Dental Crown or Porcelain Veneer—Which is Better?

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Porcelain dental crowns and porcelain dental veneers have a lot in common. They’re both made from porcelain, for instance, and both are among the most common and successful cosmetic dental treatments. Crowns and veneers also share a number of differences, such as size and application, that make one treatment preferable to the other in any given situation. While both crowns and veneers can achieve the same end result—seamlessly enhancing your smile’s appearance—the improvement only works if the appropriate treatment is used.

The Beauty of Dental Porcelain

Dental porcelain, or ceramic, is popular for its ability to closely mimic the intricacies of a tooth’s appearance. Besides matching your tooth’s color, dental porcelain is semi-translucent and layered to reflect light the way natural tooth enamel does. When crafted from porcelain, both dental crowns and veneers can create lifelike results that improve your smile’sappeal without making your cosmetic treatment stand out.

Cosmetic vs. Restorative

One of the more prominent differences between dental crowns and veneers is the nature of their construction. A dental crown, or cap, covers the entire top portion of your tooth (also called a crown), while a veneer is bonded only to a tooth’s front surface. Though veneers can cover minor toothcracks and chips their purpose is solely cosmetic, and veneers aren’t recommended for more extensive dental damage. By contrast, a dental crown can protect a tooth from further injury as well restore the tooth’s outward beauty.

Evaluate the Extent of Damage

Placing porcelain veneers is often referred to as an “instant smile makeover” because they can address a multitude of teeth at the same time. By its very nature, a dental crown can only address a single tooth at a time. If your cosmetic issues extend beyond a single tooth, then Dr. Smith may recommend porcelain veneers over dental crowns to minimize the amount of tooth preparation needed.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

What is a White Dental Filling?

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When you smile or speak animatedly, you show more than just your teeth; you also show all of the dental work present in your mouth. For many people, this means the metal of one or more fillings flashing against the pearly white color of the teeth around them. For many others, however, their dental fillings aren’t noticeable, since they’re made from tooth-colored composite resin instead of conventional metal amalgam. Often referred to as white fillings, the resin restorations can offer a more discreet and secure solution to treating infectious tooth decay.

Composite Resin vs. Metal Amalgam

How do white fillings compare to their older, metal counterparts?

Durability

Naturally, metal fillings can withstand a greater amount of pressure than composite resin, which is a mixture of acrylic and glass-like particles. Because of this, Dr. Smith may sometimes recommend amalgam fillingsto restore back teeth, or molars. Nevertheless, white fillings can be bonded to your tooth’s structure, improving the tooth’s structural integrity by holding the tooth together.

Aesthetics

As their name suggests, white dental fillings can be custom tinted to match the specific color and shade of your teeth, making them invisible once they’ve been placed and polished. The cosmetic appeal of dental resin is so effective that it can be used as a purely cosmetic dental treatment, known as dental bonding, to improve a tooth’s appearance. Severe tooth stains, chipped or uneven tooth edges, or teeth that appear too short can usually be corrected with a cosmetic dental bonding.

Longevity

While all dental fillings are built to last, metal fillings are better suited for handling larger amounts of pressure for longer periods of time. Unfortunately, metal fillings may fail due to shrinkage or expansion in cold or hot temperatures (respectively). The longevity of metal and white fillings is different for each patient and depends on a number of factors, including how well you care for them, but most of them can last up to 15-20 years before needing replacement.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Spring Cleaning for Your Teeth

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Even though you sweep, mop, and wipe down your house every day, it can still benefit from a more comprehensive cleaning (spring cleaning!) every once in a while. Likewise, brushing your teeth every day keeps them reasonably clean, but you can’t effectively prevent dental health issues without periodic professional care. As a vital part of a good dental hygiene routine, professional exams and teeth cleaningappointment are like hiring professionals to do your spring cleaning for you. 

Value of Timing

Dental plaque is the “dirt and dust” that gathers on your teeth (actually, it’s a biofilm made from bacteria and food particles), and your toothbrush and floss are your broom and duster. Clever though the similarities are, there are significant difference between the dirt on your floors and the plaque on your teeth. For instance, if you leave plaque alone, it will harden into tartar, which you can’t remove with toothpaste and water. Another difference is that, while accumulated dirt might gross you out, accumulated bacterial plaque can infect to your teeth and gums if not removed promptly.

