We cannot stress enough how important it is to see your Houston dental hygienist once every six months This will minimize the risk of tooth decay, and it will also provide you with access to the latest patient education materials regarding dental hygiene and self care.

While you are waiting for your next schedule visit, it is a good idea to get a head start on taking better care of your teeth.

The better your understanding of the decay process, the better equipped you'll be to maintain good dental health. Here's a basic rundown of the tooth decay process, start to finish.

Tooth decay starts with colonies of bacteria.

Bacteria are never loners. They live in colonies, and the colonies are big. Not all bacteria are harmful, however.

Thousands of bacteria already exist in your mouth. Most of them are beneficial. There are a few bacteria, however, that cause tooth decay. One in particular, streptococcus mutans, is a rather nasty variety that reproduces quickly and sets up large colonies wherever it’s given the chance to feast on starchy foods.

Another word for starches is carbohydrates, and you probably consume them every day in the form of pasta, bread, crackers, and sweets. These carbohydrates then build up on your teeth if you do not brush them regularly.

This buildup creates a sticky mixture of saliva, food debris and bacteria known as plaque.

Streptococcus mutans will eat any carbohydrate you eat. The starch it will eat most quickly eat is sugar. Unfortunately, the more refined the sugar is, the more the bacterial like it because they can digest it even faster than you can.

When the bacteria eat the sugars in plaque, a chemical reaction starts. The sugars are broken down into simpler elements, and one of these elements is an acid called lactic acid. Lactic acid is the acid that makes your muscles tired. It also breaks down tooth enamel and weakens the overall integrity of the teeth.

Eventually, you end up with a hold on the surface of the tooth, where the acids dissolved the enamel. This hole is a cavity-- the visible evidence of tooth decay. Once you have a cavity, the only way we can fix this is to remove the decayed portion of the tooth and replace it with a cosmetic dental filling material.

The good news is, your Houston dental hygienist can show you how to avoid this. She can teach you the proper methods of brushing and flossing when you come to the Cosmetic Dentistry Center for a tooth cleaning and dental exam. If you follow the instructions given to you by your dental hygienist, brushing and flossing will prevent the buildup of plaque on your teeth.

This keeps the bacteria from having a feast on your teeth and building colonies that produce the acids that lead to tooth decay.

Labels: Houston dental hygienists, houston dentists, tooth decay

It is our policy at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group to provide top-quality dental care in every aspect of professional services. One very important element that many people do not always immediately think about is patient education. People assume that dentistry is mostly intervention-based by nature. It only appears this way, however, because people wait until they have a problem before they see a Houston dentist or cosmetic dentistry specialist.

It doesn’t have to be this way, of course. You can do a lot to maintain optimal dental health simply by educating yourself in the basics of prevention and home care. This is especially true for diabetics due to the many challenges they face with oral health.

The following guidelines represent the basic elements of diabetic dental patient education which we provide to every person who walks through our doors.

More detailed information on each of these points may be obtained by contacting our office either through our Ask the Dentist forum or by calling 888-790-0309.

1. Oral Hygiene is foundational to diabetic oral health.
You need to understand that consistent, good oral hygiene will help prevent the majority of periodontal problems. If you have bleeding gums, this may be a sign of infection.

If you experience these symptoms, schedule a visit with your Houston dental hygienist and Houston dentist. Diabetics who notice bleeding gums or other unusual lesions in the mouth should see a dentist immediately.

2. Dental Checkups should be scheduled every 6 months.
Because diabetics may not even be unaware that they have gum disease, they need to see a Houston dental hygienist and a Houston dentist every 6 months.

If you have gone any longer than this, you need to setup and appointment with our team as soon as possible. Also, make certain that the dentist knows about your diabetes if this is the first time you are seeing us.

3. Diabetes Control is one of the most important aspects of patient dental education.
Patients with Type I or Type II diabetes need to be aware that any periodontal infection may make it more difficult to control diabetes. Conversely poor diabetic control may increase susceptibility to periodontal infection.

4. Diabetics need to know that they are more likely to get gum infections than nondiabetics. These infections may take longer to heal. Persistent infection may lead to the loss of teeth.

If you are diabetic and have any form of gum disease, or if you even suspect you may have a mouth infection, call our office and schedule an appointment immediately.

5. Natural Dentition is another important aspect of dental patient education.
Because of the importance of proper diet in helping control diabetes, you want to do everything you can to keep your existing teeth. You may have problems wearing dentures, so call us and make an appointment if you have not had a thorough dental examination in the past 6 months.

Remember that the goal here is to stay on top of your diabetes not just by staying on top of the disease, but also by staying on top of things like oral health that can affect its management.

Labels: diabetic dental patients, patient education

Dale Brandt, a Houston Cosmetic Dentist here at the Medical Center Dental Group in Houston Texas, recently answered some questions on how patients with diabetes can prevent periodontal disease.

How do you help diabetics prevent periodontal disease?
We tell them that the most important thing they can do is to control their blood glucose. Healthy blood glucose levels decreases the risk of tooth and gum problems. Persons who have diabetes, particularly individuals whose blood sugar is not controlled, are at a much higher risk of gum disease than nondiabetics.

If I have gum disease, will this make my diabetes worse?
Houston cosmetic dentists such as myself have observed a reciprocal relationship between the two. Just as poorly controlled diabetes can affect the health of gums, diseased gums can make it harder to control your diabetes. Once you get an infection in your gums, it will take you longer to heal.

Can diabetes threaten the teeth themselves?
Yes. If a gum infection lasts for too long, you could end up losing teeth. Much of what you eat requires good teeth for chewing. It is extremely important for all of us to preserve our teeth. Because bone surrounding teeth can be damaged by infection, any dentures that a Houston cosmetic dentist gives you may still not fit properly. Dentures simply cannot be perfect substitutes for your natural teeth.

What can I do to prevent this from happening?
The most important thing next to controlling your blood glucose is to take good, responsible care of your teeth and gums. You need to use a soft-bristle brush between the gums and the teeth in a vibrating motion. Place the rubber tip on the toothbrush between the teeth and move it in a circle.

My gums have been bleeding recently. Does this mean I have gum disease?
It is a strong indication that you might. See a dentist immediately for a full dental checkup. Our office will check you for Periodontitis, oral cancer, and tooth decay. We will also take a full set of X-rays while you are here. You should also notify your Houston cosmetic dentist if you notice other abnormal changes in your mouth, such as patches of whitish-colored skin.

How often should I have a dental checkup?
You should have a checkup at least once every 6 months. Be sure to tell your Houston cosmetic dentist that you have diabetes. Ask him or her to show demonstrate all hygiene and self-care procedures so you can stay on top of your dental health at home. This will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Why should a diabetic come to your office for a dental examination?
If you have Type I or Type II diabetes, you are more susceptible to a number of oral health problems. You will need more dental care. You also will take longer to heal, so coming to a facility such as ours that provides both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services gives you access to better technology and more options for advanced treatment, such as LANAP.

Labels: dental care for diabetics, periodontal disease

While LPT (LANAP) is much easier on mouth tissues than traditional surgery, it is still technically a form of surgery in the sense that it involves removing diseased tissue from healthy tissue. Healing generally occurs faster due to the sterilization effect the laser beam has on gum tissue, but infection is still a possibility after LPT unless certain steps are taken to give your mouth the best possible chance at healing.

Houston dentists recommend reduced activity for several hours following the surgery.

It is advisable to spit, rinse, and wash your mouth today. Rinse as directed with Peridex or Periogard in the morning and in the evening.

Houston dentists recommend rinsing gently every 3 hours with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoons of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water).

Do not chew on the side of your mouth where LANAP has been done.

Avoid tongue or cheek pressure to the area where LPT was performed.

Avoid hot and spicy foods.

Keep your mouth as clean as possible in order to help the healing process. Brush, floss, and follow all home-care measures in all the areas of your mouth except for the area where LANAP was performed.

Do not be alarmed if you experience
Light bleeding
Slight swelling
Some soreness, tenderness, or tooth sensitivity

If a piece of surgical packing falls out, or if the entire pack loosens or falls out, do not be alarmed.

