Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne: Your Smile Care Team

When is the last time you had a comprehensive oral exam with X-rays? For many people, the first suspicion that they may have dental issues is based on pain. This often also means that the problem has reached a critical stage because it wasn’t detected early. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a thorough dental exam, you should schedule a check-up at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne, one of the top dental practices in Charlotte. Dr. Robert Harrell and his devoted team utilize the latest technology to create and maintain gorgeous smiles.

Who needs more frequent or regular X-rays?

• Children and teenagers — Children and teens who have a history of many cavities may need X-rays every six months or every year, depending on age. So may those who have a high risk of decay for other reasons. X-rays also help to keep track of tooth development

• Adults with many fillings, crowns, bridges or other restorations — X-rays help the dentist find decay beneath your fillings and crowns or in new places

• People with periodontal (gum) disease — X-rays can reveal signs of bone loss. If this has happened, then you may need periodontal (gum) surgery

• People with dry mouth, also called xerostomia —Saliva helps keep your mouth and teeth healthy by regulating the acid levels (pH) in the mouth. In a dry mouth, the pH decreases. This causes the minerals in the teeth to break down, resulting in more cavities. Many medicines can cause dry mouth. It also can be a result of cancer treatment or a long-term disease.

• Smokers — Smoking increases the risk of bone loss around the teeth and periodontal disease.

• Users of chewing tobacco — Chewing tobacco is sweetened with sugars and can lead to more cavities. See more from Colgate

Potential Health Concerns

Many don’t realize how intricately connected their mouth is with the rest of their bodies. For example, cardiovascular health, respiratory health and being pregnant directly correlate to how healthy your mouth is.

Brushing your teeth, flossing and visiting the dentist keep your teeth and gums healthy, but maintaining good oral hygiene is also important for your overall health, research suggests.

In some cases, oral problems can be a symptom of other diseases, such as diabetes. Research has also linked gum disease to heart disease, premature birth and even knee arthritis.

“The mouth is a portal into the rest of the body,” said Dr. Donald Ratcliffe, chairman of the department of dental medicine at Staten Island University Hospital in New York. Growing research shows “there’s a relationship between the bacteria — and the inflammation that bacteria cause in the mouth — [and] a lot of other diseases,” More details at Livescience

Don’t live with pain because of fear

If your you are continually putting off your dental appointments due to anxiety and fear, we understand. This is a common issue, and one that we can address. Advise our office of your feelings and we will be able to relieve your concerns with sedation dentistry. Keeping our patients comfortable and relaxed throughout their procedures is a priority for us. We have a variety of sedation options available, from deep relaxation to full unconsciousness.

Schedule Your Check-up Today

Don’t put off caring for your smile any longer. Schedule a comprehensive dental exam with Dr. Harrell. Call 704-541-9888 or use the contact form on this page to set your appointment. We look forward to seeing you.

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We Treat You Like Family at Adult Dentistry of Ballatyne

Dr. Robert Harrell and his outstanding team at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne take the time to get to know each patient at their bustling practice. Feeling comfortable and relaxed is a vital component of ensuring success for any dental visit. Dr. Harrell has been voted a top Charlotte Dentist year after year, in part, because he takes his time and treats each patient as if he or she was a member of his extended family.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Is it time for you to address some dental imperfections once and for all? Cosmetic veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants and Invisalign are just some of the cosmetic dentistry procedures offered at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne. We have multiple options to restore the overall health and vitality of your smile.

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist. Read more at WebMD

If you don’t suffer from huge underlying issues, cosmetic procedures are a simple option for restoring your smile. Dr. Robert Harrell and his talented team look forward to discussing the potential of your smile with you during your consultation.

Since veneers are individually sculpted for each patient, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. Unlike natural teeth, custom-made veneers resist coffee and tea stains, and cigarette smoke because they are made of high-tech materials.

With veneers—as opposed to crowns—your natural teeth remain largely intact with only a minimal amount being altered to fit the veneer.

For teeth that resist whitening, veneers can make even the darkest teeth appear bright white.

Dentists may also recommend veneers to quickly fix minor twists, overlaps, and small gaps. Learn more at Your Smile Becomes You

Lost or Missing Teeth

Sometimes, aesthetics isn’t the main reason for booking an appointment. Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne conducts single and full arch dental implant procedures efficiently and seamlessly. We have the technology to transform your smile fast and effectively. Don’t be embarrassed to smile ever again.

Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne has every smile service available to help you make the most out of your gorgeous grin. We offer a full selection of solutions including: Invisalign clear braces, ZOOM! teeth whitening, sedation dentistry, dental implants and much more. We take pride in helping each one of our patients realize the full potential of their smile.

We look forward to including you in our extended Adult Dentistry family and discussing your individual needs in detail. Our staff is happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Call 704-541-9888 or use the contact form on this page to reach the office today. We hope to hear from you soon.

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Bright white teeth with ZOOM! treatment

Do you want your teeth to experience a color improvement from 4 to 7 shades lighter after a single treatment? Well, you’re in luck because Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne can help you achieve the brilliant smile you want with a simple in-office ZOOM! teeth whitening appointment.

Teeth Discoloration

Your teeth can give you away if you enjoy coffee, tea or red wine on a regular basis or smoke tobacco products. Sometimes, old dental restorations can dramatically age your appearance due to the discoloration of materials utilized. A healthy, radiant smile does give your face a definitive, youthful glow. If your smile doesn’t make you want to beam, it’s time to book your appointment with the best Charlotte dentist, Dr. Robert Harrell of Adult Dentistry.

Am I a ZOOM! Whitening Candidate?

It is understandable to see why ZOOM! Teeth Whitening is one of the most popular aesthetic dental treatments. There are not many other cosmetic procedures that work as instantaneously to transform your face so immediately. The following common reasons may be at the root of your decision.

Advancing age. As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth gets worn away, revealing the natural yellow color of dentin.

Genetics. Some people have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others.

Environment. Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth) can cause teeth discoloration. Read more at WebMD

Quick and Easy

Make the most of your precious time and choose to receive the best visible results in the fastest timeframe. You will need to book a consultation exam to ensure that your mouth is healthy and ready to undergo treatment. Individuals with sensitivity issues may wish to explore other whitening procedures as there is a higher probability that patients with prior sensitivity may experience discomfort after receiving ZOOM! whitening treatment.

The ZOOM! in-office tooth whitening procedure uses the ZOOM! Advanced Power Chairside Lamp – to accelerate the bleaching process – to activate the 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stained substances, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. Read more at Your Dentistry Guide

 

Your Anti-Aging Secret

Friends and family members will notice your brighter grin. Co-workers will see your new radiance and wonder what is different. Treat yourself to the healthy and gorgeous smile that deserves to greet the world and everyone you adore. Your smile is the gateway to your voice, vocal expressions and the backbone of your facial body language. Shave years off your appearance simply by brightening your smile numerous shades in one treatment.

Dr. Harrell and his outstanding staff will discuss your individual treatment protocol. Some patients spread their ZOOM! Whitening treatment over two or three appointments. Your special whitening product will be used together with the cairside lamp to enhance and speed up your whitening treatment. Easy and relaxing, you won’t believe the results you will see within one appointment. Initial appointments average one hour.

Patients receive take-home treatment trays to maintain their glow between appointments. Learn to love your smile and be proud to show it off once and for all. It’s time to unleash your healthy and radiant white smile. We look forward to booking your appointment today.

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More Needs To Be Done To End Migraine Stigma

About 38 million people in the U.S. suffer from migraines, and more than 4 million experience chronic migraine on a daily migraines. Unfortunately, even with these shocking numbers, there’s still a lot of stigma associated with the condition.

What a lot of people still can’t seem to understand is that migraines are much more than just headaches. They affect every aspect of a person’s life, whether personal or professional. According to the World Health Organization, migraines are among the top 10 disabling lifetime conditions.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

However, because of the stigma surrounding migraines, a lot of patients feel guilty or even ashamed to admit they even have the condition. This only serves to worsen the situation. As a result, a lot of migraine sufferers suffer depression, and some even go to the extent of suicide. Jaime Sander shares her story:

 

Migraine and Suicide: Clearly, It’s Not Just a Headache

On the two occasions when I attempted suicide, I remember feeling: everyone else would be better off without me in their life.

I was traumatized, exhausted and depressed from unrelenting emotional and physical pain.  I just wanted it to end.  Those were very difficult times and Migraine was a big part of them.  The guilt tore at my conscience every minute of the day.  It took a lot of counseling and being on an antidepressant to help get me back on track. Read full post at Migraine Again…

Image Courtesy of Flickr

A person’s ability to keep a job and have a career may be severely hampered by this condition. Unfortunately, because of the negative view with which migraine sufferers are held, they cannot get the time of day when in need of support from their employers or colleagues. Tammy Rome asks a valid question:

Why isn’t migraine a legitimate reason to miss work?

