GENERAL AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Greg Cook offers many restorative dental treatments to help you regain your smile and your oral health. If your teeth have been damaged or become decayed, we invite you to contact our office at 865-379-7555 to make your appointment with Appalachian Dental’s dentist, and to learn more about restorative dentistry in Alcoa, Tennessee.

We are pleased to offer high-quality restorative dentistry at our practice. Restorative dentistry is a specific branch of dentistry that is focused on restoring the health and function of your smile following tooth damage, tooth decay, or tooth loss. We offer a number of restorative dental options to meet your individual dental needs. Whether you are missing one tooth, several teeth, or all of your teeth, we are here to provide you with the restorative dentistry solutions you need. We also offer options for restoring significantly decayed or damaged teeth.

When you visit our dental office, our caring dentist will carefully examine your smile. Based on this examination, our dentist will be able to provide you with the best possible recommendations for restoring your smile. Through restorative dentistry, you can gain or regain a smile that is healthy, functional, and beautiful once again. Our restorative dentistry options are comfortable and natural looking, so you can feel confident in how your smile looks and functions. Gain the confidence you need to smile, speak, eat, and laugh effortlessly again! If you would like to learn more about restorative dentistry, we welcome you to call or visit us today. We are eager to help you love your smile.

One of the most effective treatments available for those who are missing teeth is implant dentistry. Our dentist provides dental implants to replace your entire tooth, including the root below the gumline, restoring strength, stability, and support to your jaw. If you are interested in learning more about dental implants in Alcoa, Tennessee, please call Appalachian Dental at 865-379-7555 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Greg Cook.

Dental implants are permanent, stable tooth replacements that can be used to replace one missing tooth, several missing teeth, or all of the teeth. The dental implant post, which is a screw made of titanium, is surgically placed in the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. This replaces the missing tooth root and ensures that your dental restoration is stable. A period of healing is then often required to allow the bone to begin to bond with the biocompatible post. Following this healing period, our dentist will place the dental implant restoration, or replacement tooth, which fits on top of the implant post. Depending on which teeth are missing and your personal dental needs, your implant restoration might be a dental crown, dental bridge, complete denture, or partial denture. Each dental implant restoration is custom made to fit your smile comfortably and aesthetically.

Replacing a missing tooth can restore your smile to optimal health, function, and appearance. A dental implant is a great option for restoring your smile because the implant is designed to look, function, and feel just like your natural teeth, and with proper care, it can last a lifetime. For more information about the benefits of implant dentistry, and to schedule your implant consultation, please call or visit us soon.

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique was developed as a treatment for gum recession. Using specially designed instruments, our dentist loosens the gum tissue and guides it over the areas where the gums have receded. Most patients are pleasantly surprised to discover that not only their oral health improves, but also their improvement. Please call Appalachian Dental at 865-379-7555 to learn more about the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique in Alcoa, Tennessee, and to set up your appointment with Dr. Greg Cook. You can also visit here> for more information.

The Chao Pinhole® technique is a procedure used to correct gum recession. Gum recession may occur as a result of a number of factors, including periodontal disease, tobacco use, hormonal changes, genetic susceptibility, insufficient dental care, or overly aggressive tooth brushing. These factors can all cause the gum tissues to recede, exposing more of the tooth structure and tooth root. Receding gums can lead to gaps or “pockets” forming between the teeth and the gums, which is makes it easy for disease-causing bacteria to accumulate and affect the teeth and gums. Without proper treatment, gum recession can result in severe damage to the tissues and bone, and it may even lead to tooth loss. In order to prevent these serious consequences and to keep your smile healthy, our dentist may recommend the Chao Pinhole surgical technique.

Pinhole surgery is a scalpel-free and suture-free way to correct gum recession. In this treatment, our dentist creates a small hole in the gums using a needle. We then use specially designed instruments to gently loosen the gum tissue and slide it back over the area of the tooth where the gums have receded. Because this treatment does not require any cutting or stitching, it involves minimal discomfort during and after the procedure. The Chao Pinhole technique also gives you an immediate cosmetic improvement! We welcome you to contact our friendly office today to learn if the Chao Pinhole surgical technique is right for you and to schedule your next appointment with our team.

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace your missing teeth. Appalachian Dental offers both full and partial dentures to help our patients keep any remaining teeth intact and preserve the function of your mouth. Please call 865-379-7555 today to make your appointment with Dr. Greg Cook, our experienced dentist, and learn more about dentures in Alcoa, Tennessee.