You may experience swelling. To minimize this, gently place an ice pack on the outside of your face for 20 minutes each hour until you retire for sleep that night. Do not use the ice bag beyond the day of periodontal surgery.

You may notice a slight oozing of blood. When the blood dissolves in saliva it will look much greatly exaggerated. Locate the oozing and apply pressure in this area. If you cannot locate it, rinse your mouth gently with iced water and apply a wet tea bag to the general area. Call your Houston dentist if you cannot get the bleeding to stop.

It is essential to maintain a healthy food and fluid intake. Eat soft and nutritious food such as eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, malts, ice cream, etc., until you can comfortably return to a normal diet.

Take all prescribed medication as directed by your Houston dentist.

Please call our office if you experience any of the following:

Prolonged or severe pain
Prolonged or excessive bleeding
Considerably elevated or persistent temperature

Do not be alarmed if teeth that were loose become sore and tender as the bone and ligaments around the teeth regenerate and firm. This is a sign of healing, but also can indicate the presence of a bite imbalance that may need adjusting.

Call your Houston dentist to be on the safe side.

Labels: LANAP, LPT, post operative dental care

Dale Brandt, a Houston Cosmetic Dentist here at the Medical Center Dental Group in Houston Texas, recently answered some questions on how patients with diabetes can prevent periodontal disease.

How do you help diabetics prevent periodontal disease?
We tell them that the most important thing they can do is to control their blood glucose. Healthy blood glucose levels decreases the risk of tooth and gum problems. Persons who have diabetes, particularly individuals whose blood sugar is not controlled, are at a much higher risk of gum disease than nondiabetics.

If I have gum disease, will this make my diabetes worse?
Houston cosmetic dentists such as myself have observed a reciprocal relationship between the two. Just as poorly controlled diabetes can affect the health of gums, diseased gums can make it harder to control your diabetes. Once you get an infection in your gums, it will take you longer to heal.

Can diabetes threaten the teeth themselves?
Yes. If a gum infection lasts for too long, you could end up losing teeth. Much of what you eat requires good teeth for chewing. It is extremely important for all of us to preserve our teeth. Because bone surrounding teeth can be damaged by infection, any dentures that a Houston cosmetic dentist gives you may still not fit properly. Dentures simply cannot be perfect substitutes for your natural teeth.

What can I do to prevent this from happening?
The most important thing next to controlling your blood glucose is to take good, responsible care of your teeth and gums. You need to use a soft-bristle brush between the gums and the teeth in a vibrating motion. Place the rubber tip on the toothbrush between the teeth and move it in a circle.

My gums have been bleeding recently. Does this mean I have gum disease?
It is a strong indication that you might. See a dentist immediately for a full dental checkup. Our office will check you for Periodontitis, oral cancer, and tooth decay. We will also take a full set of X-rays while you are here. You should also notify your Houston cosmetic dentist if you notice other abnormal changes in your mouth, such as patches of whitish-colored skin.

How often should I have a dental checkup?
You should have a checkup at least once every 6 months. Be sure to tell your Houston cosmetic dentist that you have diabetes. Ask him or her to show demonstrate all hygiene and self-care procedures so you can stay on top of your dental health at home. This will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Why should a diabetic come to your office for a dental examination?
If you have Type I or Type II diabetes, you are more susceptible to a number of oral health problems. You will need more dental care. You also will take longer to heal, so coming to a facility such as ours that provides both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services gives you access to better technology and more options for advanced treatment, such as LANAP.

Labels: dental care for diabetics, LANAP, periodontal disease, periodontal disease and diabetes

What do I need to tell my Houston dentist about my diabetes?

· Discuss any changes or new developments in your medical history
· Let your Houston dentist know if the disease is under control or not.
· List all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking

How can diabetes affect my oral health?

· It can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.
· It can cause salivary gland dysfunction.
· It can cause fungal infections.
· It can trigger inflammatory skin diseases like lichen planus and lichenoid reactions
· It can complicate infection and delay healing.
· It can impair taste buds.

Does diabetes cause periodontal disease?
Diabetes weakens the immune system, so gum tissue is likely to be affected. Periodontal disease is often linked to the control of diabetes. You may have periodontal disease and not have all of the warning signs. If you notice any of the warning signs of gum disease, see your dentist immediately.

Because diabetes lowers resistance and a prolongs, the longer healing process, periodontal disease often develops among persons with diabetes. It also tends to be more severe.

How can I fight this?
Stay on top of your blood sugar levels. A well-balanced diet is also necessary that will meet your nutritional needs. Practice good oral care at home, and see your Houston dentist on a regular basis. In fact, if you are a diabetic either Type I or Type II, you need to see the dentist more often because of the many complications to oral health you potentially face.

What do I do about the dry mouth I often get?
Chewing sugarless gum will help. If you do not like gum use sugarless mints. You can also sip on water or use melting ice chips. DO NOT chew on ice. Also, restrict your use of caffeine and alcohol. Nothing good comes from smoking so we do not even need to elaborate on that point.

What other some other oral conditions that can be associated with diabetes?
Oral candidiasis, which is a fungal infection in the mouth, seems to be more prevalent among diabetics, including those who wear dentures. Your Houston dentist may prescribe antifungal medications to treat this condition. Consistent and proper oral hygiene is a must.

Another problem is a skin disorder called Lichen planus. It produces lesions in the mouth. More severe strains produce painful ulcers that erode surface tissue. While there is no permanent cure, your Houston dentist may prescribe a topical anesthetic or other medication to reduce and relieve the condition.

What if I need oral surgery?
Infection is a risk for those with diabetes. This can make it more difficult to control blood glucose levels. If you are having extensive oral surgery, your Houston dentist may prescribe antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. LANAP is a much better procedure for diabetics because it involves minimal cutting of tissue, and because the laser is sterilizes tissue as it removes diseased material.

Labels: diabetes, houston dentists, laser periodontal therapy

For a long time, Houston dentists have known that risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and drug use contribute to the premature birth of infants with a low birth weight. New evidence is appearing that suggests a new risk factor – gum disease.

Pregnant women with periodontal disease could be as much as seven times more likely to give birth to a baby that is born too early and too small. It is important for us to answer a few questions in regards to what causes this.

At what stage does periodontal disease have this effect?
Periodontal disease is long-term, chronic infection of the gums. Pregnancy will not cause periodontal disease. Most pregnant women have experienced gum disease a long time before conception. That is why it is so important to get a dental examination before getting pregnant.

This is the one way to ensure that you will have a healthy baby. While pregnancy does not call Periodontitis, it can cause pregnancy gingivitis to develop. This is caused by the elevated hormone levels of pregnancy, and it can occur in women with healthy mouths.

How can pregnant women reduce these risks?
It is also important that every pregnant woman have her teeth cleaned at least 2 to 3 times during her term. This helps ensure the delivery of a full term, healthy baby. More research is required to confirm just how periodontal disease affects pregnancy outcomes.

It appears that gum disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor. In addition to this, data indicates that women whose periodontal condition worsens during pregnancy have a higher risk of premature delivery.

All infections are grounds for concern among pregnant women because they can affect the health of the baby. The Academy of Periodontology recommends that women considering pregnancy have a periodontal evaluation.

What specific things does The Houston Medical Center Dental Group do for pregnant women during the course of such evaluation?
We perform a comprehensive dental exam. This includes all the necessary x-rays, digital photos, oral cancer screen, periodontal screening, a head and neck exam and an evaluation for their teeth.

If you discover a mild case of periodontal disease, how do you treat it?
In most cases, we can treat mild cases of periodontal disease with scaling and root planning. This is done over a course of 3 to 4 appointments. The hygienist is an expert at this treatment.

How do you treat a severe case of periodontal disease?
We use LANAP. We have found that Laser Periodontal Therapy is far more effective than traditional periodontal surgery because it poses less risk of infection and facilitates faster healing rates.

At what point do you have to involve an MD?
If necessary, we will involve the MD if the patient has a severe periodontal problem while the mother is pregnant. We will also consult them before and during treatment.

