A smile is such a simple gesture, yet it holds so much power. It is innately human - a universal way to convey happiness, greet one another and signal that we're nice people. Smiles communicate how we're feeling and are great for breaking the ice or awkward moments. A good-natured smile moves mountains, but if you're like the average person, it may not be perfect. And that's okay. But is it healthy?
Studies from the CDC show that 1 in 4 U.S. adults from 20 to 64 have cavities. Perhaps even more surprising is that approximately 34 million school hours are lost every year due to emergency dental care. For children, missing time could mean the difference between moving forward and being held back.
If you're one of the many people who feel ashamed about their teeth, need preventative oral care, or suffer serious issues like tooth decay, it's time to protect your teeth and gums. Luckily, Merchants Walk Dental is here to serve you with the highest quality dental work in East Cobb, from preventative care to cosmetic dentistry.
At Merchants Walk Dental, your healthy teeth and gums are our passion. Our dentists and hygienists are committed to providing you with the best dental care possible in a comfortable, stress-free setting. Since opening in 2017, we have become the premier dentist in Alpharetta, GA, offering many dental services such as:
As experts, we know how important oral hygiene is for your health. We feel that it's important to go the extra mile to speak with our patients about the best practices involved with brushing, flossing, and healthy gums. We know what an impact a beautiful smile can make, which is why we are so dedicated to providing our patients with cleaner, straighter teeth than ever before.
Having served Georgia and East Cobb for years, we understand that no two patients will ever have the same needs. That's why we provide personalized services like cleanings and root canals tailored to each patient's unique needs. We also know that money doesn't grow on trees, so we accept most major dental insurance plans to ensure you can keep your teeth clean and healthy all year long.
If you're searching for an expert team of friendly dentists and hygienists, look no further than Merchants Walk Dental. We pride ourselves on the best dental care coupled with warm, engaging customer service. You can rest easy knowing you're in capable, welcoming hands whether it's your first or fortieth visit to our office.
Here at Merchants Walk Dental, we understand that getting your teeth cleaned isn't something everyone looks forward to. However, getting regular teeth cleanings performed by a trustworthy dentist is the best way to maintain a healthy smile and avoid serious oral hygiene issues. And while it's easy to avoid the dentist, doing so for too long can be bad for your overall health.
Studies have linked poor oral hygiene to serious problems like cancer, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and strokes. If you're flossing and brushing at home twice a day, that's great. Doing so is the best way to get a leg up on critical oral hygiene problems. However, getting your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist helps ensure your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, healthy, and protected.
It's a question we get all the time - what is periodontal treatment? This treatment focuses on your gums and preventing the common diseases that attack them. When left unchecked, plaque accumulates and hardens, forming hard-to-remove tartar. This tartar irritates your gums and will eventually lead to a litany of problems like tooth decay, tooth loss, and more.
During your teeth cleaning session at Merchants Walk Dental, we'll examine your gums closely to ensure they're healthy and functional.
Each of our teeth cleaning appointments has comprehensive check-ups, including:
The only surefire way to prevent tartar buildup and, by proxy, gum disease is by brushing and flossing diligently at home. If you have been slacking on regular brushing and have not visited a dentist recently, your gums could be suffering. If you have any of the following signs of gum disease, contact Merchants Walk Dental to schedule a dental exam in Alpharetta, GA:
If you have had a cavity filled before, you're not alone. Tooth decay affects more than 90% of adults over the age of 40 - a stunning statistic that, in many cases, is entirely preventable. At Merchants Walk Dental, we use composite resin fillings to keep our patient's teeth healthy and functional. Unlike amalgam fillings, composite fillings are more discreet, match the color of your teeth, and are free of mercury.
While fillings can have a few uses, our doctors typically use fillings to âfillâ a part of your tooth that is decaying. This hole of decay is called a cavity. Sometimes, fillings are also used to fix broken, cracked, or worn-down teeth from grinding and nail-biting. Fillings are a great way to restore decaying teeth to their normal shape and function while preventing sensitivity and inhibiting further decay.
During your dental exam at our office in East Cobb, your dental hygienist will check for signs of cavities and tooth decay to ensure your oral hygiene remains in peak condition.
Abscesses- Without professional dental treatment, infected teeth lead to dental abscesses, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Nerve Pain- When your tooth is cracked and left without treatment, it can make its way to your nerve, resulting in extreme pain and damage.
Substantial Decay- If you leave an infection to fester without having a root canal, the infection can spread to other teeth in your mouth. If you don't address the initial signs of decay, you'll have to undergo treatment for multiple teeth.
