Restorative Dentistry Archives - Long Family Dental of Cleburne Blog

Root Out Pain with a Root Canal from Long Family Dental

January 15, 2015

167121308 Root canal. For some people, just the words conjure up thoughts of pain and discomfort. Actually though, a root canal should initiate thoughts of eliminating pain and restoring comfort. That’s what a root canal is designed to do when you have an infected tooth that is causing a toothache. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long at Long Family Dental, with offices in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, are experienced in root canal therapy that will relieve your pain and preserve your tooth.

Each one of your teeth is actually made up of three layers. The strong outer layer that people see when you smile is the enamel. Next is the dentin, the sensitive middle layer. And the deepest layer is called the pulp, which is comprised of nerve and lymph tissue as well as blood vessels. If this layer is exposed to infection causing bacteria, then a root canal becomes necessary in order to preserve the life of the tooth. Bacteria can spread to the pulp by way of excessive tooth decay, a deep fracture or serious blow to the face.

Symptoms you may notice that would indicate the need for a root canal include:

Moderate to severe tooth pain
Swelling around the tooth
A tooth that is newly discolored
Sensitivity to hot or cold
A foul taste in your mouth

The Root Canal Procedure

The first step is making sure you are comfortable and the site is adequately anesthetized. Then, one of our dentists will access the pulp in order to clean and disinfect this chamber and its associated canals. Once the infection and any associated debris are removed, the root canals are filled with a biocompatible, anti-bacterial material. The tooth is then sealed and usually topped with a crown for added protection and strength.

Call Our Office Today

If you have a toothache or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please call Long Family Dental today. We proudly serve patients in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne, TX, as well as the surrounding communities of Waxahachie, Red Oak, Mansfield and Cedar Hill and beyond.

Maintain Good Oral Health and Repair Your Smile with Dental Implants

November 15, 2014

184898853 Just one missing tooth can spell trouble with a capital T. Obviously, there is the consequence to your smile. In fact, for many people a missing tooth can keep them from smiling. But beyond your smile, one or more missing teeth can lead to oral and general health problems. Thankfully, there are dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long at Long Family Dental have restored oral health and many smiles around Midlothian, TX, with the help of dental implants.

To more precisely place dental implants and reduce recovery time, Drs. Long and Long use computer-assisted technology during the procedure. First, a small titanium post is implanted into the bone below the space of the missing tooth. This is allowed to heal for six to 12 weeks during which time the bone grows around the post. Thus, a dental implant has the added advantage of slowing or even stopping bone loss that may occur when the root of a tooth is missing. Once healed, the doctor places an abutment on top of the post. This abutment then holds the dental crown which has the look, feel and function of a real tooth.

But dental implants aren’t only for single missing teeth. Implants are also used to comfortably secure and support implant bridges. Once again, a bridge that is supported by implants has the added advantage of discouraging bone loss. And unlike partial dentures which are usually noticeable—especially when chewing—a bridge with implants feels natural almost immediately.

Caring for implants is much like caring for your other teeth. Brush and floss them as usual and your dental implants will last for years and years.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you or someone you care for has been dealing with the effects of missing teeth, call the office of Long Family to learn more about dental implants. We proudly serve patients in Midlothian, TX, and Cleburne.

Experience Total Oral Health with Gum Disease Therapy

October 15, 2014

Many people may not know this, but having healthy gums is absolutely crucial to you having a healthy, beautiful smile. Your gums are the foundation to your smile, and if they are compromised in any sort of negative way, the effects can be detrimental. Gum disease plagues over 80 percent of Americans, and many of them do not know that they are living with the disease. Because Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long understand the importance of excellent gum health, they are able to offer gum disease therapy to their patients at their Midlothian, TX dental office.

Though many people may be unaware of this fact, if you are living with gum disease, you are not only putting your oral health at risk, but also risking the health of your body as a whole. Untreated gum disease puts you more at risk to heart disease, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s, bone loss, tooth loss, and much more. If you are unaware as to whether or not you are living with gum disease, a few symptoms include gums that are discolored, gums that are sensitive to the touch, red or swollen gums, and gums that bleed whenever you brush or floss. It is very important to contact our office if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

A couple of ways we are able to treat your gum disease is through scaling and root planing. Scaling involves removing the harmful bacteria from below the gum line, allowing you to have a healthier smile. Root planing is where we smooth out the rough areas on your tooth’s root, promoting your gum’s reattachment to the tooth itself. We will also reinforce healthy oral care routines, ensuring your gums stay healthy for as long as possible. If you would like Drs. Long to help you with gum disease therapy, contact our office today!

