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A professional teeth whitening treatment may not be the fountain of youth but it can make you appear younger. Professional teeth whitening is a quick, non-invasive way to breathe new life into your appearance. Our cosmetic dentist utilizes prescription-grade take-home whitening systems that can remove decades of stains from your teeth. What Causes Tooth Stains? Surface stains can form when a person neglects his or her oral hygiene. As plaque and tartar build up on the surfaces of teeth, they can appear dull and yellowed. These stains can be removed with professional dental cleanings and improved care at home. Permanent teeth stains form when exposed to discoloring foods and beverages. They can also stain when one smokes or chews tobacco. Common foods and drinks that contribute to the development of permanent stains include: Wine Coffee Berries Beets Soy sauce Balsamic vinegar Dark sodas Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening When it comes to brightening your smile, you may feel overwhelmed by your options. There is no shortage of over-the-counter whitening strips, toothpastes, and rinses. You may have even tried a product or two. While these products may advertise that they can produce results, bear in mind that store-bought formulations lack the potency to lift permanent stains. Instead, most of these products can only address surface stains. Some of these products may also use abrasive agents to remove discoloration. Over time, abrasive formulas can cause permanent damage to tooth enamel. If you’re looking to invest your time and money into a whiter smile, we recommend consulting with our cosmetic dentist. Our take-home whitening systems contain powerful formulas that can safely and dramatically lighten your teeth. Professional whitening systems contain high enough concentrations of lightening agents to penetrate the enamel layer of teeth to lift old, permanent stains. These take-home whitening kits will not harm teeth nor will they cause permanent tooth sensitivity. Take-home whitening kits can lighten your teeth up to ten shades when used as directed. If you are interested in improving the appearance of your smile, call the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan to reserve a consultation with our cosmetic dentist.
If you’re considering receiving veneers from our cosmetic dentist, you are probably yearning for a flaw-free smile. Taking good care of your new smile can help ensure that your porcelain veneers last as long as possible. Although veneers are quite durable, some seemingly innocuous habits could affect the longevity of your improved smile. Eating Fibrous, Chewy, and Sticky Foods A chewy granola bar, delectable candy, and well-cooked steak might sound appetizing, but these items should be consumed with caution. If you have veneers and decide to visit a steakhouse, be sure to cut your food into small bite-size pieces. As far as chewy and sticky foods, it’s best to avoid consuming them. Sticky and chewy foods can put too much pressure on veneers – specifically the twisting motions involved with eating them. Sticky items are especially dangerous as they will contain high amounts of sugar. While veneers are resistant to cavities, your natural tooth structure is not. Consuming Too Much Alcohol and Acidic Beverages Alcoholic drinks and acidic beverages can wear down your tooth enamel, leaving your natural teeth vulnerable to developing decay. Consume these drinks in moderation to extend the lifespan of your veneers and your teeth. Drinking Without a Straw Drinking with a straw helps push cavity- and stain-causing molecules to the back of your throat. While veneers do not stain, the dental structures under them can. When your natural tooth structure stains, it can make your veneers appear darker. The backsides of your teeth could also develop damage which may lead to caries and chips or cracks. Using a straw when you drink beverages can reduce your risks for stains and dental issues. Chewing on Inedible Objects and Ice Cubes Millions of people chew on non-food items like pen caps and ice cubes to assuage nervousness or tension. These habits are destructive to biological tooth structure and cosmetic enhancements like veneers. If you chew on inedible objects, it’s important to try to break this habit before you receive veneers. If you desire a more attractive smile, call our practice to schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dentist.
Dental work doesn’t have to be obvious or unsightly. Composite fillings make it possible to enjoy the protection that restorations provide without affecting the appearance of your smile. If you have a cavity or two that require treatment, you might be surprised to learn how beneficial composite fillings are to your oral health. What is a Composite Filling? A composite filling is a small, tooth-colored restoration used to treat minor areas of tooth decay. It is made from a resin comprised of plastic and glass. A composite filling can be tinted to match the exact color of your teeth. Receiving a composite filling isn’t very different from receiving a traditional amalgam filling. This procedure is minimally invasive and only requires local anesthetic to maintain patient comfort during treatment. Tooth decay requires professional treatment. Unlike a bone, a tooth cannot regenerate new tissue to self-heal once it is permanently damaged. If a cavity goes untreated, it can deepen into the tooth and ultimately cause extensive damage, infections, and tooth loss. Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings The most obvious benefit of tooth-colored fillings is the fact that they provide undetectable protection for damaged tooth structure. Since composite fillings are customizable to match teeth, patients can enjoy dental work that won’t negatively affect one’s self-image. Another benefit to composite fillings is the fact that they effectively treat tooth decay. A composite filling stops decay from widening and deepening into the tooth. These restorations can last for a decade or longer, too. A unique advantage to choosing composite resin is that the compound used for this type of filling bonds very well to biological dental structure. Since composite bonds better than amalgam, less tooth removal is needed to place the filling. For those concerned with exposure to trace amounts of mercury or those with allergies to metal, composite resin is a viable alternative to conventional restorative materials. If you’re in need of restorative dental work, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Barry Buchanan. Our practice can provide effective treatment that won’t negatively affect the appearance of your smile.
