What Are Dental Fillings?

They are dental restorations for repairing and restoring damaged and diseased teeth. Dental fillings feature different materials that can replace the damaged portions of teeth’ enamels, restoring their functions. Typically, dental fillings are direct installations that fill and seal teeth to prevent the re-entry of bacteria.

How Do Dental Fillings Work?

Our dentist near you will numb your mouth with local anesthesia once (s)he determines that tooth fillings are the most suitable treatment option for you. After numbing, our dentist will use a dental drill or laser to remove the damaged portion of your tooth. The goal is to remove as much tooth enamel as infected by bacteria. (S)he will use a cavity detector to determine the extent of tooth damage. Once all the infection is out, our dentist will apply an antibiotic to kill any residue bacteria in your tooth.

The process of filling your tooth is fairly simple. Our dentist applies the filling material of choice, sealing any hole that may allow bacteria into the inner layers of your tooth. Our dentist must also shape the filling appropriately to ensure an even bite.

What Types of Materials Can You Choose?

The types of tooth fillings near you differ based on the material, each presenting unique benefits. They include the following:

Gold Fillings

They feature gold as the primary metal. These metal-based tooth fillings provide a sense of luxury for tooth restoration. They also make for sturdy dental fillings, perfect for restoring molars and premolars. Gold fillings last a long time, typically about 20 years or more.

Silver Fillings

They are also called amalgams. They are the most common dental fillings, used for many years to restore teeth. They feature a metal alloy of materials like copper, zinc, and mercury, with silver as the primary component. The metal-based fillings feature sturdy materials for restoring the back teeth. They last a long time, usually about 20 or more years. The even better news is that they are a lot cheaper than gold fillings.

Composite Fillings

They are also called white fillings. They feature tooth-colored composite resin that matches the color of natural teeth. White fillings offer an incredible aesthetic value that metal-based fillings cannot. It makes composite fillings ideal for repairing the front teeth. These tooth fillings are also inexpensive, making them a suitable alternative to amalgams. The even better news is that they are non-toxic since they do not contain any metallic elements like mercury that may cause allergic reactions.

Porcelain Fillings

These are alternatives to composite fillings, providing more satisfaction regarding aesthetic aspects of your smile. Porcelain is a tooth-colored, semi-transparent material that is both aesthetically pleasing and life-like. It closely mimics the appearance and feel of natural teeth. Porcelain fillings are typically indirect restorations called onlays and inlays, usually created in a dental laboratory. They fit perfectly and are suitable as alternatives to dental crowns and other types of dental fillings. These dental fillings are also very sturdy, making them ideal even for restoring back teeth. Besides, porcelain fillings last for many years, usually about 20 years or more.

Glass Ionomers

They are the most unique types of dental fillings. They feature acrylic and are typically used for preventive dental care. Glass ionomers are popularly known as dental sealants. They are ideal for protecting the chewing surfaces of back teeth and preventing dental cavities from forming. The better news is that some glass ionomers are packed with fluoride, which is an incredible mineral for strengthening teeth.

How to Choose The Right Dental Filling Type For You?

Every dental filling has the benefits that make it ideal for restoring damaged teeth. However, when choosing the ideal one for your treatment, you must consider various factors:

• What are Your Aesthetic Needs? – If you value the aesthetic appearance of your smile, you will choose a tooth-colored dental filling.
• Location of the Tooth – restoring your front teeth is different from treating the molars and premolars. For front teeth, you must prioritize aesthetics. For the back teeth, your priority should be sturdiness, supporting the chewing function of molars.
• Cost – some dental fillings are more expensive than others. Gold fillings are the most expensive restorations, followed by porcelain fillings that can sometimes match the cost of gold fillings.
• Durability – glass ionomers and composite fillings do not last as long as the other materials.

Visit a Dental Clinic Near You

Confused about choosing the right type of dental filling for you? Call us or book a consultation with Pearly Whites of Pearland to know more about dental fillings in Pearland, TX!

A dental procedure cleaning out the decay in your dental pulp and root is called a root canal. Your teeth comprise an enamel layer on the exterior, another layer of dentin, and a soft center that extends to the root in your jawbone. The soft center contains the dental pulp consisting of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

 

When tooth decay gets to the soft center of the tooth, the dental pulp becomes inflamed and infected or even necrotic. In such cases, you require root canal treatment to clean out the decay.

 

How would you know whether you need a root canal? Please continue reading to learn more about the symptoms indicating you might need this treatment.

 

What Are Root Canals?

 

Root canal procedures involve cleaning the decay in your tooth to preserve it. During a root canal procedure, our dentist in Pearland extracts bacteria and pollution from the dental pulp and nerve. The area is disinfected with antibiotics, and fillings are placed in the empty sockets. Finally, your tooth is sealed to prevent further decay.

