Oral Health | Poss Dental Designs

April 1, 2013

Dr. Stephen Poss is Accepting New Nashville and Brentwood Patients

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry,Oral Health — Tags: dentist, dr poss, nashville dentist, nashville oral health, oral health — bdavis @ 6:38 pm

Good afternoon,

I am Dr. Stephen Poss (also known as Steve),

Are you a local Nashville resident? How about a person in the surrounding areas? Well, welcome to our website and blog!

Our dental practice is known as Poss Dental Designs and is located at 1646 Westgate Circle, Suite 100 in Brentwood, TN, 37027. I’ve been practicing dentistry for almost 30 years. Not only am I dedicated to helping individuals maintain a healthy smile, but I’m also invested in the well being of the entire field of dentistry. As a teacher and a sleep diplomat – not only do I bring a wealth of experience to the exam room – I also bring it to the classroom for fellow practioners.

Some services that may be of interest: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sleep apnea treatment, full smile makeovers, veneers, six month smiles, teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, metal free dentistry, TMJ treatment and much more!

With all sincerity, we ask that you call our office with any and all questions. If you’re thinking about some cosmetic procedures we’d be happy to schedule an initial consultation to see how we can help.

I pride myself on being the best, but also easy to talk to!

If you have dental insurance, call our office to see if we are contracted with your provider. If you don’t have dental insurance, call us at 615-373-1056 to talk with our office about rates and additional options. Budgeting for regular cleanings and checkups can ensure a healthy smile and can keep your long term dental costs way down.

Stephen Poss DDS

Poss Dental Designs
1646 Westgate Circle
Suite 100
Brentwood, TN 37027

Comments (0)

November 15, 2012

Enjoy The Smile Of Your Dreams With Cosmetic Dentistry Nashville

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Cosmetic Dentistry,Dental Implants,Dentist,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry,Veneers — Tags: beautiful smile, cosmetic dentist nashville, dentist, nashville cosmetic dentist, oral health, smile makeovers — bdavis @ 8:45 pm

Cosmetic dentistry has the potential to change your appearance in a positive, uplifting manner. There are many options for cosmetic dentistry Nashville to accommodate individual need and budget. Professional cosmetic dentists can give you a greater understanding of what these treatments have to offer and how they can improve your smile to enhance your personal appearance. The following gives a brief description of some of the most popular and successful treatments for your careful consideration.

Dental Implants

If you have experienced the loss of front teeth due to an accident or disease, dental implants may be a viable solution to repairing your smile. Advanced dental technology has made the process of implants easier and more effective than ever. Modern implants are not only designed to look like your real teeth, but they feel comfortable and natural as well. They are built to conform to your individual mouth structure and surrounding teeth.
Unlike dentures that are removed during the night, implants become a permanent part of the structure of your teeth. In addition to improving your smile, they will help keep your other teeth from shifting and becoming misaligned; implants can also help prevent deterioration of the jawbone.

Veneers

If you have a problem with cracked, chipped or stained front teeth, veneer treatments are available to help create a more attractive smile. Porcelain veneers are slim casings bonded onto the tooth surface to cover chips, cracks and stains. Veneer treatments produce beautiful results without having to extract and replace your natural teeth. These stain resistant casings can be adapted to the size and shape of your damaged or stained teeth to give them a more attractive appearance.

Cosmetic Bonding

Teeth that are slightly misaligned, disproportional or that have sustained minor damage such as chipping can be renovated through cosmetic bonding. This treatment involves reshaping the tooth by applying composite resin so that it has a better shape and exterior appearance. Once the resin dries, the tooth can be shaped and polished to complement surrounding teeth and complete the restoration process. Bonding provides an affordable method of restoring minor defects in your teeth. Unlike porcelain veneers, however, which can last for the duration of your life, this treatment generally has a lifespan of 5-10 years.

Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening treatments benefit individuals who suffer from yellow or stained teeth. These treatments vary depending on individual need. The Zoom whitening technique is highly effective in removing yellow stains and restoring a whiter, brighter smile. This treatment is completed within a dental office setting and entails applying whitening gel to affected teeth and then activating with a specialized lamp to reduce or eliminate teeth stains. The process generally takes approximately one hour and produces long lasting results.

The use of bleaching trays to whiten teeth is a process that can be completed at home. By following dental instructions, you can get optimum whitening results. Home bleaching methods generally take several weeks to see positive results. However, bleaching has been very successful in removing unsightly stains and whitening your smile.

These are but a few of the many treatments available to enhance your smile. By choosing the appropriate treatment, you can have the smile you’ve always wanted for a more attractive and pleasing appearance. Contact Dr. Poss today to learn more about your perfect smile!

Comments (0)

August 28, 2012

Flossing – Just Do It!

Filed under: Dentist,General Health — Tags: flossing, oral health, whole body health — bdavis @ 4:11 pm

Dentists repeat the mantra that flossing is important with every visit to their chair. Parents encourage their children to floss every night when they brush their teeth, but are they doing the same themselves? There is a good chance that they are neglecting one of the simplest ways to care for their adult teeth: flossing. When compared with most dental work, flossing is quick, painless, and inexpensive.

When pushed against teeth and both sides of the inverted ‘v’ which gums create, floss pulls away food particles a brush cannot remove. This is an important point to remember if a person has bad breath. The smells in a mouth could be the result of leftover, rotting food. Worse still, rotting teeth could be causing some of that odor.

Flossing helps people to save teeth from developing cavities by removing plaque. The acids in plaque eat into tooth enamel to cause painful craters which a dentist must fill. The patient will need to endure anesthetic injections in the gums and drilling if this occurs.

Many consumers do not realize there is a connection between overall health and gum health. Periodontis is a gum disease which causes gums and bone to deteriorate. Eventually, a person could lose his or her teeth in the affected area. Losing teeth can make it difficult to chew, or even embarrassing to smile. Meanwhile, the bloodstream will absorb mouth-based bacteria which cause plaque and lay it down in veins throughout the body. Believe it or not, cardiac problems can be caused by dental plaque. By flossing, individuals can prevent gum disease and heart disease simultaneously.

Health and fitness specialists will also point out that when food is left in a person’s mouth, that person will often taste the food for a while after and crave it. Floss removes the food particles before they lead to temptation. Better still, by going through the whole process of brushing and flossing after a meal, this will change the flavor of food so that a person simply does not want it anymore.

Flossing should be done at least once every day, preferably last thing at night or after the final meal of the day. It can be done more often, but if you forget to floss for a few days, expect to experience some sensitivity in the gums. They might even bleed afterwards. There are many inexpensive brands of floss, but if you have tightly-packed teeth, try dental tape. This is a wider sort of floss which tends to get snagged or broken less often.

Buy flavored floss to encourage children to take up this good habit. Flavors such as cherry, bubble gum, and mint are hard to resist. If you like the taste so much that you want to floss twice a day, go ahead. People with braces can also floss. They use a small piece of plastic tied into a loop with a straight end. With a strand of floss tied to the other end, a parent threads the floss between the teeth above the braces of young children. Adults and teens might be able to do this job themselves.

Don’t forget to schedule regular checkups with Dr. Poss! He can help you keep your mouth healthy and your smile happy!