Tooth Loss- Extensive decay and trauma often cause damage to your tooth's pulp. Our root canal treatments in Alpharetta remove this infected pulp. However, if you choose to ignore the problem, the infected pulp will rot your entire tooth, causing you to lose it forever.
One mention of the word root canal can send shivers up the spine for many people. Root canals get a bad rap, but the treatment has come a long way over the last decade.
When tooth decay and infection are left to fester, it can wreak havoc on your oral hygiene. Often, root canals in cityname, GA, are the best choice for patients with extensively diseased teeth. The goal of a root canal is to save and repair teeth by removing the infection from the pulp and nerve of the tooth.
Signs of tooth decay that may require a root canal include:
When a substantial cavity threatens a person's tooth and fillings aren't working, many dentists will use crowns to fix the problem. A crown is an aesthetic cap or a tooth-shaped covering placed over another tooth or implant for stability. Typically, crowns improve appearance and strength of a patient's teeth.
Crowns are also used to restore the size and shape of damaged or chipped teeth. When used for this purpose, dental crowns are usually bonded to the tooth using dental-grade cement.
During your dental exam and cleaning, your hygienist will keep a sharp eye out for signs of tooth decay, which may require a crown. Benefits of dental crows from Merchants Walk Dental include:
Restorative dental treatments can be complicated, but dental crowns are straightforward and minimally invasive. During the process, your tooth's enamel is cleaned, and your damaged tissue is removed. Once that process is complete, we'll cast a custom crown for your tooth. While the crown is created, Dr. John Bishara or Dr. Milli Patel will provide you with a temporary crown for normal functionality.
Damaged enamel or structural damage can cause pain and sensitivity. Having a dental crown installed will help alleviate a good amount of your pain.
Our dental crowns are made with high-quality, long-lasting materials. With proper care and regular check-ups, they can withstand years of chewing, biting, and grinding.
When you lose one or more teeth, whether due to decay or another factor, it's important to fill the space where the tooth is missing. That's where dental bridges come in. Bridges are essentially fake permanent teeth used to fill holes caused by missing teeth. The false tooth is fused between two dental crowns giving it the bridge concept. Dental bridges are then typically anchored to healthy teeth using resin and cement.
The health of your teeth, their position, and the state of the surrounding bone will help our team determine if bridges are right for you. If not, dentures in Alpharetta, GA, might be a better option. Dentures come in two forms: partial and complete. Dentures are best for patients who have missing teeth but aren't able to use bridges. Complete dentures all your missing teeth, while partial dentures replace one or two teeth.
Getting cosmetic dentures can be a life-changing experience. It often requires physical and emotional preparation. At Merchants Walk Dental, our team will take as much time needed to consult with and prepare you for your denture procedure.
Whether you need dental bridges or cosmetic dentures, we're here to help make your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Dental implants are needed when you have missing teeth, but you cannot or will not get crowns, bridges, or dentures. Failing to replace a lost tooth will cause a bevy of problems as time goes on. For many patients, dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth. With dental implants, you can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. A dental implant serves as a permanent artificial root anchored into the jawbone.
When our team puts a dental implant in place, your jawbone grafts itself to the titanium post making it as strong as your original root and tooth. The result is a natural, beautiful, fully-functional set of teeth that lasts for years.
Establishing healthy dental habits early in life is key for long-term oral health and confidence. The best way to learn those habits is at home and in a dentist's office.
At Merchants Walk Dental, our goal is to foster long-lasting relationship with the families in our community who trust us to care for their children's dental health.
When you choose Merchants Walk Dental as your child's dentist, you can rest easy knowing we treat your loved one just like ours. Our professional hygienists and experienced doctors are trained and certified to give your kids a comfortable dental experience. We like to mix fun with education, putting your child at ease while helping them understand the importance of proper dental care.
Common habits like teeth grinding and thumb sucking can have profound effects later in life. Our doctors are keenly aware of these habits, and work hard to help you and your child develop creative solutions to halt that behavior.
Our pediatric dental services improve the health of your child's teeth and gums with:
Having served the East Cobb and Alpharetta for years, we know your dental needs are unique and different from your neighbor. That's why we offer a variety of dental services to address each patient's special circumstances, from standard cleanings to complex root canals. By using the latest innovations and techniques in dentistry, we can better serve each client on an individualized level, leading to better comprehensive dental care.
We're taking new patients and accept most major forms of dental insurance to keep your teeth healthy and clean without breaking the bank. Contact our office today to schedule your dental exam and learn more about our history!
