Koch Aesthetic Dentistry Birmingham Alabama – Blog

Many Birmingham folks consider the myriad options available to stop the aging clock. Whether it is a surgical procedure, botox, hair implants, or a chemical peel, Birmingham residents have countless choices to help them look more youthful. I am Dr. J. Paul Koch and I am exited to tell you about a simple and affordable procedure we offer at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry that can create a younger looking you.

Porcelain veneers will produce a smile that will have people asking you if you have lost weight or started going to the gym because the effect porcelain veneers have is stunning.

Haven’t you noticed that when you talk with someone who has sparkling, straight white teeth, their smile catches your eye? An engaging smile draws attention away from wrinkles or a flabby belly because a dazzling smile is the first impression others have of you – and it is impossible to ignore!

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, our porcelain veneers will improve the color of your teeth, cover chips, cracks, or misshapen teeth. Veneers can lengthen teeth that look too short, fill in gaps between teeth and cover any irregularity your teeth may have. Porcelain veneers reflect light the same way natural teeth do making them a great choice for a smile makeover.

If you are a middle-aged (or older) Birmingham area resident pondering ways to improve your appearance, Koch Aesthetic Dentistry can help you turn back the clock by creating a youthful smile. Koch Aesthetic Dentistry has been serving the folks of Birmingham since 2000. We offer affordable, professional services including smile restoration, cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry, and laser dentistry.

The smiles in the 35205 zip code area can rival those of Beverly Hills 90210 thanks to porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dental procedures. Contact Koch Aesthetic Dentistry today for a younger you!

Are you one of the many Alabama men and women who has had a tooth extracted? If the tooth had been bothering you, it may have been a relief. Unless, of course, the tooth was in the front of your mouth and now the gaping hole shows every time you smile. Ignoring it is impossible because your tongue can’t leave it alone.

Once the tooth has been pulled, you have many decisions to make. Can I afford a dental bridge? Do I want to damage two healthy teeth to anchor the bridge? Should I go with a partial denture? What about bone loss?

What if you could have a fresh start? What if you could have a permanent, natural looking tooth replacement that would restore your smile and retain the healthy bone and gum tissue around the tooth root?

With dental implants from Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, you can. A dental implant is a permanent replacement for all parts of the tooth. A dental implant consists of three parts: the titanium post, the abutment, and the restoration.

The Titanium Post
—Inserted directly into the jaw bone
—Extremely strong
—Titanium is unique in that it bonds with living bone tissue (also used in knee and hip replacement surgery)

The Abutment
—Can be made of gold, porcelain or titanium
—Permanently attached to the post (it will not slip and slide like dentures)

The Restoration (Porcelain Crown)
—Usually made of porcelain fused to a metal alloy (PFM)
—Is made to match the color of surrounding teeth
—Will look as good or better than the tooth it replaced

Dental implant surgery is not an experimental treatment. The materials and techniques have been tested and refined for several decades. It has been performed by Alabama dentists and prosthodontists for over twenty years. To schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation, call 205-202-8618.

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry
2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323
Birmingham, Alabama, 35205
205-202-8618
http://www.kochaesthetics.com/meetdrkoch.htm

When you meet someone in Birmingham who is missing a front tooth, what does that say to you? Do you wonder if they were in an accident? Do you automatically start making assumptions about their income, level of education and overall physical health?

Though it is extremely unfair, we are often judged (and misjudged) by our appearance. Even if a person is impeccably dressed and groomed, a missing front tooth detracts from the overall pleasing impression.

Here is a personal story from a woman who lost a tooth:

I lost my job and along with it my dental insurance, then a month later, one of my front teeth. It has been very hard to find work…. and I know the missing tooth has cost me several jobs.”

A missing tooth can be a big deal.

Dental implants not only restore oral health, they restore self-confidence. Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. Studies have shown that after more than 20 years, the vast majority of dental implants placed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons continue to function at peak performance. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Dental implants are one of the procedures we routinely perform at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry to help our Birmingham clients regain the beautiful smile they once had. Not all cosmetic dental procedures are as extreme as teeth implants. There are many minimally-invasive remedies for unattractive smiles.

Porcelain veneers instantly provide a perfect, gleaming tooth surface for Birmingham clients with broken or discolored teeth. Teeth whitening is a quick and affordable dentistry procedure in Birmingham that achieves dramatic results without requiring the removal of any tooth structure. Call Koch Aesthetic Dentistry at 205-202-8618 for more information about smile design and restorative dentistry.

-Dr. Paul Koch

“Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”
-Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote, 1605

When Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, there was no way to replace teeth that were lost to trauma or decay. We are fortunate to live here in Birmingham at a time where there is a permanent replacement for missing teeth-the amazing dental implant.