I’d love to ask this question of every employer I can find. Too many of us have been treated as though we are lying about, faking, or exaggerating our symptoms in order to avoid work or other obligations. Unless you experience the stroke-like symptoms of hemiplegic migraine, no one else can actually confirm that your symptoms are real. I’ve even heard of health care providers who accuse hemiplegic migraineurs of faking it!

What is up with this complete lack of empathy for the 8th leading cause of disability in the world? What did we ever do to deserve this kind of treatment? Part of the problem is the societal view of migraine as “just a headache”. No one thinks of head pain as a serious problem unless there is proof of a tumor, stroke, aneurysm, or concussion. In the absence of these, the typical response is, “Oh, you’re just fine.”

You and I both know that we are anything but fine. Read full post at Migraine.com…

It’s also worth nothing that while migraine disproportionately affects women, this does not mean that men who suffer from migraines suffer less than women. The number of men that suffer from migraines as adults is about a third of the number of women. As a result, the condition is generally considered a woman’s disease, leaving a lot of men without the support they desperately need.

Image Courtesy of Flickr

Migraine Stigma May Prevent Proper Diagnosis and Treatment in Men

SAN DIEGO, CA (June 9, 2016) – While migraine is the most common neurological disorder in both men and women, the view that migraine is a women’s disease can cause men to be under diagnosed and under treated, according to a new study presented this week at the 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society.

The Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study longitudinally explored migraine epidemiology and associated comorbidities. To extend previous data on gender differences in migraine, this study focused on the determinants and burden of migraine in men and considered whether disease presentation, including sociodemographics, headache symptomology, disability, diagnosis, and treatment, differs in men and women. Read full article at American Headache Society

When it comes to diagnosis and treatment, more than half of all migraine sufferers are never diagnosed, and most of them do not even seek medical attention. This suggests that migraine awareness has a long way to go before it can be claimed that migraine sufferers are receiving the much needed help they deserve.

 

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Pain Free with Sedation Dentistry

Dental phobia interferes with many people’s ability to maintain their standard oral care. It’s easy to decide to cancel your appointment and “re-book later” when you are feeling anxious. If something is painful, discolored, chipped or bothersome in any way, patients may get ahead of themselves in feeling overwhelmed by the thought of treatment. Whether you are afraid of needles, are embarrassed that you have let issues with your smile go so far or deal with ultra-sensitivity, there is no longer a reason to hide from your dentist. Sedation dentistry makes receiving care as comfortable as relaxing in an easy chair.

If you’re afraid of needles, the good news is that one of the most popular methods for sedation is the use of pills. Oral sedation gives us a choice of medications that can be used in various situations. In addition, inhalation conscious sedation — the delivery of nitrous oxide through a mask that fits over the nose — is another method that’s needle-free, and provides a mild sense of euphoria during treatment, with no “hangover” effect afterward. Via Dear Doctor

Needles, Nitrous and Oral Medication

If you are going to have a simple filling, a quick needle and topical anesthetic is a common option. Nitrous oxide is often used by patients of all ages to feel more relaxed and calm while remaining conscious during treatment. However, if you are having a root canal or multiple deep fillings, you may wish to discuss intravenous options for longer and more complicated procedures.

IV sedation offers patients an effective alternative to general anesthesia, especially for those who would want to get a high sedation level, yet would like to avoid general anesthesia simply because they are not medically fit for such or they want to be spared from paying a higher cost, as well face greater risks of complications. Given that patients remain conscious during the procedure, this makes IV sedation a safer alternative. Via Dental Town

General anesthetic is additionally available for patients who qualify and prefer to fall asleep and wake up in recovery. When you are completely put under, you are monitored by an anesthesiologist at all times.

“All dentists who offer the range from mild sedation to general anesthesia must be adequately trained and conversant with advances in these practices. The safety and welfare of the patient is unquestionably the primary concern for all of us who administer these wonderful services.” Via The American Dental Association

Discuss Your Sedation Options

Being forthcoming about your dental fears will allow the dentist to put your mind about ease and offer the best treatment options. Some people need to use sedation for regular cleanings due to their sensitivity problems. Others will only need sedation for longer or more complex treatments. Everyone is different and there is a safe and effective oral sedation method available for every patient.

