Category: cosmetic dentistry

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Tooth extractions in Highland Village are among the most dreaded dental procedures in dentistry. The dental anxiety connected to the extraction procedure has to do with the anticipation of high pain levels during and after the treatment. Assuredly, dental extractions can be painful, but that is all in the past. In modern dentistry, a dentist near you administers local anesthesia in partnership with sedation dentistry to achieve a pain-free procedure when removing your teeth.

What Do Dental Extractions Entail?

They feature the permanent removal of natural teeth right from their roots. Since dentistry is anchored on the essence of preservation of natural teeth, you will quickly learn that dental extractions are procedures that are only performed on a need basis. Therefore, if you hear your dentist in 75077 recommending dental extractions, it means that the procedure is necessary to preserve the rest of your oral cavity.

When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

You will not have to determine for yourself when to have your natural tooth pulled out. Usually, a dentist near you will examine the state of your tooth before making this recommendation. Some of the reasons for dental extractions for permanent teeth include:

• Problematic wisdom teeth – wisdom tooth extractions near you are the most common types of dental procedures for adults. They feature the removal of the last set of molars, called wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth easily become impacted teeth when they grow improperly. It leads to part, or the whole tooth, remaining stuck underneath the gums, causing unnecessary pain when you chew. Aside from that, wisdom teeth can grow in the wrong direction, placing unnecessary pressure on adjacent teeth.
• Severe dental decay – when your tooth is severely decayed, saving it through dental procedures like root canals may not be viable. As such, removing the tooth will be more beneficial for your dental health.
• Overcrowding in your mouth – is a problem encountered in orthodontic dentistry, where the number of teeth in your mouth is too big for the space available in your jawbone. It, therefore, causes malpositioning of your teeth. To correct this, before you can wear braces, a dentist near you will recommend removing one or two of your teeth. It will create more room in your mouth for the rest of your teeth to align properly.

How Long Does an Extraction Wound Take to Heal?

A tooth extraction wound will fully heal in about 3-4 weeks. Usually, it depends on the type of tooth extracted. For instance, molars take longer to heal than incisors. Other than that, how you care for your mouth after your treatment will affect how quickly the wound heals.

The first 24 hours after the extraction procedure will be marked by soreness, especially once the numbing wears off. Your dentist will prescribe some painkillers to help manage the discomfort. These first few hours are crucial because blood clotting is happening, which will begin the healing process. In fact, your dentist will ask you to keep the gauze on your wound for a few hours before changing or removing it.

The first 2 or 3 days after your procedure are a bit different from the first 24 hours. Although you may still feel sore, the discomfort dies down as your wound continues to heal. The flesh wound will have mostly healed, without any bleeding or significant swelling on the extraction site. At this point, it may be okay to brush and floss your teeth, but cautiously to avoid the extraction site.

After a week of healing, much of the healing will have occurred. Any dissolving stitches you had in the wound will disappear. If not, the non-dissolving stitches have to be removed by your dentist. Once the clot is fully formed and, the stitches are no longer on your wound, you should be at about week 2 of recovery. At this stage, the bone tissue of your mouth is partially healed, which is why it may still feel tender. You will want to be careful about eating hard food or being too harsh when brushing your teeth around the extraction site.

The final 3rd and 4th weeks will ensure complete healing of both your jaw and gums. You will have mastered enough about caring for your mouth to avoid disrupting the healed site in your mouth.

Taking care of your health does not mean being content with unsightly teeth. Instead, caring about how your smile looks like when you open your mouth is just as much a part of dental care. Besides, considering cosmetic dentistry in Highland Village may just be the only way to improve the quality of your life by boosting your self-confidence.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

It is a specialty of dentistry that caters to the cosmetic appearance of your smile. The primary focus of cosmetic dentistry is purely on how your teeth and gums appear when you smile, instead of how well functioning they are. However, it does not mean that cosmetic dentists will not care about the functionality of your mouth. Instead, it only means that they will prioritize the appearance thereof. To make cosmetic dentistry successful, you would need to visit a dentist’s office near you for your first dental exam. It is where you will find out whether you need a single or multiple dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.

