Dallas Restorative Dentistry Basics
Restorative dentistry is the art and science of diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases in the mouth aimed at restoring the function and aesthetics of the teeth and supporting tissues. Restorative dentistry is an amalgamation of various other specialties, including conservative dentistry and endodontics (root canals), periodontics (gum specialty), fixed and removable prosthodontics (replacement of lost teeth) and dental implantology.
In some countries, restorative dentistry is considered a specialty of its own and dentists receive additional training in this field. In most countries, restorative dentistry is also practiced by a team of dental specialists from various other specialties. Your restorative dentist must be an expert in all the different disciplines that make up restorative dentistry, but he should be able to integrate the knowledge in a seamless and sensible manner. There is considerable interactivity between the different specialties and the treatment planning can become highly complex, testing the diagnostic and clinical skill of your restorative dentist. Preventing damage to the teeth also comes under the umbrella of restorative dentistry; your dentist has to be able to teach you to maintain your oral hygiene and prevent future damage.
What are the common reasons for restoring teeth?· Dental decay
· Fractured tooth
· Dental abrasion
· Misaligned teeth
· Closing gaps
· To improve the aesthetics of teeth
How does the dentist restore decayed teeth?Dentists have been using dental amalgam or silver amalgam for over 100 years. Even today, most developing countries still use dental amalgam due the low cost and durability. Your Dallas cosmetic dentist uses dental composites and glass ionomer cements to restore teeth for patients who need a more aesthetic option for restoring their teeth. More extensive decays can be restored with onlays and inlays.
· The dentist will first diagnose the type of dental decay. He will determine the extent of decay with the help of a dental explorer and mouth mirror.
· He will proceed to take x-rays to determine the extent of decay within the tooth.
· Pulp vitality tests will be conducted to rule out inflammation of the pulp. If the pulp test elicits no response, the tooth is dead. The tooth will need a root canal.
· The dentist will use the dental drill to remove a major portion of the decay.
· He will remove the remaining decay with help of a slow-speed drill or hand instrument.
· He will then proceed to include retentive features and finish the margins to ensure a perfect fit for the filling.
· The extent of tooth preparation will depend on the type of filling. A dental amalgam will require ore tooth preparation than dental composites or cements.
· If the decay is extremely deep, the dentist will place a dressing made of calcium hydroxide.
· A base of dental cement is placed to protect the pulp from sudden thermal and electric changes that can affect the pulp adversely. If dental composites or cements are used as restoration material, a base is usually not placed.
· A band is placed to support the filling if the decay has extended into the margins of the tooth.
· The cavity is filled incrementally with the restorative material.
· High points in the filling is marked out with articulation paper and reduced to proper height.
TMJ treatments
TMJ is an acronym for the temperomandibular joint, which is the joint connecting the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. TMJ disorder is a term that encompasses multiple conditions that can affect this joint. It can be acute or chronic in nature. The TMJ consists of many muscle attachments, nerves, veins, arteries, cartilage and surrounding bones. It is a complex joint with a wide range of motion and is normally capable of dealing with most stresses on a day-to-day basis.
Several facial muscles are attached to the jaws and the forces applied on the jaw act through the TMJ, which act as a fulcrum around which the whole jaw hinges. The TMJ is vulnerable to any disorder affecting the joints in any part of the body, including arthritis, dislocations, ankylosis, trauma, etc.
What are the common symptoms of TMJ disorder?· Pain in the muscles of the face that can radiate to the side of the face and neck. Swelling and pain is experienced near the joint, in front of the ear, around the eyes and side of the face and head. Pain is commonly experienced when chewing, talking and yawning.
· Deviation of the jaw to one side when opening the mouth. You may also experience “lock-jaw.” With lock-jaw, the patient will complain of difficulty closing the mouth after opening.
· Clicking or popping sound from the joints is heard while opening and closing the mouth.
· Ear pain, ringing in the ears and loss of hearing.
· Headache, nausea and dizziness
What are the common treatment options available to treat TMJ disorders?Most treatment options available are conservative and involve medications and jaw exercises.
· If the cause of pain is trauma or if the pan is acute in nature the first thing you can do is apply an ice-pack to the joint intermittently while allowing the jaw to rest.
· Eat soft foods items that require little or no chewing. Avoid foods like hard candy, steak and raw carrots. Some patients are advised to eat hot soups or baby food for a few days until the pain subsides. Try eating food without opening your mouth too wide.
· Anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers can be consumed to reduce the inflammation and pain. Skeletal-muscle relaxants help relax tight muscles. Anti-anxiety medications can help reduce stress that can aggravate TMJ pain.
· Avoid resting your jaw on your hands while working or studying. Try to sleep on your back rather then your stomach. Maintain a good body posture while working.
