Dr. Patrick Simone | Patrick Simone, DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry Henderson NV

March 31, 2019May 7, 2019

Prevention Is Key to Keeping Away Gum Disease | Henderson Dentist

Did you know it only takes 24 hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)? Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention. This is why we need to visit the dentist regularly – a checkup and a good cleaning.

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. Unsure what to expect? Here is a quick rundown of the steps your dentist will take to keep your smile healthy:

Examination of diagnostic X-rays (radiographs). 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, so if you feel you need help preventing periodontal disease, do not hesitate to contact your dental professional for advice. They’re the experts!

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.

February 28, 2019May 7, 2019

Dental Anxiety? There Is a Solution | Henderson Dentist

Do you get anxiety at the first thought of having to make a trip to the dentist? Do you cringe at the sound of the high-pitched whir of dental tools? Fear no more – sleep dentistry helps relax your anxieties and fears. Sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, refers to the use of medications that help ease the anxiety or fear patients may have during or before their scheduled dental appointment. The dental industry has dedicated itself to making you feel comfortable with any treatment you may need. Some of those methods of relaxation used include the following:

Nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is used to help ease some of the anxiety and fear associated with dental treatments. This method wears off quickly after the procedure and the recovery time is minimal.

Oral sedation. Oral sedation involves of taking a medication before the treatment to ensure that you are relaxed during the time of the actual treatment. Recovery time is a little longer with oral sedation, so take precaution and have someone to drive you home afterward the treatment.

IV sedation. IV sedation is administered directly into your blood stream, resulting in immediate relaxation. You will still be conscious but in a heightened state of relaxation and will not likely remember much about the treatment afterwards. Like oral sedation, your recovery time will take a little longer, so make sure you have a ride home.

Don’t let your fear of the dentist keep you from having a bright and healthy smile. If you do suffer from dental anxiety, ask your dental professional about sedation dentistry today.

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.

January 30, 2019May 7, 2019

Cavities Are Not a Rite of Passage | Henderson Dentist

When dental professionals are asked what they find is the more common problem with their patients’ teeth, tooth decay is generally at the top of the list. Fortunately, if you are very apt to taking care of your teeth, the odds of tooth decay have decreased dramatically. After all, good oral health and regular dental checkups are the keys to fighting against the development of tooth decay. Here are the top five ways you can take a proactive approach to tooth decay prevention:

Fluoride therapy. Once a controversial topic for dental hygiene, the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically prevents tooth decay, resulting in cavities. Fluoride therapy involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed, though are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

Daily dental hygiene. 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 dental checkups. 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.

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.

December 28, 2018May 7, 2019

All I Want for Christmas Is Some Chocolate | Henderson Dentist

If you were good this year, chances are you found some chocolate in with your holiday gifts. And December 28 is the perfect day to enjoy those chocolatey treats. It’s National Chocolate Candy Day – an entire day devoted to the yummiest of confections.

According to the American Dental Association, we should be brushing two times a day for at least two minutes. After brushing, use dental floss to get in between and hard to reach areas. Floss removes any extra food particles left in between teeth. If left untouched, those particles may turn into plaque, resulting in a higher risk for gum disease. Finally, rinse your mouth with an ADA-approved mouthwash to seal the cleanliness in and for a trace of fresh breath. Top off your oral hygiene with a quick check-up after the holidays and you should be all set to celebrate the new year. Here are a few fun facts to enjoy while you are snacking on your chocolate candy:

In 1828, Dutch chemist Coenraad Van Houten invented the hydraulic press that makes it possible to remove the cocoa butter from the cacao, producing a powder and making way for the first chocolate confections.

In 1847 cocoa butter, cocoa powder and sugar were combined by British chocolate company J.S. Fry & Sons to produce the first edible chocolate bar.

Whitman’s produced the first box of chocolate.

Hershey Chocolate company designed a specific chocolate bar for the U.S. Army. The D ration bar was included in the emergency rations and in the packs of soldiers when the Allied troops stormed the beach of Normandy on D-Day.

Americans consume 12 pounds of chocolate each year.

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.

November 29, 2018May 7, 2019

Tooth Decay Is Preventable | Henderson Dentist

We all do our best to try to take proper care of our teeth. We brush, we keep our dental appointments and try to avoid eating too much sugar. Unfortunately, we may still get tooth decay to develop over the span of our lifetimes. In fact, tooth decay is one of the common most problems seen among patients. The good thing is, tooth decay is preventable if we know what we need to do to prevent it. So, let’s take a moment to look at a few of the DIY ways you can help keep tooth decay at bay and great dental checkups in the future:

Fluoride therapy. Fluoride is used to help prevent cavities. Fluoride Therapy delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed.

Proper dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing properly can help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. If you aren’t sure, ask your dentist proper technique tips.

Regular checkups with your dentist. It is very important to seek the help of a dentist as they know a lot about what to do and any areas where you are lacking.

Dental sealant. Sealant is the dental treatment that consists of placing plastic material over one or more teeth in order to prevent cavities and tooth decay. Dental sealants are applied in a dentist’s office.

