude. It’s a simple way to celebrate a brand-new you.

LOOK YOUR BEST FOR PICTURES AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Birthdays, weddings, holidays, and school pictures all get immortalized… forever. Since those pictures will be widely shared whitening is a great way to make sure you have a camera-ready smile.

AN AFFORDABLE AND SURGERY-FREE COSMETIC ENHANCEMENT

We all have a few things we would like to improve and teeth whitening is the most cost-effective and painless option in cosmetic enhancements. Cosmetic plastic surgery comes with a set of risks and a hefty bill. Teeth whitening delivers a dramatic difference in appearance without the cost, hassle, or recovery time.

IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION

One of the best reasons to have your teeth whitened is that it provides immediate gratification. Professional whitening can be done on your lunch hour and instantly improves your appearance, and your outlook on life.

There are many reasons why getting your teeth whitened is not just fun, but practical. However, one of the most important reasons is that nothing beats a confident and beautiful smile. If you’re looking for in-office or at-home teeth whitening in the Marietta and Kennesaw area, contact our office today to learn more. We can’t wait to hear from you!

WHY DO PATIENTS GET DENTAL CROWNS?

Dental crowns are tooth shaped caps or coverings that encase the visible part of the tooth above the gum line. Crowns are permanent fixtures, and once cemented in place, they become the tooth’s new surface.

Our doctors at Kennestone Dental Designs in Marietta might recommend a crown for a variety of reasons. Procedures such as root canals or large fillings can sometimes compromise the structure of the tooth, and need some extra help to keep the work in place and the tooth healthy. But the most common reason we use dental crowns is to preserve the remaining tooth structure after another procedure.  A crown might also be used to cover a cracked tooth and to give the it strength. Other common reasons dentists use crowns include holding a dental bridge in place or covering a dental implant.

WHAT TYPE OF CROWN SHOULD I GET?

There are several different types of crowns, based on the material they’re made of- including the most common, ceramic, porcelain, resin and stainless steel. There are many options and the dentist will factor in the strength of the material as well as the cosmetic result in making suggestions. Each type of material has advantages and disadvantages and Dr. Smith and Dr. Levine will let you know which material will be the best match for your specific situation.

HOW LONG DO DENTAL CROWNS LAST?

Dental crowns are permanent fixtures, but they’re not invincible. A crown will typically last from five to eight years of wear, but can last much longer with good oral hygiene and dental supervision. It’s important that you avoid habits such as nail biting, crunching ice or hard candy, and teeth grinding that can compromise the crown after it’s been placed.  You might also have certain restrictions based on the type of material used to make the crown. While the dentist can repair some chips, repairs do not last long and compromise the strength of the crown.

What are the Types of Crowns?

If you need a dental crown you will have a few things to consider when choosing the type of crown best for you and your dental needs, such as strength or cosmetic benefits. The most common options include metal, porcelain fused to metal, all porcelain, all ceramic, and resin.

ALL PORCELAIN & CERAMIC

The the most natural looking crowns available, all porcelain or all ceramic crowns  reflect light in a similar way as a real tooth, so they closely resemble natural teeth. Ceramic crowns are not as durable and require special care procedures. For example, the material absorbs color differently and beverages such as coffee or tea might darken or stain the crown at a different rate than the natural tooth surface.

METAL

Since they are the strongest of all the crowns, they last much longer than most other materials. Metal crowns are a popular, time-tested option and among the most durable options in crowns. One disadvantage of metal crowns is that they are clearly visible and aesthetically better suited to less visible areas of the mouth.

RESIN

Resin crowns wear down more quickly and need to be replaced sooner than other dental crown options, so this choice is aesthetically pleasing but not as durable as other options. Resin crown are typically the most affordable option in crowns.

If you’re looking for a reliable, honest dentist to place your crown, contact Kennestone Dental Designs today, or set up an appointment on our website!

Welcome to the new blog of Kennestone Dental Designs!

Thanks for checking out the Kennestone Dental Designs blog! We’re here to keep you up to date on all things dental and oral health, provide you with great tips and advice on dental care, and bring you the latest news from inside the world of dentistry.

Here’s To New Beginnings!

If this is your first time hearing about us, we are a family dentistry practice located in Marietta, Georgia. Our two doctors, Dr. Barry P. Smith and Dr. Dale Adkisson, have over decades of combined experience in the field of general dentistry. They are constantly improving their skills through continuing education in dentistry and the latest dental technology. At Kennestone Dental Designs, we strive to provide Marietta and the surrounding areas the best comprehensive dentistry through serving and nurturing the patient-doctor relationship, with warmth, friendliness and respect.

