A tooth is referred to as ‘dead’ when it no longer has any blood flow. Sometimes this is also called as a ‘non-vital tooth.’

Tooth decay and an injury both can cause a dead tooth. In this blog, we will look at the causes and how a dead tooth can be treated and prevented.

What causes a tooth to die?

• Trauma or injury to your tooth or mouth is one possible cause for a dead tooth.
• A tooth can also die as a result of poor oral hygiene, leading to cavities, which, when left untreated, can gradually destroy your tooth.

Dead Tooth Treatment

It is important to treat a dying or dead tooth as soon as possible. That is because if left untreated, the bacteria from the dead tooth can spread and lead to the loss of more teeth. Moreover, it could hit your gums and jawbone.

Your dentist may treat a tooth that is dead or dying with a procedure known as a root canal. Or, they may extract the entire tooth.

Root canal

With a root canal procedure, you may be able to keep your tooth intact. During the root canal, the dentist drills an opening into the tooth and then uses small instruments to remove the pulp and clean out the infection. Following the infection removal, your dentist will place a permanent filling and seal the roots.

In many cases, your doctor may recommend having a crown after a root canal. This may be a good option if there was damage to the enamel or if the tooth had a large filling.

If your dentist or endodontist determines that you don’t need a crown, you may be able to use tooth bleaching to treat any color changes to the affected tooth. If not, your doctor may recommend covering the tooth with a porcelain veneer.

Removal or extraction

If your tooth is badly damaged and unable to be restored, your dentist may recommend removing the dead tooth completely. During the procedure, the dental professional will completely remove the tooth. After the extraction, you can replace the tooth with a denture, implant, or bridge. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about your options. Some questions you should ask are:

• What is the recovery like?
• How much will it cost?
• Will it need to be changed over time?

Pain management

If your tooth is causing intense pain, there are some things you can do at home while you wait for treatment:

• Avoid hot beverages. They can aggravate inflammation, which can make your pain worse.
• Take an OTC anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen.
• Avoid eating hard snacks. The biting-down force may worsen the damaged nerves.

It is best in your interest to visit your dentist immediately. Home remedies should not be used in place of professional treatment. Instead, you should use them while you wait for your dental appointment.

Is your retainer, which used to fit securely in your mouth, starting to wobble, feel loose, or just don’t fit properly? If this is the case, it may be time to schedule an appointment with the dentist in Sugar Land.

Most Retainers Don’t Require Tightening

Most retainers last for many years without requiring tightening. Occasionally, the retainer’s shape may need to be changed to accommodate the shifting of your teeth or because of wear and tear from wearing, but this is more of a repositioning of the retainer and not a tightening.

Types of Orthodontic Retainers 

There are several types of retainers that you can wear after completing your treatment. Some of these retainers have more of a “fixed” shape and can’t be repositioned or reshaped while others can.

The following are some examples of the most common types of orthodontic retainers and whether they can be reshaped or repositioned:

Clear plastic retainers – These types of orthodontic retainers cannot be repositioned or reshaped. If your retainer is worn down or your teeth shift, you will need a completely new retainer.

Fixed retainer –These retainers cannot be tightened. If your teeth shift, the complete wire needs to be removed, and a new one will need to be glued back.

Wrap around retainers –Due to the increased amount of wire, this type of retainer can be tightened. However, if your teeth shift too much, you may need a brand new retainer.

Retainer Instructions 

When you receive your retainer, your orthodontist will give you a list of instructions. Following the instructions will not only help your teeth retain their new position, but it will limit you from going to the dental office to tighten your retainer or get a completely new one.

Are You Having Problems with Your Retainer? Call Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry at 281-937-7530

Everyone wants to feel good and make a lasting first impression, and braces are often a way to do that. However, a considerable investment both in terms of time and money is involved. As with any major decision, you’ll want to know the pros and cons of braces so you can figure out whether they are worth it.

