The Dental Place

Is your mouth stressed out?

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.

How Durable are Porcelain Veneers?

June 24, 2013

Dental veneers are extremely thin, tooth colored shells that are permanently affixed to the front of teeth that are in need of cosmetic repair or improvement.

Porcelain is the material often used for its translucent appearance, and when cemented to the front of teeth, provides added strength and stability to treated teeth.

What are some of the dental imperfections suitable for treatment with veneers?

Correct stubborn stain – Teeth discolored from medications, fluorosis, or intrinsic stains not removable with cleaning or teeth whitening will benefit from veneers.
Chipped, broken or misshapen teeth – Veneers offer a minimally invasive procedure that can visually enhance the appearance of teeth without extensive cosmetic repair.
Gaps between teeth – Spaces are OK for some, but if they bother you, veneers are the perfect option that appears to close those unwelcome spaces.

Composite resin veneers are fabricated and placed by your cosmetic dentist in one visit.

Porcelain veneers are sent to the dental lab for fabrication. Dental impressions coupled with the instructions of your dental provider will provide the mold for the porcelain veneers. In about two weeks, a return visit to the dentist will allow the completion of your veneer makeover.

Porcelain provides multiple benefits. It is stain resistant, and gum tissue tolerates porcelain very well. For teeth suffering from chips or cracks, the added strength of the porcelain permanently cemented to the teeth makes them stronger. And though porcelain is not indestructible, it is very durable. Veneers are permanently cemented into place, and may only need to be replaced every ten years or so.

On delivery day, your cosmetic dentist will place the veneers to guarantee a perfect color and contour match to surrounding teeth. If adjustments are needed, they can be completed on the spot.

The treated teeth have had a very small amount of dental enamel removed about the thickness of the veneer. Teeth are treated with a product that will aid in setting the veneers. The cement can be tinted to enhance the color match, if needed. Once the veneers are placed on the teeth, a curing light or laser is used to speed up the hardening process.

Caring for veneers is no different than the regimen you should follow for your natural teeth. Daily flossing and brushing along with twice yearly visits to the dentist for cleaning and exam should suffice.

Contact our experienced dentists in Grand Prairie at 972-264-5795 to schedule a cosmetic consultation today.

Don’t Wait Too Long to Extract a Damaged Tooth

June 13, 2013

Many patients opt to pull a tooth that is still viable, but they don’t want to deal with the treatment needed to keep it. After all, it is important to keep our permanent teeth as long as we can. Unfortunately, there are circumstances that will require tooth extraction.

When a tooth has suffered trauma, extreme dental decay or excessive disease, it may be time to have the damaged tooth extracted.

When a tooth has suffered trauma, extreme dental decay or excessive disease, it may be time to have the damaged tooth extracted. As much as we want to keep our natural teeth, when there is no hope in saving the tooth, it is best to follow the advice of your dentist.

A tooth might need to be removed for several reasons:

Broken tooth – If a tooth has broken off near the gum line, extraction is the best option when there is not enough of the tooth left to save.
Decay – When a tooth has been repaired repeatedly, another repair could break the tooth leading to further problems such as the need for a root canal. This does not necessarily mean the tooth can’t be saved … your dentist’s assessment provides the best course of action.
Gum disease – Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss. Ineffective dental hygiene, poor physical health, medication (such as cancer fighting drugs), tobacco use … any or all of these factors can contribute to the need to have teeth extracted.
Trauma – Accidents contribute frequently to needing damaged teeth extracted.
Third molars – More commonly known as wisdom teeth, these last teeth to come in quite often present problems such as being impacted or forcing overcrowding.

Is there a problem in waiting to see if the situation will improve on its own? Depending on the basis of the problem, a “wait and see” approach is usually going to create more angst and discomfort for the patient. A visit to the dentist will help to diagnose the problem and provide the best course of action.

If removing a damaged tooth is recommended, you may have the tooth extracted by your dentist. If there are concerns surrounding the extraction, a referral to an oral surgeon may be provided.

Once the decision has been made for tooth extraction, following the instructions given will help avoid complications; a discussion with your dentist will help determine the different procedures available that will enable the patient to restore function and aesthetics following tooth extraction.

Our team at the Dental Place can help you determine if you can save your tooth or need to have an extraction. Contact us today for a consultation.

Is the Dental Implant Prone to Cavities or Gum Disease?

June 4, 2013

The dental implant procedure includes a small piece of titanium inserted into gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. This serves as the base for a cosmetic restoration. The patient will go from tooth loss to a fully functional tooth that is so close to natural, no one will be able to tell the dental implants from biological teeth.

