Dr. Clara Lee, DDS, founded CDDC in Dalton, Georgia.

Clara H. Lee, DDS is the Founder of Dalton Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. One of a few women dentists in the Dalton area, the is a graduate of Loma Linda University and Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, "world's premier post-graduate dental teaching center" where "graduates are amongst the finest, most progressive cosmetic dentists in the world." (www.dentalhealthcenter.com - LVI) Dr. Lee has been practicing cosmetic and restorative dentistry for the last eleven years and locally for the last 5 years.

Dr. Lee is regarded by her patients as a smile makeover artist. From an early age, Dr. Lee has had a desire to create beauty from the things around her. At age 4, she signed up for art lessons at school without her parents’ knowledge. It wasn't until several months later that her parents discovered her participation when a permission slip was sent home. Her parents immediately saw her ability and encouraged her to continue with her lessons. With her artistic talents, she uses digital x-ray imaging and the latest in on-site crown technology to fashion smiles that fit each individual patient. Dr. Lee specializes in crowns, bridges, porcelain veneers and zoom whitening. She believes in neuromuscular dentistry to improve her patient's smile; giving them back the confidence in themselves. Dr. Lee's talents go beyond dentistry. She is also a wonderful singer with a music cd coming out soon.

Dr. Lee is certified with both the Georgia and California Boards. She is also a member of GDA, ADA, Academy of Laser Dentistry, American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the American Academy of Women Dentists. She believes in the pursuit of continuing education for her and her staff. In an average year, Dr. Lee puts in 200+ hours of education to improve her skills and knowledge which is in turn benefits her patients and their overall treatment. Dr. Lee and her team recently attended the Hinman Conference in Atlanta, GA where they had a rare opportunity to meet Dr. William Dorfman, "Extreme Makeover" Team Dentist, and hear him speak on improving patient / doctor relationships and how cosmetic dentistry is quickly becoming the choice of individuals seeking to improve their image in the market place.

Dr. Lee integrates multi-media to educate and provide opportunities of what cosmetic and restorative dentistry has to offer. Also, Dr. Lee has been seen on Fox, CNN, PBS and other national stations.

There are six members of the CDDC team.

Many of Dr. Lee’s patients have traveled internationally to personally experience Dr. Lee’s distinctive blend of skill, experience, artistic sense, conservative philosophy, and expertise. Dr. Lee's primary focus is on Neuromuscular and Cosmetic Dentistry.

Dr. Lee's meticulous, caring nature is reflected in all areas of her office and his practice. Dr. Lee believes that improving her patients' smiles, through cosmetic dental techniques, has a positive impact on their overall appearance and self-confidence. she dedicates her practice to informing and educating his patients and colleagues about cosmetic dentistry. Her warm and inviting patient waiting area sets the tone. It is this level of consideration and attention to detail that sets Dr. Lee apart.
CDDC also offers the following services: Bose® head phones, movie viewing, soft blankets.

A beautiful, more alluring smile can be the beginning of a happier, more successful life style. And designing your new smile is the first step. Dr.Lee designs the most beautiful “natural smile” for each individual patient. His philosophy is to use the latest techniques available using Cerec 3 while preserving the natural tooth structure to create your perfect smile – the smile that you deserve...

Tooth whitening is ideal for treating discolorations on the enamel and dentin of your teeth. Stains from coffee, tea—even smoking— can be minimized or even eliminated in just one visit. Tooth whitening can also treat stains caused by tetracycline use. Having your teeth whitened is one of the easiest ways to reinvigorate your smile and brighten your outlook.

By following some simple post whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily with Zoom! Whitening Toothpaste, and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! take-home gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available only through your dental professional.

No. Extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom! is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

Studies have shown that with normal or suggested use of teeth whitening products, there is no harmful effect on teeth. It is common for some people to have some sensitivity to the whitening products. Zoom2 Whitening is very safe while under the supervision of a trained dentist, like Dr. Clara Lee.

