Ensuring Your Dental Implants’ Safety

Your dental implants have done you a lot of good. First of all, they allow your artificial teeth to stay firmly inside your mouth, saving you the trouble of having to compromise your oral health with adhesives. Secondly, they enable your artificial teeth to function as if they were your original teeth, granting you the privilege to eat your food and converse with different people like you normally would. Aside from that, they provide your jawbone with the stimulation that prevents it from deteriorating, greatly decreasing your chances of ending up with an aged appearance. Therefore, you should take it upon yourself to keep your dental implants out of harm’s way.

To help you ensure your dental implants’ safety, we have outlined a few tips:

• Clean your teeth consistently. When you brush and floss your teeth consistently, you can get rid of the bacteria that are capable of damaging the soft and hard tissues that keep your dental implants from dropping out of your mouth.
• See to it that your toothpaste doesn’t contain any abrasive ingredients. You’re more than likely to wear your dental implants down by brushing your teeth with abrasive toothpaste.
• Try cleaning your teeth with other products. You can strengthen your dental implants’ defense against bacteria using other products such as oral irrigators, floss threaders, and interproximal brushes.
• Don’t consume anything hot without letting it cool down. Just like bacteria, the heat from hot foods and beverages can also destroy the tissues that are responsible for stabilizing your dental implants. Thus, you shouldn’t consume anything that’s too hot.
• Refrain from using your teeth to untie ropes and open packages. This makes it possible for your dental implants to remain stable.
• Schedule dental visits on a regular basis. It’s imperative that you regularly schedule dental visits as your Plano dentist can effectively eliminate bacteria from your dental implants and find out if you have a condition that can jeopardize them.

If you want to know more tips on ensuring your dental implants’ safety, you may visit us here at Plano Smile Studio or give us a call any time.

Frequently Asked Questions on Veneers

Keeping your teeth in perfect physical condition is your number one priority. Why won’t it be? When your pearly whites look aesthetically pleasing, you don’t have to hesitate to attend fun social events. Moreover, you can smile at your friends and special someone without having to worry about possibly triggering a negative reaction from them. In addition to that, you can confidently share your ideas during business meetings. The bad news is uncontrollable factors such as your age and genes can make your teeth susceptible to discoloration. Fortunately, your Plano dentist can rid you of discolored teeth with the aid of veneers.

To obtain adequate knowledge on veneers, you may refer to the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on them below.

• Aside from discolored teeth, what other cosmetic dental problems do veneers treat?
Veneers also treat chipped, worn down, and misaligned teeth.
• How many dental appointments does receiving a veneer entail?
Receiving a conventional veneer entails three dental appointments.
• Do I need to get a temporary veneer while waiting for the dental laboratory to finish creating the permanent veneer?
It depends on the overall appearance of your prepared tooth. If your prepared tooth doesn’t look too different from the rest of your teeth, you no longer require a temporary veneer. However, if your prepared tooth stands out, you need to get a temporary veneer.
• What benefits do veneers offer?
Veneers don’t put your dental health in jeopardy since your dentist can connect them to your affected teeth by shaving off only a small portion of those teeth’s enamel. Furthermore, veneers don’t stain easily.
• How long do veneers last?
Veneers are capable of lasting for five to ten years.
• How do I take care of veneers?

You can take care of veneers by maintaining good oral habits and eliminating stain-causing foods and beverages from your diet.
Dr. John Hucklebridge can further educate you on veneers. You may calling us to book a consultation with him.

The Word Radio Interview

Dr. John M. Hucklebridge on 100.7 FM The Word, with host Lisa Moore.
May 22, 2008
Dr. John M. Hucklebridge is regarded as one of the most experienced cosmetic dentists in Plano. Over the course of his career, he has helped many dental implantsporcelain veneers and teeth whitening patients achieve their aesthetic dreams. In addition, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge is renowned as one of the most accomplished Invisalign experts. Please visit the respective pages to learn more about these procedures.

Five Things to Look For When Choosing a New Dentist

When you’re searching for a new dentist, you have a lot to consider. Whether you just need regular dental cleanings and checkups, or if you require more specialized treatments, make sure to find the best cosmetic dentist, restorative dentist, or family dentist in your area. Here are five different aspects of a dental practice to look for when you search for a new dentist:

1. See what standard services your new dentist might offer. Most dentists recommend cleanings and checkups at least once every six months, so make sure you find a dentist office that will allow you to get your required treatments. Other regular services include dental x-rays, fillings, root canals, and other dental hygiene treatments as needed.

