July 2013 - The Dental Place

July 25, 2013

Dentures are valuable appliances for replacing an entire mouthful of missing teeth, but they do require an adjustment period as your mouth becomes accustomed to the device. If you know what to expect and what steps to take to prepare, this transition can be less disruptive.

Modern dentures represent a vast improvement over the devices that your grandparents wore. These appliances are custom-crafted, instead of one-size-fits-all as in past decades. They are made of lifelike materials that can be tailored to match the shade and shape of your natural teeth – or improve upon the smile you once had, if you wish.

In order to ensure that the appliance is designed to your unique specifications, your dentist will take impressions of your jaw that then provide the guidelines for crafting the denture. Patients who are getting upper and lower dentures should be fitted for both at the same time to ensure that the arches fit together properly.

Dentures are valuable appliances for replacing an entire mouthful of missing teeth, but they do require an adjustment period as your mouth becomes accustomed to the device.

Although the dentures are custom-fitted, patients sometimes feel that the appliances do not fit well at first. This sensation will pass as your mouth adapts to the denture, generally within a few weeks. If you continue to have that feeling or any discomfort after a few weeks, the denture may need to be tweaked a bit. Schedule a follow-up evaluation with your dentist to see if any further adjustments are necessary.

You may find eating and speaking a little difficult when you first have your denture, too. Again, this is a common experience for new denture wearers and will abate with time. Your dentist can give you suggestions of strategies to use for chewing with your new dentures.

Be sure that you know what to do in order to maintain your dentures, as well. After your mouth has gotten used to the dentures, you can begin removing them at night to clean them thoroughly.

You can take advantage of today’s dentures to get an attractive smile and comfortable fit even after tooth loss. With a little patience during the adjustment period, you will get used to your brand new smile in no time at all.

Call The Dental Place for an appointment today.

July 13, 2013

A root canal is a valuable dental treatment that can help you to save a severely damaged or decayed tooth. Unfortunately, though, the root canal has developed a negative reputation over time, and some may dread the procedure.

When performing a root canal, the dentist clears away infected pulp material from the tooth’s inner core. After the pulp has been removed, the empty chamber is filled with an inert rubber-like substance called gutta percha.

Before undergoing the procedure, many patients express concerns about the effects they will experience afterward. If you have any such worries, it’s important to discuss them with your dentist in advance so you will know what to expect.

Although many patients associate the idea of a root canal with severe discomfort, that is not necessarily the case anymore. Advanced instruments and techniques have significantly reduced the levels of discomfort that result from a root canal.

Following a root canal, patients often report a level of discomfort no more significant than that associated with having a cavity filled. Any uncomfortable feelings that that patients do experience typically can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications.

Most patients also will have a crown placed sometime after the root canal as a further level of protection against additional damage to the tooth. Until the crown is in place, it is best to avoid chewing with the tooth that received the root canal. This will help to prevent the re-introduction of bacteria into the area.

Root canals have a very high success rate, generally around 95 percent. Most patients who undergo a root canal will need no further treatment, although in a small number of cases the root canal may need to be re-done, especially if there were additional chambers in the tooth’s center and one was not cleaned out. This is rare, though.

If a root canal has been recommended in your case, don’t procrastinate in seeking treatment out of anxiety. Schedule a consultation with any of our skilled dentists to discuss the process and procedure to set your mind at ease prior to your appointment. Call 972-264-5795 today.

July 2, 2013

You are probably aware of the many ways that stress has a negative impact on your mental and physical well-being, but did you also realize that stress can have consequences for your dental health, too?

Stress can manifest in your mouth in ways that you may not even recognize, although your dentist may pick up on the signs and symptoms. Extensive wear and tear on the teeth can be a signal that you are unconsciously grinding your teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Morning headaches or ongoing facial or jaw pain can also be a sign of bruxism, or of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which can also be exacerbated by stress.

Stress can manifest in your mouth in ways that you may not even recognize, although your dentist may pick up on the signs and symptoms.

Extensive research has also linked stress with inflammation, and inflammation is a major culprit in gum disease. Your worries may be taking a toll on your gums, which can potentially lead to tooth and bone loss. Furthermore, some studies have suggested an increased level of plaque production during stressful periods. Plaque contains the bacteria that lead to gum disease.

Your oral hygiene routine may even be affected by your stress. If you have multiple demands on your time, pulling you in different directions, it can be challenging to keep to your daily regimen, let alone squeeze in your semi-annual appointments with your dentist.

Of course, you can pursue treatments for various stress-related oral health problems. Bruxism can be treated with a custom-fitted mouthguard worn at night to keep space between the upper and lower teeth. Many patients find that they get relief from wearing such a device.

Gum disease can be treated as well, with deep cleaning treatments or outpatient surgical procedures in more advanced cases. Similarly, TMJ disorders may be addressed with painkillers or correcting problems in the bite.

Stress management techniques may also be an important component of your treatment plan for these oral health issues. If you are able to better control your stress, you may find that your oral health symptoms disappear.

At your next dental check-up, ask any of our experienced dentists at The Dental Place if your mouth is showing any signs of stress. Explore the dental treatments that are available to address any problems and consider seeking counseling on stress management techniques as an additional measure to protect your oral health.