by dds2017 | Aug 14, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 5, Invisalign
Feeling dissatisfied with your smile can make you wonder how to achieve a stylish new look. Instead of turning to traditional methods like metal braces, consider the modern solution of Invisalign clear aligners.
This revolutionary treatment involves wearing customized clear plastic aligners that gently shift your teeth into better positions. They are virtually invisible, providing a discreet solution to straightening your teeth, and they can be removed for eating and cleaning. The smooth material ensures comfort without the discomfort of metal brackets or wires.
Getting Started with Invisalign
If you’re interested in Invisalign, the first step is to find an orthodontist or dentist who offers this treatment. Not every professional is trained in this method, so it’s important to seek out a certified provider. Once you’ve identified your options, choose a provider who is experienced, convenient, and makes you feel confident in your treatment.
The Initial Consultation and Treatment Plan
Your first appointment will involve an examination to ensure you are a good candidate for Invisalign. Most people qualify, unless they have severe oral health issues or significant dental problems. The dentist will create a personalized treatment plan based on your unique needs. To help in the process, impressions of your teeth, X-rays, and photos will be taken. A 3D image will be developed, which will not only assist in creating your treatment plan but also give you a visual preview of how your teeth will shift at each stage of the process, along with a timeline for completion.
The Treatment Process
Once your aligners are ready, you will wear each set for about two weeks before switching to the next in the series. Follow-up appointments are typically needed every six weeks to track your progress and receive the next set of aligners. The entire process generally lasts around one year, depending on your specific needs. At the end of your treatment, you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful, straight smile thanks to Invisalign.
Start Your Journey to a New Smile
If you’re ready for a new smile, consult a certified Invisalign provider and begin your journey to a more confident you.
Do not let another day go by without taking care of your dental needs. Request an appointment now at our McDonough dental office!
by dds2017 | Aug 7, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 5, Oral Surgery
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, typically emerging in the late teens or early twenties. Standard dental practice recommends removing wisdom teeth before they are fully formed, as this is when the roots have not yet completely developed and rooted into the jawbone. Younger patients tend to recover more easily from the surgery, and many dentists believe that early removal can prevent future dental issues associated with wisdom teeth.
If your wisdom teeth were not removed when they first emerged, here are some signs and symptoms that could indicate the need for extraction:
- Impacted wisdom teeth: These are trapped in the jawbone or gums, causing discomfort.
- Wisdom teeth emerging at awkward angles: This can lead to pressure on adjacent teeth.
- Crowding: Wisdom teeth may not fit in your mouth, causing crowding of the surrounding teeth.
- Decay or disease: Wisdom teeth may suffer from decay due to difficulty in cleaning them properly.
- Fluid-filled cysts: These may develop near the gumline around the wisdom teeth.
- Pain: Any of the above issues can cause discomfort or pain.
The decision to remove your wisdom teeth should be made in consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon. They can evaluate the position and health of your wisdom teeth and make a recommendation for treatment.
If removal is necessary, your dentist may choose to extract one tooth or all four molars at once. The procedure is typically outpatient, and recovery usually takes just a few days. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed, contact your dental office to determine if wisdom tooth removal is right for you to maintain your long-term oral health.
by dds2017 | Jul 31, 2025 | Blog, Dental Topics 5, Invisalign
Having straight teeth is a goal for everyone, from young people to mature adults. The prospect of achieving a beautiful smile without wearing braces is a wonderful benefit. Gone are the awkward moments of a mouth full of metal, food particles stuck in your braces, and painful wires poking your cheeks. So, how can you achieve this? The answer is Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic solution that involves wearing a series of clear plastic aligners that fit snugly over your teeth. These aligners gradually shift your teeth into better positions using gentle, controlled pressure. They are nearly invisible, which means they don’t draw attention to your smile, and they can be removed anytime, allowing you to continue with your usual eating and hygiene routines without disruption.
Getting Started with Invisalign
The first step in the process is taking impressions of your teeth and creating a digital 3D image to design a precise treatment plan. This allows you to see how your teeth will improve at each stage of treatment. Your customized aligners will then be crafted in a lab, ensuring a comfortable fit that will help you achieve the desired results.
How Invisalign Works
You’ll need to wear your aligners throughout the day and while you sleep but can remove them when eating or performing oral hygiene tasks. You can even remove them for special occasions, but for the best results, you should aim to wear your aligners for 22 hours each day. About every two weeks, you will switch to a new set of aligners that will continue to move your teeth into place. Routine checkups with your dentist every six weeks will monitor your progress.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign treatment typically lasts about a year for adults and around two years for teens. You’ll be able to see your progress throughout the process, which can motivate you to keep going. Once the treatment is complete, you’ll have straight, beautiful teeth and a much more enjoyable orthodontic experience with fewer complaints compared to traditional braces.
Start Your Journey to a Beautiful Smile
If you’re ready for a perfect smile without the hassles of traditional braces, consider Invisalign. It’s an easy, comfortable way to straighten your teeth with minimal disruption to your daily life.
