Tag: restorative dentist frisco tx

Time to Say Goodbye to Silver Fillings?

Posted on by MillenSmiles_aDmEEN

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.

 

 

Invisalign at Any Age!

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Do you want to make over your smile, but think you are too old for orthodontic treatment? If you feel like you missed the boat on braces, don’t worry. You can still get the smile of your dream with Invisalign at Millennium Smiles.

I’m Over 40. Can I Still Straighten My Smile?

Of course, you can! If you want straight teeth, but cringe at the thought of many years of orthodontic treatment, pain, and a mouthful of metal braces, think about Invisalign. Invisalign is a faster and more discreet option than metal braces suitable for adult patients of all ages.

Does Having Straight Teeth Matter at My Age?

Get a great smile at any age!

Yes, but not just for reasons that you think. While having straight teeth can make you look and feel great, there are additional benefits for straightening your teeth:

  • The alignment of your teeth affects your bite, so if your teeth are not straight or out of place, they can throw off your bite and cause unintended wear and tear on your temporomandibular joints – the joints that connect your jaw to your skull. When these joints wear down, it can mean pain, stiffness, and loss of jaw function.
  • The position of your teeth can also affect your oral health. Crooked, crowded, and overlapping teeth can make brushing and flossing difficult, which can leave you with plaque buildup, bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay.

But I Don’t Want to Be in Treatment Forever

Straightening your teeth with Invisalign through Millennium Smiles is faster than you may think. The speed of straightening your teeth is faster at Millennium Smiles because Dr. Korous offers patients Invisalign with Propel to move teeth more quickly than orthodontic braces or with Invisalign alone.

On average, patients who choose Invisalign with our Frisco Dental office see their new smiles in about six months to a year of treatment. (Note: the speed of your treatment will depend on your specific bite correction needs)

Get a beautiful smile at any age with Dr. Korous. Call Millennium Smiles today at 972-987-4899 to schedule your consultation.

 

 

 

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.

Take Years Off Your Smile

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Providing results that meet all of your expectations, porcelain veneers can take years of damage and tooth staining off of your smile with comfortable, durable and natural looking results. Porcelain veneers can be used to improve misshapen or chipped teeth, fix gaps, and cover stained or discolored teeth. They are great for a subtle smile makeover that will last for many years.

High Quality Veneers

It’s important to choose an experienced and highly trained cosmetic dentist who understands the subtleties and needs of your individual cosmetic goals and desires. Frisco cosmetic dentist Dr. Dunia Korous will work with you to ensure you’re investing your time and money in the right procedure. At Millennium Smiles, we only use the highest quality materials, and in just two to three visits to our Frisco office, you can boost your confidence with a more vibrant and youthful smile.

Will You Be Able To Tell I have Veneers?

Porcelain Veneers are made of high quality, ultra-thin ceramic. Due to the reflective properties of the material, light reflects off of them just like a natural tooth. Porcelain veneers are custom fit to your mouth based on the shape, color and fit of your unique smile. Veneers are considered a permanent restoration that will last for many years. When installed by a highly trained and experienced cosmetic dentist, it is nearly impossible to differentiate between porcelain veneers and and natural teeth.

At Millennium Smiles, every patient receives attentive, personalized care from Dr. Korous so that they are able to build a cosmetic dental plan that fits their budget and fulfills their dreams of a perfect smile.

Schedule A Consultation

Ready to learn more about what cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers can do for you and your smile?
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Korous to find out more about porcelain veneers, and how they can transform your smile! Call our Frisco dentist office or request an appointment online.

Chew Gum To Save Your Teeth!

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It’s true! Chewing gum- the right kind of gum- can actually help to prevent tooth decay! Contrary to popular belief chewing gum has been approved by the ADA can be beneficial in the fight against cavities. Talk to Dr. Kourous at your next visit to our Little Elm dental office to find out which sugar-free gum is recommended for helping to keep your teeth clean! Forget what mom always told you, go ahead and chew that gum!

Why?

Chewing gum after eating helps increase the flow of saliva which washes away cavity creating particles and bacteria that could buildup on and between your teeth. Increased saliva flow also carries calcium and phosphate that help strengthen tooth enamel. Stronger tooth enamel and less build up mean fewer cavities and healthier teeth!

What?

Make sure that the gum is sugar-free! Sugared gums increase saliva flow, but the excess amounts of sugar are still detrimental to your oral health. Sugar actually promotes plaque bacteria build up. Oral bacteria feed on the sugar, helping it multiply faster. Check gum packages for the ADA seal, then you’ll know you are chewing the best gum for your dental hygiene. All gums with the ADA seal contain artificial sweeteners that do not promote cavity causing agents. The ADA seal is the only way you can be assured the gum is sugar-free and will help, not hurt your healthy smile.

