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Archive for January, 2012

Is Malocclusion Causing Your Headache?

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Birmingham Headache Relief Are you an Alabama adult who suffers with chronic headaches? Have you tried Imitrex, diet adjustments, and Alabama chiropractic treatment? Perhaps the cause is not stress-induced tension, spine alignment or eyestrain. Maybe the culprit is right under your nose.

Bite misalignment or malocclusion is a common Alabama problem that often goes undetected. Nature intended the front teeth to fit slightly forward from the lower teeth. With a perfect bite, the molars fit together like precision gears.

Malocclusion can cause headaches, tooth loosening, tooth fracture, and in extreme cases, difficulty chewing, speaking or breathing.

Alabama invisible braces are an effective solution for most bite problems. Braces not only move teeth, they can also correct the position and function of the joints, muscles and bones in the jaw. In cases of extreme malocclusion, jaw surgery in Alabama may be necessary.

Not all Alabama dentists treat bite problems. At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry we treat most types of malocclusion including overbite, underbite and crossbite. For an affordable Alabama cosmetic dentistry consultation, call us at 205-202-8618.

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry offers technologically-advanced dentistry in a friendly environment. We offer teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental crowns and dental implants. To learn more about our dental philosophy and available procedures, see http://www.kochaesthetics.com/meetdrkoch.htm.

Dr. J. Paul Koch is a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

This Is The Year For A New Smile!

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Homewood Cosmetic Dentistry

Hello, I am Dr. J. Paul Koch. Welcome to my Alabama dental blog.

Because my chosen profession is cosmetic dentistry, I create total smile makeovers for my clients.

If you are not familiar with the latest dental advances, you might not realize what cosmetic dentistry can do for you. I have dedicated my professional life to creating perfect smiles. If you are not satisfied with your smile, or are embarrassed by the condition of your teeth, I hope you will call to schedule a free consultation. If you are afraid of seeing a dentist, we offer sedation dentistry. Our phone number is 205-202-8618.

The truth is: you don’t have to go through life with an unattractive smile.

When I talk to a valued Alabama patient who trusted me with their smile makeover earlier in my career, it is gratifying to see that their teeth still look terrific.

Because the art and science of cosmetic dentistry procedures advance with the speed of technology, the smile makeovers I perform now are even quicker and easier. The materials for fillings, crowns, veneers, and dental implants are incredibly strong, translucent, and beautiful in every way.

There are few investments in life that bring daily appreciation like cosmetic dentistry. To book a cosmetic dental consultation today, call 205-202-8618 or visit http://www.kochaesthetics.com/meetdrkoch.htm. Koch Aesthetic Dentistry is located at 2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323 in Birmingham, Alabama.

We offer the full spectrum of cosmetic dental procedures. You can read more about our general dental procedures, as well as sedation and laser dentistry, at http://www.kochaesthetics.com/.

Make this year special with a beautiful new smile!

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry Guide To Healthy Tooth Enamel

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry Guide To Healthy Tooth Enamel

Here at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we want your teeth to last a lifetime! Tooth enamel is one of the hardest parts of the body, but it is non-renewable so it is important not to not neglect or abuse our teeth. Daily teeth and gum care is the best way to protect tooth enamel.

Even though every Alabama drug store carries hard bristle brushes, we recommend brushing with a soft brush after every meal to gently brush away acid. Scrub too hard, and you can erode enamel. It is ideal to brush immediately after eating, but brushing within 60 minutes of a meal has benefits. The quicker you remove food from your teeth, the better it is for your enamel.

Flossing regularly is also important to keep gums healthy. Whether the food is on tooth surfaces, or hidden in between, it is not doing your enamel any good.

Cosmetic dentist Dr. J. Paul Koch recommends a checkup and thorough cleaning every six months. Our skilled hygienists remove tartar, a substance that attracts plaque to the surface of the teeth and can weaken the teeth’s structures. Regular checkups prevent problems and save you money on expensive restorations (like crowns or dental implants) down the road.

