PROCEDURES
DENTAL FILLINGS CROWNS ROOT CANALS BRIDGES
EXTRACTIONS DENTURE REPAIRS MOUTHGUARDS
DENTAL FILLINGS
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If you have reached adulthood without ever developing a cavity, that is an amazing accomplishment! In America, about 80 percent of the population will develop at least one cavity by age 17. For that reason, at WellSmiles we offer restorative dental fillings in Houston.
Tooth filling materials are used to fix cavities and prevent the spread of infection. Without treatment, tooth decay can spread to the inner pulp. When this happens, root canal treatment in Houston is needed to end the infection and save the tooth.
At WellSmiles we use traditional silver amalgam and white composite materials to repair cavities. Each filling type offers special advantages.
Metal Fillings at WellSmiles
Traditional Amalgam: Metal fillings have been in use for more than a hundred years. This material is a mixture of silver, tin, copper, and mercury. Traditional fillings are the most cost-effective, durable, strong and safe. But this filling type is also highly visible and require a lot of tooth preparation.
Tooth-Colored Fillings at WellSmiles
White Composite: This tooth-colored cosmetic dentistry is a popular options for patients who want a more discreet restoration. Composite white fillings are a mixture of glass and plastic that bonds to the surface of the tooth. More expensive than silver fillings, composites are a newer type of material that is almost as durable as amalgam. Less tooth preparation is required to place a white filling.
Porcelain: Dental ceramics are stain-resistant, natural-looking, and strong. Porcelain tooth fillings tend to cost more because they require more specialized advanced technology and the use of a dental lab. This high-glass dental material is brittle and used more for aesthetic purposes.
After getting a filling placed it is normal to experience some tooth sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks for a short time. If discomfort persists, or if you feel pain when biting, you may need to have an adjustment made to the filling. Brush and floss as you normally would and visit our Houston dental office every six months.
DENTAL CROWNS
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A dental crown in Houston is a cover that is placed over an impacted tooth, a post or exposed portion of a dental implant. Typically, tooth crowns are crafted of strong porcelain for optimal durability.
At WellSmiles, each custom designed crown matches the color and shape of the natural tooth perfectly. Your Houston dentist uses the highest quality restorations to strengthen your weakened tooth and ensure your dental crown lasts for many years.
Reason for placing a tooth crown at WellSmiles
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Damaged or worn-down tooth
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Large cavity
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A missing tooth in need of a dental bridge
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Root canal therapy
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Discolored, stained, or misshaped tooth
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Tooth replacement with a dental implant
Crowns at WellSmiles
Placement of a crown varies depending on the tooth replacement method or how a tooth is repaired. For most WellSmiles patients, a crown is used to fix a tooth with a cavity too large to be restored with filling material. Large dental fillings are at risk for fracture. The tooth preparation process involves the removal of the outer tooth structure and all decay. In cases where the tooth structure is damaged heavily by decay, it may need to be built up to support the tooth crown.
After our Houston dentist determines that a dental crown is the best option, an impression must be taken to create a model to be used o design the crown. A temporary restoration will then be placed on the affected tooth while the final crown is being made. Once completed, the temporary is removed and the final crown is fixed in place.
Digital Dental Impressions
At WellSmiles, we take digital dental impressions using a high-tech scanner. The modern digital process involves a more pleasant experience compared to the messy traditional method. In addition, the process produces instant results instead of waiting several days for the completed impression. Our custom-made dental crowns perfectly match the natural look of the rest of your teeth.
Same Day Dental Crowns
At our Houston dental office, same day dental crowns at WellSmiles can be milled at out in-house lab to minimize the number of visits and eliminate the need for a temporary crown. The completed dental crown will blend in with the rest of you teeth and no one will know you are wearing a dental crown.
ROOT CANALS
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The phrase 'root canal' can incite fear or anxiety in many individuals, as they immediately think about a painful procedure that will have negative effects. However, our team at WellSmiles provides safe, quick, and effective root canals that help to transform your smiles and improve your overall oral health. What are root canals and how can a root canal treatment affect your smile? Continue reading on to learn more about root canal treatments in the Houston area.
What are root canals?
Root canals are not all bad. The actual root canal is the space located inside each individual tooth, also known as the pulp. Inside contains the vital aspects of a tooth, including the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. When bacteria enters and causes infection, a treatment is required to clean out the tooth and remove any signs of infection.
Isn't it painful?
The actual procedure to clean out the pulp is not painful. It is the infection itself that often causes intense pain. This is because the nerves of the tooth are being attacked and damaged. If this is the case for you, we recommend seeking treatment.
What is involved in root canal treatment?
If you are in need of a root canal treatment, you very well may be worried about what the procedure entails. Prior to your treatment, your Houston dentist will go over the steps and any further information you should know. They will provide you with the needed anesthesia and medications to avoid any pain or discomfort during the procedure. To begin, your dentist will create a small opening in the tooth with the help of a dental drill. They will remove the pulp, along with the infection, and properly disinfect the area. A small restoration will be needed to help seal off the area and prevent bacteria from re-entering in the future.
If you are in need of a consultation for your tooth pain, then we encourage you to contact our WellSmiles team in Houston today to set up your appointment. Don't wait another day in hopes of you pain leaving; our team is eager to help!
