Author: harmonydentaltx_admin

Are you one of those people who dread dentistry because of the possibility of pain and discomfort during treatments? Well, you are not alone. Many people globally hold back from seeking dental care services because of underlying phobias about what dental treatments entail. In the past, some dental treatments were avoided the most because they were painful. However, modern dentistry has found a solution around such issues, that is, sedation.

​Sedation dentistry near you is your ticket to enjoying all dental care treatments and procedures without fear of pain or discomfort.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

It entails the use of sedating medication in the performance of dental procedures. Different sedatives are used to create a comfortable situation where the patient is calm, and the dentist can work optimally to realize effective results. Sedation dentistry was introduced several years ago as a way to improve dental care. It has since become a very reliable part of dentistry, allowing dentists all over the world to offer the best kind of dental care services to patients. This remains true even for complex and invasive dental procedures.

​Types of Sedation Dentistry

As you would imagine, there are different ways in which your dentist can sedate you, in preparation for your treatment. the approach he/she chooses often depends on the type of procedure you are undergoing, as well as how long it will take to complete it. The types therefore, are:

1. Mild sedation – it is common for the performance of minor dental procedures. Mild sedation can be administered orally through a sedative pill, or by inhaling laughing gas in a controlled amount. With this type of sedation, you are awake throughout the oral procedure.
2. Moderate sedation – it involves a higher concentration of sedative medication. The medication is administered into your system through Intravenous Sedation (IV sedation), which involves an injection on one of your veins on the hand. In other cases, however, oral sedation can also achieve moderate sedation by increasing the number of pills you swallow before your treatment. Many patients are awake after this kind of sedation, but some can fall asleep. However, you do not lose consciousness with this type of sedation.
3. Deep sedation – it is the type of sedation used when performing major oral surgeries that will take time to complete. You will be cast in a deep sleep once the sedative kicks in, leaving you unconscious during your surgery.

Why Is Sedation Dentistry Important?

Sedation dentistry in Pearland is one of those dental specialties that support the other branches of dentistry. Ideally, without sedation dentistry, many procedures in dentistry would not be performed effectively as they are today. Some of the incredible benefits of sedation in dentistry include the following:

1. Alleviating pain – sedation dentistry in Pearland, TX, is mostly used when performing intricate and rather invasive procedures. This includes dental treatments that involve some degree of surgical intervention. Other than that, sedation is necessary for dental issues that cause significant pain. When used, the medication numbs the mouth and allows for a pain-free procedure. This is why sedation is important for treatments like dental implant procedures, root canal therapy, to mention a few.
2. To help patients remain calm – sedatives used in dentistry are known for putting the brain at ease and promoting happy feelings. This way, you can remain calm and still on the dentist’s chair as your procedure continues.
3. To promote precision – dental experts work in very tight and small quarters. Their nature of work is also very delicate, which called for increased precision. For this to happen, you have to be perfectly still and comfortable. This is not possible with the human reflexes that are typical of all patients. In that case, sedation dentistry makes the work of a dentist easier by ensuring you are still at all times throughout your treatment.
4. To treat dental anxiety – many patients are not even aware that they suffer from dental anxiety. It is a phobia that revolves around the fear of being treated. This anxiety exists, whether or not the procedure to be performed is a minor non-invasive treatment or a surgical process. In that case, a dentist near you will use sedative medication to mitigate your anxiety, so you can allow him/her to treat your mouth adequately.

The time when you or a teenager in your home could only straighten teeth using metal brackets and wires provided by orthodontists has long become a part of history. Either of you can currently research Invisalign near me to discover an alternative method for teeth straightening without any metal wires instead of having clear plastic aligners over your teeth to accomplish your goal.

Information that you can comfortably straighten teeth without a mouthful of metal shouldn’t surprise you because Invisalign clear aligners are marketed since the 90s and are incredibly popular among adults and teenagers with mild to moderate dental problems affecting you.

The research you conduct takes you to Invisalign in Pearland, TX, a certified Invisalign provider, not an orthodontist but a dentist. Align Technologies, the manufacturers of Invisalign, trained an estimated 20,000 dentists in the United States to prescribe Invisalign and become certified by the manufacturer. An Invisalign provider is not an orthodontist because being one is not a prerequisite for the certification.

