Legacy Trails Dental of Plano Blog

Do you hear clicking when you chew? Wake up with jaw pain? Struggle with frequent headaches or earaches? If so, you might be dealing with a TMJ disorder—and your dentist might just be the hero you didn’t know you needed. If you’re ready for relief via TMJ treatment, keep reading.

If you’re bothered by dental staining, it makes sense that you’d like to whiten your teeth! After all, a smile is one of the first things people tend to notice about others. It’s difficult not to be preoccupied with your appearance in this scenario.

But did you know that there are different types of dental stains? Depending on which one is yellowing your otherwise pearly whites, a professional teeth-whitening treatment could be more or less effective. Knowing the difference between these types of discoloration can help you choose the right treatment for you, so keep reading to learn more!

Dental implants have restored the smiles of millions of patients who have lost teeth due to age, genetic factors, infection, or injury. These amazing artificial teeth are incredibly lifelike, which may lead some people to wonder if they are vulnerable to the same infections as real teeth such as tooth decay. Here’s a brief guide to how bacteria can affect your dental implants and what you can do to keep your restored grin gorgeous and healthy.

Proper preventative care, such as brushing and flossing twice daily, can strengthen teeth and gums to help avoid potential dental emergencies. Despite this, it’s possible to have an injury or infection that causes a sudden or severe toothache at an inopportune time.

If you’ve sustained a life-threatening injury, you should head to the closest ER right away. Otherwise, if your throbbing began when your dentist’s office is closed, you might just have to get help when they reopen. Thankfully, there are things you can do to mitigate symptoms until you can be seen. Continue reading to learn three popular home remedies that might help assuage your toothache!

Dental bridges are an effective solution for replacing missing teeth, enhancing both function and appearance. As a valuable investment, understanding the lifespan of dental bridges and factors influencing their longevity can help you maintain them for as long as possible. Here’s some information about the typical lifespan of dental bridges, factors that can affect it, and tips for maximizing their durability.

Tooth loss can detract from your quality of life in many ways. For instance, the sudden changes in your smile can leave you feeling overly self-conscious about the way you look, which can lead to anxiety. On top of that, you rely on a full set of teeth to enunciate words and thoroughly chew your food.

Thankfully, your dentist can provide lifelike dentures to restore your grin’s appearance and functionality. However, did you know that people with these artificial teeth are more likely to become malnourished despite their many benefits? Continue reading to learn why this happens, and how you can preserve your health!

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there! Unlike dental bridges and traditional dentures, implants replace the roots of the missing teeth, allowing for a variety of unique benefits, like additional comfort, stability, and longevity. However, to achieve these benefits, one must undergo a minor surgical procedure. Some patients worry about whether their treatment will be painful. Continue reading to learn what you can expect.

If you’re frustrated by stains on your teeth, you’re not alone. Seemingly everyone wishes they had a bright white smile, and your dentist can help make your dream a reality. In a single, hour-long appointment, they can potentially lighten your teeth by up to 10 shades! For those who are anxious about sitting in the dentist’s chair, many providers also offer take-home kits using professional-grade gels and customized trays for optimal application.

It’s natural to want to show off your newly upgraded grin if you’ve just had it whitened. Thankfully, smiling can benefit you in several different ways, so there are plenty of reasons to flash your pearly whites. Continue reading to learn about four of them!

Did you know that at least half of adults over the age of 35 have a form of gum disease? Not only is it a leading cause of tooth loss, but researchers have connected it to various serious health issues, including an increased risk of heart attacks and Alzheimer’s. Gingivitis is the first stage of the infection, which is easy to treat when caught early. Red, swollen, and bleeding gums aren’t anything to ignore. Not only can the bacterial infection harm your overall wellness, but researchers have found that it can be spread through saliva. Here’s what you need to know to protect your loved ones. 

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In a dental emergency, cost should never keep you from receiving care you need, but you may wonder whether your insurance plan will help cover your costs. What is and is not covered in a dental emergency? What will you have to pay for out-of-pocket?

With so many variations in specific coverage and policies adjusting each year, it’s impossible to say which services are and aren’t covered for all dental insurance plans in a dental emergency. However, some general principles tend to be the norm and can help you know what you might expect. Just keep in mind that your specific plan may be an exception or differ.