Having years of experience with braces of all kinds, we’ve seen the pros and cons of braces upfront, with real-life patients. Here are a few things we have learned and now want you to know:

Pros: Reasons to Get Traditional Metal Braces

They work. With proper care and maintenance, they will straighten your teeth over time.

They are durable. Traditional braces don’t easily chip or crack. Although there are cases where the wire snaps or brackets fall off, these are relatively easy fixes.

They are slightly less hard on your pocket. Traditional metal braces typically are less expensive, since they have been out in the market longer.

Cons: Why You Might Avoid Metal Braces

There are many drawbacks, and many people feel that they outweigh the benefits:

They can hurt.  Putting on the braces or getting them tightened can be very painful since they are moving your teeth by applying pressure.

Brushing and flossing can be difficult. Maintaining metal braces is not easy at all. Flossing can be very difficult since you must thread the floss around the wire to get between your teeth.

They limit what you can eat. Since traditional metal braces are attached to your teeth, they are present all the time, meaning that you may need to cut down your favorite foods.

Alternatives to Metal Braces

While you are exploring metal braces, you should be aware that there are alternatives worth considering. Specifically, there are different types of braces, such as Invisalign, Ceramic braces, Lingual braces, each with their pros and cons.

You can read about braces on the internet forever. It’s time now to take that first step. We hope you’ll make it with us!

In this blog post, we will shed some light on what components make up your braces and how they move your teeth.

Components of Braces

Brackets

Brackets are the most visible part of your braces. They bond to the surface of each tooth to hold them in place throughout the orthodontic treatment.

Archwires

Your orthodontist will place these thin metal wires over each bracket. They are necessary for building up the pressure against your teeth that will move them in their appropriate positions.

O-Rings

These small elastic bands are responsible for holding the bracket on the archwire.

Now that you have a know-how of what braces are made of let’s discuss how they move your teeth!

Moving the teeth through bone remodeling

After the braces are in place, they will begin to put pressure on your teeth. The periodontal membrane (encases a bottom portion of the tooth) is stretched on one side and compressed on the other, which slightly loosens the tooth. Then a new bone grows in to support the tooth. This is the process of bone remodeling, and it’s where the magic happens!

The force behind the movement

Your brackets and archwires are responsible for providing your teeth with the necessary force and pressure for positive tooth movement. Therefore, the archwires are typically made of materials activated by body heat to increase the stiffness level.

The wire we use in the beginning is known as a twisted wire and when this wire is placed on your teeth, it is activated by the heat of your mouth. Once you advance into the treatment process, a more flexible one will replace the twisted wire. Your body heat activates this wire, too, causing it to become stiff. Once we place the brackets on your teeth and tie them together with the wires, the transmission of forces is on the go.

If you want to get really technical, meet one of our dental experts at Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry. To schedule, an appointment calls us at 281-937-7530. 

Does Invisalign work for crowded teeth, or metal braces are my only option? You do hope to hear a YES for the former, right? Fortunately, Invisalign can straighten your smile. They also correct teeth spacing problems and work effectively for patients with crowded teeth. Invisalign can be a perfect treatment plan for you in the following scenarios:

• You have issues such as gapped teeth, crowded teeth, overbite, and crossbite. Or your teeth are severely misaligned that may require additional treatment.
• You want a subtle and unnoticeable treatment option. The best thing about clear aligners is that they are comfortable, removable, and convenient. They work perfectly for teens and adults.
• You can wear them throughout the day. For a fully effective treatment, you need to keep the clear braces on for a minimum of 22 hours daily. However, you can take them off when you are eating or cleaning your teeth.

Benefits of Using Invisalign for Crowded Teeth

Some significant benefits of choosing clear aligners that many patients look for and appreciate are:

1. Improved physical appearance: Unlike metal braces, the Invisalign can hardly be noticed and still work perfectly to correct your crowded teeth. They allow you to enjoy an attractive smile throughout the treatment.
2. Better dental hygiene: You can take off your aligners whenever you feel like eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth. This way, your teeth will remain clean, and no food particles will get stuck in the aligners.
3. Precise and personalized treatment: Every aligner is designed based on the precise 3D impression of your teeth. That is why they fit perfectly and are very comfortable to wear.
4. Removable aligners: You can take them off any time you want. They fit perfectly into your normal lifestyle, and metal brackets, elastics, or wires will not hinder you.