You will be given some post-whitening care instructions after your procedure. It is important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen post-whitening to preserve your bright, white smile. We also recommend occasional touch-ups with the Zoom! Take-Home Gel. Your smile will always be brighter than it was before the procedure, but by following these simple instructions, you can retain your results for a long time!

There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Your smile is one of the most important personal characteristics that conveys volumes of information about who you are. Confidence, friendliness, youthfulness, trust, and health are all traits that are seen in a smile. Choosing the right cosmetic dentist to restore or renew your smile is the single most important decision to make to ensure you receive a beautiful new smile.

Cosmetic dentistry can shape, brighten, shade, align, and replace teeth with remarkable materials and techniques.

When your smile is healthy and beautiful, the benefits can follow. First an improved self-image influences a better dental hygiene and an improvement in your overall health.

Can you truly say you’re teeth are white? According to a poll taken by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), when asked, “What satisfied you least about your smile?” The number one answer people gave was tooth color. Cosmetic dentistry methods such as tooth whitening can give you a whiter and brighter appearance, allowing you to smile with confidence...

People notice a beautiful smile. There’s no doubt that a smile is your most important social bonding gesture. Your smile is the total center of expression and when it dazzles, you exude confidence, happiness and joy.

Today’s advanced cosmetic procedures can enhance your smile to it’s white, straight, beautiful best. Here is what cosmetic dentistry can do for you:

• Close gaps between teeth
• Whiten discolored or stained teeth
• Repair chipped, broken or worn teeth
• Reposition crowded teeth
• Lengthen or shorten uneven teeth
• Replace a missing tooth or teeth
• Replace old metal fillings

Cosmetic dentistry covers a multitude of procedures that improves the beauty and health of your smile.

If you’re self-conscious about your smile or unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, you may be a candidate for cosmetic dentistry.

Ask yourself:

• Do you ever smile with your mouth closed or hide your smile behind your hand to prevent others from seeing your teeth?
• Does the appearance or color of your teeth embarrass you?
• Do you avoid smiling because you do not want people to see your teeth?
• Do you have old metal fillings in your back teeth?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be a candidate for cosmetic dentistry. In fact, anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of his or her smile is a candidate for cosmetic dentistry...

With today’s cosmetic dentistry procedures, it has never been easier to attain a beautiful, healthy smile…a smile that’s dazzling, white, straight and even. LVI trains dentists to take into account your unique concerns, hope and dreams to create the perfect smile for you.

Depending on what you want your smile to look like, a dentist trained at LVI will evaluate your smile and develop a treatment plan that matches your desires. Treatment options may include:

• Smile Makeovers – veneers and/or crowns, bonding
• Porcelain Veneers
• Smile Whitening
• Tooth colored fillings/Metal-Free Dentistry (inlays/onlays)
• Bridges and Crowns
• Or many more options.

If you are happy with the shape and color of your teeth, then invisalign may be a good option for you. If you are wanting to whiten and enhance the shape of your teeth as well as straighten them, then cosmetic dentistry will give you the results you are looking for while saving you time and money.

Veneers are an alternative for a variety of dental conditions involving front teeth. They can improve broken or chipped teeth, hide unsightly stained or discolored teeth that whitening alone can not resolve, straighten crooked teeth or close a gap between teeth.

The advantage of porcelain veneers is that they do not wear down as natural teeth do, and they're completely resistant to stains. The drawback? Once you have them, you must keep them for life.

Porcelain veneers never stain or discolor.

Yes. Aesthetic dentistry is the ultimate blend of art and science. If quality and service are important to you, look for experience and proven results. There are many different materials used in veneers and crowns. CDDC creates all restorations from the finest materials available and employs an elite ceramist dedicated exclusively to Dr. Clara Lee and her team.

Bonding is done by placing tooth-like material onto the tooth to build it up and/or to alter its shape. Natural tooth structure may be removed. Over time the bonded portion of a tooth will change color as compared to the natural, unbonded portion of the tooth. The advantage of bonding is that it is an ultra-conservative way to restore a tooth and is completed in one visit. The disadvantage is that it will discolor over time and is more prone to breakage than a veneer.