Best Charlotte Dentist

Dr. Robert Harrell and his devoted team at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne are happy to help you navigate through the sedation options to determine which will be the best choice for you. Every patient has different concerns and pain thresholds. What works for some may not be ideal for you. We will work with you to create a sedation dentistry plan that is geared to your unique circumstances.

Minimize Your Appointments

Individuals facing extensive smile restoration may prefer to explore sedation dentistry strictly from a time and cost perspective. Multiple appointments can often be combined if the patient utilizes sedation options. Instead of booking separate appointments, several issues can be addressed at the same visit. This is a major consideration for many.

Leave your fear and anxiety behind and enjoy your dentist appointments from here on out. To learn more about sedation dentistry, schedule a free, no-obligation smile consultation with Dr. Harrell. Call 704-541-9888 or use the contact form on this page to make your appointment. During your consultation a complimentary digital smile preview (an $85 value) will be created to show how you will appear when your sedation dentistry treatment is complete.

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Dental Implant Patient Made Our Day

After we placed two dental implants for Edie Ward, she sent us a wonderful note expressing her appreciation for Dr. Harrell and the entire staff. She indicated that she was overjoyed by the “excellent” quality of care she received at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne. We are humbled by Edie’s heartfelt thanks (read her letter below) and promise to continue to deliver the highest level of care to her and all of our patients at Adult Dentistry.

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Invisalign: Your Attainable and Affordable Smile Awaits

Your smile is meant to radiate confidence and health. It is one of our most attractive facial features. We tend to gravitate toward individuals who greet us with symmetrical beauty. So what happens when you feel like your smile is radiating crooked craziness instead?

 

Age Appropriate Invisalign

If fixing your smile means revisiting your youth and wearing metal braces like your youngest child, we understand your hesitancy. Thankfully, there are numerous choices nowadays that do not resemble traditional braces.

What are your options? Traditional metal braces will likely be the less expensive option, but there are other choices that are more costly and less noticeable. You can look into clear ceramic braces, which are still worn on the front of teeth, but blend in with the color of your teeth. Lingual braces have brackets on the back of teeth instead of the front, keeping them out of sight. Invisible braces, like Invisalign, are a series of clear aligners that are also removable for eating and brushing. Read more HERE.

The Upside of Invisalign Clear Braces

Clear aligners: You can skip the wires and brackets with these see-through plastic trays that fit over your teeth. You can take them out to eat, brush, and floss. The downside: They’re not stuck to your teeth, and they’re easy to lose. Read more HERE.

Having the option to remove your trays for eating and drinking means the chances of food becoming trapped in your appliance disappears. Never worry about having that elusive piece of spinach stuck to your braces all day and being the last to know. Do get into the habit of placing trays in their appropriate containers whenever they are out of your mouth to avoid misplacing them.

Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Easily During Treatment

Another huge plus with Invisalign is that you can remove the trays and brush and floss as usual. Having to rely on special floss or dealing with the potential staining that often occurs with traditional metal bracket braces is a non-issue.

 

Unbelievable Straightening Speed

Many adults turn to Invisalign to prepare for their graduation from college, university or even their upcoming wedding. On average, each tray is worn for about three weeks and many patients are finished treatment within a year or less, a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.

Eat Freely and Avoid Unnecessary Pain with Invisalign

Possibly the best feature of taking the Invisalign route is that you will save your mouth from unnecessary cuts and open sores while being able to enjoy all of your favorite foods during treatment.

With regular braces, you may experience some or all of the following: pain, discomfort, mouth sores or injuries caused by the brace wires, tooth decay (from inadequate brushing and flossing), plaque buildup, tooth discoloration, tooth/bracket breakage, or difficulty eating. As if that weren’t enough, there are also the personal sacrifices — no popcorn, chips, bagels, hard-crusted bread, pizza crust, pretzels, nuts, certain candies and even some healthy foods like apples, carrots, corn on the cob and more. Read more HERE.

Dr. Robert Harrell and his exceptional team at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne will be happy to book your consultation and help you decide if you are a candidate for Invisalign clear braces. Remember, it is never too late to realize the smile of your dreams. Call 704-541-9888 or use the contact form on this page to set your appointment.

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