Suppose you think you want to straighten your teeth using the Invisalign system. In that case, you must visit Invisalign in Pearland, where the dentist assesses your suitability for the treatment by evaluating your teeth and mouth.

How Does Invisalign Compare with Traditional Orthodontists?

Invisalign is not appropriate for some types of misalignment or complicated bite problems. In such cases, fixed orthodontic appliances are a better option to correct complex malocclusions.

Traditional orthodontic appliances are not aesthetically pleasing as clear aligners from Invisalign. However, improvements in dentistry currently make available better-looking, tinier, and more efficient orthodontic appliances with metal and wire brackets providing efficient treatment while being less visible. The latest introductions by orthodontics help correct misalignment issues faster than before.

A dentist is an optimal professional to determine which treatment option is suitable for you. Additionally, orthodontists can also advise you about alternatives for traditional orthodontic treatments. If you are unsuitable for Invisalign treatment, traditional orthodontics is still beneficial to correct the following conditions:

• Crowding and spacing higher than 5 mm.
• Skeletal malocclusion.
• Discrepancies involving how the upper and lower jaws and muscles close together.
• Severely rotated teeth.
• Open bites that need closing in the front and back of the mouth.
• Severely tipped teeth.
• Upper and lower jaws with multiple missing teeth.

Your Candidature for Invisalign Treatment

Adults and teenagers are approved for use in treatment so long as they have all their permanent teeth emerge. If you are suitable for Invisalign treatment, you must diligently follow the dentist’s instructions on how long you must wear the aligners every day and what you can or cannot eat or drink with the aligners in your mouth. Scheduling appointments with your dentist every 6 to 8 weeks is also essential for follow-up appointments.

Invisalign dentists recommend not to drink any beverages other than water when wearing the aligners on your teeth to prevent staining of the plastic. Not following treatment recommendations can compromise the treatment results.

Align technologies and researchers from Invisalign confirm the clear aligners help correct the following mild conditions of dental problems. They are:

• Overly crowded teeth without sufficient space in the jaw for all the teeth to fit comfortably or usually.
• Widely spaced teeth with too much space between the teeth due to abnormal growth of the jaw.
• Crossbite, when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth, is misaligned, resulting in one or more upper teeth biting the inside of the lower teeth.
• Mild relapse occurs when traditional braces are removed and relapsing tooth movement occurred.

Invisalign is undoubtedly an alternative treatment option for simple malocclusion issues.

Confirming your suitability for Invisalign treatment

If you are deemed suitable for Invisalign treatment, you must prepare yourself to wear the aligners on your teeth for 20 to 22 hours every day to allow the aligners to reposition your teeth to their desired positions.

Invisalign aligners are custom-made by the manufacturers and sent to your dentist, who generally dispenses them during your assessment appointments. Every batch of aligners replaced by the dentist must be worn over your teeth for about two weeks, by which time you receive replacements from the dentist.

Invisalign aligners are removable for eating, drinking certain beverages, brushing, and flossing. However, you must ensure the aligners remain on your teeth for the time recommended by the dentist if you wish to succeed with the treatment. You may require 20 to 30 aligners for your upper and lower teeth. However, it has been noted that most adults complete Invisalign treatment in less than 12 months. Therefore if you are suitable for Invisalign treatment, consider yourself fortunate to receive an alternative teeth straightening method to correct your dental imperfections discreetly.

The appearance of your smile should matter to you, especially in the cosmetic-savvy generation we are in today. As many people gear toward aesthetically pleasing adjustments in their body, do not hold back from improving the appearance of your smile. Not only that, but you can boost the functionality of your mouth.

Orthodontic dentistry is a special specialty in dentistry that provides for both these oral needs, uniquely becoming a solution that helps children and adults alike.

What is Orthodontics?

It is the process of straightening teeth in the mouth by applying controlled pressure. It involves using specially designed oral appliances that place controlled pressure on teeth over a pre-determined period, to move and rotate teeth in the proper direction. The role of orthodontics in Pearland, TX, is to improve the appearance of teeth and boost the functionality of your mouth.

What many don’t know is that when teeth are poorly aligned in your mouth, they make it difficult to eat properly, bite, and even speak. Such issues can be corrected through orthodontic treatments.

