Peter Guirguis - Definitive Dental

January 30, 2023July 28, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

A man with sleep apnea sleeping on a pillow

Your significant other is grumpy every morning for one reason: Your snoring has gotten out of control. And although you can’t say you’ve heard yourself snore, you have been feeling pretty tired these days. In the back of your mind, you can’t help but wonder if sleep apnea is the culprit.

The question is, what exactly is the definition of sleep apnea, and how do you know if you have it?

As a general rule of thumb, sleep apnea can cause people to feel tired, less focused, and irritable. However, just because you experience these physical challenges doesn’t mean you struggle with sleep apnea.

Here’s how you know if you have sleep apnea and how to effectively address this issue moving forward.

How Do You Know If You Have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is defined as follows: a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops while you sleep, preventing you from enjoying a full night of rest. This sleeping disorder comes in three forms:

Central sleep apnea is defined as a disorder where the brain does not send the appropriate signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
Obstructive sleep apnea is defined as a disorder where the throat’s rear soft tissue collapses and blocks the airways.
Complex sleep apnea is defined as the combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea.

The obstructive form is most common. However, many individuals do not know they have this or the other types of sleep apnea because they are asleep when they have their apnea episodes.

Sleep Apnea’s Symptoms

One of the easiest ways you can know if you have sleep apnea is to look for these symptoms:

Drowsiness or falling asleep during driving
Waking up constantly at night
Decreased sex drive
Memory loss or poor concentration
Mood changes or irritability
Morning headache
Choking or gasping while sleeping
Loud snoring, then silent pauses
Dry throat or mouth at night
Excessive sleepiness during the daytime

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

While these symptoms might help you know if you have sleep apnea, how do you diagnose it? You will want to visit your doctor to undergo an examination. Your primary care physician can take a look at your long-term medical history as well as conduct an exam to pinpoint the possible causes of your symptoms. Your dentist may also inspect your airway to determine if any swelling or blockages are present.

Sleep studies can also be used to diagnose this condition. During such a study, you would use a monitoring device provided by your doctor to analyze your blood oxygen, heart rate, airflow, and breathing while you sleep at night.

You may additionally use a smartphone app to track your snoring. These types of apps will record you during the night to detect loud sounds. Only apnea that is accompanied by snoring will be picked up via these apps.

Why Sleep Apnea Can Be Problematic

Sleep apnea may prevent you from feeling rested in the morning, and adequate sleep is essential for your wellbeing and health. In addition to causing sleep deprivation, sleep apnea can result in complications such as these:

Complications with surgery and medications
Liver issues
Diabetes (type 2)
Heart issues
Blood pressure problems

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Beyond just knowing the definition of sleep apnea, it’s important to understand the causes of the various forms of this disorder.

For instance, central apnea becomes an issue when signals are not transmitted to the breathing muscles from the brain. Meanwhile, obstructive apnea takes place when your throat’s rear muscles, including your tongue, tonsils, uvula, and soft palate, are too relaxed. In this situation, the airway closes or narrows when you inhale, which causes you to stop breathing for at least 10 seconds.

When you have sleep apnea, the brain recognizes when you are not breathing. It then forces you to wake up so that you can open your airway. This can easily happen several times in one hour, and you may never even remember these occurrences. Unfortunately, the constant waking up keeps you from experiencing deep sleep.

Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

Knowing some of the common risk factors can also help you determine if you have sleep apnea. Genetics is one of them, so it may behoove you to speak with your loved ones to find out if any of them have received sleep apnea diagnoses in the past.

If your neck is thick or wide, this is another risk factor to take into consideration. That’s because you might have excess fat around your airways, which may apply pressure to your airways and, in turn, disrupt your breathing.

Apnea is also common in women and men who are older, and the older you get, the greater your risk of suffering from apnea. Still, you may experience this condition no matter how old or young you are.

Hormonal imbalances, such as acromegaly and hypothyroidism, can furthermore increase your risk of apnea. Likewise, neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, may make you more susceptible to developing central sleep apnea.

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Knowing whether or not you have sleep apnea is the first step. Next, you’ll need to explore all of your sleep apnea treatment options. For instance, you may take advantage of CPAP therapy. This treatment involves sending air that has been pressurized into the mouth to force the airway open while you are asleep. A connective hose, CPAP machine, and face mask are required as part of this therapy.

Another sleep apnea treatment option is a custom-fitted oral appliance, particularly for people with moderate or mild obstructive sleep apnea. The appliance, which mirrors a mouthguard, is designed to help your airway stay open while you are sleeping. The device essentially prevents the upper airway tissues and the tongue from hampering your breathing. It’s critical that the appliance fits your mouth properly to prevent jaw problems.

For some individuals, their sleep apnea stems from deviated septums or rear throat inflammation. In this situation, surgery may be necessary. You could also improve your apnea situation if you make changes to your lifestyle and sleep habits. For instance, consider exercising to shed body fat, or sleep only on your side.

Definitive Dental Can Help

At Definitive Dental, we are well equipped to diagnose sleep apnea, and if you suffer from it, we can provide you with the perfect appliance for addressing it. We can also provide you with a full range of other dental treatments to meet your unique needs, such as dental implants, clear braces, dentures, extractions, crowns, and root canals.

Our office is also eager to help you to maintain a healthy smile through regular six-month checkups, cleanings, and exams. We have earned a reputation for guiding numerous patients to complete oral health.
Make an appointment by calling or texting us at (972) 646-0660, or reach out to us through our contact form today!

June 20, 2023July 28, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

With summer weddings and fall festival photo ops on the horizon, you know you’ll be doing a lot of smiling in the not-so-distant future—but there’s just one problem. You have stains on your teeth. There are plenty of whitening products in stores and online.

The question is, is it bad to whiten your teeth?

The short answer is no, it’s not bad to whiten your teeth. However, if you don’t do it correctly, you may experience a range of undesirable and uncomfortable teeth whitening side effects.

Here are our top teeth whitening errors and side effects—and how to prevent these issues from happening to you.

Overusing Strips

It generally is not bad to whiten your teeth, but unfortunately, teeth whitening can “go wrong” when people overdo it. For instance, if you decide to wear your whitening strips too often or too long, they may begin to damage the gums and teeth. This can, in turn, increase your chances of developing tooth sensitivity.

To avoid these teeth whitening side effects, you must carefully follow the instructions that the manufacturer of your chosen whitening strips provides. In addition, be sure to speak with your dentist about any pain or discomfort you’re having after using the strips. Whitening strips should never be painful, so stop using them immediately if you experience this.

Not Using the Correct Whitening Trays

Sadly, the cookie-cutter whitening trays found in stores are notoriously ill-fitting. When you use a standard tray that doesn’t fit well, your whitening gel might leak out of the tray and irritate your gums, causing redness or swelling. To make matters worse, you might not see the results you want because your whitening ingredients aren’t coming into contact with your teeth.

To keep these teeth whitening side effects at bay, consider going to your dentist to get a custom tray that will fit your teeth properly.

Ignoring Your Health Conditions

It is bad to whiten your teeth if you are currently pregnant. When you are pregnant, your hormones boost the flow of blood to your gums, which makes your gums more susceptible to becoming tender, swelling, and bleeding. Teeth whitening ingredients may only aggravate your already-sensitive gum tissues. Given these teeth whitening side effects, your dentist may recommend postponing your whitening treatment until after you have given birth.

In addition, if you have sensitive teeth, consult your dentist about your teeth whitening options. In-office treatments are generally safe for those with sensitive teeth, but not all store treatments work well for these individuals.

Using Products Not Designated for Teeth

It sounds silly, but many people try to whiten their teeth with products not made for them. You might be tempted to use household products such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide based on advice you’ve read online, but don’t. This may lead to teeth whitening side effects such as chronic inflammation and tissue necrosis—your gum tissue could die. Using bleach on teeth is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Not Cleaning the Teeth First

Yet another common teeth whitening mistake is not removing tooth decay or debris from your teeth before applying your whitening strips. This debris includes food that has become lodged between the teeth, plaque, and tartar. Failure to clean your teeth first may prevent your whitening ingredients from working in an even manner, leading to a subpar whitening job.

Avoiding this issue—one of the biggest side effects of improperly done teeth whitening—is as easy as visiting your dentist for scaling/cleaning before you commence your whitening procedure. You’ll also need to maintain your oral hygiene via flossing and brushing daily to prevent plaque or tartar from building up over time.

