Sedation dentistry not only helps to relax the patient, it can also make the dentist’s job much easier, and can allow the dentist to do more in a single session that might otherwise be the norm. For patient and dentist alike, sedation dentistry offers a number of benefits.

Sedation doesn’t mean rendering the patient unconscious; the techniques used in sedation dentistry can range from relaxants and nitrous-oxide (laughing gas) to full anesthesia depending on the patient and the treatment required. Where possible, dentists will attempt to use a sedation technique that gives the patient some level of consciousness during the treatment in order to aid with communication and co-operation.

Aside from calming the patient’s nerves and fears, and making the dentist’s job easier, it can also help to ease discomfort. And for restless patients who might fidget during treatments, sedation techniques can help to alleviate and control unnecessary movement.

Patients who have pre-existing dental issues, such as TMJ, might normally find themselves with aching jaws and fatigue from holding their mouths open for a prolonged spell of time. Sedation techniques can help relax the muscles associated and so help to reduce muscle fatigue and aching.

Sedation can also help with the memory of treatments; uncomfortable treatments are more likely to stick in the patient’s mind, and can contribute towards a future reluctance of dental visits. Sedation, however, hinders the brain’s capacity to remember the treatment at all.

For patients who have a reluctance to visit their dentist for treatment, the benefits of sedation dentistry can help alleviate fears over treatments and help the patient back onto the road towards good dental health.

Contact our skilled and dedicated team at Travis Walk Dental to see how you can benefit from sedation dentistry. Call 214-522-4330 to schedule your appointment today.

There are a range of treatments available depending on the level of staining. For slight, superficial staining, specially formulated tooth-whitening toothpastes might be all that is required. With an abrasive element in the toothpaste mixture, regular brushing can slowly remove staining. 

More stubborn staining might require the use of a tooth whitening kit. These kits can be purchased over the counter at most drug stores, or from a cosmetic dentist and can be used at home. Store-bought kits provide a ready-mixed bleaching formula and a universal applicator tray that may or may not provide sufficient strength or optimum contact to produce the best results.

An at-home kit provided by a cosmetic dentist is more likely to yield better results than a store-bought kit. This is because the dentist can better formulate the requisite strength of bleaching solution required, and can also fashion a custom-fit applicator to give the best contact between teeth and the solution.

Both store-bought kits and those bought from a cosmetic dentist require the patient to wear the applicator and use the solution for a pre-determined period of time in order to be effective. Results can take several weeks to be fully achieved depending on the severity of the staining and the desired result.

For faster results, new tooth whitening techniques can deliver a brighter smile in just one day, and treatments such as Zoom! teeth whitening can quickly and effectively whiten teeth by several shades. Zoom! whitening involves the use of a special whitening gel that is activated by a laser to cause a chemical reaction within the gel, which penetrates the staining and leaves teeth looking brilliantly white.

A brighter smile makes for increased confidence, and is an attractive trait; little wonder then that more and more people are turning to teeth whitening to help preserve and enhance their smile.

To learn more about your teeth whitening options, contact the office of Dr. Melisa Christian today.

In fact, patients who are being fitted for dentures often ask if the appliances will interfere with their speech. The truth is that remaining edentulous (toothless) will actually compromise your speech more than getting dentures will.

By filling in for your absent teeth, dentures provide some support to the facial structures. When the dentures are supported by dental implants, they offer even more structural stability because they also help to hold the jawbone in place. The jaw will wear away in the absence of a replacement for the tooth’s root.

Dentures help to preserve normal speech by providing a structure that works in concert with the tongue, lips and other oral structures to produce words. Although some patients may have a little trouble adjusting to the devices at first, once you get accustomed to your dentures, it’s unlikely that you’ll have many, if any, slip-ups in your speech.

The quality of the appliance matters, too. When pursuing dentures, select a dentist who will carefully review your case and your facial structures, putting an ample amount of time into designing a custom-crafted set of dentures that will offer a good fit.