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Michelle Walters never intended to expand LNB Candles beyond the immediate orbit of her daughter and her friends, but it’s success outgrew expectations.Her small business has grown out of her home and into its own physical location, onto the shelves at Walmart and a booth at Alpharetta farmers markets.Walters was one of the vendors at the Jan. 11 North Main Street Market at Alpharetta, a new winter farmers market that began in November. The various vendors, ranging from hot sauce shops to gluten-fr...
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Michelle Walters never intended to expand LNB Candles beyond the immediate orbit of her daughter and her friends, but it’s success outgrew expectations.
Her small business has grown out of her home and into its own physical location, onto the shelves at Walmart and a booth at Alpharetta farmers markets.
Walters was one of the vendors at the Jan. 11 North Main Street Market at Alpharetta, a new winter farmers market that began in November. The various vendors, ranging from hot sauce shops to gluten-free tamales, set up at Henderson Commons.
Walters’ business began with a personal goal in mind. Her daughter was diagnosed with a health condition.
“We noticed she was starting to break out and get cystic acne, get very tired at night, get sleepy, and say, ‘I have headaches,’” Walters said. “And we figured out it was the candles she was burning.”
Walters said through research she discovered that some candles contain dangerous chemicals, which led her to make her own candles out of simple ingredients.
LNB has expanded beyond candles to room sprays and car fresheners. Walters said she has recently started expanding into body lotions and body sprays.
LNB Candles can be found at 6778 Jamestown Dr. in south Forsyth County, at the Halcyon Farmers Market, on Amazon and at some Walmart locations.
Noemi Espinoza, owner of Noemi’s Tamales, also started her business through a love for family. Espinoza — who makes tamales that are organic and gluten-free, sauces and salsas — said her mother and tradition are what inspired her to the business.
Espinoza founded Noemi’s Tamales in 2009 but eventually left the business behind after the birth of her grandson in 2017. However, Espinoza said, she wasn’t able to stay away for long, and she resumed tamale sales after a five-year recess.
“I would make my kids, I would make them make tamales,” Espinoza said. “Like, you just don't have life without making tamales for Christmas.”
Other vendors at the event included Boarding Pass Coffee, Mighty Greens GA, Southern Local Nuts and B&A Bees.
Businesses like Gone Bananas, owned by Eric Luidens and his wife, began because of COVID-19, and has hung around since.
Luidens’ booth featured Caribbean banana bread, which Luidens said differs from typical Georgia banana bread in ingredients, spices and flavors. Luidens, who travels to markets as far as Macon, also sells his bread on Instagram.
“Everything is natural,” Luidens said. “We source everything as local as possible, so we know what we’re putting in it.”
For those without the taste for banana, another vendor, Phil Patisserie, boasted various pastries, both sweet and savory, with a croissant base, as well as macarons. Owner Philippe Monnerie said he has baked for 20 years and finally decided to share the treats last year.
A stone’s throw away, Point Blank Pepper Co. founder Rich Newton said he launched his business four years ago as a sideline. But, when he was furloughed from his job in 2020 due to COVID, he committed fully to selling his table sauces and peppers in brine.
Newton said Point Blank has been nominated for awards, including a 2021 Flavor of Georgia finalist and the winner of the 2022 International Fiery Flave Awards.
Joern Seigies, who manages the North Main Street Market, got into the act, too.
His Bramberi Farm booth offered berries and lamb for sale.
Seigies, who frequents farmers markets to sell his berries, said he wanted to start the North Main Street event to fill the traditional off-season.
“If it picks up and it's a good winter market, we will keep it all year-round, maybe, if we get all the approvals for it, even into the summer,” Seigies said.
The market runs through March on Wednesdays 3:30-6:30 p.m. and is located at 735 N. Main St.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The winners of the 1965 high school basketball state championship have finally received an official recognition by their hometown of Alpharetta.In the era of segregation, they played for the all-Black Bailey-Johnson School on Kimball Bridge Road.During the Alpharetta city council meeting Monday, the surviving members were presented with championship rings.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks...
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The winners of the 1965 high school basketball state championship have finally received an official recognition by their hometown of Alpharetta.
In the era of segregation, they played for the all-Black Bailey-Johnson School on Kimball Bridge Road.
During the Alpharetta city council meeting Monday, the surviving members were presented with championship rings.
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“It’s not something that was owed to us, because they didn’t give rings back then, but we’re deserving of it,” Almond Martin, who was a captain of the team said.
The players said back then, high school athletes – both Black and white – didn’t receive championship rings.
But Charles Grogan, another team member, said the community – both Black and white – appreciated the team’s big win.
“I think everybody had the respect for us because we played basketball,” Grogan said. “They thought we were good. Like I said, I don’t recall anybody doing any special thing.”
Grogan and Martin spent time Thursday looking through the school’s small yearbook.
