• A large cavity (tooth decay) that compromises the integrity of the natural tooth structure where a filling would not be sufficient.
• A tooth that is cracked, fractured or severely worn down.
• A tooth with an existing large filling that has cracked, fractured or developed a cavity around or underneath (recurrent decay).
• To improve the appearance of severely discolored, misshapen or previously filled teeth.
• To cover a dental implant.
• To cover and protect a tooth that has had a root canal treatment.
• To support a dental bridge.

Your dentist will discuss the recommended treatment with you, explaining our findings and showing you images and X-rays of your tooth. We will educate you on all of the treatment options available and provide our recommendations to empower you to make an informed decision on your care. We typically recommend treatment sooner rather than later – dental problems like tooth decay and fracture can progress and worsen over time, making it more difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to restore your tooth to full function. Treating your tooth with a crown now can often prevent the need for future costly treatment, such as root
canal treatment or tooth extraction and need for tooth replacement.

What to expect when getting dental crown treatment:

1. An initial impression of your teeth will be taken. This will be used to make a temporary crown for your tooth while the final crown is being made by our laboratory.
2. An initial shade of your tooth will be taken. We aim to match your dental crown as closely to your natural teeth as possible. For front teeth, we may have you come in for a custom shade appointment where a laboratory technician takes photos and notes to ensure an accurate crown shade that blends in with your other teeth.
3. Your dentist will gently numb the area of the tooth that will receive the crown. We first use a topical numbing jelly followed by a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
4. Your dentist will prepare the tooth for a crown. This involves careful, meticulous trimming of the outermost layer of the tooth to provide space to accommodate a crown. Additionally, the dentist will remove decay, fracture lines and existing filling material as necessary to ensure a healthy, sound tooth foundation for the crown.
5. An impression will be taken of the tooth, either using our 3D intraoral scanner or impression material. This impression will be used by the laboratory to carefully craft a crown to fit perfectly over your tooth.
6. A temporary crown will be made and cemented onto your tooth. You will leave this appointment with the temporary crown in place, then return in about one to two weeks when the final crown comes back from the lab for final cementation.
7. Once the crown returns from the lab, we will take off the temporary crown, try in the new crown to assess the fit and shade, and take a final X-ray of the crown to ensure it fits adequately.
8. Once adequately checked and perfected, your dentist will carefully cement the crown onto your tooth. We will check your bite and ensure you can floss well with your new crown.

How long do crowns last? As your dentists, we ensure that your case is adequately handled by taking quality impressions, working closely with our laboratory, meticulously checking the fit of the crown and ensuring optimal cementation for long-term results. Beyond that, we carefully check the margins of the crown clinically and on X-ray with your routine visits. It is important for the patient to take good care of their crown by maintaining regular dental checkups and cleanings. While crowns are a great treatment for protecting our natural teeth, they are susceptible to decay and fracture just like natural teeth. If a crown develops decay underneath or is fractured or dislodged, it will need to be replaced. We often recommend that patients who have had a dental crown placed wear a night guard to protect the crown from heavy biting, clenching or grinding forces that can cause the crown to move slightly and even dislodge.

Dentist-Recommended Resources:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/crowns
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns

The post What is a Dental Crown and Why Do I Need One? first appeared on Katy Trail Dental.

• Extrinsic discoloration: Surface staining caused by environmental factors such as food, drink and smoking. Common teeth-staining beverages include coffee, tea and wine.
• Intrinsic discoloration: Internal tooth discoloration caused by dental trauma and certain medications.

The first step to a brighter smile is talking to your dentist. We can determine the cause of your teeth discoloration and see if teeth whitening options can help. Teeth whitening products work best on teeth that have extrinsic staining since this discoloration only involves the outermost enamel layer of the tooth. Brown or gray staining can also indicate more serious dental issues such as cavities or gum disease, so it is important for your dentist to address these issues first to ensure we are whitening a healthy smile. Additionally, whitening treatment can only brighten natural teeth, so it is important to have a dentist evaluate any dental work (fillings, crowns, veneers) you may have to see if whitening is the best option for you to have a bright, evenly colored smile.

Teeth whitening treatments contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The molecules of this active bleaching agent penetrate tooth enamel, reacting and oxidizing away stains and discoloration. This reaction can cause mild tooth demineralization, which is easily reversed by regular use of fluoridated toothpaste and does not harm the tooth. This reaction can also cause tooth sensitivity due to very mild irritation of the pulp or nerve inside the tooth. Teeth whitening treatment is completely safe, especially when performed under the supervision of a dental professional.

