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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

Are You Ready To Smile Again, Alabama?

Friday, December 30th, 2011

Most Alabama residents have plenty of things to smile about.

However, there are some folks who avoid smiling at all costs. Are you one of those people who cover their mouth when they laugh? Do you keep your mouth closed when someone takes a picture of you? Have you been hiding unsightly teeth for years?

It’s time to take care of those tooth problems and get a new lease on life.

Dr. Paul Koch at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Alabama can make it happen!

If you are missing one or more teeth, and live in Alabama, talk to us about dental implants. A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement that includes both root and dental crown. Because it is anchored into the jawbone, it looks and feels like a natural tooth.

Are your teeth yellow or gray? Have teeth whitening done at our Alabama dental practice and experience an instant transformation.

Many of your Alabama friends and neighbors have benefited from porcelain veneers. They correct several types of imperfections and can be applied in just one visit to our Alabama cosmetic dental office.

Dr. Paul Koch
Koch Aesthetic Dentistry
http://www.kochaesthetics.com/

Smokeless Is Not Harmless For Birmingham Tobacco Chewers

Friday, December 9th, 2011

Smokeless Is Not Harmless For Birmingham Tobacco ChewersHello Birmingham cosmetic dental friends. Today’s topic is ‘The Dangers Of Smokeless Tobacco’.

Cigarette sales at most Birmingham stores have decreased in the past decade, but some Birmingham tobacco consumers have switched to smokeless products.

There is a common misconception in the Birmingham area (especially among teens) that smokeless tobacco is harmless. This is absolutely not true. Regardless of the specific type: spit tobacco, snuff, chew, or pinch, this form of tobacco is as deadly as conventional cigarettes.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we encounter serious consequences of smokeless tobacco use because many occur in the mouth. Oral cancer, mouth lesions, gum disease and tooth decay are the most common dental problems caused by smokeless tobacco in this state.

Keeping a pinch between your cheek and gum all day is worse than keeping an all-day sucker. The tobacco contains almost as much sugar as the candy but delivers harmful chemicals as an added bonus. The dangers are two-fold: the tobacco erodes the teeth and also causes the gums to pull away from teeth. This can lead to the need for costly restorative dentistry procedures such as dental implants or laser dentistry.

Precancerous Mouth Lesion Screening in Birmingham: Mouth Lesions are painful sores that could eventually become cancer. If smokeless tobacco use is stopped, the lesions often disappear within a year for Birmingham dental patients.

Oral Cancer in Birmingham: Smokeless tobacco use in Birmingham increases the risk for several types of life-threatening cancers including those of the mouth, gums, lips, tongue, and throat.

Oral cancers can be as deadly as lung cancer and usually require surgery. If the sedation dentistry patient is fortunate and the cancer is successfully removed with surgery, the collateral damage to the face, neck, or jaw is not pretty.

These are the main dental risks of smokeless tobacco. I should also mention two other biggies: addiction and heart disease, though those are topics for another day.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Birmingham, we want to help you keep your mouth as healthy as possible. To schedule an appointment, call 205-202-8618.

If want to quit using smokeless tobacco products, we recommend that you consult Dr. Koch at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, your Birmingham primary care doctor, or your Birmingham pharmacist.

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry 

2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
http://www.KochAesthetics.com

Not Happy With Your Birmingham Dentist?

Friday, July 29th, 2011

Birmingham Cosmetic Dentisty Hello Birmingham dental blog visitors. Whether you stumbled upon this blog by mistake, or clicked here on purpose, welcome!

I am Dr. J. Paul Koch. My cosmetic dental practice is called Koch Aesthetic Dentistry. We are located at 2311 Highland Ave S, Ste 323 in Birmingham. You can find information about my practice, services, and professional Birmingham dental team at http://www.KochAesthetics.com.

In my Koch Aesthetic Dentistry dental blog, I post informative articles about dentistry including new Birmingham cosmetic dental treatments, preventative dental care, and news about my dental practice. Many of my patients visit my blog regularly and I hope you will also find useful dental information here.

Do you currently have a Birmingham dentist? If you are in need of a dentist or are not happy with your current Birmingham dentist, I invite you to visit my office, meet my passionate about your smile, your comfort and your professional care staff, and discuss your dental needs with me.

My approach to my profession emphasizes you, the patient.

My first priority is exceeding my patient’s expectations. Before I can provide dental treatment, however, I must become familiar with each patient. That is why your first consultation will take some time. We can’t get to know each other in five minutes.

How are you doing? What is the current condition of your teeth and gums? What are your fears and expectations about Birmingham dental treatment? Do you have financial concerns regarding your dental needs? I recognize that each one of my patients has a unique set of circumstances.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we emphasize preventative dental care. When restorative dental treatment is necessary, I recommend the most beneficial procedures. If you have pressing dental needs, let’s talk about your options and consider the long term consequences of each treatment. If I believe it is best to refer you to another specialist, I’ll do so without hesitation. I am committed to your well-being and want you to receive the best possible care.

If you are interested in Birmingham cosmetic dentistry, I can also help you. I pursue continual training in the latest cosmetic treatments and have extensive experience performing individual tooth restorations such as dental implants, complete smile makeovers and everything in between. Did you know that I can completely redesign your smile if that is what you desire? Miracles are possible with Birmingham cosmetic dentistry.

