Luckily, teeth whitening can help regain that youthful smile, and the good news for busy people is that treatment doesn’t have to be confined to a cosmetic dentist’s chair. Nowadays, the wide variety of teeth whitening solutions means treatment can be done anywhere. 

Simple teeth whitening can be performed using specially formulated toothpastes; their abrasive nature helps to polish out left-behind stains and can help restore the tooth’s natural whiteness. However, these toothpastes often require a great deal of time and use before any real noticeable effect occurs and are perhaps suited to instances where there is only recent staining.

For better results, consider using a tooth-whitening kit, which can be bought over-the-counter or from a dentist. These perform better than special toothpastes and can be used at home or at work.

Using the kit involves the patient wearing a type of gum shield filled with a bleaching agent on the teeth for a period of time, and the bleaching solution can remove more stubborn stains than formulated toothpastes. These kits are ideal for people with busy lifestyles looking for great teeth whitening results but who may struggle to find time for professional cosmetic dentist treatment.

However, for the best teeth whitening result, a cosmetic dentist is the place to go, as treatment will be tailored specifically to the individual. To ensure the best possible result, the dentist will use custom-fitted tooth trays that will better match the patient’s mouth than those found in over-the-counter kits, and the dentist will be able to formulate the bleaching agent to have the best effect on tooth stains.

Whatever method of teeth whitening is used, the patient may experience some temporary increase in tooth sensitivity, but this is surely a small price to pay to have a brighter, more youthful smile!

If you are interested in having a teeth whitening treatment and would like more information, contact the Art of Dentistry serving Highland Park Texas to schedule a consultation.

A dental crown is commonly referred to as a “cap”. The reason is that a crown is intended to cover the  tooth that has been damaged and cannot be repaired with a filling.

By placing a dental crown, your dentist can save a tooth that might otherwise be lost.  A tooth that has been cracked, broken or had too many fillings makes a good candidate for a crown. In addition, for a tooth that has been treated by a root canal, a crown provides an excellent cover when the dentist cannot seal the tooth by other means.

A dental crown can be made from different materials, and based on where in the mouth a crown is needed, your dentist can help you to determine the best possible product for you.

For a tooth located in the smile line, a porcelain crown will likely be recommended. For a tooth that endures a lot of pressure from chewing, a different material might work best. Your dentist will prepare your tooth and send the needed impressions to the lab where the technicians will be able to duplicate the shape and shade of your natural tooth for the final restoration.

Your dentist will prepare a temporary covering for your prepared tooth while your crown is being made. During this time, normal hygiene habits should be observed of daily flossing and brushing. If the temporary comes off, your dentist will gladly replace it.

When your final restoration is ready, your dentist will work to ensure the best fit and make sure the appearance is natural. If needed, your dentist has the capability of trimming and making small modifications to the crown at the time it is placed.

After the crown is deemed perfect, it is permanently cemented in place, polished to match the surrounding teeth and you end up with a restored tooth that looks beautiful and allows the same dental function you enjoyed with your natural tooth.

To learn more about dental crowns and to schedule your consultation in the 75205 area, please contact the office of Dr. Michelle Morgan at 214-528-9799.

However, if you are experiencing bleeding gums, this could be due to several things, including gum disease. A toothbrush with hard bristles or exerting too much pressure while brushing can cause gums to bleed. But bleeding gums are not normal and usually indicate a problem. If you are using a soft bristle brush, but are suffering from bleeding gums, it’s time to see your dentist to rule out gum disease.

There are several stages one might experience that could be a clue to potential problems. Gingivitis is a precursor to gum disease with bleeding and red swollen gums being primary symptoms. Healthy gum tissue is generally pink in color.

Chronic bad breath can be an indicator of gum disease. One of the reasons for chronic halitosis is bacteria that have built up in the mouth. These bacteria live on teeth, particularly at the gum line forming plaque.

Excessive plaque needs to be removed by your dental provider. Brushing at least twice per day with a fluoridated tooth paste or gel is critical, but more importantly flossing daily will aid in keeping harmful plaque from forming at the gum line between teeth.

