Dentist Sandy Springs: How Much does it cost to get your teeth cleaned?

So you see an offer of $49.95 for a teeth cleaning, exam & x-ray come through your mailbox or on your Instagram account.  Is it a lost leader?   Is it a loss leader used to get you in and pressure you into other dental procedures?

If it’s a new practice, then providing discounted services is one of the few methods a new practice has to introduce itself to the surrounding community, no different than a new restaurant trying to showcase its menu.  The genuine intent is to build a relationship by showcasing the practice.  If it’s a mature practice, then there is probably going to be pressure to accept other services.

A teeth cleaning is going to range somewhere around $65 to $89.[1] Often dental insurance will cover some or all of the cost of at least two.  The doctor’s oral exam is  $45 to $55 and the 4 basic bite wing x-rays are around $59 to $72.  Depending on your insurance this might be covered anywhere from 60 to 100% after a small deductible is met.   Periodic X-rays ($32 -$135) are needed to see if any problems are developing inside the teeth or around the jaw bone, and are generally required before cleaning the teeth of a new patient (which is why some practices offer coupons to defray the initial cost of a first visit). Usually this is covered by dental insurance.

Your main goal should be to prevent gum disease, which if not examined and treated when necessary will result in greater costs, including tooth loss.  Dental hygiene is imperative, and cleaning your teeth is the first step towards preserving them.

This is where you run into problems with ‘couponing dentists’. Often that coupon patient is pressured into being that scaling and root planing patient.

Your goal and our goal is a healthy mouth which is part of your overall health.  The mouth is connected to the body.  You have to do your part by brushing and flossing daily if you want to keep them.   If you have additional questions, feel free to email or call our office.    Our goal here is to create an informed healthy patient.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, M.S., D.M.D.

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

[1] However, depending on how long it’s been since you have been to the dentist and what extent your oral healthcare has been neglected, it can be more if there’s a need to do a full mouth root scaling.

Addicted to Soda

Notice the Acid enamel erosion!

Whoa, hard to believe! But the consumption of soda can cause similar damage like the illegal use of drugs such as methamphetamines or crack cocaine.   The tooth erosion can occur from the acid found in soda.  According to the study conducted by the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, researchers found the same type and severity of damage from tooth erosion in each of the participants.

Obviously, in order to have the same effect, a significant amount of soda has to be consumed.  Nonetheless, the effects are similar and need to be conscious of.

And our recommendation to patients is minimize the intake of soda and consume more water.  If you can’t stop drinking soda, don’t brush immediately afterwards because you could damage your teeth enamel.  Rather chew xylitol based sugarless gums or rinse with water to remove the acid agents left behind by soda.

If we can be of help, don’t hesitate to contact us for your complimentary consultation.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Related articles

• • Buckhead Dentist: Enjoy Strawberries the Tooth-Wise Way (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

• • Buckhead ǁ Teeth Cleaning (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

• • Sandy Springs Dentist: Regular Dental Check-ups (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

• • Smile to be Happy : Sandy Springs Dentists (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

• • Buckhead Dentist: Afraid of the dentist? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
  • Dentist Sandy Springs: Multiple Disciplines under One Roof (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

Dentist Near Me: How Much Does Teeth Cleaning Cost?

So you got a mailer coupon from a dentist that says they only charge $69.95 for a regular cleaning & $19.95 for an exam & x-ray.  Seems like of a cheap gimmick?  And a lot of the times it might be, because depending on the type of practice it might be designed to get you in and up-charge you for a lot of unnecessary dentistry. Anecdotally, we here this a lot in corporate dental practices.

But, it just depends of on the practice.  If it’s a mature practice you might want to question why they are giving away services.  Usually, it’s a loss leader.  Something they use to get you in and pressure you into other dental procedures.  If it’s a new practice, then providing discounted services is one of the few methods a new practice has to introduce itself to the surrounding community, no different than a new restaurant trying to showcase its menu.

