Dr. Pointer takes this threat to your wellbeing very seriously, and periodontal screenings are made a crucial part of every regular checkup. If we discover troubling signs, therapy options are available to combat the damage and bring back your oral health. We welcome you to contact us today if you’d like to schedule a visit here in Fort Worth, TX.
X-rays
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer is a serious issue that can develop in and around your mouth. A lot of its symptoms are hard to detect, which is why we offer oral cancer screenings during your routine checkups. Dr. Gary N. Pointer is experienced in catching problems before they become more serious. Oral cancer has a high recovery rate if it’s caught in its earlier stages, making a quick and easy oral cancer screening in Fort Worth potentially lifesaving. Keep reading to learn more about oral cancer and what you can expect during a routine screening.
After your scaling and root planing procedure, Dr. Pointer may suggest more frequent dental cleanings to help prevent the infection. Besides periodontal maintenance therapy, changes to your home oral hygiene routine will keep your gums healthy. It is best to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each session using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Carefully clean in between each tooth and around the gum line daily using a high-quality dental floss. It is also best to avoid smoking or drinking alcohol in excess to improve your body’s ability to fight harmful bacteria.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is an invaluable mineral that has been shown to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities as long as patients experience regular exposure. That’s why most communities add fluoride to water supplies, as well as why so many oral hygiene products contain it. If Dr. Pointer determines that your smile could benefit from additional exposure, our team can also provide professional applications here in-office during your regular appointments.
Treating cavities using the traditional method involves an amalgam filling. They are made from a mixture of metals, including mercury. While they are affordable, durable, and effective for treating tooth decay they come with several disadvantages.
Resin Composite
If you have a chipped, slightly misaligned, or otherwise imperfect tooth that needs cosmetic restoration, we may suggest one-appointment bonding. Dr. Pointer can apply putty-like composite resin that’s been shaded to blend with your tooth’s color, rebuilding a pleasing shape for your tooth. After hardening the resin with a curing light, the dentist will artistically sculpt and polish the restoration. In just one visit, you can enjoy a beautiful, new smile.
Veneers
If you’re struggling with several dental flaws at once, the idea of pursuing a cosmetic makeover consisting of multiple services can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, porcelain veneers are a comprehensive and high-quality solution that can transform your smile in just a few appointments. The veneer itself is a very thin restoration that is designed to fit over just the front surfaces of certain teeth. Once they’re securely attached, the patient will have a revitalized and seamlessly lifelike appearance that’s finally free of imperfections.
Crowns
Several advancements in dentistry now allow your natural teeth to be preserved for longer than before. Now, severely damaged teeth can be repaired using dental crowns in Fort Worth, saving them from an extraction. Dr. Gary N. Pointer uses high-quality materials to create custom-made caps to treat decayed or broken teeth, allowing them to remain in place for several years to come. In some cases, they can even be used to help treat tooth loss or to improve the appearance of your smile. No matter the reason, you will make a long-term investment in your oral health.
Bridges
Alternatively, Dr. Pointer may recommend a dental bridge to patients who need to replace missing teeth that appear consecutively. The bridge will be anchored over two adjacent natural teeth on either side of the gap so that it holds sturdily in place within your smile.
Dental Bonding
If you’re in search of fast cosmetic improvement, direct tooth bonding may be the best choice available. This procedure will only require one appointment of your time, during which Dr. Pointer will apply a lifelike composite resin material to the requested imperfection (such as a chip, stain, or small gap) and sculpt it into a pleasing addition that successfully hides it from view.
Restorative Dentistry
Crowns are quite versatile. They are most often used in restorative dentistry to treat severely damaged or broken teeth. In some cases, they are used in combination with other restorative treatments, like a root canal. After the pulp has been removed from your tooth, a dental crown will be placed over it to restore its function.
Endodontic treatment – commonly known as root canals - can take one, two, or three appointments, depending on the case. After a root canal appointment, you may experience any one of these symptoms...
After a routine appointment for a cleaning and checkup, Dr. Gary N. Pointer may have suggested you undergo scaling and root planing in Fort Worth. Also called a deep cleaning, it may seem a bit odd to have the treatment after you just had your teeth cleaned; however, scaling and root planing differs from your preventive cleaning because it is more extensive. It is used to combat gum disease to restore your oral health. Dr. Pointer creates the customized treatment plan you need to stop the damage from the infection.
