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 Roswell, 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 Roswell, 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 Roswell 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 Roswell, 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 Roswell 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!
Armed with umbrellas, the couple worked their way through the home, trying to shepherd the stubborn bird out the back door, finally succeeding in shooing it out.ROSWELL, Ga. — A metro Atlanta couple is reliving the bizarre ordeal when they came back to their house to a surprise: a vulture making itself at home inside their living room.It was all caught on doorbell video, shared with 11Alive by Roswell resident Vernalisa Rougeux.According to ...
Armed with umbrellas, the couple worked their way through the home, trying to shepherd the stubborn bird out the back door, finally succeeding in shooing it out.
ROSWELL, Ga. — A metro Atlanta couple is reliving the bizarre ordeal when they came back to their house to a surprise: a vulture making itself at home inside their living room.
It was all caught on doorbell video, shared with 11Alive by Roswell resident Vernalisa Rougeux.
According to Rougeux, she and her fiancé Jake Troti had popped out for a quick lunch on Saturday. When they were back home, Troti opened their front door to find the scavenger bird inside.
"I just couldn't believe what he was saying," she told 11Alive on Monday.
Rougeux said she initially thought it was an intruder inside the home, based on Troti's reaction. However, she said when Troti repeated that it was a vulture, she was in shock.
"There's a vulture in the house!" Troti can be heard saying in the doorbell video, to the disbelief of Rougeux.
"Liar!" she replies back in the video.
"Swear to God!" Troti says back.
In an interview, Rougeux said at that point, she thought it was a vulture inside attacking her dog, Georgia.
"Where's Georgia?" Rougeux asks in the video. "Is she OK?"
Both call to the pup, who then trots out the door, tail wagging. Rougeux said she believes the dog, who normally barks when people approach the door, was sound asleep and their call to her woke her up.
Knowing that Georgia was safe, Rougeux said their attention then turned to devising a plan to get the bird outside. Rougeux said Troti started recording on his phone, using it to see around the corner so he didn't get attacked. When they watched the video back on the porch, Rougeux remembered thinking to herself, "This thing is just living it up!"
Rougeux said she ran to the garage to try and let it out, but remembered she couldn't open it because the button was only accessible from the inside. So, she ran back around to the front and decided, "I'm just gonna get an umbrella," so she could "get bigger" than the bird to scare it.
Armed with the umbrella, Rougeux said she started screaming at the bird and flapping the umbrella to be bigger than it. Rougeux said she battled the vulture from upstairs to downstairs for a full five minutes, but, "I was determined to get him out," she said.
Cellphone video shows the moment Rougeux finally succeeded in shooing the bird outside in triumph.
"F----g got it!" she says in the video, as the bird alights on the roof of a neighboring home.
As for how the bird got inside, Rougeux said she believes it made its way in through the couple's doggie door, which they left open into their fenced-in backyard -- something they rarely do, but did on this occasion because of the quick outing.
She said she learned that while vultures cannot smell, they have a keen sense of sight, and she believes the scavenger was attracted to her kids' stuffed bear that she believes the bird mistook for a dead animal.
"We're never opening that doggie door again," Rougeux says in the video.
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Once all the immediate excitement settled, Rougeux said she and Troti reviewed the video and had a good laugh about the whole thing. "It's hilarious!" she told 11Alive.
She said she posted the video to her Facebook page because she thought it was funny and wanted her friends to have a good laugh.
"People are loving it," she said. "It just seemed unreal -- I was just in shock watching!"
Rougeux said she spent the next two days sanitizing her entire home, but she won't soon wipe away the memory of duking it out with a vulture any time soon.
"It was the craziest thing ever!"
According to wildlife officials, there are two species of vultures found in Georgia: turkey vultures and black vultures. Both species can cause nuisance problems in urban areas and in rural settings, officials say.
According to the Georgia Wildlife Resource Division, there are some things homeowners can do if they think they have a problem with vultures.
Habitat modification
Sometimes it is as simple as removing roost trees or food resources.
Harassment
Homeowners who have a problem with roosting are advised to harass vultures when they arrive to roost and should be carried out for at least three days in a row.
"The ultimate goal of dispersal is not allowing a single bird to roost/loaf," according to the wildlife officials.
