How Can Extraction Be Avoided?

Particularly in younger patients, extraction can be avoided by making more room in the mouth. This allows permanent teeth to grow in straight and in the proper alignment. Making more room in the mouth can involve the use of a palate expander.

A palate expander is an expandable plate placed against the upper palate. It can be gradually made larger to open the space between the bones that form the roof of the mouth. In younger patients, these bones have not yet fused, so this gradual movement creates extra space in the mouth.

Extraction can also sometimes be avoided if the orthodontist decides to use other available alternate methods such as special braces that use a smaller amount of force to ease teeth into the proper position. Be sure to consult extensively with your orthodontist before deciding upon an approach that will require extraction.

When is Extraction Necessary?

The most common reason for teeth to be extracted in conjunction with orthodontics is because of crowding. If there is simply not enough room in the mouth for all your permanent teeth, extraction might be necessary so that the remaining teeth have room for proper alignment.

Extraction is more common among adults than in children. In adults, the jaw has completed its growth, and there is less chance of being able to expand the palate or the lower jaw to make additional room. However, even in adults, methods are available that can increase the amount of space in the mouth to avoid extraction.

To find out how orthodontics can help improve your smile, please call our Fort Worth office for a consultation.

Advantages of Invisalign?

Invisalign uses clear plastic aligner trays custom-made to move your teeth gradually into the proper position. Each tray is slightly different from the previous tray. The slightly different contours of the aligner trays move your teeth in the correct position over the course of your Invisalign treatment. You will wear each tray for about two weeks, then switch to the next tray in the sequence.

Advantages of Invisalign treatment over traditional wire braces include:

• Aligner trays are transparent, so they are virtually invisible
• Trays can be removed
• Trays are more comfortable than wires and bands

All these advantages make Invisalign popular among adults who wish to have orthodontic treatment without the self-consciousness and inconvenience associated with braces.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

The length of Invisalign treatment depends upon your goals for your treatment. When you initially consult with your orthodontist, he/she will give you an idea of how long your treatment will take and what the results will be when treatment is complete. On the average, Invisalign can take from twelve to eighteen months.

After Invisalign treatment is complete, you will probably need to wear a retainer to ensure that your teeth stay in their new position. This retainer might be a standard retainer, or it might be a plastic tray much like the trays used during treatment. Your orthodontist will recommend the best type of retainer for you to keep your teeth properly positioned and maintain your smile for years to come.

Any Invisalign treatment begins with a consultation with your orthodontist. To find out what Invisalign can do to perfect your smile, please contact our Fort Worth TX Cosmetic & Family Dentistry office at 817-918-4199 to speak to one of our experienced Invisalign dentists.

What Causes Congenitally Missing Teeth?

In some cases, congenitally missing teeth occur due to a systemic genetic disorder such as Down Syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Children born with a cleft palate can also have congenitally missing teeth. Other possible but uncommon causes of congenitally missing teeth include:

• Ectodermal dysplasia, which causes irregularities in the hair, skin and teeth
• Hay-Wells syndrome, a disorder whose symptoms include ectodermal dysplasia and cleft palate
• Progeria, a disorder that leads to rapid aging

More often, though, congenitally missing teeth are simply a family trait, and there is no other cause or symptom. Regardless of the reason for congenitally missing teeth, an implant dentist can help you decide if dental implants are a good fit for you or your child.

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants provide a complete replacement tooth that both looks and feels natural. Implants consist of a root portion that is placed directly into the jawbone, and a prosthetic tooth that replaces the biting and chewing surfaces of the tooth. Implants do not need to be removed—in fact they cannot be removed, and they function exactly like your natural teeth.

Because dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone, they do not move or slip as you eat, talk, or chew like dentures can. With dental implants, you can be confident that your smile will always look perfect. They also help maintain the health of your jawbone, preventing loss of bone in the jaw that can change the shape of your face as you grow older.

If you have congenitally missing teeth and would like to find out what implants can do for you, please call our experienced Fort Worth implant dentist to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Conditions Treated with Veneers

Veneers are an innovative and versatile cosmetic treatment. They are relatively easy to apply and are minimally invasive. In addition, they are durable, long-lasting, and are custom-made to match your natural enamel.

Veneers are used to treat a wide variety of cosmetic issues, including:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Pits on the surface of the teeth
• Severe staining
• Slight misalignment
• Small gaps

In the past, many of these issues were best treated with dental crowns or with traditional braces. However, veneers can now provide cosmetic treatment of these issues with minimal restructuring of the teeth. If misalignment or gaps are minor and do not interfere with overall alignment, veneers are an effective treatment to make your smile appear straighter and more attractive.

