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April 9, 2012

Need Bonding or Veneers?

Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are two common cosmetic procedures that Dr. Pate can use to brighten your smile. Both restorations are placed over your teeth to hide discolorations, chips, gaps, and other imperfections. At your cosmetic consultation with Dr. Pate, your Atlanta dentist will discuss all your options and determine the cosmetic treatment that meets your needs. Take this quiz to see if you know the difference between bonding and veneers.

1. What material does bonding use?

a. Porcelain
b. Composite resin
c. Amalgam

2. Who creates your porcelain veneers?

a. A dental ceramist
b. Dr. Pate
c. A periodontist

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April 4, 2012

Do You Need Dental Implants in Atlanta?

Filed under: Dental Implants — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dental implants, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta smile enhancement, buckhead dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dental implants atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, sandy springs dentist — dr_pate @ 3:24 pm

Periodontal disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss. Missing teeth can impair your appearance and ability to function normally. Fortunately, Dr. Pate offers restoration of dental implants — a comfortable prosthetic to restore your smile.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Comfort: Dental implants are planted into your jaw bone and serve as the root of your missing tooth. As your mouth heals, your bone will grow around the implant post, creating a comfortable and sturdy finish.
Durability: Since dental implants are surgically placed in your mouth, they will stay in place without slipping and sliding. The prosthetic crown attached to your implant is strong enough to withstand everyday wear and tear.
Space: With missing teeth, your adjacent teeth have the potential to shift into the open gap, creating bite misalignments. Dental implants, however, sit in the same spot where your tooth once was, holding proper spacing and alignment.
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April 2, 2012

What to Do Before and After Your Atlanta Dental Appointment

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, lenox dentist, prepare for dentist appointment, sandy springs dentist, what to do after dentist appointment — dr_pate @ 5:30 pm

During your appointment with Dr. Pate, our team will thoroughly clean and protect your teeth. However, once you leave our Atlanta dentist office, you need to follow proper maintenance and care instructions to avoid damaging your teeth and gums. Try these tips to keep your smile healthy immediately before and after your dental cleaning.

What to Do Before Your Appointment

Regular hygiene. Your best defense against dental diseases is to correctly brush and floss daily. It’s simply not enough if you “cram” and only floss a few days before your appointment. In addition, it’s best to show Dr. Pate your natural behaviors and condition of your mouth so you will know what to change. For example, if you have bad breath, you don’t need to worry. Coming to your appointment in your natural state will help Dr. Pate accurately diagnose any problems.
Prepare. Keep a file at home of your oral history so you can review what’s going on inside your mouth. You should also gather all your medical and health information so you can discuss your conditions with Dr. Pate.
Relax. Stress and anxiety can make your dentist appointment more uncomfortable. Be sure you get plenty of sleep the night before and arrive early enough to relax in the waiting room. If you’re still nervous, ask Dr. Pate if you would benefit from sedation.

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March 23, 2012

Second Opinions From Your Atlanta Dentist

Filed under: General Dentistry,Preventive Dentistry — Tags: atlanta childrens dentist, atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead dentist, childrens dentist atlanta, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, dentist second opinion atlanta, general dentist atlanta — dr_pate @ 4:10 pm

You need to fully understand the condition of your mouth to make a well-informed decision about dental treatment. If you don’t feel confident with your diagnosis or the information you have received from a dental professional, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with Dr. Pate and seek a second opinion. There is no insult in seeking a second opinion — in fact, if you’re not comfortable with Dr. Pate’s treatment recommendation, he wants you to get a second opinion!

Benefits of a Second Opinion

A second opinion allows a new dentist to examine your mouth with a fresh perspective. Dentists have different training, backgrounds, philosophies, and techniques, so a new set of expert eyes can provide additional information to help you understand your situation and options. Here are a few advantages that you may receive from your second opinion:

Further oral health information and explanation
Alternate treatment options
A different diagnosis
Different treatment costs
Peace of mind
Cosmetic recommendations

If the second opinion differs from the first opinion, consider seeking a third opinion to help balance your options and make the best decision for your health.

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March 15, 2012

Alternative Dental Terms

Filed under: Fun Dental Facts,General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, dental terms atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, dentist vinings, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, names of teeth, sandy springs dentist, vinings dentist — dr_pate @ 3:52 pm

Dentistry has many different terms that can all mean the same thing. Just for fun, let’s take a look at some of the terms that Dr. Pate or others may use to discuss your teeth, mouth, and smile.

Alternative Names for Teeth

Your teeth have different shapes and different purposes. When Dr. Pate is examining your mouth, he may use specific names for your teeth. If he uses any of the following terms, they all generally mean “teeth.”

Pearly Whites
Bicuspids
Molars
Third molars
Wisdom teeth
Canines
Incisors
Chompers/Choppers
Fangs
Tusks

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March 7, 2012

National Sleep Awareness Week

Filed under: Stop Snoring — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta sleep apnea, buckhead dentist, buckhead sleep apnea, can't sleep atlanta, daytime sleepiness atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist brookhaven, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, sleep apnea treatment atlanta, sleep better atlanta, sleepless nights atlanta — dr_pate @ 4:43 pm

The National Sleep Foundation reports that about 37 percent of adults sleep less than seven hours per night, but the recommended time is seven to nine hours. People who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to experience daytime sleepiness and health problems. This week, March 5-11, is National Sleep Awareness Week, a campaign designed to promote the importance of sleep. Dr. Pate can help you understand the importance of getting adequate sleep at night.

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder, affecting about 18 million Americans. Sleep apnea blocks your airways at night, interrupting your rest.
Insufficient sleep is associated with anxiety, depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Sleeplessness decreases your performance and effectiveness, and increases your risk of accidents and injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy driving is responsible for 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and 100,000 car accidents each year.
Staying awake for more than 20 hours straight causes the same reactions and impairment—including blurred vision—as having a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 percent.

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March 1, 2012

What are Taste Buds?

Filed under: Fun Dental Facts,Healthy Living — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta general dentist, bad breath atlanta, bad taste in mouth atlanta, buckhead dentist, buckhead general dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, dentist vinings, dry mouth atlanta, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, general dentist atlanta, general dentist buckhead — dr_pate @ 4:21 pm

Taste is the weakest of your five senses, but it’s responsible for the different flavors you experience when you eat. In general, girls have more taste buds than boys. Taste buds are tiny nerve endings that send messages to your brain to help you sense a taste. How much do you know about your taste buds? Test your knowledge and visit Dr. Pate to make sure the taste in your mouth is healthy.

1. What are the bumps on your tongue called?

a. Papillae
b. Ridges
c. Palate

2. What are the five main tastes?

a. Sugar, fruity, sour, spicy, creamy
b. Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami
c. Dairy, bread, meat, dessert, beverage

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