There are a number of motivating factors for getting a good denture, in addition to the speech concern. The smile’s appearance has a significant effect on your self-esteem, and a good set of dentures can improve your chewing function, especially when they are supported by dental implants.

Your teeth have important roles in your overall well-being, and an attractive smile is a great asset, too. You can still preserve your appearance and functionality with a lifelike set of dentures that can fool even the savviest observer.

For additional information and to schedule your professional consultation, contact Travis Walk Dental at 214-522-4330 today.

Because Invisalign straightens the teeth through a series of clear, removable plastic trays, you are able to keep tabs on your teeth as they move to their proper positions. Conventional braces, on the other hand, obscure the teeth with brackets and wires. Patients who choose this option have to wait for months for a big reveal.

Some patients with relatively straightforward cases may notice changes in the smile’s alignment in a matter of weeks. Those with more complicated cases may have to wait for a few months before they can begin to see the desired changes. 

Of course, many other aspects factor in to the timeline in which you will see results. The patient plays an important role in Invisalign’s effectiveness. You are responsible for changing the trays out on the schedule recommended by your dentist, typically every two weeks or so. You also have to be sure to wear the trays for the suggested amount of time—20-22 hours—each day.

The overall treatment timeline tends to be shorter with Invisalign than with traditional orthodontics because Invisalign works through a more efficient method of repositioning the teeth. Many Invisalign patients finish their course of treatment in 12-18 months.

Because you can remove the trays for eating and oral hygiene, Invisalign helps patients keep healthier habits throughout their orthodontic treatment. You can enjoy a more nutritious diet, and it’s easier to maintain your home oral hygiene routine because there are no appliances in place to interfere with brushing and flossing.

Invisalign offers a number of benefits, including more convenience and comfort and a quicker course of treatment.

Consult with our Invisalign-trained dentist, Dr. Melisa Christian, to see if this system is appropriate in your case.

Dental implants stand alone, and they have minimal effect on surrounding teeth. The implants fuse with the bone, which means that they require no structural support from the adjacent teeth. In this way, dental implants mimic the structure of a biological tooth.

In contrast, other tooth replacement treatments rely on support from surrounding teeth. A fixed permanent bridge requires crowns to be placed on neighboring teeth to hold the pontic (the artificial crown) in place. The process of placing crowns involves shaving healthy enamel from the teeth to accommodate the crown. This can compromise the tooth’s integrity.

Dental implants also help to preserve teeth by maintaining the natural jawbone structure, which also helps to prevent further tooth loss. When the jawbone begins to erode, as it does when the missing root structure is not replaced, the longevity of the other teeth may be effected. Keep in mind that alternatives to dental implants do not replace the absent tooth’s root.

Another benefit of dental implants is the ability to withstand normal chewing forces. Because the implant is able to participate in chewing just as its neighbors do, no excessive forces are transferred to surrounding teeth. When the other teeth have to absorb such forces, they wear down more quickly.

Furthermore, if the missing tooth is not replaced at all, the remaining teeth may shift to fill in the gap. When the natural teeth move to unnatural positions, damage may occur.

If you want to choose a tooth replacement method that will help to preserve your remaining teeth, consider dental implants. An implant dentist can give you guidance on this treatment option and what it will entail for you.

Contact our experienced team at Travis Walk Dental at 214-522-4330 to schedule an appointment to discuss dental implants today.

Cosmetic dentistry involves a number of interventions that can transform the appearance of a single tooth or the entire smile. These treatments can correct a wide range of problems, from chips and cracks to stains and misshapen teeth.

In planning your treatment course, your cosmetic dentist will meet with you for an initial consultation to assess your case and determine your smile goals. The information gathered at that first appointment will help to determine your treatment plan.

The cosmetic dentist may use any number of treatments in enhancing your smile. These interventions can be used individually for minor adjustments or in combination for a major upgrade.

