Tetracycline stains create permanent gray bands inside the tooth structure that traditional whitening cannot effectively reach because the discoloration is intrinsic rather than surface-level. Porcelain veneers balance masking power and natural translucency for most moderate to severe cases, often lasting ten to fifteen years or more with proper care, while crowns provide full coverage for very dark or heavily filled teeth.

Key Takeaways

• Use porcelain veneers as the primary solution for moderate to severe tetracycline banding since whitening struggles to reach intrinsic stains deep within tooth structure.
• Plan treatment for six, eight, or ten upper teeth depending on how wide your smile line shows, and ask your dentist to whiten lower teeth separately to create a harmonized final appearance.
• Consider composite bonding as a budget-friendly same-day test before investing in ceramics, especially for previewing color and shape or treating small isolated areas.
• Ask your dentist whether mixing veneers and crowns makes sense by placing crowns on heavily filled or very dark corner teeth for extra masking while using veneers on front teeth for softer translucent edges.

If whitening has not touched gray or banded staining, you are not alone. Tetracycline stains form inside the tooth while it develops, so surface treatments rarely make a big change. This guide explains what actually works, when each option makes sense, and shows a real Chattanooga case from our office.

What Are Tetracycline Stains

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that, when taken during tooth development, can permanently discolor adult teeth. The result is often horizontal bands or a general gray tone beneath the enamel. Because the color is intrinsic, typical whitening cannot reach it well. Treatment plans focus on masking the discoloration rather than bleaching alone.

Whitening: When It Helps and When It Does Not

Whitening is useful for surface stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco, and it may slightly brighten mild intrinsic discoloration. For deep gray bands the results are limited. Many patients still whiten lower teeth or other untreated areas so the final smile looks even after veneers or crowns on the upper arch. Think of whitening as a supporting player for true tetracycline staining.

Why Whitening Struggles With Banding

Intrinsic stains sit within the tooth structure, not on the surface. Even strong professional gels have a hard time moving color that deep. You may see a slightly lighter version of the same bands rather than a uniform shade change. The goal becomes controlling how light travels through the tooth so the eye no longer reads the dark stripes.

Composite Bonding: A Bridge Solution

Composite bonding can be a same day, budget friendly way to test a lighter shade or improve small areas. The challenge is predictability. Dark bands can show through and resin edges may pick up stain over time. For light cases or as a short term improvement bonding makes sense. For moderate to severe staining porcelain usually provides a more stable and natural result.

When Bonding Is a Smart Step

Bonding is helpful to preview color and shape before investing in ceramics or to treat small areas where a full veneer is not necessary. If you choose bonding first we will review maintenance so edges stay smooth and the color stays fresh.

Porcelain Veneers: Why They Often Win

Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells designed to mask internal discoloration while keeping a natural translucency. With proper planning they hide banding, refine shape, and bring the overall color into a believable range. Shade strategy matters. Many patients treat the visible upper smile line so every tooth that shows when you smile matches. When existing fillings are large or the starting shade is very dark a combination of veneers and a few crowns can deliver the best blend of strength and coverage.

How We Avoid a Flat or Opaque Look

Well done veneers allow a touch of natural light at the edges and near the gumline. We plan this with close up photos, shade tabs in multiple lights, and a temporary preview. Patients can see that the final result looks bright without looking artificial.

A Note on Materials

Different ceramics handle masking and translucency differently. For moderate stains layered porcelain often gives a lifelike result. For deeper banding a zirconia based veneer may be used on select teeth to increase masking while keeping a natural look overall.

Before and After Case: Tetracycline Stains Treated with Zirconia Ceramic Veneers

Tetracycline was prescribed more often decades ago. When children took it while their adult teeth were forming, it could leave permanent banding or gray discoloration. Many people now in their fifties and early sixties still have this type of staining.

In this case, Dr. Mark McOmie used custom zirconia ceramic veneers to mask the discoloration and create a brighter, natural-looking smile. If whitening has not helped banded or gray stains, a quick consult can confirm whether veneers or crowns are the better option for your teeth and bite.

When Crowns Are the Better Choice

Crowns cover the entire tooth and give more control over very dark shades or heavily restored teeth. They are helpful when strength is a priority on back teeth. Many plans combine approaches. Some teeth get veneers for minimal shaping and natural edge translucency. Others get crowns for added masking and durability. Your exam, photos, and bite evaluation guide those choices.

When We Mix Veneers and Crowns

Very dark or heavily filled corner teeth might benefit from crowns for extra masking and strength while the front teeth get veneers for a softer edge and more translucency. Blending approaches keeps the result durable and natural.

How Many Teeth Should Be Treated

The number depends on how wide you smile and the original shade. Most patients choose six, eight, or ten across the upper arch. Lower teeth are often whitened to harmonize with the final color on top. During your consult we review photos and a mirror together so you can see exactly which teeth show from the front and at the corners of your smile.

Your Tetracycline Stain Choices at a Glance

• Whitening freshens surface stains and helps match untreated teeth but rarely erases deep bands.
  
• Composite bonding improves small areas and budgets but may not fully mask dark stripes and can stain over time.
  
• Porcelain veneers balance masking power, natural look, and longevity for most moderate to severe cases.
  
• Crowns add full coverage and strength when teeth are very dark or already heavily filled.
  

What Determines the Best Option for You

Three factors guide the plan: how deep the original stain is, how many teeth show when you smile, and the condition of each tooth. Photos and a simple exam answer most questions. If stains are lighter and teeth are mostly intact veneers are often enough. If some teeth already have large fillings or crowns we may recommend a combination so everything matches and lasts.

FAQ

Do veneers completely hide tetracycline bands
Often yes, especially with the right material and shade plan. Severe cases may mix veneers and a few crowns.

How long do porcelain veneers last
With good home care, regular cleanings, and protection from grinding many last ten to fifteen years or more.