Facts You Must Know About Orthodontics

Before any dental treatment, you should determine to study up, so that you know exactly what to anticipate. Still, studying in advance does not beat an intense conversation with your dentist during a consultation in orthodontics near you. It only helps you prepare enough for the procedure awaiting you. Some important facts to master include:

• Soreness is part of the treatment – the orthodontic procedures work against the natural alignment of your teeth. This means that the pressure applied to your teeth to move them will cause some soreness. However, the soreness does not last forever. It is usually more pronounced during the initial moment of adjustment of your teeth aligners. After a couple of days, you will get used to the pressure on your teeth.
• Tooth extraction may be necessary – if you have an overcrowded mouth, a dental extraction may be necessary. It involves the removal of an otherwise healthy tooth, to create room in your mouth for the rest of your teeth. The extraction process is only done if necessary so that the rest of your teeth can fit in your jawbone without overlapping each other.
• It is more effective when done early in life – kids benefit more from orthodontic treatment than adults. Ideally, both can get amazing results from orthodontics, but the treatment works better for younger audiences. The process of moving and rotating teeth is more effective when the bone structure of your mouth is still forming, which is when you are young. This way, the changes made by an orthodontist near you are likely to be more permanent without the risk of regression as you age. In adulthood, however, the results may require reinforcement from other orthodontic appliances to sustain the new alignment of your teeth.
• Treatment takes time – many orthodontic treatments last between 6 months and a year. However, some take a lot longer, taking up to 2 years. It usually depends on several factors, including, the complexity of malpositioning, your body’s ability to heal and generate new bone tissue, the type of orthodontic appliance you get, how well you adhere to your treatment plan, to mention a few. Your dentist in orthodontics in Pearland will brief you on the many factors that influence the success of your treatment.
• Different oral appliances are used – orthodontics Pearland is known for braces. Many people assume that treatments in this specialty in dentistry only involve the use of metal braces. However, there are many other oral appliances involved in successful treatment. For one, some patients do not get metal braces. Instead, they get Invisalign®, Lingual braces, to mention a few. Other than the varieties in types of braces, other oral appliances are needed. For example, after your treatment, you will need to wear retainers. They are appliances used to hold teeth in place after they have been realigned. The retainers have to be worn for a long time, with some patients needing them for the rest of their lives. Such matters are important to discuss with your dentist before you start any treatment.

Sedation dentistry is all the process involved in applying anesthesia to a patient to help them relax during a dental procedure or treatment. The effect is typically characterized by calmness and a relaxed state in the patient, which lets the dentist carry out the planned procedure without resistance, painful jerks, or irritations that could lead to complications. Sedation is mostly used for delicate dental procedures such as tooth extraction, cosmetic dental procedures, and root canals. While most Sedation may leave the patient somewhat conscious, deep sedations leave patients unconscious and unresponsive with no idea of the treatment process.

TYPES OF SEDATION DENTISTRY.

MILD SEDATION: This is usually a blend of oxygen and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) administered through inhalation. The patient breaths it through a nose mask placed on his/her nostrils, and within minutes become giggly. This Sedation help stake away the anxiety and relax the patient all throughout the treatment. The dentist’s laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is controlled and wears off quickly as it constantly expels through the lungs.

ORAL SEDATION: This Sedation is administered orally to numb the body and is given an hour prior to the procedure. This Sedation may make some patients fall asleep while some may remain conscious. It is, however, advised that patients have someone to take them home due to drowsiness after the procedure.

IV SEDATION:IVF sedation is extremely effective and has a very fast effect. The anesthesia is administered through the vein and goes into the bloodstream. It is issued when starting the dental procedure,with the dentist continually adjusting the level.

LOCAL ANESTHETIC: This is usually a one-time injection that numbs the specific area to be treated, causing an absence of pain while the patient remains conscious. But it doesn’t last long and is usually used for minor procedures. Lidocaine is a local anesthesia that is used universally.

DEEP SEDATION: Deep Sedation is used in excruciating procedures and makes the patient totally unconscious. It does nothing about anxiety or fear as the patients fall into a deep sleep and wake up with a high possibility of not remembering the procedure. This procedure is also called General Anesthesia.

WHY GET A SEDATION DURING A DENTAL PROCEDURE?

Many patients are sedated due to pain, fear, and irritations of a particular procedure. The following are reasons for Sedations.