Back-to-school is a busy and exciting time for parents and children. Planning ahead can make the process of returning to school a little easier. One great way to prepare your child for the new school year is to make sure you have scheduled cleanings and checkups with our family dentist. If you’re in need of an easy-to-follow back-to-school checklist, consider the following tips. Evaluate Your Child’s Oral Hygiene Routine It’s a good idea to checkup on your child’s oral hygiene habits before school starts. Supervise their brushing and flossing for a few days to make sure he or she hasn’t picked up bad habits. Keep in mind that each brushing session should last about two minutes and your child should be flossing each night before bed. Stock Up on Oral Hygiene Supplies Consider buying the year’s oral hygiene supplies while you’re shopping for back-to-school items. Most people should use four toothbrushes within a year’s time. You can also buy dental floss in family-size packs and larger bottles of mouthwash to ensure that your family’s oral hygiene products are always available. Get a Custom Mouthguard Made for Athletes If your child plays a sport like football, wrestling, or martial arts, consider having a custom mouthguard made with our family dentist. Each mouthguard is made to very exact specifications to ensure optimal comfort and protection. Schedule Dental Checkups and Cleanings Everyone should have two dental cleanings and checkups each year. These appointments are usually spaced six months apart. Booking these appointments for your family in advance can ensure that your loved ones have access to the preventive care they need. Book an Orthodontic Consultation If your child hasn’t seen an orthodontist for a consultation and is older than six, this year would be a good time to schedule one. An orthodontic consultation helps identify potential concerns with a child’s bite and tooth placement as early as possible. Sometimes, early treatment can reduce the duration of orthodontic treatment later on. We provide comprehensive oral healthcare for patients of all ages. Call the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan to reserve a checkup with our family dentist.
Teeth cleaning wards off disease and tooth enamel loss. Properly cleaning your teeth is the best way to ensure that your teeth last as long as possible. However, just brushing isn’t enough. The quality of your brushing matters, too. Many well-intentioned folks think they’re brushing their teeth correctly, but common mistakes could land you in the dental chair for restorations and tooth extractions. Here are four things you should consider when it comes to teeth cleaning. Brushing Too Soon After Eating While it is important to brush after meals, you shouldn’t brush right after eating. Instead, wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth. Oral bacteria feed on food molecules. As they feed, they release acids as a byproduct, which temporarily softens our teeth. Brushing while tooth enamel is softened could lead to permanent dental damage. Brushing Too Vigorously Applying too much pressure on your teeth when brushing is a serious no-no. Bearing down on your teeth with vigorous brushing could cause irreversible damage to your tooth enamel. Instead, make a concerted effort to brush your teeth in gentle, circular motions. Brushing for Less than Two Minutes If you’re brushing for less than two minutes, you are not cleaning your mouth thoroughly. It takes about two minutes to remove surface debris from teeth and gums. You should also brush your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the insides of your cheeks since harmful bacteria can live on soft tissues, too. Storing A Toothbrush Improperly A toothbrush can harbor nasty bacteria, especially when it is stored improperly between uses. Toothbrushes should be stored in an upright position between teeth cleaning. This helps dry the bristles. Wet bristles are a breeding ground for bacterial growth. Be sure to change your toothbrush regularly. We recommend using a new brush or brush head every three months. In addition to practicing proper oral hygiene, you should receive checkups and teeth cleanings twice a year. If it’s time to schedule your next visit, contact the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan today.
