How Does Invisalign Move Teeth?

At Cadena Dentistry, we offer Invisalign to our patients who desire a straighter smile without a mouth full of metal. Using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you, Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements our doctors plan out for you. But how do these plastic aligners give you a brand new smile? Allow us to explain.

The first part of the process is that of our doctors will take X-rays, pictures, and impressions of your teeth, and then use that information to create a treatment plan. Through the use of Invisalign’s patented thermoplastic design, Invisalign aligners move your teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force. The biggest difference is that the aligners not only control the force, but also the timing of the force application. During each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move.

If you would like to discuss the Invisalign orthodontic method, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office visit, www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Can You Rebuild Tooth Enamel?

The tooth consists of four layers: enamel, cementum, dentin, and pulp. The enamel, cementum and dentin are hard and calcified, while the pulp in the center of the tooth contains nerves and blood vessels. Tooth erosion happens when acids wear away on the enamel of the teeth. Enamel erosion can be caused by several factors including excessive soft drink consumption, a diet high in sugar, and environmental factors such as friction and stress. The enamel is not living tissue, so your body can’t rebuild it once it’s damaged. However, to rebuild tooth structure and protect teeth from further erosion, our doctors at Cadena Dentistry may recommend tooth bonding or dental crowns.

Enamel helps protect your teeth from daily use such as chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. Although enamel is a hard protector of teeth, it can chip and crack. Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the enamel is gone forever. Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair it once it’s been damaged.  

If you have a chipped or broken tooth and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office visit, www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Clear Braces for Discreet Straightening

When it comes to having a nice smile, straight teeth are definitely a plus. However, for many, wearing braces makes them feel even more self-conscious about their smile. This is why here at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, we offer clear braces. Clear braces work just the same as traditional braces, but they are much more discreet!

Clear braces are applied just like traditional braces. Brackets are attached to each tooth and are all connected by a wire. The wire is tightened in different directions to apply continuous pressure on the teeth. Over time, the teeth will shift into place. Each patient has a different case, but the average amount of time for a teen to wear braces is about two years. For an adult, the average is one year.

While clear braces work just the same as traditional braces, they are different in appearance. Clear braces have ceramic brackets which blend in well with the color of your teeth. Clear or white wires are also sometimes possible. Many patients who once would not get braces due to the metal look are now happy to wear braces. The more discreet look keeps you looking your best all throughout the straightening process.

If clear braces sound like something that would benefit you, be sure to contact us! To set up an appointment with Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, give us a call at (830) 775-3322 or visit our website, www.cadenadentistry.com. 

Mini Dental Implants

Tooth replacement is a huge part of your oral health. It is important for both functionality and cosmetic reasons. Here at Cadena Dentistry, we want our patients to have the best options available to them. This is why we have chosen to utilize mini dental implants here in our Del Rio, TX dentistry.

Mini implants are about half the size of regular implants. This means several things. First, they do not require a surgical process to insert them, which is less healing time. Secondly, since there is less healing time, the replacement crown is often able to be attached the same day the implant is installed. This is great for patients who do not want to wait several months for a permanent replacement.

Mini implants are also able to be a more stable base for dentures. In this case, we will place four to six mini implants along the upper or lower jaw line. Your dentures can then be altered so that they clip into the implants. They are easy to clip in and out and make wearing dentures much more comfortable.

If mini implants sound like they could be the right option for you, make sure to schedule an appointment with us! To schedule with Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call us at (830) 775-3322 or visit our website, www.cadenadentistry.com. 

Get Tartar Under Control

 

It’s no secret to us that plaque can be bad for your teeth. When this sticky substance has the chance to fester and hardens into tartar, it can damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Unlike plaque, tartar is a mineral buildup that’s fairly easy to see, if above the gum line. So what’s the difference between plaque and tartar? The only way to remove tartar completely is to visit our hygienists at Cadena Dentistry for a professional cleaning. 

The most common sign of tartar is a yellow or brown color to teeth and gums. In between dental visits, proper brushing, especially with tartar control toothpaste, and flossing are necessary to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Once tartar has formed, the process for removing it is called scaling. During a scaling, the dentist or hygienist uses special instruments to remove tartar from your teeth and below the gum line. 

If you have tartar buildup on your teeth and are long overdue for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

It’s no secret to us that plaque can be bad for your teeth. When this sticky substance has the chance to fester and hardens into tartar, it can damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Unlike plaque, tartar is a mineral buildup that’s fairly easy to see, if above the gum line. So what’s the difference between plaque and tartar? The only way to remove tartar completely is to visit our hygienists at Cadena Dentistry for a professional cleaning.

The most common sign of tartar is a yellow or brown color to teeth and gums. In between dental visits, proper brushing, especially with tartar control toothpaste, and flossing are necessary to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Once tartar has formed, the process for removing it is called scaling. During a scaling, the dentist or hygienist uses special instruments to remove tartar from your teeth and below the gum line.

If you have tartar buildup on your teeth and are long overdue for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

 

Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Treatment

When you have sensitive teeth, certain activities such as brushing, flossing, eating and drinking, can cause sharp, temporary pain in your teeth. This occurs when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath the teeth, called the dentin. If you are concerned about what may be causing your teeth to be sensitive, give our staff at Cadena Dentistry a call.

Some other causes of sensitive teeth are teeth grinding, tooth-whitening products, consumption of acidic foods and chipped or broken teeth. The good news is that there are many ways to control sensitive teeth. You can start by maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once daily. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing and consider using desensitizing toothpaste that possesses the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Brushing with Braces

If you have braces, it’s necessary to know that your oral hygiene is more important than ever. That’s because braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and inadequate cleaning while wearing braces can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. At Cadena Dentistry we can’t stand behind you to monitor how you brush, but we can provide you with the following routine that will help make daily brushing and flossing both simple and effective.

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.


• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

Last but not least, don’t forget to floss in between brackets!

If you have questions about your orthodontic oral care routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.