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Dental Crowns: Are You Royalty? | Henderson Dentist

Have you ever dreamt of wearing a crown? Do you have a secret fantasy of marrying a prince so you could wear the royal headpiece? Unfortunately, most of us will never know what it is like to become royalty or wear a crown, but that doesn’t mean our teeth can’t. In fact, getting a dental crown during a dental visit is quite common.

Unfortunately, needing a dental crown isn’t as lovely as getting crowned royalty. A dental crown is a cap placed over a tooth to restore its strength and appearance, in order to protect a weak or broken tooth, cover a large filling or help support a bridge. And this is necessary because your teeth have become weakened due to things like poor dental hygiene, physical injury or bruxism (teeth grinding).

A dental crown can last up to fifteen years, depending on how you treat them. If you like to chew ice, bite your nails or grind your teeth, know that these habits are damaging your teeth and look for ways to deter these behaviors. After all, a dental crown has so many benefits, including:

Discreet. Porcelain and composite crowns have the look and feel of natural teeth. And because they’re made from porcelain, they are stain resistant.

Durable. They can last for years and are cemented or anchored in place to prevent slipping or gum irritation.

Protection. Crowns protect the tooth from further decay and makes your tooth full-functional.

Confidence. Damaged, discolored or missing teeth causes confidence issues. Not only are they visually unpleasing, but they can affect your speech. Crowns help to make your smile beautiful and your speech clearer.

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about Dr. Simone’s practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Patrick Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.

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The ABCs of Dental Prosthetic Devices | Henderson Dentist

In the search of getting the smile we’ve always dreamt of, there are plenty of options to consider. Crowns and bridges are dental prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants that can instantly make a dramatic difference in your smile. Because unlike dentures, which can be taken out, crowns and bridges can only be removed by a dentist. This is a relief for many patients as dentures can slip or cause other issues because they can be easily removed. For those unfamiliar with these dental procedures, here is a breakdown of some basics to familiarize yourself. When you sit down with your dental professional, you can discuss your options in depth.

Dental bridge. Bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are cemented to existing teeth or implants that surround an empty space, serving as anchors for the bridge. Porcelain is the most common material choice because it can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.

Crowns. A crown covers a damaged tooth. They are used for various reasons such as strengthening a damaged tooth, improving the tooth’s appearance or shape and to fix alignment issues. As with bridges, crowns can be made of porcelain.

When would I need a crown?

  • To attach a bridge
  • Replace a filling when not enough tooth remains
  • Protecting weak teeth
  • Fractured tooth
  • Mask a dental implant
  • Disguise a discolored tooth
  • Cover a tooth that has had a root canal

Crowns and bridges are fairly easy to take care of. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist on a regular basis. Also, steer clear of chewing hard foods such as ice. Follow these simple rules and your crowns and bridges could last a lifetime!

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about Dr. Simone’s practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Patrick Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.

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Dental Restorations Will Repair Your Flawed Smile | Henderson Dentist

Most people already know that they should visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and professional cleaning. However, many patients don’t take into consideration is that they may have to visit their dentist every now and then for treatments that go beyond a routine cleaning. One example of this is dental restorations, which are different types of dental treatments. This type of dental treatment involves the restoration of either decayed, chipped, cracked, discolored or missing teeth with fillings, crowns, bridges and dental implants. No matter the flaw, it can be restored.

Now, when it comes to dental restorations, you can essentially sum up the importance of them in two words – prevention and restoration. Not only do dental restorations allow dentists to treat teeth, but they also prevent any infections you may have from spreading any further. Another benefit to dental restorations is that these procedures also aim to improve the aesthetics of patient’s teeth.

Having your damaged, infected or missing teeth restored or replaced doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about dental problems reoccurring. No matter what type of materials are used to restore or replace your teeth, bacteria and plaque will still form around the restoration. The chances of such dental problems happening again is even higher if you don’t take proper care of your teeth. Because, apart from the costs, dental professionals may no longer be able to treat or reverse the effects of certain kinds of dental problems, such as advanced periodontitis. So, make sure you take care of those restorations if you want them to take care of you.

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about Dr. Simone’s practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Patrick Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.