Officials say using pyrotechnics for visual and audio harassment, coupled with the use of "effigies" of dead vultures is often the most successful way to disrupt a roost, although officials recommend contacting local authorities to let them know before using pyrotechnics.
Other harassment strategies include lasers, air horns, and paintball guns.
Exclusion
Another option is to install "perch inhibitors," like bird spikes, bird wire, coyote roller, etc. to discourage perching and loafing.
Lethal control
The final method is to use lethal force, but property owners are required to have a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service migratory bird depredation permit before they can use lethal control for vultures.
ROSWELL, Ga. — Some business owners in Roswell want to put the brakes on a plan to shut down Canton Street to cars this summer.City leaders plan to close a block off the street from about Elizabeth Way to Webb Street between Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.The street, brimming with restaurants and shops, is a popular destination.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]“We don’t f...
ROSWELL, Ga. — Some business owners in Roswell want to put the brakes on a plan to shut down Canton Street to cars this summer.
City leaders plan to close a block off the street from about Elizabeth Way to Webb Street between Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
The street, brimming with restaurants and shops, is a popular destination.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“We don’t feel like we want to be the guinea pigs,” Jenna Aronowitz, who owns 1920 Tavern, said. “It would be detrimental. We already have a major parking problem.”
City officials say 39 parking spaces would be lost with the closure, but point out that parking is available at the nearby Roswell City Hall.
A parking deck is planned for the area, though it’s still a couple of years away.
“If they want to do the closure of the street, they’ve got to build our deck first,” Aronowitz said.
Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson said the summer closure is a trial run.
“We think it’s going to be great for the community, we think it’s going to be great for the businesses. Obviously, we wouldn’t do it if we thought it was going to hurt any businesses,” Wilson said.
Alison Levinson, who owns Canton Street Social, said the closure would not only make parking a hassle, it would hinder truck deliveries.
“I’m not sure how deliveries would happen here. The trucks can’t park in the middle of Highway 9,” she said, referring to the highway that parallels Canton Street. “It could be a good idea, with the proper planning, but I think it was on a super-fast track that was too fast for the restaurants to handle.”
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Tommy Williams, owner of CBD Store And More, welcomes the concept, saying his business thrives on foot traffic.
But he also worries about parking.
“I just want to make sure that our customers have the ability to park and get in and out quickly,” Williams said.
Wilson said if the trial run is successful, the closure could become permanent.
“And we think this is in the best interest of every business there, even businesses that may say we don’t like that,” Wilson said. “We want to make it more pedestrian-friendly, make it more family-friendly.”
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Taskforce to assess future of Canton StreetIt's been a growing issue in Roswell, but now plans to turn busy Canton Street into a walki...
It's been a growing issue in Roswell, but now plans to turn busy Canton Street into a walking promenade have been paused. City leaders formed a taskforce to take a closer look at the plan and how it may affect businesses in the area. FOX 5 spoke to people on both sides of the issue.
ROSWELL, Ga. - The plan to turn a busy section of a Roswell street into a walking promenade has been paused. Tuesday night, city leaders agreed to form a task form to take a closer look at the plan and its impact.
"Nothing says ‘Welcome’ like a closed street in front of your restaurant," said Ryan Pernice, who owns two restaurants along Canton Street.
Like other business owners in the immediate area, Ryan Pernice was shocked to learn several weeks ago that there were plans to shut down a portion of the bustling road to traffic.
"We have these businesses we've invested millions of dollars in and all of a sudden we see on Facebook that the street in front of our restaurant is going to be closed," said Pernice.
While the mayor and other city leaders believed it would bring an even more energetic vibe to the area, many business owners believe it will add to the parking and traffic problems, and would hurt their businesses.
City leaders agreed to form a task force made up of city leaders, business owners, and residents to take a closer look at the impact of Canton Street becoming a walkable promenade.
"Look at the impact and make sure we have all the plans as we go forward, if we create a promenade," said city council member Peter Vanstrom.
A plan to close of a busy section of Canton Street in Roswell has been paused to allow business owners and community leaders to take a closer look at the proposal. (FOX 5)
"I want to make sure we're listening to them, but I also want to make sure they're thriving and making money," said council member Lee Hills.
No matter what happens down the road, Pernice sees this as a step in the right direction.
"It went from this is happening, the road is closing, to now we're at a point where we have a little more insight in the process. That I call a win," said Pernice.
