Summit Dental Center

Houston Dental Implants

Summit Dental — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:17:40 +0000

Though it’s ideal for patients to take care of and keep their own, natural teeth, sometimes that is not possible. Events like traumatic accidents, advanced gum disease, or other factors may cause patients to lose one, many or all of their teeth. While dentures are an option in some cases, dental implants can be a better choice for other patients. Dental implants are artificial teeth that have a titanium post, which is surgically implanted into the bone. The post holds an artificial tooth in place so that it may function just as a natural tooth. At Summit Dental Center one of our highly trained licensed dentists performs the oral surgery requires to insert the implants. During this procedure our dental staff will make sure that you are kept comfortable and made to feel secure. For more information on how dental implants can change your life, contact our office today to schedule an appointment. We accept most dental insurance plans, Medicaid and CHIP.

Oral Health and Energy Drinks

Summit Dental — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:11:34 +0000

There are numerous different kinds of energy drinks on your supermarket shelf promising to quench thirst, increase physical performance, and to boost metabolism. These drink vendors are prominent sponsors at rock concerts and for sports teams – all of which appeal to kids and teens. However, these drinks are not necessarily great for the teeth. A study recently published in the journal General Dentistry revealed the results of a clinical study that simulated people drinking 3-4 energy drinks per day and the effects. A similar story was broadcast on Houston’s KHOU on Sunday evening. Clinical experts advise that consuming energy drinks is like bathing the teeth in an acid bath, which acts in destroying the enamel on the teeth. The pH of these drinks is quite high, and when the residue is left on the teeth, the sugar converts to acid, which attacks the enamel. Over time this can lead to sensitive teeth as well as tooth decay. So, what’s a parent to do? Summit Dental Center dental experts advise to suggest water over energy or sports drinks to quench thirst. However, if your kids choose to consume these drinks try to encourage sugar free versions and brushing the teeth soon after consuming them.

Caring for Your Dentures

Summit Dental — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:00:51 +0000

It may come as a shock to some people that caring for their dentures is a lot like caring for their natural teeth. Daily brushing of the dentures to clean them, remove plaque and other debris is critical to keeping dentures in good shape and to keeping the mouth healthy. Going to see the dentist on a regular basis is also important for denture wearers. At regular appointments the dentist will check how dentures are fitting and whether any minor adjustments are needed so that they feel comfortable. Dentures that are not in good shape and are not regularly cleaned can actually do harm to the soft tissues of the mouth and cause an infection. If it’s been a while since you’ve gone in for a check up and to have your dentures checked, then contact Summit Dental Center today to schedule an appointment.

Savings at Summit Dental Center

Summit Dental — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:51:11 +0000

Even though maintaining the teeth is important to our overall health, having to outlay money for unexpected dental services like fillings or crowns can be a cramp in the family budget. For patients who qualify for CHIP or Medicaid, it is financially less stressful to have these professional services performed. However, for those families who work hard yet are unable to qualify for or purchase dental insurance, Summit Dental Center’s seven Houston locations provide a solution. We offer top quality pediatric and family dental services including preventative services as well as restorative services at rates that are affordable. In some cases we are able to offer patients payment plans. For more savings opportunities, visit our web site (in Spanish and English) to view our savings certificates. Please don’t delay treatment because this may not only cause pain but also increase the expense of treatment.

Houston Children’s Dentistry at Summit Dental Center

Summit Dental — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:38:46 +0000

Part of taking care of your child’s overall health includes not only regular visits to the pediatrician, but also to the dentist. We, at Summit Dental Center, work to make your child’s experience at the dentist a positive one so they grow up to develop excellent oral health habits. Summit Dental Center has seven Houston locations designed to serve families, young children, and teens. The staff, dental hygienists and dentists in our offices choose to work in the field of pediatric dentistry and family dentistry because they truly enjoy taking care of children and families. In fact, the dentists who care for children are specially trained to attend to the needs of these special patients. It’s our privilege to serve Houston families of all income levels, and we happily accept Medicaid and CHIP in addition to most dental insurance benefits. Contact our office today so that we may serve you.

Today is the Day: Don’t Forget to Select Your Houston Main Dental Home!