Implant dentistry is a process that can take about one year to complete. Tooth loss can have occurred from trauma, decay or infection, but the cause should not impact the result.

The implant process is initiated by surgically embedding a titanium post into the gum tissue where one or more teeth have been lost. A healing period of four to six months follows this surgery. During this time, the implant will be grafting to bone tissue. The beauty of titanium is that extensive research has proven this metal has unique properties that not only promote metal and bone to merge, but also encourages bone growth in the area of tooth loss.

Once healed, the process is completed by permanently cementing a final restoration that has been fabricated to be a perfect match to surrounding teeth.

Since this restoration is likely made from porcelain, there is no concern about dental decay. A cavity occurs when there is a breach in the enamel of a live tooth. But since the biological tooth is being replaced with porcelain, concern for dental decay is eliminated in the implanted tooth.

However, gum disease remains a factor. Throughout the implant process, consideration must be given to the condition of gum tissue. It is critical that gum tissue remain free from bacteria, not only for overall dental health, but to guarantee that the implant process does not fail.

Porcelain provides an ideal material for the final restoration as gum tissue responds well to porcelain. The critical point for the patient is the need for a daily hygiene regimen that includes brushing and flossing. If the patient neglects these daily steps, the concern for gum disease will exist, especially if periodontal disease has been a previous factor.

Personal dental hygiene is critically important, but a professional cleaning every six months along with an exam by your dentist is the best protection available to maintain outstanding dental health for your dental implants as well as the surrounding natural teeth.

Learn more about your dental implant options by calling our team at 972-264-5795 today.

What is an Abscessed Wisdom Tooth?

May 27, 2013

Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last of the molars to erupt. These are the back teeth on both sides of the upper and lower dental arches that usually appear in late teens or early twenties.

There are patients that will never get wisdom teeth; there are others that don’t get all four and there is a percentage that will grow more than four wisdom teeth. Whatever category you fall into, one commonality is that these teeth are often problematic, and many patients are faced with having them removed.

By the time you are ready for the third molars to come in, there may not be enough jaw space to accommodate them coming in straight. Consequently, they may grow sideways into the jaw or erupt crooked. Many young adults are faced with their extraction to accommodate orthodontic treatment. Prevention is the optimum offense, but if an abscess occurs in a third molar, follow your dentist’s advice to deal with the infection, and follow up with recommended treatment in an effort to avoid additional dental complications.

For patients that get their wisdom teeth, and do not opt for their removal because they do not pose any immediate or perceived problem, there is always the possibility of having to deal with infection in one or several of these teeth. Due to their location, flossing and brushing these teeth may not be very easy, especially if they are crowded or crooked. This provides the ideal condition for dental decay.

An abscess is basically an infection that occurs when there is a breach to a tooth that allows bacteria to enter. A pocket of pus forms at the base of the root of the tooth; this is the abscess.

Patients faced with an infection of one of their permanent teeth would require a root canal to save the tooth. But since the wisdom tooth is considered non-essential, treating with an antibiotic to heal the infection is an option. But once the infection has subsided, removing the wisdom tooth may be the best option for avoiding future problems.

A hairline fracture or any breach of the dental enamel, like gum disease, trauma, or dental decay can result in an abscess. Any discomfort or pressure felt around a tooth should sound the alarm and result in a visit to the dentist.

Prevention is the optimum offense, but if an abscess occurs in a third molar, follow your dentist’s advice to deal with the infection, and follow up with recommended treatment in an effort to avoid additional dental complications.

If you suspect you might have an abscessed wisdom tooth, contact our dental team at The Dental Place and schedule an appointment today.

Why Does My Denture Need to be Relined?

May 16, 2013

Dentures are often the best way for a patient to restore their ability to eat, speak and smile without feeling self-conscious after experiencing tooth loss.

Unfortunately, with tooth loss, the patient will experience bone atrophy resulting in the gum tissue changing over time. When this happens, the denture might not fit like it did when it was new.

When these dental changes occur, the denture might start to rub where it never did before resulting in sore spots. Thankfully, there is a way to make the denture comfortable and functional again. A denture that is ill fitting can be relined, often in the course of one day.

The patient has an appointment with the dentist early in the day. The denture is removed, the plastic trimmed down and a material is spread over the denture and it is replaced in the mouth forming a new impression that will allow the lab to recreate the lining to ensure a more proper fit.

This type of reline is referred to as a hard reline. The patient will return to the dentist later that day to be fitted with their “new” relined denture.

