Peter A. Pate, DDS Dental Blog

April 4, 2012

Do You Need Dental Implants in Atlanta?

Periodontal disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss. Missing teeth can impair your appearance and ability to function normally. Fortunately, Dr. Pate offers restoration of dental implants — a comfortable prosthetic to restore your smile.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Comfort: Dental implants are planted into your jaw bone and serve as the root of your missing tooth. As your mouth heals, your bone will grow around the implant post, creating a comfortable and sturdy finish.
Durability: Since dental implants are surgically placed in your mouth, they will stay in place without slipping and sliding. The prosthetic crown attached to your implant is strong enough to withstand everyday wear and tear.
Space: With missing teeth, your adjacent teeth have the potential to shift into the open gap, creating bite misalignments. Dental implants, however, sit in the same spot where your tooth once was, holding proper spacing and alignment.
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April 2, 2012

What to Do Before and After Your Atlanta Dental Appointment

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead dentist, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, dentist sandy springs, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, lenox dentist, prepare for dentist appointment, sandy springs dentist, what to do after dentist appointment — dr_pate @ 5:30 pm

During your appointment with Dr. Pate, our team will thoroughly clean and protect your teeth. However, once you leave our Atlanta dentist office, you need to follow proper maintenance and care instructions to avoid damaging your teeth and gums. Try these tips to keep your smile healthy immediately before and after your dental cleaning.

What to Do Before Your Appointment

Regular hygiene. Your best defense against dental diseases is to correctly brush and floss daily. It’s simply not enough if you “cram” and only floss a few days before your appointment. In addition, it’s best to show Dr. Pate your natural behaviors and condition of your mouth so you will know what to change. For example, if you have bad breath, you don’t need to worry. Coming to your appointment in your natural state will help Dr. Pate accurately diagnose any problems.
Prepare. Keep a file at home of your oral history so you can review what’s going on inside your mouth. You should also gather all your medical and health information so you can discuss your conditions with Dr. Pate.
Relax. Stress and anxiety can make your dentist appointment more uncomfortable. Be sure you get plenty of sleep the night before and arrive early enough to relax in the waiting room. If you’re still nervous, ask Dr. Pate if you would benefit from sedation.

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March 27, 2012

Celebrity Dental Disasters

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta smile enhancement, atlanta veneers, buckhead cosmetic dentist, buckhead dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, cosmetic dentist buckhead, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, smile enhancement atlanta, veneers atlanta — dr_pate @ 3:27 pm

Has your favorite celebrity received a smile makeover? Cosmetic dental services can beautify your smile, but if not done properly by your experienced Atlanta dentist, treatments could leave your teeth looking unnatural and unhealthy. Let’s take a look at how a visit to Dr. Pate can help you avoid the following dental disasters.

Unnatural-Looking Veneers

After chipping her teeth on microphones, actress and singer Hilary Duff received a set of porcelain veneers to hide her imperfections. Unfortunately for Duff, her new teeth looked too big and too long. She later returned to her cosmetic dentist for a redo, and she now has the beautiful, natural-looking smile she flaunts today. To prevent an odd-looking, oversized smile, Dr. Pate will take impressions of your teeth and gums to create the perfect size and shape for your veneers. A dental ceramist will hand-sculpt your veneers to complement your mouth and face appropriately.

Over-Whitening Teeth

As you age, your teeth begin to show signs of wear, one of which is discoloration. Regis Philbin is just one of many celebrities who displays a bright white smile despite his years. Philbin’s smile, however, some people consider too white. If you over-whiten your teeth, it can cause sensitivity, irritation, erosion, and further discoloration. A pageant-white smile can look fake on an aging adult. Luckily for you, Dr. Pate offers professional in-office or take-home bleaching treatments to safely and effectively brighten your smile to the perfect shade. Some cosmetic dentists believe that Philbin’s blinding smile is the result of veneers—not bleaching—but either way, the shade of white you choose should look completely natural. (more…)

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A white smile – the perfect wedding day accessory

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta smile enhancement, atlanta tooth whitening, atlanta veneers, buckhead dentist, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist brookhaven, dentist buckhead, dentist lenox, general dentist atlanta, tooth whitening atlanta, veneers atlanta — dr_pate @ 3:09 pm

Are you planning your spring or summer wedding? You’ve probably considered how you want your hair, makeup, dress, and decorations to look—but what about your smile? Dr. Peter Pate’s cosmetic services can keep your smile bright through all your wedding photographs and festivities.