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’re likely already aware of how those gaps in your smile affect how you look. But did you know that they can also affect your health? Missing even one natural tooth on the top or bottom arch can impact your ability to chew your food. Also, not replacing your missing teeth can cause the ones that remain to shift, altering your bite and potentially causing additional tooth loss or jaw problems. Luckily, our Forth Worth office provides a tried-and-true option for restoring your smile—dentures. Although they have been around for a long time, dentures have had many advancements in the materials and craftsmanship that go into creating them, making them more lifelike and comfortable than ever before.
Overdentures
Overdenture – Overdentures are designed to attach to implants while still remaining removable in nature. This means that patients who are used to the convenience of traditional dentures can continue to treat their prosthetic in the same way.
Dr. Pointer has decades of time-tested experience in dentistry, and he uses revolutionary technology in order to ensure a smooth and successful process for your dental implant procedure. Once we’re finished, your new “teeth” will be virtually indistinguishable from the rest of the smile in look and feel. To get started with a consultation, contact us today.
Kathy comes to Dr. Pointer’s practice with an extensive background in medical business office operations. She also has years of experience in dental administration having worked in a large oral surgery practice as a treatment coordinator. She is a Texas native graduating from Venus High School. Kathy is a proud mother of three grown children, two of whom proudly serve our nation in the United States Marine Corp and the United States Army. Her five grandchildren keep her busy when she is not at the office.
Tooth Extractions
Pulling teeth, as the saying goes, does not have to be a drawn-out and negative experience. We can perform tooth extractions quickly and with minimal discomfort here in Fort Worth to treat a host of dental conditions, including advanced gum disease. Patients suffering from broken, cracked, and/or excessively decayed or damaged teeth (that aren’t good candidates for root canals) will benefit from this often simple and straightforward procedure. Dr. Pointer may recommend extractions, also called exodontias, in these situations...
Also, porcelain veneers can quickly make crooked teeth look straight. That’s why they are sometimes called instant orthodontics. Although veneers are not like real braces that move teeth into proper alignment, they can be a good alternative if you and Dr. Pointer decide that hiding a slightly rotated tooth is good enough.
Braces
A white, attractive smile makes a great first impression. In fact, according to a study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, people with a beautiful smile are considered more intelligent, friendly, and successful. If you’ve thought about braces, bonding, or teeth whitening to improve your smile, then consider porcelain veneers as a quality option too. Handcrafted, custom designed porcelain veneers in Fort Worth address tooth color, shape, size, alignment, and overall appearance. Instead of having multiple cosmetic procedures, veneers may be exactly what you need to shorten the time it takes to rejuvenate your smile.
A white smile may be nice, but did you know that it could actually benefit your professional life as well? A study by Kelton Research found that after teeth whitening, people were more likely to get hired and receive a higher salary. Teeth whitening can improve the way you feel about your image, but it may also change the way others think about you. If your teeth have become discolored because of tobacco, beverages, foods, or aging, consider professional teeth whitening in the comfort of your own home. Dr. Pointer’s effective system can brighten teeth dramatically in about two weeks. Contact our office to get started on enhancing your smile with a cosmetic dentist in Fort Worth!
Cosmetic Dentistry
Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments around and for good reasons. With these super thin coverings of fine dental porcelain, Dr. Pointer can completely change the appearance of your smile. Each perfect veneer is adhesively bonded to the front side of the tooth for which it was custom designed. Whether you need a veneer to cover up just one tooth or an entire row to create a picture perfect smile, Dr. Pointer can accommodate your needs!
General Dentistry
Melinda is a chairside assistant and has been with Dr. Pointer’s practice since 2006. She graduated from San Benito High School in the Rio Grande Valley and received her dental training from the Bryan Institute. Her experience began in general dentistry and after a brief time, she furthered her experience in prosthodontics in Fort Worth where she now resides. She has extensive experience in restorative dentistry. Melinda is a Registered Dental Assistant and has certificates in CPR and radiology. Melinda is also bilingual in Spanish