FAQs

Our dentist may suggest wisdom tooth removal if they present problems with other teeth or even your oral health. When they stay hidden in the gums, wisdom teeth get impacted. As such, you may develop an abscess or infection likely to damage the other teeth's roots and even erode bone support. If your wisdom tooth contributes to inflamed gum, tooth sensitivity or pain, or damage to the jaw, then come to our dental clinic.

Swelling is normal after surgery. It shows the healing process has commenced as the body directs white cells to the site and surrounding areas. The extent of the swelling following tooth extraction, largely depends on the tooth's size, location in the gums, the individual's bodily response after surgery, and the number of teeth removed. Sometimes, though, severe swelling that worsens over time could signal an infection. In case of prolonged swelling that doesn't seem to disperse, contact your dentist for a follow-up.

It's easier to treat and reverse gingivitis. The only time it becomes stubborn and irreversible or incurable is when it evolves to turn into periodontitis. Brush the teeth after snacking and consuming a meal or twice daily. Use a soft-bristle brush to brush around the teeth gently. Again, floss daily to scrape off plaque in hidden areas between the teeth where bristles cannot reach. Try to integrate fluoride mouth rinse into your daily oral hygiene routine. Lastly, yet more important, visit our dentist's office for professional cleanings, referred to as prophylaxis. Contact us for specialized gum disease treatment.

Once you've received dental implants, we advise you to limit dairy foods. The reason is that dairy causes an inflammatory response within the oral tissues, which can worsen the healing process. Dairy also triggers nausea and vomiting, thus comprising the newly mounted dental implants. Talk to our implant dentist near you to learn about post-op care after implant placement.

There could be several reasons for painful dental crowns. One possibility is an ill-fitting crown that puts pressure on the underlying tooth or gum tissue, causing discomfort or pain when pressure is applied to it. Another possibility is that the tooth underneath the crown may be infected or damaged, causing sensitivity or pain when applying pressure.

Either way, you should visit our dental clinic near you for an evaluation and possible treatment.

Everyone loves a bright smile, but how to whiten your teeth? At-home whitening kits with hydrogen peroxide can be effective, but you should use them according to our dentist's instructions. Brushing with whitening toothpaste, avoiding foods and drinks that stain teeth, and practicing good oral hygiene habits can also help keep teeth looking white and healthy.

The most effective and long-lasting method for teeth whitening, is to have your teeth professionally cleaned and whitened by our dentist.

At Quest Dentistry, we use various methods to whiten teeth, including in-office procedures and take-home kits. In-office teeth whitening near you typically involves the application of a concentrated bleaching gel to the teeth, which is activated by a particular light or laser. The process can be completed in a single visit, producing dramatic results.

Take-home kits typically involve custom-fitted trays filled with a lower concentration of bleaching gel, worn for several hours each day for several weeks. While take-home kits are less expensive, they generally take longer to achieve noticeable results than in-office procedures.

Dental veneers are thin shells of high-quality porcelain designed to cover the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. Getting veneers from our cosmetic dentistry in Houston usually involves multiple visits. Our dentist will prepare the teeth during the initial visit by removing a small amount of enamel. The next step is to take impressions of the teeth, which are sent to a dental laboratory to create the veneers. Once the veneers are ready, our dentist will place them onto the teeth using a unique adhesive.

Finding a dentist open on a Saturday can be difficult during dental emergencies. You can use online directories, search engines, and recommendations from friends and family, but you risk losing time using these methods.

If you need a qualified emergency dentist in Houston, TX, drop down to Quest Dentistry; our compassionate and experienced dentist is available every Saturday between 9:00 AM to 2 PM.

Wisdom tooth extraction, can be done for several reasons. If you have an impacted wisdom tooth that can potentially create a problem in the future, our dentist might recommend removing it. Wisdom teeth are also difficult to clean, making them more susceptible to decay.

Another reason for removing wisdom teeth is overcrowding in your mouth, leading to alignment issues. Some people opt for wisdom tooth removal as a preventive measure, even if they are not causing any problems, to avoid potential issues in the future.