Veneers are particularly popular tool for cosmetic dentists. These versatile tooth-shaped slivers of porcelain can be used to correct aesthetic problems like damaged, undersized or crooked teeth or deep stains that don’t respond to bleaching gels.

For patients who want to see results quickly, veneers are a good choice. They can be designed, crafted and placed within a matter of weeks.

For less intense stains or even just the yellowing associated with aging, teeth whitening can do the trick. A gel containing a bleaching agent is applied to the teeth, and it can achieve the desired effect in anywhere from an hour to a few days. Patients may choose in-office whitening systems like ZOOM!, which get teeth up to eight shades whiter in less than an hour. Alternatively, patients can opt to use the bleaching gels in custom-designed trays that they wear overnight at home.

Dental implants are beneficial to patients looking to improve a smile’s appearance after the loss of one or more teeth. These titanium cylinders replace the missing tooth’s root and anchor a prosthetic crown in place. Patients who have lost all of their teeth may turn to dentures. Today’s appliances are remarkably lifelike and comfortable, and they can be supported by dental implants for an extra measure of stability.

Consult with the office of Dr. Melisa Christian to learn how an aesthetic dental transformation can improve your smile.

Because of the durability of dental implants, patients who choose this tooth replacement method often find that they save money in the long-term.

Unlike other alternatives, like fixed permanent bridges, a tooth implant mimics the biological tooth’s root, anchoring the prosthetic replacement crown into the bone. This helps to keep the replacement crown secure and it holds the jawbone in place.

In comparison, the jawbone will wear away after a bridge is placed or a patient is fitted with a partial denture. Eventually, the jaw can shrink so much that the bridge or partial will no longer fit or look right. When this happens, patients will need to pay for a replacement appliance and may need to do so more than once over a lifetime.

Working with an implant dentist also helps patients limit the costs that they may face associated with subsequent tooth loss. A dental implant represents a stabilizing force in the mouth.

Failing to fill in for the complete structure of the missing tooth, not just the visible crown can result in damage to neighboring teeth. When the root is not replaced, the jaw will continue to erode, and that additional bone loss can jeopardize the other teeth.

Additionally, a bridge compromises the integrity of the healthy natural teeth next to the empty space because it requires that crowns be placed on those teeth to support the pontic. Perfectly good enamel must be sacrificed in order to make room for these crowns, and some patients are uncomfortable with that.

When considering dental implants, be sure to weigh the costs over the rest of your lifetime. If you treat it right, your dental implant can last for decades. Other tooth replacement methods are not necessarily as reliable.

To discuss dental implants further, schedule an appointment with our skilled team at Travis Walk Dental by calling 214-522-4330 today.

Scientific research has identified correlation between oral health problems like gum disease and numerous systemic conditions, like heart disease, diabetes and even some forms of cancer.

Inflammation caused by oral bacteria is believed to be the culprit behind the link between oral health and overall health. A certain protein associated with inflammation, c-reactive protein, has been identified in patients with gum disease, as well as in those with heart disease. 

Another problem can occur when the mouth has a severe infection, and the oral bacteria get access to the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.
This can lead to sepsis, a potentially fatal condition.

With diabetes, it appears that high glucose levels correspond to an increased presence of plaque in the mouth. As such, difficulties in controlling blood sugar can predispose a patient to gum disease. At the same time, gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar. It’s a vicious cycle.

Visiting your dentist every six months is essential to your oral health and your general health. Professional dental cleanings help to keep the mouth free of bacteria, and such cleanings are much more thorough than daily brushing and flossing.

The six-month interval also gives your dentist a chance to spot issues like gingivitis and cavities while they are in milder, more treatable stages. This preventive approach can help protect patients from major problems like periodontitis and tooth loss.

The need for professional treatments doesn’t mean that your home oral hygiene routine is insignificant, though. Twice-daily brushing and daily flossing are instrumental in keeping your mouth clean and healthy.