Remember: don’t use your teeth for opening packages! Keep scissors and bottle openers handy. At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we see damaged teeth and dental work as a result of patients using their teeth as tools. Biting down on something too hard, like ice or hard candy can also damage enamel.

Attention Alabama athletes: be sure to use a mouthguard for team, contact, and recreational sports.

Teeth grinding is also a common dental threat. Be careful not to grind teeth, this can not only wear away enamel but also pave ways for cavities to get in. If you grind your teeth while you are sleeping, make an appointment to be fitted for a night guard. Your enamel will thank you.

Lastly, remember: drink water. Coffee, sports drinks, soda, wine, and tea all contain a lot of acid or sugar, and in some cases both. Cut back, or at least use a straw. These drinks cause a lot of tooth decay for non-water drinkers in Alabama.

We hope you find these Koch Aesthetic Dentistry tips helpful. For more information on dental care, or to schedule an appointment, contact our Alabama dental spa today at 205-202-8618!

J. Paul Koch
Koch Aesthetic Dentistry
205-202-8618
http://www.KochAesthetics.com

What is a Canted Midline?

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Mountain Brook Cosmetic Dentists Dr. J. Paul Koch considers many factors when designing a smile for a Birmingham smile makeover client. One of the smile design elements involved is the facial midline. The facial midline can be determined by drawing an imaginary line from the center of the eyebrows to the center of the two peaks in the top lip (Cupid’s bow).

The skilled Birmingham cosmetic dentist considers the length and angle of the facial midline to properly position porcelain crowns, dental veneers and dental implants. When front teeth restorations do not line up with the facial midline, it is called a canted midline. This is a common mistake found in the cosmetic work of inexperienced Birmingham cosmetic dentists.

Most Birmingham dentistry patients do not realize the level of 3-D engineering required in cosmetic dentistry. In addition to the orientation in relation to the facial midline, there is also the angle and size of the teeth in relation to each other and in relation to the size and shape of the lips and gums.

If you are considering an extensive smile makeover, you do not want to trust your smile to an inexperienced Birmingham cosmetic dentist. When you have a smile design consultation with Dr. J. Paul Koch feel free to ask probing questions about his experience and technical design procedures. We are confident that you will feel comfortable choosing Dr. Koch for your smile makeover.

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry is located at 2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323 in Birmingham. We offer a full range of general and cosmetic dental procedures. Ask us about veneers, clear braces, tooth whitening and laser dentistry. We look forward to meeting you. Call us today at 205-202-8618.

Healthy Baby Teeth For Alabama Toddlers

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Cosmetic Dentist Alabama

Though we don’t often think about it, Alabama children as young as 9 or 10 months of age can be infected with cavity producing bacteria, which causes cavities and tooth decay. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that almost 20% of children 2-5 have untreated cavities, and the percentage rises in children over 6.

Tooth decay, if left undetected or untreated in toddlers and children can result in altered eating habits, delayed speech development, and create an unhealthy environment for permanent tooth development. Healthy baby teeth lead to healthier permanent teeth later in life.

Alabama mothers who practice preventive dental and oral care during prenatal and postnatal periods can better protect her child from cavities. Parents and care providers should not prop a bottle for their baby in a crib or car seat, avoiding nighttime bottle or breast feeding, and clean their child’s teeth with a cloth or soft baby toothbrush as soon as they erupt. It is also recommended that Alabama parents check regularly for chalky white or brown spots which could indicate the beginning of decay.

Alabama cosmetic dentistry professionals and pediatric dentists in the 35205 zip code area advise taking your child to his first dental appointment six months after the first tooth appears, or around his first birthday to begin discussing fluoride prescriptions and other preventive care issues. We also treat adults at our practice and offer a wide range of dental services, including porcelain veneers and dental implants. If you experience anxiety at the dentist, ask us about sedation dentistry.

To set up your toddler’s first dental check-up at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry call 205-202-8618 today! Our passionate staff will be happy to answer all of your questions.