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Traumatic Dental Injuries & What to Do | Henderson Dentist

skd284147sdcNo matter how well you take care of your teeth, you can’t prevent accidental dental injuries. There are several ways in which your teeth can become damaged, such as the breaking or chipping of a tooth. Some dental injuries can also cause for your tooth to dislodge or knock out of the socket.

In the event of 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 Teeth- 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 off 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 Teeth- A dislodged tooth is when a tooth pushed sideways, out of or into the socket. In these sort of cases, a patient will usually require a root canal and a dentist or endodontist will focus on stabilizing the tooth.
  • Knock out Teeth- 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.

While most dental trauma is treatable, there are cases where the tooth is lost due to the nature of the damage. If you have a crack or chip in your tooth, even if you believe its minor, be sure to visit your dentist to ensure that the tooth is healthy. You don’t want to jeopardize the tooth root by neglecting to treat the chip properly.

If you have experienced trauma, that has left you with broken, chipped, dislodged or a knocked out tooth, please contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV immediately at 702-735-2755 to schedule an appointment. If you would like to learn more about our services visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com

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

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Top 5 Foods That Damage Your Teeth | Henderson Dentist

ToothacheWe all know that brushing and flossing is vital to the health of our teeth. But did you know there are some foods that can cause enough damage to your teeth that you need an extra cleaning? I’m sure you were told plenty of times as a child that candy will ruin your teeth. Many people all over the U.S. suffer from tooth decay and some of the culprits you’d never guess would affect you teeth. The following list includes the top 5 foods that damage your teeth:

  • Refined Carbohydrates- Food likes white bread, chips, pasta or crackers are processed as processed as sugars when broken down. When these sugars mix with bacteria that’s found in the mouth they create a lactic acid, which is an acid that very hard on your tooth enamel. They also stick to the grooves of your teeth, giving the food more time to build up acid.
  • Sugary Candy- Long lasting and sticky candies are the worst sort of candy for your teeth. When sucking on a hard candy it exposes your teeth to sugar and damaging acids for a longer period of time. However, while eating sticky candy the sugars are more prone to stick to your teeth.
  • Dried Fruit- Not many people would suspect that dried fruit would be hard on their teeth, but dried fruits such as apricots, prunes and pineapple can be just as damaging as candy. The chewy texture makes it easy for the fruit to stick to your teeth, giving it plenty of time to damage them.
  • Citrus- Although citrus foods are healthy and packed with vitamin C, they can also damage your teeth. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and grape fruits are high in enamel damaging acids and sugars as well.
  • Carbonated Drink- Not only are drinks like soda and diet soda loaded with sugar, they contain carbonation and phosphorous that wear away tooth enamel. A beverage like Coke or Pepsi has around 10 teaspoons of sugar.

For more information regarding oral health, contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

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

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Dr. Patrick Simone Acquires CS 8100 3D System – Top Quality 3D Images Mean Better Patient Care

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Our practice is among the first to add a 3D extraoral imaging system to its office, revolutionizing patient treatment and perfecting the way the practice treats oral infections. The CS 8100 3D Extraoral Imaging System enables us to obtain low radiation dose, high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) images, as well as panoramic images.

With the addition of this state-of-the-art 3D unit, our practice will greatly improve its level of patient care. Three-dimensional technology allows doctors to better visualize their patients’ dentition, without having to send patients for radiology scans. Viewing an unprecedented level of anatomical detail helps us diagnose more accurately and treat with confidence. The CS 8100 3D System will transform dental imaging in the same way that CT scans have changed the medical field, in terms of care through better visualization.

This unique “two-in-one” system (3D and panoramic) is well suited for dental professionals who regularly perform complex diagnostic, restorative, surgical, and endodontic procedures. The highest resolution imaging capabilities provided by this unit will enable Dr. Simone to detect lesions with more accuracy. This breakthrough technology provides unprecedented x-ray views of the oral cavity.

Periapical and panoramic radiography have been augmented by the recent introduction of high-resolution cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), allowing 3D assessment of oral lesions, canal morphology, retreatment cases, root fractures, implants, and so forth. The CS 8100 3D System uses less radiation than other systems, radiating only one small area of view at a time. Comfortable patient positioning and wheelchair accessibility make this unit patient-friendly. The system enables Dr. Simone to perform a wider range of diagnoses and treatments in the office, helping reduce multiple visits, saving patient’s time and making the treatment more affordable.

 

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What to Expect after Dental Implant Surgery |Cosmetic Dentistry

implant diagramIf you plan to have dental implants installed, I’m sure you already know all of the benefits they will provide for you. You’ll have to go through a healing process before you get to utilize those benefits though, and before any of that healing starts to happen you will see and feel a few side effects the first week or two. The most prominent side effects will appear over the first two days, and reach the worst state on the third day. There should be no cause for concern, as these side effects are common after oral surgery.