· Your Dallas dentist will advise jaw exercises to help stretch and relax your jaw muscles. You can do these exercises at home in front of a mirror. End the exercises by applying a moist cloth to the affected side of the face. Repeat the exercises 4-5 times daily.
· An occlusal splint may be placed to establish a harmonious relationship between jaw muscles, teeth and TMJ. Splints will also help reduce teeth clenching and grinding which can exert unwanted pressure on the joint. Avoid over-the-counter mouth guards.
· Orthodontic treatment may also be done to establish uniform occlusion. Replacement of lost teeth with properly designed dentures, replacing old dentures, replacing defective fillings, crowns and dental bridges can also help. Improperly designed dentures can also cause TMJ pain. Orthodontic treatment is used as an adjunct to occlusal splint therapy.
· Corticosteroid injections into the TMJ can help reduce inflammation in chronic cases.
· A TMJ wash, which comprises inserting two needles into the TMJ and washing out the joint with water or anesthetic solutions, has been found to be effective.
· TMJ Surgery. Usually done as a last resort. Arthroscopy or open joint surgery can be done. The entire joint can be replaced with TMJ implants.
· Other options include: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound therapy, etc.
Patient’s Choice Award
Dr. John Hucklebridge was awarded the Patient’s Choice Award 2012 and recognized as one of Texas’ favorite dentists. This award is given each year to the top 5% of medical practitioners based on over 200,000 patient reviews at PatientsChoice.org. Dr. Hucklebridge thanks all of his patients who have, not only become an important part of Plano Smile Studio, but also spoke to nominate him as one of the top dentists in Texas. What a great honor!
Voted Best
Dr. John M. Hucklebridge has had the honor of being voted by his peers as one of the best cosmetic dentists in Dallas,Texas. D magazine’s confidential poll was sent to 2,400 local dentists who were asked to whom they would send their patients or loved ones. From there, an esteemed panel of dentists, representing a range of specialities and geographical areas, reviewed the final list.
Visit D magazine website
Dr. John M. Hucklebridge is proud of his reputation as a leading cosmetic dentist Dallas dentistry professionals would refer their patients and friends to. He specializes in a variety of procedures and is renowned as a talented Dallas porcelain veneers, dental implants and Invisalign expert. In addition, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge has many years? experience helping Dallas tooth whitening patients achieve bright, dazzling smiles.
Tooth Extraction: Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth
If you are planning to have a tooth extracted, or if you have already had a tooth removed, you should be well-aware of your options for replacing that missing tooth. Taking your long-term health and expectations under consideration, you can choose the tooth replacement that will be best for you. Then, with your implant dentist, you can develop a strategy for setting your plan in motion.
Although dental implants are typically the first choice for tooth replacement, it’s not a matter of simply placing an artificial tooth into an empty space. Instead, you’ll need to consider your overall dental health. How many natural teeth are remaining, and what is the long-term prognosis for those teeth? How healthy are the gums and the underlying bone? How strong is your commitment to daily oral hygiene? Are you healthy enough for surgery? How much have you budgeted for dental care?
If you are interested in alternatives to dental implants, such as a fixed bridge or a removable partial denture, your care may include fillings, root canals, and periodontal treatments in order to stabilize the teeth that will support your bridgework. That’s because your bridge or partial will only be as stable as the teeth that are used to anchor it.
No tooth replacement solution is without limitations. Bridges and partials can create excessive stress on the neighboring teeth and gums. These restorations are also at risk for breaking or needing to be replaced in the future. If the supporting teeth are damaged or need to be extracted, the bridge or partial may no longer be functional.
Dental implants are designed to last for a lifetime and should not need to be replaced. Routine dental care and diligent homecare will be required in order to prevent bone loss and implant failure. With far fewer limitations than any other tooth replacement solutions, dental implants continue to be the most ideal alternative to your natural teeth.
Contact the office of Dr. John M. Hucklebridge today to learn more about your options and find out which one is right for you.
The Importance Of Sterilization In Your Dental Treatment
Sterilization procedures are very important to any good dental practice. These are a part of basic care and handling of patients that your dentist must incorporate to be able to give you quality oral health care. Our mouths are teeming with microbes, and any dental office that sees a large number of patients a day has an inherent potential for spreading infectious germs between patients and dental staff, through contaminated instruments and surfaces. These can be greatly minimized by following proper infection control procedures.
The Centers for Disease Control has laid down infection control guidelines that a dental office should adhere to:
Good dental infection control starts with the dentist’s room itself. A well-ventilated room with air-circulating devices prevents building up of aerosols produced from the dental drills. The sterile dentist and assistant are immunised against hepatitis, wear clean personal protective equipment—a scrub apron, eyewear, disposable gloves and facemasks. The patient is draped, and may be given a protective “face shield” to prevent skin contamination from the dental drill’s water spray. An anti-microbial mouth rinse just before a dental procedure is important to reduce contamination.