Many restorations are designed with a metal lining covered with porcelain (porcelain fused to metal or PFM). They appear "flat" because the metal does not let light pass through like a natural tooth does. There is often a dark line next to the gum line that is undesirable (often the metal irritates the adjacent gum tissue in the form of an allergic reaction). CDDC provides all-porcelain restorations. When properly seated, they are as strong or stronger than their metal predecessors. And the appearance is strikingly similar to a natural tooth, allowing light to pass through (referred to as translucency).

Cosmetic gum surgery, or periodontal plastic surgery, can correct almost any deformity or gingival problems preventing you from a beautiful smile. As we age, our gums may shrink and recede which makes our teeth look longer. While this is often age-related, it can also occur due to a bad bite. Our team can correct this to such an extent, that you'll have a very youthful appearing smile.

The "Gummy Smile" This is a problem where your teeth appear to be too short. Gum sculpting is often the solution. To solve this, a dentist uses a laser to remove the excess tissue of your "gummy" smile, which then exposes more of your tooth.

The cost of cosmetic dentistry depends on how much you want or need. Like any cosmetic process, costs will vary with the amount of product or services you desire. A skilled cosmetic dentist can explain various fees and the best procedure for you. Also, some cosmetic dental options are covered by insurance if "need" can be established. Many of the guests at CDDC take advantage of a monthly payment plan.

Although we do not participate in any insurance plan, we will be happy to file necessary paperwork with your insurance company to help you get any possible reimbursements from your insurance company.  The majority of our patients receive their reimbursements within two weeks.

We offer a variety of payment options, including Cash, Check, MasterCard and Visa as well as CareCredit (which offers some interest free financing for those who qualify). In providing your dental care, we prefer to be more proactive and not wait for problems that can affect your dental health, and possibly your overall health.  We want to give you the best dental care possible, and we believe that the best way to do that is by not having  limitations of dental insurance plans.

If you are unhappy with your smile and are considering a full mouth restoration, our experienced CDDC staff will work with you to decide what procedures are available to give you the smile you desire. If most of or all of your teeth need work, you may be a candidate for a full mouth restoration.

A full mouth restoration involves several cosmetic and restorative dentistal procedures on most or all of the teeth. Each patient is unique and each full mouth restoration must be tailored to the individual.

A full mouth restoration could involve any number of cosmetic dentistry solutions, including dental implants for missing teeth, crowns and bridges for cracked, chipped or worn teeth, porcelain veneers or laser whitening.

If you are unhappy with your smile and are considering a full mouth restoration, our experienced cosmetic dentistry staff will work with you to decide what procedures are available to give you the smile you desire.

This procedure involves restoring the teeth, bite, and muscles back to a natural looking and youthful-feeling condition. With full mouth restoration, we can utilize a combination of cosmetic dentistry techniques, including porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, dental bonding, and teeth whitening. Using computerized technology and an artistic eye, full mouth restoration may be the answer to many problems, such as heat sensitive teeth, sore jaw muscles, and recurring headaches.

During this procedure, each tooth is restructured to achieve ideal bite. The process usually requires three visits to our office. During the first visit, we use computer diagnostics to determine where your jaw muscles are the most comfortable. This allows us to make a full mouth restoration that will match the optimal position of your jaw. At your next visit, we will remove old dental work and prepare each tooth for the new restorations. Impressions will be sent to the lab, and you will be fitted with temporary restorations. During your final visit, the permanent restorations are placed, and you walk out of our office with an attractive, functional, and comfortable new smile.

If you have short, worn, chipped, or broken teeth, you may be an excellent candidate for this procedure. In addition, you may be a candidate if you are experiencing any of the following conditions:

• TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome)
• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Unexplained loose teeth
• Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth
• Dental restorations that frequently crack, chip, or break
• Pain or soreness around my jaw joints
• Pain in your teeth that moves around
• Facial, neck, shoulder, and back pain
• Clicking or grating sounds in your jaw joints
• Limited jaw movement or locking jaw
• Unexplained numbness in your fingers and arms
• Unexplained congestion or stuffiness in your ears
• Vertigo

This procedure can restore more than a healthy smile, it can restore self-esteem as well. If you think you may be a candidate for full mouth restoration, contact our office today.