2. Find out about more specialized services, such as cosmetic dental and restorative treatments. Cosmetic procedures include whitening, porcelain veneers, and dental implants. Restorative services also cover dental implants and dental mini implants, in addition to dentures, bridge and crown restoration, and other replacements for missing teeth.

3. Some clinics will offer quick and simple services that won’t keep you coming back for multiple painful procedures. Some dentists can provide dental implants in as little as a day or even an hour, so make sure you compare teeth in an hour costs between clinics. Also known as “permanent teeth in a day,” teeth in an hour costs and availability vary depending on cosmetic dentist, so make sure to inquire about this treatment if you are eligible for it.

4. Does the dentist take your insurance? Be sure to evaluate a new dentist based on whether or not they accept your dental plan. You can typically find out by contacting your prospective dental clinic, or by checking with your insurance company. If you don’t have insurance, or if your insurance only covers partial costs on treatments, make sure to find out about co-pays and fees that your new dentist charges. For instance, if you require dental implants, you may want to ask about their dental implant, denture, or teeth in an hour costs, if those services are available.

5. When you visit, be sure to pay attention to the service you receive. Are the staff members — both dental and support — approachable and friendly? Do the dentist and hygienists put you at ease if you are nervous? Did you feel that the dental staff answered all of your questions and addressed all of your concerns? You should be able to answer with an easy “yes” for each of these questions.

Don’t forget to also pick a dentist with convenient hours and location, so you’ll know you’ll be able to keep your appointments. If you are unable to keep an appointment, be sure to let your dentist know within the appropriate amount of time before your visit; a good dentist should allow you to reschedule. Above all, whether you need cleanings, cosmetic treatments, or a more complex procedure, make sure that your dentist offers personalized treatment that’s right for you and your budget.

Dental Veneers for Damaged Teeth

Did you know that some bad oral habits could wreak havoc on your teeth? Vigorous brushing can affect your enamel, irritate your gums, and cause sensitivity. Habitual chewing of ice and biting on hard objects can damage your precious teeth. If you have some chips and cracks due to some bad habits, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio can bring back your gorgeous smile with dental veneers. These custom-made thin shells are attached to the front area of your teeth to improve their appearance.

Dental veneers are an ideal solution for teeth that are chipped, cracked, crooked, discolored, and misshapen. To find out if veneers are right for you, visit your Plano TX dentist and get a smile assessment.

During your consultation, he will inform you about the details involved in the treatment including the requirements, costs, and insurance. Please feel free to ask questions and he’ll gladly answer them.

He’ll perform a complete examination of your mouth and may suggest that you take X-rays and other tests. Upon verification, he’ll prepare your teeth by removing a small portion of your enamel to make room for your veneers. Since it involves a minimal reduction of the tooth surface, you’ll get to save more of your healthy teeth.

After this, impressions of your teeth will be taken. The mold will be forwarded to an off-site dental laboratory for fabrication. On your next visit, the veneers will be fitted and bonded to your teeth. With proper care, veneers can last for several years.

Remember to keep up with your daily oral hygiene and visit the clinic for checkups and teeth cleaning. Avoid bad oral habits that can damage your teeth.

For more information about porcelain veneers, please feel free to get in touch with your Plano TX dentist. Schedule an appointment by calling 972.398.2550 today.

Handling Minor Cosmetic Issues with Dental Bonding

A lot of people think that cosmetic dentistry always involves complicated and expensive procedures. But for certain dental problems, your Plano dentist may recommend a relatively simple procedure called dental bonding. It’s an inexpensive procedure that’s used to treat minor problems in your teeth in order to improve your smile. Treatment involves the use of tooth-colored resin material that’s “bonded” or cemented to a damaged tooth to restore its shape and appearance. The material is placed on the tooth where it is shaped and hardened in place using a special light in order to form a permanent bond. The end result is a perfectly restored smile at a fraction of the cost of other cosmetic dental procedures.

Your Plano TX dentist may recommend dental bonding for:

• Fixing cracked and chipped teeth
• Closing gaps or spaces between teeth
• Brightening yellowish or discolored smiles
• Reshaping teeth
• Replacing old or worn-out amalgam fillings
• Filling up small cavities

Compared to other cosmetic dental procedures such as veneers and crowns, which take weeks to fabricate at an off-site dental lab, dental bonding can be finished in just a single visit to your dentist’s clinic. It’s also a non-invasive procedure where minimal tooth reduction is required, so you save a lot more of your healthy tooth in the process. You also won’t need to get a shot of anesthetic, unless your dentist will be using the bonding material to fill a small cavity.

