Michael J Morris, DDS

Posts for: July, 2014

By Michael J. Morris, DDS
July 25, 2014
Category: Uncategorized
A family dentist is similar to a general dentist. Both provide services and education of oral hygiene and tooth health, but some patients may not realize that there is a difference between the two. A family dentist provides care for the entire family, from young children to older adults; general dentists usually only practice on certain age groups. As a family dentist, Dr. Michael Morris offers many dentistry services to all ages. Family Dentistry
 
Dr. Morris provides a full range of services to help with his patient’s smiles. Family dentistry services include: regular checkups twice a year and educational services to maintain a healthy mouth. Specific services include: bonding, cosmetic dentistry, crowns, bridges, specialty dentures, cosmetic fillings, dental implants, veneers, sealants, root canal therapy, extractions, scaling and root planning, dentures, Invisalign and teeth whitening.
 

Let’s Look at Dental Implants

Dental implants have become a popular option for Spring patients who are weary of having dentures or simply need a replacement for a lost tooth. Dental implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the tooth area that would typically be occupied by the root. They are well designed to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Putting the implants in does require minor surgery. A period of time after the implant is required to ensure it takes hold and so the bone tissue can build up and anchor the device. Implants require thorough oral hygiene and proper care to guarantee they last for a long time.
 

What About Invisalign?

Invisalign has become a popular way for patients to straighten their teeth. Invisalign are invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that give patients a beautiful smile in less than one and half years. There are no metal wires or brackets. Patients enjoy that fact that they do not have to limit food or activities due to the fact that Invisalign can be taken out if necessary.
 

Check Out Veneers

Veneers by Dr. Morris offers patients a solution for badly stained, shaped or crooked teeth. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are cemented over the front teeth with uneven surfaces. They are best for chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked teeth. Veneers can also be used to help with gaps between the front teeth. Veneers have a long life expectancy and resist permanent staining from food and beverages.
 

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By Michael J Morris, DDS
July 17, 2014
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: root canal  
SeveralFactorsDetermineToothLongevityAfteraRootCanalTreatment

Tooth preservation is the ultimate aim of a root canal treatment. But how long should you expect a treated tooth to last? The answer will depend on a few different variables.

A root canal treatment is necessary when a tooth’s pulp — the inner tissue made of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues — becomes infected with disease. As the pulp dies, the infection spreads into the adjacent bone; this can eventually lead to loss of the tooth.

To stop this process, we enter the tooth and remove all of the pulp, disinfect the pulp chamber and the root canals, and then fill the chamber and canals. Depending on the type of tooth and level of decay, we seal the tooth with a filling or install a crown to prevent re-infection. it’s then quite possible for a treated tooth to survive for years, decades, or even a lifetime.

There are a number of factors, though, that may affect its actual longevity. A primary one depends on how early in the disease you receive the root canal treatment. Tooth survival rates are much better if the infection hasn’t spread into the bone. The earlier you’re treated, the better the possible outcome.

Tooth survival also depends on how well and thorough the root canal is performed. It’s imperative to remove diseased tissue and disinfect the interior spaces, followed by filling and sealing. In a related matter, not all teeth are equal in form or function. Front teeth, used primarily for cutting and incurring less chewing force, typically have a single root and are much easier to treat than back teeth. Back teeth, by contrast, have multiple roots and so more root canals to access and treat. A front tooth may not require a crown, but a back tooth invariably will.

These factors, as well as aging (older teeth tend to be more brittle and more susceptible to fracture), all play a role in determining the treated tooth’s survival. But in spite of any negative factors, a root canal treatment is usually the best option for a diseased or damaged tooth. Although there are a number of good options for replacing a lost tooth, you're usually better in the long run if we can preserve your natural tooth for as long as possible.

If you would like more information on root canal treatments, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Root Canal Treatment: How Long Will it Last?”


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By Michael J Morris, DDS
July 02, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   diabetes   sealants  
MariaMenounosDiscussesDiabetesDietAndDentalSealants

As the youngest person ever to host Entertainment Tonight, Maria Menounos, an independent filmmaker, actress, and co-host of daily entertainment news program Extra, has made a huge splash in the world of entertainment journalism. However, she is also an avid ambassador for the American Diabetes Association, a cause that is very dear to her heart because her father is a diabetic.

Her father's illness taught Menounos and her family about the importance of maintaining good general and dental health. This included a diet packed with fruits and vegetables, many of which they raised themselves. According to Menounos, they also ate little-to-no junk food. These habits still help keep the busy celebrity journalist fit and smiling with beautiful, healthy teeth.

Speaking of her smile, Menounos openly discusses her oral health in her interview with Dear Doctor magazine. She has had no major dental enhancements — not even braces — but does occasionally brighten her smile with tooth whitening. She also feels that her teeth are healthy due to the sealants she had as a child.

We could not agree more with Maria! Sealants for the tiny grooves in teeth known as “pits and fissures” are something that every parent or caregiver should consider for their children. The enamel of newly erupted teeth is more permeable, meaning that the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth can damage these teeth more easily, making them more susceptible and less resistant to decay. The good news is that dental sealants help protect teeth until the enamel has matured. Because of sealants — along with fluoride, good hygiene, and better nutrition (including less sugar consumption), tooth decay has been dramatically reduced.

If you are interested in learning more about dental sealants, contact us today to schedule an appointment so that we can conduct a thorough examination. During this private consultation, we will also discuss any questions you have as well as what treatment options will be best for you or your children. However, to learn more about dental sealants now, you can continue reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sealants for Children.” And to read the entire interview with Maria Menounos, please see the Dear Doctor magazine article “Maria Menounos.”


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Louetta and Spring, TX Family Dentist
Michael J Morris, DDS
9318 Louetta Road Suite 600
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 379-6939
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