A dental implant, or tooth implant, is anchored into the jaw bone. It does not slide around like a removable denture. It functions just like a natural tooth.

With a dental implant, you can talk, chew, and brush like normal. Eat that steak. Laugh out loud. Sing at the top of your lungs!

The dental implant procedure available in Birmingham is not an experimental treatment. Dental implants have been available for many years. You can be sure that the implant dentistry procedure has been fully tested and tweaked to perfection. The success rate for dental implants in Birmingham is almost one hundred percent.

If you have a missing tooth and want to get a tooth implant, it is important to choose an experienced Birmingham cosmetic dental specialist to perform your implant procedure. To schedule a dental implant or cosmetic dentistry consultation, call 205-202-8618.

A Birmingham dental implant is a strong and beautiful tooth replacement that, incidentally, costs much less than a diamond of similar size. (See the quote at the beginning of this article.) To discuss financing options, contact our office.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we offer the full spectrum of restorative, cosmetic, and general dental services. If you need sedation dentistry to put you at ease or a precision smile design artist, we invite you to meet Dr. J. Paul Koch, DMD.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we are committed to providing superior dental care for patients from 12 to 95.

Hundreds of Birmingham dental implant recipients have replaced missing teeth with jaw-bone anchored tooth implants. Unlike a dental bridge, a dental implant consists of a titanium post inserted into the jaw bone. The bone meshes with the post to create a strong base for the natural-looking prosthetic tooth and dental crown that attaches to the post.

Dental implants are usually the ideal restoration for Birmingham  people who want to replace a missing tooth. There is a problem, however, if the jaw bone is too thin at the implant site.

When a tooth is extracted, the bone loses the blood circulation at the former site of the root. Consequently, bone recession often occurs. If the recession is extensive, there is not enough bone to hold the dental implant post.

Bone grafting can augment the bone at the implant site and provide the bone density necessary for a successful implant. This is usually effective, but it does require time for the new bone to generate. A new discovery may provide a quicker solution for regenerating bone.

Researchers at the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine have identified a protein that quickly stimulates the production of new bone. The research team, led by Dr. Ulf M.E. Wikesjo, implanted bone morphogenetic protein in test subjects and discovered that “more new bone formed within four weeks than with conventional bone grafting.”

This protein will require extensive testing before it is available for Birmingham  dental implant patients. However, I am pleased at the prospect of an additional method for making dental implants possible for my Birmingham cosmetic dentistry clients with missing teeth and jaw bone recession.

For information about tooth restoration options including tooth implants, dental bridges, and porcelain crowns, call Koch Aesthetic Dentistry at 205-202-8618.

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry

The best permanent tooth replacement treatment available to Birmingham people who are missing teeth are dental implants.

A dental implant is a metal (ideally titanium) rod implanted into the bone to replace the missing root. The crown and supporting structure are securely and permanently attached to the rod. Titanium is amazingly strong and extremely well tolerated by the human body. There are very few instances of rejection. In fact, most Birmingham implant dentists are not familiar with any such cases.

Tooth implants offer a long-term solution to tooth loss. Are you a good Vestavia Hills or Crestline candidate for tooth implant surgery?

Because the metal rod is anchored into the jaw bone, it is essential that you have enough healthy bone at the implant site.  Dr. J. Paul Koch can determine if you do.

Age is rarely a factor. Dental implants have proved to be successful for Birmingham people of all ages. Dr. J. Paul Koch provides comprehensive cosmetic dental care for every member of the family.

There are a few medical issues that may affect your eligibility for implants. These include diabetes, osteoporosis, radiation therapy for cancer, parathyroid disorders, bone disorders and leukemia. The presence of one or more of these conditions does not necessarily mean an implant cannot work for you; discuss any health issues with Dr. J. Paul Koch during your implant dentistry consultation.

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry is located at 2311 Highland Avenue South, Suite 323 in Birmingham. Call 205-202-8618 to schedule an implant consultation.

Birmingham dental techniques and materials have advanced to a point where total and near-total mouth reconstruction is possible right here in the Birmingham area.

Unlike conventional removable dentures, extensive mouth reconstruction involves strong, functional and aesthetically pleasing teeth with roots permanently anchored into the jaw bone.

You have probably heard around Birmingham about dental implants; the tooth replacement option that is, in most cases, the best possible replacement for a missing tooth. Dental implants have been used in Vestavia Hills, Crestline and Homewood for many years to replace one or two missing teeth. However, they can also provide a structure for dental crowns, bridges, and anchored dentures that replace nearly every tooth in the mouth!

Every Birmingham  smile makeover patient requires a somewhat unique combination of cosmetic dental procedures, but let’s talk about a hypothetical case involving several restorations:

‘Linda’ was a 52 year-old Birmingham patient with a mouthful of problems. She was missing most of her back teeth on both her upper and lower arch. Four of her front teeth were chipped and her gums had eroded revealing the metal bases of two old crowns.