Our Work with eDentalImage

Kennestone Dental Designs is excited to begin a new chapter in our online experience with our new and improved website and social media pages! We’re partnering up with the web experts at eDentalImage to help us design and build a new website that emphasizes our practice as well as social media pages so we can keep in touch and bring everyone closer to the team at Chapel Hill Family Dentistry!

Take a look at some of the custom websites and videos from eDentalImage on their website. Better yet, check out their blog– it’s chock-full of interesting and helpful articles and advice on dental and online marketing. You can also follow eDentalImage on Twitter and Facebook.

Not only did eDentalImage provide us with a world-class website, but they helped us learn the importance of keeping our practice up to date and on the web. We’re excited to continue working eDentalImage for all things blogging and social!

Follow us Across the Web!

Stay tuned to our blog for more information on our practice, dental tips and tricks, and the latest news and information from the dental industry. We’re excited to reach out to you through the web and can’t wait to see you in our office!

Check out these helpful links in our website:

Online Appointment Scheduling

A Photo Gallery!

Click here to contact us if you have any questions or schedule an appointment at your convenience. We look forward to meeting with you!

If you’re searching for a Marietta dentist, or even an Kennesaw dentist or a dentist off I-75, consider paying a visit visiting Kennestone Dental Designs. We’re located just north of Cumberland and Smyrna, and less than thirty minutes from Atlanta, making it an easy commute for your regular dental cleanings and check-ups!

Kennestone Dental Designs is within the Kennestone Hospital area of Marietta, and is just a short drive away from Town Center mall, conveniently located near many other shopping districts. Our office is just off Cobb Parkway, less than 5 miles south from Barret Parkway, inside the same building as the Georgia Commerce Bank, directly behind the Citgo Gas Station.

As your local Marietta and Atlanta dentists, doctors Barry P. Smith and Dale Adkisson, offers complete comprehensive dental care, as well as many cosmetic dentistry offerings, and specialized periodontal care. In addition to offering the care and comfort of a veteran support staff, years of experience in dental hygiene and general dentistry, our doctors are also experienced in restorative dentistry.

Since 1987, the dental office of Barry P. Smith D.D.S. has offered quality services for patients of all ages. Dr. Smith is a member of the GDA and ADG, and is trained in general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. Kennestone Dental Designs is conveniently located in the Kennestone Hospital area of Marietta, GA. We serve Marietta, GA, Kennesaw, GA, and surrounding locations.

Visit our contact page to get directions to our office and learn more about the practice. You can also schedule an appointment directly from our website! Click here to schedule an appointment!

If you’re looking for a local Marietta, Kennesaw or Smyrna dentist, here are some things to consider before making your choice. Dentistry has important applications for total body health, because the majority of systemic diseases show signs initially as oral symptoms. So it’s important to remember that your family dentist isn’t just a general dentist, they are an experienced medical professionals who care for a very important part of your health! Dentists and oral hygienists make sure your teeth and gums are clean and healthy, keep in mind that your dentist is looking out for your total health too, and can often spot serious medical conditions before you even see a doctor!

When you have a designated, local family dentist, you not only have an experienced dentist near you to go to in times of emergency, but a dental professional who is familiar with you and your family’s medical history and unique needs of dental care. If you have children or teenagers, your family dentist will be able to better care for their dental needs if they are aware of the dental history and care of the parents, as dental and oral health is closely linked to genetics.

Our DoctorsWhen selecting a dentist for you and your family, it can be difficult to figure out the best practice to take care of you and your family’s oral health. It’s important to really think about which practice you can see yourself returning to at least twice a year, for years to come, even in spite of considerations like distance, insurance requirements and specific dental services.

It’s imperative for your general dentist to have as many records available to them as possible, in order to best understand your dental and medical history, so you and your family receive the safest, and best dental and oral health care. So you also have the benefit of consolidated dental health records, all in one place, when you visit the same family dentist for each routine appointment. This may not seem like the most important factor in choosing a local dentist, but many patients do not often transfer all of their medical records to each new health professional they visit.

Feel free to contact us for more information about the Kennestone Dental Designs practice. You can also view our about us page and learn more about our doctors, Dr. Smith and Dr. Adkisson.