Can I try whitening first
Yes. It can help harmonize lower teeth even if it does not fully resolve the intrinsic stain.

Ready to Talk Through Your Options

A short consult can confirm whether veneers, crowns, or a combination will give you the color and confidence you want. Bring any past whitening history and a few smile photos. We will map out a clear plan and timeline that fits your goals.

Smile makeovers combine multiple cosmetic dentistry treatments tailored to your individual goals, such as porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, gingival recontouring, dental implants, and bonding. Porcelain veneers typically require 6-8 or more across upper front teeth and are designed for healthy teeth free of decay or gum disease, while laser gingival recontouring for gummy smiles offers minimal recovery time with no stitches needed. Dental implants can restore full arches using as few as four implants total per arch, providing a permanent solution for missing teeth.

Key Takeaways

• Schedule an initial consultation to discuss multiple treatment options, as smile makeovers typically combine procedures like veneers, whitening, and recontouring rather than relying on a single treatment.
• Ask your dentist if you qualify for porcelain veneers by confirming your teeth are healthy and free of decay or gum disease, and expect to need 6-8 or more veneers across your upper front teeth for a comprehensive transformation.
• Start with professional teeth whitening to create a bright baseline for color-matching subsequent tooth-colored restorations like veneers, crowns, or bonding.
• Consider dental implants if you have missing teeth, as they can restore an entire arch using as few as four implants total and provide a permanent, lifelong tooth replacement.

Are you considering getting a smile makeover? Our cosmetic dentistry options allow you to design a gorgeous new smile with the help of our skilled cosmetic dentists. By choosing or combining the right cosmetic dental procedures, your teeth can quickly become your favorite accessory. 

A beautiful smile is an excellent investment. Thanks to various cosmetic dentistry techniques, you can combat everything from chipped or misshaped teeth to stained enamel or tooth loss. Your smile makeover can boost your self-esteem as well as your oral function for a healthier, happier lifestyle! 

Custom Smile Makeovers

Each smile makeover we complete is unique. During your initial evaluation, we’ll discuss things about your smile that you’d like to change. From your likes to your dislikes, your smile makeover is 100% tailored to you. 

It’s extremely common for us to incorporate multiple cosmetic dentistry options to complete a smile makeover. Very rarely is it a “once and done” process, where only one treatment is utilized. Rather, we approach your smile as a whole, while our cosmetic dentist fine-tunes specific areas to compliment the overall appearance at one time. 

More than likely we’ll be able to provide you with a few different care plan options to consider. Rarely is there only one treatment that’s right for everyone. 

Porcelain Veneers

For the most amazing smile makeover possible, dental veneers are second to none. The appearance of each veneer is handcrafted for optimal aesthetics, brightness, and tooth alignment (without orthodontics.)

Depending on your smile’s appearance, you may need anywhere from 6-8 or more veneers across your upper front teeth. Typically, we don’t place veneers on the lower front teeth because of the way your bite is aligned. But veneers can easily be paired with Invisalign, teeth whitening, recontouring, or dental bonding to complement other areas of concern. 

Veneers are meant specifically for teeth that are healthy, free of tooth decay, and are not impacted by gum disease. We’ll want to schedule a consultation beforehand to make sure you qualify for this premier cosmetic treatment find out more details about what veneers are and if they’re worth it to you. 

Gingival Recontouring

Uneven gumlines can detract from the way your teeth look. Perhaps the crowns of your teeth appear short, uneven, or you have a “gummy” smile. Gingival contouring is a safe and fast way to address gummy smiles and uneven tissues by adjusting the shape of your gumlines.

Our cosmetic dentists use state-of-the-art laser technology to safely adjust your gingival tissues with no irritation or lengthy recovery times. In fact, laser gummy smile treatment is fast and gentle. An over-the-counter pain reliever may not even be necessary. The laser allows for accurate tissue reshaping with next to no swelling or bleeding, which means no stitches or surgical dressings. 

Teeth Whitening

During your initial smile makeover consultation, we will usually suggest using some type of teeth whitening treatment to brighten your smile. Whether you have mild discoloration or severely stained teeth, whitening treatment provides you with a bright template to work with. Since we will want to match each of your tooth-colored treatments to your enamel, it’s essential that your teeth are bright from the beginning.

For best results, always use a professional teeth whitening system. These products use safe, concentrated ingredients for proven results. Choose between a same-day whitening visit or a set of custom take-home whitening trays. 

To take things to the next level, consider adding your whitening gel to your Invisalign trays for brighter and straighter teeth without orthodontic appliances. 

Dental Implants

Do you have missing teeth? You can restore both confidence and oral function with a permanent dental implant. These state-of-the-art treatments provide you with a lifelong tooth replacement that performs similar to an anatomical tooth.

With implants, our dentists are able to replace missing teeth without altering the structure of the teeth on either side. Implants are minimally invasive, comfortable, and easy to care for. 

Perhaps you have more than one or two missing teeth and need to restore your entire smile. Implants are great for multi-tooth and full-arch restorations as well. As fixed appliances, implants can work in pairs to support fixed prosthetics that blend in with your natural oral anatomy. It’s possible to use as few as four implants total to restore an entire arch of teeth (upper or lower.)

Dental Crowns

If you have a severely chipped, worn, or broken tooth, a porcelain crown offers both protection and cosmetic enhancement. This procedure is designed to extend the life and function of a tooth that’s otherwise at risk for additional fractures. 

The shape of crowns is different than veneers in that they cover the entire tooth up to the gumline. We can select exactly how the tooth is shaped and colored for optimal aesthetic results. If you don’t qualify for cosmetic veneers, porcelain crowns may still be a great option. 

Ceramic crowns can also be placed on top of dental implants to replace individual missing teeth. The final restoration is matched to your surrounding smile so that no one will have to know any different. 

