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Think It’s Too Late to Get Your Teeth Straightened? Think Again

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Are you an adult with crooked or crowded teeth? You may need adult orthodontics in Brookeland, TX. The team at Rayburn General Dentistry can help you determine whether adult orthodontics are a good option for you. We’ve got effective tools that can help you achieve the look you’ve always wanted for your smile. When you come into our office, here’s what you’re likely to learn about straightening your teeth.

Adult Teeth Straightening Options

If you’re an adult seeking to get your teeth straightened, your dentist may recommend a variety of solutions. Below are some of the options:

  • Braces. Braces are made up of wires and brackets that are professionally adhered to the teeth. The wires are periodically adjusted and pull the teeth into place. Braces come in a variety of colors, including tooth colored ceramic braces.
  • Aligners. Clear aligners are made of clear plastic. The arch fits over the teeth and gently moves the teeth into the correct position. Because they’re made of clear plastic, aligners are difficult to see.

Which Option Is Right for You?

If your dentist gives you a choice between braces and aligners, you may be left considering the pros and cons of each. Braces are a budget-friendly option, but also highly visible. Braces can be a challenge to clean, and can’t be worn when chewing certain foods. Anyone wearing braces will be prevented from eating foods that can get caught in or break their braces.

Meanwhile, aligners are subtle and easy to remove. They can be taken off for meals and cleanings, which means that people wearing clear aligners can continue to eat whatever foods they want. Clear aligners are very difficult to see, and are thus preferred by many adults.

Benefits of Straightening Your Teeth

Why get your teeth straightened?

  • Increased confidence when smiling
  • Straighter teeth are easier to clean and maintain
  • Straightening your teeth can prevent extra wear and tear on the tooth enamel
  • Getting your teeth straightened reduces your chances of getting cavities

Interested? Contact Your Dentist to Get Started

If you’re interested in straightening your teeth, then contact your dentist in Brookeland TX to find out more about braces and aligners. Call Rayburn General Dentistry today.

4 Types of Cosmetic Dentistry to Consider for the New Year

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Are your teeth stained, or maybe they’re an unusual shape or size? It’s important to feel good about your smile. If your teeth don’t quite meet your expectations, there are many things you can do to change the way your smile looks. At Rayburn General Dentistry, we offer a range of cosmetic dentistry services in Brookeland, TX to help our patients love their smile.

If you’re unhappy with the aesthetics of your teeth, consider the following cosmetic dentistry services in the coming year. Talk to your dentist about these services the next time you go in for your dental exam and cleaning.

Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening services from an experienced dental professional can turn your teeth several shades lighter. Whether your teeth are stained from years of drinking coffee and tea, or if your teeth become stained from smoking, teeth whitening can help.

Just keep in mind that taking care of your teeth is an important part of keeping your teeth white after the procedure is over. You’ll still need to come in for regular dental cleanings and examinations to ensure that your teeth stay as white as possible.

Crowns

A dental crown is a cap that’s placed over the teeth to cover up cosmetic and structural defects. A crown can cover stains and make a misshapen tooth look right again. Work with your dentist to decide whether a crown is the right solution for your needs.

Dental Veneers

A dental veneer is a cover that’s placed over the front of a tooth to hide cosmetic defects like stains and chips. Unlike a crown, a dental veneer serves no structural purpose. If your tooth has a structural defect like weakness or a crack, a crown may be more appropriate for your needs.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a tooth-colored resin that bonds to the outside of the tooth to cover problems like stains, chips and cracks. Dental bonding can improve the appearance while protecting your tooth.

Want to know more about cosmetic dentistry services? Make an appointment with your dentist in Brookeland TX. Call Rayburn General Dentistry to get your next visit on the calendar.

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What Are Veneers and How Do They Work?  

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If you are not happy with your teeth and wondering what options you have, we are here to help. Have you ever heard of veneers? You might have, but do you really know what they are and how they work?

What are Veneers?

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to your teeth for the purpose of fixing any given dental issue (more about that in a moment). Applying veneers is kind of like resurfacing your teeth to fix a dental or cosmetic issue. The main purpose of veneers is to improve the overall look of your smile.

