Gary E. Alhadef, DDS

Many of us have received amalgam (silver) fillings, but Dr. Alhadef’s cosmetic dentistry practice has made noticeable metal fillings a thing of the past. Aside from creating a more appealing smile visually, metal-free fillings may also be better for your health. Despite warnings and scientific proof that metal-free fillings are a better choice than metal amalgam fillings, many patients are not well-informed as to the benefits of metal-free fillings and the risks of metal amalgam fillings.

Dangers of Amalgam
Most metal amalgam fillings are 50% mercury. One specific danger of these mercury fillings is amalgam poisoning. Signs of amalgam poisoning include:

-Difficulty in concentration and memory
-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
-Sleep disturbances and restlessness
-Numbness or pain in the arms and legs
-Bleeding gums
Choosing Metal-Free
Metal-free fillings are a great choice if you need new fillings or want to replace metal ones. The advantages to metal free fillings include:

-No release of toxins into the body
-Decreased sensitivity to heat and cold
-Aesthetically appealing and more natural looking
-Stronger bonding to prevent future tooth fractures
-Less vulnerable to pain when biting

Types of Metal-Free Fillings
Metal free fillings come in two specific options.

-Composite Resin dental fillings are made of a plastic dental resin. They are strong, durable, and create a natural looking smile. When this material is used to fill cavities, its color looks like your natural tooth.

-Porcelain fillings are also available and have certain advantages. These fillings require less of your natural tooth material to be removed and don’t transfer hot and cold temperatures as much as metal fillings do.

If you have a new cavity or you want to have old fillings replaced, please contact cosmetic dentist Dr. Gary Alhadef in his Dallas, Texas dental office to schedule a consultation.

Dental care has made vast improvements during our lifetime, yet millions of Americans experience tooth loss because of injury, gum disease and tooth decay. For several years, the only way to replace a missing tooth was with dentures or a dental bridge. However many cosmetic dentists like Dr. Gary Alhadef now offer dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that are placed within the jawbone after a tooth is lost. After the implant is in place, a replacement tooth is attached or it may be used to anchor a dental bridge more securely. Implants are typically made from and provide a solid foundation for permanent or removable teeth that are designed to replace missing teeth. By using an implant to fill the space in your smile, you may also prevent other dental problems.

Types of Implants
There are three most common types of dental implants:
Root Form Implant
Root form dental implants are the most common. A root form implant is a screw-type implant shaped like the root of a tooth. It is placed under the gums and directly into the jawbone.
Plate Form Implant
If the jawbone has deteriorated, too short or too narrow for a root form implant, a plate dental implant may be used. The plate form is a longer, flat piece of titanium placed beneath the gums and on top of the jawbone.
Subperiosteal Implants
These implants are used only when there is not enough jawbone to support either a root dental implant or a plate dental implant. This dental implant is custom made and attached directly to the jawbone to strengthen the surface.

The Advantages of Dental Implants
Making the decision to have dental implants can genuinely be life altering for someone who has missing teeth. There are numerous advantages to having permanent a replacement for a lost tooth. Dental implants:

-Look and feel like your own teeth
-Are designed to fuse with your jawbone so they become permanent
-Allow you to speak without the worry that your dentures/teeth may slip
-Eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures
-Work like your own teeth, allowing you to eat foods with confidence
-Give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself
-Are durable and will last many years –with good care, some implants last a lifetime

It’s important to be aware that dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups.

If you are missing one or several teeth and would like to consider implant dentistry to replace them, contact cosmetic dentist Dr. Gary Alhadef in his Dallas, Texas dental office to schedule a consultation.

Dr. Gary Alhadef, Dallas cosmetic and neuromuscular dentist, sees many patients who complain of chronic migraine headaches. Many times, these patients have unaligned jaws, a problem called TMJ or TMD. Both terms are used to describe Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), the problem of misalignment in the jaw.

This disorder does not cause migraines, although the headaches feel very similar to the pain of a migraine headache. True migraines are vascular in nature, meaning they often involve your blood vessels. On the other hand, TMJ/TMD headaches are caused by the tension of your misaligned jaw bone. In these cases, fixing the position of your jaw can often make the headaches dissipate. Dr. Alhadef is a neuromuscular dentist who truly understands the connection between the pain you feel in your body and the importance of having your jaw be properly aligned.

How TMJ/TMD Can Cause Headaches

One of the most common causes of jaw misalignment and the subsequent tensions it causes is teeth grinding or clenching. It’s quite common for adults to grind or clench their teeth in their sleep or without otherwise being aware they are doing so. The friction of grinding can damage the joints of your jaw, while clenching your teeth can apply up to 300 pounds of pressure, causing fatigue in the jaw muscles. The tension caused by TMJ/TMD aggravates the jaw and leads to the chronic pain you feel.

