Category: restorative dentistry

Is It An Emergency? Part 2

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Do you think you are having a dental emergency, but you’re not entirely sure? Don’t worry; we are here to help! If you’re not sure if something is severe enough to warrant a dental visit, we are always just a phone call away. But, in the meantime, here are a few situations that definitely warrant a call to our office. This is the second half of a two-part blog on dental emergencies and what to do when you have one!

If you have pain, call us. If you’re experiencing the sudden onset of tooth pain, or it hurts to put pressure on the tooth or if it is continually throbbing, keeping you up all night and you’re getting no relief with pain relievers, you could have an abscessed tooth and need to be seen as soon as possible.

If you have pain in the jaw or jaw dysfunction, call us. Are you having sudden pain in your TMJ joints? (They are the tiny joints located on either side of your jaw, just below your ear). If you’re having unexplained pain in the TMJs, neck, or ear, or your jaw is clicking, popping, and hard to open and close, you need to call us. You could be living with undiagnosed temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). TMJD pain can be chronic or acute (sudden).

If you have lost a filling, crown, or other restoration, call us. While these conditions may not be severe, they can be annoying and painful, and if left untreated, could result in more damage or infection. Damaged restorations can also negatively affect your bite, which leaves you at risk of developing TMJD or additional damage to your teeth.

If you’re experiencing any of these situations, pain, or discomfort, call Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899 to get an appointment as soon as possible.

Too Much of a Good Thing Could Be a Problem

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Do you want whiter teeth? Who doesn’t? While achieving whiter teeth is a goal for many people, for others, it becomes an obsession and can turn into a dangerous situation that costs time, money and tooth enamel. The situation is known as bleachorexia and is a very real problem for many people.

What Is Bleachorexia?

Bleachorexia is defined as an unhealthy obsession or over-fascination with tooth whitening. It is classified as a form of body dysmorphia. For individuals affected by bleachorexia, they feel that although their teeth are already white, their teeth are not white enough so they must continue to use tooth whiteners to achieve their vision of their smile.

Bleachorexia can cause individuals to seek out and use alternative methods to obtain the “ultimate smile”, such as charcoal toothpaste and whitening products containing high levels of bleaching agents and not approved by the FDA.

Some of the dangers of over-whitening the teeth include:

Changing colors. Excessive whitening of the teeth could make them turn an unnatural shade or become translucent.
Erosion of tooth enamel. Overuse of bleaching products could result in tooth enamel erosion, which can lead to pain, tooth sensitivity and changes to the core structure of the teeth. If this occurs, you may be facing the need for porcelain veneers, crowns, and other restorative treatments so you can live pain-free.
Receding gums. Bleaching agents don’t just touch the teeth, they also touch the gums and other structures of the mouth, too. Products that are too strong can cause the gums to recede and even burn the soft tissue in the mouth.

Can You Achieve Whiter Teeth Safely?

Absolutely, yes, you can. However, the best way to whiten is under the supervision of a dentist. Dr. Korous offers patients safe, in-office whitening procedures and take-home whitening products with professional-grade bleaching agents to help you achieve the smile you want safely. Learn more about our tooth whitening options by calling Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899.

Make Resolutions to Improve Oral Heath

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It’s a New Year, so it’s time for a new you! You’ve probably made your resolutions to eat better, work out more, and spend more time with your loved ones. But, what about resolving to take better care of your teeth? There’s no time like the present to get started, and it’s never too late to make sure your mouth is healthy! Here are a few suggestions from Dr. Korous on how you can make 2019 the best year for your smile.

Resolution 1: Be a Better Brusher

Want to have healthier teeth? The first stop is better brushing (and flossing). We suggest that you brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. For best results, use an electric toothbrush. While brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line to remove sticky plaque. Brush for a full two minutes each time!

Resolution 2: Don’t Forget to Floss

Flossing your teeth helps to remove the sticky plaque and is just as crucial as brushing! Flossing also removes bits of food your toothbrush can’t reach.

Resolution 3: Eat Better

No, not just for your waistline. For your mouth, too. Eating healthier snacks means a healthier mouth. We suggest limiting the consumption of food and beverages containing processed sugar, carbohydrates, and acids to help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Resolution 4: Get the Smile You Want

Did you hide your smile in 2018? What about 2017? 2016? If you’re hiding your smile because you don’t like the look, shape, or color of your teeth, make 2019 the year you stop hiding behind your hand or avoiding the camera. Learn about the cosmetic and restorative dental options we offer including tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, and Invisalign.

Resolution 5: Stop Living with Sleep Apnea

Do you have sleep apnea or think you have sleep apnea? If you can’t sleep without your CPAP, or you’re not sleeping at all, let us know. Dr. Korous can help those suffering from sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy, which means a better night’s sleep and better overall health for you.