Comments (0)

April 23, 2012

Coke vs. Water

Filed under: General Health,Oral Health — Tags: avoid coke, coke, oral health, whole body health — bdavis @ 8:17 pm

The debate over the merits of water over soft drinks is ongoing. As a dentist, we know that the benefits of avoiding sugary drinks, but there are a number of other reasons to avoid soft drinks. Check out the merits below:

Water

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
In 37% of Americans the thirst mechanism is so weak it is often mistaken for hunger.
Mild dehydration will slow your metabolism as much as 3%
Lack of water is the #1 trigger for daytime fatigue
Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing on the computer.
Drinking 5 glasses of water each day decreases your risk of colon cancer by 45% and can slash your risk of breast cancer by 79

Coke

In many states the highway patrol carries Coke in the trunk of their cars to remove the blood from the highway after a car accident.
You can put a t-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.
You can clean your toilet by pouring a can of Coke into the toilet, let it sit for one hour and flush.
To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers rub the bumper with a piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coke.
Coke will clean the corrosion on a car battery.
Coke can also loosen a rusted bolt by soaking a cloth in Coke and apply it to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.
To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use Hazardous Material Warning Cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

Comments (0)

March 26, 2012

Smile-Enhancement by Dr. Poss – Nashville Comsetic Dentist

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Cosmetic Dentistry,Dental Implants,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry,Teeth Whitening,Veneers — Tags: brentwood cosmetic dentist, cosmetic bonding, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist nashville, cosmetic dentistry, nashville cosmetic dentist, nashville dentist, oral health, teeth whitening — bdavis @ 6:37 pm

Often thought of as only obtainable by celebrities, cosmetic dentistry is actually a rapidly growing industry. As visiting the cosmetic dentist become more popular and more affordable it also become more accessible to the general public.

Cosmetic dentistry focuses mostly on improving the appearance (and often times the functionality and health) of your teeth and gums. Common cosmetic procedures include bite reclamation, bonding, bridges, gum lifts, reshaping, veneers, and teeth whitening. Some procedures involve the addition of material(s) to your teeth and/or gums, like bonding, crowns, and veneers. Some require removing material from your teeth and/or gums. Finally, some require neither the addition nor removal of materials, like straightening and whitening.

In cosmetic bonding, an enamel-like substance is used to reshape a tooth or teeth as needed. After it is applied and sculpted, the material hardens and is polished. It closely resembles the natural appearance of the surrounding teeth and can be used to fill chips and perfect other such misshapen teeth.

Bridges are used to replace missing teeth. Crowns must be inserted onto the two adjacent teeth. The false tooth is then fused to the crowns to hold it in place. When properly cared for, they can last for ten years or even longer.

A gum lift is the process by which a cosmetic dentist raises and reshapes your gum line. It may involve simply sculpting the gum tissue, or, in more extreme cases, the underlying bone structure may need reshaping. The end goal is to give the teeth a more symmetrical and (if desirable) longer appearance.

Reshaping teeth requires removing bits of the enamel to create the desired look. It can improve the length, positioning, and shape of affected teeth and can fix small chips. The potential issue with enameloplasty is that once the enamel is removed it cannot be replaced. People still opt for it under some circumstances to avoid getting braces and because the results are so fast.

Veneers are also wildly popular for perfecting the appearance of one’s smile. They are made up of porcelain and/or composite materials that mimic teeth’s natural appearance, color, and structure. They are applied in very thin layers that are bonded directly to the teeth. They can completely close gaps as well as disguise discolored teeth that cannot be sufficiently lightened. Christie Brinkley, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Donald Trump are all rumored to have porcelain veneers.

Whitening is by far the most commonly practiced procedure in the industry. There are dozens of over-the-counter at-home whitening products available. However, professional treatments by a cosmetic dentist are recommended for ideal results.

If you are looking to have your smile enhanced cosmetically, Dr. Poss can help build a smile you love! Call the office at (615) 373-1056 to get started today!

Comments (0)

February 29, 2012

Smile Makeovers by Your Cosmetic Dentist in Nashville

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Cosmetic Dentistry,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: brentwood cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist nashville, cosmetic dentistry, gum contouring in nashville, nashville cosmetic dentist, nashville teeth whitening, nashville veneers, oral health, veneers in nashville — bdavis @ 6:14 pm

A smile is a beautiful thing. It is sad, then, that so many individuals are embarrassed by their smiles. It may be due to poor dental hygiene or simple bad luck, but many individuals have smiles that they feel are simply less than perfect. If you feel this way about your smile, you may wish to visit a Nashville cosmetic dentist for a smile makeover. These makeovers can consist of many different procedures, from those that are basic to newer surgical alternatives. In the end, though, these procedures can help to give anyone the smile that they have always hoped to have.

