What are Porcelain Veneers?

Because we are dedicated to giving you the best quality at Smile Texas, we offer custom made all-porcelain veneers to make your teeth sparkle. Our veneers are placed over your tooth to give you a straight, white stunning smile that still looks natural. We use the World’s leading porcelain veneer dental lab in Hollywood California to make your custom all-porcelain veneers.

Initial Consultation

During your first visit to Smile Texas, you will go through a consultation with one of our experienced cosmetic dentists about what you like and don’t like about your smile. At this appointment we can discuss size, color, and the overall look you want for your new smile.  We have many previous case photos to show you to help you see the smile you want.  At this appointment we will also give you an all-inclusive case fee for your smile makeover.  If you choose to move forward, we can schedule your first procedural appointment.

Procedural Appointment 1 is the prep-appointent

To accomodate your new all-porcelain veneers, it is often necessary to make some reductions to your natural teeth.  Naturally, we do as little reduction as possible so that your natural teeth provide the strongest possible foundation for the veneers which will be permanently bonded over the prepared teeth.  When the teeth are prepared, we take a digital impression of all the teeth to send to our dental lab.  Then, we place a beautiful temporary restoration over the teeth to protect them until your veneers are made and ready to place.

Procedural Appointment 2 is the seating of your permanent veneers

In the second procedural appointment, we remove the temporary restoration and place your veneers tooth by tooth.  The veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth and now provide a protective shield against future staining or decay.  Your new veneers are as strong and durable as your natural teeth and with proper care can last indefinitely.  Finally, it’s time to look in the mirror and see your beautiful new permanent smile.

After the Procedure

After each of your procedural appointments you may feel some tenderness in the gum tissues.  This can usually be managed with ibuprofen and only lasts a day or so. You continue to brush and floss your new smile regularly and wear a mouth guard if you are participating in contact sports.  Naturally you should avoid biting into hard objects as your would with your natural teeth.

Choose Smile Texas For Your Veneers!

If you’re ready to make a change and give yourself the straight, white, beautiful smile you deserve, call Smile Texas in Sugarland, TX, at 281-265-7645 to schedule your free consultation.  We can do your consultation in person or by Zoom.

The post What to Expect During Your Veneer Procedure appeared first on SmileTexas®.

Why do patients choose dental implants for smile restoration?

Dental implants offer a number of advantages over bridges and dentures for replacing lost or extracted teeth. Traditional dental implants are designed to feel, look, and function just like natural teeth. They provide a stable foundation for crowns, bridges, and dentures without damaging surrounding healthy teeth. Additionally, dental implants don’t require the additional maintenance that other tooth replacement options may call for. Because they bond directly to your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, they become a permanent part of your mouth and do not shift around or move as traditional dentures can. This allows you to chew with more confidence and less worry about slipping or shifting teeth.

However, dentures and bridges pose other issues that may make dental implants a more reliable option for many of our patients who visit us at Smile Texas. Dental bridges require that adjacent teeth be filed down in order to properly fit the bridge, which can weaken them and increase the chance of fracture. With dentures, you may need repeated adjustments over time to keep them comfortable as your jawbone changes shape due to bone resorption. Dental implants allow for a more permanent solution with less upkeep than bridges or dentures.

What tooth replacement option is right for me?

Ultimately, dental implants offer many advantages over traditional bridges and dentures when it comes to replacing teeth. They provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth, don’t compromise surrounding healthy teeth, and require minimal maintenance compared to other tooth replacement options. If you are interested in talking to Drs. Rick Kline and Bret Davis of Sugar Land, TX, to discuss implants and your candidacy, connect with the office by calling 281-265-7645.

The post Why Patients Choose Dental Implants Over Bridges and Dentures appeared first on SmileTexas®.

Understanding the Dental Implant

Many patients who are educated on dental implants find them to be a wonderful option for a more permanent and long-lasting tooth replacement solution. Dental implants are made of titanium and appear as very small screws or posts. An oral surgeon places the implant into the bone of the jaw where a tooth is missing, which stimulates bone growth through a fascinating process called osseointegration. Over several weeks, bone wraps around the implant to hold it in place. The implant abutment above the gum line is then restored with a crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth are being replaced.

Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

At Smile Texas, we help Houston, TX, area patients determine if dental implants are appropriate for their smile restoration needs. Dental implants are best for individuals with healthy gums and adequate bone structure to support the implant. If you have experienced tooth loss due to decay, gum disease, or other causes, dental implants are designed to provide long-term stability and function for your smile.

Request Time To Speak to Our Team at Smile Texas About Dental Implantology

If you are interested in finding out if dental implants can help restore your smile, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team at Smile Texas. During this appointment, we will examine your mouth and discuss any existing medical conditions that could affect the successful placement of an implant. We will also review alternative options like bridges, dentures, or crowns–all of which could potentially be more suitable than implants depending on your individual needs. Call 281-265-7645 to request a visit with our team, including Drs. Rick Kline and Bret Davis.

The post Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants? appeared first on SmileTexas®.

What Can I Do About a Gap Between My Front Teeth?

Many patients will use porcelain veneers to correct imperfections, including gapped teeth. Two veneers are placed side-by-side and made slightly wider than the existing teeth. When bonded in place, they provide coverage that eliminates the need for longer treatments such as orthodontics. While composite resin bonding can also be used to treat gaps between teeth, this material is not stain-resistant like porcelain veneers are and will not last nearly as long.  That is why we only use All-Porcelain veneers and crowns.

Why Choose Porcelain Veneers for Treating Gaps Between Teeth?

Porcelain veneers are incredibly thin shells of ceramic, custom-made to fit over natural teeth. They provide coverage that is designed with your smile in mind and can be made slightly wider than the existing teeth to close any gaps. The porcelain resists staining from food and drink and is highly durable, making it a great solution for eliminating an unsightly gap between front teeth. Additionally, because they are custom-made to fit comfortably on your teeth, you won’t have to worry about them slipping or shifting out of place.

How Long Does It Take To Obtain Veneers?

The best part is that porcelain veneers can usually be placed in as little as two visits. During the first visit, our dentists at Smile Texas will prepare the tooth, take impressions, and order your custom veneers. At the second visit, they will bond the porcelain veneers to the teeth and check that they fit comfortably and look natural.

Schedule an Appointment To Find Out if Veneers Are Right for You!

If you are interested in learning more about how porcelain veneers can help close gaps between your front teeth, contact Smile Texas today! Our Sugar Land, TX, area dental professionals would be happy to provide a personalized evaluation of your smile to determine if porcelain veneers are a good fit for you. Call 281-265-7645 to request a visit with our front office team today!

The post Can I Use Porcelain Veneers To Fix a Gap Between My Front Teeth? appeared first on SmileTexas®.

What Is a Smile Makeover?

A smile makeover, or “full mouth reconstruction,” is the combination of cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures to rejuvenate and transform the appearance of the smile. The goal is to create a natural-looking, healthy, beautiful smile that will last for many years to come. Smile makeovers help improve the appearance of stained, crooked or cracked teeth as well as any other dental issues that may affect the overall look of your smile.

What Treatments Are Included in a Smile Makeover?

A typical smile makeover may include a variety of treatments, such:

• Porcelain veneers
• Dental crowns and bridges
• Orthodontics
• Dental implants
• Gum contouring/reshaping

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Smile Makeover Dental Plan?

At SmileTexas a smile makeover typically only takes two dental procedure visits to our office.  In your first visit we contour the teeth to receive the permanent all-porcelain veneers and crowns that will be custom made just for you by our World class dental laboratory in Hollywood, California.  At this visit we place temporary restorations that you will have for about two weeks while the laboratory works their magic.  Our guests are always amazed at how beautiful our temporary restorations look.  So, in a sense you leave the first day with a huge smile upgrade!

Your second procedure appointment takes place about two weeks after your contouring appointment.  During this appointment we remove the temporary restorations and place your beautiful new all-porcelain veneers and crowns.  This appointment often ends in tears of joy for our patients as they see their stunning new smile for the very firs time!

What Cosmetic Treatments Should I Include in My Smile Makeover Plan?

The amazing doctors at SmileTexas will guide you as to the best cosmetic treatments to give you the World class smile you want. Call 281-265-7645 to request a visit at our Sugar Land, TX area practice to learn more about this service and what treatments may be appropriate for your unique situation.  For our out-of-town guests we also offer Zoom consultations.