The dental chair’s knobs and handles need to be chemically disinfected between patients. All the dental instruments that go into patient’s mouth need to be subjected a high-degree sterilization procedure, such as “autoclaving,” which destroys all microbial contamination. These instruments are then stored in a dry, sterile, contained area such as disposable pouches or cassettes, and removed just before using for the patient. Local injections require disposable needles with single-use syringes or sterile cartridges for each patient.
Surgical procedures require more stringent measures to eradicate all chances of infection and need special preparation of the dentist’s room. The dentist, assistant and patient all need sterilized gowns, and all instruments, drills, suction apparatus has to be completely sterilized. These procedures require sterile saline within the drills. Bone grafts, membranes and suture packets are all intended to be used once opened and cannot be reused at later appointments.
Sarah, a nursing aide by profession who recently got dental implants in Plano, said: “One reason I chose my Plano dentist to have implants was that I could see the utmost importance his office gives to maintaining sterilisation, which I know is crucial to the success of implant surgery. Not only that, it reflects on the commitment my Plano dentist has to care for his patients like his own family!”
Infection control measures not only reduce the chances of getting a dental infection, they also reduce the risk of catching serious diseases like HIV and hepatitis, so choosing a sterile dentist is important to stay healthy!
Porcelain Inlays and Onlays: What are the benefits?
When you are faced with the need for restorative dental care, you can really appreciate the wide range of available treatment options. Your smile is unique and your dental restorations should reflect that quality at all times.
Rather than recommend “cookie cutter” restorations, or “one size fits all” treatment, your cosmetic dentist in Plano will explore the available options to recommend the treatment that is most ideal for you.
When a small cavity or area of tooth decay has been diagnosed, a simple filling may be a sufficient treatment option. Silver (or amalgam) fillings, though very strong do not provide the best esthetic result. Resin or tooth-colored filling material may be selected to restore your tooth as well as provide a more attractive final result.
When larger portions of the tooth need to be restored, or when strength is a concern, a porcelain inlay may be the best choice. A porcelain inlay is a single, homogenous restoration that is designed to fit into a prepared space in a given tooth. The restoration is permanently bonded into place and blends naturally with the shade of your enamel.
Your cosmetic dentist may recommend a porcelain onlay when a larger surface of the tooth must be restored. An onlay provides a stronger level of protection for your tooth and is more conservative than a full crown. Esthetically, the onlay is virtually indistinguishable from your natural tooth. Similar to an inlay, the onlay is permanently cemented into place for lasting durability.
By choosing a porcelain restoration, your cosmetic dentist shows that both your functional needs and your cosmetic needs are high priorities. The porcelain that is used for dental restorations is strong enough to endure conditions in the oral environment such as moisture, temperature changes, and biting forces. With porcelain, there is almost no risk of allergy, and tooth sensitivity is dramatically reduced. At the same time, porcelain can be customized in terms of shading and anatomic details for a naturally appealing result.
Which cosmetic restorative option is best for you? Consult with our experienced cosmetic dentistry team at Plano Smile Studio for more information.
Voted Top Dentist
Why choose an award-winning cosmetic dentist?
Patients who pursue cosmetic dentistry treatments want to do their best to ensure optimal outcomes, and part of this process involves choosing a treatment provider. When selecting a cosmetic dentist, you want a professional with years of hands-on experience and an in-depth knowledge of the most innovative interventions available to patients.
For guidance in choosing a specialist, you can also turn to rankings and accreditations awarded by certain professional organizations, such as the International Association of Dentists (IAD), as further evidence of your preferred dentist’s qualifications.
The IAD recently named our practice’s cosmetic dentist, Dr. John Hucklebridge, as one of its top dentists in Plano for 2017. This honor recognizes Dr. Hucklebridge’s success and leadership in the dental profession. Only the top 1-2 percent of dentists are nominated for this acclaim.
This latest award is just one of many accolades that Dr. Hucklebridge has received in the two-plus decades that he has been practicing dentistry. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of General Dentistry, and his peers chose him as one of Plano’s best cosmetic dentists in a listing compiled by D Magazine.
In preparing for his career, Dr. Hucklebridge has dedicated himself to completing an extensive, ongoing educational regimen. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, and he is a graduate of Baylor’s dental school as well. Additionally, Dr. Hucklebridge continues to update his knowledge base by completing continuing education coursework and serving as a clinical research evaluator of various new dental products.
You may be wondering how Dr. Hucklebridge’s awards and professional training affect your care. A cosmetic dentistry practitioner must have thorough knowledge of the techniques and treatments used in the specialty. Keeping current on recent developments is essential, as is communicating with other cosmetic dental specialists.