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What Are Dental Restorations? | Henderson Dentist

Most of us know that in order to maintain a bright and healthy smile, we should visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and professional cleaning. However, many don’t take into consideration is that they may have to visit their dentist every now and then for treatments that go beyond a routine cleaning. This may involve dental restorations, which are different types of dental treatments for decayed, chipped, cracked, discolored or missing teeth. Here are the more common options:

Fillings. This is the most common type of dental restoration. Teeth with cavities or tooth decay can either be filled with gold, silver amalgam or composite resin fillings.

Crowns. This restoration is essentially a tooth-shaped cap that’s placed over a damaged tooth. It’s done to restore the tooth’s shape and size, strength, appearance, to hold a dental bridge or to cover a dental implant.

Dental bridges. Bridges are false teeth that are fabricated to fill a gap due to one or more missing teeth. They are anchored on either side of the missing tooth by the crowns and cemented into place.

Dental implants. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. The actual implant is a small post made of metal that’s placed into the jaw bones where the tooth is missing. The implant itself is covered with a replacement tooth.

Dentures. Dentures are removable dental appliances for missing teeth. They’re made out of acrylic resin and metal framing. Complete dentures replace a full set of teeth, either top or bottom, while partial dentures only replace a few missing teeth.

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about Dr. Simone’s practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Patrick Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.

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Accidents Happen. Don’t Panic. | Henderson Dentist

No matter what we try to do, life happens. Accidents happen. We can’t control it, but we can control how we deal with it. In the event of dental trauma, where damage is caused to one or more teeth, it’s important to contact your dentist immediately. Sometimes the neighboring teeth can suffer additional, unnoticed injuries that can only be detected by a dental exam. There are various possible problems, and each have their own way of being treated. The following includes a few possible injuries and how they may be treated:

Chipped or fractured. Most times a chipped or fractured tooth can be repaired by either replacing the broken piece or by bonding a tooth colored filling. If a large portion of the tooth is broken, then a crown will likely be required to restore the tooth. If the pulp is exposed or damaged, a root canal treatment may be needed.

Dislodged. A dislodged tooth is when a tooth pushed sideways, out of or into the socket. In these cases, a patient will usually require a root canal and a dentist or endodontist will focus on stabilizing the tooth.

Knocked out. When a tooth is completely knocked out of the socket, it may be able to be saved if the patient arrives to the dentist in time, and the tooth is handled properly. Do not touch the root of the tooth, and keep it moist (either in the socket, on the gum against your cheek, or in milk). Fast treatment is crucial to save the tooth, so the patient should get to the dentist immediately.

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.

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What Exactly Is General Dentistry? | Henderson Dentist

We all know visiting the dentist is important, but when it’s time for us to choose a dental professional, it becomes a bit overwhelming. Between orthodontics and family dentistry, it’s difficult to choose which is best for your family. As far as dental treatments go in general dentistry, you will find that most general dentists offer the following procedures:

Fillings. Gold, amalgam and other options are used to restore a tooth.

Crowns. These artificial teeth fit over broken or damaged teeth to maintain structure and protect it from further damage.

Dental bridge. This is a dental appliance contains artificial teeth anchored to remaining teeth or crowns and fit over the natural teeth to help secure the replacement teeth in place.

Root canal therapy. This treatment is done when the pulp within a tooth becomes infected in order to save the tooth.

Professional teeth cleaning. This can take form of a scale and polish, or advice on brushing and flossing your teeth.

Dental bonding. Bonding is typically done to treat cracked, chipped, misaligned or discolored teeth by fusing composite resin to your teeth with a specialized light.

Dentures. These false sets of teeth are used to replace missing teeth and function like natural teeth would. They come in both partial and full dentures.

Maxillofacial treatments. This is the technical term that is used to describe procedures for the mouth, face and jaw. This includes dental implants and treatment for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

The dental treatments mentioned above are the most common services offered by general dentists, in addition to a wide range of cosmetic procedures as well, such as teeth whitening, veneers and cosmetic bonding.

Schedule an appointment today with cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Henderson and all surrounding areas.

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What to Expect When You Don’t Brush Daily | Henderson Dentist

general dentistryDid you know it only takes 24 hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into tartar? It’s scary but true. Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention, so brushing your teeth on a daily is extremely important. If left untreated, only a dentist can help bring your smile back. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy. Plaque and calculus that are difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line. But that isn’t all you can expect from these important periodontal treatments:

Diagnostic x-rays. Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.

Examination of existing restorations. Check current fillings, crowns, etc.

Examination of tooth decay. Check all tooth surfaces for decay.

