One of the most versatile methods for restoring or refining a smile is dental bonding. If you’ve had a tooth-colored filling, or perhaps have had a chipped tooth quickly repaired, then you’ve experienced dental bonding.

Dental bonding may sound like a simple process. But it requires advanced training, technical skill and artful technique to create a bonded surface that is imperceptible from your natural tooth.

Dental bonding in Buckhead is nothing short of amazing in how it can be used:

●     Fill cavities with non-metal, tooth-colored restorations

●     Refine the shape of a tooth or close minor spaces between teeth

●     Lengthen a tooth that is shorter than the rest of your teeth

●     Cover a badly stained tooth

●     Repair a broken or chipped tooth

Just what is dental bonding? Dental bonding uses a pliable resin, custom-colored to the rest of your teeth. It’s applied and sculpted to fit the contours of the tooth being restored, as well as the adjacent teeth.

The restoration is then hardened using a special light, after which it’s refined and polished. Some patients may be skeptical about what dental bonding can do for them. Until they have it done and look in the mirror! They can’t believe they’re looking at the same tooth.

Call our Buckhead dental office at 404.255.7500 right away if you’ve broken a tooth so it doesn’t become a bigger problem. Or schedule an appointment with Dr. Todd Davis to discuss how you’d like to improve your smile. Dental bonding may be just the answer!

Your teeth are an important part of your overall health as well as being the most noticeable part of your smile. And your smile is usually the first thing people notice. Naturally you want a smile that’s white, attractive, and natural-looking.

Smile whitening treatments are the #1 service requested of dentists, and Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over-the-counter tooth bleaching products.  Most store shelf tooth whiteners are safe, but some of them are acidic, and this can wear away your tooth enamel if you bleach too often. A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that half of the people who have whitening treatments experience some sensitivity afterwards, or pain. The chance of pain increases if you overdo whitening “touch-ups.”

The American Dental Association recommends that patients interested in tooth whitening start with a dental exam and consult with their dentist about the best methods for whitening their teeth. It’s the best way to achieve a beautiful white smile without damaging your teeth.

Dr. Todd Davis offers patients the Day White take-home whitening system for fast results. Day White involves using a bleaching gel on your teeth for 30 to 90 minutes a day. The difference is noticeable from the first application.

If your teeth are badly stained or damaged, Dr. Davis may suggest a more permanent solution, such as dental bonding or porcelain veneers. He will work with you to determine what shade of white is the best complement to your features, ensuring that your smile is transformed and enhanced naturally, and not so white that it appears “fake” and detracts from your appearance.

Call our Buckhead dental office at 404.255.7500, or request an appointment on our website to discuss your new, beautiful smile!

What’s one of the most popular activities today? For many people, it’s taking photos and videos and sharing them in emails or on social sites like Facebook. Are you posting pictures of yourself as well, or do you avoid the camera because you don’t think your smile is attractive?

You can give yourself the self-confidence of a beautiful smile and be front and center in pictures and videos with a smile makeover by Dr. Todd Davis in Atlanta.

A smile makeover can involve restorative and cosmetic dentistry to create a smile that’s attractive, healthy, and natural-looking. One you’ll love showing off in pictures.

• Missing or broken teeth? They can be replaced with bridges or dental implants.
• Tooth size, shape, color, length and width can be changed with veneers or crowns.
• Do you have ugly crowns, veneers, or fillings? They can be replaced with healthier, more attractive restorations.
• Gapped or overlapped teeth can sometimes be straightened with porcelain veneers; without having to wear braces.
• Yellow, stained teeth can be whitened with the Day White System that you can use at home at your convenience.
• Does your smile show too much of your gums? They can be gently contoured.

Dr. Todd Davis uses the most advanced technologies that are gentle and comfortable.
His experience and knowledge of the art and science of dentistry produces smiles that reflect natural beauty with predictability and longevity.  A full smile makeover can give you the benefit of a confident smile, improved self-esteem, and being more at ease when interacting with other people. Nothing makes us happier than to hear from our patients how their lives have been transformed since their smile makeovers.

We can start you on your way to a healthier, more beautiful smile. Call our Buckhead Dental office at 404.255.7500, or request an appointment on our website to learn how we can transform your smile.

Maybe it’s Mommy kissing Santa Claus, or a romantic kiss under the mistletoe, or any kiss that says “I’m happy to see you!” Kisses are part of how we celebrate our holidays.