Labels: laser periodontal therapy, perio-preterm low birth rate, periodontal disease

Is it true mouth bacteria can cause COPD?
They do not cause it, but they can make it worse. Lung infections occur from inhaling fine droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs. These droplets carry germs that can multiply in the lungs and cause damage. Research suggests that throat and mouth, can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract.

These germs then cause infections and worsen the condition of the lungs. People who have respiratory ailments, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), typically suffer the most.

What is COPD, then, and what causes it?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) cause persistent obstruction of the airways that interferes with normal breathing. The primary cause of this disease is believed to be long-term smoking.

Chemicals from smoke and air pollution irritate the airways to cause obstruction. Further damage to lung tissue function of the lungs can be prevented, but already damaged tissue cannot be restored. COPD, if untreated or undetected can result in irreversible damage.

Scientists believe that through the aspiration process, bacteria will cause frequent recurrences of infection in COPD patients. Studies are now underway to learn to what extent oral hygiene and periodontal disease may be associated with more frequents bouts of respiratory disease in COPD patients.

What do you do for COPD patients to help them achieve better oral hygiene?
Smokers are the primary group of patients with COPD. They are much more susceptible to perio disease, their healing rate is not as good, their chances of having successful implants is less – nothing good comes from smoking. As this group has greater needs, we generally recommend more frequent dental hygiene visits – needed to keep them healthy – and along with this goes patient education while they are here. Oral cancer screening is an important part of their care, as is biopsy or referral for cases with outright visible oral pathology present. In order to try to stay healthy, this group has greater challenges. In addition to more frequent dental visits, they need to use all the aids for good hygiene: electric toothbrushes (Sonicare is our favorite), daily dental flossing, fluoride rinses, etc.

Does your team have the means of detecting an orally-induced breathing problem and referring the patient to an MD?
Visual cancer examinations every time we see them, with a vigilant eye on the smokers, as they have much more problems than the non-smoking patient.

How does it benefit a COPD patient to see a dentist?
Early detection leads to early treatment and better chances of success with any cancer treatment.

Labels: copd, periodontal disease, smoking

Sometimes you may lose one or more teeth. This can be because the tooth is too far gone to be repaired, and a Houston cosmetic dentist recommends extraction and replacement. It can also be because the tooth is knocked out by some unfortunate accident.

Regardless, a lost tooth is the beginning of complications, not the end. The gap that it creates will then create an indention in your gums and jawbone where the tooth once was.

A Houston cosmetic dentist can correct in this defect with a procedure called ridge augmentation. This will recapture the natural contour of your gums and jaw. A new tooth can then be created that is natural looking, easy-to-clean, and beautiful.

What would cause bone recession in the first place?
It is the nature of the body to reabsorb bone in this fashion. Bone requires vibrational stimulus to signal that brain to send it blood and nutrients for the maintaining and replication of bone cells.

When there is no vibration in a bone, the brain interprets this as a loss of need for the bone, so it reabsorbs the calcium and other minerals that constitute the bone’s makeup and uses these substances for other purposes.

How does this happen in the mouth?
Teeth and bones are intertwined. The roots penetrate into the bone, and the bone grows around the root. When teeth chew food, the vibrations they resonate stimulate the bone and keep it dynamically vibrant. When a tooth is extracted or lost, the bone is reabsorbed into itself.

Without the roots of the tooth to grow around, the jawbone feels it has nothing better to do than to simply withdraw and retreat from the gum line. Over time this indention can actually cause you to lose bone mass. This is not something you want to happen because it can become permanent.

So you see, this is what causes the indentation of the gum. It is both unnatural looking and will often cause a replacement tooth to look too long compared to the adjacent teeth.

What material is used to make this ridge augmentation?
The Houston cosmetic dentist has different options for performing a ridge augmentation. He or she can do use autogenously extracted bone (which means taken from the patient), donor bone, or artificial bone. All of these bone graft materials work, but the autogenously and donor bone works the best.

How do you attach it to the tooth?
Many times when implants are not placed in the extracted site, fixed porcelain bridges will be used to replace the missing teeth. Adjoining teeth are used as abutments to support the new bridge.

Do you have to do anything to the gum tissue?
When a Houston cosmetic dentist does a ridge augmentation, he or she will pump the tissue up to help fill the void. In most instances the tissue is very thin and it covers the bone. Once we increase the bone volume in the edentulous site, it will look like the tissue has filled in.

Labels: bone loss, dental implants cosmetic dental implants, fixed porcelain bridge, perio ridge augmentation

Bones and gums must fit together. One could compare the ideal fit to that of a turtleneck shirt around a neck. This fit is made possible by connective, supporting tissue that binds gums to teeth.

When you have periodontal disease, the infection destroys this supporting tissue. The bone also gets destroyed, and pockets develop between the gum, the teeth, and the bones. As this condition worsens, the teeth lose their grip and begin to deteriorate themselves. Eventually they will have to be extracted.

If this has happened to you, your Houston cosmetic dentist can help you with this. A revolutionary new procedure known as LANAP can reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue.

This procedure is known as Perio Regeneration, and it involves using membranes (filters), bone grafts, and tissue stimulating proteins to trigger your body’s ability to regenerate bone and tissue that has been destroyed by periodontal disease.

Your Houston Cosmetic Dentist must use a special dental laser to perform perio regeneration. This laser is known as the Periolase MVP-7, and it has revolutionized periodontal surgery much like LASIK revolutionized ophthalmology. It is the very best tool to use for removing diseased tissue and killing the disease-causing bacteria that infected the gums to begin with.

But exactly how does a laser help a cosmetic dentist remove microscopic bacteria and infected tissue? The answer lies in the patented protocol of the Periolase MVP-7 itself. The laser is very precise, and it cuts away the diseased tissue in the pocket itself. With its heat, it also kills the disease causing bacteria that thrive in hidden, hard to reach areas of the pocket, root surface and bone.

Not only do metal cutting tools do damage to healthy tissue, they simply cannot reach all of these areas as efficiently as a dental laser.

When a Houston cosmetic dentist performs this procedure, he or she puts the patient under local anesthesia. There is never any pain. Before using the laser, the cosmetic dentist will use ultrasonic scalars to remove calculus (hardened plaque) from the root surfaces of the teeth.

A bite adjustment will also be done at the end of the procedure in order to take the pressure of mobile teeth. The best part about this procedure as compared to traditional periodontal surgery there is no or little pain after the procedure.

There are many options to enhance support for your teeth and to restore your bone to a healthy level. Your dentist will discuss your best options with you.

The greatest benefit that perio regeneration offers is the elimination of existing bacteria and the regenerating bone and tissue helps to reduce pocket depth and repair damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease.

After the cosmetic dentist finishes this procedure, all the patient needs to do is follow the post operative instructions completely. Also, the patient follows a liquid and soft diet in the days following the procedure.

Labels: perio regeneration, periodontal disease, periodontal pocket, The PerioLase® MVP-7 Dental Laser

Bacterial plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease. However, there are other factors that can also cause gum disease, and we want you to be aware of these factors.

Tobacco
Tobacco has long been suspected to be a cause of gum disease. In fact, research is beginning to suggest that it is one of the most significant risk factors of periodontal illness.

Genetics
Researchers believe that as much as 30% of the population may have a genetic predisposition gum disease. This is because in spite of aggressive oral care, such people may be six times more likely to Periodontitis even though they are not exposed to other typical causes of gum disease. A genetic test is now available that can identify these people and help them develop a proactive self-care plan.

Pregnancy, Puberty, and Menopause
The hormonal changes brought on by puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can all cause gum disease in women. Gums will become more sensitive during these times as they react strongly to hormonal fluctuations.

Stress
As you probably already know, stress generates a number of serious conditions in human beings. One of these is periodontal disease. Stress, in general, makes it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including gum infections.

Certain Medications
Some drugs, like oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and some heart medication, can affect the health of your mouth. This is something you need to talk to your doctor, pharmacist, and dentist about.

Bruxism
Teeth grinding is another cause of gum disease. The force of grinding teeth puts excessive pressure on the supportive tissues of the teeth and speeds up the rate at which periodontal tissues are destroyed.