Dental crowns are versatile restorations that can help you prolong the lifespan of your teeth. These restorations make it possible to treat dental injuries like cracks and chips as well as extensive tooth decay. When white materials are used to construct dental crowns, they can also improve the appearance of a person’s smile. Following are some of the benefits to restoring teeth with dental crowns. Protect Broken Teeth Chipped and cracked teeth are particularly vulnerable to developing more damage, tooth decay, and infections. Injured teeth are vulnerable because the softer structure under tooth enamel is exposed to cavity-causing bacteria. Tooth enamel, while strong, can be damaged. Once enamel is lost, it cannot be restored. This is why professional intervention is necessary to prevent a broken tooth from developing serious decay or infections. Prevent the Need for Tooth Extraction Dental crowns cover all sides and the biting surfaces of a tooth. These extensive restorations fit over teeth like a cap. Providing protection for all tooth structure above the gums, a crown makes it possible to keep and use a damaged tooth. Without professional intervention, a damaged or badly decayed tooth could develop painful infections within its root canal. As these issues progress, a person with an untreated damaged tooth will ultimately need their tooth surgically removed. Restore the Bite Over time, the structure of our teeth can degrade – particularly when teeth are neglected. Tooth wear can affect the way our upper and lower sets of teeth line up (the bite). When tooth wear affects our bite, it can cause orofacial discomfort, TMJ dysfunction, and tooth loss. Teeth that have developed significant wear can be restored to their proper size with dental crowns. Restoring teeth to their original dimensions helps protect a patient’s bite and ensure optimal oral function. Improve the Aesthetic of a Smile Dental crowns made from tooth-colored materials can be used to conceal smile imperfections. A porcelain dental crown is an excellent cover for intrinsic and extrinsic tooth stains, unsightly chips and cracks, and wear. Bonding multiple white crowns throughout a smile could produce a beautiful smile makeover. If you have questions about restorative dentistry, call our practice to reserve an appointment with our dentist.
Dentures make for beautiful replacement teeth that can restore your smile and renew your self-confidence. That being said, wearing dentures does take some getting used to. The best way to prepare for life with dentures is to be patient throughout the adjustment process. It will take a few weeks to get used to your new smile. Following are helpful tips for adjusting to dentures. Allow for Time to Adjust Getting accustomed to dentures takes some time. Your mouth will need to get used to the weight of dentures resting on your gums. You will also need to become used to how your gums will feel during oral function. If you experience some soreness after having your dentures for a couple of days, continue to wear your new teeth during the daytime. Not wearing your teeth for ample amounts of time will just delay the process of getting accustomed to wearing prosthetic teeth. Practice Eating and Speaking Perhaps the most cumbersome elements to wearing dentures arises during oral function. The best way to adapt to living with dentures is to practice eating and speaking. When it comes to learning to eat with dentures, it’s helpful to start off with soft foods and work your way up to more substantial items. New denture wearers should also cut their food into small pieces and chew food slowly. Foods to avoid with dentures include: Jerky Taffy Hard candies Speaking, like eating with dentures, takes practice. To remedy this, we recommend reading aloud each day to help improve your speech. Caring for Dentures It is important to develop a great hygiene routine. Each evening, your dentures should be taken out of your mouth for cleaning and overnight soaking. You will need to use a soft-bristled brush to clean away any remnants of food. Then, place your dentures in a soaking solution with enough water to immerse them. Before bed, be sure to brush your gums, your tongue, and the roof of your mouth. This will help control oral bacteria that could cause infections within soft oral tissue. With a little practice, you will be smiling again in no time with your new dentures. If you have questions about replacement teeth, call the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan to schedule a consultation with our dentist.
Are you struggling with the appearance of your smile? Perhaps you’re tired of worn teeth, stains, or obvious cracks and chips. If you’re tired of living with an imperfect smile, know that there is hope. Our cosmetic dentist offers porcelain veneers, which is a permanent way to transform the aesthetic of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are versatile cosmetic enhancements that conceal an array of dental imperfections. From misshapen teeth to tough dental stains, veneers can produce the illusion of a perfectly straight, white, and symmetrical smile. What are veneers exactly? Veneers are ultra-thin and tooth-shaped cosmetic enhancements that are handcrafted from high quality porcelain. They are bonded over the front-facing sides of teeth to conceal common dental imperfections such as gaps, chips, stains, and misaligned teeth. Will porcelain veneers look natural? Each veneer is handmade to very precise specifications determined by our dentist. When developing the specifications for veneers, our team takes your oral anatomy and smile goals into consideration. Since veneers are custom made, they will perfectly complement your facial structure and your smile. The fact that veneers are made from porcelain also helps lend a very natural appearance. Porcelain comes in diverse white hues and it reflects light the same way as biological teeth. How will I benefit from veneers? Nearly anyone with dental imperfections could benefit from veneers. If you have severe decay or badly cracked teeth, our team may recommend white dental crowns instead to protect weakened tooth structure. If imperfections are only cosmetic in nature, veneers could help conceal concerns like chipped, worn, stained, and crooked teeth. Is receiving porcelain veneers uncomfortable? Receiving porcelain veneers is not an invasive process because teeth require minimal preparation prior to placement. In fact, many folks do not need local anesthetics during their procedures. You don’t have to suffer with a less-than-perfect smile. If you would like to learn more about your treatment options, we invite you to schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentist. Call our practice to book a smile makeover consultation today.
