What is Implant Reconstruction?
February 25, 2023
One of the most common dental procedures we perform in the clinic! If you’ve lost a tooth from decay, age, or even injury, dental implant reconstruction is where we use implants to restore the lost tooth. Not only will this resemble your teeth and restore your smile, but it will ensure you can chew properly again!
(more…)5 Reasons to Consider Clear Braces
November 29, 2022
“Brace face” is enough to deter any kid from taking their smile seriously – let alone being an adult seeking orthodontic treatment! It’s totally fair why you wouldn’t want traditional metal braces as an adult: you’re at a different stage in your professional life and it’s understandable why cosmetics and physical appearance impact such decisions. You sit in big board meetings and you may be forced to present in front of a lot of people. You may even have upcoming occasions or life events where your smile will be captured forever.
Why Cavities Should Be Treated Promptly
August 29, 2022
We all know the feeling: you’re laying in the dentist’s chair, mouth wide and exposed while you hear a jumble of words such as “UL8 partially erupted”- these are actually in no way indicative of damage to the tooth (in fact we’re simply saying the upper left wisdom tooth is starting to come through here!). You can hear these words and leave the clinic with no need of a second visit until your next check up. Whereas if you hear the word “cavity”, you may need to be a little bit more concerned.
The Pros and Cons of Professional Teeth Whitening
July 17, 2022
Store bought whitening pastes, rinses, strips and gels promise you dramatic results, but often fail to deliver on any form of result. People come to us when they’ve exhausted all over the counter options, having wasted unnecessary money and time when there was a solution out there in the first place: in-office teeth whitening. So why aren’t people trying it sooner?
Can A Dentist Help With Snoring?
May 27, 2022
Snoring can get annoying for all parties. What many people don’t know is that there are ways to help mitigate this problem. It may even be possible to get relief from a dentist in some specific scenarios. Dentists can help you establish the cause of your snoring and prescribe the best treatment for you.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
January 27, 2021
When it comes to caring for our teeth, we often come across the term “cosmetic dentistry.” Understanding this term and what services and procedures fall under its category can go a long way toward the health of your teeth, and your wallet, by understanding what is and is not covered by your dental insurance. So, just what is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is essentially, any dental procedure that is aimed at improving the overall aesthetic appeal of your smile, but not necessarily a requirement for overall oral health. In other words, they include a list of services and products that can improve the appearance of your teeth. Because these procedures are rarely considered medically necessary for a healthy mouth, they are often not covered by dental insurance plans, so it’s important to be prepare for any financial obligation you may incur.
(more…)What to Know When Choosing the Right Family Dentist
October 29, 2020
When it’s time to search for a new family dentist, you may find yourself wondering how in the world you should go about narrowing the list and finding the right choice for your household. With so many options to choose from, knowing how to locate the perfect fit with a new dental professional can be a daunting task. That’s why our DeSoto dental professionals put every effort into making things easy for our patients – both new and continuing!
The Basics of Choosing the Right Dental Professional
Searching for the best family dentist can be confusing if you’re not sure what to look for. The right professional isn’t always (and shouldn’t be) as simple as choosing the first name you come across in the phone book or online search. There are many factors to consider that will help you narrow your list of options to one that’s tailored to your family’s specific oral hygiene needs. While there are a number of things to consider, here is a look at some of the most basic issues to keep in mind when shopping for a new family dentist:
- Do they offer the specific family services you need (emergency dentistry, sedative dentistry, etc.)?
- Do they accept your insurance and/or are they in your covered insurance network?
- Are they highly recommended by your friends and family and their other patients?
- Are they accepting new patients?
- Are they properly licensed and devoted to on-going certifications and education?
The Next Steps
Once you have narrowed down your list of potential new family dentists, it’s time to take a more detailed look at your options. There are a few ways you can get to know a respective oral professional before committing to patient status – all of which will help you gain a better feel for how well they fit with your family’s needs and dynamics.
In the Lancaster area, there are a wide range of dental professionals to choose from. Taking a deeper look at your options will help you land the perfect fit for your family. To do this, explore the information provided on their websites in great detail. Check to see that they are properly accredited, look for online reviews to hear what their previous patients have to say about their own experiences, and note their available services.
