Benefit from Using an Atlanta Dentist that Believes in Biological Dentistry Philosophies

Seeing the dentist regularly and practicing good oral care has many benefits. There is a definite connection between the health of the mouth and the health of the rest of the body. Biological dentistry involves many facets of an overall philosophy of wellness in dentistry and here at the Atlanta Dental Spa, we believe in this philosophy. Here are some of the ways we illustrate this:

• Mercury free dentistry
• An eco-friendly atmosphere
• Striving to put the patient’s comfort first, making dentistry as stress free as possible
• Continuous education
• Digital X-Rays

Mercury Free Dentistry

There are definite dangers of amalgam fillings. Here at the Atlanta Dental Spa, we don’t use mercury in our fillings and if you’re one of the many people that has a mouth full of them, talk to us about our ability to carefully remove those fillings and replace them for you.

Eco-Friendly & Patient Friendly

Not only do we do our best to make going to the dentist a stress-free event for patients with our spa-like setting but we also do our best to practice environmentally friendly office practices in our Buckhead and Roswell/Alpharetta offices. We appreciate that so many of our patients see us as a top Atlanta dental office.

Digital X-Rays

X-Rays are important but typical x-rays expose people to radiation. At the Atlanta Dental Spa, we use digital x-rays, which are another illustration of our commitment to holistic health. This imaging method results in 90% less radiation than traditional dental imaging techniques. This is an important area and we have made this investment so we can better serve our patients, minimize their risk, and provide the best service possible.

Continuous Education

Our team believes in continuously educating ourselves so that we can thrive in the dental industry and bring the latest techniques and technology to our patients. We continually educate on the latest in general family and cosmetic dentistry areas.

Preventative Oral Health Care

We offer oral DNA testing to help you avoid periodontal disease and tooth decay and oral Cancer screening as well. We believe that the mouth does impact the health and wellness of the whole body and that it has a definite impact on how you feel as well.

Our philosophy includes putting the needs and well-being of you, the patient, first. We hope you’ll consider making an appointment with Atlanta Dental Spa to discuss your oral health care needs. Whether you want teeth cleaning, tooth whitening, need a filling, are interested in cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign teeth straightening, or another area, we’d be happy to discuss your needs and to show you why we are different from many other Atlanta dentists.

 

Highest Rated Dentists in Atlanta: Dr. Estep and Dr. Boulden

Going to the dentist shouldn’t be a stressful experience. Two of Atlanta’s highest-rated dentists, Dr. Susan Estep and Dr.  Peter Boulden believe in taking the fear out of dentistry. Both doctors have been recognized by their patients and their peers for their expertise, as well as for their patient-focused approach to dentistry.

Top rated dentists

• As Fellows of the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE), both Dr. Boulden and Dr. Estep are honored to be among an elite group of the most renowned cosmetic dentists in the world. (Only three ACE Fellows call the state of Georgia home.)

• Dr. Boulden also serves on the ACE Advisory Board and is a founding board member of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health.

• Drs. Boulden and Estep stay at the top of their field through continuing education and research, so that their patients can rest assured they are receiving only the best care possible

• The Atlanta Dental Spa doctors also understand the link between bleeding gums and systemic illness and are leading the way to bridge the gap between physicians and dentists on this matter.

Award-Winning

Drs. Estep and Boulden have been voted among Atlanta Magazine’s Top Dentists every year since the competition began.

Other honors include:

• For five consecutive years, Dr. Estep was voted as one of America’s Top Cosmetic Dentists.

• Dr. Boulden received “Best of Show” and “1^st Place for Smile Makeovers” in the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics 2010 International Smile Gallery Competition

• Dr. Estep has been recognized in Who’s Who of America’s Leading Female Professionals for nearly a decade.

• Dr. Boulden is a six-time award winner for excellence in smile designs and cosmetic dentistry from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

Giving Back

Drs. Boulden and Estep believe that being among Atlanta’s top dentists carries a responsibility to give back to the community. That’s why the doctors participate in the Give Back a Smile Program for domestically abused victims who are in the need of dental care.