As you might expect, many individuals visit a cosmetic dentist hoping for only the basics of a smile makeover. The most common procedure is a simple teeth whitening, a process that can not only brighten a smile but help to get rid of years of build up on teeth. Many individuals also take a further step by getting their teeth straightened, especially if they were not fortunate enough to have braces when they were younger. Though a longer process, this aspect of a smile makeover can help to give anyone a beautiful smile.

At the same time, there are many that undertake procedures that are a bit more unusual in the pursuit of a more beautiful smile. One increasingly popular aspect of smile makeovers is the use of veneers. These thin devices can be fit over the front of teeth, improving the look of those teeth that have suffered damage or extreme decay. Other clients seek out procedures like gum contouring, a process that can help individuals with uneven gum lines to even out their smile. Regardless of what is chosen, though, a full dental makeover can allow an individual to smile with ease in situations which may have once been embarrassing.

If you want a smile makeover, it is important to visit Dr. Stephen Poss, Nashville cosmetic dentist. He can not only perform the procedures that you wish to have performed, but they can help you to learn about new procedures that may help you to improve your smile. Whether you want a simple tooth whitening or you want to go so far as to have surgical gum contouring, there are dentists available that can help you to improve your smile. With a little work, you may feel far less embarrassed by sharing your happiness with the world around you.

Comments (0)

January 28, 2012

What is Your Gum Disease Risk

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Cosmetic Dentistry,Dentist — Tags: cosmetic dentistry, gum disease, nashvill cosmetic dentist, oral health — bdavis @ 2:52 am

Any dentist will tell you that gum disease is a health condition that you don’t want to mess with. It can lead to decaying and lost teeth, it has been linked to other conditions such as stroke or heart attack, and it just isn’t as attractive as a set of pink gums surrounding gleaming white teeth.

In order to avoid dealing with periodontal disease, one of the first steps you should take is to assess your gum disease risk to see which preventative measures are right for you. Your dentist is the most qualified to perform this assessment and you should definitely ask for his or her professional opinion. You can also take a look at the following risk factors for periodontal disease to see which ones currently apply to you.

Age – According to studies, your risk of having gum disease nearly doubles once you reach the age of 65. The oral system is affected by aging just like the rest of the body, but with the right dental approach you should be able to keep periodontal disease at bay.
Gender – Women are more likely to have gum disease, which is mainly due to their hormones. As they make their way through puberty, pregnancy and menopause, their hormones change and create an opportunity for gum disease to take root.
Smoking – Smoking is a well-known contributor to gum disease, and it also makes the disease harder to treat.
Poor dental hygiene – Brushing and flossing are two of the best ways to ward off disease, along with regular visits to the dentist. Without doing these things, plaque is free to attach itself to teeth and cause inflammation and swelling in the gums.
Medications – Certain medications can hasten the arrival of periodontal disease. This side effect will usually be explained to you by your doctor and as on your medication’s label.
Health conditions – People with certain health conditions are more likely to develop gum disease. These conditions include diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and some auto-immune diseases.
Unhealthy diet – People who eat unhealthy foods on a daily or near-daily basis have an increased risk of gum disease.
Stress – Don’t stress out about this, but stress is a factor that can actually lead to periodontal disease. A healthy body is usually great at defending against the infection that causes gum disease, but stress makes it much harder to accomplish that important task.
Other dental problems – Existing problems with teeth or even faulty dental work are suspected of being gum disease causes. The gums can be irritated, inflamed or infected by problems such as fillings with abrasive edges, misaligned teeth, or oral appliances that are dirty or don’t fit correctly.