Other Cosmetic Dental Treatments

This is not a comprehensive list of cosmetic dentistry treatments in Chattanooga. However, they are some of our most popular. For our patients who do not need crowns or veneers but have a small chip (or gap) in their enamel, bonding is an excellent and fast option to consider. Bonding quickly covers these tiny flaws to help the tooth look whole again. 

If you have areas of tooth decay that need to be repaired, minimally invasive white composite fillings are another excellent choice. White fillings are restorative treatments, but their aesthetic appeal helps even unhealthy smiles to look and feel their very best. 

Smile Makeover Dentist in Chattanooga

McOmie Family Dentistry provides friendly, gentle smile makeover treatments for people of all ages. So, whether you wish you had a straighter smile or need to replace missing teeth, we’re able to help. Flexible financing options are also available. 

Contact our Chattanooga cosmetic dentistry office today to find out which aesthetic options are right for you!

Digital scanners capture tooth impressions in seconds instead of requiring you to hold impression materials in your mouth for 3-9 minutes, eliminating gagging and discomfort. The practice uses advanced technology like the Trios wireless scanner and Isolite suction system, and every staff member is formally trained as a dental assistant, hygienist, or dentist. Dr. Mark McOmie completes more than double the required continuing education and holds fellowships in the Pierre Fuchard Academy, American College of Dentists, and International College of Dentists.

Key Takeaways

• Ask if your dentist uses digital scanning technology that reduces impression time from 3-9 minutes to just seconds and eliminates the need to hold goo in your mouth.
• Request the Isolite mouth prop and suction system during your procedure if you are prone to gagging or feel anxious about water and debris in your mouth.
• Verify that the staff answering your questions has formal dental training, as every team member at this practice is a trained dental assistant, hygienist, or dentist.
• Look for a dentist who completes more than double the state-required continuing education hours to ensure you receive care based on the latest techniques and research.

So What Makes Our Dental Practice Special?

There are probably good things that can be said about many practices in town. We want to share some of what is special about our Chattanooga dental practice. We think we have a unique and friendly low stress environment. We are confident we are one of the special dental offices not only in Chattanooga, TN, but in the country.

Our Dental Tools and Equipment

Having awesome dental equipment allows us to do dentistry that is easier on our patients. Making procedures painless and faster is always a good thing. The state of the art things we have help us do the highest quality of work in less time.  We don’t want to make a laundry list of our awesome stuff because it will bore you and you will quit reading and click on the next thing.  We would like to share a couple of things that really help our patients and explain how they make it easier.

One thing is our digital scanner. To appreciate this we need to go back just a few years and remember getting impressions. If you had a crown done over 3 years ago you remember impressions that you had to hold a goo in your mouth for 3-9 minutes. Sometimes patients would gag, or drool, sometimes they would even get claustrophobic. This was just a part of life that you had to live through, it was one of those things that we all just had to deal with. Not anymore! With a digital scanner we can take a digital impression of your teeth in just seconds. The scanner tip is small and takes photographs of your teeth and stitches them together to make a 3 dimensional model. Once we have this virtual 3-D model we can make almost anything for your teeth.  Crowns, partials, dentures, bite guards about anything. The best part is it is more accurate and faster! We have a Trios scanner made by a company called Trios. It is the best scanner on the market. In fact we have two we just got our new wireless version with even a smaller tip for better patient comfort! Technology is amazing!

We said we wouldn’t bore you with all of our nerdy dental technology we will stop with this one, promise. The Isolite is a neat device that has a mouth prop and then a soft sheet that suctions and retracts your teeth and gums. It keeps all the messy water and things out of your mouth. It really makes your experience so much easier and will keep even the worst gagger at ease.  Such a neat device yet so simple. We wish we would have invented it.

Our Dental Team 

While we love our high tech equipment and we constantly get more neat things we would love to tell you about, the fact is anyone can buy some technology. Without the people it doesn’t matter how great your “stuff” is it takes the human touch to interact and use the technology. Our dental team is the best there is. We have a long term team here at McOmie Family Dentistry. Many of you know them by name and they know almost all of you by name. When you walk in the door you will be greeted by name. We will get you back promptly. Your time is as valuable as our time so we don’t want to waste even a second of your time. Our team has been together for years and years, we have grown and added a few over the years but our core people have been with us for a long time. We act as a family and treat you like our family.

Our team is highly trained and you can see it in the way they work. We have the best and latest equipment and we are experts at using it. Did you know every single person on our staff is either a dental assistant, dental hygienist or a dentist. Even the people at the front desk have been through dental assisting school. This gives you a dental expert at every turn, anyone on the staff can answer your questions about dental procedures and how they are done.

Our team is truly a group of dental experts that have been assembled here to assist you. If you want to get to know our team better, take a look at our dental team page.

Our Doctor

Our doctor Dr. Mark McOmie came to Chattanooga to set up a state of the art dental practice in a caring environment, and he has done just that. Dr. McOmie was in the top of his class at the prestigious University of Louisville School of Dentistry and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah then on to Louisville for dental school.

Allow us to brag on our doctor just a little bit. Dr. Mark McOmie has recently become a fellow in the Pierre Fuchard Academy, he is a fellow in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. All honors bestowed upon him by his colleagues. Dr. Mark is a member of the American Dental Association, Tennessee Dental Association, and the Chattanooga Area Dental Society. And is a member of the Tennessee Valley Dental Study Club. Dr. McOmie has more than double the amount of continuing education required by the State of Tennessee and has done so for almost 20 years.

All of the education and knowledge in the world can not take place of compassion for the people in which we serve. Our dentists care about every single person that comes in this office you will see one of them at every visit. They have a caring and loving manner that you can feel in the office, they truly want you to be your best. They have patients that are still in the practice that came in on day one and new patients everyday. A compassionate environment with the latest technology and a well trained staff is what is needed for excellence and at McOmie Family Dentistry this is exactly what we have.

