Cosmetic Dentistry - Smile Square

Why Should I Get a Dental Bridge?

February 22, 2022February 15, 2022 by Admin

Dental bridges help to bridge the gap between one or more missing teeth. Bridges have one or more crowns or implants on either side of the gap and false teeth in-between them. If you have a gap caused by a missing tooth and that gap is embarrassing, a bridge may be right for you. Bridges are typically made from porcelain material, and this looks natural and blends in with your other teeth.

There are many different types of bridges available. Depending on how many teeth are missing, and if you have natural teeth on both sides will help decide what type of bridge is recommended.

Types of Dental Bridges

Traditional Bridge

A traditional bridge is a type of bridge with two anchoring crowns on either side of the replacement tooth. This is the most popular type of bridge, and is used when the gap has natural teeth on both sides.

Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever bridge is used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth. This type of bridge is not used as much anymore, and it not as common as the other options. Cantilever bridges tend to put too much pressure on other teeth and this can cause damage.

Maryland Bonded Bridge

This type of bridge has metal or porcelain wings, and these are bonded to the existing teeth. Maryland bridges are made out of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.

Implant Supported Bridge

This type of bridge is similar to the traditional dental bridge, but is supported by a dental implant. The implant is inserted into the jaw and the bridge is attached above the gum line. This type of bridge has an advantage over the other types and helps to prevent bone loss. Implant supported bridges are the most stable compared to other bridge options. Surgery is required to insert the implant and does take longer.

What Are the Advantages With Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge offers an effective solution for tooth replacement. Bridges are aesthetically pleasing and help restore mouth function.
Helps to maintain structure in the mouth and hold teeth in place to reduce shifting and bite issues.
Helps to reduce bone loss and maintains facial structure.
Is comfortable in the mouth and feels like a natural tooth.
Does not require removal for cleaning. Bridges should be cleaned just like natural teeth with brushing and flossing daily.

Looking To Find Out More?

If you are interested in finding out if a bridge is right for you, scheduling a consultation in our office is the first step. Dental bridges are affordable and a reliable solution for missing teeth. Let us help you get that perfect smile!

To schedule your consultation please contact our office, and our staff will be happy to assist you.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

November 15, 2021November 1, 2021 by Admin

Veneers help patients who have discoloration from dental procedures or stains from food and drugs restore their teeth. Veneers can also help those that have chipped, broken, or uneven teeth. Veneers create an even smile, close gaps between teeth, and look natural.

Veneers are similar to shells that cover the surface of teeth. They are made out of a porcelain material and are highly durable. Veneers are stain resistant, and can last between 10-15 years. Once you have your veneers placed it is important to take good care of your teeth. Veneers can become damaged just like any other tooth. Following a good oral hygiene routine at home, and taking good care of your teeth is important to help lengthen the life of your veneers. If you are looking for a long-lasting permanent solution to help restore your smile, veneers can help.

How To Care for My Veneers?

There are things you can do to help take good care of your veneers and lengthen their life. Never bite down on any hard objects or food with your veneers. If you suffer from bruxism or clench your teeth, we recommend wearing a mouthguard to prevent damage to your veneers. Stay away from biting your nails as this also damage your veneers.

Veneers are extremely durable and are a great solution for patients seeking that perfect smile. They can last for years if they are taken care of properly. Always brush and floss your teeth daily to keep your veneers looking and feeling great. We recommend visiting our office twice a year for your exam and cleaning. Our doctors can make sure your teeth are healthy, and your veneers are in good condition.

Interested in Finding Out More About Dental Veneers?

If you are interested in finding out how dental veneers may benefit you, contact Smile Square. Our doctors have years of experience in restoring smiles, and love to help patients achieve that smile they have always wanted. Let our team help you restore your confidence, and give you a smile that looks natural, and is long lasting.

To schedule your appointment with us, contact Smile Square, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

How Long Do Crowns Last?

October 21, 2021October 1, 2021 by Admin

Crowns are used to restore or save a damaged tooth. They are similar to a cap that is placed over the tooth, and give patients the ability to use their tooth again. Crowns are highly durable, look natural, and can help restore the strength of a damaged tooth. A crown is cemented onto the damaged tooth, and is a common restoration process done in our office.

Crowns can last between 5-15 years, and this depends on the individual, and the wear and tear of the crown. It is important to follow good oral hygiene habits to keep your crown healthy, and avoid the need for replacement. In some cases, if patients take good care of their crowns, they can last between 25-30 years.

When Are Crowns Used?