 

The root canal procedure preserves your natural tooth and prevents further decay. However, it makes the tooth fragile, needing a dental crown for protection.

 

Symptoms Indicating You Need a Root Canal

 

The best way to know whether you need a root canal is to visit our dental clinic near you. However, there are warning signs that you can watch for. If you notice any symptoms described below, you must see your dentist as soon as possible. Treating the tooth right away delivers better outcomes.

 

1. Persistent Pain

 

One of the signs indicating you need a root canal is a persistent pain in a specific tooth. The pain in the tooth might bother you constantly or might go away for some time only to return. You might experience the pain deep into the bone of your tooth or might feel radiating pain in your face, jaw, or other teeth.

 

Tooth pain has different causes besides needing a root canal. Other causes include gum disease, a cavity, radiating pain from sinus infections or other problems, damaged fillings, and an impacted and infected tooth. Regardless of the cause, it is an excellent idea to see your dentist if you have persistent tooth pain.

 

2. Sensitivity To Temperatures

 

Do your teeth feel sensitive when eating warm food or having a cup of coffee? Perhaps your tooth feels sensitive when you eat ice cream or drink freezing water. The sensitivity might be dull or sharp. However, you might need a root canal in the sensitivity lingers for an extended period even after stopping eating or drinking.

 

3. Tooth Discoloration

 

Your tooth can become discolored from an infection in the pulp. Your tooth roots suffer damage from trauma or breakdown of internal tissue and give the tooth a greyish black appearance. Your dental pulp dies when it doesn’t receive sufficient blood supply to signal the need for root canal treatment.

 

4. Swollen Gums

 

Swollen gums near the affected tooth are signs of a problem that needs a root canal. The swelling doesn’t remain but might come and go. The swelling might be tender but not painful to touch. You might also have any pimples on your gum called an abscess. The abscess leaves an unpleasant taste in your mouth besides bad breath and oozing pus.

 

5. Pain When Eating or Touching the Tooth

 

Tooth sensitivity when touching it or eating indicates signs of severe tooth decay or nerve damage needing a root canal treatment. In such cases, the sensitivity persists and doesn’t subside when you stop eating. You might experience hypersensitivity from the dying pulp because the ligament around the tooth truth is affected.

 

6. Chipped or Cracked Teeth

 

If you have chipped or cracked your tooth in accidents or contact sports, bacteria can penetrate the tooth to cause infections. An injury to the tooth that doesn’t chip or crack can also damage the nerves to make them inflamed to cause pain and sensitivity, requiring root canal treatment.

 

7. Tooth Mobility

 

If you have an infected tooth, it is likely to feel loose. Tooth mobility results from other factors besides nerve death, but it indicates the need for root canal treatment. For example, you might have acidic waste products from pulpal necrosis softening the bone around the root of a dying tooth to cause mobility.

 

The signs mentioned indicate you might need root canal treatment to eradicate the infection and preserve your natural tooth. However, the treatment is not fearsome and is completed by the Pearland dentist in one or two appointments, depending on whether your anterior or molar is affected.

 

Visit a Dentist Near You

 

If you experience any manifestation depicted in this article, call or schedule an appointment with Pearly Whites of Pearland to get root canal treatment in Pearland, TX and preserve your natural tooth.

 

Having missing pearly whites can have detrimental effects on your dental health and self-esteem. You will constantly have to contend with poor digestion, speech issues, deteriorating jaw bone, and much more. You could develop more severe complications that might need you to undergo extensive dental procedures in a short time.

That’s why our dentist in 77584 offers dental implants in Pearland, TX, as a tooth replacement option.

Dental implants have changed so many smiles throughout the decades. Dental technology has evolved, and so it is much easier to get implants than ever before. In fact, different techniques are employed to ensure that almost anyone can get tooth implants.

What’s more, our dentist in Pearland can use various types of tooth implants to restore your smile. Let’s peer into some of the types of tooth implants.

Types of Dental Implants

There are various ways that tooth implants are classified. They can be categorized according to the procedure:

• Endosteal Implants: Most patients use this type of implant. Our dentist in 77584 will place the tooth implant directly into your jawbone, replacing the tooth root. It’s the best option when you have healthy gums and bones.
• Subperiosteal Implants: When endosteal implants are not an option, then you can go for subperiosteal implants. The implant is connected to a framework and then placed on the jawbone instead of being inserted into your jawbone.

