Author: CdA-AdmiN

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the sliding joint that joins the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. Although it’s just a small part, it plays a huge role in multiple functions such as chewing, breathing, swallowing, sucking, facial expressions, and others. When you have a damaged TMJ, the tiniest mouth movements can result in severe pain, thus affecting your appetite, sleep, and performance at work. We, therefore, recommend seeing a TMJ specialist in Houston soon as you start experiencing TMJ-related symptoms.

What Is Tmj?

TMJ syndrome, also referred to as temporomandibular disorder (TMD), is a condition that affects the TMJ and jaw muscles. Patients who suffer from TMJ tend to experience severe pain in their facial regions, which worsens when moving their jaws, for example, when talking and chewing. TMJ disorders can be grouped into three categories:

Internal Derangement of Tmj: It happens when the patient has a dislocated jaw, disc, or injury on the round edge of the jawbone that connects with the temporal bone called the condyle

Myofascial Pain: Associated with tenderness or pain in muscles in charge of controlling neck, jaw, and shoulder movement

Degenerative Joint Disorders: An inflammatory joint disorder related to TMJ that causes conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis

Causes of TMJ?

The cause of TMJ disorders is challenging to determine since it can result from many factors. Below are some of the main causes of TMJ:

• Trauma to the neck, jaw, head, or temporomandibular joint
• Arthritis in the joint
• Ear and TMJ infections
• Chronic stress that causes you to tighten your jaw muscles frequently
• Autoimmune diseases
• Dental surgeries that require the insertion of a breathing tube

Some other causes may be related to genetics, hormones, and the environment. You may still get TMJ without experiencing the listed causes, as researchers are still trying to determine other causes. There were misconceptions that the disorder could be related to orthodontic braces and bad bites, but that was proved untrue. Since we don’t know all the causes of TMJ, we recommend paying more attention to symptoms related to TMJ.

What Are the Symptoms of Tmj Disorders?

There are numerous symptoms related to TMJ, the most common being jaw pain. Below are symptoms associated with TMJ:

Pain

This remains to be the most common TMJ-related symptom. Patients with TMJ tend to experience pain in their jaw, face, neck, and shoulders that spreads to the ear when chewing, speaking, or yawning. Tmj pain can also cause migraines and make it hard for people with the condition to concentrate or sleep.

Sound

The unusual clicking and popping sound you get when eating, talking, and yawning might be an early sign of TMJ. Although some jaw sounds are not caused by TMJ, people who experience such sounds with headaches and jaw pains are more likely to suffer from TMJ disorders. Numbing and buzzing sounds in the ears, coupled with earaches, may also indicate TMJ.

Movement

Being unable to fully open or close your jaws due to limited movements may be related to TMJ. So if you’ve been experiencing limited mouth movements, it would be best to see a dentist in Houston, TX, for diagnosis and treatment.

Do Tmj Disorders Go Away?

Yes, you can naturally heal from TMJ disorders. However, the best thing to do if your TMJ symptoms persist for weeks is to go for TMJ treatment. TMJ treatment can help relieve pain, headaches, and other problems related to TMJ disorders. Here are ways to treat TMJ:

Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care

Some people heal from TMJ without seeking professional treatment by practicing self-care and making necessary lifestyle changes. So if you have TMJ, try to reduce jaw movements by not chewing gum or solid food and clenching your jaws when stressed or bored. Practicing some gentle jaw exercises, such as slightly stretching the jaw, may also help reduce symptoms of TMJ. Once you are done, apply ice on the side of the jaw through the cheeks and rest regularly.

Treating Existing Conditions

This involves treating pre-existing conditions that may have caused TMJ. For example, we may fit patients with bruxism with mouth guards to reduce TMJ symptoms. On the other hand, if your TMJ was caused by degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, we may recommend steroid injections to treat the TMJ symptoms.

Surgery

Surgery may be the only viable option for patients with severe cases of TMJ. A TMJ disorder can result from damage to the joint or surrounding muscles. If your dentist finds other treatment options ineffective, they will recommend surgery to fix your TMJ problems. However, that rarely happens since severe cases of TMJ are quite scarce.

Conclusion

Living with a TMJ disorder is very painful and uncomfortable. Patients usually find it challenging to eat, chew, sleep or work due to severe pain. Even though many TMJ cases heal naturally without professional treatment, it may not work for everyone. Some patients can experience severe TMJ that can only be cured professionally. So, if you have been experiencing TMJ symptoms for weeks without signs of recovery, visit Cabrera Dental Associates for the best TMJ specialist in Houston. We have undergone years of training to master the skills to treat the most severe cases of TMJ.