When a tooth has minor fractures or decay, a composite dental filling is often the preferred restorative treatment for that tooth. When you visit Appalachian Dental, our dentist will provide a tooth-colored filling to match the natural color of your teeth and restore it to full function. To learn more about composite dental fillings in Alcoa, Tennessee, and to make your appointment with Dr. Greg Cook, please call us at 865-379-7555 today

A dental filling is a restoration used to repair minor to moderate tooth damage. We may recommend a filling if your tooth has been damaged by tooth decay (for example, if your tooth has a cavity), or if your tooth suffers from minor fracturing or chipping. The dental filling is used to restore the tooth to its original structure and function and to return your smile to good health. There are two main types of dental fillings available: amalgam fillings and composite fillings.

The process for placing a filling requires just one comfortable visit to our office. Our dentist will first remove the decayed and damaged portion of your tooth, and then clean the tooth to remove all traces of decay. We then fill the tooth with the filling material and shape it to match your tooth’s shape. Finally, the filling is hardened for a lasting restoration.

If your tooth is decayed or damaged, a dental filling may be a great choice for restoring your oral health and function. We invite you to call or visit us today to learn more about dental fillings and to schedule your next appointment with our team. We look forward to caring for your smile!

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease, Dr. Greg Cook can offer a non-invasive treatment plan to meet your needs. LANAP™ (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) utilizes safe and proven laser technology to gently remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissues from the gums. When our dentist uses our state-of-the-art laser surgery, your gums can once again seal around the tooth, providing stability and promoting the regeneration of your bone and gum. Please contact us at 865-379-7555 today to learn more about LANAP in Alcoa, Tennessee, and to make your appointment at Appalachian Dental.

Laser gum treatment is a type of treatment for periodontal disease that is completed using a dental laser. Our dentist may recommend laser gum treatment if your smile is affected by periodontal disease. Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a degenerative condition caused by bacteria in plaque. As the plaque builds up on the teeth, the bacteria may cause inflammation and infection in the gums and supporting tissues. When left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and receding gums. Laser gum treatment is used to kill bacteria, remove infected tissue, and encourage the growth of healthy gum tissue. Through treatment, we strive to halt the progress of the disease and encourage the growth of healthy tissue.

Periodontal treatment completed using dental lasers is typically more comfortable than traditional methods. In fact, you may not even require anesthetic for your laser gum treatment. Laser gum treatment is efficient and comfortable. Laser dentistry often eliminates the need for stitches and decreases your risk of infection following treatment, and dental lasers also minimize bleeding.

To learn more about the advantages of laser gum treatment, we welcome you to call or visit our dental office today. We are committed to improving your oral health!

One option provided by Dr. Greg Cook at Appalachian Dental to replace missing teeth is the dental bridge. Bridges are permanent appliances that restore function and aesthetics while also compensating for a missing tooth. Essentially, a bridge is two crowns connected by a false tooth, which is used to fill in the gap from a missing tooth. We invite you to contact our office at 865-379-7555 today to schedule your consultation with our dentist and learn more about dental bridges in Alcoa, Tennessee.

If you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth in a row, we may recommend a dental bridge to restore your smile. A bridge is a fixed dental restoration, meaning it is non-removable. The dental bridge is anchored in place through the use of two dental crowns, which are custom made to fit your smile and are placed on the teeth or dental implants next to the space left by the missing tooth. These crowns hold the artificial tooth in place to restore your smile, ensuring that your restoration will not easily shift or come loose. It typically requires only two visits to our practice to complete the dental bridge. Dental bridges are designed to last for many years and to restore the function, beauty, and health of your smile.

Our dentist may recommend a dental bridge to improve your smile by:

Restoring your ability to speak, eat, and chew as normal

Alleviating excess stress on the bite

Improving the shape and volume of your face

Replacing an unwanted removable partial denture

Preventing the remaining natural teeth from moving out of position

Enhancing the appearance of your smile

We will help you determine whether a custom dental bridge is the right choice for restoring your smile after tooth loss. For more information, please call or visit us today.

If your tooth has severe decay, the nerve can become exposed and infected, and our dentist may need to perform a root canal to restore the health and function of your tooth. Once your root canal is complete, Dr. Greg Cook may place a crown over the treated tooth to protect and strengthen it. For more information on root canals in Alcoa, Tennessee, and to make your appointment at Appalachian Dental, please call us at 865-379-7555 today.

