January 2012 - The Dental Place

January 30, 2012

Patients who unknowingly grind or clench their teeth—a condition known as bruxism—often come to their Grand Prairie dental office with complaints of symptoms like headaches and unexplained tooth wear. Some patients may be unaware of the habit, while others are tipped off by spouses or partners whose sleep is routinely disrupted by the noise.

If you suspect that you are grinding or clenching your teeth at night, your dentist can intervene in a number of ways.

One particularly effective technique entails wearing a mouthguard while you sleep. This reduces the likelihood of grinding or clenching the teeth.

If you suspect that you are grinding or clenching your teeth at night, your dentist can intervene in a number of ways.

Although you can buy mouthguards over-the-counter, the devices prescribed by your dentist are much more effective. They’re custom-designed to fit the unique structures of your mouth, unlike the boil-and-bite varieties sold in the local retail outlet.

If a mouthguard fails to prevent bruxism, your dentist may recommend a splint instead. Splints are made of a harder plastic than mouthguards, and they hold the jaw in a proper position.

Other strategies can complement mouthguards and splints in reducing teeth grinding. Stress is often the culprit in bruxism, or at least a contributing factor, so relaxation techniques may be quite effective in addressing the issue. Even simple adjustments to your daily routine, like avoiding stimulants (think caffeine and smoking) before bed, can be helpful.

When bruxism is caused by a misalignment of the teeth, fixing that issue may also resolve the teeth grinding or clenching.

Applying ice or heat to sore jaw muscles can provide some relief for the symptoms of teeth grinding, as can over-the-counter painkillers.

Although bruxism rarely causes major problems, it’s a nuisance at best. At worst, it can lead to serious conditions like TMJ disorders. Patients who have noticed any potential signs of bruxism should schedule an evaluation with their dentist to determine if any further treatment is necessary.

January 18, 2012

With the advanced techniques of modern dentistry, there’s no need for patients to settle for anything less than a stellar smile.

If you weren’t born with a perfect set of pearly whites, don’t despair. Your Grand Prairie TX cosmetic dentist can intervene to transform your smile. Your comprehensive smile makeover may include treatments ranging from veneers to teeth whitening.

Your cosmetic dentist can use a variety of procedures to overhaul your smile. Some may correct major issues, while others address minor flaws.

One significant problem that can be fixed through cosmetic dentistry is a gap left behind by a missing tooth. In the past, patients often resigned themselves to an unattractive prosthetic solution, but today’s dental implants offer a vast improvement for tooth replacement. They’re durable, stable and custom-designed so it’s nearly impossible to tell a dental implant from the natural tooth right next to it.

Veneers, which are thin porcelain shells that sit atop the natural teeth, also are useful in enhancing a smile’s aesthetics. They can conceal deep stains, cracks or chips in the teeth or can fill in gaps. Sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics,” veneers can even re-align a slightly crooked stretch of teeth.

The procedures described above generally require at least two visits to your cosmetic dentist for planning and placement.

You may not need all of that work, however. If your teeth are already properly aligned and proportional, a few simple procedures can give your smile a major boost in as little as one visit to the office.

Teeth whitening is one such treatment. With the Opalescence tooth whitening system, you can take advantage of a powerful bleaching gel that makes your teeth whiter and brighter. This system can be used either in the office or at your convenience at home.

For some patients, a simple switch from silver amalgam fillings to tooth-colored composite materials can have a significant effect. It’s amazing how distracting the older style fillings can be.

Virtually all patients can improve their smiles with cosmetic dentistry. Contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 to see which procedures will be most beneficial for you.

January 2, 2012

If you’re familiar with dental implants, you probably recognize that they’re the best tooth replacement option available. They last for decades when maintained properly, and they preserve a natural tooth’s functionality in a way that alternatives like bridges and dentures cannot.

However, in order to take advantage of the benefits of dental implants in Grand Prairie TX, patients must meet certain conditions.

If you’re familiar with dental implants, you probably recognize that they’re the best tooth replacement option available.

First of all, patients must have a minimum amount of bone available into which the implant dentist can place the dental implant. Because they are made of titanium, a biocompatible metal, dental implants fuse with the bone, becoming a permanent fixture in the mouth. This osseointegration gives dental implants their stability, but it requires that enough bone be present to facilitate the process.

This condition may present a problem for some patients. When a tooth is lost, its root is no longer present to secure the jawbone. In the absence of the root, the jawbone will erode. If a tooth has been missing for a very long time, too much jawbone atrophy may have taken place, particularly if the implant site is toward the rear of the upper jaw. Bone resorption progresses most quickly in this area.

Fortunately, extensive bone loss does not automatically disqualify patients from receiving dental implants. A preliminary procedure, such as a bone graft or sinus augmentation, to supplement the remaining bone might be recommended. After the patient heals sufficiently from the initial surgery, the implant dentist can then place the implants.

In addition to adequate remaining jawbone, dental implant patients must meet other conditions before they can undergo the procedure. As is the case with any surgery, dental implant patients must be in good enough health to tolerate the procedure. Furthermore, specific oral health problems, such as uncontrolled gum disease, will need to be addressed prior to dental implant placement.

It’s important for patients who are considering dental implants to be fully aware of the process and all that it entails. To learn more about dental implants and to schedule a consultation, contact our experienced dental team today.