As the Days Go By

Experts have identified close to 1,000 different kinds of bacteria in the human mouth, and there are many more that have yet to be classified. Of those that are known, most oral bacteria are harmless, but a few generate toxins that attack your gums, and acids that destroy your teeth’s protective enamel. The substances they produce aren’t much of a threat when you can control the bacteria population in your mouth. However, once plaque becomes tartar, the bacteria it protects can remain in your mouth, and their chronic presence can lead to destructive gum disease and tooth decay.

Passing Inspection

A dental checkup and teeth cleaning visit comprises two vital aspects; thorough cleaning and comprehensive examination. The earliest signs of cavity and gingivitis development are often unnoticeable to the naked eye. Using advanced diagnostic equipment, like digital X-rays, Dr. Smith can check for inconspicuous symptoms and intervene with a preventive treatment, if necessary. Afterwards, one of our talented dental hygienists will carefully clean the plaque and tartar from every surface of your teeth, including just underneath your gum line, if necessary.

About Your Grand Prairie Family Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Do You Really Need Mouthwash?

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According to advertisements, mouthwash is an essential part of a good daily hygiene routine, and is necessary to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. What you might not find in an ad, probably due to time and space restrictions, is what plaque and tartar are made of, or how mouthwash alone can’t do much against their buildup. Still, your toothbrush and floss can only do so much, and the right mouthwash can prove invaluable to keeping your teeth and gums clean, when used properly. 

What Can Plaque and Tartar Do?

The point of mouthwash, and of good hygiene, for that matter, is to stop the over-600 kinds of bacteria in your mouth from overwhelming your teeth and gums. If they do, these microbes can infect your teeth with decay (leading to cavities) or slowly destroy the gums that surround them. Some germs even release sulfur gases that can persistently foul your breath. In fact, many of the most common dental issues originate with improper hygiene practices that allow bacteria to settle into your oral tissues. When plaque remains for more than 48 hours, it calcifies into tartar, which is too stubborn for a toothbrush, floss, or mouthwash to remove.

What Can Mouthwash Do?

For the best results, Dr. Smith advises carefully brushing your teeth twice or more every day, and flossing at least once. Removing plaque from your teeth inhibits bacteria’s ability to stick to them, and reduces your risks of developing a dental disease, or embarrassing bad breath. As a liquid, mouthwash can help rinse away particles of food and spots of bacteria from places you can’t reach. Then again, so can water.
The benefit of mouthwash is what it contains, which usually includes antimicrobial agents that can boost your fight against harmful oral bacteria. Many also have fluoride to strengthen weakened tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities, as well as odor neutralizers that chemically eradicate malodorous sulfur compounds.

About Your Grand Prairie Family Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Family Dentist

When is it Time for a Dental Crown?

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Good dental health is an ongoing process, and timing is essential in nearly every aspect of it. Dental hygiene, i.e., brushing and flossing, is most effective when it deprives bacteria the time they need to infect your teeth and gums. Therefore, Dr. Smith (and the ADA) recommends brushing your teeth at least twice every day, and flossing at least once, preferably before bed time. Likewise, when your teeth need restorative treatment, like with a dental crown, the best time to receive it is before your tooth is too damaged or diseased to save.

Why Cracked Teeth Need Crowns

A dental crown is a cap that’s designed to mimic the top part of your tooth. When your tooth’s crown is cracked or broken, a dental crown restoration can save the tooth so you won’t have to extract it. Since teeth can’t repair themselves, a crack will only grow worse as the tooth is subjected to pressure. A dental crown helps hold the tooth together while simultaneously absorbing your bite’s impact and improving the tooth’s outward appearance.

Isn’t a Dental Filling Enough?

If a cracked tooth is infected, or if you’ve developed a cavity, then Dr. Smith may have to perform a dental filling or root canal treatment (depending on the severity) before placing a crown over it. A dental filling describes a manmade material, usually tooth-colored composite resin, that Dr. Smith places inside a cavity to reinforce the tooth after cleaning and sanitizing it. The filling helps restore most of the tooth’s structural integrity while protecting it from reinfection, and a dental crown can add to that integrity to improve the tooth and filling’s performance.

Replace a Lost Tooth without a Bridge

In prosthetic dentistry, dental crowns are traditionally used to support a dental bridge. The crowns border an appropriate amount of replacement teeth, and are attached to the remaining teeth adjacent to the empty space in your smile. These days, however, dental crowns can replace lost teeth more effectively when they’re attached to a dental implant. The implant is inserted into the jawbone, like a tooth’s root, and the crown is attached to an abutment above the gum line. Together, a dental implant-and-crown combination offers the most lifelike tooth replacement by mimicking a tooth’s root-and-crown structure.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Porcelain Veneers—Common Questions Answered

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Do you want to improve your smile’s appearance, but have more than one cosmetic issue to deal with and aren’t sure where to start? Porcelain veneers can dramatically transform your smile without a dramatic or complex treatment plan. Best of all, veneers can address a wide variety of issues, from stubborn teeth stains to slightly crooked or misshapen teeth, with just a single procedure.  

