Dr. Hall is a second generation dentist and actually worked with his father for 10 years before opening Katy Family Dentists. Their Galleria-area firm prepared Dr. Hall to meet all his patient’s needs — and the topic of crowns deserves a closer look:

A Dental Crown Explained

Katy families deserve the best in dental care –  and the best in dental information. For this reason we explain the reasons why we might place a crown in your mouth.

Restorative services include crowns, crown implants and CEREC

A crown is a protective covering that goes around the top and sides of your tooth.  When a cavity or a filling is very large the tooth has a greater chance of breaking without a crown.

Crowns usually require two appointments, unless you are doing a CEREC crown (one day crown).

Often it may be necessary to do a traditional crown instead of a CEREC crown when you are replacing an existing crown, especially if the crown edge goes below the gum line where we can not easily get a picture.

During the first appointment your dentists will numb you and then reduce the sides and top of your tooth to make room for your crown. An impression of your tooth is then taken in order for a dental lab to make a coustom crown for your tooth. A temporary is then made and worn until you next appointment, usually about three weeks.

At your second appointment your temporary is removed and your custom made crown is fitted and cemented.

 

Dental Restoration Services

We do care deeply about the health of your teeth and gums. Often our Katy patients need restorative services to fix an injured or damaged tooth. Once again, crowns are a preferred means to restore a brilliant smile. We also offer implant crowns and CEREC – more about these services in blog posts to follow!

Dental Technology and Crowns

Whether at the Galleria or in our Katy location, the technological advantages in 2012 are greater than ever before — and dentists in general are certainly more knowledgeable about dental health and hygiene. When a patient worries about crown placements, we reassure them with the knowledge that we have faithfully served hundreds, if not thousands, of patients over the years. Your crown care is safe with us!

Contact us today for your next dental visit. We’ll take good care of you.

 

CEREC technologies are built for convenience and time budgets

CEREC technology by Sirona Dental Systems is the world’s most popular system for the fabrication of all ceramic dental restorations in one visit — a huge convenience for our Katy area clients. From busy executives to single moms, there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day . . . CEREC evaporates time constraints and makes life so much easier!.

With CEREC at Katy Family Dentists, you can be in and out in a single vist with a permanent, all ceramic crown or onlay! For you, the patient, this has added value:

• fewer injections
• less drilling
• less time out of your hectic schedule for dental care

CEREC is the way to go for easy restorative care without the worry. Check out CEREC stories for insights into patient experiences. Contact us today for more on this innovative procedure.

Photo courtesy of the American Dental Association

Experimental TMJ Treatment
There are no scientific studies supporting cold laser therapy for TMJ. Patients with chronic pain conditions who are desperately seeking relief may be willing to undergo cold laser treatment knowing that the treatment is still experimental and is not currently offered at Katy Family Dentists. As we follow the information and research available we will update you, and, indeed, some dentists are offering the non-invasive cold laser treatment for the pain of headaches, migraines and TMJ. They generally use an FDA cleared, Class IV cold laser which produces pure infrared energy.

Cold Laser Treatment
By painlessly producing a beam of light that can be applied over the injured area, healing is thought to be stimulated. The reasoning behind laser light usage is that this light penetrates deeply and is absorbed by a living tissue, thus triggering biological cell reactions. Chemicals are released to circulate throughout the system, reducing pain by producing endorphins (natural pain killers) and also reducing Inflammation by suppressing inflammatory enzymes.

The ADA and TMJ
Our Katy area friends and patients may want to learn more about TMJ. According to the American Dental Association (ADA):

“Many adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or headaches and neck pain.

Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak or swallow. They include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone–the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints called the temporomandibular joints or “TMJ.”

The TM joints are among the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side of the head, they work together to make many different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding actions used when chewing and speaking.

Several muscles also help open and close the mouth. They control the lower jaw (mandible) as it moves forward, backward, and side-to-side. Both TM joints are involved in these movements. Each TM joint has a disc between the ball and socket (see diagram). The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and rotate or glide. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.”

Katy Family Dentists can assist with your TMJ disorder or refer you to cold laser specialists! Come in for the best in dental care provided by a staff of professionals who want your smile to be vibrant and healthy! Make an appointment today!

Proper alignment of your teeth
As many of our Katy patients know, “occlusion” refers to the alignment of teeth. Your upper and lower teeth should fit together with all upper teeth fitting just slightly over the lower teeth, and molars fitting into complementary grooves. When your teeth are not properly aligned we refer to this as a malocclusion. Chances are, your inner cheeks, lips and even tongue are in danger of being bitten.