How Are Veneers Applied?

Applying veneers to your teeth is virtually painless. The process of applying traditional veneers involves grinding down your tooth’s structure which can include removing some of the tooth even past the enamel. The veneers are then applied to your teeth and the dentist will shine a special light on them to activate the chemicals. This will cause the cement to quickly harden. It is important to note that these types of veneers are not reversible.

What Types of Dental Issues Can Veneers Correct?

Veneers can be used to correct many dental issues including the following.

  • Gaps
  • Chips
  • Spaces
  • Length
  • Color

No-Prep Removable Veneers

Some veneers are removable. These are called no-prep veneers. However, there are several limitations with these. So talk with your dentist about both options so you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you.

How Long Does It Take to Apply Veneers?

Applying veneers can usually be completed in as few as two office visits.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

High-quality, well-fitted veneers will usually last somewhere between 10 and 20 years if you care for them properly.

Are Veneers Covered by Insurance?

Unfortunately, veneers are a cosmetic application; therefore, they are not usually covered by insurance. However, in the case that your veneers are deemed medically necessary, your insurance might cover them.

What’s Next?

If you want more information about veneers or simply have a few questions about veneers or veneer alternatives, please Contact Rayburn General Dentistry today. We offer a wide range of services, as well as monthly payment plans, so you don’t have to put off any of your dental wants and needs.

 

Avoiding Bone Loss After a Tooth Extraction

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If you have a tooth extracted and have no plan for replacing it, bone loss will occur over time. Bone loss happens when the bone recedes, or remodels, after an extraction. Dental implants can help you avoid bone loss and should be performed as soon after the extraction as possible.

What Is Bone Loss?

The chewing motion and pressure caused by teeth as they break apart food “exercises” the jawbone. It keeps the bone beneath your tooth healthy, active, and well-formed. Once a permanent tooth is extracted, however, there’s no longer anything holding the bone in place. this area of bone will then begin to recede over time. We call this bone loss, and the longer it’s left untreated, the more damage it may cause.

How to Prevent Bone Loss?

The best way to prevent bone loss is to take good care of your teeth and gums. If you never need to have a tooth extracted, you won’t have to think about how to keep the bone beneath it from receding. In the event you do end up needing to have a tooth pulled, either due to cavities or trauma, you’ll need a plan to replace it with something such as a dental implant to keep the bone healthy.

What Are the Dangers of Untreated Bone Loss

The dangers of ignoring bone loss after tooth extraction are relatively serious. Left untreated, this type of bone loss can cause changes to the structure of your face, making you appear much older than you are. Also, the longer the bone loss is left to deteriorate, the more difficult it will be for your dental professional to fix the problem. If you lose too much bone, dental implants won’t be possible. Instead, you may need a bone graft to correct the problem. Bone grafts are typically an expensive fix that is more invasive than a simple implant procedure.

If you’re struggling with bone loss following tooth extraction in the Brookeland, TX area, contact Rayburn General Dentistry. We have solutions to correct bone loss. Call today to schedule an initial consultation to discuss the options available.

 

Highlight Your Spring with a More Confident Smile

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You may be less than happy about your smile now, but achieving a smile you can be proud of is on your list of priorities for spring. At Rayburn General Dentistry, we offer a full lineup of services to help you achieve a healthier smile that you can be confident about showing off in the sunshine. Take a look at some of the things we can do to help fix those imperfections with your teeth that hinder your happiness.

Teeth Whitening

If you have a few stains on your teeth or they are a bit duller or yellowed than you prefer, an at-home bleaching kit from us may help. Our professional whitening trays are custom made to fit the shape of your teeth and used along with professional-grade agents to ensure you achieve reliable results.

Dental Implants

If you have lost some or all of your teeth, it can change how you speak and how you interact with the world around you. We offer both single-tooth dental implants and full restorations with implants for patients who are good candidates. Dental implants are considered the long-term solution for missing teeth; these fixtures can last a lifetime with proper care.

Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges are an excellent option to restore a smile that is not in its best condition. Crowns can be placed on top of teeth that have been chipped, broken, or damaged to restore their appearance and match the rest of your teeth. Bridges are anchored to healthy teeth to restore gaps in your smile if you have had to undergo an extraction. For example, if you are missing a front tooth, a bridge can be created to anchor the two teeth on both sides and contains a prosthetic tooth to close the gap and restore your smile.

Contact Us to Get Your Spring Started with a Smile in Brookeland, TX

With a new season making its way into the new year, there is no better time to make sure you have a reason to smile more. Reach out to us at Rayburn General Dentistry in Brookeland, TX to find out more about the services we have to offer.

 

Common Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

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Your smile plays a vital role in how you interact with other people. If you have cosmetic flaws that affect your smiles, such as tooth discoloration or a chipped tooth, this can have a negative impact on your self-esteem and even cause you to avoid other people. Cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile and help you feel more confident overall. Find out more about a few standard procedures in cosmetic dentistry.

Teeth Whitening

Having teeth with discolorations or stains, such as from drinking coffee, can make you feel reluctant to show them when you smile. Teeth whitening can help restore your teeth to a whiter color and improve your smile. Dentists use whitening agents that can work quickly at minimizing the appearance of stains or discolorations on teeth. You can have this done at the office or use take-home whitening trays that you wear on your own to brighten your teeth. Keep in mind that you might need more whitening sessions for deeper stains.

Dental Veneers and Bonding

When you have minor chips or cracks in your teeth, dental veneers can help cover these flaws up. Veneers are coverings that go over your teeth to hide imperfections, such as gaps between teeth, cracks and chips, overlapping teeth, crooked teeth, and severe discolorations. Bonding involves using white fillings on teeth to hide certain kinds of flaws, such as minor discolorations, gaps, teeth that are misshapen and exposed roots. Veneers are typically used as a long-term solution to cosmetic flaws compared to bonding.

Dental Crowns

Tooth decay or tooth damage can affect your smile. When this decay or damage isn’t severe enough to require extraction, you can have dental crowns placed on the affected teeth. Dental crowns are caps that cover teeth in order to protect them from infections and other complications. They can help you chew better by restoring normal function to damaged or decayed teeth. Since these crowns are made to look natural, they also help improve your smile.

If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry in Brookeland to improve your smile, please contact Rayburn General Dentistry for an appointment.

 

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

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Cosmetic dentistry involves professional oral care that is meant to improve the appearance of your teeth, mouth, and smile. Today, modern dentistry presents patients with several options when they are looking to restore a smile. Here are five types of cosmetic dentistry.

Inlays and Onlays

Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are used to fill damaged or decayed teeth. Unlike dental fillings, inlays and onlays are made in a dental laboratory before being molded into place during a visit to the dentist. Inlays are placed directly on the surface of the tooth if the cusps are still intact. On the other hand, onlays are used when a significant part of the tooth is damaged.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening is one of the simplest and most common procedures in cosmetic dentistry. The process is designed to restore the natural appearance of discolored or stained teeth by cleaning tartar, plaque and other debris that could be on the surface of the patient’s teeth.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are made to resemble a patient’s natural teeth, thin and custom-made shells that help to correct crooked teeth, gaps between teeth as well as cracked or damaged enamel. Veneers can also change the size, shape, and color of your teeth. The dentist will use a dental adhesive before applying veneers to the front of the teeth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium replacements for missing teeth. A screw is surgically inserted into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth to serve as support for a crown or artificial tooth. An implant is permanent and cannot be distinguished from the surrounding natural teeth once the surrounding tissue heals and fuses to it.

Composite Bonding

In case a tooth is chipped, broken or badly stained, this procedure can be used to improve its appearance. With composite bonding, a material that resembles the color of your teeth will be applied onto the surface of the tooth before it is cured using high-intensity light.

Some of the other options that your dentist may recommend are dental crowns, teeth shaping and orthodontic treatment. Since it is crucial for patients to be educated in the various treatment options, Rayburn General Dentistry will ensure an open discussion between the patient and doctor for more satisfying results.