Experience is also important in this specialty. Cosmetic dentists hone their skills by working on a wide variety of patient cases. At your consultation, ask to see results from a case similar to yours.
Dr. Hucklebridge’s in-depth knowledge of advanced dental technology gives him the skill set needed to provide interventions in a range of areas, including aesthetic dentistry, comprehensive restorations, sedation dentistry and dental implant placement. Contact Plano Smile Studio calling at 972-398-2550 and schedule a consultation to see if Dr. Hucklebridge’s award-winning skills can benefit you.
How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist
Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental procedure that improves your smile and appearance. It can be professional teeth bleaching that makes your teeth whiter, porcelain veneers that create a more uniform smile or a full mouth restoration involving tooth-colored fillings, braces, gum contouring and other procedures.
But cosmetic dentistry is not just about aesthetics; cosmetic treatments also improve or restore function. Braces straighten teeth and correct bite problems, and veneers give you a healthier, stronger mouth. Anybody can benefit from cosmetic dental treatments. If you find yourself smiling less and less because of bad teeth, it’s time to see a cosmetic dentist.
What to Look ForLike any medical procedure, you want a professional that you can trust. Consider your cosmetic dentist’s training and experience, and find someone who can create the smile you want and make it last for years. Look for a cosmetic dentist who:
Cares about your goals and preferences. You should have a pretty good idea if your dentist is patient-focused during the consultation. A great dentist encourages your input in creating a treatment plan, and listens carefully to your preferences. Make sure that your dentist explains all of your options and discusses the pros and cons of each procedure.
Invests in continuing education. Technology is constantly improving, and a cosmetic dentist who is up-to-date with the latest research and procedures is ahead of his competitors. This kind of cosmetic dentist is a professional who is better informed and can help you make the best decisions about your oral health.
Great reviews from actual patients. You can’t buy a genuine, glowing patient testimonial. Check the dentist’s website for ratings on customer service, office environment, success of dental procedures and other relevant information.
Dr. John Hucklebridge was named by the International Association of Dentists as one of the leading dentists in Plano for 2013. Schedule a smile consultation today to find out why.
Questions About Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is one treatment you can get when you need to restore the pleasing appearance of your teeth. It is usually made of tooth-colored composite resin material and the procedure can be done in just one in-office visit to your Plano TX dentist. It is also one of the most affordable procedures in cosmetic dentistry.
Below are a few common questions about tooth bonding that can give you an idea if it’s the right procedure for your dental problem:
What Can Tooth Bonding Fix?
Tooth bonding can instantly fix discolored, chipped or broken teeth, and even close gaps between natural teeth. It can also help improve or change the shape of your teeth making it longer or less sharp at the edges. Bonding can also be used as an alternative to amalgam fillings because it can give a more pleasing end result due to its tooth-colored finish.
How is Tooth Bonding Performed?
When you visit your dentist, he must first find the matching shade for the composite resin based on your natural teeth color. When that’s done, he will then clean and slightly etch the surface of your tooth to roughen it. Then a conditioning solution will be applied to help the resin attach or settle faster onto your tooth.
That’s basically all the preparation needed before the putty-like composite resin can be applied. Your Plano dentist will then shape and smoothen the resin until it gets the proper shape and size.
An ultraviolet (UV) laser or light will be used to harden the composite resin layer. Once fully settled, your dentist will do the finishing touches such as trimming and polishing the bonded tooth.
How Long Will the Procedure Take?
The length of the procedure only takes about 30 minutes to an hour for one tooth.
How Can I Start with my Treatment?
It’s best to consult with your dentist regarding tooth bonding and other cosmetic dental procedures you would like to have. Your dentist can perform the necessary checkups and exams to determine which treatment is best.
Please call Plano Smile Studio at 972-398-2550 to have your checkup today. The clinic is headed by Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, D.D.S. F.A.G.D.
The Amazing Benefits of Mouthguards
There was a time when athletes playing contact sports were not using mouth guards and viewers would actually see them bleed and lose a tooth or more in the heat of the competition. But times have changed and the athletes have learned to protect themselves by wearing mouth guards to prevent or reduce injury to their teeth, gums and lips while being totally engrossed in the sport they’re playing and without having to be conscious or overly cautious against potential injuries to the mouth. Mouthguards have indeed become an indispensable gear that many sports and health officials have made wearing them mandatory.
Although it may seem that mouthguards serve to prevent tooth loss from either deliberate or accidental impact, it does actually protect more than the teeth. Mouthguards also work to prevent or reduce the effects of concussions to the jaw or strain to the temporomandibular joint or TMJ. Strain to the TMJ can put pressure to other parts of the head and cause pain to parts of the face like the cheeks, temples or above the brow.
