Thursday, April 24, 2014

Considering Invisalign?

At Infinity Smile Center, we offer Invisalign braces so that you can straighten your teeth without a mouth full of metal. Using a series of clear plastic aligners, our doctors will guide your teeth into a smile you will be proud of.

While regular braces are still best for more serious cases of teeth straightening, Invisalign is great for cases of mild to moderate spacing or crowding. For these cases, Invisalign provides teeth correction that bypasses the discomfort, sores and restrictive diet that those who have traditional braces must face.

With a computer program that generates a series of aligners with small changes in each, Invisalign will allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing. Virtually invisible, the aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic, and unlike traditional braces, they are removable.Therefore, you teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will still be able to eat all the foods you like, such as popcorn, chips, pretzels, nuts, apples, carrots and corn.

If you think Invisalign might be the best option for you to achieve the smile you’ve been dreaming of, call us at 972-315-9214. For more information, visit www.SmilesInfinity.com.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Do You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth are your last set of molars to come in and usually emerge when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Since wisdom teeth can often become impacted, which means they come in at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is often necessary to remove them before they cause pain or begin to push on your other teeth. Dr. Harry Ashitey commonly performs wisdom teeth extractions at Infinity Smile Center in Lewisville, TX.

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. Once this flap of skin forms, the tooth will be hard to clean and can become infected. This infection is called pericoronitis.

When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Ashitey will extract the tooth. Many times all four are removed at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate the patient. It depends on the preference of the doctor and patient, as well as how far the wisdom tooth has emerged. After an anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured.

After the surgery, rest is required, and you will need to change the gauze applied to the incision every couple hours. To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with us by calling 972-315-9214. For more information, visit www.SmilesInfinity.com.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

What You Need To Know About Crowns

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that have become extremely weak, decayed or fractured. Covering your affected tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, dental crowns (sometimes called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be extracted and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At Infinity Smile Center, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

Over time, as your teeth begin to weaken, they become more susceptible to problems, including decay, cracks and discoloration. Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the tooth structure is compromised. When a crown is installed, the decay is removed from the tooth and a core build-up is used to insulate the nerve and create a surface to bond the crown to. An impression is then made of this surface so that crown can be custom fitted. Usually made of porcelain, gold or porcelain fused to metal, the crown is fabricated in a lab and then cemented onto the current tooth. This fabrication process can take between two to three weeks.

Crowns are made incredibly strong to protect the remaining tooth structure, and the custom fit ensures that the seam between tooth and crown is miniscule, which helps protect the tooth from further decay.
If you’re experiencing pain in one of your teeth, stop by our office to see if a crown can save your smile. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Harry Ashitey in Lewisville, TX by calling 972-315-9214. For more information, visitwww.SmilesInfinity.com.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Transform Your Smile with Veneers

If you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look, veneers are an effective method for reshaping and redesigning your smile. Whether your teeth have stains, gaps, cracks, chips or other issues, you can get the smile you've always wanted with veneers. Veneers are thin, ceramic shells that cover the existing tooth structure in your mouth, and Dr. Harry Ashitey can use them to give you the smile you've always wanted.

Having veneers placed usually only takes two to three visits. During the first visit, we can discuss the shape and look of the smile you want to accomplish, and then we will prepare your teeth. We prepare teeth for veneers by removing some of the enamel. The amount of enamel that is removed will be nearly equal to the thickness of the veneers. This ensures that your smile will still feel natural and not bulky after the procedure.

Once the enamel has been removed, an impression is taken of your mouth so that the veneers can be fabricated to fit your existing teeth. This fabrication process takes between 10 to 14 days and is done in a laboratory of the highest standards. You will be provided with temporary veneers during your wait. Then the final veneers are bonded to your teeth to create an attractive smile that looks and feels natural.

To learn more about veneers in Lewisville, TX, call Infinity Smile Center at 972-315-9214. For more information, visit www.SmilesInfinity.com.