Sedation dentistry offers stress-free dental treatment for people who experience severe dental phobia. With sedation, you can have your dental work done while you’re completely relaxed. If you’re interested in sedation, you might have some questions about how it works.

Is sedation the same as general anesthetic? No. When you have general anesthetic, you are completely unconscious while work is being done. Sedation does not render you unconscious. It only helps you feel very relaxed and calm. You will be awake and able to answer questions or follow the dentist’s instructions. Time seems to go more quickly, and many patients report a dream-like state. Because you are not completely unconscious, sedation carries much less risk than general anesthesia.

Will I need a ride home after sedation? This depends upon the type of sedation used. Oral sedation is accomplished with a pill, which you’ll take before your appointment. As it begins to take effect, you’ll want to have a ride to the dentist, and you’ll need a ride home as well, since it takes some time to leave your system. With nitrous oxide, you’ll breathe the gas during your appointment, but as soon as you stop, the sedative effect will wear off quickly, so you can drive yourself home. However, if you feel uncomfortable at all with driving, arrange a ride.

Is sedation good for oral surgery? Sedation is an excellent addition to oral surgery. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to eliminate any discomfort, but the addition of sedation will make you much more comfortable. It also helps the surgeon, since you’ll be very relaxed, making it easier for him to work.

Can I use sedation for regular dental work? In most cases, sedation is only used in addition to local anesthetic for restorations and oral surgery. However, if you have extreme dental phobia to the point where you have panic attacks in the dentist’s chair, or if you have a very sensitive gag reflex, sedation could be a great help.

Sedation dentistry is a helpful approach for many people. If you have any questions about how sedation works, be sure to ask our dentist! Call us today at Daniel M. Stewart, DDS, in Richardson, TX, for an appointment.

TMJ disorder is a generic term that refers to many of the problems associated with the temporomandibular joint. Our dentist serving Richardson can discuss the symptoms and remedies recommended for those who suffer from TMJ disorder.

The temporomandibular joint is located just above your jaw in front of your ear. There are two of these joints, one on each side, and they are designed to work together to allow us to chew, speak, yawn …. virtually anything that is related to tasks involving our mouth or jaw.

This joint is a very complex part of the body. It has many functions, and as such when there is discomfort, locating the exact source can be difficult. This joint is made up of muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, bones, connective tissue and teeth.

TMJ disorder involves inflammation, and can manifest itself in many ways.  Migraines, neck or shoulder discomfort, earache and even hearing loss can be attributed to TMJ disorder.  Chewing difficulties or a clicking sound when opening and closing the mouth should be examined by a dentist for the root cause.

One of the major causes of TMJ disorder has focused on the grinding and clenching of teeth. Most often this is an involuntary function done during sleep or unconsciously throughout the day. Many people grind their teeth at times due to anxiety, which is normal. But when grinding becomes more habitual, your dentist has several suggestions to help.

Perhaps on initial examination your dentist might recommend some of the simpler ideas you can try such as smaller bites of food when you chew, avoid biting your nails or chewing gum. But for longer term relief, many have found that employing the use of a night guard will help alleviate the grinding and teeth clenching often associated with TMJ disorder.

A night guard is also called an occlusal splint or a mouth guard. There are several different types so a discussion with your dentist will help determine what will work best for you.

In addition to a night guard, your dentist might also suggest checking your bite for any signs of a malocclusion which might alter the motion engaged while chewing. A bite adjustment might provide some relief to minor TMJ disorders.  Also your dentist might suggest acetaminophen to relieve inflammation, but this is generally a short term solution.

For more information about TMJ disorder and to schedule a consultation, please contact our team at Daniel M. Stewart, DDS, today!

If you have missing teeth, dental implants are the best choice for replacement if you are a good candidate. Implants require sufficient bone mass in the jaw before they are successful. They also require healthy gum tissue to support them. If you have severe gum disease, you might need treatment before you can have implants. This could include deep cleaning treatments or a gum graft.

Gums and Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most natural-looking option for tooth replacement. They are also permanent and stationary, because they are affixed to an artificial tooth root that is anchored in the jawbone. In order for this root to heal effectively, you must have enough bone in your jaw to support it. You will also need to have healthy gums, since gums also play a vital role in keeping the teeth stable.