Eating the Wrong Foods

Finally, if you whiten your teeth at your dentist’s office, avoid the common mistake of eating foods that do not belong to the “white teeth diet” during the 24-hour period following your procedure. Generally, the following drinks and foods, which might cause staining or irritate your sensitive gums, are best to avoid:

Curry
Sugar-containing foods (e.g., pastries, ice cream, cakes)
Highly pigmented foods (e.g., ketchup, chocolate, beef, bologna, soy sauce)
Highly pigmented drinks (e.g., tomato juice, red wine, cola, tea, coffee)
Acidic beverages (e.g., fruit juice, alcohol, soda)

Instead of the above foods and drinks, consider consuming skim milk, cauliflower, egg whites, pasta, white fish, or skinless turkey. You can then resume your normal diet once the 24-hour period has passed.

A woman smiling in a man’s arms after teeth whitening

Avoid Teeth Whitening Side Effects with the Help of Definitive Dental

Teeth whitening can indeed work when done correctly, and to ensure that this happens, it is wise to visit your dentist for treatment. Fortunately, at At Definitive Dental, we have helped numerous patients to avoid teeth whitening side effects by providing high-quality Zoom! whitening. Our whitening treatment can be performed quickly and conveniently to restore the beauty of your smile.

In addition to offering whitening treatments, we offer a range of other cosmetic dentistry solutions, such as gum contouring and porcelain veneers. No matter which treatment option you choose, you can be confident that you will receive grade-A results from dentistry done right.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services and schedule your appointment.

June 20, 2023June 29, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

Millions of people have their wisdom teeth removed each year, and it’s possible that a dentist just recommended this procedure to you or your child.

But is the removal of wisdom teeth medically necessary? And if so, when do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

It’s actually quite common for dental patients to have trouble with their wisdom teeth. Many dentists recommend that patients have their wisdom teeth pulled before their early 20s in order to avoid major oral health issues down the road.

Here’s why so many dentists want those wisdom teeth removed.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your mouth’s third molars, or the molars in the back of the mouth. These molars are the final set of your adult teeth to grow in. Wisdom teeth usually emerge between ages 17 and 25. The name wisdom teeth is a reference to the fact that they appear at a more mature age.

Why Do So Many Dentists Suggest Having Them Pulled Out?

Sometimes the removal of wisdom teeth is necessary to prevent oral health issues. Although not always the case, the late emergence of these teeth can cause damage to other teeth, alignment issues, or infection. So, when exactly do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

As a general rule of thumb, wisdom teeth do not require removal if they happen to be healthy, grown in fully, and positioned correctly. Even still, a dentist may suggest removal if he or she suspects that the wisdom teeth may lead to alignment problems later in life.

However, in many cases, removing the wisdom teeth is mandatory because these teeth lack the room they need to grow in correctly. For instance, they may begin to grow at a variety of angles in your jawbone, including horizontally.

A dentist looks at an X-ray of the mouth

What Happens If You Don’t Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?

Let’s say that the removal of wisdom teeth is necessary in your case but you choose to keep these teeth in. Various issues may result over the next few decades.

First, your wisdom teeth might remain totally hidden in the gums. In this case, they can become impacted, or trapped, in the jaw. This may lead to an infection. Alternatively, it might result in a cyst, which may damage the roots of your other teeth, as well as your bone support.

Alternatively, your wisdom teeth might partially emerge through your gums. In this situation, the area may be difficult to see, which means that cleaning it properly might prove to be impossible. As a result, your third molars might become magnets for infection-causing and gum disease-causing bacteria.

Third, your wisdom teeth may end up crowding your nearby teeth if your mouth doesn’t have enough room for them. This might ultimately cause damage to your other teeth, affect your bite, and lead to pain.

What If You Just Wait a Few Years?

If you’re asking the question “When do wisdom teeth need to be removed,” note that some dentists say that the removal of wisdom teeth is necessary if these teeth have not fully emerged. In addition, many dental care providers recommend removing these molars at younger ages. That’s because it’s easier to remove these teeth before their roots and the bone surrounding them have fully formed. On top of this, younger people generally recover from surgery more quickly than older individuals do.

You should most definitely get your wisdom teeth removed if you begin to experience any of the following oral problems:

Extensive decay of the wisdom teeth
Gum disease
Tumors
Pain
Constant soft tissue infections behind your bottom wisdom teeth

How a Dentist Can Help with Wisdom Tooth Removal

If your dentist determines that the removal of your wisdom teeth is necessary, you will undergo sedation with laughing gas or IV. Then, your dentist will numb the target areas and remove any tissue covering your teeth. Bone may also be removed if the teeth are impacted.

Next, your dentist will loosen the teeth to remove them. Finally, you will receive stitches in the surgical sites. Your dentist will then provide you with instructions for caring for the sites, such as not using a straw to drink beverages while you’re recovering (this can disrupt the blood clots that form at the sites during the healing process).

Remember, a few days of healing is easier than years of oral health complications.

Schedule an Appointment with the Experts at Definitive Dental Today

At Definitive Dental, we are ready to help you to eliminate your wisdom teeth issues if we determine that the removal of your wisdom teeth is necessary. Known for dentistry done right, we have earned hundreds of five-star reviews for effectively guiding patients to complete oral health and providing them with grade-A treatment.

Call or text us at (972) 646-0660, or reach out to us through our contact form to request an appointment today!

January 31, 2024June 25, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

You may have had your dentures so long that they feel like a part of you. But recently, you’ve noticed a change in how they fit in your mouth.

It’s not you. It’s them.

Perhaps your dentures no longer sit properly in your mouth. Or, maybe you’re beginning to feel some pressure on your gums when you put your dentures in each morning. Either way, you may be wondering if you should replace the teeth in your dentures. And if so, how often should you replace your dentures from now on?

It can be difficult to know when dentures are due for a replacement. Here’s what to look for.

Why Do You Have to Replace the Teeth in Dentures?

Whether you’re missing teeth due to an accident or medical reasons, dentures can be an excellent solution. They can increase your self-esteem by restoring a pearly-white smile over your previously missing teeth. Dentures can also help you to speak and chew normally. Because dentures help to prevent the muscles in your face from collapsing due to the absence of teeth, they can help you to look young.

Even though dentures are sturdy devices built for everyday use, they unfortunately don’t last forever. It’s common to need to replace some or all of your dentures, and contacting a qualified dentist is the way to get started.

Why Dentures Don’t Last Forever

Although dentures provide many advantages and are generally built to last, you typically need to replace the teeth in your dentures after seven to ten years. However, how often you should replace your dentures ultimately depends on how well you care for them. Dentures may have a shorter lifespan if you do not clean them each night or allow your dentist to make revisions to them when needed, for example.

Signs It’s Time to Replace the Teeth in Your Dentures

You should replace the teeth in your dentures if you’ve begun to notice that they feel loose. For instance, you may be worried that your dentures will fall out if you sneeze, cough, laugh, or talk—something that never used to concern you. This is a clear sign that a denture replacement is in order.

Another indicator that your dentures might need replacing is if you are struggling to speak clearly or chew confidently when wearing your device. Likewise, you should replace the teeth in your dentures if any of the teeth have become broken. Although denture materials are wear-and-damage resistant, these devices can chip or crack over time.

Finally, replace your dentures if they are beginning to cause gum irritation and sores. Sores may develop if your dentures move around and rub against the gums, or if the dentures press more forcefully in some areas compared with others.

How a Dentist Can Help You to Replace the Teeth in Your Dentures

If you are experiencing any of the above-listed challenges with your dentures, the best thing to do is to head to the dentist. Your dentist will take new bite and jaw impressions for you, then create an accurate model of your new dentures. Your dentist will also assess your dentures’ fit, shape, and color.

Afterward, your new device will be fabricated based on the model. Then, any necessary final adjustments will be made to the dentures to ensure that they fit you perfectly.

Your dentist can also go over with you how often you should replace your dentures going forward and how to extend their lifespan.

woman laughing replace teeth in dentures

Experience the Definitive Dental Difference By Booking an Appointment Today

At Definitive Dental, we would be more than happy to replace the teeth in your dentures to give you the stunning smile you wish to maintain. We take pride in dentistry done right.

