A smile is such a simple gesture, yet it holds so much power. It is innately human - a universal way to convey happiness, greet one another and signal that we're nice people. Smiles communicate how we're feeling and are great for breaking the ice or awkward moments. A good-natured smile moves mountains, but if you're like the average person, it may not be perfect. And that's okay. But is it healthy?
Studies from the CDC show that 1 in 4 U.S. adults from 20 to 64 have cavities. Perhaps even more surprising is that approximately 34 million school hours are lost every year due to emergency dental care. For children, missing time could mean the difference between moving forward and being held back.
If you're one of the many people who feel ashamed about their teeth, need preventative oral care, or suffer serious issues like tooth decay, it's time to protect your teeth and gums. Luckily, Merchants Walk Dental is here to serve you with the highest quality dental work in East Cobb, from preventative care to cosmetic dentistry.
At Merchants Walk Dental, your healthy teeth and gums are our passion. Our dentists and hygienists are committed to providing you with the best dental care possible in a comfortable, stress-free setting. Since opening in 2017, we have become the premier dentist in Sandy Springs, GA, offering many dental services such as:
As experts, we know how important oral hygiene is for your health. We feel that it's important to go the extra mile to speak with our patients about the best practices involved with brushing, flossing, and healthy gums. We know what an impact a beautiful smile can make, which is why we are so dedicated to providing our patients with cleaner, straighter teeth than ever before.
Having served Georgia and East Cobb for years, we understand that no two patients will ever have the same needs. That's why we provide personalized services like cleanings and root canals tailored to each patient's unique needs. We also know that money doesn't grow on trees, so we accept most major dental insurance plans to ensure you can keep your teeth clean and healthy all year long.
If you're searching for an expert team of friendly dentists and hygienists, look no further than Merchants Walk Dental. We pride ourselves on the best dental care coupled with warm, engaging customer service. You can rest easy knowing you're in capable, welcoming hands whether it's your first or fortieth visit to our office.
Here at Merchants Walk Dental, we understand that getting your teeth cleaned isn't something everyone looks forward to. However, getting regular teeth cleanings performed by a trustworthy dentist is the best way to maintain a healthy smile and avoid serious oral hygiene issues. And while it's easy to avoid the dentist, doing so for too long can be bad for your overall health.
Studies have linked poor oral hygiene to serious problems like cancer, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and strokes. If you're flossing and brushing at home twice a day, that's great. Doing so is the best way to get a leg up on critical oral hygiene problems. However, getting your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist helps ensure your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, healthy, and protected.
It's a question we get all the time - what is periodontal treatment? This treatment focuses on your gums and preventing the common diseases that attack them. When left unchecked, plaque accumulates and hardens, forming hard-to-remove tartar. This tartar irritates your gums and will eventually lead to a litany of problems like tooth decay, tooth loss, and more.
During your teeth cleaning session at Merchants Walk Dental, we'll examine your gums closely to ensure they're healthy and functional.
Each of our teeth cleaning appointments has comprehensive check-ups, including:
The only surefire way to prevent tartar buildup and, by proxy, gum disease is by brushing and flossing diligently at home. If you have been slacking on regular brushing and have not visited a dentist recently, your gums could be suffering. If you have any of the following signs of gum disease, contact Merchants Walk Dental to schedule a dental exam in Sandy Springs, GA:
If you have had a cavity filled before, you're not alone. Tooth decay affects more than 90% of adults over the age of 40 - a stunning statistic that, in many cases, is entirely preventable. At Merchants Walk Dental, we use composite resin fillings to keep our patient's teeth healthy and functional. Unlike amalgam fillings, composite fillings are more discreet, match the color of your teeth, and are free of mercury.
While fillings can have a few uses, our doctors typically use fillings to "fill" a part of your tooth that is decaying. This hole of decay is called a cavity. Sometimes, fillings are also used to fix broken, cracked, or worn-down teeth from grinding and nail-biting. Fillings are a great way to restore decaying teeth to their normal shape and function while preventing sensitivity and inhibiting further decay.