Diabetes and Other Systemic Diseases
Diabetes causes the risk factors of many infections to increase, including the risk of periodontal diseases. Gum infections can impair the body’s ability to process insulin, which in turn makes it more difficult to control the infection. Any disease that interferes with the body’s immune system can also worse gum conditions.

Treatment Options
A diagnosis of periodontal disease will also be accompanied by a recommended plan of treatment. The more severe the case of gum disease, the more intensive must be the treatment.

Your dentist may recommend periodontal surgery. This is normally recommended when your dentist discovers that the tissue around your teeth is too unhealthy to heal itself and requires surgery to have the disease areas removed.

There are four procedures that are used to treat periodontal disease.

• Pocket Reduction Procedures
• Regenerative Procedures
• Crown Lengthening
• Soft Tissue Grafts

One advantage of coming to our office for such treatments is our specialization in Laser Periodontal Therapy, which uses a much more precise and bio-friendly surgical laser to replace metal cutting instruments.

Labels: Gum Disease, periodontal disease

For the first three days after Laser Therapy, Houston cosmetic dentists advise you to follow only a liquid- like diet to speed up healing. Anything that you can put in a blender and liquefy will work. In fact, liquefying some of your favorite foods is the ideal way to create a healthy and palatable post-LANAP diets.

The reason why Houston cosmetic dentists advise their patients to do this is to protect the clot that is acting as a “band-aid” between the gum and the teeth. We do not want you to drink through a straw, however. The suction of drinking through a straw will create a vacuum in your mouth that will disturb the “band-aid”. Just drink from a class, and be sure to also take daily vitamins.

For the following four days after LANAP treatment, you can begin to eat foods with a “mushy” consistency such as those listed below

Anything you can liquefy in a food blender
You can eat cream of wheat, oatmeal, malt o meal
You can have mashed potatoes or baked potatoes – ok with butter/sour cream
Mashed banana mashed avocado, applesauce or any mashed/blended fruit except berries with seeds are also healthy and safe food choices.
Broth or creamed soup is a good, nutritious, and liquid food choice.
Mashed, steamed vegetables are good for blood, tissue healing, and easy on the teeth.
Mashed yams, baked sweet potato or butternut squash are good sources of carbohydrates.
Cottage cheese cream or soft cheese are ideal snacks.
Creamy peanut butter without solid pieces is another ideal snack.
Eggs any style, with or without melted cheese are good protein sources.
Omelets can have cheese and avocado.
Jell-o, pudding, ice cream, yogurt are great desserts.
Milk shake/smoothies – ok to blend with fruit except no berries w/ seeds, along with Ensure, slim fast -nutritional drinks are great meal substitutes and taste great as well.

NEVER: Chew gum, candy, cookies, chips, nuts, anything hard or crunchy, anything that has seeds or hard pieces, meat that shreds and can lodge under the gum and between teeth, raw vegetables/salad.

After seven to ten days following LANAP, it is ok to start eating soft foods. These are foods that have the consistency of pasta, fish, chicken or steamed vegetables. You may then, under the supervision of your Houston cosmetic dentist, gradually ease back your regular diet choices.

Please remain aware of the fact that even 10 day after your LANAP procedure, your gums are not completely healed. You need to continue making smart food choices, and when in doubt, always err on the side of soft foods.

Labels: diet, Houston Cosmetic Dentists, LANAP

Houston general dentists use a variety of mouthpieces to treat cosmetic dental problems. These night guards also offer medical benefits to our patients. Protective acrylic splints, colloquially known as night guards, are used by both cosmetic and general dentists in Houston as adjunct supports to a variety of traditional and restorative treatment options.

Experience has proven that consistent use of these oral appliances can often lessen the need for more drastic—and expensive—dental procedures later down the line.

Houston general dentists and cosmetic dental experts often prescribe oral appliances to help alleviate muscular problems. When used in this manner, a night guard will help the patient achieve a very significant relaxation of facial and jaw muscles.

Acrylic splints are also prescribed by as a form of preventative dental care. In fact, many Houston general dentists now see them as dental care basics equivalent in importance to fluorides, sealants, and floss. When acrylic splints are used in this manner, they help achieve several objectives.

Bruxism
Bruxism is the dental term for tooth grinding. Often patients do not know they are grinding their teeth until they notice tooth sensitivity or aching in their mouths. After coming in for a dental appointment, close examination of the teeth reveals damage to the enamel due to excessive pressure and grinding.

Acrylic splints prevent teeth from making contact by separating the posterior teeth from the anterior teeth. This causes less pressure to be placed on the joint, and the disk within the joint as well.

TMJ dysfunction
Temporomandibular disorder, also known as TMD, is a cycle of pain, muscle spasms, and joint imbalance at the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, where the joint meets the skull. Only a thin disc of cartilage cushions these two bones is a thin disc of cartilage, and only five muscles support the joint.

When balance is lost between the muscles, cartilage, and bone, severe symptoms can erupt that include headaches, earaches, clicking sounds in the joint, aches in the joint, and difficulty opening and closing one’s mouth.

In TMD patients with, nightguards are used to help control the pain and imbalance. Full time use of a nightguard, in conjunction with other medical treatments, can drastically lessen the sometime severe pain of this condition.

Periodontal disease
There are four progressions of Periodontitis, ranging from the common gingivitis to advanced Periodontal disease that can cause health problems in other parts of the body, such as the heart and the lungs.

In patients with moderate to advanced Periodontitis, splints are prescribed by general dentists in Houston to distribute forces, decrease trauma, and to aid in the healing process following treatment.

This type of conservative treatment will have an increasingly important place in a preventive philosophy of patient treatment.

Labels: acrylic splints, dental nightguards, mouth guard

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

Hello, I need a full mouth reconstruction. I have removable dentures at the present time. I need 8/8 upper/lower implants and 28 zircon crowns. I have already had the bone graft done, and x-rays are on hands.I would like to know what implants you use and cost , and what zircon crowns cost.

Thank you,
Sima

Hi, Sima –
It sounds like you are well along the path to get your reconstruction done. We would be happy to give you a second opinion and cost estimate. Please make a consult appointment to have this conversation. If you have x-rays, please bring them. If you do not have x-rays, we will take enough for us to understand the big picture.

We use several dental implants, but our favorite is BioHorizons, a long-standing and excellent implant system. But the brand of implant is not critical. There are many excellent systems that different doctors prefer, and we have done restorative work with several brands of implants. Crown costs vary, but you mention zirconia material – There are several different materials we use that are zirconia-based. The best known is Lava system, which has become popular in the profession. Most Lava crowns are in the range of $1400.

There is little that I can answer for you long distance. The only way I can really give you a fair alternative is to examine you and discuss it.

Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

I would like some price information on teeth whitening please.

Thanks for the enquiry. The cost of teeth whitening can vary greatly; depending on what we do to lighten (whiten) your teeth. There are many different procedures from simple tray bleaching to in office whitening procedures. You can also do direct bonding or porcelain veneers to whiten you teeth. That is why it is difficult to give exact costs. Please give us a call and we would be happy to help you explore your treatment options.

Dale J. Brant, DDS
Charles Campbell, DDS
(713) 795-5905

Labels: cosmetic tooth procedures, cosmetic tooth whitening

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

What does it mean when your teeth start to shift and space out from where they once were? My teeth use to be close together. Now, they are very sensitive to certain temperatures, and they are now turning yellow. I use to go to the dentist faithfully, but have not been in 10 years. What should I do about this problem? I'm thinking of getting them all pulled. Is this a good idea?
-Pamela

Thanks for the inquiry – obviously you need to go to the dentist for a comprehensive exam. This should include photos, x-rays, and possibly study models or other diagnostic according to your need. Too many questions to have a chance without seeing you personally….but here is some info about your questions:

1. There is some normal movement of teeth over the years on most people – obvious shifting of teeth is not usually good news – periodontal involvement and loss of bony base is often the culprit for what is called pathologic migration.
2. Cold sensitivity can be many things, defective restorations, new areas of decay, dominant grinding of the teeth, soft tissue recession and exposure of root surfaces… long list
3. yellow teeth – sometimes this is surface stain that can be polished off – sometimes it is decay or stain that is not removable
4. You certainly cannot make the decision to pull all your teeth without looking around carefully.