Our Patients 

As much pride as we take in the care of people who come in our doors we know that we would be nothing without our awesome patients. The people that come to our office are a diverse group of people. We have always been humbled by the fact that many people travel across the country and even from other countries to come to our practice. It is always a great feeling to see a patient who has moved away return to Chattanooga to come see us. We love our patients, we love what we do, we are the best in our field let us show you how we do things differently.

If you have never been here before give us a call and make an appointment. McOmie Family Dentistry 423-899-1112.

McOmie Family Dentistry uses negative-pressure airflow, N-95 masks for all staff, and hospital-grade disinfection of operatories before and after every patient to minimize coronavirus transmission. Two Midmark MD 11 steam autoclaves sterilize instruments between every patient, and a new air filtration system provides operating-room-clean air throughout the building. Patients are screened with temperature checks, asked to rinse with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide before procedures per CDC guidelines, and can call ahead to schedule isolated appointments if they are high-risk.

Key Takeaways

• Call the office at 423-899-1112 when you arrive for your appointment so staff can minimize waiting room contact and bring you in when ready.
• You will receive a no-touch temperature check, screening questions, and be asked to use a 1.5% hydrogen peroxide rinse before your dental procedure per CDC guidelines.
• If you are high-risk due to lung conditions, cancer treatment, or age, ask to schedule an isolated appointment when no other patients are in the office.
• Hamilton County offers COVID-19 drive-through testing by appointment at the Emissions Testing Center with results in about 48 hours and no provider referral required.

The State of Tennessee is a phase 1 State; what that means is we have been declining in new cases of COVID-19 for two weeks. The government is going to the first phase of re-opening. The state of Tennessee has done an excellent job so far, and we should start to see things start heading back in the direction of normal. While we don’t think it is time to let our guard down and act recklessly, we can start doing things again under the “new normal.”

So what does the new normal mean for McOmie Family Dentistry?

We would love to share some of the things that are being implemented and some of the things we have always done to keep our patients safe. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) have worked together to come up with guidelines to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission from a dental office. We have searched, and we can not find a single case of COVID-19 being transmitted in a dental office. 

Some of the things that are going to change at McOmie Family Dentistry as we incorporate the “new normal.” These changes will be implemented for the safety of our patients and our staff. We hope you will find them easy to adopt and understand why we need to implement them for everyone’s safety. We will lead the Chattanooga area dentists with our changes. 

1. First, we will ensure that all our staff will be healthy when they are at work. No one will be, nor have they ever been allowed to work if they are sick or show symptoms of being sick. We will do temperature and symptom checks on our staff each day before work. If they have a temp or a symptom, they won’t be allowed to work.
2. When you arrive for your appointment, please don’t come into the building. Please call our office at 423-899-1112 and let us know you have arrived. We will come out to get you, or we will call you when we want you to come into the building. This procedure is meant to minimize the contact of people in our office, and reduce the number of people in the waiting room.
3. You will be asked some screening questions by our front desk staff and have a “no-touch” temperature check at the front desk.
4. We will have you use hand sanitizer gel when you enter the building.
5. You will notice for the time being there are no magazines, books, or toys in the waiting room. We have removed these items to help reduce cross-contamination.
6. In the waiting room, the chairs have been placed at least six feet apart, and we won’t have people in the waiting room as we normally have. 
7. The CDC guidelines state that all patients use a 1.5% hydrogen peroxide rinse before dental procedures. 
8. We will ask that when you come to your dental appointment that you don’t bring companions unless they are necessary. A necessary companion is a parent of minors, people with special needs, or elderly patients who need assistance. Per the CDC, the person accompanying a patient can’t be in the dental operatory during dental procedures. 
9. If you are a high-risk individual such as a person with an underlying lung condition, are under cancer treatment, immunocompromised, or elderly. Please let us know when you call to schedule, we will keep you isolated in our office and maybe schedule you on a day when we can bring you in with no one else in the office. 
10. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and do not have a negative test yet and you have a dental problem. Please call the office, and Dr. Mark McOmie or Dr. Tori Hall will call you and discuss your needs. Please do not come to the office first.
11. We have a new air filtration system we have installed in the office to clean our air further, and it will remove the Novel Corona Virus from the air. It provides operating room clean air for our entire building.

Things that you may or may not of known we have always done to keep our patients safe and healthy. 

• Our building is negative pressure. This means we have fans that pull the air out of our building and bring in the fresh air. We have always had these fans that move fresh air through the building. The Novel Corona Virus doesn’t like moving clean air, and it thrives in stagnant air that is not moving. 
• We wipe down door handles, counters any surface that is continuously touched. 
• Our instruments are sterilized between every patient. We have two state of the art Midmark MD 11 steam autoclaves at McOmie Family Dentistry they are constantly running throughout the day. 
• Our operatories are disinfected with hospital grade disinfectant that easily kills coronavirus. We do this before and after each, and every patient no matter how small or big the procedure was. Even if only speaking with a patient occurred in the room, it will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. 
• Our staff washes their hands and or uses hand sanitizing gel before and after each procedure.
• We wear masks. We have added to this we have N-95 masks for our staff. These are the top of the line masks. Not only do these masks protect our staff from patients, but it is virtually impossible to catch the coronavirus from someone wearing an N-95 mask. So this protects you the patient.

As always, our goal is to provide top-of-the-line dental care in a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located right here in Chattanooga. We have always done everything possible to provide the best in infection control for our patients. In the ever-evolving world that we live in, we will continue to update and change as necessary our infection control to be on top of this COVID-19 pandemic. We will do what needs to be done to be safe. 