Studies have also discovered that apart from the pain, pressure to the TMJ as a result of teeth clenching during strenuous sports activity can trigger the production and release of the stress hormone cortisol. Prolonged, elevated levels of cortisol can lead to muscle wasting or atrophy whereby the decrease in muscle mass can lead to muscle weakness which may directly affect an athlete’s performance.
It is therefore noteworthy that a high-quality mouthguard may actually help to preserve muscle strength, prevent the draining of energy and improve the performance of athletes. And this is what Under Armour Performance mouthwear seeks to provide with its different mouthpieces and mouthguards developed from 15 years of ArmourBite Technology and recommended by professional trainers and coaches and wellness experts.
Under Armour Performance mouthguards pivots the lower jaw forward to relieve pressure on the TMJ and prevent the excessive production of cortisol. Get the protective and superior performance benefits from this top quality mouthguard from authorized Under Armour Performance mouthwear dental center Plano Smile Studio where Plano TX dentist Dr. John Hucklebridge will take your impressions and bite registration in just 20 minutes. Call 972-398-2550 for an appointment.
The Benefit of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Although it’s been proven that adults can still wear braces and enjoy the benefits of having straight teeth, it is understandable why many dentists would even so, recommend that braces be worn earlier, preferably during the pre-teen or teenage years. It is during this period when a patient has already outgrown their baby teeth yet still be young enough for the orthodontic treatment to be effective.
When we wear braces, the pressure transmitted from the arch wire to the brackets attached to the teeth over the course of the treatment forces the periodontal membrane to stretch on one side and compress on the other. When this happens, the tooth becomes loose but since the movement happens slowly over a long period, new bone grows and fills the space where the tooth was once located, supporting the tooth in its new position.
This explains that while this process can be done at any age, the teen years, when bone growth is at an optimal level, is said to be the ideal age for wearing braces. However, because of the highly noticeable brackets and wires of traditional braces, not a few teens that were advised to wear braces had skipped on the idea for fear of being teased at school, unknowingly passing over on the best time to get orthodontic treatment that will do them more good in the long run both aesthetically and health wise.
Fortunately, teens now have an alternative to metal braces with the Invisalign Teen clear aligners system. These custom-fitted, removable plastic braces are practically invisible that these will hardly be noticed throughout the one year period of treatment. The smooth aligners won’t make any unwanted cuts or wounds around the mouth and they can easily be removed for daily eating, brushing and flossing. As the aligner sets are worn and replaced every two weeks, they will still allow the growing of permanent teeth should the patient still be at this stage prior to getting the clear braces.
Don’t waste any more time. Contact Texas dentist and Invisalign Teen preferred provider, Dr. John Hucklebridge of the Plano Smile Studio at 972-398-2550 to make your appointment.
Keeping your Teeth Healthy
What is the key to keep your teeth healthy? Patients usually ask this question when they visit the clinic. The answer lies on your dedication to practice proper oral hygiene and your willingness to visit your Plano TX dentist on a regular basis.
Daily Oral Hygiene
Practicing proper oral hygiene plays an essential role in maintaining your teeth and gums.
Brush at least two times a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Run it over your teeth and clean your tongue. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
Floss once a day to remove the food debris trapped in between your teeth. You may also use anti-bacterial mouthwash to prevent bad breath.
Professional Care
Aside from your daily regimen, you should be eager to attend dental appointments. The dentist needs to examine your mouth, teeth, and gums and evaluate your risk of developing tooth decay, tooth wear, and gum disease. Once he detects a problem, he’ll suggest a treatment plan to save you from pain and costly treatment in the future. Additionally, he will teach you how to prevent dental problems and share tips on oral hygiene, diet, and healthy lifestyle.
Another important part of your visit is professional teeth cleaning. It thoroughly cleans your teeth by wiping away the plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. Regular brushing can’t clean those hard-to-reach areas. You need the help of the hygienist to get rid of the bacteria and caries that dwells in your mouth.
Depending on your needs, your Plano TX dentist may recommend tooth restoration to preserve your pearly whites. You and your dentist need to work together to achieve optimal oral health. Feel to discuss your concerns and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
You may contact Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio by contact us. Book an appointment right away!
How to Take Care of Yourself After an Oral Surgery
Oral surgery can cover different kinds of procedures such as getting minor gum surgeries, having dental implants placed on your jawbone, and correcting a cleft lip or palate. Proper care needs to be done after an oral surgery to make sure that you do not get infections or complications in the future.
After Surgery
It is normal to feel some discomfort after undergoing oral surgery because the anesthesia will eventually lose its effect. You’ll feel some slight pain during the first 24 to 48 hours, so your Plano dentist may prescribe medicine to help you cope with the soreness and discomfort associated with oral surgery. It is important to let your dentist know about other medications or health supplements that you are taking and if you have other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Also, once you get the medication from your dentist, take the right dosage as instructed on the prescription.
