September 2019 - Dental Clinic Gessner Houston

September 25, 2019

Cosmetic

NEW ALTERNATIVE TO VENEERS HAS MANY SMILING

Smiling with Venners

When it comes to a beauty boost, many people start with their smile. A bright, healthy smile can immediately bolster anyone’s looks. That’s why more and more people are visiting their dentists for cosmetic procedures to improve worn, misshapen and misaligned teeth. Everyone knows it’s important to look good for a job interview or beauty pageant. Do you want to improve your appearance? Here are 2 alternatives: veneers or lumineers.

However, the veneers that are traditionally used are generally associated with discomfort and pain. They bring to mind long, painful hours in the dentist’s chair. But now, new technology, like Lumineers by Cerinate, makes the smile-enhancement process easy and painless. Lumineers are contact-lens thin, super translucent “smile shapers” that make worn and misshapen teeth look straighter, more uniform and permanently white in the most natural way possible.

Lumineers

Lumineers, which can only be made from Cerinate Porcelain have a great advantage. The procedure requires little to no sensitive tooth structure removal for application. This means no injections and virtually no grinding down, drilling, shaping or cutting away of teeth. Since the process is so simple and gentle, the sensitivity usually felt after a traditional restoration procedure is eliminated.

“Lumineers are changing the way dentists improve teeth, giving patients the confidence to go for the smile they’ve always wanted,” said David Nusblatt, a dentist in New York.

In just two visits to the dentist, you can have a smile that’s custom made for you and clinically proven to last up to 20 years.

In an age when television shows like “The Swan” are all the rage and folks seem to be doing just about anything to enhance their appearance, cosmetic procedures are becoming more advanced and, in the case of dentistry, less painful.

If you dream of having the perfect smile but the thought of having veneers applied to your teeth makes you wince in pain, you’ll be happy to know there is a new, pain-free alternative to help you get fantastic-looking teeth.

Cerinate calls this new dental discovery Lumineers. Described as “smile shapers,” Lumineers are ultra-thin, super translucent porcelain that is non-invasively applied to teeth for a natural-looking smile that fits every individual. Anyone with “needle phobia” can breathe easy; Lumineers, which can only be made from Cerinate porcelain, can be applied without the use of anesthesia, so no shots are required.

September 25, 2019

Cosmetic

TEETH WHITENING: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening, also called bleaching, is a process of lightening and removing stains from a tooth. This process bleaches the enamel and dentin, the principal mass of a tooth, and brightens the discolored teeth.

What are the different methods of teeth whitening?

Some of the teeth whitening options are over-the-counter whitening systems; dentist dispensed at-home products, laser tooth whitening method; Loaded Tray Teeth Whitening method and in-office whitening methods.

Are the whitening effects permanent?

Whitening effects are never permanent.

How do the teeth whitening kits work?

The peroxide chemical is the main ingredient of every whitening product that bleaches the tooth enamel. About 10% carbamide peroxide are present in dentist dispensed products whereas 15 to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide is present in professionally applied tooth whitening products. When these products are used with laser, it speeds up the whitening process.

Who are not recommended to undergo teeth whitening?

Tooth whitening is not recommended for children below 16 and for lactating and pregnant women. Further, individuals with gum disease, worn enamel, cavities, and exposed roots should not undergo any tooth whitening procedure.

How long do the methods of tooth whitening take?

In-office procedures require two or more visits to the dentist and each visit lasts for thirty minutes to one hour. Whereas the at-home products purchased from a dentist or medical store and over-the-counter products take several hours to four weeks to show the result.

What are the side effects of tooth whitening?

Some feel temporary discomforts, such as gum or tooth sensitivity. But these symptoms disappear within 1 to 3 days after the treatment is completed.

How much do the different methods of tooth whitening cost?

The charges vary with location, types of treatment and product used. But Laser or power whitening treatment is always expensive than professional bleaching and home-based bleaching.

How to look after the teeth once they have been whitened?

One should eliminate those foods and drinks that stains the teeth and at the same time should stop smoking. He should brush his teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and visit the dentist at least once a year.

September 25, 2019

Preventive Dentistry

CAUSES OF TOOTHACHES

When it comes to toothaches, there are many different things that can cause a toothache. A toothache can come at any given time, even though you may not expect it. The pain can be unbearable at times, and you’ll do practically anything you can to make the pain stop. When a toothache first comes on, many of us start to wonder what caused it to happen.

Some of the main causes of toothaches include decay, a fracture in the teeth, and cavities. A crack in the tooth is also a cause, although it can be difficult to diagnose, as cracks will normally appear to be invisible to the naked eye and x-rays. Cracks can make your tooth feel as if it is exploding, as they expose the dentin and nerves to the air and anything else you put in your mouth. If you don’t get them fixed, they will get worse, possibly leading to your tooth breaking off at the gums.

Pulp irritation is another cause of toothaches, as it occurs after dental treatment. No matter how well your filling or crown was done, the materials that were used to fix the tooth can end up causing pain later on down the road. There really is nothing you can do, as crowns can sometimes come off or the filling can sometimes come out. If this happens, all you can really do is go back to the dentist to get the problem fixed.

If you have an exposed root or nerve, it can also be the cause of your toothache. This normally happens due to rough brushing, receding the gums and exposing the root. If the root is exposed, the air or liquid you drink can trigger a toothache. To prevent this from happening, use care when you brush and never try to tear your gums apart thinking it will get your teeth cleaner.