How much of my teeth will porcelain veneers cover?

Veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. Unlike a dental crown, which completely caps your tooth, a porcelain veneer is designed to cover just the front and most visible portion of your tooth.

How much preparation is required to fit teeth with veneers?

Also unlike a dental crown, your teeth don’t need to be completely reshaped to accommodate a veneer. Typical tooth preparation involves sculpting a minimal amount of enamel (less than 0.5mm) from the front of your tooth. If you prefer, Dr. Smith may recommend Lumineers, which are no-prep veneers that don’t require permanent tooth preparation.  

Will my porcelain veneers look natural?

After your initial visit to prepare and measure your teeth, Dr. Smith will send the precise measurements and a mold of your smile to a trusted dental lab. The porcelain used is tinted to your specific tooth color, and layered to mimic the way tooth enamel reflects light. Highly-skilled technicians will hand-craft each veneer as a single piece so that, even if you need several of them, your veneers can blend in seamlessly with your smile.

How long do porcelain veneers last?

Porcelain is popular in cosmetic dentistry for its durability, as well as its beauty. Your porcelain veneers won’t last forever, like natural, healthy teeth should, but with proper care and maintenance, they can last for up to 10-15 years before needing replacement.

About Your Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentist

What’s the Easiest Way to Whiten Teeth?

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In most cases, teeth stains are the simplest cosmetic dental issues to address. They can occur simply from eating and drinking, and can usually be erased with a simple teeth whitening procedure. If stains don’t respond to your over-the-counter bleaching products, that doesn’t mean they’re indicative of a more serious issue. In fact, OTC bleaching agents contain only a fraction of the active ingredients found in professional whitening, and can do little more than lighten the slightest of teeth stains. The easiest way to brighten your smile, then, is to schedule a professional teeth whitening appointment at your Grand Prairie cosmetic dentist’s office.

Results are What Matter

Extrinsic, or surface, stains are the most common form of teeth stains, and occur on or just underneath the top layers of tooth enamel. The main agents in teeth whitening gel, typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, work by erasing enamel stains and brightening the tooth’s appearance. OTC whiteners contain minimal concentrations of peroxide, and aren’t sufficient for most noticeable stains. Prescribed bleaching agents, however, can specifically target your teeth’s stains with highly-effective, professional-strength whitening gel.

Designed for Your Convenience

One of the main reasons patients opt for over-the-counter whitening products is the convenience of applying the treatment whenever they’re schedule allows. A take-home whitening kit from Dr. Smith’s office combines the convenience of OTC whitening with the potency of prescribed treatment. With a take-home whitening kit, you can effectively brighten your smile from the comfort of home in as little as 10-14 days. Patients who wish for a brighter smile in less time may opt for our in-office treatment, which can erase your teeth stains during a single visit, usually lasting just over an hour.

About Your Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentist

A Bridge is Only as Strong as its Support System

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A dental bridge is designed to span the gap left by one or a few missing teeth, and besides adding fullness to your smile, it also reestablishes your ability to bite and chew comfortably. Unlike smiling, though, biting and chewing produces different levels of pressure that your dental bridge should be able to withstand. With that said, a significant part of your natural teeth’s strength is their support system, which consists of roots embedded within your jawbone that a conventional dental bridge can’t replace.

Issues with Conventional Dental Bridges

A traditional dental bridge possesses one, two, or sometimes three replacement teeth, along with an additional dental crown on either side. The outside crowns are bonded to the healthy teeth adjacent to the gap, called abutment teeth, to permanently support the bridge between them. Although sturdy and highly-effective, dental bridges lack the support that makes your healthy teeth so strong. In many cases, Dr. Smith may prefer to preserve your healthy tooth structure and recommend one or more dental implants, instead.

How Dental Implants are Placed

The parts of your teeth that dental bridges replace are called crowns, and only sit above your gum line. A dental implant is a prosthetic device that’s surgically inserted underneath your gums and into your jawbone, like a tooth’s root. Each implant is made with biocompatible titanium, and as your jawbone heals, it fuses to the implant’s surface in a process called osseointegration. Once your jawbone has healed, your implant(s) will be a permanent part of your anatomy, and can offer unmatched support for your new dental bridge.