Once the bonding material has been hardened and polished in place, the restored tooth can last for years with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your Plano dentist. Keep in mind that you need to take extra care of the bonded tooth as you could accidentally chip or damage the bonded material if you aren’t careful.

To learn more about dental bonding and how it could improve your smile, get in touch with Dr. John M. Hucklebridge by calling Plano Smile Studio at 972-398-2550 today.

Preventive Dental Care for Maintaining Long-Term Oral Health

A lot of people tend to avoid visiting their dentist for a checkup. There are a lot of reasons behind this from having dental anxiety to not having the time to drop by because of a busy schedule at work. Regardless of the cause, it’s important that you set aside some time to visit your Texas dentist as preventive dental care and early detection of any dental problem will result in simpler and less expensive treatments. Neglecting to visit your dentist for a checkup once every six months increases your risk for developing dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease, which could be costly to treat when left unchecked.

One of the most important preventive measures that your dentist provides is professional cleaning. While daily brushing and flossing can go a long way in maintaining the health of your teeth and gums, there are some hard to reach spots in your mouth that a brush can’t reach. Your dentist will clean your mouth by removing plaque and tartar buildup, which are the leading causes for tooth decay and gum disease. It’s easier, and less expensive, to undergo professional cleaning at your dentist’s clinic than to undergo treatments for decayed teeth and infected gums.

Early detection of oral health problems is also important as it allows your dentist to provide immediate treatment before a problem gets worse or moves on to a more advanced stage of disease. Prevention is always better than cure, so if your Plano dentist detects a potential problem in your teeth and gums, it’s best to address any concerns as soon as possible, to limit the risks of acquiring further problems in the future.

If dental anxiety is holding you back from visiting your dentist regularly, then ask about sedation dentistry. Under sedation, you’ll feel relaxed and at ease during your stay at your dentist’s clinic, so you may receive the dental care that you need without worrying about crippling fears and anxiety.

When was the last time that you’ve had a dental checkup? For preventive dental care and other oral health concerns, please schedule an appointment with Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of the Plano Smile Studio by calling 972-398-2550 right away.

Whiter Teeth in an Hour with Zoom!

Maintaining a bright and white smile on your own can be pretty difficult since a lot of factors can cause stains and discoloration in your teeth. The food and drinks that you consume on a daily basis will stain your teeth over time, even when you maintain a strict regimen of brushing and flossing after every meal. You also have to deal with yellowing teeth as you age since your genes will influence the color of your smile. While over-the-counter whitening products do work, they can only whiten your teeth by a shade or two, and this is after months of daily use. If you want noticeably whiter teeth, then the most effective way to do so would be to undergo an in-office procedure at your Texas dentist’s clinic using the Zoom! teeth whitening system.

Zoom! is one of the most requested teeth whitening procedures that patients ask for today. Treatment is finished in about an hour and the end result is a smile that’s up to eight shades brighter. This whitening system uses a particular formulation of hydrogen peroxide, which when activated with a special light would effectively break down stains and discoloration without affecting the structure of your teeth.

Your Plano dentist would need to conduct an initial exam first, to see if there are any underlying dental issues that need to be addressed before proceeding with the actual whitening procedure. Once cleared for treatment, your dentist will conduct three to four 15-minute whitening sessions on your teeth, depending on how severely stained they are and how white you’ll want your smile to be. At the end of your visit, expect to have brighter and whiter teeth that’ll have you smiling even more.

For longer lasting results, you’ll need to take some yearly touch-ups, which come at a minimal expense, so that you may maintain the color of your smile.

If you have questions about Zoom! or would want to know more about teeth whitening in general, then you would want to speak with experienced teeth whitening dentist Dr. John M. Hucklebridge. Schedule a visit by calling Plano Smile Studio at 972-398-2550 today.

TMJ Disorders: Signs and Treatment

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are a range of issues that cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joints and surrounding areas. For some people, symptoms can be just mild nuisances that won’t affect their daily lives. But for others, it could be a life-altering problem that limits the way they speak and eat. Plano TX dentist Dr. John M. Hucklebridge would recommend non-surgical treatments for TMD before undergoing more invasive procedures should symptoms and pain won’t go away.

