Month: January 2020

Dentistry is unique in that it combines aesthetic improvements with the necessary care to achieve optimal health. At Clear Creek Family Dentistry, Dr. Rohini Singh provides comprehensive care to create smiles that are not only healthy but help patients achieve their cosmetic smile goals.

We have created this guide to help you understand the benefits of multi-faced care and how it is achieved at our Killeen dental practice.

What does Multi-Faceted Dentistry Mean?
Dentistry combines art and science and is one of the few fields of medicine where patients’ appearances are regularly affected by standard care, such as treatment for cavities. At Clear Creek Family Dentistry, we define multi-faceted care by the ability to restore and reinforce patients’ health, while complimenting the natural appeal of their smiles. By protecting oral health and being mindful of aesthetic outcomes we ensure patients’ teeth and gums are strong and contribute to beautiful overall appearance.

Treatments to Suit Your Needs
Comprehensive dental care involves using materials that align with your aesthetic and healthcare goals, as well as incorporating the assistance of dental specialists whenever necessary. Whether for implant placement or the restoration of the bone and soft tissues through grafts, the cooperation of a specialist can help to create attractive, healthy teeth. The use of dental porcelain allows Dr. Singh to provide crowns, bridges, dentures, as well as a variety of other restorations, to restore full bite function, prevent decay, and create completely natural-looking restorations within the smile.

Discreet orthodontic care can even be included in a multi-faceted treatment plan. This aesthetically straightens patients’ teeth, while improving overall oral health by eliminating the wear that results from an imbalanced bite.

Begin Your Comprehensive Treatment Today!
Multi-faceted treatment not only helps patients achieve aesthetic results but ensures that they receive the care necessary for excellent health. To learn more about multi-faced dental treatment and to schedule your exam and consultation at our dental practice, contact Clear Creek Family Dentistry today.

Oral cancer is divided into two categories – those occurring in the oral cavity (your lips, the inside of your lips and cheeks, teeth, gums, the front two-thirds of your tongue and the floor and roof of your mouth) and those occurring in the oropharynx (middle region of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue).

Early detection may result in better treatment outcomes and may help keep you or someone you love from becoming one of the 10,030 people whose lives may be claimed this year by the disease. The 5-year survival rate of those diagnosed is approximately 60 percent.

Where Can Oral Cancer Appear?

The oral cavity includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, front part of your tongue, floor of the mouth beneath the tongue and the hard palate that makes up the roof of your mouth. The throat (pharynx) starts at the soft part of the roof of your mouth and continues back into your throat. It includes the back section of your tongue, as well as the base where the tongue attaches to the floor of your mouth.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

It’s important to be aware of the following signs and symptoms and to see your dentist if they do not disappear after two weeks.

• A sore or irritation that doesn’t go away
• Red or white patches
• Pain, tenderness or numbness in mouth or lips
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your tongue or jaw
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth

Some people complain of a sore throat, feeling like something is caught in their throat, numbness, hoarseness or a change in voice. If you have any of these symptoms, let your dentist know, especially if you’ve had them for two weeks or more.

What Are the Risk Factors for Oral Cancer?

Research has identified a number of factors that increase the risk of developing oral cancers. Men are twice more likely to get oral cancer than women. Smokers and excessive alcohol drinkers older than 50 are the most at-risk.

The human papilloma virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted, has also been associated with throat cancers at the back of the mouth. HPV-positive head and neck cancers are related to the rise in throat cancers in non-smoking adults. HPV-positive head and neck cancers typically develop in the throat at the base of the tongue and in the folds of the tonsils making them difficult to detect. Although people with HPV-positive cancers have a lower risk of dying or having recurrence than those with HPV-negative cancers, early diagnosis is associated with the best outcomes. Regular dental check-ups that include an examination of the entire head and neck can be vital in detecting cancer early.

How Can My Dentist Help Detect Oral Cancer Early?

During your regular exam, your dentist will ask you about changes in your medical history and whether you’ve been having any new or unusual symptoms.