During your dental exam at our office in East Cobb, your dental hygienist will check for signs of cavities and tooth decay to ensure your oral hygiene remains in peak condition.
Abscesses- Without professional dental treatment, infected teeth lead to dental abscesses, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Nerve Pain- When your tooth is cracked and left without treatment, it can make its way to your nerve, resulting in extreme pain and damage.
Substantial Decay- If you leave an infection to fester without having a root canal, the infection can spread to other teeth in your mouth. If you don't address the initial signs of decay, you'll have to undergo treatment for multiple teeth.
Tooth Loss- Extensive decay and trauma often cause damage to your tooth's pulp. Our root canal treatments in Sandy Springs remove this infected pulp. However, if you choose to ignore the problem, the infected pulp will rot your entire tooth, causing you to lose it forever.
One mention of the word root canal can send shivers up the spine for many people. Root canals get a bad rap, but the treatment has come a long way over the last decade.
When tooth decay and infection are left to fester, it can wreak havoc on your oral hygiene. Often, root canals in cityname, GA, are the best choice for patients with extensively diseased teeth. The goal of a root canal is to save and repair teeth by removing the infection from the pulp and nerve of the tooth.
Signs of tooth decay that may require a root canal include:
When a substantial cavity threatens a person's tooth and fillings aren't working, many dentists will use crowns to fix the problem. A crown is an aesthetic cap or a tooth-shaped covering placed over another tooth or implant for stability. Typically, crowns improve appearance and strength of a patient's teeth.
Crowns are also used to restore the size and shape of damaged or chipped teeth. When used for this purpose, dental crowns are usually bonded to the tooth using dental-grade cement.
During your dental exam and cleaning, your hygienist will keep a sharp eye out for signs of tooth decay, which may require a crown. Benefits of dental crows from Merchants Walk Dental include:
Restorative dental treatments can be complicated, but dental crowns are straightforward and minimally invasive. During the process, your tooth's enamel is cleaned, and your damaged tissue is removed. Once that process is complete, we'll cast a custom crown for your tooth. While the crown is created, Dr. John Bishara or Dr. Milli Patel will provide you with a temporary crown for normal functionality.
Damaged enamel or structural damage can cause pain and sensitivity. Having a dental crown installed will help alleviate a good amount of your pain.
Our dental crowns are made with high-quality, long-lasting materials. With proper care and regular check-ups, they can withstand years of chewing, biting, and grinding.
When you lose one or more teeth, whether due to decay or another factor, it's important to fill the space where the tooth is missing. That's where dental bridges come in. Bridges are essentially fake permanent teeth used to fill holes caused by missing teeth. The false tooth is fused between two dental crowns giving it the bridge concept. Dental bridges are then typically anchored to healthy teeth using resin and cement.
The health of your teeth, their position, and the state of the surrounding bone will help our team determine if bridges are right for you. If not, dentures in Sandy Springs, GA, might be a better option. Dentures come in two forms: partial and complete. Dentures are best for patients who have missing teeth but aren't able to use bridges. Complete dentures all your missing teeth, while partial dentures replace one or two teeth.
Getting cosmetic dentures can be a life-changing experience. It often requires physical and emotional preparation. At Merchants Walk Dental, our team will take as much time needed to consult with and prepare you for your denture procedure.
Whether you need dental bridges or cosmetic dentures, we're here to help make your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Dental implants are needed when you have missing teeth, but you cannot or will not get crowns, bridges, or dentures. Failing to replace a lost tooth will cause a bevy of problems as time goes on. For many patients, dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth. With dental implants, you can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. A dental implant serves as a permanent artificial root anchored into the jawbone.
When our team puts a dental implant in place, your jawbone grafts itself to the titanium post making it as strong as your original root and tooth. The result is a natural, beautiful, fully-functional set of teeth that lasts for years.
Establishing healthy dental habits early in life is key for long-term oral health and confidence. The best way to learn those habits is at home and in a dentist's office.
