Good oral health is fundamental to your overall wellbeing. In order for you to maintain the best oral health, it is important to understand the different types of common dental concerns and how we can fix them.
You’ll discover many solutions for your dental concerns at Sensational Smiles. Like thousands of your friends and neighbors throughout Plano, Dallas, Frisco, and Southlake County, you can call us for a complimentary consultation at (972) 382-6855 or request an online appointment.
If you have any dental concerns, please share them with us at your next dental visit. Knowing your medical history and dental concerns can help our dentists provide more effective and relevant treatments and procedures.
Fixing Dental Problems in Plano, TX
The following are general dental issues that we can help you address at our dental practice. Click on the links below to read more about each topic, or use the drop-down menu above.
Chipped Teeth
Repairing a chipped tooth is important for several reasons. A chipped tooth can be an eyesore and affect your appearance, but it can also be a source of pain or discomfort. Furthermore, a chipped tooth can incur more damage due to bacteria and plaque buildup. Repairing the chip can help prevent further damage, alleviate any pain, and help restore the original look of your smile. To learn about how we can repair your chipped tooth, see Chipped teeth.
Stained Teeth
Stained and discolored teeth can give off an unappealing smile, which can cause a lack of self confidence. Proper teeth cleaning and whitening treatments at our dental office can help you restore the natural color of your teeth and give you back your confidence! Additionally, fixing stained and discolored teeth can also protect them from cavities and decay which can damage the enamel and even lead to tooth loss. To learn more about how we can help you address a stained tooth, see Stained or discolored teeth.
Missing Teeth
Replacing missing teeth can bring many benefits to your daily life, including:
- An improved ability to eat and speak
- Prevention of potential jaw, gum and other dental problems
- Improved smile appearance
- Restored confidence
- Improved oral health
- Preserved/maintained facial features
The most common and successful options to replace your lost teeth are dental implants, fixed bridges, and partial or complete dentures. Our dentist can help you decide which option is best for you. To learn how Dr. Sowell can replace your lost teeth, see Missing teeth.
Rotated Teeth
Rotated teeth occur when a tooth is out of alignment with the other teeth in the jaw. As a result, the tooth does not fit properly within the jaw or line up correctly with the neighboring teeth. In addition to looking crooked, rotations can make it difficult to keep your teeth clean, as food particles and plaque can become trapped in the tilted areas. To learn about rotated teeth treatment options, see Rotated teeth.
Broken Teeth
Dr. Mark Sowell can fix broken teeth by performing a variety of procedures. These procedures may include placing a filling, bonding the broken pieces together, putting a crown on the affected tooth, or extracting the damaged tooth and inserting a bridge or dental implant. The specific procedure you get will depend on the severity of the break. To learn about these procedures and more options to repair a broken tooth, see Broken teeth.
Teeth Grinding/Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition in which a person unconsciously clenches their jaw or grinds their teeth while they are asleep or awake. The common causes are stress, anxiety, and tension. Constantly grinding your teeth can eventually lead to headaches, worn-down teeth, and jaw pain. To learn how we can help you alleviate the symptoms, see Tooth grinding.
Gummy Smile
Dr. Sowell can fix a gummy smile using a gum recontouring procedure, or a gingivectomy. This is a procedure where a laser removes any excess gum tissue, reshaping the gum line to get rid of the gummy look. Our dentist may also recommend a crown lengthening procedure, which involves removing small amounts of bone and gum tissue to make the teeth appear longer. In some cases, we may use injections to relax the muscles that cause the elevation of the upper lip and reduce the gummy smile. To learn about our gummy smile treatments, see Gummy smile.
Gum Recession
Gum recession can cause serious dental health issues down the road, so it’s important to fix it as soon as possible. Recession in your gums can expose the roots of the teeth which can lead to sensitivity and enamel decay. This can lead to the breakdown of the jawbone and the eventual loss of teeth. In some cases, it can lead to gum disease which can cause systemic health issues. To learn about how Dr. Sowell addresses gum recession at his Plano dental office, see Treatment for receding gums.
Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth can occur due to a variety of reasons, including enamel erosion, gum recession, and tooth root exposure. Acidic beverages and foods, grinding or clenching your teeth, aging, or demineralization of the enamel can cause enamel erosion. Genetics, injury, or overzealous brushing can cause gum recession. Fortunately, our dentist can recommend treatments to address this issue. To learn about what Dr. Sowell recommends for sensitive teeth, see Treatment for sensitive teeth.
Toothaches
We understand that a toothache can cause stress on your mind and daily life. Toothaches happen for a number of reasons, but are most common in patients with dental infections. Dr. Sowell can evaluate your toothache to diagnose the cause and provide relevant treatments. To learn about our toothache treatments, see Treatment for a toothache.
Halitosis
Halitosis, or bad breath, is a fairly common condition that can cause embarrassment and social anxiety. Fortunately, there are several treatments available to combat halitosis. Common at-home treatments for halitosis include good oral hygiene, such as regular brushing and flossing, and the use of a tongue scraper to remove bacteria that causes bad breath. In more severe cases, treatments may include a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums, the use of antibiotics, and the removal of any dental plaque. To learn how we can help you get to the root of the cause and provide halitosis treatment, see Bad breath.
Dental Cavities
Tooth cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars and starches from the food you eat, producing an acidic byproduct that erodes the hard outer enamel of your teeth and causes cavities. Poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing and flossing regularly and not visiting the dentist for regular checkups, can also increase your risk for developing cavities. Dr. Sowell will typically fix a dental cavity by removing the decayed portion of the tooth and then filling the area with a composite resin, or a ceramic material. To learn about your cavity treatment options, see Replace mercury fillings.
Gaps Between Teeth
Our dentist typically uses one of three options to fix the cosmetic issue of gaps between teeth. We can use dental crowns, dental veneers or clear aligners. Dental crowns and veneers are the most common treatments we use to close gaps between a patients teeth. They involve our dentist placing porcelain or resin over existing teeth to close the cosmetic gaps. With clear aligners, our dentist can move teeth closer together to create a symmetrical and even smile. To learn about your options at our dental office, see Treatment for gaps in teeth.
Gum Disease
Gum disease can be a serious issue for your oral health. It can lead to tooth loss, severe infections and longer-term health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. If you do not treat it quickly and properly, gum disease can cause permanent damage to your gums and teeth. For this reason, it is important to visit your dentist regularly so that they can detect and address any issues as soon as possible. To learn more about gum disease treatments at our dental office, see Gum disease.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a condition in which the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. This can lead to dental problems, difficulty speaking, and difficulty eating certain foods. Our dentist can diagnose and assist you in treating your dry mouth by evaluating other causes of dry mouth. Dr. Sowell can provide remedies for relief, and monitor the condition to ensure it doesn’t get worse. To learn about treatments for dry mouth, see Dry mouth treatment.
Request a Dental Exam Today
Dr. Mark Sowell is an experienced general and family dentist, cosmetic dentist, and sedation dentist near you. He specializes in treating patients who suffer from dental problems, cosmetic concerns, and/or fear of the dentist. He offers a full range of general and cosmetic dentistry services.
You can expect high-quality, professional care in a comfortable and convenient setting at Sensational Smiles. Dr. Sowell strives to be more than just your dentist but to become your partner in healthcare.
Our examinations are comprehensive! Dr. Sowell will examine your entire masticatory system and how it works with the rest of the body to deliver long-lasting, comfortable, and natural-looking results. To request a dental exam and consultation, call us at (972) 382-6855 today.