The Dental Place

Dental Myths that Could be Damaging Your Teeth

June 21, 2016

There is a variety of proactive things you can do to protect your dental health: visiting your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and dental exam, brushing twice daily with a fluoridated tooth paste and flossing every day. However, you may also hear of a few dental myths that are circling out there. Here are just a few:

Teeth whitening is damaging. The new teeth whitening systems available today are less harsh than when first introduced years ago. Tooth sensitivity is probably the most problematic issue you might face when brightening your smile. Using a toothpaste formulated to treat sensitivity for a week or two prior to whitening should alleviate this issue.

Flossing is not important. You are asked at every dental appointment if you floss. The reason is that flossing is a critical component to your oral health. Flossing removes food debris your toothbrush is unable to reach. Gum tissue is gently massaged when flossed stimulating the gums. Plaque build-up lessens for patients that floss daily reducing the incidence of gum disease.

If I brush every day, I don’t need to go to the dentist as often. No matter how meticulous you are in caring for your teeth, you will experience some plaque build-up. At each dental appointment, plaque that has formed is removed. Realizing that plaque leads to dental decay and gum disease may motivate you to make sure you are seeing your dentist twice each year.

Scrubbing teeth will remove plaque. Using a hard bristle toothbrush and lots of pressure will produce more problems over time. Premature gum recession and worn dental enamel may result, and plaque will likely continue to grow.

Tooth loss is expected as you age. As toddlers and children, you expect to lose “baby teeth” as permanent teeth emerge that are expected to last for your lifetime. But accidents happen and problems may occur that result in the loss of one or more teeth. Patients that do not pursue some type of tooth replacement are risking bone loss and remaining teeth shifting toward the open spot. There are many alternatives when faced with tooth replacements, and we’re sure one of them will meet your needs.

Teeth straightening is for children. With advancements in methodology (clear aligners), many adults are realizing they can improve their smile and overall day to day living experiences once they’ve had their occlusion corrected.

To discuss your own treatment and care, call our team at The Dental Place today!

Protect and Strengthen Teeth with Dental Crowns

June 7, 2016

When a tooth is jeopardized due to excessive decay or a crack/break in the enamel, or when needed as the final step to root canal therapy, a dental crown is the best way to save or seal the tooth. A crown is aesthetically pleasing while offering protection and strength for the tooth requiring repair.

Dental crowns serve many purposes with the final result being the same: a restoration that has been made to match surrounding biological teeth in size, shape, and shade. Some of the situations where a crown is the best choice for solution include:

Excessive decay – When a tooth has been repaired previously, additional cavity correction might result in a broken tooth. A dental crown allows the base of the tooth to remain intact, the decay is removed and the remainder of the tooth is covered with a crown.

Broken tooth – When a tooth is compromised due to a crack or break in the dental enamel, correcting the tooth with a crown as soon as possible is the ideal option.

Root canal completion – When the root of the tooth is impacted due to trauma, decay, or infection the tooth will be saved if endodontic therapy is completed. The other option is extracting the tooth. With a root canal, the tooth is accessed using a dental hand piece, the contents of the canals are removed and the opening needs to be sealed – usually with a dental crown.

Another situation when a dental crown is used is to cover a dental implant. When a tooth is lost, a natural restoration is achieved with a dental implant. A titanium post is surgically placed in gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. Once healing and osseointegration (bone merging with the implant) has completed, the dental implant process is completed by permanently cementing a crown over the implant.

The patient’s ability to eat the foods they love, speak with confidence and smile without embarrassment due to tooth loss is restored when a lost tooth is replaced with a dental crown covering the implant.

A tooth restored with a crown is easy to care for. Floss daily (your dentist will demonstrate the best way to floss around a dental crown), brush twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste and see your dentist every six months for cleaning and dental exam.

Are you late in your checkups? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!

Reasons You Can’t Afford to Neglect Your Oral Health

May 20, 2016

Neglecting your oral health can have devastating effects on the health and vitality of oral tissues. Neglect can also cost you a lot of time and money when conditions and diseases are left untreated for prolonged amounts of time. This is why it is important to visit your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings and commit to a thorough oral hygiene regimen. Following are some ways that neglected oral health can affect your wallet and quality of life.

Oral Health and General Well-being are Connected

Studies have shown that many oral health conditions coincide with ailments such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunity. All the body’s systems are connected and when your oral health is compromised, it can affect your overall well-being. Neglecting your oral health by skipping routine checkups and cleanings or by not practicing proper oral hygiene can cause oral disease and exacerbate general health conditions, costing you time, money, and your wellness.

