albright-dentistry

How To Achieve A Smile Makeover With Porcelain Veneers

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:16:56 GMT

How To Achieve A Smile Makeover With Porcelain Veneers

Would you love to have a brighter and straighter smile without whitening or braces? Have you considered a smile makeover? Did you know that thanks to porcelain veneers in Houston, you can capture that gorgeous smile you’ve always wanted?

The Porcelain Veneer Consultation

In order to ensure that we achieve the great smile that you’re looking for, you’ll need to first come by for a consultation. During this visit, we’ll address all of your concerns and answer any questions you have a bout the process.

Information We Gather: We may take some x-rays, photos, or impressions of your teeth to help us better plan your treatment.

Examination of Your Teeth: When we examine your teeth we’ll need to ensure that they’re healthy enough to hold a veneer.

If you have large gaps between teeth, then veneers may not be the best option for you because, in order to close in the gaps, the veneers will need to be wide – which may not be appealing to the eye.

On the other hand, if your teeth are severely crooked or overlapping each other, then veneers may not be your solution.

Determining the Span of Your Smile: While visiting our office we’ll look at the number of teeth that show when you smile. Some people may show an average of 6-8 teeth, others can show as many as 10 wide. Ideally, a smile makeover will extend the length of one’s smile, so we’ll need to see how many veneers we’ll need in order to complete your desired look.

Previous Dental Work: If you’ve had previous dental work on any of your front teeth, we may still be able to do veneers. If we can’t, it’s likely we can place a crown instead. A dental crown looks much like a porcelain veneer, except it wraps around the entire tooth (front and back).

Meaning, if you have a tooth that’s been compromised by previous dental work we can protect it with a crown and still get the same look by placing veneers on the other ones. The cost of a crown is similar to that of a veneer and they are often times used together to achieve the ultimate smile makeover in Houston.

Tooth Color: If your main concern is the color of your teeth, we can discuss what options are available to improve their shade. During your consultation, we will take into consideration the natural color of your teeth and your skin’s complexion in order to determine which shade would be best for the final veneers.

Choice of color of a dental artificial limb. The woman on reception at the dentist. Close-up

Size and Shape of Your Teeth: Maybe your teeth are too small, or perhaps too large. They may be extremely pointy or squared. These are aesthetic characteristics that we can improve on with your smile makeover. We’ll design your veneers in a way that will complement the size and shape of your facial features.

Where to Get A Smile Makeover in Houston?

If you’re wanting to get the full benefit of a beautiful smile makeover with dental veneers, call Allbright Dentistry in Houston!

5 Reasons Why Dental Exams Are So Important

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:11:39 GMT

5 Reasons Why Dental Exams Are So Important

Most people think that if they’re not having any dental problems, or pain with their teeth, then there’s no need to visit the dentist in Houston

The truth is that getting routine dental checkups can keep dental infections and some types of emergencies from happening in the first place. At Allbright Dentistry we encourage Houston families to visit us on a regular basis to ensure their oral health stays its best.

What happens during a six-month checkup?

1. Preventive Cleaning

One of the main things that we do when you visit is perform a prophylaxis cleaning or “prophy” for short. During this appointment, our dental hygienist will use special instruments to remove the plaque and tartar buildup that has built up since your last cleaning.Even patients who brush and floss religiously should have periodic prophies. It’s important to do so because a toothbrush isn’t capable of cleaning hard-to-reach places. Back molars, below the gumlines, and between teeth are prone to having buildup, which if not removed will lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Dental Exam

When our Houston dentist checks your teeth, they’ll be looking for decay, breaks, cracks, or anything that appears abnormal. In dentistry, as time goes by, conditions that go unnoticed get worse, and never better. Getting regular check-ups can prevent most problem areas from becoming painful and infected. Undiagnosed, ignored, or untreated can cause you to lose your teeth.

3. X-Rays (As Needed)

Having x-rays of your teeth helps our Houston dentist provide you with an even better exam and a more conclusive diagnosis. Not all dental problems are visible by just looking with the naked eye. For example, decay between two teeth isn’t visible without an x-ray. Neither is an abscess or infection.

4. Oral Cancer Screening

A dental checkup doesn’t stop with your teeth. Our Houston dentist will thoroughly examine all of the soft and hard tissue of your mouth to check for suspicious areas of cancer. If anything is found that looks abnormal, we can have a biopsy done and get it tested. Through early detection, we can get you treated more quickly and quite possibly save your life.

5. TMJ Screening

Some patients grind their teeth and they’re not even aware of it. When we perform your exam, we check for signs of wear that may tell us you’re grinding in your sleep. We may recommend that you wear a nightguard to prevent damaging your tooth enamel. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on conditions like this, and we can help you do that with regular checkups.Teeth grinding can lead to serious TMJ issues that are painful and prevent you from being able to open your mouth.

Schedule Your Checkup Today

Now that you know what you’ll receive when book a dental checkup, you can see why it’s so important to schedule one on a regular basis. If you’re past due for an exam, then give Allbright Dentistry in Houston a call today. We’ll gladly take care of all of your oral health needs!

