Dr. Kersey and his wife Ashley moved to Lagrange and started Kersey Dental in 2006. Outside the office, youll find him spending most of his free time with his children: Caroline, Hugh, and Mary Frances. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys golfing, hunting, and has recently restored a farmhouse from the 1800s. Dr. Kersey loves woodworking, reading, college football, music, and collecting vinyl records. He volunteers at the MercyMed clinic in Columbus and travels with The Smile Foundation to Isla Mujeres, Mexico each year to provide dental care.
Dr. Kersey was born and raised in Manchester, Ga. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia in 1995 with a BBA. After working in the insurance industry for several years, he found his calling and decided to pursue a career in dentistry. He completed his science requirements at Auburn University then completed his dental education at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 2006.
Originally from Cedartown, Georgia, Ashley graduated from the University of Georgia with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. After moving to LaGrange in 2006, Ashley helped open Dr. Kerseys practice and continues to serve as Office Manager. She enjoys cooking and gardening and spending time with Doug and their three children.
It is important to us that every patient feels like part of our family. We love this area, there is so much great history here and community involvement. We feel very fortunate to be a part of the caring and nurturing of the wonderful families in the LaGrange community.
Kayla joined our team bringing over 15 years of dental experience. She loves dental implants, especially the technical part of designing and planning implant placement. She enjoys arts and crafts, outdoors, and making memories with her family.
Michelle has been in the dental field for 5 years and assists in the front and back of the office. Her favorite part of dentistry is the before and after. When not dreaming of Disney World or watching Atlanta United, you can find Michelle on an outdoor adventure with her husband and two sons.
I love to see a patients face light up when they see their new smile for the first time. I also really enjoy the people I work with everyone gets along so well. We treat each other and our patients like family.
Denise graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with an A.S. in Dental Hygiene and later a Bachelors of Science in Biology. Prior to joining Dr. Kerseys office, Denise worked with Dr. Pat Hunnicutt as a Registered Dental Hygienist for twenty-five years.
Everyone in our office is friendly our patients always come first. We all love our work environment, Dr. Kersey is very compassionate and is very well versed in advances in dental technology and pain management. I love looking at before and after pictures with our patients; it is very gratifying to see the change in their self-confidence when they achieve the healthy, bright smile they have always wanted.
With 14 years of dental experience, Ashley joined our office in 2014. Ashley began her career as a dental assistant, and then enhanced her dental career by becoming a registered hygienist in 2016. When Ashley is not at the ballfield watching her two boys, she spends her time doing outdoor activities and traveling to the beach.
I love to form relationships with my patients and make them feel as comfortable as possible in a dental chair. I also take pride in treating our patients as individuals, not just another tooth. Kersey Dental feels like home a welcoming environment with a close knit group of people that work together.
Tiara joined Kersey Dental in 2015 and has 8 years of experience as a patient coordinator. She spends most of her time with her husband, Michael, and her two daughters, Kaylee and Aubree. Tiara enjoys reading, Pinterest projects and spending time with her family and friends.
The best thing about my job is forming relationships and interacting with each patient. I work hard to make them feel comfortable when they arrive. I love being a part of Kersey Dental because the office values patient care above all else.
Losing one or more permanent teeth is a serious issue that requires prompt attention. Missing teeth can affect your ability to chew and enunciate words, making daily tasks like eating or speaking a challenge.
Missing teeth also significantly impact your self-esteem. Your teeth are often the first thing people notice about you, so you may find yourself smiling or laughing with your mouth closed due to feeling self-conscious.
Here at Kersey Dental in LaGrange, GA, we offer several tooth replacement options to help you restore your functionality and confidence. Were happy to walk you through your options and determine which is best for your needs.
When it comes to tooth replacement treatment, no two patients are alike. Treatment requires a personalized approach with each patients best interests in mind. However, dental implants are the superior option in nearly every scenario.
Many patients are tempted to choose cheaper alternatives such as dental bridges or traditional dentures to replace missing teeth, but these options dont last nearly as long as implants and may require retreatment in the future.
Dental implants can last a lifetime when properly cared for, making them a long-term investment in your oral health. Implants are the only dental solution that prevents bone from weakening in the jaw, protecting you from fractures and breakage. They also look and function like natural teeth, allowing patients to eat whatever theyd like with no dietary restrictions.
Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. However, patients need to note that implants are still susceptible to periodontal disease and gum infection. Because implants fuse to the jawbone and tissue, proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits are necessary to ensure the longevity of your implants. We encourage patients to floss and brush on a daily basis to keep the tissue around the implant healthy and free of infection.