Commonly called a root canal, root canal treatment is a type of endodontic therapy that is often recommended if the tooth pulp and nerves become infected or damaged. This may occur if injury or decay reaches deep into the tooth, past the outer enamel layer. When left untreated, this type of infection and disease may cause the tooth to die and necessitate tooth extraction. To restore the health of the tooth and avoid the need for extraction, our skilled dentist will remove the infected and injured tissues from within the tooth, clean the tooth, and fill it with a medicated material. We will then cap the tooth with a restoration, such as a dental crown, to return the tooth to its original shape and structure. In most cases, a root canal can be completed in only one or two comfortable visits to our office.

Root canal treatment has a reputation for being a painful treatment. In reality, however, root canal treatment can often be completed with minimal discomfort thanks to advanced techniques, tools, and anesthesia. Our dentist, along with our entire dental team, works hard to provide you with a pleasant, comfortable experience each time you visit our office. To learn more about root canal treatment, we welcome you to contact us today. We are committed to restoring your smile’s health.

The first line of defense in the prevention of tooth decay is maintaining a regular cleaning and exam routine. When you visit Appalachian Dental for a dental cleaning and exam, our dentist and team will carefully check your teeth and mouth for any potential problems, helping you maintain good oral health. Regular dental check-ups are essential to your continued oral health. Please call us today at 865-379-7555 to learn more about dental exams and teeth cleanings in Alcoa, Tennessee, and to make your appointment with Dr. Greg Cook.

Dental cleanings and exams are two of the most basic yet important preventive treatments we provide at our office. Each time you visit our dental practice for a checkup, we will provide a professional teeth cleaning and dental exam to help your smile stay healthy. During your teeth cleaning and exam, our dental team will:

Clean your teeth by removing any plaque or tartar (also called dental calculus), which can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease

Floss and polish your teeth for a healthy, bright smile

Examine your smile for signs of any damaging dental conditions or diseases

We utilize dental X-rays to further evaluate your smile and make certain that you receive the dental care you need. Regular dental cleanings and exams are essential in maintaining good oral health, preventing cavities and gum disease, and making sure that any damaging conditions are treated as early as possible.

Our dentist recommends that you visit us every six months for a routine dental cleaning and exam. We may suggest more frequent visits if needed, and we also encourage you to contact us if you suffer from a dental emergency, pain, or injury. To schedule your next appointment, we invite you to contact us today. We look forward to caring for your smile!

In an effort to ensure the overall health of his patients, Dr. Greg Cook is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. As such, he is able to easily recognize the signs and treat the symptoms of sleep apnea, and disorder that often goes undiagnosed. Our dentist has been involved in treating sleep apnea since 1993, and is experienced in finding the sleep appliances and solutions that work for you. For more information on treatment for sleep apnea in Alcoa, Tennessee, and to make your appointment at Appalachian Dental, please contact our office at 865-379-7555.

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder characterized by abnormal pausing in the breathing pattern. Individuals with sleep apnea rarely realize they have a problem and sometimes go years or decades without being treated or diagnosed. Some symptoms of sleep apnea are excessive daytime drowsiness, grinding of the teeth, changes in mood, fatigue, snoring, impotence (erectile dysfunction), high blood pressure, and many other debilitating diseases.

There are a variety of sleep apnea treatments available, ranging from CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) to UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) surgery to oral devices such as TAP3, DNA, and other various oral appliances. At our office, we feature iTamar in-home studies, a DNA appliance and the TAP3 appliance to help treat your sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is often thought to be diagnosed through an in-office sleep study that involves many cords, wires, and computers. These distractions, as well as not being able to sleep in your own bed, often deter patients from completing the study or obtaining maximum results. Dr. Greg Cook offers an in-home sleep study, the iTamar watchPAT, recognized by the FDA and accepted by medical insurances.
Rather than cumbersome and distracting wires, the watchPAT is a small LCD screen worn on the wrist with three attachments: one to the index finger, one to the ring finger, and one to the base of the neck. Worn overnight, the watch PAT then monitors your breathing, oxygen rates, heart rate, and movement, which is then reviewed by a sleeping specialist. If the patient is diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Cook can then make an oral appliance to wear (TAP3 or DNA) for treatment.