Some of the most common symptoms involving TMD are the following:

• Difficulty opening one’s mouth
• Jaws that suddenly get stuck in place
• Clicking or even popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Tenderness in the jaw muscles and surrounding areas
• Pain around the jaw, near the ear, or even across the face
• Sudden pain when yawning widely
• Headaches and neck aches
Your Plano TX dentist would need to perform a thorough examination of your neck, jaws, and mouth in order to rule out other similar dental issues. He will take a look at your complete medical history and perform diagnostic tests such as X-Rays to have a better look at the problem. Once the root cause of your TMD is identified, he’ll make sure that you receive the best treatment based on your diagnosis.
Most TMD problems can be resolved through the following:
• Relaxing the jaw muscles to alleviate pain and discomfort through the use of moist heat packs or muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medicine
• Lessening muscle tension in the jaw through helpful relaxation techniques along with stretching exercises
• Eliminating tooth grinding and clenching by using mouth guards or bite plates

If pain is still present and other less-invasive treatments aren’t effective, then your dentist may recommend jaw joint surgery as a last option.
You don’t have to suffer a lifetime of pain because of your TMD. Have your jaw checked by Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio by calling 972-398-2550 today.

Protection and Performance from a Mouth Guard

They may be just small dental appliances but mouth guards are actually one of the most important protective gears that athletes wear while playing their chosen sports. Mouth guards protect the teeth, tongue, lips and cheeks from any blows that can tear the soft facial tissues or move the jaw out of place. By softening these blows, they lower the risk for maxillofacial injury or should it happen, lessen its severity. Because mouth guards have become such an indispensable part of many sports and games, many ready-made and pre-formed “boil and bite” mouth guards can be easily bought at just about any sporting goods store.

However, to ensure you get the best fit for maximum protection, Texas dentist Dr. John Hucklebridge provides patients in the Plano area the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear custom-made mouth guards that not only protect you from losing your teeth during rough play but also give you optimum performance. This specially-designed mouth guard does this by pivoting the lower jaw forward to relieve pressure on your jaw’s temporomandibular joints (TMJ) which helps prevent the excessive production of cortisol. At elevated levels, the stress hormone cortisol can cause a decrease in muscle mass leading to muscle weakness that could affect your performance in your sport.

Getting the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear is easy. It only takes a 20-minute painless procedure for Dr. Hucklebridge to take a bite registration and an impression of both your upper and lower teeth and 10 days for the centralized Bite Tech laboratory to create the mouth guard. Mouth guards are not just for professional athletes but also for adults and even kids aged 8 years old and above who engage in contact sports such as martial arts, football and basketball can start wearing it. Even players of non-contact or limited-contact sports like skateboarding or baseball, during which a player still likely to suffer a blow to the face or head, can benefit from this hi-performance mouth guard.

To secure an appointment with Dr. Hucklebridge for your custom-made mouth guard fitting, call Plano Smile Studio, a certified dental center for Under Armour Performance Mouthwear, at 972-398-2550.

Making Your Teeth Last For a Lifetime

Your teeth are very valuable to you. Why won’t they be? With your teeth intact and reasonably attractive, you don’t have to concern yourself with other people’s comments about your appearance every time you smile, speak, and laugh. You also have the freedom to indulge on on your favorite food. Aside from that, you get to keep a well-shaped face because of the support to the cheeks and lips that your teeth provide. But more importantly, you don’t need to make a conscious effort to search for potential tooth replacement options. Therefore, you should do whatever it takes to keep your pearly whites inside your mouth your entire life.

To help you make your teeth last for a lifetime, we have enumerated a few tips that you may adhere to:

• Turn brushing, flossing, and rinsing into routine activities. When you make brushing, flossing, and rinsing routine activities, you have a good chance of eliminating the bacteria which are capable of destroying the soft and hard tissues that support your teeth.
• Drink fluoridated water. Fluoride makes you less susceptible to tooth decay, a condition that can lead to tooth loss. Thus, it’s advisable for you to drink water that contains fluoride.
• Invest on a mouth guard. This helps cushion blows to your teeth whenever you participate in highly physical sports such as basketball, football, and soccer.
• Deprive yourself of cigarettes. Smoking can make it more likely for you to suffer from periodontal disease, another condition that can cause you to lose your teeth.
• Don’t let your sweet tooth get the better of you. It’s imperative that you abstain from foods and beverages that contain sugar as sugar aids in triggering tooth decay.
• Stick to a diet that consists of whole foods. Eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts makes your teeth much stronger.
• Visit your Plano dentist as often as you can. This gives your dentist a chance to clean the portions of your teeth that you may not have thoroughly brushed and flossed.

