What Can You do to Get a Better Smile?

If you’ve been unhappy with your smile, whether due to yellowing, crooked or misaligned teeth, it’s time to take action. You may have tried all those whitening toothpastes to no avail or covered up your smile in photographs, but you don’t have to hide any longer. Take these steps, in partnership with your dentist, to get a brilliant smile you can finally be proud of.

Stained Teeth

Yellowed teeth can result from a variety of sources, such as coffee, tea, wine, and smoking. These things tend to leave a film of brown or yellow discoloration on your teeth, but that layer can be removed with professional teeth whitening. This safe, quick and affordable technique can be done in the office via a special bleaching agent that is poured into trays that fit your mouth uniquely. Wear the trays just a few hours per day to get those stains out of your enamel without damaging the tooth structure or existing dental work. You may have tried all the toothpastes and over-the-counter strips in the past, but these products simply aren’t strong enough to deliver on quality, long-lasting results.

Veneers

Sometimes, the tooth discoloration is so severe, bleaching isn’t a suitable option. Instead, you may need crowns or veneers. Porcelain veneers are custom-crafted sheets of porcelain that are bonded onto the front surface of each tooth for a natural-looking result. Porcelain is naturally plaque-resistant, so you can ensure a bright, beautiful smile for years with no extra maintenance. Lumineers are another option, representing a specific brand of dental veneer manufactured by the DenMat company. These dental veneers are thinner than other types and are applied over the existing teeth for an identical match to real tooth enamel.

Dentures

As an older adult, you may be starting to lose your natural teeth due to age or decay. This can be embarrassing, to be sure, but it can also be dangerous because bacteria can set in when the teeth are dead or missing. Restoring your former brilliant smile is as easy as getting full or partial dentures. These devices are fitted to your mouth for a custom fit that will feel just as natural as your old teeth.

Preventive Dentistry

Of course, a healthy smile begins with preventive dentistry. This includes regular cleanings at the dentist every six months, as well as dedicated brushing and flossing at least twice a day at home. Brushing removes plaque and prevents cavities, while flossing can keep gum disease at bay. Sealants are another way to keep bacteria and food particles from entering the craggy surfaces of the back teeth. Those tiny pits and depressions are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria, which is why kids and teens can benefit from dental sealants. Approaching oral health care seriously can even prevent stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Total oral care is the key to stopping problems before they crop up, and keeping that smile you love to show off.

Contact Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry, Dentist in Dallas, TX

We are happy to be your partner in ensuring a healthy oral care regimen. Contact us today at 972-441-7313 to schedule an appointment to preserve your smile. Based in Dallas, TX, we specialize in full-service dental offerings, from children’s dentistry and extractions to root canal therapy and cosmetic dentistry.

What is a Dental Implant Procedure Like?

Dental implant surgery usually entails several small procedures performed on an outpatient basis, with the whole process taking anywhere between three and nine months, says Mayo Clinic. People most likely need a dental implant if their existing tooth has sustained trauma or decay and is no longer viable. If not removed, the tooth could turn brown and fall out on its own, leading to even more oral health care problems. First off, let’s go over what a dental implant is:

Basics of Dental Implants?

They are basically replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth custom made to fit you. There are many advantages to dental implants, according to WebMD. Dental implants can:

• Improve your appearance so you have a nice, healthy, even smile
• Improve your speech; with dentures that don’t fit well, you can experience slurring when you try to speak
• Improve your comfort level
• Easier eating because they act as your own teeth with no dentures to remove or chew around
• Improved self-confidence
• Better oral health; unlike dentures, individual implants allow you to gain access in between teeth for more thorough brushing and flossing
• implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain
• Increased durability
• Improved convenience, as you don’t have to worry about removing dentures to eat and sleep

Dental Implants: What to Expect

The first step is to go in for a consultation with your dentist. He or she will give you a thorough oral exam and talk with you about your options. You’ll learn how many visits it will take to achieve the desired result, how long each visit will be, how much it will cost and what portions are covered by your insurance. In general, here’s what to expect:

• The damaged tooth is removed.
• The jawbone is prepped for surgery; you may need bone grafting if it is too soft or thin. This occurs when a piece of bone is taken from another part of your jaw or even your hip and transplanted to your jaw. This can take many months to properly take. Once your dentist feels the bone can support an implant, he or she will proceed with the surgery.
• After the jawbone heals, the dentist will insert the dental implant metal post in the jawbone. This entails making an incision in the gum to expose the bone, where holes are drilled for the post. A gap will be present where your tooth once was, but a temporary denture will be placed there in the mean time for appearance sake.
• The healing period may last up to six months. This is when osseointegration occurs, which is when the jawbone unifies with the dental implant surface.
• Your dentist inserts the abutment, which is an extension of the implant metal post around which the gum tissue will be encouraged to grow. This is what the crown will attach to.
• A crown (basically an artificial tooth) is placed after a couple of weeks of additional healing time.
• You will get to choose between a removable implant prosthesis and a fixed implant prosthesis.