Having misaligned or crooked teeth is debilitating to your smile and facial aesthetics. However, there are several cosmetic options that your dentist may recommend. Clear Braces in Houston are reliable and remarkable orthodontic appliances that can restore your appealing smile. If you’ve been wondering whether you are an ideal candidate for clear braces, this article explores more on clear braces.

What Are Clear Braces?

Clear braces are removable invisible appliances custom-made to align your crooked teeth optimally. Our dentist in south Houston may recommend you use each set of braces for two weeks. After that, you need to visit your specialist to determine if there’s a considerable change in the teeth alignment. It’s also crucial to wear clear braces for 22 hours daily to find optimal results. Upon successful treatment, your dentist will provide you with removable retainers to consolidate treatment and hold the teeth in the desired positions.

Types of Clear Braces

There are several types of braces, and some include:

Ceramic Braces– just like standard braces, ceramic braces use brackets affixed to wires for aligning your teeth. This type of brace is smaller than metallic brackets and isn’t easily noticed. However, the braces are easy to remove after your alignment is complete and utilize a gentler bonding agent, unlike conventional braces.

Clear Aligners or Invisalign– they are invisible plastic orthodontic appliances that are effective in gradually shifting teeth to their desired positions. The aligners are custom-made using a digital scan or from dental impressions taken using X-rays. Your orthodontist may recommend Invisalign treatment since the prosthetics are removable during meals and cleaning. Additionally, they are easy to clean and ensure proper oral hygiene.

Lingual Braces– these braces perform a similar role as clear braces but work like conventional ones. They involve metal brackets and wires situated on the inside of your teeth, unlike traditional braces installed on the outside. They are not easily seen, but it isn’t easy to clean them.

Advantages of Clear Braces

If you are considering having clear braces in Houston, you’ll benefit from various reasons, and below are some of the associated benefits:

• They are invisible- the teeth alignment option is discreet since the braces aren’t noticeable. Since the braces are not seen, it becomes one of the suitable treatment options for you. In addition, clear braces can serve you better if you work in an environment where you interact with many people.
• Clear braces are durable and robust- our dentist in south Houston may recommend you to have clear braces based o their durability and robustness. In addition, the material is not likely easily chipped or damaged. However, you need to follow all the aftercare tips provided by your specialist to enhance their longevity.
• Less irritation of your soft oral tissues- wearing braces can lead to irritation and friction as the wires touch the gum tissues. However, unlike the wires used in metallic braces, with clear braces, the irritation is minimal.
• They cause no harm while being removed- unlike metal braces that can easily harm your tooth enamel while being removed, and you need to use clear braces. With clear braces, one can’t damage the tooth enamel since they adhere to your teeth with a bonding agent.
• Your confident smile is restored- clear braces primarily revamp your smile by aligning your crooked or misaligned teeth. Clear braces are invisible, and it’s hard for one to notice during your treatment. You’ll feel confident with clear braces since they restore your dental aesthetics and align your smile.

Our dentist in South Houston may recommend clear braces over other teeth alignment options based on the above and more benefits.

What Makes You an Ideal Candidate for Clear Braces?

Before having clear braces at Cabrera Dental Associates, we perform a thorough orthodontic examination to determine whether clear braces suit you. If so, we choose the right treatment option for you. The treatment option is compatible with everyone, but our experts enact other treatment options if your personalized needs aren’t in line with clear braces. We provide personalized treatment to ensure all your personal dental needs are addressed. Clear aligners are a better alternative than metallic braces based on their benefits. If you are considering teeth alignment, schedule an appointment with our specialists today and restore your appealing dental outlook.

An attractive and healthy smile begins with your white pearly whites, but it needs a harmonious relationship between your gums, lips, and teeth. If you want to build confidence through a more beautiful smile, you might think of a cosmetic procedure like gum contouring. Learn more about gum contouring, also called gingival sculpting or gingivoplasty, to know if the procedure is right for you.

What is Gum Contouring?

Your dentist performs gum contouring to resculpt and reshape your gum line. This procedure involves cutting away or removing excess gum tissues around the teeth. In case of gum recession, gum contouring helps restore gum tissue.