Many people who have missing teeth also have gum disease, since gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss. Before you can have implant surgery, you should have your gums evaluated to ensure they are healthy. A periodontist can determine whether you require any treatment for your gums before your implants are placed.

Treatment for Gum Disease

The necessary treatment depends upon how bad your gums are. If the infection is severe and widespread, you’ll need more extensive treatment. Minor gum disease or gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gum tissue, requires must less invasive approaches. If you have been taking god care of your teeth over the years, you’re much less likely to have a problem with your gums when the time comes to have dental implants.

Our periodontist might recommend a course of antibiotics to eliminate infection in your gums before your implant procedure, or before any preliminary treatment for your gums. Treatment for gingivitis is relatively simple, but treatment for severe periodontitis can involve surgery. You might require planing and scaling, which is a deep cleaning treatment. In more severe cases, you might require a gum graft, which provides additional gum tissue to build up the foundation for your new implants.

Our friendly and caring team is ready to assist you in treatment that is just right for you, so contact our office today!

Dental implants are a high-quality and natural-looking alternative for tooth replacement. They have a root portion that is implanted directly into the jawbone, allowing them to function just like your natural teeth. The procedure for placing implants requires local anesthesia at a minimum and sometimes can require general anesthesia, depending upon how many teeth are being replaced.

Implant Surgery—How It Works

An implant procedure begins by placing an artificial root in the jawbone. This requires a surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the gums, and the implant is set into the bone. The implant itself is shaped much like a screw and is made of titanium or a titanium alloy. If you are only having one or two implants placed, your periodontist or implant dentist might recommend local anesthesia or a local combined with sedation, such as nitrous oxide. If you are having several teeth replaced—for example if you need to have all of your top teeth replaced—general anesthetic might be more appropriate to ensure you are comfortable during the surgery.

After the initial surgery, some time must pass to allow the jawbone to bond to the implant. This process, called osseointegration, ensures that the implants remain stationary and that they will help keep your jawbone healthy over time so it will not atrophy. Once this bonding process has completed, the prosthetic teeth are added to the implants.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered to be the most effective form of tooth replacement. They remain stationary in the mouth, so you can eat any foods you could prior to losing your teeth. This includes foods like apples and corn on the cob, which are difficult to eat with dentures. Implants also help stimulate jawbone growth, which dentures cannot do. This helps to maintain the shape of your face from changing over time. Atrophy of the jawbone is common among people who have lost their teeth and have had them replaced with dentures.

Our team of caring specialists are ready to answer any questions or concerns you have about implant surgery. Call us to schedule an appointment with us today!

When a tooth has been lost or extracted, many patients are primarily concerned with the effects on the smile’s appearance. More importantly, however, tooth loss can have a negative impact on a patient’s oral health.

Choosing dental implants in Dallas is the best way for patients to protect their oral health against the detrimental outcomes of tooth loss.

People lose their permanent teeth for various reasons. A traumatic injury can dislodge a tooth or damage it so severely that the tooth cannot be saved. The inflammation associated with advanced periodontal disease can also attack bone and connective tissue, resulting in lost teeth. Advanced decay can also lead to a tooth’s extraction.

Regardless of the cause, tooth loss has wide-reaching effects. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in the vicinity will eventually atrophy as well. This process can lead to further damage and the loss of additional teeth. An implant dentist can help to mitigate these issues.

Unlike alternatives like bridges and dentures, dental implants are the only tooth replacement method that mimics the entire structure of the tooth, including its root. The implant itself, a titanium screw, is able to integrate with the bone, essentially replicating the biological tooth’s root and preventing jawbone erosion.

Beyond its effects on the stability of the jawbone, tooth loss can influence other aspects of a patient’s well-being. A dental implant allows patients to maintain a normal diet. There’s no need to give up healthy foods like apples, baby carrots or celery sticks.

Although aesthetic concern is not the most important reason to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, having a beautiful full smile does boost the self-esteem. In this way, dental implants benefit patients’ mental health, too.

If you have already lost one tooth – or more – to gum disease or decay, take steps to protect your remaining teeth even if you choose a dental implant for tooth replacement. Be sure to brush your teeth twice each day and floss daily. Good oral hygiene can prevent further tooth loss.