Find out for yourself why the doctors of Atlanta Dental Spa are among Atlanta’s highest-rated dentists. Call or stop by today for a free consultation about your cosmetic dentistry questions or overall oral health.

 

Top Atlanta Cosmetic Dentists Win “Best of Show” for Porcelain Veneers

Thumb Sucking: How to Break Your Child’s Habit

Is your child a thumb sucker?

• If you’re child is a thumb or finger sucker, you’re probably familiar with the stress and strains of trying to get them to stop. Whether it be nagging, bribery, positive or negative reinforcements, it can be difficult on both parent and child both physically and emotionally.

• Thumb or finger sucking can be a social embarrassment if continued past the toddler stage effecting the child’s self-esteem and socialization. It can also cause changes in the structures of the mouth, negatively influence facial growth and development and contribute to speech problems. Breaking the habit early (at least by age 4 or 5) and correcting any negative results that stem from the habit can help your child’s growth, development and dental condition be stable and healthy for a lifetime.

Why do children suck their thumb?

• In order to break the habit and re-pattern the child’s behavior, it is important to understand why they do it. As infants, we are born with a sucking reflex for the purpose of nourishment. When sucking, natural endorphins (a chemical produced within the brain) are released which bring feelings of pleasure. The child begins to associate the sucking action with comfort, provision, love and safety and once weaned from breast or bottle feeding will use their thumb or fingers to continue those feelings.

• When we understand this, we can realize that the issue isn’t just getting the child to break a habit that we deem irritating or embarrassing, but is instead about teaching the child how to attain feelings of comfort and safety by giving them control of their actions and choices, thus building self-esteem, perseverance and decision making skills.

• It is now a common practice in many orthodontic offices to install appliances into a child’s mouth to stop the habit. Though this method can be effective, it does not allow the child to gain control of their actions or choices, it just prevents them from doing the sucking.

• We believe that helping the child realize the negative effects that sucking can have on their mouth and teeth and helping them to re-habitate gives them the life long lesson that “just because something feels good, it’s not necessarily good for you and you can choose not to do it”.

• From a dental prospective, we are obviously concerned with the proper development of the muscles, bone formation and bite (the way your teeth fit together). We know that early intervention can reduce and sometimes repair improper form and function.

• Things you can look for as a parent that tell you that growth and development are being skewed are a high, narrow roof of the mouth where the thumb has pressed for so long, an anterior open bite where the front teeth don’t come together even when the child is biting down all the way, and front teeth tipped forward toward the lips. All of these are signs that you child’s mouth and teeth are forming around the tongue or fingers that are constantly present.

What do I do now?

• So where do you go from here? At Atlanta Dental Spa, we have an orofacial myologist on staff who can help you and your child through a fun and pain free process that can re-pattern the behavior and help correct residual effects from the habit. The process is achieved with positive reinforcement techniques, encouragement and guidance along with parental support and participation.

• The process takes a month and involves three visits – an initial consult/instruction visit which will last 30 minutes and two subsequent 15 minute follow up/therapy visits. Once the habit has been eliminated, we will be happy to help with the correction of any residual effects. Call us today and let us help you break the habit, instill self-esteem and ensure a stable, functional dentition for life!

Author: Charissa- Aesthetic Hygienist

Charissa is a Dental Hygienist at the Atlanta Dental Spa, and graduated from Dekalb College with a degree in dental hygiene in 1996. Outside of the Atlanta Dental Spa, Charissa spends much of her time with her husband of 13 years and two beautiful children!

Atlanta Cosmetic Dentists Discuss Pain Reducing Dentistry Procedures

Thanks to advancements in the field of cosmetic dentistry, Atlanta cosmetic dentists Dr. Susan Estep & Dr. Peter Boulden are now able to deliver less painful dental procedures to the people of Atlanta.

Here are a few of the steps we have taken to reduce the amount of pain that our patients feel.

