The Advantages of Dentures

Here are some of the advantages that dentures possess:

• They enable you to consume your meals with the utmost ease. It’s quite difficult to eat when you don’t have all of your teeth at your disposal. Therefore, by giving you a complete set of pearly whites, dentures make it possible for you to easily bite and chew your food.
• They enhance your speech. A mouthful of teeth allows you to express yourself clearly.
• They grant you the privilege of projecting an aesthetically pleasing smile. When your mouth has no empty spaces, you don’t have to worry about displaying an unattractive smile.
• They protect whatever is left of your natural teeth. With the vacant spots in your mouth filled with teeth, the rest of your natural teeth have nowhere to shift to. This makes it highly unlikely for you to lose your remaining natural teeth.
• They save you the trouble of having to look like someone much older. The presence of all of your teeth prevents your cheeks from sagging and causing your youthful appearance to abandon you.
• They last for a relatively long time. Dentures are capable of lasting for five to ten years.
If you want to further educate yourself on the advantages of dentures, you may book a consultation with your Plano dentist by dialing us.

Two Ways to Whiten your Teeth

Overtime, your pearly whites can be discolored due to the consumption of stain-causing food and drinks such as coffee, tea, and wine. Smoking also darkens your teeth. Even the medications that you take and some illnesses cause discoloration. Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio offers two ways to whiten your teeth: In-office and at-home whitening treatment.

1. In-office whitening

In-office whitening is the quickest way to brighten your smile. The process takes about an hour to finish (plus additional time for checkup and cleaning). It includes take-home trays to help you maintain the shade of your teeth.

The procedure requires a full examination of your mouth and a thorough cleaning of your teeth. The dentist will examine your teeth and gums and check for signs of decay, sensitivity, gum inflammation, and other abnormalities. This should be addressed first before giving you options.

Take note that teeth whitening is not recommended for

– pregnant women and breast feeding moms
– kids below 16 years
– individuals with allergies, gum disease, cavities, and exposed tooth roots,
– patients with dental restorations (fillings, bridges, and crowns)

First, the dentist will clean your teeth by removing the plaque and tartar. Then he’ll gently apply the bleaching solution directly on your teeth. Don’t worry; your gums and lips are protected during the application. He’ll also give you take-home trays to maintain the color of your teeth.

2. At-home whitening

At-home whitening includes take-home solution with custom-made mouthpiece. Your health care professional will give you instructions on how to use the kit. It’ll take about two to four weeks before you can see results.

Want to get rid of the stains and discoloration? Ask your Plano TX dentist about teeth whitening treatment. Make an appointment by calling us.

Advantages of Invisalign Teen

Invisalign Teen is created for young people who need to straighten their teeth without cumbersome metal wires and brackets. The clear aligners gradually move the teeth into the right place. Many patients opt for this unique orthodontic treatment because of the following benefits.

Convenient

Invisalign Teen provides great convenience to the wearer. Your child can remove it when he/she need to eat, clean, play any sports, or attend any occasion and then, pop it back afterwards.

No bulky device on their teeth. Food is not limited to soft and easy to chew food. Your teenager will still enjoy his/her favorite food.

It won’t affect his/her active lifestyle. He/she can attend any event or participate in any sports and other recreational activities without the appliance.

Invisible

The aligners are virtually invisible so people will not notice that your child is undergoing a treatment. He/she can smile confidently without drawing much attention on the teeth.

Safe

The appliance is safe to use. It’s made of medical grade thermoplastic material that is free from BPA. It will not irritate the tissues in the mouth.

Comfortable

Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio prepares the customized aligners that fit snugly over the teeth.

Hygienic

Since the appliance is removable, it allows your child to keep up with his/her daily oral hygiene. Your youngster can easily brush and floss, which can prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Effective

With the use of Invisalign Teen, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio can correct bite problems such as crowding, spacing, open bite, under bite and over bite.

If you want to know more about the benefits of Invisalign Teen, sit down for a consultation with your Plano TX dentist. You may get in touch with him by Contact us. Call your Texas dentist and set an appointment.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Did you know that veneers are the most popular procedures performed by dentists in the US? This is based on the report from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Patients turn to cosmetic dentistry because they want to improve their physical appearance, fix a previous dental work, prepare for upcoming events, and improve their career. They discovered that veneers provide a number of benefits.

Effective treatment

Veneers are effective treatment for various dental issues. They can improve the appearance of worn enamel, misaligned teeth, discolored teeth, cracks, and other minor problems.

Less invasive procedure

Veneers are considered as minimally invasive dentistry, which means that it involves less tooth preparation. Your Plano TX dentist only removes a small amount of the enamel. This reduces the discomfort and speeds up the process. Minimal tooth removal also means that you get to save your healthy teeth.

Stain-resistant

The thin shells are resistant to stains. You don’t need to worry about the tooth-staining foods and drinks because it won’t blemish your pearly whites. It’s great news for coffee lovers like you. You can enjoy your favorite cappuccino or latte without worrying about the stains.
Impressive results

Veneers made of porcelain replicate the natural properties of natural teeth. It matches the texture and color of your existing teeth. Your dentist uses a shade guide in choosing the right color that fits you. He sculpts the appropriate size and length of your “new teeth” so you can smile gorgeously.

Easy to maintain

Porcelain veneers are easy to maintain. Just follow your dentist’s instructions so they will last longer. Observe proper oral hygiene, visit the clinic regularly, and avoid habits that can ruin your smile.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of porcelain veneers, just talk to Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio Dental. For consultation, call your Texas dentist contact us.

TMD Causes and Treatment

What are the causes of TMD? This is one of the common questions usually asked by patients when they come to the clinic. Many factors can contribute to the occurrence of TMD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorders. This can be due to your oral habits, injury, dental problems, and stress.

Habits like teeth grinding or teeth clenching can affect the cartilage lining of the TMJ (temporomandibular joints) which is located in front of the ear on either side of your head. People who grind their teeth may not be aware as it happens during sleep. A family member usually observes this pattern. Individuals who grind or clench their teeth wake up with jaw or ear pain. Those who are under stress also tend to grind or clench their teeth.

