Don’t Let Your Dental Benefits Expire!

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As the last few months of the 2017 are upon us, there are so many things that need to be accomplished. From deciding what costume to make for Halloween, to preparing your Thanksgiving feast, to shopping for Christmas presents, your to-do list feels never ending. But one thing you need to add to your list is to make sure you use your dental benefits! The Greenville, TX dentists at Longbranch Dental Center want to make sure you take advantage of your dental benefits by December 31 – even if you have met your deductible.

For patients with dental insurance, if you have been putting off necessary dental work – or are even behind in scheduling your six-month cleaning and exam – now is the time to call Longbranch Dental Center. We can help you understand your unused dental benefits and help you get the dental work you need before the end of the year.

Patients can use dental benefits for many different types of dental work. Coverage varies by provider, but many times, you can get necessary dental work completed without paying the full cost of the procedure. For example, many dental plans cover preventive care such as annual or semi-annual office visits for cleaning, X-rays and sealants. For more basic dental procedures like fillings, root canals, and treatment for gum disease, most dental insurance providers cover 70%-80% of the total cost, once the annual deductible has been met.

Most dental insurance providers do not cover the cost of cosmetic dental treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, or gum contouring.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Don’t delay in scheduling your dental appointment with our Greenville, TX dentist. Our schedule fills up quickly in October, November, and December so call us today! We will answer any questions you may have about your dental benefits and schedule an appointment that is most convenient for you.

 

Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) for Gum Recession

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Gum Recession Treatment in Greenville, TX

Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX is now offering a revolutionary treatment for gum recession. The Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) is a scalpel-free, suture-free procedure that helps patients suffering from gum recession. Longbranch Dental Center is one of the only dental practices in the area to offer this treatment to patients.

Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue along the gumline begins to recede. This can be caused by periodontal disease such as gingivitis, periodontitis, or advanced periodontitis; a natural result of aging; or brushing your teeth too hard.

When your gums recede, the root structure of the tooth is exposed. This can lead to tooth decay, gum inflammation, or worse, the tooth could become lose. Early diagnosis of gum recession is important to avoid these conditions.

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) is a minimally invasive procedure for treating gum recession. Unlike traditional grafting techniques, PST is incision and suture-free. All of the tools and techniques used to perform the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique were created by Dr. John Chao, and who trained our doctor, Dr. Mike Weaks.

When a patient undergoes traditional gum recession surgery, it involves the use of tissue grafts (usually from the roof of the mouth) in order to rebuild the gumline. The soft tissue is sutured in place and as the gum heals, it joins the existing gum tissue. While this traditional grafting treatment is effective, comparable results with better patient experience can be achieved through the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique.

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is different from traditional gum surgery because a special needle is used to make a small hole in the patient’s existing gum tissue. No tissue needs to be grafted, which means this technique is less painful. Through this pinhole, special dental tools are used to gently loosen the gum tissue. These tools work to expand and slide the receded gums to cover the exposed root structure.

Contact Us To Learn More

If you have gum recession, contact Greenville, TX dentist Dr. Mike Weaks. We will schedule a consultation for you learn more about this revolutionary procedure to treat gum recession.

Dental Implants in Greenville, TX

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Replace A Missing Tooth With Dental Implants in Greenville, TX

There are many reasons why a person might have lost a tooth. An accident or injury may have caused a tooth to fall out, or even illness can cause gum disease which can lead to tooth loss. If you have lost a tooth, or several teeth, due to accident, injury, or illness, a dental implant might be a good solution to repair your smile.

When a tooth is lost, the open gum can be a gathering place for bacteria to grow and flourish. This bacteria can lead to gum disease, which can impact the teeth surrounding the open area. A dental implant can “close the gap” between missing teeth and reduce or eliminate the bacteria from growing.

Dental implants in Greenville, TX, are made from medical-grade titanium. When properly cared for, a dental implant can last many, many years.

Advantages of dental implants

  • Reduces the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay by preventing bacteria from forming in the open gum
  • A long-lasting solution for a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth
  • Feels and looks like your natural teeth
  • Restores your beautiful smile

A dental implant is surgically placed in the jawbone. Once this surgery has taken place at our Greenville, TX dental office, you will need to wait until the jawbone is fully healed before the dental crown can be placed over the implant. This can take between four and six months, depending on how quickly your body heals. Once our Greenville, TX dentist determines your jawbone is healed, a dental crown will be placed over the dental implant. The final result is a natural-looking tooth.

Contact Us

If you are interested in restoring your smile, contact the Greenville family dentists of Longbranch Dental Center. We will schedule a dental implant consultation to explain the process and financing options available.

No Dental Insurance? No Worries!

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Dental insurance is a benefit that many people in Greenville aren’t able to take advantage of. If you don’t have dental insurance, Longbranch Dental Center wants to help! We have developed an in-house dental advantage plan that allows individuals and families to receive quality dental care at affordable prices.

Affordable Preferred Care Membership Program

The Preferred Care Membership Program is a dental savings program run by Longbranch Dental Center, not a third-party insurance company. There are no monthly insurance premiums and no insurance hassles!

