Ask the Dental Experts

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

A Houston Cosmetic Dentist Answers Questions about Temporary Crowns

We receive a great deal of questions about temporary crowns at our cosmetic dentist office.

A temporary is a crown that is placed on top of a tooth until your permanent crown is made and ready to be placed. The temporary crown is very important because it protects the exposed tooth dentin and prevents it from being sensitive to heat and cold. It also prevents food from gathering in the preparation, and it prevents the prepared tooth from shifting and moving that could make seating the permanent restoration more difficult.

You need to use your toothbrush to clean the temporary as you normally do your other teeth. Your Houston dental hygienist or Houston cosmetic dentist will let you know if you will be able to floss around it.

It is normal for the gum around your tooth to be a bit sore after the anesthesia wears off. This soreness disappears within 24 hours.

While you are waiting for your next appointment, do your best to chew on the side of your mouth opposite your temporary crown. Avoid chewing sticky foods because they can sometimes dislodge temporaries.

It is not uncommon to have the following reactions or problems with your temporary crown.

Why does it feel rough to my tongue?
It should not feel rough. Call us if it is causing tongue sensitivity.

What do I do? My temporary crown came off?

Do not panic, because this is actually the most common problem reported to Houston cosmetic dentists. It is supposed to come off easily when it is time to place the permanent crown, and sometimes certain foods will cause this to happen prematurely.

Avoid sticky foods or gum. It’s important for your temporary crown to remain in place, so call our office for an appointment.

Why does my temporary feels higher than the tops of my other teeth?
It feels that way because it probably is. See your Houston cosmetic dentist about this. More than likely it needs to be readjusted.

This is something you do need to address. If the temporary crown is too high, you can bruise the nerve of the tooth. See your Houston cosmetic dentist so he or she can adjust it.

My temporary crown is sensitive when I drink cold or hot drinks. Why is this?
Temporary will not seal as well as the permanent restoration will, so there may be some sensitivity to hot and cold and perhaps when chewing. If it is too uncomfortable, please call your Houston cosmetic dentist.

If you have any questions concerning the temporary, please feel free to call the Cosmetic Dentistry Center of Houston. Remember, you will only have your temporary for a week or two, and it will be all worth it when you get your beautiful permanent restoration.

Labels: after cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns, houston dentists, temporary crowns

Friday, October 23, 2009

Phases of Houston Dental Implants

Surgical Phase
The surgical phase of Houston Dental Implant treatment involves placing an artificial tooth root into the jawbone itself. This base resembles a screw on the bottom and so gives the bone a structure around which to grow.

The immediate benefit of this is that it stops bone recession, which always begins after a tooth is lost and the root no longer has a root around which to grow.

The long term benefit of this is that bone recession eventually reverses itself and begins to engulf the dental implant--provided the treatment is performed in time. This process is called osseointegration and can take up to six months.

Post-Operative Phase
In order to give osseointegration and gum healing the best chance of success, there are immediate steps that the dentist has each patient take.

After the dentist places the dental implants, a surgical dressing will be applied to the area around the incision. Patients should keep this in place for as long as possible, and they should use cotton swabs to clean the areas around dental implants rather than brushing.

Salt water rinsing helps to prevent irritation of the gums, and should be performed twice a day for two weeks following the surgical phase. Antibiotics, if prescribed, should be taken as directed.

It is important that Houston dental implant patients maintain a high protein diet for the duration of the first part of the postoperative phase. Foods that are an excellent source of protein are eggs, soup, cottage cheese, milk products, and lean ground beef.

It is best, at least at first, to chop these foods in a blender. This is because a soft diet helps the incisions around the dental implant to heal. Houston dental implant patients should avoid hard foods.

If no infection occurs, the patient should still return in two weeks for suture removal and post-op evaluation. The dentist may place a temporary crown over the dental implant(s) at this time.

The remainder of the healing process can take six months.

Restorative Phase
After osseointegration has completed itself; the second phase of the dental implant process begins. If a temporary crown was placed, the dentist removes it and replaces it with an abutment. This is a special screw-like covering that goes over the implant.

The dentist will then cap the abutment with a porcelain crown. This creates an entirely new, artificial tooth that is very aesthetically appealing and amazingly strong.

Phase I and Phase II of implant dentistry are often performed by separate dentists, as one involves dental surgery, and the other phase involves cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Charles Campbell at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group is one of the few Houston dentists who will frequently perform both phases for his patients. He mentored under the best specialists in the world, and he has been working with titanium dental implants since the mid-1980s.

Labels: after cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dental implants, houston dental implants

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

What to do After Cosmetic Dentistry

Congratulations on getting investing in a brand new smile that is sure to pay off after many years of enjoyment and satisfaction. No matter procedures you have just have performed, be assured that you can expect improvements in the way your teeth look and work.

Remember you need time to adjust to the way your new bite feels. When your bite has been altered and the position of your teeth changed, it takes several days for your brain to accept the new position of your teeth and their thickness. If you sense any high spots or problems in your bite, call your dentist for an adjustment appointment.

It is normal to feel some sensitivity and cold after undergoing a cosmetic dentistry procedure. Your gums may also be sore for several days. Rinse three times a day with warm salt water; dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then rinse out your mouth to reduce pain and swelling.

If your dentist advises you to take mild pain medication may, do so. It will help you feel better after a cosmetic dentistry procedure. We recommend you check with us first before using any pain medication, though.

If you find it hard to speak clearly following your cosmetic dentistry procedure, do not be too concerned. It will take a few days for your tongue to adapt to new tooth surfaces. After that happens, you will be speaking normally again.

Many times people experience increased salivation after a cosmetic dentistry procedure. This is due to the fact that the brain senses a new size and shape to certain teeth.

It is important to remove plaque in order to ensure the long-term success of your dental work. It is very important that you maintain a regular oral hygiene program of daily brushing and flossing. You need to get regular cleanings as well from a dentist every six months. The Cosmetic Dentistry Center staff uses special tooth cleaning materials that are not available over the counter and that cannot be duplicated at home.

We also recommend that you change your habits to protect your new teeth. Anything that chips or damages them will also chip and damage cosmetic restorations. There are many things we all should just avoid chewing on. These things include hard candy, foreign objects, and ice. Try to avoid smoking and chewing tobacco too, because these things yellow teeth. If you suffer from teeth grinding, get fitted for a mouthpiece that will protect your cosmetic tooth restorations.

Labels: after cosmetic dentistry, post operative dental care