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Ask The Dentist
The Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.________________________________________________________I just purchased a dental partial for two missing teeth in the upper portion of my mouth that are in my smile. I am not happy with it at all.It is very uncomfortable and worst of all I feel the metal parts look worse than my missing teeth. I was wondering what a round-about price would be on dental implants for a case such as mine.-Melinda________________________________________________________Thanks for the question, Melinda. Unfortunately, there is no way to give you a fair estimate of your needs and costs because we cannot guess what your situation might be. There are lots and lots of things that have to be considered:· Is there enough bone available? If these teeth were lost because of a blow or auto accident, many times there is insufficient bone to do implants....or we have to add bone by grafting to create enough bone.
· Is there enough space for nice crowns? Some people have lots of space up here, some have a very close bite that makes esthetic crowns on implants difficult. Occasionally we will advise that you NOT put implants into an area that demands great esthetics.
· Are there other problems in the mouth that need to be considered in this project?
· Is there some other treatment that will be needed? Root canals on adjacent teeth, decay to clean up, difficult skeletal bite problem to deal with?
· Is there now or was there infection in the area that needs to be considered?Are there alternatives to implants that might be a better choice for you?
It is much more complex than it might seem. What we recommend is that you make an appointment for an implant evaluation and come let one of us look at it directly. We will want x-rays of the area, photos of the area, and possibly other things to help in decision-making. This is the only way for you to get all the information you need to make an informed decision.Please give us a call for an appointment.Chuck Campbell, DDSDale J. Brant, DDS(713) 795-5905
Going to a dental office is a scary experience for a lot of people. If they are sensitive to pain in general, the idea of pain in their mouths is often too much for them.
A Houston sedation dentist can help these people both by taking the pain of treatment away, and by making it possible for them to stop procrastinating getting help with a minor condition that could become a major problem if left untreated.
Our Houston sedation dentists can perform all of the general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry procedures necessary to restore full patient health. The procedures themselves are not done differently. What is different is that the patient is placed into an anesthetized state.
While never completely unconscious, the patient feels so relaxed that he or she never feels pain or discomfort.
Houston patients who come to our office tell us that sedation drastically reduces the usual tension and stress they normally feel when they go to the dentist. This relaxed state of being helps them feel more comfortable and makes much more receptive to treatment.
In addition to helping these people overcome their anxiety, we can often turn multiple visits into a single appointment. We use oral and intravenous delivery methods to give anesthesia, and we consistently help Houston patients who normally have difficulty with conventional anesthetic.
For oral sedation, the dentist will prescribe oral medication that produces a very relaxed state of consciousness. The patient will remain lucid, however, and will be able to respond to the dentist, answer questions, or follow instructions. During the entirety of the procedure, dental assistants monitor patient vitals.
For IV sedation, a Houston Medical Center, board-certified anesthesiologist assists the dentist with the procedure. The anesthesiologist carefully checks patient medical history, consults with their doctor(s) if necessary, and manages the anesthesia care while the dental team works on the condition at hand.
We feel this better serves the interest of the patient and helps everything go smoothly.
Each year, Houston residents from all walks of life benefit from sedation dentistry. Most of these people include those who experience the following phobias and conditions that normally make them put off going to the dentist. - Fears about dentists in general, usually rooted in traumatic childhood memories
- Difficulty getting numb from Novocain or nitrous oxide
- A strong gag reflex that makes any work inside the mouth difficult
- Unusually sensitive teeth
- A psychological aversion to the smells and sounds of the dental office
- An aversion to needles going into their mouths
- A complex dental need that would otherwise involve multiple appointments to address
- Missing teeth and the need for dental implants and full mouth reconstruction
Regardless of the actual procedure performed, our office prescribes medicines appropriate to the patient to alleviate any postoperative discomfort. All patients should also have someone else transport them to and from the procedure.
Ask The Dentist
The Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.___________________________________________________________________________I have very bad teeth. I am interested in finding out if I am a candidate for implants, and how much the estimated cost of the procedure is for me.___________________________________________________________________________
Hi, Amanda. Thanks for the note. We see many patients that are interested in dental implants. Implants open up the door to terrific restorations that would not be possible before. Patients that are missing teeth have many more options with the strength that implants contribute. If you have lost teeth, or if you have a problem that is going to lead to losing teeth, you should learn about dental implants.
We cannot guess what your individual needs might be, as there are many different situations. Implants can be used for a single lost tooth, or they can be used for someone who has lost all of their teeth….many ways they can contribute.
The proper way to learn what your problems are and to learn how implants might benefit you is to make an appointment for an examination in our office. With the use of dental x-rays and intra-oral photographs, we can help you understand what your specific needs are and give you some options for dental treatment. There is always more than one choice…. So please call and come in to see one of us soon!
Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905Labels: dental implant costs, dental implant prices, houston dental implants
Ask The Dentist The Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.
____________________________________________________ What is treatment of abfraction?
What are criteria of the filling material for abfraction?
Hazem Galal Mors
___________________________________________________________________________
Hello – welcome to our website and practice. I see that you are familiar with the term “abfraction”, which describes the entire complex situation that leads to a tooth lesion and much of the tooth sensitivity that we see. These areas at the gumline of teeth are often sensitive, and it is a common complaint that we see. Patients will complain of cold sensitivity around the necks of their teeth. These used to be called “toothbrush abrasion”, but the cause is more complicated that that, and it is primarily the flexing of the teeth in people who clench and grind their teeth. There is a range of treatment choices for abfractive lesions, depending on the patient and the severity of the problem.
