February 2014 - The Dental Place

February 27, 2014

For centuries, dentures have been used to replace missing teeth. In fact, many notable figures in history wore dentures made from a variety of materials. When patients begin to lose teeth in adulthood, it can be a distressing and traumatic experience.

Missing teeth presents a variety of problems for patients including a diminished ability to eat food properly. Common reasons for the loss of permanent teeth include advanced gum disease, extensive decay, and traumatic injury. To help restore patients’ quality of life and their oral function, our dentist strongly encourages patients to review their tooth replacement options, which include full and partial dentures.

Full and partial dentures are crafted from similar materials but differ in the way that they address tooth loss. Full dentures replace an entire arch of teeth on either the upper or the lower jaw. This type of prosthetic is designed for edentulous patients, those who have lost an entire set of teeth or those who have lost teeth and will lose more in cases where multiple extractions are needed. Full sets of dentures rest directly on and slightly over the gums. The shape of the mouth and jaw offer structural support so that patients who wear dentures can enjoy the ability to eat foods and smile without embarrassment.

Unlike full dentures, partial dentures only replace a few missing teeth. Partials contain metal framework that snaps on to existing natural teeth. These prosthetics are used to fill in spaces of the mouth where patients are missing teeth so that their smiles are uniform looking and more functional for eating and speaking. This type of denture also helps provide structural support to neighboring teeth so that they do not collapse into empty tooth sockets.

Both full and partial dentures are constructed in dental laboratories from molds taken from your dentist. Your dentures are made just for you and will fit the size and shape of your mouth. To learn more about replacing missing teeth or to schedule a consultation with our compassionate team of dentists, call The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 today.

February 17, 2014

Root canal treatment is a tooth-saving procedure. When a tooth is severely damaged and its interior structures are exposed to harmful bacteria and debris, the tooth, as a living structure, will die without professional treatment. Unlike other parts of the body such as a bone or ligament, a damaged tooth cannot self-heal, this is why receiving restorative and endodontic treatment from your dentist is a necessity to save a tooth.

The root canal is located inside the tooth. This chamber houses the nerve(s) and pulp, which contains vital cellular material. When a tooth is healthy, the root canal is sealed off from oral bacteria; however, if a tooth is significantly damaged, the root canal is exposed. Over time, an exposed root canal will become inflamed and infected. In many patients, common symptoms of an infected root canal include moderate to severe toothaches, facial pain, and headaches. Below are a few of the most common reasons your dentist will perform root canal therapy.

Traumatic Injury

Traumatic injuries to the teeth can result in an unprotected root canal. For example, a deep crack in a tooth that extends below the tooth enamel and dentin often exposes a root canal to millions of oral bacteria present in the mouth. Traumas to the face from falling or contact sports may also cause enough damage to expose the nerves and pulp chamber.

Severe Decay

Untreated tooth decay will ultimately reach the interior structures of teeth. Decay occurs when tooth enamel, the protective layer surrounding teeth, is damaged. Damaged enamel allows bacteria to eat through structures that are more sensitive. Eventually, the cavity will grow larger and ultimately reach the root canal where the nerve(s) and pulp become infected after exposure to bacteria.

With special, tiny dental tools, your dentist will gently enter the inside of your tooth and remove the infection. Once the damaged nerve and root canal has been thoroughly cleaned and removed, the inside of your tooth will be sealed to prevent further discomfort and damage.

To learn more about how root canals help save teeth or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today.

February 4, 2014

Do you dream of a smile free of imperfections? Do you wish your teeth were straighter or whiter? Perhaps a chipped tooth or a noticeable gap between two teeth make you feel too embarrassed to smile. Contrary to popular opinion, beautiful smiles are normally not an attribute that someone is born with. The truth is that behind nearly every perfect, vibrant smile is the work of a cosmetic dentist and fortunately, the smile you have always dreamed of is attainable with a common cosmetic enhancement, porcelain veneers.

The placement of porcelain veneers is a permanent cosmetic procedure available at our practice. Minimally invasive, the process of bonding veneers to the teeth only requires a few visits to our office. Handcrafted by dental technicians, veneers are wafer-thin pieces of porcelain that are cemented to the front surface of teeth to conceal imperfections and stains. When the process is complete, you will leave our office with a beautiful, uniform smile.

If you’re interested in how porcelain veneers could benefit you, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentist. At your consultation, our dentist will determine if this procedure is the best way to improve your smile.

Once our dentist determines that porcelain veneers are right for you, precise impressions (molds) of your teeth will be taken. These impressions will be used to handcraft your veneers to flawlessly cover imperfections and produce a natural yet stunning enhancement to your smile. When your veneers are ready, you will return to our office for the bonding process. The surfaces of your teeth will be prepared and your veneers will be permanently bonded to your teeth. While the bonding cement hardens, our dentist will make any adjustments necessary to ensure that your veneers are placed properly.

To learn more about achieving a stunning a smile free of chips, stains, and gaps, call The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 today to schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation with our team of skilled, experienced dentists.