Dental Awareness Month- Back to School Appointments!

Backpack? Check. Lunchbox? Check. Teeth cleaning? Check!

They say you are never fully dressed without a smile, so why not give your child a beautiful white smile to wear for their first day back to school?

The new 2018 school year is sneaking up on us and you have been given the ever-growing, back-to-school to-do list that every parent dreads. There is one important thing that the teachers did not include on that list: a back-to-school dental checkup.

Here at Longbranch Dental Center we always say it is good to have routine dental visits, but what makes back-to-school checkups so important is that it can help prevent common dental diseases found in school-age children. Cavities are known to be one of the biggest obstacles that children face and according to the ADA (American Dental Association), it causes them to miss “more than 51 million school hours each year”.

So if you want to keep those cavities and the other dental diseases at bay, here are some tips to have a successful dental checkup to ensure your children’s teeth shine as bright as their future:

  • Brush! Brush! Brush! It’s important to encourage your child to brush twice a day for two minutes to keep those cavities away. Brownie points if your child brushes before their appointment!
  • What time is it?? Naptime! Make sure you don’t schedule your child’s dental appointment during their naptime or your day at the dentist will be most challenging. Also, take into account if your child is cranky or had a bad day, they might not have the energy to make it through the appointment.
  • If one of your children has gone to the dentist before and it’s their younger sibling’s first time, schedule the older child to go first to act as a role model and show the younger one how it’s done.
  • If it is your child’s first time, it’s important to remember to stay strong and stay calm if your child starts to be uncooperative because if you scoop them up and walk out of the office, the next visit will be much harder. Give the doctor time to try and positively turn the visit around.

Once the appointment is underway, make sure to ask the dentist some of the following questions:

  • How is my child’s overall health?
  • Will my child get their teeth cleaned today?
  • Will my child be given fluoride?
  • Does my child need an x-ray or a mouth guard for sports?
  • What are Sealants?

Now your child is ready to go back to school, but make sure to grab your dentist’s card because accidents are bound to happen whether your child is in sports, recess, or just walking down the school hallways. You can place these cards in your purse or in your child’s backpack just in case of emergencies. Maybe while you’re there you’ll even want to sign up for an appointment yourself.

Call Longbranch Dental Center today to schedule you and your child’s next dental appointment! (903) 455-4161


Is a dental implant right for you?

Have you lost a tooth due to accident, injury, or illness? If so, a dental implant is a good option to replace missing teeth!

A dental implant is made of medical-grade titanium that is surgically implanted into your jawbone. A dental crown is placed on top of the implant, with the end result looking like a natural tooth. Dental implants are a more secure solution for replacing missing teeth than dentures because they are fixed in place and can’t be removed like dentures. Dental implants can also be more durable than dentures.

If you elect to have a dental implant inserted, dental surgery may be required. But, the doctors at Longbranch Dental are highly trained in oral surgery and will work hard to ensure a smooth procedure. The entire process can take up to six months but the end result is well worth the wait!

The first step in a dental implant procedure is to insert a titanium screw into the jawbone. The doctor then creates a permanent bond between the implant and the jawbone. A temporary oral appliance will be worn while the jawbone and the implant post heals. The healing process can take several weeks or months, depending on how quickly the jawbone bonds to the implant post.

Once your mouth has healed, you will return to our dental practice in Greenville for a custom crown to be placed on top of the dental implant post. The end result is a natural looking tooth and a beautiful smile!

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, call Longbranch Dental at 903-455-4161 Our friendly staff will answer any questions and set up a consultation with the doctor!


THE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION YOU HAVE TO KEEP!

 

A new year is here! While setting your goals for 2018, did you find taking better care of your health at the top of your list? Perhaps you’re one of the more than 30% of people in the U.S. who haven’t gone to the dentist in the last year! Or maybe your 2018 resolve is to have a bright, good-looking smile you’re proud to show? Whatever it is you want to achieve, don’t let the February fallout happen with your resolutions! Keep connected with the New Year spirit and schedule an appointment with Longbranch Dental Center’s, Greenville’s premier dental practice, today!

 

Inside out is what it’s all about.

 

Don’t just want the cosmetic or esthetic benefits of visiting the dentist! A whiter smile is eye-catching but preventative oral health care can add seven years to your life, according to a Wayne State University study. You can have both sides of benefits! Nurture your oral health holistically by scheduling your exams and x-rays each year so you can have healthy teeth and gums for life. It is widely-known that many diseases make their presence known in the mouth; and tooth decay and gum disease that go undetected can equal extensive and costly dental work down the line. Slacking in your oral health maintenance has been linked to heart problems, aggravated issues with diabetes, and even pre-term labor in pregnant women. Be on the defense regarding your dental health. You’ll get fresher breath and can minimize tooth sensitivity and bleeding gums too; that is always a plus!

 

Once you’ve covered your preliminary bases, you can trust you’re in good hands with Longbranch Dental Center for natural looking dental implants, fillings, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, or whitening. Longbranch Dental Center even specializes in sedation dentistry if you’re nervous or know you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.

 

Schedule an appointment today by 903- 455-4161!

 

Don’t forget to add calcium and fibrous foods to your diet to boost your dental health and of course, don’t forget to floss!


Family-Friendly Dental Care in Greenville, TX

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

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.


Close The Gap With A Dental Implant

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.

 


Maximize Your Dental Benefits Before It’s Too Late

Use It or Lose It – Don’t let your 2016 dental benefits go to waste

The end of the year is quickly approaching, and time is running out to use any dental benefits before they expire on December 31. As you make your list, and check it twice, remember to call Greenville family dentist Longbranch Dental Center today and schedule an appointment.

Understanding Dental Insurance

Have you heard the term “deductible” but aren’t sure exactly what this means? A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance provider will cover all or a portion of the cost of treatment or services. For example, if your deductible is $500 and you’ve spent $400 so far this year, and you need a root canal, now is the time to schedule the procedure. Your out-of-pocket expenses will be much less than if you wait until January, when you have to start over to meet the $500 deductible.

Don’t Waste Your Preventive Care Services

Most dental benefit plans cover all, or a large portion of, preventive services. This includes twice-yearly teeth cleanings, exam, and x-rays. Did you remember to schedule your 6-month cleaning at your last appointment? If not, contact Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville today to schedule a cleaning before  the end of the year. This not only helps keep your mouth clean and healthy, you won’t be wasting your benefits that you’ve been paying for all year.

Start A Treatment in 2016 and Complete A Treatment in 2017

If you need dental work completed that requires multiple visits, such as a dental implant or a dental bridge and crown, you can maximize your dental benefits across the two calendar years. If you are close to meeting your maximum, or have met your deductible, you can have part of the treatment completed in November or December. You can complete the treatment in January or February, which will help you to reach your deductible more quickly.

Call Us Today

If you have been putting off any dental work, contact Longbranch Dental Center in Greenville today. We can help you understand your dental benefits and explain how you can get the most of of your insurance coverage. Start 2017 with a healthy and beautiful smile!