Additional services from Hamilton County

If you think you have or have been exposed to COVID-19, you can be tested without a healthcare provider referral. Through the Hamilton County Health Department. The following is from the health department website.

“COVID-19 testing is available for anyone through our drive-through testing site by appointment only. Anyone interested in getting tested for COVID-19 should call our scheduling number at (423) 209-8393 to make an appointment.

• You do not need a healthcare provider referral or symptoms.
• Testing will be performed at our drive through testing site at the Emissions Testing Center, 7460 Bonnyshire Drive.
• You will be notified of your result in about 48 hours. 

If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of or have been exposed to COVID-19, please contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic. Please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility.”

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) HOTLINE – (423) 209-8383

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8AM-6PM | Saturday, 10AM-3PM | Sunday, 10AM-2PM

McOmie Dentistry is here for all your dental needs

We want to thank all of our patients for your ongoing support and patience during this difficult time. We miss you all very much, and we can’t wait to see you again to hear what you did during this time.

If we had to cancel your appointment because of the government-mandated shut down of all elective dental procedures, we will call you to re-schedule soon. We will be offering more cleaning appointments and extra Friday appointments while we attempt to catch up. 

We look forward to seeing you for your dental needs, we love what we do, and we can’t wait to see you soon.

If you need an appointment, please call 423-899-1112, and we will be happy to get you scheduled. We have people at the office answering the phones throughout this shutdown period.

Dr. Mark McOmie appeared on the Let’s Chatt TV show to discuss cosmetic dentistry services and share patient before-and-after transformations. McOmie Family Dentistry was voted Best Cosmetic Dentist in Chattanooga in 2018 and offers complete smile makeovers with free consultations.

Key Takeaways

• You can schedule a free dental consultation to explore your cosmetic dentistry options and learn what treatments may work for you.
• Ask your dentist to show you before-and-after examples of smile makeovers to understand what results are possible.
• Complete smile makeovers can address multiple cosmetic concerns in a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your goals.
• You can ask during your consultation how long your specific smile transformation may take and what the process involves.

Dentist Mark McOmie talks with Jess Raby about cosmetic dentistry on the Let’s Chatt TV show. He shows some great before and afters and allows viewers to get to know what separates McOmie Family Dentistry and why we we were voted Best cosmetic dentist in Chattanooga 2018.

Our dental team provides our patients with premier cosmetic dentistry and complete smile makeovers that change peoples lives. Please call us to schedule your free dental consultation.

Selecting a new dental practice involves checking how long they’ve been established, verifying their reputation through online reviews on platforms like Angie’s List and Google, and confirming they offer the specific procedures you need such as veneers, root canals, or implants. Look for practices with modern technology like dental scanners, staff who can explain your insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs, and dentists who provide after-hours emergency contact access.

Key Takeaways

• Ask to see before-and-after photos of the dentist’s completed work for procedures like fillings, veneers, crowns, or implants before committing to treatment.
• Confirm the dentist is a member of professional organizations like the American Dental Association, which require continuing education to keep skills current.
• Request that the office call your insurance before your appointment so you can review a treatment plan showing what is covered and your expected out-of-pocket costs.
• Find out whether you can reach the dentist directly after hours for emergencies and whether the practice can schedule you within a few days for routine care.

There are many reasons you may want to find a new dentist. Often this can be an overwhelming process. None of us want to make a mistake that could create a problem with our teeth or have work done that isn’t done right and just won’t last.

Here are 10 tips that you should consider when looking for a new dental practice.

1. How long has the practice been established? A practice that has been in business for a while is a good sign. If they have been around for a long time are they running excessive advertisements? If they are running lots of advertising, you may ask yourself why?
2. Reputation is a must. Ask friends and family about someone you are considering.
3. What kind of procedures does the dentist do? Do they meet your needs? For example, some dentists don’t do veneers, root canals or offer limited services.
4. Technology- Do they have the technology to keep them up to date on the latest procedures. Technology such as a dental scanner can make your visit quicker and easier while providing a higher quality restoration.
5. Ask to see examples of their work. If you are considering work even as simple as a filling, the dentist should be able to show you pictures of work he has done. This is especially true in cosmetic dentistry. Here at McOmie Family Dentistry Dr. McOmie has thousands of pictures he loves to show patients. Implants, Crowns, Veneers, Bridges, Bonding you name it they can show you pictures of their work. After all, you are purchasing this procedure, right? Would you purchase anything else without being able to see it first?
6. Ask about the professional dental societies and organizations the doctor participates in. Some societies require dentists to take continuing education classes to keep them up-to-date on the latest procedures and technological advances in the field. Is the dentist a part of the dental community in the area?
7. Inquire about the type of emergency care offered. For example, is the practice open after hours and on weekends? If you call after hours who do you talk to?
8. Is the dental team friendly and courteous? Are they friendly on the phone when you call? You may not want to see a dentist long term if you don’t feel comfortable with the dentist’s team. Also, a staff that has been with the practice for many years may point to a stable, happy office, making a happy place to visit.
9. Are appointments available to you when you need them? Is the practice booked out so far in advance that it is hard to get into see the dentist? Ask what happens if you call with an emergency?
10. Insurance and dental benefits. Does the dentist take your dental insurance? Do you have insurance with a list of “participating providers” if you do and you want to use your insurance? Ask if the office can help you find out about your insurance. Insurance is one of the most confusing things we deal with is the office willing to help sort through it with you?

So now that we have posed these questions about finding a new dentist we would like to answer them.