The Preferred Care Membership Program includes*:

  • Two Dental Cleanings (Healthy Gums)
  • Unlimited Oral Exams
  • Periodontal Evaluation
  • Oral Cancer Screening
  • Unlimited Digital X-Rays
  • Intraoral Camera Exam

As a bonus, members will receive a 10% discount on the following services:

  • Additional Dental Cleanings
  • Esthetic Procedures
  • Periodontal Disease Care (Non-Healthy Gums)
  • All General Dentistry Procedures

The Longbranch Dental Center’s Preferred Care Membership Program will save families a significant amount on their dental care by eliminating the high costs and hassles associated with billing insurance companies. With the Preferred Care Membership Program, your dental care is in the hands of Longbranch Dental Center doctors and staff. We offer high quality dental care at discount prices. Our goal is to help keep family dentistry affordable.

Membership Fees*

  • $150 Adults
  • $110 Children (12 and under)

Plan Benefits

  • 10% discount on all general dentistry procedures
  • No yearly maximum
  • No deductible
  • No pre-existing exclusions

Please note restrictions do apply and this can not be combined with dental insurance, other discounts, or other promotional offers.

If you are in need of dental work, then contact Greenville’s best dentist today. Longbranch Dental Center has been serving Greenville since 1971 and is family owned and operated. Call us today!

Improve Your Smile & Your Confidence With a Smile Makeover

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Smile Makeover in Greenville, TX

Do you hide your smile because you have a chipped, cracked, or even missing teeth? Do you wish your teeth were brighter, like the movie stars? If so, a smile makeover might be the answer you are looking for! At Longbranch Dental Center, our Greenville cosmetic dentists can help give you the smile of your dreams.

A smile makeover is a combination of multiple cosmetic dentistry procedures performed to address different dental problems. Treatments can include a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, porcelain veneers to give you a beautiful “Hollywood” smile, teeth whitening to brighten your smile, or cosmetic resin bonding to fix a cracked or chipped tooth. At Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX, our cosmetic dentists will meet with you to listen to your concerns and develop a customized treatment plan.

Each of our patients are unique individuals, and their smiles are no different. That is why our Greenville cosmetic dentists create an individualized treatment plan for each patient. This treatment plan will specifically address the patient’s concern, leading to an end result that you will be happy to show off!

Many patients that want a smile makeover feel it is outside of their budget. At Longbranch Dental Center, we want you to have the smile you deserve! At your consultation, we will review your treatment options, as well as discuss financing options.

Benefits of a Smile Makeover include:

  • Increased confidence at work and at home
  • Helps improve the health of your gums and teeth
  • Make a great first impression

Contact Us

If you are interested in a smile makeover, contact Longbranch Dental Center today! We offer many different types of financing options for patients that think a smile makeover is outside of their budget. Our friendly staff and doctors will listen to your concerns and help develop a treatment plan within your budget.

Family-Friendly Dental Care in Greenville, TX

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For residents in Greenville, TX looking for a dentist for the entire family, then look no further than Longbranch Dental Center. For over 40 years, Longbranch Dental Center has been one of the best Greenville, TX dentists, providing a variety of dental services in a comfortable atmosphere.

At Longbranch Dental Center, we are committed to providing trusted and caring dental excellence for the entire family. Our services include sedation dentistry for apprehensive patients, porcelain veneers for a move-star like smile, bridges and crowns, root canal therapy, composite tooth bonding to fix chipped or cracked teeth, teeth whitening for a sparkling smile, preventive dentistry with cleanings and oral cancer screenings, emergency dental care, and children’s dentistry. We are also one of the only dental practices in the area to have an on-site denture lab.

Dr. Ronald Weaks founded Longbranch Dental Center in 1971. As a trusted dental practice, he has seen the Greenville community grow and prosper. Today, he is joined by his son, Dr. Mike Weaks, and Dr. Alan Brunelli and Dr. Victoria Hall.

For patients that are apprehensive about visiting the dentist, Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX, offers sedation dentistry. This type of dentistry allows the patient to become very relaxed so that the best Greenville, TX dentist can perform necessary dental work without the patient feeling anxious. Longbranch Dental Center offers three levels of sedation dentistry — nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” is the mildest form of sedation dentistry. Oral sedation is administered using a pill, and many patients have even fallen asleep during the procedure. IV sedation is administered by an anesthesiologist and your vital signs are monitored throughout the entire visit.

New Patient Welcome

If you are looking for a new dentist, look no further than Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville. For a limited time, new patients receive x-rays, exam and cleaning for only $69. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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Help Prevent Oral Cancer With Screenings at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville

During the month of April, Longbranch Dental Center is helping to raise awareness about oral cancer by offering oral cancer screenings with every dental exam. The Oral Cancer Foundation predicts that approximately 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. With early detection and diagnosis, this deadly disease can be caught and treated with an oral cancer screening at your Greenville dentist.

