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 Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, 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 “fill†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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta, 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:
Dental Surgery, DDS
Dr. John Bishara, DDS was born and raised in Nazareth Israel. His last name, "Bishara" translates to the annunciation, which is the announcement of the incarnation by the angel Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38).
Dr. Bishara attended Valdosta State University, where he received his Bachelors degree of Science in Biology with honors. He then pursued his education at the University of Detroit Mercy to earn his Doctoral Degree of Dental Surgery, DDS.
Since earning his degrees in 1999, he has been practicing General and Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Bishara spent his first four years practicing dentistry in St. Simons Island before moving to Marietta, Georgia to establish his own practice. In 2010, Dr. John Bishara completed a one year residency at MCG, specializing in dental implants.
Dr. John Bishara has proven to be an exceptional dental practitioner by creating a dental environment perfect for any individual and family, while offering an array of services to meet each of their needs. He takes pride in creating beautiful, confident smiles on a daily basis. Dr. John Bishara is dedicated to a lifelong career in Dentistry by furthering his education in every way possible.
Having served the East Cobb and Atlanta 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!
770-691-5051
ReactionsLike89Laugh5Wow1FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- To understand why the Atlanta Falcons became the story of the NFL draft last week by taking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. ...
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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- To understand why the Atlanta Falcons became the story of the NFL draft last week by taking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall, it's necessary to go back to the team's last franchise quarterback.
From 2008 to 2021, the Falcons could write in pen who would be starting under center: Matt Ryan. He became arguably the best player in franchise history, took the team to Super Bowl LI and was the Most Valuable Player in 2016. Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts during the 2022 offseason, and he officially retired last week after taking last season off to work as a television analyst.
The issue for the Falcons is they never had a succession plan for Ryan, and the team's quarterback play suffered the last two seasons. Consequently, the Falcons have not had a winning season since Ryan was still in his prime, back in 2017.
So, three days after Ryan officially announced his retirement, Atlanta drafted Penix, despite having just signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million on March 11. The Falcons' succession plan for Cousins has started before the 35-year-old even played a down for his new team.
"We were always looking aggressively for the heir apparent, the down-the-road, the solution at that position [after Ryan]," Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith said Tuesday. "... It's the most important position in all sports, and it's the most expensive position in all sports."
While the Falcons have been criticized for burning their No. 8 pick on a position it recently filled, team brass is looking at it more like it has the position sewn up for the foreseeable future.
Going into the offseason, quarterback was the Falcons' biggest need. The combination of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke led Atlanta to a 7-10 record last season and caused team owner Arthur Blank to tab the team's quarterback play as "deficient."
The Falcons fired Smith after the season and hired Raheem Morris in January. At the NFL combine in February, Morris said he likely would not be in Atlanta had the team's quarterback play been better.
"We went from a time of uncertainty in January at that position to we feel really good for, like I said, minimum five years," Smith said Tuesday.
Drafting Penix rather than an impact player who could help in 2024 surprised Cousins, who was informed about the selection when the team was on the clock. His agent, Mike McCartney, told ESPN's Pete Thamel there was frustration and confusion coming from Cousins' camp, though McCartney said Cousins understands the business of football and was ready to move on. Cousins called Penix later Thursday night and the two had a "very good conversation," Penix said Friday.
"It wasn't very surprising to me," Falcons safety Jessie Bates III said of drafting another QB. "I knew what type of player [Penix] is."
Bates said no one from the organization has discussed the pick with the players, and he doesn't think that would be necessary.
Despite raising eyebrows with the unconventional pick, the Falcons are confident they made the right decision.
"This was the year that [a quarterback] fell to you, and you're staring at him," Smith said. "And we followed through with what we've said we'd always do within the walls, and that's pull the trigger. And we feel really good about it."
SEATTLE -- Marcell Ozuna continues to reward the Braves for the patience they maintained as he followed a couple unproductive seasons marred by legal issues with one of the worst months in franchise history.“I think he is very appreciative that we did hang in there with him, because it wasn’t easy,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “You remembered him as a young player and being very good. We hoped some of that w...
SEATTLE -- Marcell Ozuna continues to reward the Braves for the patience they maintained as he followed a couple unproductive seasons marred by legal issues with one of the worst months in franchise history.
“I think he is very appreciative that we did hang in there with him, because it wasn’t easy,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “You remembered him as a young player and being very good. We hoped some of that was still in there, because he wasn’t over the hill by any stretch. He’s in the prime of his life.”
Ozuna accounted for one of the seven hits the Braves tallied in a 3-2 loss to the Mariners on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Park. The veteran designated hitter will enter May leading the Majors with 31 RBIs and the National League with nine home runs.
He is in a far different position than he was this time last year, when there was reason to wonder if the Braves might release him, despite still owing him approximately $35 million at the time.
All Ozuna has done since then is be one of the game’s most productive players.