Implants can also be grouped based on their coating, such as:

• Zirconia
• An acid-etched rough surface
• Plasma-sprayed titanium surface
• Plasma-sprayed hydoprxyatapatite

Implants can also be grouped according to how the abutment is placed:

• External hex connectors
• Internal hex connectors
• Internal octagon connectors

The Dental Implant Process

As mentioned before, dental technology is not what it used to be before. Now, our dentist can apply various techniques tailor-made to suit your specific needs. Also, additional procedures can be performed to ensure that your procedure is a success.

Typically, the tooth implant procedure will go as follows:

1. Initial Examination

Our dentist will carry out certain examinations to ensure that you are fit to undergo the tooth implant procedure. The examinations will include taking digital scans and x-rays of your jaw.

2. Tooth Extraction

If the tooth that you wish to replace is still intact, then tooth extraction will be performed to remove the tooth.

3. Bone and Gum Grafting

The scans and x-rays will show reveal the nature of your jaw bone. If you don’t have enough healthy bone or bone mass to support the implant, bone grafting will be performed. Also, if your gums have receded, a gum graft will be done to stimulate the growth of new tissue.

This step is not a must. They are only performed if our dentist deems them a necessity.

4. Inserting the Implant

Once our dentist performs the above procedure, inserting the tooth implant is the next step. In a nutshell, implant surgery involves drilling your jawbone to create the space for the implant to be placed. Don’t fret! The procedure will not commence without the administration of local anesthesia to numb the area.

5. Abutment Placement

After our dentist places the tooth implant, you will be sent home to allow the jawbone to heal. Once healing is done, you will come in for the next phase – abutment placement. The abutment connects the implant to your tooth replacement.

6. Fixing the Tooth Replacement

Lastly, the tooth replacement will be fixed. You can choose what you wish to use at this stage. It can be a tooth crown, a dental bridge, or dentures.

What are the Benefits of Tooth Implants?

Implants come with various benefits that make them the number one tooth replacement recommended by our dentist in Pearland. Some of the benefits include:

• Stability – Tooth implants are anchored in the jaw and then fuse with the jaw to make them as stable as your tooth roots. Your replacement teeth will not shift.
• Bone health – When you lose a tooth, the jawbone will begin to deteriorate. Over time, your face will become pruned at the jaw. Implants counter this process since they are inserted in the jawbone.
• Durability – Since implants are made from metal, you can expect them to last a long time, especially if you care for them

Implants are a practical and long-lasting tooth replacement treatment. Contact us at Pearly Whites of Pearland if you wish to get tooth implants.

For almost a century, metal braces have been the go-to option for anyone who wishes to correct orthodontic issues. That’s why most adults didn’t fancy the idea of undergoing orthodontic treatment, and they would rather contend with their orthodontic problems.

Everything changed when Invisalign® in Pearland, TX, came into the market. Invisalign was introduced in the late 90s and has successfully altered over 5 million smiles. Our dentist in 77584 offers Invisalign as an alternative to the traditional metal braces. They are effective, sleek, and virtually invisible to ensure that all our patients receive the care they need.

The Invisalign Process

The chief goal of Invisalign is to correct most orthodontic issues by moving your teeth to the correct positions. When your teeth are in their new positions, you will have a functional and healthy bite with excellent dental aesthetics.

They employ the exact mechanism as traditional braces, but they use a different device. Traditional braces use brackets and wires, whereas Invisalign uses customized trays to reposition your teeth.

So, when you are ready to get Invisalign aligners, you can expect the process to look something like this:

• Initial Consultation

Our dentist near you will begin by examining your teeth and explaining how the Invisalign treatment works.

• Receive a Customized Treatment Plan

Digital scans of your mouth and teeth will be taken, which allows the Invisalign software to create a 3D image of your teeth. This enables our dentist near you to create a treatment plan based on the 3D image. You might also get the chance to view what your smile will look like at the end of your treatment.

• Get the Customized Aligners

Your aligners will be crafted to the exact dimensions of your mouth and teeth using the 3D image. Once this process is complete, you will get aligners that are a snug fit.

• Pick Up Your First Set of Aligners

Our dentist will call you once the process is done. You can pick your aligners during your next appointment. Then, our dentist will guide you on wearing the aligners for maximum efficacy. You will also receive guidelines on caring for the aligners to avoid complications and issues that might retard your progress.

Your treatment may last anywhere between 6 and 24 months. The length of Invisalign treatment is always dependent on your specific scenario.

What Are the Benefits?

Invisalign comes tons of benefits that you should take advantage of, such as:

1. They Correct Several Orthodontic Issues

Invisalign operates in the same way as metal braces. This means that you can rely on them to correct a myriad of orthodontic issues. You can expect Invisalign to correct the following:

• Gapped teeth – this is when your teeth are too far apart
• Crossbite
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crooked teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Open bite

Remember that Invisalign is designed to deal with mild to moderate cases. Severe issues are best suited for more extensive orthodontic work.