With respect to continuing care (on your next 6 month visit), a teeth cleaning really depends where you go and the quality of the practice you see.  And it is more than likely covered by your insurance.  The charge is going to be somewhere around $90+, but it can be more if there’s a need to do a full mouth root scaling. Often dental insurance will cover some or all of this cost for only 2 of your cleanings per year, regardless of what you might need.

The exam is $45 to $55 and the 4 basic bite wing x-rays are around $59 to $72.  Depending on your insurance this might be covered anywhere from 60 to 100% after a small deductible is met.   Periodic X-rays ($32 -$135) are needed to see if any problems are developing inside the teeth or around the jaw bone, and are generally required before cleaning the teeth of a new patient (which is why some practices offer coupons to defray the initial cost of a first visit). These are also often covered by dental insurance.

The main goal of professional teeth cleaning is to prevent gum disease, which is the primary cause of tooth loss.  Dental hygiene is imperative, and cleaning your teeth is the first step toward their long term preservation.

Where we here a lot of horror stories is from the corporate dentistry experience where the more extensive deep cleaning process called scaling and root planing is up charged on your first visit.  The procedure, when necessary,  is done by quadrants (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left) at a cost of about $100 -$400 per quadrant depending on the severity of the problem or $400 -$1,600 for the entire mouth.  This is rare in our office,  but more often than not, if the mouth is in such poor health and we can’t treat it, we will refer the you out to a periodontist.   Most dental insurance includes these procedures.

Again, the goal is a healthy mouth which an integral part of your overall health.  Oh, and by the way, just because you had your teeth cleaned professionally, the jobs not done.  You have to do your part and brush and floss daily if you want to keep them.   If you have additional questions, feel free to email or call our office.  Our goal here is to create an informed patient.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Scheinfeld Orland, DMD

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

and

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Dentist Sandy Springs: Scaling and Root Planing

Beautiful smile needs a little help from a professional.

If you are lacks in taking care of your oral health you’re going to end up with one of two results, periodontal disease or lost teeth.  The former won’t go away by itself.  The later just falls out.  Your line of defense is prevention – good routine home care and seeing your dentist at least twice a year.  Regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential to preventing periodontal diseases.  And when you don’t engage in good oral health practices the likelihood of disease increases.

In some cases, even with these practices, a certain percentage of patients experience some form of periodontal disease that must be treated.  Depending on the extent of the disease, your dentist may recommend the more aggressive treatment of scaling and root planing.  Scaling is used to remove plaque and tartar beneath the gumline and the root surfaces are planed to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth.

Preventing and treating the disease in the early stages are the best approach to keeping your smile healthy.   We’re a multi-specialty practice that can help you and your family maintain the proper oral health.  We specialize in the right smile.  So call now and get your oral health in order.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Scheinfeld Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Brookhaven Dentist: New Directions in Oral Health Care

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 our team how to prevent oral diseases, you can achieve better health and ultimately better quality years of life.

Hanna Scheinfeld Orland, DMD

ZoAnna Scheinfeld Bock, MS, DMD

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

and

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Serving residents in East Cobb, Roswell, Chamblee, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Buckhead and surrounding communities.

Related Articles

• Dentist Sandy Springs – Older patients have special dental needs (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Oral Health Care of Our Aging Population (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• 8 Windows Dentistry Opens to your Overall Health (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Sandy Springs – 4 Steps to Promoting Good Oral Health (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

---

[1] (www.perio.org).

[2] (CDC, 2006).

[3] (U.S. Surgeon General).

[4] (American Dental Association [ADA], 2008).

Dentist Dunwoody: Brush and Floss if you want to keep ‘em.

Often I am asked questions such as how often I should floss and is flossing really necessary.  I am famous for saying “You should only brush and floss the teeth you want to keep!”  Next to your semi-annual check ups, brushing and flossing your teeth are the two most important patient activities you can do to ensure good oral health.

The goal of brushing and particularly flossing is to reduce or rid your mouth of harmful bacteria that adversely affect both your gums and your teeth. Microscopic bacteria reside in your mouth calling it home for feeding off the food particles left on our teeth.

