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 Austell, 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 Austell, 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 Austell 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 Austell, 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 Austell 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
Mableton's Election Day is tomorrow, residents had no ideaGeorgia's newest city is already hitting a couple bumps in the road. Election Day is Tuesday, and while residents are supposed to be gearing up to vote for its mayor and city council members, many of them say they had no idea it was coming up.MABLETON, Ga. - The city of Mableton will be decided who its inaugural leaders will be during Tuesday's election. Fifteen different precincts will be opening to pick ...
Georgia's newest city is already hitting a couple bumps in the road. Election Day is Tuesday, and while residents are supposed to be gearing up to vote for its mayor and city council members, many of them say they had no idea it was coming up.
MABLETON, Ga. - The city of Mableton will be decided who its inaugural leaders will be during Tuesday's election. Fifteen different precincts will be opening to pick six city council members and its first mayor.
The election comes just days after a measure failed in the Georgia Legislature that would allow some areas to de-annex from the newly formed city.
Many of the 28 candidates were out Monday evening waving signs and knocking on doors. Turnout for early voting was lower than expected. Only about 2,500 of the more than 47,000 registered voters cast their ballots.
"Turnout has been very slow," said Cobb County Elections Dir. Janine Eveler.
Eveler says they have had plenty of people calling with questions, despite their best efforts to get the word out. Eveler says they mailed out letters, put videos with information on the county website, social media, and even had a couple of town halls.
"A lot of people have said they weren't aware they were in the city," said Eveler.
In the short time Mableton has been a city, things have not gone smoothly. Hundreds signed a petition, and had town halls, trying to de-annex their neighborhoods from the city.
State Rep. Terry Cummings even tried to come up with legislation that would change the boundaries, but didn't have time to get it in during this legislative session.
"It just got too complicated to try to resolve, and the deadline was really Friday. It ran into snag, after snag, after snag," said Rep. Cummings.
Rep. Cummings says she's not done yet, she'll still be there for the residents, and maybe it will come up at a later time.
In the meantime, candidates for Mableton Mayor and council are spending the final moments trying to get people to the polls.
Mableton mayoral and city council debate
Mableton is Georgia’s newest city. Candidates running for mayor and city council debated the issues in a virtual forum on Feb. 21, 2023.
The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on March 21.
For those not sure if they live within the city of Mableton, they can go to the Cobb County Government website at CobbCounty.org, type in an address, and it will show if it is within the city limits. There are also sample ballots.
Those on the ballot for Tuesday’s election vying to be Mableton’s first may include
Aaron Carman - A business unit executive and sales manager with just under two and a half decades of experience.
LaTonia Long - A public policy manager who has worked closely with the Georgia Legislation.
The decision for Mableton to become its own city caused quite a controversy with some residents still opposed to the new cityhood.MABLETON, Ga. — Residents in Mableton headed to the polls Tuesday to vote for mayor and city council. It’s the first time residents have voted for the two since Mableton's cityhood was established.The decision for Mableton to become a ...
The decision for Mableton to become its own city caused quite a controversy with some residents still opposed to the new cityhood.
MABLETON, Ga. — Residents in Mableton headed to the polls Tuesday to vote for mayor and city council. It’s the first time residents have voted for the two since Mableton's cityhood was established.
The decision for Mableton to become a city came with some contention with some residents against the move-- and that dissension was apparent on Election Day.
11Alive spoke with residents who had opposing views.
"I'm not for the City of Mableton," Karyn Harrison said.
However, she said she felt like she still needed to vote to have her voice heard.
"I think cityhood is good," Larry Johnson said.
RELATED: Voters express alarm after they find Mableton cityhood question missing from some ballots
They both live in the newly formed city, which also includes parts of unincorporated Smyrna and Austell.
Harrison said her votes are for candidates who were against the cityhood. She believes widening roads and expanding MARTA should have been a priority before the city was established. However, she still wants to see that happen.
On the other hand, Johnson said he's voting for candidates who are focused on growth.
“Fixing the potholes, the infrastructure, that’s what I want to see,” Johnson said.
READ: Opponents of Mableton cityhood plan next steps
He also believes proximity to elected officials is key.
"I truly believe that representation that's closer to us is easier to control. If we get a bunch of goofballs in there we can show up and make a change," he said.
Those elected will have two years to work with the governor and county leaders to help get the new city established. The new mayor and six-member council will have to determine what services it will offer, create a budget and make other municipal decisions.
(AUSTELL, Ga.) — A Georgia firefighter helped deliver his first grandchild while on duty at his own fire station last month, and the veteran first responder said although it was unexpected, his family is “over the moon” after welcoming the baby girl, named Adalynn.“I’ve been in the fire service for a little over 28 years and I have delivered multiple children — probably my best guess would be between 10 and 12 — and so just natural instincts kind of took over to make sure that we had the right...