Gum reshaping procedure is often elective, meaning it isn’t medically necessary. However, it’s commonly done to improve the look of the teeth, smile, and gums. But sometimes, your dentist recommends gum recontouring for oral health reasons.

When is Gum Contouring Medically Necessary?

Although gum contouring is sometimes a medical necessity, it’s mostly done for cosmetic purposes. For example, gum contouring can be a treatment option if you’re suffering from periodontal disease. But your dentist in South Houston will try first to treat the gum disease with nonsurgical options. This might include antibiotics to kill the bacteria and infection or dental cleanings to help restore gum health.

If these options don’t work, your dentist recommends a treatment such as pocket reduction surgery on your gums to save your tooth. Or they recommend a regeneration procedure to regrow damaged bone and gum tissue.

Gum contouring may be part of these procedures. Dental insurance might cover the cost or part if it’s not a medical necessity. You’ll need to speak to a dentist near you to find out what’s covered.

What Does Gum Contouring Involve?

A periodontist or cosmetic dentist normally performs gum contouring in Houston. It’s an in-office process that’s done in one dental visit. In most cases, one remains awake during the procedure. Before your dental professional starts, they’ll administer you local anesthesia to help numb the gum area.

During the contouring procedure, your dentist will use a scalpel or a soft tissue laser to eliminate excess gum tissue and expose more teeth by resculpting the gum line. Sutures might be used to hold the gum tissue in place.

If your gums recede, the contouring process will involve adding gum tissue. First, your dentist removes tissue from another part of the mouth, like the palate. Then, surgery secures the tissue around your teeth to help lengthen and restructure your gum line.

The length of the contouring procedure varies depending on the extent of the gum contouring and the amount of resculpting required. Usually, the gum reshaping procedure takes about one to two hours.

Does Gum Contouring Hurt?

During gum contouring near you, you’ll be provided with local anesthesia before the process starts. This numbs your gums so you won’t feel pain while the dentist works on the mouth. But you’ll expect some numbness and tenderness afterward.

The discomfort depends on how much of your gums must be removed or reshaped. After the procedure, your dentist will prescribe a pain reliever, or you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. However, since aspirin may cause bleeding, your dentist may discourage this medication.

You can also minimize swelling by applying a cold press or an ice pack to your mouth for a few days after the process. After that, it’s best to use the compress for 15-20 minutes.

How Long is Gum Contouring Recovery?

The gum contouring procedure takes about two hours, but complete healing might take days or weeks, depending on the extent of the treatment. You will have to limit some activities for two days based on how you feel and any tenderness you may have.

Since the mouth and gums are likely to feel tender or sensitive at first, you’ll have to eat soft foods for 2-3 days after the surgery. These foods include yogurt, soup, and applesauce. Your dentist will give you post-surgery dietary instructions.

You’ll have a follow-up appointment a few days or weeks after the surgery. Your dentist in Cabrera Dental Associates will check your gums to evaluate how you’re healing and look for signs of an infection. The dentist may also prescribe an antibiotic mouth rinse to reduce the disease risk.

Nothing feels and looks amazing like healthy and robust natural teeth. Regular cleaning of your teeth, along with six-month check-ups from our dentist in South Houston, can help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.

However, your teeth may have an infection or disease and need additional care. When possible, you should always gravitate towards options that save your teeth, such as root canal treatment in Houston.

Tooth infections result in pus accumulation and toothaches. If you don’t get treatment, the infection could affect the gums and jawbone and eventually spread to the rest of your body.

That’s why we recommend that our dentist treat a tooth infection to clear the infection. However, you can use some home remedies that could help you relieve the pain and discomfort caused by the infection.

You could try out the following remedies:

• Baking Soda

Baking soda is another effective, safe, and inexpensive way to reduce bacteria and relieve pain in your gums and mouth. It is something that you could easily get and store in your pantry.

So, if you have baking soda, you can try making a paste of equal parts water and baking soda, then apply the paste to your gums. The method is quite effective when you have an abscess on your gums and the side of your tooth.

If the infection is on top or inside of your tooth, then combine a half tablespoon of baking soda, a pinch of salt, and half a cup. You can swish the rinse in your mouth for a few minutes, spit and repeat until the rinse is over.

• Saltwater Rinse

The saltwater rinse is another potent remedy since salt is a natural antiseptic. That’s why it always comes in handy when treating a tooth infection. All you need to do is to add one teaspoon or more of table salt into a glass of warm water.

