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June 21st, 2010
It is extremely important that you faithfully pursue regular dental exams. Without proactive managed care on your part, serious complications can evolve that you are not even aware of. When these problems become evident later down the line, it will cost you more inconvenience and money to resolve them.
For most patients, a dental exam every six months is fine. Patients with gum disease or other serious issues may need to see their dentists more often. If you think this may be the case for you, ask your dentist.
Each dental exam will partly be based upon your current dental health and previous dental history. There are also some standard steps that are included in each visit as well.
The first thing we do is review your dental chart and answer any questions you have. We may also need to look at other areas of your medical history if any treatments are pending that would require mitigating procedures to perform.
During each dental exam, we thoroughly clean your teeth.
We do this to get the plaque and tartar off of your teeth so we can better see the condition of the teeth and the gums. It also rids your mouth of many of the bacteria that cause periodontal disease, so it is a good, proactive measure for maintaining optimal dental hygiene.
When necessary, we also polish your teeth to in order to smooth their surfaces and to remove light stains.
A dental exam includes a careful visual exam of your mouth.
We look for decay on the biting surfaces of teeth. We also check for signs of wear, cracks, and any problems with restorations such as fillings and crowns
Finally, we look to see if any abnormal loss of tooth structure has occurred.
In addition, we check the color and contours of your gums. Red, swollen gums are often signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease. We use a periodontal probe to check the depth of spaces between your teeth and gums. Readings deeper than 3 millimeters often indicate periodontal disease.
We also diagnose any sores or lesions on the soft tissues of your mouth, screening them for signs of oral cancer.
We also take x-rays of your mouth that show us decay between and inside the teeth.
X-rays also help us locate tartar on your teeth and tooth roots, and they can indicate signs of periodontal disease, such as the loss of bone around the teeth.
Other problems such as cysts and abscesses are also detectable by x-ray.
We may also examine your jaw joint to help diagnose problems with your bite or TMJ.
Before you leave, we give you homecare routine and recommendations for dental nutrition.
Regular dental are important because they allow us to detect problems early and help you maintain your oral and overall health.
Tags: dental checkups, dental exams, dental x-rays
Posted in Houston Cosmetic Dentistry | 1 Comment »
June 16th, 2010
I am interested in the iv sedation because i suffer of phobia for the dentist. I also have a problem because i dont have insurance or nothing like that. That is why i wanted to know how much does it cost to be iv sedated?? I have a horrible tootheachr and would like to have this taken kare of as soon as possible. Thank you.
Thanks for your enquiry. We have helped many patients like you over the years by helping them overcome their fear of having dental work done. There are different types of sedation that we offer here at our office. The first type is IV sedation. This is the type of sedation that you are familiar with. An IV is started and medications are given to you via the IV solution. Your dental work is completed and you wake up and have no recall of the procedure. The second type of sedation is oral sedation. We give you oral medication that relaxes you and then we are able to perform the necessary dental work. Many times the patient is so relaxed that they have little recall on what was done during the appointment. The last type of sedation is Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing gas”. The great thing about this type of sedation is that when the procedure is over the patient gets up and is able to go to work. Many times patients find that this is all that they need to help them get through the dental appointment.
Tags: houston dentist, iv sedation, tooth ache, tooth decay
Posted in Houston Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »
June 15th, 2010
Periodontal disease cannot be cured; it can only be treated.
Due to the complexity of gum disease, a true cure continues to elude us. However, viable treatments are available to patients who proactively seek out professional dental services. It must be noted that if you have gum disease, you will have to see your dentists more often than twice a year.
In order for periodontal disease control to work effectively on your behalf, you will need treatment every three months or more.
If periodontal disease is not closely monitored and controlled, the disease can quickly worsen, destroy bone and soft tissue, and eventually cause you to lose teeth.
The only way to detect and manage gum disease is with a professional exam that specifically looks for the disease.
Periodontal disease is unpredictable.
While dental science has made great progress in detecting and treating periodontal disease, we still have a good ways to go before we can predict where Periodontitis is going to strike, and how periodontal disease control can be best applied.
This is because the periodontium (the specialized tissues that surround and support the teeth) are composed of many different bones, ligaments, mucosa, and cementum. Periodontitis can affect any or all of these living systems. Predicting exactly what the disease will do next is still beyond the scope of science.
However, when one of these areas is affected, periodontal disease control measures can be taken to minimize destruction of tissue and pain to the patient.
Upon diagnosis, the first periodontal disease control measure we take is a procedure called scaling and root planing. This is a tooth cleaning procedure that removes plaque, tartar and bacteria from beneath your gumline.
The reason we clean your teeth in this way is to get rid of the bacteria that grow on their surface. These bacteria are often the direct cause of gum disease and have to be dealt with. This treatment is not a one-time solution, however. Some bacteria survive and multiply again. Many times, their numbers double when they rebound in as few as 90 days.
Periodontal disease control consists of a number of steps each time you visit our office.
When you come in for your quarterly appointment, there a many different things we will do to minimize the damage of the disease.
• We take x-rays to check jawbone levels.
• We measure the depth of periodontal pockets.
• We check for loose teeth or bleeding gums.
• We remove plaque above and below the gumline.
• We talk talking with you about the effectiveness of your homecare.