Crowns are used after a root canal treatment to restore a tooth. Crowns can also help restore a tooth that is stained, misshapen, discolored or broken. If a patient has had an injury, or has a cracked tooth, crowns can help save the tooth, and restore the tooth back to its normal function.

What Can I Do To Help Lengthen the Life of My Crown?

We recommend patients avoid biting down on hard objects or foods. If you clench your teeth while you sleep, or suffer from bruxism, you may need a mouthguard to help protect your crown. Attending your regular exams and cleanings in our office is important. This helps our team ensure your teeth and crowns are healthy and in good condition.

If you notice you have a chip or crack, or are experiencing any prolonged pain with your crown, we recommend calling our office right away. These issues must be addressed immediately, and patients should not hesitate to contact our office.

Interested in Finding Out More About Dental Crowns?

If you are interested in finding out if dental crowns are right for you, contact Smile Square. Our doctors are skilled in restoring smiles, and help patients achieve the smile of their dreams. Let our team help you take care of your smile, and restore your confidence.

To schedule your appointment, contact Smile Square, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Is Dental Bonding Permanent?

October 3, 2021September 15, 2021 by Admin

If you have decided to restore your smile dental bonding is a great option. Bonding is not permanent, and can be reversed if necessary. Bonding is very durable, and if you have any wear or tear it can be repaired easily. This treatment can take care of cosmetic issues, is quick, and less expensive compared to other options. Dental bonding is great for repairing decayed, chipped, or fractured teeth. Bonding can even correct discolored teeth, and looks natural.

The composite material used can be shaped to match your natural teeth. Other benefits include changing the length of a tooth, or closing spaces between teeth. The procedure can typically be done in one day, and no anesthesia is needed. Dental bonding can last between 5-10 years before the composite material begins to wear down.

How Does the Dental Bonding Process Work?

Dental bonding does not require any removal of your tooth enamel. During the process your tooth is gently etched using a mild acid solution to help roughen the surface. This allows the composite material to bond to your tooth easily. The tooth-colored resin material is applied to the area, and is then cured with an ultraviolet light. Your tooth is shaped and polished to match your natural teeth. This process takes between 30-60 minutes.

Does Dental Bonding Last?

Dental bonding requires the patients to take care of the area that was bonded. The composite material used is very durable, but is never as strong as your natural teeth. With dental bonding there is risk of the bonding material separating from the tooth. Dental bonding can also chip or break. This is unlikely, but we do recommend patients do take care of the area that was bonded to avoid any complications. The good news is that dental bonding can be repaired. Dental bonding can last between 5-10 years or longer if taken care of properly.

Interested in Finding Out More About Dental Bonding?

If you are ready to find out more about how dental bonding may benefit you, contact Smile Square. Our doctors have years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, and love to help patients achieve that smile they have always wanted.

To schedule your appointment with us, contact Smile Square, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

How Can I Remove Coffee Stains From My Teeth?

June 15, 2021 by Admin

Coffee is a popular beverage, and many enjoy that cup or two in the morning each day. The downside to coffee is that it can cause staining on your teeth. There are treatments patients can do at home, or in our office to remove those annoying coffee stains. At Smile Square, we offer many cosmetic dental services, and one of our most popular is teeth whitening treatment.

If you are tired of looking at yellow or stained teeth from coffee, then Smile Square is here to help. Our team provides a detailed consultation process to evaluate your teeth and mouth, and create a customized treatment that will work for you. We will discuss all of your teeth whitening options, and give you tips and tricks on how to keep your teeth white at home.

Why Does Coffee Stain Our Teeth?

Coffee contains tannins, and this helps give coffee that deep flavor and brown color. Our teeth are filled with many little pores, and the tannins tend to stick to our teeth when we drink coffee. Plaque attracts the tannins and those can easily be cleaned away. Stains on the enamel of your teeth will need to be treated with a tooth whitening procedure.

How Can Teeth Whitening Help?

Teeth whitening procedures can be done in our office or in the comfort of your own home. Our treatments use a high-quality gel to whiten your teeth safely, and remove coffee stains. The peroxides in the gel are able to reach through the enamel and bleach the stain away. Teeth whitening can restore your smile, and give you bright white teeth in just a few treatments. Let our team help you transform your teeth and restore your confidence. To find out more about our in-office or at-home whitening services, we encourage you to schedule a cosmetic consultation.

What Can I Do at Home To Prevent Coffee Stains?

Drink your coffee through a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth.
Use a whitening toothpaste or mouthwash.
Rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth after drinking coffee.
Avoid charcoal toothpaste as this can damage your enamel.

Interested in Whitening Your Teeth?