For additional tips on making your teeth last for a lifetime, you may schedule an appointment with Dr. John Hucklebridge by dialing 972-398-2550 or accomplishing our online form.

Do You Need to Go to a Dental Hospital?

It is common knowledge that you should visit the dental office for a variety of reasons and problems. Your local dentist is able to treat many basic issues, from cleaning to teeth whitening. But in the case of a dental emergency, you may not be able to wait for your local dental office to schedule you an appointment. In that case, it may be necessary to visit a dental hospital.

The state of American dental care is unfortunately becoming dire: studies show that over 20 million people in the United States are currently missing some of their permanent teeth, with one out of every 200 people between the ages of 20-39 lacking all of their natural teeth. And those numbers are only expected to rise: over the next 15 years, the number of people missing permanent teeth in the U.S. is expected to grow to over 200 million people. Currently, however, according to the American Dental Association, over 80 million teeth are being extracted annually each year.

Studies show that an estimated one in every five American adults have untreated dental cavities. If you are one of them, and you find the thought of becoming one of the growing number of dental problems in the United States abhorrent, it may be time to visit a dental hospital. Whether you have a dental emergency or simply need to schedule a dental surgery to correct an issue, a dental hospital will strive to provide the best dental care possible and give you a new and improved smile.

Jason

15 years ago I lost my front teeth. Dr. Hucklebridge was just amazing. We had to do a bone augmentation to rebuild kind of my pallet and my mouth and the tissue after that, and then we were able to set implants up into there. It really turned out much better than I could ever have dreamed of, they’re better now than the original teeth. John’s a perfectionist and if he can enhance or augment or make things better then he’s always looking for a way to improve your smile

Cosmetic Dentistry Crucial to More then Just a Healthy Smile

Cosmetic dentistry, including orthodontics and prosthodontics, is focused on giving patients more confidence in their smile. In doing so, these fields of dentistry focus on removing stains and fixing chipped teeth, crooked teeth and missing teeth. When searching for the best cosmetic dentist to fit your needs, be it for a porcelain veneers, a dental mini implant procedure, or any other dental cosmetic procedure, or new teeth in a day, it’s important to understand your options and select the right professional to provide them.

The advances in dental technology have evolved to give those who have chipped or missing teeth a permanent replacement, sometimes the same day they initially visit their cosmetic dentist. At one point, the only option for replacing missing teeth was dentures, whether full or partial. Now, we have dental implants, as well as mini dental implants.

Mini dental implant cost does tend to be higher than other procedures, but they also have well over a 90% success rate. Actually fusing the implant tooth directly to the jaw bone, a mini dental implant is arguable the most authentic way to replace missing teeth. In addition to the implant root fusing into the jawbone, similar to that of a natural tooth, the gum line then grows around and accepts the implant. But in addition to the mini dental implant costs, they are rather painful, especially for the first 48 hours.

Adding dental material to teeth or gums with bonding, laminates and adding teeth caps are also procedures to make for a healthier smile.

Your cosmetic dentist can also provide you teeth whitening and gum depigmentation, along with straightening teeth. The best cosmetic dentists are the ones that can not only make your smile aesthetically pleasing, but healthier for you as well.

The best cosmetic dentist is the one that can perform the procedure best for you and your specific needs. Many people don’t realize the importance to having a healthy smile has on their overall health. Cracking and decaying teeth dissipate bacteria throughout the mouth and bloodstream, which is harmful to the circulatory system. And with 178 million of the 310 million Americans missing at least one permanent tooth, cosmetic dentistry is a very important institution.

Tips on Maintaining Your Oral Health

Oral hygiene is your initial defense against tooth decay and gum problems. Brushing and flossing removes bacteria and plaque that dwell inside your mouth. To keep your smile healthy and bright, you need to drop by at the clinic at least every six months. Aside from this, your Plano TX dentist offers some tips on how to keep your oral health in tip top shape.

Eat a balanced diet
Eating a balanced diet is essential to your overall well-being and to your oral health as well. Your diet should include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, and low-fat dairy foods.

Additionally, you should eat food that contains calcium, Vitamin D, and omega-3 to fight tooth decay and gum disease. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

Exercise regularly
Regular exercise keeps your body in good shape and at the same time prevents you from being overweight, which helps reduce your risk of gum disease.

Avoid stress
According to a study, people who are always stressed tend to neglect their daily oral regimen. This can increase the risk of tooth decay and other oral problems.

Quit Smoking
Smoking is the leading cause of oral cancer in the US. It can also stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and other oral health problems. If you’re a smoker, you need to quit this habit at once.