Common Dental Services Offered in Cosmetic Dentistry

If you feel the need to improve the appearance of your smile but have no idea where to get started, here are some of the common dental services and procedures that occur in cosmetic dentistry that you can try:

1. Teeth whitening – Is among the most common and basic cosmetic procedures in dentistry. Teeth whitening entails bleaching teeth to improve their appearance. However, teeth whitening in cosmetic dentistry does not always entail bleaching the enamel of teeth. In some cases, your dentist in Highland Village will use dental veneers or dental bonding with composite resin to improve the appearance of your teeth.
2. Tooth replacement – involves using different oral appliances to replace missing teeth. In cosmetic dentistry, the number of teeth you are missing will determine the kind of oral appliance that will be used to replace them. For some patients, a dental bridge will be used while for others, dentures are more preferable. Some patients may also benefit from dental implants, which are permanent tooth replacement alternatives.
3. Closing spaces between teeth – when you have all your teeth intact, the spaces between your teeth should not be too noticeable. If such is your problem, you can rely on your cosmetic dentist in 75077 to close the spaces between your teeth. This is achieved through orthodontic processes that involve wearing braces for a particular period, allowing your teeth to shift gradually. However, in other cases, your cosmetic dentist may recommend using dental crowns or dental veneers to close the small spaces between your teeth in a less time-consuming process called dental bonding.
4. Tooth reshaping – some people struggle with unusual shapes of teeth. It could be that your teeth are too rounded, extremely pointed, or unusually short. Such are issues that can be corrected in cosmetic dentistry by using dental appliances like tooth veneers, dental crowns, or composite resin.
5. Repairing the structure of teeth – it is possible to incur damage on the structure of your tooth so that it is either chipped, cracked, or broken. For such, cosmetic dentistry can help repair the structure of your teeth to be as good as new.
6. Restoring the health of your gums – if you are looking for perfection regarding the appearance of your smile, you cannot only focus on the appearance of your teeth. Cosmetic dentists near you will tell you that the health of your gums is just as important as that of your teeth. It is why cosmetic dental experts can help restore the health of your gums through procedures like gum reduction surgery which is perfect for correcting a gummy smile. In other cases, you need your gums to be restored through gum grafting, especially in the case of gum infection.

Summary

Cosmetic dentistry is quickly gaining popularity among many people, especially in the 21st century where more people are becoming increasingly cognizant of their aesthetic appeal. You too, should not shy away from exploring the different ways that you can transform your smile. Even a single dental procedure in cosmetic dentistry is enough to cause drastic changes in how your smile appears.

Your pearly whites were made to last for a lifetime. This is why they are protected with the strongest substance in your body – enamel. However, this doesn’t mean that your enamel is indestructible. A little bit of neglect each day can go a long way, and a few years down the line, you could be dealing with tooth decay, gum disease, or even tooth loss.

For this reason, our dentist near Highland Village insists that you make a point of visiting us at least twice a year to keep your smile healthy. However, if your teeth have been damaged due to decay or trauma, or you have missing teeth, we also offer crowns and bridges in Highland Village.

Crowns and bridges in Highland Village can help restore your teeth’s look and function. Without further ado, let’s get to see what they are all about.

Fast Facts About Dental Crowns

There are times when your tooth can be severely damaged that a filling cannot repair it. This is where dental crowns come in. They are designed to encapsulate the damaged tooth; therefore, protecting it from further damage. Picture them as hats worn over your damaged teeth.
They are excellent if your tooth root is not damaged and there is still tooth structure left. Once they are placed, they will strengthen the weakened or damaged tooth. They are often used to cover severely stained teeth that cannot be whitened using traditional teeth bleaching treatments.

Dental Bridges Overview

On the other hand, dental bridges are not used to cover damaged teeth but replace missing teeth. They literally “bridge the gap” left by the missing teeth. For them to bridge the gap, they are made of two distinct parts:

• Pontics. This is the replacement or false tooth that covers the empty socket
• Crowns: Two crowns are fixed on each side of the pontic so that they can hold it in place

However, a bridge needs you to have sturdy and healthy teeth on either side of the empty socket. This is because the crowns fixed to the pontic have to be anchored on your teeth to ensure that they are stable. This will help them function like your natural teeth.

What Are the Types of Bridges and Crowns Available?

We have four types of crowns at our dentist’s office near you:

• All-Porcelain – These are excellent for restoring front teeth since they blend well with the rest of your teeth
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal – All-porcelain crowns are not sturdy. So, this type of crown is stronger since it’s fused to metal. The porcelain covers the outer part of the crown, while metal is on the inside. So, it has pleasing aesthetics, and it is strong.
• Base metal alloys – These crowns are fashioned from non-noble metals, which are very sturdy and resistant to corrosion
• Gold alloys – These are made from gold, copper, and other metals, making them incredibly durable

Also, you can expect to find four types of dental bridges at our dentist’s office near you:

• Traditional bridges – They are the most popular. They have a pontic attached to two crowns, one on either side of the pontic
• Cantilever bridges – They are similar to conventional bridges, but instead of having two crowns, they have one attached to the pontic
• Maryland bridges – These are slightly different. The pontic is attached to a metal or porcelain framework instead of crowns. The framework is then fixed on the back of your teeth that are adjacent to the empty socket. They have pleasing aesthetics and are the best option if you need to replace missing front teeth
• Implant-supported bridges – They are appropriate if you need to replace several missing teeth. They use dental implants for anchorage instead of frameworks or crowns.