• When necessary, we may also re-treat the teeth with scaling and root planing or apply a medication or antimicrobial rinse.
Periodontal disease control helps us break the stronghold of bacteria in your gums and slow or eliminate their destructive effects.
Posted in Houston Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »
June 14th, 2010
The training and education of a dental hygienist is very intensive.
A registered dental hygienist is a highly trained, licensed oral health expert who provides you with therapy, clinical, and educational services. The goal is to enhance and keep you in better oral health.
Specialized education in chemistry, physiology, nutrition, anatomy, microbiology, oral pathology, radiology, and pharmacology are just some of the things that dental hygienists study.
Additional courses also include advanced dental science and dental hygiene.
Before they graduate, hygienists have to pass a series of rigorous tests and complete hundreds of clock hours of supervised instruction in clinical practice.
Dental Hygienists do a lot more than most people normally assume.
There are so many daily activities that occur within a dental office that require expert assistance. One thing they do is to carefully examine your teeth when you come in. Tooth decay, and the overall condition of teeth color and constitution, is something they make note of and report to the dentist.
They also take a good look at gums and evidence of periodontal disease. If periodontal disease is discovered, they determine the degree of its severity and relay that information to the dentist.
During an oral examination, the dental hygienist also checks for oral cancer and other maladies that attack the mouth. They take dental x-rays as well so that the dentist can diagnose any problems with teeth, roots, and jawbones.
As a part of the preventive function of his or her job, your dental hygienist must use a series of specialized instruments and methods in order to thoroughly clean all surfaces of your teeth.
These tools enable them to comfortably remove plaque, tartar, and stains from above and below your gumline. The hygienist is often involved with the specialized treatment of gum disease, such as scaling and root planing. He or she may also apply fluoride gels or other treatments.
Part of your dental health depends on what you do at home. The hygienist will teach you how to effectively care for your teeth so that you can prevent decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. He or she will also show you how to select the proper toothbrush and dental floss.
Sometimes the hygienist will also demonstrate the most effective techniques for brushing and flossing.
Your dental hygienist can also explain the relationship between a dental nutrition and dental health. Suggestions are provided about which foods to select and which to avoid.
Always remember that your hygienist is an ideal educational resource who can help you and your family keep your healthy smiles for a lifetime.
Posted in Houston Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »
June 7th, 2010
Question: Do you all see patients in Laredo Tx. i need to see about geting something for sleep apnea becasue i a m tired of the cpap machine.
Answer: We do not see patients in Laredo, but if you are interested in making a trip to Houston, we can make you a dental appliance that is an alternative to CPAP for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Due to laboratory time, it would really be two trips — you can learn more here:
http://www.cosmetic-dentistry-center.com/sleep-apnea-t-28.html
CPAP remains the gold standard for obstructive sleep apnea, but the dental appliance is popular because it is not as cumbersome. We have some patients that use CPAP at home and the dental appliance when they travel.
Give us a call if we can help you further. If you come here for an appointment, please bring with you any information you may have from a sleep study.
Posted in Houston Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »
June 3rd, 2010
I have a receding gum line I brush twice a day and my gums don’t bleed only if I miss a brushing. Do they ever bleed I don’t know what’s wrong but you can see my teeth under my gums the only thing is that I’m a mouth breather because I can’t breath through my nose very good. I’m thinking that surgery on my nose is the fix, is there another solution?
You have brought up some issues that are common concerns in dentistry.
- Gum recession – There are multiple causes – genetic predisposition, previous orthodontic treatment, dramatic bruxism & clenching (overloading force), periodontal disease, calculus and plaque buildup – all can contribute to this problem. You will have to have a comprehensive exam to see what applies to your situation.
- Abfractions – the next step that often goes along with recession – long discussion below –
- Mouth breathers – a common situation that can complicate the health of your gums – because of the drying of tissues, mouth breathers often have puffy and bleeding tissues in the front of their mouth. Better nasal breathing can help.
- Treatment can vary widely, depending on the cause of what you are becoming aware of… bite adjustment, protective occlusal guards, periodontal treatment, desensitization, fillings, bonding, lots of potential directions treatment could go, depending on what your situation is… no way to figure this out without seeing you and having current x-rays. You obviously need a complete dental exam.
What is treatment of abfraction?
What is criteria of the filling material for abfraction?
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, MI 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, MI 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:
- Composite resins
- Flowable composite resins
- 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
 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.
Tags: electric toothbrushes, periodontal disease treatment, plaque removal, tartar removal
Posted in Houston Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »
June 1st, 2010
Hello,
I have no teeth, top or bottom. I had them taken out a year ago. I am very interested in having overdentures put in. I am shopping around, and I would like to know the cost of treatment.
Thank you
Annette
Hi, Annette…
Thanks for the inquiry. In order to give you a complete estimate, we would need to see you and get updated photos and x-rays. The amount of remaining bone support will in part determine what your options are. Overdentures with the use of dental implants is one alternative that works well. There are several variables, depending on what you are looking for and what is possible or advisable in your specific case.
Please make an appointment to come in and let us see you as a patient. It is not desirable to blindly give you advice until we have seen and understood your situation. We need to be familiar with you and your dental and medical situation, and in fairness, you need to understand all of your choices. Please ask for Maria or Debbie, and they can set up a consult appointment for you.
Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905
Posted in Houston Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »
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