Understanding Misalignment of the Teeth
Perhaps you’ve inherited the condition. Your DNA can cause a difference in the size of your upper and lower jaw, or between tooth size and your jaw. This means you may have “overcrowding,” while on the opposite end of the spectrum patients can experience “spacing.” Overbites, underbites and crossbites are common. The variations in size or structure may be explained by birth defects such as cleft lip and palate.

Solutions
Dr. Hall and Dr. Gutierrez can identify and address ways to correct malocclusion.

Invisalign looks "barely there" while aligning your teeth

It is vitally important that tweens and teens receive proper dental care during their formative years. After all a smile should last a lifetime. Treatments may include Invisalign, the popular clear alignment system that works wonders while remaining nearly undetectable.

Don’t be shy! Come in for the best in dental care provided by a staff of professionals who want your smile to be vibrant! Make an appointment today!

For very young patients (two to seven), we absolutely encourage parents to take their children for routine check ups at the pediatric dentist. The age-appropriate environment can help make these visits fun, and little patients are often awarded with treasure box surprises, stickers and other treats at the end of each visit. However, from the age of seven onward we at Katy Family Dentist open our doors to patients who are ready for a general office environment. We can service the patients throughout their entire lives.

Convenience at the family dentist
If you have multiple-aged children, it makes sense to phase the younger (when age-appropriate) from the pediatric dentist to our practice. Having your entire family treated at one dental practice can save time and help coordinate your schedule. Indeed, Katy Family Dentist can meet the needs of adults, older elementary students, ‘tweens and teens. Entire families receive the best in care at Katy Family Dentists, from our friendly staff to our knowledgeable dentists. We are conveniently located at 21703 Kingsland Blvd., Suite 104, Katy, Texas 77450. Call us at 281-398-3432.

Also, explore the following links for more convenient access to forms and information.

Transitioning away from the pediatric office setting
Your son or daughter may be a tween or teen who no longer “fits” the demographic of choo-choo trains, blocks and picture books. If your older child is complaining about the ambiance of pediatric dentist offices and requesting a more mature setting, now may be the time to transition from the pediatric dentist to Katy Family Dentists. We certainly welcome your children to our practice, and we also hear frequently that children and teens enjoy the technology they see all around them in every room.

Contact us for an appointment today!

Make an informed decision before you pierce:

• Unsterilized instruments can transmit Hepatitis B and HIV during oral piercings.
• Your dentist may detect other infections that occur after oral piercings due to bacteria in the mouth. For instance, tongue swelling, difficulty in swallowing, or difficulty breathing may result from infection.
• Intense pain (neuralgia) and blood loss may result due to the major blood vessels of the tongue as well as an abundance of nerve endings.
• Mouth jewelry, especially tongue barbells, have been known to chip teeth. Over time, even the fillings and crowns that repair the initial injury will also have to be replaced.
• Mouth jewelry can erode the gums. In fact, periodontists have had to correct gum trauma caused by rubbing barbells.
• Jewelry can interfere with x-rays.
• Jewelry can unscrew inside the mouth and become lodged in the throat.
• Jewelry that unscrews can also pass through the system, or, in a worse-case scenario, tear the lining of the intestine.
• Jewelry may unscrew and lodge in the lung, requiring removal by bronchoscope.
• Lip piercings can rub away gum tissue and require gum surgery to avoid tooth loss.
• Tongue and lip piercings can also interfere with the ability to eat and speak.

Learn from the experts:

For more information, visit the American Dental Association and the Texas Department of State Health Services

Example of bone loss and periodontal disease

Patients may face oral health concerns due to complication os Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and the goal is to make sure any dental problems are diagnosed before they become serious. Dr. Hall and Dr. Aguilar often work with other health care providers to manage a patient’s oral care and provide the best in screening, prevention and treatment.

For instance, Katy Family Dentists screens for gingivitis, gum disease and receding gums, periodontitis and alveolar bone loss. Diabetic patients may experience salivary disorders — and the decrease in saliva production can hinder the washing away of debris and other cavity-causing agents. Oral fungal infections and disturbances to taste are also common symptoms.

Dr. Hall and Dr. Aguilar will guide patients through the proper steps of brushing, flossing and rinsing, as well as other positive steps such as diet, recommended exercise, and other preventative measures.