As your leading full-service dental practice in Grand Prairie, we take pride in offering high-quality solutions ranging from dentures to crowns to teeth whitening. In our office, we use the latest dental technology to provide virtually painless treatment. If you ever experience too much pain during a procedure, we’ll stop right away and apply more anesthetic.

If your dentures are causing discomfort, know that we can fix it. Make your appointment by calling or texting our office at (972) 646-0660 today!

April 13, 2023June 21, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

Your little one approaches you with that unforgettable smile of his, but this time, you notice something different: one of his little teeth is starting to wiggle.

The more that your child pushes his loose tooth with his tongue, the more flexible “the wiggler” becomes. Maybe it’s because it looks uncomfortable or maybe it’s because it seems like that tooth is hanging on for dear life. In either case, it’s tempting to give that wiggler a good yank.

Don’t, though.

You should not pull a loose tooth, as this can have an adverse impact on your child’s permanent teeth when they begin to grow in. Here’s everything you need to know about pulling baby teeth—and why you shouldn’t do it.

Why You Should Not Pull a Loose Tooth

If you attempt to pull your child’s loose tooth on your own, you may end up causing damage to your child’s gum tissue or to nearby teeth. You could also leave pieces of his bone behind in the tooth socket, which may result in an infection.

If the baby tooth became loose on its own, it will fall out on its own. You don’t have to force it out—that’s Mother Nature’s job.

A smiling child near a stairway with a loose tooth

But What If It’s Really Loose?

Although you should avoid trying to pull a loose tooth, sometimes it really does seem like that tooth is hanging on by a thread. Before pulling, apply some pressure to the tooth in your child’s mouth. If she feels any pain, this means that the tooth roots are not dissolved enough yet for you to remove her tooth safely. Even if you think you can just do it quickly, stop if your child describes a sensation from the pressure.

Also, before you start pulling baby teeth, be sure to contact your child’s dentist for advice. Her dentist can help you to determine whether removing the tooth is the best option at this time.

A young boy with a gap in his smile from losing a baby tooth

What Happens When a Loose Tooth Falls Out Naturally?

If you allow your child’s teeth to fall out on their own, this clears the path for his permanent teeth to start coming in. As a result, you can expect his permanent teeth to grow in the mouth with no issues.

The key takeaway? You should not pull a loose tooth if you can help it. It’s tempting, but just let your child’s baby teeth come out on their own. If you have concerns, you should take your child to the dentist for additional guidance.

Protect Your Child’s Teeth with the Help of Definitive Dental Today

At Definitive Dental, we are honored to brighten your child’s smile. From family dentistry to cosmetic and restorative dentistry, we’re here to keep you and your little one’s teeth healthy and strong for years to come.

Get in touch with us to learn more about our services and book an appointment today.

May 14, 2023June 7, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

Your morning alarm sounds, and you begrudgingly get out of bed. You pull yourself toward the kitchen for the one thing that wakes you up for the workday.

But should you worry about your teeth?

Many Americans drink coffee to get their days started—then feel a twinge of guilt when their dental hygienist mentions staining on their teeth. But is coffee truly bad for your teeth? What if you only drink it in small amounts or you brush your teeth daily? Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about coffee’s impact on your dental health and teeth coffee stain removal.

Popular Conceptions About Coffee and Dental Health

The popular perception of coffee’s impact on oral health doesn’t always align with reality, but that’s not to say coffee has no effect on teeth, either.

Myths About Coffee and Teeth

When it comes to the question “Is coffee bad for your teeth,” one of the biggest myths is that coffee causes irrevocable harm to your dental health. On the other hand, it’s not that you should have no concerns. The truth is somewhere in the middle.

Perhaps one of the stranger myths related to teeth and coffee is that eating a carrot immediately after you drink coffee will prevent staining. We’ll explore the truth concerning this dental “trick” below.

Separating Fact from Myth

So, is coffee bad for your teeth? The good news is that coffee can, in fact, benefit your teeth. That’s because coffee possesses both antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which benefit your general health as well as your dental health.

The antibacterial properties help to fight pathogens that can harm your teeth. Meanwhile, the antioxidant properties help to reduce reactive oxygen species, which play a role in gum disease—an inflammatory oral disease. These powerful properties of coffee can be attributed to compounds called polyphenols, which are found in many foods and plants.

But don’t get too excited. Coffee has some dental-related drawbacks, too.

For starters, coffee is acidic, which can take a toll on the enamel—the hard outer surface—of your teeth. When your protective enamel begins to wear down, this makes your pearly whites more sensitive and susceptible to damage as a result of disease and trauma.

Coffee is also bad for your teeth in that it can stain your teeth, as the beverage features tannins—dark pigments that attach to the teeth. These pigments can easily yellow the teeth over time.
You may be tempted to eat carrots after drinking coffee to prevent staining, per one of the myths on teeth coffee stain removal mentioned earlier. Yes, fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery, and apples are nature’s stain removers, so they can help to wash away coffee tannins. However, simply eating these foods likely will not prevent a yellow hue from forming on your teeth.

When You Should Be Concerned About Your Coffee’s Dental Effects

Considering that coffee is bad for your teeth, you should be concerned about its impacts on your oral health if you continually consume more than two cups of joe per day.

It’s also time to pay extra attention to how your coffee is affecting your mouth if you haven’t visited the dentist in more than six months. Regular dental checkups are critical for preventing oral issues before they start and tackling issues that have already cropped up.

Finally, you should be concerned about your coffee consumption if you notice that your teeth have already become discolored.

At-Home Habits

Although coffee is bad for your teeth, it’s still possible to enjoy it while maintaining that pearly-white grin.

Yes, everything will be okay—your life as an avid coffee drinker isn’t over. And it’s all because a few simple good habits can help with teeth coffee stain removal moving forward.

First, diminish those coffee stains by diluting your favorite coffee with milk. Also, consider drinking your coffee through a straw so that it makes less contact with your teeth. You may additionally want to drink more water while drinking coffee or after drinking it. This is because water neutralizes your mouth’s acids, resulting in less damage to your teeth.

An electric toothbrush can furthermore help with removing stains. This is especially true when you brush right after you drink your coffee and when you use whitening toothpaste.

Consider brushing your teeth with some baking soda as well. The baking soda can help to remove tannins and color compounds that are stuck on your teeth.

How a Dentist Can Help with Teeth Coffee Stain Removal

Because coffee is bad for your teeth, you should also consider teeth whitening services at your local dentist’s office if you are a regular java drinker.

Through professional whitening, you can restore your teeth’s bright color while protecting them. In-office dental whitening tends to have longer-lasting effects compared with home teeth-whitening remedies.

Before and after photos of whitened teeth

Keep Your Teeth Looking White and Healthy with the Help of Definitive Dental

If you’re concerned that coffee is bad for your teeth, now couldn’t be a better time to take advantage of our Zoom! Solution for whitening teeth at Definitive Dental, located in Grand Prairie, Texas. It’s also an excellent time to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning, which will further help to keep your teeth in tip-top shape.

Known for dentistry done right, we have earned 375+ five-star reviews due to our stellar service. We stand behind all of the work we do and are devoted to providing an excellent patient experience.

Schedule an appointment with us by calling or texting us at (972) 646-0660, or reach out to us via our contact form today!

April 13, 2023June 2, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

For the past several mornings, you’ve noticed some blood in the sink while brushing your teeth. You may wonder if something is wrong with your gums—and how serious the issue may be.

Unfortunately, bleeding is a key warning sign of gum disease. This type of disease doesn’t just affect your mouth; it impacts your overall health.

Naturally, you may be asking “What are the main causes for gum disease,” and “Does gum disease go away on its own?” Here’s a rundown on gum disease’s chief causes and what you can do to treat it.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an oral inflammatory condition that impacts the soft and hard structures supporting your teeth.

Mild gum disease, which affects only the gums, is known as gingivitis. If left untreated, the infection that leads to gingivitis may travel below the gum line and enter the bone. At this point, it becomes periodontitis—a severe form of the disease.

Causes for Gum Disease

The chief culprit in the development of gum disease is plaque—a bacterial film that develops on the teeth and gums. If you don’t rinse, floss, and brush thoroughly and often enough (twice a day for brushing, and once a day for flossing), then you won’t remove this film. This increases your chances of experiencing gum disease.