Avoid bad oral habits
Teeth grinding, jaw clenching, chewing on ice, and biting on hard objects like pens and pencils can damage your teeth. You should stay away from this bad practice so you’ll maintain your gorgeous smile without any cracks or chips in your teeth.

For more tips on oral health, talk to Plano TX dentist Dr. John M. Hucklebridge. Please feel free to contact Plano Smile Studio at 972.398.2550. Call and book an appointment.

When a Filling Fails

Fillings come in all shapes and sizes, and some patients frequent the happy gas more often than others! Fillings are necessary to stop the spread of decay and restore the strength within a tooth, and research shows that about 80% of us will have at least one filling by the time we graduate high school. Fillings are fantastic, and we put a lot of faith in their ability to keep our teeth healthy and strong, but fillings are not always perfect. Sometimes fillings fail, and we need to move quickly to repair the damage.

What Causes the Failure?

When we talk about fillings failing, we are generally talking about large fillings. A large filling is necessary for a tooth that has extensive decay. Over time, though, the filling causes the tooth to get weaker, especially if it is an amalgam filling. The filling might begin to leak, allowing bacteria to go deep into the tooth, or the tooth might crack after years of being weakened from decay. In either case, you are at risk of an infection or severe damage.

Repairing the Damage

At your routine appointment, we will check your fillings for signs of damage, leaks, or weaknesses. This is one very important reason to maintain your six month checkups. If we find damage, we will recommend doing the repair very quickly to avoid the risk of infection. We repair these worn out teeth by placing a crown on top. The crown fits over the entire tooth to hold it together and add strength. It will also seal your tooth from bacteria, keeping it safe from infection.

Fillings are not made to last forever, so it’s good to know that we have an excellent solution to repair the damage and help you maintain your healthy smile. Contact us today to set up your next exam and cleaning. We would love to check your fillings and ensure that you have healthy restorations!

Three Reasons to Get a Composite Filling

With huge numbers of the population needing decay restorations, like fillings, we are seeking to find the best filling available! Here at Plano Smile Studios, we believe we have found that in tooth-colored fillings. These fillings are made of composite material that we can mold and change to fit your tooth perfectly! Take a look at the top three reasons to love your next filling from our office!

The Look – The look of a composite filling is beyond compare. No one will even know its in your mouth! The filling itself will blend perfectly with the rest of your tooth, creating a look that is perfect for a restoration.

The Comfort – With composite fillings, there is no worry about cold foods or a piece of metal touching your filling and causing you pain. In fact, many of our patients tell us that they can’t really remember which tooth has the filling because they don’t notice it at all!

The Durability – The one worry from many patients is that a composite filling won’t be as sturdy as the traditional metal fillings. After having a composite filling, though, our patients realize just how strong composite fillings really are. They bond your tooth together from the inside, creating a long-lasting restoration.

Getting a composite filling is really a no-brainer, yet some people still insist on using the old amalgam stuff. Contact us today to find out why composite will be the best decision you can make for your cavity!

Get Invisalign Orthodontics, No more Metal Braces

When you think about orthodontics, what comes to your mind? Do you get flashbacks to middle school? Pimply pre-teens running around with metal wires popping out of their lips and wondering what color combination your crush would pick for his/her braces next! Now imagine yourself, as an adult, trying to be professional with serious brace face? Let’s get serious! Adults need a better solution for orthodontic care so that we can get the alignment we need without the embarrassment that comes with traditional metal braces! That’s why we turn to Invisalign orthodontics!

Getting orthodontics is about more than making your smile beautiful, though that is certainly a plus. Orthodontics corrects misalignment, which is when your teeth don’t fit together correctly. Misalignment can make you feel uncomfortable, but it can also cause more serious problems, like bruxism. Bruxism is another word for teeth grinding. It can lead to sore jaws, TMJ problems, and worn down or broken teeth!

The Invisalign Solution

Invisalign braces make correcting a misaligned bite the easiest thing you can do to improve your smile! Your braces are actually a series of plastic shells that fit over your teeth to create an invisible alignment tool. Through images we take at the beginning of the process, we will plan each aligner ahead of time. Every two weeks, you will switch out aligners to efficiently get the smile you need. All you need to do is wear the aligners 22/24 hours a day!

When you are wearing Invisalign braces, you will be the only one who knows that you are having orthodontic work done. You can even take the braces out for special occasions, if you feel like you need to. You certainly can’t do that with metal braces! Contact us today to set up a consultation, and find out how Invisalign braces can change your life!