I. treatment of abfraction:
1. Minimal involvement, with a small amount of tooth structure gone from the neck of the tooth and a small amount of tooth sensitivity (usually to cold)
- no treatment is acceptable
- occlusal equilibration (bite adjustment)
-dental varnishes, topical fluoride, Sensodyne tooth paste
- protective acrylic guard
2. Moderate involvement, which is more likely to be sensitive to cold, and also has more soft tissue recession and visible loss of tooth structure
- occlusal equilibration (bite adjustment)
-dental varnishes, topical fluoride, Sensodyne tooth paste
- protective acrylic guard
- bonding material placement to cover root surface
3. Advanced involvement often has root sensitivity that is severe and irreversible
- occlusal equilibration (bite adjustment)
- protective acrylic guard
- bonding material placement to cover root surface
- crowning tooth for more advanced coverage
- root canal treatment depending on the severity
II. Filling material for abfraction: Depending on the severity of the case and doctor preference, several types of materials can be used:
1. Composite resins
2. Flowable composite resins
3. Glass ionomers
We focus our efforts in the direction of management of forces, as we believe this is the most dominant factor in this multifactorial problem. The excessive forces that cause abfractions can lead to several common problems:
1)Abfractions
2) Sensitive teeth
3) Loosening of teeth
4) Excessive wear of teeth
5) Change in alignment of teeth
6) Bone breakdown and bone loss
7) Broken or destroyed restorations
8) Non-bacterial, non-plaque related gingival recession
9) Opening of contacts
__________________________________________________________________________
I hope that this gives you more perspective on this complex problem. It needs more consideration than what material to use. In our opinion, it is an important problem that does not get enough attention or conversation in assessing overall dental health.
Chuck Campbell, DDS
713-795-5905
If you experience any form of gum disease, call the Houston Medical Center Dental Group Immediately and schedule a full dental examination.
Gum disease has been connected to heart disease. This is because the bacteria that cause gum disease get into the blood and travel throughout the body. The cardiovascular system can be especially vulnerable to these bacteria, and gum disease has been proven to cause heart attacks in a number of people.
The number of bacteria in your mouth can easily total more than the number of people in the world. Even if you have no plaque or tartar, 1,000 to 100,000 can be found on any one particular tooth. Mind you, this is in a mouth with clean and healthy teeth. If you have plaque, there can be as many as 100 million to 1 billion bacteria growing on each tooth.
While some of these bacteria are good for your mouth, others are very harmful. The type of bacteria that cause gum disease not only permanently damage gum tissue, but also can damage your jaws and the connective tissues that hold your teeth to your jaws. Once connective tissue weakens, you are more likely to lose teeth.
Even worse, statistics conducted over a ten-year period determined that patients who suffer from gum disease are three times more likely to suffer a heart attack as are patients without it. Evidence strongly indicates that these infectious bacteria enter the blood through tears in gum tissue. After these bacteria reach the liver, the liver reacts by producing a protein that clogs the arteries.
Other research shows that gum disease bacteria directly attacks the heart itself by creating blockages in the arteries. This theory is strongly upheld by the discovery of oral bacteria lodged in the arteries of people who previously experienced blocked arteries and a subsequent heart attack.
People with heart valve ailments should be especially mindful and proactive in seeking out dental treatment for gum disease. Conditions such as mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart defects, and heart murmurs are all very vulnerable to infection by oral bacteria.
Also, in addition to increased risk of heart attack, a rare and sometimes fatal disease known as endocarditis can be caused by S.Sanguis—the bacteria found in plaque—and cause severe damage to heart tissues and valve muscles.
If you suffer from any type of heart valve ailment, it is strongly recommended that you talk to your dentist about it before having any type of dental procedure performed. It may be necessary for your dentist to prescribe special antibiotics as a precaution against oral bacteria that could potentially be dislodged into the bloodstream and travel directly to your heart. Labels: Gum Disease, heart attacks, oral bacteria, periodontal disease, plaque
Ask The DentistThe Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.
___________________________________________________________________________
My gum was feeling quite hard. I looked in the mirror to see what was wrong. I noticed that one particular area was red, with what looks like an underlying yellow pimple. Is it possible that I have a gumboil or an abscess?
I have a dental checkup in 2 weeks time, but in the meantime, can I buy anything from the pharmacy for it?
It’s a little uncomfortable but not painful, as yet!!
Thanks,
Lesley
__________________________________________________________________________
Hi, Lesley.
You are probably describing either an abscessed tooth that has not yet hurt you or a fractured root. There are several possible treatments, depending on exactly what is going on. You might make it the 2 weeks before your appointment, but you might want to be seen sooner, as this can flare up overnight at any time and be painful. He will be placing you on antibiotics sometime in the course of treating the problem, but you should probably be seen first.
Chuck Campbell, DDSDale J. Brant, DDS713-795-5905Labels: abscess, dental examination, gumboil
Ask the Dentist: Can I Get Dentures if I have Soft Enamel?