What you drink could be causing serious harm to your dental health. Most people know that the sugar found in sodas is harmful to their teeth but a number of drinks that are marketed as healthy are harmful, too. Sugar consumption contributes to cavities and gum disease, both of which require professional care from a dentist to treat. The problem with sugar is that it feeds the harmful oral bacteria in our mouths. As bacteria feed on sugar molecules, they colonize and release acids as their byproduct. Reducing sugar intake can starve harmful bacteria and reduce your risks for cavities. You might be surprised how much sugar is lurking in common beverages you drink frequently. Read on to learn more. Smoothies A smoothie might make for a nutrient-rich and convenient breakfast; however, its sugar content is alarming. Even the green smoothie varieties are full of sugar from fruits like apples and pineapples. A smoothie from time to time shouldn’t be too detrimental to your teeth but making it a daily habit could increase your risks for tooth decay. Sweetened Coffee/Tea Many folks enjoy the caffeinated boost they get from tea and coffee but they should be wary of lattes and cappuccinos. Many of these drinks contain flavored syrups and abundant sugar. We encourage you to enjoy caffeine with as little sugar as possible. Kombucha Kombucha may be filled with prebiotic and probiotic goodness but it does contain natural sugars. These sugars along with the beverage’s acidic content could spell trouble for your teeth. If you’re drinking Kombucha for its gastric health benefits, consider swapping kombucha out with unsweetened yogurt or probiotic supplements. Mixed Drinks/Cocktails Many people love to unwind with a cocktail or two. Unfortunately, popular mixed drinks like margaritas, pina coladas, and appletinis are filled with fruit-flavored syrups chock full of sugar. If you do consume something sugary, be sure to drink water afterwards as it helps dilute acid and rinse teeth. For more information or to schedule your next checkup or cleaning with our dentist, contact the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan today.
Does the thought of dental treatment make you feel anxious or restless? If you have an upcoming procedure, our sedation dentist can help. This comfort amenity can quell panic and fear associated with dental phobias while making it easier to remain still during longer procedures. There are a few types of sedation dentistry. Each type offers unique advantages. Nitrous Oxide Used for more than 100 years, nitrous oxide is a gaseous compound that is inhaled through a nasal mask. Also known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is a drug-free form of sedation dentistry that provides uplifting and euphoric feelings while also working as a mild analgesic. Nitrous oxide only produces these feelings when it’s inhaled, which means that patients can drive themselves home after their procedures. Oral Sedation Oral sedation, unlike nitrous oxide, involves taking prescription medicine prior to your treatment. These medications are mild sedatives that have anxiety-relieving effects because they work with GABA receptors in the brain and slow down the central nervous system. Those who suffer with moderate to severe dental phobias can benefit from oral sedation. Oral sedation can also enhance the effects of local anesthetics and pain-relieving medications. The effects of oral sedation can last for a few hours so it’s necessary to have a family member or friend bring you to and from your appointment. IV Sedation IV sedation involves receiving anti-anxiety and sedating medication intravenously. This form of sedation is best reserved for severe cases of dental phobia and lengthy or invasive treatments. Since IV sedation can have lingering effects for a few hours, patients will need to arrange for transportation to and from their procedures. If you have questions about whether sedation dentistry is right for you, we encourage you to discuss this with our team. We strive to provide comfortable, high quality oral care to patients in our community. Call us today to schedule a consultation.
Our Response To Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Although the Governor has rescinded the mask mandate, as a Dental Office we are subject to protocols of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). The TSBDE has not lifted its COVID 19 emergency protocols, so masks are still to be worn by patients and staff in the dental practice. We will be continuing all of our COVID safety protocols and respectfully request all patients, staff and vendors wear a mask in our office. Thank you for helping us keep the safest environment possible for our patients and staff.
Please contact our office if you have any concerns.