If you’re like many, many people, you may have unpleasant associations with going to the dentist, even anxiety. What we want you to know at Kennestone Dental Designs, is that you’re definitely not alone. This is why term “gentle” started popping up in dental practices around the country over 10 years ago, and we’re seeing it with even greater frequency now. Today, many dentists aren’t likely to call themselves the gentle dentist like they used to, but many practices are taking the name in stride, and applying it to how they represent themselves to patients.

So what does this all mean? What makes a dentist gentle?

At our practice in Marietta, we strive to give the ultimate gentle approach to our patients, both during and outside of treatment. Dr. Barry P. Smith and Dr. Ross Levine know that many people have had less than pleasant, or even painful experiences with the dentist in the past, and its those experiences that keep them from going to the dentist today and taking care of their dental and oral health. This is why we take the term gentle very seriously.

At Kennestone Dental Designs of Marietta, we want to make you comfortable from the moment you step into our office. Our office is warm and inviting, not clinical, so you don’t feel like you’re in a hospital or laboratory. For patients with previous bad experiences and anxiety, being comfortable is key. Our staff is not only experienced but very attuned to the patients and we treat you with respect and friendliness. It’s our job to make sure you have what you need to get a pleasant, painless experience and this is how we create gentleness in care.

We’re also gentle in how we treat our patients’ smile. This means making all procedures pain-free. Any invasive procedures are treated with anesthetics to eliminate pain, and patients with sensitive gums and dentition, or even patients with extreme dental anxiety should consult the doctors about pain management through routine cleanings and exams. Dr. Smith and Dr. Levine know more than anyone how it feels to get a dental procedure done, so they make sure the experience is done with the utmost care only experienced dentists have.

Whether you have strong anxiety over getting a simple cleaning, are in a lot of pain from your current dental condition, or even feeling under the weather, talk to us about how we can help you have a fast, simple and painless appointment. We want all of our patients to know that it’s ok to ask for help at the dentist! It’s what we’re here for! Contact us today to schedule your appointment, or call our office directly at (770) 426-4188 to talk to our staff about your individual needs before even walking through the door.

Why do we need dental fillings? Well, this treatment’s effectiveness lies in the type of damage cavities inflict on teeth. Cavities begin as a small hole or thinning of the existing enamel on the surface of the tooth. If this thinness in the enamel isn’t caught in time, the damage progresses to the interior of the tooth where gradually a hole, or cavity, is formed. A patient is usually aware once there is a bone-fide cavity because the newly exposed root inside of the tooth is full of nerves that react with pain when food particles work their way inside the tooth.

Most of us know dental fillings as the go-to treatment for damage caused to teeth by cavities. Dental fillings are one of the most commonly known dental treatments, and perhaps, the least understood. Fillings repair the damage and prevent further problems, but also leave behind unsightly evidence, usually silver areas on the surface of teeth that can be seen when the patient opens their mouth wide.

But is it the only material available for use? Nope! Today we have many materials to use in dental fillings. This silver material was the only option for most dentists decades ago when you might have gotten fillings originally as a child. This material, silver amalgam is still in use today because it’s such a reliable, resistant, and safe material to use intraorally. A different, particularly popular material is tooth-colored composite resin materials. These are the same color as patients’ teeth and do not leave behind unsightly and obvious indications that the patient has had dental work done.

To stop the pain, save the structure of the tooth, and prevent further damage from the cavity, Dr. Smith or Levine will employ a dental filling. The doctor will start by thoroughly cleaning the affected area of the cavity and making sure that all signs of decay are removed. If tooth decay is still present, the structure of the tooth may still be compromised and the filling may not work and even cause further problems down the road. At this point, the tooth is usually ready for the filling. The doctor will apply the filling, finish it, and polish it. If you’re using a tooth-colored filling, extra steps must be taken to thoroughly ‘set’ the material in layers using a special light.

Of course, Dr. Smith, Dr. Levine, and the staff at Kennestone Dental Designs in Marietta will explain this entire process to you beforehand to make sure you’re comfortable, and help you decide on a filling material that’s best for you. Our experienced staff will do our absolute best to ensure that your experience is comfortable and pain-free. All fillings use anesthetics to numb the affected area to give you a painless experience.

After the procedure, one of our doctors will give you further steps and advice on how to care for your new fillings and any precautions you will need to take immediately following the filling procedure to help the affected area heal. Taking care of our patients is our priority at Kennestone Dental Designs, so we go above and beyond to make sure all patients are happy, healthy, and comfortable!