Ask The DentistThe Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.________________________________________________________________When I was between 15 and 16, my dentist told me that I had soft enamel. She said I would have to basically work twice as hard to take care of my teeth. I have done my best, but now they have gotten much worse.I have several questions for you.- Does having soft enamel prevent me from getting partial dentures?
- Would I need full dentures instead?
- What is the average cost of both extraction and the denture cost?
I am not sure if this would help, but I have dental insurance through Aetna. Thanks, Benjamin
_________________________________________________________________
Hi, Benjamin.
People with soft enamel, and all people who are more cavity prone, for that matter, definitely spend more time in the dental chair.
The questions you ask are good ones, but it would not be possible to answer blindly without seeing you in the dental office.
I would recommend a complete exam with x-rays and photos to learn what your problems are exactly. Then you can pursue your various options of treatment. You will find many options of treatment that might include periodontal treatment and possibly the inclusion of implants if you are missing teeth. You definitely need to spend some time in a dental office learning what all is going on.
Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale J. Brant, DDS
713-795-5905
Labels: cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic removable partial dentures, denture costs, full dentures, soft enamel
Whitening you teeth is easy. It makes you smile more confidently by improving your appearance. Studies show that increasing numbers of people are keeping their natural teeth. This is due to better hygiene and more aggressive preventative self-care.
Nevertheless, teeth age as they begin to darken. They especially darken and stain after years of prolonged exposure to coffee, wine, tea, cola, and cigarette smoke.
Home Bleaching
If you have decided to whiten your teeth, there are several things you can do. Home tooth whitening is one of the most popular ways to do it. It begins with a dental visit, where the dentist fits you with a custom bleaching tray made just for your mouth and teeth. He or she gives you a whitening gel that will work best for you, and provides you with a full set of instructions on how to get the best results from the home teeth whitening process.
It usually takes two or three days of wearing the custom tray to see results. Tobacco stains tend to take, several days longer to bleach out.
Power Bleaching
If you want quicker results, you ask for in-office power bleaching. This procedure is performed with a solution activated by heat and light. It contains oxygen, which penetrates tooth enamel. This helps to better remove stains from under the surface, allowing more of the inner tooth show through the translucent enamel.
With power bleaching, it usually only one trip to the dentist to whiten your teeth.
This might be your best option if you are busy professional, or a single parent, who has little free time to attend multiple appointments. If your teeth are badly stained, though, you might have to come in for another session, or use home teeth whitening methods alongside of office bleaching. Power bleaching brings results that will last for years if regular dental cleanings and touch ups are consistently followed.
Over the Counter Bleaching
Over-the-counter bleaching kits can be bought almost anywhere these days. We do not recommend these kits. They feature one-size-fits-all bleaching trays that expose sensitive gum tissue to too much of the bleaching gel, irritating gums in the process.
Generic home tooth whitening kits can also damage tooth enamel and can even damage the inner pulp chamber. This is why dentists make custom, individualized kits for patients by prescription only. It concentrates the effect of the bleaching gel where it is supposed to work—on the teeth—and keeps it away from soft, sensitive mouth tissues.
Let a Professional Whiten Your Teeth
Everyone is unique, and everyone will experience individual results from tooth bleaching. The colors of stains will also affect the results of these procedures. Brown, orange, and yellow tone stains are much easier to remove than grayish stains.
If a dentist determines tooth whitening is not the best option for you, do not despair. We have several alternatives that include veneers, inlays, onlays, and dental crowns that will make teeth look natural and brand new.Labels: cosmetic tooth whitening, tooth whitening bleach
Vitamin C Helps Keep Your Gums Healthy
Vitamin C can help you if you suffer from bleeding gums. Studies have recently shown that people who get less than 60 milligrams of Vitamin C per day are more 150 percent more likely to develop gum disease.
If you do not get enough Vitamin C, your gums become irritated, red, and start bleeding whenever time you brush or floss your teeth. This is a sign of gingivitis, a condition caused by plaque that accumulates on your teeth. Plaque provides bacteria with a breeding ground. These bacteria attack tooth enamel and infects gum tissue. Whenever gums are infected by bacteria, they recede and form tiny pockets where more bacteria breed. This infection spreads if it is not treated. It can even reach all the way down to the roots of your teeth and to bones, causing irreversible damage as a result. This stage of gum disease is called Periodontitis, and it is the number one cause of tooth loss in American adults.
So how exactly can increased vitamin c help stop gums from bleeding? The answer lies in how vitamin c actually helps the human body. This important substance is a key element to strong bones and blood vessels. It is actually essential to anchoring your teeth to the gums themselves. When you do not get enough vitamin c, the bond between your teeth and gums is weakened, and the blood vessels themselves are more prone to rupture and bleeding.
Increasing your Vitamin C intake reverses deterioration of gum tissues and stop gingivitis in its tracks. It increases production of collagen, which is the protein that the body uses as the building blocks of all fibrous tissues such as gums. Weak tissue will become strong again, and the gum lining will be better able to resist infection by bacteria.
The best way to increase your collagen production is to begin eating foods that are rich in Vitamin C. Please understand that any fruits or vegetables begin to lose their Vitamin C content as soon as they are exposed to oxygen. Eat them as soon as you cut them open to receive the maximum benefits they provide.
