Why Dental Extractions May Be Necessary

extraction

Extractions are a daily procedure dentists go through. Whether it’s for one tooth, many or wisdom teeth the processes may be different depending on each patient. Teeth need to be extracted for few reasons, typically. The reasons extraction may be necessary is because the tooth is dead or infected, it needs to be removed to make room for others, or your wisdom teeth are impacted. There are always exceptions to the rule, but these are primarily the issues with teeth.

Extractions are nothing to worry about because of their routine nature. There will be the case every few patients that an extraction may be more involved than usual, but it is necessary it is removed to harm isn’t being done to the oral cavity.

Depending on your extraction type, your dentist may offer sedation methods to calm your nerves. Nitrous oxide, usually referred to as gas is a good anesthetic for patients of all ages because it does not put you to sleep and works for many. This is also a very safe option that doctors offer. Another sedation method that may be used is IV sedation. This typically is for the more severe cases, like wisdom teeth but is optional. IV sedation is typical for the tougher extractions because it does put you under. This allows for a seamless procedure for the doctor and no memory for the patient.

If you’re in need of an extraction, it is important to always see your dental professional. While they may seem like no big deal, without the proper tools or care, severe damage to the oral cavity can be done. One reason why it is important for doctors to do the procedure is because harm can be done to the jaw bone or soft tissue.

If you’re in need of an extraction, contact your dentist. Their team will be able to answer any questions or provide any other information you may need surrounding this procedure.

How Veneers May Update Your Smile

veneers

Have you been unsuccessful in achieving your dream smile? Has it seemed like you’ve gone through all of your cosmetic options? From orthodontics to whitening, to even home remedies and nothing seems to perfect your smile. If this is the case for you, veneers may be your best option that will give you a quick outcome.

Veneers are a great solution if you are looking to cover up imperfections on your already almost flawless smile. Veneers became a popular option by celebrities, who wanted to update their smile and keep it looking fresh. Veneers are an option many people choose, because you can completely customize your smile. Cosmetic dentistry comes in many different options, but the great thing about the veneers process is, you can personalize your smile in every aspect.

Veneers are a cost effective method that allows you to get your teeth looking like they are in perfect condition. Veneers are essentially a cover for your natural teeth, made of porcelain, a very strong material. Veneers are made specifically for you, so no matter the imperfection you want to fix, from size, shape, and color.

Veneers are a great option because unlike whitening your teeth are a permanent way to achieve a bright smile. Before the veneers are placed, your dentist will shave down the natural tooth, just barely to ensure a smooth, non-bulky smile. Once the procedure is perfectly formed to what you’re needs are, your dentist will go ahead with the procedure, once you agree to it.

There are many treatments that are in the cosmetic bucket, so it is a good idea to ask your dentist for your options. Your dentist will be able to walk you through any of the options that may be a good solution to achieve your smile goals. Contact our team for an appointment to upgrade your grin.

Things You Should Know About Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Has your self-confidence significantly decreased over the years because you don’t your smile? Are you dealing with broken, missing or discolored teeth that sometimes makes it difficult to feel comfortable in general ? There’s a lot of people that feel that a first impression is a very meaningful thing, and at Gulf Coast Smiles in Cape Coral, FL  we want you to make a great first impression, all the time. This is why Dr. Martinez offers different types of cosmetic dentistry services. Our dedicated dental team would like to educate you about our many services and their benefits.

What It Is 

Cosmetic dentistry does much more than just enhance your smile so you look great. You get a boost of self-esteem created by advanced dental technology which is unmatched and unlike any other. As well as maintaining the natural bone in your jaw and keeping your mouth clean, these are some of the health benefits of cosmetic dentistry has to offer. Healthy mouths support a healthy body, so it’s an important part of your overall health.

What Does It Do? 