(AUSTELL, Ga.) — A Georgia firefighter helped deliver his first grandchild while on duty at his own fire station last month, and the veteran first responder said although it was unexpected, his family is “over the moon” after welcoming the baby girl, named Adalynn.
“I’ve been in the fire service for a little over 28 years and I have delivered multiple children — probably my best guess would be between 10 and 12 — and so just natural instincts kind of took over to make sure that we had the right stuff,” Bret Langston told “Good Morning America.”
On the morning of Feb. 10, Bret Langston’s daughter Hannah Langston said she woke up in the early hours with what she thought were contractions but tried to lay back down and “ignore” them for a while, because others had told her the laboring process would take multiple hours.
“I was like, we have plenty of time. Like, it’s not that big of a deal,” the 18-year-old recounted.
Later that morning, Langston, along with her mother April Langston and boyfriend Christopher Williams, decided they would start heading to the birthing center. Along the way, Langston said her mom suggested they stop at her dad’s fire station so she could take a bathroom break.
“We stopped and as soon as I got out of the car, I was like, ‘I’m not getting back in’ and they were like, ‘No, you’re fine.’ I was like, ‘No, like, she’s coming right now,'” Langston recalled.
Bret Langston was on one of his 24-hour shifts at Austell Fire Station No. 2 in Austell, Georgia, at the time. He also thought Hannah would have plenty of time, but it quickly became clear their initial plan was going to change, so he led his daughter to his personal bunk room at the fire station and the other firefighters started pitching in to help, locating the station’s obstetrical kit and warming up towels.
“I cleared the bed … [and] put plastic trash bags down on the bed. I [replaced] my sheets on there so Hannah would at least be comfortable, and we got started on that,” Bret Langston said. “My wife called Hannah’s doula and fortunately, she was only about five or six minutes away, and I think about 10 minutes after we got Hannah settled in, Adalynn came.”
Hannah Langston said Adalynn’s quick arrival was “shocking,” but the baby girl came out healthy and without any complications and both mom and baby were able to go home shortly after the baby’s birth.
“They put her on my chest and at first, I was just shocked … I looked at her and just looked around the room and I was like, ‘Oh my God,'” Hannah Langston said. “It was just like unreal.”
Bret Langston said he is looking forward to showing his granddaughter around the fire station as she grows up and said they share a remarkable bond now.
“It is definitely something I’ll remember forever,” Bret Langston added. “It became a little emotional for me because while this is my daughter and my granddaughter, and you know, she picked a peculiar place to enter the world, but it was very sweet and it’s something that I will never forget.”
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From LaGrange College athleticsLAGRANGE, Ga. – Freshmen Morgan Martin (Chelsea, Ala.) and Alexis Childers (Adairsville, Ga.) got LaGrange (0-12) beach volleyball on the board as they fell 4-1 to Lynchburg (3-5) and dropped a 5-0 decisions to Huntingdon (9-2) in NCAA beach volleyball action on Saturday, February 25.LYNCHBURG 4, LAGRANGE 1The Panthers’ No. 1 pairing of senior Bailey Moss (Jupiter, Fla.) and freshman Zentrina Choice (Sumter, S.C.) fell 21-13 and 21-12 ...
From LaGrange College athletics
LAGRANGE, Ga. – Freshmen Morgan Martin (Chelsea, Ala.) and Alexis Childers (Adairsville, Ga.) got LaGrange (0-12) beach volleyball on the board as they fell 4-1 to Lynchburg (3-5) and dropped a 5-0 decisions to Huntingdon (9-2) in NCAA beach volleyball action on Saturday, February 25.
LYNCHBURG 4, LAGRANGE 1
The Panthers’ No. 1 pairing of senior Bailey Moss (Jupiter, Fla.) and freshman Zentrina Choice (Sumter, S.C.) fell 21-13 and 21-12 to Kailey Keough and Jordan Palmer before Mady Shirey and SJ Yanz posted a 21-6, 21-10 victory over freshman Riley Morgan (Jackson, Ga.) and junior Carmen Hamilton (Alpharetta, Ga.).
Martin and Childers then came through at No. 3 as they delivered a 21-18, 21-17 decision over Amanda Trapp and Parker Lynch for the Panthers first set victory of the season. Senior Vianca Colon-Gonzalez (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico) and freshman Rhaya Harwell (Austell, Ga.) then rounded things out as they fell 21-16, 21-11 to Mackenzie Ingrassia and Molly Ballew at the four spot.
HUNTINGDON 5, LAGRANGE 0
It would be a different story against a very strong Hawks team, however, as Reece Rhodes and Ashlen Janowski downed Moss and Choice 21-10, 21-12 at No. 1 and Morgan and Hamilton dropped identical 21-10 decisions to Izzy Valldeperas and Veronica Tikhomirova at the second spot.