As we mentioned earlier, your dentist is the first person you should have assess your risk factors and come up with ways to keep your gums healthy. Some aspects are simply out of your control, but for many others you have the power to prohibit them from affecting your gums. Visit Dr. Poss your cosmetic dentist in Nashville, TN to find out about keeping your gums healthy.

Comments (0)

January 25, 2012

5 Easy Ways to Remember to Floss

Filed under: Beautiful Smiles,Dental Implants,General Health — Tags: flossing, nashville cosmetic dentist, oral health — bdavis @ 2:45 am

Despite the fact that flossing is an essential part of your daily routine and it can even contribute to a longer life, sometimes it is hard to remember to do it. There can be many reasons for people being forgetful when it comes to flossing, such as you work odd hours, you ran out of floss a week ago, or you subconsciously just don’t want to do it. Regardless of the reason, it is a practice that should be carried out on a daily basis.

If you have trouble remembering to floss, we have some easy tips for you that will keep it on the top of your mind every day. Eventually it might even be something that you do without thinking about it! Read on to find out how you can be a regular flosser in no time.

Remind yourself of the benefits – Flossing can do wonders for your looks and health. It keeps your gums healthy and clean so you won’t have to worry about gingivitis. It cleans out any food stuck between teeth that can lead to staining and cavities. It also gets rid of plaque that can make its way into other parts of your body and contribute to future health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
Establish an ironclad routine – One common theory is that it takes 21 days to make something into a habit. Whether that is the exact time it takes to establish a habit or not, it is true that you should floss daily without fail until it is just something you do. One trick that might help is to put a small calendar next to your bathroom sink and put a check mark on each day that you floss.
Always have more floss on hand – If you happen to run out of floss, you might be tempted to let it slide for a few days (or weeks) until you get new floss. Instead of letting this happen to you, consider buying an economy pack of dental floss so that you have a steady supply for months.
Have a loved one remind you – Your wife, husband, son, daughter or any other person close to you would probably be happy to remind you to floss. Don’t be afraid to ask for their help, but be sure to ask someone who will actually follow through with their promise to hold you accountable.
Become a mobile flosser – There are situations for pretty much anybody where a tight schedule or unforeseen events can hinder your ability to floss at home. This is not the time for excuses considering that a container of floss can fit in your pocket at any time. You can sneak to the bathroom during work or find many other small windows of time to get your flossing fix.

Remember, flossing is something quick and easy that you can do to improve your help. All it takes is a conscious effort at first until it is just second nature! Keeping up with these common oral health practices will keep your smile bright and your mouth healthy. Visit Dr. Stephen Poss, your Nashville dentist to keep your mouth healthy and happy.

Comments (0)

November 20, 2011

All You Need to Know About Nashville Teeth Whitening

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Dentist,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: brentwood cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist nashville, nashville cosmetic dentist, oral health — bdavis @ 6:52 pm

Numerous factors can cause the yellowing or discoloration of teeth, from bacteria to tobacco smoking. The good news, however, is that no matter the cause for discoloration, your teeth could be whitened to restore, and even improve their look and color. A brilliant white smile is a big confidence booster. A session with your Nashville dentist could work wonders for your self esteem.

It would be best to get your teeth whitened by a cosmetic dentist, no matter the severity of the discoloration. Two of the leading teeth whitening methods used by dentists today is zoom whitening and the at-home whitening kits. The former is usually carried out in the dental clinic while the latter is usually meant for home use.

Zoom Whitening Process

Zoom whitening is a simple and painless procedure conducted by cosmetic dentists to remove stains from the teeth. Firstly, the lips, gum and tongue are separated from the teeth using special dental inserts after which a whitening gel is applied to the teeth. The gel contains hydrogen peroxide that is activated by a special light to penetrate the teeth.