Small Needles

At the Atlanta Dental Spa, we use the smallest needles in the world for the dental procedures we perform. One reason people experience pain at the dentist is because of the big, bulky needles used by most dentists.

Simply put, these needles are no longer necessary, and as a result we use much smaller needles to achieve the same results with less pain. Our attention to detail, which is illustrated by the size of our needles, is just one of the reasons that our patients continually call us the best cosmetic dentists in Atlanta.

Quiet Drilling

Dr. Boulden and Dr. Estep know that drills cause a heightened level of anxiety, which in turns causes increased amounts of pain. Unfortunately most cosmetic dentists do not do much to combat this issue, and as a result their patients’ anxiety leads to increased levels of pain.

In the video below, Dr. Boulden actually demonstrates how the quiet drill helps cure our patients fears of the dentist, and also helps create a pain free dentistry environment.

In addition to using a quiet drill, Dr. Boulden also mentions the noise canceling headphones that are available to patients who want to drown out the sound of the drill entirely.

Less invasive procedures

Some of the procedures for creating crowns, veneers, dental implants, etc. have become much less invasive over the years, which is beneficial to our patients. Here at the Atlanta Dental Spa, our patients come first.

Hey, there is a reason we have been recognized nationally for our cosmetic dentistry achievements. If you have any questions about our pain free dental procedures, or would like to talk with an Atlanta Dental Spa client personally, please contact us today. We have hundreds of satisfied clients who would be willing to talk about their positive experiences here at the Atlanta Dental Spa.

Atlanta’s Best Dentists Dr. Peter Boulden & Dr. Susan Estep Discuss the Spa Difference

What comes to mind when you think of cosmetic dentistry? Many of our Atlanta clients are shocked to find how comforting visiting the dentist can actually be! However, for many people the first emotions that come to mind are quite unpleasant, and may include things such as:

• pain
• discomfort
• dread
• fear
• etc.

These are all normal emotions for people to have when they visit the dentist. However, we pride ourselves on being Atlanta’s best dentists, and as a result we want our patients to actually enjoy their dental experience. At the Atlanta Dental Spa we want you to understand that seeing a cosmetic dentist does not have to be the most dreadful event of your week!

I bet you are thinking, “Well, Peter and Susan, that sounds great in theory, but how do you make sure this actually happens?”

Good question; we’re glad you asked!

We have a variety of measures in place to ensure that your dental visit is more like a day at the spa than anything else. Here are just a few of the amenities/luxuries we offer our clients upon arrival. As they say, a picture is worth 1,000 words!

Waiting Room

• Our waiting room has been designed to put our clients in a relaxing mood before their dental visit. It is fun, modern, airy, and designed to provide you maximum comfort and relaxation! Why choose a dentist with a waiting room from the 1970s? Choose an Atlanta cosmetic dentist who provides luxury!

Luxurious Dental Chairs

• Our dental chairs are engineered to provide comfort, mobility, and relaxation. Many people have a feeling of claustrophobia come over them while sitting in a hygiene chair, but our chairs are designed to minimize this fear.

Clean, Contemporary Restrooms

• Nothing is worse than going to the dentist and finding a small, cramped, and unclean restroom. Our restrooms are modern and super clean. Since our clients are kind enough to give us their business, the least we can do is provide them with top notch amenities.

These are just a few of the amenities that we offer our clients, who have in turn voted us the best Atlanta dentists on numerous occasions. The whole theme of our facility is patient comfort. Dental procedures (and dentists in general) typically have a stereotype of being painful and unpleasant. At the Atlanta Dental Spa we are looking to change the way people view cosmetic dentistry!

Whether you are in need of veneers, teeth whitening, Invisalign, or anything else dentistry related we want to be your Atlanta cosmetic dentist. Please call us today in order to schedule your consultation with Dr. Peter Boulden or Dr. Susan Estep today! We pride ourselves on being the best dentists that Atlanta has to offer!