Grand Dental Studio
1057 N.W. Grand Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73118

www.dentistokc.com
(405) 848-3719


Michael K. Kirk, D.D.S.
Janice Ralls Henry, D.D.S
Kari Bender, D.D.S.


Office Hours

Monday 7a-5p
Tuesday 7a-5p
Wednesday 7a-7p
Thursday 7a-5p
Friday by Appt.
Same day appt. available

Blog

April 27, 2012

Helping Patients Treat Their Overall Health through Periodontal Therapy

Grand Dental periodontal therapyEvery time you come to Grand Dental for a regular visit, our doctors will spend part of that time inspecting your smile for gum disease. We do this for two reasons. First, treating and preventing gum disease is an effective way of reducing your potential for large dental problems later on. Second, when left untreated, the effects of gum disease can spread beyond your smile to the rest of your body.

A number of health problems have been linked to gum disease so far (as we mentioned in our last post) including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and pre-term birth, but the one we want to focus on in this post is heart disease.

How exactly can gum disease affect the heart?

Although their exact relationship is still a matter of research, it’s believed that harmful bacteria are able to access the heart through pockets that form between the teeth and gums when gum disease isn’t treated. Which is why periodontal therapy is such a vital service.

At Grand Dental, we offer charting and diagnostic services as well as in-office non-surgical periodontal therapy to help gum disease patients reclaim their oral and overall health. Treating and preventing gum disease isn’t guaranteed to prevent heart disease, but it will help you shore up your overall health, which can benefit your body in myriad ways.

Are you ready to schedule your next regular appointment with our Nichols Hills office? If so, call us today. Dr. Michael Kirk, Dr. Janice Henry, and Dr. Chris Foster at Grand Dental serve patients from all across the greater Oklahoma City area.

April 20, 2012

Gum Disease and Your Overall Health

gum disease Grand DentalIn every post that appears on our blog, we end by inviting the reader (that’s you!) to give us a call in come in for a visit. Why do we do this? Because regardless of what we might be talking about in that particular post, we want to drive home just how important regular visits are.

Of course, you already know that regular visits can help you treat and prevent common conditions like tooth decay and gum disease, but did you also know regular visits can benefit your overall health too?

Even though the relationship between your smile and your body isn’t precisely clear, research indicates a link between them. Health conditions as wide ranging as heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, pre-term birth, and more have all been shown to share a relationship with gum disease.

How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?

One of the primary ways is with a committed brushing and flossing regimen. But brushing and flossing alone aren’t enough. That’s why we recommend that you see one of our doctors at least twice a year for a regular visit. During your visit we’ll have time to thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for any warning signs and, if we find any, to begin treating them immediately.

So, is it time for your next dental visit? If it is, give Grand Dental a call today. We’re committed to serving the greater OKC area.

March 16, 2012

What Makes Sedation Dentistry from Grand Dental Different?

sedation dentistry Nichols Hill Grand DentaGrand Dental Nichols Hills offers three forms of sedation dentistry-nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation. All three can provide patients with effective relief from anxiety, but for patients who struggle with moderate to severe dental anxiety, IV sedation provides the most relief. With IV sedation, patients can look forward to experiencing complete relaxation and uninterrupted care.

What’s more, our doctors work side-by-side with Dr. Seay of Ambulatory Anesthesia Associates, LLC to ensure that patients are completely safe during their procedure. That means you always have two doctors with you at all times-one to meet your dental needs, and another to monitor your comfort and vital signs during your appointment.

Because we have another doctor there to monitor your comfort, Dr. Kirk, Dr. Henry, Dr. Proud, and Dr. Foster can focus completely on delivering care that not only helps you reclaim your oral health but also minimizes your number of visits. With sedation dentistry, our doctors can complete more work than would normally be possible in a single visit, often limiting the number of necessary visits to just one.

Want to learn more about sedation dentistry in general and IV sedation in particular? Then give our Oklahoma City dental office a call today. Grand Dental serves patients from Nichols Hills, Edmond, Norman, Midwest City, Moore, Guthrie, Choctaw, Bethany, Yukon, and surrounding areas.

February 23, 2012

Restorative Dentistry: What Are Your Options?

dental implants Grand Dental Nichols HillsYou want a strong, confident smile, but sometimes life can work against you. With time, teeth can decay, become broken, or may be lost completely. That’s why, at our Oklahoma City dental office, we offer a diverse range of restorative dentistry services to help you repair your teeth and support your oral health.

Our restorative dentistry services include:

White Crowns

With white crowns, our doctors are able to restore structurally compromised front teeth in a way that restores functionality and beauty, and in just two visits.

Find out more about white crowns here.

White Fillings, Inlays, and Onlays

Despite their differences, white fillings, inlays, and onlays all share a similar goal: to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay. To do so, we use tooth-colored, composite materials instead of amalgam fillings, because it’s safer for patients and results in a more attractive, natural-looking smile.

Click here to learn more about white fillings, and here to learn about inlays and onlays.

Dentures & Partials

Dentures and partials make it possible for patients who are missing one or more teeth to have a complete, restored smile again, improving in the process the patient’s ability to eat essential foods and to enunciate.

Want to find out more about dentures and partials? Click here.

Dental Implants

Like dentures and partials, dental implants can help patients restore functionality and appearance to a smile that’s missing one or more teeth. But what sets dental implants apart is their ability to preserve the jawbone and provide patients with a stronger, more natural bite.

Learn more about dental implants here.

If you’d like to learn more about our restorative dentistry options, call our office to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. We serve patients from Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Norman, Midwest City, Moore, Guthrie, Choctaw, Bethany, Yukon, and surrounding areas.

