There’s a Crack In My Tooth. What Are the Risks?

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Although a small crack in your tooth may not seem like a big deal, it certainly can be. If you have a cracked tooth, it’s important to see a dentist in Katy or Houston TX. Below are some of the problems that can happen if you crack tooth and fail to get dental care.

Infection in the Tooth

A crack in your tooth enamel can trap bacteria, which can be very difficult to clean through standard cleaning. When bacteria grows unchecked, this can eventually lead to a tooth infection. If the infection grows out of control, an abscess can form. An abscess is a pocket of pus that’s caused by a bacterial infection. They’re painful and can also be dangerous, because infection can spread to other parts of the body.

Tooth May Split In Two

If the crack is bad enough, the tooth enamel could eventually split in two – especially if the tooth enamel is weakened by tooth decay. This kind of damage can be painful, and can leave some people feeling self-conscious.

Dental Extraction

Infections that are caught early enough can be treated with a root canal. During a root canal, the infected pulp in the tooth is removed, and the remaining tooth is disinfected and filled with sealer. However, if a tooth infection is not treated early on, your dentist may choose to extract your tooth. This is a worst-case scenario, but it’s definitely one that happens from time to time. It’s better to get early treatment for a crack in your tooth.

If you have a cracked tooth, you may even be having a dental emergency in Katy and Houston TX. Call your dentist at Chloe Dental to get next steps.

Is 3D Dental Printing Safe for Me?

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3D printing has become something of a standard practice in the dental profession. However, there are still plenty of questions about how it works and whether it’s safe. If you’re looking for dentists in Katy or Houston, TX, that can handle a 3D request, we’ll look at how the technology works.

A New Kind of Dental Lab 

The goal of 3D printing was to give dental labs a makeover, but like all technology, some people are more interested in using it than others. At Chloe Dental, 3D printing is used for a variety of services:

  • Teeth: Because everyone’s teeth are different, the goal of a permanent artificial tooth, crown, bridge, cap, or denture is to have it match the rest of the teeth as exactly as it possibly can. A dental 3D scanner in Katy or Houston, TX, will scan the mouth and take a detailed image. The dentist will use that image to print a 3D tooth that blends in seamlessly with the rest of the mouth.
  • Aligners: Much like the artificial tooth, a scanner will take a picture of the mouth. This device needs to be perfectly mapped onto the patient’s mouth, but once it is, the printing of the device is a fast process. In this case, dentists can use printers for either braces or Invisalign.

Dentists in Katy or Houston

Chloe Dental has adopted 3D printing not just because it’s faster, more efficient, and more affordable for patients but also because it’s safe for patients. If you want to know more about whether you would be eligible for a 3D printed device, whether it’s a full set of braces or a basic cap, our staff is here to give you all the information you need to make up your mind.

 

Why Is There a Gap Between My Teeth?

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Gaps between teeth can leave people feeling self-conscious. If you have a gap between two of your teeth, you don’t have to live with this problem. Get treatment from a dentist in Katy and Houston TX. Chloe Dental can help! To learn more about the gaps between your teeth, read on. To get treatment to help straighten your teeth, call us today.

What Causes Gaps

There are multiple potential reasons that gaps form between the teeth. Some common examples:

  • Oversized jaw. If your teeth are not large enough to fit the space provided on your jaw, then you may see gaps between your teeth.
  • Gum disease. Gum disease can cause spaces to form between the teeth, as the teeth shift in the mouth.
  • Habits. Thumb sucking and similar habits can disrupt the formation of the teeth as they grow.

What You Can Do

What can be done to correct a gap in your teeth depends on the cause of the gap. To get the problem treated, start by making an appointment with your dentist. Your dental professional may recommend orthodontic treatment to close the gap between your teeth.

Some patients hesitate to get orthodontic treatment because they don’t want to negatively impact their own smile. Fortunately, there are types of orthodontic treatments that are subtle. For example, clear aligners can help straighten your teeth, but they’re almost impossible to see. If you’re concerned about the appearance of your smile while getting your teeth straightened, talk to your dentist about potential options.

You don’t have to live with crooked teeth, or teeth with gaps between them. To get treatment, contact Chloe Dental about orthodontics in Katy and Houston TX. We can help!

What Is a 3D Dental Scan?

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A 3D dental scan uses X-ray technology to produce a concise image of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. It uses a device that rotates in a 360-degree arc around your head. Sometimes referred to as Cone Beam Computed Technology (CBCT), this diagnostic test emits a low level of radiation and is safe enough to have even if you’re pregnant. Your dentist in Katy, TX, may use 3D dental scans in lieu of dental impressions.