Injury to the jaw or facial bone can lead to TMD. Athletes and anyone who participates in sports and other recreational activities should wear proper gear to avoid oral and dental injury.

Malocclusion or improper alignment of bite causes TMD. Chewing only on one side of the jaw can also result to TMJ problems.

Knowing the risk factors of TMD can help you prevent jaw pain. Dr. John M. Hucklebridge is experienced in handling this condition. In treating TMD, he’ll help you manage the pain, practice relaxation techniques, or fix misaligned teeth.

The Plano TX dentist may suggest that you rest your jaw and avoid extreme jaw movements like wide yawning or gum chewing. You can also apply moist heat to the affected areas to ease the pain.

Nightguards may also be used to prevent teeth grinding.

Depending on your case, he may also recommend restorative treatment to fix your misaligned teeth.

For more information about TMD, consult your Plano TX dentist. Call Plano Smile Studio Dental clinic by contact us to make an appointment.

Importance of Preventive Dental Care

An effective preventive dental care is a combination of your daily oral hygiene and chairside treatments provided by your health care professional. As a patient, you should not only be diligent in cleaning your teeth, but also you should be eager to attend dental appointments to maintain optimal health.

Routine dental visits allow your dentist to monitor for developments that may be related to other health issues. This can help him detect poor nutrition and hygiene, improper bite alignment, and growth and development problems. It will also prevent you from cavities and gum disease. Aside from routine checkups, you should get the necessary treatments to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis (professional teeth cleaning) is necessary in removing the plaque and tartar in your mouth. Brushing and flossing are not enough to get rid of the bacteria. You need the help of your Plano TX dentist to wipe away the bacteria that can damage your pearly whites.

Sealants

Sealants protect your teeth from tooth decay. A clear plastic coating is applied on the chewing areas of your teeth. It’s a quick, easy, and inexpensive treatment that can save you from pain and complex treatments in the future.

Mouth guard

If you and your family member are fond of playing sports and other recreational activities such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, boxing, and martial arts, you should wear mouth guards to protect you against oral injury. Your dentist recommends the use of a custom-made mouth guard called Under Armour Performance Mouthwear that provides extra protection.

Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio also offers advice on oral care, proper nutrition, and other tips to keep your smile healthy and bright. He creates a personalized treatment plan for you that suit your needs and preferences. Sit down for a consultation with your Plano TX dentist. Contact us to make an appointment.

Use Your Employer-Provided Dental Benefits (Or Miss Out)

Many employers are skimping out on benefits these days. With the rising costs of healthcare, it’s pretty normal for dental insurance to be skipped over altogether. So when you come across an employer in Plano, TX that actually provides dental benefits, it’s imperative that you take advantage of those perks.

But wouldn’t it pay to just buy your own insurance, especially if you find a better policy? Not necessarily. Even if you do find a Plano dentist insurance company that provides better coverage than what your employer offers, you should nine times out of ten stick with your employer-based insurance. You see, money for your employer plan is taken out of your paycheck each week to pay for your dental insurance premium. If you fail to use your dental benefits, money from your hard-earned wages will simply go to waste.

No matter what your situation, it’s always a good idea to take advantage of employer-based benefits. Even if your teeth are in relatively good health, you should still have routine cleanings every six months and go in for a thorough oral examination once a year with your Plano dentist. This sort of preventative care is usually free with the payment of your monthly premium, and if your dental benefits are taken out of your paycheck each week, it would behoove you to take advantage of your plan.

Keeping your smile healthy is good not just for your looks, but also for your pocketbook.

Keeping a Healthy Smile During Halloween

Happy Halloween! Whether you are preparing to walk a little one around the neighborhood or just sit by the door waiting for visitors, Halloween is a fun evening for all! Of course, it is also a dangerous evening for those little smiles, but there are ways you can make it a little bit easier for the little ones! Here are a few tips to keep Halloween teeth as safe as possible.

Drink Plenty of Water – As you’re walking the neighborhood and maybe enjoying a candy or two, be sure that you and your kids are drinking plenty of water. The water will help rinse your teeth and produce saliva to fight bacteria that cause decay.

Avoid Too Much Sticky – All things in moderation is a good rule. Limit your child’s candy intake, especially when it comes to candies that are chewy and sticky.

Brush and Floss at the End of the Night – Once you’re home and your little one has changed back into a sleepy child, be sure to help him or her brush and floss really well to remove the last remains of candy particles from their teeth.

Halloween should be a fun night for all! With these few tips, you can protect your child’s teeth and really enjoy the evening. Contact us for more tips to keep Halloween smile safe, and have a wonderful time trick-or-treating tonight!

A Solution for Teeth Beyond Whitening

Having a whiter smile isn’t always as easy as we would like for it to be! It would be great if whitening toothpastes or kits would actually work, but they rarely do the work we expect. We then turn to whitening at the dental office. In most cases, in-office whitening will take care of the stains in your teeth, but it’s not always possible. Even with strong, effective whitening like we offer, there are some cases where the staining is too much. Are these patients left without an option? Absolutely not!

Even with stellar whitening equipment and products, there are some stains that are too much to handle. We might be able to improve the color, but we won’t be able to provide the patient with a Hollywood quality smile that they might be desiring. For those patients, we recommend taking their smile to the next level with high quality porcelain veneers.

Veneers Solve Whitening Problems

Teeth that are beyond whitening will need something like veneers to make the difference. Veneers are thin porcelain strips that are made to fit perfectly over your teeth. We make them in whatever shade you would like, so you will have the smile of your dreams. We bond them to the fronts of your teeth and trim away any excess porcelain to create the stunning look of your dreams. Veneers last for several years, so once they are in, you won’t have to worry about replacing them for quite some time!

Don’t let your stained teeth ruin your smile. Get your confident look back with porcelain veneers. Contact us today to set up a consultation and find out what’s available for your smile. We would love to see you soon!

Bad Habits to Avoid before and after Your Wisdom Tooth is Extracted

Asking your Plano dentist to pull your impacted wisdom tooth out of your mouth can do you a lot of good. When your impacted wisdom tooth is gone, it’s highly unlikely for you to develop severe dental problems such as tooth decay, jaw stiffness, and periodontal disease. Tooth extraction can greatly improve your overall oral health.