Looking to have a healthy and beautiful smile this year? We can help. Call Millennium Smiles today at 972-987-4899 to schedule a consultation.

Give Yourself a Gift

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We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas holiday with your friends and family! The holiday season is always a busy one – parties and gatherings, lots of fun and festivities, and making sure you select the perfect gift for everyone on your list. But, did you remember to give yourself a gift this year? If you didn’t treat yourself in 2018, that’s okay! You can make 2019 your year by giving yourself the gift of a new smile from Millennium Smiles!

Why You Should Give Yourself a New Smile Next Year

Don’t love your smile? You’re not alone. Many adults hide their smile by covering their mouth when they talk, not smiling for pictures and shying away from relationships and social events because they are self-conscious about how their smile looks.

Many people who don’t love their smile feel insecure or even depressed about their appearance. This is in stark contrast to those individuals who love their smiles; research has shown that smiling more often helps to boost confidence and mood. So, if you’re not living your best life because you are not confident in your smile’s appearance, it’s time to talk to Dr. Korous about smile restoration!

What Is Smile Restoration?

Smile restoration, also known as cosmetic dentistry, helps to bring your smile back to life. Restoration procedures include procedures such as dental implants, tooth whitening, Invisalign, and porcelain veneers to replace missing teeth, teeth that have become stained and to provide a new look to teeth that have been damaged in some way.

Millennium Smiles offers a full range of cosmetic dental treatment options to help restore your smile.

One More Thing

It is important to note that a beautiful smile is a healthy smile. This means that before any cosmetic procedure begins, Dr. Korous will need to make sure your mouth is healthy first. This means a full exam and therapies for any cavities, areas of decay, or gum disease before proceeding with cosmetic treatments.

We want your smile not only to look good but to feel good, too! Call us at 972-987-4899 to give yourself a gift in 2019!

Don’t Live with Tooth Loss – Think About Dental Implants

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Did you know that over 70 percent of adults over the age of 35 have lost one more of their permanent teeth? It’s true. Tooth loss is a widespread problem in Frisco, Little Elm, and the rest of the United States and happens due to a variety of factors, including tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. If you’ve lost a tooth for whatever reason, you should consider a dental implant from Millennium Smiles.

Why Do I Need a Dental Implant?

If you’re missing a tooth, it does more than changing the appearance of your smile; it also changes the physical makeup of your mouth and can also leave you at risk of losing more teeth. This is because when you bite down or chew, the pressure of these activities stimulates nerves and blood flow to the opposite jaw, and increased blood flow helps to keep teeth healthy. If there is nothing in the space, the tooth across from the gap does not get the blood flow and oxygen needed for survival. Without the oxygen, blood and other nutrients, the tooth can loosen and fall out.

Losing a tooth can also cause the teeth around that space to shift, which also means changes to your bite. When your bite changes, the stress on your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) increases, which can lead to pain, loss of function, and TMJD.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Not only do dental implants play a role in filling the space of a missing tooth to keep your bite intact and your teeth healthy, but dental implants are also made of high-quality, durable porcelain that is very similar to tooth enamel. This means you can brush, floss, bite and chew just like you would with a natural tooth.

Dental implants are long-lasting, which means you may not ever need to have them replaced. This gives dental implants a significant advantage over other tooth replacement options such like bridges, partials, and dentures. Dental bridges also require that the teeth on either side of the gap be shaved down to make room for the restoration – implants do not. Dentures and partials can fill the space but can be uncomfortable, make chewing and speaking difficult, and wear out over time, which means you may need several replacements.

Lastly, dental implants provide the aesthetic and emotional benefits of restoring your smile. Dr. Korous is an expert in smile restoration and can help give you a smile you deserve.

Are you thinking about a dental implant or smile restoration? We would love to talk to you. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Korous today by calling Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899.

Time to Say Goodbye to Silver Fillings?

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For decades, the most common material used to fill cavities was a material known as dental amalgam. You might know amalgam as silver fillings. In the last few years, however, many dentists, including Dr. Korous, have made a shift away from using dental amalgam material to using resin or composite fillings. Why the change?

What Is Dental Amalgam?

Dental amalgam is a material that is made up of a combination of several types of metal including silver, tin, mercury, and copper.

Why Are Dentists Shifting Away from Dental Amalgam?

There are several reasons why some dentists are shifting away from using dental amalgam or silver fillings, such as:

Aesthetics. Dental amalgam is silver in color, which makes it very detectable in the mouth. Some individuals are very self-conscious about their dental fillings being so noticeable, and as a result, hide their smile or their mouth when they talk. Instead of using noticeable silver amalgam, Millennium Smiles uses tooth-colored resins or composite materials for fillings that blend with the tooth enamel, making fillings virtually undetectable in the mouth and smile.

