What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry refers to the art of improving your smile and preserving its natural structure and tissues. Cosmetic smile enhancements range from simple to more complex procedures, depending on your needs. Most cosmetic dental treatments can be done in a few visits and can be customized to suit your needs.

Types of Cosmetic Dental Treatments:

• Veneers
• Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Crowns
• Dental Bonding
• Clear Aligners
• Dental Implants
• Gingival Contouring

Our Cosmetic Dental Treatments

If you are interested in improving your smile, you may be curious about the different types of treatments available to do so. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about the most popular treatments for oral aesthetics.

Porcelain Veneers

For those for whom teeth whitening is not an option — be it due to stubborn intrinsic tooth staining or some other functional concern — porcelain veneers may be the answer. A porcelain shell is fabricated to fit over a prepared tooth to correct worn enamel, uneven alignment/spacing, chips/cracks, and/or discoloration.

Porcelain veneers are a great option if you are unhappy with your smile and want to create the perfect smile. Veneer application, unlike whitening, is an invasive procedure and requires permanent changes to your natural teeth.

What is the cost of porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers can be expensive. However, you can expect to pay between $925 and $2,500 per tooth. This is not a permanent solution. The average lifespan of traditional porcelain veneers is between 10 and 15 years.

Teeth Whitening

Whitening (or bleaching) is the most popular and simple cosmetic dentistry treatment. The ease of access and relatively low cost make it a very attractive option for people looking to improve smile esthetics without undergoing anything too invasive. The best results are typically achieved through in-office professional whitening treatment, though there are a number of dentist-dispensed take-home whiteners that let you do it yourself.

Depending on which type of teeth whitening treatment is chosen, it may be possible to lighten your teeth by two and up to nine shades. The results are temporary and can last several months depending on how well your teeth are taken care of.

What is the cost of teeth whitening?

Prices for whitening vary from one treatment to the next and from brand to brand. Professional teeth whitening is approximately $400 to $650 per appointment, while do-it-yourself kits can cost anywhere from $100 to $400. Strips and other over-the-counter options are much more affordable, however, they are less effective and can be more damaging to your teeth if not executed properly.

Dental Bonding

Bonding, although it isn’t the most glamorous cosmetic dentistry treatment, is still very popular. Bonding is a process that permanently attaches dental materials to teeth such as crowns, fillings, and veneers. Direct composite bonding can also be used to fix small cracks and chips with tooth-colored composites. It is an inexpensive, simple solution to many dental problems.

What is the cost of dental bonding?

It will depend on what type of bonding is performed and whether the bonding is part of a larger procedure like veneers. Dental bonding costs range from $300 to $600 per tooth on average. Talk to a dentist for a custom-tailored cost estimate.

Porcelain Crowns

Also referred to as “caps,” crowns help to preserve the functionality of damaged teeth. In this sense, crowns straddle the line between restorative and cosmetic. Crown materials can be gold, porcelain fused to metal, or all-ceramic porcelain; the last of which offers the highest degree of esthetic value.

Porcelain crowns entail a reduced thickness that maintains durability. Although thick, these crowns allow for increased light transmission for a natural, tooth-like appearance. Although durable, the all-ceramic porcelain variety of crowns, in certain cases, may not be feasible for certain areas of the mouth that require stronger functioning (such as molars).

What is the cost of porcelain crowns?

Porcelain crowns cost between $1,000 and $3,500 per tooth on average. These crowns have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, similar to porcelain veneers. The better you care for your teeth, the longer your crowns can last.

Clear Aligners

Invisible braces are a great option for those who don’t want to have to deal with a full set of bracket and wire braces. There are many options for invisible braces, such as ceramic tooth-colored brackets or inside braces (placed at the back of your teeth), or clear aligners like Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®. These types of braces are not interchangeable. Each case must be considered before deciding upon the unique treatment for your smile.

What is the cost of invisible braces?

Invisible braces cost varies from one case to the next, and product to product. The cost of inside braces will be comparable to traditional braces (from $3,000 to $7,000), however, ceramic braces or clear aligners might end up being slightly more costly (though still within the same price range).

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the gold standard in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They offer the best strength and durability, with natural-looking aesthetics. Implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss. They consist of an artificial root (typically made from titanium) that is surgically placed in the jaw. It then fuses with the bone in what is called osseointegration.

Implants are known for their incredible durability. To replace a tooth, a crown is placed on top of the implant. This procedure is considered invasive. It takes six months to recover before the crown can be attached and the procedure is complete.

What is the cost of dental implants?