If you are looking for a dental clinic to get your clear aligners, Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry is your best stop. To book an appointment, call us at 281-937-7530 .

There is a variety of dental splints available to dental patients. The use of each type of splint varies, depending on the patient’s clinical needs, the clinician’s requirements, and the desired outcome. One of the most commonly prescribed dental splints is the traditional flat-plane occlusal splint, which fits over the maxillary arch. This splint’s ability to treat a wide variety of issues makes it a popular choice among many.

Materials

For many years, a clear or tooth-colored hard acrylic (made with methyl methacrylate) was used. But this material had many issues. One major flaw was polymerization shrinkage, causing the appliance to warp during the curing process.

New Days

These days, the use of pressure-molded technologies, to create plastic splints is more common. These splints are more flexible and can also capture undercuts for greater retention. After formation, small amounts of hard, light-cured acrylic can be placed onto these bases, creating the correct occlusion to match the opposing dentition. The more the stability of the occlusal plane, the greater the relief from jaw pain.

Thermoplastic materials offer even greater patient comfort. They capture even deeper undercuts that offer more retention with less chance of breaking. These materials can slightly flex when softened in warm water while still retaining the correct shape. Once inserted into the mouth, they can conform to the contours of the patient’s teeth.

Benefits of Dental Splints

Dental-splint therapy can treat multiple problems such as TMJ pain and severely worn dentition, often caused by bruxism. Always ensure that the occlusal schematics are accurately captured, that the splint protects the opposing dentition, and that it does not feel too bulky to wear, which will increase patient comfort.

Since the introduction of the dental splint, its design has significantly evolved, leading to higher patient comfort. The techniques for producing dental splints have also improved, requiring less chair-side time to fit them properly.

If you wish to discuss a case in more detail, our experienced team is here to assist you. Call Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry at 281-937-7530. 

Drinking water is healthy for our bodies. It’s the healthiest drink out there, which keeps our skin and other organs healthy. But did you know that water is beneficial for your oral health too? Below are some of the ways that water is good for your teeth!

Acts as a mouth cleaner

Drinking anything helps wash down your food, but drinks like juice, sports drinks, and soda only leave unwanted sugars behind on your teeth.

It strengthens teeth

The U.S. is one of the few countries that adds fluoride in its water. Fluoride in the water fights cavity and is one of the best things for your teeth. It is a natural element that mixes with tooth enamel in growing teeth that helps prevent tooth decay.

It keeps your mouth from being dry

A dry mouth contributes to tooth decay. That is because saliva is a great defense against tooth decay. Minerals in saliva like calcium and phosphate help your teeth fight against tooth decay. With a dry mouth, you produce less saliva, which will only help tooth decay. Drinking water helps prevent dry mouth and prevents tooth decay in return.

It is calorie-less!

You may think that it has nothing to do with oral health, but it does! Most other drinks contain tons of sugar, which is a major contributor to tooth decay. By drinking water, you are not adding any extra sugar to your meal. Moreover, it helps to lose weight, so it’s even more guilt-free!

Bad breath fighter

Drinking water helps fight against bad breath. Dry mouth causes “Morning breath,” and drinking water throughout the day helps with that. Water also washes away food particles and tooth decay, which can also contribute towards bad breath and keep bad breath from forming in the first place.

If you have any queries about how to help pair up other fluoride treatments with drinking water, don’t hesitate to call Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry at 281-937-7530.

