General Treatment

Our practice can provide a wide range of dental services. We can typically provide every type of dental service without having to refer you to other specialties. This flexibility saves you time and keeps your total dental care within one practice. Our emphasis is on total preventive care for our patients. Total care begins with regular hygiene visits, regular checkups and continued home oral health routines.

Our practice also provides the highest-­‐quality services for restoring mouths that have been damaged by dental disease and injury and common problems that require cosmetic dentistry. Our primary goal for our patients is to achieve and maintain optimum oral health through advances in techniques, technologies and by maintaining their scheduled dental exams.

A Beautiful Smile is Priceless!

You don’t have to be ashamed of your smile anymore.
We can provide the results you are looking for at an affordable price. We understand our patients’ needs and will make every possible attempt to accommodate your schedule, concerns and financial needs.

Periodontics

Periodontal diseases (gum diseases) are bacterial infections that result in the deterioration of the supporting structures (gums, bone, ligaments) of the teeth. If left untreated, the disease will destroy the supporting tissues and is a major cause of tooth loss. There are many forms of periodontal disease including: gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis.

Treatment of periodontal disease begins with a procedure called scaling and root planing. This procedure is commonly referred to as a “deep cleaning.” The teeth are anesthetized and instruments are used to clean the root surfaces of the teeth and also remove the bacteria that has infiltrated into the gums. Scaling and root planing appointments require more time than a regular dental cleaning and are usually scheduled in two or four visits.

Once the scaling and root planing procedure has been completed, perio maintenance appointments will be scheduled. At that time, a re-­‐evaluation will be made and the use of antibiotics within the periodontal pocket may be used. Due to the periodontal disease, it is very important to maintain good oral hygiene and keep the perio maintenance appointments. Periodontal disease cannot be cured, but with proper care at home and in the dental office, it can be maintained. Our goal is to halt the progression of the disease and to create a health environment for the teeth, bones and gums.

At Empire Dental, we examine our patients’ periodontal status at each dental hygiene appointment. Sometimes, periodontal treatment is necessary in order to stabilize the condition and most often can be performed in our office. There are also times, however, when we might feel it necessary to refer to a Periodontist. Periodontists are dental specialists that are trained to treat advanced periodontal cases.

The good news is that most periodontal diseases are preventable with proper home care and routine dental visits. Please contact our office for a periodontal evaluation.

Teeth Whitening

Whitening

Whitening Trays – The cosmetic dentist will create a custom fit mouth guard from an impression of the patient’s teeth. The trays will then fit securely around each tooth. The whitening gel is applied in the trays and the trays are inserted into the mouth. The whitening gel is offered in either a day or night solution. The patient will have a whiter and brighter smile in about two weeks. Whitening trays are available at all Empire Dental locations.

Zoom! Whitening – The Zoom! whitening system is a great alternative to the tray whitening system. Zoom! whitening is a bleaching process that lightens discolored teeth. Zoom! is performed in the dental office by a dentist or a dental professional. The procedure only takes about two hours and the patient will leave the clinic with a brighter and whiter smile. The procedure is simple. The cosmetic dentist will cover the lips and gums – exposing only the teeth. Next the whitening gel is applied to the teeth. This gel is specially designed to work with the Zoom! light. The light and gel work together to break up stains and discolorations. The gel is applied in four, 15 minute sessions. After about one hour the patient’s smile will be about two shades whiter.

Whitening Tray vs. Zoom! – Strides in cosmetic dentistry have given patients more options than ever, making it hard to choose which options is the best. Many people want to know the difference between whitening trays and Zoom!. The whitening trays are done at home, while Zoom! is done in the clinic. The results with the Zoom! whitening are immediate, where as trays can take up to two weeks to show the same results. Zoom! is applied by a dental professional and whitening trays are applied by the patient. Please talk to your cosmetic dentist to see which is right for you.

Not all Empire Dental locations offer Zoom! Call your local clinic for more information.

