Enjoy Your Favorite Foods with Implant-Retained Dentures in Fort Smith, AR

For millions of Americans missing their teeth, traditional dentures are a perfectly reasonable solution that allows them to eat and speak with relative comfort and ease. There are some, however, who would prefer a more secure option that feels and looks more natural. As dental implants have become more common and more advanced, more patients are turning to implant-retained dentures as their tooth replacement option of choice.

Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures

A dental implant is a tiny post that is shaped like a screw and placed in the bone of the jaw by a periodontal specialist or oral surgeon. This post serves as a sturdy anchor for a custom restoration like a crown, bridge, or denture. When combined with dentures, dental implants can dramatically improve chewing function and overall quality of life. Patients with implant-retained dentures can finally enjoy their favorite foods again, including everything from a juicy steak to corn on the cob and a fresh apple.

While traditional dentures replace the crown portion of your missing teeth, only dental implants replace the root portion as well. This helps to keep the bone tissue in the jaw strong and healthy, which in turn prevents the sunken facial appearance that is common in individuals who have lost most or all of their natural teeth. A consultation with our team will aid in determining your candidacy for dental implants as well as the treatment plan that best suits your unique needs.

Reclaim Your Smile and Your Bite

If you are considering dentures (or if you already wear them) and are curious about what is possible with dental implants, contact our office today to schedule your consultation with our team. We genuinely look forward to helping you achieve the stability and comfort you deserve with our comprehensive menu of restorative dentistry solutions. Our Fort Smith, AR dental practice warmly welcomes patients from nearby communities in Sallisaw, Pocola, Alma, Greenwood, Van Buren, Poteau, Heavener, and beyond.

Dr. Lopez Can Instantly Renew Your Smile with Lumineers in Fort Smith, AR

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to fix your smile? Lumineers offer a fast, affordable, and non-invasive cosmetic dental solution. Whether your smile imperfections are minor or severe, Lumineers can help. Created with state-of-the-art dental imaging technologies, Lumineers are custom designed to fit the unique shape of your teeth precisely. Your new Lumineers can be expertly color matched with the exact shade and luster of your natural teeth. To transform your smile, schedule a Lumineers consultation appointment with Dr. Lopez and New Smile Dental today. Dr. Lopez is an experienced cosmetic dentist, now proudly restoring smiles daily throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and the surrounding communities.

How Are Lumineers and Porcelain Veneers Different?

Lumineers are specially designed and fabricated to be ultra-thin and easily applied over your teeth. Traditional porcelain veneers are generally thicker, and thus require the irreversible removal of healthy tooth structure to be placed. This additional preparation frequently requires shots and anesthesia to minimize sensitivity and pain, and typically involves placement of temporary veneers between visits. However, the minimally invasive Lumineers technique doesn’t require any shots or temporaries for completion.

What Can Lumineers Fix?

·         Stained or discolored teeth

·         Unevenly spaced teeth

·         Chipped, cracked or broken teeth

·         Misaligned or crooked teeth

Fort Smith Lumineers Consultation Appointments

All Lumineers procedures are completely painless. They offer the most efficient way to permanently reshape and whiten your teeth. Once your Lumineers procedure is complete, there is no post treatment discomfort or sensitivity. You will look natural and feel comfortable from the moment they are placed. Your new Lumineers will also resist wear and remain resilient for at least 20 years. If you’re ready for a true smile makeover, schedule a Lumineers consultation appointment with Dr. Lopez and New Smile Dental today. Dr. Lopez is a highly qualified cosmetic dentist, now delivering quality care daily throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and the neighboring areas.

Pediatric Dental Care 101: How to Protect Your Child’s Dental Health

Does your child need a dental checkup? Children have special needs when it comes to dental care. Starting as early as four months, your child’s baby teeth will begin to appear, and all twenty primary teeth will erupt by age three. You should bring your child in for a pediatric dental checkup by their first birthday to ensure their healthy tooth development. If you’re looking for a gentle and compassionate family dentist, make a pediatric dental care appointment for your child with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental today. Dr. Lopez is a highly qualified family dentist, now delivering quality care daily throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and the surrounding communities.

Are “Baby Teeth” Really Important?

Absolutely. If a child doesn't receive pediatric dental care when they still have baby teeth, it can often affect their developing permanent teeth. Baby teeth play several important roles. They help children chew and eat properly, they provide space for the permanent teeth to erupt in the correct positions, and they allow the normal development of the jaw bone and supporting muscles. Baby teeth also affect your child’s ability to speak properly. While your child’s front four teeth may last until age seven, the back baby teeth aren’t fully replaced until age twelve. Therefore, it’s imperative that your child’s first teeth are protected and preserved throughout their younger years.