Getting enough rest is also important while you are recovering from an oral surgery. It is better to restrict your movement and not engage in strenuous physical activities while you are still recuperating. Being up and about for long periods can cause more pain and discomfort.
Other things to keep in mind include:
Diet – stay away from hot food items and liquids. It’s better to eat soft foods. Remember to consult with your dentist regarding shifting back to your regular diet.
Oral Hygiene – Keeping your mouth clean is vital during your healing period. Your dentist may recommend using a medicated oral mouthwash or warm saltwater rinses. Remember to still brush regularly but this time with a lighter touch and more care around the operated area of your mouth.
If you continue to experience pain, swelling, and other discomforts, then go to your dentist for a checkup immediately.
Plano Smile Studio, headed by Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, D.D.S. F.A.G.D., can help you feel as comfortable as possible during oral surgery. It is a trusted dental clinic offering oral surgery and other preventive dentistry procedures. To know more about our services, please call 972-398-2550.
Keeping Your Crowns in Perfect Shape
Wearing your crowns has so far been a great experience for you. First of all, they replace your missing teeth, making it possible for you to go to public places without concerning yourself about what other people might think of your physical appearance. Secondly, they improve your ability to bite and chew your food, granting you the freedom to sink your teeth into a mouth-watering leg of turkey or a slice of pizza. Aside from that, they fix your garbled speech, allowing you to express yourself with the utmost clarity. But more importantly, they prevent your remaining natural teeth from drifting to the open spaces in your mouth, making it highly unlikely for you to experience further tooth loss. With all of these benefits that your crowns give you, you should see to it that they remain damage-free.
To help you keep your crowns in perfect shape, we have enumerated some guidelines that you must strictly comply with:
• Maintain a clean set of teeth. Despite being artificial teeth, your crowns aren’t immune to bacterial infection. Therefore, you should maintain a clean set of teeth by religiously practicing good oral hygiene.
• Don’t exert too much force in chewing your food. Chewing your food with too much force can cause your crowns to crack.
• Stay away from hard foods. When you eat hard foods like hard candy, chips, and nuts, you may end up dislocating or breaking your crowns.
• Avoid eating sticky foods. Sticky foods such as caramel, gum, and jelly beans can loosen your crowns, increasing their chances of falling off.
• Never take anything hot and cold simultaneously. Since your crowns are made of porcelain, consuming hot and cold foods or beverages at the same time puts them at serious risk of breaking.
• Find time to visit a professional. Seeing your Plano dentist every once in a while gives him an opportunity to provide your crowns additional protection through excellent dental treatment.
For more guidelines on taking care of your crowns, don’t hesitate to consult Texas dentist Dr. John Hucklebridge by calling 972-398-2550.
Benefits of Invisalign Teen
Teenagers live an active lifestyle. They’re always busy with schoolwork, hanging out with friends, playing sports and enjoying other activities. When it comes to straightening their teeth, they don’t like the idea of wearing conventional braces with brackets and wires. They find it inconvenient to wear and tough to maintain. It’s good to know that your Texas dentist offers Invisalign for Teens, an advanced teeth straightening system that offers the benefits of wearing braces without the added drawbacks. Invisalign Teen is made up of a series of clear plastic aligners that are worn over a patient’s teeth in order to correct misalignment. Each set is used for a period of two weeks and then the patient will change into another pair until the desired position of the teeth is achieved. This revolutionary orthodontic device comes with several benefits that can’t be matched by traditional braces.
Invisalign Teen will not greatly affect your child’s daily activities as it can be removed when necessary. Your teens can take it out when they need to eat, brush, and floss. They can enjoy any type of food without worrying about the debris that may be trapped between their teeth because it can be cleaned after meals. Unlike braces, there are no food restrictions, which mean that their diets will not be limited to soft foods.
Maintaining their oral hygiene is easy because they can simply pop it out before brushing and then pop it back afterwards. Your youngster can easily remove it when he/she needs to participate in a game, play a musical instrument, or attend an event.
Best of all Invisalign Teen is virtually invisible. Patients can smile confidently without drawing much attention to his/her teeth. The appliance is custom-made for your child and fits snugly and comfortably over the teeth. The BPA-free plastic aligners won’t cause irritation, and since there are no wires or brackets, your teens won’t have to worry about injuring his gums or the insides of their mouths.
This cutting-edge technology is also effective for solving dental problems such as gaps, overbites, underbites, open bites, and crossbites. Get Invisalign Teen for your child by scheduling an appointment with Plano TX dentist Dr. John M. Hucklebridge. Just call Plano Smile Studio at 972-398-2550 to set a visit right away.
Suzette
I sing and I’m doing that every weekend. When you’re in front of people that close and you’re doing things like a wedding and people are videotaping those things, you definitely want to look your best.