Dr. Clara Lee brings all of her extensive experience with porcelain veneers, crowns and neuromuscular dentistry to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Full mouth restoration, also called rehabilitation or rejuvenation, is the restructuring of every individual tooth and the realignment of the jaw so your whole smile looks better and you feel better, too. Whether your teeth are broken, chipped, discolored, missing or otherwise damaged, Dr. Clara Lee has had extensive training in Full Mouth Restoration at The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI).

This is a cycle of pain and muscle spasms when your teeth,  jaw joints and muscles do not work together in harmony. Temporal Mandibular Dysfunction is problems with muscles and jaw joints that form the mandibular part of the jaw and the temporal bone at the base of the skull.  When balance to the teeth, muscles and bones is lost, the result can be:

• Headaches
• Worn Teeth
• Pain Behind the Eyes
• Sensitive Teeth
• Earaches
• Popping or Clicking in the Jaw Joint
• Difficulty Opening and Closing the Mouth
• Jaw Pain
• Stiffness in the neck and shoulders
• Painful muscles in the face, neck and shoulders

Diagnosis requires an exam, x-rays, diagnostic models of your teeth and bite registration. Some patients require a more extensive exam involving Neuromuscular Dentistry: requiring Tomography, Sonography and Electromyography.

Causes of TMD ( temporal mandibular dysfunction ) are:

• Clenching or Grinding of your teeth
• Bad Bite or Bad Occlusion
• Joint Injury
• Arthritis
• Stress - physical or mental

Tooth Wear in the middle aged patient is a major contributor.

Fortunately, there are great ways to address neuromuscular problems. Neuromuscular issues require a neuromuscular approach and solution. Dr. Clara Lee uses a computerized diagnosis called Myotronics to both relax and determine ideal occlusion. Treatment options include an orthotic that temporarily repositions the bite the same way as bite guard therapy. Orthotic therapy always precedes Full Mouth Restoration. The other more fixed solution is the ideal restoration of each tooth (Full Mouth Restoration). Both approaches seek to alleviate pain and tension in the jaw, head and neck.

This is a surgical procedure designed to replace a missing tooth. An implant is a titanium cylinder that is placed in the bone and replaces what was once the root of the tooth. A crown is attached to the implant to simulate an individual tooth.

A dental implant is a manufactured post that is designed to create a stable foundation for a natural looking tooth restoration. Placed directly into the jawbone, a dental implant is the closest thing to your natural tooth.

There are two parts to a dental implant which simulate the strong holding ability of the tooth root. The main part of the dental implant is embedded in the jawbone for an effect that is vastly stronger than dentures are capable of. The second part of the dental implant is a post that protrudes above the jawbone and gumline, to provide a fixed point to attach the tooth restoration that will simulate the crown.

To replace one tooth, a single post is all that is required. For the replacement of multiple teeth, it might be necessary to place several dental implant posts.

Comprehensive dentistry replaces old mercury fillings, old ugly crowns and old composites that have become discolored and it repairs cracked or missing teeth. It is a blend of general and cosmetic dentistry to ensure overall oral health and a beautiful smile that feels good. We are renewing the teeth that need help in a comprehensive (all inclusive) manner, which saves time and money in the future.

There is more happening than just "cleaning your teeth" at an advanced dental office. The primary aspect of the visit is to remove tarter and calculus (hardened prolonged buildup) from around the teeth and under the gum where floss and a tooth brush do not reach. The hygienist will measure the depth of the "pocket," or space, between the tooth and gum. These measurements should be taken at least once a year. Up to three millimeters is considered healthy, as this is the barrier between the exposed part of your tooth and the inner workings of your body. Three millimeters is also the maximum depth that floss will reach. When people don't floss as often as necessary, dental cleaning visits are even more important. A visit every six months is recommended for people in good oral health who floss and take good care of their teeth and gums. For some people, more frequent visits may be necessary as recommended by the hygienist.

