ReCreate Yourself with Dallas Cosmetic Dentistry

You’re never fully dressed without a smile, says an old song, but a crooked smile can be just as disastrous for your image as a badly-fitting outfit. If your smile could be your best feature with just a little work, a Dallas cosmetic dentist can straighten and whiten your teeth, repair gaps and chips in your smile and replace missing teeth with crowns or bridges. With today’s cosmetic dentistry, you can flash a bright smile without being self-conscious in just a few visits to a Dallas dentist office.

Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way since the day of ill-fitting, cookie-cutter teeth. Today’s cosmetic dentist has a variety of tools and techniques at his disposal to customize dental repairs and replacements so that your smile is the perfect complement to your face. From tooth whitening to restorative dentistry in Dallas, a cosmetic dentist can provide all the services you need to make your smile memorable for its warmth and friendliness.

Straightening

Braces used to be an adolescent rite of passage, but today, many adults opt to have their teeth straightened. Some have lived with crooked smiles since childhood. Others are dealing with teeth that have shifted because of lost or loosened teeth. No matter the reason, though, few adults want to walk around with a mouth full of metal gear. The Invisalign system gently straightens crooked teeth or realigns your bite with a series of nearly invisible teeth aligners. A certified Invisalign dentist with advanced training can fit you with special aligners to decrease the time needed to realign your smile.

Restorative Dentistry

If a gap between your teeth or a chipped tooth makes you self-conscious about your smile, but you think cosmetic dentistry is too expensive, too invasive or simply doesn’t look natural, it may be time to take another look at your options. An experienced and skilled cosmetic dentist can reshape your teeth with porcelain veneers or crowns. Dr. Mark Sowell, a certified Invisalign dentist in Dallas, explains that each person’s teeth are different. A dentist experienced in cosmetic dentistry using porcelain and ceramics can work with you to determine which materials and techniques are best for you, as well as shape and design a smile that complements your features and makes you look your absolute best.

Why You Might Want to Consider Oral Sedation

Most people have bad memories of past dental appointments, and this causes some to avoid going to a dentist at all costs. Because of this many people have all sorts of dental problems that continue to get worse, eventually leading to health problems. But what many people don’t know is that by having your dental work done by a Dallas sedation dentistry, you can experience dentistry a whole other way. Dentists who are trained in this art have patients who are calm and relaxed and don’t cancel appointment after appointment out of fear. In fact, for most people who live in Dallas, sleep dentistry is the only way to go—for the simplest of procedures to the most complex. If you’ve been avoiding the dentist all of your adult life because of traumatic childhood dentist experiences, here are a few things you should know.

How it Works

Many people have the false assumption that you will have to have an IV stuck in your arm to be sedated, but that simply isn’t the case. Once you arrive at the dentist’s office, you will be given a couple of pills, and then seated in a chair with a massager to help relax you. You will be offered a movie or television station choice, and then you will simply sit back and let the pills take effect. After you are completely relaxed, the Dallas sedation dentist will administer the topical pain medication, and will begin performing the procedure. Many patients will fall in and out of sleep during the procedure and most won’t even remember it at all.

Why Do it?

So many people have let tooth decay and gum problems take over their mouth because of the fear of dentistry. But this damage can be fixed and the look of your mouth improved by visiting a good cosmetic dentist. Dallas is full of great dentists, and it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one who specializes in sedation dentistry.

Dallas sleep dentistry has truly taken the fear out of going to the dentist, and opened up whole new world of bright smiles and healthy gums for even the most fearful of dental patients.

What is gum disease and what causes it?

Gum disease -- also referred to as periodontal disease -- is an infection of the gum and bone in your mouth. These infections can lead to tooth loss, so it is essential that if you suspect you may have gum disease you should have yourself checked-out by a periodontist immediately. Dr. Mark Sowell provides expert gum disease treatment in Dallas, Texas.

What Causes Gum Disease?
There are several primary causes of gum or periodontal disease, but the main factor is bacterial plaque, which builds up on your teeth and gums throughout the day and overnight. Other causes for gum infections include:

• Diabetes
• Genetics
• Menopause
• Poor nutrition
• Pregnancy
• Puberty
• Some Medications
• Stress
• Teeth clenching and grinding
• Tobacco use

You will want to discuss all of these potential factors with your Dallas periodontist when you go in for your exam.

An Introduction to Dallas Cosmetic Dentistry

A dazzling smile: it is the first thing new acquaintances will notice about you, and it is what will stay in their memories long after you have left the room. In the past, only a few lucky people were born with perfectly aligned, bright white teeth that made their appearance one in a million. Now, however, thanks to modern technology and cosmetic dentistry, anyone can show off his or her beautiful smile.

Recent years have seen revolutionary growth in the cosmetic dentistry field. No longer is dentistry only about filling cavities, pulling teeth, and doing root canals. Today, cosmetic dentistry is making it possible for professionals like Dr. Sowell and his Dallas cosmetic dentist team to fix problems and imperfections that interfere with the beauty of your face and can help you attain that flawless smile you have always wanted.