Important Facts to Know:

  • Oral cancer strikes approximately 40,000 American adults annually
  • Smoking, using tobacco, and heavy drinking are prime risk factors for developing oral cancer
  • Over 25% of adults diagnosed with oral cancer don’t drink heavily or smoke
  • Regular visits to our Greenville dentists at Longbranch Dental Center can lead to early diagnosis and treatment

The main risk factors for developing oral cancer is smoking, tobacco use and heavy drinking. However, the fastest growing patient profile developing oral cancer are young, healthy, nonsmoking adults due that have the HPV virus.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of oral cancer. These symptoms include:

  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • A sore throat that doesn’t heal
  • A white or red patch or a lump on the inside of the mouth, especially if it doesn’t heal in a few days
  • Tongue pain, jaw pain, or jaw stiffness that doesn’t go away

At Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, we perform oral cancer screenings during our routine dental exams. It is important to point out to our Greenville dentist if you have, or are currently experiencing any of the symptoms of oral cancer. If a problem is found, our dentists will perform a biopsy and send the sample to a local lab for analysis. if a problem is discovered, we will provide a recommendation to a oral cancer specialist.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in scheduling an oral cancer screening in Greenville, contact Longbranch Dental Center today or request an online appointment.

Dental Emergency? Call Longbranch Dental Center Today!

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A dental emergency can be a scary situation. Don’t panic! If you have lost a filling, cracked or broken a tooth, or had a tooth knocked out, contact Longbranch Dental Center today. We offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies.

If you have experienced any of the following, you may be experiencing a dental emergency:

  • Accidental tooth knockout
  • Cracked tooth
  • Jaw injury
  • Lip or tongue bite with excessive bleeding
  • Loose tooth
  • Lost filling or crown
  • Painful swelling not caused by an injury
  • Sudden toothache

If you have a dental emergency, below are some tips to help care for the tooth until you can see our Greenville dentist:

  • If you have lost a permanent tooth, call our Greenville dental practice immediately. Until your appointment, keep your tooth moist at all times by placing it in-between your cheek and gums, in a glass of milk, or purchase a tooth preservation product.
  • If you have cracked a tooth, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. This will help clean the area of harmful bacteria. Use a cold compress on your face to help minimize swelling.
  • If you have bitten your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water. Use a cold compress on the area to minimize swelling.
  • If you experience a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean any bacteria from the area. Gently floss to remove any food caught between the teeth.
  • For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues.

Don’t put off going to the dentist if you are in pain or experiencing any of the above symptoms. Our Greenville emergency dentist can quickly diagnose the problem and recommend the best treatment plan to get you out of pain and back to enjoying your daily activities.

 

Close The Gap With A Dental Implant

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Have you lost a tooth due to accident, injury, or illness? If so, then visit the cosmetic dentists at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX to learn if a dental implant is right for you!

A dental implant is a popular solution to “close the gap” between two teeth. If you have lost a tooth, it is important to replace it with a dental implant, as bacteria can grow and flourish in the open gum. If left untreated, an infected gum can cause additional tooth loss.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is metal post that is surgically implanted into the jaw bone. Once the metal post has been placed, and the gum and jawbone have healed, an artificial tooth can be placed on top of the metal post.

What types of dental implants are available?

The American Dental Association recommends two types of dental implants:

  • Endosteal implants. This type of dental implant is surgically implanted directly into the jawbone. Once the gum tissue has healed (typically three to six months), a second surgery will be needed to connect the metal post to the original implant. The last step of the procedure is for an artificial tooth (or teeth) to be attached to the post. If multiple implants are required, a dental bridge may be required.
  • Subperiosteal implants. This type of dental implant includes a metal frame that is fitted onto the jawbone, just below the gum tissue. As the gums heal, the frame becomes fixed to the jawbone. As with endosteal implants, artificial teeth are then mounted to the posts.

What are the advantages of a dental implant?

There are several advantages to a dental implant. They are:

  • A long-lasting solution for a missing tooth
  • Look and feel like natural teeth
  • Reduces the change of bacteria forming in the open gum
  • Restores your smile and can boost your confidence

Schedule a consultation today

If you have a missing tooth, contact the cosmetic dentists at Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville, TX today. Our friendly and knowledgable staff will schedule a free consultation to determine if a dental implant is right for you.

 

Don’t Forget – Your Dental Benefits Have Reset in January

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Longbranch Dental Center, your Greenville, TX dentist, wants to remind you that your dental benefits have reset starting January 1, 2017. If you have dental insurance and reached your maximum in November or December, now is the the time to complete the dental work you started.

Dental benefits help cover a portion of the cost for many necessary dental treatments – including twice yearly cleanings, exams and x-rays; dental crowns, and root canal therapy. If you have any questions about what your dental insurance covers, our Greenville family dentist can help you understand your coverage.

It’s important to maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout the year and at Longbranch Dental Center, we can help you with that. By scheduling regular check-ups with our Greenville, TX cosmetic dentist, you can prevent tooth decay, gum recession and other dental problems that can lead to tooth loss.

Call us today at 903-225-2024 to schedule an appointment or learn more about your dental benefits.