If you use tobacco products, you’ll more than likely get toothaches on a frequent basis. Chewing tobacco is a common contributor to toothaches and tooth pain, as the tobacco will eat away at your teeth until there is nothing left. It doesn’t take long for it to happen either, especially if you have been chewing for a long time. Smoking can trigger toothaches as well, as the smoke is bad for your teeth and eats away at them as well.

Even though there are many causes to toothaches, there are things you can do to stop and pain and prevent toothaches. You should always brush your teeth on a daily basis, and go to the dentist for your regular checkups. If you get a toothache you should always go to the dentist and get the tooth fixed. The dentist may be able to catch it early enough to save the tooth – which will prevent you from having to get it pulled and save you a lot of money – and pain in the long run.

Toothaches? We offers a variety of services to access all your dental needs. Contact us, we take care of your dental emergencies: ☎ 731-984-1115

September 25, 2019

Dental Care

A LOOK AT FLOSSING

Along with brushing your teeth, you should also be flossing on a daily basis. Flossing will remove plaque and debris in areas that your toothbrush isn’t able to reach. A buildup of plaque can lead to gum disease or tooth decay, which is why flossing is very important. If you floss immediately after brushing, you’ll notice that your gums and teeth will be much healthier.

When you look at dental floss, you’ll notice there are two types – nylon and single filament. You can get nylon either waxed or un-waxed, in several different flavors. Nylon floss is made up of several strands of nylon material, meaning that it can shred, tear, or snag between the teeth if it gets caught on sharp teeth. Even though the single filament floss is more expensive than nylon, it will slide easily between teeth, even tight areas and spaces. Unlike nylon, single filament is impossible to shred or tear.

No matter which type of floss you choose, as long you floss regularly, it will remove debris from your teeth and gums. If you’ve never tried flossing before, you will probably be amazed at just how much debris and food particles it can remove. Flossing is recommended by dentists everywhere, as it can reach places that even the smallest of toothbrushes can’t. Food and debris will build up between your teeth, which makes dental flossing very important.

The main problem many people have against flossing is the fact that it can result in bleeding of the gums. Anytime you floss and get between your teeth and around your gums, the floss will rub against your gums, resulting in bleeding. Many people take this the wrong way, and immediately stop flossing, usually for good. Bleeding is very common and should be expected with flossing.

When you brush your teeth, you miss a lot of food particles and debris that continues to build up in your mouth. No toothbrush is designed to get every area of your mouth, as all of them miss hard to reach places. With the areas missed by the toothbrush, the debris and plaque will continue to build up until they eventually result in a cavity or decay. To get this debris and plaque before it builds up into something more serious, you’ll need to floss.

If you’ve been afraid to try flossing due to the bleeding, you should really get over that fear and floss after you brush. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, you’ll to brush and floss your teeth. Regular checkups with your dentist will help as well, although it is up to you to continue your regular maintenance at home with flossing and brushing. If you floss on a daily basis – you’ll quickly realize just how clean your teeth and gums will be.

September 25, 2019

Dental Treatments

GETTING OVER YOUR FEAR OF THE DENTIST

Dental anxiety or fearing the dentist is a problem that many people have, and something that is somewhat difficult to overcome. This fear normally prevents rational people from visiting the dentist and maintaining the health of their teeth. The key to keeping your teeth healthy is to prevent problems before they start. Those who suffer from dental anxiety will try to avoid going to the dentist, which results in problems.

When someone who suffers from dental anxiety finally goes to the dentist, they normally find that even the smallest of problems can turn serious and require a lot of work and intervention from the dentist. Even though you may not realize it, regular cleaning visits to your dentist is the best way to keep your teeth healthy, and prevent problems such as decay and cavities.

You can use several techniques to overcome dental anxiety. Some of the techniques require mild sedatives, also referred to as sedation. Sedation is a way to relax, given by breathing or IV (Intra Vein) through a vein in your arm. Sedation will help you to calm down, although you will normally be awake to answer questions or talk to your dentist.

Some people who suffer from dental anxiety have had bad experiences. Any type of negative dental experience will normally result in emotional scarring and last for years. Anything that results in negative feelings for the patient will normally cause them to feel in a negative way toward the entire dental profession. Although all dentists aren’t bad – a negative experience will certainly make a patient feel that way.

When you look fora dentist, you should always ask your family and friends who they use, and who they recommend. When you visit a dentist, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask him any questions that come to mind, so you can be more relaxed. You should always keep in mind that you are customer, and the dentist is the one who needs to make you feel relaxed. Never should you feel intimidated, as the best dentists will do everything they can to establish a sense of trust.

Establishing trust is very important with the patient/dentist relationship. You’ll be going to your dentist on a frequent basis, so you’ll want to be sure that you can trust him. When you go to your dentist for the first time, you should let him know about your dental anxiety. If he isn’t willing to talk about it with you or do things to help you relax, you should look into a new dentist.

You can always tell who the better dentists are by the type of facilities they have. Dentists who have a lot of customers or nice offices have established themselves and proved that they are indeed the best. If a dentist has a lot of customers, it lets you know that he has them for a reason. People that are satisfied with a dentist, normally return.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, you should always let your dentist know in advance. This way, he works with you to overcome your fear. Over time, you’ll find that you can overcome your fear and establish a great relationship with your dentist. You can get over your fear of dentists, no matter how bad your fear may be. It will take you some time, although your dentist should be willing to work with you. Before you know it, you’ll be over your fear and more than willing to go to your dentist.