After dental implant surgery, you can expect some swelling of your gums and even face, possibly some bruising as well. Minor pain and discomfort at the sight may be present as well, with some minor bleeding.

Contact Metroplex Dentistry

To schedule your consultation with Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry, contact us at (972) 734-1772. Rely on Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry for all your implant and family dentistry needs.

Creating the Perfect Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’ve been longing for that perfect smile but haven been hiding your teeth for many years, now’s the time to take action. Cosmetic dentistry can give you the confidence you need to put your best face forward every day. Here at Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry, we offer the following cosmetic dentistry procedures to help you achieve that level of confidence you’ve always wanted:

• Teeth whitening
• Dental bonding
• Dental veneers

The Importance of Your Smile

There are many benefits to cosmetic dentistry, with the end result being a boost in your oral health, overall appearance self-esteem and self-confidence. According to research from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 57% of people say a smile from a stranger makes them want to smile in return, and 41% say a smile from a stranger gives their mood a boost. Here are some more interesting stats:

• Smiling can add seven years to your life
• 88% of people say smiling makes them feel good
• 92% of people know that a smile can brighten someone’s day
• A killer smile makes people feel and look good
• Smiling can boost the immune system for better health

Teeth Whitening

You may have noticed your teeth have been getting yellow for some time now. Perhaps you drink a lot of coffee, tea and wine, or maybe you smoke. Maybe it’s happening just as you age. When you think about what we eat and drink on a daily basis, it’s no wonder our teeth enamel takes a toll, resulting in discoloration. You may even have tried those over-the-counter teeth whitening remedies but they never seem to work. If you have dull or stained teeth, there’s no need to hide your smile anymore. Teeth whitening done by a professional within a clinical setting is done right the first time, using professional-grade whitener treatments that can give you a sparkling smile every time.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding can be achieved in just one visit and it’s a relatively quick one. Bonding is the solution to chipped or broken teeth, utilizing a tooth-colored composite resin with no numbing agent required. This is a semi-permanent filling for your teeth that not only repairs those chips and breaks, but also covers exposed roots and cavities. Once the bonding is complete, the result is a flawless tooth that looks just like the original. The material is so strong, it lasts for many years.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin shells crafted from plastic or porcelain that fit over your existing tooth. Your dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth, and then use that impression to make a customized set of veneers just for you. Veneers can transform your entire smile if you have broken or chipped teeth, gaps between your teeth, or permanently discolored teeth. Veneers typically have a longer life span than dental bonding and don’t cost as much as dental crowns. You’ll likely have to visit the dentist twice to get this procedure done, as porcelain veneers need to be crafted in a dental lab.

Contact Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry in Dallas, TX

For full-service dental services in Dallas, TX, please contact us today at 972-734-1772. Our dentists are Dr. Radhika Wadhwa and Dr. Vikram Gandhi, supported by a caring, friendly, knowledgeable staff. Call Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry to schedule your consultation with our caring and compassionate team of dental professionals.

What is Root Canal Therapy and Does it Hurt?

You may have heard the dreaded words from your dentist: you need a root canal, and you’re understandably a little worried. However, with gentle techniques, state of the art equipment and some pain management, you won’t feel any pain besides possibly a little pressure — nothing you can’t deal with! Root canal therapy is a simple treatment that is designed to save your natural teeth and prevent the need for an implant or dental bridge. The bottom line is, with Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry, you will feel welcome and comfortable throughout the procedure.

All About Root Canals

Root canal treatment, also referred to as endodontics, addresses problems affecting the soft pulp, or nerve tissue, inside the tooth. Although root canals seem to suffer from a bad reputation, they’re designed to get rid of tooth pain and are no more unpleasant than undergoing a filling for a cavity. In fact, the only pain you will feel throughout the process is the pain from the nerve endings in the damaged tooth. You will need a root canal if the pulp tissue of the tooth has become infected or inflamed. As part of this procedure, your dentist will remove the nerve and pulp, clean out the inside of the tooth and then seal it, according to WebMD.