Call our office to make your biannual cleaning appointment today, or to discuss your implant options!

In-office teeth whitening is a quick and easy way to dramatically lighten your stained or discolored teeth. It only takes an hour, and can brighten your teeth from five to ten shades. It’s perfect for removing surface stains caused by foods or beverages, and is quick enough and easy enough that you can have a treatment as preparation for a special event such as a wedding or a reunion.

How In-Office Whitening Works

As the name implies, in-office teeth whitening is performed in the dentist’s office rather than at home. This popular cosmetic dentistry treatment uses a more concentrated form of whitening agent than is available over the counter. Your dentist can also use special whitening treatments that are activated with a light, providing even more dramatic results.

To treat your teeth, your cosmetic dentist paints the bleaching agent on the tooth surfaces. If necessary, a light is used to activate the whitener. It’s left on your teeth for about twenty minutes, then removed so the process can be repeated two more times. After the treatment is complete, you’ll see a change in the color of your teeth right away. Over the next few days, this change will become more noticeable. Your teeth will continue to look whiter for several weeks.

What Kinds of Stains will In-Office Teeth Whitening Treat?

In-office teeth whitening is most effective on stains that affect the outer surfaces of the teeth. These are most often caused by exposure to everyday staining agents. Some of the most common culprits include:

• Tea
• Coffee
• Tobacco
• Fruit juices or wine

These leave behind stains that generally respond well to whitening. If the stains are particularly stubborn, a professional-strength take-home treatment might provide better results. Other types of stains that affect the deeper layers of the teeth are more difficult to treat and often require other approaches, such as porcelain veneers. You and your cosmetic dentist can work together to determine the best treatment for your particular issues.

Contact our office in Dallas, TX, to schedule your appointment and get to a whiter smile today!

Teeth whitening is a common and very safe procedure, but it is a good idea to avoid whitening if you are pregnant or nursing a baby. While you’re pregnant, it’s important to keep your growing child as safe as possible. While whitening agents probably are not harmful, insufficient research exists to confirm this.

Teeth Whitening During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, you want to look and feel your best. This means regular visits to the dentist to be sure your teeth and gums remain healthy. However, some formerly routine dental procedures should be avoided. One of these is X-rays, which can harm a developing fetus. Another is teeth whitening.

Whitening procedures, usually administered by a cosmetic dentist, use a bleaching agent that is placed on the teeth and left there for a specific amount of time. Results are often dramatic, and can be seen immediately. The ingredients in whitening agents that remove stains and discoloration are safe for an adult, but could be harmful to your baby if you are pregnant or nursing. Insufficient research has been done into the question, so it’s best overall to avoid this procedure while you’re pregnant.

General Dental Care during Pregnancy

Taking the best possible care of your teeth during your pregnancy is the best way to keep yourself looking and feeling your best. If you’re concerned about staining, try to avoid staining agents in your diet, and definitely avoid cigarette smoking, which not only stains your teeth but can seriously endanger your unborn child. Coffee and tea can also stain your teeth, and many doctors recommend avoiding these beverages during pregnancy as well, because of their caffeine content.

Your teeth and gums are more susceptible to cavities and gum disease during pregnancy because of the changes in hormone levels in your body. For this reason, it’s important to brush and floss regularly and to visit your dentist on a regular basis. Keeping your teeth clean and healthy and letting your dentist ensure your gums and teeth are in good shape can help alleviate any concerns about stains or other dental problems.

To keep your teeth and gums healthy before, during and after pregnancy, contact our experienced dental team at Joseph R. Loftus, DDS, in Dallas, TX.

Veneers are a popular choice for cosmetic work on the front teeth. In many cases, they are an excellent alternative to a crown, particularly if the tooth is not severely damaged or has not undergone a root canal. For situations where damage is minor, or where treatment is meant to correct severe discoloration, a veneer is a much better choice.

Veneers vs. Crowns—What is the Difference?

There is a big difference between veneers and dental crowns. The major contrast is between the procedures used to place the restorations. A crown requires significant restructuring of the tooth, while a veneer requires very little modification. A veneer also looks much more natural; because the thin porcelain reflects light much like your natural enamel. A crown, even a natural-colored crown, tends to be more opaque, and does not always look like natural enamel.