Red chili peppers
Red and green sweet peppers
Broccoli, red cabbage and cauliflower
Strawberries and raspberries
Green onions
Oysters
Soybeans
Cantaloupe and honeydew
Tomatoes
Peas
You can also take supplements to ensure that you have the amount of Vitamin C you need to keep your gums healthy. Doctors recommend 1,000-2,000 milligrams per day in time-released capsules. As dentists, we also recommend taht you avoid chewable tablets because these contain sugar which is obviously not good for your tooth enamel. If you smoke, you need to add at least 35 milligrams to the normal supplemental because smoking diminishes Vitamin C in the blood stream.Labels: calcium supplements, Gum Disease, healthy foods, vitamin c
Ask The DentistThe Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.________________________________________________________________Hello,I have an inquiry. I am facing this problem of dry mouth. I try to take out saliva but it doesn't come out easily as it used to. When ever I am conversing with any one face to face I am afraid that I may be spitting on him. I am facing a problem talking, too. What is the best solution for this any recommended medication?Oh, yes. I also smoke.
________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your question. Here is a comprehensive article about dry mouth (xerostomia). http://www.mcdg.biz/pdf/xerostomia.pdf
Dry mouth is a difficult problem to manage – the best products available are made by Biotene. You should be able to buy some of these online and try them.
http://www.biotene.com/index.aspx?rotation=33912227&banner=212514807&placement={placement}
Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
6560 Fannin #1424
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 795-5905
Children tend to eat as much they play. This is can be a problem, though. Kids do not always eat healthy snacks between meals. Sweets, especially the sticky ones that adhere to teeth, are the primary causes of cavities in kids.
To help prevent cavities, parents have to be proactive, and sometimes a bit creative, when it comes to devising alternatives that appeal to children and that can fit their family budgets.
The way food looks strongly influences a buying decision. Children become very excited when they see a food package depicting their favorite cartoon character or a scene from a video game. Many foods like this, however, are not healthy snacks for kids.
This often leads to embarrassment for the parent who takes his or her child to the store. The child sees the label and begins to beg for the item. The parent either caves in, or the child leaves the store stomping the ground and crying angry tears.
We would like to help prevent this by making a few helpful suggestions on how to make healthy snacks that are both good and appealing to kids.
An easy way to do this is to visit the store and buy something nutritious. Hide it in the kitchen. Then, while the kids play video games, agitate the pets, or play outside, you can put the new healthy snacks in cheap, plastic zipper bags. You can also package these foods in reusable, environmentally friendly containers that kids can carry with them to school.
Another thing you can do is to buy something that is not so healthy for children, dump out it out, and fill it with a nutritious substitute. The old label will still attract attention, but this time it will attract attention to something that is good for your child.
Once your kids develop a taste for healthy snacks, you can create some real quality time with your kids by having them help you make them. You can cook rice cakes and top them with peanut butter and bananas. You can also spread peanut butter or cream cheese over celery sticks, and you can mix pretzels and peanuts with cheese cubes. Other healthy snacks are graham crackers and peanut butter, apples and peanut butter, all kinds of cheeses, and yogurt spread over canned fruit.
There are also genuinely healthy pre-packaged foods that you can buy. Applesauce, fruits, pudding, string cheese, and trail mixes with dried fruit are very popular snacks with kids of all ages. Be sure though, that tooth brushing and flossing are always strictly observed. No matter how good a food source is, food of any kind will form plaque on the teeth that will create tartar and cavities. Never forget the basics of teaching kids sound dental self care. Labels: children's dental hygeine, healthy snacks for kids
The most basic aspect of maintaining clean and healthy teeth is brushing your teeth after every meal. Just as important as how much you brush is using the right type of toothbrush. Without exception, you should always use a soft bristle toothbrush. Medium and hard bristles will damage gums. You should make sure that the head of the toothbrush is the right size for your mouth, and that you can comfortably hold the toothbrush in your hand.
There is ongoing debate about whether should use manual or power toothbrushes. This depends upon you. Newer power brushes feature ergonomic designs and bristles that rotate and oscillate to clean all exposed teeth surfaces. They can is very effective when in removing plaque. The head of a power toothbrush is also smaller than that of a manual toothbrush. You may find it easier to maneuver around their mouths and get to hard to reach places in the back.
Power brushes are intended to be very gentle on your mouth. It is not necessary to press a power toothbrush against your teeth or gums. The automatic turning of the brush provides all the cleaning action you need. Most people who have suffered from bleeding gums have reported that power tooth brushes have actually helped reduce bleeding. This is very likely the result of the lessened brushing force and the round shape of the bristles on the power toothbrush.
We do not officially endorse or discourage power toothbrushes as something everyone should use. Rather, we encourage each patient to use the brush that best helps them clean their teeth and maintain healthy gums in the process.
Daily flossing is also an essential part of maintaining clean teeth. Flossing gets between teeth to clean off plaque that the tooth brush cannot reach. Plaque is very harmful to your teeth, because it serves as a breeding ground for bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay. By flossing every time you brush them, you can keep them free of plaque and minimize the chances of infection or cavities. Waiting more than 24 hours to clean your teeth with floss, though, will allow bacteria enough time to reattach to your teeth.
You should schedule a teeth cleaning appointment with the dentist every six months. If you have gum disease, you need to have your teeth cleaned every three to four months.
