Koch Aesthetic Dentistry Birmingham Alabama – Blog

The common household toothbrush. Every Alabama home has at least one, and hopefully all Alabama residents are brushing their teeth after each meal. While cosmetic dentistry and a complete smile makeover seem to be all the rage these days, daily brushing is still the most important thing you can do for your oral health.

It has been said that each toothbrush can contain millions of bacteria. But don’t worry, those bacteria come from our mouths, which harbor equal amounts of bacteria. For a person with a healthy immune system, these bacteria pose no threat.

However, a few common sense tips might keep any unnecessary germs from affecting the toothbrushes of Alabama dental patients.

First, be sure to store your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible, and close the toilet lid before flushing. Each flush of the toilet releases a spray of bacteria into the air, so it’s best to just eliminate the spray.

Next, since bacteria like a moist environment, store your toothbrush upright and without a travel case so that it can dry completely between uses.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Brushing and flossing are the key to good oral health, and doing both each day will keep Alabama dental patients’ risk for gum disease, cavities, and bad breath low.

Keep your smile bright by visiting Koch Aesthetic Dentistry regularly and practicing proper oral hygiene.

Dr. J. Paul Koch has been a cosmetic and dental implant dentist in Alabama since 2000. We can answer any questions you have about cosmetic dentistry procedures such as tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental implants, and clear braces.

Call to schedule an appointment today!

Hello! Today’s dental article is for Birmingham area people with stained teeth. Do you think your teeth are too stained for teeth whitening to have any effect? Think again. At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Birmingham, we are whitening smiles for patients with both intrinsic and extrinsic stains.

Extrinsic stains are caused by dark colored foods and drinks, smoking, and normal aging. Koch Aesthetic Dentistry cosmetic dentistry patients with extrinsic stains achieve great results from both in-office and take-home teeth whitening systems.

Intrinsic stains form on the inside but can be seen from the outside. Tetracycline, excessive fluoride, trauma, and aging can cause intrinsic staining for unfortunate Birmingham dentistry patients. Though these stains are harder to remove, many Birmingham patients with intrinsic staining can whiten their teeth with take-home whitening kits. The process often takes longer, but with persistence, intrinsic stains can be lightened.

In addition to teeth whitening, we provide a full menu of cosmetic dental procedures at our Birmingham office. With porcelain veneers, you can correct the shape of your teeth in addition to brightening the color. If you are missing a tooth, a dental implant may be the solution. Call 205-202-8618 for a dental implant or smile design consultation.

If you are embarrassed by a less-than-sparkling smile, let the team of dental professionals at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry help you lighten up.

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

“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.

Birmingham cosmetic dentists use dental crowns to solve a number of dental dilemmas. A dental crown is a strong, natural-looking permanent tooth restoration that covers the top of the damaged tooth.

Birmingham cosmetic dental offices recommend crowns to remedy the following problems:

• A broken tooth with decay
• An ill-fitting existing crown
• A decayed tooth that has lost significant tooth structure
• A tooth that has had a root canal
• A tooth that is too small or misshapen
• A tooth that causes a bite problem

Before your Birmingham dentist can attach the crown to your tooth, we must prepare the tooth. Birmingham cosmetic dentists often apply a local anesthetic so you won’t feel pain during the prepping. Your dentist will remove decay, if any, and shape the tooth to receive the crown. Then a mold is taken of the prepped tooth and surrounding teeth.

A temporary crown is then placed on the tooth to protect it until you return to your Birmingham dentistry office to receive the permanent restoration. The patient needs to be careful while wearing the temporary crown. Vigorous brushing or flossing can displace the crown or damage the exposed soft tissue. The Birmingham dental crown patient should also refrain from eating extremely hard foods like nuts or sticky candy.

The mold of your teeth is sent to a Birmingham dental lab where your crown is built. Dental crowns are fabricated in three varieties: tooth colored crowns made of resin or porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and solid metal crowns. Each type has its pros and cons. Your Birmingham cosmetic dentist at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry will choose the best crown material for your particular tooth.

What if you need a permanent dental restoration for both the top and root of your tooth? A dental implant is your answer.

For more information about complete dental restorations and other cosmetic dental solutions, call Koch Aesthetic Dentistry at 205-202-8618 today!

Birmingham cosmetic dentistry not only perfects your smile, It improves the health of your teeth. It makes your face more attractive. It can help with TMJ issues, and it definitely boosts your self-esteem!