Function. Another reason that dentists are choosing to move away from amalgam fillings is that amalgam does not form a tight bond with tooth enamel. Without a tight bond, decay-causing bacteria can get under the filling, and over time, leads to further damage below the restoration. This leaves you at risk for more cavities, pain, root canals and even tooth loss.

In contrast, more modern restoration materials like those used by Millennium Smiles can bond tightly to the tooth enamel, sealing out bacteria and protecting your oral and overall health.

Potential Health Risks. From the very beginning of their use, there has been a concern over the using dental amalgam material to fill the cavities. This concern is because they contain mercury, a toxic substance that has connections to the development of chronic and acute illnesses that affect the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs, and kidneys. The concern is so significant that many countries are banning the use of mercury in dental restorations.

Should I Replace My Dental Amalgam Fillings?

Replacing your dental amalgam fillings is a very personal decision, but the first thing Dr. Korous suggests is that you have your fillings checked to determine if they are broken, fractured, leaking or have any other defect. If you have dental fillings that are not in good condition, we do suggest that you have them removed and replaced with more modern restoration materials. Some studies suggest that having eight or more amalgam fillings is detrimental to your health.

Want to learn more about modern dentistry, our superior technology and 3D imaging, modern filling materials, or to have your silver amalgam fillings replaced? Call Millennium Smiles today at 972-87-4899 to schedule your appointment.

6 Tips for Taking Care of Your Porcelain Veneers

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Did you just make over your smile with porcelain veneers from Millennium Smiles? We know that you love your new smile and are probably still grinning from ear to ear showing off your new pearly whites. We want you to keep it that way, so we have compiled a few tips to help keep your porcelain veneers looking great:

Take Care of Your Veneers. Taking care of your porcelain veneers is as important as taking care of your natural teeth. This means you should brush at least twice per day (with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste) and floss at least once per day. This is to maintain your healthy teeth that are under your veneers and prevent tooth decay.

Prevent Stains. Veneers are formulated to resist staining, but bonding materials can be affected by dark-colored food and drinks like berries, wine, soda, and coffee. When this bonding material becomes stained, your teeth can appear yellow or brown. To prevent this from happening, Dr. Korous recommends that you use a straw when drinking wine or other dark beverages and brushing immediately after eating foods that can leave you with stains.

Veneers are a great way to update your smile. Keep them looking great with these tips.
Quit Smoking. Smoking and the use of tobacco products can cause staining and can negatively impact the bond between your teeth and the veneer overlay. When this bond becomes damaged or weakened, it leaves you at risk for cracking and lifting. Not only can quitting smoking and tobacco products prolong the life of your veneers, but it can also help to prolong your life by reducing your risk developing oral and other forms of cancer.

Avoid Hard Foods. Porcelain veneers are very durable, but you can cause chips, cracks, and other damage by crunching on hard foods like hard foods like nuts, hard candies, and ice. You should also avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages, remove bottle caps and wine corks (yes, people do this!)

Grind Your Teeth? Wear a Mouthguard. Grinding your teeth can put stress on your veneers, just like on your natural teeth. This stress means cracks, chips, and damage to your tooth enamel and your porcelain veneers. Talk to Dr. Korous about being fitted for a mouthguard to prevent damage to your veneers.

Schedule and Keep Your Dental Appointments. Be sure to visit Dr. Korous at least twice per year for your dental checkups and cleanings.

Questions about porcelain veneers? Call Millennium Smiles today at our Little Elm dental office 972-987-4899 for a consultation.

 

 

Full Mouth Rehabilitation: Why You Shouldn’t Wait if You Need One

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We all may procrastinate on cleaning, organizing or studying, but delaying dental work can have serious consequences.

If you’re a candidate for a full mouth rehabilitation, consider these top four reasons you shouldn’t wait to start your restoration.

One: Delaying Could Make Your Dental Problems Worse

If you’re considering a full mouth rehabilitation, you may have several broken or missing teeth. One of the main benefits of a full restoration is correcting and improving the function of your mouth. Not fixing the damage puts your remaining teeth at risk.

Two: You Deserve a Great Smile Today

Your smile is one of the ways you make a first impression. Dr. Korous believes all her patients deserve to feel confident when they smile. After completing their rehabilitation, most patients can’t believe the difference it made and wish they would have done it sooner.