Side Effects over the First Week:

  • 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 reduce or 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.

If you are interested in obtaining information about dental implants, contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com for more information.

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

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5 Benefits of IV Sedation | Henderson Dentist

Do you suffer from dental anxiety? Do you cringe at the sound of dental tools? Do you have a terrible gag reflex preventing you from visiting your dentist regularly? If you answered yes to any of these questions then IV sedation may benefit you greatly. A lot of people deal with dental anxiety, sensitive gag reflex or just general fear of the dentist, and that’s where “sleep dentistry” comes in.  Sleep dentistry includes IV sedation, and IV sedation is used to help relax and put patients at ease during a dental procedure. The following list includes a couple benefits of IV sedation:

  • IV sedations kicks in right as it’s administered and the drug dosage can be tailored to fit the patient’s needs.
  • A safe maximum level of sedation can be reached with IV sedation, as where with oral or inhalation sedation the results can be unreliable. IV sedation is both highly reliable and highly effective.
  • With IV sedation your gag reflex is likely to highly lessen in sensitivity.  If minimizing the gag reflex is the main objective, your dentist may try inhalation sedation first.
  • You are still conscious with IV sedation making it much safer that general anesthesia.
  • Your recovery time after IV sedation is usually shorter than if you did oral sedation, mostly due to the controlled drug dosage you are given.

Now that you read the five listed benefits of IV sedation maybe you’ll take that visit to your dentist for regular checkups. Remember keeping up with your oral health is very important to your overall health!

If you would like more information regarding IV sedation, contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

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

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Options for Repairing Chipped Teeth | Henderson Dentist

Teeth are extremely durable, but they can chip or break sometimes. There are many situations that can result in chipped or broken teeth, such as having cavities that weaken the tooth to sport accidents. 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 repair your tooth with dental bonding. To bond your tooth, your dentist will roughen up the edge of it with a gel, and then your dentist will apply a solution to bond the material. After bonding material is applied the tooth is shaped and then hardened with an ultraviolet light.

Veneers- Depending on the severity of the chip, 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. Your dentist will remove very little natural tooth, then rough it with a gel. After that your dentist will apply a special cement and place your veneer.  Once placed your dentist will use a light to activate chemicals in the cement to harden.

Crowns- If a large piece of your tooth breaks off or if it has decay, your dentist may have to grind away some of the tooth and use a special cement to place a crown. There are many types of crowns, porcelain crowns are the most popular. It takes two dentist visits to place your crown, the first visit molds of the tooth will be taken and sent off to a dental lab to create your custom crown. During that time a temporary crown is placed. At your second appointment, your temporary crown is removed, tooth will be cleaned and your custom crown will be placed with a special cement.

If you would like more information concerning restorative dentistry, contact Dr. Patrick Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit our website at www.patricksimonedds.com.

Dr. Patrick Simone also proudly accepts patients from Henderson, Las Vegas, Silverado Rach, Enterprise, Whitney, Spring Valley, and surrounding areas.

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The Benefits of an Oral Rinse | Henderson Dentist

 

Who doesn’t love that minty fresh feeling you get after rinsing with mouthwash? Did you know your mouthwash is doing more than just giving your breath a boost? Rinsing daily with certain mouthwashes can improve your oral health. We’re talking whitening your teeth, helping to prevent gum disease and fighting plaque!

So what are the benefits of swishing daily with an oral rinse?

1)     Freshens breath – First and most obviously, mouthwash temporarily reduces bad breath. Mouthwash kills bacteria associated with causing bad breath leaving you with minty fresh breath.

2)     Prevents Plaque build-up – Various mouthwashes help prevent plaque build up on your gums, in-between teeth, and on the surface of your teeth. Although it prevents the build up of plague, it cannot reduce the plaque that already exists on your teeth. So remember to always brush and floss before plaque becomes a problem.

3)     Removes particles – Most people use mouthwash only after brushing. This is a perfectly fine practice, but used before before brushing to rinse out loose particles in your mouth will make the brushing and flossing more effective.

4)     Stop cavities from forming – Regular use of mouthwash before and after you brush and floss, you can reduce the chances of cavities forming. Mouthwashes that contain fluoride can prevent cavities and strengthen your enamel. Remember, not all mouthwashes contain fluoride. Be sure to check the label on your mouthwash before purchasing.

Of course mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing and should be used in conjunction with good oral health habits. It only takes a moment to rinse but the positive impact on your oral health is much greater. With rinsing daily you can successfully navigate around dental problems.

Make an appointment with Dr. Simone today to ensure your mouth is as healthy as it should be. Contact Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755 or www.patricksimonedds.com.