Because a veneer is so much less invasive, many cosmetic dentists recommend this treatment over a crown for a number of cosmetic applications. A consultation with your cosmetic dentist will help you decide which treatment is most appropriate for your needs.

Uses for Veneers and Crowns

Veneers are used for a number of different cosmetic dentistry applications. These include treating:

•    Cracked teeth
•    Pitted tooth surfaces
•    Severe or intrinsic staining
•    Small gaps between the teeth
•    Minor misalignment

Although crowns were once used regularly for similar treatments, they are more often reserved now for more serious issues such as:

•    Anchoring a bridge for tooth replacement
•    Repairing severely damaged teeth
•    Repairing cracked teeth that have already received fillings
•    Treating a tooth after a root canal procedure

Both these procedures require a two-step process. First, the tooth is restructured as necessary and molds are made of the teeth. The veneer or crown is then constructed at an off-site lab and temporary restorations protect the teeth during this period, which usually only takes a few days. At the second office visit, the permanent veneer or crown is placed.

Contact our office and find out which option is best for you and your smile.

Proper care and regular visits to your dentist are vital to maintain your oral health. In addition to monitoring the health of your teeth and gums, your dentist provides a regular screening for oral cancer—a quick and easy examination that could save your life.

Screening for Oral Cancer

Most of us know that your dentist provides important information about your oral health. A visual examination, X-rays, digital photos, and special tools can tell him if you have soft spots in your teeth that could become cavities, if there is inflammation or infection inside the tooth or in the surrounding bone, and if there is a problem with the gum tissue. However, dentists also provide another vital service in the form of an oral cancer screening.

This screening also involves a visual and physical examination, in which the dentist looks for any lesions, sores, or unusual bumps or growths on your gums, cheeks, tongue, or lips. These could indicate the presence of oral cancer. Oral cancer should be treated as soon as possible; like most cancers, the earlier it’s treated, the more likely you are to make a full recovery.

Oral Cancer Causes and Treatment

Though cancer can’t usually be said to have one particular cause, there are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood that you will develop cancer in the oral tissues. These include:

• A history of cancer
• Smoking
• Use of other tobacco products
• Excessive use of alcohol

Cancer often develops, however, without the presence of any known risk factors, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any unusual growths or lesions that could indicate a problem.

Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the type of cancer you have and how far it has progressed. A typical course of treatment involves surgery to remove the cancerous tissue followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation to destroy any remaining cancer. If you see a lesion, a reddened area, or a growth in your mouth, have it looked at right away. In many cases, these growths are benign, but if they are not, prompt treatment is the best course of action.

If you’re concerned about your health, contact us at Joseph R. Loftus, DDS, to quell any fears and get started on treatment.

Whether it’s self-consciousness about your smile or an inability to eat healthy foods, missing teeth can have a detrimental effect on your quality of life. Today, there are many options available for tooth replacement that will restore your confidence. From traditional dental implants to All-on-4, there’s a workable replacement option available for you.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces both the visible part of the tooth and the tooth root. This provides a complete functional tooth that will not only enable you to bite and chew normally, but will also help keep your jawbone healthy. In the long term, implants help maintain your health far better than dentures, bridges, or other tooth replacement options.

Some of the major advantages of dental implants include:

• Stimulate jawbone regeneration
• Remain stationary
• Allow you to eat anything, including apples and corn on the cob
• Are permanent—do not require periodic re-tooling

With implants, you’ll always have confidence in your smile and know that your teeth will stay in place even when you bite and chew.

What are All-on-4 Implants?

If you’ve worn dentures for a long period, or if you’ve had missing teeth, it’s likely that you won’t have sufficient bone mass to support the numerous implants required to replace each individual tooth. Some people simply lack sufficient bone mass due to the way their jawbone is structured. This is more common in the upper jaw, where the size of the sinus cavities affects the thickness of the bone that supports the teeth.

All-on-4 dental implants offer the advantages of implants to people without sufficient bone mass. This technique uses four implants to support a denture. Unlike standard dentures, a denture secured with implants remains stationary and will not shift or move when you eat. It can be removed for cleaning and to floss around the abutments of the implants. With proper care, this type of implant can provide you with a full, functional smile for many years to come.

Call our office to speak with a caring team member ready to answer any questions you may have.