Dental Expressions Blog

Protecting Your Smile with Custom-Fit Athletic Mouth Guards in OKC

December 23, 2013

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When you’re in the middle of a big game – whether it be football, basketball, hockey, baseball or any other physical recreational activity – your mind is on your performance, on your competition, and on achieving victory. Your mouth is likely among the last things you’re thinking about while you’re playing, but protecting your teeth and gums during heavy activity really does pay off. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OKDr. Frazier and Dr. Holman can help you preserve your smile and general oral health with customized athletic mouth guards

Always Be Prepared: Mouth Guards for Sports

Though there are plenty of ways we can protect ourselves from serious injury while engaged in physical activity, it’s pretty difficult to always expect the unexpected. An accidental kick to the face or a ball you didn’t see flying your way can quickly turn into a dental emergency. Teeth can be knocked out, gums can be perforated by foreign objects and your teeth can easily cut other tissues inside your mouth.

While many children and teenagers who play sports wear a mouth guard during athletic play, the majority of them don’t get the level of protection they actually need. This is because generic mouth guards are inexpensive; unfortunately, this also means that they don’t perform as well as a customized one.

The Custom-Fit Difference

Custom-fit mouth guards from Dental Expressions are better able to protect your teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth from injury than ready-made guards you find at the sporting goods store. They’re modeled to fit your unique dentition and therefore lower your risk of dislodging a tooth, cutting your inner cheek or biting down on your tongue.

If you or your little ones play sports and you want to ensure that your smile is protected from injury, contact us at our Oklahoma City, OK office today and ask about our customized athletic mouth guardsDr. Holman and Dr. Frazier happily welcome patients from Norman, Moore, Midwest City and beyond. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

 

 

Revitalize Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers from Dental Expressions in OK

November 22, 2013

164125777If you find yourself generally unhappy with your smile, you’re not alone. In fact, the majority of Americans report some level of discontent with the condition of their teeth, whether it be yellowing of the enamel, a chip here or there, or general misalignment. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OKDr. Holman and Dr. Frazier specialize in giving people just like you the beautiful, flawless smile of their dreams, often using customized porcelain veneers to achieve this goal.

Why Should I Choose Porcelain Veneers?

Dental veneers are super-thin, custom-fitted sheaths of porcelain that are affixed to the front surfaces of your teeth. They are durable, long-lasting, stain-resistant and cared for in the same way you would your natural teeth. Their color is natural, made to match your existing teeth for a seamless, polished look. Porcelain veneers are used to mask a number of common smile imperfections, including:

  • Chips or cracks in enamel
  • Yellowing and discolorations that are resistant to professional whitening treatments
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Teeth that are misshapen or misaligned
  • Teeth that are too big or too smile relative to surrounding teeth

When your veneers are placed, typically within as little as two visits to Dental Expressions, you’re left with a more balanced, symmetrical, aesthetically pleasant smile you’ll be proud to show off to everyone.

Regain Confidence with a New Smile

If you’ve spent too long hiding your smile from the world and you’re ready to finally enjoy the benefits of beautiful teeth, contact our office today and schedule your consultation with Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier. We can’t wait to show you how easy it can be to transform your smile with the help of porcelain veneers! From our office in Oklahoma City, OK, we also gladly welcome patients from Moore, Norman, Midwest City and the surrounding areas.

What You Need to Know About Periodontal Disease and Your Health

October 20, 2013

185594294Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? Have you noticed that some of your teeth appear longer than they should as your gum line recedes? These are common signs of periodontal disease, more commonly referred to as gum disease. Most of us know that untreated gum disease can lead to undesirable side effects, including eventual tooth loss, but most patients are surprised to hear that there are other, potentially worse, consequences of periodontal infection. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OKDr. Holman and Dr. Frazier want to equip you with all of the tools and information you need to protect yourself from these hidden health dangers.

The Unexpected Connection

When a patient suffers from periodontal disease, harmful bacteria accumulates deep between gingival tissue and the teeth in recesses called gum pockets. When this bacteria leaches into the blood stream, it can travel throughout the rest of the body, wreaking havoc on other tissues and organs. Some of the most common systemic complications associated with untreated periodontal disease are:

  • Increased risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Preterm birth and low birth weight babies in mothers with gum disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Poorly managed diabetes
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Gastrointestinal disorders

Fortunately, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease can help dramatically reduce your risk of developing these and other health problems. Here at Dental Expressions, we’ll assess your unique oral health condition and formulate a treatment plan designed specifically for your needs. Following your treatment, simply continue visiting Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier every six months for routine checkups and cleanings.