Here at McOmie Family Dentistry

1. How long has the practice been established? McOmie Family Dentistry was established By Dr. Mark McOmie in 1998. They have been in this location since 1998 and have built a world-class facility providing state of the art care for their patients, using the latest technology and techniques. Dr. Mark McOmie actually started working in the dental industry as a dental laboratory technician in 1992. As you can see, they have been serving the Chattanooga area for a long time.
2. Reputation is a must. Did you know we are THE most reviewed practice on Angie’s List! We have an A+ rating on Angie’s List; you can’t buy the reviews on this service like you can others. Also, we are the ONLY 5 star reviewed dental practice in Chattanooga on Google! Speaking of Google, we have the second most reviews in Chattanooga. Dr. Mark McOmie is very active in the community. Dr. Mark has held offices in The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), and offices in Scenic City Velo as well. They are both active in many other groups too numerous to name.
3. What kind of procedures are done.  At McOmie Family Dentistry both of our doctors are very skilled at comprehensive dentistry. Our patients range from 3 to 96 years of age. We do dentistry procedures in Implant placement, Root Canals, Cosmetic Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Cleanings, Preventative Dentistry just to name a few. Our doctors do more procedures than an average dentist does, they have received advanced training in many, many areas of dentistry over the years. As a result, they can offer a wide variety of services.
4. Technology.  This is an area we excel in. Our office has been on the front edge of technology from the beginning. This keeps things fresh and excited always offering more ways for our patient’s dental needs. Ask about this when you come in we would love to show you our latest scanners, x-ray, sterilization, crowns, etc.
5. Ask to see examples of their work. Dr. Mark McOmie would love to show you their work. They have folders and folders of thousands of pictures of their work where patients have given permission to show others. Careful about this sometimes they get so excited showing you cases you will have a hard time getting them to stop. 🙂 They can show you implant cases, veneers, crowns, bridges, dentures, partial, fillings, bonding, etc.
6. Professional Societies. Both Dr. McOmie’s have been members of the American Dental Association (ADA) since they were in dental school in the 90’s. They are still members of the ADA, Tennessee Dental Association (TDA), and Chattanooga Area Dental Society. They have both held many offices in these associations. Dr. Mark is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, and a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, he was recently inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
7. Emergency Care. Believe it or not, EVERY patient is given Dr. McOmie’s cell phone number. Yes the real cell phone that HE answers anytime you call. If there is an emergency or after hour need you can talk to the dentist. How many other doctors have you heard of that do that?
8. Friendly dental team members.  We have a great staff, they have been here for years. One of the biggest attributes of this office is our caring staff. If you read our reviews, you will see in almost everyone the team is named.
9. Are appointments available.  With two dentists and three hygienists, we can always work in an emergency if needed. We can get you an appointment within a few days in most cases for non-emergency care.
10. Insurance and dental benefits. We have three staff members at our front desk to serve you. One of their primary jobs is to help the patients wade through the puzzling maze that dental insurance can be. Every new patient visit we call your insurance for you and offer treatment plans that show what is covered by the insurance. This gives us the unique opportunity to really help you understand the cost and make decisions on treatment. Still not sure? Give our office a call and let one of our insurance specialists help you find out about your dental insurance. Give us a try.

If you are looking for a new dentist look no further. At McOmie Family Dentistry we want to be your dentist, and we will do what it takes to make you comfortable and earn your trust. Give us a call today to experience the best dental appointment of your life. McOmie Family Dentistry (423) 899-1112.

Cold and flu illnesses increase your cavity risk through dry mouth caused by mouth breathing and medications like antihistamines and decongestants, which reduce the saliva needed to fight bacteria. Sugary cough drops, acidic beverages, and vomit exposure can damage your tooth enamel during illness, but drinking water frequently, choosing sugar-free or xylitol-based cough drops, and maintaining your brushing routine even when sick can protect your teeth from decay.

Key Takeaways

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day when you’re sick to combat dry mouth caused by congestion and medications that reduce saliva and increase your cavity risk.
• Switch to sugar-free cough drops or those containing xylitol instead of sugary versions that damage your teeth like candy when used throughout the day.
• Rinse your mouth with water after drinking acidic beverages like orange juice or after vomiting rather than brushing immediately to protect your enamel.
• Replace your toothbrush after you recover from illness to remove microbes and prevent reinfection of household members.

THE LAST THING YOU WANT to worry about when you’re sick is your dental health. Unfortunately, your teeth can be extra vulnerable when cold and flu season strike. If you find yourself under the weather, read on for helpful tips on protecting your mouth!

Watch Out For Dry Mouth

You know that feeling when your nose is so stuffy you can’t breathe out of it even if you tried? We all have the potential to become mouth breathers when we’re sick, especially at night. Consequently, our mouths become dry, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.

Some of the medications we take when we’re sick–such as antihistamines, decongestants and pain relievers–can cause or worsen dry mouth. Without as much saliva to fend off bacteria in our mouths, our risk of tooth decay goes way up! Protect yourself from cavities and make sure to drink plenty of water when you’re sick.

Being sick can often cause bad breath because of congestion and dry mouth. Learn more about it in this video!

Go Sugar-free To Help Your Teeth

We all know how bad sugar can be for our teeth. But it’s not usually something we think about when we’re in dire need of a cough drop! Next time you buy cough drops, go sugar-free. Look for cough drops that contain xyllitol they can actually be good for your teeth.  Amazing!  Sucking on a sugary cough drop all day is just the same as sucking on a jolly rancher or other sugary candy, and it can do just as much damage to your pearly whites.

Stick With Water

Orange juice, sports drinks, tea sweetened with honey or sugar–these are all beverages we reach for when we’re sick. Just remember to rinse your mouth with water after drinking them, to protect your teeth from all that sugar.

Water will also be your best friend if you have the stomach flu. Vomit is very acidic and can wreak havoc on your teeth. Instead of trying to brush your teeth immediately after, however, just rinse your mouth out with water and make sure to stay hydrated! But brushing is always the best thing but often can’t be tolerated when our stomachs are upset. At least rinse your mouth with water.