DENTAL BRIDGES
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Missing teeth can present several problems. Besides inhibiting your ability to speak and eat comfortably, they also affect your appearance, which can make some people feel self-conscious. An effective solution to replacing missing teeth is with a dental bridge, a dental prosthetic that can be found at WellSmiles in Houston.
What are dental bridges?
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic that is custom-made to fit in a patient's mouth where teeth have been lost. They are anchored onto the neighboring natural teeth and "bridge" the gap with one or more placement teeth to restore both the appearance and function to a smile.
Effects of missing teeth
After a tooth or teeth have been lost, the remaining teeth can shift along the gumline and move into the empty space. This can eventually change your bite, leading to an uneven distribution of biting forces on the remaining teeth and increased wear on them. Additionally, after a tooth has been lost, the bone that once supported the tooth is no longer stimulated and can start to recede. If this happens, the bone loss can affect your facial structure, giving you a much older appearance.
Procedures for dental bridges
Dental bridges generally require at least two visits to be successfully placed. During your first appointment at WellSmiles, the teeth that will be acting as anchors will be prepared. They will be fitted to support a dental crown, which will require them to be shaved down a small portion to make a room for the crown to fit. Once they are right size and shape, your dentist will make an impression of those teeth and the gap. Images can also be taken of the teeth for more accurate measurements. A dental laboratory will use this information to create the bridge. You will be fitted with a temporary bridge at the end of this first appointment to keep the prepared teeth protected.
After the permanent bridge is completed, you will return to our office to have the temporary bridge removed. Your dentist will place the permanent bridge to check the fit and make adjustments as needed before cementing into place.
If you have missing teeth and are looking for a good option for replacing them, a dental bridge may be your answer. WellSmiles can provide you with a high-quality bridge to restore your smile in Houston.
TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
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If you've been told that your dental healthy could benefit from a dental extraction, or if you've been experiencing dental pain and wonder if a dental extraction in Houston might help alleviate the pain, the following information should be helpful to you
Our Commitment to Houston Dental Patients of All Ages
Our commitment to every one of our patients at WellSmiles is to make every effort possible to maintain your smile with your natural teeth. We can accomplish this through dental procedures such as crowns and fillings in Houston. However, there are times when a tooth simply can not be savaged without it causing further damage to a patient's comfort and health. In cases such as these, we will suggest a treatment plan that is best-suited for your lifestyle.
Most Common Reasons for a Tooth Extraction
Although the most common reasons for a tooth extraction in Houston include damage or decay to the point that the tooth can not be salvaged, other conditions that we can treat via a dental extraction at WellSmiles include:
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Impacted teeth
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Baby teeth that are crowding permanent teeth
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Infected teeth
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Wisdom teeth
How the Extraction Process Works
One of the first things you can expect during a tooth extraction is a dental x-ray in Houston. This provides a clear image of what may be going on not only in the tooth that needs to be extracted, but also insight into anything that WellSmiles may need to be made aware of below the surface - such as an infection. Based on the x-ray, the type of extraction will be determined, and if necessary, a future appointment date will be set. Your tooth will then extracted using either a simple tooth extraction which will be performed using a local anesthetic, or a surgical extraction which will be performed under IV anesthesia and local anesthesia.
Consider WellSmiles as Your Dental Home
At WellSmiles, we've helped countless patients who've been searching online for a "dentist near me" in Houston who can help them move beyond the doubt of a dental extraction and instead enjoy a pain-free smile! Call us or make an appointment today to learn more.
DENTURES
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Dentures, like all dental appliances, will require repair, especially if in function for a long period. The materials used in the making of dentures will wear and erode over time.
The doctors and the oral healthcare professionals at WellSmiles, located near you in Houston, want to educate their patients, new and current, on the common breakages and the repairs to dentures.
The Common Breakages
The most common cause for the break or the fracture of a denture is a poor fit. If the upper and lower sets do not properly align, there will be too much pressure placed on one area rather than being evenly distributed.
Another common cause is the dentures being dropped, damaging either the teeth or the gum line portions of the appliance. If damage should occur to the metal clasps of a denture partial, then the devise should not be placed back into the mouth
Fortunately, dentures and partials are made from materials that allow for repair rather than a full replacement.
The Time Factor
Over time, dentures will wear thin and will be prone to breaking. The worn teeth portion of denture will lead to the uneven distribution of the forces and the pressures of biting and chewing. An imperfect alignment will negatively affect not only the denture appliance, but also the gums and the bone structure of the jaw.
The Approaches to Denture Repair
Dentures need to be relined, and this is considered a repair. The gums and the bone under the denture will naturally shrink over time until the fir needs to be reset. If this occurrence is caught early, the dentist can add back material to the denture to improve the fit.
The relining can be done in the dentist's office if a large change is not required. Otherwise, the dentures need to be sent to a dental laboratory for relining.
Dentures and partials are made from an acrylic resin. This material is durable, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and easily repaired.
How a Patient Can Help
It is advisable to have a towel under the dentures when they are being cleaned to avoid dropping onto the floor or into the sink. A denture wearer should periodically heck the appliance for wear or fatigue and report these to the dentist before the problem worsens.
If you would like a consultation regarding denture repairs, then please contact the oral healthcare professionals at WellSmiles, located in Houston, where new patients are always welcome.
WellSmiles is trusted and highly recommended for dentures and repairs, as well as other treatments in restorative dentistry.