You might be asking why you should consider cosmetic dentistry. Would Dr. Sowell be able to address your particular situation? While you can certainly contact our cosmetic dentist office with individual questions about your case, chances are that we can help. Here is just a sample of patients who would benefit from cosmetic dentistry: people who would like to boost their self-esteem by correcting problem areas with their teeth should get a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. Do you have crooked or chipped teeth? Has tooth decay or an accident left you with an unsightly gap between your teeth? Because of use of tobacco, smoking, poor dental hygiene or enamel loss, are your teeth becoming discolored? No matter why you may have imperfections in your smile, a cosmetic dentist like Dr. Sowell can use state of the art technology to correct or conceal the problems and bring out that glowing smile. You no longer need to resign yourself to living with your teeth as they currently are, not now that cosmetic dentistry in Dallas is available and affordable.

There are several types of cosmetic dentistry which combine to address a wide range of oral issues. We will discuss four of them briefly.

Teeth Whitening

Over time, teeth can become discolored and yellowed due to smoking, enamel loss, medications or other factors. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Sowell is equipped with teeth whitening techniques that can restore your smile, including ultra-modern laser bleaching technology.


Veneers

Veneers are shells made of porcelain, resin or ceramic and fit over your teeth, concealing any number of imperfections while looking very natural. Dr. Sowell and his cosmetic dentist team can discuss with you the two types of veneers and help you decide which is a better fit for you.


Invisalign

Invisalign or invisible braces are an excellent modern alternative to standard metallic braces. Dr. Sowell or another cosmetic dentist on his team can use them to correct numerous imperfections, including overbites, gaps, crooked teeth, and crowding. Invisalign involves the progressive use of aligners to correct tooth issues, and they work with minimum disruption of your lifestyle.


Sedation Dentistry

An estimated thirty percent of Americans do not seek the dental care they need due to fear. This dental phobia often leads to serious oral problems that can even compromise a person’s overall health. It is for this reason that the cosmetic dentistry discipline of sedation dentistry has been developed. This specialty helps to provide fearful patients with an environment that is free of pain and anxiety, enabling them to receive the interventions from a cosmetic dentist that they so badly need.

As you can see, dentistry has had quite a makeover in the past few years. You no longer have to settle for a dim, discolored, or crooked smile. Take the time to browse through these pages, investigating all the ways that Dr. Sowell and his cosmetic dentistry team can transform your smile—and your self-esteem. Take it from us: the results will be dazzling.

False Teeth: Types and Advantages of Dental Implants in Dallas

A dental implantation is both a type of cosmetic dental surgery and a type of prosthetic. Dental implants are artificial teeth, which are durable and function exactly as a natural tooth. Dental implants in Dallas are widely regarded as the best treatment for lost or severely worn teeth.

Dental implants are a good option for individuals who have lost a tooth due to gum disease, a root canal failure, tooth decay, congenital defects, and excessive wear and tear. Additionally, a dental implant may be necessary or requested for individuals who have sustained a trauma to the mouth, such as a fall or a sports injury.

There are many advantages to dental implants in Dallas, including an incredible level of strength and durability. The dental implant is much more effective than alternative means for treating missing teeth, such as dentures and bridges. Dental implants are also much more versatile than bridges and dentures. A single implant can support a single prosthetic tooth or an entire dental bridge.

The biggest advantage of a dental implant is the increased confidence and self esteem obtained by someone with an implant. Individuals who have missing teeth are often embarrassed about their missing tooth or teeth, causing them to become shy and reserved. Some people with missing teeth will even avoid smiling so that the missing teeth are hidden. The dental implants provide these individuals with a tooth that is identical to their own teeth. Additionally, it functions like a real tooth, which gives those with missing teeth an extra boost of confidence and freedom.

Update on Gum Disease, Prevention and Oral Cancer

Our staff recently attended a continuing education program updating us on the most recent scientific evidence concerning Gum disease, prevention and oral cancer. For sometime I have been talking about the oral-systemic connection. If you think about it, it just makes sense but the reason it such a big deal is the way the professions had divided it into the dental and medical worlds. The two have been treated as separate for sometime. The medical profession is not trained on anything inside the month and thus has never considered it a source of infection. Unfortunately, this is a man-made error which has hurt scientific research. Today we know that dental infections cause an inflammatory state in the bloodstream resulting an immune response that makes us more susceptible to respiratory and heart disease as well as Alzheimer, diabetes and low birth weight babies in pregnant females. The primary cause of the dental infection today is gum disease. Infected teeth and failing root canals can also cause the bacteria in the blood stream.