Tartar control toothpastes can also help you maintain clean and healthy teeth. These special toothpastes may be able to help you maintain clean teeth and avoid cavities and gum disease related to the buildup of tartar and bacteria. However, a few people have reported their teeth become more sensitive when they use tartar control toothpaste. If this happens to you, try changing brands.You can also call your dentist to see what other options might be available.Labels: brushing teeth, clean teeth, dental cleaning, flossing teeth
Extreme dental makeovers involve full mouth reconstructions with dental implants and fixed porcelain bridges. A full mouth reconstruction is very similar to building a highway bridge. The implants act like columns that support the bridge, and the bridges themselves are like the pavement you drive across. This is only a metaphor intended to show how a dental extreme makeover is actually performed in your mouth. The outcome looks much more cosmetic than a bridge in the outside world.
Because the implants provide the actual support in extreme dental makeovers, the distances between teeth determine the number of implant needed. This follows the same principle as bridge construction over rivers. A short span bridge over a small stream may require only two columns on either side. A longer bridge over a 10 lane freeway, however, often needs up to ten supports.
When performing an extreme dental makeover for a patient, the dentist first examines existing natural teeth and measures of the distances between them. These distances are used to determine the number of implants that are needed to support fixed porcelain bridges that are later built between implants and any existing teeth that are capped with porcelain crowns.
The key to extreme dental makeovers is training and knowledge in advanced cosmetic dentistry that helps us understand where implants have to be placed and where bridges have to be built. When there is only a small distance between teeth, we only need build a short span bridge. A longer bridge requires one or more implants. If there is a very long space along the bone with no teeth, and only one or two natural teeth, the dentist may cap these natural teeth and use these as anchor supports for bridges.
The intent in an extreme dental makeover is to make a cosmetically superior outcome from a position of strength and stability. Once enough support is created between implants and natural teeth, the dentist can places all porcelain bridges and crowns. Sometimes people find it very challenging, though, to invest in this complex combination of implants, crowns, and bridgework. For these people, there are many more affordable, temporary options that can be explored. Often, people get the necessary implants to build future supports for bridges, and then they invest in partial dentures that will work as viable tooth replacements while they are saving up money for permanent, more durable tooth replacements.
Extreme dental makeovers offer everyone, regardless of how badly damaged their teeth have become, or how many teeth they have lost, the opportunity to confidently smile with a full set of natural, healthy, and white teeth.Labels: cosmetic dental implants, denta makeover, extreme dental makeover, full mouth reconstruction
Sealants are placed on upper and lower permanent teeth in the back of the jaws. Their effectiveness depends on what degree they fill the very narrow, deep grooves of the sides and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Dental sealants do not cover all the tooth surface and they are not a guarantee against tooth decay. They do work as a very positive, preventative stopgap that significantly decreases the likelihood of complications in those areas of the back teeth that are most commonly prone to decay.
Dental sealants are a made from clear or white plastic, and they are placed on the grooves in the sides and biting surfaces of back molars. This is because molars have very deep pits and grooves which are very difficult to clean, and very vulnerable to plaque buildup. (Plaque is a very thin film that is almost invisible to the eye, of bacteria and food buildup).
Cosmetic Dentists will utilize a special red dye to detect plaque. Plaque shows up very easily once it is stained. Most of the time, people are amazed to see how much plaque has accumulated on their teeth—especially the molars in the back. This has to be addressed, because bacteria living in plaque secrete acid as part of their life cycle. Without dental sealants, this acid will degrade tooth enamel, and tooth decay will eventually commence. Before too long, a cavity forms in the place that originally had only a thin, invisible film of plaque.
Cavities can completely destroy teeth if they are not dealt with. This is because of the way teeth themselves are formed. The outer layer of the tooth is the hard part we see and chew with. It is known as the enamel. Although it is hard, it is not that thick. Plaque will build on this surface, and the acids that the bacteria secrete will eat through the enamel into the secondary layer of the tooth, the dentin. This softer layer is very vulnerable to rapid decay than is the enamel. Below this layer is the pulp that surrounds the root. If the cavity penetrates to this layer, the tooth dies and requires a root canal.
Although dental sealants are only applied to outer tooth enamel, they actuality help preserve the life of teeth by preventing cavities from forming to begin with. The hygienist or the dentist will first rigorous clean and dry the teeth. Then, the dentist will apply a conditioning solution. The sealant is then brushed into the grooves in the molars.
There are several types of sealants. Some harden by themselves. Others are hardened under a special light. It is very important that patients to realize that this is not a 100 percent guarantor against tooth decay, but instead is a supportive treatment that is part of a rigorous dental hygiene program that includes brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings.Labels: dental sealants, sealants
CAD-CAM Technology Helps Labs Make More Accurate Tooth Restorations
CAD-CAM technology has made it easier and faster to repair problems with teeth, so there is no need any longer for people to procrastinate about seeking out restorative services when necessary. Whereas it used to take several dental appointments to make restorations such as inlays, onlays, bridges, and crowns, now they can all be fitted in two visits maximum. Dentists used to have to make models of teeth by making impressions of teeth and then sending them to a lab. The lab would then have to manually create the tooth restorations. With a CAD-CAM machine, however, a tooth-colored inlay, only, veneer, or crown can be made in record time.