Sedation helps minimize pains for patients that can’t withstand pain and for generally painful procedures. Patients with very sensitive teeth may also need to be sedated before a procedure, and the case is the same with those with a poor gag reflex.

In children, Sedation is administered when they are scared and might not want to cooperate or sit still.

IS SEDATION DENTISTRY SAFE?

When administered by an experienced dentist, Anesthesia is quite safe but always with very little risk.

If you aren’t obese or do not have obstructive sleep apnea then you can be Sedated without any fear of complications. If you fit into any of the above, you would need to talk to your dentist and see if it is safe to go ahead with receiving Sedation. If your dentist agrees with you commencing the treatment, then make sure these steps below are followed

Before the treatment, make sure your dentist goes through your medical history and ascertain if you are fit for the Sedation.

You should request your dentist’s qualifications and ask how many dental procedures using Sedation have they carried out.

You should ask for the right dosage of Sedation for your medical history and age, and you should also ask for the risk posed by the sedative.

If after asking your dentist all of these and you do not feel that satisfied, or if you do not have a personal dentist, then you can search for Dentists Near Me to get a local listing of Dental hospitals near you and book an appointment. However, if this does not feel well with you, then you can pay us a visit by searching sedation dentistry 77581 to book an appointment. We offer sedation dentistry in Pearland, TX.

Many people fear that the dental implant procedure in Pearland, TX, can be painful. This is wrong info. If performed by our specialists, you won’t even feel the pain until the process is over, or rather, after the sedation effects are over.

The primary purpose of a dental implant near you is to restore missing teeth. You can use an implant to replace one tooth or an arch of teeth at a time. In general, all procedures performed in a dental implant procedure are to restore your dental processes to a normal state.

Purposes of Tooth Implants

Here are the main purposes of dental implants in Pearland.

• Mastication/Chewing

Gauging teeth functions, chewing is the most essential dental process. When you have several missing teeth, it means your mastication process is significantly disrupted, and you will feel it every time you chew something.

When the dentist designs a restoration, the process is quickly restored, and the patient can immediately adapt to the new tooth restoration.

Today, you can also get an implant-reinforced denture. However, with a denture, the chewing force is not wholly distributed to other teeth, instead of on the gums where the implant is placed. We recommend getting a tooth implant in a natural way for the healthiest chewing restoration without the denture.

• Aesthetics

Aesthetic restoration is another important reason people get implants. A tooth implanted construction provides the best aesthetic tooth restoration since it’s permanent and is barely noticeable. When you restore a lost tooth using a dental implant, it looks and functions just as your natural teeth would.

• Phonation/Pronunciation

If you are missing some of your front upper teeth, normal speech and pronunciation are greatly affected. These teeth have a significant role in the pronunciation of certain consonants.

You can get traditional removable dentures, but you will still have trouble pronouncing certain usual words normally, at least until the mouth tissues fully adapt to your new device. (it can take several weeks). However, the case is different with tooth implants because they function like your natural teeth.

Who Gets a Dental Implant?

Dental implants in Pearland, TX, are surgically inserted in the bone space with the missing tooth and serve as a tooth root for a later-on artificially attached tooth crown.

Tooth implants use a titanium pole blended with the jawbone, so it never gets loose, slips, makes noise, or damages the bone as some dentures and bridgework treatments can. The material also does not decay as compared with your natural teeth.

Generally, you qualify for a dental implant for the following reasons.

• If you have one or more missing teeth
• If you have a fully grown jawbone
• If you have adequate bone to secure the dental implants and can be used for bone graft
• Presence of healthy oral tissues
• You don’t have general body health conditions that deter bone healing
• If you do not want to wear dentures
• You want to improve speech
• If you do not use tobacco.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Getting a dental implant at Harmony Dental means your teeth get restored in the most natural possible manner. This is because implants bond with your natural bone through the osseointegration process.

This process gives other dental prostheses supported by implants much more advantage compared to other restoration options. Their benefits include:

• Implants distribute the chewing forces’ load to the involved oral structures, like gums, teeth, and jawbone.
• Dental implant treatment preserves the natural teeth. The procedure does not involve preparing the adjacent teeth compared to traditional restorations like dental bridges.

Tooth preparation can be unhealthy because it permanently compromises the original tooth structure, including structurally healthy dental parts.

