buckhead cosmetic dentist Archives

March 27, 2012

Celebrity Dental Disasters

Has your favorite celebrity received a smile makeover? Cosmetic dental services can beautify your smile, but if not done properly by your experienced Atlanta dentist, treatments could leave your teeth looking unnatural and unhealthy. Let’s take a look at how a visit to Dr. Pate can help you avoid the following dental disasters.

Unnatural-Looking Veneers

After chipping her teeth on microphones, actress and singer Hilary Duff received a set of porcelain veneers to hide her imperfections. Unfortunately for Duff, her new teeth looked too big and too long. She later returned to her cosmetic dentist for a redo, and she now has the beautiful, natural-looking smile she flaunts today. To prevent an odd-looking, oversized smile, Dr. Pate will take impressions of your teeth and gums to create the perfect size and shape for your veneers. A dental ceramist will hand-sculpt your veneers to complement your mouth and face appropriately.

Over-Whitening Teeth

As you age, your teeth begin to show signs of wear, one of which is discoloration. Regis Philbin is just one of many celebrities who displays a bright white smile despite his years. Philbin’s smile, however, some people consider too white. If you over-whiten your teeth, it can cause sensitivity, irritation, erosion, and further discoloration. A pageant-white smile can look fake on an aging adult. Luckily for you, Dr. Pate offers professional in-office or take-home bleaching treatments to safely and effectively brighten your smile to the perfect shade. Some cosmetic dentists believe that Philbin’s blinding smile is the result of veneers—not bleaching—but either way, the shade of white you choose should look completely natural. (more…)

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February 29, 2012

Receive Your Celebrity Smile Makeover in Atlanta

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta smile enhancement, atlanta smile makeover, atlanta veneers, buckhead cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, cosmetic dentist buckhead, cosmetic dentist sandy springs, cosmetic dentist vinings, dentist atlanta, family dentist atlanta, smile enhancement atlanta, smile makeover atlanta, veneers atlanta — dr_pate @ 6:54 pm

Tom Cruise certainly has a lot to smile about. We’re not just talking about his successes as an actor and producer, but his smile enhancements gave him a new grin worthy of the spotlight. Dr. Pate can transform your smile so you, too, can achieve a superstar beam.

Tom Cruise’s Smile Makeover

You may recall a young Tom Cruise in The Outsiders. You may also remember his unappealing smile. It appeared as if each tooth was stained and going in a different direction. Some of his teeth were overlapping and his enlarged front tooth was twisted at an uncomfortable angle. Since then, Tom’s smile has undergone major dental and orthodontic work.

During a trip to the orthodontist with one of his children, the actor discovered that his jaw and teeth were out of alignment. At age 39, the star decided to use orthodontic treatments to adjust his teeth. He wore clear braces with only the connecting wire visible. Fortunately for you, Dr. Pate offers Invisalign clear aligners, so you can invisibly straighten your teeth without any connecting wires or uncomfortable brackets.

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January 20, 2012

Smiling is Good for You

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Healthy Living — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta health, atlanta smile makeover, buckhead atlanta cosmetic dentist, buckhead cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, cosmetic dentist buckhead, healthy living atlanta, smile makeover atlanta, smile makeover buckhead — dr_pate @ 4:24 pm

Psychologists and physiologists have been studying the science behind smiling. Smiles increase your perceived attractiveness, enhance personal relationships, and help you in all aspects of your life. Non-verbal communication is an integral part of our daily lives and smiles are one of the most powerful forms of unspoken interaction between people. With just a simple smile, you can make others feel happier and more comfortable around you. Below are a few facts about smiles.

Fun Smile Facts

It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown. Being grumpy is more work!
Smiling is universal among people throughout the world.
When you smile, your body releases endorphins which boost your mood and energy.
Females tend to smile more often than males.
Newborn babies are even able to smile.
People with a pleasant smile are more likely to be promoted in their careers.
Forcing a smile can lower stress levels which then positively affects your immune system and blood pressure.
If you smile often, people will smile back. Psychologists believe we mimic the behavior of people around us. (more…)

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June 15, 2011

Exercise Can Lower the Risk of Periodontal Disease

There are frequent news reports and television shows encouraging Americans to get fit and healthy through proper diet and exercise. One study revealed that increasing your level of exercise can lead to healthier teeth and gums.

Researchers from the University of Florida measured the body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and maximal oxygen consumption in a group of volunteers. The team of researchers then used the measurements to calculate each participant’s exercise capabilities and weight control. The participants’ oral health and oral care habits were also examined.

When all the information was gathered, researchers determined that the people who maintained healthy weight and exercised regularly were less likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease.

“Weight management and physical fitness both contribute to overall health, and now we believe staying in shape may help lower your risk of developing gum disease,” stated Samuel Low, Associate Dean at the school’s College of Dentistry. “Since gum disease is related to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, there is even more reason to take care of yourself through diet and exercise.”

Dr. Low also suggests that we should follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines of brushing twice daily, flossing once a day, rinsing after meals, and visiting your dentist on a regular schedule for a thorough cleaning and checkup.

Remember, oral health is crucial to overall health, and your first step to continued good health is to schedule a thorough checkup and cleaning with me, Dr. Peter Pate, Dentistry of Buckhead. Contact my Atlanta dentist office at (404)266-9424 to schedule an appointment.

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June 6, 2011

Celebrities go to the dentist, too!