While there's no timeframe as to when the task force will be formed and how long before they come up with a recommendation on how to proceed, it won't be Memorial Day, as was the initial plan.
ROSWELL, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - One week after Roswell business owners accused Mayor Kurt Wilson of being short-sighted and unconcerned about their livelihoods, Wilson assured them there’s no longer a timetable for closing off Canton Street to thru traffic during weekends this summer.He did, however, ask for their collaboration as he and other city leaders develop a plan to make it happen.Earlier this month, city leaders posted a 20-minute video on Roswell’s Facebook page featuring Mayor Kurt Wilson. In the vide...
ROSWELL, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - One week after Roswell business owners accused Mayor Kurt Wilson of being short-sighted and unconcerned about their livelihoods, Wilson assured them there’s no longer a timetable for closing off Canton Street to thru traffic during weekends this summer.
He did, however, ask for their collaboration as he and other city leaders develop a plan to make it happen.
Earlier this month, city leaders posted a 20-minute video on Roswell’s Facebook page featuring Mayor Kurt Wilson. In the video, Wilson described a pedestrian-friendly promenade concept designed to create a more vibrant downtown historic district. Wilson said he and other city leaders had been discussing the idea for almost a year and a half and that they planned to close the area starting Memorial Day weekend and keep it closed through the summer as a trial run.
The mayor said he believes Canton Street is currently a dangerous area for pedestrians, especially on weekends as cars drive through the district just feet away from crowded sidewalks.
Several Canton Street business owners said they felt blindsided by the plan. Some told the mayor that during occasional festivals, shutting down the streets inevitably leads to a drop in revenue, mainly because street parking is no longer available.
“You close it off, you’ll ruin our businesses,” said Judie Raiford, owner of Raiford Gallery last week. “We have evidence that every time the street is closed, we all lose money.”
Several business owners and residents urged city leaders to wait until a planned parking garage is built before moving forward with the promenade concept.
A quorum of city council members was not present for the May 16 discussion, so there was no vote.
Mayor Wilson said city council members won’t hold a vote until there’s a detailed plan on the table. He asked business owners and residents to be part of the collaboration process.
“I need your help,” said Wilson. “We need to do this together.”
Business owners said they want the city to table the plan until at least August. Wilson said there will be another discussion on the topic Friday, this time in a more formal setting.
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ROSWELL, Ga. — Changes are coming to parts of downtown Roswell that involve a very popular street.The city proposes shutting off Canton Street to cars and making it pedestrian-only.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]The street is busy even on a Wednesday night, so you can imagine the traffic on the weekends. Whether it’s a band or a quiet dinner, Roswell’s Canton Street maintains a c...
ROSWELL, Ga. — Changes are coming to parts of downtown Roswell that involve a very popular street.
The city proposes shutting off Canton Street to cars and making it pedestrian-only.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The street is busy even on a Wednesday night, so you can imagine the traffic on the weekends. Whether it’s a band or a quiet dinner, Roswell’s Canton Street maintains a crowd.
But soon, traffic along the busy stretch could come to a halt.
The city is considering shutting down the street from Webb Street to Elizabeth for several months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Channel 2’s Candace McCowan was live there on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m., and there are some strong opinions on what this will mean for the area.
That traffic is the reason some think this is a good idea and others have concerns.
“Every place has its own thing now, its own amphitheater, its own version of what they’re trying to draw people here,” said John Michael Brunetti, owner Rock N Taco.
The city announced a meeting to get feedback on the idea for Thursday morning for businesses and property owners along the stretch.
The question is how this would impact customers, in particular their cars.
“The downside is parking,” said Becca Bristowe with Bristowe Hair Company. “If you’ve been down to Canton Street, parking is not fun here so that will definitely be taking away a good bit of parking here.”
But on a stretch that allows open containers, business owners say it’s not a bad idea.
“To have something blocked off for a short period in front of all the businesses and the restaurants are going to be a good way to let people know you can come here and see the shops and not worry about crossing the street in the traffic,” said Brunetti.
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“I think for safety for pedestrians because these people zoom through the road here,” said Bristowe.
There is a plan for a parking deck, which business owners say is needed whether the street is closed or not. But that could be almost two years away.
They’re interested to hear from the city about how this will all work.
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