You will find that there are always several options for treatment. If there are some teeth that are hopeless, many times there are others that are strong and can contribute to restorative dentistry. Dental implants is often a consideration in complex situations where strength is lacking. Start with a comprehensive exam and hear the recommendations…

Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905

Labels: sensitivity to cold, space between teeth

X-rays are an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum capable of entering solid objects. Here, they are either absorbed or continue to pass through the object. The denser the object is, the more it tends to absorb X-rays.

Because teeth and bone are very dense, so they absorb X-rays. Gums and cheeks, being much less dense, allow X-rays to pass through more easily.

This is why, when a Houston dentist takes your X-rays, that your cheeks and gums always look darker and lacking in detail, and why your teeth show up as looking much lighter. Fillings are even denser than bone, so they show up looking like solid, bright areas. Cavities, however, will show up as looking like darker patches on the teeth.

There are X-rays taken with film, and there are X-rays taken with Digital Radiographs. The X-rays behave in the same manner in both scenarios, but the digital electronic sensor instantly interprets the data and sends it to a computer, which in turn generates an image on the screen.

While people always get nervous about any form of radiation, it should be noted that the X-ray machines used by Houston Dentists emit only an extremely small amount of radiation. One or two exposures is never going to hurt anyone. However, the effects of cumulative doses can have negative impact on cell growth and vitality. This is why Houston dentists and other medical professionals always use X-rays on a very judicious basis.

We also take several precautions to further protect the patient from unnecessary radiation exposure. These steps are practical and beneficial for all parties involved.

1. X-ray dosage is limited by limiting the width of the beam only to the area being x-rayed. Normally, this is an area less than 3 inches in diameter.
2. Routine checks and licensing of all machines to make sure they are producing precisely the desired amount of X-rays and no more.
3. Some Houston dentists drape still drape lead aprons over their patients to provide them with an added precaution and peace of mind. These aprons are no longer really necessary, but they certainly do not hurt and often help put the patient at ease.
4. Digital radiography, more than anything else, has reduced the amount of radiation used in X-rays by as much as 80 percent, thanks to superior technology.

Here at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group, we strive to give our patients the very best bedside manner combined with dental medicine’s latest technology. Our use of digital radiography and intraoral cameras has made our Cosmetic Dentistry Center renowned throughout the city as one of the most advanced dental diagnostic and patient friendly Houston dentist offices in town.
If you are past due for a checkup and worried about things such as dental probes and primitive X-ray film that you have to bite down on, consider coming in for an appointment to see one of our specialists and explore the new worlds of comfort and cosmetic joy that advanced technology and specialized cosmetic dental services can offer to your smile today.

Labels: dental x-rays, digital dental radiography, digital dental X-rays

Laser Periodontal Therapy is a highly sophisticated dental procedure that is approved by the FDA It is used primarily for the treatment of periodontal disease and bone regeneration.

LPT can help eliminate infection and heal diseased gum tissue which, if left untreated, can lead to early tooth loss. Research suggests that dental infections may also be associated with hardening of the arteries, heart attack, stroke and premature births.

Laser periodontal therapy (LPT) represents a true technological revolution in the treatment of periodontal disease, analogous to the advance that LASIK brought to the world of ophthalmology. LPT takes some of the most effective treatment methodologies that have been used for decades and improves them with the conservative use of a laser.

This very unique blend of treatments now proves to be just as effective as surgery for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Houston cosmetic dentists prefer to use the LPT procedure as often as possible because it allows us to preserves as much of the healthy gum tissue as possible. It also better maintains the height of the gums around the teeth, and it minimizes the amount of discomfort felt by the patient.

The laser generates a tiny beam of concentrated light energy. This energy sterilizes the area, removes diseased tissue only, and it facilitates the scaling and root planing that is also critical to the procedure.

The LPT procedure is basic enough, with the advanced Periolase™ laser doing the majority of the work that more primitive, metal cutting tools once did.

A Perio probe reveals exactly how much excessive pocket depth is present.
B The dentist uses the laser to remove bacteria and diseased tissue.
C The dentist then cleans root surface tartar using an ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments.
D The dentist uses the laser to finish cleaning the pocket and to also seal the pocket closed so new germs cannot enter.
E The healing of gums to now clean root surface occurs.
F Any bite trauma is adjusted.
G Healing occurs.

Benefits of LPT:

• Because laser periodontal therapy involves no cutting of tissue, it results in faster healing.
• Also, because there is not cutting of healthy tissue, there is also minimal post-operative pain. What discomfort there is can easily be managed with Motrin®.
• Because the laser cauterizes blood vessels as it cuts away diseased tissue, there is less bleeding both during the procedure and after the procedure.
• Patients spend less time in the dental chair than they do in traditional surgery.
• The heat of the laser sterilizes the periodontal pocket, so the risk of infection is minimized.
• Laser periodontal therapy also decreases sensitivity both during and after the treatment.
• There are other benefits besides treating gum disease. These include:
  -Removing the stinging sensation of Aphtous ulcers.
  -Performing frenectomy and gingivectomy procedures.

Labels: LANAP, laser assisted new attachment procedure, laser periodontal therapy, LPT

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

I recently noticed that my lower gum is getting lower and lower. It is almost as if it is disappearing. I know another person with the same problem, and he told me that he had surgery done to fix the problem. Is surgery the solution here? If so, what type of surgery? Maybe I can ask my dentist in my next appointment. Thank you.

What you are seeing could be many different things, from simple inflammation to periodontal disease… you need to start with your dentist and ask. Much too broad of a question to guess at from afar… call and get an exam appointment by a dentist, not your friend, who may have had a completely different issue.

Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
713-795-5905

Periodontal procedures are available to you through our expert team of local Houston cosmetic dentists. These procedure will help stop further dental problems and gum recession, and they will improve the esthetics of your gum line.

Gum recession can cause tooth roots to become exposed, causing teeth to look abnormally long. You may want to have a Houston cosmetic dentist improve your smile by covering one or more of these roots. Then again, you may not be bothered by the way these teeth look, but you suffer from constant discomfort as hot and cold liquids cause the nerves in the exposed roots to react..

There are many reasons why gums recede to begin with. You may have brushed your teeth with a hard bristle brush too aggressively. You may also suffer from periodontal disease. A dental examination by a Houston cosmetic dentist will be necessary to see which of these is the case.

Regardless of what ultimately caused your gum recession to occur in the first place, your Houston cosmetic dentist can correct the problem with a soft tissue graft. These grafts are done to cover roots and to develop gum tissue where it is absent. This procedure is also called “periodontal plastic surgery” and involves taking gum tissue from the palate or another donor source and using it to cover the tooth root.

1. When you arrive at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group, the first thing your cosmetic dentist will do is perform a complete dental examination of your mouth. This will check for things such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
2. The recipient site (in this case, the receding gum line) is prepared for the graft.
3. The donor site is chosen and prepared. Your dentist will take tissue from one area and move it to another. Or, tissue may simply be detached from an adjacent gum and rotated over so that original blood vessels can be used in the graft.
4. Sometimes, our Houston cosmetic dentists can use tissue that does not require a second surgical site.
5. Once healing has occurred, the recipient site has more tissue covering key areas.

This can be done for only one tooth, or it can be done for several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity.

There are several benefits offered by soft tissue grafts. A soft tissue graft will often reduce further recession and bone loss. In some cases, it can protect exposed roots from decay by covering them again. Your smile will obviously improve as a result of this procedure. Regardless of whether you have a soft tissue graft done purely for aesthetic reasons for primarily medical reasons, you can expect the quality of your life to improve as a result.

Labels: perio-tissue graft, periodontal plastic surgery, soft tisseu grafts

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

How many of my own teeth do I need to have in order for me to be able to successfully use the Thornton Adjustable Positioner? I have 20 of my own original teeth, and have both upper and lower partial plates. I need to find out about this as soon as possible so I can either proceed one way or another with being fitted for one of these devices. I appreciate your help with this.

