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.

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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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Are Toothaches Preventable?

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The trouble with toothaches is that they have more than one possible cause, and treating one depends on finding out what’s causing it. Luckily, preventing toothaches is considerably simpler, and can often be accomplished with good dental hygiene and regular visits to your Grand Prairie dentist. Most toothaches indicate the presence of a dental disease, like tooth decay and gum disease, and keeping your smile healthy can prevent your teeth from becoming overly sensitive.

Why So Sensitive?

One of the most common reasons for sensitive teeth is the thinning and weakening of your tooth enamel. As the outermost layer of your teeth, enamel is the strongest substance your body produces. Underneath enamel lies the tooth’s main body, a substance called dentin, which feeds sensory information to the nerves and blood vessels at the tooth’s center, called the pulp. If tooth decay or dental damage compromises tooth enamel, then irritants that reach the tooth’s dentin can be felt by the nerves, causing the tooth to ache. Gum disease also leads to sensitive teeth by causing gums to recede from their roots, which aren’t protected by enamel and are directly connected to the tooth’s pulp.

Toughen Your Teeth Up

Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day can help control the bacteria that lead to tooth decay and gum disease, preventing some of the more common causes of toothaches. To fortify your teeth against sensitivity, Dr. Smith recommends ensuring that your enamel remains strong and formidable by following these tips;
  • Use fluoride toothpaste—fluoride bonds to tooth enamel, which is made almost entirely of mineral crystals, to help strengthen it against tooth decay and cavities.
  • Refrain from sugar—sugar and other carbohydrates feed bacteria that convert it into acid. The acid destroys your enamel and deprives your teeth of minerals, exacerbating the destruction of your tooth enamel and facilitating the onset of tooth decay.
  • Don’t skip your checkup and cleaning—regular professional maintenance allows Dr. Smith to periodically inspect your teeth and gums for signs of trouble. Our talented hygienists will also thoroughly clean your teeth and gums of bacteria, plaque, and tartar to help prevent dental diseases from forming.

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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Get a Grip on Your Loose Dentures!

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If your denture feels a little loose, then you might try adding a bit of adhesive to tighten its grip on your dental ridge. If that doesn’t work, then you may have to visit your prosthetic dentist again to have your denture remeasured and possibly remade. Patients who’ve worn dentures for several years and longer may be familiar with the phenomenon of loose dentures, which can be especially frustrating since dentures are designed to fit snugly along your gums. However, patients who’ve supported their dentures on a series of dental implants can enjoy their new smiles without worrying about troublesome loose dentures.

Why Do Custom-Fitted Dentures Grow Loose?

When you lose your teeth, the missing crowns, or top portions, are the most visible aspect of your condition. Below your gum line, however, your jawbone also suffers from the loss of your teeth’s roots. Once embedded in your jawbone, missing teeth roots create indentations in your dental ridge. The area around the empty socket is resorbed by your body, which harvests the bone’s minerals since it no longer has to support a tooth root. Without the stimulation of teeth roots, your jawbone can eventually deteriorate and shrink from a lack of adequate nutrients, causing your dental ridge to change shape.

What Your Replacement Teeth Lack

Although dentures are designed to restore your ability to bite and chew by replacing your lost teeth’s crowns, they can do little to address the absence of your teeth’s natural support system. Contrarily, dental implants can be surgically inserted into your jawbone and used to support your dentures, providing your replacement teeth with a foundation similar to the roots of your natural teeth. Instead of adhesives, implants mechanically hold your dentures in place, eliminating the risk of your dentures slipping.

The Multi-Faceted Benefits of Implant Dentures

Keeping a tighter grip on your dentures is the immediate benefit of dental implants, along with the comfort and improved function that accompany that tighter grip. In the long run, implants help preserve your oral health by restoring root stimulation in your jawbone when you bite and chew. The activity helps maintain an adequate flow of nutrient-rich blood to your jawbone and remaining teeth, reducing your chances of future tooth loss due to jawbone deterioration.

About Your Grand Prairie Implant 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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Uncovering the Mystery of Wisdom Teeth

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For many people, wisdom teeth are a bane to their good dental health. They’re often extracted to relieve severe discomfort, and the frequency with which they’re removed may beg the question, why do we grow wisdom teeth in the first place? Although your mouth can function fine without them, the extra set of molars can prove beneficial for those who successfully grow all four of their wisdom teeth without trouble.

Their Purpose

A typical adult mouth contains four types of teeth—incisors, canines, bicuspids (premolars), and molars. Incisors and canines rip and tear your food into manageable chunks, while bicuspids and molars grind the food to prepare it for digestion. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, can provide additional chewing power to reduce the wear and tear on your other teeth. In ancient times, these extra molars were likely necessary to consume a rougher diet of raw meat and vegetation.

Their Problem

These days, with a much more forgiving diet and wider range of options for our meals, the typical adult jawbone can only comfortably accommodate 28 teeth, making the four last molars redundant and frequently troublesome. When your dental ridge doesn’t have enough room for them, your third molars will push against the existing teeth as they try to erupt from your gum line. Known as impacted wisdom teeth, they don’t erupt fully from your gums, or not at all, and can damage your other teeth while pushing them out of alignment. Extracting impacted wisdom teeth may be necessary to preserving your smile’s health and integrity.

Their Potential

Even if your wisdom teeth have to come out, they can still prove beneficial to your future dental or systemic health. According to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the pulp (soft tissue in the middle) of wisdom teeth contain a wealth of cells known as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) that are used to create stem cells. Scientists believe stem cells may hold the key to unlocking breakthrough regenerative medical treatments, including growing biological replacements for missing adult teeth. The cache of tissues discovered in extracted wisdom teeth can prove invaluable to researchers in their study of adult stem cells and their potential applications.

About Your Grand Prairie Implant 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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Important Info About Gum Disease Development

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Although not the most common dental disease (that accolade goes to cavities), gum disease remains the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. It affects the soft gingival tissue that protects the roots of your teeth, and when left untreated, the disease can also destroy the jawbone underneath your gums. Though many people are aware of gum disease and the fact that it’s a force to be reckoned with, the truth about its formation and the proper way to address it aren’t always as well-known.

It’s Highly-Preventable for a Limited Time Only

According to recent findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of Americans suffer from gum disease. For people over the age of 65, the number jumps to over 70%. Given its prevalence, you might assume that gum disease is inevitable for some people. Genetics can influence your susceptibility, but the infection that leads to gum disease (called gingivitis) results from poor hygiene and excessive mouth bacteria, not inevitability. As the precursor to gum disease, gingivitis is highly treatable with a deep periodontal cleaning and improved hygiene. If it progresses, then the infection will settle into your gums for good.

You Might Not Know You Have it Until It’s Too Late

Unchecked inflammation is the driving force behind gum disease’s destructive abilities, and is caused by certain oral bacteria that evade your immune system to survive. Gum recession (separation from your teeth), redness, swelling, and occasional bleeding are telltale marks of gingivitis, but discomfort doesn’t usually occur until the disease has advanced significantly. Since they don’t hurt, many patients disregard angry-looking gums and don’t receive treatment soon enough to prevent the onset of full-blown gum disease. Attending a dental checkup and cleaning at least once every six months will improve your chances of early detection by allowing Dr. Smith to periodically inspect your mouth for signs of trouble.

About Your Grand Prairie Implant 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 Park 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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