• Dental implants prevent bone resorption and bone deterioration. The titanium pole implanted in the jawbone stimulates jawbone growth in the teeth, preserving the natural bone.
• When compared to full dentures, implant-supported dentures allow better chewing and speech. They are more robust and have been seen to improve the efficiency of speech compared to other prostheses.

Success Rate

The success rate of dental implants has risen continuously. This is a result of improvement in the field of orthodontics. Several factors that can influence the success of a dental implant are:

• Quantity and quality of the available jawbone
• The complexity of the treatment
• How well the patient followed the recommended oral hygiene instructions
• Proficiency of the medical practitioner.

A dentist’s office doesn’t sound like the place to go for bone grafting near you. The phrase sounds like a process that will need the expertise of an orthopedic surgeon. However, that’s not the case. Bone grafting is done as an outpatient procedure under sedation in a dentist’s office. Bone grafting in Pearland is also one of the processes you are likely to undergo before you get a dental implant. Both procedures often work together. Let’s see all there is to bone grafting in Pearland, TX.

Bone grafting is a type of surgery performed to repair or rebuild bones via the transplantation of healthy bone tissue. For dental implants, the transplant is made to the site where a tooth will be implanted. It is done because a person does not have enough healthy bone in their mouth to support a dental implant. Naturally, bone loss happens every day after a tooth is lost. This is because the bone in that region performs one major function – to support the tooth. In the absence of the tooth, the bone starts to atrophy. Lack of healthy bone is also caused by developmental defects, gum disease, and face injury or trauma.

Many people who need dental implants will also need bone grafting near you. But you never know until you’re assessed by a dentist. Dental implants hold fast because the bone heals around them. Without enough bone, they’re not as solid as they normally are.

What’s The Process Like?

There are different types of bone graft. Your dentist will determine the right one for you based on the extent of bone loss and the location of the lost tooth. Socket grafts are the most common type used by dentists. A socket graft involves placing healthy bone from a human donor into the socket. This prevents the atrophy of alveolar bone(the kind of bone that supports a tooth). Doing this prevents the collapse of the socket and loss of bone. After a socket graft, a person can get their implant in 4-6 months. One advantage getting a socket graft has is that post-operative pain from implant surgery is less.

Block bone grafts are used when there are large defects in the jawbone that need filling. A small block of bone is harvested from the jaw bone and implanted into the site being prepared for an implant. The block is held in place using titanium screws.

A lateral ridge preservation graft is done to widen the jawbone so that it allows for a dental implant. Human donor bones are used here too.

The sinus lift graft is done with equine bone. It is done for implants involving the upper jaw when the jaw cannot hold the implant. Equine bone is used because it is microscopically similar to human bone and doesn’t dissolve as quickly as human bone. Sometimes, it is added to human donor bone for the graft. The graft creates a stage for more bone growth in the sinus.

Are Bone Grafts Painful?

A bone graft does sound like something that would involve a great deal of pain. In reality, it is not painful at all. You will be sedated for the process so expect no pain. After the procedure, the bone healing should cause no pain too. Therefore, feel at ease and remember that the procedure is a step towards the replacement of your lost tooth.

After bone grafting, healing starts. You will be given antibiotics to prevent infection of the site. You may also. get some pain meds if you feel some pain after the procedure. However, this is not the usual thing. Most people do just fine with antibiotics. Healing involves the fusion of the graft with bone in your mouth and will take time. That can require three months to one year depending on the individual. All you need to do is go in for regular checkups with your dentist who will decide when the time is right for an implant.

The pain and discomfort associated with chewing and talking when one has a TM disorder (TMD) can be disturbing. The TMJ(short for Temporomandibular Joint) connects our jawbones to our skulls. We have one on each side of our jaws. The joint is always involved in activities that require moving the mouth. Hence, it’s advisable that you seek TMJ therapy near you if you’re experiencing symptoms.