6 FAQ’s On In Office Teeth Whitening

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:07:53 GMT

6 FAQ’s On In Office Teeth Whitening

One of the most requested dental treatments we receive at Allbright Dentistry in Houston is Teeth Whitening. In order to help you decide if it’s right for you, we’ve pooled together some of the questions we frequently hear from our patients.

Does insurance pay for teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic treatment, therefore, dental insurance considers it elective and does not cover this procedure.

How often will I need to whiten my teeth?

The frequency of your whitening routine will mainly depend on your habits. If you smoke, drink red wine, or consume dark sodas regularly, then you’ll need to whiten your teeth more often. Typically, you may be looking at the effects from teeth whitening in Houston to last about six to twelve months, so touching up after each checkup is a great idea!

Does whitening hurt?

When used properly, dental teeth whitening is safe for your teeth. Some patients experience a bit of temporary sensitivity. If this occurs, using a fluoride toothpaste for sensitive teeth is helpful.

Who is a good candidate for teeth whitening?

A good candidate for teeth whitening in Houston is someone that has no dental work on any of their front teeth. If you have fillings, bonding, dental crowns, veneers, or any other type of restorations they will not change shades by bleaching. Stains that are yellow are usually whitened more easily than others.

Having healthy teeth and gums is essential.

Who should avoid teeth bleaching?

If you have had previous dental work on any of your front teeth, then bleaching may not be the best option for you. That’s not to say you can’t do it, but our Houston dentist can help you decide if whitening may make your teeth look more uniform in color.

Individuals who have decay, broken, or bad teeth should not whiten because it will be painful and further damage can occur to these already compromised teeth. Also, if gum disease is evident bleaching should be avoided.

Pregnant and nursing women are also discouraged from using teeth whitening systems.

Brown stains and discoloration from tetracycline can be challenging to improve with whitening.

Teeth whitening should be avoided in people younger than 13 years of age.

Do over the counter teeth whitening systems work?

Products that are available at your local pharmacy do work adequately, however they’re not as strong as our prescription-strength formula. If you only want to whiten your teeth by a shade or two, then you may an over the counter product may suffice. However, if you’re looking to make a more dramatic change, you should see our whitening dentist in Houston for a professional treatment.

Professional Teeth Whitening in Houston

When it comes to custom teeth whitening in Houston, call Allbright Dentistry. We care about our patients and are here to help you make the right decisions about your oral health. If you’re interested in bleaching your teeth or a smile makeover, call us today! New patients are always welcome.

Dental Implants Vs Bridges – What You Need To Know

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:03:16 GMT

Dental Implants Vs Bridges – What You Need To Know

When visiting the Allbright Dentistry in Houston you may be given the option to replace your missing tooth with a dental implant, or a bridge. In order to determine which option is best for you, you’ll first need to learn the facts behind each procedure!

What Is A Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a sterile, surgical grade titanium post that’s inserted into your jaw. It recreates the anatomical root of your missing tooth. The implant is surrounded by threads that help your bone fuse to it and keep it sturdy.

Depending on the tooth being treated during the dental implant process, you may first have to remove your tooth and then allow the area to heal before inserting the replacement. Also, once the implant is inserted, time will be necessary to allow the integration process between the bone and the threaded implant. This can take a matter of a few months.

Once the implant is stable, our Houston dentist will connect a piece on top of it, called a locator attachment, which is used to support the new tooth (dental crown) in place.

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Dental Implant?

When taken care of properly, a dental implant has the potential to last for life! They’re highly predictable and stronger than natural teeth. Since there is no tooth to decay, developing cavities isn’t a concern. The biggest precaution you should take is doing what you can to prevent gum disease from developing. The downfall is that implants can cost a little more up front and take a longer amount of time to complete.

What Is a Bridge?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic restoration that’s custom made at a dental laboratory. Essentially, a bridge is three crowns that are connected together. The outer “teeth” are hollow shells that fit over the natural teeth on either side of the open space in your mouth. On the bridge, a solid crown is suspended to replace the tooth that is missing.

In order to get a bridge, our Houston dentist has to first remove your troubled tooth and trim the adjacent ones down. This helps to make room for the restoration to fit properly. In some cases, the bridge will take a couple of weeks to fabricate, so you’ll wear a temporary one in the meantime. Once the permanent restoration is completed by the lab, you’ll return to our Houston dental office for us to remove your temporary and seat the permanent bridge.

Dental bridges can last a long time, but they do require some care to ensure that the natural teeth underneath don’t become infected. Bridges are faster to complete then dental implants, but some dentists and patients don’t like the idea of trimming down natural teeth – especially is there’s nothing wrong with them.

Which Option Is Best for You?

At Allbright Dentistry in Houston we can help you decide which tooth replacement option is best for you. When visiting our office for a consultation, we’ll be sure to answer all your questions and address any concerns you may have.

If you’re interested in replacing a tooth with a dental implant or bridge in Houston, give us a call today. We look forward to meeting you!