Schedule a Visit
After doing some diligent online research, the next step is to make some phone calls and plan a visit. Call around to those dental professionals who have made your short list, and don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions when you call. Take note of the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff members you have contact with. If you decide to visit the location in person for the initial contact, that’s an excellent way to gauge the cleanliness and professionalism of the office atmosphere.
Above all, the most important thing to consider when choosing a new family dental practitioner is to ensure they are the right fit for your specific family needs. Meet them. Talk to them. Ask lots of questions about their services and credentials. Just as you would any other professional service, doing your homework will help you land the perfect choice for your household.
Preparing for Cosmetic Dentistry: What to Expect
October 15, 2020
If you’re considering having some cosmetic dentistry performed, chances are, you have questions. Often times our patients come to us with concerns about cost, recovery times, result expectations, and many other things they are considering prior to an upcoming procedure – all of which are excellent questions! Whether you’re in the beginning stages and searching for the best dental office in DeSoto to perform your elected dental service, or you’ve been a patient for years and are looking to have some additional work done, we’re here to help!
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
For starters, one of the first things to understand is simply – what is cosmetic dentistry? Since different offices offer different procedures and services, it’s important to know exactly what your dentist can do before deciding which option is best for you.
Cosmetic dentistry is essentially an elective procedure that involves improving the overall healthy appearance of your smile. These services involve a wide range of options that can be tailored to your specific needs. At Lancaster Family Smiles, our team offers exceptional cosmetic dentistry practices that include:
- Gum line recontouring
- Gap corrections with bonding procedures
- Straightening options such as Invisalign, BioClear, and traditional braces
- Ceramic veneers
- Professional cleaning and whitening treatments
- Filling replacements to match your teeth
What to Know Before Your Procedure
Once you have discussed your viable options with your family dentist and come up with the right solution for your needs, it’s important to prepare by asking questions. Your trusted oral care professional should walk you through the steps from how to prepare for your upcoming procedure to tips for optimal recovery afterwards. It’s also imperative, however, for you to speak up with questions on anything you don’t understand.
Some of the most common questions and concerns we are asked by our patients prior to their cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
- Is this procedure covered by my dental insurance?
- Have others had great success with this procedure or service?
- Can I see images of previous patients’ successes?
- Will this be painful and/or how can I manage the recovery process?
- Do I need to be sedated for this procedure?
- How can I prepare for my treatment or procedure?
Preparing for Your Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure
After you’ve made the decision to schedule your elected cosmetic procedure, it’s best to begin preparations to ensure the smoothest service and recovery possible. Depending on which treatment you are seeking, your preparations could be minor or very complex. While your family dentist will be able to help you outline your preparations, here are a few of the most important steps to take prior to any cosmetic dentistry procedure:
- Call your insurance agency. Being surprised by high dental bills for something that your insurance didn’t cover is never a good thing. Always ensure you call to verify what procedures are (and are not) covered by your insurance before scheduling the service.
- Plan for down time. If you’re having a more extensive procedure done, you will want to plan for recovery time as needed. This may mean scheduling time off of work or other responsibilities.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. The most important step to ensure a healthy recovery process (and to allow optimal results), is to follow all advice given by your family dentist.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe? What to Know and How to Prepare for Your Procedure
September 30, 2020
Many of our patients at our DeSoto location come to us with questions surrounding the risks and benefits of sedation dentistry. While there are many reasons sedation may be offered for dentistry practices, all revolve around the comfort and well-being of you – the patient. As such, we are committed to keeping our patients informed of all of their options for any upcoming appointment, as well as helping you make the right decision for yourself by educating you on every aspect. To do this, we offer a variety of sedation options which we explain in detail prior to your appointment.
Exploring Sedation Options with Your Family Dentist
Whether you’re considering sedation for an upcoming major dental procedure, or you’re interested in how it can help with anxiety over a dentistry visit, we’re here to help. As your family dentist, our focus is on providing you with the most caring and comprehensive oral care practices, and that includes ensuring your level of comfort while in our care and also during recovery processes. Sedation often plays a major role in this part.