2. Less Pain and More Gain

Orthodontic treatment always comes with a level of discomfort or pain. However, when using Invisalign, you will not have to worry about experiencing much pain or discomfort. This is because Invisalign is crafted using a patented material known as SmartTrack®, which is sturdy enough to move your teeth but gentle enough not to harm your gums and teeth. You will experience less discomfort and pain during your treatment.

3. Invisalign Will Enhance Your Oral Health

Misaligned or crooked teeth will make it difficult for you to clean them. You will be at an increased risk of getting cavities and gum disease. However, straightening your teeth will make it easier to floss and brush your teeth.

Malocclusion will also make it challenging for you to chew because they are out of alignment. You can develop digestion issues because food is not being appropriately chewed. You can also have headaches and jaw pain since you are overworking the jaws.

That’s why you need Invisalign to correct the orthodontic issues and improve your oral health.

4. Excellent Aesthetics

This is one of the best traits that Invisalign possesses. They are crafted from top-notch clear plastic that is sleek, clear, and almost invisible. This gives them excellent aesthetics.

5. They are Removable

You can remove Invisalign at your convenience. This means that you can have the ease to clean them and have the opportunity to brush and floss your teeth. Also, you can remove them, and have the chance to eat whatever you like. The only caveat is that you have to wear them no less than 20 hours every day.

We Are Here for You

As you have seen, Invisalign can rectify most orthodontic issues and give you a healthy and beautiful smile. Contact us at Pearly Whites of Pearland if you need Invisalign in Pearland, TX.

For so long, people associated orthodontics with children. Others viewed it as a way to beautify smiles, so most adults never went for it. But times have changed. More people are now aware of the issues that come with malocclusion and misaligned bites such as indigestion, jaw pain, headaches, gum disease, tooth decay, etc.

Now, scores of people are visiting our dentist in Pearland, TX, to get orthodontic treatment since they understand the value of the treatment.

Orthodontics has also evolved, and there are innovative treatments that can be used to correct a host of orthodontic problems. For this reason, our dentist near you offers various dental braces in Pearland, TX, to ensure that all our patients get the care they need.

Different Types of Dental Braces

Without further ado, let’s check out the main types of dental braces:

Metal Braces

Traditional or metal braces have been around for so many decades. They have been synonymous with orthodontics. Metal braces are the main reason most adults didn’t fancy undergoing orthodontic treatment. The metal braces used decades ago were bulky and very conspicuous.

Luckily times have changed. Metal braces are nothing like their predecessors that were used almost a century ago. Thanks to modern dental technology, metal braces boast new features, and now they are smaller, more effective, more comfortable, and have shorter treatment times.

Irrespective of these great strides, metal braces are still the go-to option for most children and adolescents. However, they are the most effective treatment and can correct a ton of orthodontic issues such as severe malocclusion, crooked teeth, spaces, etc.

They have brackets connected to a wire. The wire is attached to the braces using elastic ties that usually come in different colors that you can choose from depending on your preference. The braces are fixed to the teeth using the brackets.

Our dentist near you will keep on adjusting the wire after four to eight weeks to ensure that your teeth are moving to the new positions.

Ceramic Braces

Metal braces are very conspicuous, so ceramic braces have come in as an effective alternative. They are crafted from a clear and tooth-colored material. They operate in the same manner as metal braces. The main difference between them is that they are less visible and more discreet.

They are a fantastic choice if you cannot use lingual braces or Invisalign® because of one reason or another. Most patients who gravitate towards this option are adults and adolescents.

You should also be aware of some of the downsides of ceramic braces. They can be slightly larger than metal braces and can easily stain. But the staining is dependent on your brushing habits and the food you consume.

Self-ligating Braces

These are also excellent braces that work similarly to ceramic and metal braces. They also come in metal or ceramic material. Self-ligating braces also rely on brackets and a wire to move your teeth.

The biggest difference between them is that self-ligating braces use clips or doors to hold the wire instead of the elastic ties.

The use of the clips shortens the appointment times since they are easy to adjust. So, you can go for them if you are more sensitive to discomfort or you cannot sit still for a long period during a dental visit.

Lingual Braces

This is the least common yet most specialized orthodontic system. They need a bit more skill to fix and need an experienced orthodontist to fix them. This is because lingual braces are different from the other braces since they are placed behind the teeth.

If you are looking for very discreet braces, lingual braces will have you covered. They also offer full customization to your teeth, and they have better versatility and efficiency.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are an alternative for people who don’t want braces. They are crafted from clear plastic and use trays to move teeth. You also have the option to remove them at your convenience. Therefore, they are easier to clean, and you will also have an easier time cleaning your teeth.