Placement of Veneers

Veneers are made of very thin porcelain that is bonded to the front surface of the teeth with a special bonding agent. They are typically placed on the teeth in a two-part process. First, the teeth are prepared for the veneers. A small layer of enamel is removed from the teeth to make room for the veneers. A mold is then made from which the veneers are manufactured. Your dentist then places temporary veneers to protect the surfaces of your teeth.

When the permanent veneers are completed, you will return to your cosmetic dentist to have the temporary veneers removed and replaced with the final, custom-made veneers. They are color-matched to your enamel so that they are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Veneers also reflect light much like natural enamel. After your new veneers are placed, you’ll have the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

To schedule a consultation with our dental team of Drs. Batton & Harlin, call 817-918-4199 today!

Everyday Denture Care

As with your teeth, the most important care you can provide for your dentures is everyday care. This includes:

• Daily brushing. Just like your natural teeth, dentures must be brushed every day. Use a brush specifically made for denture care. Other types of brushes could wear your dentures down or damage the surface of the denture.
• Rinsing after meals. Rinse your dentures after every meal to prevent staining and to remove food particles.
• Use a denture cleaner. For deeper cleaning, use a denture cleaner periodically. Your dentist can recommend an appropriate cleaning solution.
• Keep dentures moist. When you’re not wearing your dentures, it’s important not to let them dry out. Keep them submerged in a denture solution or in water. If your dentures include metal pieces, ask your dentist for a recommendation to keep from tarnishing the metal.

Diligent everyday care will keep your dentures clean, white, and free of food particles that can lead to bacterial growth in the mouth. Although dentures cannot decay, an excess of bacteria in the mouth can lead to other issues.

Periodic Adjustments and Other Care

Your dentures should remain stationary in your mouth, without causing discomfort. If your dentures don’t fit properly, the result could be sores in the mouth or irritation to the roof or the mouth or the gums. If you experience any discomfort, be sure to consult with your dentist immediately to have any necessary adjustments made.

If your dentures are broken, you should also see your dentist immediately so they can be repaired. In some cases, your dentures might have to be sent to an off-site lab for repairs.

To find out more about dentures and how to care for them, please contact our cosmetic and family dentistry office.

Reasons for Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics isn’t just about a straight smile. Long-term problems can result from improper alignment, including abnormal wear and tear, need to remove teeth, improper jaw growth, and issues such as temporomandibular joint disorder. In addition, earlier orthodontic care can prevent the need for braces later in life, or allow your older adolescent to wear braces for a shorter period of time.

The most common reasons for orthodontic treatment in younger children are crowding of teeth and teeth that are misaligned when they emerge. Rather than trying to correct the placement and alignment of teeth after they have emerged, many dentists now use interceptive orthodontics to make room for the teeth and ensure that they will emerge in proper alignment. Interceptive orthodontic treatments can be used before the teeth actually emerge.

Other uses of orthodontics address front teeth that protrude excessively and teeth that cannot emerge because they are blocked by deciduous teeth.

Common Orthodontic Treatments

In younger children, the jaw is still growing, so some treatments for early intervention involve widening the palate to make more room. This is accomplished with a palate expander. Because the jaw is still growing, this method helps create more room so that teeth do not need to be removed to prevent crowding.

Traditional braces can also be used to shift teeth that have already emerged, especially permanent teeth that have come in out of their proper alignment. Braces are also usually used later to complete treatment and ensure all teeth are properly aligned. With appropriate early orthodontic treatment, as well as additional treatment later, your child will have not only a beautiful smile, but will also have a healthy mouth and teeth.

For more information about orthodontic treatment for your child, please contact our Fort Worth dentistry office at 817-918-4199 to schedule a consultation.

Causes of Misalignment

The most common cause of misalignment is a lack of room in the mouth. If your mouth is too small to accommodate all of your teeth, your teeth will be crowded and will probably be crooked and misaligned.

Misalignment can also occur when baby teeth are removed before the permanent teeth naturally cause them to fall out. This disruption of the natural process can cause permanent teeth to emerge in the wrong place or at the wrong angle. This is one of many reasons why baby teeth should be well cared for.

If your teeth are crowded, they are likely to become even more so as they grow out and as other teeth emerge. Overall, the chances are very slim that waiting for teeth to grow out and shift naturally will help avoid the necessity of braces.

Treatment for Misalignment

The most common treatment for misaligned teeth, especially for adolescents, is traditional braces. The braces are affixed to the teeth and attached to each other with wires and rubber bands. The tension from the rubber bands moves the teeth gradually into the appropriate position. Braces can also be made of porcelain so they are less visible, or can be applied to the back of the teeth. Consult with your orthodontist to find out what the best option is for you.

Another possible treatment for misalignment is Invisalign. This orthodontic treatment uses clear plastic trays instead of traditional metal braces to shift the teeth into the right position. Invisalign is not used as frequently for adolescents because it is more suitable for smaller changes in alignment. Invisalign treatment also tends to take longer when used with adolescent patients.