Here are some of the bad habits that you need to avoid before and after your wisdom tooth extraction.Before your procedure:

• Not adhering to a cigarette-free lifestyle. Smoking prior to undergoing wisdom tooth extraction makes it more likely for you to end up with an infected surgical wound.

• Not wearing comfortable, low-heeled shoes on your big day. Your procedure may prevent you from walking properly for a number of hours. Therefore, wearing high-heeled shoes on your big day increases your chances of tripping and sustaining an injury while leaving your dentist’s clinic.

• Not taking your prescribed medications. Failing to take your prescribed medications can cause you to suffer from surgical infections.
After your procedure:

• Rinsing your mouth vigorously. Vigorously rinsing your mouth may dislodge the blood clot, thereby keeping your surgical wound from healing immediately.

• Drinking through a straw. Using a straw to consume your beverages may also dislodge the blood clot.

• Touching your surgical wound. If you touch your surgical wound, it may become infected.

Dr. John Hucklebridge can tell you what other bad habits to avoid before and after your wisdom tooth is extracted. Just contact us to schedule an appointment with him.

How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Change Your Life

Studies show that an estimated 25% of surveyed Americans say that correcting and changing their teeth would improve their self-esteem. This opinion seems appropriate when you consider the current state of dental health in the United States: an estimated one in every five American adults currently has an untreated dental cavity, over 178 million people are currently missing at least one permanent tooth, and over 80 million teeth are extracted every year. But if you are one of the many people missing permanent teeth and believe that the state of your smile is affecting your confidence, there is a form of cosmetic dental surgery that may be able to help you: cosmetic dental implants, a procedure available at a number of cosmetic dental offices in the United States.

An estimated 69% of people between the ages of 35 and 44 in the United States have lost at least one permanent tooth. While the primary effect of this may be aesthetic, it can also affect the way a person speaks, how they eat, and as previously mentioned, their self-confidence. The traditional method of treating this condition is to have the patient fitted for dentures. Currently, an estimated 15% of those in the United States lacking their natural teeth have dentures. However, because dentures can often be ill-fitting and uncomfortable, your dental office may suggest a modern alternative: dental implants.

Dental implants are a comfortable and permanent method of replacing natural teeth, without resorting to dentures or bridges. Unlike the latter two methods, which are removable, dental implants are inserted directly into the jaw socket and are designed to act like your natural teeth. The process, which takes two to three months to heal, has a reputation for being extremely effective, aesthetically pleasing, and functional. While only an estimated 10% of dentists in the United States are currently trained to perform the dental implant procedure, it is often possible to find a dental hospital or dental office in your area that performs the surgery. So if your missing teeth are causing you to feel self-conscious, don’t let your smile dictate your life. Contact a dental implant specialist near you today.

Dealing with Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety affects millions of adult Americans. This is a common condition wherein a person experiences fear and anxiety when faced with the prospect of visiting the Plano dentist. It can get to be too overwhelming, at which point people decide to put off dental appointments unless absolutely necessary. This causes a lot of problems, since it enables dental issues to worsen. It also prevents people from getting timely and adequate dental care. As a result, they might end up needing more complex and painful dental procedures.

However, there are a number of ways that can help you deal with dental anxiety.

Avoid substances and practices that aggravate your anxiety prior to an appointment. Coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine or stimulants can worsen your anxiety. Avoid these drinks and try to relax yourself as much as possible before an appointment.

Get plenty of rest before an appointment. Fatigue and high levels of stress contribute to anxiety. Make sure you are well-rested in time for a dental appointment. Managing stress levels also helps.

Take anti-anxiety medication. If you have had a professional diagnosis for generalized anxiety, then your doctor may have prescribed anti-anxiety medication. You may take the recommended dose when getting ready for a dental visit.

Choose the right clinic. Look for a clinic that has a relaxing ambience. This ensures that your visit to the clinic will be more pleasant and less stressful. There are clinics that strive to provide a relaxing atmosphere as a way for patients to manage anxiety.

Talk to your dentist about your dental fear and your sedation dentistry options.

If you want a clinic with a laid-back feel, contact a Plano dentist by contact us. The clinic has a spa atmosphere that features a Zen interior design, mood-setting music and lighting, as well as amenities that provide comfort to patients with anxiety.

What is Endodontic Therapy?

With the aid of a procedure known as endodontic therapy, you no longer have to undergo a tooth extraction to effectively treat your badly decayed tooth.

To attain a clear understanding of endodontic therapy, you may refer to the facts that we have listed below.

Definition

Endodontic therapy is a process that involves ridding your decayed tooth of its infected pulp as well as disinfecting, shaping, and covering that tooth’s canals.

Conducting endodontic therapy

During endodontic therapy, your dentist first finds out if the bone that surrounds your affected tooth is infected through X-rays. Upon evaluating your tooth, your dentist anesthetizes it and the surrounding tissues. He then uses a sheet of rubber to isolate your tooth. As soon as your tooth is isolated, your dentist creates an opening on it before proceeding to remove its pulp using small dental instruments. After extracting the pulp, your dentist applies antiseptic and antibacterial solutions to your tooth’s canals to eliminate bacteria from them. Once the canals are clean, your dentist shapes them. When your dentist finishes shaping the canals, he uses a root canal sealer and tooth-colored filling to cover them and the hole on your tooth respectively. Finally, your dentist covers your tooth with a crown to provide it with the necessary protection against further decay.

Risks of endodontic therapy

  • Your endodontically restored tooth may initially be more sensitive than your other teeth.
  • Lifespan of an endodontically restored tooth
  • Just like your natural teeth, an endodontically restored tooth can last a lifetime.

Dr. John Hucklebridge can supplement your knowledge on endodontic therapy. Feel free to drop by his office here at Plano Smile Studio or get in touch with him by contact us.