Metal braces are adjusted using wires, whereas clear aligners use trays in a series. You will wear a tray for a week or so and then discard it and use the next one in the series. You will continue with this pattern until you complete your treatment.

There are many types of clear aligners, but Invisalign is the largest brand in the market.

As you can see, you are spoiled for choice. Contact us at Pearly Whites of Pearland if you wish to use any orthodontic treatments mentioned above.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your third molars of the final permanent teeth to emerge in your mouth if the teeth feel you have gained sufficient freedom by age 17 and 21. Unfortunately, some people never acquire the wisdom required to develop wisdom teeth. The unfortunate ones like you may either develop the teeth usually or be impacted because you don’t have sufficient room to accommodate them in your jaw.

 

Emerging wisdom teeth are painful for some people, while others don’t experience any pain. These third molars are positioned in the posterior region of your mouth in the upper and lower jaws. Therefore if you have gained sufficient wisdom will likely have four wisdom teeth in your mouth. However, wise people must always prepare themselves to confront different kinds of challenges in their lives, especially with molars like wisdom teeth.

 

What Happens if you Never Develop Wisdom Teeth?

 

If your wisdom teeth don’t emerge by 21, consider yourself among the fortunate few that can blissfully remain free from the problems wisdom teeth cause by remaining impacted below the gum line, growing at an angle towards the back of the mouth, or at a right angle towards the other teeth or the second molar, and grow straight up or down but remain trapped within the jawbone.

 

The problems described causing pain and discomfort send you searching for remedies from the dentist near you seeking relief from the complications wisdom teeth are causing.

 

What Happens When Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems?

 

Teeth causing problems in the mouth require treatments either by way of medications or removal, especially if they lead to infections like tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth are not an exception, and dentists often recommend problematic wisdom teeth removal for most people.

 

If you have impacted wisdom teeth, you can experience swelling and tenderness in your jaw, making it painful to touch. In addition, you might encounter challenges when eating or drinking, or the impacted wisdom tooth may attract infections. However, if you are diligent with your visits to the dentist in Pearland, they monitor the development of your wisdom teeth over time by taking x-rays and recommending corrective treatment if required.

 

Unfortunately, if you are not visiting your dentist frequently, you may not become aware of the wisdom teeth until they begin causing discomfort. After identifying the causes of the pain, your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth removal at the dentist’s office if you have a minor problem or refer you to an oral surgeon if you have a complicated situation.

 

Why do Dentists Recommend Wisdom Teeth Removal?

 

Dentists are not adversaries of wisdom teeth and are responsible for saving every tooth in your mouth. However, many dental specialists do not agree on the need to remove impacted asymptomatic wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, dentists are unable to predict any problems impacted wisdom teeth can cause. Therefore they rely on the rationale that preventive wisdom teeth removal is beneficial than leaving the tooth in its place. Dentists term wisdom tooth removal a preventive measure similar to maintaining preventive dental care.

 

The reason dentists recommend the removal of wisdom teeth is because when sufficient space isn’t available for wisdom teeth to emerge, they are challenging to clean. Even symptom-free wisdom teeth can harbor dental disease. Younger adults may not experience severe problems with wisdom teeth. However, older adults experience complications when opting to eliminate their final molars from their mouths by undergoing surgery.

 

What Problems Can You Expect with Wisdom Teeth Remaining in Your Mouth?

 

If you decide to leave your wisdom teeth in your mouth contrary to the dentist’s advice nearby, you likely invite a series of problems to affect your mouth that needs frequent visits to dentists for various treatments. Besides causing pain, wisdom teeth can trap food and debris behind them, leading to infections in the teeth and gum disease. In addition, even partially erupted wisdom teeth can attract tooth decay-causing damage to an adjacent tooth and surrounding bone. They may also cause complications if you need orthodontic treatments to straighten misaligned or malformed teeth.

 

Managing Your Third Molars

 

If you maintain excellent dental hygiene routines and visit your dentist every six months, the professional will likely monitor your mouth to determine if and when the wisdom teeth appear. The dentist recommends an appropriate course of action to manage the third molars appropriately to ensure you don’t have to encounter severe complications with your final set of permanent teeth emerging during the teens or adulthood.

 

If you are seeking a Wisdom Tooth Removal examination in Pearland, TX, you can book an appointment with Pearly Whites of Pearland for professional dental care services.

Consider yourself lucky if the dentist near you recommends you must undergo root canal treatment as soon as possible because the reason for your excruciating toothache is an infection to your dental pulp. The sole method to eradicate the condition is this treatment. You can even consider partying with your friends or family members because the dentist offered you a fantastic opportunity to save your natural tooth, preventing you from needing replacements.

