ProSmiles Dental

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

What is a Frenectomy?

At ProSmiles Dental, we perform frenectomies to correct a number of issues patients may have with their teeth, lips, and tongue.  A frenectomy is a procedure to remove a frenum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth.  One frenum is located underneath your tongue, and removing this is called a lingual frenectomy.  Patients that have an enlarged frenum underneath their tongue have trouble moving their tongue freely.  This is often called ‘tongue tie’, and can interfere with speech development. Lingual frenectomies are typically performed on young patients, who can recover quickly and continue to develop their speech.


Another frenum in your mouth is between the font teeth (both the upper and lower sets) and connects the inner surface of the lip with the gum. Removing this attachment is called a labial frenectomy. Patients who have receding gums can benefit from this procedure, because a strong frenum from the gum to the lip can cause extra pulling on the gums and lead to further recession.


To learn more about frenectomies and all the services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Night Guards for Bruxism

Bruxism is regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify bruxism, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth.  Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw, but some only do so while asleep and may not even realize it.  ProSmiles Dental offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism.


Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight, and shouldn’t be ignored.  Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed. Having a custom night guard made is a simple step that will help prevent so many issues for teeth grinders.


Night guards look similar to mouth guards worn by athletes, but serve a different purpose. A dentist uses an impression of your teeth to ensure a custom fit, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. If you think you a custom night guard could help you, please contact us.


To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a common cause of tooth erosion. At ProSmiles Dental, Dr. Lankupalli provides patients with several treatment options to reduce and repair the damage, but we believe prevention is the best thing to ensure patients’ overall health.


There is a sphincter which separates the stomach from the esophagus. When a patient’s swallowing causes that sphincter to open, acid can escape into the esophagus and the mouth. This is especially likely to occur if the patient eats a large amount of chocolate and fried or acidic food, such as tomatoes and onions, drinks alcohol and caffeine, and eats large meals before bed. When acid reflux occurs twice or more in a week, the patient is said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and their teeth could be in danger.


Tooth enamel erosion from acid reflux is most common on the inward sides of the upper teeth and on the grinding surfaces of the molars. It makes teeth sensitive and less effective at grinding. Acid also causes teeth be become discolored as their outer white layer thins and their inner yellow-grey shines through. The damage can be repaired through restorations such as partial crowns, but patients should change their diets and lifestyles to avoid further harm.


Dr. Archana Lankupalli operates ProSmiles Dental at 9400 Clifford Street, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. To schedule an appointment, call 817-369-8000 or visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may not sound like a dental procedure, but a bone graft has become routine throughout medicine because of how it helps a body heal. The bone graft procedure consists of harvesting bone material from a healthy part of a patient’s body, and transferring it to a site that needs reinforcement.  ProSmiles Dental performs bone grafts for patients with weakened jaw bones that need dental implants.


A jaw bone can weaken over time if tooth loss or gum disease has left a certain portion of the jaw vulnerable. When a patient needs a replacement tooth, the jaw bone needs to be strong enough to handle the placement of the implant. There are synthetic options for bone grafts, but a dental graft is usually obtained from a different spot in the patient’s own mouth. This gives the injured or deficient bone a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the site.  The healing process can take several months, and your jaw is monitored by your dentist until it heals enough to handle the placement of an implant.


To learn more about bone grafting and all the services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.