Martin and Childers pushed Ariel Helmick and Eva Ellenburg in Set 1 at No. 3 before falling 21-17 and surrendering a 21-8 decision while HC’s tandem of Bea Lindquist and Carolina Foote picked up a 21-6, 21-12 win over Colon-Gonzalez and Harwell to round out the 5-0 sweep.
UP NEXT
The Panthers are back in action from March 3-4 when they head to Thibodaux, Louisiana for four matches, three against traditionally NCAA Division I programs. That stretch will begin with host Nicholls State and New Orleans at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, March 3 and cap off with Louisiana Monroe and Loyola New Orleans at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 4.
LYNCHBURG 4, LAGRANGE 1
1. Kailey Keough/Jordan Palmer (LYN) def. Bailey Moss/Zentrina Choice (LC) 21-13, 21-12
2. Mady Shirey/SJ Yanz (LYN) def. Riley Morgan/Carmen Hamilton (LC) 21-6, 21-10
3. Morgan Martin/Alexis Childers (LC) def. Amanda Trapp/Parker Lynch (LYN) 21-18, 21-17
4. Mackenzie Ingrassia/Molly Ballew (LYN) def. V. Colon-Gonzalez/Rhaya Harwell (LC) 21-16, 21-11
5. No player/No player (LYN) def. No player/No player (LC), by forfeit
HUNTINGDON 5, LAGRANGE 0
1. Reece Rhodes/Ashlen Janowski (HC) def. Bailey Moss/Zentrina Choice (LC) 21-10, 21-12
2. Izzy Valldeperas/Veronica Tikhomirova (HC) def. Riley Morgan/Carmen Hamilton (LC) 21-10, 21-10
3. Ariel Helmick/Eva Ellenburg (HC) def. Morgan Martin/Alexis Childers (LC) 21-17, 21-8
4. Bea Lindquist/Caroline Foote (HC) def. V. Colon-Gonzalez/Rhaya Harwell (LC) 21-6, 21-12
5. No player/No player (HC) def. No player/No player (LC), by forfeit
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla – The Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) All-South Region teams were announced on Friday afternoon. RJ Sunahara, the junior forward for the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks, was honored as the South Region Player of the Year and also earned his second career D2CCA All-Region First-Team selection. Sunahara is joined on the First-Team by ...
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla – The Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) All-South Region teams were announced on Friday afternoon. RJ Sunahara, the junior forward for the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks, was honored as the South Region Player of the Year and also earned his second career D2CCA All-Region First-Team selection. Sunahara is joined on the First-Team by Will Yoakum.
The D2CCA South Region teams were selected by NCAA Division II Sports Information Directors from institutions and conference offices in the South Region, made up of Gulf South Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Sunshine State Conference.
Sunahara follows in former teammates Sekou Sylla's footsteps, winning both the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year and South Region Player of the Year in the same season. No. 1 Nova Southeastern (30-0), following winning back-to-back Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament titles, has advanced to the NCAA National Tournament unbeaten for the second consecutive year. The forward is averaging 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals for SSC Coach of the Year Jim Crutchfield.
Yoakum, in his first season at Nova Southeastern, has joined the top-ranked Sharks and elevated both his game and the program. The senior guard is one of two Sharks to start all 30 games for NSU, and is averaging 18.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and is shooting 59% from the field.
Player of the Year
RJ Sunahara (Nova Southeastern) 6-8 Junior Forward Bay Village, Ohio
First Team RJ Sunahara^ (Nova Southeastern) 6-8 Junior Forward Bay Village, Ohio Will Yoakum (Nova Southeastern) 6-5 Senior Guard/Forward Delaware, Ohio Chaney Johnson^ (Alabama Huntsville) 6-7 Sophomore Guard Alabaster, Ala. Jadin Booth (Florida Southern) 6-2 Sophomore Guard Omaha, Neb. Tylandrius Parks (Union) 6-5 Senior Guard Pocahontas, Tenn.
Second Team Michael Zabetakis (West Georgia) 6-5 Senior Guard Cumming, Ga. Shardarrion Allen (West Alabama) 6-4 Senior Forward Bolton, Miss. K.J. Doucet (Fort Valley State) 6-7 Sophomore Forward Austell, Ga. E.J. Dambreville (Florida Southern 6-3 Senior Guard Dorchester, Mass. Sean Houpt (Florida Tech) 6-4 Senior Guard Danville, Ill.
^-2021-22 first-team All-South Region Pick
No. 1 Nova Southeastern is set to begin the NCAA South Region Tournament against eighth-seed Miles on Saturday, March 11, from the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
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