Concerned About Radiation Exposure
Dental X-rays require exposure to very low levels of radiation, which makes the risk of potentially harmful effects very small. All health care providers are sensitive to patients’ concerns about exposure to radiation. Your dentist has been trained to prescribe X-rays when they are appropriate and to tailor radiographic schedules to each patient’s individual needs. By using state-of-the-art technology and by staying knowledgeable about recent advances, your dentist knows which techniques, procedures and X-ray films can minimize your exposure to radiation.
There are different types of X-rays: Continue reading “Concerned About Radiation Exposure” »
Why do I need dental x-rays?
Radiographic, or X-ray, examinations provide your dentist with an important tool that shows the condition of your teeth, its roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones. X-rays can help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal (gum) disease, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumors. X-rays also can show the exact location of impacted and unerupted teeth. They can Continue reading “Why do I need dental x-rays?” »
What is a Dental Sealant?
A dental sealant is a thin plastic film painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities.
How effective are sealants?
Studies have proven that properly applied sealants are 100-percent effective in protecting the tooth surfaces from cavities. As long as the sealant remains intact, small food particles and bacteria that cause cavities cannot penetrate through or around a sealant. Sealant protection is reduced or lost when part or all of the bond between the tooth and sealant is broken. However, clinical studies have shown that teeth that have lost sealants are no more susceptible to tooth decay than teeth that were never sealed.
Why can’t I just brush and floss?
While brushing and flossing help to remove food particles and Continue reading “What is a Dental Sealant?” »
Teens: Want a Brighter Smile? Visit the Dentist, not the Mall
Although teeth whitening may be one of the safest, non-invasive and cost-efficient ways for teens to immediately boost their appearance, parents should learn about the best whitening options for their adolescent, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education.
Teeth whitening is a multi-million dollar industry that is partly fueled by image-conscious teens heading to the mall to pick up instant, do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits, many of which are heavily marketed and are not dentist-supervised.
“Teens should visit their dentist instead of the mall for a healthy, white smile,” says AGD spokesperson Manuel Cordero, DDS, MAGD, who has seen a steady increase in his teen patients’ requests for this procedure.
Proper whitening depends upon the use of a custom-made bleaching tray, which only a dentist can properly fit. Some Internet companies sell the materials that allow consumers to make their own whitening tray. But only dentists can assure the proper use of these materials. Without supervision and expertise, these materials can cause damage to existing dental work. As with any dental procedure, whitening should always be done under the supervision of a dentist.
Tips for teens and their parents on tooth whitening:
According to Dr. Cordero, teens should wait for whitening procedures until at least the age of 14. At this time, the tooth’s pulp is fully formed, which means the teen will experience less sensitivity.
Drink soda and coffee through a straw to prevent discoloration of the upper, front teeth.
Wearing braces? Brush and clean teeth meticulously because food and their bi-products can discolor teeth as well as create cavities.
Plano Dentist on “Dry Mouth”
The condition of “dry mouth” is called Xerostomia. This condition occurs when the salivary glands don’t work properly and the amount of saliva in the mouth decreases. Saliva is vital to everyday processes- tasting, swallowing, speaking and digesting. Saliva acts as a natural defense for the teeth. Without saliva, the teeth are extremely vulnerable to fungal, bacterial and viral infections, and decay. Although saliva is mostly composed of of water, it also includes electrolytes, antibacterial compounds, Continue reading “Plano Dentist on “Dry Mouth”” »
Men’s Oral Health- Looking for a New Job? Visit the Dentist!
Men’s Oral Health
Looking for a New Job? Visit the Dentist!
An online poll of 289 general dentists and consumers confirms the traditional stereotype that men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Why? Nearly 45 percent of respondents felt that men don’t see a need to go to the dentist, and about 30 percent of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. Almost 18 percent revealed that men just don’t have the time for a dental visit, and about 5 percent felt that men don’t even have a regular dentist.
Please feel free to share this information if you find it useful and informative, or post a comment or question below.
Invisalign Alternative- Clear Aligner is a great value
Have you always wished you could straighten out those front teeth?
