Gruene Family Dental Blog

As any dentist will tell you, there’s no shortage of patients who have anxiety about spending time in the dentist’s office. Whether you’ve had a bad experience in the past or just generally don’t do well around medical instruments, you’ll find that most dentists you’ll meet will have the tools necessary to help you.

Sedation dentistry in particular can be really effective in helping anxious patients feel at ease. One of the more powerful methods is IV sedation, which can be incredibly useful for certain patients. Here’s some more information about this particular method of sedation dentistry.

If you have had one or more missing teeth in your life, you are not alone. It is estimated that roughly 120 million Americans are missing at least one pearly white. Fortunately, a dental bridge is a reliable, long-lasting, and lifelike way to return to a complete smile. This restoration can replace one missing tooth or several in a row by using the surrounding teeth for support. But what if it falls out? Read on to learn more about what may have caused your dental bridge to fall out and your next steps to fix it.

You probably feel pretty good about things if you’ve just gotten a dental crown. After all, the prosthetic protects your tooth from decay and helps it look nicer. Still, keep in mind that it won’t last forever. If you’re not careful, the crown could even fail earlier than expected. That said, you’ll want to extend the dental crown lifespan to its maximum. Luckily, your New Braunfels dentist can help. Read on to learn about dental crowns’ average lifespan, the risks of their failure, and some crown care tips.

There is no single type of dental implant. Much like cars, electronics, or other consumer products, dental implants come in all sorts of makes and models. Dentists will use different products based on what they believe will best meet their patients’ needs. At Gruene Family Dental, we’re happy to say that we use Straumann dental implants in New Braunfels to resolve all severities of tooth loss. Whether you’re missing single, multiple or all of your teeth, you can reap many benefits by using this system.

Have you replaced a damaged or decayed tooth with a dental crown? With this restoration, you’ll be able to enjoy your full smile for many years to come. However, if you’ve started noticing a black line around the base of your dental crown, then this might be an issue you’ll want to get corrected. But what exactly causes this situation? Read on to learn what this discoloration at the base of your restoration means and how you can treat the problem to rebuild your pearly whites!

If you’ve ever woken up in a panic because of the dream you were having, you aren’t alone; nightmares are something that affect everyone and they’re rarely ever pleasant. However, did you know that they’re sometimes caused by oxygen-deprivation? This means that things like obstructive sleep apnea can directly influence how you dream! Here’s what you need to know about sleep apnea and how it can cause you to have nightmares, along with a few tips for catching some peaceful sleep.

Let’s face it, insurance policies are confusing. They can get even more complicated if you have sleep apnea. Although your physician confirmed the diagnosis, now you are being referred to a dentist for treatment. You are probably wondering whether your medical or dental insurance is going to cover the cost of sleep apnea therapy? Don’t stress over a large bill. Here’s what you need to know to breathe a little easier. 

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Extensive tooth loss can affect your life in many different ways, changing how you eat, speak, and smile. Luckily, dental implants can help you enjoy a complete and fully functioning smile once again. Although they’re known for their impressive health and restorative benefits, they can significantly improve your appearance as well. That said, read on to learn more about the cosmetic benefits of dental implants.

If you might need a tooth extraction, what you don’t have time for is sifting through falsehoods regarding this dental procedure. When patients are nervous about not knowing what to expect, they need to get the truth to make an informed decision.

Keep reading to learn some myths about tooth extraction you might encounter and understand why they are not correct.

While watching a movie, you’re happily munching away at some popcorn when suddenly, you realize a kernel got caught between your teeth. Although it can usually be removed by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth with water, there are some cases where the kernel will not budge. Are you currently in a similar predicament? We’ve all gotten something stuck between our teeth at some point in time. Your first instinct might be to panic if you can’t dislodge it, but don’t worry – here are some ways you can safely get a foreign object out of your teeth.