At Merchants Walk Dental, our goal is to foster long-lasting relationship with the families in our community who trust us to care for their children's dental health.
When you choose Merchants Walk Dental as your child's dentist, you can rest easy knowing we treat your loved one just like ours. Our professional hygienists and experienced doctors are trained and certified to give your kids a comfortable dental experience. We like to mix fun with education, putting your child at ease while helping them understand the importance of proper dental care.
Common habits like teeth grinding and thumb sucking can have profound effects later in life. Our doctors are keenly aware of these habits, and work hard to help you and your child develop creative solutions to halt that behavior.
Our pediatric dental services improve the health of your child's teeth and gums with:
Dental Surgery, DDS
Dr. John Bishara, DDS was born and raised in Nazareth Israel. His last name, "Bishara" translates to the annunciation, which is the announcement of the incarnation by the angel Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38).
Dr. Bishara attended Valdosta State University, where he received his Bachelors degree of Science in Biology with honors. He then pursued his education at the University of Detroit Mercy to earn his Doctoral Degree of Dental Surgery, DDS.
Since earning his degrees in 1999, he has been practicing General and Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Bishara spent his first four years practicing dentistry in St. Simons Island before moving to Marietta, Georgia to establish his own practice. In 2010, Dr. John Bishara completed a one year residency at MCG, specializing in dental implants.
Dr. John Bishara has proven to be an exceptional dental practitioner by creating a dental environment perfect for any individual and family, while offering an array of services to meet each of their needs. He takes pride in creating beautiful, confident smiles on a daily basis. Dr. John Bishara is dedicated to a lifelong career in Dentistry by furthering his education in every way possible.
Having served the East Cobb and Sandy Springs for years, we know your dental needs are unique and different from your neighbor. That's why we offer a variety of dental services to address each patient's special circumstances, from standard cleanings to complex root canals. By using the latest innovations and techniques in dentistry, we can better serve each client on an individualized level, leading to better comprehensive dental care.
We're taking new patients and accept most major forms of dental insurance to keep your teeth healthy and clean without breaking the bank. Contact our office today to schedule your dental exam and learn more about our history!
SANDY SPRINGS, GA. — Atlanta-based Third & Urban has purchased Northridge Commons, a seven-building industrial flex campus in Sandy Springs, a northern suburb of Atlanta. The 470,000-square-foot property is located at 8601 Dunwoody Place near Ga. Highway 400. The seller and sales price were not disclosed.Northridge Commons was 83 percent leased at the time of sale to a variety of office, flex and warehouse occupiers, including Inspire Brands and Invitation Homes, a subsidiary of Blackstone. Third & Urban says it will rep...
SANDY SPRINGS, GA. — Atlanta-based Third & Urban has purchased Northridge Commons, a seven-building industrial flex campus in Sandy Springs, a northern suburb of Atlanta. The 470,000-square-foot property is located at 8601 Dunwoody Place near Ga. Highway 400. The seller and sales price were not disclosed.
Northridge Commons was 83 percent leased at the time of sale to a variety of office, flex and warehouse occupiers, including Inspire Brands and Invitation Homes, a subsidiary of Blackstone. Third & Urban says it will reposition some of the office spaces to attract more flex industrial users.
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Origin Investments has purchased Queens WeHo, a 221-unit apartment community located in downtown Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. The sales price was not disclosed, but multiple media outlets report the property traded for $79.4 million.
Queens WeHo represents the second acquisition of the Chicago-based buyer’s Origin Exchange Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) investment program that launched in June 2024. The seller, Proffitt Dixon, delivered Queens WeHo in 2023.
The property was 94 percent occupied at the time of sale and features a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 559 to 1,120 square feet. The ground level features a 6,461-square-foot restaurant space fully occupied by Mercado by Butchertown.
Russ Oldham led the Walker & Dunlop brokerage team in the sale. Jamie Butler, Cliff Ayers, Jason McFadden, Brett McGuire and Michael Bowles, also with Walker & Dunlop, arranged acquisition financing on behalf of Origin Investments.