Dentistry for Adults and Dr. Paul Williams now offering the Ortho-Dent Clear-Aligner (patent pending). It is the new cost-effective alternative to Invisalign. The perfect choice for an adult or teen who would like to straighten the front six teeth on the upper and lower arch with clear plastic trays instead of wires. Results will depend on many factors such as the shape of teeth, the amount of moving, root position, etc. And, the Clear-Aligner will not only move teeth into the correct position, but can also be used as a retainer (to last up to 1 year).
Feel free to request a free orthodontic evaluation or ask us about it next time you are in for your check-up. This Plano Dentist is not an orthodontist, so we are limited to only straightening the front six teeth. Should your orthodontic need require more than this, we will refer you to a specialist who is a trained Orthodontist whom we trust. Request your free consultation below!
What will a Bite Splint do for me?
I have for years recommended Bite Splints or Night Guards regularly for many patients. I will link here to the most recent good article I have found on Occlusal Bite Splint Therapy. To summarize, excessive force can cause breakdown and wear on the teeth and negatively impact the gum tissue and muscles of the face, jaw and neck, and the jaw joint (TMJ). The ideal situation is for the upper and lower teeth to come into contact with equal distribution of force. The problem is exacerbated in times of stress, when clenching and grinding are added to the situation (often at night without knowledge of the patient). The Night Guard or Bite Splint is a conservative treatment that will “even out” the biting pressure on all the teeth, and help stop the damaging effects of a mis-matched occlusion. In many cases we have seen patients relieved of headaches, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and tooth sensitivity.
If this sounds like a familiar situation you may be experiencing, please contact the office for an evaluation.
Click here for the complete article by a fellow, Pankey Dentist.
Healthy Gums, Healthy Body (Part 2)
Prevention and Treatment
Visits to your dentist are a must at least twice a year so periodontal disease can be detected and treated before it progresses to a phase where it can affect your general health. Regular checkups, periodic professional teeth cleanings, and daily home brushing and flossing are crucial for preventing this disease.
There are three stages: mild, moderate and advanced. The mildest form of gum disease is called “gingivitis.” If you have gingivitis, your gums will redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort to begin with so it can easily sneak up on you.
It is very important to not let gum disease get to the advanced stage where bone loss can occur and your overall health is at risk. If you are diagnosed with advanced periodontitis, you will be referred by your dentist to a specialist. This Periodontist may recommend surgery. Periodontal surgery is necessary when it is determined that the unhealthy tissue around your teeth cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment.
If you do contract the disease, all is not lost. Seeing your dentist as soon as possible is the most important first step you can take to saving your teeth – and the health of your whole body. The good news is that gum disease can be controlled and, even in its advanced stages, treated.
The Dental Lab
The Dental Lab
Most patients in my practice have heard me talk about “the lab” when discussing treatment, but you may not realize the importance of the dentist/dental technician relationship in assuring an esthetic and physiologic result. Just as I have had the pleasure of working with many fine specialists in the areas of orthodontics, periodontics and endodontics, I have also benefited from working with Jeff Singler CDT of Singler Dental Ceramics for the last 15 years.
Jeff began his career as a private technican in 1974 in Dallas. In 1979 he opened his own lab focusing on complex restorative cases and later, implant restorations. He has lectured and consulted on these subjects at meetings around the country and is an individual with the skill and passion to provide the dental restorations that allow my patients to function with trouble free comfort for years. The communication goes well beyond selecting the correct shade of the tooth, although many patients have visited the lab and had the benefit of “custom shading”. Particularly for the more complex cases, determining the patient’s functional requirements, the most suitable materials, tooth preparation design, and utilizing many of the newer technologies when appropriate are some of the elements we review together.
It is not unusual for us to sit down with mounted study models, diagnostic wax-ups, photos and x-rays to review a particular case and finalize very specific details prior to ever beginning treatment. Often time, the patient is unaware of the pre-operative planning that has taken place and is simply pleased that treatment has proceeded so smoothly. This is the real value of a dental technician that has the knowledge, experience and artistic talent to deliver outstanding results for the patient. We are fortunate to have Jeff Singler as a member of our team.
