Krell Dentistry Blog
Why Am I So Tired All The Time? Your Dentist in Houston Explains
August 30, 2017
Chronic fatigue can be very debilitating. You may find yourself ready for bed by the afternoon. You may have difficulties concentrating and focusing at work. You may wonder why you are tired all the time? Maybe you never thought to ask your dentist about fatigue but believe it or not, your dentist in Houston has an explanation and a solution for you!
Transform Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
August 23, 2017
Do you ever visit your local grocery store or pharmacy and stare at the covers of the celebrity magazines? The smiles you see in magazines may look as flawlessly airbrushed as the famous people sharing them, but actually, you can have a smile to rival any celebrity. Cosmetic dentistry transformations are possible for any patient. You can create a personalized smile makeover plan that allows you to achieve your desired results within any schedule or budget.
Are You Looking for a New Dentist in River Oaks?
August 22, 2017
Are you ready to find a new dentist that can serve your whole family’s needs? If so, you’re in luck! Dr. John H. Krell, your dentist in River Oaks, is accepting new patients and would love to serve you as well as your loved ones with the dental services you need. Once you visit us once, we would be happy to make you a regular patient with us.
Your Dentist in Houston Explains Options For Replacing Missing Teeth
July 25, 2017
Your missing tooth has impacted your life for long enough! Are you ready to stop hiding your teeth when you smile? Are you ready to feel confident about eating again? Your dentist in Houston has great options to replace one or more missing teeth, and here is your guide to choosing which treatment is best for you.
Are there risks with Dental Implants? – John Krell, DDS – Houston, TX
March 20, 2017
Dental implant placement and restoration is a highly successful procedure, one that grants many patients the opportunity to have a full smile again. This treatment does come with some risks, which are minimized in the hands of an experienced dentist. In any case, patients looking for tooth replacement options should know how dental implants could benefit their oral health, and how your dentist reduces risk.
Recover Daily Function
When you lose teeth, the way you speak and eat are impacted. If the lost teeth are not replaced, or are restored by a prosthesis or a bridge, you often have to adjust your bite to enjoy food normally or smile comfortably. Adults and seniors with dentures and partials are forced to make adjustments for appliances as over time, they can fall out or lose their tight fit. Dental implant posts, on the other hand, permanently fuse to the jaw bone, providing strength and structure to bone that has been lost. With porcelain crowns or dentures attached to these implants, patients receive the benefits of a full set of teeth; chewing can return to normal, and patients can speak with confidence.
What are the Risks?
Before the placement treatment, patients receive a thorough examination and planning to make sure the treatment is best for their smile. Jaw bone health and strength plays a large role in determining the success of dental implants and provides the greatest source of risk. Patients with too little bone tissue may not be able to receive implants at all, and those with poor oral health may receive implants but infection makes the tissues unable to heal.
Bone grafting and sinus augmentation make up for bone loss, providing ample support for implant placement. These procedures can use your own tissue, as well as donor tissue, to restore the lost bone structure. Individuals with weak oral health, or those who have extensive dental problems, may require more restorative treatments before implants can be placed. Antibiotics, root planing and scaling, and deep cleanings are a few of the possible treatments that will help the smile avoid risks during implant treatment.
Dental Implants in Houston
John Krell, DDS, provides dental implant treatment for people who want a full smile again. With comprehensive services and a gentle touch, our team will make sure patients are ready for implant placement and restoration. Call us today!
How Does CEREC Work?
May 26, 2016
CEREC, the Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, is a significant advancement in dentistry. The digital CAD/CAM system has led to increased reliability, efficiency and accuracy in the fields of restoration, orthodontics and implantology.
CEREC replaces the need for traditional methods of creating impressions, molds, and dental appliances. It is a computerized design unit that also is fitted with state of the art software, and a precise computer-guided milling machine. The system allows dental professionals to create inlays, onlays, crowns and veneers in a single appointment, saving patients time and money.
What Does CEREC Do?
Traditionally, restorations involve two stages of treatment. First, the examination and diagnostics stage, which usually involved goopy impressions. A couple of weeks later, the fitting of the final crown or veneer would take place. By using the CEREC technology system, the dentist is able to take a 3D image of the tooth, which is used to accurately design and mill a new ceramic restoration, and fit it precisely into the exact location, all within a single visit.
What to Expect
The 3D image is taken using a special camera, which then gets uploaded to the design unit to be used to create an accurate and detailed 3D model of the new tooth. This is used as a blueprint by the milling machine, which mills the new tooth from a block of high quality ceramic. The dentist selects from different types of ceramic and custom stains in order to closely match the patients’ remaining teeth.
At the start of treatment, any local anesthetic or sedation is applied to help the patient relax and enjoy a painless and comfortable procedure. Once the impression of the tooth is taken, the tooth is prepped for the restoration – such as reshaping a tooth before a crown is fitted, or removing enamel to place a veneer.
When both the patient and the dentist are happy with the results, the dentist will use a cement bond to firmly secure the restoration. From start to finish, it is possible for a CEREC CAD/CAM based treatment to be completed under two hours.
Benefits of Same Day Crowns
The primary benefit is convenience because the CEREC system removes the need for the two-week wait, the unpredictability of temporaries and the need for a second visit. The dentist is in complete control of the process and can accurately customize the new prosthetic tooth in a way that most benefits the patient.
Contact our Houston dental office to schedule your appointment today. Whether you have decay or it has been over six months since your last professional cleaning. We look forward to helping you attain your best smile!
How to Recognize Gum Disease
May 5, 2016
Gum disease is a progressive disease where bacteria and infection spread below the gum line damaging the soft tissue, roots and bone along the way. Although the symptoms of gum disease can be difficult to identify in the early stages, certain warning signs may be an indication gum disease has already started to develop.