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. (MMCC) has arranged a $12.9 million loan for the refinancing of Crosstown Plaza, a 210,515-square-foot grocery-anchored shopping center in Schenectady, located just north of Albany. According to LoopNet Inc., Crosstown Plaza was built in 1978 and renovated in 2018). Tenants include grocer Price Rite, Harbor Freight Tools and Ocean State Job Lot. Steven Rock of MMCC arranged the loan, which carried a three-year term and a 25-year amortization schedule, through an undisclosed bank. The sponsor was also not disclosed.
BEVERLY, MASS. — New York City-based investment firm The Praedium Group has purchased a portfolio of four multifamily properties totaling 394 units the northeastern Boston suburb of Beverly. Known as The Beverly Crossing Portfolio, the quartet of properties includes The Block, Canvas, Link 480 and Flats at 131, all of which were built between 2017 and 2023. The portfolio offers a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units with an average unit size of 783 square feet, as well as 26,038 square feet of retail space. Simon Butler, Biria St. John, John McLaughlin and Brian Bowler of CBRE represented the seller in the transaction and procured Praedium Group as the buyer.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — New York-based developer Alpine Residential has received $142.7 million in financing for Scholars Village, a 500-unit multifamily project that will be located in Jersey City. The financing consists of a four-year, floating-rate construction loan from Bank OZK and a preferred equity investment from EOS Residential Investors. Scholars Village will comprise two 12-story buildings with studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, as well as 4,101 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Thomas Didio, Thomas Didio Jr. and Michael Mataras of JLL arranged the debt and equity on behalf of Alpine Residential.
DEL CITY, OKLA. — Home Invest, a private investment firm and fund manager, has acquired Morgan Terrace, a 100-unit apartment complex in Del City, located southeast of the state capital. The sales price was $3.7 million, and the seller was an undisclosed, California-based investor. According to Apartments.com, Morgan Terrace was built in 1964 and offers one-, two- and three-bedroom units, as well as a courtyard and onsite laundry facilities.
CYPRESS, TEXAS — Fort Worth-based Trademark Property Co. will develop a 25-acre retail and restaurant district within Dunham Pointe, a 1,300-acre master-planned community located in the northwestern Houston suburb of Cypress. The new district will total 205,000 square feet, and roughly 50 retail and food-and-beverage operators have already submitted preliminary lease offers for the property, according to Trademark. Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter, with the first openings slated for early 2027. At full build-out, Dunham Pointe will also feature more than 2,000 single-family homes and a school.
Georgia Plant Trade and Sales hosts:Georgia Plant Swap + Sale Spring TimeCome buy plants at Wild Heaven West End Garden Club Room!!*Plant Sale (Apply)*Plant Swap (No Sell Zone)*Free Plant Area (No Sell Zone) - Donate or Take*No Solicitation*Wild Heaven West End Location. March 2 (12-5pm)Family friendly, pet friendly, Free EntrySupport the locals, brew, and eateries on premise!Contact for upcoming event applications: ...
Georgia Plant Trade and Sales hosts:
Georgia Plant Swap + Sale Spring TimeCome buy plants at Wild Heaven West End Garden Club Room!!
*Plant Sale (Apply)
*Plant Swap (No Sell Zone)
*Free Plant Area (No Sell Zone) - Donate or Take
*No Solicitation*
Wild Heaven West End Location. March 2 (12-5pm)Family friendly, pet friendly, Free Entry
Support the locals, brew, and eateries on premise!
Contact for upcoming event applications: https://linktr.ee/georgiaplantsEmails will come from above socials only for confirmations.
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SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs will provide extra time for public hearing discussion of field lighting at The Mount Vernon School when the City Council meets Jan. 21.At the suggestion of Mayor Rusty Paul, the council agreed at a Jan. 7 work session to double the normal allotted time from 10 to 20 minutes. Each speaker will have two minutes to speak in order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to comment.The item last appeared during the ...