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Fun Dental Facts — Tags: atlanta childrens dentist, atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dental cleaning, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead atlanta cosmetic dentist, buckhead cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, cosmetic dentist buckhead — dr_pate @ 6:14 pm

With constant media exposure, celebrities feel the need to maintain “perfect” smiles. However, not all celebrities started off that way! Here are some who turned to cosmetic dentistry to improve their confidence and their careers:

Tom Cruise: Do you remember his misaligned teeth in Risky Business and The Outsiders? At age 39, he decided to sport a near-perfect smile, which included Invisalign braces and whitening treatments.

Victoria Beckham: As a child, she was quite embarrassed by her crooked teeth and prominent gap. Beckham reportedly perfected her smile with porcelain veneers and teeth whitening treatments.

Ben Affleck: Prior to cosmetic dentistry, Affleck’s teeth were small and unevenly spaced. He received crowns, veneers, and extensive teeth whitening treatments.

Zac Effron: This High School Musical star contended with a wide gap in his top front teeth at the beginning of his career. Now, Effron sports a beautifully white, “perfect” smile after Invisalign braces and teeth whitening treatments.

George Clooney: The former Sexiest Man Alive had a nasty habit of grinding his teeth, which made his smile rough and uneven. He is reported to have undergone laser gum treatment and had porcelain veneers placed to give him his new devilish grin.

Demi Moore: While she had naturally straight teeth, she was never quite satisfied with her smile, so she has veneers and underwent laser whitening treatments.

If you want to achieve a smile like the stars, contact me, Dr. Peter Pate, of Dentistry in Buckhead. A radiant smile can open professional and social doors. Did you know people with beautiful smiles are deemed more intelligent, attractive, and successful? Contact my Atlanta dental office at (404)266-9424 to improve your smile.

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May 31, 2011

Kick the Habit

Are you a tobacco user? This is a great time to kick the habit! The American Cancer Society recently stated that 90 percent of people with oral cancer used at least one form of tobacco.

In addition to cancer, tobacco products increase the risk of gum disease, discolor your teeth, give you bad breath, slow your healing after an oral procedure, and can cause white patches and scar tissue inside the mouth.

The tobacco industry recently introduced a dissolvable tobacco product for smokers to use in establishments that ban smoking. The marketing led consumers to believe that smokeless tobacco and dissolvable tobacco products are less harmful than pipes, cigars, and cigarettes. However, snuff, chewing tobacco, and dissolvable tobacco contain more nicotine than cigarettes, thus making them more addictive.

Nicotine is bad enough, but consider the added chemicals that increase the risk of throat, oral, and esophageal cancers. These products contain cyanide, arsenic, sand, grit, sugars, and sweeteners that irritate gums, generating a higher risk of gum disease. Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss.

Kicking the habit now will reduce your potential for gum disease. When left untreated, gum disease increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, pre-term births, low birth-weight babies, and oral cancer.

I’m Dr. Peter Pate of Dentistry in Buckhead, and I encourage you to be aware of oral cancer and give up tobacco products forever. Improve the quality of your life, and those of your friends and loved ones! If you need help quitting, or if you need your teeth whitened after you quit, contact my Atlanta dental office at (404)266-9424 to schedule an appointment. I care for patients in Buckhead and the greater Atlanta area.

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May 20, 2011

HPV: Strong Link to Oral Cancer!

We’ve heard a lot lately about the Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV. Usually this is introduced to us by our physicians as it relates to our reproductive health. HPV is most easily transmitted through sexual contact, and is strongly linked to cervical cancer. However, there is new evidence that connects HPV to declining oral health as well. Would you believe that the HPV positive group is the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population?

I’m Dr. Peter Pate of Dentistry in Buckhead. It is important that you understand the dangers of HPV and what it can mean for your oral health. I recommend that you first become familiar with the characteristics of the virus and the way it is transmitted, and then learn how to best prevent you and your loved ones from contracting this destructive bug.

Although over 120 different versions of HPV have been identified, the most common strands are HPV-16, 18, 31, and 45. The virus is most easily spread through unprotected sexual contact. All of these HPV strands wreak havoc on the skin and mucosal linings of body tissues and results in an attack of the cells which can lead to various forms of cancer.

Specifically in the mouth, HPV-16 seems to be the culprit for the increasing rates of oral cancer in young adults. The virus manifests itself primarily in the back regions of the oral cavity like the base of the tongue, the back of the throat, and the tonsils. The double stranded DNA virus comes in contact with these areas in the mouth and infects the epithelial cells of the mucosa. The infected cells in the mouth can degrade and mutate to become squamous cell carcinomas (oral cancer).

So, how do you keep from getting HPV? The easiest and most effective way to safeguard yourself is to abstain from unprotected sexual contact – including oral sex, which is what causes the oral cancer we just discussed. Secondly, most physicians offer the HPV vaccine that can be administered at ages as young as 10 years old. This vaccine is thought to offer protection against the most harmful types of HPV, including HPV-16.

Now that you know what HPV is and how it is spread, I would like to remind you that it is vital that you continue your regular hygiene visits. In addition to the examination and cleaning, we screen for any signs of oral cancer. If you are due to visit us, schedule a thorough checkup and cleaning with me, Dr. Peter Pate at Dentistry in Buckhead. Contact my Atlanta dental office at (404)266-9424 to schedule an appointment.

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