Before making any decisions surrounding sedation, it’s important to make sure you have all of the information in order to make the right choice for your needs. For starters, there are a few different options in terms of sedation that offer varying levels of comfort and relaxation. These options include prescription medications taken in advance, nitrous oxide treatments, IV sedation, and even a combination of methods is sometimes in order.
The Pros and Cons of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is often thought of for major procedures such as tooth extraction, root canals, and other, more intense oral services, but the truth is, it is also often used to help patients who suffer from anxiety prior to any dental appointment. One of the best ways to determine which option is right for you, is by taking a look at the pros and cons of each option.
- Prescription Medication. In some cases, Dr. Gupta can provide a prescription sedative to be taken orally prior to arriving for your appointment. The positives with this allow you to be fully relaxed from the moment you arrive. On the flip side, it will require you to have someone with you to drive you to your appointment as it will impair your ability to drive.
- Nitrous Oxide. Perhaps the most commonly known sedative, nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) is frequently used for its effectiveness (can be administered as long as needed) and for its ability to wear off quickly. On the downside, the calming effects are limited to the time of administration only.
- IV Administration. This version is a sedative given intravenously and is popular for its ability to be adjusted as needed. This method, however, will require patients to have someone drive them home afterwards as the effects do not wear off as soon as others.
Call Us at Our DeSoto Location to See If Sedation Is Right for You
If you’re wondering if sedation dentistry could help get you through your upcoming procedure or help with any anxiety you may be experiencing surrounding dental visits, we’re happy to help walk you through the process. Give us a call or visit our DeSoto location today to find out more!
Tooth or Gum Pain? When to Call for Emergency Dentistry Work
September 16, 2020
When a dental emergency arises, it is usually quite uncomfortable and immediate attention is recommended in order to not only alleviate the pain, but also avoid any progression to more serious issues. But just what constitutes a dental emergency? How do you know when you should seek emergency dentistry help versus waiting for a regular appointment?
Determining When to Call for Emergency Dentistry Work
Oftentimes, when a patient is experiencing tooth or gum pain, they may find themselves questioning whether or not their situation constitutes a dental emergency or if it is something they can wait out or even treat at home. The fact is, however, if you are experiencing any type of significant tooth or gum pain, that is your body’s way of saying you need treatment. The longer this treatment is put off, the greater the chance of your situation worsening.
Seeking out an emergency dentist Lancaster at the first symptoms of pain or discomfort can be a critical part of correcting the issue before things progress to more serious issues. Leaving something like an abscessed tooth unattended can lead to more severe infections and damage to surrounding tissues and bone structures, for example. If you’re experiencing tooth pain or mouth pain in any manor, don’t wait to seek dental assistance.
Most Common Emergency Dentistry Procedures
While unbearable toothaches can be a very common reason to seek emergency dental work, it’s not the only scenario that qualifies as an emergency. In general, any time you have mouth pain, abnormal bleeding or swelling, or oral damage caused by impact, fall, or other physical blow, it’s a good idea to call your family dentist.
Some of the most common reasons for emergency dentistry work include:
- Severe toothache
- Swollen or painful gums
- Broken or chipped tooth
- Tooth loss from physical altercation or accident
It’s important to note, however, that although these are some of the most common reasons for emergency dentistry, this is not an all-inclusive list. If you are experiencing any form of unmanageable oral pain, it’s important to seek the attention of your dental professional immediately. Delaying professional treatment could only further complicate your situation.
What to Do When You Need Immediate Dental Attention
Whether you’re experiencing a more obvious dental emergency such as a knocked-out tooth, or a milder emergency like an unmanageable toothache, the best plan of action is the same: seek the help of your dental professional. In some instances, this could mean scheduling an appointment for the following day (in the instance of a toothache that’s bearable with over the counter pain medicines). In other cases, the situation cannot wait until the next available appointment and must be dealt with immediately (such as the loss of an adult tooth). Either way, your actions will play a large part in your recovery process, and it is always recommended to contact your dental professional as quickly as possible in order to determine the best way to handle your emergency.