The mouth-body connection appears to be a strong one, according to various medical studies. Take steps to protect your overall health by establishing a relationship with a dentist who can keep tabs on your oral health. If it’s been more than six months since your last dental appointment, schedule a check-up with the office of Dr. Melisa Christian to get back on track.

The purpose of a partial denture is to supplant the loss of one or a couple of teeth. A partial denture can be removable or fixed. A fixed denture is permanently attached to the healthy teeth on either side where tooth loss has occurred. When a denture is fixed, or permanently attached, learning how to eat with it in place is imperative.

A removable partial denture is easily taken out and replaced. There may be some foods where the patient may be more comfortable removing the partial before partaking. But leaving the partial in while eating can be accomplished if you remember a few rules:

• Eating soft foods is generally never a problem so you can enjoy them without much thought.
• Chewier foods like meat can be enjoyed, but should be cut into small manageable pieces. Don’t always naturally chew on the side opposite the partial denture. Learn to chew all foods on both sides, but you need to be cognizant of hard, tough or chewy foods and know your limitations.
• Never try to eat sticky foods like caramel with your denture. You are asking for trouble.
• Biting down on hard or crunchy food with your denture can do as much harm as a tough cut of meat. Remember your partial is being held in place with metal framework that is attached to your teeth. This framework can bend or break if too much pressure is exerted.
• Do not try to make adjustments or repairs to your partial denture on your own. If you are experiencing discomfort for any reason, contact your dentist for needed adjustments.
• Your removable partial should be soaked overnight to keep the soft plastic pliable and comfortable. A recommended denture soak will maximize the appearance and life of your partial.
• Brush the gum tissue while brushing your natural teeth before putting in your partial. This will help keep gum tissue healthy and stimulated, while providing the most comfortable fit for your partial denture.

Learning to be comfortable with your new partial can provide years of smiling, speaking, and eating pleasures with minimal adjustment. If you have additional questions regarding your partial denture, contact our experienced dental team at Travis Walk Dental at 214-522-4330 to schedule a consultation.

Cosmetic Uses

In-office teeth whitening is possible due to the whitening agent’s ability to respond to the powerful effects of the laser. The laser beam activates the whitening gel allowing a patient to brighten their smile up to eight shades in about an hour.

Dental bonding can be achieved when applying a laser to the bonding material to cure or harden dental repairs to correct teeth stains, chips in teeth, close unwanted gaps between teeth, and correct uneven or worn teeth.

Correcting a “gummy” smile” can be achieved by reshaping gum tissue with a laser.

Diagnostic Tool

The DIAGNOdent dental laser can detect dental decay sooner and with more precision. Catching decay at this stage means that the required fillings are simpler, preserving more of the tooth.

Lasers are also used at times to perform a biopsy on suspicious tissue.

Surgical and Periodontal Applications

Laser technology can be used to perform various dental procedures, allowing the dentist to make the most precise incisions possible. Advantages with the laser include limited blood loss as the laser actually seals the blood vessel throughout the procedure. Lasers are much more minimally invasive than the same procedure performed with a scalpel allowing for more rapid healing and less discomfort for the patient.

Gum disease has varying stages, but when it has advanced to the more serious periodontitis, lasers to perform osseous surgery have many advantages: Lasers allow for a much gentler approach; bacteria is killed on contact with a laser and the patient will experience less discomfort and swelling.

Overall advantages of laser dentistry versus traditional methods include:

• Elimination or reduction in sutures needed.
• Lasers do not make noise which may relieve anxious patients.
• Need for anesthetic is reduced for many procedures.
• Treatment with lasers is safe and effective.
• Treatment and healing time is almost always less with laser technology.

As laser dentistry gains popularity, its uses and availability will become more widespread. A patient whose dentist offers dental laser technology can be assured they are receiving the most current and state of the art dental technology available.

For more information on the technological advantages of laser dentistry, contact the office of Dr. Melisa Christian and schedule an appointment today.