At Long Family Dental, we provide quality general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services in Cleburne and Midlothian. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment. Dr. Bob Long and Dr. Chris Long are here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Have A Seamless Smile for Summer with Tooth-Colored Fillings

June 9, 2014

With summer right around the corner, one of the things many people are doing is making sure they look their summer best! Whether it is getting your beach body ready or getting their hair done in time for the backyard barbecue, many people want to make sure they are in tip top shape in order to fully enjoy their summer vacation! One thing that may not get as much attention is your smile. There is no doubt you will be meeting and reconnecting with tons of people this summer, and your smile is the first thing they are going to see. If you want to make sure you have a seamless, flawless smile, Drs. Robert and Chris Long are able to give that to their patients by offering tooth-colored fillings.

There are many reasons why people choose tooth-colored fillings. The most popular reason is that people get tooth-colored fillings is because they want to avoid the look of having a mouth full of metal. Many people want a more natural look when it comes to their dental work, and tooth-colored fillings are able to provide that look. The important aspect about fillings is the fact that it saves your tooth. When there is a cavity or a serious infection, we remove the decay and fill the space with your desired filling. If not treated in the proper amount of time, the problem can worsen, even leading toward bone loss.

One of the benefits of having tooth-colored fillings is that it gives you back your confidence. If you aren’t confident in your smile, it can completely alter the way you interact with people and yourself. There is no doubt our experience team is able to restore your confidence and bring your smile to the next level. If you’re interested in tooth-colored fillings, contact our office and will be happy to help you create the perfect smile you have always wanted, just in time for summer!

Save Your Smile with Root Canal Therapy

March 18, 2014

Living in pain is never an easy thing, especially when it comes to your teeth. Tooth pain can be excruciating, and doing nothing about the pain will only make it worse. If you are suffering from an ongoing tooth ache, it is most likely because your tooth is infected. Left untreated, an infected tooth can wreak havoc on the rest of your smile, leaving you with a much more expensive and painful result down the road. Long Family Dental understands the importance of making sure your smile is as health as it can be, which is why we offer root canal therapy to our patients!

A root canal needs to be performed when the tooth’s structure has been compromised. Perhaps due to a crack or a large cavity, the tooth’s inner structure has become infected with bacteria, causing you much pain and discomfort. Other things that can cause the need for root canal therapy are deep restorations and dental trauma.

We begin your root canal by focusing on the infected tooth and removing the harmful bacteria. The tooth’s pulp is removed, and then the tooth is filled. After that, a crown is usually placed at the top, protecting the tooth from further harm. At the end, you feel relieved and alleviated of pain!

If you are experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks, pain, swelling, throbbing, and a bad taste in your mouth, you may need a root canal. Make an appointment at our office, and we’ll be glad to help!

Dental Implants at Long Family Dental Can Restore Your Smile

December 18, 2013

It’s no secret a lot of people are less than confident when it comes to their smiles. For some, it’s the color of their teeth, and for others it’s the misalignment. For a lot of people, though, it is because they have missing teeth. Though dentures partials are ways to handle the issue, dental implants at Long Family Dental may be perfect for you! Simple and convenient, dental implants can definitely revolutionize your life for the better.

The process of dental implanting starts with a consultation with our experienced dentists. They will be able to evaluate your smile and speak with you about your goals for the future. Once you are considered to be a candidate, the adventure begins. A metal implant resembling a screw is embedded into your jaw bone. This metal implant provides security and stability. Then the abutment is added, which is essentially a support system for the metal implant as well as the crown. After that, the crown is cemented to the abutment, completing your new look!

With a 98% success rate, dental implants will give you back the self esteem you lost, as well as improve your speech and ability to eat. Another plus to getting dental implants is the fact they look very natural. Smoothly blending in with your natural teeth, implants are a sure way for you to look as organic and pure as possible. Contact our office to see if you’re a candidate for dental implants, and start off the New Year with a new smile!

