Archive for December, 2009

Afraid of the Dentist? Your Houston Sedation Dentist Can Help

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Afraid of the Dentist? Your Houston Sedation Dentist Can Help If you live near Houston and experience severe anxiety when undergoing (or even thinking about!) dental treatment, oral sedation is for you.

Conscious sedation dentistry is available in Houston at Willowbrook Dental Care. We have been providing sedation dentistry in Houston for several years with excellent outcomes. Whether it is called relaxation dentistry, oral conscious sedation or anxiety-free dentistry, it is completely safe and very popular for our nervous cosmetic and restorative dental clients in the Houston area.

Though it may sound impossible, with oral conscious sedation, Houston dentistry patients can actually relax during dental visits. In addition, healing times for oral surgery and extensive cosmetic dentistry procedures are often shorter if the patient is sedated during treatment.

Sedation dentistry is great for alleviating anxiety for our Houston patients, and oral conscious sedation can be effective for treating or working with the following:

  • Teeth sensitivity;
  • Fear of needles;
  • A powerful gag reflex;
  • Difficulty controlling body movement;
  • Lengthy multi-procedure visits;
  • Difficulty becoming numb with traditional injections.

If you need dental work more extensive than a filling; such as a root canal, tooth implant, crown replacement or wisdom tooth extraction; call Willowbrook Dental Care at (281) 571-3760. When you come to our office at 17350 State Highway 249, Ste. 200, in Houston, Texas, we can give you more information about sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry is only one of the services we offer at Willowbrook Dental Care, where your smile is our top priority!

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Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Sedation Dentistry | No Comments »

Houston Dentists And Your Mouth Sores

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Houston Dentists And Your Mouth Sores

As your local Houston dentist, one of my roles is to help you take care of your mouth. Sometimes mouth sores can be an issue, and while Houston dentists often defer to an oral surgeon for extreme cases, we can help you make an assessment.

If you live in the Houston area and have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two; come and see me. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment is the best bet. A better understanding of your mouth sores can lead quickly to comfort and a resolution. If necessary, treatment and pain relief can be offered.

There are two common types of mouth sores that are common in the Houston area; canker sores and cold sores.

Canker sores are small ulcer-like sores with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Typically a canker sore heals in a week or two. Antimicrobal mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods may offer you temporary relief while your sore is healing.

The cause of a canker sores is not certain. Possible explanations range from a cut on the inside the mouth, and reactions to extreme temperatures or acids from food or drink, to fatigue, stress, and allergies. Some studies point to bacteria or viruses, or combinations of all these factors.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that often appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but usually heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics may provide relief. There are some antiviral drugs on the market that have shown promise in reducing outbreaks, but there is currently no known cure. The initial infection, known as primary herpes, often occurs before adulthood. Once the virus infects you, it may stay in your body and remain inactive or cause occasional cold sore outbreaks. Outbreaks may be triggered by a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, stress, or exposure to extremes in temperature.

As your Houston dentist, I can’t do much to stop canker sores or cold sores in your mouth. I can discuss the health of your mouth, and examine any causes that make your mouth sore. In some cases a change in the way you care for your mouth can reduce the chances of getting mouth sores. If you are in the Houston, and would like to speak with a dental professional about mouth sores, area give us a call at Willowbrook Dental Care.

Our number is (281) 571-3760.

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Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, General Dentistry | No Comments »

Houston, Texas Residents Visit the Dentist

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

Houston, Texas Residents Visit the Dentist

Whether you have lived in Texas for a long time, or just moving in to the Houston area; taking care of your teeth eventually involves a visit to the dentist. We are Willowbrook Dental Care located at 17350 State Highway 249, Ste. 200, in Houston, Texas, and our specialty is cosmetic dentistry.

You can reach Willowbrook Dental Care by calling (281) 571-3760.

Going to the dentist for the first time in Houston, or if you have not been for while, can be an unsettling experience for both kids and adults. The very idea of a ‘dentist’ seems to hold negative connotation for many people. If you are an adult who is moving to the Houston area, or your child is preparing to visit the dentist for the first time, here are a few tips that may help ease you into regular dental checkups and put you on the path toward increased oral health and wellness.

Choose an Houston dentist who is appropriate for your needs. When you meet your new Houston dentist for the first time, make an effort to ask questions about the care you will receive. Ask questions that are relevant to your situation including questions about experience, age range of patients, and recommended procedures for any conditions you may have. Get to know your Houston dentist so you feel comfortable with the care you will receive.

Introduce yourself to your Houston dentist and get to know the office staff. Visiting the dentist in Houston will seem less of a chore when you feel you have trusted friends who are there to help.

Be prepared to provide your Houston dentist with information. Whether you are experiencing specific pain at that moment, or anticipating a problem, be sure to discuss everything with your dentist. Many patients become intimidated in the office environment and avoid expressing pain or discussing issues. As your dentist, I need to know everything you are experiencing and will be better prepared to help as you ask questions and express your concerns.

I understand that everyone is unique; what works for one person may not work for another. You know what works best for you, and the best way to have a good experience with a Houston dentist is to communicate. Let me know what you are experiencing so that I can make adjustments and help you feel more comfortable and secure.

At Willowbrook Dental Care our technically advanced and friendly staff will work to make your dental experience a pleasant one. We know it can be frightening to visit the dentist for the first time, or after a long while. We’ll do what we can to make you feel comfortable, secure, and among caring friends.

If you are in Houston, Texas and are ready to visit the dentist again, give us a call at (281) 571-3760, or stop by to meet us; we’re excited to meet you.

-Achieving Health and Beauty with Modern Dentistry

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Overbites And Underbites in Houston

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Overbites And Underbites When the upper part of the jaw and the lower part of the jaw are not the same size, bite problems can occur. When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the reverse is true, it is called an underbite. Another related alignment disorder is called a crossbite. Crossbites occur when lower teeth are in the wrong position. They may be incorrectly positioned sideways, forward or backward.

Malocclusion (literally ‘bad bite’) is the term used for all types of bite problems including overbites, underbites and crossbites. Jaw alignment disorders can cause a range of problems and often prohibit proper chewing and/or swallowing. Teeth can shift around in the mouth, causing even more discomfort or difficulty. Gum disease and tooth decay are also harder to prevent because proper oral hygiene can be difficult with a malocclusion. TMJ disorder can develop over time. Distorted facial shape and unattractive teeth are often the most noticeable and troubling issues for those affected.

Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for bite problems. If you suspect your child has a bite misalignment, it is especially important to have them examined as early as possible. By starting early, you can make sure they avoid years of pain and self-consciousness.

Call Willowbrook Dental Care at (281) 571-3760. Dentist Dr. J. Scott Anderson is experienced in diagnosing bite disorders in patients of all ages. We can create a successful treatment plan for you. We also perform porcelain veneers and dental implants for Houston area dental clients.

-Willowbrook Dental Care

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