Benefits of a 3D Dental Scan

A 3D dental scan gives your dental provider a more in-depth view of what’s happening inside your mouth. They can see every tooth’s exact length, height, and width and how each is positioned in your jaw. This allows them to devise a more accurate treatment plan for any dental problems they may be experiencing. Other benefits of this cutting-edge technology include:

  • It’s fast and noninvasive.
  • It’s comfortable for the patient.
  • It’s much more detailed than a dental impression.
  • It’s helpful for a range of applications, including dental implants, extractions, root canals, dentures, orthodontia, and more.

If your dentist has the ability to produce 3D dental scans, you won’t have to worry about dental impressions ever again.

What Happens During a 3D Dental Scan?

If you schedule a 3D dental scan, your dental team will ask you to remove any jewelry, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or hair accessories. Afterward, we’ll ask you to be comfortably seated in our special chair. You’ll place your chin in the chin rest, and we’ll do the rest. Usually, it takes about 20 seconds for our machine to rotate around your head, and your dentist will have your results the same day.

If you need a 3D dental scan in Katy, TX, schedule an appointment today with Chloe Dental.

What Does It Mean When We Say “Braces Without Braces?”

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When you’re poking around on the Chloe Dental website, you might notice that we throw around the term “braces without braces” in the services dropdown menu. Have you wondered what we mean by that? We’re talking about clear aligners!

This important orthodontic tool can help align your teeth just like braces, but without some of the problems that people experience with braces. Here’s what you need to know about clear aligners in Katy and Houston TX.

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are placed over the teeth to help push them gently into alignment. Aligners are tooth-shaped and made from a model of your teeth. Each aligner arch is customized to the wearer, to help push the patient’s teeth into place.

Clear aligners work gradually in stages. Once the teeth are in alignment with the current set of aligners, the patient receives a new set of aligners to push the teeth further into place, until the teeth have reached the correct position.

How Do Clear Aligners Compare to Traditional Braces?

Traditional braces are made from wires and brackets that help pull the teeth into the right position. Traditional braces do the job, but can impact the beauty of the smile while they’re being worn. Clear aligners have many advantages over traditional braces, including:

  • Clear aligners are nearly invisible and presents no negative impact on the appearance of your teeth.
  • Clear aligners can be removed for cleaning and eating certain foods.
  • Aligners are easy to clean.

Want Braces Without Braces? Contact Chloe Dental Today

Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth? You might be a good candidate for clear aligners!

The first step to getting treatment is to see your dentist in Katy and Houston TX. To make an appointment, call us today!

Will My Root Canal Hurt? And Other Frequently Asked Questions

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Root canals are unpopular procedures. Many patients assume that root canals hurt! The truth is that a root canal is a procedure that many patients undergo when they’re already in pain because of an infection in their tooth. If you have questions about root canals, this FAQ will answer your questions and prepare you for this procedure.

Will My Root Canal Hurt?

When you go to the dentist needing a root canal, your tooth will likely hurt. The root canal stops the pain! In fact, the procedure itself shouldn’t hurt that much because the dentist in Katy & Houston TX will numb the area before beginning. Once the numbing agent wears off, you may experience some discomfort for a little while after the procedure is over. This should clear up quickly.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a procedure that dentists turn to when the pulp inside the tooth has become infected. To perform a root canal, your dentist will clean out the infected material inside the tooth.

Next, your dentist will destroy any remaining infection, then they’ll fill the tooth with sealant. Finally, your dentist will cover the remaining tooth with a crown. The crown will prevent the remaining tooth enamel from becoming cracked or damaged.

How Can I Tell If I Need a Root Canal?

Root canals are necessary when you have a tooth infection. The symptoms of a tooth infection are similar to other problems. The easiest way to know whether you need a root canal in Katy & Houston TX is to contact your dentist. If you’re in pain, don’t wait to see the dentist. Get help! Call Chloe Dental today to make an appointment.

Have You Heard About Laser Gum Surgery?

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Are you happy with your smile? There are many reasons people choose cosmetic dental procedures such as laser gum surgery, but the intent is always the same — to improve the appearance of their smile. And when you choose a laser procedure, it’s almost always less invasive, less painful, and boasts a shorter recovery time. In reference to laser gum surgery, or gingivectomy, your dentist in Katy, TX, uses a laser to remove excess gum tissue that gives your smile that ‘gummy’ appearance. Then, when you smile or grin, people will notice only the dazzling brightness of your teeth, instead of the amount of gums you have showing.

Is Laser Gum Surgery Painful?

Having unwanted gum tissue excised with a laser is much less painful than having it cut out with a scalpel. There is also less need for anesthesia. For a typical procedure, your dentist will have you rinse with an anesthetic mouth wash before they begin. This, in addition to over-the-counter pain medications, is usually all that’s needed to make you comfortable during and after your laser procedure.

Does It Take Long to Recover from Laser Gum Surgery?