Tooth Replacement is Costly

Neglecting your oral health can lead to tooth loss—especially if you have untreated tooth decay or gum disease. Losing teeth is devastating. It will make eating very difficult and it will affect your self-esteem. Replacing lost teeth can be costly. This is because custom restorations, made in a laboratory, are used so that prosthetics fit properly and look natural. While teeth can be replaced and smiles can be restored, it is best to retain biological teeth by caring for them properly.

Advanced Periodontal Disease Treatment is Invasive

Advanced periodontal disease can wreck your health. Not only does this condition break down the support structures of teeth and lead to tooth loss, it can affect general health, too. If caught and treated early on, periodontal disease is curable. Unfortunately, if someone with periodontal disease neglects their health and does not receive professional treatment, invasive treatments and deep prophylaxis are needed on a continuous basis to control the infection.

Scheduling regular checkups with our dental team can help prevent oral disease and increase the likelihood of early detection. Call us today to reserve an appointment.

Smoking and Your Dental Health

May 6, 2016

By now, most people are acutely aware of the fact that smoking is terrible for your health. There is a litany of reasons a person shouldn’t smoke – from increased risks for cardiovascular disease to premature aging. Another reason smoking is bad for your quality of life is the fact that tobacco use greatly affects oral health, too. Smoking cigarettes and cigars along with smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. If you use tobacco of any variety, be sure to bring this up with our dentist so that we can perform vigilant oral examinations.

Smoking and Gum Health

Smoking greatly affects the health of gum tissue. The toxins and chemicals released in smoke irritate and inflame the gingiva. Inflamed and irritated gums leads to periodontal disease since irritated gums are more prone to infection when exposed to debris and oral bacteria. Gum disease can be a devastating oral health condition, especially if it is not detected early on. Advanced periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. This condition also affects the health of the jawbones as well as soft oral tissue.

Tobacco Use and Oral Cancer

It is widely known that tobacco contains carcinogens. Whether you smoke or chew tobacco, you are exposing oral tissue to cancer-causing agents. Oral cancer can form anywhere in the oral cavity and those who use tobacco have a heightened risk for developing this type of cancer. During checkups with our dentist, our team will perform oral cancer screenings. Like many other illnesses, detecting oral cancer as early as possible is important for recovery.

Smoking Cessation

If you smoke, talk to our team about smoking cessation. We can recommend programs, medication, and supplements that can help you overcome using tobacco. Smoking cessation can have lasting positive effects on your wellbeing including reduced incidence of life-threatening illnesses, improved pulmonary function, and increased oral health.

To learn more or to reserve an appointment with our dentists, call our team at The Dental Place today.

Tooth Decay: Will I need a dental crown?

April 18, 2016

Teeth are anatomically unique when compared to other hard and soft tissues in the body because they cannot self-heal. This means that a permanently damaged tooth cannot regenerate new tissue to heal like a ligament or bone can. For this reason, a restoration applied by a dentist is necessary to prevent the deepening of a cavity and to protect the tooth from further damage. When decay is severe, a restoration called a dental crown may be recommended. A dental crown is a custom restoration that allows a patient to keep a badly damaged tooth while ensuring optimal oral function in the future.

Following is some important information regarding damaged teeth and dental crowns.

What is a dental crown exactly?

A dental crown is a restoration that covers the entire tooth. Essentially, a crown is a cap that is tooth shaped. It is permanently bonded over biological tooth structure. Once placed, a dental crown will restore a tooth to its rightful shape and size so that oral function is increased and the tooth itself is protected from future damage.

What materials are used to make a crown?

An array of materials is used to make a crown. From standards like gold and silver to more natural looking options like porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal, patients have many options from which they can choose.

Why is a crown custom made?

A crown is custom made because it must fit over a patient’s specific tooth. Everyone’s mouth and teeth are different sizes. This is why a dental crown is not a one size fits all type of restoration. After taking impressions of a patient’s mouth, our team will develop the precise specifications for this custom restoration, which will be made in a dental laboratory by skilled technicians. When a person’s crown is ready, it will be bonded over the tooth. Once the restoration process is complete, oral function and appearance are restored.

To learn more about our restorative services, call our office at The Dental Place to reserve a check up with our team.