Take Control of Your Oral Health!

If you’ve noticed any of the common symptoms of gum disease, including redness, inflammation, bleeding, gum recession or chronic bad breath, contact our office today to schedule your assessment. Conveniently located in Oklahoma City, OK, we proudly serve patients from Moore, Norman, Midwest City and the surrounding areas.

Combat Persistent Bad Breath with Expert Tips from Dental Expressions

September 24, 2013

126952776Though we all experience bad breath every once in a while – whether it be due to something we ate or simply a case of dry mouth in the morning – but the fact that it affects everyone now and then doesn’t make it any less embarrassing when it happens to us. At Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, OKDr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier want to give you all of the information you need to maintain a clean, healthy mouth and get rid of bad breath.

Find the Culprit, Find the Cure

Some people suffer from chronic bad breath caused by an underlying condition, like liver problems, or because they take certain medications. If you regularly detect an unpleasant taste and associated odor in your mouth, we recommend coming in for an exam at Dental Expressions. We can check for signs of periodontal disease (more commonly known as gum disease), an infection of the gums that can contribute to persistent bad breath.

If you’re otherwise healthy and you still have problems controlling the odor of your breath, keep the following in mind:

  • Don’t skip the floss. Food particles that become lodged between the teeth and along the gum line can quickly foul up the smell of your breath, especially if these particles remain hidden for days. Flossing twice a day when you brush your teeth can help keep bad breath at bay.
  • Stay hydrated. A dry mouth smells worse than one that has a proper pH balance and sufficient saliva. Drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water per day for improved oral health and overall physical well being.
  • Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash. Oftentimes, brushing and flossing simply aren’t enough to rid your mouth of potentially harmful bacteria. A mouthwash used after you brush can rinse away the germs that make your breath smell bad and even protect against future plaque buildup.
  • Brush your tongue – If you see a sticky, pale film form on your tongue, particularly toward the back of your mouth, it’s likely that you’re harboring excess bacteria there. Brush your tongue gently but firmly enough to get rid of that buildup or use a tongue scraper for better comfort and efficiency.

Take Control of Your Oral Health!

If problems with bad breath have caused you unnecessary embarrassment and you’re looking for a solution that offers real results, contact us at our Oklahoma City, OK office today and talk with Drs. Holman and Frazier. We also happily serve patients throughout the surrounding areas of Norman, Moore, Midwest City and beyond. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Oklahoma City Patients Can Completely Revitalize Their Smile with a Personalized Smile Makeover

August 21, 2013

185780257Many of us dream of having a smile that looks like it came straight out of the movies, and why wouldn’t we? Beautiful teeth are often valuable tools in the professional and social settings, implying success, youth, confidence, and so much more to others. For some people, it’s easy to pick out that one treatment you need to achieve the results you’re looking for, such as teeth whitening to clean up stains. But what if you’re less sure? Maybe your teeth need a little more work than one procedure can offer, or maybe you simply don’t have the time or funds to spend on several, lengthy appointments. Whatever the case is, our dedicated team at Dental Expressions is here to help! At our Oklahoma City office, you can find the caring touch you’ve been looking for when you undergo services from Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier. We’ll be happy to create a personalized smile makeover plan that will give you the stunning results you’ve been looking for.

Transform Your Smile, Transform Your Life

Changing the look of your smile is a big step, and one that our team takes very seriously. First, Dr. Holman or Dr. Frazier will carefully inspect your teeth and gums, being sure to take into account any cosmetic flaws (after first ensuring that no restorative work is required). They’ll then discuss with you any goals or preferences you have for your dental work (including cost and time commitments) before making their recommendations over what procedures would best benefit your unique situation. Our available cosmetic treatments include:

Don’t settle for a smile that’s simply lackluster – we’ll be happy to help you pursue your dreams of a new and improved you! Contact our Oklahoma City office today to schedule an appointment. We welcome patients from all over the OKC area, as well as Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and beyond.

