Can your smile age You?

If you are celebrating being alive anywhere from 40 to 50+ years, you could very well be experiencing what a lot of people do: weakening enamel or dark stains on your teeth. Dr. Idriss notes that, over time tooth enamel can wear down because of brushing, grinding, and even carbohydrate-rich foods that are left on your teeth. Food left behind can produce enamel-eating acids.When enamel becomes weak teeth begin to appear dull and may even crack or chip. Since you cannot replace eroded enamel it's important to remember that Dr. Idriss can disguise such problems with veneers! You see, veneers are essentially a new outer layer of enamel; and when done correctly veneers are virtually undetectable. Veneers are a type of cosmetic dentistry so it's essential to stay with a regimen of regular teeth cleanings to maintain your "fresh" appearance and keep the veneers looking clean and strong. By the way, any teeth you have covered by veneers are no longer susceptible to decay which makes the overall tooth less vulnerable. As you advance in age you will also start to see that years of wear and tear can produce teeth stains that are hard to get rid of. The process of shrinkage of the pulp inside your teeth begins in later years and darker-colored dentin fills in. Depending on the the type of stain you have - intrinsic or extrinsic - teeth bleaching, crowns, or veneers will be needed to do away with the problem(s). Examples of the causes of extrinsic stains include smoking, drinking coffee,tea,and red wine, and sometimes even - mouthwash. These stains can be treated with prophylaxis and if needed, bleaching. In your 40's or 50's your gums may be doing a "disappearing" act. As your face ages your teeth sometimes push forward which in turn, can cause the lower front teeth to crowd. Dr. Idriss can fix problems like this with several different procedures, depending on the severity of the situation. Dr. Idriss has much more she can share with you relative to any of the above problems. Contact our office for your evaluation so something can be done sooner, rather than later! The Smile Designer: 281-257-8815. Thank you for taking time to learn about our expertise and available services!

Smile solutions for those over 60...

When your back teeth are worn down or missing, your facial structure support may collapse or fall inward. What action do you take to fix that? Cosmetic surgery is one option. If you are not ready for that, a nonsurgical alternative that uses veneers may suit you better. Dr. Idriss can build out the back teeth with veneers or crowns to help lift the cheekbone area of the face and thus, widen the smile - which inturn, typically makes you look younger. Likewise, when teeth that support the lips are treated in the same way the blood supply is stimulated and lines around the lip area become less noticeable. The results obtained through these treatments tend to produce a more balanced appearance that enhances the prominence of the cheekbones and delivers an overall younger look! Do you have teeth that are missing or broken to the point that the root is damaged? Dr. Idriss has good news for you! She can implant a titanium artificial root in place of the natural root. In a matter of a few months when the implant integrates with the bone a crown can be placed over the implant and...voila, a new tooth! Are you experiencing receeding gums? If you don't address that issue you may start to see spaces or black triangles between your teeth. Gum grafting is the most common option used by Dr. Idriss to treat receeding gums. Although gum grafting may sound a little scary it's actually simple and relatively painless. Dr. Idriss takes a small piece of healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and transplants it to the problem area(s). It will attach itself to the gum line and heal quite quickly, for a short recovery time. The results of this procedure should last indefinitely when gums and teeth are cared for properly. Here's a female, aged 64 before & after applying porcelain crowns, gum contouring, new natural-colored fillings, and invisalign.

Call the office of Dr. Idriss for any teeth problems you might be having that you feel are associated with aging. The number is 281-257-8815.

What you need to know about foods that can damage your good teeth!

Summertime is nigh and many of us head to the movie theater for flicks, food, and fun! A lot of us don't feel the theater experience is complete without getting the traditional bucket of popcorn or candy. You don't have to be smart to know that these snacks are full of butter and sugar, and some of the candies you buy are hard and sticky. So it stands to reason that they can play a role in tooth damage and tooth decay! According to a panel of dental experts from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry here is a list of some of the snacks that can "punish" your teeth . Biting down on an un-popped popcorn kernel is a common cause of painful dental fractures. Popcorn husks can get lodged between your back teeth and gums which can require treatment with antibiotics to clear up infection after the husks are removed. . Sour hard candies (you know what they are) can also cause tooth damage as they are made with high amounts of citric and malic acids which can wear down tooth enamel. Caramels found in certain candies are really sticky and can remain "stuck" to teeth over a long period of time. Caramels can also pull crowns or fillings out! Meanwhile, some fruit and nut-based candies are also sticky and contain a lot of sugar - which can stick to teeth. The colored candy shell of certain candies can act as "teeth stainers". Who doesn't want their favorite soda while watching a movie? According to the AACD expert panel sodas are high in sugar and have a high acidity level which can wear down tooth enamel. It’s not surprising that AACD experts recommend bottled water or club soda or even opting for a small soda to reduce the damage. The news is not all bad. Dark chocolate contains certain elements which actually are strong antioxidants that benefit the mouth and teeth! Another movie theatre standard - cheese nachos - are considered a reasonable choice since the sugar content is not high and there is not much acidity in them. Many of you will continue to enjoy the foods you want to eat at the movies, despite this information. So the best advice is to rinse with a glass of water after you eat sweets to wash away excess sugar and acids, advises the AACD. And, of course bring dental floss. If you do incur damage to one or more teeth come see Dr. Idriss at The Smile Designer. She can replace those teeth with dental implants that will restore your smile to its natural state - or better. Dr. Idriss holds a mastership in dental implantology, recently bestowed on her by the International Congress of Oral Implantologists! Call for a free consultation: 281-257-8815. We look forward to seeing you!