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They recall having to pass the all-white Roswell High School, with its much better facilities, to get to their own school.
“We were handicapped with facilities,” Martin said. “We didn’t have the best of nothing, really. We always had second. We always made the best with what we had, and that’s how we became the state champs.”
The school, built in 1950, has not been a school since 1968.
For many years it was used as a storage facility by Fulton County Schools.
A developer plans to keep the building standing and convert it into office space.
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IN OTHER NEWS:
On the evening of April 23, the City of Alpharetta will begin extensive rehabilitation and resurfacing of Windward Parkway between Georgia 400 and Alderman Drive / Windward Plaza. Lane closures will occur throughout the two-week project, but at least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times, and access to side streets will be maintained.NORTH POINT PARKWAY TO ALDERMAN DRIVE:Due to the extent of work that must be performed to address underlying deterioration of the road between North Point Park...
On the evening of April 23, the City of Alpharetta will begin extensive rehabilitation and resurfacing of Windward Parkway between Georgia 400 and Alderman Drive / Windward Plaza. Lane closures will occur throughout the two-week project, but at least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times, and access to side streets will be maintained.
Due to the extent of work that must be performed to address underlying deterioration of the road between North Point Parkway and Alderman Drive, work in that area will be performed 24 hours per day so that the total number of days and impacts to motorists can be reduced.
This area of Windward Parkway has seen significant degradation of the underlying roadbed, so the asphalt layer will be removed and soil cement applied to rebuild and reinforce the foundation. Soil-cement is a mixture of Portland cement, natural soil, and water used to form a hard, semi-rigid paving surface. It is most often used in highways or as a sub-base for asphalt or other forms of paving to modify the soil subgrade strength and provide a working platform in unsuitable conditions.
In short, the section of Windward Parkway between North Point Parkway and Alderman Drive is not simply being resurfaced. It is being rebuilt to provide better strength and durability and address the underlying issues that have caused excessive formation of potholes.
Fortunately, those underlying conditions are not present in the area between GA400 and North Point Parkway, so road work in this area is limited to resurfacing/repaving and will be performed at night. Work will begin after 7:30 PM and the road will be reopened by 5:00 AM each day.
Motorists should expect travel delays on Windward Parkway beginning April 23 and lasting for approximately two weeks. The best way to minimize travel delays and frustration will be by avoiding travel during peak commute periods, as alternate routes of travel in the affected area are limited.
Businesses in the area are encouraged to promote telework options during the construction period, and large employers are asked to consider slightly adjusting arrival and dismissal times during the workday. Traffic congestion and delays can be greatly reduced by neighboring businesses coordinating so that one adjusts their times 15 minutes earlier while a neighboring business adjusts theirs 15 minutes later.
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Last night (Sunday, July 16), Phish took the stage at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Ga., effectively closing out their three-night stint in Georgia as part of their summer 2023 tour. The final evening like the two that came before it, was hot and drenched with jams along with special moments, including two debuts and the first “You Enjoy Myself” the Peach State has experienced in two decades.The first set opened with an energetic sequence of three songs comprised of “Buried Alive” followed by “W...
Last night (Sunday, July 16), Phish took the stage at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Ga., effectively closing out their three-night stint in Georgia as part of their summer 2023 tour. The final evening like the two that came before it, was hot and drenched with jams along with special moments, including two debuts and the first “You Enjoy Myself” the Peach State has experienced in two decades.
The first set opened with an energetic sequence of three songs comprised of “Buried Alive” followed by “Wilson” and “NICU.” After the build-up of energy, they transitioned into a bubbling and relaxing “Bathtub Gin” before a relatively standard “Gumbo” followed. “Limb By Limb” provided a blissful interlude before Phish unveiled a surprise debut, “The Well.” This fresh addition to their repertoire–which had been heard in June when Trey Anastasio Trio dished it out to fans in Denver–delighted fans and added to the list of debuts shared over the three days. The set continued with “Mountains in the Mist,” “Halfway to the Moon,” and a scorching rendition of “Split Open and Melt.”
After an intermission, Phish returned for the second set, which also kicked off with a jammed-out trio, this time comprised of “Mike’s Song” > “Carini” > “Weekapaug Groove.” The band’s improvisational prowess was on full display as they moved into the frame’s centerpiece, a dynamic performance of “Sand.” Phish then unleashed a crowd favorite, “Reba,” before wrapping up the second set with “More.”
