While dental bridges have restored smiles for thousands of Arlington TX dental patients, they are not problem free. Many people with dental bridges find it impossible to keep the small areas around the bridge clean. This is not surprising because it is hard to get toothbrush bristles or dental floss under the bridge.

Of course bacteria has no trouble moving in and taking over without the Arlington TX dental patient even knowing it. When the decay reaches the roots of the surrounding teeth, it is not only painful, the person is at risk of losing those teeth also.

That is one reason why a dental implant is superior to a dental bridge. Most Arlington TX area people with missing teeth are great candidates for dental implants.

A dental implant looks just like the beautiful tooth restoration on a high-quality dental bridge, but the important part is what you don’t see.

A dental implant is screwed directly into the jaw bone. It is not attached to teeth like the dental bridges traditionally used in Arlington TX. In a way, a dental implant is a more conservative form of restorative dentistry because it leaves the adjacent teeth intact. The bone and gum tissue mesh permanently with the titanium post that serves as the replacement tooth root.

Dental implants do not have the same decay risk as the teeth that anchor dental bridges. Of course family dentistry patients with dental implants need to brush and floss, but cleaning a dental implant is usually no more difficult than cleaning a normal tooth.

Dental implants have a far better track record in Arlington TX than dental bridges. With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime for smile-smart folks.

If you currently have a dental bridge, you might consider permanently replacing it with a dental implant before the adjacent teeth are threatened with decay.

At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, dental implants can replace one or more teeth and can also serve as anchors for full or partial dentures. No more embarrassing slipping!

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, I invite you to call Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 817-200-7323. I am Dr. Stephen Ratcliff. Call today to schedule a dental implant consultation. A beautiful new smile can be yours with dental implants.

Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
http://www.MyArlingtonCosmeticDentist.com
817-200-7323

Ask us about Arlington TX dental financing options.

A ‘gummy smile’ is a term used to describe a smile with teeth that appear too short because an unusual amount of bone and soft tissue hide part of the crown. Our Arlington TX cosmetic dental patients who have opted for crown lengthening love how their new perfect smile looks and feels. Some of our crown lengthening clients also choose teeth whitening for an extra-dazzling smile!

Crown lengthening is not used solely for cosmetic reasons. When a tooth is injured and breaks at the gum line or if a filling or crown comes off a tooth that contains decay, crown lengthening makes additional tooth structure accessible for further restorative dentistry. It is also used to treat some types of periodontal disease.

At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we perform cosmetic and restorative crown lengthening for patients in the Arlington area. The surgery can be performed by a general dentist, periodontist or oral surgeon.

If you are interested in crown lengthening or other cosmetic dental procedures and live in the Arlington TX area, schedule an exam by calling 817-200-7323. We are conveniently located at 1007 W Randol Mill Rd in Arlington TX. When you come in, we can show you before and after photos of cosmetic dentistry clients who are enjoying their new smile.

Dr. Stephen Ratcliff DDS
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
http://www.MyArlingtonCosmeticDentist.com

Bite misalignment or malocclusion is a common Fort Worth problem that often goes undetected. Nature intended the front teeth to fit slightly forward from the lower teeth. With a perfect bite, the molars fit together like precision gears.

Malocclusion can cause headaches, tooth loosening, tooth fracture, and in extreme cases, difficulty chewing, speaking or breathing.

Fort Worth clear braces are an effective solution for most bite problems. Braces not only move teeth, they can also correct the position and function of the joints, muscles and bones in the jaw. In cases of extreme malocclusion, jaw surgery in Fort Worth may be necessary.

Not all family dentistry practices treat bite problems. At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we treat all types of malocclusion including overbite, underbite and crossbite. For an affordable cosmetic dentistry consultation, call us at 817-200-7323.

Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers technologically-advanced dentistry in a friendly environment. We offer smile whitening, Invisalign braces, veneers, tooth-colored fillings and dental implants. To learn more about our dental philosophy and available procedures, see http://www.myarlingtoncosmeticdentist.com/meet_the_doctor.php.

Stephen Ratcliff is a proud member of the Forth Worth District Dental Society.

If you have had years of dental problems or are embarrassed by your teeth, our trust-building team at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can help you find the restorative dentistry procedure right for you. You could be a candidate for implant supported dentures or dental implants.

A replacement for missing teeth, dentures can be made in advance and positioned as soon as the natural teeth are removed. Our Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry dental lab creates restorations that look just like natural teeth: attractive, healthy teeth.

