in Dacula, GA

Most adults over the age of 40 recall the old-fashioned approach to dental x-rays. This involved the use of stiff and even painful cardboard “wings” that had to be clamped tightly between the teeth, and at awkward angles before the x-ray could be taken. One false move and it had to be redone. The days of such inefficient and even inaccurate x-rays are done.

At our office we used high end technologies that include panoramic x-rays that capture clear imagery without any of the discomfort and risk of overexposure to radiation.

This technology allows our team to look at the entire mouth, the jaw and even detect cancer, cysts and abscesses painlessly and quickly.

Fast and comfortable, the device moves around your entire head and provides our dentist with perfectly clear images ideal for evaluating a variety of oral health issues.

Do you brush and floss each day? Do you do this twice each day? Maybe you brush and floss as you get up and then again before bed. This is ideal, and if you can squeeze in some oral hygiene after each meal, it is even better. However, even if you are this vigilant, it may not be enough to eliminate the different materials that can lead to tooth decay. This is the primary reason we encourage patients to book dental exams and dental cleanings in our office at least twice each year.

During your dental cleaning, our team is going to begin by removing the sticky plaque residues from the surface of the teeth. This is the material that can begin to create bacteria that leads to decay and disease. We also remove the tartar which hides beneath the surface of the gum and which can harden and trap bacteria behind it – leading to gum disease. We also floss and polish your teeth, eliminating any remaining bacteria and staining, before sending you home for another six months of optimal oral health.

What is your dental hygiene routine? Brushing and flossing each day is an optimal first step, and dong so several times per day is even better. If you also book dental cleanings and exams at least twice each year, your dental hygiene is probably excellent. Yet, even with patients who adhere to this solid routine for optimal oral health, we find that their techniques or routines may not be as effective as possible.

This is why we work with our patients to discuss the best dental hygiene habits, routines and products during each visit. We discuss their method for both brushing and flossing, show them any areas where we have discovered any plaque or tartar buildup, and then review their toothbrush, toothpaste and any other products. Toothbrushes come in different sizes and with different bristles, and we review these choices with patients. We also consider if an electric toothbrush is best. During any dental hygiene consultations we might also recommend specific products such as toothpastes or oral rinses.

Periodontics is a specialized area of dentistry that looks at and treats the tissues that support and surround the teeth. This is why advanced gum disease is called periodontal disease. This is a very important area of dentistry and it is why our team is dedicated to providing the very best treatments in this area, too.

If you do have signs of periodontal disease, such as gum swelling, bleeding or discomfort, it can actually put your total oral health at risk. Gums can recede, leaving the teeth exposed and prone to decay, it can also lead to difficulty chewing, ongoing halitosis, loosening teeth and more.

Because each patient is different, we are going to review the options for periodontal treatment that are right for them. We may provide scaling and root planing, antibiotic treatment, or even gum surgery if needed.

Most of us know that fillings are the ideal way to eliminate tooth decay and yet also restore the tooth to its original strength and health. Yet, many of us also think of fillings as the metallic or amalgam fillings that are so noticeable whenever we open our mouths. Fortunately, the era of amalgam fillings is at an end and composite fillings of many kinds are taking over.

These are actually stronger as well as more visually appealing than metal fillings because they are colored to match the tooth and bonded to it – ensuring a much stronger tooth in the end. The composite filings are also able to retain more of the original tooth structure and can appear as inlays that fit inside of the tooth or onlays that fit inside and also cover one or more of the cusps. Perfect for new fillings, composite fillings are also a good solution for replacing unsightly or failed fillings, repairing fractured or broken teeth and even for cosmetic treatments.

Most of us just don’t consider oral cancer when thinking about trips to the dentist.

Yet, there is no better time or place to have oral cancer screenings than when you are having one of your annual dental exams and dental cleanings.

Though you can also book an appointment for an oral cancer screening, it is amazingly easy to roll one into your routine checkup.

They take only a matter of minutes and the dentist is going to look at the soft tissue inside of the mouth, the lips and tongue, and the face, neck and head to see if there are any visible abnormalities.

There is no special preparation needed, and if the dentist has any questions or concerns, they can do further in office diagnostics with a panoramic x-ray and other approaches.

One of the most dreaded and yet also one of the most beneficial of restorative dentistry solutions is the root canal. A treatment that quickly and effectively saves an infected tooth, root canals also bring pain to an immediate end and allow you to enjoy the full use of the tooth.With modern advances in dental technology, root canals are also as simple and straightforward as traditional fillings. Your tooth is numbed and the dentist then removes all of the infected material.

A special filling seals the interior of the tooth and yet allows it to remain in place for years to come.

Many patients require a new dental crown to complete treatment, and this is applied roughly one to two weeks after the root canal therapy is done.

Every dentist understands the importance of preventing cavities, including Dr. Elena Kurz. We offer dental sealants in Dacula, Georgia, which act as a barrier against decay by covering the fissures and grooves of vulnerable teeth. Kurz Family and Cosmetic Dentistry provides these dental sealants to keep your family’s teeth strong and healthy.

A sealant is a preventive dental treatment that our dentist may recommend to protect your teeth from decay. A dental sealant is made of a clear or tooth-colored resin material, which is painted onto the chewing surface of the tooth. By blocking out the bacteria and food debris that lead to tooth decay, the sealant prevents decay and cavities. The dental sealant forms a smooth surface over the natural pits and grooves of the tooth surface, which also makes it easier to effectively clean your teeth with normal brushing.

Dental sealants are most often recommended for children; our dentist frequently recommends sealants for the permanent molars as soon as they come in, which is usually between the ages of 6 and 12 years. We may also recommend dental sealants for adult patients whose teeth are prone to decay or for teeth that have not been restored or suffered from decay in the past. We can apply dental sealants in just one short, comfortable visit to our practice. Sealants can be a powerful tool in preventing decay and keeping your smile healthy.