Slat helps reduce the bacterial load in the infected tooth. Moreover, rinsing your mouth with warm salty water will break up the pus around your tooth, remove the debris from your mouth, and ensure proper wound healing.

You can swish the saltwater rinse for two or three minutes, spit, and repeat if necessary.

• Garlic

Garlic is known to enhance the taste of food. But that’s not all it can do. It is also used to deal with infections since it has germ-fighting properties and is considered a natural antibiotic. Garlic has a component known as allicin, which kills bacteria. Fresh garlic can also soothe the pain from a tooth infection.

Eating foods with garlic is not enough. You might need to crush a clove of garlic to create a paste and apply it to the infected area a few times per day.

• Fenugreek Tea

Another remedy that can help when you have a tooth infection is the fenugreek herb. It is an excellent home remedy since it has antibacterial properties. You can go to your local store and get fenugreek tea bags, which you can drink.

However, if you are looking for a more potent treatment, you can make a solution that you can apply directly to the infected tooth.

• Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is another remedy to help remove bacteria from the infected tooth. You can take coconut oil, olive oil, or oregano oil, swish it in your mouth, and then spit it.

• Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is widely known for its teeth whitening properties. However, it is also an excellent disinfectant and can help relieve bacterial infections in your gums.

You can take equal parts of 3% hydrogen with water. Then, you can swish the hydrogen peroxide in your mouth for about a minute, be careful not to swallow it. Spit and repeat if necessary.

Be careful when using hydrogen peroxide since it can harm your teeth. So, don’t use 35% concentration or food-grade hydrogen peroxide.

• Essential Oils

Many people use essential oils to relieve everyday pains and aches. Other essential oils have medicinal purposes because they have antibacterial properties and can be used to help with a tooth infection. Some essential oils you can use are frankincense oil, thyme oil, clove oil, oregano oil, etc.

You can dab a cotton swab in a carrier oil such as coconut oil, then use a couple of drops of essential oils.

We Are Here for You

The remedies listed above are not meant to be used as alternatives to root canal treatment near you. However, they are best used as complementary treatments to the one our dentist prescribed. If you don’t get a root canal, your tooth will have to be extracted to remove the infection.

In any case, contact us at Cabrera Dental Associates to receive root canal treatment.

Did you know that your jaw movement is supported by ligaments, connective tissues, and muscles? All the associated parts have to function optimally to enjoy jaw motion while yawning, laughing, or eating.

A Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder occurs due to traumatic injury or inflammation of jaw joint nerves and muscles. The joint links your jawbone to your skull, and its damage results in acute pain, severe headache, and facial swelling. Joint dislocation may be life-threatening, and you need to visit emergency TMJ specialists near you.

What’s a Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)?

A Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) refers to a condition of the jaw muscles, connective tissues, and temporomandibular joints associated with chronic facial pain. The disorder inhibits the movement of muscles, bones, and joints leading to severe pain. TMD is classified into three namely:

• Degenerative joint disease, including rheumatoid arthritis in your jaw joint
• Myofascial pain results in painful connective tissues and muscles that aid in jaw, shoulder, and neck functioning.
• Internal derangement of the joint involves the dislocation of your jaw or displaced disk or injury to your jaw bone that articulates with your temporal skull bone.

What’s The Main Cause of TMJ?

Various factors contribute to the development of restrictive and severe TMJ disorder. The following are the causes of TMJ disorders:

Facial or jaw injury

TMJ disorder is associated with traumatic injury to your jaw or face. The severity of your injury may cause TMJ or other problems.

Teeth Clenching

Grinding of teeth usually occurs when you sleep. You subconsciously cause the teeth to grind over each other, leading to stress. Teeth clenching can lead to severe consequences on your jaw and eventually lead to TMJ disorder development.

Stress

Stress is a contributing factor to TMJ disorder. If you have stress, you’re likely to impact your overall wellness and health negatively. Stress causes your muscles to tighten and constrict. The effects of stress on your jaw and facial muscles may cause symptoms associated with TMJ. Stress also contributes to teeth clenching, which leads to TMJ disorders.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that involves pain and inflammation of your joints. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that causes the cartilage lining the joint to degenerate. Further deterioration causes jaw movement to become difficult, leading to pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs when your body’s immune system targets affected joints, leading to swelling and pain. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may cause TMJ disorder.

