There is no better way to boost your self-confidence that adds a spark to your personality than a charming smile. At The Right Smile Center, we can give you that.
If you have any sort of a smile defect such as gaps between teeth, crooked teeth, gummy smile, protruding teeth, stained teeth, chipped teeth, artificial looking crowns or any problem which makes you self-conscious while talking or smiling, The Right Smile Center has an expert panel of aesthetic dentists to help you. All aesthetic defects are treated and corrected using various solutions such as veneers, bonding, tooth and gum contouring, etc., to shape and enhance your smile.
Your smile makes the first impression on everyone you meet. A radiant smile will do much more than just cosmetic make ups or a new hair style to enhance your personality. It will boost your personality and literally change your life! If you would like to experience the magic of a dazzling but natural smile, book your appointment today and stand out from the rest.
A state-of the-art dental practice in the heart of Sandy Springs founded in 1992.
The Right Smile Center offers hi-tech, quality cosmetic and family dentistry in a friendly and comfortable environment. We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence offered with unparalleled customer service.
Our cosmetic dentist Dr. Novy Scheinfeld is one of American’s Top Cosmetic Dentists in the country. Dr. Scheinfeld is an Emory University trained prosthodontist, one of only 3200 out 170,000 dentists in the country. Dr. Scheinfeld has treated CNN broadcasters, professional sports players, music artists like Stevie Nicks and dentists in the surrounding area.
Among our services, we offer in-house Endodontics and implant placement from Drs. Lubell and Zinney. Celebrity or not, if you want to solve a problem or create a new more natural smile, we are confident that we can help.
Two important oral health care concerns emerging in the United Statesare disparities in the oral disease burden and the inabilityof certain segments of the population to access oral healthcare.[1] Older Americansare becoming a larger segment of our population and suffer disproportionately from oral diseases, with the problembeing particularly acute for individuals in long term care facilities. Populationprojections for the United States indicate that the elderlywill constitute an increasing percentage of the population aswe proceed into the 21st century. In 2001, the population ofthe United States was almost 278 million, and 12.6% of the populationwas 65 years of age or older. By 2015, the population is expectedto increase to 312 million (3.08 million in 2010) and 14.7% of the population willbe aged 65 years or older. In 2030, which is within the practicelives of students currently enrolled in dental schools, thepopulation will have increased to more than 350 million, and20% of the population—1 of every 5 members of the US society—willbe 65 years of age or older. This large segment of our population is further compounded by the elderly populationcontinuing to become increasingly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity,financial resources, and living conditions.[2]
The challenges faced by both the dental profession and the nationas a whole regarding provision of oral health care servicesto older adults were the subject of a recent report preparedby Oral Health America.[3] All 50 states were surveyed to determine the level of Medicaidcoverage for dental services, and the report concludes thatfinancing oral health care services for the elderly will be a majorchallenge to our future. Medicare does not provide any coverage for dentalservices, and only 1 of 5 Americans aged 75 years or older hasany type of private dental insurance. Given our current economic circumstances it will be highly unlikely that our government resources will be adequate to gear up for the impending problem of oral health for the elderly.
The elderly suffer from chronic disorders that can directlyor indirectly affect oral health, including autoimmune disorderssuch as pemphigus and pemphigoid.[4] They generally requiremultiple medications, and common side effects of the more than500 medications used to treat their overall health issues usually reduce salivary flow.[5] Usually the reduction in salivacan adversely affect their quality of life, the ability to chew, and lead to significant problems of the teeth andtheir supporting structures.
The elderly may also have difficulty performing routine oralhygiene procedures because of physical limitations, such as Parkinson’s or rheumatoid arthritis. In addition,oral infection is now recognized as a risk factor for a numberof systemic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases,diabetes, mellitus, and respiratory disorders. Also,it is important to note that once people have lost their teeth and are using complete dentures, their oral healthneeds do not decrease. Our jaws are not static and may continue toresorb over time. Besides the continued resorption of bone, improperly fitted dentures can adversely affectchewing, leading to poor nutrition. In addition, those without teeth remainsusceptible to oral cancer, mucosal diseases, and alterationsin salivary gland function.
So for the vast majority of seniors who will reside in a long term care facility, financingof oral health care services will be a formidable challenge.Given that medicare does not provide coverage for routine dental services including exams,and in the absence of private insurance or personal resources,a large portion of this group will not be able to afford anydental services whatsoever, let alone the most appropriate treatments.Clearly, there must be a response to the increasing oral healthconcerns of the elderly who present with special needs, especiallythose who are homebound or living in long term facilities burdenedwith other chronic disorders.