TMJ therapy involves the use of medication, physical therapy, alternative therapy, surgery, and home remedies. Treatment is tailored to the individual. The exact cause of the disorder can be difficult to determine. However, a dentist/specialist in TMJ therapy in Pearland will conduct medical investigations and physical assessment. Results from these procedures will help to inform the decision of therapy. In this article, we will discuss the various options of therapy in TMD. First off, let’s discuss the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of TMD.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are pain or tenderness in one or both joints. Sometimes, aching pain in and around the ear accompanies this. Difficulty and pain while chewing are common too. Some experience locking of the joint that makes opening and closing the mouth difficult. Some people hear a clicking sound or feel a grinding sensation when they open their mouth or chew. Any of these warrant a trip to a specialist in TMJ Therapy in 77581.

Causes And Risk Factors

TMD is usually due to a varying combination of factors like heredity, injury, and arthritis. We know that the disorder can result from the displacement or erodent of a small shock-absorbing disk at the joint. This disk separates the bones in the joint. These bones are covered by cartilage. Sometimes, the joint’s cartilage is damaged by arthritis leading to TMD. Physical injury can be inflicted on the joint due to a blow or other forms of impact.

Certain factors can put a person more at risk of developing the disorder. Top on this list is the various types of arthritis like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A jaw injury, prolonged grinding or clenching of the teeth (bruxism), and some connective tissue diseases follow.

Diagnosis Of TMD

This involves physical assessment and medical investigations. A dentist/specialist in TMJ therapy near you will listen to and feel your jaw while you open and close your mouth. They will also observe the jaw’s range of motion and press around it to elicit feelings of pain. The specialist in TMJ therapy in Pearland may decide to proceed with a dental X-ray for further investigation. A CT scan or MRI is possible. TMJ arthroscopy is another method that they use to examine the region. Here, they insert a cannula(a small thin tube) into the joint space, followed by a small camera(arthroscope). This allows a real-time view of the region.

TMJ Therapies

Dentists usually recommend a combination of treatment options. Let’s start with drug therapy. Pain-relieving medication and anti-inflammatories are prescribed to manage symptoms of pain. TCAs(Tricyclic AntiDepressants) is used for pain relief, bruxism control, and sleeplessness. Muscle relaxants prevent muscle spasms which contribute to pain in the condition.

Non-drug therapies work well too. People with TMD can benefit from wearing a mouthguard. These are fixed to adjust their bite and prevent the side effects of nightly teeth grinding and clenching to reduce discomfort. Options for physical therapy include ultrasound, moist heat, and ice.

Counseling is needed to educate them on activities that worsen the pain. These can be biting the fingernails, teeth clenching or grinding, and leaning on one’s chin. Chewing gum should be avoided. Any form of sticky or chewy foods can aggravate pain. Soft foods work best. Food should be cut into smaller pieces for easy chewing.

There are surgical procedures that can help with TMD. In Arthrocentesis, debris and inflammatory byproducts are removed from the joint. This is achieved by the insertion of small needles into the joint for fluid irrigation. Other surgical options include TMJ arthroscopy, modified condylotomy, and open joint surgery.

Some people can benefit from alternative therapies such as acupuncture, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback.

You’re busy all day and have little or no time left even to attend to family activities. The situation is such that you neglect your oral health besides your general health as well. You desperately want to participate in dental exams and cleanings to ensure nothing untoward is developing in your mouth. Unfortunately, the lack of time hampers your intention to make everyone believe you are scared of the dentist and avoiding appointments.

One fine morning you notice a Saturday dentist near me has published information about their services being available on weekends. You begin researching more to understand whether it is a scam or someone is trying to pull your leg. You become convinced only after you drive past the clinic near you to confirm that a dental professional is offering services in the location you are residing. You are happy to have finally found a dentist who offers services on the weekend and decides to make more inquiries about the professional.

Why Do You Want More Information about the Saturday Dentist?

Your curiosity to know more about the Saturday dentist is justified because most dentists have packed working schedules and decide to take a break on weekends. You want to confirm whether the Saturday dentist near Friendswood is just a general practitioner or an emergency dentist offering dental services at high prices.

You visit the dental facility to convince yourself about this dental professional. You are surprised to understand that the professional is offering all services at regular prices without skimming patients. You decide to have a dental exam and cleaning even as you visit the facility to make your inquiries. The dental professional surprises you further by stating you are merely a walk-in patient they are willing to treat quite often. You get your dental exam and cleaning and are happy to know everything is okay in your mouth when you decide to inquire whether the dental professional is willing to be your family dentist. At times surprises never end, and you are again surprised with the answer of the Saturday dentist in 77581.

