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The Difference Between Dental Implants and Bridges | Henderson Dentist

dental implant

If you have experienced dental trauma, advanced gum disease, or deterioration of the underlying bone over time, it’s important to see your dentist sooner than later to assess surrounding teeth and gums. A cosmetic dentist may present two replacement options to consider; a fixed dental implant or bridge. It’s important to understand what these options entail in order to make the best decision for you.

Dental Implants

Dental implants require a more extensive procedure, but restore the entire tooth structure rather than simply fill in the gap. Simply put implants work by inserting a base into the jawbone into which a post with a crown on top can be placed. Implants provide stability and stimulation to the underlying bone which helps prevent resorption while looking and feeling like a natural tooth.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge can actually be thought of as an actual bridge. An artificial tooth (or teeth) are fixed to crowns on adjacent teeth on either end that attach to healthy teeth, acting as the support posts if you will. The caveat to this solution is that if the tooth root is not replaced the bone may not get the stimulation it needs to remain healthy. Missing tooth roots could cause resorption, which causes the bone to lose density and shrink over time. Ultimately, this can cause one’s face to have a prematurely aged appearance.

Your dentist will review these procedures, benefits, and risks with you as you navigate your particular circumstances. Your dentist knows best and may encourage you towards one or the other option as they see fit. Be sure to ask your dentist any questions or concerns you may have prior to embarking on any given treatment option.

Interested in learning more? Call to schedule an appointment today at 702-735-2755 or visit us online at www.patricksimonedds.com today.

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

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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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Survival Tips for Dental Implant Surgery | Henderson Dentist

If you plan to have dental implants installed, you are surely expecting to come out of the surgery with the most fabulous smile around. Not very often will you find that you’ve completely forgotten about the aftermath and what it entails exactly. After all, it is surgery and all surgeries are quite serious, even if it’s outpatient. Here’s what you should expect to experience after you have your smile restored. It isn’t anything extraordinary, but having every bit of knowledge will help decrease any unnecessary panic you may feel as your anesthetic wears off:

Soreness. You’ll experience some soreness in your jaw and gums since the tissue had to be damaged to accommodate the dental implants. You’ll be able to help the pain with over-the-counter prescription pain killers, and then eventually switch to less powerful pain killer such as ibuprofen or Tylenol.

Swelling. It’s very common for your jaw, gums and cheeks to swell up after dental implant surgery. The swelling will typically last for about a week. You can help reduce the swelling by applying an ice pack to the affected areas for 15 minutes at a time, with 15 minutes breaks in between.

Bruising. Bruises may start to appear on your jaw, gums, and neck which is a result of your dental implants being installed. Any discoloration will be more noticeable once swelling does down, but the bruising should start to reduce, eventually gone by the end of the first week.

After the first or second week, your face should look and feel considerably better, and you should be able to return to your normal daily activities. If any of the side effect do start to worsen, call your dentist immediately.

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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What Do I Need to Know About Dentures? | Henderson Dentist

When you lose your teeth, it can cause other dental issues, so it is important that you have the issue fixed. People can lose their natural teeth for several different reasons, including trauma and decay. Fortunately, dentures are an ideal solution for those who’ve lost some or all of their natural teeth. Dentures are removable artificial replacements for missing teeth. They take some getting used to and may never feel exactly like your natural teeth, but dentures have become much more natural looking and comfortable than ever before.

There are three main types of dentures: full dentures, partial dentures and implant supported dentures. Which type of dentures you receive are determined based of your individual needs.

Partial dentures. If you are missing multiple teeth, but not in a single arch, partial dentures are ideal. Partial dentures rest on metal framework that attach to the patient’s natural teeth.

Full dentures. Full dentures are used when a patient is missing a full set of teeth, either the top arch, bottom arch or both. A set of artificial teeth are permanently secured into a gum-colored base. Full dentures can either be held in place by suction or by denture adhesive.

Implanted dentures. Implant-supported dentures are secured in place by dental implants rather than just resting on a patient’s gums as traditional denture do. Dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone and the dentures snap onto them. These dentures offer more support, preventing them from slipping or shifting around while you eat or talk.

Schedule an appointment today 702-735-2755. Learn more about Dr. Patrick Simone’s 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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Why Whiten? | Henderson Dentist

Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.

It’s important to keep in mind that tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up will be necessary, especially if you smoke or drink coffee, tea, or wine. Here are the common reasons for tooth whitening:

  • Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
  • Normal wear of outer tooth layer
  • Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)
  • Yellow, brown stained teeth

You next question will likely be, what does this procedure entail? This type of tooth whitening usually requires two visits.  At the first appointment, impressions will be made of your teeth to fabricate custom, clear plastic, trays.

At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for proper fit, and adjustments will be made if necessary.  The trays are worn with special whitening solution either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight for a couple of weeks, depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening.  It is normal to experience tooth sensitivity during the time you are whitening your teeth, but it will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching.

You will receive care instructions for your teeth and trays and be encouraged to visit your dental professional regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile.

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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How to Care for Your New Veneers | Henderson Dentist

When we have a flaw in our teeth, oftentimes your dental professional will suggest treating the area with porcelain veneers. Not only is it a fantastic way to improve your smile, but veneers can look so natural, no one will know the difference. They are strong, subtle substitutes to your actual teeth. And while they are meant to last, nothing lasts forever. However, the longevity of your porcelain veneers greatly depends on how well you take care of them. Yes, you can get your smile makeover, but maintaining that new smile is going to fall in your hands. But worry not – here are some quick tips to keeping your smile healthy and bright:

Brush your teeth. Brush and floss daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste containing fluoride. Good oral care at home helps prevent periodontitis, which can cause your gums to recede. Veneers are placed right at the gum line. If your gums start to recede, the appearance of your veneers could be compromised.

Avoid excessive force. No biting your fingernails, hairpins, ice or hard candy. These types of things can break or dislodge a veneer.

No clenching and grinding your teeth. By grinding your teeth your veneers can be chipped or broken due to the force generated by these actions. In fact, it may be the reason you need the veneers in the first place. If you suffer from bruxism at night, look into wearing a night guard to protect your teeth and veneers.

Food and drink stains. Although porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining, the cement used to hold them in place can stain over time. Try to avoid foods and drinks that are known to stain, like coffee, berries, wine and tobacco.

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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The ABCs of Dental Fillings | Henderson Dentist

In the past, we only had the traditional metal fillings. They were not only durable, but they were also quite obvious to others. Today, you have more discrete options available. In fact, you have lots of things to consider when choosing which is best for you and vary depending on the patient’s health, where and how the filling is placed, the amount of chewing pressure the tooth will have to bear, components of the filling material and the number of visits needed to prepare and accommodate the tooth. Some of the choices include amalgam, composite and ionomers. Let’s break them all down…

Amalgam fillings are very durable, easy to use, and inexpensive when compared to other materials. Since amalgam fillings can sustain very heavy chewing loads, they are usually used to restore molars. Some of the disadvantages of amalgam fillings are that the silver tone is not as natural looking, possible short-term sensitivity, and more tooth structure is removed to conform the filling.

Composite fillings are made out of a mixture of glass or quartz and resin, this mix produces a tooth colored filling. Composite fillings are durable and provide good resistance against fracture in small to medium restorations where there is moderate chewing pressure. Because less tooth structure is removed when using a composite, a smaller filling can be used than one using amalgam.

Ionomers, on the other hand, are made out of a mixture of acrylic acids and fine glass powders. Ionomers are usually utilized to fill cavities on the root surfaces of teeth or in small fillings that do not require any chewing resistance since they have low protection against fractures.

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.