What Gum Disease Can Look Like
Common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Bleeding Gums – Swollen gums that bleed during and after brushing or flossing. Bleeding gums are usually among the first signs of infection and can occur during the early stage of gum disease, commonly called gingivitis.
- Swollen Gums – The bacteria irritates the gums and can cause them to redden and feel tender.
- Bad Breath – Although bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by a number of conditions and issues, the persistent presence of bacteria and decay can cause a noticeably bad taste in the mouth and a strong odor.
- Receding Gums – As infection spreads, it destroys the soft gum tissue and enters the bone. At this stage, the disease is referred to as periodontitis, because it has progressed from the gingival tissue of the gum to the periodontal ligaments that attach the tooth to the bone. The tissue and ligaments shrinks away from the teeth, leaving them looking elongated and structurally less stable.
- Loose Teeth – With less supporting tissue and bone surrounding them, teeth can become looser, which can impact biting, chewing and smile aesthetics.
- Mouth Structure – Gum disease can ultimately alter the appearance of the mouth and the bite itself. Loose teeth and receding gums caused by gum disease can also impact the fit of partial dentures and other oral appliances.
Although these warning signs commonly indicate the presence of gum disease, the true cause of any dental or oral issue is always best diagnosed by a professional. Contact our Houston dental office to make an appointment if you have experienced any of these symptoms, or for more information about gum disease and prevention.
The Ins and Outs of Invisalign®
April 26, 2016
Invisalign® is an orthodontic alternative to traditional wire braces. The clear retainers were developed by Zia Chisti in the 1990s after Chisti experienced teeth straightening as an adult. He felt a retainer could be used to gradually shift teeth into their desired location using a series of small movements. After years of research and development, the product was released into the market in 1999.
Since then, Invisalign® has proved a popular means of straightening teeth without unsightly and oftentimes uncomfortable wire brackets and braces. But, before choosing Invisalign® over traditional braces, it pays to know more about the procedure and how it will impact your budget and your lifestyle.
What’s Involved?
A series of clear or “invisible” aligners are created by the dentist following a smile analysis using 3-D imaging technology. This provides the dentist with a road map that enables them to identify the necessary steps to shift teeth from their initial position to the final desired position. The retainers consist of strong, medical grade plastic, and are customized to closely fit the patient’s teeth. The retainers are worn for approximately two weeks, moving the teeth incrementally, and then replaced with the next set until the treatment is complete and the final desire teeth position is attained.
Invisalign orthodontic treatments present many benefits, including:
- Invisibility – clear aligners offer patients discretion and the ability to straighten teeth without visible hardware.
- Convenience and Function – patients can remove the aligners in order to eat and drink, and to brush and floss regularly. And Invisalign doesn’t interfere with speech in the same way as metal braces.
- Comfort – though patients may still experience some initial soreness, Invisalign offers a more comfortable overall experience than traditional metal braces.
- Convenience – patients see their dentist for checkups once every 4-6 weeks, but additional lengthy appointments for fitting and adjustments are not required.
- Peace of Mind – because the process uses 3-d imaging technology, patients can envision what their teeth will look like following treatment.
Choosing Invisalign®
The clear retainers are appealing to many because they are virtually undetectable. Invisalign can address issues of gapped teeth, crowded teeth, and some bite problems, but more severe cases will see better results with traditional wire braces.
Patients are encouraged to take care of their plastic trays by maintaining good oral hygiene and by cleaning their trays regularly. Patients are also discouraged from smoking while wearing the aligners in order to prevent them from becoming stained and discolored. And apart from time spent eating and cleaning their teeth, patients should wear their aligners all day, every day – this requires a mature approach to caring for both your trays and your teeth.
If you feel you may be a good candidate for Invisalign orthodontic treatment, contact Dr. Krell, your Houston dentist, today and ask them about the “clear choice”!
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
June 5, 2015
Adjusting to your new dentures can be a challenging process. After all, they neither feel nor function exactly like your original teeth. The sensations are different, and it can take some time to get used to them. Dentures might cause you to lisp slightly when speaking, and they might make chewing more difficult. However, Dr. John Krell has a few tips to make the adjustment time as quick and comfortable as possible. Here is some of the advice he gives at his office in Houston.
- Bear in mind dentures feel more comfortable and natural over time, so the first and most basic piece of advice is to be patient. Don’t assume that the way they feel in the first few days is how they are always going to feel. Initially, they can feel bulky in your mouth, pressing against the cheeks and lips. You might even feel like gagging, but these feelings will go away.
- It’s a good idea to wear the dentures at night for a while. This will help you adjust to them faster, and once adjusted, you can begin to remove them at night for regular, thorough cleanings. If you develop a sore in your mouth, rinse your mouth out with warm salt water.
- Learning to eat with dentures also takes time, so start with softer foods that are easier to chew. Once you get used to chewing with dentures, you can gradually introduce firmer foods. Alternate the sides of your mouth while chewing in order to stabilize the dentures. Also, avoid biting into firmer foods using the front teeth so as to prevent the dentures from dislodging.
- The lower denture can be a little harder to adjust to because it does not have the grip or suction of the upper denture. Rest your tongue against the inside front edge to help keep it in place. For a while, you might want to use adhesives, but you can eventually learn to control the position of the denture with your lips and tongue.
If all of this seems more challenging than you expected, bear in mind the initial symptoms are only temporary. The end result is worth the adjustment time, so hang in there. Dr. John Krell can make necessary changes along the way, ensuring that you have the best possible fit. For more information about dentures or to schedule an appointment, contact our office in Houston today.