If you are interested in finding out more about our teeth whitening services, contact Smile Square, and our friendly staff will be happy to help you.

Does Teeth Whitening Cause any Dental Problems?

April 8, 2021April 1, 2021 by Admin

Teeth Whitening treatments are popular for patients that have tooth discoloration, or for those that just want a brighter smile. Whitening your teeth can be done safely and there are several options to choose from. If the directions are followed patients can successfully whiten their teeth with no side effects. Teeth whitening boosts self-confidence, can change a patient’s smile quickly, and make you feel great.

What Are My Options for Teeth Whitening?

If you have decided to whiten your teeth there are a few options to choose from. We offer teeth whitening treatments in our office, and this typically is a faster way to get the results you desire. We also offer a treatment you can take with you and whiten in the convenience of your own home.

Both options give great results patients are happy with. In addition to those two options there are over the counter whitening treatments that can help you whiten your teeth. Part of the evaluation process is to take a good look at your teeth and the level of discoloration, your age, and dental history to help you decide what treatment options will work best.

What Are Common Side Effects With Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is perfectly safe, but there are a few side effects that patients can experience.

Teeth Sensitivity

When you whiten your teeth the product gets deep into the tooth enamel. In some cases patients can experience sensitivity after teeth whitening treatments. We may recommend you use a sensitive type tooth paste to help with any sensitivity after whitening.

Irritated Gums

Gum irritation is another common issue when patients decide to whiten your teeth. In some cases patients are sensitive to the whitening treatment. This typically goes away after your treatment is complete.

Whitening treatments can be done periodically to keep teeth looking bright white. Whitening treatments are for patients with natural teeth. If you have implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures and want to whiten your teeth, we recommend scheduling a consultation to discuss your options. If you suffer from many cavities we recommend those are treated before any whitening treatment begins. Depending on each case we can help determine if teeth whitening is right for you.

How To Keep My Teeth Looking White

There are things you can do at home to help keep your teeth looking bright white. Avoiding food and beverages that may stain your teeth like coffee, tea, or red wine. If you do eat or drink something that may stain your teeth it is a good idea to rinse or brush right afterwards to help decrease staining.

Looking To Whiten Your Teeth?

Teeth whitening is a great way to give you a bright white smile. Whitening your teeth is safe and easy, and does not cause many side effects or issues. Scheduling a consultation with our team to examine your teeth and discuss your goals is a great way to start the process. Our skilled professionals will help you decide what treatment is best, and help get you on the road to a brighter smile.

If you are interested in scheduling a consultation to find out if teeth whitening is right for you, contact our office and our staff will be happy to assist you.

What are Some Ways to Whiten Extremely Yellow Teeth?

December 9, 2020November 4, 2020 by Admin

If your teeth are severely yellowed, you might be looking for some way to lighten them and improve their overall appearance. Thankfully, we offer several different options that can help you to feel confident in your appearance. Knowing which choice is right for you can make a world of difference for your self-esteem. You can get help choosing the right type of whitening treatment by coming into the Smile Square in Lake Jackson, TX for a full consultation.

What is Whitening?

Whitening involves using a patented system to help lighten teeth and remove many stains and discoloration. There are many different things that can cause your teeth to become yellow and stained. If you’re a smoker or like to drink coffee, you may find that your teeth become quite discolored and stained over time. Likewise, if you drink a lot of cola or have other staining foods and beverages, you may benefit from this type of treatment. It’s not uncommon for someone to want to undergo treatment before a big event, like a wedding.

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening will involve placing a gel over the teeth and then using a bright light to accelerate the results. This process takes roughly 60 minutes in the office. The great thing about this particular option is that you don’t have to worry about using trays or gels at home. The treatment is quick and takes just one hour before you see drastic results. You can then maintain your results at home by using other whitening products or toothpaste.

Take-Home Whitening

Whitening that you do at home can be customized to your needs. This will involve taking impressions of your teeth and then using these molds to make trays that you can wear. The trays are worn at home in conjunction with a whitening paste or gel that we will provide to you. You then wear these trays for a specific amount of time at home, which can help to lift stains and deep discoloration from your teeth. You will find that this process is easier and quicker, especially if you want to be able to do all of the whitening at home without needing to come into the office. This is even a great way to maintain your results after your in-office whitening.

Looking for a Cosmetic Dentist Near You?

Obtaining the smile you deserve is something that our team takes great pride in. If you are interested in getting teeth whitening performed near you or are looking for additional cosmetic options, please don’t hesitate to contact Smile Square today for a consultation! Our friendly team is standing by to assist you with any cosmetic dental questions or to assist you in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Dhanani.