It's time you learned exactly what a Dental Implant Is!

You could say that dental implants are a series of procedures conducted by Dr. Idriss -  the implantologist, to recreate missing teeth.  The key element to a dental implant is the initial titanium implant that sits in the bone pocket of the tooth - the alveolus. Yes...that's a strange word, but relevant.  The titanium over time, bonds with the bone much like the original tooth bonds with the jaw bone, to form a stable foundation.  That of course, is essential because it prevents erosion of the bone that would normally occur with another type of tooth replacement.  Once in place, the the dental implant is capped with a crown to replicate the visible portion of the tooth (the enamel).  The patient will find that in many cases, the replacement tooth will work just as well - if not better - than the original.

In comparison a Fixed Dental Bridge is non-removable and is attached to the remaining natural teeth.

For  years fixed bridges were considered the best alternative for people who were missing teeth because they worked pretty successfully  and were esthetically pleasing.  The drawback is that  bridges can also present problems because the natural teeth that lie on either side of the bridge have to be filed to accept the bridge.  That step in the bridge-making procedure invites bacterial plaque accumulations, periodontal disease, decay, and even a possible need for a root canal in the future.  So, it would stand to reason that the most accepted form of tooth replacement is the Dental Implant.  Talk to Dr. Idriss about the many benefits associated with implants and allow her to evaluate your condition and see if implants are the right choice for You!      The Smile Designer 281-257-8815

As you can see on our outdoor sign above, Dr. Idriss and The Smile Designer feature "advanced Cosmetic Dentistry" and "Progressive Dental Care".  One of the most popular advancements in Dentistry today, is the ability to install teeth implants.  Dr. Idriss and her team of smile design architects are experienced in dental implants and invite you to consider them if you have cracked or missing teeth.

Dr. Idriss welcomes new and existing patients who feel socially awkward because they are afraid to smile and expose ugly fillings or missing teeth.  She can implant a few or a whole mouth-full of missing teeth in just a few appointments - thanks to today's technology and her state-of-the-art office.

Why would you be better off with implants?  You would no longer need to apply dental adhesives if you currently wear dentures.  You would discover that through a natural biological process bone would bond with your implants, which would help minimize the loss of bone sometimes found in areas of missing teeth.  In turn, your natural facial contours would be preserved.  Since good eating habits rely on the ability to properly chew food you would have the ability to eat a variety of foods like raw vegetables and fruits - which we know are rich in essential vitamins.  And one other important benefit:  with implants you would be able to chew, smile, and speak without feeling the  negative emotions associated with exposing missing or cracked teeth!

You owe it to yourself and those you love to get your free consultation with Dr. Idriss to examine the possibilities of dental implants. Call our office to schedule you appointment:  281-257-8815.  Take a look at the comprehensive website we've put together for you at www.thesmiledesing.net.  Thank you for your time!

Here's Why YOU Should make an appointment ASAP to consult with Dr. Idriss at The Smile Designer
Call 281-257-8815 today.

Which Cosmetic procedure are you looking for?

Dr. Maisa Idriss is The Smile Designer in Spring, Texas.  As one of the Top Dentists in America, she is more than qualified to help determine which cosmetic procedure will benefit you the most!  After an initial consultation at The Smile Designer - 7809 Louetta Rd. Spring, Texas,  she can prescribe the proper course of treatment to retain or restore your most attractive feature - your smile.  

Will your prescribed treatment include implants, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, tooth-colored fillings, or braces?  Or will you require porcelain fixed crowns or bridges?  The doctor may tell you that the  Invisalign device will correct your dental problem...or that a simple teeth whitening procedure may be all you need.  Chances are good you don't know the answers, but Dr. Idriss does and she can perform all cosmetic procedures in the comfort of our cozy and warm Venetian-style offices.  

If you are aware that you need dental help but have reservations or fears about proceding with treatment, Dr. Idriss offers Sedation Dentistry - a method whereby you are  gently sedated prior to any work being done. You will not have any memory of the treatment - during or after it is completed.  There are no lasting side effects, either.   

Dr. Idriss has the knowledge, experience, and backing of her full-time dental architect team on staff to provide you with a complete smile makeover; but you have to take the first step!     Go to www.thesmiledesign.net  and click on the contact page to get in touch with our office by email; or call to schedule your new patient appointment: 281-257-8815.

Thank you for making Dr. Idriss and The Smile Designer part of your day!