TMJ Disorders Risk factors

Various factors heighten the risk of you developing TMJ disorders, and they include:

• A traumatic or physical injury on your jaw bone
• Chronic teeth clenching
• Having rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
• Underlying disease on your jaw connective tissues that affect your temporomandibular joint

TMD Diagnosis

The best TMJ specialist near you utilizes various approaches to diagnosing TMD, including:

• Performing imaging tests through CT scans and MRIs
• Checks on your health history, particularly on the history of the jaw or facial pain when you move your jaws. Your specialist will check for cracking sounds when you open or close your mouth.
• Your specialist may examine your jaw or facial pain physically

TMD Treatment

Our TMJ specialist in Houston will examine various aspects during treatment, including your age, general health, and how the symptoms manifest. We’ll administer the ideal treatment option based on the severity of your condition. Some of the TMJ treatment options revolve around:

• Pain relievers to suppress your pain
• Physical therapy
• Relaxation methods and stress management
• Use an orthopedic appliance or a nightguard to prevent clenching
• Resting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
• Surgical procedure if your condition is severe
• Dietary changes to ensure jaw muscles don’t undergo stress
• Use of cold packs to alleviate pain

TMD symptoms recur with long-term stress, and Cabrera Dental Associates in Houston, TX, can enable you to identify what triggers TMJ disorder symptoms and aids you in managing your disorder. If you are faced with TMJ disorder, several treatments can help. Our team of TMJ specialists in Houston is dedicated to ensuring your inflammation and pain are suppressed. Please don’t hesitate to seek consultation from our experts today!

Dental implants in Houston, TX, are one of our main areas of expertise, and patients from all over the state visit us to be treated by our dedicated team in our eco-friendly dental center. We offer first-class treatment in a relaxing setting with our cutting-edge and onsite lab technology.

So if you have one or more missing teeth, have difficulty eating, and feel self-conscious about your smile, you might choose dental implants as a treatment option. However, are dental implants right for you? Read this article to know more about dental implants.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a form of dental restorative dentistry that helps enhance your smile. These implants replace missing teeth and are made to function and look like your natural teeth. Dental implants can be the best option for a person with damaged or missing teeth.

Why Would Someone Get a Dental Implant?

When one has missing teeth, and they don’t want to get or cannot get crowns, bridges, or dentures, then dental implants can be an alternative solution. Our dentist in 77075, TX, will replace your tooth with an implant of the same color as your teeth. The dentist will help prevent the problems that grow overtime after losing a tooth and not doing anything about the space.

However, there are some instances where dental implant treatment may not be suitable. For example, if one has any severe or underlying health problems, implants may not be the right option. Our dentist will explore the range of other treatment options available to give you comfort and smile confidence in these cases.

Health issues such as gum disease can alter the structure of your gums, jaw, and face, which can lead to delayed healing. Also, if you’ve had radiotherapy around your mouth, you may experience similar adverse effects on the strength and shape of your facial bones, muscles, and gums.

During your regular visits with your dentist, they’ll examine your head, jaw, neck, and mouth. This will help them get a profile of your oral health and ensure there are no underlying issues that might require some treatment.

You can always speak to your dentist if you think you have a health concern that might hinder you from getting a dental implant. Your dentist will discuss the available options and advise you on the best options for your oral care.

Also, it’s best to speak to your dentist about your existing health problems and the wishes you have for future treatment. This will help them properly assess whether you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Getting your dental implants at our offices in Cabrera Dental Associates in Houston, TX, will offer you some of these benefits:

Improve Your Oral Health

Our dentists expertly make and fit your dental implants. This helps help improve both your smile and your oral health. Your jaws will be stimulated and kept healthy when chewing food. When you lose teeth, your jaw might lose some stimulation, and if the teeth are not replaced, your jawbone can become more prone to damage and weaker.

By replacing the missing teeth with titanium-rooted dental implants, you can restore your jaw’s stimulation from your complete set of natural teeth. This will help reduce bone loss and promote a healthy and firm mouth.

Offers a Natural Look

This is the main advantage of dental implants. The implants offer a natural tooth-looking replacement for the missing teeth. By using our specialist onsite lab, we can match the color of your teeth with dental implants. Your implants will also function like your regular teeth. Your dentist will then place a ceramic crown on top of your teeth to help you speak and eat normally. 

The Dental Implants are Fixed and Comfortable

Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants are permanently fixed and cannot be removed. The implant provides comfort, stability, and a long-lasting smile. Our dentist will use cutting-edge technology to create and design your dental implants to fit perfectly in your mouth.

