The Dental Place

What is a Smile Makeover?

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.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

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.

Safeguard Your Smile With Preventative Dentistry

December 19, 2011

People who want to improve the appearance of their smiles often turn to cosmetic dentistry to achieve their desired results. But the routine care you receive from your Grand Prairie dentist is just as important for preserving a spectacular smile.

When you visit your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning, you are taking an important step to protect your smile. Those cleanings clear away unsightly plaque and calculus (tartar) buildup that contains bacteria that can wreak havoc on the teeth and gums.When those bacteria aren’t kept in check, they can eat away at your teeth and jawbone, causing tooth loss and other outcomes that will detract from your smile.

A thorough examination by your dentist also is valuable in safeguarding your smile. Your dentist may spot signs of problems like decay or gingivitis that can be addressed early before they lead to major issues.

Preventative dentistry should begin in childhood. Help your child develop a habit of seeing the dentist twice a year, and work to promote positive dental office experiences that will help your child overcome any fears that he or she may have.

Ideally, the pattern of dental visits established in children and teens will then extend into adulthood. When you grow up, regular dental appointments are just as important in promoting oral health and warding off conditions like gum disease and decay that can eventually cause problems throughout the rest of the body.

Your home oral hygiene routine is another essential component of preventive dentistry. Regular brushing and flossing will help to maintain your smile between dental appointments. Ask your dentist to help you develop a plan for your daily oral hygiene.

Has it been more than six months since your last visit to your dentist? If so, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.