There are various types of cosmetic dentistry services and almost all of them include non-invasive procedures that give you a healthy smile and mouth that looks better. Types include: 

  • Dentures
  •  Veneers
  • Fillings
  • Implants
  • Straightening and orthodontics
  • Whitening
  • Periodontal surgery

Those were just a few examples of what this ever-evolving dental field can offer you as a patient. A cosmetic dentist like Dr. Martinez will assure you have a better, whiter smile that gives you faith wherever you go. 

What’s the First Step? 

Each mouth is special and neither patient is exactly the same. This is why we do a thorough evaluation of your mouth before recommending a treatment plan. Your strategy is tailored to fit your goals, time and budget. 

Dr. Martinez and our expert dental team offer a variety of treatments to help your teeth straighten, whiten and strengthen and we are sure that we can develop a treatment plan that works for you.


Don’t hide your smile for the rest of your life when you’re supposed to feel confident about the way you look. Schedule a consultation with us at our Cape Coral, FL  office.

Reasons to Consult a Specialist for Dental Implants

Consult a Specialist for Dental Implants

Everyone deserves a good looking and functional smile they love. Missing teeth, however, can lead to social anxiety, bone loss, teeth shift, and discomfort. All-on-4 ® dental implants are a creative and effective means of removing a full smile and improving your oral functionality. It is necessary to consult a physician before this operation, for the following reasons.

 1.   Beautiful Smile

Patients who are lacking many, if not all of their teeth often want a complete set of replacement teeth that matches in size, color and appearance. All-on-4 ® provides the best of both dental implants and dentures by replacing a whole arch, upper and lower, with a full, attractive smile.

2.   Successful Results

If fitted and positioned properly, dental implants usually have a high success rate that last a lifetime. Several experts offer some kind of dental implants, but some lack the necessary training and expertise that comes from a specialist’s years of additional studying. Physicians gain practical experience during this clinical period in planning, fixing, and troubleshooting different implant procedures.

3. Informed Decision

One incentive to choosing a specialist is their deep knowledge of All-on-4 ® implants and their ability to educate you about your choices prior to your operation. Make sure you ask any questions you might be thinking so you have the answers and information you need to be involved in planning your care.

4.   Individualized Treatment

Personalized care has been a hallmark of a professional who took into account your best interests. Your satisfaction is of utmost importance and is ensured through a plan particular to your needs, situation and oral health.
If you would like more information on how to enhance your smile with All-on-4 ® dental implants, please contact Gulf Coast Smiles in Cape Coral, FL for a customized dental care treatment.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional Teeth Whitening

Invest in your oral health this winter by getting your teeth whitened this winter. Your smile is a huge part of your overall appearance and whitening your teeth will improve the aesthetic appeal of your teeth. Although there are at home teeth whitening products professional teeth whitening will give the most long-lasting results.

Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
They have in home whitening kits and toothpastes that include whitening agents in them, but if you are looking for a long-lasting tooth whitening experience then professional teeth whitening is your best option. Review some of the benefits of getting your teeth whitened by a professional dentist below:

  • Also, with a professional dentist your results will be predictable 
  • Professional teeth whitening is faster than in home whitening 
  • Ability to select and receive your preferred shade of whiteness 
  • Professional treatment means a decrease in treatment discomfort

Make Over Your Smile This Winter

If you are considering teeth whitening, then there is no better time to do it then right now. Why not brighten your smile during this cold weather and add some warmth. Schedule your consultation with our dentist to discuss our teeth whitening options. We look forward to brightening your smile this winter.

Gum Disease: The Gum Recession Warning

Gum Disease

Gum recession is a major warning sign that you may be suffering from gum disease. With this being said if you are experiencing gum recession it’s very important that you immediately make an appointment with your dentist. When it comes to maintaining your oral health preventative care is the first step with this in mind brushing and flossing regularly is highly important, but even the best preventative measures can’t always prevent you from developing gum recession. The next step in making sure you are doing your best to maintain your oral health is to have regularly scheduled appointments with your dentist.