Summit Dental — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:03:47 +0000

Today is the deadline for Medicaid and CHIP patients to select their main dentist and main dental home. Letters and forms were sent out to Medicaid and CHIP patients and/or their parents several months ago. Texas is now using managed care for Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits. So, patients eligible for CHIP and Medicaid must choose one of three dental managed care plans and then select a main dentist from the plan they choose. If you enjoy having Summit Dental Center as your main dental home and wish to continue to receive quality service and continuity of dental care, then don’t forget to make this important choice. Summit Dental Center is a provider on all three managed care plans, so pick the plan that best suits your family. Please let us continue to provide you and your family with quality dental care, or if you’re not a Summit Dental Center patient, give us the chance to care for your family.

HURRY! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Summit Dental — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:16 +0000

Attention Houston CHIP and Medicaid dental patients! You’ve probably heard that April 30^th is the deadline for selecting your main dental home. Nobody likes paperwork, but this is important and really painless to take care of. In order to keep Summit Dental Center as your child’s main dental home and to keep the same great level of care, you need to make an election now – otherwise the Texas Department of Health and Human Services will make that election for you. Everyone wants to make their own choices, so please take a minute and let Summit Dental Center continue as your family’s dentist. If you have questions about how to do this, please contact our office.

Topical and Local Anesthetics for Houston Dental Patients

Summit Dental — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:00:19 +0000

When patients come into one of Summit Dental Center’s seven Houston offices for more invasive dental care, a topical and/or local anesthetic may be used to control discomfort the patient may feel. Dentists commonly apply topical anesthetics to tissue in the mouth to numb the area before giving a shot, and in some cases to ease the pain of mouth sores. The most common active ingredient in topicals (also known as “numbing gel”) is benzocaine. Topical anesthetics are generally applied with a sanitary swab, but some come in a spray form. For topical anesthetics to be most effective, they should be left on the tissue for about two minutes before a shot is administered. Novocain® is a local anesthetic that was developed in 1905; while it is still used as a local anesthetic, dentists now also use lidocaine because it is faster acting and longer lasting for some patients. Local anesthetics such as Novocain and lidocaine are given through an injection directly to the area of the mouth where the dentist will work. Once the local begins working patients will feel numb. While locals block the nerve cells that create pain sensations, the patient will still feel some pressure while the dentist is performing his/her work. When you come in for your appointment, be sure to let your hygienist and dentist know about all medications and supplements you’re taking, as well as any changes in your health history. That way they can be sure to use anesthetics that are appropriate for you.

Narcotic Analgesics and Houston Dental Treatment

Summit Dental — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:00:21 +0000

Sometimes non-narcotic analgesics such as aspirin and ibuprofen are not enough to help the patient with his/her dental pain, and that is why Houston dentists have access to additional forms of pain control such as narcotics. Because narcotics have a more significant impact on the patient, only a licensed physician, such as your Summit Dental Center dentist, may dispense and prescribe them, and this is done under supervision. This is because some people abuse narcotics. The narcotic elements in these pain drugs are designed to act on the patient’s central nervous system to relieve pain. One example of a narcotic analgesic is codeine. Following a root canal or other oral surgery, the patient may be given a prescription for Tylenol with codeine, which must be filled at a pharmacy, and the prescribing dentist carefully controls refills. Tomorrow’s bog post will discuss both topical and local anesthetics that help patients while they are in the midst of treatment.

Houston Dental Emergencies

Summit Dental — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:26:53 +0000

Dental emergencies never happen at a convenient time, but Summit Dental Center has you covered with seven Houston dental office locations – some with expanded hours. though emergencies occur after hours, but you should make arrangements to see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid associated discomfort, injury to the mouth and/or tooth, and to avoid more costly repairs down the road. The following are dental problems that require attention immediately or as soon as possible: knocked out tooth; chipped tooth; partially dislodged tooth; lost filling; lost crown; tooth abscess; and, injuries to the gums, cheeks, or lips that cause bleeding. Summit Dental Center will work with you to get you in to see your dentist just as soon as possible, but there are some temporary remedies you can perform at home until you can get in to see us. We will discuss those further this week.