Keep Your Teeth in Tip-Top Shape with Advanced Dental Technology in Oklahoma City

June 13, 2013

454389001In order to provide the most effective, thorough care possible, it’s important for dentists to keep up and implement the latest dental technologies in their offices. After all, modern equipment and techniques have several advantages – it makes it easier for dental teams to share and relay information with patients, comfort is noticeably enhanced, and dentists are able to ensure that care is more detailed and precise than ever before. Drs. Colin Holman and Natalie Frazier believe strongly in sharing these benefits with their patients; that’s why their Oklahoma City office houses a variety of dental technologies designed to make oral health easier and safer for smiles of all ages. Come in to Dental Expressions to see for yourself!

Here are just a few of the tools our team uses to help your teeth become happier and healthier:

  • We use digital X-rays instead the traditional system, resulting in faster, more thorough pictures of your mouth as well as 90% less radiation.
  • Intraoral photography gives our team an up close and personal look at your teeth and gums, allowing us to show you any suspicious areas and more precisely pinpoint treatment plans.
  • Our cutting-edge sterilization system includes a heated autoclave with an LED lighting system that separates sterilized and non-sterilized equipment, ensuring that you never have to worry about cleanliness when undergoing our care!
  • Our fully digital recordkeeping system makes it easy to pull up information, edit addresses, and review records in seconds!

Are you ready to experience comprehensive, personalized care that puts patient comfort first! Contact our Oklahoma City office today to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists, or if you have any questions about our technologies. We’re happy to see patients from all over the OKC area, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and beyond!

Dental Expressions Can Help Your Smile Shine with Teeth Whitening Services

May 3, 2013

168372883Out of all the cosmetic dentistry services available today, teeth whitening is still one of the most popular – and for good reason! A beautiful, white smile can imply all sorts of positive attributes about you, including success, vitality, confidence, and more; it’s certainly a great tool to have if you want to make a good impression in the workplace. Sadly, certain drinks, some medications, and even genetics can leave you with teeth that look dingy or discolored. Our dedicated team at Dental Expressions wants you to have the smile you’ve always dreamed of; that’s why Dr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier offer take-home teeth whitening kits that can provide both dramatic and convenient results.

While over-the-counter whitening treatments may seem effective at first, they can’t beat the staying power of the professional-grade bleach you can receive at our Oklahoma City office. Our team will first create a custom-made tray to fit the unique shape of your smile; these trays are designed to hold the bleach as close to your teeth as possible while still keeping out saliva. Then, all you have to do is wear them over a few weeks for the prescribed amount of time in the comfort of your own home! Stains of all kinds have been shown to fade and even vanish with the help of take-home teeth whitening care.

Additionally, we can provide cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers in the small chance that your stains aren’t erased to your satisfaction by our teeth whitening treatment. Our Oklahoma City dental team won’t stop until we’ve found the cosmetic dentistry solution that gives you the smile you want.

Contact our Oklahoma City office today to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today! We also welcome patients from the OKC area, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and beyond. We can’t wait to make your teeth healthier and happier!

Rebuild Your Smile with Various Tooth Replacement Options in Oklahoma City

March 22, 2013

151545340Out of all the dental injuries a person can face in a lifetime, tooth loss tends to be the most devastating, both for a person’s self-confidence and their overall oral health. When there are unsightly gaps in your smile, it can be hard to even convince yourself to get out of bed, much less talk and laugh with your peers. Worse, if ignored, your other teeth can begin to twist and move in order to fill the space, as well as lead to jawbone deterioration. Thankfully, our team at Dental Expressions is here to help with a variety of tooth replacement options. Choices are key at our Oklahoma City practice – while one restorative option might be a perfect fit for some people, it could be frustrating or unfulfilling for others. That’s why Dr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier are committed to working closely with their patients in order to find the tooth replacement service that will restore beauty, form, and complete functionality to their unique smile.

At Dental Expressions, we offer the following tooth replacement options:

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the only restorative option that replicates the entire structure of the tooth, from the root to the crown. First, a specialist will first place a small titanium rod in your jawbone.  Once an appropriate amount of time has passed for the area to heal, you’ll return to our office where we’ll top it off with a beautiful, natural-looking crown. After a while, you won’t even remember that they’re not your natural teeth!

Dentures and Partials

If you’ve lost all the teeth along your upper arch, your lower arch, or both, a full denture can be custom made for your unique mouth, fitting into place with natural suction and dental adhesive. If desired, dental implants and dentures can actually be used together, ensuring a much more sturdy fit. For patients who are only missing a few teeth, partial dentures can be used instead. Both of these tooth replacement solutions are removable.