Please call us at 205-202-8618 to book a consultation. I am confident you will feel good about choosing Koch Aesthetic Dentistry for your dental care.  We also offer sedation dentistry.

Smile Perfection in Birmingham

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

Mountain Brook low cost teeth whitening

The most difficult part of attaining perfection is finding something to do for an encore. -Author Unknown

We are perfectionists at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry where we create perfect smiles for our Birmingham cosmetic dentistry and smile makeover patients.

Here are some of the cosmetic dental procedures we use in smile makeovers at Koch Aesthetic Dentistry in Birmingham.

Implant Dentistry
Dental implants are the ultimate tooth restoration available in Birmingham or anywhere else, for that matter. A tooth implant consists of a metal post that is inserted into your jawbone. The post replaces the root of the missing tooth.

After a few months, it meshes with your jawbone to provide the strength and integrity of a natural tooth. A base and natural-looking crown is permanently attached to the post. For most Birmingham patients with missing teeth, it is the preferred restoration. Implants can also be used to attach dentures and partial dentures for no-slip implant/denture combos.

Crowns
A mainstay of Birmingham cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns are more beautiful than ever. New fabrication technologies and materials have improved the aesthetics and strength of this restorative option.

Veneers
A veneer is a more conservative treatment than a full crown. This is a good choice for Birmingham patients whose teeth are structurally sound but have unsightly flaws such as discoloration, chips, cracks, or imperfect shape. Are you one of the many Birmingham teens or adults with dark tetracycline stains? Call us today at 205-202-8618 to say goodbye to tetracycline stains!

Inlays/Onlays
Inlays and onlays (indirect fillings) are designed and fabricated using dental CAD/CAM software. These fillings are strong, attractive, and precisely fitted to the cavity.

Tooth Whitening
Teeth whitening is the crowning touch for a perfect smile. (It’s the only thing you need if you are a fortunate Birmingham man or woman with perfectly-shaped and aligned teeth.) No one in Birmingham has to live with dull or stained teeth. Call us today for a teeth whitening consultation at our Birmingham office.

Preventing Facial Injuries

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Mountain Brook Sports Dentistry Facial injuries occur all too often in the Birmingham area. Vestavia Hills, Crestline Little Leaguers get hit by inside pitches, Hoover construction workers suffer falls and other accidents at the worksite, and Alabama motorists sustain injuries in collisions every single day. Accidents at home can also result in serious injury to the face.

Serious facial injuries can affect the victim’s ability to eat, breathe, and speak. Because of the essential physical processes at risk, a person who has suffered a facial injury should receive medical care as soon as possible. Injuries to the mouth are treated by cosmetic dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we strongly advocate the use of protective equipment for every type of sport, whether it is a team sport or individual activity. Call us at 205-202-8618 for mouthguard recommendations regarding your (or your child’s) specific sport.

Likewise, the Birmingham workplace injury rate can be reduced with increased use of appropriate protective equipment and adherence to safety procedures. With respect to Birmingham motor vehicle injuries, the following instructions bear repetition: Wear your seatbelt and don’t send or read text messages while driving!

If you have suffered a recent injury to your face, mouth or jaw, schedule a dental consultation with Dr. J. Paul Koch of Koch Aesthetic Dentistry. If you are having dental problems (functional or aesthetic) due to an untreated past injury, I can also develop an effective treatment plan.  We offer cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental implants and porcelain veneers.

My office is located at 2311 Highland Avenue South, Suite 323 in Birmingham.

Dr. Paul Koch.

Dental Implants In Birmingham

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Cosmetic 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.

Full Mouth Reconstruction in Birmingham

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Hoover  Dental Implants 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

Do You Have Sore Gums?

Friday, December 31st, 2010

Affordable Birmingham Dentistry Every Alabama dentistry patient’s mouth provides a cozy home for over 600 types of bacteria. If you are diligent about oral hygiene and have healthy gums, these microbes usually don’t affect your health. However, if you have gum disease, bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your gums and cause problems.

Gingivitis is the term for the mild gum disease. At Koch Aesthetic Dentistry, we routinely discover gingivitis in clients who are not even aware they have the condition.

The first signs of gingivitis are swollen, sore gums.

It is important for our Alabama cosmetic dental patients to understand that it is not normal for gums to bleed when they are brushed or flossed. If you haven’t had an oral examination in a while and live in Alabama, call Koch Aesthetic Dentistry at 205-202-8618.  Dr. J. Paul Koch thoroughly exams teeth and gums and takes time to discuss the results and recommendations with each Alabama dentistry patient.

Koch Aesthetic Dentistry is a full-service dental practice at 2311 Highland Avenue South, Suite 323 in Birmingham. We provide comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry for clients who live in Birmingham and the nearby communities of Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Crestline, Homewood and Hoover .

During your dentist consultation, we can discuss any cosmetic or restorative procedures in which you are interested. Some of the Alabama procedures that we use to create perfect smiles are porcelain veneers, orthodontics, dental implants and tooth bleaching. Our hygienists are skilled professionals who perform the ultimate in dental deep-cleanings.

Oral health and overall health go hand in hand. Schedule a dental consultation today by calling 205-202-8618 or visiting us online at http://www.KochAesthetics.com.