At Long Family Dental, we provide quality general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry services in Cleburneand Midlothian. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment. Dr. Bob and Dr. Chris Long are here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Treating Infected Teeth with Root Canal Therapy

June 6, 2013

If you’re suffering from a toothache, it’s important to give your dentist a call right away. If the pain is persistent, you might need root canal therapy to treat the infection inside of your tooth. An infected tooth is a serious threat to your dental health and should be addressed as soon as possible.

The hard enamel on the outside of your tooth serves to protect the soft inner canal where the pulp is found. Whether it’s through damage or extensive decay, when the enamel is breached it allows bacteria to enter the pulp. This causes a root canal infection.

Some signs that you might have a root canal infection include the following:

Pain
Swelling
Increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures or sweet things
Bad taste in your mouth
Pain while biting or applying pressure to the tooth

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you should give your dentist a call. Delaying the treatment will only make things worse. If you end up needing root canal therapy, your dentist will carefully remove the infected pulp inside your tooth. Usually the canal will be filled and covered with a crown to prevent further infection. Your tooth will be restored and your smile will be healthy once again.

Root canal therapy is a good way to treat an infected tooth and restore it to health. If you’re suffering from tooth pain, give your dentist a call today to see if this could be the right solution for your smile. The sooner you call the better before the decay has a chance to spread any further.

Restore Your Teeth With A Crown

May 30, 2013

If you have a tooth that is broken, cracked or weakened, it’s important to repair it to maintain the health of your smile. Often a filling will be used. In cases where the damage is more extensive, your dentist will use a crown to restore your tooth.

Crowns are a great restorative dentistry treatment used to repair your teeth. A broken or damaged tooth not only makes it more difficult to eat, but also impacts the health of your entire smile. A damaged tooth is more susceptible to disease and infection. This type of restoration is also helpful for completing a root canal treatment or treating a large cavity.

It will usually take your dentist two visits to fully repair your tooth using a crown. Your dentist will start off the first visit by removing the damaged or decayed portion of your tooth. Then an impression will be made of your tooth that is used to create your crown. Crowns can be made out of a variety of materials, but porcelain is a popular choice because it more closely resembles a natural tooth. You’ll have a temporary crown fitted to your tooth.

At your second dental visit, the crown will have been completed and will be affixed to your tooth. Your smile is now complete and healthy once again. Some dentists use methods such as the E4D system that allow them to make your crown and complete the restoration all in the same dental visit.

A damaged tooth needs to be repaired quickly to restore and maintain the health of your smile. Your dentist can help by capping your affected tooth with a crown. Call them to learn more and see how a crown can have a positive impact on your teeth.

Restorative Dentistry Defined

January 7, 2013

Are you disappointed in the appearance of your teeth? Is you smile not quite as nice as you’d like it to be? Perhaps you should look into restorative dentistry.

Restorative dentistry is focused on restoring the health and appearance of your teeth. If your teeth are damaged or decayed, your dentist will fix the damage, thus improving the health and appearance of your teeth. Restorative dentistry usually involves a combination of services, customized to the patient’s unique needs. Some of the common services are discussed below.

Bridges

Bridges are used to replace missing teeth. Since teeth rely on each other for support, a missing tooth could cause the surrounding teeth to shift directions. A bridge allows your dentist to replace your missing tooth while helping the rest of your teeth remain in their ideal position.

Crowns

Crowns are used to help repair and restore teeth that are cracked or decayed. If the damage is too large for a filling, then a crown is used. This allows your dentist to save your natural tooth, which is better for the overall health of your mouth. Usually crowns are made from porcelain, ceramic, or metal. If you care for them like you would your natural teeth, they will last for years.

Dentures

If you’re missing more than one tooth, dentures are your solution. Depending on the location of the missing teeth and the health of your remaining teeth and jaw bone, full or partial dentures may be used. Dentures are custom-molded to fit your mouth, and may sometimes be anchored by remaining teeth. Since they’re custom-made, you’ll have a great fit and be able to smile and eat with confidence. It is also important to treat them as you would natural teeth with regular brushing and flossing.

There are lots of restorative dentistry options available to help you smile proudly once again. Your dentist will analyze your mouth and come up with a treatment plan, using some of the restorative dentistry techniques discussed above. See how easy it is to have healthy teeth once again!