CAD-CAM method involves a number of steps. The first of these steps is tooth preparation. As we noted earlier, dentists had to rely upon manual impressions and physical models to prepare teeth for cosmetic restoration. However, with CAD-CAM a special, precision optical camera is placed in the patient’s mouth. The camera records the exact dimensions of the teeth and sends this data back to the CAD-CAM computer.
The computer then uses this information to create a virtual model of the teeth for making the new tooth restorations. The dentist chooses the appropriate material for the restoration and selects a color that matches the texture and color of existing teeth. The material is then fed into a machine that fabricates the restoration using the information recorded by the CAD-CAM.
After the tooth restoration has been made, the dentist applies the appropriate color and bonds it to the teeth. The dentist then double checks the bite to make certain that the natural teeth and the new cosmetic teeth restorations are in alignment. If any adjustments are needed, they are made at this time.
At the Cosmetic Dentistry Center, we believe there is still great benefit to using a laboratory as part of our tooth restoration services. We take impressions of teeth here in our office, and then send them over to a lab that owns a CAD-CAM system. The mold actually imitates the natural teeth, and the precise optics of the CAD-CAM camera and the computer creates an even more accurate fabrication.
We find that this blend of tradition and new technology benefits our patients more than rushing to complete the process in the office in the same day. While it is necessary for patients to return to the office after the restorations have been made in the lab, it only takes one follow up visit for more accurate, more natural looking, and better-lasting results.Labels: cad-cam, dental labs, tooth restorations
This mineral is actually necessary to every cell in the body and used in practically every bodily function as well. Calcium is vital to nerve impulses, heartbeat, blood clotting, and muscle contraction.
Although calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body (because bones are formed from it), few Americans get enough calcium in their diet. They are largely unaware of calcium deficiencies in their bodies until they are much older and develop and conditions like gum disease and osteoporosis.
Research has shown that every adult should get at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium every day for the continued health of their teeth, gums, bones, and general physical constitution.
The most obvious way a person can get the calcium they need for their teeth and bones is by eating calcium-rich foods like dairy products, green, leafy vegetables, tofu, salmon with edible bones, and even sardines in a can.
Another way is to take any number of calcium supplements that are available over the counter. Different types of supplements exist in different forms at varying price points.
· Calcium carbonate is the least supplement for teeth and bones, and it also happens to be the most concentrated.
· Calcium citrate is the supplement that the stomach can most easily digest, and is the safest for people who are older or for persons with stomach ulcers.
· Calcium lactate is the least concentrated supplement. It is rapidly absorbed, however, and because of this, is also the most expensive.
· Coral calcium supplements have become famous due to TV advertising. They are a source of naturally occurring calcium that has been demonstrated to be exceptionally beneficial to the health of teeth and bones.
Magnesium and Vitamin D help the body process calcium. When there is a 2-1 relationship between calcium and magnesium, absorption of calcium occurs much more quickly. Vitamin D also assists in absorption, which is why it is added to milk. Children often meet their daily requirements by taking chewable tablets which are easier for them to swallow and digest.
When taking calcium for teeth and bone health, it is good to skip a dose every now and then. Studies indicate that the body has a strange tendency to keep absorption rates at a higher level, as if it were anticipating the next dose.
Check with your doctor or dentist first before taking supplements to make sure they are right for your particular situation.Labels: calcium for teeth, calcium rich foods, calcium supplements
Ask the Dentist: What is the Cost of Full Upper Dental Implants?
Ask The DentistThe Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.
I need full upper dental implants, I was wondering what ballpark price range I would be looking at, and how much recuperation time I would be looking at. I nned the upper teeth pulled as well as the implants put in.
Thank you so much for you time
Barbie Conigliaro
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Thanks for the enquiry, Barbie. The questions you ask are the right ones, but they are very hard to answer without seeing you and understanding your needs and wants. Implant cases vary widely according to the dental situation. Simple cases might require 1-2 implants, complex cases might require many more. Another variable is how much bone you have remaining if teeth have been removed or if periodontal disease is present.
By far the best way to understand what your options are is to come in for a complete exam that includes x-rays, photos, and a visual examination. Only with this information can we give you any type of estimate of cost and difficulty.
We would be happy to spend time with you, but it is just not done well blindly. Please set up an exam day and we will spend the time to show you what your options and potential costs are.
Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
Labels: cosmetic dental bridges, cosmetic dental implants
Ask The Dentist: Reducing a Gummy Smile
Ask The DentistThe Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.Do you have a procedure to correct gummy smile? I have large teeth and my gums show when I smile. I've heard about removing or cutting the gum to extend the lip and botox.
Please advise if you treat this condition and what treatments you use.
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Hi, Carolyn. There are various treatments for this problem, depending upon the severity. When we do cosmetic dentistry, we routinely recontour and sculpt the gum tissue for esthetics. The use of a laser can make dramatic changes.
If your problem is more complex, there are surgical treatments to change the relation of the lip and the display of gum tissue.