The chief causes of gum disease also include not getting all of your vitamins every day, especially vitamin C. If your diet is high in carbohydrates and sugar, as well as low in vitamin C and water, gum issues are virtually unavoidable.

Smoking is yet another one of the main causes of gum disease. That’s because tobacco use interferes with gum cells’ normal function, which makes your oral cavity more susceptible to gum infection.

Causes for gum disease further include a family history of gingivitis or periodontitis. If your grandparents or parents suffered from these diseases, this may increase your chances of developing a bacterial infection in your gums as well.

Gum Disease Symptoms

One of the main signs of gum disease is sore, red, swollen, gums. This occurs because bacteria form below the gums. You may also notice your gum tissue receding around your teeth, causing your tooth roots to be exposed.

Bad breath is yet another indicator that you have fallen victim to one of the main causes of gum disease. The reason for this is that the mouth houses several million bacteria due to being the perfect wet, warm home for them. The bacteria feed on your teeth’s plaque and release toxins in the process. These toxins may irritate your teeth and gums, and unfortunately, they feature a detestable smell.

Gum Disease Complications and Effects

All these causes of gum disease may ultimately impact not only your gums but also the tissues connecting your gums to your teeth. Your infection might furthermore impact your jawbone, leading to bone deterioration. All of this can prevent your gums from securing your teeth long term, leading to tooth loss.

Gum disease may additionally lead to cardiovascular disease, therefore leading to more strokes and heart attacks. This may sound extreme, but it’s possible because bacteria in your gums can enter the bloodstream and trigger atherosclerosis, where plaque forms and hardens in the arteries. This can increase your chances of developing blood clots.

Respiratory problems, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, may also result from gum disease. This can happen if your mouth’s bacteria pass into the respiratory tract. Gum disease might also exacerbate a current respiratory condition, such as asthma or COPD, due to increased inflammation in your airways.

At-Home Gum Disease Treatments

Even with such dire consequences, swollen gums aren’t necessarily a reason to panic. Gum disease does go away with the help of a variety of at-home treatments. For starters, consider drinking green tea, which is antioxidant-rich and therefore helps to reduce the inflammation of the gums. This decreases the damage done to your gums as well as the supporting bone.

Saltwater also helps to eliminate gum disease-causing bacteria. This natural disinfectant effectively heals inflamed tissues in the mouth by causing fluids to leave the swollen areas of your mouth.

Baking soda additionally works against your mouth’s harmful bacteria, making it a viable at-home gum disease treatment. This substance furthermore neutralizes the acids responsible for causing inflammation and tooth surface damage. Simply mix a tiny amount of it with water, then gently brush your teeth with the slurry.

When to See a Dentist for Gum Disease Treatment

If these at-home tricks don’t give you relief, you may be asking “How else does gum disease go away?” A dentist can help you to eliminate your gum infection through dental cleanings every six months.

You should see a dentist if your bite is beginning to feel different due to the shifting of your teeth. Likewise, schedule an appointment with a dentist if you notice that your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold beverages, your gums itch, or if your gums hurt when you touch them.

Target the Causes of Gum Disease with Help from Definitive Dental

At Definitive Dental, we are known for dentistry done right. We are ready to thoroughly examine and clean your teeth to keep gum disease at bay. We can also help you to prevent many of the main causes of gum disease to keep your teeth in tip-top shape moving forward.

As a prospective patient of our premium dentistry practice, you can expect a callback on the same day, usually within two hours of filling out a form on our website. In addition, we provide a Pain-Free Guarantee, where we offer profound numbing when needed to ensure your comfort during any procedure. From start to finish, we are committed to guiding you, our valued patient, to complete oral health.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can preserve and enhance your smile in the months and years ahead.

March 14, 2023May 20, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

If you have more than just a few teeth that require attention, full-mouth reconstruction may be your solution to a healthier, more attractive smile.

What Is Full–Mouth Reconstruction?

This type of reconstruction involves rebuilding, replacing, or improving the appearance of all of a patient’s teeth. A dental makeover works by combining restorative dentistry’s scientific qualities with aesthetics. The purpose of such a procedure is to improve your mouth’s beauty, function, and overall health.

Candidates for Full–Mouth Reconstruction

You are an excellent candidate for this type of makeover if improving both the aesthetics and the function of your teeth is important.

For instance, you might benefit from reconstruction if you are missing several teeth. Likewise, you can take advantage of this if your fillings are failing in several teeth or if several teeth are showing signs of decay. You’re also an excellent candidate for this type of reconstruction if you have broken teeth or need extensive restoration due to another health condition.

Full–Mouth Reconstruction Treatment Options

A dental makeover can take many forms. It’s important to discuss your options with a qualified cosmetic dentist to determine the plan that best fits your needs.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots used to replace teeth that are missing. Implants are effective in that they heal into the jawbone over the span of several months without compromising the teeth surrounding them. They also enhance your teeth’s function, allowing you to chew and eat just as you would with natural teeth.

You can use an implant to replace a single tooth, or you can use several implants to support implant dentures if you are missing all of your teeth.

Teeth Whitening

As you age, your teeth naturally become yellower and duller. If you smoke or consume soda and coffee frequently, this may speed up your yellowing or staining process. To fully restore your teeth’s white color, consider undergoing a whitening treatment.

This procedure can be performed in the dental office in less than an hour. You can also take advantage of professional-strength whitening options that are designed to be used at home. Either option can be helpful for restoring your teeth.

Veneers

Veneers are also an effective and popular full-mouth reconstruction option. By placing these thin porcelain shells directly onto your natural teeth, you can conceal imperfections as well as chips and cracks.

Veneers provide the uniform color you need to sport a healthier and younger-looking smile without drastically alternating the tooth structure underneath them.

Dental Bonding

This dental makeover option involves applying a composite resin that mimics your natural tooth color to any tooth with an imperfection. During this procedure, your dentist will shape and polish the resin. Then, the dentist will apply a light designed to harden the material and bond it to your tooth.

Dental bonding is an excellent option for correcting minor dental problems ranging from cracked or chipped teeth to gapped teeth, teeth that are irregularly shaped, or receding gums.

Dental Crowns and Bridges

Tooth-shaped caps known as crowns are components of a dental bridge, a type of restoration used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. The teeth on both sides of the tooth you’re replacing have to be prepared to receive the crowns.

Crowns and bridges are excellent full-mouth reconstruction treatment options due to their cosmetic and restorative functions. They can immediately improve your smile while also making it easier to chew food. Crowns are frequently applied to the molar teeth, although they can also be used to replace front teeth.

Consider undergoing a crown or bridge procedure if you have chipped your tooth. Your dentist may also recommend either of these options if you have recently undergone root canal treatment, if your tooth contains a sizable filling, or if your tooth is significantly decayed.

Dentures and Partials

These dental makeover treatments are recommended for replacing entire arches of teeth that are missing. A partial may be all you need if you still have the majority of your natural teeth. Meanwhile, a custom-fit full denture is recommended if most or all of your teeth are missing.

Orthodontic Treatment

Finally, consider orthodontic treatment if you would like to straighten your teeth. This full-mouth reconstruction option is particularly convenient if you use clear aligners, like those from SureSmile. The aligners will easily fit over your teeth and move them gradually into the right position.

Take Advantage of Full–Mouth Reconstruction with Definitive Dental Today

Definitive Dental takes your smile to new heights with full-mouth reconstruction and other restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. With consistent five-star reviews in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we deliver dentistry done right. We’ve earned our excellent reputation by genuinely listening to our patients and offering our range of treatments to help them to maximize their health.

We especially pride ourselves on our Profound Numbing assurance, where we guarantee that you will experience pain-free treatment every time. If you ever begin to feel pain during your procedure, we will stop and immediately apply more anesthetic.

Schedule an appointment by calling or texting the office at (972) 646-0660. Alternatively, you can reach out via our contact form. We usually call back within a few hours.

Make an appointment today with us to discuss all of your makeover options and enjoy your smile for years to come.

April 18, 2023May 16, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

A woman cleans her teeth with a floss pick.

You scrub those pearly whites with your toothbrush, then perform a check with your tongue to make sure that they are smooth as silk.

Yep. Squeaky clean.

Now you’re ready to rush off to bed to get those zzzzz’s, right?

Not so fast. You missed a step: flossing.