Gum Disease Risk Factors
Although, there are some patients who are predisposed to developing gum disease possibly due to their family’s dental history. There are also habits or behaviors you can engage in that increase the likelihood that you will develop gum disease. To learn more, review the most prominent risk factors listed below:

  • Poor dental care
  • An unhealthy diet
  • Teeth grinding
  • The use of tobacco products
  • Lip or tongue piercings

Schedule A Consultation
If you have a better understanding of the above risk factors this will help you avoid these activities or engaging in these kinds of behaviors. The ultimate preventative measure in addition to avoiding these risk factors is to maintain regularly scheduled dental appointments and cleanings with your dentist.
They have the advanced technology and the professional experience to identify if you are developing gum recession especially because the effects of gum recession can be very subtle or hard to identify. Schedule an appointment with us to get an in-person consultation and examination with our dentist.

Put A Stop To Tooth Decay

Put A Stop To Tooth Decay

Taking care of your oral hygiene is taught from a young age. Everyone usually has a foundation of general oral care, such as brushing teeth and flossing. Unfortunately, tooth decay begins at the start of poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene allows tooth decay to flourish, because brushing and flossing are not removing debris and plaque. When tooth decay sets in, it is something that needs to be rectified right away.

Tooth decay happens too often, and should be taken with seriousness and fast action. Some people may not realize how serious tooth decay is, and may need up to date information on how to have pristine oral hygiene. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when taking care of your teeth:

  • One good practice that is important to follow is to brush your teeth morning and night, and if possible, after every meal. This is good to implement because you will brush off any bacteria that may occur if you leave food particles in your mouth too long.
  • Another practice is using mouthwash or rinsing your mouth after eating or drinking beverages. This too is a simple way to make sure you keep your mouth clean throughout the day. Rinsing out your mouth will kill bacteria and dislodge food debris.
  • Flossing is also majorly important to keeping tooth decay from forming. Plaque and tartar form in between the teeth, so floss helps remove any left debris.
  • And lastly, limit your sugary food intake. The less sugary foods you are to eat, the less tooth decay will affect you. Sugar sticks to the enamel on a tooth, so limiting the amount of sugar you eat will keep you healthier, and your mouth healthier, too.

Oral hygiene should always be maintained, so it is important to kick the bad habits. While most oral issues can be fixed, including tooth decay, it is important to manage the problem at the first sign of symptoms, before the decay worsens. Blood problems and tooth loss may be an issue if tooth decay is not dealt with, so consult your doctor and schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing symptoms. Your dentist will be able to help the decay from expanding.

Why Choose Dental Implants

Why Choose Dental Implants

Replacing your teeth with dental implants does a world of wonders for patients who undergo this procedure. Dental implants provide a permanent tooth replacement option for those who are missing teeth for whatever reason. Along with the permanency of the teeth, they are strong, natural looking and feeling, and allow you to regain your confidence and eat whatever food you miss. When you’re looking into the surgery, there may be some questions you want answered, such as appearance, function, and feeling. Here is your guide to what to expect.

Appearance

After your dental implant surgery, you will have a smile that look like your natural teeth once again. The crown of the implant, the tooth piece, is made of a durable material, that will look and feel like your teeth used to. Your smile will return to flawless and you will have a unique set of teeth you can rely on.

Function

Unlike other types of prosthodontics, such as dentures, implants do not slip out of place, which allows for security. Once the implant is fully healed, you will be able to enjoy your favorite foods once more, as dental implants are fully secured in your mouth with titanium posts. With proper oral hygiene, making sure to brush and floss your teeth daily, you will have your beautiful teeth for years to come.

Confidence

When you receive dental implant surgery, your teeth are brand new. Dental implants noticeably restore patient’s confidence, bringing back the ability to no longer feel embarrassed eating and speaking with friends. Because of their natural look, it is also unlikely anyone will be able to notice you have dental implants.

If dental implants are the solution you have been looking for, contact your dentist office. Your dentist and their team will be able to go over any more information you may need, as well as go through how they create a treatment plan, cost associated with the procedure, and how long healing time will take. Don’t go another day without your confidence, schedule a consultation today.