Hi, Robert,

Any of the devices that advance the mandible for airway enhancement do best if there are some solid teeth to anchor to. If your teeth are solid, then you are probably OK as is. These would be made to fit after you take out your partial dentures.

Just for your information, however, it is possible to treat someone who is completely without teeth – we would be looking for adequate bone to place a few implants in key location – that can provide adequate strength for this type of treatment.

The TAP appliance you mention is probably the mostly widely-used appliance for years. Our favorite at the time, however is the SOMNOMED device. You can look it up at this address: http://www.somnomed.com/Home_USA.aspx

It is shaped differently, but patients like it better. It has been around for a long time also. Since there are over 30 different MAS appliances that have FDA approval for this treatment, there is really no need for you to worry about what brand is used – more important for you to understand the overall goal – to improve airway and oxygenation.
Let me know if we can help you further.

Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905

Labels: somnomed MAS

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

I am interested in getting the Invisalign braces; however, I am currently in Iraq. What kind of procedure do you have for those who go home on leave to get the Invisalign?
-Natalie

“Invisible braces”, or clear aligners, are very popular. Your problem, however, is that it cannot be done long distance. During a typical course of treatment, you would come into the office about every 3 weeks, and we have to do different things, sometimes adjust the teeth or create room where you are crowded….not something you can do from afar. It is hands-on treatment.

My advice would be to save this project until you are out of Iraq and in a location that you can have this done – ideally if you could be perhaps a year in one spot to follow through with one doctor…

Please give us a call if you are going to be in our area – best of luck…

Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905

Labels: clear aligners, clear braces, invisalign aligners

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

Can you develop Tinnitus from dental surgery? I had dental surgery 10 years ago and developed Tinnitus a short while after the operation and still have it today!
Thanks!

Thanks for your inquiry.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound. There are many things that can lead up to or cause tinnitus. Some of these causes can include hearing loss due to excessive loud noises which can be job related. Diseases such as Meniere’s disease can be a cause. Toxic heavy metals such as mercury and lead exposure will set off tinnitus. Medications such as aspirin, NSAID’s, and antibiotics have been implicated in causing tinnitus. As you can see there are many things that can cause your problem. These are all non-dental causes and these are just a few of them.

Dentally, temporal mandibular disease has been implicated as a cause of tinnitus. I have no idea what type of dental surgery that you have had. My suggestion is for you to get a thorough evaluation by a physician and dentist. Hopefully, they will be able to help you out.

Dale J. Brant, DDS

Charles Campbell, DDS

888.790.0309

Labels: heavy metals, mandibular disease, tinnitus

Houston cosmetic dentists perform a number of periodontal procedures that offer restorative and cosmetic benefit to the appearance of your gum line.

Some of you may have already conferred with a Houston dentist in the past about a condition that some call a gummy smile. This means your teeth appear too short when you smile. The problem does not lie with your teeth, either, but rather in the fact that there is simply too much gum tissue covering their surfaces.

Maybe your tooth has decayed and broken below the gum line, or maybe it has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the amount of gum tissue to expose more of the tooth so it can be seen.

In order to do this, a Houston cosmetic dentist will perform a procedure known as a crown lengthening. The following questions and answers are provided for those of you who have inquired about the nature and details of this treatment option.

Does crown lengthening hurt?
This is a surgical procedure, but it is not a complicated one that involves any real sense of discomfort. There will be some discomfort after the surgery, but nothing that something like Advil cannot fix. Most patients report a general sense of soreness in the mouth rather than any real sense of pain, per se.

So this does involve cutting into the gum?
In the first type of crown lengthening treatment (there are actually two procedures that Houston cosmetic dentists perform that are known by this name), gum tissue is cut away under minor anesthetic.
The first type of crown lengthening is very simple. We simply trim away excess gum tissue from the front of the teeth. In fact, as this is often done on adolescents, we often give them a mirror and let them watch. That way, they can see their smile literally improve right before their eyes.

In the second type of crown lengthening, we have do use techniques more common to general dentistry, although there is ultimately a cosmetic outcome in mind here. This type of procedure is intended to repair teeth that have been broken down by decay that goes far beneath gum tissue. We have to remove some of the gum tissue using soft tissue lasers in order to expose more of the tooth surfaces. We may also have to reshape teeth and bones using dental burs and surgical instruments, although it is seldom necessary to involve bone tissue in this procedure.

When do you recommend crown lengthening?
It is always our goal as Houston Cosmetic Dentists to look for ways to improve the smile of a person. Obviously, if the gums are hiding the teeth for any reason, we cannot ignore the problem this creates. Since this procedure is easy and comfortable, and since it generally offers instant payback in terms of cosmetics, we recommend it for anyone in good, general health.

Is there anyone for who this cannot be done?
There may be some patients with severe medical problems that cannot have this procedure performed. However, these cases are rare. The best thing to do if you have a gummy smile is come in to our office and let our Houston Cosmetic Dentists give you a dental checkup and review your medical records.

Labels: crown lengthening, Houston Cosmetic Dentists

Dental Tips for Diabetic PatientsHouston dentists work in the fourth largest city in the nation whose reputation as a premier center of medical treatment has gone around the world many times. Consequently, many of the patients we see suffer from other ailments besides those specific maladies that affect oral health. One of the more serious diseases that many of our patients have to contend with is diabetes.

In response to specific dental needs that these patients have, some of the best dentists in Houston have prepared the following list of guidelines for diabetics to follow.

• Controlling blood glucose is an essential element to preventing tooth and gum problems. Diabetics who do not control their glucose levels are more likely to get gum infections than non diabetics. Severe gum infections, in turn, cause complications with diabetes. Such an infection will take longer to heal, and as the infection persists, teeth may be lost.
• Diabetics are advised to use only a soft bristle tooth brush.• If bleeding occurs, the diabetic needs to get to a dentist immediately. Bleeding gums are almost always a sign of infection, and we have already discussed how serious gum infections are for diabetics.
• A person with diabetes who notices any strange changes in mouth coloration or tissue, such as whitish-colored skin patches, needs to contact a dentist in Houston immediately.
• If you are a diabetic, never be ashamed to tell your dentist about your condition, and never be ashamed to ask for special instructions on self-care and dental procedures.

There are certain patient education principles that the best dentists in Houston follow with their diabetic patients as a matter of course. The following summarizes our approach to dental care and self-managed hygiene.

Diabetes Control
Diabetc patients are informed of the difficulties that periodontal infection pose to controlling diabetes, and the difficulties in controlling diabetes poses to controlling periodontal disease.

Risk of Infection
Diabetes are informed how they stand a greater risk of gum infections than nondiabetics
Natural DentitionWe do everything we can to help diabetics maintain their natural teeth, because dentures generally do not provide them with the best options in tooth replacements.

Oral Hygiene
Diabetics are encouraged to follow a strict regimen of oral hygiene with no deviation. Any bleeding gums need to be reported to a Houston dentist immediately and a thorough exam must be done ASAP.

Dental Checkups
Many diabetics do not know they have periodontal disease, so they should have a checkup every 6 months.

The best dentists in Houston are those that treat the whole patient, not just the mouth of the patient. Consider this when seeking out new treatment options. Professionals here at the Cosmetic Dentistry Center have spent many years here in the Houston Medical Center working with diabetics and other special needs patients to ensure they get the maximum quality of dental treatment and the very most out of life.

Labels: best dentists in houston, dental guidelines for diabetics, diabetic dental patients, houston dentists

Ask the Dental Experts Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

Hello,

My lower right molar has a very large filling. I have an abscess and a boil has developed on the outside of my gum. Two courses of antibiotic treatment have not eradicated the infection. The abscess has caused no pain whatsoever and my dentist wants to do an extraction. I refused this and asked if root canal treatment could be considered, but he said "no". I am an NHS patient who resides in the UK. Could something be done to keep the tooth, albeit it probably is "dead". I would be grateful if you could give me an answer to my query.

Either solution could be right --- this is a common finding around an abscessed tooth. Root canal treatment is generally the best treatment, but there are absolutely situations in which the tooth cannot be saved. Root fracture, advanced decay, periodontal breakdown, and some other situations can make a tooth completely non-restorable. Cannot tell from afar, sorry..

Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905

Labels: abscess, root canal, root fracture

Who cleans our teeth?
Our trained and experienced team of Houston dental hygienists handles teeth cleaning here at the Medical Center Dental Group.

What tools do they use?
Dental hygienists use a number of tools that have been used in both General Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry for many years. These tools include small hand and rotary instruments. One of these is the tooth scaler. It is used to remove plaque from teeth. A sophisticated tool we use is an ultrasonic tool called a Piezo scaler that cleans, polishes and removes stains.

What else accompanies a dental cleaning?
Houston dental hygienists also brush and floss your teeth with a special toothbrush and toothpaste. The brush has a small, round tip that moves around to clean your teeth, and the toothpaste has a more grainy constitution to scrape residual plaque from tooth enamel.

The dental hygienist also flosses your teeth, partly as part of the treatment, and partly as a demonstration on the proper methods of flossing. Many people floss incorrectly so we always reiterate proper technique when patients come to see us.

Do Houston dental hygienists also check for cavities?
Yes. We take x-rays of your teeth and develop these for close examination by our team of dental specialists. These x-rays are critical to finding smaller cavities that hide in the spaces between teeth, or on the edges of teeth that even dental mirrors cannot easily find.

Does it hurt to get an x-ray done?
No. You do have to hold a piece of plastic in your mouth, but you do not have to bite down on it hard to the point that it hurts.

Is the radiation dangerous?
Not in the minuscule amounts you are exposed to in a tooth cleaning. As a precautionary measure as well, the hygienist also places a blanket over you that shields your body from the x-rays so that only your mouth is exposed during the procedure.

Do you give fluoride treatments?
Yes. We do not prescribe fluoride tablets for children, but we do as professionals carefully administer fluoride as part of a rigorous tooth cleaning. Fluoride, when administered in this fashion, does make teeth stronger and more resistant to cavities.

Does the dentist participate in the tooth cleaning?
Yes. The teeth cleaning are a team effort here at the Cosmetic Dentistry Center of Houston. Dental hygienists and dentists work together. After the hygienist takes and develops the x-rays, the dentist looks at them and goes over the results with you. He or she also takes a close look at your bite (how your teeth fit together).

What do you do if you find a problem?
We minimize the fear factor and demythologize the problem first and foremost. Then we talk about options (normally more than one) to tackle the problem. Then we talk about money and how to arrange for insurance to cover the solution or an in-house payment assistant plan to be arranged.

Labels: dental hygeine, dental hygiene, Houston dental hygienists, houston tooth cleaning, houston tooth whitening, teeth cleaning, tooth cleaning

ClearCorrect™ is a new form of invisible braces that is an ideal alternative to obtrusive, expensive, and often painful metal braces. The Cosmetic Dentistry Center at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group is a proud provider of ClearCorrect and wants to offer our patients this exciting new treatment option for tooth alignment problems.

With clear correct you can straighten out your teeth without brackets and wires with an invisible aligner that will result in a whole new smile you will be proud to show off.

You can also smile while wearing your invisible aligners because—well—they are invisible.

ClearCorrect™ uses a series of clear, custom, removable aligners to straighten out your teeth. While we call this device “invisible braces” what we are actually talking about is a mouthpiece that fits over the teeth. This mouthpiece aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time so you do not feel pain during the process. Over the course of the treatment plan, your teeth eventually straighten out.

When you come to our office, we first give you a complete, standard, full dental exam that includes screening for several diseases and also a full set of x-rays. We also check your medical history and make certain that there are no serious conditions we need to address first.

After that, we take a good, close look at your teeth and find exactly where the alignment problems are. If it is determined during this phase that ClearCorrect™ is the best option for you, we then take impressions and photographs of your teeth and send all of this data, along with your x-rays and a prescription for invisible braces, to ClearCorrect.

ClearCorrect works in close partnership with us—and with you—by then making exact 3D models of each of your teeth using the data we send them. They confer closely with us and follow the prescription for realignment we send them. They use this to plan a gradual process of adjustment that will move your teeth from their current positions toward where they need to be.

They project these results and send them back to us, where we can then review them with you and show you in a computer simulation what you can expect.

Once we have approved the plan together, ClearCorrect manufactures your custom aligners and sends them back to us. You then wear your aligners at all times except during meals or dental hygiene. These invisible braces are so clear you won’t even notice them, and neither will anyone else.

Periodically ClearCorrect will make a new set of invisible braces for you as each phase of the treatment plan progresses. Ultimately your smile will be straighter and better than ever, thanks to the amazing technology of ClearCorrect™.

Labels: ClearCorrect(TM), invisalign aligners, invisible braces

Houston smokers have felt increasingly pressed upon to quit their habits due to recent city-wide cessation laws. While many Houston smokers have complained about what they perceive to be an absurdity in disallowing smoking from places such as bars and nightclubs, some consideration needs to be given to the fact that recent studies have linked smoking to more than what was previously known about heart and lung diseases.

Tobacco use of all kinds is now showing to have definite causative links to many problems related to oral health including, but not limited to, gum recession, bone loss, and resulting tooth loss. Even smokers who smoke less than half a pack a day are three times more likely to develop gum disease than people who do not smoke at all.

This is sobering news for Houston smokers who have recently been considering giving up the habit due to the increasing unpopularity of the practice even in places that have been considered heretofore nefarious and shady.

Houston smokers need to educate themselves about some of the more unpleasant facts of periodontal disease before they assume that this is simply a case of minor irritation and occasionally bleeding gums. In reality, only a mild case of Periodontitis proves even that mild.

More severe cases, or course, are both more painful and damaging to the body as a whole.

The condition involves the chronic spread of infections bacteria that affects gum tissue, bone, and attachment fibers that hold the teeth to the jaw bone. As plaque forms on the teeth, bacteria have breeding ground multiply and move into these areas where they can cause gingivitis (inflammation and reddening of the gums) and start progressing toward moderate or even advanced Periodontitis—the type of gum disease that can destroy your mouth and even cause other conditions such as heart disease.

The Houston Medical Center Dental Group is here to help smokers move away from both the destructive causes of such horrific outcomes and move toward a brighter, healthier future. Our cosmetic dentists and dental hygienists want to help Houston smokers—not condemn them.

We offer proactive, individual dental self-care programs, thorough dental examinations, examinations and checks for possible oral cancer, and advanced Laser Periodontal Therapy for even the most severe cases of gum disease.

So whether you think you are ready to quit smoking or not, at least come see us now and let us help you better understand your current condition so you can make an informed, quality decision about yourself and your future dental health.

Labels: Gum Disease, Houston smokers, laser periodontal therapy, periodontal disease

People in Houston expect a great deal of professionalism from their dental hygienists, and rightfully so. These highly trained professionals undergo extensive coursework and certification to provide a range of treatment options that are determined by the state of Texas.

Here at the Medical Center Dental Group, we make it top priority to exceed these expectations with unsurpassed care, proactive dental health management, and precision dental treatment.
Just a few of the oral health services we offer include, but are not limited, to the following:

• After a dental examination and medical records check, the results of the patients initial oral health screen is compared to the most current scientific research. Our team then factors in the impact of any oral health conditions we discover on other medical problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
• After all the facts are carefully weighed and balanced together, dental experts and hygienists work together to develop a treatment plan that is individualized and customized to each patient.
• Houston dental hygienists are trained to target specific treatment programs toward specific age groups including children, adolescents, young adults, adults in mid-life, older adults, and patients with severe medical complications.
• At the Cosmetic Dentistry Center of Houston, dental hygienists assist in monitoring for any suspicious conditions that could be indicators of severe medical problems beyond the domain of oral health. This is possible due to the fact that many systemic diseases like heart disease and diabetes often create symptoms in the mouth.
• When members of our team spot a suspicious condition that may indicate one of these diseases is present, we can immediately refer the patient to a medical doctor for an appropriate examination by an MD.
• At the Cosmetic Dentistry Center of Houston, dental hygienists also take a good, close look at the basics of dental health, including checks for periodontal disease and cavities.
• In order to check for oral cancer and other problems, we also conduct thorough head and neck examinations, along with a small tissue sample from the mouth. This is one thing we make a top priority at our office, because oral cancer is a serious matter if it is not detected early on.
• At the Cosmetic Dentistry Center of Houston, dental hygienists have spent years training for a proactive approach to dental health management. We look for ways to help patients prevent problems by providing counseling on nutrition, application of fluoride treatments, and sealants.
• We also remove any plaque or tartar we find during the examination. This goes a long way toward preventing cavities because it is this plaque and tartar that harbors most cavity-forming bacteria.
• Houston dental hygienists also assist in the exposing, developing, and interpreting of oral X-rays—a key component to every dental examination and a key ingredient to diagnosing an number of dental conditions.