To restore a beautiful, strong and youthful-looking smile, she would receive dental implants to anchor partial dentures for her upper and lower back teeth. After soft tissue grafts, her front teeth would receive a combination of porcelain crowns and dental veneers.

The result? A stunning smile, renewed confidence and no more slipping dentures!

• Koch Aesthetic Dentistry
• http://www.KochAesthetics.com
• 205-202-8618
• Ask us about dental implants

I’m Dr. J. Paul Koch, a dental implant dentist in the 35205 area. In a recent post, I explained how traditional dental implants are used to dramatically improve the lives of my Birmingham denture and cosmetic dentistry clients. Today’s topic is mini dental implants, sometimes called ‘immediate implants’.

Though they are not as well known as traditional tooth implants, mini implants are also being used successfully in the 35205 postal code area to improve smiles. Like their larger diameter counterparts, mini implants can support a restoration for one or more missing teeth or replace a bridge or fixed dentures. Birmingham tooth restoration clients and denture wearers benefit greatly from these slip free dental implants that are anchored securely in the jaw bone.

In some cases, a patient is unable to receive traditional full-size cosmetic dental implants due to insufficient bone thickness. There are also Birmingham mini implant patients who are not able to undergo dental implant surgery due to health issues. These Birmingham overdenture patients in the 35205 postal code area are often excellent candidates for the mini version.

The placement of toothpick-size mini dental implants can usually be done in one dental visit. The placement usually requires no incisions or stitches. Recovery time, if necessary, is usually very short. Most patients are able to eat dinner that evening.

Many Birmingham cosmetic dentistry clients are happy to learn that mini implants are a lower cost dental implants option. Don’t let the word ‘mini’ fool you; Your smile can receive a maximum upgrade with mini dental implants.

Call Koch Aesthetic Dentistry at 205-202-8618 to schedule a consultation.

Q: When is the least expensive tooth replacement method really the most expensive?

A: When it ends up costing far more in the long run.

Many Birmingham dentistry clients who lose a tooth do not understand the importance of replacing it with a dental implant. They wrongly believe that one missing tooth is not a significant problem. In fact, some Birmingham people who have an abscessed tooth extracted are so glad the pain is gone that they forget that the extraction is not the solution. When a tooth is lost, the risk of losing the adjacent teeth increases dramatically.

Dr. David Scharf, a Board Certified Periodontist and Dental Implant Surgeon and a Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University College of Dentistry says:

“Many times consumers will choose to replace a missing tooth with a removable partial denture because it is the least expensive option. In the long run however, removable partial dentures may be more costly due the loss of adjacent teeth and the need for future replacements. Many people opt to replace teeth with dental implants because they do not compromise the survival of the adjacent teeth.”

Dr. Scharf notes…

“With the price of gasoline and food soaring people try to cut back wherever they can. Unfortunately choosing the least expensive options for tooth replacement can have some very costly ramifications down the road.”

If you are missing a tooth, you may still be able to save the adjacent teeth if receive a dental implant soon. An implant bonds chemically with the jaw bone and helps maintain its stability.

To schedule a dental implant consultation, call Koch Aesthetic Dentistry at 205-202-8618. In addition to cosmetic dentistry, we provide comprehensive sedation dentistry for anxious or nervous patients.

Ill-fitting dentures cause more problems for Alabama denture wearers than they solve. If you live with loose dentures, you probably regard them as a necessary evil. Though they certainly look better than a toothless mouth, in practical terms they leave much to be desired because they affect two essential activities: eating and talking.

Unfortunately, many frustrated Alabama denture wearers have quit dining in restaurants or engaging in social activities because they are afraid their dentures will slip.

Dental implant procedures at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Alabama are allowing former denture patients to re-engage in life.

Consider the advantages of implant anchored dentures:

• They are stable because the implant is anchored in the bone.
• Your denture is fixed, it will not move around in your mouth.
• They prevent bone loss that typically occurs when teeth are removed.
• They eliminate the necessity of regular denture relines.
• They do not irritate gums.
• No denture adhesive is required.

Our Albama dental implant bone clients who have replaced their traditional dentures with implant overdentures enthusiastically say that the dental implant cost was more than worth it.

Do you want to eat normally again? What is the value of maintaining your facial shape? Can you put a price on confidence?

If you want more information about dental implants, call 205-202-8618 to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. J. Paul Koch. Koch Aesthetic Dentistry is located at 2311 Highland Avenue South, Suite 323 in Birmingham. We have been providing advanced Alabama dental care since 2000.  We serve patients in the Vestavia Hills, Crestline, Homewood, and surrounding areas.

The Dental Spa