Dietary snacks. We all love a sweet treat at some point in our day, but it is good to limit sweet snacks as excessive intake of sweets alters’ your blood sugar. Instead, choose snacks that also include healthy proteins and fats.

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

September 26, 2018May 7, 2019

Too Much of a Good Thing | Henderson Dentist

“Your teeth can never be too white.”

We all want to have that perfect Hollywood smile and do anything we can to achieve that fantastic set of pearly whites. We straighten the crooked, we keep our mouths healthy with good dental hygiene and brighten our smiles through whitening treatments. And for the most part, these efforts have the desired outcome. Oddly enough, as the saying goes, some individuals are taking physical perfection to another level by over doing it on their teeth whitening procedures. The most widely used oral products today are whitening strips and tray-based over-the-counter whitening kits. While tooth whitening can be a safe and effective technique, some individuals are going above the recommendations of their dentists. And this is where they get into trouble.

Despite what we would like to believe, there is indeed such a thing as “too much of a good thing”. Individuals who overdo whitening techniques have noticeably “Snow White” teeth that oftentimes look unnatural. Some individuals get to the point where their teeth begin to inhibit transparent figures. Still not convinced that you can overdo it on whitening treatments? Overuse of whitening products will cause major tooth sensitivity and leave patients more prone to needing root canal treatments.

If you are looking for a safer, more effective form of teeth whitening, consult your dentist. They will give you an overview of certain procedures available and even offer some over-the-counter techniques that may be used. Take their advice to heart and remember – follow instruction for best results.

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

August 28, 2018May 7, 2019

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.

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

July 25, 2018

What You Need to Know About Dental Implants | Henderson Dentist

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. Dental implants natural-looking and feeling and under proper conditions, such as placement by a diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime.

What do dental implants do?

Replace one or more teeth
Support a bridge and reduce the need for a partial denture
Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable

Dental implants vs dentures or a bridge – which is better?

Esthetically dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often happen with bridgework and dentures. Even better, neighboring teeth are not changed to support the implant, like they would with a bridge. The problem with dentures is that they aren’t permanently placed in your mouth, so you can go about your daily routine with confidence and comfort. Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies as a dental implant candidate so make sure you keep up with your dental hygiene.

What can I expect after treatment?

Good news! There won’t be much change when it comes to your new implants. Brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist for regular checkups. After treatment, periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.

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

June 28, 2018

Are You Scared of the Dentist? | Henderson Dentist

Are you scared of going to the dentist? You are not alone. Believe it or not, dental anxiety is a real thing. The good thing is, there is help – because having a fear shouldn’t be cause to have poor dental health. Intravenous Conscious Sedation (aka IV sedation) is when a drug, usually of the anti-anxiety variety, is administered into the blood system during dental treatment.

Some concerns with this procedure may naturally arise. What does it feel like? Will I be asleep? A lot of dental offices and practices use terms such as “sleep dentistry” or “twilight sleep” when talking about IV sedation. These terms are more descriptive of deep sedation than what we know as actual sleep. Deep sedation is classified as general anesthesia (even though sedation occurs on a continuum).

So, it may give the impression that you will be asleep while in the dentist chair, but in actuality, you remain conscious during conscious IV sedation. You will also be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist, but may not remember much because of two things:

IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what’s going on the drugs used for IV sedation produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly, and you will not recall much of what happened. Many people remember nothing at all. So, it may appear as if you were asleep during the procedure.

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

February 28, 2018

Can You Whiten Your Smile by Eating? | Henderson Dentist

It may sound complete absurd, but according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, certain foods naturally cleanse, brighten, and defend against bacteria that can harm your teeth and gums. We are always being told which things in our diet are bad for our smiles, like wine, smoking and dark foods. But there are actually foods that do the opposite? The following 10 foods were recommended by the academy for a healthy, brighter smile:

Pineapples can help whiten teeth. Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain, which acts as a natural stain remover and breaks up plaque.

Ginger can protect against periodontal disease, an inflammatory process that causes the loss of bone and supportive connective tissue in your mouth.

Carrots contain vitamin A, needed for healthy tooth enamel. Eating them raw stimulates saliva, your mouth’s natural cleanser.

Basil is a natural antibiotic that reduces bacteria in the mouth.

Cheese is rich in protein, calcium, and phosphorus, all of which help reduce acid in your mouth.

Chewing sesame seeds and nuts help “scrub” away the plaque on your teeth by providing a coarse, scrubbing action. Sesame seeds also contain bone and teeth-strengthening calcium.

Shiitake mushrooms contain a compound called lentinan, which inhibits bacteria from growing in your mouth.

Onions contain the sulfur compounds, which reduce bacteria that cause tooth decay. Eat them raw; cooking will destroy these tooth-friendly compounds.

Salmon not only provides calcium but also vitamin D, another nutrient needed for healthy bones and teeth.

Broccoli contains iron, which helps form an acid-resistant film or barrier that can protect the enamel of your teeth.

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