Does Every Dental Professional Work on Saturdays Offer All Services?

Dentists understand many people don’t visit them because of dental anxiety or fears, and many more don’t bother about dental health. The few in between are perhaps unlucky because they want to maintain excellent dental hygiene but cannot schedule appointments with dentists on weekdays for reasons related to their livelihood. It is why the Saturday dentist in Pearland, TX, has ingeniously decided to offer all services every day of the week.

When you contact this dentist, you are surprised by the plethora of services provided by them. They are willing to be your family dentist treating patients of all ages, they can offer cosmetic dental services needed by your spouse, dentures or implants required by any member in your family, and even care for infants and toddlers in your home.

Like every other dental professional, Saturday dentists realize that your teeth are important and the most sensitive part of your body. They want to ensure you do not neglect or deprive the well-being of your dental health. They are aware that as weekend dentists, they must offer convenience and comfort to any patient arriving at their clinic. They have all arrangements to treat you and your family for any issues that could be affecting you.

You must not believe that Saturday dentists only treat people who have scheduled appointments. They are fully aware people are relaxed on a Saturday. They may not think about minor matters like scheduling appointments and merely drive down to the facility asking for routine treatments or even intensive procedures. To accommodate every patient arriving at their facility, the dental professionals have arranged to offer treatments to walk-in patients without discriminating against them.

Suppose your child is encountering a dental emergency on the weekend. In that case, you can drive down to the Saturday dentist, confident that the dental professional will treat your child to alleviate the pain or discomfort they are experiencing. If you have any financial concerns, you can use your dental insurance, which is accepted by the Saturday dentist. You are unlikely to be disappointed when you visit this dental facility because you get the treatments you need and have access to insurance and discount plans that prove valuable in such situations.

Maintaining a good relationship with your dentist is imperative for your overall health wellness. While the commonly experienced oral issues include cavities, gum disease and plaque, in some cases there is also the risk of developing oral cancer. The condition is exhibited by uncontrollable growth of cells that attack and damage oral and surrounding tissues. Areas affected could include the lips, tongue, cheeks, sinuses, throat and floor of the mouth.

What is Oral Cancer Screening?

Any medical examination performed by a dentist or doctor to check for signs of cancer in the mouth qualifies as oral cancer screening. It includes a physical and visual exam of the entire oral cavity which includes the lips, tongue, hard palate, the gums, the buccal mucosa, underneath the tongue and any other surrounding tissues. For more conclusive results, you may need to undergo additional tests such as use of oral cancer screening dye or light and a biopsy.

When getting oral cancer screening in 77581 at Harmony Dental, our medical experts look out for any signs of abnormal tissue. The symptoms we look out for include red and white bumps, rough spots, hard lumps, tenderness, sore that are not healing or any changes in the position of your teeth. We have a team of well-trained and experienced physicians that make the process simple, quick and thorough to detect both cancerous and precancerous conditions.

Why It’s Done?

The reason people are encouraged to regularly go for oral cancer screening is to ensure early detection, which increases chances of successful treatment. The disease has shown to have a low survival rate of 60% in just 5 years. It spreads rapidly and the symptoms are not always instantly alarming. It is therefore highly recommended you go for screening at least once every year to ensure your oral health is in good state.

The increased awareness about oral cancer is in response to the increasing number of oral cancer cases, especially among individuals below the age of 40. There is also the issue of late diagnosis where oral cancer is not detected until it is in advanced stages. To make it convenient for most people, the screening can now be performed along with your routine dental check-ups. About 84% of oral cancer cases can easily be detected by a dental health professional.

Preparing for Oral Cancer Screening in Pearland, TX

There isn’t much to do in terms of preparation when it comes to oral cancer screening. The procedure is relatively quick and straightforward. However, there are some expectations you can keep in mind that include:

• Removing any dental appliances such as dentures that may get in the way of the screening.
• Having the dentist physically examine parts of your mouth, cheeks and neck to check for lumps or any other abnormalities. They should however always use gloved hands.
• For further testing you may have to wash your mouth with a special blue dye to distinguish the healthy cells from the abnormal ones. Alternatively, a shining light may be used.
• You may be scheduled for a follow-up visit in case your dentist suspects any early stages of cancerous or precancerous lesions.
• To be scheduled for a biopsy. This may be done by your dentist or a doctor that specializes in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Can You Prevent Oral Cancer?