This process has been found to be very effective in getting rid of even the deepest stains and discolorations from teeth. The effect lasts for years with very little maintenance required thereafter. Zoom whitening takes about an hour at your Nashville dentist’s office, and it is very safe to use.

Home Whitening Kits

In addition to, or as an alternative to the in-office whitening process, your dentist can provide a customized teeth whitening kit that you can use at home. One advantage of this is that you can whiten your teeth at your own convenience, although the full effect of the process takes longer to achieve. At home whitening is also perfect if you have sensitive teeth whereby an in-office procedure might have adverse effects.

Your Nashville dentist, can offer you a whitening tray, which comprises of molds into which you put a small amount of a teeth bleaching gel. The molds are inserted overnight, and some visible improvement can be seen even on the next morning. The full whitening, however, ideally takes 2 weeks to achieve.

You can get both of these types of teeth whitening from Dr. Stephen Poss in Nashville, who has over 28 years of dentistry practice. Dr. Poss also provides many other cosmetic dental services such as smile makeovers and porcelain veneers. Do visit www.drposssmiles.com to see how this doctor can transform your smile today.

Comments (0)

November 14, 2011

Grinding Your Teeth: How and Why You Should Stop

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Nashville Cosmetic Dentistry,Teeth Grinding — Tags: brentwood cosmetic dentist, bruxism, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentist nashville, nashville cosmetic dentist, nashville dentist, oral health, teeth grinding — bdavis @ 7:57 pm

Do you grind your teeth while you sleep? Chances are that you aren’t even aware that you do. Teeth grinding – also known as bruxism – is a common disorder that affects an estimated 30 to 40 million people in the United States including many children.

It is possible to put an end to your case of bruxism as well as repair the damage it has caused. In this article, we’ll tell you what you need to know about how to stop grinding your teeth.

How to tell if you grind your teeth
If you grind your teeth in your sleep, there are several telltale signs that can indicate you’re dealing with bruxism. Take a look at this list and see if any of these symptoms sound familiar to you:

Moderate to extreme wearing of your enamel – The more you grind your teeth during the night or even during short naps, the more your enamel will be worn away by the friction. In advanced cases, the inside of your teeth can be exposed and they will need to be repaired by a dentist.
Sensitivity to heat or cold – As your enamel is worn away, the material inside of your tooth (called dentin) can be exposed. Dentin is usually sensitive to heat or cold and can cause you discomfort when your teeth come in contact with certain foods or beverages.
Painful jaw – Grinding and clenching your teeth can put a lot of stress on your jaw, which can lead to soreness and even jaw imbalance in certain cases.
Additional symptoms – Grinding your teeth can also lead to symptoms including earaches, headaches, anxiety and tension.

If you are coping with any of the previously mentioned symptoms and suspect that you are dealing with bruxism, you should take steps to correct it soon. Grinding your teeth can not only wear the teeth down in an unattractive manner, but it can possibly crack or permanently damage your teeth.

How to stop grinding your teeth
If you’re aware that you grind or clench your teeth during the day while you are awake, you may be able to control it. If you are grinding at night, that is a more complicated situation that may require some outside help.

One of the first things you should do to eliminate your disorder is visit your dentist. Your dentist can fit you with a custom mouthguard that will protect your teeth while you sleep and prevent teeth grinding. Your dentist can also repair any damage that has been caused by your jaw’s nocturnal activities.

After you have worked with your dentist to take care of the physical aspects of bruxism, you can also work to cure the mental aspects. Because the disorder is usually triggered by stress or tension, reducing these things can help you greatly. Consider trying meditation or simply looking for ways to get rid of whatever is causing you stress.

If you grind your teeth, call Dr. Poss, your cosmetic dentist, today. His expertise will brighten your smile and make sure it is protected while you sleep.

Comments (0)

Older Posts »

1646 Westgate Circle | Suite 100 Brentwood, TN 37027

615-373-1056