Implants are made of three pieces: a titanium post, an abutment, and a crown. All of these components are extremely strong, but it is possible for a crown to crack or the screw attached to the abutment to come loose. Both of these instances can easily be fixed with a visit to the dentist. In rare cases, the abutment screw can become stripped or cracked, or the implant itself may fracture. These situations are more complicated and require extra steps to correct.
Video 00:25 | Mandibular Jaw, bone recession after losing teeth. Medically accurate dental 3D animation shows an edentulous (lacking teeth) person after several years and the resulting changes to facial appearance with jaw bone loss.
Wrinkles and changes in facial structure are telltale signs of aging. Many people believe this is caused by a lack of collagen in the skin, but in many cases, it is due to tooth loss. Missing teeth create small wrinkles and a sunken appearance in the face, causing patients to look older than they are.
Millions of Americans lose teeth every year due to decay, trauma, and gum disease. Luckily, there are many tooth replacement solutions available, and we encourage patients to seek professional advice as soon as possible.
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, many patients turn to full or partial dentures. While traditional dentures are acceptable (especially for patients on a tight budget), they are not the best long-term solution because they dont prevent bone loss.
Once a tooth is lost, the bone tissue surrounding the area loses its function and triggers the resorptive process. As a result, the bone in the jaw no longer serves a purpose and begins to deteriorate. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that prevents this process and protects your jawbone from weakening.
If patients dont replace missing teeth on time, the facial appearance around the missing tooth is affected. Patients may notice wrinkles in the area, sinking lips, or changes in their bite. Dr. Kersey advises patients who want to maintain their youthful appearance to consider dental implants as their tooth replacement solution.
The jawbone contains all the tooth roots. The act of chewing and biting food stimulates the jawbone, keeping it strong and robust. Once permanent teeth are lost, the bone in the area is no longer stimulated. This causes the body to trigger a process to break down and weaken the tissue, known as bone resorption. If multiple teeth are missing, bone resorption causes the jawbone to disintegrate and creates a sunken facial appearance. Dental implants are the only solution that can preserve the jawbone structure and prevent the bone from deteriorating.
Traditional dentures require regular adjustments and trips to the dentist to account for the jawbone shrinking over time. Eventually, the patient will need a new denture created. Dentures that dont fit properly dont provide the necessary stimulation to prevent jawbone atrophy.
Once a tooth is lost, the bone resorption process begins. We encourage you to contact Dr. Kersey to explore your options as soon as possible. The only way to prevent bone loss is by placing dental implants, and we can help determine if this is the right solution for you.
Dental implants are small posts made of titanium. They are surgically placed into the jawbone to mimic tooth roots. A process called osseointegration takes place in which the bone tissue fuses to the titanium posts. Osseointegration takes between four to six months and allows the implants to firmly integrate with the jaw bone. The bone receives pressure from chewing and biting just as a natural tooth would, causing the area to be stimulated and act like a real tooth root. This process keeps the bone tissue active and healthy and prevents bone resorption from occurring.
Dental implants prevent bone resorption and keep your jaws strong and healthy. However, there are many more benefits to getting dental implants. Implants are the only restorative option that looks and feels like natural teeth while providing aesthetic and functional results. Once your implants are placed and fully healed, you wont even realize that your natural teeth are missing when youre eating or speaking.
Patients who have several missing teeth are excellent candidates for implant-supported dentures. Theres no need to worry about traditional dentures moving or slipping out, making dental implants the gold standard of teeth replacement.
On top of preserving bone tissue, teeth help maintain a normal distance between the tip of the nose and the chin. Missing teeth cause the upper and lower jawbones to come closer together and can cause a sunken facial appearance and make you look older than you are.
Over time, missing teeth can create wrinkles in the skin and a sunken facial appearance. In addition, the jawbone begins to disintegrate due to bone resorption unless dental implants are placed to reverse the process. Implants are the only tooth replacement solution that helps preserve the jawbone and maintain a full and healthy facial appearance.
A dental evaluation is required to determine if youre an eligible candidate for dental implants. No dentist can tell you over the phone if you qualify for implants without first examining your teeth and gums.
At Kersey Dental, we use advanced technology such as x-rays and digital imaging to determine if implants are right for you. If you are not a good candidate for implants, Dr. Kersey may recommend bone graft treatment or an alternative tooth replacement solution better fit for your situation. After all, every smile is different and no case is alike, but theres almost always a way to achieve your dream results.