Another susceptible area as we get older is root decay. Since roots are 7 times softer or less dense than enamel, bacteria have little trouble penetrating the surface. Thus as we get older and our gums recede, the roots are exposed and we are prone to root cavities. We now have a product called MI paste which makes the roots more resistant to bacteria attacks and re-mineralizes the roots to decrease cavities. It contains a mixture of calcium and phosphate for re-mineralization and fluoride for bacteria. The third area of concern is oral cancer.

While oral cancer is not a popular, highly published topic, it is serious enough that our office has been screening all our patients for it annually for the last 25 years. We do this by a visual examination of all the intra-oral tissues and palpation of the head and neck lymphatic system. Both myself and my hygienist, Kim, do this every year for all our patients. We do this because the medical profession does not look or examine inside the mouth. The reason is based on history and politics, not logic. Thus, it is left to the dentist to detect oral cancer.

Approximately 36,000-50,0000 people in the U.S ,depending on the report you read, will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2010. This is the fourth year in a row in which there has been an increase in the rate of occurrence of oral cancers. In 2007 there was a major jump of over 11% in that single year. There are two distinct pathways by which most people receive oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV-16 virus (human papillomavirus version 16), a newly identified etiology, and the same one which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women.

While some think this is a rare cancer, mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the US alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. If you add the sub category of laryngeal cancers, the rates of occurrence (about 10,000 additional new cases per year) and death are significantly higher. When found early, oral cancers have an 80 to 90 % survival rate. Unfortunately at this time, the majority are found as late stage cancers, and this accounts for the very high death rate of about 45% at five years from diagnosis, and high treatment related morbidity in survivors

The increase in oral cancer is related to the increase in Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This is a common viral 75-80 % of us get in our life time but our immune system defeats it. There are 120 known strains, but only 9 cause cancer. The increase is believed to be from an increase in sexual and saliva transmission. Thus, people with new or multiple partners are a higher risk. This virus usually causes warts in the mouth and most are benign, but the name of the game with oral cancer is early detection and by the time they are visible to the naked eye or lymph nodes become swollen, it may be too late.

This new scientific and medical information has lead me to investigate methods of better early detection. In the near future, we will be offering a new early detection devise called “Trimira” that detects evidence of oral cancer before they erupt through the skin through the use of specific wave length. It has three different light transmission levels that offer information to help differentiate cancerous lesions from benign lesions without having to biopsy them so frequently. This device allows us to detect the cancer before it erupts through the skin. The key is early detection and removal. It is suggested to have this done yearly and will be offered for $40.00 per screening. I will keep you posted on the implementation. Our Dallas dentistry office will still offer the visual and palpitation exam at no charge.

Dallas Teeth Whitening - Whiter Teeth and Brighter Smiles

There is nothing quite as eye catching as bright, white teeth. Unfortunately, over time, teeth can become discolored. Tooth discoloration can be caused by a variety of factors. Teeth naturally yellow as a person ages and the protective enamel softens and allows the natural yellow color of dentin show through. Many drinks, food and tobacco products can cause the teeth to become stained. Certain medications can also cause teeth to become discolored. Fortunately, dentists offer several proven options that can whiten your teeth and keep your smile bright.

Professional dentists in Dallas can safely bleach teeth to lighten them several shades. In a bleaching procedure, the dentist first protects the gums from the bleaching agent by painting them with a protective barrier. Next, a bleaching solution highly concentrated in peroxide is applied to the teeth. The bleaching solution is left on the teeth for 15 to 60 minutes. Badly discolored teeth or stubborn stains can require more than one session of bleaching.

Laser whitening is another process dentists use to whiten teeth. Laser whitening begins as bleaching, with the gums being protected and then a high concentration peroxide solution being applied to the teeth. After this, a laser or light is placed on the teeth, enhancing the whitening process. Safe guards are used to reduce the risk of overheating the teeth and causing damage. Laser whitening takes approximately one hour to complete and can produce amazing results. Teeth can be lightened by as much as 10 shades with laser whitening.

The most expensive but longest lasting tooth whitening option is veneers. With veneers, porcelain or a similar material is bonded to the surface of the teeth. Veneers are a uniform, smooth and long-lasting whitening option.

You can take some simple steps to keep your teeth white once they have been professionally whitened. Avoid dark colored beverages like tea, coffee and sodas. Foods high in citric acid can erode tooth enamel and cause the yellow dentin to show through. You should refrain from smoking or using other tobacco products. Finally, practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth regularly (you can use a whitening toothpaste) and floss every day.

Although tooth whitening is normally safe, it is not without risks. Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of tooth whitening. People who have gum recession or have cracks in their teeth seem to suffer sensitivity more frequently. Some people can experience gum irritation for a few days following teeth whitening. Finally, some cosmetic dental work, such as veneers and crowns, will not lighten as the other teeth do.

If your smile is starting to fade and become dull, visit your dentist. You will find many reliable options to whiten your teeth and brighten your smile. For more information please visit Dallas teeth whitening dentist Dr. Sowell at http://www.smilesbysowell.com.