The recovery time for laser gum surgery is typically between two and four weeks. However, after the first week, patients are usually able to resume a regular diet. You will need to avoid brushing the affected area until it has completely healed. This is to prevent the removal of blood clots that are conducive to healing.

Choose Chloe Dental for Laser Gum Surgery

When you’re ready to learn more about laser gum surgery in Katy, TX, contact the professionals at Chloe Dental. Our experienced and friendly team is always ready to answer any questions regarding the improvement of your smile.

Does Your Child Need to See An Orthodontist? 4 Signs

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Does your child need to see an orthodontist? Would you know if they did? Many parents are unaware of the signs that their child needs orthodontic treatment. Knowing what to look for can help you decide when it’s time to bring your child to the dentist in Katy and Houston.

By getting your child treatment early, you can avoid some of the long-term problems that can occur when your child has crooked teeth and other orthodontic problems. Here’s what to watch for.

1. Misalignment of the Jaw

Misalignment of the jaw is a problem that isn’t always noticeable to parents, but other times this problem is very obvious. For example, if your child’s lower jaw sticks out beyond the upper row of teeth, this is a sign that the jaw is misaligned. Orthodontic treatment may be able to help.

2. Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth occur when there are too many teeth in too small of a space. Crowded teeth are a problem in a variety of ways, because they’re hard to clean and can make chewing difficult. You’ll be able to tell your child’s teeth are crowded by the way they bunch up together, instead of lining the jaw in a straight row.

3. Lisp

Sometimes orthodontic problems can cause a lisp, making speaking difficult. If your child has trouble pronouncing certain letters, this could be because of the shape of their mouth and alignment of their teeth.

4. Jaw Pain

Poorly aligned teeth can lead to jaw pain. If your child complains about jaw pain, pay attention!

Think your child may need orthodontic treatment like braces in Katy and Houston? Contact Chloe Dental today to make an appointment and have your child seen by a professional.

How Does 3D Dental Printing Work?

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3D printing isn’t brand-new by any stretch, but all the same, you might not have heard very much about it in the dental industry. The practice is meant to revolutionize dental labs forever, even if some of the staff are still hesitant to try it.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Katy, TX who utilizes all the latest technology to both improve services and lower costs for patients, see how 3D printing works at Chloe Dental.

3D Dental Capabilities

There are a lot of potential ways to use 3D printing in Houston, TX:

  • New teeth: Any tooth that needs to be replaced can count on 3D printing as a solution. In this case, the dentist will scan the patient’s mouth, take a 3D image, and then use that image to create a design for an artificial tooth before it’s placed in the mouth.
  • Braces/Invisalign: A pre-3D printer can be used to scan the teeth before designing the appliance. Once the device has been calibrated to the patient’s mouth, it can be printed out without delay.
  • Crowns, bridges, caps, dentures, etc.: This process allows dental technicians to print off nearly any object in any material. Similar to how an implant would be constructed, this is precision printing at its best.

Find 3D Dental Printing in Katy or Houston, TX

3D printing is becoming more and more popular largely because it lowers the fees for dental work without compromising the quality of the procedure. With this option, dentists can streamline their services and pass the cost savings down to their patients.

If you want to learn more about whether you can use 3D printing to improve your smile, contact Chloe Dental for more information. With locations in both Katy and Houston, we’re here to use the best technology in the smartest possible ways.

3 Ways to Support Rapid Recovery After Oral Surgery

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Whether you are having your wisdom teeth removed or something else, oral surgery in Houston, TX will usually involve a brief period of recovery while your mouth heals. To make sure your recovery goes by as smoothly and quickly as possible, there are a few small things you can do after your procedure. Here is a closer look at some tips to support your recovery after oral surgery.

1. Get rest with your head elevated

Your body heals well when you are resting, so make sure you pencil in time to get enough of it. When you do rest, try to keep your head elevated. This prevents excess fluid from accumulating in your mouth, which may help keep swelling at bay.

2. Use ice or warm salt water to deter inflammation

Swelling after oral surgery is normal, but too much inflammation can interfere with the healing process. Using an ice pack on your cheeks or mouth from the outside can soothe some of the inflammation. Likewise, the dentist may recommend rinsing your mouth with salt water to help draw out excess fluids.

3. Keep your mouth as clean as possible

Whether the dentist tells you to stick with a soft diet or regular foods, make sure to keep your mouth clean. Food particles can contribute to bacterial growth in your mouth. Without precautions, this could put the surgical site at risk of infection. Swish with water after a meal and you should be fine.

Discuss Your Recovery with Your Houston Dentist

Oral surgery can feel like an intimidating endeavor, but with the right plan for recovery in place, you and your mouth will be back to good in no time. Ready to discuss your oral surgery needs with a dentist in Houston, TX? Reach out to us at Chloe Dental to schedule a consultation.