There are several options for periodontal disease treatment, depending on the severity of the condition. Some of the most common approaches for gum disease treatment include scaling and root planning, Antibiotics, and gum surgery.

While scaling and root planning are effective in mild cases, you might need surgery to treat severe periodontitis. Getting gum disease treatment in Houston as quickly as possible is essential to avoid further damage to the teeth and gums.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can be challenging to cure permanently. However, several treatment options can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent further damage to the jaw joint.

TMJ treatment involves lifestyle changes, physical therapy, medications, and nightguards. However, surgery may be necessary to correct structural issues causing TMJ symptoms in severe cases. Working with our dentist is essential to creating a personalized treatment plan to address your needs. While a permanent cure may not be possible, effective management of TMJ can significantly improve quality of life.

Our dentist may suggest temporary prescription pain relievers for extreme TMJ pain patients. Certain relaxation techniques can help relax the jaw area, reducing stress within the jaw and thus minimizing pain. We also custom-make oral appliances called mouth nightguards that remove tension in jaw joints. Dental splints are also an option for TMJ treatment, when you need to relieve pain during the day.

When TMJ headaches strike, consider kneading or massaging the jaw gently to boost blood flow and relieve the headaches. Avoid stressful situations that tense the jaw, causing headaches. Again, perform jaw exercises that our dentist may provide to reduce headaches. Contact us for your TMJ/TMD therapy to address the symptoms.

To insert the appliance:

• Brush your teeth, floss and rinse with mouthwash.
• To soften the appliance, submerge it in hot tap water. This will make it easier to place the appliance on your teeth.
• Use the forefinger and thumb of both hands to guide the appliance into place over your teeth.
• Gently close your teeth together to insure the appliance is fully seated.

• Use the forefinger and thumb of both hands to grasp the appliance.
• Use equal pull on both sides of the appliance from your teeth.

• Brush the appliance under cold tap water with a soft brush and mild soap.
• Place the appliance in the container provided by our office with water or Listerine.
• Store safely from pets.

• If changes in your symptoms occur.
• If changes in the appearance of your mouth, gums, or appliance
• It takes 2 to 3 weeks for you to get comfortable with the appliance. If you need adjustments contact our office.

Daily Cleaning

• Before cleaning your denture or partial, remove them over a towel or a sink filled with water to prevent them from breaking if they fall and hit a hard surface.
• Clean your partial or denture with warm water after each meal to remove food remains. Do not us hot water to avoid damaging the partial or denture. Hot water may cause shrinkage.
• Use soft tooth brush or denture brush to clean them daily. They can be brushed with warm water, soap or denture paste.Do not use regular toothpaste. It can cause scratches in the acrylic.
• To help remove light stains and loosen plaque buildup you may use cleaning tablets while denture is soaking in water.
• Rinse thoroughly under warm water before re-inserting into mouth. For a fresh taste you may use mouthwash after rinsing.

• Always keep your partial or denture in water or denture solution when not wearing them. Failure to do so, will cause the acrylic to dry out over time and they may not fit well.
• To avoid irritation, discomfort, and infection of the soft tissue beneath your denture remove your denture or partial from your mouth every night before going to bed. Use a soft tooth brush with warm water to clean the inside of your mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, roof of the mouth and the ridges where the denture sits. Daily rinses of salt water can help keep your gums clean.
• If you wear a partial, it is recommended that you use a separate soft toothbrush from your denture brush to clean your natural teeth.

• If the denture or partial is putting too much pressure on a particular site it may cause irritation in certain areas. If you experience this, let your dentist know so they can make the proper adjustments to ease the compression.
• Do not try to adjust the denture or partial yourself! You will most likely damage them.
• You should remove your denture or partial and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater if you experience irritation.
• The day of your visit with your dentist re-insert your denture or partial. This will allow the dentist to evaluate the sore areas of your mouth, and better ascertain which area of the denture/partial should be adjusted.