You will need to maintain proper oral hygiene for the best performance of your dental implants. Ensure you brush twice daily, floss daily, and pay regular visits to your dentist.

As our teeth get older, they show signs of wear and tear. This is because our teeth are exposed to many things in our lives. As a result, we may notice small cracks or chips on the surface of our teeth. Repairing these dental imperfections can improve your teeth and appearance, and one best way is using Porcelain veneers in Houston.

Porcelain veneers can be done to repair cracks, chips, and discolored teeth. They are the perfect solution for people who want to change their smile without going under the knife.

The porcelain veneers procedure is quick, with minimal downtime and recovery time, making it much more advantageous than other procedures.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin, translucent dental restorations that are applied over the front teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. The veneers are made of high-quality porcelain, which means they will last a long time and are resistant to breakage. These restorations are an excellent option for improving the smile without putting too much stress on their wallet. They also provide an instant improvement in your smile, as they cover the surface of the teeth with a thin layer of porcelain.

The veneers can correct defects in teeth such as chips, cracks, and stains. They are customized to your needs and feel natural when you wear them. The procedure is quick, with minimal downtime and recovery time, making it much more advantageous than other procedures.

Why Do People Choose Porcelain Veneers as a Dental Solution?

Porcelain veneers are a good solution for people who want to improve their smile and appearance without going through a lot of pain or risk losing their natural teeth.

Dental veneers are a good solution for people who want to change their smile without major dental work. The porcelain veneers are thin and durable and can be customized to match your teeth’ appearance.

What Can Porcelain Veneers Be Used?

Porcelain veneers can be used for cosmetic and restorative purposes or to improve and repair teeth. These restorations can also be used as a protective coating or an alternative to dental crowns.

The most common type of problem that veneers fix is cosmetic, as they cover up imperfections in the teeth and make them look better. Veneers are also used to make teeth appear straighter and more even. The veneers can also keep teeth healthy and strong by filling in cavities and preventing decay from occurring.

How Are the Dental Veneers Fixed?

Dental veneers are fixed by the dentist using a series of steps. The dentist first cleans the teeth, reshapes the teeth to create room for the veneers, taking an impression material to create a mold of your teeth. Then they will place veneers.

What are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are a type of dental work made of materials like porcelain and ceramic. They are used to improve the aesthetic appearance of teeth.

Porcelain veneers offer many benefits, including better tooth structure, improved color, and increased longevity. The restorations can also fix crooked teeth or repair damaged enamel.

Porcelain veneers are also associated with improved health as they help prevent bacteria from forming on your teeth which can cause gingivitis and other oral health problems.

What are the Downsides of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers can be a great aesthetic change for your smile, but it’s important to know the disadvantages of porcelain veneers before you decide to get them. Porcelain veneers are not meant for everyone and are not ideal for people who have active decay.

The veneers are also not recommended if you have a thin enamel because there is no room to be fixed. It’s also important to consider that the veneers will not last forever.

If you are considering getting porcelain veneers, make sure that you talk to a dentist in South Houston who has experience before you make a decision.

Schedule an Appointment

Call or visit Cabrera Dental Associates for more information about dental veneers and what you can expect during the procedure.

Tooth extraction refers to the complete removal of one or several teeth from the mouth. Dentists and oral surgeons generally perform tooth extractions on adults. However, primary teeth are removable from a child’s mouth without intervention from a dentist because they loosen to make way for the permanent teeth.

Why Are Teeth Removed?

Removal of permanent teeth becomes a requirement for many reasons. Some of the most common are mentioned below for your reference:

• Teeth infected by excessive decay, making them challenging to treat with fillings or even root canals or crowns, and periodontal disease are often recommended extractions by tooth extraction Houston, TX.
• Extractions are also required for teeth broken or damaged due to injury or trauma and beyond repair.
• Dental abscesses developing on the gums and weakening the tooth also require extractions.
• Malocclusion or crowding causing problems in the mouth prompt recommendations for tooth removal from dentists.
• Impacted wisdom teeth remaining below the gum line and failing to emerge also recommended extractions by dentists.

Dentists don’t recommend tooth extractions because you have them in your mouth. The primary reasons for the recommendation are infections or injuries that might leave you with a broken tooth below the gum line encouraging bacteria in your mouth to penetrate the tooth and create additional damage. Except for impacted wisdom teeth, dentists make every effort possible to save your tooth and only recommend removal as a last resort. Therefore if you have a recommendation from the dentist in Houston, TX, for tooth removal, accept the suggestion as beneficial for your oral and overall health.