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs will provide extra time for public hearing discussion of field lighting at The Mount Vernon School when the City Council meets Jan. 21.
At the suggestion of Mayor Rusty Paul, the council agreed at a Jan. 7 work session to double the normal allotted time from 10 to 20 minutes. Each speaker will have two minutes to speak in order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to comment.
The item last appeared during the Planning Commission’s Dec. 18 meeting, where officials voted unanimously to recommend denial of the permitting change.
Since January 2024, the school has been in talks with the Mount Vernon Woods Community Association and representatives from other surrounding neighborhoods. Those conversations fizzled out over the summer when it became clear that The Mount Vernon School and neighborhoods weren’t reaching a compromise on the lighting.
When the school was preparing to move to its current location at 510 Mount Vernon Highway more than 20 years ago, it agreed with neighbors to not install field lighting.
When the school purchased an additional 10 acres to the north of Ron Hill Field in 2017, administrators committed to not installing field lighting on that property and cease activities after sundown.
In its application, The Mount Vernon School is asking for field lighting Monday-Friday until 9:30 p.m. with prohibitions over the summer and winter break.
While there are other measures for sound and light levels, vegetative screenings and rental usage, neighbors have pushed back on any change to allow field lighting.
Other conditions allow the field to only be rented by youth sports teams, without the lighting or sound systems, Monday-Saturday.
City staff is recommending approval of the private school’s application if they adhere to the conditions.
“The proposed use is for the continuation of an existing school, rather than an entirely new development, and is compatible with the existing character and land use pattern,” the memo says.
After required community forums this fall, neighborhood and school leaders accused the opposition of spreading misinformation and damaging their organizations.
The private school’s attorneys with Galloway Law Group have argued that expiring restrictions and advancements in lighting technology warrants the modification.
Neighbors John and Mary Ellen Snodgrass, who originally granted the easement more than 20 years ago, have a property line 100 feet away from the endzone at Ron Hill Field.
After the Dec. 18 Planning Commission, John Snodgrass said he is “cautiously optimistic” about the continued relationship between the school and surrounding neighbors.
Other items on Tuesday’s agenda include Board of Appeals appointments, adoption of bylaws for the North Fulton Emergency Medical Response Oversight Committee and the submission of a $10 million grant application for construction of the Roswell Road North End Boulevard project.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. at Sandy Springs City Hall and is open to the public. It will also stream online.
To view the meeting agenda, click here.
To watch the meeting online, click here.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs City Council is set to decide Feb. 18 on whether to apply for a state grant that would help fund the next segment of trails around Morgan Falls Overlook Park.A memo from city staff proposes elected officials approve an application for $6.95 million in grant money. The grant would require a 1-to-1 match from the city and would target all work needed to finish Springway segment 2C around Morgan Falls Overlook Park.The application through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is p...
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs City Council is set to decide Feb. 18 on whether to apply for a state grant that would help fund the next segment of trails around Morgan Falls Overlook Park.
A memo from city staff proposes elected officials approve an application for $6.95 million in grant money. The grant would require a 1-to-1 match from the city and would target all work needed to finish Springway segment 2C around Morgan Falls Overlook Park.
The application through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is part of a land and water conservation grant program for outdoor recreation. The deadline for applications runs through Feb. 28.
The grant program includes awards between $300,000 and $15 million for projects that meet required uses, including pedestrian and cyclist mobility, and eligibility requirements. The program weighs projects based on their ability to improve recreational opportunities in urban and disadvantaged communities, promote greenspace and reflect community collaboration.
The city says some design work is underway with final concepts due at the end of the year.
The latest cost estimate is $13.9 million, and the city is seeking to split the full cost of the project, including construction.
The city’s 2019 Trail Master Plan identified the 1.6-mile segment along the Chattahoochee River as a priority. It would connect to the nearly completed segment 2A from Roswell Road to the park. From there, segment 2C would run along the riverbank and behind apartments all the way to Grogan’s Ferry Road.