How to Find Relief

Proper jaw placement is imperative in the way your body feels. When your jaw is aligned correctly the rest of your body can work properly much more easily. Dr. Alhadef can take you help educate you on the best way to properly align your jaw – whether through a procedure or by wearing a device. After correcting your jaw alignment, your headaches and muscle tensions should be alleviated so that you can feel and function at your best.

If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and would like to learn more about how Dr. Alhadef can help relieve the headaches you experience from poor jaw alignment, please contact Dallas, Texas cosmetic and neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Gary Alhadef, today to schedule a consultation.

Research has shown, and experts agree, that there is a connection between gum disease and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory infections. Keeping your gums healthy may not only keep gum disease at bay, but it may also help manage or prevent other health conditions. Dr. Gary Alhadef is a Dallas, Texas cosmetic dentist who has also worked with numerous dental problems for more than 20 years and can help you achieve and maintain healthy gums.

What is Gum Disease?

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. It can affect one or many teeth and begins when the bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become inflamed, red, and bleed easily, but usually does not cause pain. Untreated gingivitis can advance to the more serious disease called periodontitis. This disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and the bones surrounding your teeth. It can lead to serious complications including tooth loss.

Gum Disease and Other Health Problems

There are several health problems associated with poor gum health.

Heart Disease

Research has found that people with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from Coronary Artery Disease as those with healthy gums. Oral bacteria can enter the blood stream and attach to fatty plaques in the heart’s blood vessels. Clots can block normal blood flow, restricting oxygen required for the heart to function. This can cause a heart attack.

Premature Birth

Risk factors like smoking, alcohol, and drugs are known to cause birth issues. Evidence also suggests that gum disease is a risk factor. Pregnant women with unhealthy gums are seven times more likely to have a premature baby or one with a low birth weight.

Diabetes

Diabetics are more likely to have gum disease than those who are not, likely because diabetics are susceptible to contracting infections. The relationship between gum disease and diabetes works both ways – gum disease can make it difficult to control blood sugar.

Bacterial Respiratory Infections

Bacterial respiratory infections can be caused by inhaling small droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs. These droplets contain bacteria that multiply in the lungs and lead to damage. Research also indicates that bacteria found in the mouth and throat can worsen existing lung conditions.

To learn more about how Dr. Gary Alhadef can help you maintain healthy gums, please contact his Dallas, Texas dental office to discuss gum disease by scheduling a consultation.

Porcelain veneers and dental crowns are both wonderful cosmetic procedures for correcting or enhancing the look of your smile.

The greatest difference between the two is the amount of your tooth's surface that is covered by each procedure. Dental crowns typically encase an entire tooth. Porcelain veneers cover the surface that shows when you smile.

Dental Crowns.

A dental crown is cemented onto a tooth after it has been reduced in size. To prepare your tooth for the crown, Dr. Alhadef will grind down all sides of your tooth to reduce the overall size and create a tapered shape. The dental crown made for your tooth will fit over the newly shaped tooth and be cemented into place, giving your tooth a whole near appearance.

Porcelain Veneers

The classic porcelain veneer is a very thin ceramic covering that is bonded onto your tooth. As noted above, a dental crown encases the entire tooth, but a veneer only covers the area that shows when you smile. A porcelain veneer is also much thinner than a dental crown and the procedure requires minimal shaving of the tooth in preparation for bonding.
Uses For Each Procedure

There are three main reasons to decide to use a dental crown or a porcelain veneer.

Dental Crowns:

To rebuild teeth that are badly broken or decayed.
To offer a strong surface for a tooth used for chewing and biting
To give a significant new appearance to the entire tooth (not just the surface)

Porcelain Veneers:

To improve the color and give a minor shape change for a tooth.
To enhance a tooth that is generally healthy with minimal damage
To create a beautiful, straight smile in lieu of braces or other orthodontics

If you live in the Dallas area and would like to learn more about how Dr. Alhadef can improve your smile with dental crowns or porcelain veneers, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

Oral cancer is responsible for one death per hour in the United States. The five year survival rate has not improved over the past 30 years. Many oral cancers are diagnosed in a late stage resulting in poor outcomes. Dr. Alhadef has the training and power to change these poor statistics and save lives. Call Dr. Alhadef today and schedule your screening.

Labels: Dr. Alhadef, oral cancer

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