While effective preventive measures exist for younger populations(water fluoridation, dental sealants and parents), no preventive measureshave been devised to address the expected increase in oral healthneeds of the aging population. And the need for a coordinated effort to address the oral healthcare needs of the elderly suggested by demographic trendsand epidemiological data necessitates our planning for what might be considered a crisis or at least a paradigm shift in oral health care delivery for the elderly. Such a plan must consider contributionsfrom the dental profession, possibly through the efforts ofthe American Dental Association (ADA) and its state and localassociations; the dental schools, with involvement of the AmericanDental Education Association; federal, state, and local healthauthorities; and assistance from national organizations andfoundations that focus on health care. The dental profession has an opportunity to take a leadershiprole in the delivery of health care services to the seniorswho have contributed so vitally to our society’s well-beingand who deserve to be treated with the best oral health carewe have to offer.
Dr. Scheinfeld is a prosthodontist specializing in geriatric care.
Expecting a baby is a very exciting time, and you’re already on the right path if you’re staying on top of your dental health. With the proper dental care measures, you’ll increase your chances of having a smoother pregnancy, full-term delivery and healthy baby.
If you’re planning to get pregnant, consider having your teeth cleaned and any restorative dental treatment done first. If you are already pregnant, be sure to tell your dentist before getting any work done. You should also have a dental checkup at least once during the pregnancy. Although dental cleanings aren’t harmful, it’s recommended that expecting mothers get them done during the second trimester to reduce the risk of complications.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it’s best to postpone dental work during the first and third trimesters as well, as these are critical periods for the baby’s development. Your dentist will let you know what dental treatments can be performed during the second trimester, but more complicated procedures will probably be postponed, if possible. Unnecessary treatments, such as cosmetic dental work, should be avoided altogether.
If you do have an unexpected dental problem or emergency, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. Your dentist will look for signs of infection and determine the need for treatment. Dental X-rays are usually avoided during pregnancy, but if photos are necessary, your dentist will take extra precautions to protect your baby.
Just as dental health is connected to your overall health, dental care is important to the health of your unborn baby. It’s extremely important to take care of your teeth during pregnancy, as some dental problems can increase the risk of complications.
The best advice is to make sure your dentist is part of your baby’s pre-natal care team from the beginning. If we can answer any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us.
The hygienist plays an intricate role in your oral health care. At a minimum the role includes periodontal disease evaluation, taking x-rays and a patient’s periodontal charting. Traditionally, they engaged in cleaning and flossing the teeth under the theory that at healthy mouth was primarily necessary for the patient to keep their teeth. While this is still the case, discoveries in the last decade have uncovered the correlation between periodontal disease and other health related issues such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy related problems that assigns new priorities to the role of the hygienist and your dental visits. These correlations have caused a new focus on evaluating a dental patient and new signals related to their overall health. “The American Academy of Periodontology seeks to educate the public about research findings which support what dental professionals have long suspected: Infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body. For a long time it was thought that bacteria was the factor that linked periodontal disease to other infections in the body; however, more recent research demonstrates that inflammation may link periodontal disease to other chronic conditions. Research has shown, and experts agree, that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions.” [1]
The U.S. Surgeon General agrees that oral health is a strong indicator of one’s overall health and well-being.[2] Often, diseases give their first warning signs in the form of a patient’s oral problems. Without consistent care and monitoring, several oral health problems can result. Immediate risks include gingivitis, cavities, tooth decay, and other gum diseases which can eventually result in various types oral cancer. There is a “silent epidemic”[3] that can be avoided by regular treatment at home and dental visits at least twice each year. While practicing good oral hygiene at home is vital to your health, there is only so much that personal oral maintenance can do. A normal person can easily overlook conditions that could greatly complicate or even end one’s life. Thus, visiting your dentist for regular checkups is vital to a healthier smile.
“Routine dental exams uncover problems that can be easily treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal”.[4] Now that it is known that gum disease can be a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and certain forms of cancer, regular visits to your dentist can help prevent and treat this disease. By treating conditions early and learning from your dentist how to prevent oral diseases, you can achieve better health and ultimately better quality years of life.
If you have seen the show Extreme Makeover or even heard about it – you have probably come to understand that “Cosmetic Dentistry” (or Aesthetic Dentistry) has the power to change people’s lives. The reality though, is that the term can be confusing because many “cosmetic” dentists are not trained by any program recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). Prosthodontics is the only discipline of cosmetic dentistry that is recognized by the ADA. And a Prosthodontist is not just trained in one simple discipline – it is a post graduate degree in dentistry where by a skilled, artistically and technically trained dentist creates an anatomically correct smile- the right smile- that is uniquely crafted to fit each person’s individual attributes. Most dentists are not trained prosthodontic graduates of a dental school – rather they take short continuing education courses in conjunction with trial and error experience to be able to understand how size, shape, color and symmetry all work together to create what a prosthodontist is trained in during their post graduate work. It may appear as simple as a little contouring or as extensive as a full mouth reconstruction using veneers, crowns and implants; it’s the training that makes it appear effortless. The prosthodontist is trained to create the smile that implements the use of veneers, crowns, bridges and dental implants to ensure that the right smile is as perfect a fit both functionally and aesthetically as your individual characteristics will allow.
