Have a Great Smile with Dental Implants in Plano

Tooth loss is a common problem faced by millions of people. Having good dental hygiene can help to prevent tooth decay, but sometimes teeth are lost anyway. There are several options available to those who wish to fill replace their teeth including bridges and dentures. One recent alternative to conventional bridges and dentures is a procedure called dental implantation. Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that replace missing ones. Plano dental implants are ideal for people who want to replace teeth lost through tooth decay or accidents. Many people are conscious about their smiles or have problems eating due to tooth loss. Having dental implants can restore a smile and help to improve chewing functionality.

Dental implants in Plano provide wearers with many advantages over bridges and dentures. For one, dental implants are more durable than dentures or bridges because they are made of titanium. Dental implants are made titanium which is lightweight, strong, resists corrosion and is biologically inert, meaning that the body's immune system will not detect the implants as a foreign object. Titanium also has the property of osseointegration in which bone can grow into the microscopic indentations and crevices on the surface of the implant, improving stability. Osseointegration can cake several months to develop. Dental implants will also not develop cavities since they are not made of organic material. Dental implants also have a high success rate. Between 90% and 95% of dental implant procedures are successful, depending on the location of the implant and the physical condition and health of the patient. Dental implants can offer more comfort in contrast to conventional dentures because they are secure and fused to the jawbone. Dentures can slip, causing problems with chewing food and clicking noises. Having dental implants also removes the need to clean dentures daily and allows wearers to eat whatever they want without having to worry about if their dentures will fall out or be damaged.

Visit us next month for more information on dental implants.

Plano Cosmetic Dentistry - Origins of Cosmetic Dentistry

Anyone walking through a Renaissance portrait gallery will notice quickly that while almost every pretty girl and handsome man is smiling at the viewer, none of them are showing their teeth. The reasoning behind this is obvious: before the modern era, it was not unusual for even wealthy and healthy adults to be missing most or all of their teeth. George Washington famously had to wear dentures made from ivory and carefully strapped to his one remaining molar. World militaries demanded that their soldiers have at least three consecutive teeth somewhere in their mouth so that they could tear open packages. Even as late as the 1940s, it was not unusual for persons to have crooked or deformed teeth, often horribly discolored or chipped.

The advent of toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss and fluoridated water has done much to permit people to keep their teeth. This has led to an interesting phenomenon: because many humans once had fewer teeth than they do today, it is not unusual for our teeth to become crowded or deformed as they pile one on top of the other. Additionally, the sort of foods and beverages people now enjoy tends to discolor teeth. This has led to the invention and upsurge of cosmetic dentistry, which focuses on making teeth beautiful and more functional as opposed to merely present and accounted for. Healthy teeth are linked to overall health and good body image, and many teens find their lives happier and more fulfilling if they have better smiles. A mouth of straight, white teeth is also helpful for those who want to be more friendly and approachable, as it helps others to feel that the person they are talking to is healthy and well cared for.

The most famous procedure conducted by cosmetic dentists in Plano is the installation and later removal of braces. Braces have become extremely common among first-world teenagers, since humans, like most mammals, rarely have a perfect set of straight teeth. Braces are painful and at times humiliating, but in the long term they provide the patient with perfectly straight teeth that are not only attractive, but also much less painful and much more useful. Bent and misaligned teeth make chewing and biting difficult, and as the teeth push up against one another they are extremely painful. Thankfully, modern braces are not only effective, they are increasingly becoming less and less obtrusive. While some kids can select to have braces with colors or designs they happen to prefer, there is also the option of having almost invisible braces, which are mostly transparent.

Plano cosmetic dentists also perform teeth whitening procedures. As previously mentioned, much of what humans eat tends to discolor their teeth. This is also happens to some people due to genetics or childhood diseases. White teeth trigger a natural sense of good health in the observer, making anyone with white teeth appear more friendly and approachable. For this reason, cosmetic dentists use very gentle bleaching agents or, increasingly, lasers to whiten the teeth. This is done by delicately removing the outermost layer of the tooth in order to expose the brilliant white enamel beneath. Improved techniques and equipment now make this procedure safe, effective and inexpensive, allowing almost anyone to have the sort of bright, shimmering smiles that they see in the movies and on television.