To find out more about misalignment, how it can affect your overall dental health, and how to correct it, please contact our Family & Cosmetic Dentistry office at 817.918.4199.

If you have misaligned or slightly crooked teeth, you might have considered Invisalign to straighten your teeth and improve your smile. Our Invisalign dentists in Fort Worth TX can help you determine if Invisalign is a good option for you, and can help explain how it works and how to keep your teeth straight in the long term.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear plastic trays to shift your teeth into the correct position. These plastic trays are custom made to move your teeth a small amount with each new tray, gradually easing your teeth into proper alignment. By the time you reach the final alignment tray, your teeth will be straight and you will have a beautiful, perfect smile.

Invisalign treatment usually takes about a year, depending upon the severity of your misalignment. After treatment is complete, you will most likely have to wear a special retainer to keep your teeth from moving back into an inappropriate position. However, be sure to consult your Invisalign dentist about this issue, as treatments vary from person to person.

Maintaining Your Perfect Smile

After you have finished your Invisalign treatment, you will want to follow your dentist’s instructions to ensure your smile remains straight and perfect. How this is accomplished depends upon the recommendations of your dentist per your individual case. Typically, you will wear either a traditional retainer or a tray similar to those used during your treatment to keep your teeth from moving out of position.

In general, it is not necessary to wear your retainer every day. Usually, you will wear the retainer at night. Your dentist might recommend wearing it every night, or only a few days a week for the best results. If you do not follow your dentist’s recommendation, though, you might find your teeth moving back into their original positions, reversing the long-term effects of your Invisalign treatment.

For more information about Invisalign treatment and how to keep your smile straight, please contact our office for a consultation.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Many factors can lead to tooth discoloration. The most common of these is exposing your teeth to staining agents. Staining agents can include:

• Foods
• Beverages
• Nicotine

Coffee, tea and cigarettes are the most common causes of tooth discoloration. This type of staining affects only the surface of the tooth, discoloring the outer layers of the enamel. Fortunately, this means that it is also easy to treat.

Other causes of tooth discoloration can be more difficult to treat. These include certain drugs, particularly tetracycline, and excessive fluoride. Exposure to these substances during the development of the teeth leads to intrinsic staining—that is, staining that is a part of the internal structure of the tooth. Because intrinsic staining affects more than just the surface layers of the enamel, it is more difficult to treat than extrinsic staining.

Treatment Options for Discolored Teeth

Depending upon the type of staining that affects your teeth, your cosmetic dentist might recommend different types of treatment. Treatment options for discolored teeth include:

• Surface treatment
• Deep cleaning treatments
• Dental veneers

Surface treatment is very effective at removing staining from the outer surfaces of the teeth. Treatment involves painting a bleaching agent on the teeth, then leaving it for a period of time. A typical in-office treatment involves two or three applications of the bleaching agent and lasts about an hour.

Deep cleaning treatments are also applied to the tooth surfaces, but are specially formulated to reach deep into the teeth. These treatments are relatively new, and have proven effective for some types of intrinsic staining. Intrinsic staining that does not respond to surface treatment or deep cleaning treatments are usually best treated with dental veneers.

To find out how your discolored teeth can be restored to their natural color, please contact our Cosmetic & Family Dentistry practice at 817.918.4199 for a consultation or appointment.

The main goal in dentistry is to conserve and restore missing or damaged teeth. With that in mind, getting dental implants has become the treatment of choice that most dentists prefer. Instead of reducing vital enamel from teeth that are in good condition, a titanium post is gently placed into your alveolar bone to anchor the pontic. Since titanium has the best osseointegration properties, the chance of rejection is little to none.

Your dentist will need to make sure that your alveolar bone is dense enough for the treatment. When you are found to be a good candidate for dental implants, the procedure can be speedily performed in the clinic. A small slit is made on your gums to give the post a point of entry. Local anesthetic will be given beforehand to make the area numb. When the procedure is done, you will feel only a slight discomfort.

The beauty of the dental implant procedure is that it does not damage sound enamel and dentin. You can also enjoy eating the food you love without the fear of your appliance falling off. The pontics used are sturdy and can withstand almost the same biting or masticatory forces as your natural teeth.

Dental implants are not like your usual prosthodontic appliance that requires adjustments every few years. The titanium post is durable, with proper care and regular visits to your dentist, it will last for a lifetime. Just like natural teeth, you can floss the area around it to prevent plaque build-up. With fixed bridges, you would not be able to do so.

The placement of dental implants must be performed by a licensed practitioner with experience in this field of dentistry. Invest in a boost of self-confidence by asking our experienced dentistry team more about this innovative treatment today.