If you still have some healthy, natural teeth, you can benefit from implant supported dentures without having your healthy teeth extracted.

Partial dentures fill in the gaps, replacing missing teeth to complete a smile. Partial dentures can prevent natural teeth from moving. Many Fort Worth dental practices can complete these procedures in one day.

Another alternative for Fort Worth people with missing teeth is to receive dental implants. A dental implant is a permanent tooth restoration that is anchored into the jawbone, actually replacing both the root and crown of the tooth. Dental implants have many advantages, such as preventing jaw bone recession which can occur when natural teeth are removed. However, not all Fort Worth restorative dentistry patients are good candidates for implants. Call Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 817-200-7323 for a dental implant consultation.

Dental implants can also be used to anchor a removable denture. The denture is ‘snapped on’ or attached to the implants for no-slip confidence.

The combination denture/implant smile restoration solution is being used successfully by many Fort Worth dentists. It is usually more affordable than dental implant replacements for several natural teeth.

Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health, improving your ability to eat and speak. If you are embarrassed to smile or laugh, it’s time to bring back your beautiful smile!

To learn more about implant dentistry or to ask about dental financing options, contact our Fort Worth office today!

Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
817-200-7323
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
http://www.myarlingtoncosmeticdentist.com/

At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide advanced general and cosmetic dentistry. Ask us about dental implants, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, and Invisalign invisible braces.

Numerous ads for whitening products in our local Arlington TX media contain terms such as ‘white brite’, ’22 carbamide peroxide’ and ‘peroxide teeth’. They look tempting, but how do you separate tooth bleaching fact from fiction?

First, and especially for our local Arlington TX patients, we recommend talking to Dr. Stephen Ratcliff DDS at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. Just because teeth whitening products are readily available in the Arlington TX area, it doesn’t mean they are all safe or appropriate for every person. Getting a professional opinion is a good first step.

Don’t be fooled by smile whitening hype and risk damage, especially if you need tetracycline teeth whitening. If you have existing cosmetic dental work such as dental crowns, bonding, partial dentures or bridge work, it is especially important to talk to a Fort Worth dental professional about worry free teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening kits are not the only way to quickly improve your smile in Arlington TX. Many of your neighbors have benefited from porcelain veneers. There are several brands of veneers such as Lumineers by Cerinate, da Vinci and Mac. We can help you decide on which is best for you.

Veneers are sometimes called ‘instant orthodontics’ because they can correct tooth misalignment and gaps as well as provide instant teeth whitening.

Porcelain veneers can also fix chipped teeth and cover stains. The vast majority of Arlington TX veneer recipients are extremely pleased with the results.

Dr. Stephen Ratcliff DDS
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
1007 West Randol Mill Road
Arlington, TX 76012
817-200-7323
http://www.MyArlingtonCosmeticDentist.com

Providing comprehensive dental care for Arlington TX area families since 1990.

If your crooked, discolored teeth keep you from smiling and you feel like there is nothing you can do about it please give me a call! My name is Dr. Stephen Ratcliff and my staff and I at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry have been giving the people of Fort Worth something to smile about since 1990.

If you are disappointed with the smile mother nature gave you let me help you create the smile of your dreams. New procedures and materials now make it possible to completely revamp and restyle your mouth in the Fort Worth area.

If your teeth are uneven, Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry has several options to correct that. We can re-contour your teeth by removing a small portion of your enamel to change the length or shape of your tooth. If more is required to improve your smile we can offer you porcelain veneers or bonding.

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are permanently attached to the fronts of your teeth, correcting any imperfections. They last much longer than dental bonding and preserve more natural tooth structure than dental crowns.

Many Fort Worth resident’s teeth have become discolored by drinking colas, tea, or coffee. If you have stained or discolored teeth and dream of having pearly white teeth then check out the many teeth whitening options at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.

Stop hiding behind a timid smile. Take charge and let Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry create a confident, beautiful smile.

Ask us about family dentistry, restorative dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry.

Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
1007 W Randol Mill Rd
Arlington, Texas
817-200-7323
http://www.myarlingtoncosmeticdentist.com/meet_the_doctor.php

Here at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our mission is making the smiles of all Arlington TX residents white and bright. My name is Dr. Stephen Ratcliff and today we are going to talk about ways to enhance your beautiful smile.

