Few look forward to visiting the dentist, but with Smile Carolina Dental Group, chances are good one will walk out with a smile, and a beautiful one at that. Dr. Jeffrey Johnson and his team offer the highest quality restorative, cosmetic and surgical dental treatments, all provided with a compassionate touch. Their modern office is situated in a peaceful home setting minutes from Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant and surrounded by verdant greenery, which customers can enjoy from each treatment chair. Between the practice’s confident and attentive staff, the soothing colors and relaxed lighting, and the numerous stress-reducing amenities, even customers with trepidations will settle into their dental work as if it were a spa treatment. Components that allow patients to decompress and relax include noise-canceling headphones, soft blankets, supportive neck pillows and special techniques for making injections nearly painless. The caring touch and tenor of voice of Dr. Johnson’s staff and their matter-of-fact approach to executing procedures help alleviate worry, keep stress at bay and prevent “white coat syndrome.”
Smile Carolina offers the full gamut of high-end dental services, including numerous restorative, cosmetic and surgical options. Dr. Johnson handles all manner of general dentistry, including crowns, fillings and dental implants. He is an expert at helping patients set dental goals, be it for alleviating pain or creating a smile they are proud to flash without hesitation.
Dr. Johnson’s credentials are impressive, with an undergraduate degree from the College of Charleston and a doctorate from MUSC’s College of Dental Medicine. Most notable is his advanced training in implant surgery from the Engel Implant Institute, where he is also now an instructor. Dr. Johnson has additionally trained at the Las Vegas Institute and the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics. Affiliations include SPEAR Education, the South Carolina Dental Association and the American Dental Association.
Dr. Virginia Gregory is the practice’s expert in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. Smile makeovers include a variety of procedures customized for each patient, which may include porcelain veneers and crowns, aligner orthodontics and teeth whitening. Dr. Gregory is adept at helping patients determine the best path toward achieving a beautiful smile.
Dr. Gregory has been in practice for over 30 years, having founded the current practice and, from the get-go, ensured the facility was outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and procedures. Dr. Gregory holds a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene from UNC-Chapel Hill, a doctorate in dental medicine from MUSC and a master’s in speech pathology. Postdoc training includes courses through the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, with the added credential of being an LVI Preferred Dentist. Affiliations include the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Association and the SC Dental Association. Dr. Gregory also holds a fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, following hundreds of hours of continuing education.
Board-certified endodontic specialist Dr. Anya Kent rounds out the practice’s primary dental service providers and is at the ready for root canals. Hailing from Westchester, New York, Dr. Kent brings 14 years of experience in endodontics to the practice. She holds a DDS from NYU’s College of Dentistry and did her residency in endodontics at the Manhattan Veterans Administration Hospital.
The practice’s state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and an in-house lab for creating restorations are of particular pride. Nearly all of Smile Carolina’s restorations are made in-house, from implants and crowns to dentures and the like. Having a dental mill and 3-D printer in-house significantly shortens the wait time for production and ensures prosthetics are created with oversight and precision.
Another choice piece of equipment is Smile Carolina’s CBCT scanner. This 3-D technology allows staff to accurately assess underlying bone structure, nerve pathways and soft tissue, thereby pinpointing the root cause of dental problems. Intraoral scanners are standard at Smile Carolina and a superior way to take dental impressions. Digital impressions can be made in a total of 90 seconds and without the mess and inaccuracy of dental putty and trays.
Dr. Johnson offers financing options through Alphaeon Credit, Proceed Finance and Care Credit. Application for these programs is done right in his office and with the guidance of his administrative staff. Deferring dental work is never a good idea, as cavities, infections and gum disease fuel chronic inflammation, which in turn contributes to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, kidney disease and more. In addition, unresolved issues with damaged or missing teeth can cause shifting or overcompensating, resulting in damage to other teeth. The lesson here is that prompt and quality resolution of dental issues is a worthwhile investment, both for the short and long term and for overall health.
Smile Carolina’s convenient location in the beautiful Charleston area and its full spectrum of dental services and in-house prosthetics make it an ideal spot for destination dentistry. Within a matter of a day or two, one could get an entire smile makeover, then go on to enjoy all the region has to offer. Your best souvenir: returning home with an incredible smile!
Smile Carolina Dental Group is the perfect choice for discerning customers who want the best restorative, cosmetic and surgical dental treatments. The experienced team provides compassionate care, prioritizes patient health and dentistry goals, and utilizes advanced procedures and technology to achieve exceptional results. *
Christina Andrews is a freelance writer from the Napa Valley who specializes in personal and business bios, food and wine, visual arts, music, hospitality, the event industry, community interest stories, obituaries and political satire.
