Time and time again, our patients will say after their first visit with us: “I’ve never had an exam like that before!  That was Great!”

Why?  All because at the end of their comprehensive exam, we give them a “tour of your mouth” with the intraoral camera.  You see what we see, except better: Try your teeth magnified 10 times on a television screen!  All doubts erased and everything face-value for what it is.

I’ve always said, I wish my mechanic had a camera to show me why he had to make a repair on my car.  Without a picture, I’m completely at his mercy and can only hope that he’s being honest with me.  At Stovall & Cheng, DDS, a picture says a thousand words.  You are literally in “partnership” with us in seeing why we give a particular recommendation. 

Isn’t technology great in 2010?  You deserve to be in an office that utilizes the latest technology to do great dentistry and to give you a comfortable, informed experience.  With a camera just a little larger than a ball point pen, see for yourself!

If you’d like to experience gentle dental care and unmatched patient-focused service, call us today!  817-292-5957 or visit www.hulendental.com

Before

Teeth Grinding or “Bruxing” is one of the most destructive forces to teeth.  What makes it so destructive is that most people aren’t even aware that they are doing it.  The photo above shows what can result from not being proactive when you have a grinding habit.

With the stresses of today’s world, many people take out that stress on their teeth while they’re asleep.  Studies have shown that the jaw muscles can generate up to 5-6 hundred pounds of pressure on the teeth!  Some people even find that they are clenching or grinding during the day.  Ever find yourself with teeth clenched together tightly as you’re concentrating at work or perhaps stuck in traffic to/from work?

The good news is, whether you feel that you are grinding/clenching or your dentist finds evidence in your mouth that you are doing so, a form-fit mouthguard can be made to help protect your teeth.  A mouthguard will not make you stop your habit but it will surely help protect your teeth from the destructive forces of bruxism.  It only takes two visits:  The first visit is to take molds of your teeth.  The models of your mouth are then sent to a dental lab where a precision-fit mouthguard is made to fit your teeth.

A mouthguard (also called a nightguard) cost around $400-500.  This is a small price to pay for the amount in dental work it can help you save from having as a result from chipping/wearing away your teeth!

If you find yourself waking up with sore jaws, or you seem to breaking/chipping teeth all the time, if you have constant “tension headaches,” or if all of your teeth are sensitive to cold or just sore all the time, chances are, you are grinding/clenching at night.

Call your dentist or our office today for an appointment!  817-292-5957

After- What a difference after full mouth reconstruction!

If you wake up with sore jaws, or all of your teeth in general “ache” and you experience constant headaches, you may be clenching and/or grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding can seriously wear down and damage tooth structure. Most people don’t even realize they have this habit because most of it occurs during sleeping hours.
A nightguard is one way to help protect your teeth when the heaviest forces are put on your teeth.

Tetracyline is an antibiotic that was widely prescribed for pregnant women and children from the 1950’s through the late 1970’s.  One of the possible side effects was permanent staining of teeth.  In this case, presence of tetracycline staining and severe wear from teeth grinding led this patient to take action.

First, Teeth whitening was performed for a few weeks.  Then, six upper front teeth were prepared for porcelain veneers and temporaries were placed.  A couple of weeks later, the real porcelain veneers were bonded onto the teeth and the result was spectacular!  A Nightguard was also made for the patient to protect the veneers and teeth at nighttime, when most people tend to grind their teeth.

Porcelain veneers may provide a dramatic esthetic result, but more importantly, they can preserve worn, broken teeth and protect them from further damage.