When patients are asked to go for “periodontal maintenance,” they often ask why because all they want is normal teeth cleaning. If your dentist recommends that you be scheduled for periodontal maintenance, and if you notice the difference between the costs for these procedures, here is a brief explanation:

Regular Cleaning vs Periodontal Maintenance

Prophylaxis, or Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning is for patients with no periodontal disease, bone loss, or infection around the teeth. There should be no mobility of the teeth or bleeding, or receded areas, where the spaces around the roots of the teeth are open. In simpler words, the mouth should be healthy with no bone or gum-related issues.

Regular cleaning removes tartar, soft plaque, and stains from the teeth above the gum line. It is usually done 2 to 3 times a year, depending on how quickly plaque, stain, and tartar accumulate.

Periodontal Maintenance (PM)

Regular cleaning is not appropriate if you have:

• periodontal disease resulting in bone loss
• bleeding gums
• exposed root surfaces
• gum “pockets” deeper than 4 millimeters
• had periodontal surgery
• or root planing to treat periodontal surgery
• or root planing to treat periodontal disease

PM scaling maintains bone and gum health. This procedure removes tartar and plaque from above and below the gum line, all the way down the length of each tooth.

You may need to go for PM 3 to 4 times a year. It depends on several factors like, how:

• quickly the plaque and tartar accumulate
• stable the present condition is
• much bleeding or inflammation is present
• well you can maintain your teeth at home daily

If you would like to learn more about regular cleaning vs. periodontal maintenance, please contact our office. To schedule an appointment with your Sugar Land dentist, call at 281-937-7530. We will be happy to hear from you.

Many patients think that after they have received a dental crown, and the restoration is complete, that tooth will never create any issue. If patients experience toothache under a crown, they think it is nothing serious. However, this is not a very good thing to do. Many problems can happen underneath the dental crown, and as long as there is a living tooth root and/or a stub that the dental crown is mounted on, it may need dental treatment.

What it means

There can be two reasons for a toothache. Either the dental crown is damaging the tooth stub that it’s on, or there is an infection in the tooth, or it is undergoing a tooth decay in some form. Both conditions can have adverse effects on your oral health and require immediate dental attention.

The first scenario is somehow good news in which the dental crown is pushing down on the tooth stub. This requires the removal and replacement of the dental crown.

Tooth decay underneath the dental crown

The problem becomes a little more complicated if there is an infection or tooth decay underneath the dental crown. You may need to undergo a root canal treatment and also have a new dental crown. The scenario becomes worst when the tooth stub is beyond saving and must be extracted. Here a dental implant needs to be put in place or a dental crown that is held in place by the tooth next to it.

These infections can spread and affect your jawbone and can even cause an abscess to form underneath the crown. Therefore you should never ignore situations like these as they can lead to greater problems in the future.

Do you have any more questions related to the toothache under a crown? If yes, please feel free to call Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry at 281-937-7530.

Dental implants function the same way your natural teeth do, which is the reason for their ever-growing popularity and benefits. However, with the light, there is also a darker side. Your dental implant can catch infection the same way your natural teeth do. The reasons can be ignoring dental care for a long time, diabetes, smoking, or a weak immune system.

Symptoms

There is no specific time when an infection can happen; it can either happen right after the surgery or several weeks later.

There are some of the symptoms you may notice, such as:

• Fever
• Difficulty in chewing
• Bad breath
• Redness around the implant
• Bleeding around the implant

If you have continuous bleeding or severe pain, pay a visit to your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will carry out the necessary test to identify the disease.

Treatment

It is always best to control things before they get out of hands. The same is the case with a dental implant infection. It is relatively easy to prevent it rather than running for treatments. Therefore, a good oral hygiene routine can be at your advantage. Regularly brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep your teeth and gums free from bacteria. Flossing and use of mouthwash are also good things to add on your list.

If you have an infection, our dentists at Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry will thoroughly examine your condition to provide the best possible treatment. The treatment depends on the level of infection. If it happens after the surgery, the dentists will prescribe you antibiotics along with some other medicines. However, if the condition worsens, you may have to undergo another surgery to replace or adjust the implant.

If you are facing any of the mentioned symptoms, don’t wait for them to go on their own. Call us at 281-937-7530 and book an appointment.