A soft reline is used when the patient is dealing with problem areas that are sore. A “temporary” softer material provides more cushion so these areas can heal before pursuing a permanent, hard reline.

A reline is not to be confused with using a denture paste to keep the denture from slipping; however, if you are faced with resorting to these products to feel comfortable and confident with your denture, maybe it is time to visit the dentist to see if a reline would be beneficial.

Dentures are wonderful inventions that go back many, many years. Over time there have been significant improvements, and dentures of today appear as lifelike as biological teeth. But in addition to being aesthetically pleasing, they must be comfortable and functional to fill the need for which they are intended.

So if you have a complete denture that doesn’t feel quite right, is putting pressure where it never did before, or is causing difficulty in word pronunciation, it is time to visit your dentist. Perhaps you need a new denture, or your current denture just needs a reline.

Having teeth that feel and look good can be attained with a great fitting, quality denture. Contact our skilled dental team at 972-264-5795 to schedule an appointment today.

How Does a Root Canal Become Infected?

May 4, 2013

The root canal of a tooth is located below gum level. This canal inside the root of the tooth holds the nerve, pulp, and blood that allow the tooth to discern temperature.

Once a permanent tooth erupts (pushes through the gums), the nerve in the root canal no longer serves a useful purpose. There is good news and bad news … the good news is that a tooth can survive very well without the contents in the canal. The bad news is if infection occurs, a root canal to remove the nerve, pulp and blood will be required to save the tooth.

Infection occurs when bacteria permeates the protective enamel that covers the tooth. This can happen if a tooth is chipped, decay is present, a previous filling cracks, or a tooth is fractured. Even a hairline fracture that you cannot see may not produce any immediate signs, but infection can be forming.

Prevention is the optimum way to prevent the need for a root canal, but if required a root canal can save your tooth.

Eventually, there are symptoms that will trigger the need to visit the dentist if you are dealing with an infection within the root canal.

Sensitivity to hot or cold worsens, and the discomfort lingers
There is toothache when chewing
Unexplained sores or blisters on the gum tissue appear
Swelling occurs

Unfortunately, if the infection has advanced to form an abscess (a pocket of pus located at the base of the root), prompt treatment is required to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.

The root canal has a negative reputation as a horrible experience. But the procedure is simple and starts with a dental x-ray taken to identify the number of canals on the tooth to be treated. It is critical that all canals be treated because if one is missed, the root canal therapy may fail and require additional treatment.

The tooth is walled off with a rubber dam and an entry point is drilled into the tooth. Instrumentation and technique make the process quick and painless as the canals’ contents are removed. The final steps involve flushing the canals, treating as needed, and filling the vacated canals to provide tooth stability. The point of entry is then sealed with a restoration chosen based on which tooth was treated.

Prevention is the optimum way to prevent the need for a root canal, but if required a root canal can save your tooth. Contact our experienced team at The Dental Place to make an appointment today.

Will Custom Dentures Affect My Speech?

April 25, 2013

Our teeth play a subtle, yet important role in the way we speak. Our speech is formed through a series of interactions between the many facets which make up our oral cavities – our teeth, tongue, cheeks, lips and even the palate of our mouths all contribute to the way in which we pronounce our words.

In the past, people with dentures had difficulty with pronouncing certain words, as their dentures could easily slip, causing clicking and whistling sounds during speech. However, today’s modern dental techniques and custom dentures go a long way to helping denture wearers speak properly, as well as delivering other benefits such as smile appearance.

Older dentures tended to be of a uniform size; often not being crafted to take account of a patient’s oral structure. As a result, they were often ill-fitting, and many patients found it difficult to adapt to their use. Custom dentures, however, allow the dentist to design and manufacture dentures according to the specific dimensions of the patient’s mouth; taking into account a range of factors to ensure that dentures deliver a cosy fit that not only improves the smile’s appearance, but helps to maintain speech patterns, and enhance biting and chewing ability.

A well-fitted denture helps to ensure that there are no compromises on the way the wearer speaks; sounds can be elicited properly without the added clicks or whistles, or even the dreaded slip of dentures. Foods can be bitten into and chewed with greater ease, meaning those foods that were once taboo can now be enjoyed, and the patient is not restricted to eating soft, mushy foods as a result.

And the shape of the dental arch and position of existing teeth can also be maintained as custom dentures can provide support to adjacent teeth, so preventing them from shifting position and compromising a patient’s bite pattern and strength.

What’s more, custom dentures can be shaped and shaded to provide a perfect match to already-existing teeth, helping further to deliver a natural finish that’s difficult to tell apart from natural, healthy teeth.