We will have to see you for an examination to evaluate your problem and see what would be appropriate for you. Please make an appointment for consultation and we can help you to understand the options for your problem. Call us at (713) 795-5905
Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS Labels: gingival recession, gingivectomy, gummy smile
Plaque Disclosing Tablets
Even though you may teach your children to brush their teeth three times daily, and you may show them how to follow all the instructions that the dentist gives them on proper brushing methods, they will still have a great deal of plaque left on their teeth. This is because there are so many places where plaque can hide, and where a toothbrush may not have an easy time reaching. Because plaque is invisible, it is even harder for children to brush all of it off their teeth. This is where plaque disclosing tablets can help.
Plaque is film that consists of food debris and bacteria. It builds up on teeth each time a child eats. While it is virtually impossible to see even under a bright light, disclosing tablets can make it immediately visible.
These red-colored liquid that is produced will harmlessly stain tartar and plaque that are resident on a child’s teeth. It will help your child find the areas that need more brushing.
Using this simple tool helps remove plaque every day before it mineralizes and turns into tartar. (Another word for tartar is calculus). After a child gets tartar on his or her teeth, he or she cannot brush or floss it off. A professional tooth cleaning at a dental office will be required at this point.
It is so much easier to teach a child to use disclosing tablet. These are reasonably priced and completely bio-friendly tools that are made from a harmless vegetable dye that stains the plaque, but never stains the teeth. After a child gets used to using them, it becomes much easier to intuitively know, as if by second nature, where the various hiding places for plaque are located. This provides a child with a visual frame of reference to work with when learning basic dental hygiene.
Please be mindful of how important it is to teach children to never swallow the liquid or their toothpaste.
The process is surprisingly simple. To begin with, a child brushes or flosses the teeth as usual. Then, he or she chews a tablet until it turns to liquid. The liquid acts immediately, turning the plaque into a brightly colored red stain that can be seen in the mirror. Both the plaque and the vegetable dye can then be brushed off until there are no more red spots remaining. When the teeth are completely white again, this indicates that all the plaque has been removed.
Plaque disclosing tablets are typically used as a short-term strategy of dental hygiene. Once a child learns what spots on the teeth experience plaque buildup, it is much easier for him or her to get in the habit of consistently and rigorously brushing and flossing these areas.
Labels: flossing, pediatric tooth care, plaque disclosing disclosing tablets, tooth brushing
When your child becomes old enough for a toothbrush, use an extra soft toothbrush made specifically for infant tooth care. Use the brush at first without toothpaste until your child can responsibly use toothpaste without swallowing it.
Remember that proper tooth care is more than tooth brushing. Flossing is just as important for young and old alike, and that includes infants and toddlers as well. Floss should be used to gently clean between teeth daily. Be certain to pay close attention to areas where teeth grow very close together. Although you may not see any visible space between teeth, rest assured that microbes can find their way into these spaces and multiply. This is why you have to clean them so thoroughly.
We recommend you use disclosing tablets as part of your daily infant tooth care routine. These tablets are made from a harmless red dye that stains plaque a bright red color. You can readily see it, then, to remove it in its entirety.
Fluoride is another essential ingredient for responsible and proper infant tooth care. However, fluoride is toxic if swallowed and should be used only as directed by your dentist. We ourselves do not prescribe fluoride tablets like some dentists do for young children. We feel there is plenty of fluoride in water and toothpaste and consider tablets to be too much of a risk.
One thing you really need to be on guard against is a condition known as "bottle-mouth syndrome." This is a form of tooth decay brought on by the sugars in milk, formula, and fruit juice. Children often take a bottle to bed or walk around the house drinking from a bottle for long periods of time. Care has to be taken to limit the use of a bottle. Pacifiers, although old-fashioned, still work very effectively as baby bottle substitutes.
Tooth care is much easier to model for young children than to teach them with words. Let your child watch you brush and floss your teeth. It is also a good practice to help your children with brushing and flossing until they are 7-10 years old. Labels: children's dental hygeine, infant tooth care, pediatric tooth care
Braces can correct a bad bite after the majority of permanent teeth have emerged. Before the 1980s, braces were steel bands that fit like rings around childrens teeth. Wires that were attached to a bracket on each band pulled the teeth into alignment. This was very uncomfortable to children, and it was often very embarrassing for them as well.
Since then, orthodontics has made many strides forward. Braces are no longer manufactured from metal bands. Using an adhesive, dentists now bond the brackets directly to the front of the teeth. They are much less noticeable and much more comfortable for children to wear than were the braces of the past. Cosmetic dentists often use brackets that are made from clear sapphire brackets, but these are very expensive and hard for children to clean. These brackets are held together with a stainless steel wire, and the size of the wire determines the pressure needed to move the teeth. The wire is also held in place by elastics, and these help speed up tooth movement.
Believe it or not, braces can actually move children’s teeth through bone. This is because bone responds to tension caused by brackets and wires by making special cells on either side of a tooth. These cells remove bone on one side of the tooth and make bone on the other, moving the tooth in the process.
Children usually have to wear braces for one to three years. Because it is hard for children with braces to clean their teeth, frequent dental cleanings are paramount. Otherwise, a child may have permanent white stains develop on his or her teeth if plaque is not regularly removed.
After the braces are taken out, retainers are used to hold the teeth in their new alignment. Some retainers are removable, and others are bonded in place.
Young children can be fitted with braces, so long as they have enough permanent teeth. Conditions like an excessive underbite or overbite are very effectively treated with braces. If braces cannot be used due to insufficient numbers of permanent teeth, functional dental appliances can be substituted.