Flossing your teeth each day removes debris, food particles, and plaque that toothbrushing alone cannot reach. This will help you to keep your gums and teeth healthy long-term. The problem is that it can be difficult to know how to floss teeth properly.

Here’s a rundown on everything you need to know about flossing teeth.

Flossing Can Be Hard

Everyone generally knows you’re “supposed to” floss. But most people don’t floss—or if they do, they do it incorrectly, as the proper technique features multiple steps and therefore can be hard to master at first.

Fortunately, even though flossing can certainly be tricky starting out, it becomes easier the more you practice it. Once you learn how to properly hold your floss and clean your teeth with it, you can put yourself in the best position to maintain a healthy mouth.

How to Floss Your Teeth Correctly

Plan to floss once a day or more. When it’s time to floss, break off a piece of dental floss that is between 18 inches and 24 inches in length. Too short of a strand will be hard to grip. In addition, you will need to use fresh sections of floss whenever you decide to switch teeth. The longer your floss is, the easier this process will be for you.

Hand Positioning

The next step in mastering how to floss teeth correctly is to wrap the floss’s ends around the middle fingers. Begin with one hand, and then, wrap the floss around the middle finger of the other hand. You should wrap the floss several times until it is taut when you pull it.

Afterward, hold a floss section spanning one inch to three inches between the forefingers and thumbs. Use the forefinger and thumb on each of your hands to hold your floss. Then, create a one-inch to three-inch space between the hands. You will use this section of your floss to clean your teeth. As you floss your teeth, your fingers should move along your floss to set apart a fresh area for flossing.

How to Floss the Teeth

Once your fingers are in the right positions, you’re ready to floss. Begin with the top and center of your mouth, and then, floss your teeth on each side. Try to begin with either the right side or the left side first each time—in other words, develop a habit—so that you do not miss any areas of the mouth.

During the flossing process, you’ll need to slide your floss between the teeth as close to the gum as possible. Be gentle as you work your floss between the teeth using a rocking motion. Then, slide the floss slowly below the gums.

Another important step is to curve your floss so that it forms a “C” shape around each tooth. Then, work your floss down and up the tooth. This process is essential for getting each side of every tooth clean.

As a general rule of thumb, you should make between eight and 10 strokes on one side of a tooth with the floss before switching to the other side. This will ensure that all plaque or debris that is stuck between the teeth is removed.

While you’re learning how to floss teeth properly, don’t forget to floss the back parts of your molars in the rear of your mouth. Simply loop your floss around these molars and work it against them to remove all debris.

What Flossing Prevents

Learning how to floss teeth is critical for preventing tooth decay and gum disease. These problems are especially common on your back teeth as they are more difficult to reach with a toothbrush. So, it’s paramount that you floss your back teeth as completely as possible.

Note that you might experience a little bleeding in the gums as you get started with the flossing process. Don’t worry—this is completely normal. The bleeding should dissipate within a handful of days.

While this little bit of pain may seem inconvenient, remind yourself that flossing is well worth the trouble. If you don’t floss, you may end up developing gingivitis (a milder form of gum disease) and eventually periodontal disease (a more severe form of gum disease). In this scenario, tooth extraction, also known as tooth removal, might be unavoidable.

In addition, failing to floss may make you more prone to developing cavities. This will require the removal of your decay followed by dental fillings in the impacted teeth. If you experience pain or bleeding more than three to five days after starting a new flossing routine, contact your dentist for a checkup.

Getting into a Good Habit When Flossing

Try to floss each day before you hit the sack at night. Flossing at night will help to prevent plaque and food particles from sitting on your teeth all night long.

Also, if you ever get food particles caught between your teeth during the day, feel free to floss your teeth at those times as well.

You can also floss before you brush if you wish. This can be helpful in that you’ll be scrubbing away the plaque and food you dislodged with the floss. This translates to potentially cleaner teeth.

In addition to brushing and flossing, try to use water or a mouthwash to rinse out your mouth. This will furthermore help to remove stray particles remaining in the mouth. Plus, it will give the mouth a clean, fresh feeling.

Chlorhexidine mouthwash in particular is great at destroying virtually all traces of bacteria. It also creates a strong protective barrier for your flossed teeth and gums. Fluoridated mouthwash also provides extra cavity protection.

A toothbrush with floss on a white surface

Protect Your Dental Health with Definitive Dental

Definitive Dental is proud to be a full-service dental practice serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. In addition to showing you how to floss, we provide a full range of dental treatments including:

We stand out for using only the latest advances in technology. We have also developed a reputation for offering a clean office and a consistently caring, friendly staff. We genuinely listen to our patients as we seek to guide them to complete oral health for years to come.

Book your next dental appointment with us by calling us today at (972) 646-0660, or reach out via contact form to request an appointment.

January 30, 2024April 18, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

Do you frequently have the urge to hide your mouth from others? Do you often feel embarrassed about your “hockey smile?” Don’t worry! If you’re looking at how to replace missing teeth, know that there are several high-quality options that can restore your beautiful smile. If your smile is suffering from missing teeth, find an option that caters to you and reclaims your confidence.

The Reality of That “Hockey Smile”

Woman holding broom upside down and hiding her teeth

If you or a loved one is missing a tooth or several, it’s okay! And you’re not alone. Dr. Guirguis estimates that one in every three people in the US is missing at least one tooth, and a quarter of those over 75 years of age have no teeth left at all. Besides the obvious concerns that come from having to live with holes in your smile, it’s important to realize that people without teeth live on average 10 years less. Many people suffer from a sagging face because of missing teeth, so you could even say that it affects more than just your smile. Other consequences or difficulties include problems with speech, eating, and even digestion.

It’s clear that this is a common problem, and luckily there are a variety of ways to replace missing teeth. Let’s explore some of the possibilities and when they work the best.

Call (972) 646-0660 to schedule an appointment

Leave the Hole Empty

The first option when it comes to missing teeth is just to do nothing. Rather than finding some teeth covers or another similar solution to fill the empty gap, people can choose to leave the gap in their mouth empty. However, this method is not ideal for your oral health and can even impact your self-esteem. Even though you might be able to get by for a while by doing nothing, it can soon lead to other problems.

Leaving that space in the mouth, especially over longer periods, causes teeth around the space to tip and shift. When teeth move around like this, it makes it increasingly likely for one missing tooth to become multiple missing teeth. Plus, having a missing tooth or two on one side of the mouth generally leads to chewing on the other side exclusively, causing accelerated wear and tear on that section as well. And, if that wasn’t enough, it can also change the profile of your face. Face sagging from missing teeth can also make you look older. Leaving the holes empty in the mouth is a bad idea, especially in the long term.

A Single Missing Tooth: The Ideal Solution

So if you shouldn’t leave the gap empty, how should you replace missing teeth? It all depends on how many teeth need to be replaced. A single missing tooth would ideally be replaced with a dental implant. This is the closest replacement, both in appearance and feel, to a natural tooth. Plus, this option doesn’t affect the surrounding teeth in the way that some of the other options may.

Unlike a bridge or a partial denture, dental implants are independent, which means that they don’t compromise surrounding teeth. Made of titanium, implants act as both the roots and crown of a natural tooth. Through the osseointegration process, an implant will integrate into the bone, eventually helping not just with the appearance but also in fulfilling the function of a natural tooth.

How to Know if An Implant is Right for You

Because implants need solid and healthy bone structures in the mouth, they are not always possible as options for missing teeth. You will need a dentist’s approval to get an implant. Your dentist will be able to determine if an implant is right for you, as in most cases, it is considered the last option.

Here at Definitive Dental, this process is simple and effective for each of our patients. We create a customized plan to determine the optimal teeth covers for missing teeth in each person’s unique circumstances. With 3D scans, we carefully evaluate the height, width, and even the density of the hole in the mouth. From there, we can see if we would recommend an implant based on the bone structure and size of the hole in the mouth. You may be recommended another option if our dentist determines that an implant may not improve your oral health or smile.

Another Possibility: Getting A Bridge

If an implant doesn’t seem to be the best solution for the gap in your mouth, getting a bridge is another option for missing teeth. With a bridge, you get a permanent fixture that doesn’t necessarily require the adjacent teeth for support. This bridge is essentially three dental crowns put together with a false tooth fused in the middle.