Keep Up On Oral Hygiene

Remembering to brush and floss your teeth on a normal day is easy: in the morning when you wake up and at night before going to bed! When you’re sick, the days and nights often run together as you try to rest and recuperate. Losing that sense of routine can be bad news for your teeth if you are forgetting to take proper care of them.

You may be surprised, but brushing your teeth may actually make you feel better! The health and cleanliness of our mouth can have a profound effect on our overall sense of well-being. When your mouth is clean, you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. So, don’t forget to keep up on your oral hygiene routine, even when you’re not feeling so hot. Change Your Toothbrush When You Get Feeling Better! This will help get the microbes out of your bathroom so family members won’t get sick later.  Remember you can always put your toothbrush in the dishwasher to clean it.

We Hope You Get Feeling Better!

We sincerely hope that none of our patients get sick this cold and flu season. If you are feeling unwell, get feeling better soon! As always, thank you for choosing McOmie Family Dentistry as your dental home! Give us a call to book your dental visit today! 423-899-1112.

Dentist-supervised whitening is the safest and most effective way to brighten your smile, with options including custom-fitted trays and in-office treatments that protect your gums and minimize sensitivity. GLO Science whitening uses heat and light technology in 8-minute sessions to accelerate results while causing less sensitivity than other systems. Your dentist will evaluate your tooth stains, dental restorations, and medical history to recommend the best whitening method for you.

Key takeaways

• Consult with your dentist before whitening to confirm the procedure is appropriate for your dental health and to receive a customized treatment plan based on your tooth stains, restorations, and medical history.
• Ask your dentist about GLO Science whitening, which uses 8-minute treatment sessions combining heat and light technology to reduce sensitivity and improve effectiveness.
• Choose custom-fitted whitening trays from your dental office rather than over-the-counter products to ensure maximum contact between your teeth and the whitening solution while protecting your gums from irritation.
• If you’re a parent of a teenager interested in whitening, supervise product use and consult with your dentist first to confirm your teen is at an appropriate age and stage of dental development for treatment.

So you want to whiten your teeth. You’re not alone!

In fact, when the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked what people would most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. In fact, teeth whitening is the #1 cosmetic procedure done worldwide!

There Are Several Teeth Whitening Options

With so many teeth whitening products on the market, you may be left scratching your head as to which one you should choose. As with any type of treatment, it’s important to know all the facts so you can make the best choice for you and your unique smile! Some of the most common teeth whitening options are:

• Whitening toothpastes
• Whitening strips and gels
• Tray-based tooth whiteners
• In-office whitening

Whitening Is Safest And Most Effective When Supervised By A Dentist

You should always consult Dr. McOmie before deciding to whiten, as this cosmetic procedure isn’t for everyone. There are also many benefits to whitening here at McOmie Family Dentistry! We have several systems to whiten teeth safely and effectively.

We also take extra steps to ensure you don’t become sensitive. If sensitivity does happen we have ways to make it go away quickly.

For example, if you’re considering a tray-based tooth whitener, seeing us here at McOmie Family Dentistry is definitely your best option. Our staff will take an impression of your teeth so that your whitening tray is customized exactly to fit your teeth. This will ensure maximum contact between your teeth and the whitening solution as well as protect your gums.

If you choose in-office whitening, we will provide additional protection for your gums and the soft tissue of your mouth so that no irritation from the whitening solution occurs. To do this, we will apply a gel over your gums that is light-cured.  This makes a barrier that keeps the whitening gel off your gums and on your teeth where it maximizes its effectiveness.

With over-the-counter products, you’re on your own. With our in-office systems, our staff will check your mouth, the type and extent of stains on your teeth, the number of dental restorations you have, and consider your medical history to decide which whitening option is best for your specific smile.  We will oversee the process and results of the treatment to ensure the treatment’s safety and efficacy.

A Note To Parents

Teeth whitening is a big trend among teenagers. Parents should always supervise their teenagers’ use of whitening products as overuse or failure to follow directions can damage tooth enamel or irritate gums. Consult with Dr. Mark McOmie before allowing your teenager to whiten to make sure they are at an appropriate age and stage of dental development for whitening.

Still curious about how whitening works? Check out the video below to learn more!
https://youtu.be/5VVtzd0guas

Would You Like a brilliant smile that impresses? With the GLO Science teeth whitening system, you can have a smile that shines in no time!

Brighten Your Smile At Home Or On The Go

The GLO Brilliant™ Personal Teeth Whitening Device is a convenient system that reinvents the experience of teeth whitening. Using patented G.L.O. (Guided Light Optic) technology, it combines professional elements of heat and light built into a one of a kind – closed system mouthpiece that accelerates the whitening process, preventing the whitening oxygen from escaping the tooth surface, bombarding the stains, and making the whitening process more effective and more efficient.

Used with their innovating whitening gel G-Vials that contain a minty fresh, stay-put formula that adheres to your teeth without getting on gums and other soft tissue. This avoids the problems of sensitivity common with other whitening methods.

We see less sensitivity with GLO Science teeth whitening than we have seen with any other system. The other thing that we love is you only use it for 8 minutes at a time. This is quick, easy, and effective! What’s not to love. Whiter teeth faster and better than ever before!

Here at McOmie Family Dentistry, we have a great clientele. Many local celebrities and news anchors are patients here. This is the system they all use to keep their teeth looking so white on TV. Now we are reducing the price for a limited time so everyone can try it. Just $500 for the in-office and take home this is normally $1000! We know once you try it you will love it!

Since we have added Glo Science to our practice it has become our #1 whitening system!

Give GLO Science Tooth Whitening A Try In Our Office

Are you ready for a whiter, brighter smile without any of the drawbacks or inconvenience of other methods? Come into our office and give the GLO Brilliant™ Personal Teeth Whitening Device a try! We’d love to show you how it can improve your unique whitening experience.