There are certain risk factors that increase your chances of getting oral cancer. They include heavy use of tobacco and associate products, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), heavy consumption of alcohol, prolonged sun exposure and having an unhealthy diet. Controlling these risk factors is an effective way of keeping off oral cancer. In addition to that, make sure to go for your regular oral cancer screenings near your area. Making a point to be informed about the associate symptoms can also help you stay in touch with the state of your mouth, which h makes it easy to notice any suspicious changes.

If you are in Pearland or looking to get oral cancer screening near Friendwood, TX, visit Harmony Dental or make your appointment today. We provide comprehensive dental services to keep both your oral health and overall health in good check.

Excelling in dental health cannot be accomplished with just one habit. It goes beyond regularly brushing your teeth. For excellent dental health, you must determine to employ different tactics and embrace different habits in caring for your mouth. The earlier you figure out a routine for your oral health, the better your health will be.
Whether for children or adults, part of your oral health habits should incorporate regular fluoride treatments in Pearland. They are a great way to supplement your typical healthy routines at home, like brushing your teeth.

What Is Fluoride Treatment?

It is a treatment that helps to protect your teeth from infections causing dental cavities and tooth decay. The treatment is employed because of its ability to coat the surfaces of your teeth with a mineral called fluoride, which is very beneficial for the health of teeth.

Fluoride treatment near you relies on fluoride a natural mineral otherwise found in foods. It can be sourced from water, fish with bones among other foods. However, an inadequacy if this natural mineral in your foods can leave your teeth vulnerable to bacteria that deteriorate the health of teeth. This is the primary purpose of fluoride treatment in 77581, that is, to supplement your teeth with necessary fluoride.

When fluoride is applied to your teeth, it acts as a shield, creating a protective barrier that will strengthen the framework of your teeth and help them fight dental cavities.

How Does Fluoride Treatment Work?

Dentists provide this treatment in different ways, based on the state of the fluoride. In some cases, a varnish is used, while in other cases, a foam, gel, or concentrated rinse is used. Either way, the elements used in your teeth contain a higher concentration of fluoride than is present in your typical toothpaste or absorbed from foods.
The treatment features the application of a varnish on your teeth that is packed with fluoride. The application only requires a few minutes. The varnish is allowed time to sit on your teeth without rinsing, to ensure that your teeth’s enamels absorb the mineral. Once this is done, your teeth are protected for a couple of months, with a narrowed chance of getting dental cavities. However, you must determine to have another treatment in a couple of months, perhaps 3, 6, or 12 months after the first treatment. This will depend on the recommendations of your dentist.

Who Needs Fluoride Treatment?

Fluoride treatment is often used for treatment in pediatric dentistry, given that children are very prone to dental cavities. Between the ages of 6 and 14 years, you must have considered a regular appointment with a pediatric dentist for fluoride treatment to benefit the teeth of your child.

However, adults too can be beneficiaries of this treatment. Since the idea is to strengthen teeth and resist dental cavities much better, adult teeth can equally benefit from fluoride treatment.

Benefits of Fluoride Treatment

As emphasized above, some of the benefits of this treatment on your teeth include:

1. Strong teeth – the mineral found in the treatment helps form stronger teeth for patients. Ultimately, strong teeth equate to healthy teeth.
2. Helps fight dental cavities – while fluoride treatment may not cure dental decay, it works great for preventing dental cavities. Ideally, if none of your teeth have a cavity, you can maintain that status quo by using fluoride treatment.
3. Boosts oral hygiene – fluoride treatment is ideally not applied to dirty teeth. A professional deep clean often comes before a fluoride treatment, to ensure that no plaque and tartar are locked in by the treatment.
4. Prevents enamel thinning – the weaker your teeth are, the more prone they are to enamel thinning. This is a situation where the enamel of your teeth wears off. It exposes you to dental issues like dentin hypersensitivity, tooth discoloration, to mention a few. With fluoride treatment, the structure of your teeth is uncompromised because of the added layer of protection that helps reduce erosion of the enamel.
5. Restores minerals to your teeth – like any other part of your body, your teeth need to absorb necessary minerals to remain healthy. Fluoride helps restore those minerals, creating you an overall healthy mouth.