It is important to note that your whole mouth does not have to be inflamed as a condition of gum disease. If you have one tooth or one section of your gum tissue where you are experiencing gum recession or have noticed a pocket starting to form around a tooth, it is time to see your dentist.

If you notice discomfort in one or more of your permanent teeth or they seem loose, you might have already moved on to the more serious periodontal disease, and should see your dentist right away.

All is not lost. It is imperative to see your dentist for a deep cleaning to remove plaque along and under the gum line. This will start you on the road back to healthy teeth and gum tissue. Smoking and tobacco use are major factors that contribute to gum disease along with excessive consumption of sugary snacks and beverages so eliminating these habits will be helpful.

Along with a healthy diet, get proper rest and observe good oral hygiene. Prevention is the key to healthy teeth and gums, but if you do notice any of the above symptoms, do not delay in seeing our dentist for corrective measures.

There are different types of sedation used in dentistry. For patients that require oral surgery, a general anesthetic might be used to allow the patient to sleep during the procedure.

But for the many patients who avoid the dentist out of fear or extreme apprehension, sedation dentistry offers a viable solution. Some folks are queasy about needles, and can’t bear the thought of going through having their mouth “frozen”. Sedation dentistry is a process that allows the patient to relax and slip into a completely calm state through the use of sedatives.

It is not just the fearful that benefit from sedation dentistry. For lengthy procedures or for patients that are unable to consciously sit in a dental chair for an extended period of time, sedation dentistry allows the patient and dentist a comfort level making the procedure fly by for the patient, and the dentist can work at a comfortable pace knowing their patient is totally comfortable and at ease.

Sedation dentistry is not available everywhere. It is important to do your homework to make sure you find a qualified dentist who has completed the required education to perform sedation dentistry. In addition to a qualified dentist, the office needs to be equipped with the necessary monitoring equipment, as well as staff to monitor patients undergoing sedation.

Your dentist should be willing to spend time explaining the advantages of sedation dentistry, as well as do a total review of your medical history to make sure you are a good candidate for this procedure.

On the day of your dental procedure, you will need to have reliable transportation and someone to stay with you for several hours upon returning home from the dentist. Many patients report they can’t recall anything about their dental visit, although patients remain conscious throughout the procedure.

Sedation dentistry has allowed even the most fearful patients the ability to see our dentist on a consistent basis.  If you are a patient who requires sedation, call 972-224-2020 to schedule an appointment with Michelle Morgan, DDS.

You might desire a smile makeover if your teeth have become drab and dull. In office teeth whitening can be completed in about one hour. Imagine arriving for your appointment with a set of dull teeth and leaving a short time later with a dazzling “wow” smile.

For many, their less than confident smile is due to more than just drab teeth. For misaligned teeth or unsightly gaps or spaces between your teeth, you might believe it will take years wearing braces and spending countless hours and trips to the dentist to achieve the beautiful straight teeth you’ve always wanted. A consultation about dental veneers will correct that notion.

Your cosmetic dentist has a solution that will take care of crooked teeth, broken or chipped teeth, or teeth that suffer from wear and tear. Dental stain can be due to diet, medication, age or trauma, but can be resolved along with many other dental deficiencies thanks to dental veneers.

Veneers are thin shell-like covers usually made from porcelain that your cosmetic dentist will design specifically for you. Veneers will be custom made to match the shape and shade of your natural teeth or to the desired shape and shade you’ve always wanted.

Veneers are attached to the front of your existing teeth, so in just a few visits your dental maladies are covered and become a thing of the past. Veneers are permanently affixed to your teeth, but since very little of the enamel of your tooth is removed, veneers are a much less invasive cosmetic procedure.

If you suffer from tooth loss due to decay, trauma or disease, you can regain your beautiful smile with one or more dental implants. A dental implant is a small metal screw-like device made from titanium or another strong metal. The implant is surgically placed in the gum where the tooth loss has occurred with the intention of the implant fusing to the bone making the implant the supporting structure for the restoration that will cover the implant.

The implant will work much like the root of your tooth, and your cosmetic dentist will be able to design a final restoration to match your surrounding teeth making your dental implant virtually undetectable.

All of these procedures are available at Art of Dentistry and our cosmetic dentist can give you the smile makeover you desire. Call today for a consultation to see how easy it can be to obtain your new smile makeover.

