The Dental Place

Will My Whitened Teeth Retain Their New Color?

April 27, 2014

Teeth whitening has become a major player in the way we can care for the appearance of our teeth.

There are whitening gels, pastes, rinses; trays available in the drug store or on the internet; kits that come with lights; and products that claim that you can customize them for the best result.

But truth be known, the optimum whitening product you can get is available through your cosmetic dentist. Opalescence teeth whitening has many options to suit your individual needs.

…the optimum whitening product you can get is available through your cosmetic dentist.

There is in-office whitening that allows you to brighten your teeth in one brief visit. For patients wishing to whiten at home, there are take-home kits.

You can whiten teeth in brief stints or the whitening gel can be used overnight. Depending on the application you choose, the strength of the product can be adjusted. There are different flavors available to suit your preference.

Once whitening has been completed there are steps you can take to help keep your new bright smile. Many foods and beverages are more inclined to stain. These include coffee, tea, cola, red wine, and sugary beverages that are often touted as “healthy” drinks.

Foods to consider include many fruits such as berries due to the dark pigments they contain. Sauces with tomatoes as their base, beets, and many acidic foods can impact the color of teeth. Solutions for these issues include being prepared to brush teeth following consumption, remembering to delay brushing teeth after consuming acidic foods for about an hour to prevent damaging teeth’s enamel softened by the acids.

Tobacco products can stain newly whitened teeth prematurely. Whether smoked or chewed, tar and nicotine can make teeth yellow and brown. The primary solution to this is abstaining from use.

If you do partake in any of the items known to stain, and can’t brush, rinse with clear water. Or munch on crunchy vegetables that actually scrub teeth and produce saliva to keep the mouth flushed naturally.

A daily hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing will help keep teeth bright coupled with twice yearly visits to the dentist for a thorough cleaning and exam. During these visits, topical stains are removed and teeth are polished to look their best.

If whitened teeth begin to look drab, there are touch-up kits available to help teeth look their best.

Contact our cosmetic dental team at The Dental Place for more options to keep your teeth bright and healthy.

Steps to Keep Your Child’s Mouth Healthy

April 15, 2014

Children need education, coaxing, lecturing, and sometimes nagging to do the things needed to keep them healthy and happy. Caring for your child’s teeth is a parents’ job for many years, and even when youngsters evolve into teens and beyond, reminders to brush, floss and keep appointments with the dentist may be needed.

When children are small, parents brush their teeth for them; as they grow, they teach children how to brush and floss on their own … one of the best ways to demonstrate this lesson is through example. Allowing small children to watch you brush and floss daily demonstrates a wonderful habit that they can carry on into adulthood.

Brushing and flossing are daily habits to adopt, but on their own are not enough to keep teeth and gums healthy, especially as youngsters grow into teenagers. When children are young, sealants can be applied to teeth before decay has a chance to develop. This coating is painted onto the tops of teeth to protect dental enamel.

Diet becomes critical to oral health, especially when sugary snacks and beverages become a primary food group for your child. Limiting sweets is important as plaque builds on teeth that can contribute to dental decay and gum disease.

Cavities cannot be ignored, so if decay starts, it must be repaired. This can create anxiety and discomfort that could have been avoided. While daily brushing and flossing are important, using the correct tools is also imperative. A soft bristle brush, fluoride tooth paste or gel, along with a fluoridated rinse help to keep teeth fortified against the bacteria that can lead to decay.

Visiting the dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and exam should be honored. Plaque build-up can only be removed with the assistance of your dental professional. During dental appointments, fluoride applications are also available as an additional source of protection.

Adolescents are often concerned about their appearance, particularly their smile. Keeping teeth as bright as possible coupled with the tools needed to keep teeth and gums healthy will enhance their oral health as well as their smile.

The correct daily dental regimen, keeping twice yearly hygiene appointments, and limiting excessive sugary snacks and beverages are important rules to maintain oral health. And oral health plays a significant role in your child’s smile which can impact their self-esteem and overall well-being.

Call our dental office at 972-264-5795 for more tips in keeping your family’s oral health up to date.

I Want Dentures: Where do I start?

April 6, 2014

Dentures are the good option for patients that have incurred tooth loss. A consultation with your trusted dental provider will point you in the right direction to reach your desired goals.

Dentures are available in different applications and price points. When a patient wants to restore the ability to eat and speak comparable to their natural teeth, they will seek a fixed denture.

A fixed denture will be permanently cemented in place. This will be done by crowning adjacent teeth to the teeth that are missing. Or for even a more natural replacement, an implant supported denture can be placed.

These are top of the line procedures that produce the most natural results. Many patients are more interested in a more conservative solution that comes with a removable denture.

Dentures are the good option for patients that have incurred tooth loss.

A removable denture is fabricated with replacement teeth that are going to match neighboring teeth in shape, shade, and size. The denture is put in place most often with the use of a clasp to attach the denture to adjacent teeth.

All dentures are made for comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. If any of these are amiss, your dentist will work with you to make the needed adjustments to provide you with the most natural denture available.

Caring for your denture depends on whether or not your denture is fixed or removable. A fixed denture is treated very much like natural teeth with brushing and flossing daily.

A removable denture should be treated a little differently. Normally taken out to sleep, this type of denture is stored in a container to maintain moisture, often a soak to clean and keep the denture fresh.

When desired, the removable denture can be brushed but only with a brush and product designed specifically for a denture. A standard brush and tooth paste are too abrasive for cleaning a denture … they can scratch the surface. Natural teeth should be brushed before putting the removable denture in making sure the gums are brushed daily to keep the tissue stimulated.

All dentures may require adjustments during the first few weeks. It is important that you allow your dentist the opportunity to make needed adjustments … never attempt to make even small changes as they can impact the longevity of your denture.