That you need endodontics treatment to remove an infection or inflammation from within your tooth indicates you went to the nearby dentist complaining about excruciating pain in your tooth when chewing or biting because of an untreated cavity, or perhaps you have a chipped or cracked infected tooth. You may also experience lingering sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures even after removing the sensation.

After considering all your symptoms and taking x-rays of your tooth, the dentist would have recommended you undergo root canal treatment if you wish to save your natural tooth and prevent the need for costly replacements. You may also receive information getting the reserves will take many weeks or months until you can have a replacement solution customized explicitly for you. The information the dentist provides may have encouraged you to avoid unnecessary expenses and undergo this simple procedure that helps eliminate infections from within your tooth.

Accepted Your Dentists Proposal: What Next?

The nearby dentist you contacted would have provided a referral to root canal treatment in Pearland, TX, an endodontics specialist for the treatment. Endodontists are experts in performing these procedures and have the equipment and training necessary to perform a delicate surgical procedure on your tooth. Do not scare yourself into believing the endodontist will crack open your tooth to remove the infections. Instead, discuss with the Pearland endodontist the intricacies of this procedure to understand how the specialist helps protect your natural tooth.

Root canal treatments aren’t as fearful as earlier when dental technology hadn’t advanced, and specialists didn’t have modern-day anesthetics. Currently, the specialists use tiny flexible instruments to remove the infection within your tooth before cleaning, disinfecting, and sealing it in approximately a couple of appointments, depending on which tooth needs the treatment.

If the pain and sensitivity you experience are on a front tooth, the specialist completes the treatment in one visit. Unfortunately, if you need the treatment on a molar, your schedule at least two appointments to enable the dentist to comprehensively detect and clean all the canals within your tooth and leave you free from the pain and discomfort you experience.

What to Expect on the Day of the Root Canal Treatment?

On the day of your appointment for root canal treatment, expect to reach the dentist’s office at the scheduled hour to undergo another examination and x-ray for the specialist to look at the extent of the damage within your tooth. After the assessment, you receive anesthesia as discussed by the specialist to make your mouth and tooth numb for the treatment. Next, the affected tooth is isolated with a rubber dam to make sure it remains free from saliva during the procedure.

The specialist begins working on your tooth, ensuring it is entirely numb by making a tiny access hole in the crown of your affected tooth to expose the dental pulp in the pulp chamber. Special flexible instruments help the specialist clean the affected or inflamed pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and shape the place for a filling.

After cleaning and shaping the hollow space, the root canals are filled by the specialist using a biocompatible sealing material with an adhesive. The rubber-like biocompatible material is called gutta-percha. A temporary filling also helps the specialist close the access hole created in the crown of your tooth.

Will You Undergo Root Canal Treatment without Experiencing Any Pain?

The root canal procedure itself will end painlessly because the specialist administers sufficient anesthesia in your mouth to ensure you don’t feel anything. However, do not expect the anesthesia to last forever because the numbing medication wears off in a few hours. You can anticipate some pain after the anesthesia wears off. However, you receive prescriptions and recommendations for drugs and painkillers you can take to find relief.

Any pain you experience after undergoing root canal treatment is related to the surgical procedure and not the infection within your tooth. The specialist would have eradicated the disease to leave you with a healthy tooth. Instead, you receive instructions not to chew or bite with the treated tooth for a few days until you have it restored permanently with a dental crown.

After you recover from root canal treatment, you must visit the dentist nearby again to have the tooth examined and restored either with a permanent filling or a dental crown if you want to enjoy the full functionality of the tooth. Getting a dental crown is a better option because it provides you with a long-lasting solution for the treated tooth besides restoring your aesthetic appearance.

If you are looking for root canal treatment in Pearland, you can call or book an appointment with Pearly Whites of Pearland for professional dental care treatments.

Dentures, which are also called false teeth, are used in dental cosmetics to help improve the shape and appearance of the face and how it makes a positive effect on your network.

In the forms of artificial teeth and gums which are custom designed to fit your mouth, dentures function to replace missing, lost, or damaged natural teeth.

Facial muscles sag when one or more teeth fall off, and can be a reason why you’d look older. This could impact your esteem negatively and also your inclusion within your circle and in your workplace.

What are Dentures Composed Of?

In the past years, porcelain or plastics were the materials used to make artificial teeth. However, modern dentures are now made out of hard resin whose materials are more fragile when compared to natural teeth and can subsequently chip or crack easily if dropped or uncared for.

What are the Different Types Of Dentures available?