Dr. Hucklebridge is a perfectionist because he wants you to feel as confident about the work that he’s done as he is about what he did. He is very sincere because he honestly cares about how you feel and about what other people see when they’re looking at you. You can trust him, I promise you will be happy.
Pam
Dr. Hucklebridge is like a teacher. He wants to explain step by step what the procedure is and what you’re going to go through. I was very confident that I would like my smile after my Invisalign treatment. Every time I would put in a new tray, I started noticing my teeth were becoming straighter.
I would definitely recommend Dr. Hucklebridge to all of my friends who are wanting to get a new makeover on their smile. He is the go-to guy in the dentist industry I feel, and he creates beautiful teeth and beautiful smiles and I’m very pleased with the results.
Latrice
The first thing I notice about someone is their smile. I was getting very self-conscious about it and I’d gotten to the point where I wouldn’t smile-I would mentally make a note, “Don’t show your teeth, don’t show your teeth.”
Dr. Hucklebridge is a perfectionist and I wanted my smile perfect. I think we started with getting the Zoom whitening, my gums were contoured and he actually matched up the veneer color of my bottom teeth to the veneers that I would be getting. I love my smile now; I get compliments all the time. I’ve sent friends to him, my daughter came in when she got her braces off and they’re perfect.
Kerri
I did not want to smile. Whether I was working or if I was just amongst friends. I had had some veneers done in New York City when they were first becoming known, they started to stain many years later and that’s when I came upon finding Dr. Hucklebridge and asking him to fix the problem. It wasn’t until he actually removed the veneer that I then learned that it was a synthetic veneer and not a porcelain veneer.
What Dr. Hucklebridge did for me really opened up a lot more for me in my field of work. He educated me which I was impressed with, because like all of us when we walk through the door, you’re not supposed to know this field, that’s why you come here. I base a lot of what I do off character, and I can’t really say enough about Dr. Hucklebridge’s character which is why when I leave here I share his business with people.
John
I had always been self-conscious about smiling very big because my teeth didn’t have quite the look that I wanted them to have. Dr. Hucklebridge actually went through an evaluation of my teeth and gave me two or three options, and I felt comfortable with not just being guided to one thing. Being able to chew steak really well for the first time in a long time was significant to me. I’m really pleased with how they look. My wife notices it, my kids notice it, in fact my kids don’t tease me about my teeth so that’s a good deal.
Improve Your Smile Without Breaking the Bank
Cosmetic dentistry is great! Patients come to us from all around to get the best look for their smile, and we are more than happy to oblige! Sometimes, though, a cosmetic procedure can seem overwhelming. It sounds kind of painful, or the price tag is a bit too much to swallow. If your imperfections are minor, we can still improve the look of your teeth by using dental bonding. This form of cosmetic dentistry is perfect for minor improvements to the smile, and the price tag is much easier to look at! Since you’re at Plano Smile Studio, you know the work will be done right!
Small cracks, chips, gaps, and discolorations can make you feel uncomfortable when you smile. You lose your confidence when you aren’t comfortable smiling, and people start to notice your discomfort. You don’t have to undergo major dental work to correct a small problem like that! We can take care of minor blemishes in one simple appointment with one simple solution, and you’ll leave our offices feeling noticeably more confident!
There’s Nothing To It!
Getting a great look has never been this easy! We simply use our dental bonding material to improve the look of your teeth! Dental bonding is a composite material that we can manipulate to be the exact same shade as your natural teeth! It is pliable, so we can make it fit wherever it is needed. We will apply the material to your tooth, harden the bonding, and then polish your tooth so that no one will know where the bonding is! You will even have trouble finding the material in your smile!
There’s no need for sedation or anesthesia because dental bonding is completely pain-free! You’ll be pleased with your improved smile, and we’ll enjoy helping you feel more confident! Don’t wait any longer to get the smile of your dreams. Dental bonding can make that happen without breaking the bank! Contact us today to set up an appointment, and let us know what you want for your smile! We’d love to help you achieve all of your smile goals!
Endodontic Therapy
When the decay on your tooth goes from moderate to severe, it’s likely that your Plano dentist will perform endodontic therapy on you. Endodontic therapy entails removing the tissues that cause you to suffer from severe toothache, granting you the privilege to once again enjoy your meals and sleep soundly at night. But more importantly, it makes a tooth extraction unnecessary, saving you the trouble of having to put up with all of the difficulties that tooth loss brings.
To help you overcome endodontic therapy, we have enumerated a few tips that you must follow to the letter:
Pre-endodontic therapy:
• Deprive yourself of solid foods a few days before your procedure. Eating only ice cream, yogurt, and soup a few days prior to your procedure makes it possible for your affected tooth to get the rest that it needs.
• Abstain from aspirins 10 days before your procedure.