4 Reasons Not to Ignore Signs of Gum Disease

Signs of Gum Disease

For some of our patients, trips to the dentist are reserved only for issues with their teeth, such as a painful cavity or potential infection. They may not necessarily always remember to schedule their regular cleanings and checkups with their general dentist, which could be a dangerous practice. Dr. Mauricio Martinez, in Cape Coral, Florida strives to warn patients about the dangers of ignoring gum disease and skipping regular dental care with your provider. Neglecting your gums can have dire consequences on your oral health. Here are four problems you could be facing.

1. Humiliating Bad Breath

Nobody wants to be the person in the group that known for the bad, right? Of course not. Dealing with embarrassing bad breath should be reason alone to not ignore signs of gum disease. But unfortunately for most patients, they just write it off as they ate something bad most times. Tragically, this issue can go on for years unless someone tells you about their experience with your problem.

2. Painful and Swollen Gums

Most patients dealing with early gum disease initially acknowledge something isn’t right when they start to see blood in the sink after brushing. Their gums can begin to feel increasingly sensitive and slightly swollen soon after. Seeing a periodontist is vital for reducing any other signs or symptoms of gum disease.

3. Increased Instances of Gum Recession

Your chances of gum recession can greatly increase as well if early signs of gum disease are ignored for too long. Gum recession typically occurs when the tissue covering your teeth starts to erode. This exposes your mouth to new areas for bacteria to build-up to fester.

4. Progressively Potential for Tooth Loss

Those suffering from the more advanced stages of gum disease will usually experience some type of tooth loss. This can present itself as rapid tooth decay or just a good old fashion missing the tooth. Retreating, agonizing gums become even less steady for your teeth, which in the end begin to extricate. Preventing further tooth loss at this point becomes costly with the need for dental implants or other restorative services.

By and large, the discomfort and inconvenience of dealing with gum disease can be avoided if treated as soon as possible. Contact Dr. Martinez at his offices located in Cape Coral, Florida to discover how to handle your gum issues and restore your mouth to its top form.

How to Have a Stress Free Dental Visit

Stress Free Dental Visit

A great many individuals in the United States manage some type of nervousness with regards to visiting their dental specialists. Regardless of whether it is brought about by mental fatigue, emotional distress or a general unpleasant relationship with the dentist office, at Gulf Coast Smiles we want you to appreciate each visit with us. That’s one of the reasons why we offer sedation dentistry to our patients that struggle with this kind of phobia.

Dental anxiety can make patients totally dodge treatment by and large, which can eventually lead to severe oral conditions and expensive dental repairs later on in your life. With sedation dentistry, everybody can feel great visiting their dental specialist to get the treatment necessary to keep their mouths healthy.

Kinds of Sedation

The recommended type of dental sedation is typically determined by the patient and the treatment they are receiving. Sedation might be controlled through an IV by a trained professional. Dr. Mauricio Martinez may utilize an oral sedation choice. This is a needle-free choice during which the patient basically feels as though they rest through the treatment, in spite of the fact that as a general rule the drug essentially changes the degree of awareness to an agreeable point where your body is simply in a relaxed state.

While sedation dentistry can enable the patient to feel calm during their visit, their intended treatment may call for a local anesthetic to be utilized. This will numb the area in which you will undergo the procedure causing you to not feel anything during that prescribed amount of time.

The Many Benefits

A significant advantage related to dental sedation is that patients feel as though the treatment passes by rapidly and doesn’t cause any feeling of pain. Numerous patients feel as though they’ve just rested through the operation. The individuals who do decide on using sedation options are able to get the necessary dental assistance they need since they don’t have a reason to fear treatment from our dental experts.

Get in touch with Us Today to Learn More

Contact our Cape Coral, Florida offices today to get more familiar with the dental sedation options we offer at Gulf Coast Smiles and how they can benefit you or your family during troublesome dental visits. We are glad to address any inquiries you have.