You’ll know you need root canal therapy when you experience a constant pressure or pain in a specific tooth either all the time, or especially when you bite into something hard, cold or hot. That pain originates from pulp tissue that has become infected or damaged, and those blood vessels, connective tissue and nerve cells within the pulp are extremely sensitive. You may not realize you need a root canal at first because sometimes the pain comes and then goes. Ignoring that pain, though, doesn’t mean it’s gone away. Something is festering underneath it all and the issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

If you don’t seek treatment immediately, the infection could cause your tooth to fall out or you’ll experience a brown or yellow tinge to the tooth, which means it’s dead. In worst case scenarios, that untreated infection can spread to other systems in your body and cause serious illness. Benefits to Root Canals

If you take steps to have a root canal performed on your natural tooth, this will ensure you don’t need to remove it later on; rather, you can undergo restoration. You can also prevent the tendency for the following:

• Shifting, also known as tooth migration
• Bridgework
• Dental implants
• Loss of bone structure

You may be wondering what exactly causes the need for root canal therapy. Well, there are several instances that can happen, including:

• Deep tooth decay
• Trauma (sports injuries, car accidents, blows to the face)
• Extensive dental work on the same tooth

Here at Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry, Dr. Wadhwa understands the fear you may be feeling when faced with this type of dental treatment. We offer sedation therapy as well as local anesthetics and nitrous oxide to make your root canal a comfortable and pain-free experience.

Contact Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry in Dallas

If you suspect you need a root canal to remedy the constant pain in your tooth, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 972-441-7313. We are conveniently located at Sigma Road, Suite 100, in Dallas, TX, with plenty of appointments to choose from. We accept most major insurance plans plus we offer affordable financing.

The Feds Say: No More Flossing?

You may have been surprised to catch the news last week from the federal government saying — gasp! — we’ve all been wasting our time all these years flossing. It’s been a mantra since childhood, one that we pass on to our children as well: brush and floss every day. Well, if you believe the federal government, they say there’s no conclusive proof that flossing works — even though the feds, along with dental organizations and floss manufacturers, have been touting this practice since 1979.

This year, though, the flossing recommendation that’s always been a part of the federal government’s annual dietary guidelines was conspicuously missing. They were challenged to show proof that flossing is indeed effective in overall oral hygiene, they did the research, and they couldn’t prove anything via scientific evidence. The studies in question were comprised of about 25 studies over the past 10 years, with results finding “weak” and “unreliable” evidence for flossing, specifically in the area of plaque removal. Although one study found that flossing resulted in a slight reduction in gum inflammation, it wasn’t enough to keep the flossing recommendation in this year’s guidelines.

This has shocked the general public in the sense that most of us have grown up with the direction to “floss or else.” Now, researchers are saying it’s OK to ditch the floss? What’s next — no more brushing? Well, not exactly. The feds aren’t saying no one should floss anymore. They simply took out the recommendation from their guidelines and chose to focus on nutrition instead.

The Other Side of the Story

All that being said, the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology still stand behind the need for flossing every day. They fought back with their own studies that show flossing prevents buildup of plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay. The leader of the American Academy of Periodontology says not flossing is like not painting two sides of a house. Over time, those two sides will rot away more quickly than the others, according to quotes cited in the AP.

This same leader said the impact of flossing may be stronger if the researchers had focused on those who have the highest risk of gum disease: smokers and diabetics. In short, these two groups still tout the efficacy of flossing in an effort to lessen the risk of gum disease on all patients. Bottom line is the ADA and other groups maintain that flossing is an important oral hygiene practice, as tooth decay and gum disease can develop when plaque builds up on teeth and along the gum line. You should still engage in professional cleaning, tooth brushing, and flossing to get rid of this harmful plaque.This is especially important when it comes to children’s dentistry.

Some Reminders on Flossing

Your dentist can advise you on oral hygiene practices because he or she knows your oral health status and health history. Work with your dentist to come up with a schedule for flossing and brushing that works for you and your specific oral health needs. Here are a few reminders about how to floss for the best results:

• Floss at least once a day, after brushing
• Use about 18 inches of floss
• Wind it around each middle finger
• Hold it between your thumbs and forefingers
• Gently rub the floss between teeth
• Curve the floss into a C shape when you hit the gum line

Contact Metroplex Implants and Family Dentistry

As your dental specialists in Dallas, we encourage you to keep up with your regular brushing and flossing routine. To learn more about why, contact us at 972-734-1772.