Brightening Before the Big Day

According to SHAPE Magazine, many brides wish they had a whiter smile for their wedding. It’s your day to shine, and your smile is no exception. If you need whiter teeth, Dr. Pate can remove discolorations with whitening treatments, dental bonding, or porcelain veneers to keep your smile bright. If you need straighter teeth, follow in the footsteps of celebrity Katherine Heigl, who used Invisalign to straighten her teeth before her nuptials. Make sure you plan your cosmetic treatments ahead of time so you can adjust to your new smile.

Smiling During the Ceremony

You’ll be surrounded by photographers as you stand at the altar. You’re already nervous about tripping down the aisle, so don’t let your imperfect smile add to your stresses. A beautiful smile will not only look good in photos and memories, but will also improve your confidence. When it comes to the “I do” moment, be sure to keep your lips hydrated and your breath fresh to enjoy the big kiss.

You should also make sure that your pre-wedding planning doesn’t stress you out and cause you to neglect your dental needs. To keep your smile healthy and beautiful before, during, and after your wedding, visit Dr. Pate. Contact Dentistry in Buckhead at (404) 266-9424 to schedule an appointment for your big day. We welcome patients from Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Lenox, Brookhaven, Atlanta, and surrounding communities.

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March 23, 2012

Second Opinions From Your Atlanta Dentist

Filed under: General Dentistry,Preventive Dentistry — Tags: atlanta childrens dentist, atlanta cosmetic dentist, atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, buckhead dentist, childrens dentist atlanta, cosmetic dentist atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, dentist second opinion atlanta, general dentist atlanta — dr_pate @ 4:10 pm

You need to fully understand the condition of your mouth to make a well-informed decision about dental treatment. If you don’t feel confident with your diagnosis or the information you have received from a dental professional, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with Dr. Pate and seek a second opinion. There is no insult in seeking a second opinion — in fact, if you’re not comfortable with Dr. Pate’s treatment recommendation, he wants you to get a second opinion!

Benefits of a Second Opinion

A second opinion allows a new dentist to examine your mouth with a fresh perspective. Dentists have different training, backgrounds, philosophies, and techniques, so a new set of expert eyes can provide additional information to help you understand your situation and options. Here are a few advantages that you may receive from your second opinion:

Further oral health information and explanation
Alternate treatment options
A different diagnosis
Different treatment costs
Peace of mind
Cosmetic recommendations

If the second opinion differs from the first opinion, consider seeking a third opinion to help balance your options and make the best decision for your health.

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March 22, 2012

Are You a Sleeping Beauty?

Filed under: Healthy Living,Stop Snoring — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, atlanta general dentist, atlanta sleep apnea treatment, buckhead dentist, buckhead general dentist, buckhead sleep apnea treatment, can't sleep atlanta, can't sleep buckhead, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, family dentist atlanta, general dentist atlanta, sleep apnea atlanta, sleep apnea buckhead — dr_pate @ 2:18 pm

We have discussed the importance of getting a good night’s sleep to keep your body strong and healthy, but there may be another reason you want to stay rested. A recent survey from Sweden shows that getting an adequate amount of sleep can help make you more attractive. Dr. Pate can help resolve your sleep problems so you can really get your “beauty sleep.”

Researchers asked observers to rate a series of photographs. Each participant had two photos—one taken after a good night’s sleep, and one taken after being awake for 31 hours. The observers rated the participants in the sleep-deprived photos as less healthy, less attractive, and more tired.

So how does sleep make you look more attractive? First of all, sleep gives your body the energy it needs to function properly throughout the day. If you stay awake all night, you won’t feel refreshed the next day and your body will feel sluggish. When it comes to appearance, sleep deprivation often leaves bags under your eyes and droopy skin. On the contrary, when your body is well-rested, your eyes will appear wider and your facial muscles will lift.

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March 15, 2012

Alternative Dental Terms

Filed under: Fun Dental Facts,General Dentistry — Tags: atlanta dentist, atlanta family dentist, buckhead dentist, buckhead family dentist, dental terms atlanta, dentist atlanta, dentist buckhead, dentist sandy springs, dentist vinings, family dentist atlanta, family dentist buckhead, names of teeth, sandy springs dentist, vinings dentist — dr_pate @ 3:52 pm

Dentistry has many different terms that can all mean the same thing. Just for fun, let’s take a look at some of the terms that Dr. Pate or others may use to discuss your teeth, mouth, and smile.

Alternative Names for Teeth

Your teeth have different shapes and different purposes. When Dr. Pate is examining your mouth, he may use specific names for your teeth. If he uses any of the following terms, they all generally mean “teeth.”

Pearly Whites
Bicuspids
Molars
Third molars
Wisdom teeth
Canines
Incisors
Chompers/Choppers
Fangs
Tusks

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