At Smile Designs, Charlotte Gerry DMD encourages her patients to voice their opinions and to make her and the staff aware of what is most important to them. As an experienced cosmetic dentist in Jacksonville, Live Oak, and Lake City FL, Dr. Gerry understands that aesthetics are very important to many patients. Therefore, in addition to helping patients achieve healthy smiles, she also strives to meet their personal expectations as well. If you are unsure how to approach this topic with your own dentist, Dr. Gerry offers this advice.

If you have a pretty good idea of how you want your smile to look after your dental treatments have been completed, then Dr. Gerry suggests bringing in a photo of a celebrity or model that you have seen whose smile meets your expectations. Show your dentist the photo, pointing out the key aspects that are important to you, and ask if the same results are possible for you.

At Smile Designs at Agape Family Dentistry, Dr. Gerry says, many new patients come in for a consultation, which among many things, includes a tour of the office and the technology that the staff uses on a regular basis. Though some people only know that they want their teeth fixed, she says, it gives us a chance to talk about the programs that will get them the results they want. There are also instances where patients are ridden with anxiety and want to know every last detail about the treatments that are available to them. And that is okay, too, Dr. Gerry says.

Though chances are that you are in a rush to get through all of the things you have to accomplish before your day is done, she recommends at least spending 10 minutes prior to your appointment speaking with the dentist if it is your first visit to a new office. There are so many choices to be made and techniques that can be used throughout the many fields of dentistry that can offer similar results, Dr. Gerry says, but not every option may be the best for you. In many ways, this also lends to the idea of different dental philosophies that dentists have. Some see a missing tooth and instinctively assume that an implant is the only option without considering the other alternatives. This is not to say, Dr. Gerry says, that one method is always better than another. However, if you are concerned about budget or your ability to maintain the restoration, these factors could alter your final decision.

In the end, your mouth is no one else’s but your own and you owe it to yourself to make the wisest and healthiest choices. If you are ever concerned about your upcoming procedure, Dr. Gerry recommends asking your dentist for all of your treatment options and that you ask all of the questions you need to until your confident you have made the right choice—about both the outcome and your dentist.

Many people delay important dental care because they don’t have dental insurance. Somewhere in life they have been taught that if you don’t have insurance you can’t afford dental care and are doomed to suffer a life of pain, agony, and ugly unattractive teeth. This is a dangerous misconception and far from the truth.

Dental “insurance” started around the 1960’s but “insurance” is a poor choice of words; benefit is a much better choice because it’s a health benefit not real insurance. Insurance covers against major loss like cancer or heart attack, dental “insurance” only covers a limited amount each year, on average about $1500 and that is not true insurance but a benefit. As a side note the $1500 is about the same amount covered in the 60’s when dental benefits started.

Let me explain how dental “insurance” works. Employers usually decide on the most affordable plan for them, to give you a dental benefit. The benefit covers up to the yearly maximum (about $1500) but only a percentage of the procedures at the dental office. You are still responsible for your deductible and co-pay. Plus insurance companies are refusing to pay many dental claims because they feel that the dentist is above what they determine is a “usual fee” (this means your responsible for what they don’t want to pay)!

The bottom line is this, dentistry is not free even with benefits.  The average person with or without dental benefits will spend an average of $2000 at the dentist. Dentistry is not expensive when you budget it into affordable monthly payment. Here at Smile Designs we focus on giving high quality care at a great price, with several programs designed to help get over the hurdle of “No Dental Insurance”!

1. Dental Financing.
2. The “No patient left behind program”, in-house finance program
3. The One Price Smile Make Over. We will fix every tooth in your mouth for one great price usually half of what you would pay elsewhere.

Have dentist finally come up with a bleaching solution that will guarantee Hollywood white teeth? Yes they have! It’s called KOR Whitening Deep Bleaching system. It was invented by Dr. Rod Kruthy and has been tested for a decade with amazing results. His system has proven that you can have gorgeous white teeth without unnecessary sensitivity.

What started out with the name “Deep Bleaching” is now known as KOR Whitening Deep Bleaching system and it’s a fantastic system, yielding dramatic results. Even tetracycline and other intrinsic (from the inside) stained teeth have seen dramatic even shocking results.

In the past, Veneers, which are contact lens size restorations bonded to the front of the teeth, were one of the only alternatives to having a whiter Hollywood smile. Now patients can look to KOR Whitening Deep Bleaching system as a fast, safe, alternative to veneers at a fraction of the cost.

Dr. Kruthy discovered how to get the Bleaching solution deeper into the “rods” of the teeth without promoting severe sensitivity. He has also developed techniques on how to make the bleaching trays better, to how the bleaching product is shipped, cold! Dr. Kruthy saw that normal shipping damaged the bleaching gel. He devised a system to ship the product cold because heat will cripple the bleaching gels effectiveness.

If you have tried bleaching before and were not satisfied by the results, or your dentist said “that’s as white as they get” then I highly recommend “KOR Whitening Deep Bleaching” system!

Discoloration of the Teeth

Teeth discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration are medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.

Aside from staining, there are other factors that can affect the color of an individual’s teeth. Genetics can play a role. Some people have naturally brighter enamel than others. Disease can also be a factor and certain medications can cause a discoloration of the teeth. If you suspect that there is an underlying medical cause for your teeth discoloration, be sure to inform Dr. Gerry.

Solution: Teeth Whitening

Whitening of the teeth is performed for patients by Dr. Gerry who desire a brighter smile. Tooth whitening can be performed to reduce discoloration and staining, or simply to provide the patient with whiter, brighter teeth. This is very easy and you can see immediate results with this procedure!