Here's where he ranks among other MLB players in these offensive categories going back to May 1, 2023:
“God told me this is the one opportunity, so I had to take care of that opportunity that he gave me back to play baseball,” Ozuna said. “Life is harder than usual sometimes, but you have to keep continuing.”
Ozuna exited April 2023 hitting .085 with two homers and a .397 OPS in 67 plate appearances. He is one of only three players in Atlanta history (since 1966) to have a sub-.400 OPS while recording at least 60 plate appearances in March/April. The others were Erick Aybar (2016) and Pat Rockett (1978), a pair of shortstops near the end of their respective careers. Of the three, Ozuna is the only one to post a batting average lower than .100 in that span.
These struggles set the stage for Ozuna's very impressive in-season revitalization, when the slugger constructed a 40-homer, 100-RBI season last year, and has kept it going through this season’s first month.
Ozuna enters May with a 1.036 OPS. This marks just the 15th time a Braves player has produced a 1.000-plus OPS with at least 100 plate appearances in March/April. Ozuna joins Justin Upton (2013), Andres Galarraga (1998), Chipper Jones (1998) and Freddie Freeman (2017) as the players to do so while also hitting at least nine home runs before the end of the regular season’s first full month.
“A lot of places you’re not going to find teams and organizations willing to give the guy time to figure it out,” Olson said. “We play 162 games because of all the ups and downs. But it says a lot for a team to say, ‘This is one of our guys and you ride them out.’”
Ozuna singled in the fourth inning on Tuesday night, but he also struck out with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth of a one-run game. This was one of those situations he has thrived in over the past few weeks. He is hitting .395 (15-for-38) with a 1.333 OPS with runners in scoring position this year.
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“I’m really proud of how he’s handled things and where he’s gotten to,” Snitker said.
Ozuna’s turnaround was influenced by mechanical and lifestyle changes. His 2021 season ended with a domestic violence arrest that occurred a few days after fracturing a pair of fingers while sliding into third base. His 2022 season was blemished with a DUI arrest.
Last year’s slow start added to the pressure that surrounded him. But he felt like everything began to improve once he changed his lifestyle, placing his focus back on baseball and his family.
His dedication has been appreciated by the teammates, who feel fortunate to call him a mentor and a friend.
“We’re a team, and we always have each other’s back,” Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies said. “That’s what makes this team special.”
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Mark Bowman has covered the Braves for MLB.com since 2001.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It appears the Atlanta Falcons have been itching to be in their current quarterback situation since 2021, when general manager Terry Fontenot joined the team.Around that same time, Kyle Smith also came on board. He was originally hired as the vice president of player personnel and has since been promoted to assistant general manager last year.Fontenot and Smith's first NFL Draft together happened three months after their arrival."It was an unsettling feeling, sitting there in '21," S...
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It appears the Atlanta Falcons have been itching to be in their current quarterback situation since 2021, when general manager Terry Fontenot joined the team.
Around that same time, Kyle Smith also came on board. He was originally hired as the vice president of player personnel and has since been promoted to assistant general manager last year.
Fontenot and Smith's first NFL Draft together happened three months after their arrival.
"It was an unsettling feeling, sitting there in '21," Smith said Tuesday. "I'll never forget sitting there with Terry and being like, 'OK, well, what's our future? What's our plan for the future? How are we going to solidify down the road?'
"It's not just about this year or next year. It's about five years minimum."
Especially at quarterback.
Atlanta still had Matt Ryan in 2021, but he was about to enter his 14th season. In hindsight, he only had two left in him, officially retiring earlier this month with 15 seasons to his name. Regardless, Ryan was going to be on his way out – sooner rather than later, too.
"There were a lot of variables – when we first got here – in terms of cap and cash and where you're at as a team and trying to build," Smith said. "But we were always looking aggressively for the heir apparent, the down-the-road solution at that position."
In 2021, the Falcons selected tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4 overall. The three picks prior were all quarterbacks. The next passer wasn't taken until No. 11.
In 2022, the Falcons took wide receiver Drake London at No. 8. There was only one quarterback taken in the first round, and it was later at No. 20.
In 2023, the Falcons chose running back Bijan Robinson at No. 8. Three quarterbacks had already been picked by then, all within the top four.
Alas, the most recent draft: 2024.
"This is the first year that we were sitting there and staring down the barrel at a player that we think can be that guy," Smith said.
The Falcons picked quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8.
However, there's a catch: The Falcons already had a quarterback. They signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year $180 million contract as soon as free agency began back in March.
"What we did to get Kirk Cousins should tell everybody what we believe in Kirk Cousins," Smith said. "He's our guy. We set ourselves up.
"Then, in the draft, Michael Penix was there. It's a quarterback – a young quarterback – that we believe in. We pulled that trigger.
"I mean, that's as clear as I can say it."
Present vs. future.
Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris were just as clear as Smith: Cousins is QB1 in 2024. Penix will learn and develop behind Cousins.