Find the Best Solution for TMJ Pain

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the key to your mouth opening and closing. It is the piece that allows the lower jaw to move up and down, enabling you to speak, chew, and smile correctly. When the TMJ is in pain from injury, grinding your teeth, or a TMJ dysfunction, you will definitely feel it! You will experience headaches, earaches, tenderness in your jaw, popping and clicking when you chew, and pain when you try to yawn or laugh. That’s when you know it’s time to make your appointment!

When you come to our office, we will form a plan based on what is going on with you. Not all TMJ pain is from the same cause, so it’s important that we find the best treatment for what you are experiencing. We will do this through a series of examination, x-rays, and discussing your medical history and experiences. Through this process, we hope to find a cause for your pain, once we find that cause, we can then give you a tmj treatment plan catered to your needs.

Unique Treatment Plans for Unique Patients
Every patient is different with different things driving their TMJ pain. That means that different solutions are necessary to treat TMJ. We commonly recommend our tmj treatment options muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, heat therapy, bite plates, relaxation techniques, and stress-control exercises. You can see how these solutions vary greatly! That’s because each of these solutions is catered to a particular type of cause. If none of these solutions are able to correct the problem, we may need to fall back on jaw joint surgery.

When you see us, you are seeing dental professionals who see you as the patient. We won’t hand down a blanket solution for a problem like TMJ. Instead, we will go the extra mile to find out what the cause is so that we treat your TMJ and not someone else’s. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get the care you need with our TMJ Treatment. We can’t wait to hear from you soon!

Rebuilding Smiles One Bond At a Time

Cosmetic dentistry is popular for a simple reason. It can help anyone’s smile look better.
As much as you might like getting a new outfit or a new pair of shoes, your smile is something that you bring with you every day. Many things can cause you to become self-conscious about that smile. Perhaps you have chipped or worn down teeth. Maybe you have a cavity or two.
If these problems are visible when you open your mouth, you may find yourself trying to avoid smiling rather than sharing your smile with your family, friends, and coworkers.
If you live in or near Dallas or Plano, TX, then help is close. Contact Plano Smile Studio and ask about our cosmetic services. Ask if dental bonding could correct your problems.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is the application of a composite resin to your teeth. This resin is the same color as your teeth. It can be used to repair problems discreetly.
This is a great solution for individuals who have relatively minor problems with their smiles. By offering this service, we have a way to help people no matter the severity of their issues with their teeth.
Dental bonding is an alternative to amalgam materials that have been used for a long time. Amalgam is made with a blend of mercury and other metals (copper, silver, and tin). We do want to point out that the American Dental Association has said that amalgam fillings are safe to use.
The primary difference between the composite resin we use for dental bonding and amalgam is the way it affects the appearance of your teeth. The resin blends in while the amalgam stands out.
How Is Dental Bonding Used?
The composite resin used for dental bonding can be used in multiple ways. We will go over some examples below.
◼︎ Cavities
Cavities happen to most of us. Indeed, more than 90 percent of people will have at least one cavity during their lives. The typical treatment for this is to give you a filling.
From a functional standpoint, amalgam and white fillings serve the same purpose. After the decay is removed from your tooth, either material can be used to fill the space. This protects your tooth from new infections (until the filling needs to be replaced).
The amalgam filling with its metallic appearance is basically calling attention to the fact that you had a cavity. On the other hand, a white filling can restore the original appearance of your tooth and your smile.
◼︎ Chipped Teeth
This may depend on the size of the chip in your tooth. A large chip may require a dental crown to repair correctly.
However, dental bonding is a fast and effective way to repair smaller chips. The material can be used to rebuild your tooth to its original shape, and when it is hardened, it will function much like any other tooth, too.
◼︎ Cracked Teeth
This is another problem that may be fixable with dental bonding, depending on the severity of the crack. Dental bonding can be an effective treatment for smaller cracks.
Larger cracks may require a dental crown. Endodontic treatment may be needed based on the size and location of the crack.
◼︎ Misshapen Teeth
This may be the purest example of dental bonding used for a cosmetic purpose. When you are receiving a filling or fixing a chipped or cracked tooth, the white filling material is serving a restorative purpose as well.
With a misshapen tooth, the tooth can be perfectly healthy but look out of place because it did not develop the way that most teeth do. By applying dental bonding material, your tooth will “fit in” better with the rest of your smile.
◼︎ Discolored Tooth
While tooth staining can be a common issue throughout your mouth, sometimes individual teeth can become discolored as well. In some cases, a single tooth may develop an uneven coloration.
Dental bonding can be used to hide that discolored tooth and give it an even and natural appearance.
How Do You Like Your Smile?
Every person should be happy with his or her smile. If you have something you would like to change, call Plano Smile Studio to find out more about how we can help.
Dental bonding is one way that cosmetic dentistry can give you back the smile that you once had or give you the smile that you wish you had. To make your appointment with our dentist in Plano, TX, call [phone_number] or fill out our online form.

Could Your Headache Cure be a Trip to the Dentist?

We are often taught to live with pain. We hear phrases like, “Tough it out,” and “Walk it off!” There is an advantage to this kind of advice. After all, there are times when you genuinely aren’t as hurt as you think you are, and you just need someone to remind that you can keep moving.

Unfortunately, we sometimes take things too far. It’s easy to ignore pain after so much practice, but there are some pains that shouldn’t be ignored. Take a headache, for example. They don’t happen all the time, and we can get really good at justifying the headache as something that you don’t have to worry about.

However, headaches don’t happen for no reason! If you are having regular headaches or migraines, there is a reason. You’ll probably begin at your doctor’s office, and you might receive a prescription for pain relievers, but that won’t solve the problem.

Believe it or not, your solution could be right here at Plano Smile Studio! That’s right, we are a dental office that could solve your routine headaches or migraines! Often, regular headaches are caused by problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Let’s take some time to dig into this particular problem so that you will know if it’s time to make an appointment!

Suffering from Headaches Affects Your Entire Life

When you have a headache several times each week, it can add a lot of stress and discomfort to your life! There are very few breaks from the pain, which leaves you on edge most of the time! We know the discomfort that comes, and that’s why we love to help!

When you are always waiting for the next headache, you are always experiencing stress. That comes out in every area of your life! Your family will notice as will your co-workers, your friends, and anyone else in your life! You don’t have to live that way any longer.