It is important to have your oral health evaluated and we invite you to schedule an appointment for a thorough dental check up. Our dedicated, helpful staff is waiting for your call!

Answer: Invisalign!

That’s right – Katy Family Dentists offers Invisalign, the popular clear aligning system that work wonders on a variety of dental issues. The “Three C’s” — comfort, convenience and confidence — are major points in favor of Invisalign for teens and adults.

Rather than obvious brackets and wire braces, Invisalign is virtually invisible and made of plastic. Katy Family Dentists can guide patients through the additional benefits of Invisalign, including the relative freedom of food choices, easy cleaning aspects, and the ultimate goal — properly aligned teeth. Dr. Ross and Dr. Gutierrez care very much about your oral health and constantly stay on the cutting edge of technology, treatments and medical research. We want you to stay informed and invite you to follow our blog for the latest news on oral health and wellness.

The American Dental Association is another excellent source of information regarding the link between oral health and healthy lives. The Invisalign website also offers great information on the health benefits of alignment and modern teeth straightening.

A confident smile and healthy teeth are possible! Call 281-398-3432 today for your consultation and see for yourself what Invisalign can do for you!

The link between gums and the heart
To understand this link between the mouth and body and how the teeth and gums can affect the heart, we can examine several schools of thought. One theory explains the correlation between periodontal disease and heart disease by pointing towards a culprit — oral bacteria. This bacteria enters the blood stream and attaches fatty plaque in the blood vessels of the coronary. Over time this build up of fatty proteins produces a thickening of the wall of the coronary arteries. A clot forms and blocks normal blood flow, oxygen and nutrients. Unfortunately, this may result in a heart attack.

Another explanation
Another theory looks at the inflammation caused by periodontal disease. Inflammation can increase plaque build up, which in turn may cause arteries to swell and strain the heart. Periodontal disease can also worsen existing heart conditions, meaning that those at risk for infective endocarditis may require antibiotics prior to dental procedures.

What you can do to prevent gum and heart disease:
Of course everyone should faithfully brush and floss their teeth, but another extremely important step in caring for your gums and preventing heart disease is to schedule regular bi-annual check ups. The professional cleaning and assessing of your teeth can make a huge different in your oral and physical health. Dr. Ross and Dr. Gutierrez care very much about your oral health and constantly stay on the cutting edge of technology, treatments and medical research. We want you to stay informed, as well! Please follow our blog for the latest news on health and wellness.

It is important to have your oral health evaluated and we invite you to schedule an appointment for a thorough dental check up.

Tell Your Dentist
Although it may seem like drudgery, the forms your dentists asks you to read and fill out are actually quite important. They serve as memory prompts to help patients disclose all their medications, conditions and symptoms. What many may not realize is that supplements such as Boniva can affect your dental treatment plan. Your dentist needs to know about these and any other type of medications in order to make decisions regarding your oral health. Here’s why:

Bone Supplements and ONJ
According to the American Dental Association:
“These medications have been associated with a rare but serious condition called osteonecrosis (OSS-tee-oh-ne-KRO-sis) of the jaw (ONJ) that can cause severe damage to the jawbone. While osteonecrosis of the jaw can occur spontaneously, it more commonly occurs after dental procedures that affect the bone or associated tissues (for example, pulling a tooth). Your dentist can tell you if the proposed treatment involves these tissues.”
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The ADA also warns of symptoms which include:

• pain, swelling, or infection of the gums or jaw
• injured or recently treated gums that are not healing
• loose teeth
• numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw
• exposed bone

Should You Discontinue Taking Boniva?
The ADA does not recommend that you discontinue taking supplements prescribed by a physician but does recommend you consult all your healthcare providers (dentist, physician, oncologist) for an overall treatment plan that targets your specific needs. Doctors often collaborate and coordinate between one another regarding the best course of treatments. Again, disclosing any medications and symptoms to your dentist is the best way to ensure your oral health is addressed optimally.

We are Here to Help:
Dr. Ross and Dr. Aguilar care very much about your oral health and constantly stay on the cutting edge of technology, treatments and medical research. We want you to stay informed, as well!

By first disclosing your conditions, symptoms and all your medications (both prescribed and over the counter), you help the team at Katy Family Dentists to oversee an optimum dental treatment plan customized specifically for you. Trust us for preventative maintenance, proactive treatments and the best in dental care.