Dental Implants: The Basics

Dental implants are placed directly in the jawbone, where they are anchored to the bone in a process called osseointegration. This process is made possible because the root portion of the implant is made of titanium, which has the ability to bond with bone.

Once the root portion of the implant has bonded with the jawbone, the visible portion of the tooth can be added. These prosthetic teeth are carefully molded to match both the shape and the color of your original teeth so that your dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Dental implants require a healthy amount of bone tissue to be present for successful implantation. Your implant dentist will evaluate the health of your jawbone to determine if you require additional bone grafts or other treatment before implants can be placed.

Advantages to Dental Implants

Dental implants provide a number of advantages. Among these are:

• Implants are permanent
• Implants do not have to be removed for cleaning
• Implants allow you to speak and eat with confidence
• Implants look and feel like your natural teeth

One major advantage is that, once an implant is placed, it will help your jawbone remain healthy. Your natural tooth roots stimulate your jawbone to grow as you chew. Dental implants perform this same task, ensuring that the bone will remain strong and healthy for years to come.

To find out more about dental implants and to determine if you are a good candidate, please contact Art of Dentistry at 972-920-6085 and schedule your consultation.

Can All Orthodontic Issues Be Treated With Invisalign?

Invisalign is a versatile treatment, but severe problems with your bite or serious misalignment cannot always be treated with Invisalign. Your dentist will evaluate the severity of your misalignment to determine if Invisalign is an appropriate solution.

However, many issues with the teeth can be treated with Invisalign, including:

• Spaces between the teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Crowding
• Crossbite, overbite or underbite

If you wish to have Invisalign treatment, your dentist will take molds of your teeth and detailed digital photographs to determine the current position of your teeth and the optimal positioning of your teeth after treatment.

How Invisalign Works

After your dentist has evaluated the state of your mouth, she will use the molds and photographs to create a series of plastic aligner trays. These trays will move your teeth gradually into position throughout the period of your treatment.

You will wear each tray in the sequence for about two weeks. Trays should be worn at least twenty-two hours a day for the best results. In addition, you should remove the trays when you eat and drink—especially if you drink hot or discoloring liquids—to prevent damaging the trays.

After you have reached the last tray in your Invisalign treatment, your teeth will have reached their optimal alignment. Your dentist will provide instructions on how to keep your teeth aligned for the long term. You might wear a retainer periodically, or wear the final tray in your Invisalign sequence. Be sure to discuss the proper long-term care with your dentist to maintain your results.

To find out more about Invisalign and how it can improve your look and your smile, please contact the office of Dr. Michelle Morgan to schedule a consultation.

At-Home Care for Your Dental Health

Since childhood, we’ve always been told to brush and floss our teeth. Although these admonitions might seem like a cliché, these are the best building blocks for maintaining oral health and hygiene.

Brushing your teeth after meals helps remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth. If food particles are left on your teeth, bacteria builds up, feeding off these food particles and creating byproducts that are highly acidic. These acidic byproducts eat through the enamel of your teeth, causing decay. Brushing, then, is the first line of defense against decay. It is also the first line of defense against gum disease, since plaque can build up under the gum line and lead to gingivitis or periodontitis. Brushing also stimulates the gums to keep them healthy.

Regular flossing helps remove particles your toothbrush can’t reach. It also helps further stimulate the gums and remove plaque that builds up beneath the gum line.

Professional Dental Care

Regular visits to the dentist carry your dental hygiene and care to the next level. Your dental team provides a more intensive cleaning, removing any plaque or tartar that might have developed. Periodic fluoride treatments might be recommended to strengthen your enamel and keep your teeth healthy. Regular dental X-rays will help find decay that might not be otherwise visible. The dentist will also evaluate your gums to find any early signs of gum disease, and will screen for any symptoms of oral cancer. In all cases, finding symptoms or signs of problems early helps ensure successful treatment.

Preventative dentistry helps keep your teeth and gums healthy and beautiful, and can spot any signs of trouble before they become serious. Please contact Art of Dentistry at 972-920-6085 to make an appointment for your regular preventative dental care.