A bridge can be a good option if there is not enough bone for an implant, which can happen if a tooth has been missing for several years. In some cases, we can use two implants to connect a bridge, essentially replacing three. When you’re looking at how to replace missing teeth, there are other options that are removable, unlike a bridge. Our flexible solutions can create personalized smiles.

Choosing a Partial Denture

A partial denture is also a great option, especially if the missing teeth are spread across both sides of the mouth. Partial dentures typically have a metal frame and clasps for strength but can also be made of flexible plastic. At Definitive Dental, we recommend using a metal frame, as they can be easily tightened or loosened. This feature allows more teeth to be easily added if more gaps occur. So adjustments can be made without having to remake the entire denture.

For a single missing tooth, a small, one-tooth partial denture can be fitted. This is the least expensive option for missing teeth if you don’t mind having something that comes in and out of your mouth. Just be careful not to lose your partial denture or accidentally throw it away. It would be best to get a storage container for times when you’re not using it or when you’re taking it off for the day.

Considering Complete Dentures for Multiple Missing Teeth

An older man puts in his complete dentures

Finally, if you are missing all of your teeth in an arch, a complete denture is the option for missing teeth that will allow you to eat and smile. Most people are just fine with the complete upper denture, but a complete lower denture can take some getting used to and there will be an adjustment period.

For that reason, we recommend an implant retained denture if a complete lower denture is needed. When you add implants to the denture, you gain a lot of stability. This option for missing teeth is supportive, making the transition easier than other types of dentures. This works so well that, in some cases, people do not ever need to remove the denture if it is supported by implants. While this option is, of course, more expensive, it may work better for your lifestyle and needs. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to thoroughly discuss this option and know if it will work for you.

Let Us Take Your Smile to New Heights

Don’t get overwhelmed with all the different options for missing teeth. When you’re determined to find out how to replace missing teeth, this can seem like a lot of information to process immediately. But, at Definitive Dental, we’re known for Dentistry Done Right. So we are here to help you understand which solution for missing teeth will be ideal for your oral health, lifestyle, and smile. With the right information, we can help you evaluate different options and how they will work for you. Personalized care from our dedicated dentistry team will help you build confidence in your smile and help you on your journey to better oral health.

Ready for the first step of loving your smile again? Schedule an appointment or reach out today to get started with your journey in evaluating and fixing your missing teeth. We’ll get back in touch soon to work on your personalized plan. Say goodbye to your face sagging from missing teeth. No need to hide your smile because of holes or gaps anymore! We can’t wait to help you Take Your Smile to New Heights.

Call (972) 646-0660 to get started!

May 24, 2024March 29, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

happy woman waking up after a good night's rest

If you wake up with sore jaws in the morning, it’s very possible that you’re grinding your teeth at night. While most people who grind their teeth are unaware that they’re doing it, there are a few ways to find out if you do, as well as, prevent it from damaging your teeth. Let’s take a look at what your teeth have to do with sore jaws and solutions to the problem.

Do You Grind Your Teeth?

If you grind your teeth, you may have an idea that you’re doing it or you may not. While the action of grinding your teeth at night is involuntary, the symptoms may cause you to wake up feeling tired, painful, and worried.

Here are a few different ways you can confirm if you grind your teeth or not:

Ask a friend – If you have a significant other, sibling, or roommate you share a room with, you can ask them to monitor you and let you know if you have been grinding your teeth.

man snoring in bed with frustrated woman

Observe yourself – Most people who grind their teeth wake up with teeth grinding headaches and sore jaws in the morning.
Flattened teeth – Over time, grinding your teeth can lead to flattened cusps on your canines, followed by flat rear teeth with pits. These pits can trap small seeds or other food in the mouth.
Chipped teeth – Grinding teeth at night can lead to chipped teeth, especially chipped front teeth.
Tooth sensitivity – Teeth grinding can also lead to tooth sensitivity, which is especially noticeable when no other cavities or causes are present.
Worn out retainers – If you wear retainers during bedtime and you notice scratches on them, this may be a result of teeth grinding.

Common Causes

Let’s take a look at a few of the most common causes for grinding teeth at night:

Stress – If you’re going through a major change in life or operating on burnt fumes, this may be the cause of your teeth grinding and teeth grinding headaches. As much as possible, try to completely relax and unwind before bed. Take a bubble bath, read a book, meditate, pray, or do whatever you need to release the tensions of the day. Try not to think about the potential stress of tomorrow. Focus on releasing the current stress of today and giving your body, mind, and soul a chance to refuel and recharge.
Daytime clenching – Sometimes clenching your teeth and jaw during the day can also mean that you grind your teeth at night.
Poor quality sleep – Sleeping should be restful and rejuvenating. If you suffer from poor quality sleep and severe snoring, you may grind your teeth. In the case of daytime clenching, snoring, and sleep that is not restful, you may be suffering from a bigger issue like sleep apnea.

Solutions

There is no need to continue to suffer from teeth grinding headaches and other uncomfortable symptoms of grinding teeth at night, there are solutions. Let’s take a look at some of the tips you can try to resolve the problem:

Lowering stress levels – We know lowering stress levels may be easier said than done. However, if you take just a few small steps a day, it will eventually add up. You can try lowering stress levels by going to bed at a decent time, eating nutritious foods, and knowing when it’s time to check out from the world. Another great way to reduce your stress level is to set healthy boundaries and know when it’s time to disengage yourself from work, conversations, or anything that may be considered exhausting. Always put your health and wellness first.

Warm compress – Grinding teeth at night and teeth grinding headaches directly affect the jaw. Place a soothing warm compress on your jaw to relax your muscles before bed.
Muscle relaxers – Using muscle relaxers can help you to get relief from teeth grinding. However, it is important to note that using muscle relaxers is a temporary fix, not a permanent one.
Custom nightguard – Visit your dentist to get fitted for a custom nightguard. While over-the-counter nightguards are not effective in preventing long-term damage, they may help you get used to sleeping with a nightguard. However, a custom nightguard is always best. Your dentist will ensure your nightguard is the perfect fit for long-term use and will safely help you to cope with grinding teeth at night.

Give us a call to book your appointment and get fitted for your custom nightguard today!

May 24, 2024March 17, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

dentist explaining x-ray results to a patient during a visit

Is dental insurance worth it? More often than not, it honestly isn’t. While dental insurance may assist you with a few things here and there, it usually does not cover all of the treatment you may actually need. Let’s dive right in and take a look at the truth about insurance coverage for dental procedures and other alternatives that may be more beneficial to you and your family.

The Honest Truth

This may sound crazy, but your dental insurance wants you to lose your teeth. You may have noticed that after having a necessary visit with a dental clinic, you’re left with a hefty balance to pay out of pocket. This isn’t by coincidence and it honestly does not have anything to do with the dentist you choose. You’re often left with a balance after visiting the dentist because the coverage with insurance simply is not extensive enough for your needs.

patient holding a mirror while receiving dental cleaning

When it comes to dental insurance, many patients are often left making an unfair compromise. Insurance can be looked at as more of a discount plan, not actual insurance. You’ll have a co-pay until you max out your dental benefits and then eventually, you won’t have coverage at all.

Dental insurance really hasn’t changed since the 80s. While medical insurance has maximums for out-of-pocket payments, the amount of out-of-pocket payments for dental can range from $1-$2000. If you’ve had dental work done before, especially emergency dental work, you can testify that this kind of coverage really doesn’t get you far.

Insurance often downgrades the needs of your oral health. Often only covering silver fillings or metal crowns which are not typically used anymore and having you pay the difference. At Definitive Dental, we know how frustrating all of this can be.

Teeth are often referred to as luxury bones and that’s simply not true. Your teeth and oral health are important to your overall health, happiness, and comfort. There’s no need to suffer or go without the treatment you need because of the lack of affordability and restrictive dental insurance. When it comes to dental emergencies and maintenance, having treatment on time makes all the difference.

A Better Alternative

At Definitive Dental, we offer an affordable alternative to dental insurance that will actually give you the coverage you need. Our in-house dental membership plan is available to both children and adults. We want our patients to have happy and healthy smiles, which means, our patients need accessibility to regular cleanings and emergency procedures when necessary. Dental emergencies will never become cheaper or less painful, unfortunately, they will always become worse.