Today’s dentures are stronger, more flexible and can be designed to meet the specific needs of the patient. It’s little wonder then that they continue to enjoy popularity as a means of tooth replacement.

Contact The Dental Place to learn if you can benefit from custom dentures. Call 972-264-5795 to schedule your visit.

Tooth Loss Can Have Far-Reaching Effects on Your Dental Health

April 16, 2013

When we lose a tooth, we might well believe that only the appearance of our smile will be affected. However, the truth is, a lost tooth can compromise our dental health in several ways, and can eventually cause further tooth loss. Tooth replacement solutions such as dental implants have thus become popular treatments.

Losing a tooth doesn’t just leave behind an unsightly gap where it once stood within our mouths; no, a lost tooth also diminishes the level of support that is afforded to adjacent teeth, as well as robbing gum tissue and jaw bone mass of necessary stimulus that the tissues require in order to remain healthy and strong.

This loss isn’t limited to just the area of the lost tooth; the recession of tissue can spread, causing other teeth to become loose as their own foundations become compromised…

Our teeth work together in order to help us bite and chew, and even speak properly. When a tooth is lost, the teeth that remain may begin to shift towards the gap left behind, which can alter our biting pattern and chewing strength, and so might make eating certain foods more difficult. Our teeth are also used in speech, as they help to shape the sounds and pronunciation of words; without teeth, our pronunciation and accent might change.

Perhaps most importantly, however, is the effect a lost tooth has on the health of others. A natural tooth’s roots help to stimulate the gum tissue and jawbone, which provide a strong, natural foundation for our teeth. That stimulus is lost when a tooth is no longer present, and as a consequence the health and growth of gum tissue and jawbone can begin to decline.

Eventually, gum tissue will begin to recede, and jawbone mass will begin to lessen, leading to changes in appearance, such as sunken cheeks. A loss of jawbone mass also makes a dentist’s job of successfully placing dental implants more difficult and heightens the chances of treatment failure.

This loss isn’t limited to just the area of the lost tooth; the recession of tissue can spread, causing other teeth to become loose as their own foundations become compromised, and can eventually be lost themselves.

By using a small titanium rod that bonds to the patient’s jawbone, a dentist can utilize dental implants to help restore a smile back to its former appearance and also help to maintain good dental health by providing the stimulus that gum and jawbone tissues need to grow and remain healthy. They can also provide the strength required by surrounding teeth to help maintain biting and chewing, and have become a common tooth restoration treatment as a result of the benefits they bring.

To learn more about your tooth replacement options, contact our skilled and dedicated team to schedule your professional consultation.

Tooth Restorations: How dental crowns can help

April 4, 2013

Our teeth receive a lot of punishment each day in life. From the foods we eat to the objects we subconsciously chew upon, and even through physical exercise, our teeth put up with a lot. As a result, teeth can sometimes become damaged, which can in turn have a detrimental effect on the appearance of our smile. A dental crown can, however, help to restore the appearance of a smile by concealing tooth damage.

Dental crowns are typically made of porcelain, and a dentist uses dental crowns to treat a range of issues, from concealment to damage control. A dental crown can be used by a dentist to conceal large fillings, such as those used in root canal treatments; alternatively, if a tooth has already received several fillings, its structure may not be sufficiently strong to handle another, and so a dental crown may be used instead to cover and seal the tooth.

In instances of damage, where the tooth’s enamel has been broken or cracked, but the underlying tooth’s structure is intact and in good health, a dentist can use a dental crown to conceal the damage, and also to prevent the tooth from incurring further damage. Teeth that are badly cracked can be preserved through the use of dental crowns, as the crown can act as a buttress to support the underlying tooth.

Severely misshapen or discolored teeth can also be treated through the use of crowns, although a dentist may opt for other options of treatment dependant on the severity.

A dental crown isn’t used solely to conceal or protect damaged or broken teeth. Other uses for crowns include acting as a support to help hold a dental bridge in place, and to cover the titanium rod used in dental implant treatment.

To treat a tooth that is to receive a crown, the dentist removes a thin layer of tooth enamel in order to shape the tooth and make it more receptive to the crown. Impressions of the mouth are then taken and the impressions sent to a dental lab. The crown can be shaped and shaded to better match the natural appearance of the patient’s existing teeth.

In the meantime, a temporary crown is used to protect the tooth, and once the permanent crown has been delivered, the dentist affixes the crown onto the tooth to give a permanent and natural finish to the treatment, restoring the patient’s smile.

To learn more about the benefits of dental crowns, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 and schedule your consultation today.