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

 

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Prevent Tooth Decay with 5 Easy Steps

Tooth decay is one of the common most problems seen among patients. Dr. Patick Simone DDS of Henderson, NV encourages good oral health and regular dental checkups to fight against tooth decay. The following are five tips to help prevent tooth decay.

• Fluoride Therapy: It is the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically in order to prevent tooth decay (dental caries) which results in cavities. Fluoride Therapy delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed. Tablets or drops are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

• Brushing your teeth: Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Brushing your teeth three times a day makes your teeth stronger.

• Regular checkups with your dentist: It is very important to seek the help of a dentist since they know a lot about it. They know what to do and where to focus on your teeth.

• Dental sealant: It is the dental treatment that consists of plastic material that covers one or more teeth, for preventing of cavities and tooth decay. Dental sealants are applied in a dentist’s office.

• Dietary snacks: It is good to limit sweet snacks as excessive intake of sweets alters’ your blood sugar. If you avoid snacks, you may be depriving your body of nutrition from food. Good snacks should include healthy proteins and fats.

Make an appointment with Dr. Simone today to ensure your mouth is as healthy as it should be. Contact Dr. Simone at 702-735-2755 or www.patricksimonedds.com.

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Smoking Side Effects and How Quitting Stops Them

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 42.1 million people, or 18.1 percent of all adults (aged 18 years or older), smoke cigarettes in the United States. We know smoking causes many types of cancer, heart disease, aneurysms, bronchitis, emphysema and stroke. It can also agitate existing health issues like pneumonia and asthma, cause wounds to take longer to heal, and potentially disrupt the immune system. But numerous smoking side effects can influence your mouth’s health as well. Consider the following in the process of extinguishing this habit for good.

Oral Health Side Effects

Smoking’s effect on oral health includes bad breath, stained teeth and tongue, and a dulled sense of taste and smell, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site. Because the immune system is affected, however, smokers often have weaker defenses against infections like gum disease. They may also experience slower healing times after tooth extraction or other surgical procedures. Oral cancer is another huge consideration, and it can spread to the lips, tongue, mouth and throat as long as tobacco is consumed. Salivary glands and tonsils are common sites of oral cancer.

With respect to common irritation, smokers generally have more oral health problems than non-smokers, including mouth sores and ulcers. Cavities and tooth loss are also more likely to occur, as cigarettes continue to prevent the body from fending off plaque and tarter that can build up on your teeth.

Prevention

Although it may be tempting to quit smoking cold turkey, quitting can be challenging. Because of the addictive ingredients in tobacco products, there are methods to help you stop using tobacco over time, and for good. In addition to a nicotine patch, gum or electronic cigarette, consider cutting back on sugary foods that feed the bacteria cigarettes already make it harder to fight against. Talk with your dentist and physician about treatment plans you can put into effect to help you overcome this habit and keep the smoking side effects from damaging your teeth.

Maintenance

Once you’ve made initial steps toward trying to quit, it is vastly important to improve your oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. Try using a toothpaste such as Colgate Total® Advanced Whitening to improve your daily removal of plaque and stains. Plus, a whiter smile and mintier breath only makes you more motivated to stay clean.

Alongside a new oral care routine, it is strongly advised for smokers to get a professional cleaning, which follows the removal of plaque and tartar with a thorough polishing that is conducted by the dental hygienist. Without quitting smoking, of course, cleaning and stain removal only has a temporary effect. By quitting smoking, you’re giving your overall health and smile a fresh start.

For more information about Dr. Patrick Simone, call Dr. Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit www.patricksimonedds.com.

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

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Placing Dental Implants | Henderson Cosmetic Dentist

Placing dental implants is a thorough process that involves more than one step.

Before

In order to get a dental implant, one must be qualified to receive one. You must have enough bone in your jaw to allow and implant to be placed in the jawbone and you should be free of periodontal disease. A dental professional will administer a thorough examination to determine if you are suitable for implants.

Placing the Implants

Most implants are placed using a two-step process, although some newer implants may only need one step.

The Procedures

1.)    Antibiotics are administered and pain medicine are administered to you before the procedure. Your dentist will then use local anesthesia and may off you sedation if necessary. You can be sedated by taking medicine by mouth or through an intravenous line, or IV. In order to place the implants, an incision is made in your gums to expose the bone, then a hole is drilled to place the implant. You will then be stitched. In 7-10 days, you will return to have the stiches removed, then you will have to wait several months for the bone to bond with the implant.

2.)    After the implants have integrated themselves into the bone, you will approach the second step. After being given local anesthesia, a small incision will be made in the gum to expose the implant, then a healing cap will be placed to sit above your gums.

For more information on new dental implants call Dr. Simone in Henderson, NV at 702-735-2755 or visit www.patricksimonedds.com.

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