Functional appliances are usually used to correct misalignment or bite problems by holding the space created by a missing primary tooth. Such devices are fixed in place for extended periods of time, or they are made to be removable and worn for only a short period of time. With functional appliances, the protruding upper front teeth of an eight-year-old, which are very prone to injury, can be moved back into a less vulnerable and much more attractive position.
If a child is less than 10 years of age, the normal growth of his or her permanent teeth will sometimes push the upper front teeth back together. A dentist can x-ray these teeth to determine if the gap will close on its own. If not, braces or functional appliances can be used to correct these problems in children’s teeth.Labels: braces, children with braces
Space Maintainers Help Keep Teeth When a Baby Tooth is Lost
Space maintainers are needed to keep the teeth of a child straight as permanent teeth emerge. They are often needed because a permanent tooth may not always appear right after the loss of a baby tooth. Gaps will then form in the smile that will have to be corrected in order to keep teeth from growing out of alignment.Normally, a permanent tooth grows right under a primary tooth. As it emerges, the roots of the primary tooth dissolve. This causes the primary tooth to become loose and fall out. The permanent tooth then takes its place. As this process occurs sequentially, teeth grow in healthy and straight.
Sometimes, though, a primary tooth is lost because of a cavity or an accident. If this happens, the permanent tooth is not ready to replace it. The dentist will have to place a space maintainer in the gap in order to keep the teeth straight. If this is not done, the teeth will shift together and appear misaligned. This will also precipitate a loss of space in the dental arch.
A space maintainer prevents this loss of arch space from occurring. A space maintainer is made custom to the child’s mouth, and it is normally cemented into place. However, some dentists will make certain space maintainers removable so children can take them out when necessary.
In most instances, it requires two visits to the Cosmetic Dentistry Center for a space maintainer to be made.
During the first visit, the dentist will conduct a general examination of the teeth in order to make sure that no other problems exist. Because children this age are susceptible to tooth decay, it is essential that we are certain that no developing cavities go undetected and untreated. The alignment of teeth is also checked, and orthodontic bands are carefully placed over them.
Next, the dentist takes an impression of both the bottom and top teeth. This gives the dental laboratory an exact duplicate of the mouth to use in making the space maintainer. The finished product will precisely match both the teeth and the exact contours of the mouth itself.
It can take anywhere from a few days to over a week to finish making a space maintainer. Once it is ready, the child will come back to the dentist and try the device on. If it proves itself to be a successful fit, it is then cemented in place. Again, there may be some times where the device will be custom made to act as a removable device.
Space maintainers must be used until permanent teeth begin coming out from below the gum line. Children with space maintainers must make certain that they avoid gum chewing, candies, and hard foods that can possibly break or damage the device. Chewing on ice is out of the question.Labels: dental arch, gap in teeth, permanent teeth, primary teeth, space maintainers
Dental Hygeine for Children with Braces
Braces for children correct a great many problems that plague growing kids. Overbites, underbites, and occlusion are just some of the many dental conditions that braces and functional dental appliances correct. Braces can be used on a child of any age provided they are affixed to permanent teeth. If a child is very young, and still has most of his or her primary teeth, functional dental appliances can be substituted for braces and still achieve impressive results.
Sometimes a child does not even need braces if problems with teeth are detected early on. In the early stages of most problems, a functional appliance is often all that is needed to correct the teeth of a child. One such device is called a space maintainer. It is used after a baby tooth has been lost and the permanent tooth has not yet emerged. A space maintainer can prevent the teeth that surround the gap in the smile from becoming crooked. If placed immediately after a baby tooth is lost, a space maintainer can conceivably make it unnecessary for a child to have braces.
This is not to say that braces are not necessary. Sometimes they are the only option. It is good to understand the challenges of dental hygiene that accompany orthodontics in order to better equip your child for both a healthy and beautiful smile in future years to come.
The downside to braces, however, is that they make the already challenging discipline of dental hygiene even more challenging for children. When a person of any age has braces, it is harder to keep teeth plaque-free and prevent cavities.
Children who are wearing braces need to use a soft toothbrush (so that bristles can reach under the wires and still clean teeth), and they need to use a toothpaste with fluoride. It goes without saying that they need to brush after every meal. The surface of each tooth should be brushed in a circular motion, and extra care must be given to the areas where braces meet the tooth, and where the tooth meets the gums.
Children with braces need to floss their teeth. No exceptions. Toothbrushes simply cannot reach between teeth, so only floss can remove the plaque that causes cavities in these places. 
To floss teeth with braces, kids should use a threader and slide it underneath the arch wire. They should then pull the floss between their teeth, pull it into a C shape, and move it around their mouths, flossing both sides of every tooth.
After children have finished flossing, they need to make sure they have not missed any areas. Once they have checked their teeth thoroughly, they should rinse their mouths thoroughly with water.
Reducing foods with sugars will help children with braces prevent cavities. Hard foods like Cornnuts and ice will damage they can damage braces. Children should eat softer foods and cutting harder foods into smaller bites when at all possible.
By watching their eating habits and paying careful attention to their daily dental hygiene, children with braces can keep their mouths healthy and teeth in great condition.
Labels: braces, children with braces, cosmetic dental braces, dental hygeine, flossing, tooth brushing
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