On average, dental implants cost between $900 to $3,000 per tooth. However, costs can vary greatly depending on your unique case. Dental implants are also very durable. A dental implant will last you for the rest of your life, provided you get them before your 40s. However, similar to porcelain crowns and veneers, the crown that covers the implant might need to be replaced within 10 to 15 years.

Gingival Contouring

A common smile concern many people share is a gummy smile, in which an excessive amount of gum tissue is exposed when smiling.

Also called excessive gingival display, a gummy smile is treatable in a variety of ways.

These treatments include:

• laser treatment,
• surgical lip repositioning,
• orthodontics,
• maxillofacial surgery, and
• gingival sculpting

Gingival contouring treatments often are performed by specialists such as periodontists, orthodontists, or in some cases an oral surgeon.

What is the cost of Gingival Contouring?

It is hard to estimate the cost of gingival contouring because there are so many variables. Talking to your qualified dentist in Burleson, TX, is the best way to estimate the cost of treatment.

Ready for a New Smile?

It is a big decision that requires careful consideration. You can trust Dr. Barroso and Dr. Magers to give you the beautiful smile that you have always dreamed of. Legacy Dental in Burleson, TX can help. Contact us today if you want to learn more and schedule an appointment – 972-544-2123.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

As the tissues around your teeth get infected, they detach from the tooth, creating a deeper pocket between the gum tissues and the root. Consequently, bone support is also lost. Without adequate professional treatment, teeth gradually loosen and fall out.

You may experience:

• Bleeding gums
• Swelling
• Gum recession (“long teeth”)
• Bad breath
• Tooth mobility

If you smoke, you may not notice the traditional symptoms of bleeding and swelling.

To determine how advanced the disease has progressed, our experts will record multiple measurements around each tooth, comparing them to digital images that show where bone levels and tissue attachment levels compare to one another.

Health Risks

Gum disease doesn’t just affect your smile, it can also impair your overall wellness. Research shows that active gum disease allows pathogens to spread directly into the airway and cardiovascular system, significantly increasing the risk of multiple health conditions. Some of them include pneumonia, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and infertility.

By combatting active oral infections, you improve your dental health as well as your immune system, benefiting your body as a whole.

Our mission is to help you retain your natural teeth for as long as possible, improving their health and integrity along the way. Contact Legacy Dental in Burleson, TX today to request a new patient appointment.

Our superior diagnostics equipment and materials detect any changes to your teeth, tissues, or bone, including cracks, decay, gum disease, or the breakdown of dental restorations. Educating our patients on effective hygiene is the heart of our practice.

Frequent and proper brushing and flossing, along with your regular professional dental cleaning, will help reduce and remove plaque- a contributing factor to tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless bacterial film that grows on the hard surfaces of teeth. These bacteria use the sugar and starch from food particles in the mouth to produce acid. Left to accumulate, this acid produces foul breath, destroys the outer enamel of the tooth, and irritates gums to the point of bleeding.

How to Brush Your Teeth?

Brush your teeth at least twice a day, but preferably after every meal. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush or electric toothbrush, and replace it every 3-4 months or as soon as the bristles begin to fray.

• Start by choosing your toothpaste carefully, ensuring that you buy one that contains fluoride.
• Place a pea-sized amount on your toothbrush.
• Use gentle, circular, short strokes (about the width of a tooth) against the teeth and gums.
• For the outer tooth surfaces, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line.
• To clean the chewing and inner tooth surfaces use a gentle back and forth motion.
• To clean the inner front tooth surfaces hold the brush upright and use gentle up and down strokes with the tip of the brush.
• Don’t forget to brush along the gum line. Do not brush too vigorously as this may cause damage to the gum tissue.
• It is recommended that you spend two minutes each time you brush your teeth. You should spend 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left).
• The tongue should also be brushed using a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove any food particles and bacteria that may sour the breath.
• Thoroughly rinse the toothbrush to remove debris and toothpaste. Do not routinely store your toothbrush in a closed container, as the moist environment is more conducive than the open air to the growth of microorganisms.

The Big Deal About Sleep Apnea

Many people don’t know that they have sleep apnea, and even think it is harmless, but the disorder can cause low blood oxygen levels and even a severe form of congestive heart failure. New discoveries in technology show that modern dental appliances can not only ease the symptoms of sleep apnea but also help to ensure a full night of sleep and a longer healthier life.

Treatment For Sleep Apnea

The gold standard therapy for sleep apnea is wearing a C-PAP, but many people are intolerant to wearing the device. Studies show that sufferers with mild to moderate sleep apnea can benefit just as well with an oral appliance. An oral appliance is also prescribed when a severe sleep apnea sufferer refuses to wear a C-PAP.

