John K. Drisdale, D.M.D.

This year, March 12-18 is National Sleep Awareness Week, which is a great time to think about the quality of your slumber. If you’re an adult, you should be getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night – but that can be difficult if you’re currently suffering from sleep apnea. Here’s what you need to know about this disorder and why it needs to be treated promptly.

From severe tooth pain to knocked-out teeth, there are many kinds of dental emergencies that can happen at any time. If you suddenly find yourself in the middle of an urgent dental situation, you might not be sure what your next steps should be. Your first thought might be to call the nearest hospital emergency room, but is that really the right choice? Here’s what you need to know to get your smile the care it needs during a dental emergency.

You’ve recently had a missing tooth replaced with a dental bridge, and you’ve been enjoying the benefits of your newly repaired smile. But in the back of your mind, you’re wondering just how long it will be before your restoration will need to be replaced. What’s the average dental bridge lifespan, and what can you do to maximize it? Your dentist has the answers.

Not everybody has exactly the same tooth color. As such, when your dentist is placing a dental crown made out of a tooth-colored material like porcelain, they need to take the time to color-match it with your enamel. That way, your restoration will blend right in with the rest of your smile so that most people don’t even realize that there’s anything different about it! The following post goes into more detail about the process of color-matching a crown.

Veneers are expected to last around 10 or 15 years before they need to be replaced. However, just like any other kind of restoration, veneers are far from infallible. Even if you take great care of them, there’s always a chance that they could break or fall off. As alarming as this situation can be, it’s very important not to panic. If a veneer fell off, keep these 5 steps in mind to help you take control of your situation and maintain your new, brilliant smile.

You’re probably used to just showing up for your next preventive dental appointment, but did you know that what you do before you arrive at the office could help make your visit go even smoother? There are certain things you can do – and not do – to make your dental visit a much more productive and pleasant experience for everyone; that includes you, your dentist, and their entire team. Below are 5 tips you can use to prepare for your next dental checkup.

Have you ever found yourself envying the perfect grins you see in magazines and on the big screen? You may have wondered why so many celebrities are lucky enough to have perfect teeth. The truth is luck has nothing to do with it; many celebrities use cosmetic dentistry to keep their teeth looking as dazzling as possible. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for the stars; with your dentist’s help, you too can enjoy a smile fit for the red carpet! Below are some examples of cosmetic services commonly used by celebrities that you too can take advantage of.

When you’re unhappy with your teeth, you may become very shy about smiling for photographs or in public situations. Cosmetic dentistry may offer the solution, but is it the right choice for you? There are a few things you’ll need to consider before deciding whether or not to move forward with getting veneers, whitening, or another cosmetic procedure. Below are the steps you should take to determine whether or not you should give your cosmetic dentist a call.

Most people are considered to be candidates for dental implants, but there are a few groups who are noted to be at high risk for complications. In particular, smokers are found to be more likely to experience dental implant failure due to oral health issues. Does that mean that you have to choose another form of tooth replacement if you smoke? Not necessarily, but there are some steps you’ll have to take before and after implant surgery if you want your new smile to last. To that end, it’s necessary to fully understand the link between smoking and dental implants. 

Traditional dentures are still used to this day to replace entire rows of missing teeth, but now you can get dental implants to anchor them permanently in place. This small addition can make an even bigger difference than you might think at first, as the many advantages that dental implants provide end up making dentures stronger and more reliable in the long run. The following post explores the many benefits of implant dentures in Midland.