Experiencing Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

April 4, 2016

Do you have recurring headaches? Perhaps you suffer with facial pain. These are common symptoms associated with wisdom tooth retention – especially impacted wisdom teeth. Keeping your wisdom teeth can have profound effects on your quality of life and be incredibly damaging to your oral health. Since wisdom teeth are often detrimental to a person’s oral health, your dentist will likely recommend their removal. Following is some helpful information about wisdom teeth extraction and why it is necessary.

The Problem with Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth become an oral health issue when they erupt because they emerge many years after the rest of adult teeth come in. While adult teeth come in during adolescence, wisdom teeth – also known as third molars – erupt during adulthood, normally between the ages of 17 and 25.

This late eruption of third molars can threaten the positioning and placement of existing teeth because the mouth does not have adequate room for wisdom teeth to come through upright. Instead, wisdom teeth become stuck in the gums and their emergence can cause other teeth to crowd or overlap. Because third molars affect tooth placement, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct tooth alignment after wisdom teeth have been extracted.

When teeth are stuck in the gums (impacted), they are at great risk for becoming decayed and may subsequently become abscessed. The gingival tissue surrounding an abscessed tooth is also at risk for becoming infection. In fact, patients who keep their wisdom teeth are more likely to develop dental caries and periodontal disease.

Another common issue associated with the retention of wisdom teeth is an overall reduction in quality of life. Patients who keep these teeth frequently suffer with jaw tenderness and frequent headaches. For some, eating food can be uncomfortable—especially if third molars and the surrounding tissue are infected.

Extracting Wisdom Teeth

The surgical removal of a wisdom tooth is recommended to prevent the myriad of problems associated with their arrival. When extracting teeth, our dentist takes great care to ensure patient comfort during his or her procedure along with a speedy recovery.

To schedule a checkup or consultation, call our friendly staff today.

Will teeth whitening cause tooth sensitivity?

March 21, 2016

Do you wish your teeth were whiter and brighter? Perhaps years of coffee drinking have dulled your smile. If you are unhappy with the color of your teeth, you might be interested in teeth whitening treatments. Since many over the counter products cause tooth sensitivity and lack the strength to lift deep stains, some patients may feel skeptical about the effectiveness of whitening treatments. However, you can achieve a dramatically whiter smile when you receive a professional teeth whitening treatment from our cosmetic dentist.

Professional whitening utilizes a clinical, prescription-grade solution that is potent enough to remove stains below the enamel surface of teeth without causing long-term tooth sensitivity. The whitening system we use, Opalescence, is safe and effective.

The Problem with Over the Counter Products

Over the counter products are problematic for a few reasons. First, they do not contain strong enough concentrations of lightening agents to actually tackle hard-to-remove permanent stains. In fact, they can only scrub away or temporarily lighten surface stains.

Whitening toothpaste typically contains small particles of abrasives like silica. These abrasives are intended to help scrub away surface stains but they can actually cause damage to tooth enamel and ultimately lead to the development of sensitive teeth. Moreover, prolonged use of white strips causes tooth sensitivity among many people.

Benefits of Professional Whitening

A professional teeth whitening treatment will produce dramatic results. Most patients, after treatment is completed, enjoy a smile that is several shades whiter and brighter. To measure the effectiveness of treatment, we can use shade indicators to provide a visual illustration of the color of teeth before and after treatment.

Another advantage of choosing professional whitening is the fact that you will be under the care and supervision of our cosmetic dentist who only uses products that are safe for the structure of teeth.

Improving the appearance of your smile is as simple as calling our Grand Prairie, TX office to schedule a consultation. We offer a number of smile-enhancing services to help you look and feel your best.

Can I avoid tooth extraction if I have a cracked tooth?

March 7, 2016

Has your tooth become chipped or cracked? When a tooth is injured, it is important to seek professional treatment as soon as you can to salvage your natural tooth. Waiting too long to treat a crack or chip can cost you your tooth. A tooth extraction can often be avoided by receiving root canal treatment and a restoration from a dentist. Following is some helpful information on preventing the need for a tooth extraction.

Why do cracked teeth need to be extracted?

When a tooth is severely damaged or diseased, its removal may be necessary to prevent oral health complications such as the development of an abscess. A cracked, chipped, or badly decayed tooth exposes the root canal to oral debris and infection-causing bacteria. An extraction is done to preserve neighboring structures affected by an abscessed tooth.

How can root canal treatment save my tooth?