Our Legacy Dental office team will absolutely submit all treatment and testing to your medical and dental insurance. Insurances are increasingly helping with the costs of these treatments and tests. Some of our patients do, however, choose to pay for it out-of-pocket so as to avoid the raising of insurance premiums once they see that testing has been done for sleep apnea. Whichever method you chose to use, we will file all the necessary paperwork so that you get the best benefit available to you.

If you want to get evaluated for sleep apnea, schedule your consultation with us today! Please remember to fill out all the required patient forms before your visit in order to save time during the appointment.

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the 3^rd set of molars that erupt sometime between the mid-teen years to the mid-20s. In most cases, dental X-rays can detect 3^rd molars before a child has reached adolescence.

Here are a few examples of when removing your wisdom teeth is an ideal preventative measure to avoid unwanted problems that have yet to develop:

Partial Eruption

When your wisdom tooth has come through the gums, but not all the way, it can be difficult to clean. These teeth are especially prone to developing cavities and gum disease because of their location, which can easily spread to the adjacent teeth.

Impaction

Pressure caused by an impacted wisdom tooth can damage the adjacent tooth or push teeth forward causing crowding throughout your mouth.

Cysts

Sometimes developing wisdom teeth can have enlarged cysts that damage the bone around them.

Keeping You Comfortable

We offer in-house oral sedation to ensure the most relaxing experience possible. Whether you only need one tooth removed or all of your wisdom teeth extracted, our specialists are here to ensure your safety and comfort at all times.

Oral sedation uses prescription-strength sedatives that are taken by mouth just before your scheduled procedure. Gradually you’ll start to feel sleepy or in a dream-like state; most people don’t even remember their appointment because of the amnesic affect. Obviously, you’ll need to have a family member or friend escort you to and from our office!

The medication will start to wear off a few hours later, giving us more than enough time to complete your oral surgery and have you back at home before you start to “come to.”

Specialist Care in Burleson, TX

Legacy Dental provides multi-specialty care close to home so that you can receive expert services along with general oral care. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are here to serve you!

What Is Considered A Dental Emergency?

Dental crises are rare, but they could occur when you least expect it. Cracked teeth, lost fillings, or other dental issues need immediate attention that may not be available through most medical emergency rooms. Our dedicated team of dental professionals will always do our best to get you in as soon as possible to treat your dental emergency. Some common emergency dental issues include:

• Chipped or cracked tooth/teeth
• Knocked out or loose tooth/teeth
• Damaged dental work such as crowns, bridges, or fillings
• A severe toothache that lasts a long time
• Advanced periodontal disease

Our caring team at Legacy Dental can arrange the closest available appointment during our regular business hours for those who need emergency dental care. If you are experiencing a dental emergency or if you have any further questions regarding our services, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Why Consider Dental Sedation?

Choosing to have sedation during your treatment provides the following benefits:

• Most relaxing experience possible
• An environment where our specialists can work more efficiently
• Opportunities to complete your treatment in one appointment
• Solutions for individuals with dental anxiety and/or phobia

If you’re curious about whether sedation is appropriate for your particular situation, just ask us! We’re happy to answer any questions that you might have.

How Does It Work?

All dental sedation patients are carefully screened and a thorough medical history is completed prior to administering any type of sedative medication. Please plan to bring a list of all medications that you take (prescription or over the counter, including supplements) as well as disclose underlying medical conditions that you may have. Even if you feel it is not significant, there are contraindications for certain health issues that we should be made aware of; your privacy and confidentiality is respected at all times.

It can take a few hours after the procedure for the sedatives to completely wear off. Plan to wear comfortable, loose clothing, and dress in layers. We’ll give you a medication that’s taken by mouth just before your scheduled treatment. Gradually, you’ll start to feel sleepy or like you’re daydreaming.

During sedation, you’ll remain semi-conscious, being able to respond to basic questions and instructions (such as “open” or “close”) but sleepy enough that you’re not quite aware of what’s going on around you.

Are You A Good Candidate For Sedation Dentistry?

It’s quite routine for our specialists to provide sedation during dental treatments, such as wisdom tooth extraction, dental implants, or root canals. However, sedation isn’t restricted to just these particular treatments. We also offer it as a solution to anyone that wants to feel more relaxed, overcome dental phobia, or simply “nap” through the visit for a more efficient experience.

To learn more about dental sedation, call our office or schedule a consultation!