More Plano Dental Tips

Use Mouth Wash
Studies show that rinsing your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash can give you added protection when it comes to tooth decay. Using a fluoride rinse is especially critical for those living in areas where fluoride is not added into the water supply.

Floss Between Teeth
While people know that they need to floss, not many people actually do it. Brushing alone will not remove the food particles that are stuck between the teeth. If left, these particles will cause plaque and tooth decay. In addition to preventing cavities, flossing can also reduce the chance of developing periodontal disease, which often leads to tooth loss in adults. For a healthy mouth, you should floss at least once a day. Most people floss before bedtime after all foods has been consumed for the day.

Properly caring for your teeth and following good dental health tips are essential in having a bright and white smile. Good teeth and gum hygiene should be carried out on a daily basis. Bacteria can begin to cause plaque within 24 hours of remaining in the mouth. Without removing the bacteria, tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities begin to form. Rotten or poorly kept teeth are very unsightly when it comes to meeting and talking to others. Damaged teeth and gums can also be very painful and make eating and drinking near impossible. Dental visits to correct the effects of poor dental health are very costly. Therefore, caring for your teeth while they are healthy is the best, most affordable, and easiest option available.

If you live in the Plano, TX area and would like more information, please visit Dr. Barnett’s website http://www.starranchdental.com. Dr. Barnett is a dentist in Plano offering both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services.

Plano Dentist – Dental Health Tips for a Brighter Smile

Society places great importance on the appearance of one's smile. Many people work hard to obtain whiter and brighter teeth. A person's smile is often the primary characteristic noticed in first impressions. Therefore, caring for your teeth and taking part in good dental health practices should be an essential part of personal hygiene. There are a variety of dental health tips that one can take to create a more beautiful smile.

Choosing a Toothbrush

Everyone is aware that they need to brush their teeth regularly. However, few people understand the importance of choosing a proper toothbrush. Many believe that as long as they brush, they will have healthy teeth. However, the brush that you choose has much to do with how effective your brushing will be. When looking for a toothbrush, choose one that has a head of around 1 inch in length and a rounded appearance. The bristles should be soft and not cause damage to the gums. Avoid brushes that feel abrasive and can irritate the mouth. The average adult needs a brush with four rows of bristles while those with smaller mouths and children need a brush with three rows of bristles.

If the correct toothbrush is not chosen, the gums can become irritated and sore. This leaves the gums more susceptible to being attacked by gum disease. People with sore gums are also less likely to care for their teeth through regular brushing and floss due to the pain.

Visit a Dentist in Plano

Good dental hygiene also includes regular visits to a dentist. Gum disease is a common occurrence in adults. The reduction of plaque on the teeth during check-ups will reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Thus, the likelihood of gum disease also lessens. During regular check-ups, the Plano dentist can examine the mouth for any signs of potential problems and stop them before they occur or worsen.

Teeth Whitening in Plano

Teeth Whitening Basics

Plano teeth whitening means cleaning, bleaching, or both. Teeth cleaning whitens teeth by removing surface stains. Bleaching means lifting the natural color off of teeth. If your teeth are naturally white, regular care and professional cleanings may be all that's needed to keep them sparkling. For darker colored teeth, bleaching may be added to lift the natural color and make teeth whiter than nature intended.

Cleaning causes teeth whitening by the removal of superficial stains on the surface of each tooth. The stains can develop from dark-colored foods and drinks, or from smoking. Stains can be removed by regular brushing, flossing, and dental hygienist cleanings.

According to the FDA, the term "bleaching" can only be used when teeth whitening involves the use of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, both of which are bleaching agents.

Stubborn food, beverage, and cigarette stains that can't be removed with routine dental care can often be removed with the addition of bleaching, especially when treated early, before the stains penetrate into the dentin.

Bleaching is the only effective teeth whitening treatment if the teeth have intrinsic stains from tetracycline, excessive fluoride, aging, or trauma. The degree and length of bleaching necessary to attain the desired degree of whiteness depends on the depth of the staining.

For severe stains, in-office bleaching treatments with a 9-40% hydrogen peroxide solution can be very effective. For less severe staining, at-home carbamide peroxide treatments can be used under a dentist's supervision. Carbamide peroxide breaks down into the equivalent of a 5% hydrogen peroxide solution that can be used long-term until the desired degree of teeth whitening in Plano is achieved.