Oral cancer screening. Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, cheek tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.

Oral hygiene recommendations. Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed. (Electric toothbrushes, special periodontal brushes, fluorides, rinses, etc.)

Teeth polishing. Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.

Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control! Remember that prevention is the best treatment, however if you feel you need help preventing periodontal disease, do not hesitate to visit the dentist.

Schedule an appointment today with cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

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Quick Holiday Dental Tips | Las Vegas Dentist

You may be hosting a holiday party or even have special holiday events to attend, and these festivities are most likely going to have lots of appetizing food and beverages, but as you indulge the sugars you consume could be taking a toll on your teeth. Most of us know how detrimental sugar is to teeth but during these times your oral health can slip your mind, don’t let it. While indulging in the delightful food and beverages, keep these six tips in mind so you can maintain a healthy mouth this holiday season:

Healthy routine. Always brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes. This simple routine can make a huge difference over time.

Avoid hard candy. Not only do hard candies promote tooth decay, but the act of chewing on them can lead to a cracked or chipped tooth.

Limit chewy candies. During this time of year it’s hard not to munch on chewy candy like caramel, fudge or toffee. Just remember, sticker candies take longer to get washed away by saliva and may increase risk for tooth decay.

Stay hydrated. Be sure to drink water in between consuming sugary foods and beverages to rinse away excess sugar to decrease the chances of getting a cavity.

Teeth aren’t tools. Some people get caught up in the excitement of opening gifts that they’ll use their teeth to rip tags off new items or to bite through string. Avoid using your teeth as tools because this can cause teeth to crack, chip or break.

Dentist visits. It’s important to maintain regular preventative oral care during the holidays and throughout the entire year, so take the time to schedule an appointment.

Schedule an appointment today with cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

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When You Visit Your Dentist More than Twice a Year | Las Vegas Dentist

Most people already know that they should visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and professional cleaning. However, what a lot people don’t take into consideration is that they may have to visit their dentist every now and then for treatments that go beyond a routine cleaning. This may involve dental restorations, which are different types of dental treatments. This type of dental treatment involves the restoration of either decayed, chipped, cracked, discolored or missing teeth with fillings, crowns, bridges and dental implants.

When it comes to dental restorations, you can essentially sum up the importance of them in two words – prevention and restoration. Not only do dental restorations allow dentists to treat teeth, they also prevent present infections from spreading any further. Another plus about dental restorations is that these procedures also aim to improve the aesthetics of patient’s teeth.

Having your damaged, infected or missing teeth restored or replaced doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about dental problems reoccurring. No matter what type of materials are used to restore or replace your teeth, bacteria and plaque will still form around the restoration. The chances of such dental problems happening again is even higher if you don’t take proper care of your teeth. Because, apart from the costs, dental professionals may no longer be able to treat or reverse the effects of certain kinds of dental problems, such as advanced periodontitis. So make sure you take care of those restorations if you want them to take care of you.

Schedule an appointment today with cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricsimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.

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Chipped Tooth? There’s a Fix | Las Vegas Dentist

In general, teeth are extremely durable. After all, we use them to break down food so our bodies can digest it properly. And from time to time, they can chip or break. What do you do? Fortunately, there are many restorative dentistry solutions to repair damaged teeth, depending on the severity of damage. Some of those solutions include the following:

Bonding. If a small portion of your front tooth is chipped, your dentist may bond your tooth. They’ll roughen up the chip with a gel, then apply a solution to bond the material. After bonding material is applied the tooth is shaped and hardened with an ultraviolet light.

Veneers. Veneers may be another option for you if you have chipped or broken tooth in the front area. A veneer is a thin piece of tooth colored porcelain or resin composite material that covers the whole front of the tooth, with a thicker area where the chip is. Similar to the bonding procedure, your dentist will remove very little natural tooth, rough it with a gel, apply a special cement and place your veneer before hardening it with light.

Crowns. If it’s a large piece of tooth, your dentist may have to grind away some of the tooth and use a special cement to place a crown. First visit, molds of the tooth will be taken to create your custom crown. Second visit, the tooth will be cleaned and your custom crown will be placed with a special cement.

Schedule an appointment today with cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755. Learn more about his practice and see the beautiful smiles he has created by visiting his website at www.patricsimonedds.com.

Dr. Simone proudly serves patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Silverado Ranch, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley and all surrounding areas.