Root canal treatment is an endodontic procedure that removes the infection inside a tooth. This type of treatment can prevent the development of an abscess, relieve pain and discomfort, and restore comfortable oral function.

What is the root canal exactly?

The root canal is a hollowed area inside the root of a tooth. Inside this canal are dental pulp and nerve endings. Since it contains nerve endings, an infected root canal is quite painful for most patients.

When is root canal therapy needed?

Root canal therapy is necessary when the inside of the tooth (the nerves and dental pulp) are inflamed and infected. Without this treatment, the infection can spread and also destroy the rest of the tooth’s structure. Any time a dental injury or decay exposes the root canal to oral bacteria, a patient is at risk for losing their tooth.

Will I need a filling or crown after endodontic treatment?

That depends on your situation. Some patients with worn down and cracked teeth will require a restoration to bring a tooth back to its proper size and shape. After an examination, your dentist can determine which treatment(s) is best for you.

For more information, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 to reserve an appointment.

How well will I be able to eat with a dental crown?

February 19, 2016

A dental crown is an incredible restoration because it restores badly damaged and diseased teeth to their proper shape and size. With a crown, patients with severely affected teeth can enjoy renewed and comfortable oral function. Since our dentists utilize very strong bonding agents to place a crown over a tooth and because a crown is made specifically for a patient, those with crowns will be able to eat all types of food without discomfort or obstruction.

What is a crown exactly?

More extensive than a filling or inlay, a crown is a custom restoration that is tooth-shaped in appearance and fits over the entire tooth above the gums. Essentially, a dental crown is a permanent cap. Not only will a dental crown cover a tooth so that a patient can eat comfortably, it will protect what’s left of biological tooth structure from further damage or decay. The placement of a crown can prevent the need for root canal treatment and surgical extractions.

What makes up a dental crown?

A dental crown can be made from a few types of materials. The most popular are precious metals, porcelain, zirconium, or a combination of porcelain laid over metal. The type of materials used will depend on the patient’s needs and budget as well as what is recommended by your dentist.

How long do crowns last?

Crowns can last for long periods of time. This is because they are made from durable materials to exact specifications so that they fit in between teeth properly and restore a patient’s occlusion. A crown is not indestructible, however, and it may fall out or break over time. Fortunately, old crowns can be replaced.

What is the difference between a temporary crown and permanent one?

A temporary crown is used to protect the tooth and restore oral function while a patient waits for their custom, permanent crown to be made. Since crowns are highly customized, they are crafted in dental laboratories by trained technicians.

To learn more about restorations or to schedule an appointment, call our office to reserve an appointment with our experienced dental team.

5 Helpful Dental Habits to Follow

February 5, 2016

As scientific research and accessibility to information has improved, people as a whole have become more health conscientious. Many of our patients have inquired about ways to improve their oral health at home. While our dentists and our team are always happy to answer our guests’ questions and concerns, we have compiled some helpful tips for protecting one’s oral health.

Never Go to Bed Without Brushing

At the end of a long day, it might be tempting to just fall into a comfy bed the minute you get home but forgetting to brush your teeth is a huge mistake. Bacteria colonize as you sleep – especially if you have leftover food particles and debris stuck in your teeth. Our team strongly encourages patients to brush their teeth before bed and to avoid eating or drinking anything with sugar or acid afterwards.

Always Remember to Floss Daily

Some folks may feel that flossing is unnecessary if they believe they brush thoroughly. While brushing is important to keeping teeth clean, a toothbrush cannot reach certain areas of the mouth. Flossing is essential to cleaning in between teeth. Moreover, patients who floss will disrupt colonies of bacteria that form along the gum line.

Don’t Skip Visits to the Dentist

Skipping dental cleanings and routine checkups can put your oral health at great risk. Many people are surprised to learn how comprehensive checkups are. During checkups, your dentist will look for signs of gum disease, perform an oral cancer screening, and evaluate the health of teeth, gums, and bone.

Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies

Accidents happen, and when they do, it’s important to be prepared. If you wake up with a debilitating toothache or injure a tooth from an accidental fall, be sure to keep our practice number on hand so that we can fit you into our schedule for treatment.

Don’t Ignore Symptoms

Ignoring symptoms like toothaches, bleeding gums, or changes in the color or texture of soft oral tissues can be problematic to overall health. If you notice any changes in the appearance of oral structures or experience new sensations, let our team know as soon as you can.

For additional tips or to reserve a cleaning or checkup, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 today.