Root Canals

Endodontics or Root Canals is the treatment of a tooth that has a diseased or injured pulp. The dental pulp inside a tooth contains nerves and blood vessels that allow the tooth to stay alive and healthy. The pulp travels from the top of the tooth down through the root, where it meets the bone.

When the pulp of the tooth becomes injured or diseased, an abscess or infection may form. Common causes of an abscess are a cracked tooth, a broken tooth, tooth decay or trauma. When these injuries are severe enough, the tooth is unable to repair itself and will die. A bacterium begins to grow, which causes the abscess to form inside the tooth and in the surrounding bone. If left untreated, the infection will destroy the bone around the infected tooth and may even cause harm to other teeth in the area.

Common signs that a tooth may need a root canal are severe sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, a bump on the gums that does not go away, or pain that is constant and not well controlled by over-­‐the-­‐counter pain relievers.

It is a common misconception that a root canal is a painful procedure. Actually, it is similar to having a cavity filled, producing very little pain.
A root canal is a fairly simple procedure. First, an opening is made through the top of the tooth. Next, the diseased pulp and bacteria are thoroughly cleaned out of the tooth. Finally, the canals are filled and sealed with a material called gutta percha. A temporary filling may be placed to make sure the tooth responds well to the root canal treatment. The tooth will then be permanently restored with a filling and a crown. After a tooth has had a root canal, a crown is usually recommended. A tooth without an active blood supply will become brittle and the crown will help prevent the tooth from fracturing.

The good news is you should be able to keep your tooth for a lifetime with good home care and regular check-­‐ups.

Cosmetic Dentistry

You can find a cosmetic dentist at one of Empire Dental’s locations in the Houston area. Patients have a variety of options for creating a beautiful smile due to the advancements in cosmetic dentistry.

Veneers
Our cosmetic dentists can also fit you with custom veneers. Veneers are a thin tooth-colored porcelain covering placed over the front side of the tooth. They are generally placed on the upper front teeth that are severely discolored, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Veneers are made by the lab tech in a dental lab, working from a model of the patient’s teeth provided by the dentist. Veneers are available at all Empire Dental locations.

Crowns
A crown is a restoration that covers a tooth.

Crowns are used to:

• restore teeth
• attach a bridge
• protect weak teeth
• restore fractured teeth
• cover poorly shaped or colored teeth
• cover dental implants

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative Dentistry
Restorative procedures are performed to restore the lost tooth structure caused by dental disease or injury so the functions of speech, swallowing and chewing can be restored.

Fillings
Composite fillings are white fillings designed to match the color of your teeth. Composites may be used to repair a defect or restore a decayed tooth. Often used on front teeth, they may also be used in back, if the restoration is minor. While the composite filling is more natural looking, silver (amalgam) fillings are generally stronger and less costly. These new materials have not eliminated the usefulness of more traditional dental materials, such as gold. This is because the strength and durability of traditional dental materials continue to make them useful for situations such as fillings in the back teeth where chewing forces are greatest.

Dentures
Full or partial dentures allow people who have lost all or some of their teeth the ability to eat, speak and smile. The full denture replaces all of the patient’s natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips. Without the support of teeth, facial muscles can begin to sag. The partial denture simply replaces missing teeth so the remaining teeth don’t shift and become crooked. Crooked teeth are difficult to clean which results in decay and other dental problems.

Bridges
A bridge, also called a fixed partial denture, is a restoration that replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been removed or are missing. A bridge helps maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviate the stress in your bite by replacing the missing teeth.

Oral Surgery

Our oral surgeons at Empire Dental are expertly-trained dentists who specialize in surgical procedures involving your teeth, mouth and jaw. We offer oral surgery procedures to correct various issues, and our dentists and surgeons will work together to provide the best treatment plan for your individual case.

Oral Surgeries we offer include:
(bullet this list)
Impacted teeth removal
Wisdom teeth removal
Improve fit of dentures
Dental implants
Unequal jaw growth
Cleft lip and cleft palate repair
Facial infections
Facial injury repair
Snoring/sleep apnea

Not all Empire Dental locations offer Oral Surgery. Call your local clinic for more information.