Services
Brookhaven Family Dentistry provides a wide range of dental procedures. From routine cleanings and fillings, to emergency dental services, we have you covered. We are also one of Atlanta's few Saturday emergency dental clinics.
We take a "drill as last resort" approach to dentistry. We do not want to drill on your teeth unless we have to. For example, many times it is acceptable to leave an old filling in place. Just because it is old or large does not mean we have to do a new filling or crown. Often, we find leaving a tooth alone is the best option.
To learn more about the situations in which crowns or fillings are indicated, please view our videos below.
General Dental Services
These services are aimed at preventing, evaluating, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the oral cavity, as well as maintaining the function and appearance of the teeth.
Examinations and Cleanings
The American Dental Association recommends patients receive regular dental check-ups and cleanings every six months, unless more attention is required. During your first appointment you will receive a complete set of x-rays. This will allow us to perform a comprehensive examination of all of your teeth and address any concerns you may have regarding your oral health.
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleanings)
If a patient has not had a cleaning for a long time, there is a possibility they have lots of tartar under their gums and bone loss between their teeth. In these situations a regular cleaning will not suffice. The scaling and root planing procedure is a more thorough cleaning that focuses heavily on cleaning the tooth structure under the gums. It is usually completed in two visits.
Fillings
Minimal areas of tooth decay or broken tooth structure may be successfully restored using dental fillings. We only use composite(tooth colored) fillings at our practice. We take a very conservative approach when deciding if a tooth should have a filling or not. We don't want to drill on your tooth unless you really need it. A lot of times, if a tooth has a tiny cavity and it has stayed the same size for a long time, then we can just leave it alone and just keep an eye on it, instead of drilling on it and placing a filling. This video goes into great detail about situations when a filling would benefit your tooth and situations when it is better to just leave your tooth alone.
Crowns (Caps)
Crowns are used to restore broken, cracked, or root canal treated teeth. They cover the whole tooth and prevent further fracturing. Crowns can be made of a porcelain-like material or metal. At Brookhaven Family Dentistry, we take a minimally invasive approach to dentistry. A crown is an invasive and aggressive dental procedure. For this reason, we don't really want to crown your tooth, unless you would truly benefit from it. Sometimes, a less invasive filling or no treatment at all may be just fine.
This video goes into greater detail about situations when:
- A crown is definitely a good idea.
- A crown would be beneficial, but perhaps not absolutely necessary.
- Maybe a crown would benefit the tooth, but the patient should know what they are getting into, because crowns do have some negatives associated with them.
Night Guards (Bite Guards)
For patients who grind or clench their teeth, a night guard can be a very effective solution. We custom make the guard to fit the patient’s mouth.
Sealants
Dental sealants are a tooth-colored, restorative material applied to the deep grooves of the chewing surface of your teeth. By blocking out these deep grooves, sealants prevent food from getting stuck in the grooves. This makes the teeth less susceptible to decay. This simple and painless procedure offers the patient protection against future cavities on the chewing surfaces of their teeth. Sealants are usually indicated for children and very rarely indicated for adults.
Cosmetic Dental Services
Veneers
A veneer is a cosmetic dental restoration. It is a thin, custom shell that covers the front of a tooth. Veneers work best on front teeth, and are not meant to be placed on back teeth. They are a popular way to completely “make over” your smile.
Teeth Whitening (Bleaching)
If your teeth are discolored, stained, or yellow, whitening can give you a more aesthetically pleasing smile in a short time.
At Home Whitening can provide the best long term results. This process involves making custom trays. You then use a companion whitening gel in the trays. Patients typically see results within 7-14 days. The trays are reusable for anytime you want to brighten your smile. Please ask us about our “Brighten Your Smile, Better the World” campaign. For a small charitable donation, you can receive complimentary trays. The typical cost is $400.00 However, by participating you may receive your trays for less.
In Office Whitening will whiten your teeth immediately. However, you must also follow up with At Home Whitening in order to maintain the color. Otherwise, your teeth will soon revert back to their old color.
Emergency Dental Services
Brookhaven Family Dentistry is proud to be one of Atlanta's premier provider of emergency dental services. We are open Monday through Saturday and are usually able to offer same day appointments for patients who are in need of an emergency dentist.
Restoration of Cracked Teeth
Teeth can develop cracks over time as a result of many different factors. Some of these are grinding, clenching, root canals, large fillings, and just general wear and tear. Some cracks are clearly visible, while others are hard to spot. Some cracks cause pain, while others are asymptomatic. Many times small cracks can be fixed with crowns or fillings. However, if a crack gets large over time, it may result in the tooth needing a root canal or extraction.
Root Canals
A root canal is sometimes necessary in order to save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction. This is usually recommended when the nerve of a tooth is infected. Once the infection is removed and the tooth is restored with a crown, a patient can expect continued function for years to come. Brookhaven Family Dentistry is one of the few dental practices in Atlanta that performs certain non-molar root canals on Saturdays.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Not all wisdom teeth (third molars) need to be extracted. However, it is important for a dentist to examine your wisdom teeth and discuss all options. We will review your x-rays and determine if your wisdom teeth are growing in properly. If wisdom teeth grow in sideways or in an abnormal manner, they can cause problems for adjacent teeth or become painful. Most painful wisdom teeth need to be pulled.
Extractions
Sometimes, if a tooth cannot be saved, an extraction is necessary. This is the removal of a tooth.
Teeth Replacement Options
Replacing teeth is not something we take lightly and we understand that aesthetics, function, and comfort must all work together. We will always work with you to select the best option for your overall health and individual situation.
Implants
The most optimal way to replace a missing tooth is with a dental implant. The surgical placement of a dental implant replaces the missing root and provides a structure onto which an abutment and crown can be attached. The whole process usually takes an average of four months.
Bridges
A bridge is an alternative way to replace missing teeth when implants are not an option. It requires the placement of crowns on the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth with a fake tooth connected to these crowns. This prosthetic tooth fills in the empty space providing the look of a natural tooth.
UFR (Unilateral Flexible Removable Partial)
One simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive option is the UFR (Unilateral Flexible Removable Partial). When a person has one or two teeth missing, they may be a candidate for the UFR. This is a removable device consisting of prosthetic teeth.
Dentures
For certain patients, dentures are the most appropriate and effective way to replace missing teeth and restore function.