The program is so rigorous, that of the 170 thousand dentists in the United States, less than 2% are trained prosthodontists. Dr. Scheinfeld received her prosthodontics degree from Emory University School of Dentistry in 1988. Her prosthodontics’ instructor Dr. E. Neal Kopp practiced with her for 14 years until his passing in 2008. In addition, Dr. Sidney Tourial, an adjunct Emory Prosthodontic professor and this year’s GDA President has been in the practice for over 20 years.
Schedule dental visits for you and your family today by calling The Right Smile Center in Sandy Springs at 404-256-3620. Our dental office is conveniently located on Carpenter Drive off Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, and we serve patients from Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Buckhead, Dunwoody, East Cobb and surrounding communities. We welcome new patients and will be happy to answer all of your questions in person. Our dentists and team look forward to making you, and your loved ones, smile!
Can working out improve your dental health? Yes, according to one study. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine have discovered that people of a normal weight who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet are less likely to have gum disease. The study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, suggests that a healthy lifestyle may help prevent periodontal disease.
Researchers took the same factors that lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease into account when analyzing data from 12,110 participants. They found that those who exercised regularly, had healthy eating habits and maintained their weight were 40 percent less likely to develop periodontal disease than their counterparts. Those who met two of the criteria lowered their risk by 29 percent, while participants with just one healthy virtue had a 16 percent less chance of developing gum disease.
Overall, only 7 percent of those who met all three of the criteria had some form of gum disease. The participants who had a poor diet, limited physical activity and were considered overweight totaled 18 percent, suggesting that obesity can more than double your chances of developing periodontal disease.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure why these factors may decrease your chances of developing gum disease. It’s already known that healthy eating can help build up your immune system. Scientists now theorize that eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may also help remove dental plaque from teeth. It’s also believed that obesity promotes gum inflammation, while physical activity may decrease it.
While a healthy lifestyle may help improve your dental health, it’s not a substitute for maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist twice a year are essential. Since May of this year we offer in-house periodontal and endodontic services through Drs. Zinney and Lubell. If we can be of service or answer any of your questions please feel free to give us a call or email.
Many people are unaware of the consequences of losing their teeth or the effects of wearing partial or full dentures upon their jaws and bones. When teeth are lost, the surrounding bone immediately begins to shrink [atrophy]. Implant treatment, for tooth replacement therapy, can be the optimal treatment plan. Here are some important facts to take into consideration.
• Wearing dentures [plates] accelerates bone loss, and old dentures become loose because of resulting bone loss. It is possible to watch and wait for bone to disappear to the point where treatment success of any kind is doubtful.
• At the end of a five-year period, only 40% are still wearing the original partial denture made for them. This is not a great testimonial to value and utility. Those lucky enough to have a functioning partial denture after 5 years are still losing valuable supporting bone.
• Of those patients who wear a partial denture, 50% chew better without it.
• One study showed that after 8 years, 40% of the supporting teeth [abutments] that the partial hooks onto were lost through tooth decay or fracture.
• Patients with natural teeth can bite with about 200 pounds of force. Denture wearers can bite with approximately 50 pounds of force. Those wearing dentures for 15 years or more can bite with only about 6 pounds of force, and their diet and eating habits have had to been modified accordingly.
• The average lower full denture shifts from side to side during chewing and is a significant problem that new denture wearers must get use to and accept.
• Denture wearers have decreased nutritional intake, a ten year shorter life span, and 30% of denture wearers can only eat soft foods.
• The single tooth implant success rate is above 98%, and unlike a bridge, the teeth adjacent to the implant are no more at risk than if no teeth were missing.
• Implant-supported bridges or dentures have 95% success rates over 10 years without the severe loss of supporting bone.
For bone maintenance, the health of adjacent teeth, the longevity of the restoration and patient comfort, implant therapy is the treatment of choice. Implants can restore chewing function to the equivalent of someone with natural teeth. If you have questions or want to know if you are a good candidate for implant tooth replacement therapy, please call our office in Sandy Springs.
Regular dental visits do more than just keep your smile attractive; they can tell a dentist a lot about your overall health, including whether or not you may be developing a disease like diabetes. Recent research suggests that the health of your mouth is a reflection of the condition of your body as a whole. Meaning, if your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is also good. It’s kind of like hand in glove. So if you have poor oral health, this may be a sign that you may have other health issues.