What’s more, Birmingham cosmetic dentistry is surprisingly quick and virtually pain-free. Why? Because of advanced dental technology and new sedation dentistry options.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. J. Paul Koch performs dental miracles everyday. Regardless of the number of teeth affected, Dr. Koch re-designs smiles and corrects problems by skillfully performing cosmetic dental treatments.

Orthodontics can be the answer for misaligned teeth. Even if you have suffered with crooked teeth for years, a short time enduring braces will be well worth it. We have Birmingham orthodontic clients of all ages. It’s never too late to straighten your teeth!

If you have teeth that are decayed or otherwise damaged, there are several remedies. Porcelain crowns, inlays, onlays, dental bonding, dental veneers are some of the effective procedures.

What if a tooth is missing entirely? A dental implant is a complete restoration; including a new root!

Some of the most popular procedures performed at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry are cosmetic and recontructive dentistry and smile restoration.

Perhaps all of this sounds too good to be true. If you are a skeptic, schedule a smile makeover consultation today and find out for yourself. Dr. J. Paul Koch will explain how your teeth can be transformed and you can see before and after photos.

We are located at 2311 Highland Avenue South, Suite 323 in Birmingham. Call 205-202-8618 for an informative, no-pressure discussion with Dr. J. Paul Koch.

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

Hello, I’m Dr. J. Paul Koch DMD. My dental practice is called Koch Aesthetic Dentistry. We are located at 2311 Highland Avenue South, Suite 323 in Birmingham (35205), and you can reach us by calling 205-202-8618.

You can probably imagine why I look at smiles everywhere I go in the Birmingham area. Whether I am working with a Homewood dental patient, having dinner at a Vestavia Hills, Crestline restaurant, or attending a Hoover sporting event, I notice whether the people around me smile. Whenever I encounter someone with obvious tooth problems, I want to tell them about the procedures that can completely transform their frown into a healthy and beautiful smile.

Are you one of those people who don’t want to show their teeth? I would love to talk to you about a smile makeover. Whatever your excuse is for not seeking dental treatment, I can discuss all of your concerns with you during a free consultation.

Perhaps you are afraid of dental work. Have you ever considered sedation dentistry? With sedation dentistry, even extensive treatment is virtually pain free. Sedation will calm your mind as well as the nerves in your mouth.

Perhaps the cost of Birmingham cosmetic dentistry is holding you back. My passionate about your smile, your comfort and your professional care staff will be happy to talk to you about financing plans. It is important to remember that if your teeth are decayed, postponing treatment will cost more money in the long run. Filling a cavity is far more affordable dentistry than a root canal procedure or, in the case of an extracted tooth, a dental implant.

You can contact my office at 205-202-8618 or online at http://www.KochAesthetics.com. My Birmingham cosmetic dental website contains information about all the general, restorative and aesthetic services we provide.

I can transform your smile into one that you will want to show all the time!

Dr. Paul Koch

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

How long have dentists been drilling teeth? Would you believe 9,000 years? In an ancient graveyard in Pakistan, archaeologists unearthed skulls containing teeth that had undergone drilling. The stone-age dentists removed decay using drills constructed of sharpened flint.

Though advanced cosmetic dentistry would not be possible without drilling, the sound of a dental drill can make many patient’s hearts pound. However, there is another way your cosmetic dentist can remove decay. This technique is known as air abrasion or drill-less dentistry. An air abrasion instrument removes material by spraying tiny aluminum oxide particles onto the tooth. The particles work like a sandblaster spraying away the affected tooth structure.

The many advantages of air abrasion make it a popular procedure for cosmetic dentists. Because air abrasion is usually pain free, the need for anesthesia is reduced. The air abrasion instrument does not create vibrations or pressure. Cosmetic dentistry patients appreciate the fact that air abrasion instruments don’t produce that whiny drill sound that rings in your ears and makes your palms sweat. Because of this, air abrasion can be a less-frightening option for young dentistry patients. Air abrasion is often quicker and more precise than traditional drilling, leaving more of the healthy tooth intact.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we provide anxiety-free dentistry. If you would like to learn more about air abrasion, sedation dentistry or dental implant cost, call us at 205-202-8618. We are located at 2311 Highland Avenue South, Suite 323 in Birmingham. The professional care staff at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry is dedicated to your comfort and satisfaction.