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What Is a Dental Impression?

The team at Smile Texas describes dental impressions as a three-dimensional model of your teeth. The impressions are created from either a putty or a silicone compound. This process helps us to create custom restorations such as crowns, veneers, and bridges that fit perfectly with your bite, tooth shape and color.

When Are Dental Impressions Used?

Dental impressions may be done for several different reasons depending on the procedure you wish to have performed. Commonly, our dentists use dental impressions in preparation for the placement of a dental crown, dental bridge, or a dental implant. They are also used when patients get custom porcelain veneers or inlays and onlays.

What Can I Expect When Getting Digital Impressions?

With digital impressions, a small hand held scanner is used to create a digital impression of your teeth.  This new approach is changing the way we are able to communicate with our dental laboratory.  With digital impressions there are no trays or impression material to hold in your mouth.  The dental assistant gently moves the small scanner over your teeth as you hold your mouth open.  Once the scan is complete, we have a digital file that the dentists can use to plan your smile makeover.  Plus, we can instantly transmit this file to our dental laboratory instead of having to mail a physical model of your teeth as with the old approach.

How Do I Learn More About the Various Treatments Performed at SmileTexas?

If you have questions about any of the procedures available at Smile Texas in Sugar Land, TX, please call our office today. Smile Texas is a top-rated cosmetic dental practice in Houston, Texas that sees patients from around the World. Our practice is devoted exclusively to creating healthy, beautiful smiles through cosmetic dentistry (porcelain veneers) and dental implants (Teeth By Tonight!).  Call us at 281-265-7645 to find out more and schedule a free in person or online consultation!

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What are cosmetic dentistry services that are available at Smile Texas?

Below are just a few of the selected treatments that can be performed at our office to improve the aesthetics of the smile:

• Porcelain veneers and Lumineers®. Veneers are a great way to provide coverage of imperfect teeth. They are thin facings of porcelain that are bonded onto the front of a tooth to improve the aesthetic appearance. Porcelain veneers are not reversible, while Lumineers® are.
• GumTuk® procedure. The GumTuk® treatment is a proprietary way of addressing what is known as a “gummy smile.” It is a crown-lengthening procedure that removes excess gum tissue with a laser to bring balance and harmony to the smile.
• Porcelain dental crowns. Covering damaged or imperfect teeth with porcelain dental crowns is a great way to disguise broken, chipped or severely damaged teeth that need an extra layer of strength and protection to prevent further problems.
• Porcelain dental bridges. Missing teeth can be restored using porcelain dental bridges, which are a popular way to address one or more missing teeth in a row. These restorations are a single restoration created with false teeth fused to dental crowns to create a bridge that “bridges the gap” and restores function and beauty to the smile after tooth loss or extraction.
• Dental implants. Dental implants are titanium posts that are placed by an oral surgeon into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. It is then restored over the abutment of the implant with a dental crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth are being replaced. These versatile restorations are long-lasting and function just as natural teeth do.
• Full-mouth restoration. Some patients will benefit from a combination of dental procedures to completely transform their smile! We work with patients to design a customized dental plan from start to finish to fully restore the smile’s function and beauty!

Schedule a consultation visit today to find out how we can rejuvenate your smile!

Dr. Rick Kline, Dr. Bret Davis and Dr. Mackenzi Dooley of Smile Texas work with new and returning patients to help them restore and improve the appearance of their smiles! Call 281-265-7645 to learn more or schedule a virtual or in-person consultation.

The post Enjoy a Perfect Smile for a Perfect Day: Cosmetic Treatments for Your Special Occasion appeared first on SmileTexas®.

Here are a few things to know about porcelain veneers.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of your teeth. One way to think of porcelain veneers is like a fake fingernail.  However, they are permanently bonded to the supporting natural teeth and are meant to last for many, man years.  With porcelain veneers we can correct teeth that are permanently dark and won’t respond to bleaching.  Teeth that are crooked or have gaps and spaces.  Teeth that are too small or too large to be aesthetically ideal.  Almost any smile imperfection can be corrected and a stunning smile created using porcelain veneers.

Are Porcelain Veneers Safe?