How to Prepare for Tooth Extraction?

The first step when preparing for tooth extraction is to accept your situation and believe you have an infected or severely damaged tooth in your mouth that, unless removed, will cause unnecessary complications making expensive dental treatments necessary.

You can discuss the tooth removal process with the dentist to understand what kind of procedure you need and how much time you must stay away from work or school. Visible tooth extractions permit you to begin your regular activities in about a week. However, if you must undergo a surgical extraction for an impacted tooth, you require longer to recover, although you can begin moving around in a couple of days.

Your preparation for the removal must also include the type of foods you can have or avoid and inquiries on how to care for your dental hygiene after the removal. The Houston dentist provides a complete list of instructions on managing your recovery. In addition, you also receive information on how to prepare for your tooth removal procedure.

Dentists recommend that you stop having certain medications like blood thinners at least ten days before the procedure because the presence of these medications in the blood can cause severe bleeding. If you are scheduled for a surgical procedure, dentists also provide information on the type of anesthesia you will receive and advice that you fast for at least six to eight hours before you arrive at their office for a tooth removal. You must follow the dentist’s instructions to the word, especially if you are receiving intravenous or general anesthesia. You also help yourself by having someone around to drive you to the dental office and back because the anesthesia leaves you drowsy.

Before proceeding with your procedure, ensure that you stock your pantry with plenty of soft foods like yogurt, Jell-O, applesauce, et cetera that don’t require much chewing after tooth removal. Please do not assume you can have crunchy and hard foods that you favor for at least a week after surgical tooth removal. Complex foods can dislodge the blood clot at the extraction site to cause a dry socket, an excruciating condition requiring additional treatments from dentists.

Moving around immediately after getting a tooth removed is also detrimental to the blood clot in the tooth socket. Therefore you must prepare to rest for at least 24 hours or more. Besides the soft foods you purchase, make arrangements for extra pillows to prop your head when lying down and have sufficient reading materials or games to keep you entertained.

Tooth removal is a standard procedure among adults for various reasons. If you need them for any reason accepting that you have a problem in your mouth that needs elimination helps you prepare adequately for the procedure besides using the tips mentioned in this article for your assistance.

If you are undergoing the tooth extraction procedure from Cabrera Dental Associates, rest assured you will receive comprehensive instructions on preparing and recovering from the tooth removal procedure.

The teeth are essential organs of the mouth that get us through daily activities. They aid in chewing food (biting, tearing, chewing, and grinding), production of speech, and pronunciation of words and are responsible for the shape of the face. Therefore, they require utmost care if we do not want to face difficulties while performing these actions. However, there are some cases where we would have to remove the teeth voluntarily to protect our dental health. This procedure is known as tooth extraction.

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure through which a dentist near you removes a damaged/infected tooth with the aid of anesthesia to protect other teeth and your dental health. The teeth are only removed naturally once in a lifetime during the transition from milk to permanent teeth. The permanent teeth should serve you for life; therefore, there is no replacement for them. However, when all other procedures to treat a tooth that has become a threat to your comfort and dental health fail, tooth extraction is considered the last resort to save your other teeth and protect your dental health.

Why Do You Need A Tooth Extraction?

The following are reasons why you might require tooth extractions Houston:

• Overcrowding. When there are more teeth than the mouth can accommodate, the teeth are cramped into the mouth, making them crooked and aesthetically poor. To free up spaces in the mouth, your dentist may need to extract a tooth or two.
• Failed dental treatments. In cases where a dental treatment fails terribly and leads to severe infection, you might need to extract the affected tooth.
• Impacted teeth. These teeth do not grow above the gumline or break below the gumline. It is impossible to clean these teeth, making them sites for bacteria and dental plaques. Therefore, these teeth need to go to prevent infections.
• Wisdom Teeth: These are the last set of molars to grow in the mouth. They cause problems more often than not; therefore, you might require wisdom teeth removal in Houston.
• Excessive tooth decay: Dental plaques cause tooth decay. When it gets severe to the extent that the tooth pulp is infected, you might want tooth extraction if a root canal procedure fails.
• Gum diseases: Periodontal diseases affect the gums and might cause them to recede or lose their hold on the teeth, thereby requiring extraction.
• Prosthetic Indications. Sometimes, to fix some dental restorative appliances, you might need to extract a tooth or two for the procedure’s success.