How Long Will a Crown or Bridge Last?

Nothing can compare to having your natural pearly whites. However, crowns and bridges in Highland Village can do an excellent job of restoring your smile. How long bridges and crowns last depends on how well you care for them.

However, you can expect them to last for seven to 15 years, but they even last longer if you have great oral hygiene and maintain regular dental check-ups.

Reach out to our dentist in 75077 at Campbell & Williams Family Dental for crowns and bridges.

You can never anticipate when your teeth will get damaged, fall out, or        experience other health issues. These issues occur regularly, with tooth loss being a common problem today more than ever. Statistics say that an average American will lose at least a tooth before they are 75.

However, we can restore your teeth and make them look like your remaining natural teeth using various dental treatments. Among the most commonly used treatments are dental crowns and bridges in Highland Village, TX.

They are an excellent solution for fixing damaged and missing teeth. Using prosthetic dental devices, your teeth will be back to normal in appearance and function, just like natural teeth. One of the key functional differences is that crowns are used when there is damage to the tooth structure, while bridges are used in the case of a missing tooth.

Dental Crown Definition

A dental crown is a false tooth, depicted as a “cap” fixed on the upper part f a decayed tooth or teeth to protect it from further damage. Crowns are also used with tooth implants in the case of missing tooth replacement.

Crowns are so unique because they are customized to match your natural and surrounding teeth’ color and shape.

Dental Bridge Definition

The dentist near highland village uses a dental bridge prosthetic to replace a missing tooth. Bridges are mainly made of porcelain fused with metal to strengthen the appliance while still maintaining the natural tooth look.

They work by bridging the gap left between two teeth by e or more missing teeth.

When are Crowns and Bridges Used?

Dental crowns and bridges are necessary for either of the following situations.

In the event of a root canal

The dentist near you recommends a root canal if your tooth is excessively decayed, damaged, or infected. Once the root canal procedure is over, a crown is placed to strengthen the overly prepared and weakened tooth.

For Cosmetic Reasons

A tooth crown can be used to cover an excessively stained, broken, or chipped tooth. Mostly, porcelain or ceramic crowns are used for this purpose because they assume the natural teeth’ shade. If you have a tooth filling that makes you uncomfortable, an artificial crown is the best to cover it up.

On a nearly breaking tooth

A cracked tooth will demand an artificial crown to strengthen it because the structure is compromised. A cracked tooth can become so sensitive and painful, so the crown can offer relief and strengthen the tooth.

After Implants

The dentist near Highland Village, TX, places the implant into the jawbone, and a tooth crown is attached over the implant. This allows for normal tooth functioning like chewing. Crowns in an implant treatment are also part of the permanent treatment solution.

The sole purpose of tooth bridges is to replace missing teeth.  Bridges can be used where there is one or more tooth loss. Bridges are of different types depending on the patient’s condition.

How Are They Made?

Before the dentist near you makes a bridge or crown, the damaged tooth is reduced to the size which the crown will fit. After preparing your tooth, the dentist then takes an impression of the tooth and creates a mold using which the crown or bridge is made.

If they use porcelain, your dentist will adjust the bridge’s crown’s color so it matches the exact shade of your existing natural teeth.

Your dentist will issue a temporary crown or bridgework to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent device is being processed. After completing the permanent crown or bridge, the temporary device is removed, and the new crown or bridge is cemented on the prepared tooth/teeth.

What is the Lifespan of Crowns and Bridges?

Crowns and bridges at Highland Village can last a lifetime, but sometimes they do come out and fall. To prevent your dental appliance from becoming loose and falling and to increase its longevity, you should practice the recommended oral hygiene and habits.

Bridgeworks can become loose when a disease damages the supporting tooth underneath. Professionals advise that you keep your teeth and gums healthy through fluoride brushing daily and tooth flossing. You should also regularly visit your dentist for teeth checkups and professional cleanings.

You should also avoid chewing hard foods using your crown or bridgework, such as ice and other hard objects. They can break due to too much pressure.

People with cosmetic concerns such as chipped, broken, discolored or smaller teeth can now rest assured they can find a suitable remedy for the problems in their mouths with dental veneers. These are thin tooth-colored shells that can be attached to the front surface of the tooth to improve its appearance. Porcelain and resin composite material is often used for making dental veneers that are permanently cemented to the teeth.

People have the option of getting just a single veneer if they have a broken or chipped tooth but it has been observed that many people are getting 6 to 8 veneers to create a symmetrical smile. The top eight front teeth are the most common recipients of veneers.