Yes, veneers are safe and have been used in cosmetic dentistry for over 50 years. Your dentist will ensure your veneers fit well so that they do not irritate your gums or cause other problems with your teeth.

What Are The Benefits & Risks Of Porcelain Veneers?

If you are considering porcelain veneers, it is crucial to understand the potential benefits of this treatment. Here are some of the main advantages of porcelain veneers:

Enhanced Appearance

Veneers are custom-made to fit over the front surface of your teeth. They can give you a stunning, Hollywood quality smile  in just two visits!  Porcelain veneers can address nearly any aesthetic concerns, including stained teeth, chipped or crooked, gaps and spaces and teeth that are too small or too large.

Improved Oral Health

In addition to their cosmetic benefits, porcelain veneers can improve oral health. Crooked teeth can be challenging to clean properly, leading to cavities and gum disease. Veneers can make it easier for you to brush and floss.

Increased Confidence

A beautiful smile can do wonders for your self-esteem. Porcelain veneers can give you the confidence you need to show your teeth and offer your biggest smile. People that feel like they have been hiding their full personalitites because of their smile find this life changing.  You will no longer have to worry about taking photographs or being in any social situation.

SmileTexas, a Sugar Land cosmetic dentistry office, can help you determine if porcelain veneers are right for you. SmileTexas offers a complimentary consultation in their office or by Zoom.  You can schedule at 281-265-7645.

The post So You Want To Get Veneers? Here’s What You Need To Know appeared first on SmileTexas®.

What are the goals and advantages of flossing?

Flossing removes both plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth and under your gum line, areas that brushing alone can’t reach. This helps prevent cavities and gum disease, keeping the teeth and gums clean and healthy.

How do I floss my teeth?

To properly floss your teeth, use about 16 inches of dental floss. Wrap most of the dental floss around your middle finger, leaving an inch or two to work with. Gently insert the dental floss in-between your teeth, in a back-and-forth motion. Do not scrape the floss into your gums. Curl the dental floss around each tooth in a C shape and slide it up and down against the side of the tooth.

Also, do not forget to floss behind the back teeth! Many people neglect this area, but it’s just as important as the front teeth. If you have any issues with flossing, do not hesitate to talk to your dentist at Smile Texas about your difficulties. In some instances, Drs. Rick Kline and Bret Davis may recommend the use of a waterpik or handheld disposable flosser picks that are easier to maneuver for some of our patients. Those with fine motor skill issues may benefit from these handheld picks, making it easier to floss than with traditional floss alone.

Flossing takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it only takes a few minutes each day. Make sure to add flossing to your daily oral care routine! If you need a little guidance, don’t hesitate to talk to your dental hygienist and dentist at Smile Texas about your needs. Drs. Rick Kline and Bret Davis work alongside patients and families in the Sugar Land, TX area to help them achieve oral health and wellness–and keep their smiles healthy for life! Call 281-265-7645 to request an appointment with our team and learn more about the importance of flossing and brushing between dental visits.

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What is Teeth by Tonight?

Teeth by Tonight is a special type of implant-retained dentures and dental prosthetic that is completed in a single day. Unlike traditional dentures, which rely on suction or adhesives to stay in place, implant-retained dentures are anchored directly to the jawbone for a more secure fit. Our team will fabricate a custom set of dentures for your smile and place them immediately after the placement of dental implants along the arch. This allows for fast and effective restoration of the smile, allowing patients to smile with confidence again!

Who is a good candidate for Teeth by Tonight dentures?

While implant-retained dentures have many benefits, they are not suitable for everyone. Candidates for this prosthetic must have enough healthy jawbone tissue to support the implants and must be committed to maintaining good oral hygiene. When consulting with our team of professionals at Smile Texas about this restorative process, our dentists will evaluate one’s oral health and the amount of bone present with x-rays and a physical examination. Oral surgery is scheduled to start the process if patients are good candidates.

Find out more about Teeth by Tonight!

If you believe you might be a good candidate for our Teeth by Tonight solution, talk to Drs. Rick Kline and Bret Davis about whether this restorative treatment option is right for you. Call 281-265-7645 to request an appointment at Smile Texas, located in Sugar Land, TX.

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