Several types of dentures are available, and are outlined below:

Complete or Traditional Full Dentures

Complete or traditional dentures are usually used for the replacement of all of a patient’s teeth and it is designed to sit on top of the gums and are typically placed within 8 and 12 weeks of teeth extraction.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are used in denture procedures such as when you still have some of your natural teeth, like when one or more of the teeth are remaining both in the upper and lower jaw. Partials are placed and ensured that they stay and remain convenient and removable, to help and prevent the movement of other teeth. Partial dentures are made from an all-acrylic or acrylic material.

Snap-in Dentures

They are the dentures of choice when stability is a requirement because they are held securely in place with dental implants or other forms of anchors onto the existing teeth. Snap-in dentures have the unique feature of having locator attachments embedded within the tissue side of the denture, and it then snaps onto the implants or the locator receptors thus making them convenient and removable like partial dentures.

Custom Dentures

These types of dentures are natural and they are usually made of more expensive materials but result in a more natural-looking smile.

Benefits of Dentures

If you need a cost-effective treatment option for dentures, especially if you still have natural teeth present in your mouth:

1. Traditional dentures are removable and thus allow for thorough cleaning of your mouth.
2. Dentures are also used to keep the structure of your mouth sound by supporting the structures around your cheeks and lips and they also help improve the smile having multiple missing teeth.
3. Dentures are of benefit by making it possible for you to eat and chew, and also ensuring that you are appropriately nourished.
4. If you want to replace your teeth causing you severe pain and oral health issues, such as those with rotted roots or severe damage, then dentures remain a viable solution.

Full and Partial dentures with the above benefits in Pearland, TX when you visit a dentist near you. Dentures in Pearland, TX, both full & partial dentures in 77584.

How Do I Take Care Of Dentures?

The following tips below cannot be over-emphasized, because just as you’d need to take care of your natural teeth, you’d also need to do the same to your dentures. Some of these tips include:

• Removal and rinsing of dentures after you finish eating.
• Avoid the use of hot water on the dentures.
• Avoidance of abrasive cleaning materials.
• Remove your dentures before bed and practice soaking them in water overnight.
• Rinsing your dentures before you put them in your mouth.
• Sticking to your regular dental checkups, with the recommended being twice a year.

Never forget that your oral health is your priority and is of great importance. Visit us for full and partial dentures in 77584, Pearland, TX.

Getting teeth straightened is not only done for kids. Adults too can enjoy perfect smiles by going through orthodontic treatments to straighten their teeth. Better yet, you do not have to wear metal braces that are too conspicuous for your comfort. Instead, you can opt to go through orthodontic treatment using clear braces that cater even to your cosmetic dental needs.

What Is Invisalign?

It is a type of teeth aligner that is used in orthodontics for teeth straightening. It may serve a similar role as traditional metal braces, but it is far different from them. Invisalign® in Pearland, TX, is mostly used by patients who want to keep up with their cosmetic appearances while they undergo treatment.

Invisalign aligners feature a clear tray of aligners. The transparency of the plastic-like material makes these teeth aligners appealing in cosmetic dentistry.

Facts You Should Know About Invisalign

1. They are not for everyone – even though you may insist on getting Invisalign for your teeth, a dentist near you may consider them unfit for your treatment. Technically, the clear aligners are perfect for straightening minimal and moderate malpositioning. In that sense, if you have a complex orthodontic problem, your dentist may recommend getting metal braces instead. Eventually, as you go through your treatment and your teeth continue to shift, you can change to Invisalign braces to complete your treatment.
2. You have to keep them on for long hours – even though clear aligners are admirable for their removability, there is a restriction to this freedom. You can only remove your clear braces for a short period. Usually, orthodontists recommend wearing your aligners for between 20 and 22 hours every day. The reason is that the aligners only work by exerting controlled pressure on teeth over a long period. Therefore, the pressure needs to be continuous and consistent for the treatment to work as it should.
3. You need to visit your dentist every couple of weeks – part of your treatment plan will dictate the period you should be visiting your dentist throughout your treatment. The visits are not just to keep track of the progress of the shifting of your teeth. During the dental visits, your dentist will replace your initial teeth aligners with new ones. It is the only way to adjust Invisalign braces. For every new tray of invisible aligners you get, they will be tighter than the previous ones. It is the only way to ensure that your teeth continue shifting and moving as determined for your treatment.
4. You must wear retainers after your treatment – retainers are oral devices used to hold teeth in position after orthodontic treatment. Technically, teeth tend to shift back to their original position with time. To avoid the regression of your treatment retainers are used to hold your teeth in place.
5. Oral hygiene is paramount – you need to clean your teeth and your clear aligners every time you eat. Since the aligners are removable, you have no excuse to slack on your oral hygiene. Keeping both your teeth and aligners clean will prevent tooth decay and other dental infections. Further, since clear aligners stain easily, you do not want to undermine the inconspicuousness of the aligners by letting plaque buildup on them.