For the encore, Phish returned with their first-ever rendition of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” For the debut, Fishman decided to switch things up. He left his familiar drum kit behind and stepped forward with a guitar, ready to take on lead vocals for a spirited rendition of Reba McEntire’s classic. A playful romp through the song followed, with Anastasio cheering him on from the kit. As the last notes of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” rang out, the band segued into a haphazard yet delightful rendition of “Hold Your Head Up” with the drummer still on guitar. With a charming mix of humility and humor, Fishman addressed the audience, apologizing for what he humorously referred to as his “truly wretched” guitar playing. He playfully urged the audience to tell their future grandkids they witnessed this rare and entertaining moment firsthand. Anastasio then stated that “Moses Brown” or “Moses Dewitt” is “the only man who can part the Red Sea with his guitar playing,” evoking laughter from the crowd.
Despite the already elevated level of joy, the surprises weren’t over. Anastasio dedicated the final song of the run to a devoted fan who proudly sported a shirt indicating that it had been two decades since Phish last played “You Enjoy Myself” in Georgia—a fact that was indeed true. With a knowing nod to the fan’s dedication, the band launched into the beloved tune ending the lapse.
Phish will bring their summer tour to North Carolina next, with two performances set for the Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park in Wilmington. Watch all remaining shows of Phish’s 2023 Summer Tour from home via LivePhish in 4K or HD + 48 hours of unlimited replay here.
Phish Ameris Bank Amphitheatre – Alpharetta, Ga.July 16, 2023
Set I: Buried Alive > Wilson > NICU, Bathtub Gin, Gumbo, Limb By Limb > The Well[1], Mountains in the Mist, Halfway to the Moon, Split Open and Melt
Set II: Mike’s Song > Carini > Weekapaug Groove, Sand > Reba, More
Enc.: The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia[2] > Hold Your Head Up[3], You Enjoy Myself
Notes: [1] Phish debut. [2] Phish debut; Fish on guitar. [3] Fish on guitar.
This show featured the Phish debuts of The Well and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (the latter and HYHU featuring Fish on guitar). You Enjoy Myself was played for a fan with a shirt stating Phish had not played a YEM in Georgia in 20 years.
We know that some folks just cannot celebrate Independence Day without the boom, flash, and sizzle of fireworks. While we encourage anyone wanting to enjoy fireworks to take advantage of the July 4th events at Wills Park, we also know that some of you will choose to use your own consumer fireworks, instead. For those who do (and their neighbors), we want to share a few reminders ahead of Independence Day:* Georgia Law stipulates that the use of consumer fireworks is legal until 11:59 PM statewide around certain holidays: on January 1,...
We know that some folks just cannot celebrate Independence Day without the boom, flash, and sizzle of fireworks. While we encourage anyone wanting to enjoy fireworks to take advantage of the July 4th events at Wills Park, we also know that some of you will choose to use your own consumer fireworks, instead. For those who do (and their neighbors), we want to share a few reminders ahead of Independence Day:
* Georgia Law stipulates that the use of consumer fireworks is legal until 11:59 PM statewide around certain holidays: on January 1, the last Saturday and Sunday in May (before Memorial Day), July 3 and 4, the first Monday in September (Labor Day), and December 31. Additionally, State Law allows the use of consumer fireworks on January 1 from 12:00 AM (midnight) to 1:00 AM.
* Outside of those specific days, the use of consumer fireworks is permitted under Georgia Law beginning at 10:00 AM and ending at 11:59 PM on any day unless such use violates the local jurisdiction’s general noise ordinance. That law further stipulates that such ordinance must be a general noise ordinance that does not apply solely to fireworks and must have been adopted on or after July 01, 2018. The City of Alpharetta’s ordinance does not meet these requirements.
* Fireworks cannot be used within any park or other City property without a permit, which we offer only as part of a City-partnered special event.
* Fireworks cannot be used within the right-of-way of any public road, street, highway, or railroad.
* Please be respectful and courteous to your neighbors who may not enjoy fireworks, may suffer from PTSD, or may have pets that are frightened by them. Also, remember that not everyone has July 5th off from work and may be trying to sleep. If you plan to use fireworks, we encourage you to talk with your neighbors ahead of time and try to accommodate their needs.
* If you are someone who does not like fireworks, please remember that Georgia law does allow those over age 18 to use them within the hours noted above. If a neighbor who plans to use fireworks comes to talk with you ahead of time, be respectful of their rights under the law and keep in mind that they are talking with you out of courtesy.
If you notice fireworks being used outside of the allowed times, please call us while it is happening. We cannot really do anything after the fact. To report possible unlawful use of fireworks, please call the non-emergency line for our Department of Public Safety at 678-297-6300, select Option 1 and provide as much detail as possible with respect to your location and where you believe the fireworks are being used.
Above all, please be safe and treat one another as you would want to be treated.