Then, your dentist will check your oral cavity. This includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, the front part of your tongue, the floor of your mouth and the roof of your mouth. Your dentist will also examine your throat (pharynx) at the soft part at the roof of your mouth, including your tonsils, the back section of your tongue and where your tongue attaches to the bottom of your mouth. The dentist will then feel your jaw and neck for any lumps or abnormalities.

What Happens If My Dentist Finds Something Suspicious?

Stay calm. Your dentist won’t be able to tell right away if what he or she is looking at is cancerous, so he or she may refer you for testing. Your dentist might also reexamine you a week or two later to see if questionable spots are healing on their own before recommending additional follow-up. Together, you and your dentist can create the best strategy for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

What Can I Do to Prevent Oral Cancer?

The most important thing is to be aware of your risk factors. Men are twice more likely to get oral cancer as they get older. If you smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol or have a poor diet, changing these habits can decrease the chances of developing oral cancer.

Certain strains of HPV can also put you at risk. The CDC recommends that 11- to 12-year-old boys and girls get two doses of HPV vaccine to prevent cervical and other less common genital cancers. It is possible that the HPV vaccine might also prevent head and neck cancers – since the vaccine prevents an initial infection with HPV types that can cause head and neck cancers – but the studies currently underway do not yet have sufficient data to say whether the HPV vaccine will prevent these cancers.

If you have had oral cancer before, you may be more likely to develop it again so keep up those regular visits.

If you’re less than satisfied with your smile, you’ve probably considered braces.

But maybe it seems like too much time, money and discomfort to inquire about actually getting them.

The good news is, orthodontics has come a long way since the days of “metal mouths.”

And the benefits of straight teeth go beyond just your smile.

With Fastbraces®️, you could get the straight teeth you’ve been wanting, but without all the hassle of traditional braces. Let’s learn more!

What Are Fastbraces®️?

Fastbraces®️ are a high-performance and effective treatment option for patients with severely crooked, crowded or tiled teeth.

They’re a new type of braces that utilize triangular brackets on the teeth to effectively adjust the roots of crooked or in-grown teeth – allowing them to grow in straight and in the correct position.

The brackets also have built-in arms that work to constantly adjust the teeth and set them in alignment – reducing the frequency of orthodontic office visits for adjustments.

This technology also reduces the use of rubber bands and metal wires to allow for a more comfortable and shorter treatment time.

How Long Is Treatment?

This will depend on a number of factors.

With Fastbraces®️, there are two types: Classic Series and Turbo Series. We specialize in the Turbo Series.

Patients without severe issues often opt for the Turbo Series because treatment can be completed in as little as 120 days.

But even with the Classic Series, movement of the roots of the teeth towards their final position begins right at the onset of treatment. And depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may last anywhere from 3 months to about a year.

How Do Fastbraces®️ Differ From Traditional Braces?

There are a number of differences.

Obviously, the biggest difference is the treatment time.

Beyond that, traditional braces move only the crowns, or the visible part of teeth. But as we mentioned above, Fastbraces®️ move both the crowns AND the roots of teeth at the same time.

The brackets of Fastbraces®️ are smoother and more comfortable than the sharper-edged traditional braces. There is also a clear option that’s made from ceramic. This means less tearing and irritation to the inside of the lips and cheeks, as well as the tongue.

Fastbraces®️ use much less in the way of wires too, and are more visually appealing.

Plus, the shorter treatment time and reduced need for metal, rubber bands and frequent orthodontic visits make Fastbraces®️ a lot more affordable.

Will I Have to Wear a Retainer?

In order to maintain the complete alignment of the roots of the teeth, a retainer is required.

Fortunately, the retainer is needed for only 15-20 minutes per day. That’s it.

That means no more retainers for 8 hours during the day for months after treatment. This is just another way Fastbraces®️ technology has streamlined the entire teeth straightening process.

Are Fastbraces®️ Right for You?

If you’re less than satisfied with the alignment of your teeth, then you might consider the option of Fastbraces®️. Check with your local Fastbraces®️ authorized provider to see if it’s an option they offer.

In the meantime, keep checking back with our dental blog for more information, tips and advice on caring for your teeth.