Preserve Your Natural Tooth with Dental Crowns

The end goal of just about every dentist is to help you maintain a healthy smile that you can be proud of! The healthiest smile is your natural smile, because your natural teeth sort of hold everything together for your facial structure. When you lose a tooth, the jawbone begins to recede a little bit because it no longer has a tooth root to hold onto. When you lose several teeth, or all of your teeth, your facial structure really begins to shift and change. That’s one reason why we want to preserve your natural teeth as long as possible. One way we do that is with dental crowns.

Now, teeth crowns are necessary whenever a tooth is too damaged or broken to be left on it’s own. Sometimes this damage is accidental, like with a broken tooth. Sometimes it is caused by an old filling that weakened the tooth. Sometimes it’s just a matter of decay. Regardless of the cause, this tooth needs to be reinforced so that it can continue to serve you as a part of your healthy smile. So, we place a dental crown.

How Does the Crown Work?

A crown is a made of gold, ceramic, or porcelain, depending on where in the mouth it is placed and your own preferences. It is a cap that will fit completely over the tooth. In order for it to fit in an already tight place, we have to remove some of the enamel from the already damaged tooth. We then use special cement to secure the crown to the damaged tooth, leaving you with a restoration that will function and look just like your natural tooth!

Whenever possible, we want to preserve the natural teeth in your mouth so that we can preserve the natural shape of your face. A dental crown is used for this purpose, but we can also use crowns for strictly cosmetic improvements, too! If you think a dental crown might be the solution to your dental problem, contact us today! We’d love to sit down with you and discuss all of your options! We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

How Sedation Dentistry saves your Oral Health

The way dental work is portrayed in the movies is kind of hilarious, if you are a dentist. We know how incredibly off-kilter some of those portrayals really are! The problem is that not all eyes on the screen know just how ridiculous those scenes can be! Granted, we’ve heard some pretty terrible dentist stories from patients, but with advances in sedation dentistry, we expect those stories to fall by the wayside. Now, we have patients who literally fall asleep in our chair because they are so comfortable during their dental procedure! If going to the dentist has you shaking in your boots, consider how a dental experience could go!

Imagine that about half an hour before your appointment, you swallow a mild, prescribed sedative. You arrive for your appointment (driven by a friend, of course), and are already feeling very relaxed as you read a magazine before the dentist walks in. The procedure begins, and you simply stretch out and close your eyes for a minute. When you come to, the dentist smiles and says that you did great! Your procedure is complete, and all you feel is rested!

This is How Dentistry Can Work

There is nothing stopping you from having that experience in reality! Fear keeps half of American adults from getting the dental care that they need when they need it. As a result, we have huge numbers of adults with massive dental problems who will probably end up losing their teeth because they let fear trump their oral health! It’s a scenario that makes no sense when we know what we can offer our patients here in the office.
If you’re to stop letting fear dictate your dental care, it’s time to give us a call! Sedation dentistry will absolutely change the way you think about your oral health. You will be ready to get the care you need without that lingering fear that you will feel or see something terrifying. All we need is one opportunity to show you what we can do! Contact us today to set up your appointment, and let us show you how peaceful dentistry can be!

Don’t Step Onto the Field Without Mouth Protection

There’s nothing quite like a touch of healthy competition to get the blood pumping and the fun rolling! Participating in competitive sports is a great way to exercise because you add the element of other people into your workout. You are more likely to push yourself when you know that someone else is out there pushing against you! Competitive sports can do a number on your teeth, though. Through injury or simply teeth grinding, you are much more at risk for a dental problem! Protect yourself with performance-enhancing Under Armour Performance Mouthwear!

Sure, you can buy a boil and bite mouthguard in the sporting store, but that type of mouthguard will only protect you from injury. Even a mouthguard custom-made by your dentist, while much more comfortable, is still only meant to protect you from injury. When you play sports, you are also prone to grinding your teeth as a stress/competition response. When you do this, the body begins to release cortisol, the stress hormone, which will hinder your body from performing at its highest potential. You need something designed for an athlete. You need Under Armour.

The Under Armour Difference

At Plano Smile Studio, we are able to provide you with this new kind of mouthguard. In a simple process, we can get the details about your teeth, and within a couple weeks, we’ll have your new mouthguard ready to go! These specially designed mouthguards eliminate teeth grinding while you play, so you can compete harder, go farther, and really give all that you have! We outfit professional, collegiate, and amateur athletes, all the way down to 8 years old, with this amazing mouthguard technology!