How Long Does the Treatment Last?

In orthodontics, there is nothing like a quick fix. Most of the treatments thereof take time to be completed, usually lasting between 6 months and a year. The same applied to Invisalign usage for straightening teeth. However, the speed at which you arrive at your desired dental goals depends on:

1. The complexity of your malocclusion – if there is a lot to be done in your oral cavity to straighten your teeth, then the treatment will take longer to complete.
2. Your discipline in wearing the aligners – Invisalign braces dictate that you wear them for long hours for them to be effective. Therefore, if you are disciplined enough to ensure you clock at least 20 hours of wear time every day, your treatment will be faster than if you do not.
3. Individual body mechanism – some patients’ teeth are easier to move and shift than others. It usually depends on how quickly your body can generate new bone tissue to support the movement of your teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

Call us now to schedule an appointment with our expert dentist near you at Pearly Whites of Pearland. We also cater to patients living in Shadow Creek Ranch, Almeada Heights, Morningside Place, Brookside Village, Manvel Road, Briscoe Lane, Fresno, Hanberry Lane, and surrounding areas.

Does the thought of visiting emergency dentistry for any dental issue late in the evening or holidays scare the living daylights out of you? Of course, you are free to refrain from visiting the emergency dentist near you even when you are affected by an excruciating toothache or any other dental issue. However, how long can you continue enduring the pain merely because you think emergency dentistry is fearsome? Let us explain why you mustn’t avoid visits to an emergency dentist if you or your family member needs treatment for any dental problem when your regular dentist isn’t available.

Professionals in emergency dentistry are providing services at short notice, late evenings, and even on holidays to ensure they alleviate the pain you experience, safeguard your dental health, and prevent minor problems from aggravating into severe conditions. In reality, the dental problem affecting you is more fearsome than emergency dentistry in Pearland, TX, providing treatments for any dental issue you encounter.

You probably fear emergency dentistry thinking the professionals will charge higher prices for the services they provide. However, can you identify one service available at affordable prices when you need it on short notice? If you can’t considering emergency dentistry charges as expensive is unjustified because the dental professionals save you from the misery you are undergoing and even provides treatments if necessary when you cannot contact your regular dentist for various reasons.

What Situations Need Prompt Attention from Emergency Dentists?

Dental emergencies are confusing to make you believe you have a minor issue in your mouth. In contrast, you may have a severe situation needing prompt treatment from the emergency dentist near you. In addition, some problems require you to contact the dentist soon after the dental emergency occurs. Consider the following situations needing help from emergency dentistry without exceptions.

Severely Cracked or Broken Tooth

Severe dental decay, trauma, or biting down on complex foods can cause your teeth to crack and break. Sometimes the breaks or cracks extend to your tooth roots, causing severe pain. If you notice a severely cracked or broken tooth causing pain, you must contact the Pearland dentist responsible for preventing additional damage and find relief from the pain you experience.

Severe and Persistent Toothache

Ignoring a severe and persistent toothache is an invitation for disaster to strike in your mouth. If the persistent toothache doesn’t subside, you need treatment from the emergency dentist because the professionals identify the problem to determine whether it stems from a bacterial infection or dental abscess. If it is a bacterial infection, the dentist recommends emergency root canal treatment or tooth extraction if your tooth is beyond preserving. However, if it is a dental abscess, the dentist drains the pimple and provides antibiotics besides painkillers to help you overcome the pain and control the infection. You are recommended to get the disease eradicated from your mouth because the problem can spread to your bloodstream to cause severe health complications.

A Knocked-out Tooth

Would you consider ignoring a visit to emergency dentistry if you have a knocked-out tooth in your hand from an accident? A knocked-out tooth requires immediate treatment from emergency dentistry within 30 minutes. However, you must maintain the tooth in moist condition until you get to the dentist’s practice if you want to avoid searching for replacement solutions for it. If you are lucky, emergency dentistry can reinsert the tooth into its socket to help you prevent spending thousands of dollars on tooth replacements.

When Can You Avoid Visits to Emergency Dentistry?

Not all dental emergencies are equal, and some can wait for a couple of days until you receive urgent dental care from your regular dentist. For example, a loose filling needs attention as soon as possible but can wait until you schedule your appointment with your dentist to have it fixed. Meanwhile, you can use over-the-counter remedies to cover the affected tooth and avoid chewing with it until you have it repaired by your dentist.

Emergency dentistry is a service provided by dentists to ensure you overcome difficult situations late in the evening or at any time of the day when you cannot contact your regular dentist. The services they provide are better welcomed than feared because they help alleviate the pain you experience and help you preserve your tooth and oral health by identifying the problem in your mouth.