In this post, we discuss sensitive teeth, the causes of this problem, and how sensitive teeth can be treated. There are some potential treatments available.
Do you suffer discomfort from your teeth when you eat ice cream or drink a cold beverage?
If so, then you may have a common problem called “sensitive teeth”.
The hypersensitivity and discomfort caused by chewing, hot or cold liquids, or breathe through your mouth, are all symptoms of sensitive teeth.
If you are bothered by sensitive teeth, you should schedule an appointment with your dentists to try and determine the true cause.
Once you know the cause, you will have a better chance to treat it successfully.
Treatments for Sensitive Teeth
Desensitizing Toothpaste
Flouride
Desensitizing or Bonding
Surgical Gum Graft
Root Canal
Once you have visited your dentist to identify why you have sensitive teeth issues, your dentist can recommend potential treatments.
Desensitizing toothpaste
Desensitizing toothpaste can be used with some success to help block the pain from sensitive teeth. There are several sensitive toothpaste products available over the counter. Ask your dentist what they recommend.
Fluoride
If your dentist decides you are a viable candidate for fluoride treatment, your dentist can apply fluoride to sensitive areas of your teeth in order to strengthen your tooth enamel and reduce pain from sensitivity. They may also prescribe the use of prescription fluoride for home treatment.
Desensitizing or Bonding
In some patients, the exposed root surface can be treated with bonding resin applied to the sensitive root surfaces. This often requires the use of a local anesthetic during the procedure.
Surgical gum graft
If your tooth root has lost gum tissue, it may be possible for your dentist to move a small amount of gum tissue from a healthier part of your mouth and attach it to the affected area. This can reduce sensitivity by adding a protective layer to exposed roots.
Root canal
A root canal, though it may seem like a serious measure, is often considered the most successful method to treat and eliminate tooth sensitivity.sensitivity.
We hope these potential treatments for sensitive teeth educate you on some of the options that may be available.
Remember that regular teeth brushing and good oral hygiene are the best preventative methods for stopping sensitive teeth before they become an issue.
Would you like to learn more about sensitive teeth treatments?
Contact us today to schedule your appointment with Dr David Wilhite in Plano, TX.
Dr. Wilhite has over 30 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry and helping patients maintain and restore their smile.
In this post, we discuss the full mouth reconstruction process from initial consultation through to the final procedures necessary to completely rebuild your smile.
We offer full mouth reconstruction in Plano, TX – Call (972) 964-3774 to schedule your consultation.
In first discussing full mouth rehabilitation, it needs to be understood that this is an expensive and time-consuming treatment.
When completed I have had the happiest, most satisfied patients in the practice.
It is life changing for my patients. We are essentially restoring every tooth in the mouth.
The dentist must find out what the patients’ goals for their mouth are.
The next step is a complete examination with a full set of x-rays, complete charting of the patient’s teeth and gums, evaluation of the patient’s jaw joint and their bite, and a complete set of intraoral and extraoral photographs.
This is usually followed by impressions for upper and lower models of the teeth.
These models are used to analyze the bite and determine what adjustments are necessary to balance the bite so that there are equal and even contact on all of the teeth.
The planning of the restorations is done in wax on the plaster models for optimum function and esthetics. Impressions are taken of these models for the fabrication of temporary restorations on the teeth.
Then we meet again with the patient to show them the condition of their teeth on models, x-rays, and photos. The patient is able to see what their mouth and bite will look like when the treatment is completed.
With the patient’s participation, we then decide what treatment will be performed. Sometimes orthodontics is necessary before any restorations are done.
Dental Lab Visit
If the patient is truly interested in moving forward with this treatment, I schedule a trip to the lab that will be working with me.
It is important for me that the patient see the lab, meet the lab technician, and understand the process that goes into creating the desired results.
Getting the exceptional results that I get comes from a true partnership with my lab technician. I feel this can set the treatments I deliver apart from treatments other dentists offer.
Initial Treatments
Before any restorations are initiated, the teeth and gums must be free of any disease.
Any gum disease must be treated, extractions of any hopeless teeth performed, root canal therapy completed, and any fillings done, as necessary.
The patient will then test out these provisional restorations for several weeks. Adjustments are made on the provisionals until the patient is satisfied with the way they feel and look.
Dental Implants
If any dental implants are needed, they will be placed during this phase of the treatment.
Implants usually require a 3-6 month healing and stabilization period.
Once stability is attained, the teeth are prepared a section at a time for the final restorations.
I hope this gives you an overview of the full mouth restoration process. Schedule your consultation for more details or answers to your questions.
Would you like to learn more about full mouth restoration?
Contact us today to schedule your appointment or set up your dental restoration consultation.
Dr. Wilhite has over 30 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants and dentures. He will discuss possible treatments to decide which is right for you.
It was once thought that the real gum disease risk factor a person needed to worry about was aging, and there was nothing that could be done about that.
We now know that aging is still a factor but it is by no means the only factor you should be concerned about.
By understanding the risk factors, you can take preventive action to help keep gum disease at bay and protect your dental health.