Three: Your Mouth Could be Contributing to Health Problems

There is a strong link between your oral health and your overall health. Damaged, missing or decaying teeth put you at greater risk for infections. Signs your oral health is impacting your body include constantly feeling tired, frequent illnesses and difficulty recovering from infections. A full mouth restoration can decrease your risk of dental infections and improve your health.

Four: Full Mouth Rehabilitation Can Deliver Better Looking Results

Many people opt for piecemeal repair for their dental issues. However, if you have extensive damage you may see better results with a full mouth rehabilitation. Dr. Korous will create a plan for addressing all your dental concerns while also ensuring all the materials are perfect color matches to give your smile the best natural look.

If you have questions about full mouth rehabilitation, give us a call today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Korous will discuss if you’re a good candidate and describe how the procedure will work. Most rehabilitations require several visits to our Frisco dental office. Learn more by scheduling a consultation today at 972-987-4899.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation: What You Need to Know

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In today’s blog post, we’re answering some of your questions about full mouth rehabilitation. The procedure can sound frightening, but there is no need to be afraid. Rehabilitation offers many aesthetic and health benefits.

What is it?

During a full mouth rehabilitation, Dr. Korous will rebuild or restore all your upper and lower teeth. Full restorations address multiple dental concerns while providing the patient with a new beautiful smile.

Why would you need full mouth rehabilitation?

A full mouth restoration improves both the look and function of your teeth. Some common reasons people may be candidates for rehabilitation include:

  • Several missing teeth
  • Broken or cracked teeth
  • Extensive tooth decay
  • Worn teeth from grinding or acid erosion
  • Pain requiring a bite adjustment

What steps are involved?

You’ll begin with a consultation with Dr. Korous to determine if you’re a candidate for a full mouth rehabilitation. From there, Dr. Korous will develop a comprehensive step-by-step treatment plan for your restoration. Your treatment plan may include a mix of:

  • Crowns
  • Bridges
  • Veneers
  • Dental implants
  • Dentures

A full mouth restoration focuses on more than just your teeth. Your treatment plan will also address any issues with your gums or bite and could include periodontal therapy and bite correction.

Your restoration is not a one-day treatment and will likely include several visits to our Frisco office over the course of a few weeks.

Will people be able to tell?

Dr. Korous takes special care to ensure your smile is both beautiful and natural looking. At Millennium Smiles we only use the highest-quality dental materials that are designed to look like natural teeth.

What are the benefits?

After completing a full mouth rehabilitation many patients experience:

  • Increased confidence from a new beautiful smile.
  • Improved chewing and teeth function.
  • Decreased jaw or tooth pain.

If you think you could be a candidate or a full mouth restoration, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Fix Crooked Teeth- Without Braces!

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Crooked teeth are more than a cosmetic dental concern. Did you know that crooked teeth can cause serious dental health concerns? Crooked teeth can lead to dysfunction in the jaw and bite, and can make it difficult to properly clean your teeth. Crooked teeth can be a leading factor in causing tooth decay, gum disease, and TMJ. If the stigma of adult braces is holding you back from straightening your smile, Dr. Korous at Millennium Smiles in Little Elm offers cosmetic alternatives to braces that may be right for you.

Dr. Dunia Korous, a highly trained and experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist, will spend one-on-one time with each patient to build an individualized dental treatment plan. After a comprehensive oral health exam, Dr. Korous can advise you on what treatment options are best for you unique dental health concerns. If your teeth are severely crooked, braces may be your best option. In less severe cases, we may be able to straighten your smile with leading cosmetic dentistry techniques and advanced technology. Dr. Korous will discuss and educate you on all of your options, so you can make the most suitable, well-informed decision.

Cosmetic Dentistry Options

ntal Bonding
Completed in one single visit to our dentist office, Dr. Korous applies a tooth-colored resin directly to your teeth. She then sculpts the biocompatible composite material into the desired tooth shape. With the use of a painless, special light, the form is bonded to the natural tooth. Offering a long-term and natural appearance, dental bonding can offer the appearance of straight teeth.

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are an aesthetically pleasing and an effective way of straightening teeth without braces. Dr. Korous uses the most advanced materials and technology to give you a natural-looking smile with veneers. An ultrathin clear ceramic material is applied to the front and sides of the teeth creating a permanent and long-lasting solution to crooked teeth.
Invisalign®
Virtually unnoticeable, this removable braces alternative can create a straight smile without the discomfort of traditional metal braces. Dr. Korous will take molds of your teeth to create a series of retainers that will gradually straighten your teeth. Using state of the art Invisalign software Dr. Korous is able to more accurately and precisely straighten your teeth.

Schedule An Appointment

To find the right path to your straightest, healthiest smile, contact Dr. Korous today. Call our Little Elm dental office, or schedule an appointment online.

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