Don’t let another season go by without trying a performance-enhancing mouthguard. It will revolutionize the way you think about protecting your teeth while you compete! All you need to do is set up your appointment with us! Contact us today, and we’ll get the ball rolling on a brand new mouthguard for you or your athlete! We can’t wait to hear about the changes in the way you play!

What to Do When the Tooth Fairy Visits You Late in Life

In many countries, it is traditional for the Tooth Fairy to come and take a child’s lost tooth, leaving money in its place. In Hispanic countries, however, things are a little different — instead of a fairy, a small, magic mouse named Perez comes to take children’s teeth.

If you lose your tooth, or multiple teeth, as an adult, there won’t be any magic mouse to help you out. Luckily, though, there are at least several options that can help you restore the look and feel of your teeth. As anyone with missing teeth has probably found out, the issues are more than just cosmetic — we use our teeth in talking and in chewing, and both actions can be complicated by tooth loss.

If you have lost one or more of your teeth and are searching for solutions, here are a few things you should keep in mind.

Dentures

  • Conventional dentures are removable prosthetic devices that fit over the upper (maxillary) or lower (mandibular) arch, replicating the appearance of teeth and gums.
  • If people still have some teeth left, they might be hesitant to get complete dentures. Dentists might recommend this, however, if the teeth are likely to be lost soon in the same way (a medication, for example, might cause inevitable tooth loss).
  • Patients with dentures sometimes experience discomfort because of the way it sits against the mouth. For those who wear upper dentures, a loss of taste is common as well.
  • Mid-priced dentures usually cost between $500 and $1,500 per denture; insurance will typically cover a portion of this cost.

Partial Dentures, or Bridges

  • For patients who only want to replace a few teeth, partial dentures and bridges are an option. Partial dentures are removable, while bridges are fixed in place, using crowns that fit on the teeth next to the missing tooth.
  • Bridges are more stable, but also more expensive, and they require the supporting teeth to be shaved down in order to support the crown.
  • Bridges and partial dentures cost an average of about $7,000.


Implants and Dental Mini Implants

  • Dental implants are a solution for patients who want to restore the exact look and feel of their old teeth. Implants are made from titanium that is screwed into the jaw, with which it fuses like a real root. A fake tooth is then attached to the top of the implant, creating the appearance of a real tooth.
  • What is a mini dental implant? Dental mini implants are a smaller option, and they are used either when bone is not thick enough to support traditional implants, or when more support is desired for denture prosthetics.
  • Implants cost an average of between $2,000 and $4,000 per tooth. Mini dental implant costs range from about $1,000 to $3,000. A maxillary denture will usually use four mini implant dental screws to keep it in place more firmly.

​Are you interested in dentures or dental mini implants? Let us know in the comments.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Discoloration or staining of the teeth is a common occurrence, and can occur due to various situations. The cause of tooth discoloration often determines what the best treatment will be. In most cases, stained teeth can be easily treated in a dental office with a teeth whitening treatment.

Causes of Extrinsic Staining
There are two basic types of tooth discoloration: extrinsic staining and intrinsic staining. Extrinsic staining occurs on the surface of the teeth, and is the easiest to treat.

The most common cause of extrinsic staining is contact with strongly colored foods or beverages, including:
Coffee
Tea
Wine
Dark colored fruits

Another all-too-common cause of surface tooth discoloration is smoking.

This type of staining to the teeth can be easily treated by a cosmetic dentist. Treatment can be performed in the office and usually takes an hour or so. The dentist places a whitening agent on the teeth and then lets it sit for a certain amount of time. In some cases, the whitening agent is activated with a special light. The whitening agent is usually removed after about twenty minutes and re-applied.

In-office teeth whitening is usually very effective and provides dramatic results even after a single session. If staining proves more stubborn, though, your dentist might recommend a take-home whitening kit that will whiten your teeth gradually over a period of a week or two.

Causes of Intrinsic Staining
Intrinsic staining refers to discoloration that is part of the tooth structure itself. A common cause of intrinsic staining is use of certain medications, including antibiotics, or excessive exposure to fluoride while the teeth are developing. This can result in gray discoloration in the teeth, often in a striped pattern.

Traditional tooth whitening usually does not work on intrinsic staining, although some new techniques can alleviate this type of discoloration. In general, porcelain veneers or crowns are the best way to restore the tooth to its natural color if staining is intrinsic.

For more information about teeth whitening in Dallas, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.