But are your kisses keeping people at a distance because of bad breath? If you’ve noticed chronic halitosis, or bad breath, combined with sore or bleeding gums, you may be experiencing the symptoms of periodontal disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Do you know what these gum diseases are? Here is brief information about the symptoms of periodontal disease. If any of the symptoms describe you, please read more on our website for how we can treat you and to make an appointment to examine you for gum disease in our Buckhead office as soon as possible.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of your gums usually caused by bacterial plaque. Gingivitis can progress to a more serious condition, periodontitis, where the inflammation has infected the tissues and bones that support your teeth. The cause of most periodontal disease is bacterial plaque on your teeth. One of the first symptoms of periodontal disease is persistent halitosis, or bad breath. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss and can contribute to more serious conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

If your gums bleed while brushing or flossing, if they’re red or sore to the touch, don’t delay in visiting your dentist. At the dental office of Dr. Todd Davis, we’ll thoroughly examine your teeth or gums for signs of gingivitis. If we do see signs of gum disease, Dr. Davis can recommend a treatment for you that uses the latest and the most gentle and comfortable technologies to remove bacterial plaque from your teeth above and below the gum line. Treating your gums early is the best way to avoid stronger therapies such as dental surgery.

Our dental office is convenient to Buckhead and other surrounding Atlanta communities. If you’re concerned about the health of your gums, call for an appointment at my Buckhead dental office at  404.255.7500, or request an appointment on our website.

The holidays are filled with colors, and so are holiday foods! At parties and special dinners, some foods are more likely to stain your teeth.  We are also usually drinking and nibbling more during the holidays.  Here are some tips to keep your smile white and bright this season.

What are some of the foods that leave unsightly stains on your teeth?

• Artificially colored gum and candy, nuts: These snacks and goodies are everywhere this time of year! Those extra nibbles of candy (including chocolate) and nuts can leave food stains on your teeth.
• Red wine: The darker the wine, the more it can stain your teeth. Keep a glass of water nearby, and periodically take a few sips.
• Tomato sauce and ketchup, soy sauce and spices: The acidity, as well as the color in tomato sauce and ketchup can leave stains your teeth. And dark liquids like soy sauce and some dressings can also contribute to a dingy smile.

Some holiday foods, such as berries and nuts, can be good for you. But one thing that is never good for you is tobacco, in any form. And tobacco can also leave ugly stains on your teeth, and unpleasant odors on your breath.

Enjoy holiday foods and help prevent stains too!

• Most parties and snack tables usually include foods that can help combat tooth staining. Crunchy foods like carrots, celery, and apples help cleanse your teeth naturally.
• Don’t skimp on your dental care routine! Pay extra attention to flossing and brushing to remove food particles and stains.

Our Buckhead dental office also serves other communities throughout the southeast. Call for an appointment at 404.255.7500. Regular care with faithful flossing and brushing is the best formula for a healthy smile. But we can do much more too! Schedule a consultation to find out more about cosmetic and tooth restoration services in Atlanta. You won’t believe how we can help you have a beautiful smile until you see for yourself!

Have you been in for your regular dental check-up lately? Don’t put it off. I emphasize the importance of every patient having a dental check up and exam every six months (and absolutely no less than once a year!) because it not only helps make sure your teeth are staying healthy, and dental problems are fixed early, it helps keep your whole body healthy too.  When there is a problem or an infection in your mouth, it can spread and affect the rest of your body as well. Periodontal disease, for example, has been proven to contribute to inflammatory issues, strokes, heart attacks and has even been linked to pancreatic cancer, one of the most dangerous cancers known today. We also check your mouth for the earliest signs of oral cancer – a cancer check that is just as crucial as any of your other cancer screenings. Oral cancer usually doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms until it is quite advanced, so regular screenings could actually save your life! Don’t wait, call me, Dr. Todd Davis, at 404-255-7500, to schedule your next exam and screening.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and we’d like to take this chance to remind everyone of the health and dental consequences of smoking.  While it’s important to recognize that not all those battling lung cancer are tobacco users, it’s also crucial to note that smoking is the leading risk factor in developing this life-threatening disease. Additionally, smoking isn’t only harmful to your lungs, it can cause multiple problems in your mouth.