To find out if your headaches could be linked with your TMJ, take a look at some of these other symptoms that could be signs of a problem with your jaw joint.

Any of These Other Symptoms?

Pain in or around the ear, sometimes spreading to the face.
Tenderness of the jaw muscles.

Clicking or popping noise when one opens or closes the mouth.
Difficulty in opening one’s mouth.

Jaws that “get stuck”, “lock”, or “go out.”

Pain brought on by yawning, chewing, or opening the mouth widely.
Neck or shoulder aches.

A Dental Appointment Discovery

If, after reading our list, you are starting to connect some dots for your own experience, it’s time to pick up the phone and give us a call! During your next dental appointment, we can take a look at your jaw and find out very quickly if your TMJ is in trouble.

It won’t take us very long to find out! We will probably take some images of your jaw and ask you lots of questions, but in the end, we will have a good idea of what is going on inside your jaw joint! Then it will be time to discuss what we can do to help remove the pain and solve the problem.

Treatment Options

When we begin treating TMJ, we want to begin with the most conservative treatment possible. In most cases, that means giving your jaw some rest from extreme movements, but we might take things a few steps further.

Things You Can Do at Home

TMJ pain is often related to clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep or are in stressful situations. To remedy that, we might recommend that you practice relaxation techniques, like placing your tongue between your front teeth. You might also try a warm compress on your jaw before drifting off to sleep or an over-the-counter muscle relaxant.

Office-driven Treatments

When simple changes aren’t enough, we will attack your TMJ with a different approach. We will begin with a nightguard, which is a mouthguard you can wear while you sleep. This will protect your teeth from the grinding and clenching of your teeth. In extreme instances, we might turn to a surgical procedure to perform repairs on the joint itself.

Don’t Suffer, Call Today!

Tired of the constant headaches or migraines? End your suffering today. If your doctor wasn’t able to find the problem causing your headaches, maybe we can! Contact us today to set up a consultation or appointment. We would love to see you and your smile right here in our Plano, TX office very soon!

Get Treatment for Your TMJ Disorder at Plano Smile Studio

You’re sitting in a nice restaurant, dining on a well-cooked steak, when suddenly you hear your jaw pop. Pain shoots up from around your ear and down your face.

Or maybe everyone in your family is munching on some popcorn at a Friday night football game. But you can’t join in because is it’s hard to open your jaw.

TMJ Disorders (also sometimes referred to as TMD) can make you miserable, but it doesn’t have to be that way. At Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX, we can set-up you up with an individualized plan of action to have you smiling widely once again.

In today’s blog post, we’re going to look at some of the common symptoms of TMJ disorders, the cause of TMJ disorders, and common treatments for these disorders.

What is a TMJ Disorder?

A TMJ Disorder is discomfort or a misalignment in your temporomandibular joint. This joint acts as a sort of moving hinge, connecting your jawbone to the rest of your skull.

TMJ Disorders most commonly occur in women. Problems in the TMJ usually manifest themselves at some point between the ages of 20 and 40 during their childbearing years. But the disorder can occur to men or women of any age.

The exact cause of TMJ Disorders is often unknown and can vary from patient to patient. TMJ disorders can be caused by the temporomandibular joint being misaligned, or a breakdown of cartilage surrounding the joint. Arthritis in your jawbone can also be factor.

Other times, a previous injury to jaw or head and neck muscles can lead to TMJ Disorders. Patients who have experienced whiplash or a hard blow to the face often suffer from TMJ Disorders later in life.

Even something as common as stress can lead to TMJ Disorders. When you feel stressed, your face has a tendency to tighten and your jaw to clinch. Repeated clenching of jaw and/or grinding of your teeth are common precursors to TMJ disorders.

What are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorders?

TMJ has a multitude of symptoms, and none of them are pleasant. But the good news is the top-notch team at Plano SMile Studio in Plano, TX, can have you on the road to recovery in no time flat. If you have experienced any of the following symptoms you should contact us to schedule an appointment.

A Noisy Jaw: If your jaw seems to pop or click when you chew, yawn or speak that may be a sign of a TMJ disorder. While jaw noise alone may be nothing to be alarmed about, it is something you should definitely mention to us.

A Sore Jaw: Persistent and recurrent tenderness in your jaw or facial muscles is a symptom of a TMJ Disorder. Patients often describe that their jaw feels locked or out of place and it hurts when they open their mouth.

Ear Pain: Many sufferers of TMJ Disorders complain of pain that starts in or around their ears and spreads to rest of their face. This kind of pain often leads to, or is accompanied by headaches and sore neck muscles.

How Are TMJ Disorders Treated?

Treatment for TMJ Disorders can vary a great deal, person to person. Different things work for different folks. At Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX, our top-notch team will design a personalized treatment plan that works for you. We take into account your complete medical and dental history, and perform a series of x-rays and diagnostic tests, to discover your best options for treatment. This individualized attention ensures that you aren’t wasting time on ineffective treatments.

Some potential treatments for TMJ Disorders are:

Medicinal Treatment: Carefully prescribed anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxing medications can ease TMJ pain in many patients. These drugs work to eliminate muscle spasms and tension.

Mouthguards: Special mouthguards can reduce jaw clenching and teeth grinding, alleviating many of the symptoms of TMJ Disorders

Relaxation Therapy: Our staff can teach you special techniques to relax the muscles in your jaw. This can help eliminate stress, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching.

Surgery: If other lines of treatment are ineffective, surgical options are available. We can guide you through this process, step by step.

Make An Appointment

If you’re ready to eliminate TMJ pain from your life, we want to hear from you. If you have questions about TMJ Disorders and potential treatments, we’d also love to hear from you. At Plano Smile Studio, your oral health and happiness is our top priority. Don’t live with pain. Click here to contact us and schedule an appointment.

Celebrate Spring With Teeth Whitening Around Plano Texas!

By now, you may have started or even completed some spring cleaning.