Bridges

For patients who are looking for a more stable solution than dentures without wanting to undergo the dental implants process, bridges are a non-removable solution that can replace a few teeth in a row.

Contact our Oklahoma City office today to schedule a consultation with one of our accomplished doctors today! Our team will work hard to ensure that you get the care you desire and the smile you’ve been dreaming of. We’re also happy to see patients from the OKC area, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and beyond!

Treat Little Smiles Well with Dedicated Children’s Dentistry Services in Oklahoma City

February 27, 2013

140303575You do your best to keep your children healthy by monitoring their diet and keeping them active – but what about their teeth? Going to the dentist’s office can be scary at first, especially for little smiles. Here at Dental Expressions, we understand how crucial it is for your little one to have a pleasant and comfortable experience at our Oklahoma City office every time they come in; after all, establishing good dental hygiene habits at such a young age can put them on a lifelong path towards optimal oral health! With a variety of personalized and gentle children’s dentistry services, Dr. Colin Holman and Dr. Natalie Frazier will be sure to keep your son or daughter’s teeth healthy and happy for years to come.

Children’s Dentistry Leaves Little Kids Smiling

We suggest first bringing your child into our Oklahoma City office around the age of two – not for a full-blown dental appointment, but instead for what we like to call a “happy visit.” Children often have the most trouble with situations, places, or people that are unfamiliar to them; this way, we can prepare them for their first visit by introducing our staff, showing them all the tools we use, and even letting them sit in the dentist’s chair!

We usually suggest that children should start attending regular check-ups and cleanings around the age of three to five; however, if you notice any abnormalities in the way their teeth seem to be developing before then, please feel free to bring them in so we can take a look. During these appointments, we’ll be sure to keep our care gentle and conservative while also watching out for potential problems. Our friendly hygienist will be glad to show you and your son or daughter how to properly brush and floss at home.

Once your child is older, we can provide them with other personalized children’s dentistry services, such as dental sealants and fluoride treatments – both of which help to keep teeth strong and cavity-free!

Our team loves children, and we can’t wait to provide them the tools they need to keep their smile looking lovely for a lifetime. Bring your loved ones to Dental Expressions for caring children’s dentistry services today! Call our Oklahoma City office to schedule an appointment. We also are happy to see patients from the OKC area, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and the surrounding communities.

Could You Be Suffering From Sleep Apnea?

February 18, 2013

488099845We can all agree that snoring is an annoying habit to have – especially where tired spouses are concerned. The habit can keep your family awake at night, disrupt your own sleep, and leave you with a sore throat in the morning. But did you know that snoring can actually be an indicator of a much more serious condition? If you’re a chronic snorer, you might be suffering from sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous disorder that causes a person to stop breathing constantly through the night, usually for instances of ten seconds or longer. People who suffer from untreated sleep apnea not only suffer from chronic exhaustion and lessened enjoyment of life, but could also suffer possible complications later in life. Here at Dental Expressions in Oklahoma City, our team is happy to provide you with a variety of effective solutions to treat your sleep apnea. With the help of Dr. Holman and Dr. Frazier, you and your family will be back to peaceful slumber in no time.

But first, how do you know for sure if you have sleep apnea? Here are some common symptoms:

  • Chronic exhaustion/ drowsiness during the day, no matter how sleep you got the night before
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or throat after sleep
  • Constant choking, gasping, or snorting during sleep
  • Loud snoring
  • Constantly waking up during the night
  • Morning headaches

Some of those sound familiar! What are my options for treatment?

After Dr. Holman or Dr. Frazier have concurred that you are in fact suffering from sleep apnea, there are a few solutions you both can pursue, depending on the severity of the disorder. First, they can offer you the use of an oral appliance (commonly referred to as a snoreguard). Wearing a snoreguard alleviates snoring and keeps your airway open. If your symptoms don’t respond to that treatment, Dr. Holman or Dr. Frazier may recommend that you see a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders, or that you look into the use of a CPAP machine, which consists of a box, facemask, and tube that carries air to your body while you sleep.

Our team is committed to providing you with comfortable and personalized service, here at Dental Expressions. Let us give you a reason to smile! Call our office today to schedule a consultation for your sleep apnea treatment.  We proudly serve patients from the OKC area, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and surrounding communities.

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