City staff said the National Park Service announces grant recipients in September with a final review and award in fall 2026. There is $3 million in funding available in the project’s budget, so city staff indicated a $4 million budget request would be required later.
To view the Feb. 18 meeting agendas, visit sandyspringsga.portal.civicclerk.com/.
To watch a live meeting, visit www.youtube.com/@CityOfSandySprings/streams.
In other business, council members will decide whether to fund the first phase of new 6-foot-wide sidewalks along the west side of Lake Forrest Drive.
The $272,000 construction project includes sidewalk segments just south of Mount Paran Road to Spruell Springs and in front of two residences just south of Pine Lake Drive.
The city has plans for sidewalks connecting Atlanta’s Chastain Park to residents and businesses along Roswell Road (Ga. 9) and Lake Forrest Drive.
Sandy Springs officials are also set to approve the city’s 2025 priorities after the annual City Council retreat, certify an estimated rollback rate on property taxes and submit a grant for firefighting equipment.
Update on flooding in Sandy SpringsA flooded street is causing issues for drivers in Sandy Springs after several inches of rain overnight.ATLANTA - Metro Atlanta residents ran into trouble early Thurrsday morning after heavy rains overnight left flooded streets across the area.There were multiple crashes on local interstates and roads, but no fatalities have been reported at thi...
A flooded street is causing issues for drivers in Sandy Springs after several inches of rain overnight.
ATLANTA - Metro Atlanta residents ran into trouble early Thurrsday morning after heavy rains overnight left flooded streets across the area.
There were multiple crashes on local interstates and roads, but no fatalities have been reported at this time.
Power outages temporarily left at least 500 Georgia Power customers without electricity.
The rain left a few drivers stuck on Meridian Mark Road in Sandy Springs near Scottish Rite Hospital.
Workers were wading in the water in an attempt to clear drains and flush the water out of the area.
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(Billy Heath/FOX 5)
The rains covered parts of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in southwest Atlanta.
Drivers continued to pass through the water, and it appears that nobody got stuck.
Officials say drivers should exercise caution and turn around if water appears to be deep.
Rains has left plenty of damage and flooded roads as commuters across metro Atlanta begin heading to work.
Following the heaviest rainfall in North Georgia since Hurricane Helene, several rivers and creeks flooded or were expected to reach flood stage, according to the National Water Prediction Service.
North Georgia received between 3 and 6 inches of rain over a 48-hour period. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport set a daily rainfall record with 2.58 inches on Wednesday, bringing the three-day total for the city to approximately 4 inches.
The heavy rainfall sent large volumes of water rushing into area rivers and creeks. Here’s a look at some of the locations impacted:
As of 11 a.m., the Chattahoochee River measured 24.04 feet, reaching Moderate Flood Stage. It had most likely peaked at that level.
As of 11:15 a.m., the Chattahoochee River in Whitesburg was at 17.54 feet, also at Moderate Flood Stage. It was expected to crest at 20 feet by 7 p.m. Thursday.
As of 10:15 a.m., the Etowah River stood at 19.6 feet, placing it in Moderate Flood Stage.
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View from Heritage Park in Canton. Courtesy of Ashley.
As of 11 a.m., Sweetwater Creek in Austell measured 10.26 feet, also at Moderate Flood Stage.
As of 11:15 a.m., the Flint River measured 14.04 feet, reaching Moderate Flood Stage. It was expected to crest at 7 p.m. Thursday but was not anticipated to rise much further.
NOTE: The above numbers may change quickly.
Timeline:
Thursday and Friday will see more sunshine, including a dry Valentine’s Day on Friday, but the break from rain will be short-lived.
Another round of showers is expected Saturday, with scattered rain during the daylight hours before stronger storms develop late Saturday night into early Sunday morning.
Fortunately, Sunday may not be a complete washout, as conditions could improve as the day progresses.
Looking ahead to Presidents' Day on Monday, forecasters predict sunny and dry weather, offering a brief reprieve before the next weather system moves in.
The Source: Information for this story was taken from reports by FOX 5 reporters and photographers.