The reigns will eventually and inevitably have to trade hands. That's OK now. That's the plan.
"For the next five years, we feel great about the position," Smith said. "Minimum."
Spring is a busy opening season in Atlanta. Here’s the latest on what’s new.Week of May 1 Rreal Tacos opens seventh location in Buckhead Crowd favorite Rreal Tacos opened another location in Buckhead on May 1, just in time for Cinco de Mayo. They will occupy the former Farm Burger in Tower Place. This will be the restaurant’s seventh location, and are already found in Mid...
Spring is a busy opening season in Atlanta. Here’s the latest on what’s new.
Crowd favorite Rreal Tacos opened another location in Buckhead on May 1, just in time for Cinco de Mayo. They will occupy the former Farm Burger in Tower Place. This will be the restaurant’s seventh location, and are already found in Midtown, West Midtown, Chamblee, Sandy Springs, Cumming and Sugar Hill.
The former Zesto spot in Little Five Points finally has a new resident. Pizza Verdura Sincera is officially open, two years after the announcement of its takeover. Owners David Smith and Paul Jones opened the doors on April 27. Expect vegan pies with toppings like vegan pepperoni and seasonal veggies like squash, zucchini, and sweet onions.
Casa Balam is the newest Mexican restaurant in downtown Decatur, where the former Ted’s Montana Grill used to be. It opened on April 23 and comes from the same group behind popular Mexican fine dining joints, El Valle in Midtown and Oaxaca in Chamblee. Chef and co-owner Luis Damian has created a menu of traditional and modern Mexican fare, including tacos, empanadas, and family-style meat options of duck confit, beef birria, and Chilean sea bass.
The new restaurant has opened in the Auburn Avenue Rib Shack space. Led by proprietor Asa Fain, executive chef Robbie Pacheco, and accompanied by pastry chef Pamela Moxley, Auburn Angel opened on April 19. Expect indoor and alfresco dining, with dishes like grilled octopus, striped bass on spring peas and pickled enoki mushrooms, and rhubarb almond tart.
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Owners Sam Pilch and Madeline Long celebrated a ribbon-cutting and grand opening of their wine shop in downtown Decatur on April 19. The shop focuses on minimal intervention wines from smaller producers around the world. Look for organic and biodynamic wines and plenty of wine books at this neighborhood shop.
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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons picked up tight end Kyle Pitts' fifth-year option, the team announced Monday. Pitts is now locked through the 2025 season.Pitts was the Falcons' No. 4 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Falcons therefore needed to decide on Pitts' rookie contract fate by May 2, a league-wide deadline for that crop of first-round picks. The decision ultimately had to come before Pitts' fourth year.So, now Pitts has at least two more seasons in Atlanta ahead of him as 2024 continues....
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons picked up tight end Kyle Pitts' fifth-year option, the team announced Monday. Pitts is now locked through the 2025 season.
Pitts was the Falcons' No. 4 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Falcons therefore needed to decide on Pitts' rookie contract fate by May 2, a league-wide deadline for that crop of first-round picks. The decision ultimately had to come before Pitts' fourth year.
So, now Pitts has at least two more seasons in Atlanta ahead of him as 2024 continues.
"He's the mayor of Atlanta," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said in March at the Annual League Meetings. "I think he wants to come back and have a highly productive year. I think he is excited about his partnership with some of the guys that we've brought in."
Surely the main guy Morris was referring to is Kirk Cousins. The hope is Cousins will return consistency to the quarterback position for the first time since -- arguably -- Pitts was drafted. Since Pitts joined, he has worked with four different starting quarterbacks: Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.
Ryan helped Pitts deliver his best results as a rookie. Pitts had a Pro Bowl season in 2021 with 68 receptions for 1,026 yards and a touchdown. That's 15.1 yards per reception on average. He played in all 17 games, starting 15.
Expectations were high for Pitts in his second season, even amid a QB1 change, but a season-ending PCL/MCL injury in the Falcons' Week 11 win over the Chicago Bears halted those plans. Pitts had 28 receptions for 356 yards and two receptions in 10 starts.
Pitts returned to action in 2023, starting 15 of his 17 game appearances. Whether or not he was at full health was questioned but dismissed throughout the season. Either way, Pitts had 53 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns.
Unlike last year, Pitts and his knee should be fully good to go this preseason.
"I don't think we have any limitations on Kyle and what he can do," Morris said.
Now, per league rules, the Falcons can offer Pitts a contract extension before his fifth season (2025) since they did not do so before his fourth. A recent example of this in action can be seen in what the Falcons did with offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom. He was their No. 14 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Falcons picked up his fifth-year option in 2022 and then offered him a contract extension in 2023. He's now contracted with the team through 2028.
If following a similar timeline, then Pitts will have the 2024 season to prove his long-term worth. Otherwise, he'd become a free agent come 2026.
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