• Throw smoking and drinking out of the window 12 hours before your procedure. It’s imperative that you lay off cigarettes and alcoholic beverages 12 hours before your procedure as nicotine and alcohol can negatively affect the local anesthetic’s effectiveness.
• Brush, floss, and rinse on a daily basis. Consistently practicing good oral hygiene before undergoing endodontic therapy prevents harmful bacteria from coming in contact with your surgical wound.
Post-endodontic therapy:
• Don’t chew on the side where your surgical wound is located. This keeps your affected tooth from hurting more.
• Refrain from smoking. Smoking can result to a much longer healing time for your surgical wound.
Dr. John Hucklebridge can provide you with more tips on overcoming endodontic therapy. Just contact us to schedule an appointment with him.
Voted as One of Area’s Best
Dr. John Hucklebridge, a Plano cosmetic dentist, was recently voted as one of the top dentists practicing in the Fort Worth area.
Each year, the popular lifestyle publication Fort Worth, Texas magazine asks dentists and dental specialists to nominate and judge their peers for the top dentist honors. The magazine will publish the results on Aug. 1, and the findings will be available on the national database at www.usatopdentists.com.
“Our staff is ecstatic to be voted by our peers for this distinguished honor,” Dr. Hucklebridge said. “The magazine and national database are both great tools for local community members to use when making a decision about their dental health care and the dental health of their family.”
Dentists can only gain inclusion to Fort Worth, Texas magazine’s top dentist list by vote; there is no payment accepted. The magazine has been been compiling and using peer-review data for the past 50 years and has consults with dentists around the country to establish an accurate vetting system.
This is not the first time Dr. Hucklebridge has received top dentist honors. He was voted by his peers as one of the best cosmetic dentists practicing in the Dallas and Plano area and appeared in the Dallas publication D Magazine.
“We’ve had the privilege of treating the great people in this city for many years, and we’re happy that our work and dedication is being vindicated,” Dr. Hucklebridge said.
Plano Smile Studio — 6001 Windhaven Pkwy., Ste. 200 — is a comprehensive dental practice in a state-of-the-art facility that provides family and general dentistry, sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental surgery, Invisalign, veneers, Zoom in-office whitening, tissue resculpting, dentures, crowns and implant dentistry.
Dr. Hucklebridge is a highly acclaimed dentist who received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and then graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas.
Plano Smile Studio teams up with skilled practitioners to offer a surgery suite for patients. Traditional dental practices often refer patients to other dental offices for extractions, root canals, periodontal surgery, implant placement and sinus lifts, but the Plano Smile Studio clinic provides all of those services in its comfortable new suite.
Dr. Hucklebridge is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, a designation awarded to dentists who complete 500 hours of continuing education and pass a lengthy examination. Fewer than 10 percent of practicing dentists earn the prestigious designation. Dr. Hucklebridge is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Crown Council, Texas Dental Association, Dallas County Dental Society and The Dawson Academy. He also evaluates new and existing dental products for Clinical Research Associates, Inc. and works with the organizations Give Back a Smile and Smiles for Life.
To find out what a mini dental implant costs or if you’re just looking for a Plano dentist, call the office at 972-398-2550
Protecting Your Bridge
Your bridge has been nothing but beneficial to you. First of all, it covers the vacant spot in your mouth, allowing you to smile, speak, and laugh without fear. Secondly, it greatly enhances your masticatory function, which means you don’t have to go through any trouble in consuming your meals. In addition to that, it’s non-removable, allowing you to keep your teeth in place without having to control your facial muscles or use adhesives. But more importantly, it ensures the stability of your cheeks and remaining natural teeth, making it highly unlikely for you to suffer from premature aging and further tooth loss. Therefore, you should do everything in your power to keep your bridge safe.
Below are some guidelines that you must strictly adhere to in order to protect your bridge:
• Practice good oral hygiene every day. Although your bridge isn’t real, it can still get infected by harmful bacteria. Thus, you need to brush and floss on a daily basis.
• Make a conscious effort to thoroughly clean the teeth that are connected to your bridge. The teeth that are connected to your bridge support it, so you should keep them in perfect shape by thoroughly cleaning them.
• Don’t rely solely on your toothbrush and dental floss in cleaning your bridge. Tooth care devices other than your toothbrush and dental floss such as an oral irrigator or a floss threader give you a much better chance of ridding your bridge of bacteria.
• Control your appetite for hard foods. When you’re unable to abstain from hard foods like nuts, bagels, chips, and pizza crusts, you can make your bridge susceptible to breakage.
• Try not to grind your teeth. This bad habit can cause serious damage to the teeth that are connected to your bridge.
• Schedule regular dental visits. Regularly paying your Plano dentist a visit enables him to inspect your bridge and the rest of your mouth for any issues.
If you seek more guidelines on protecting your bridge, you may see us here at Plano Smile Studio or get in touch with us.