Gum disease risk factors
Smoking / Tobacco Use
Poor Nutrition
Medications
Genetics
Stress
Age
Diabetes
Arthritis
Heart Disease
Teeth Grinding
Smoking / Tobacco Use
If you use tobacco, whether cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco, you are at increased risk for periodontal gum disease. Recent studies indicate that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development of gum disease.
Poor Nutrition
If your diet is low in nutrients, this can lower immunity and make it harder for your body to fight off infection. Because periodontal gum disease begins as an infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of your gums. Research has also shown that obesity may increase the risk of gum disease.
Certain drugs, such as anti-depressants, heart medicines, and oral contraceptives can affect oral health. JThe same way you would let your doctor know you are taking other medications, you should also let your dentist know about them.
Genetics
Some people are more likely to be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Even with good dental habits, you may be more likely to develop gum disease. If you believe that you may be one of these people because of your family medical history, your dentist can take intervention treatment to help prevent periodontal gum disease.
This has always been a well-known factor for gum disease. People aged 65 and over have the highest rates of periodontal disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a factor in the prevalence of gum disease.
Heart Disease
Heart disease can affect your inflammatory system which in turn may worsen the condition of your gums.
Teeth Grinding
Clenching or grinding your teeth will place excess force on the supporting tissues of your teeth and speed up the rate at which your periodontal tissues deteriorate.
Gum disease can be treated to lessen its effects or slow down its progression. Call your doctor for a treatment plan.
Ready to for a check-up or gum disease treatment in Plano, Texas area?
Contact us today to schedule your appointment or set up your free gum disease consultation. Dr. Wilhite has over 30 years experience in treating gum disease and general and cosmetic dentistry. He will discuss possible treatments to decide which is right for you.
Dental implants are the perfect solution for some people when it comes to tooth replacement.
However, they are not perfect for everyone and for all situations.
Before you decide on dental implants to restore your smile, there are some questions you should be ready to ask your dentist so that you can be well informed before making the decision to get them.
Implants are more common than ever but they’re still only one of many solutions so you’ll need to find out if they’re right for you.
Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Dental Implants
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
What are the alternatives to dental implants?
How long will dental implants last?
What is the dental implant healing process like?
How much do dental implants cost?
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
As we mentioned earlier, implants are not the right solutions for everyone. In fact, not everyone is even a candidate for dental implants.
There are some factors that help determine if you are a candidate besides just missing teeth or the need for a tooth extraction. Factors that can affect your potential for implants include medical history, jaw bone density, your age, and whether you are a smoker.
Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can be a factor in making the decision. They’re not recommended for young people either.
Your dentist will know about your dental health and will take it and several other factors into consideration. They can determine what’s right for you.
Dental implants may not be the best option, but even if they are, they won’t be the only option.
Your dentist will be able to review and explain other alternatives to you so you can figure out a decision that works for you personally.
Usually, your best alternatives to implants will be dental bridges or dentures. Your dentist can tell you about the benefits of implants over dentures so you know the pros and cons of each. Implants have their own sets of pros and cons as well.
Make sure that if you go with implants that you are making an informed decision.
How long will dental implants last?
Ask your dentist how long the dental implants you will be receiving can be expected to last. They could last as few as 20 years or the remainder of your lifetime.
The lifespan of your implants will be dependent on the materials they are made from, the type of placement used and how well you care for the implants. Because of these different potential factors, your dentist will be able to advise you best.
Don’t forget to ask your dentist about the healing process and how long it can expect to take. You’ll want to be prepared as best as you can.
Dental implants are a surgical procedure, not a basic dental procedure. You will be sedated in order to have the implant anchor placed into your gums and jaw bone. This involves a healing process afterward.
If you don’t properly heal, there could be a risk of rejection. Make sure you have spoken with your dentist so you know what steps to take so you can heal properly. How many follow up appointments will be necessary? How much pain can you expect?
This is a question we probably won’t have to remind you of. You will definitely want to know how much your implants are going to cost you. Still, you want to be clear about this answer. The price can vary from patient to patient and dentist to dentist. Your insurance may not cover the entire cost of the procedure so you’ll definitely want to know what out of pocket costs you will be responsible for.
Want to learn if dental implants are the best option for you?
Contact us today to set up your consultation. Dr. Wilhite is a Plano TX Dentist with over 30 years of experience transforming patients smiles for the better. He will discuss possible treatments to decide which is right for you.
In this post, we discuss the basics of what to do when your child has a dental emergency, including a cracked or broken tooth and other situations.
Broken Tooth
Broken Tooth
Cracked Tooth
Cracked Tooth
David Wilhite is a Plano Dentist specializing in children’s pediatric dentistry with over 30 years experience in general and cosmetic dentistry. He can help you with children’s dental care, thumb sucking and pacifier use, dental fears in children and baby dental care.
Desensitizing or Bonding
Interview and Examination
If the patient is truly interested in moving forward with this treatment, I schedule a trip to the lab that will be working with me.
Before any restorations are initiated, the teeth and gums must be free of any disease. 
In this post, we discuss the risk factors that contribute to gum disease, otherwise known as periodontal disease. Learn if you are at increased risk.
Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Dental Implants