No matter which type of denture you select, it should serve you well for many years. For more information about dentures and your options, contact The Dental Place today.

What Do Your Teeth Say About Your Health?

March 25, 2014

Your oral health is directly connected to your overall health. In fact, during oral examinations, our team of dentists can recognize signs of health conditions based on the health and appearance of your teeth. In addition to your teeth providing clues regarding your general wellbeing, the health of your mouth also indicates whether you are properly caring for your teeth and gums.

The concept of oral health being linked to general health has been researched extensively in the medical community. Scientists and medical researchers have produced evidence that many dental conditions negatively affect or directly contribute to the development of systemic ailments. For example, inflammation and infection of the gums (periodontal disease) is capable of entering the bloodstream. General conditions contribute to dental problems as well. Patients with diabetes possess a higher risk for developing gum disease.

During a dental examination, if your teeth appear to be cracked or crumbling, your dentist may encourage you to see a gastroenterologist. This is because when teeth begin to crack and crumble, there are strong acids present in the mouth on a regular basis. Acids erode tooth enamel, the protective coating around teeth. Most of the time, this frequent exposure to strong acid reflects a stomach condition such as acid reflux (GERD). Exposure to acid can also make teeth appear more translucent, which is an indicator of enamel loss. Our team may recommend prescription-strength fluoride treatments to help strengthen tooth enamel and help protect your teeth from decay.

Flat, worn down teeth typically signify stress, anxiety, or psychological trauma in a patient’s life. When teeth are worn down and possess flat surfaces, this means that patients are clenching and grinding their teeth, often unknowingly because it usually occurs during sleep. If your dentist suspects that you are grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw during sleep, you might benefit from a prescription mouth guard to protect your teeth at night. Our team may also recommend relaxation techniques to help you manage stress and anxiety, too.

We are currently accepting new patients. To schedule a cleaning or examination, contact our team today.

What Factors Contribute to the Long-Term Success of Dental Implants?

March 14, 2014

As one of the most viable ways to replace missing teeth, dental implants are life-like and long lasting. Unlike bridges or dentures, dental implants replace both a tooth’s roots and a tooth’s biting surface. Consisting of two components, a titanium rod that is implanted into the jawbone where a tooth once was and a manmade crown that fills in the empty tooth socket, implants can last for decades with proper care. Implants permanently replace teeth and are made from materials that closely mimic the natural structure of teeth so that patients can enjoy optimal oral function without compromising the support of surrounding teeth.

Before receiving implants, our dentist will determine a patient’s candidacy for this procedure. The success of the dental implant relies on a number of factors including the patient’s ability to maintain good oral hygiene and enough bone mass to support the titanium rod. Patients undergoing the implantation procedure should also be healthy enough for oral surgery and post-operative recovery.

Once our dentist has determined if a patient is a candidate for implants, the titanium rod will be surgically placed into the jawbone. After this part of the implantation process, patients will undergo a recovery period. During this time, the bone’s reaction to the implant will be monitored.

Successful implantation involves the bone mass fusing around the implant just as bone fuses to a tooth’s roots. This process firmly supports and anchors the rod in place. Once bone has properly fused around the implant, the manmade crown, which is crafted to exact measurements in a dental laboratory, will be attached to the rod so that patients can enjoy renewed tooth function.

Although dental implants are durable, their success rate depends on a patient maintaining good oral health through regular checkups, cleanings, and proper oral hygiene. Patients should meticulously brush and floss their implants along with their natural teeth and visit our office regularly for checkups.

To reserve a dental implant consultation, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 today.

Feeling Self-Conscious About Your Smile

March 5, 2014

When it comes to conveying emotion and socializing with others, your smile is an important asset. Unfortunately, patients with noticeable smile imperfections often feel self-conscious about their smiles and may even avoid smiling around others for fear of embarrassment. A flawed smile does not have to affect your social life; in fact, a quick visit to our cosmetic dentist can help you achieve a renewed sense of confidence and an improved appearance.

Cosmetic dentistry involves improving the appearance of a patient’s smile through smile-enhancing procedures such as professional teeth whitening, tooth-colored restorations, and missing tooth replacements. Although cosmetic dentistry sometimes involves addressing imperfections with prosthetics, our team uses very life-like materials that appear as natural as possible. For example, cosmetic dental work can produce the following results:

Whiten permanently stained or yellowed teeth
Conceal chipped, gapped, crooked, and overlapped teeth
Replace missing teeth with durable and natural looking implants
Restore old metal dental work with tooth-colored materials such as porcelain and composite resin
Address multiple problem areas by placing porcelain veneers, which produce a total smile makeover

For many patients who feel self-conscious about their smiles, cosmetic dentistry is a life changing experience. Patients who once covered their mouths when laughing among friends now feel comfortable and confident with their appearance after making an appointment with our cosmetic dentist.

To learn more about cosmetic dentistry, and how it can benefit you, we welcome you to reserve a cosmetic consultation with our caring team. During your smile makeover consultation, our team will first get to know you and your goals for improving your smile. We work diligently to ensure that our patients feel welcome and respected. Then, our cosmetic dentist will conduct a thorough examination and determine the root cause of your smile flaws. After careful review, our team will design a custom treatment plan that will improve your appearance and protect your teeth.

Tooth Replacement Options: Complete or Partial Denture

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.

Common Reasons for Root Canal Treatment

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.

Porcelain Veneers: Handcrafted Beauty for Stunning Smiles

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.

The Amazing, Amazing Human Body

January 28, 2014

Our bodies truly are amazing. We came across this video and it was just a great reminder of how powerful we can be. We hope you enjoy it! We think it’s missing some dental statistics though, don’t you?