Bacteria produce acid from their feasting and  this acid eats into your tooth enamel creating cavities. Addition toxins are produced from bacteria in plaque that will inflame and irritate your gum tissue. And finally, without proper care the bacteria can also sulfur compounds that create bad breath.

In the most recent studies, poor oral health can be linked to other related health issues that may stem from oral bacteria entering the bloodstream affecting other internal organs.  Regular brushing and flossing removes the plaque and the bacteria plaque contains. Unfortunately, many people think brushing alone is sufficient to rid the mouth of these bacteria.   But flossing is a key component to your good oral hygiene program.

If you do not floss and allow plaque to remain in between teeth it eventually hardens into a substance known as tartar. Unlike plaque which can be easily removed by brushing, tartar can only be removed by your dentist.

Over time, failing to floss will result in irritated and inflamed gums. This condition is known as gingivitis, which if left untreated can progress to periodontal disease domino’ing into gingival recession, bone loss, loose teeth, and so on until ultimately your teeth are lost.

Timely and regular flossing removes the bacteria that escapes the reach of the toothbrush.  Brushing alone only does part of the job.  So you really need to floss. The American Dental Association recommends that you floss at least once a day, but I would suggest once in the morning and once in the evening as the better protocol. Contact us for your next oral exam and teeth cleaning.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

Related articles

• East Cobb Dentist: I read this on Webmd.com (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Buckhead: How Often Should I See the Dentist? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Buckhead: Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

Sandy Springs Dentist – Facts About Dental Visits

Going to the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings is one of the most important factors in maintaining good oral health. Regular check-ups can help prevent cavities, root canals, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental conditions. Don’t wait until you have a problem before you see your dentist; help prevent problems before they happen.

For example, Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults and has also been linked to heart disease and strokes. If diagnosed in the early stage, gingivitis can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease, called Periodontitis, which includes bone loss, may follow. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and getting regular dental checkups and cleanings are the best prevention against gum disease.

SEE US NOW OR SEE US LATER

If our dentist gives you a treatment plan for dental work that you need to have done, you should focus on getting your teeth fixed as soon as possible. Even cavities can get bigger. And if they get big enough to reach the nerve in your tooth, your only options will be to have a root canal or have the tooth extracted.

There are those that think having good dental health takes too much effort. But seeing the dentist for regular dental check-ups and cleanings, brushing twice a day, flossing daily and eating a nutritional diet are the key factors in having healthy teeth and gums. So give us a call and SEE US NOW.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-256-3620

And

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

Keep Flossing Despite Coronavirus

One of the precautions recommended by the CDC in protecting against coronavirus is to avoid touching your face. The goal is to keep your hands off the places where respiratory disease can be spread – your eyes, nose… and mouth. What does that mean for flossing? Nothing. 

Because you can still wash your hands before you floss.

All you can do is take care of yourself and be smart and try and keep yourself healthy. The last thing you want to do is slack on your oral health and put that at risk too.

Flossing your teeth daily is an essential component of oral health care at every age. Here are our recommendations for getting the job done that can make you feel better:

• Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap, thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds.
• Use floss picks. Floss picks are great for on the go or when you just need to work something out from between two teeth.
•  You’re in your own home, having just washed your hands in your sink with your soap and dried them with your towel. You have your dental floss at the ready. You are in a safe space.

The Importance of Flossing

Flossing can seem like a pain to the people who don’t do it regularly. Those who are good about flossing understand its importance and impact on oral health. 

Flossing gets where the toothbrush cannot get and drags out bacteria, food particles, and plaque. If you don’t floss, you’re more susceptible to bad breath, gum disease, and cavities, as well as other dental infections.

In short, if you don’t floss, you aren’t protecting yourself from coronavirus, you’re putting yourself at higher risk for oral health complications. Take good care of yourself – and your teeth. 