Preserve the Natural, Healthy Roots of Your Teeth with Crowns

A beautiful smile begins with great teeth. Here at Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry, we specialize in making great smiles. Sometimes even the best regular oral care routine isn’t enough. Sometimes you need dental crowns to help repair teeth that have been broken or damaged. Crowns are the best way to preserve the healthy roots of your tooth with a natural look that is durable, with the ability to function just like your original tooth did. In some cases, we may also use crowns to help support dental bridges or to restore dental implants.

Dental Crowns: The Ins and Outs

In the past, metal crowns were the material of choice. However, they are not aesthetically pleasing and can be quite noticeable. Instead, we use ceramic crowns made from synthetic resins or porcelain that blend in more seamlessly with the natural color of your teeth. Your crown is carefully crafted by our skilled in-house lab technicians, designed just for your needs.
Getting a dental crown involves two steps. First, we remove the damaged portion of the tooth and prepare it so that the crown can fit correctly. Our team will then make an impression to ensure the crown will make a perfect match. You will wear this temporary crown for about two weeks while the custom crown is being crafted. The second step involves taking off the temporary crown and securing the permanent crown with dental cement. We know crowns can be a major expense for our patients, which is why we offer several convenient financing options for you.

We Specialize in Positive Experiences

Throughout the entire process, we do all we can to make sure you are comfortable and relaxed. We know full well that many people have a deep-rooted fear of the dentist, but you will get a positive experience when you visit Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry. Got a deep phobia of dental care? Talk to us about sedation dentistry to make your experience even more comfortable.

Good Oral Care Starts Here

One thing you will appreciate about our office is our wide variety of services. From crowns and pediatric dentistry to regular cleanings and digital x-rays, you can get all of your dental needs met here at Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry. Our mission is to encourage optimal oral health in both kids and adults. The American Academy of Pediatrics urges children in particular to visit every six months for regular cleanings and to prevent the emergence of cavities.
In addition to crowns, we also offer:

• Children’s dentistry
• Sealants
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Digital X-rays
• Root canal treatments
• Bridges
• Veneers and laminates
• Inlays and onlays
• Dental implant placements
• Gum therapy (periodontal therapy)
• TMJ treatments
• Oral cancer diagnosis
• Sedation dentistry
• Emergency treatment

Our Team at Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry

Rest assured our dentists have your best interests in mind. Dr. Radhika Wadhwa, a native-born Texan who has her Bachelors in Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Austin, got her Doctor of Dental surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in 2011. Her husband is Dr. Vikram Gandhi, who graduated cum laude from Texas A & M University System Baylor College of Dentistry. We also have a strong team of hygienists, receptionists and other professionals that shape your positive experience here with us.

Contact Us

To learn more about our services, particularly crowns and how they can help restore your brilliant smile, contact us today at 972-362-9827. We have many slots available to accommodate your busy schedule.

Full-Service Dentist Serving Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Farmers Branch and More

At Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry, we have the skills and experience to help all of our patients – both young and old – to feel at ease. When it comes to general dental procedures, people typically think of cleanings, fillings, and dental X-rays. We offer all of those, and more. At our practice we place a great deal of emphasis on preventive dental care, because when it comes to your health, an ounce of prevention is always worth much more than a pound of cure.
That is why we strongly recommend the use of sealants for children and also adults. Sealants cost half the price of conventional dental fillings, and they actually prevent cavities from forming, rather than just repairing damage once it is done. We offer many general dental procedures, including the following:

• Sealants
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Digital X-rays
• Root canal treatments
• Crowns and bridges
• Veneers and laminates
• Inlays and onlays
• Dental implant placements
• Gum therapy (periodontal therapy)
• TMJ treatments
• Oral cancer diagnosis

If you are worried that any of these procedures could be uncomfortable or painful, let us put you at ease. We endeavor to make every dental visit to our office as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We want to eliminate any anxiety you might have about coming to our practice for dental care. One way we do that is to offer nitrous oxide to our patients for a painless, needle-free procedure.
Some patients also have concerns about the materials used for filling cavities. You need not worry about that when you choose Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry in Dallas. We utilize the latest filling materials that don’t necessitate the use of mercury or other metals. Our filling materials will match the color of your teeth, restoring the beautiful smile you want.

Contact Metroplex Implants & Family Dentistry in Dallas, TX

Contact us today at 972-992-1577. We accept most major insurance plans (see accepted plans here) and we have a variety of convenient time slots for you to choose from. We serve Addison, Carrollton, Dallas, Farmers Branch and more.