What Options Do People Have When Choosing Dental Veneers?

Porcelain is the material most commonly used to make dental veneers. When people prefer to apply traditional dental veneers from dental veneers near them they must be prepared for intensive prep work when compared to alternatives that are also available and known as no-prep veneers. This variety is less invasive and does not take much time to be cemented to the teeth.

When people approach dental veneers in Highland Village, TX, the dentist attending to them will be grinding down the structure of the tooth and may even go past the enamel during this procedure. It allows for proper placement of the new veneer but is irreversible and can cause pain. The procedure will be performed under local anesthetic.

Veneers cannot be considered as similar to crowns or implants. They can just cover the front surface of the tooth. Implants are used to replace the entire tooth and crowns also encase the tooth completely. Veneers can only cover the front surface which is visible when smiling.

The Benefits of Dental Veneers Explained

Improving the appearance of your teeth is perhaps the biggest benefit of dental veneers. They can give you an even and a brighter smile. Dental veneers in Highland Village often recommend them to treat the following cosmetic concerns:

• Chipped or broken teeth.
• Gaps between the teeth.
• Smaller than average teeth.
• Unusually shaped teeth.
• Severe discoloration that cannot be fixed even with whitening treatments.

Depending on the type of veneer chosen they can last for over a decade. They can be considered as a semi permanent investment that can make you smile more confidently.

How Are the Veneers Bonded to the Teeth?

Dental veneers in Highland Village, TX, takes between one to 2 weeks for the veneers to be placed on your teeth. This is after the dentist takes a mold of your teeth for the dental laboratory. After they are returned you can schedule an appointment to have them bonded. The dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth before the placement to prevent bacteria from being trapped under the veneer and causing problems. A grinding tool will also be used to roughen the texture of the tooth which is the recipient of the veneer. The grinding makes it easier for the veneer to bond to the tooth.

Dentist near you in Highland Village, TX will also make use of dental cement to bond the veneer to the tooth along with ultraviolet light to harden the cement. You will be displaying your new smile to the world as you leave the office of the dentist.

What Is the Cost of Dental Veneers?

The consumer guide to dentistry states that traditional veneers can cost in the region of $ 925-$ 2500 per tooth and each placement can last up to 10 to 15 years. Veneers are not covered by insurance because of the cosmetic nature of the process. The cost of veneers will depend on factors like the type of veneer chosen, the brand name available with your dentist, the cost of living in your area and the experience of the dentist. If costs are a concern you can consider no-prep veneers which cost around $ 800-$ 2000 per tooth but last for just 5 to 7 years. Under the circumstances, the better option for you would be to choose traditional veneers because these are the most cost-effective option.

Regardless of the type of veneer, you choose you can rest assured that you will walk out of the dentist’s office with a bright smile hiding all the concerns you had about your mouth behind the new placements.

There is nothing a bright perfect smile cannot achieve. But a lot of factors like accidents, age, medications etc. can wear down your pearly whites. However, Cosmetic Dentistry can alter the looks and even the functions of your teeth. Here is how Cosmetic dentistry at Campbell & Williams Family Dental can help you transform your smile:

• Cosmetic Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is among the most sought after procedures when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. This procedure uses bleach to remove stains and discolouration from your teeth. Teeth Whitening in Highland Village can be done by dentists in their dental clinic or by providing you with a kit to use over a period of time.

• Cosmetic Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers in Highland Village are made of porcelain that is added to correct small gaps, cracks, chips or discolouration in your teeth. They are also an alternative to teeth whitening and can be used to alter the shape of your teeth.

• Cosmetic Dental Implants

If you have got a case of a missing or broken tooth, then dental implants are the savior of your beautiful smile. Dental Implants in Highland Village is made of titanium that is placed in your jaw that acts as a root to support your crown.

• Cosmetic Dental Crowns

A dental crown is added over the tooth in order to repair damaged or discolored teeth. Dental Crowns in Highland Village are utilized to restore the naturally beautiful smile of the people. Campbell & Williams Family Dental makes custom crowns that match your teeth color to make them more natural-looking.

• Cosmetic Teeth Shaping

Over the years’ Teeth Shaping in Highland Village has gained popularity. It is a simple procedure that is less time consuming than getting braces. Campbell & Williams Family Dental performs a procedure known as bonding that includes both reshaping and contouring, which enhances the overall appearance of your smile.

• Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment

Adults too can get orthodontic treatment to fix their crooked smile. The braces and aligners are placed on teeth in order to move them to their desired location. Book an appointment with Campbell & Williams Family Dental to get the reliable Orthodontic Treatment in Highland Village.