January 24, 2012

Gentle Oral Care for Elderly Patients from Grand Dental Nichols Hills

seniors oral healthYour oral health will always be important, but aging can make caring for your smile more difficult. For example, patients with arthritis may have difficulty brushing and flossing thoroughly, while others with dry mouth may be at great risk for gum disease and tooth decay (which can affect overall health).

A healthy smile is still possible, though. Thanks to the gentle, compassionate care our doctors provide at Grand Dental, patients in Oklahoma City and the surrounding OKC area can find the help they need to keep their oral health front-and-center.

Helpful Hints from Grand Dental Nichols Hills

Seniors who struggle with dry mouth-an unfortunate side effect of many medications-may suck on hard candies for relief. But if these hard candies aren’t sugar-free, you’re also increasing your chances of winding up with gum disease or tooth decay.

There are alternatives you can try, though, and our doctors would be happy to talk with you about them. Some solutions, like simply drinking more tap water or switching to sugar-free candies or mints, are easy and just as effective.

For other patients, painful arthritis may be what’s standing between you and optimal oral health. Our Oklahoma City dental office can help through regular cleanings and through recommending an electronic toothbrush. With an electronic toothbrush, it’s  easier you get more out of your brushing time and with less effort.

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Next Appointment

Grand Dental Nichols Hills wants to help you maintain your smile and your overall health. Call us today if you live in the OKC area and want to schedule your next checkup and cleaning with us.

January 11, 2012

Grand Dental Is One of Invisalign’s Top Dental Offices

RecentlyInvisalign clear braces, Grand Dental Nichols Hills was recognized by Invisalign as one of 2011′s top ten Invisalign dental offices in Oklahoma. It was truly an honor to be recognized as one of the best and most prolific providers of Invisalign in the entire state. Experience truly matters, and if you’ve ever dreamed of a straighter, more confident smile, look no further than Grand Dental.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic solution that uses clear aligners to straighten teeth instead of brackets and wires. As such, there’s nothing to tighten, granting patients a more comfortable, discreet orthodontic experience.  And as an added benefit, Invisalign’s aligners can easily be taken out for brushing, flossing, and even special events.

If you live in the OKC area and want to find out more about Invisalign or this honor we’ve received, call our Oklahoma City office today. Dr. Kirk, Dr. Henry, or Dr. Proud would be happy to meet with you and answer any questions you might have about creating a happier smile with Invisalign.

January 5, 2012

Make Your Oral Health a Priority during Pregnancy

pregnancy and oral healthWhether you’re going to be a mother for the first time or for the second or third time, those nine months of pregnancy can be exciting and exhausting in equal measure. For one thing, you have a nursery to decorate. For another, there are all those doctor’s appointments to keep up with. And if all that isn’t enough, you and your loved one will have a million other things to keep in mind as well.

It’s easy, then, for your oral health to get lost in the shuffle. But as recent studies have shown, taking care of your smile is key to caring for your overall health and can even help to prevent premature birth and other pregnancy complications.

So, with that in mind, here are three tips to keep in mind: (more…)

December 10, 2011

Give the Gift of Whitening This Holiday Season with Grand Dental Studio

Have you been looking for a gift that will make a difference in a loved one’s life but haven’t been sure what to give? Consider giving that special person in your life an in-office teeth whitening gift certificate from Grand Dental. A whiter smile can help patients project an aura of success and self-confidence that can be life changing. What’s more, it just takes one in-office teeth whitening session to whiten teeth by as much as eight shades.

As an added benefit, our in-office teeth whitening gift certificates can be purchased for only $175.00, half of what an in-office whitening session normally costs. (more…)

December 9, 2011

Your Smile and Your Overall Health—How Are They Connected?

gum disease therapyIf someone asked you why brushing is important, you probably wouldn’t say, “Because my oral health can have an effect on my heart,” or “Because I’m diabetic,” or even, “Because we just learned we’re expecting!”

But as surprising as it may be, these are actually appropriate answers. It’s true that avoiding gum disease and tooth decay will always be one of your top reasons for brushing and flossing every day, but, as more and more studies are showing, it’s important to consider your overall health as well.

Support Your Overall Health with Regular Checkups

Gum disease is caused by a combination of bacteria and plaque. If left untreated, buildup of these two can destroy the natural fibers bonding your teeth to your gums, creating pockets between them. These pockets, then, can become hiding places for bacteria and plaque, which can work their way into your bloodstream and other parts of your body. One of their common destinations is the heart, where they can end up contributing to heart disease.

(more…)

September 23, 2011

Look Younger with Cosmetic Dentistry from Grant Dental

youthful appearanceIf you want to look younger, what solution comes immediately to mind? Chances are it’s not going to be cosmetic dentistry.

But it’s true! For some patients, cosmetic dentistry can deliver greater benefits than plastic surgery. That’s because, with cosmetic dental services from Grand Dental Nichol Hills, it’s possible to accomplish two things at once.

First, our cosmetic services can help reduce the appearance of aging by giving you a stronger, more supportive smile. Second, by having a cosmetic procedure done, you could also be doing something to improve your oral health.

Cosmetic Services at Grand Dental Nichol Hills

At our Oklahoma City dental office, we offer a wide range of services for patients, including:

Each of these can help you improve the esthetics of your smile, and, in turn, contribute to a more youthful, attractive appearance.

But as great as each of these can be, one service that straddles the line between cosmetic and restorative dentistry can actually do more good. With dental implants, you can have a functional, natural-looking smile that dramatically improves facial appearance.

So, which of these services is most right for you?

You can find out by calling our office and scheduling your FREE first visitTM. We’ll carefully consider your medical history and personal goals when consulting with you.

In the end, we’re confident we can come up with a plan that will help your smile and improve your overall appearance at the same time. Call us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kirk, Dr. Henry, or Dr. Proud. Grand Dental Nichol Hills serves patients the greater OKC area.

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