The Long-Term Integrity of Implant Bridges

With a foundation held firmly in your jawbone, your replacement teeth can better and more comfortably absorb your bite’s pressure, prolonging the life of your dental prosthesis. By replacing your lost teeth’s roots, dental implants also provide stimulation when you bite and chew that helps maintain an adequate flow of nutrients to your jawbone. Without roots, your jawbone can slowly lose density due to reduced stimulation, and only dental implants can help preserve your jawbone’s integrity after suffering tooth loss. 

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Don’t Feed the Cavities

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Nature’s scary. Watching the Discovery Channel for an hour or two can teach us that. The nature that’s closer to you, however, can be equally disturbing, if you look closely enough. Your mouth, for instance, is an ecological forest that hosts over 600 identifiable kinds of bacteria. Some are harmless, while others, like Streptococcus mutans, focus their energy on systematically destroying your teeth. The more you feed them, the more they metabolize, and the greater your risks become for developing infectious tooth decay or other dental issues.

The Eating Habits of Oral Bacteria

When S. mutans and other bacteria accumulate in your mouth, they form dental plaque to protect them from saliva as they proliferate. Like all living things, these microbes eat and process the nutrients from your food and beverages.

When S. mutans feast on sugar, starches, and other carbohydrates, they convert them into acids, which dissolve the enamel around your teeth and pave the way for cavities. Every time you snack, your enamel can be exposed to acid, which depletes your teeth of the minerals they need to maintain healthy enamel.

Healthier Snacking Alternatives

You don’t have to cut sugar out of your diet completely to avoid tooth decay. After all, other carbohydrates can still feed acid-producing microbes. Instead, limit the amount of times you snack throughout the day, and save the sugary desserts for after larger meals, like dinner. Consuming calciumand phosphate, the building blocks of tooth enamel, can help keep your teeth well-protected. If you must snack, choose cheese, sugar-free yogurt, milk, crunchy fruits, and green leafy vegetables to help keep your tooth enamel strong and resilient.

Protection for Your Tooth Enamel

Does your toothpaste container say that it contains fluoride? If not, your next one should. Fluoride is a mineral that binds to tooth enamel—your teeth’s first line of defense against infectious mouth germs. After the acids from your meal dissipate, your teeth can replenish their minerals and fortify their weakened enamel. If acid erosion outpaces remineralization, then enamel can develop holes that can’t be repaired. Fluoride toothpaste and fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel in the face of acid erosion to reduce the risk of cavity development.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

filed under: Dentist, Grand Prairie Dentist

Have You Planned for a Dental Emergency?

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Though prevention is a major tenet of good dental care, emergencies (by definition) aren’t always preventable. They also tend to involve damage to varying degrees to your teeth and their supportive structures, making dental emergencies a common cause of permanent tooth loss. Fortunately, you can prepare yourself accidental damage, even if you can’t prevent it, and maximize your chances of retaining your healthy tooth structure in the face of an emergency.  

Minimize Danger

When in good condition, the enamel that surrounds and protects your teeth is the most resilient substance your body produces. It’s designed to protect your teeth’s more vulnerable structures and tissues from infectious bacteria while effectively absorbing the pressures of biting and chewing. When enamel is weakened by bacteria-produced acid, your teeth are more likely to sustain irreversible damage. You can keep enamel strong by;
·         Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day to control acid-producing bacteria
·         Consuming plenty of calcium and phosphate, which are the main building blocks of tooth enamel
·         Attend a dental checkup and cleaning every six months so Dr. Smith can assess the health and strength of your teeth

Keep Your Dentist’s Number Close

When an emergency occurs, such as a sensitive, cracked, broken, or knocked-out tooth, time is of the essence. If the tooth is completely avulsed (knocked out of its socket), then Dr. Smith may be able to save the tooth if you receive treatment within the hour. Save our office’s number, found at the bottom, so you can call Dr. Smith immediately if you need emergency dental attention.

How to Act in an Emergency

If your sustains damage, rinse your mouth carefully with warm water, especially around the tooth in question. If one or more pieces have broken off, collect them (if possible) and carefully rinse them, as well. Collect a completely knocked out tooth by its crown only; don’t touch or scrub the roots or any loose fibers. If you can’t place your tooth back in the socket, then place it in a small container of milk and bring it with you to your emergency appointment. For more information, read our tips on handling a dental emergency, or speak with Dr. Smith today.

About Your Grand Prairie Dentist: 

Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting us at (972) 262-5111.

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