How Often Does Your Child Need a Pediatric Dental Checkup?

Your child should receive a pediatric dental checkup and cleaning at least once every six months. Some children may actually need more frequent dental visits because of an increased risk of tooth decay. Dr. Lopez will be able to determine how often your child will need pediatric dental care to maintain good oral health. But routine dental visits should help your child stay cavity-free through adulthood. Dr. Lopez can provide professional teeth cleanings to remove the harmful plaque buildup that irritates gums and causes decay. He can offer enamel strengthening fluoride treatments and protective dental sealants and instructions to improve your child's home oral care, ultimately leading to healthier teeth and gums.

Fort Smith Pediatric Dental Care Appointments

If your child hasn't seen a dentist this year, schedule their next pediatric dental care appointment with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental today. Dr. Lopez proudly serves patients of all ages daily throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and the neighboring areas.

Reliable Teeth Whitening Solutions from Dr. Lopez in Fort Smith, AR

How bright is your smile? If you are dissatisfied with the color or brightness of your teeth, Dr. Lopez can help. Even if you take great care of your oral health, your teeth can discolor and stain naturally over time. Everyday beverages like coffee, tea, and soda can all wreak havoc on your enamel and cause your teeth to yellow or stain. But you don’t have to settle for dull yellow teeth. You can make a teeth whitening appointment with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental today. Dr. Lopez is an experienced cosmetic dentist, offering highly reliable teeth whitening solutions. New Smile Dental proudly restores smiles daily throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and the surrounding communities.

What about Over- the- Counter Teeth Whitening Products?

Many over-the-counter products that claim to “whiten” your teeth are at best, misleading. There is a big difference between products that can whiten your teeth, and products that can actually bleach your teeth. Bleaching is performed when teeth are whitened beyond their natural color. This only applies to products that actually contain bleach (peroxides). Whitening, on the other hand, refers to the restoration of your tooth's surface color by removing shallow dirt and debris deposits. Therefore the over-the-counter products that claim to whiten your teeth, like teeth whitening toothpaste, cannot actually change your tooth’s color.  Other products, like teeth whitening strips, rinses, and gels may contain bleaching agents, however, only in heavily diluted concentrations. In most cases, it would take several weeks of daily use before you even began to see any changes in the color of your enamel. Either way, store bought products are not reliable choices for effective teeth whitening.

Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?

The fastest and most reliable way to whiten your teeth is to opt for professional teeth whitening from Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental. Dr. Lopez offers easy take-home custom-fitted teeth whitening trays with professional strength teeth bleaching agents, which can actually whiten your teeth by several shades in just a few days. Dr. Lopez will also ensure that your teeth and gums are protected from irritation and that teeth whitening treatment will be effective against your particular type of discoloration or staining.

Fort Smith Teeth Whitening Appointments

Make 2015 your brightest year yet! Schedule an appointment with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental for the reliable teeth whitening results you deserve. Dr. Lopez is the leading Fort Smith cosmetic dentist. New Smile Dental delivers quality care daily throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and nearby areas.

Preserve Your Natural Smile, Make a Periodontal Therapy Appointment with Dr. Lopez Today

Almost 50% of all Americans over 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal (gum) disease is an inflammatory condition that slowly destroys the tissues that support and protect your teeth. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. However, you can take action to stop the spread of periodontal disease and keep your natural teeth. By maintaining regularly scheduled dental cleanings with Dr. Lopez, you can prevent the disease from taking over your oral health. Make the periodontal therapy appointment you need to stay healthy with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental today. Dr. Lopez is a trusted family dentist, specializing in gum disease prevention and treatment. New Smile Dental delivers quality care daily throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and the surrounding communities.

Five Periodontal Disease Risk Factors

·         Plaque Build Up: If plaque is not removed through daily dental hygiene practices and regular professional dental cleanings, bacteria will multiply and eventually cause periodontal disease.

·         Organic Changes: Natural changes that occur in metabolism and hormone levels during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause, can make you more susceptible to developing periodontal disease.

·         Medical Conditions: Serious conditions that affect the body's ability to produce sugar, such as diabetes or kidney disease, may contribute to periodontal disease.

·         Dry Mouth: Medications that produce dry mouth may contribute to a reduction of protective saliva flow, and potentially lead to periodontal disease.

