Root canal treatment, or RCT, is a restorative treatment designed to save a tooth from complete destruction when it’s been severely consumed by tooth decay. Also referred to as endodontic treatment, root canal therapy describes removing the infected tissues inside of your tooth, sealing the tooth’s roots, then reinforcing the tooth and sealing the root canals. Contrary to popular belief, the procedure involves little discomfort; in fact, the severe toothache caused by the infection might only be relieved after the root canals have been treated. (more…)
Keep a Naturally Bright Smile
Wouldn’t it be great if you could maintain a bright smile without needing professional teeth-whitening treatment? In many cases, that’s actually possible. The most common form of teeth stains, known as extrinsic stains, develop on the surfaces of your teeth, and are caused by issues like excessive plaque buildup, or overexposure to dark foods and beverages. Fortunately, with a few improvements to your hygiene routine and eating habits, you can keep stains at bay to prevent them from marring your bright, beautiful smile. (more…)
Is It Really Possible to Prevent Cavities?
Did you know that cavities, a result of tooth decay, are the most commonly-experienced chronic disease in the world? Given the fact that they affect nearly 35% of the world’s entire population, you might wonder if cavities are, in fact, as preventable as you’ve been told. The truth is, they are; the prevalence of cavities and tooth decay isn’t due to inevitability, but rather a larger, wide-spread problem of inadequate hygiene and dental treatment. With the right care and attention, you can successfully prevent cavities from afflicting your teeth, or prevent them from returning, if you’ve already had one. (more…)
3 Reasons Why You’re Experiencing Jaw Pain
Whether it’s a sharp pain, a dull throb, or a popping or clicking that just feels and sounds unsettling, pain in and around your TMJs (the jaw joints on either of your face) is no fun. While taking a dose of ibuprofen or applying a warm compress can help ease the ache temporarily, a more long term solution depends on discovering the underlying cause of your jaw pain. Today, Fort Worth dentist Dr. Steven Huffstutler discusses three potential causes of jaw pain and how this commonplace complaint can be treated. (more…)
Prevent Tooth Loss by Preventing Why It Happens
Is losing teeth a worry at the back of your mind? If you have older family members with a history of tooth loss, then it might seem like an especially worrisome prospect. While heredity might play a role in some of the issues that could lead to missing teeth, their actual loss doesn’t necessarily run in the family. In fact, to the surprise of many, you can prevent tooth loss if you understand what causes it, and take necessary measures to prevent those causes. (more…)
Quiz: What are Dental Implants?
Do you have one or more missing teeth? Losing your teeth as an adult can make you feel self-conscious, as well as negatively impact your overall health. Thankfully, you can once again enjoy a whole and attractive smile with an innovative tooth replacement option: dental implants. Dr. Huffstutler offers this unique solution at our North Richland Hills office.
What You Need to Know About Preventing Gum Disease
Even if you don’t yet have it, knowing how to prevent gum disease is important to preserving your healthy, beautiful smile. Knowing what the disease looks like will help you spot its presence early. Likewise, knowing that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss will help you understand the importance of seeking immediate treatment. What you should know about gum disease above all else, however, is that you can prevent and properly control it by practicing a good hygiene routine, complete with regular dental checkups and cleanings. (more…)
What Kind of Tooth Filling Do You Have?
Filling a cavity is often the best way to treat and preserve a tooth inflicted with tooth decay—an internal infection caused by oral bacteria. Decay occurs when the enamel around your teeth is dissolved by bacteria-produced acid, and since teeth can’t heal themselves, cleaning and filling the cavity is necessary to restore the tooth’s strength. Until recently, fillings were mostly made from metal amalgam, a mixture of silver, tin, mercury and other metals (often called silver fillings for their metallic appearance). Now, you can restore your dental health with a tooth filling that doesn’t make much of an appearance by choosing composite resin instead of metal. (more…)
Want a New Smile? Consider Porcelain Veneers!
Good dental health doesn’t always translate into a visually-flawless smile. Especially as we age, our teeth will eventually show signs of the years of they’ve been in use, exhibiting stains from your food and beverages, or chips and cracks from anecdotal accidents. If you feel like it’s time for a new smile, fret not; there’s a good chance we can create one without having to work extensively on your teeth by using high-quality, lifelike porcelain veneers. (more…)
Thinking About Teeth-Whitening?
Teeth-whitening is something that most people will consider at some point in their lives. Not because the procedure is technically necessary, but because teeth stains can affect any one, and teeth-whitening is often the easiest, quickest, and most effective way to erase them. If you’re thinking about teeth-whitening, we offer a variety of professional techniques, including a system designed to erase even the most stubborn of teeth stains. (more…)