Our in-house dental membership plan can be used in place of dental insurance, or alongside it if you choose. For only $348 a year or $29 a month ($25 a month for children), you’ll get;

Two cleanings per year
X-Rays and exams
An extra exam for emergencies
15% off all dental work

For patients that require four cleanings a year, the total cost is $45 a month. And best of all, there is no maximum benefit. You can receive the dental treatment you need without worrying about restrictive dental insurance and hefty out-of-pocket balances.

We created our affordable and effective in-house dental membership plan because we are passionate about what we do. As seasoned experts in the industry, we deeply understand how important it is for dental maintenance and emergency procedures to be completed in a timely manner. From our dentists to our team members, we all have one goal, maintaining and restoring the oral health of our patients.

Conclusion

Teeth are not luxury bones, they are necessary bones. Healthy teeth help us to properly chew and digest delicious foods, speak clearly, and they also give our face shape. No matter how your dental insurance makes it out to be, there’s nothing luxury or optional about that, it’s essential. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits will help you to maintain good oral health and deal with any uprising issues, as quickly as possible. Having healthy teeth can prevent issues like:

Tooth decay and loss
Bad breath
Gum disease and bone loss
Strokes
Higher chance of oral cancer
Worsening of diabetes
Heart and respiratory disease
Low self-esteem and shattered confidence

How can poor oral health lead to the above issues? The digestive process begins at our mouth. With healthy and strong teeth, the system works well and can perform its intended function. If your teeth are in poor health, it affects more than just your smile, it affects their optimum functionality. Give us a call today to book a visit and learn more about our in-house dental membership plan.

March 17, 2022March 7, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

young boy smiling and giving a thumbs up in dental office

Finding a dentist that’s right for you is a huge step. Your oral health, comfort, and happiness depend on it. Choosing a dentist that’s the perfect fit for you will prevent you from dreading and avoiding necessary visits.

Regular dental visits are essential for both children and adults, there’s no need to neglect your dental health because you’re not sure which dentist you should visit. Let’s take a look at our top three tips for finding the best dentist for you and your needs.

Social Proof

dentist explaining x-ray results to patient in exam room

A great dentist will have positive social proof readily available for new clients. Aside from having close friends and family visit the same dentist’s office, it’s very reassuring to see favorable reviews from others, as well. Take time to read reviews about dentists you may be interested in to learn what others may have experienced.

When it comes to finding a dentist, you want to ensure that many of the reviews include being comfortable. While receiving routine or extensive dental procedures, you should not have to suffer from pain.

During your procedure, you should be comfortable and informed about what is taking place. A good dentist will not make you feel like you’re being dramatic if you express extreme discomfort or pain. A good dentist will do everything in their power to ensure you’re relaxed, comfortable, and ready before, during, and after your procedure.

If you’re not pleased with the work you received, the right dentist will continue the work until you are satisfied. The mission of a good dentist is to go above and beyond to exceed your expectations.

Training and Technology

Choose a dentist who prioritizes training and technology. As times change, newer equipment and technology become available to the dental industry. Find a dentist who keeps up with dental technology and practices. This kind of dentist will make sure they always deliver the best products and services to their clients.
All machines and equipment should be clean and up-to-date, and all staff members should have proper and current training. Newer and better ways to perform dental procedures are readily available to all dentists. Choose a dentist who makes it a priority to study and practice modern techniques for the safety and comfort of all of their patients.

A team that is developed both personally and professionally will give clients a world-changing experience from the first call, all the way up to the follow-up call made after the dental procedure has taken place. Alongside finding a dentist with a personable and professional team, aim to select a dental office that uses digital technology, at a minimum. Some offices will go above and beyond and offer digital impressions and x-ray machines that are typically only found at specialists. When you select a dental office that takes their practice and investment seriously, you can rest assured, you’ve found a good thing.

Office Environment and Culture

Have you ever walked into a dental office and felt like you’ve just entered an ice-cold box in the middle of nowhere? That feeling shouldn’t exist. A cold, lifeless dental office creates an anxious unwelcoming feeling that can be discouraging.

The right dentist’s office for you will be warm, welcoming, and inviting. You should be greeted by friendly team members who are excited and eager to assist you. The space should be immaculately clean and you should not feel an intense urge to spin around and walk right back out the door. Whether you’re heading in for a routine cleaning or a restorative procedure, you should feel right at home when you find a dentist that works best for you.

The dentist should always be comfortable but especially for those who have fear or anxiety when it comes to dental visits. One bad experience can scar an individual for a very long time. Avoid developing a negative connection with the dentist by choosing a dentist with an impressionable environment and friendly culture.

Conclusion

Find a dentist office that has social proof, advanced training and technology, and a warm office environment and culture. With a dentist’s office that excels in these three areas, you surely won’t have any regrets. When making your choice, always be sure to put your comfort and safety first.

A good dentist will be patient, kind, and helpful. Do not hesitate to ask your dentist or their team members any questions you may need clarification on. The right dentist will be more than happy to assist you with anything you need. For more information about our services here at DRG Dentistry, you can visit our website here. We proudly service the Grand Prairie area and are happy to help you with all of your dental needs!

May 29, 2024February 24, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

A closeup of a person wide awake after insomnia.

Do you wake up tired after a whole night’s rest? Do you snore loudly at night? If you experience these problems and feel extreme fatigue the morning after, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of sleep apnea dental appliances and other forms of treatment.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a medical disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. This can happen hundreds of times throughout the night. There are three types of sleep apnea, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being the most common form of this disorder. OSA is when the upper airways get wholly or partially blocked during sleep.

Why does this happen? During sleep, the muscles in the back of your throat relax. In some people, these relaxed muscles can collapse and block the airways. When you stop breathing, your brain senses danger and partially wakes you to reopen the airways. These recurrent apnea episodes interfere with deep sleep, leading to chronic fatigue and a host of health problems.

The Effects of Sleep Apnea On Your Body

Before diving into how sleep apnea dental appliances work, you must understand the importance of seeking treatment. Sleep quality is as, if not more important than, diet and exercise for your overall well-being. Quality sleep allows you to recover from the day’s stress, recharges your body and mind, and repairs damage to help you maintain optimal health.

Why should you see a sleep apnea specialist? If left untreated, sleep apnea can be fatal. Studies have shown that sleep apnea can cause hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure. In addition to health problems, sleep apnea impairs cognitive function. This increases the risk of work-related accidents and motor vehicle crashes.

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

As you’ve learned, sleep apnea has devastating effects on your health. From nasal and throat surgery to sleep apnea dental appliances, ⏤ the good news is that plenty of therapies and procedures help you control your symptoms. If you have symptoms suggestive of sleep apnea, your doctor will perform a series of tests to evaluate the severity of your condition.

For mild cases of sleep apnea, simple lifestyle modifications such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol, or sleeping on your side may suffice to keep the disorder away. If your condition is more advanced, you will need higher-level treatments. Below are the most common therapies sleep apnea specialists recommend for moderate to severe forms of the disorder:

CPAP Machines

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are the most widely used treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. Using a tube and a face mask you will wear while you sleep, the device gently forces pressurized air through your nose and mouth. The increased air pressure prevents your throat muscles from collapsing during sleep, keeping your airway open.

Sleep Apnea Dental Appliances

While CPAPs are the standard treatment for sleep apnea, oral appliances are becoming increasingly popular. Also known as mandibular advancement devices (MADs), sleep apnea oral appliances are custom-made mouth guards that look like orthodontic retainers. When worn at night, the mouthpieces reposition your jaws to keep the throat open while you sleep.

Surgical Procedures

If all other treatments have failed to improve your condition, your sleep apnea dentist may recommend surgery. Surgical procedures are very effective for people with excessive or malformed tissues such as enlarged tonsils, a deviated nasal septum, or a small lower jaw with an overbite that doesn’t respond to sleep apnea dental appliances.

How Do Oral Appliances Work?

We talked briefly about what sleep apnea oral appliances are. Let’s now delve into how they work. MADs are two-piece devices that snap over your upper and lower arches. Once in place, these adjustable devices gently push your lower jaw and tongue forward. This helps prevent the tissues in your throat from collapsing and blocking your airway during sleep.

Do these appliances work? Many studies have found oral appliance therapy to improve OSA in a majority of patients, including some with severe forms of the disorder. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (JCSM), two-thirds of patients experienced therapeutic benefits from wearing sleep apnea dental appliances.