Do you live in McDonough or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
by dds2017 | Jul 24, 2025 | Blog, Dental Information, Dental Topics 5
Problems with your mouth or teeth can occur suddenly. You might be injured playing a sport, eating, or even just while doing a seemingly harmless activity. You should know what types of dental problems are considered emergencies, and what to do while waiting to see your dentist. Quick action can make a big difference in saving a tooth, or limiting damage to your mouth or face.
What is considered an emergency?
Not every dental problem must be treated as an emergency, but some do require professional treatment as soon as possible. This includes a broken or knocked out tooth, lost crowns and fillings, severe toothache, infection, and injuries to the soft tissues of your mouth.
What should I do?
See your dentist as soon as possible to treat the problem and prevent further damage. Here are some steps to take if you experience any of the following common dental emergencies:
- Severe toothache – rinse your mouth with warm water and floss to remove trapped food.
- Swelling – apply a cold compress on the outside of the swollen area. Do not place any painkiller or aspirin against your gums, because it can burn your gum tissue.
- Chipped or broken tooth – if possible, save the piece that has broken off. Rinse both the piece and your mouth with warm water. If it is bleeding, hold gauze on the area. Apply a cold compress to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
- Lost filling – apply dental cement from your drugstore to fill the hollow area until you can see your dentist. Or, try placing a bit of sugarless gum into the area.
- Lost crown – try to replace the crown on your tooth and hold it in place temporarily with dental cement, denture adhesive, or toothpaste.
- Abscess – infections in your mouth can become abscessed, which is a serious condition. Rinse with warm salt water and see your dentist immediately.
- Soft tissue injuries – treat damage to your gums, cheeks, tongue, and lips by rinsing with warm salty water. Hold gauze to the specific area to control bleeding, and hold a cold pack to the external area.
Do not let another day go by without taking care of your dental needs. Request an appointment now at our McDonough dental office!
by dds2017 | Jul 10, 2025 | Blog, Dental Information, Dental Topics 5
Gum disease treatment varies significantly depending on the severity of the condition. While mild issues may require nothing more than a professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene, advanced cases can involve more complex and sometimes painful procedures. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, seeking prompt treatment is critical to prevent further damage.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
Your dentist will begin by conducting a thorough gum examination, which includes:
- Measuring gum pockets around each tooth
- Checking for inflammation or swelling
- Assessing gum recession
If the gum pockets are extensive, this could indicate bone loss, and your dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in treating gum disease.
Gingivitis: Early-Stage Gum Disease
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. Treatments typically include:
- A professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup
- Improving oral hygiene habits (brushing, flossing, and mouth rinses)
- Regular dental checkups to monitor progress
With early intervention, gingivitis is reversible, and your gums can heal over time.
Advanced Gum Disease: Scaling and Root Planing
When gum disease progresses beyond gingivitis, deeper treatments may be required, such as:
- Scaling and Root Planing: A thorough, deep cleaning below the gumline to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria.
- Medications: Antibiotics or antimicrobial rinses may be prescribed to control infection and inflammation.
Surgical Treatments
If non-surgical methods fail to resolve gum disease, surgery may be necessary to remove diseased tissue and create an environment conducive to healing. Common procedures include:
- Gum Surgery: Removes infected gum tissue and protects healthy gums and bone.
- Gum Graft: For receding gums, tissue is surgically taken from another area of the mouth and grafted onto the affected area to restore appearance and function.
- Abscess Treatment: A gum abscess may require deep cleaning to clear diseased tissue and drain any pus. Antibiotics are often prescribed to fight infection and prevent recurrence.
Prevention is Key
While treatments exist for all stages of gum disease, prevention is always the best approach. Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash daily. Combine this with regular dental checkups to catch gum issues early before they progress.
If you’re concerned about gum disease, consult your dentist in McDonough for a comprehensive evaluation and a personalized treatment plan.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our McDonough dental office to schedule your consultation!
by dds2017 | Jul 3, 2025 | Blog, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Topics 5
Do you have gapped or crooked teeth? Have you been wondering if braces are the best option to correct your alignment issues? Slight imperfections that didn’t bother you as a child might now seem like major concerns. If the thought of wearing braces or another type of orthodontic treatment for years is daunting, consider talking to your dentist—dental veneers could be the perfect solution for your smile.
Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain, composite resin, or other tooth-colored materials that are permanently bonded to the surface of your natural teeth. While veneers cannot correct alignment or bite issues, they can create the illusion of perfectly straight, white teeth. Unlike braces, veneers don’t require any metal hardware, and they can typically be completed in just one or two office visits. Veneers are highly durable and long-lasting, often lasting up to twenty years with proper care.
If you are in good general health, you may be a candidate for dental veneers. Since veneers rely on the strength of your natural tooth to bond, any tooth that is decayed or infected cannot support a veneer. Issues such as cavities or other dental problems must be treated before a veneer can be placed. Patients with healthy mouths, but crooked, gapped, discolored, or chipped teeth, are ideal candidates for veneers.
If you’re not happy with your smile, speak to cosmetic dentist Dr. Adkins in McDonough today. Dental veneers could be the perfect way to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Why wait for the results of braces when dental veneers can give you the smile you desire now?
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our McDonough dental office.
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