Keep Your Smile Beautiful

What truly keeps teeth bright, white, and healthy is daily brushing and flossing. But if you feel like your smile is lacking some sparkle or has yellowed over the years, give us a call or come in to see us! We’d be happy to help you brighten up that beautiful smile of yours.

In fact we are running a $400 Opalescence whitening special right now! Give us a call McOmie Family Dentistry (423) 899-1112. We love our patients!

The VATECH Green CT 2 is a cone beam CBCT and panorex system that captures 2D bitewing x-rays without placing sensors in your mouth and provides 3D scans for implant planning, surgical guides, and diagnosing cracks or hidden canals. It reduces radiation exposure by up to 70%, with a standard panorex delivering 14-24 microsieverts, roughly equivalent to a 4-hour flight or 3 days of natural background radiation. The extraoral bitewing imaging takes just 4 seconds and shows both the crowns and roots of your teeth for more complete diagnosis.

Key Takeaways

• You can now get bitewing x-rays taken in 4 seconds without sensors placed inside your mouth, and the images show both the crowns and roots of your teeth.
• Ask your dentist whether a 3D cone beam scan can help plan your implant placement or create a surgical guide to improve accuracy and stability.
• The digital panorex uses 14-24 microsieverts of radiation, which is the same as a 4-hour commercial flight or 3 days of natural background exposure.
• If you have a cracked tooth or need a root canal, request a CBCT scan to help your dentist find hidden canals or fractures that may not show on regular x-rays.

We Are Proud To Announce Our Latest Technology

If there is ever something that is consistent in life, it is change. Change often signals opportunity, and the ability to do things better. Here at McOmie Family Dentistry, we are always striving to do things better, safer, and easier for our patients. We will always make the highest level of care available to our patients, and if that includes technology, then we will go get it. So that is why we have added a new cone beam CBCT/ Panorex to our practice.

The addition of the VATECH Green CT 2 marks the latest technology we have added to our practice. This is the latest technology in the world using the best sensors and sources to obtain the finest image in dentistry today. It is a fact that McOmie Family Dentistry is the only office in the state of Tennessee with this machine. Let us tell you about the reasons behind new and better imaging.

What Does This New X-Ray Machine Do?

This new machine allows us the option of doing a 2-dimensional image or a 3-dimensional image. We use 2-dimensional images to detect thing like cavities in between our teeth. Amazingly this new x-ray machine technology allows us to take bitewing radiographs without putting anything inside the patient’s mouth. Up until this time if we took bitewings, we place a digital sensor inside of your mouth you close down on a tab, and the dental professional aligns the x-ray head and then takes the x-ray. They then move the x-ray and take another view, and this is done four times.

It allows us to look at the in-between teeth spaces and detect dental decay. On the in mouth bitewings, we can see the crowns of the teeth or the upper part of the tooth.  In contrast, the new machine all you put in your mouth is a small bite stick between your very front teeth. The machine in about 4 seconds takes all four x-rays. We not only see the upper part of the teeth but the lower part of the teeth as well. On these bitewings, we can look at the roots of the teeth and even wisdom teeth. This ability leads us to have more information leading to better diagnosis, all with improved patient comfort and less ionizing radiation (more on radiation in a minute).

A two-dimensional image may be all we need to properly evaluate a person’s impacted 3rd molars (wisdom teeth).  As mentioned above 2-dimensional x-rays are great for seeing decay between the teeth and have been used for over 80 years for that purpose. With the new machine, we can also do what is called Cone Beam CT or CBCT or CT scan. It goes by several names, but in the end, it all means basically a 3-dimensional image.

With the 3-dimensional image, we can rotate around and look at things from many different angles. We use this technology to help us place dental implants. Helping us get them in just the right spot to maximize the stability in the bone and to make restoring the implant easier and less expensive. We can use the CT scan to 3D print what is called a surgical guide. A surgical guide can be used to pinpoint where an implant is placed this improves accuracy. The CT scan is beneficial to help diagnose teeth that have cracks or to look for extra canals when doing a root canal. Accessing airways for people with sleep apnea is done with our new scanner.

We can also use our CBCT machine to help diagnose fractured and cracked teeth. We can find unusual tooth anatomy when doing root canals, what that means is if there is any canal hiding we can find it and fix it. This really helps us and makes things more efficient, getting people out of pain.

Less Radiation

Safety is a major concern. We are mainly concerned with our patient’s safety, and our dental team’s safety when it comes to radiation. We do not ever take a routine x-ray of any kind we only take x-rays when we are looking for something and need this information. The exposure to a patient is always of concern to us so we monitor this very close and use the latest technology so we get the best image we can while using the lowest dose we can. Let’s look into the risk of x-ray and understand what it means and how much we use.

In the chart above we can see the digital panorex x-ray which we have used for about 15 years at McOmie Family Dentistry has 14-24 usv. This is the dose of ionizing radiation it takes to make this image. To the side we see that a commercial flight gives us 6 usv per hour so a 4 hour flight on a commercial airline will be as the equivalent to the highest dose we use taking a panorex x-ray. So in other words, not much radiation is used at all. Daily just walking around we get 5-10 usv so taking a panorex on our machine is like living three days longer in radiation dose. Our new machine lessens radiation dose by up to 70% over other methods.

The point is any risks no matter how little has to be taken seriously. We want you to know that we care about any risks to our patients and our staff. We use all precautions and use judicious judgment in using x-rays of any kind. We also employ the best and latest technology to get the best image with the lowest dose.

We shoot super low dose x-rays at McOmie Family Dentistry.

We are always looking out for you!

We are always looking out for your dental and overall health. We strive to be the best dentist office we can be. We love our patients and appreciate the trust you place in us, we take this seriously. We can’t wait to see you for your next appointment no matter what it is for. So go ahead give us a call with any question or to make an appointment. Remember you can reach us by calling or texting our main number 423-899-1112.