Benefits of Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances

Although the most recommended treatment for sleep apnea, many patients can’t tolerate CPAP machines due to their inconvenience. More than 50% of patients drop out of CPAP therapy within the first year of treatment. Compared to CPAP devices, oral appliances are more comfortable to wear, resulting in a higher compliance rate and better treatment outcomes.

When used consistently and under the guidance of your sleep apnea specialist, dental devices can considerably improve your sleep quality. You can start to feel a difference in your symptoms after the first night of use. Convenient and non-invasive sleep apnea dental appliances provide many advantages over traditional OSA treatments. Some of these benefits include:

Portable and easy to travel with
Works without electricity
It does not make any noise
Easy to clean and care for
More cost-effective than other treatments

Getting an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

The first step to getting an oral sleep apnea appliance is to consult your doctor. If your sleep apnea specialist determines that a dental device would work for you, they will refer you to a sleep apnea dentist specializing in making these appliances. During your first visit with the dentist, they will examine your dental health to decide if you’re a good candidate for sleep apnea mouth guards.

If you qualify, the dentist will take an impression of your mouth to make your sleep apnea dental appliances. At Definitive Dental, we only take digital impressions to ensure perfect-fitting mouthpieces. The impressions are sent to a lab to custom-design your device. When your device is ready, you’ll return to the office for fittings and further adjustments to optimize care.

Get Your Oral Device From Definitive Dental

While it may seem like an innocuous disorder, sleep apnea not only wrecks your health but is also a threat to public safety. Left untreated, sleep apnea can shorten your life and make you unhappy while you’re alive. Treating this debilitating condition is essential to protect the public from its adverse effects and improve your quality of life.

If you’re considering getting sleep apnea dental appliances in the Grand Prairie area, look no further than Definitive Dental. We are rated a top-three dentist in Grand Prairie, Texas, because we deliver Dentistry Done Right. Whether you need a custom-made dental appliance or a routine dental checkup, we can help. Call us at (972) 646-0660, or click here to book an appointment.

October 26, 2022February 16, 2022 by Peter Guirguis

A young woman smiling and revealing perfect teeth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e3K73b4kPA

Do you have one or more missing teeth? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. According to the American College of Prosthodontics (ACP), more than 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Many factors, ranging from cavities to gum disease, can cause tooth loss. Missing teeth not only ruin your smile but also create a host of health problems.

If you have missing teeth, dental restoration can significantly improve your quality of life. The best teeth replacements currently available are dental crowns and bridges. What are dental crowns and bridges and how do they work? In this post, we’ll explain the difference between these two popular tooth replacement options so you can determine which one is right for you.

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are caps that cover a damaged tooth or a dental implant. When placed over a cracked, broken, or decayed tooth, dental crowns can protect the tooth and restore its structure, strength, and appearance. In dental restoration procedures, dental crowns are fixed on top of an implant to serve as the visible part of a missing tooth.

Dental crowns are very versatile and come in different types and compositions. Permanent crowns can be made out of metals, resins, porcelain, and ceramic. In addition to the diverse materials, crowns can offer different levels of coverage. While traditional crowns provide complete tooth coverage, onlays and ¾ crowns only cover a portion of the tooth.

What are Dental Bridges?

Although both are fixed artificial teeth, dental crowns and bridges are not the same. A dental bridge is a false tooth ⏤ called a pontic ⏤ that fills the empty space created by a missing tooth. If you have one or more missing teeth, multiple pontics can be used to bridge the gap. While crowns can also be applied to protect a tooth, bridges are only used to replace lost teeth.

Despite their differences, bridges rely on crowns to stay in place. A bridge consists of artificial teeth that are fused to crowns at both ends. The crowns are cemented onto existing teeth or attached to dental implants for support. Once anchored into position, the pontics rest in the area of the gums where there is tooth loss, restoring the look and function of your teeth.

Why Would You Need a Dental Crown?

Now that you know what dental crowns and bridges are, let’s discuss why you might need either one of them. Crowns and bridges have different uses. Your dental needs and budget will determine which option is best for you. Your dentist may recommend a dental crown for any of the following reasons:

Protect a weak tooth from breaking
Keep together parts of a cracked tooth
Restore a broken or severely worn down tooth
Strengthen a filled tooth when there isn’t enough tooth structure remaining
Hold a dental bridge in place
Cap a dental implant
Cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth
Make cosmetic enhancements
Reinforce a tooth that’s been treated with root canal

Why Would You Need a Dental Bridge?

A person wearing purple latex gloves and polishing a dental bridge

While crowns have many applications on their own, dental crown and bridge combinations are solely used to replace missing teeth. Many patients choose to forgo tooth replacement because of its costs. Dental bridges offer a more cost-effective way to get tooth restoration than dental implants. This can help you avoid issues like:

Drifting teeth
Bite problems
Teeth misalignment
Tooth decay and gum disease
Chewing and speaking difficulties
Pain from the extra stress on your teeth and jaws
Self-consciousness due to an embarrassing smile

What Is the Process for Getting Crowns and Bridges?

After learning what dental crowns and bridges are used for, we’ll describe what you should expect when getting them done. The process for getting crowns will differ depending on whether you’re seeking tooth replacement or protection.

To replace missing teeth with dental crowns, you should first get dental implants. A dental implant is a small, screw-like post that is surgically placed below your gums to serve as tooth roots. Once the implant fuses with your jawbone, your dentist will attach an abutment to the post. When your gums and bone heal, the crown is screwed on or cemented to the abutment.

The process of receiving a crown for tooth protection is similar to getting a bridge because bridges have crowns at both ends. Here is what you should expect when getting dental crowns and bridges:

Dental Assessment

During the first visit, your dentist will examine the teeth that will receive crowns. This will involve taking dental x-rays to check the teeth’ roots and surrounding bone. If there is an injury to the pulp, extensive tooth decay, or a risk of infection, a root canal treatment may be performed to prevent tooth loss.

Tooth Preparation

To receive dental crowns and bridges, the teeth must be prepared to accommodate the prosthetic caps. After numbing your teeth and their nearby gum tissue, your dentist will reshape the top and sides of the teeth that will receive crowns. This will allow the crowns to fit correctly over your teeth.

Mouth Impressions

A dental assistant taking a dental impression of a patient’s mouth

After preparing the teeth, an impression is taken of your entire mouth with a mold or digital scanner. At Definitive Dental, we only use digital scans because it gives us the most accurate model of your jaw and teeth. This ensures perfect fitting dental crowns and bridges, eliminating bite problems.

Temporary Crowns

The impressions are then sent to a lab to build your crowns or bridges. This process can take anywhere from 10 days to three weeks. In the meantime, you will get temporary crowns to cover the prepared teeth. Temporaries are necessary to avoid tooth shifting and calm hypersensitive teeth.

Permanent Replacements

When your permanent dental crowns and bridges are ready, you’ll return to the office to have them applied. After numbing your teeth, your dentist will remove the temporary crowns. The dentist will then examine the new bridge or crown’s color and fit. If everything is acceptable, the permanent crown/bridge is cemented to your teeth.

How to Care for Dental Crowns and Bridges

Getting artificial teeth doesn’t mean you can slack off on dental care. Practicing good dental hygiene helps you ward off oral diseases that destroy your gums and jawbone. Gum recession and bone loss can loosen crowns and bridges over time. Looking after your teeth is essential to make your crowns last longer.

After learning what dental crowns and bridges are, you should also know how to maintain them. Follow these oral care best practices to keep your natural and replacement teeth in tip-top shape:

Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
Floss once daily to clean between teeth
Use fluoride toothpaste and rinses
Clean underneath the bridge with floss threaders or interproximal brushes
Get routine dental checkups every six months

Protect and Restore Your Teeth With Definitive Dental

Whether due to aging or oral diseases, tooth loss is an inevitable fact of life. But this doesn’t mean you should learn to live with missing teeth. From destroying your confidence to depriving you of your favorite foods, missing teeth impairs your quality of life. Getting a tooth replacement not only enhances your smile but also helps you live life to the fullest.

If you want to get dental crowns and bridges in the Grand Prairie area, you won’t find a better place than Definitive Dental. Rated a Top 3 Cosmetic Dentist in Grand Prairie, we Take Your Smile to New Heights. Experience Dentistry Done Right with pain-free procedures and plenty of comfort amenities. Call or text us today at (972) 646-0660 to book an appointment.