There is further indication that a healthy smile may actually prevent certain diseases from occurring, such as gum precipitated heart infections. As of late, a lot of orthopedic surgeons are requiring a blessing from your dentist before they operate. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there is a relationship between gum (periodontal) disease and health complications such as a stroke and heart disease.[1] Women with gum disease also show higher incidences of pre-term, low birth-weight babies. Recent studies also have shown that there are microbiologic and immunological findings that strongly support the association. The studies indicate that periodontal infection can lead to placental-fetal exposure and, when coupled with a fetal inflammatory response, can lead to preterm delivery.[2]
Further research shows that more than 80 percent of all systemic diseases (involving many organs or the whole body) have oral manifestations, including swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and/or excessive gum problems. Such systemic diseases include:
· diabetes
· leukemia
· cancer
· heart disease
· kidney disease
Since most people have regular oral examinations, their dentist may be the first line of defense to diagnose a health problem in its early stages.
Failing to take care of your teeth and can actually lead to other health problems, including:
· Oral and facial pain. According to the Office of the Surgeon General, this pain may be largely due to infections of the gums that support the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, and advanced gum disease affect more than 75 percent of the U.S. population.
· Problems with the heart and other major organs. Mouth infections can affect major organs. For example, the heart and heart valves can become inflamed by bacterial endocarditis, a condition that affects people with heart disease or anyone with damaged heart tissue.
· Oral cancer. Poor oral care can contribute to oral cancer, which now takes more lives annually than cervical or skin cancer.
· Digestion problems. Digestion begins with physical and chemical processes in the mouth, and problems here can lead to intestinal failure, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestion disorders.
Seeing a dentist regularly helps to keep your mouth healthy and allows your dentist opportunities to examine developments that may point to other health issues. A dental exam also can detect poor nutrition and hygiene and growth and development problems. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our office in Sandy Springs for a consultation.
About 90% of the decay found in children’s teeth occurs in tooth surfaces with pits and fissures. To solve this problem, dental sealants were developed to act as a physical barrier so that cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of back (posterior) teeth.
A sealant is a plastic resin material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. This material is bonded into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces and acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from attack by plaque and/or acids.
The dentist, hygienist or assistant cleans and dries the teeth to be treated, then paints a thin layer of liquid plastic material on the pits and fissures of the tooth. A blue spectrum natural light is shone on the material for a few seconds to cure the plastic. Some brands of sealants cure chemically.
After curing, the plastic becomes a hard, thin layer covering the treated portions of the tooth. Despite the incredible pressures placed on teeth during chewing each day, dental sealants often remain effective for five years or longer, although sealants do wear naturally and should be checked at regular intervals. If sealants wear or become damaged, they can be repaired or replaced simply by applying new sealant material to the worn or damaged portions.
Children should receive sealants shortly after the eruption of their first permanent molars, around age 6 and again at age 12 when their second molars appear. While the use in children is more prevalent, sealants can be utilized in treating adults as well.
The average cost of a sealant ranges from $42 to $48 dollars per tooth. During your child’s regular dental visits, we will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them if necessary.
As a final note, the procedure is absolutely painless. I know a lot of people still cringe when we talk about dental procedures.
If we can be of service or you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact us via email or for a complimentary initial consult.
Dental crowns cost anywhere between $900.00 and $1600.00 each depending on the tooth to being restored. In addition, the cost will vary depending on materials, complexity and the dentist’s training and experience and to some degree the location of the practice. Insurance may pay part of a crown’s cost if it’s obviously needed for medical reasons, but usually crowns are covered only on a limited basis per year. Depending on the customers’ needs and wishes, partial and full crowns made of various materials may be utilized. Crowns are made of gold, porcelain, resin or porcelain-fused-to-non-precious-metal. A tooth-shaped cap (the crown) covers the entire surface of a tooth, adding strength, durability and stability. This usually requires two office visits; first to prepare the tooth, make an impression and install a temporary crown. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory or manufactured in-house with the use of a CAD aided milling machine to create the permanent crown, which is installed during the second appointment.
There’s often an initial office visit ($65-$102) and X-rays ($85-$135). One must not forget that there are additional costs that contribute to the overall price involved in crowns, aside from the material and type of crown chosen which are beyond the patient’s control. A large share of undervalued costs goes toward the treatment itself, lab and production costs for the crown, aftercare and the like.
Dental care on a whole is often considered expensive, but with proper care a crown may last 10 or more years. Depending upon the general wear and tear a crown is exposed to and how well you keep your teeth free of plaque, it could last indefinitely. With somewhere between 10 and indefinitely, the investment becomes rather modest, if not inexpensive.
If we can be of service or answer any of your questions please do not hesitate to give us a call.
There is no better way to boost your self-confidence that adds a spark to your personality than a charming smile. At The Right Smile Center, we can give you that.