You should be able to stay on regular dental cleaning visits. Cosmetic restorations do not stain and they are unlikely to have any buildup over time. But the natural tooth adjacent to the restoration and the area under the gum needs the regular attention of a skilled hygienist. With good personal and professional care, cosmetic restorations can last a lifetime.

Wouldn't it be nice if a dentist could somehow look painlessly into your mouth, clearly identify every external and internal anatomical structure, and accurately diagnose your dental problems…all within seconds and with minimal radiation exposure? And what if that information could be immediately translated into a large, clear, accurate image, allowing you and your dentist to discuss it together? This may sound too good to be true, but thanks to a relatively new dental imaging process called digital radiography, it’s real. Digital radiography’s technology improves and simplifies the way we care for our patients’ teeth, resulting in better dental evaluations and treatment decisions.

Traditionally, dentists find out what’s going on inside your mouth by taking a series of x-rays, developing them in a darkroom full of chemicals, and then examining the resulting films on a special light board. This cumbersome process is entirely outmoded by digital radiography. Now, you simply relax in the dental chair while a tiny ‘sensor’ is positioned briefly inside your mouth. The sensor acts like a miniature VCR camera, except that its chip is sensitive to x-rays, not light. The result? For one, our patients are exposed to 80%-90% less radiation than with traditional x-ray techniques.

What’s more, a highly detailed image is almost instantaneously translated onto our computer screen, carrying with it all the conveniences of other digitized images: it can be rotated, magnified, adjusted for contrast, and even color-coded for educational purposes. Further, we can store it easily and efficiently in our computer files, eliminating paper files as well as image wear and tear. For insurance purposes, referrals, or patient education, it can be easily, inexpensively and faithfully.

We’re convinced that digital radiography makes for fast and easy evaluation of even the most complex dental conditions. The instantaneous, clear computer screen image allows us to immediately discuss the findings with our patients. Together, we can examine the outer and inner structures and tissues of each tooth, as well as the surrounding roots, root canals, and gums. What may have previously been mysterious and frightening is suddenly rendered reasonable and non-threatening. On the spot, we’re able to clearly and simply explain all the steps of any recommended restoration procedures. And because it helps our patients clearly understand the root issues behind their dental health, we’re able to work together to determine the very best treatment options for each case.

Also called inlays or onlays, they make silver fillings a thing of the past. Silver fillings contain 50% mercury which can be harmful for some patients. Also, after time silver fillings can expand and contract, sometimes leading to fractures in existing tooth structure. This can often lead to root canals, crowns, or extractions.

Out with the old and in with the new technology! Even the inside of your mouth deserves to be beautiful, so there is no need to have those dark silver fillings in your mouth anymore. Replacing them with tooth-colored inlays can give you the confidence to laugh or yawn as big as you want!

Made out of porcelain or composite resins, tooth-colored fillings are not only more aesthetic than your old silver fillings - they're more biocompatible, too. Depending on the situation that saves the most tooth and will last the longest, porcelain or composite inlays or onlays can potentially save your teeth.

As a service to our patients, we are pleased to offer the CareCredit card, the nation's leading patient payment program. With CareCredit you can finance 100% of your dental care and there are no upfront costs, no annual fees, and no pre-payment penalties. So, you can begin your treatment today and conveniently pay with low, monthly payments.

CareCredit offers a full range of payment plans so you can find one that works best for you. With the popular No Interest Payment Plans* there are no interest charges if you pay your balance in full within the specified time period. Monthly payments can be as low as 3% of your balance. For procedure fees from $1,000 and up, CareCredit offers 24, 36, or 48 month plan options with low monthly payments available.

CareCredit can be used by the whole family for ongoing treatment without having to reapply. And by using CareCredit for your dental care, you can save your other credit cards for household or unplanned expenses. It only takes a few minutes to apply for CareCredit and you'll receive an online decision in seconds! Apply Now or see our staff for more details.

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