At Katy Trail Dental, we offer several professional, safe and effective teeth whitening options:

Philips Zoom! In-Office Whitening

• Four 15-minute sessions
• Utilizes safe, effective whitening gel enhanced by blue LED technology
• Immediate, noticeable results – up to 8 shades brighter

Opalescence Boost In-Office Whitening

• Two 20-minute sessions
• Utilizes safe, effective whitening gel
• Immediate, noticeable results

Opalescence Go Take-Home Whitening Trays

• Tray applicator helps conform to every smile – no impressions required!
• Ready for use – wear 30-60 minutes at a time for five to ten days to see brighter results
• Whitening gel contains potassium nitrate (for sensitivity) and fluoride (for tooth remineralization and sensitivity)

What to expect at your teeth whitening visit:

1. An initial shade will be taken of your teeth.
2. A protective gel barrier will be placed on your gums to protect them from irritation by the teeth whitening solution – this application is quick, easy and painless!
3. A whitening solution will be carefully applied to your teeth using a gentle, brushed tip. With Zoom! Whitening, a blue LED light will be focused on your teeth to gently enhance the bleaching process.
4. A final shade will be taken to record your whitening progress.

Helpful tips for teeth whitening:

• Big event coming up? We recommend scheduling your whitening treatment two to three weeks prior to your event to allow for the best, brightest results.
• Whitening solutions can cause teeth sensitivity. To minimize sensitivity after whitening, your dentist may recommend taking a pain reliever right before your whitening visit. We will assess your medical and dental history to determine a pre-whitening plan that fits your needs.
• Toothpaste for sensitive teeth can be very helpful before and after a whitening treatment. Look for toothpastes that contain potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, which can have a desensitizing effect.
• Avoid staining foods and beverages after whitening treatment. Drink water regularly throughout the day and continue consistent oral hygiene practices to keep your teeth surfaces clean.
• Be open with your dentist about any questions or apprehensions you may have about whitening your teeth – we are here to help you have a comfortable, gentle whitening treatment experience!

Interested? Call our office at (214) 380-9071 to schedule your whitening visit or mention it to your dentist at your next checkup.

Dentist-Recommended Resources:

• https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/whitening
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-teeth-whitening-safe

The post What is Teeth Whitening? Is it Safe, and Does it Work? first appeared on Katy Trail Dental.

Brushing 

• Good brushing starts with a good toothbrush. We highly recommend an electric toothbrush as it is most effective at cleaning plaque and tartar. Worried about the cost? Once you invest in the electric toothbrush, the upkeep is similar and just as cheap as changing a regular toothbrush as you only need to switch out the toothbrush heads.
• Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head when the bristles start to fray or become worn – about every three to months.
• Use gentle pressure when brushing. Aggressive tooth brushing can irritate the gums and even cause gum recession in some cases.
• Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Picture the bristles cleaning right at and just below the gumline by using this technique.
• Be sure to brush all sides of each tooth – the cheek side, tongue side, and biting surface. It is especially important to brush the furthest side of your very back teeth.
• Brush the surface of your tongue. This removes bacteria and can help freshen your breath.
• Brush after every meal. By cleaning away food debris and plaque consistently throughout the day, you can guarantee a fresher smile and breath, as well as prevent sugar from food and beverages from causing cavities in the long term.
• Use fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride is essential in preventing tooth decay (cavities) as it remineralizes tooth enamel (the outer, protective layer of your tooth) and can even stop cavities from progressing in the earliest stages of tooth decay.

Flossing

Be sure to floss! Toothbrushing cleans the outer, inner and biting surfaces of your teeth, but does not adequately clean the side surfaces between teeth.

• Use a long piece of floss. About 18 inches is recommended, approximately the length from your hand to your shoulder. This will allow you to wrap it around your fingers with a good grip and have space to guide the floss between teeth.
• Gently guide the floss between your teeth with a rubbing motion. Try not to pop the floss down too forcefully, as doing this can damage the papilla, or gums, between the teeth.
• Focus on each tooth as you floss at the gumline. Curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth at a time. Think of it as cleaning the entire side of the tooth, rather than just at the contact point where the teeth meet.

Other Helpful Tips

• Reduce your daily intake of sugary food and beverages.
• Use a straw when drinking sugary beverages to minimize contact with your teeth.
• Drink plenty of water. Tooth decay occurs when the mouth is acidic, which occurs after eating or drinking. Water neutralizes and hydrates your mouth, promoting a healthy oral environment.

Dentist-Recommended Resources:

https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene

The post Top Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums from Your Dentist and Hygienist first appeared on Katy Trail Dental.