This is always a good time of year to spruce up our homes and to get rid of those things that are just taking up space in your attic, basement, or garage.
Before you are finished, wrap up this annual exercise with a little something for yourself. Think of up it as spring cleaning for your mouth — a professional cleaning and examination paired with teeth whitening.
We all want our houses to look a little nicer, so why not do the same for your smile? Plano Smile Studio can help you make your teeth look their best.

Wear And Tear Is Normal

When you first moved into your house, it may have been immaculately clean. Most homes don’t stay that way. When we live in a place, we affect it. Over time, it becomes apparent which chair is our favorite and where we usually sit on the couch. We also see more wear on our carpets and floors in the areas where we walk most often. Even the exterior of our homes accumulate dirt and debris just by sitting on the street. In spite of these things, we try to keep our homes as clean as we can.
So, why not do something similar for your teeth? After all, your smile is with you everywhere you go. And just like our homes, our teeth show the normal wear and tear that come from everyday use. The foods that we eat and the beverages that we drink have an effect on the appearance of our teeth. If you have been drinking a morning coffee almost every morning for decades, your teeth will not stay pearly white. If you drink a lot of soft drinks, if you eat pasta, if you enjoy colorful fruits, each of them will leave a small trace behind on your teeth.
Most of the time this change is so gradual that we aren’t aware of it. Then, one day we are looking in the mirror, and our teeth are yellower than we realized. If you have reached that point, then we want to help.

Start With The Basics

If you were planning to repaint one of the rooms in your house, you would put down a primer first. This gets the walls ready to accept the new color. If you are planning to whiten your teeth, then it makes sense that you would want them to be prepared for what is coming. You can do that with a cleaning and examination at Plano Smile Studio. Cleanings and examinations are part of our preventive care, and this is the foundation of our practice. We want your teeth to remain as healthy as possible.
During your examination, we will take digital X-rays to monitor the condition of your teeth and to monitor any changes since your previous visit. We will check the health of your gums, and we will conduct an oral cancer screening because we know the importance of early detection. During your visit, our dentist or hygienist will give you a thorough and professional cleaning. We will remove any plaque or tartar buildup that you may have missed. We will clean between your teeth and gums, and we will polish your teeth to help them look better.

Get Whitened

After your cleaning is a great time for professional teeth whitening. You have your choice between our in-office whitening or our take-home whitening products. If you elect to undergo whitening in our office, we will use Zoom!, which is the top whitening product in the United States. In about one hour, we can improve the appearance of your teeth and, therefore, your smile.
To help you maintain your white smile, we will provide you with whitening trays that you can use for touch-ups between visits. Some people prefer to do their whitening at home. For them, we offer a take-home products. This can take a few weeks to complete, but the final results are comparable to what you will see with our in-office treatment.

See Your Best Smile

Our smiles, like our homes, are part of our personal expression. Our smiles are how we welcome friends old and new. Our smiles also affect how receptive other people are when they see us. Cleaning and whitening your teeth can make your more confident and more comfortable with your smile, and Plano Smile Studio is a great place to complete both of these services.
If live in or near Plano, TX, call at 972-398-2550 or fill out our online form to plan your spring cleaning for your smile.

Why We Are Respected in Our Industry

You are the most important patient whenever you visit Plano Smile Studio. We know some of you may be thinking that’s a little corny, but it’s an important part of how we have designed our practice.
“One patient at a time” is our motto. For us, this means the patient sitting in our chair is the most important person in our office.
We also take pride in being able to provide complete dental care for patients in Plano and throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth area. We want to be a one-stop shop for all the dental care needs you and your family may have.

Quality Care

Our own Dr. Hucklebridge is a graduate of Baylor University and the Baylor College of Dentistry. He has been a practicing dentist for more than 25 years. During that time, he has attained fellowship status in the American Academy of General Dentistry. Fewer than 10 percent of dentist achieve this recognition, which requires 500 hours of continuing education and completion of the fellowship examination among other requirements. He has previously been recognized by his peers as one of the best cosmetic dentists in Plano.
More recently he received notice of another award. Dr. Hucklebridge will appear in the database of topDentists™ and he will be listed as one of the best dentists in the August edition of FortWorth texas magazine. TopDentists is based on surveys of dentists and specialists. In other words, Dr. Hucklebridge’s peers also consider him one of the best dentists in the Lone Star State.

Family Dentistry

You may not care about the awards mentioned above, but you should care about the reasons Dr. Hucklebridge received them. It’s because he and his team take pride in providing the highest quality of care for every patient who walks through our door.

This starts with the preventive care we provide for children and adults alike. We encourage all our patients to receive a cleaning from our dental hygienist, Jan Wares, at least twice a year. (Patients with recurring oral health issues may need to visit us more frequently.)

During your cleaning, you can expect to receive personal attention. You also can expect a professional cleaning and examination. We will remove any tartar or plaque buildup in your mouth, and we will be on the lookout for any signs or symptoms of gum disease, tooth decay, or other oral health problems.

We also use digital radiography to make X-rays of your teeth. This provides us with information on changes to the alignment of your teeth, and it uses 90 percent less radiation than standard X-rays.

You also will have the opportunity to get dental sealants (which can reduce your and your children’s risk of developing cavities) and fluoride treatments (which can strengthen and repair the enamel on your teeth).

Other Services

If we lived in a perfect world, everyone would brush and floss their teeth like they should. Everyone would come to our office for routine cleanings and checkups, and no one would ever get a cavity, much less lose a tooth or teeth.
Since we don’t live in that perfect world, we want to be prepared to help with any dental problems that may arise.
If you have teenagers or children who will someday be teenagers, you will be glad to know that we offer orthodontic care in our practice. This includes Invisalign, which uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth instead of the brackets and wires used with traditional braces.
We also want you to know that our office is considered an Invisalign Preferred Provider. This means our office has treated several patients with this system. More importantly, our patients have successfully straightened their smiles.
As your teens get older, their wisdom teeth will erupt. Experts estimates vary, but as many as 85 percent of patients will need to have these teeth removed to prevent long-term oral health problems.

You will be happy to know that we can do teeth extractions in our office as well.

Sedation Dentistry

Your comfort is as important to us as the dental care that we provide.
For this reason, we offer oral conscious sedation and IV sedation in our office. Either option is great for patients who experience dental anxiety.
This will help you relax, and you may even sleep through your procedure with no memory of your treatment.