And when the dust settles, schedule your next visit with us to get you to speed on your essential oral health.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

Howard Abrahams, DDS

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

Dentist Serving Dunwoody – 4 Steps to Promoting Good Oral Health

Good oral hygiene is important for maintaining one’s overall health.  If you believe this and you should, then there are 4 essential, yet simple guidelines of preventative care to maintaining good oral health, all of which are endorsed by the American Dental Association:

1. Floss regularly and floss first- It is recommended that individuals floss on a regular basis after meals and before brushing their teeth.  The reason to floss first is to dislodge any food particles trapped in between your teeth, which can be disposed of while brushing.  The proper way to floss is to push the floss gently between your teeth to the gum to loosen debris your toothbrush cannot reach. Initially, you may experience some light bleeding but this should disappear once your gums get used to the flossing process.
2. Brushing your teeth-  If you don’t have an electric toothbrush, good brushing by hand should
   take a minimum of 2 minutes and should involve brushing in a circular motion, which the electric toothbrush does for you.  You work your way from one side of the mouth to the other, keeping in
   mind to pay attention to certain neglected areas such as the very back teeth and your tongue. Dentists recommend using soft bristle brushes and toothpaste that contain fluoride.  The fluoride is important, because the rise in the consumption of bottled water has led to the population’s decline in fluoride intake.
3. Mouthwash- I am not sure how effective this is, but if you’re not going to brush twice a day, using a mouthwash that contains fluoride at least twice a day is a good preventative measure that kills the bacteria responsible for cavities and gum disease.
4. Your Dental visits- Maintaining your oral health requires regular dental visits at least every six months.  You need to do this for early detection of potential problems that could develop into more serious problems and the hygienist can clean areas that might have been missed or that were resistant to the 3 steps above.

Finally, Finding a Dentist that is Right for You

Your dental care is an important aspect of your general health care.  So you need to make sure you find a dentist that is right for you. This can be a difficult process.  Look for someone who’s competent and you feel comfortable with, one you can have a collaborative relationship with. This is important because there are conditions and problems that were not discussed in this article that the dentist will need to pay attention to during your regular checkups.  Hopefully after reading this article, you will have a better understanding of the basics for good oral health.   I you have questions or concerns feel free to
contact or call.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Related articles

• Dentist Dunwoody: Women and Your Oral Health (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Sandy Springs: 8 Windows your overall health sees through dentistry. (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Dunwoody: Brush and Floss if you want to keep ’em. (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Dunwoody: Top 4 Reasons Not to play hooky from Your Dental Cleanings (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Dunwoody: How Often Should I See the Dentist? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dunwoody Dentistry: Bottled Water – Good or Bad? (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

Sandy Springs Dentist Dr. Howard Abrahams Joins The Right Smile Center

Sandy Springs’ Right Smile Center, a full service dental practice is excited to announce the addition of Howard Abrahams, DDS, as a new associate in the practice.

Dr. Abrahams brings the Right Smile Center decades of experience with a focus in restorative and oral care.

We are fortunate to have someone of Dr. Abrahams’s experience and training in our practice,” said Dr. Novy Scheinfeld.  “he brings a successful track record of great service with the added technical expertise that allows us to offer our patients broad coverage of unserved patients in the Sandy Springs area.

Dr. Abrahams grew up in New York’s Long Island and came to practice there after receiving his degree from Emory University’s School of Dentistry in 1980.  Married to native Atlantan Leslie, Dr. Abrahams currently resides in Sandy Springs. In addition to her dental degree, Dr. Abrahams has Bachelor’s degree from Emory University.  Throughout his career he has been active in various related charities and an accomplished musician in metro Atlanta.

The Right Smile Center is one of the largest active comprehensive dental practices in North Atlanta and has been trusted by thousands in metro Atlanta with 4 generations of patients.  If we can be of assistance in your oral health care needs please do not hesitate to call our office for a complementary consultation.

The Right Smile Center

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

404-404-843-1999

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

Howard Abrahams, DMD

The Right Smile Center is also located at:

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076