When?

Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after eating has been clinically tested and proven to help prevent tooth decay. However, never let chewing gum replace your regular oral hygiene routine. Chewing sugarless gum should be used intermittently in your dental health regimen as an additional way to help maintain oral hygiene. Chewing gum cannot replace brushing, flossing, or your regular visits to the dentist.

So treat your “sweet tooth” to some ADA certified sugar free gum! If you have any questions about the benefits of gum, schedule an appointment with your Millennium Smiles dentist. It is always recommended to consult with your Millennium Smiles dentist before starting any new dental care regimen.

Schedule a Visit to Millennium Smiles Dentist

Regular visits with your Millennium Smiles family dentist are the best way to maintain your oral health and catch serious oral health concerns early to avoid complex procedures. For routine dental care, schedule an appointment with Millennium Smiles in Frisco, TX. We serve Frisco, Little Elm, and many local communities with comprehensive family and cosmetic dental care.

What Is Same Day Dentistry?

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Technology has advanced dentistry in many ways, enabling providers to offer treatment for a wider range of concerns that is more accurate and less painful. At Millennium Smiles in Frisco, TX, we have incorporated CAD/CAM technology into our office for same day dental restorations. Using CEREC, we can provide a high quality, custom dental crown during a single visit- no more temporary crowns or return trips to the dentist.

How Does CEREC Work?

CEREC is a CAD/CAM technology that uses digital imaging to plan and mill dental restorations in our Frisco dentist office. Your dentist will use the convenient and comfortable hand held device to take dental impressions that can be immediately viewed for treatment planning. This means no more messy impression trays that often make patients gag and feel uncomfortable. Your dentist can share images of how your new crown will be placed while using the CEREC software to analyze your impressions and design a custom fit and color matched restoration.

The CEREC in office milling machine uses high quality ceramic materials to craft a natural looking dental crown in minutes. Your restoration is placed, adjusted and permanently secured during the same visit- saving time, money and the need to be numbed more than once. Patients love the convenience of CEREC- and the results have proven to be as successful as those achieved with restorations made in a dental lab.

We know how busy our patients are today- work, family and daily commitments that keep everyone running around can make dental care hard to schedule. At Millennium Smiles, we can help you repair a damaged or cracked tooth, replace a lost dental crown or strengthen a tooth that has received a root canal with CEREC. You will leave our office with a comfortable, completely functional and permanent dental crown or partial crown without having to come back again for your final restoration.

Dental Implants For A Natural Looking Smile

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Missing one or more teeth can have a negative impact on your daily life and can adversely affect your speech, comfort, and self-esteem. Eventually, missing teeth can lead to more complex dental problems such as the jawbone shrinking, shifting of remaining teeth, periodontal disease, and more. Replacing a missing tooth, or teeth will help avoid these additional dental problems.

There are many treatment options for tooth replacement. At Millennium Smiles, we offer dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants as treatment options for missing teeth. Dental implants are highly recommended because they provide a natural looking and functioning smile.

A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium post that is surgically implanted into your jawbone, replacing the root of a missing tooth. When a tooth is lost, bone loss will eventually occur because the root is no longer stimulating and stabilizing the bone. A dental implant joins directly to the jawbone and functions like the original root structure.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer many advantages and benefits compared to other treatment options.

  • 95% or higher success rate among patients.
  • Improved oral and overall health.
  • Durability and long-term solution.
  • Improved appearance of the smile.
  • No worry of slippage or dentures “falling out”.
  • Improve bone and gum health.
  • Immediate results.
  • No additional daily maintenance.

The process begins with a consultation and comprehensive exam with your Frisco restorative dentist to plan treatment phases and perform any necessary diagnostics. Our team will then coordinate the surgical phase with a local oral surgeon to ensure consistency of care for implantation of the post. The final step is restoration. About 3-6 months after implantation, you will return to our Frisco office to have your custom made dental crown placed on the post.

Dental implants are a great solution for replacing missing teeth. They can be used to replace a single tooth or to secure a denture for results that are as close to your natural teeth as possible.

‘The cost of dental implants varies from patient to patient and is based on number and location of implants, as well as any additional treatment necessary to restore overall oral health. While most dental implants procedures are not covered by insurance, we will submit all billing information to your insurance company to allow for maximum reimbursement. We also offer flexible payment options to make the treatment more affordable.

Whether you have one or several missing teeth, dental implants can be the best choice for a long-lasting, worry-free solution. Dental implants give patients the most lifelike replacement for missing teeth with the ability to brush, eat, speak, and smile confidently!

At Millennium Smiles, we want to help restore your smile! To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants in Frisco or Little Elm, schedule an appointment by calling 972-987-4899. Our team will perform a comprehensive evaluation and recommend the best treatment option for you!

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