Here For You

When you are in our office, you are the most important person to Dr. Hucklebridge and our team. At Plano Smile Studio, we believe in providing complete dental care for you and every member of your family.

To learn more about us or any of our services, visit our office, fill out our online form, or call us at 972-398-2550 for a thorough examination today.

Three Benefits of Invisalign

Happy August, Plano! We hope you’re enjoy summer as it winds down. Welcome back to the ongoing dental health blog of the Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX. Today we want to tell you about one of the most exciting services we offer: Invisalign.

Invisalign is a revolutionary form of short-term adult orthodontics. In today’s post we’re going to run through three of the biggest advantages Invisalign has over Traditional Wire Braces.

A Secret Smile For You and Your Dentist

Would you cringe if you were told you needed Adult Braces? Do you fear they would be noticed by those around, especially when you were eating, smiling or speaking?

Perhaps you think adult braces would make you appear immature in social situations, or inexperienced at work. Maybe you think braces are just for teenagers. Traditional Braces can be damaging to your self-esteem, and kale you far less confident at your workplace.

For teenagers, these fears are even worse. When we were in high school, the students wearing braces often got teased or made fun of. Even today, wearers of Traditional Braces are more likely to report they are bullied or teased in school environments. You don’t want that; your teenaged children should be able to focus on their academics and athletics.

At Plano Smile Studio, we can help you put all those fear aside with the revolutionary system of Invisalign orthodontics. The Invisalign system uses comfortable and transparent aligners; these aligners help correct crooked teeth, spacing issues, and other cosmetic defects.

Invisalign is clear and most people won’t even notice them if you’re wearing them. This can help you feel confident if you need to give a presentation at work, or go on that nerve-wracking blind date, without worrying about looking immature in traditional braces.

You can even take out your aligners for a photo, or if you’d prefer to go to an event without wearing them.

Eat All The Foods You Love

Wearers of Traditional Wire Braces often report that their least favorite part of wearing braces is that it becomes difficult to eat the things they enjoy. With Traditional Wire Braces, there are numerous foods you cannot safely eat, and a ton of restrictions about how you eat. This limits your diet, and makes it hard to go out and eat with your friends. Do you want to be the person who makes it hard to make dinner plans?

The difficulty of eating with Traditional Braces is not being overstated. Imagine for a moment that you wanted to order a pizza for some late-night eating. The cheese can get caught in the wires of Traditional Braces; and taking a bite of the crispy crust can cause damage to the brackets of the braces.

If you’re going to cook-out, you can also have a tough time enjoying yourself. If you like your steak well done, or chicken and pork well-cooked, you’re at risk of damaging your braces when you eat. The meat may get caught in the the wires or loosen the wires and brackets of Traditional Braces.

Candy is also a minefield and can become stuck in your braces until your next Orthodontist appointment. Adults struggle to follow these restrictions, and teenagers sometimes ignore them all together. This can increase the amount of time you spend in braces, and cause dental problems.

But with Invisalign, you just take out the aligners before you eat. This means everything you want to eat, you can eat. With Invisalign from Plano Smile Studio, you don’t have to have any dietary restrictions.

Maintain Your Dental Hygiene and Health

Wearers of Traditional Wire Braces often are surprised to find tooth decay, teeth stains, and other issues with their total oral hygiene.

Brushing with braces can be difficult and time-consuming. You have to take rubber bands off your brackets, and then try and brush the actual hardware of the braces. Then you need to be careful brushing to ensure you reach all the areas of your teeth.

Flossing can also be difficult in Traditional Wire Braces, and requires a special type of floss. But even if you take great care with your brushing and flossing, you may still find yellow stains on your teeth.

With Invisalign, you just take out the aligners and brush and floss normally. That’s it!

Make An Appointment

Are you ready to learn more about Invisalign or schedule an appointment with us? Click here to contact Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX. With Invisalign we can help you develop a beautiful smile.

Lifestyle Solutions

Dr. John M. Hucklebridge was featured in Lifestyle Solutions in April 2008.
View the article
Dr. John M. Hucklebridge is one of the most experienced cosmetic dentists Dallas is home to. Over the years, he has performed numerous advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures, including porcelain veneersdental implants and teeth whitening in Dallas. Dr. John M. Hucklebridge is also a highly experienced Dallas Invisalign clear orthodontics specialist.

1 Easy Way to Improve Football Skills

Football season has officially begun in Texas. Perhaps you have a child playing this most American of games. They’ve practiced hard and are ready to reach the end zone. You always make sure they wear their pads; it’s important that they don’t get hurt after all.

But how protected our their teeth? At Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX, we offer Under Armour Performance Mouthwear. Not only can these customized mouthguards keep your child’s teeth safe, they can also help them reach their full potential on the gridiron.

If that sounds like hyperbole, rest assured that it’s not. In today’s blog post, we’re going to look at the science behind Under Armour Performance Mouthwear and describe some of the benefits offered by this exciting technology.

How Does Under Armour Performance Mouthwear Work?

Whenever your child makes a tackle, or sprints through the line of scrimmage, their body undergoes some chemical process. Naturally, they produce cortisol by clenching their teeth. This action is brought on by their brain’s “flight or fight” reaction.

When they clench their jaw, it grinds away at their teeth. It also produces the stress hormone cortisol. They hormone can leave them feeling fatigued, and shows the recovery time of their muscles.

Under Armour Performance Mouthwear reduces their body’s production of cortisol by preventing them clenching their teeth. This leaves them with more energy and stronger muscles. All of this information has been backed up by an independent study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Unlike store-bought mouthguards, Under Armour Performance Mouthwear is custom-fitted to their mouth and teeth. This custom mouthguards provides amazing protection to their teeth and safely and comfortably prevents the clinching of teeth.

Are There Benefits to Wearing Under Armour Performance Mouthwear?

In a word, yes. These benefits range from increased endurance, to improved reaction times, to improved breathing. Sound too good to be true? Fortunately for your child, it’s not. These claims have all been backed up by independent studies and research performed at some of the United State’s leading universities.