Tooth Extraction Procedure

There are two types of tooth extraction procedures. They are:

• Simple Tooth Extraction: As its name implies, a simple tooth extraction procedure is suitable for when the affected tooth is visible and above the gum line. Before beginning the process, your dentist will administer an anesthetic to numb the area they want to work on. After this, your dentist grasps the tooth with the aid of dental forceps and removes it out of its socket.
• Surgical Tooth Extraction: This tooth extraction procedure is more complicated than simple extraction as it requires surgery. After administering anesthesia to numb the work area, the surgeon will incise your gum and bone tissues that cover the tooth to expose it. Then, your dentist grasps the tooth with dental forceps, rocking it back and forth gently to loosen it from the firm hold of the jawbone and ligaments. Sometimes, the tooth is broken into pieces before extraction.

After extraction, your dentist places a gauze pad over the empty tooth socket for you to bite down on to stop bleeding. Sometimes, the gum edges might be closed over the extraction site with stitches. Visit us at Cabrera Dental Associates- Houston, TX for your tooth extraction.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Tooth Extraction?

You might be asked to suspend all physical activities for about 48-72 hours to allow the treatment area to clot. After this, you should be able to return to your normal activities. In about 7-10 days, the opening left by the extracted tooth would be almost closed. The soft tissue fully heals in about 3-4 weeks.

Tooth extraction Houston is necessary when you have a damaged, infected, or diseased tooth. At Cabrera Dental Associates – Houston, TX, dentists can perform tooth extraction when necessary. They have experience using the latest techniques and technologies for a quick and safe tooth removal.

Tooth extraction can relieve pain, remove an infection, and save the rest of your teeth in restoring your smile. After an extraction, you need to take proper care to speed up your recovery and prevent complications. Fortunately, this article discusses how to know if you’ve fully healed after tooth extraction and how to speed up your healing.

Kindly read along.

Healing Stages After Tooth Extraction

After a tooth extraction in Houston, you have to take proper care in ensuring that the extraction site is healthy. The healing process takes place in stages, and keeping the stages in mind helps you know when your gums are properly healed.

Stage #1

Within the first 24 hours, there will be a blood clot at the extraction site. It is normal to feel discomfort during this period, and also, you’ll experience swelling and minor bleeding.

Stage #2

After the first 24 hours, you should take care to avoid dislodging the blood clot in the socket. Dislodging the blood clot can create a painful complication known as a dry socket. You can prevent dislodging the blood clot by not sucking with a straw or brushing the extraction site.

Stage #3

After three days of your tooth extraction, the gums should start healing and closing around the extraction site.

Stage #4

Within 7 and 10 days of a tooth extraction, the empty socket left by the extracted tooth should be closed or almost closed. Also, you should no longer experience gender or swollen gums.

When Should You Visit A Dentist?

The healing process after a tooth extraction takes about two weeks. Therefore, if you notice specific symptoms during the healing stages, you should contact your dentist in Houston immediately. You should visit your dentist in South Houston if you experience fever, swelling that fails to subside, numbness in the mouth,  and excessive bleeding that is not stopping. Also, severe pain in the gums or jaw, pus in the open socket, and a persistent bad taste in your mouth require urgent attention.

How To Speed Up Your Recovery After A Tooth Extraction

Although everyone that undergoes tooth extraction heal differently and at different rates, dentists in Houston recommend specific tips to help speed up recovery after an extraction. It is essential that you carefully follow the following after-care tips.

• Using prescribed pain medications to reduce discomfort
• Keeping the gauze in place in the open socket for at least three to four hours after a tooth extraction
• Avoid rinsing or brushing the extraction site within the first 24 hours
• Rinsing your mouth with salt water several times a day after the first 24 hours
• Applying an ice pack on the extraction site 15 minutes at a time. It would be best if you did this several times a day
• Drinking plenty of liquids
• Eat only soft and healthy foods
• Avoid smoking
• Do not drink hot liquids or eating hot foods

Conclusion

Tooth extraction is necessary for removing diseased, infected, or damaged teeth to prevent damage to surrounding teeth. After an extraction, it may take between one and two weeks for the extraction site to heal fully. Also, following after-care tips can help speed up your recovery process.

If you’re having severe pain in your jaw, bleeding, increased teeth sensitivity, or swelling gums, you may need a tooth extraction. Therefore, it is essential to book an appointment with a dentist in South Houston immediately.