Posts by Philip Gray DDS
How do you know when a crown needs to be replaced?
The lifespan of a dental crown usually depends on how well you’re taking care of your teeth. If you are following good oral hygiene practices then the crown should last years. However, there are other reasons why your crown may not last as long as you’d like it to.
Read MoreCan dentists whiten yellow teeth?
There are several things we are able to do in our office that helps remove discoloration—or yellowing—on a patient’s teeth. A combination of ultrasonic scaling, hand scaling, and polishing will help remove stains on the outside of the tooth, otherwise known as extrinsic stain.
Read MoreHow to properly care for dentures
For people with dentures, it’s important to know and follow the proper steps for caring for dentures. If they’re not cared for properly or you don’t have the necessary tools to clean them, it can lead to problems down the road. Dentures also fit better and last longer when properly cared for.
Read MoreTitanium dental implants
When it comes to dental implants, titanium has long been the preferred material to use. In fact, titanium implants have been in use for decades and have been extensively studied during that time. It’s estimated that around 3 million people in the United States have a dental implant, and that number continues to increase each year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
Read MoreVisiting the dentist while pregnant
Being pregnant is a normal part of life, and there’s no reason why someone should shy away from keeping regular dentist appointments while pregnant.
Read MoreCan root canals fail?
There are many factors that go into the long-term success of a root canal, and the condition of the tooth is a major factor. If there’s a lot of good-quality tooth structure remaining while doing the root canal, then your chance for the tooth fracturing is much less than if the tooth is already compromised.
Read MoreWhen are dental crowns necessary?
A dental crown is a prosthetic tooth made out of porcelain. They are used for a number of reasons, but the main reason is to fix broken or decayed teeth. The crown slides over the top of your natural tooth, similar to a stocking cap on your head, and serves as protection for a tooth that is weak.
Read MoreWhen are dentures the best option?
Dentures are an acrylic base with plastic teeth, and they are the most affordable option for replacing multiple teeth. There are two different types of dentures: complete dentures and partial dentures. Complete dentures are a full set of teeth on the top and the bottom, while partial dentures replace only a few teeth and attach to the patient’s healthy teeth.
Read MoreFrequently asked questions about root canals
Root canals are dental surgery to treat an abscess or infection around the root of a tooth. An infection typically begins on the inside of the tooth, which is called the pulp. When the pulp gets infected, that infection travels down to the root and causes the abscess, which is what causes the patient’s pain.…
Read MoreWhy I chose dentistry
I have been around a dental office for as long as I can remember. My mom was a dental hygienist in Edmond, and she also taught dental hygiene at the dental school. But despite the lifelong exposure to dentistry, I didn’t start my career in the field. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with…
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