A study at the Citadel showed that custom mouthwear improved endurance. Athletes lifted weights both with and without the mouthwear. When wearing the mouth wear they were able to perform more repetitions, and reported feeling less tired than before.

A study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association, showed that custom mouthwear increased the amount of oxygen the wearer in-took while breathing. It also reduced the amount of carbon dioxide they exhaled. This helps athletes perform harder for longer.

Another study in the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry suggested an improved reaction time in athletes wearing custom mouthwear. In a series of trials, athletes wearing custom mouthguards responded more quickly to signal-calling and experienced improved hand-eye coordination.

Make An Appointment

Are you ready to get your child ready for some football? Then don’t delay in making an appointment. You can click here to schedule an appointment at the Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX. Together we can help your child reach the endzone!

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Symptoms and Treatment

Jaw pain can be a sign that you are suffering from a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is comprised of a disc sandwiched between a ball and socket. This disc or soft cushion absorbs the forces on the joint, which enables you to open and close your mouth, move your jaw sideways, backward, and forward. This joint works together with the muscles, ligaments, and bones in your mouth and jaw to fulfill everyday functions such as chewing and speaking. Your Texas dentist can examine your mouth and jaw in order to determine if you have TMD and provide you with the appropriate treatment.

TMD has a variety of symptoms that differs from one person to another. This may include:

• Pain in the face, jaw joint, neck, shoulders and around the ears especially when you speak or chew
• Clicking and popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Limited movement of the jaw
• Inability to open the mouth wide
• An uncomfortable bite
• Frequent headaches

Do you experience these symptoms? Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio can help you deal with TMD. It’s important to visit his dental clinic right away, so he can review your oral health, perform a clinical examination, and take X-rays and other tests to determine the root cause of your jaw problem. Proper diagnosis is necessary before recommending any treatment.

Depending on your case, he may recommend non-surgical treatments like medications and therapy. Anti-inflammatory medications and prescription muscle relaxants can help relieve the pain. Moist heat and stretching exercises can relax your jaw muscles as well. If non-invasive treatments are ineffective, then he may recommend you to undergo jaw joint surgery, especially for cases of severe TMD.

For more information about TMD, please get in touch with your Plano TX dentist by calling 972-398-2550 today.

Dental Checkups, Teeth Cleanings and More

Maintaining your oral hygiene plays an important role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing at least twice a day removes the bacteria and plaque that clings to your teeth. Flossing takes out the small particles that are trapped in between your teeth. Aside from this, you should see your Plano TX dentist for checkups, cleanings, and other treatments.

Visiting your dentist on a regular basis allows him to monitor the condition of your teeth and gums. He can easily identify if there are any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, misalignment, loose teeth, and other irregularities. Additionally, he can perform a bite analysis, soft tissue evaluation, and oral cancer screening. He may also ask you to take X-rays and other tests.

Early detection of an oral problem can help him recommend immediate treatment. By getting regular checkups, your dentist will be able to monitor your oral health and recognize any problems as they develop. This way, he’ll also be able to prevent dental problems from turning into more serious issues, which could lead to more complex and expensive treatments.

Professional teeth cleaning eliminate the tartar that dwells inside your mouth. It keeps your teeth healthy and prevents gum disease.

Depending on your case, you may need sealants, fluoride treatments, or nightguards. Dental sealants are applied on the chewing surface of your teeth and protect your teeth from decay. Your dentist may also offer fluoride treatments that can also fight cavities. If you or family member is participating in sports and other recreational activities, he may recommend you to wear nightguards to shield your teeth from oral and jaw injury.
Dr. John M. Hucklebridge of Plano Smile Studio uses state-of-the art technology to make sure that you’re comfortable during your stay. He will prepare a treatment plan tailored to your needs, schedule, and budget. Just feel free to discuss your concerns and he’ll gladly assist you.

Get in touch with your Plano TX dentist at 972-398-2550. Call and make an appointment right away!

The Wisdom of Extracting Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom comes with age and time. Wisdom teeth also come with age and time; however they often also come with pain. No one likes pain. Because of this, many dentists will advise you to have your wisdom teeth removed.

Older teenagers especially hear this information from the dentist’s office. More often than not, that’s the age when we begin to see problems be presented by wisdom teeth. However, wisdom teeth can also cause trouble for adults later in life.

In today’s blog from the Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX, we’re going to talk a little bit about wisdom. Wisdom teeth that is. If you’ve been told you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed, you may have a lot of ideas circulating around your mind. Most patients are unfamiliar with the process of extracting wisdom teeth, so we’ve written this blog to provide to provide you with a bit more information on that subject.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

We hear this question an awful lot, especially from patients who’ve always experienced the pleasure of healthy teeth. The truth is wisdom teeth can cause you a lot of pain and suffering in certain cases, at the Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX, we don’t want our patients to go through that.
When wisdom teeth don’t have the space they need to grow in correctly, a lot of things can happen. The teeth will continue to grow and they can get stuck in your gums, or even turn sideways as they develop.

When wisdom teeth get stuck in your gums (impacted), a lot of other negative things can happen. For instance, impacted wisdom teeth can cause the development of cysts or tumor. And wisdom teeth that are growing in wrong can damage other teeth; or just sponge up enough bacteria to cause an infection.

How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

There are two ways to extract wisdom teeth. There is a simple extraction for teeth that aren’t impacted. For impacted wisdom teeth, we perform what’s called a surgical extraction. Your extraction will vary depending on how your wisdom teeth have grown in.

We can perform a simple extraction if a portion of the tooth is visible from the outside of your gums. If your tooth is impacted, we will need to remove it surgically. Either way, we will make sure you are sedated and numb before we begin the extraction. Extractions are quite, and only require antibiotics and couple days to rest to recover from.

Extracting problem-causing wisdom teeth is an important way to ensure a healthy dental life. Even if you’ve never visited a dentist, or have visited one since you were young, you will want to visit us if you are feeling pain in your gums.

Make An Appointment

Contact the Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX by clicking here to set up your appointment. We’re happy to answer any questions you might about wisdom teeth. Let us help you get a healthier smile with or without your wisdom teeth!