Labels: dental exam, dental hygiene, dental x-rays, Houston dental hygienists

I am interested in Air Abrasion. Can you perform root canals if need be with this treatment? I have had allergic reactions to the meds used before and this sounds perfect.

Also could you please tell me if you clean teeth and how you do it? Do you use traditional tools, or do you use something new?----Thanks, Shirley
Thanks for your enquiry. Unfortunately, air abrasion will not work for root canals. Air abrasion was developed to do shallow fillings without local anesthesia. Root canals are much more involved and complete anesthesia with local anesthesia is a must.

When you have your teeth cleaned, we still use the traditional instruments. In addition, to the traditional instruments we use a Piezo scaler. Our hygienists do a very thorough job when they are cleaning your teeth.
We are located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Thanks again,

Dale J. Brant, DDS
Charles Campbell, DDS
888.790.0309
713.795.5905

I was diagnosis with Sjögren’s Syndrome 2 yrs ago and it has taken a toll on my teeth. I deal with the public and recently we had major cut backs at our store.

I do have dental insurance with the company, but I know out of pocket can be costly. Do you have a payment plan?

And, another thing is, I am a afraid of coming to the dentist.

Thank You
Angie Perez

______________________________________________________

Hi, Angie….


The dry mouth problems that go with Sjögren’s Syndrome can be difficult to live with, as there is often a lot of decay to deal with. You should be using a concentrated prescription fluoride to rinse and brush with – much stronger than regular toothpaste, and you should also have fluoride trays to fill up with fluoride each day – you can give yourself your own fluoride treatments and minimize dental problems.

You need a comprehensive dental exam to understand your situation and to understand your options for dental treatment. We do have outside financing, and we can help you to understand those options as well. Many people are scared of dental treatment, but we will be happy to work with you to help you get successful dental treatment. Give us a call.


Chuck Campbell, DDS

Dale Brant, DDS

(713) 795-5905

Labels: dry mouth, dry mouth symptoms, dry mouth treatment, Sjögren’s Syndrome

There are all sorts of advertisements both in the newspaper and all over the Internet for Houston implant dentists. People see these ads and draw all sorts of conclusions—some accurate, some not so accurate—about the true nature of these highly specialized dental professionals.

The following FAQ is intended to address some of these perceptions and misperceptions with the simple facts about this very important and highly sought after cosmetic dental service.

What do Houston implant dentists do?
First and foremost, they provide permanent tooth replacements for missing teeth. The importance of this cannot be underestimated. No other form of tooth replacement can be expected to last for the life of the patient.

What are the benefits of permanent tooth replacement?Houston implant dentists offer patients both medical and cosmetic benefits as a result of these amazing tooth prosthetics.

While technically in a manner of speaking, there is only one type of Houston implant dentist, most of these professionals specialize in one or the other phase of implant dentistry. These phases are the surgical phase and the prosthetic phase.

The surgical phase involves placing the actual implant into the jawbone itself.

The prosthetic phase involves placing an abutment over the implant to create a stable, flat surface for a crown. The actual placement of the crown is called the prosthetic phase of dental implantation.

Where do they get their knowledge?
Houston implant dentists must undergo standard dental school training in General Dentistry in order to learn the basic dynamics of tooth, gum, and bone health. They must also attend cosmetic dentistry school in order to learn how to make implant dentistry help their patients not only medically, but also cosmetically beneficial to the patient as well. If possible, they also mentor under an implant dentist who can teach them advanced surgical implantation and prosthetic placement strategies so Houston residents can receive the maximum medical and emotional benefits from their dental implants.

Why should patients see a Houston implant dentist?
Although dental implants cost more than bridges and dentures, they are well worth the money. They are the only form of tooth replacement that is permanent and expected to last for the life of the patient. They are certainly less conspicuous and difficult to clean than dentures.

They are also better for natural teeth than are bridges. Bridges require the use of natural teeth as anchors to support the bridge. Over time, this puts stress on tooth enamel and causes
Dental implants, however, go directly into the jaw bone in a way that actually helps the bone grow back toward its original shape. They do not impact the surrounding teeth in any way and thus are much more tooth-preserving than dental bridges.

What makes the Medical Center Dental Group Unique?
Perhaps the most unique thing about our practice is Dr. Charles Campbell’s dual specialization in both the surgical and prosthetic aspects of dental implants. Many cosmetic dentistry centers in Houston either perform the surgical aspect of dental implantation or the prosthetic aspect of it.

However, in our office, Dr. Campbell does both. He has mentored for over 20 years now with Dr. Hilt Tatum, who is regarded as the leading authority in the world on cosmetic dental implants.

Labels: cosmetic dental implants, houston dental implants, houston dental office

My daughter just received a stainless steel crown on her molar. She was in pain after the procedure for 4 hrs. It's been 3 days now; she still said that it hurts when I brush her steel teeth.

Our dentist told us that her moral has both sided cavities and the regular filling may crack later on because they are tough the other teeth too. Her recommended the silver crown.

My first question is, I didn't know the silver crown means Stainless steel. I thought it was the old time silver filling. It's it something that everyone should know or just me? Was the dentist supposed to be clearer on that?

I don't want stainless steel in my daughter's mouth at the age of 4.5 yrs old.

My second question is, the doctor told me that it will not show when she smile. Now. I can see that very clearly even when she talks. It's the first molar closest to the incisors. I'm worry that my daughter may get tease at school.

My third question is, I read some article online saying that the crown is for severe decay of the tooth. I saw some picture of those teeth, they are black... My daughter's teeth were not black. The dentist said that he could see them in the x-ray. So, do the x ray visible kind of decay serious enough to place a crown on the teeth?

My last question: I worry the stainless steel crown inside her mouth may affect her brain development. Sounds funny but I've read articles about such a thing. He said it was something about affecting the nerves in the brain.

Sorry about the long questions.I hope you'll have time to give me some advice.

From a very worried mom,
Angela.
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Thank you for your questions, Angela. Stainless steel crowns are commonly used on deciduous (baby) teeth, and they are also sometimes used on permanent teeth because of the strength they have. Because of the way that baby teeth are structured, they tend to break more often is a large filling is done. Since your doctor said that both sides of the tooth were decayed, this is probably the best recommendation he could have made. It sounds like you needed more information before treatment for understanding.

Said another way, your daughter is 4-1/2 years old, and that tooth you describe will probably be there until she is about 11 years old or so… Statistically, if she had a big filling there, it would have to be redone at least once in that amount of time because of the structure of baby teeth that is different from permanent teeth. If a stainless steel crown is done, it will usually make it all the way to the time the tooth is normally lost and replaced by a permanent tooth.

Tooth sensitivity can be several things, so if it does not settle down, you should return to your dentist and have him look into it. There can be gum sensitivity, and there can also be nerve involvement with any type of restoration, filling or crown…. But sometimes a simple bite adjustment helps a lot.

The use of stainless steel crowns is longstanding. They have been a staple in pediatric dental care for years. I have never seen anything showing long term problems in a patient with stainless steel crowns. It is not the most cosmetic restoration, but it is durable and appropriate in children’s dental care. You ask if it is reversible, and probably it is not. The way that teeth are prepared would preclude being able to simple take it off.

Sincerest Regards,
Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905

Labels: houston crowns, houston pediatric dentists. stainless steel crowns