·         Behaviors: Nightly teeth grinding or teeth clenching may impair gum tissue and possibly contribute to the development of periodontal disease.

Do You Have Periodontal Disease?

If you notice any of the following periodontal disease symptoms, you should make an immediate appointment for periodontal disease therapy:

·         Bleeding gums

·         Tender, red, or swollen gums

·         Persistent bad breath

·         Loosened or shifting teeth

Fort Smith Periodontal Therapy Appointments

Since many early signs of periodontal disease are mild, and if left undetected, may contribute to tooth loss, it is important to visit Dr. Lopez for a professional exam and dental cleaning to identify and stop the disease in its tracks. Make an appointment with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental for the periodontal therapy you need today. Dr. Lopez is a highly qualified periodontal therapy dentist. New Smile Dental proudly restores smiles daily throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and neighboring areas.

Replace Your Old Metal Fillings with New Tooth Colored Composite Fillings in Fort Smith, AR

Do you still have metal in your mouth? If you still have old metal (amalgam) dental fillings, it may be time to have them replaced with more natural looking tooth colored composite fillings. Tooth colored composite fillings are fast becoming the preferred choice of most patients when filling dental cavities. They look great and they are better for your long term health since they don’t contain any metal or traces of mercury, a potentially dangerous material. Why gamble with your long term dental health? Make your tooth colored composite filling appointment with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental today. Dr. Lopez is a highly qualified restorative dentist. New Smile Dental proudly serves families throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and the surrounding communities.

What Are Tooth Colored Composite Fillings?

Tooth colored composite fillings are used to repair damaged teeth assailed by decay, cracks, fractures, or other injury.  The damaged portion of the tooth is carefully removed and then filled with the composite filling material. Composite fillings may be the most widely used filling material today.  Because they’re tooth colored, they most closely match the color of your existing teeth, and are therefore both restoratively and cosmetically beneficial.

How Are Tooth Colored Composite Fillings Placed?

Tooth colored composite fillings can be completed in one short visit.  Dr. Lopez will first numb your tooth to remove any decay. He will then thoroughly clean and carefully prepare the area before your new filling is placed.  If the damage or decay was near the nerve of your tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection.  The tooth colored composite filling will then be placed, shaped, and polished, to completely restore your tooth to its natural form, color, and function. You will be given home care instructions at the end of your appointment.  Good oral hygiene practices, healthy eating habits, and regular dental checkups and cleanings will all prolong the life of your new composite fillings.

Fort Smith Tooth Colored Composite Fillings Appointments

Unsightly and potentially dangerous dental restorations are a thing of the past. Make an appointment with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental for your new tooth colored composite fillings today. Dr. Lopez and his experienced team remove and replace old metal fillings every day. Dr. Lopez is the trusted family dentist of patients throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and nearby cities.

Eliminate Tooth Pain and Sensitivity with Root Canal Therapy at New Smile Dental

Are you muddling through pain and discomfort caused by an infected tooth? Soreness, sensitivity, bleeding, and inflammation are all warning signs of a serious tooth infection. Left untreated, a tooth infection can lead to the development of an abscess and the eventual loss of the natural tooth. But you can avoid the frustration and costs of tooth replacement, by scheduling a root canal therapy procedure before it’s too late. Make your root canal therapy appointment with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental today. Dr. Lopez can provide immediate pain relief and save your natural teeth from extraction. Dr. Lopez proudly restores smiles throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and the surrounding communities.

What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is needed when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected with harmful bacteria. To save the tooth from further decay, and eventual extraction, Dr. Lopez can clean out the bacteria and disinfect the canals of the tooth. 

For a root canal procedure:

·         First, Dr. Lopez will numb the tooth and surrounding area with a local anesthetic to block any pain.

·         Next, he will make a hole in the tooth to gain access to the inside of the pulp chamber (root canal).

·         Then, Dr. Lopez will clean out, disinfect, shape, and fill in the canals with a rubber compound known as gutta-percha.

·         Finally, Dr. Lopez will seal your tooth and put in place a filling or dental crown for additional protection and support.

Root Canal Therapy Appointments in Fort Smith, AR

Depending on the severity of the infection, your root canal procedure can be completed in just one to two visits. You can make an appointment for the root canal therapy you need today with Dr. Lopez at New Smile Dental. Dr. Lopez is an experienced and gentle family and restorative dentist. New Smile Dental serves patients of all ages throughout Fort Smith, AR, Van Buren, and nearby areas.