Smoking often leads to multiple unwanted health and dental consequences including raising the risk of periodontal (gum) disease, discoloration of teeth and oral cancer.  In fact, oral cancer is not only one of the most deadly forms of cancer, it’s also six times more common in those who choose to smoke.  These scary realities make scheduling and keeping regular appointments at my Buckhead, Georgia dental office even more important.

Smoker or not, everyone is susceptible to periodontal disease, oral cancer and tooth discoloration.  Here at the dental practice of Dr. Todd Davis, it’s our mission to create healthy, beautiful smiles for all of our patients.  We’ve believe in providing individualized comprehensive care for a lifetime of excellent dental, and overall, health.

Our team encourages all of our patients to stay on schedule with your exams with us so that we can dedicate time to screening for oral cancer, periodontal disease and help you with your teeth whitening needs.  Both oral cancer and periodontal disease can be treated if caught early which is why we screen for these two dental problems at every exam.

During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and every month, it’s important to become educated on the dangers and damage smoking can cause to not only your lungs, but your mouth as well.  Let us help you make your smile healthy.  Call my Buckhead, Georgia dental practice today at 404-255-7500.

You wouldn’t drive drunk, would you? No. But would you drive if you were drowsy? You might.

But before you do, think about this: according to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.

Each year, drowsy drivers cause at least 100,000 accidents; many of these are fatal.In the United States, 250,000 motorists fall asleep at the wheel, causing 8,000 deaths and 60,000 debilitating injuries annually.

Why are so many people so tired? One reason is the excessive daytime sleepiness caused by sleep apnea.

An article in Medical News Today warns that driving while tired increases the risk of traffic accidents by seven times. In addition, sleep apnea has been estimated to be responsible for five percent to 10 percent of all motor vehicle accidents.

Don’t be as dangerous as a drunk driver. If you have untreated sleep apnea, or you have a CPAP that you don’t use, call my Buckhead dental office to discuss treatment with an oral appliance.

Small, effective and comfortable, an oral appliance can help you get back to sleep and behind the wheel safely and well-rested.

Do you have a small crack in a tooth? Don’t put off treatment. No chip or crack is insignificant and every tooth fracture needs prompt treatment.

Unfortunately, some cracks are too small to be seen, even by a trained eye.

Sometimes there is a hairline crack in what looks like a healthy tooth. You may not be aware of the damage until you begin to have pain. You may not even be sure which tooth is causing you trouble. That’s why regular dental checkups with advanced diagnostic technology are so important.

If you know you have a chip or a crack in a tooth, don’t ignore it. Left untreated, tooth fractures get bigger, inviting bacteria and tooth decay. This can lead to more serious problems. Taking quick action can help save you time, money and discomfort.

It is important to have  the cause of the crack diagnosed so that it can be addressed.  If the cause is left untreated then any repair will be subject to failing.  Most of the time the forces that cause cracking in teeth can be managed.  Sometimes that is all the treatment that is needed.  In some other instances, the cracks will need to be repaired.  Most cracks are easily and quickly repaired.   In fact, 90 percent of all cracks only need a simple treatment like tooth-colored fillings, porcelain veneers, or dental crowns.

If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, don’t put off treatment. Just call my Buckhead dental practice. We’ll get your tooth restored to health quickly and comfortably.

If you have a cavity and would prefer a tooth-colored filling, just ask! If such a filling is the best option for your particular needs, I’m more than happy to place a white filling. (There are times when amalgam fillings are a preferable solution.)

The biggest benefit of tooth-colored fillings is that they are aesthetically more appealing than silver (they virtually disappear in the tooth). The filling is made of either a composite resin or porcelain.

If the case, it can composite resin filling is appropriate for your be placed directly in your tooth in one appointment. If your cavity is larger and requires a porcelain inlay or onlay, we will take a mold of your tooth and send it to a lab to have the porcelain restoration custom created just for you. In the meantime, a temporary filling will be placed in your tooth.

When the lab sends us your restoration, you’ll come back in. We’ll remove the temporary and permanently seat the porcelain inlay or onlay in your tooth.

Both composite resin and porcelain dental restorations are safe and strong, and as we mentioned before, will disappear in your smile. Your tooth will look so natural, no one will know you have had your tooth restored.

If you would like to restore your teeth with tooth colored fillings, call my Buckhead dental practice today.