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Patient ResourcesBeyond the BookOne of the best things we can do for your overall dental health is to help you understand as much as possible about your teeth and their related structures, the care they require, and the treatments that benefit them most. Because the more you know, the better decisions you'll make about your own care...from daily hygiene to more complex procedures. That's why we've included this section, providing useful links and articles that cover those topics of most critical interest to our patients. We hope this knowledge will prepare you to actively address and discuss your needs with us as you consider various treatments. Because when it comes to providing information, we want to go beyond the book. We've also included some links to local entertainment sites to help you soak up a little local color in our great city! Dental-Related Consumer Sites
Recommended Fort Worth Sites
Patient Library
Your SmileA strong, healthy smile is a fundamental aspect of how you present yourself to others. It's a reflection of not only your dental health, but of your attitude and overall sense of well being. In fact, it's often the first thing others notice about you—perhaps your first and only chance to make a lasting impression. Whitening             ÂWhitening your teeth is one of the simplest, safest ways to improve your smile. And it's important to realize that the process involves no loss of tooth enamel or actual 'bleaching'. Instead, it's done with a safe chemical gel. The process is simple: we evaluate the potential for whitening your teeth, based on their current color and the causes of discoloration; we create custom-fit trays for home use; you wear the trays for a few hours per day for a few weeks; and your smile becomes at least 2 shades lighter as seen on the dental chart. BruxismEveryone clenches and grinds their teeth now and then. In fact, it's a normal stress-related response. However, if habitual and intense, this 'bruxism' will lead to tooth structure breakdown, gum recession, and eventual tooth lossÂ… with all the accompanying dental concerns. So, you can have perfect hygiene habits and still lose your teeth, simply due to bruxing! But the good news is that we can do something about it: fabricate a small, barely noticeable appliance to prevent your teeth surfaces from grinding down on each other. Causes and Treatments of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)Your jaw works smoothly and effectively when the associated muscles and joints perform correctly. However, this depends significantly upon the alignment of your bite, your overall level of stress, and many other factors. So, when an ongoing imbalance occurs in any area of the jaw biomechanics, pain and discomfort can result. That's why it's important to ask Dr. Knox to evaluate your whole temporomandibular complex if you're having symptoms such as an aching, clicking, popping jaw, migraines, or unexplained muscular tenderness during speaking or chewing. You'll be happy to learn that in many cases, we can eliminate the problem. Composite Resins (White Fillings)There are several reasons why we recommend composite resins as a superior material for filling cavities, compared to silver amalgams. First, the filling process requires less drilling and therefore we conserve more tooth structure. Second, the material actually bonds like a sealant to the tooth, unlike amalgam that can crack and separate with time, leaving the tooth open to further decay. Finally, composite resins actually mimic the structure of the tooth so closely, that they're virtually unnoticeable. CrownsToday's generation of crowns is a simple, highly effective means of restoring strength and health to cracked, worn, or broken teeth. In fact, we think of them as enamel replacements. The latest material -- a cast metal fused to porcelain – not only withstands tremendous biting pressure without wear, but actually prevents bacterial growth on that tooth area, and creates a healthy gum tissue response as compared to previous crown materials. What is a Dental Implant?Dental implants are permanent tooth substitutes, made up of a metal post surgically bonded to the jawbone itself, and a top prosthesis that extends above the gumline and mimics the original tooth. The implant process requires several months overall, but can be an excellent option for replacing a single missing tooth in adult dentition, especially when other replacement choices can't insure long-term oral health. However, implants are not teeth, and therefore present some inherent weaknesses. The rigid metal post embedded in the jawbone doesn't have the 'give' of a normal tooth's muscle/tissue suspension system. Because of this, an implant doesn't change and adapt as the bite changes over time. If you're a candidate for a dental implant, we'll help you evaluate the pros and con's as they apply to your particular situation. Dentures: Get Your Smile BackDentures are the most beautiful teeth replacement option that we can provide. In fact, we can often make them more natural and pleasing than the regular dentition was to begin with. They can restore shape and support to the face muscles, bring back normal speaking ability, and allow nearly perfect eating ability as well. However, dentures can take some getting used to, as they aren't anchored to the bone and therefore don't provide quite the same degree of chewing freedom as normal teeth. If you're a candidate for dentures, we'll help you evaluate the pro's and con's as they apply to your particular situation. Fixed BridgesFixed bridges are the simplest, most reliable replacement option when someone is missing a few to several teeth in a row. Further, today's methods and materials require very little reduction of the requisite 'anchor' teeth on either side of the span. Well constructed, bridges are easy to maintain, simple to wear, and effective for normalizing speaking and chewing activities. If you're a candidate for a fixed bridge, we'll help you evaluate the pro's and con's as they apply to your particular situation. What is Gum Disease?Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is one of the most common health conditions in this country. That's because regardless of how carefully you brush and floss, you can't keep the tooth root surfaces clean. In fact, your natural population of oral bacteria automatically forms a sticky substance called 'plaque' on any uncleaned tooth surfaces. Left alone, this plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with professional dental tools. When tartar is allowed to remain on the teeth, the gums become irritated, triggering an infection. Once this stage is reached, gum disease results and must be treated by your dentist. That's why it's not surprising that up to 80% of the general population has some form of chronic, low-grade gum disease. In other words, have a professional cleaning done regularly! Halitosis (Bad Breath)The most important thing to understand about the embarrassing problem of bad breath is that there is a solution! We offer a revolutionary in-office treatment using Breath RX, a zinc-based rinse that actually inhibits the bacterial growth responsible for bad breath. We can also help you identify the actual underlying cause(s) and devise a game plan for correcting them. Oral Health and Your HeartTime and time again, research has shown that oral health and heart health are linked together. However, we don't yet understand exactly what's responsible for this correlation. What we do know, is that people prone to heart attacks are also prone to gum disease. Since both disorders can be silent attackers, it's even more critical for you to have a dental check up regularly if you have a family history of heart disease. Oral CancerOral cancer is one of the sneakiest of cancers, with devastating functional and esthetic results. Typically, its victims are unaware of its presence until it's too late to save much of the lower face. That's why we thoroughly check all of your oral structures for problems and concerns during your appointments, alerting you to any danger signs so that you can take further preventive or investigative action. Porcelain Veneers: An Alternative to CrownsPorcelain veneers can present an effective solution to minor teeth straightening problems, avoiding the need for braces. The process requires very little tooth structure reduction, and provides extremely natural-looking results. However, we don't recommend veneers as a means of color correction, since over time the teeth beneath the veneers can darken and show through. If you're a candidate for porcelain veneers, we'll help you evaluate the pro's and con's as they apply to your particular situation. Root Canal TherapyThe worse thing about a 'Root Canal' treatment is its terrible reputation. That's because the 'root' cause of an undetected root canal infection often produces tremendous internal pressure and pain, beyond the point where anesthesia can be very effective. However, with regular dental visits and today's technology, catching and correcting a root canal infection early, is actually quite simple and painless. We simply identify the fact that a tooth's nerve has died, clean out any infection that's begun, and fill the resultant space to prevent further problems. Dental SealantsDental sealants are simple, painless preventive measure that effectively protects the teeth's chewing surfaces from decay. That's why we recommend them for people of all ages, and especially for children who may not brush as regularly as an adult. And the process only involves a couple steps: a light etching of the teeth surfaces, placement of the plastic sealant material, and then a brief 'bonding' period. Sensitive TeethSometimes, teeth will suddenly become sensitive to hot and cold, moving air, or direct pressure. While there are many causes to investigate, most often such sensitivity is bite-related. That's because a poorly aligned bite can lead to extremely unbalanced distribution of pressure on the teeth. This extra wear and tear results in breakage, cracks, chips, and sensitivity. Our strategy is to effectively treat the symptoms while determining how to correct the underlying problem. ToothbrushesIn today's world, we can't offer a better solution to the problem of finding the perfect toothbrush than to suggest the Sonicare electronic toothbrush. That's because no matter how well you brush manually, you can't match the 31,000 brush strokes per minute and sonic waves emitted by the Sonicare toothbrush. It's been shown to attack plaque, reverse gingivitis, and eliminate stains; plus, it's gentle on gums and sensitive teeth. No wonder we encourage all our patients to use them! Tooth Decay: A Preventable DiseaseTooth decay is at the same time inevitable and preventable. It's inevitable because everyone has a natural population of oral bacteria that cling to unclean teeth surfaces and form a sticky substance called plaque. Left alone, the plaque hardens into tartar. And tartar literally eats away at the tooth's various layers, working its way from the external enamel to the internal, sensitive pulp layer. Of course, once this tooth decay process has begun, there's no solution other than to remove the existing decay, fill the space, and seal it against further problems. However, the entire situation is also highly preventable. Twice daily brushing and careful flossing can remove most of the naturally occurring plaque, while regular professional cleanings will eliminate tartar as well. Wisdom Teeth ExtractionsThere's a popular saying in dentistry that asserts, "You can't keep what you can't keep clean." Which explains the need for extracting those unwieldy wisdom teeth. 90% of the time, the human jaw is simply too small to allow the full set of wisdom teeth to erupt normally, without disturbing the rest of the bite. Even if they do erupt, they're so tightly pressed in against the neighboring teeth that they can't be kept clean. Further, if allowed to come in without enough room, they'll often become impacted—leading to loss of the adjacent teeth as well. That's why we recommend extracting them at the point where they're fully developed but haven't had the chance to fully come in—around the age of 18 or 19. SnoreguardsSnoring is often the result of enlarged anatomical structures within the mouth and throat that collapse against each other during the relaxed state of sleep. This obstructs clear airflow, and produces the snoring sound. Now, thanks to a simple device known as a snoreguard, such snoring is preventable. A snoreguard is a simple, custom-fit, easy to use mouth appliance that holds the mouth and throat in a slightly open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring. |
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4900 Overton Ridge Blvd • Suite 109 Fort Worth, Texas 76132 • 817-292-6090 ©2001 William Knox, DDS • Site designed and maintained by TNT Dental |
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