Maybe as a self-conscious Arlington TX teen you were prescribed tetracycline to combat acne, but have now been left with discolored teeth. Or maybe the municipal water you drank growing up had excessive fluoride, another cause of tarnished teeth.

If you are like many of my Arlington TX area patients you have sipped one too many dark beverages such as coffee, soda, and wine; and now your teeth are dark and dingy. Call me today at 817-200-7323 to talk about our extensive treatment plans.

One of the options we recommend at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for treating discolored teeth are dental veneers which are sometimes called porcelain laminates. The reason I recommend veneers is that veneers not only restore discolored teeth, but they can cover worn, chipped, and cracked teeth.

This is done by placing a thin composite of porcelain over the damaged tooth or teeth leaving a gorgeous, white, flawless smile. At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we feel that porcelain veneers are the least invasive form of cosmetic dentistry, yet the results are stunning. The smiles of our happy Arlington TX veneer patients are dazzling.

My staff and I also offer teeth whitening, dental restorations and clear braces. Come see why the residents of Arlington TX have been improving their smiles at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry since 1990.

Hi. I’m Dr. Stephen Ratcliff. Welcome to my Arlington TX family dentistry blog. Today we’ll be looking at the complexity and importance of your saliva. Though most people may think it’s gross, saliva is essential to dental health as well as digestion.

Saliva is mostly water, but a small portion of it is made up of enzymes, antibacterial substances, mucus, and minerals. The pH balance of the mouth is maintained by saliva, and pH balance is a key factor in the development of cavities and other forms of tooth decay.

The minerals in saliva help to maintain the enamel surface of the teeth. Immunoproteins in saliva inhibit the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby protecting the gums from gingivitis.

Now that Arlington TX residents know how important saliva is to dental health, I’m sure you can see why ample salivary flow should concern you. For most of my Arlington TX area cosmetic dentistry patients, everyday chewing is enough to stimulate salivary glands to release saliva. However, dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is an ailment that should be dealt with quickly before oral health complications occur.

If you are in the Arlington TX area and are looking for quality dental care, please contact my office today at 817-200-7323. We have been providing general and cosmetic dentistry in Arlington since 1990.

Our warm and friendly staff would be happy to talk to you about dental implants, dentures, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign clear braces, and the other services we provide to our valued patients.

Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
1007 W Randol Mill Rd
Arlington, Texas
817-200-7323
http://www.myarlingtoncosmeticdentist.com/meet_the_doctor.php

Inlays and onlays are a type of tooth restoration used successfully at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. They are usually bigger than a conventional filling yet smaller than complete dental crowns. An inlay is used to fill an area inside the cusp tips or bumps of a tooth. An onlay covers an area that includes more than one cusp.

At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, the inlays and onlays we place for our Fort Worth area clients are indistinguishable from their natural teeth. Family dentist Dr. Stephen Ratcliff has the finely-honed eye for detail and complete mastery of dental aesthetics to create an exact match.

Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry inlays and onlays:

• Are stain resistant
• Do not cause tooth sensitivity
• Are beautifully matched to natural teeth
• When bonded to the tooth, they strengthen the tooth and prevent further decay or damage

Call 817-200-7323 to book a cosmetic dental consultation today.

We’ll help you keep your smile happy and healthy!

Hello Arlington TX! Do you want brighter, whiter teeth? Most Arlington TX folks notice their teeth dulling as the years go by, but some foods, drinks, and even mouthwashes can stain teeth at any age.

Over-the-counter tooth whitening products like kits, strips, or toothpastes may slightly lighten stains, but for a truly brilliant smile, family dentist Dr. Stephen Ratcliff can help!

If you have dental veneers, bonding, or bridges, teeth whitening bleach will not lighten the stains and your whitened natural teeth will make your dental work look even duller in comparison. At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we can recommend new cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including veneers or bondings, if these have aged and discolored.

Remember, anything that can stain a white tee shirt can stain teeth.

Fortunately, brushing after meals can keep stains at bay, however with acidic foods or drinks, just rinse your mouth with water. Brushing right away can erode enamel, causing thinner teeth as we age.

Arlington TX in-office Zoom teeth whitening takes about an hour and bleaches teeth to a whiter-than-ever brilliance. Take-home professional teeth whitening kits are also available at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry and can produce the best results over time.

For more information on getting a younger and brighter smile, contact our caring staff for a smile brightening consultation today!

Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
817-200-7323
http://www.myarlingtoncosmeticdentist.com