This blog is where we will post new information that is relevant to our valued patients. You will find information about a variety of topics, from dental health updates to information about our practice. We will keep this updated with topics about new services, technologies and special offers so our patients can stay informed. We hope you will include this page in your "favorites" and check back occasionally to see what's new.
December 30th, 2011
Arlington TX teeth whitening treatments have advanced significantly. The team at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is trained on the safest and most effective products and systems. If you need the latest dental info on Zoom teeth whitening or other whitening options, schedule a consultation by calling 817-200-7323.
At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington TX, we are excited about new light tooth whitening systems. If you are worried about tooth whitening sensitivity, light whitening systems may provide a great solution. It is important to avoid at-home whitening smile products if you are concerned about tooth whitening sensitivity. We recommend administering whitening bleach in a tightly controlled, professional environment such as our dental office in Arlington TX.
Don’t take chances with something as important as your teeth.
Arlington TX orthodontia patients will appreciate the range of choices now available in clear braces,too. Clear braces bring teeth into alignment without the bulky metal of previous types of braces. If you weren’t able to get braces for crooked teeth when you were a kid, it is not too late; with the latest teeth straightening treatments in Arlington TX, you can finally transform your smile without bulky or inconvenient braces. Come to our Arlington TX family dentistry practice and we can show you before and after braces photos, and discuss your options.
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is located at 1007 West Randol Mill Road, Arlington, TX in Arlington, Texas 76012.
Give us a call at 817-200-7323, or visit us on the web at our cosmetic dentistry website located at http://www.MyArlingtonCosmeticDentist.com.
December 23rd, 2011
It’s not just about looks. According to a recent study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), a healthy and attractive smile makes you appear more intelligent, successful, friendly and interesting.
Our smile makeover patients who have undergone cosmetic and restorative dentistry at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry near Fort Worth have experienced this phenomenon firsthand. They have expressed that they not only feel great about their looks, they are more confident in professional and social situations. Another benefit: they also feel more appealing to the opposite gender.
I’m Dr. Stephen Ratcliff of Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry near Fort Worth. I get great satisfaction in using my years of specialized experience to provide premium cosmetic dentistry for my patients in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas. I am passionate about developing a custom treatment plan for each Fort Worth area family dentistry client. Some of my Fort Worth patients had lived with misaligned or crooked teeth for years. Others had been self-conscious about missing or stained teeth.
There has never been a better time to upgrade your smile. There are solutions for every kind of dental problem. If you are not familiar with the latest teeth whitening, crown restoration and tooth replacement procedures, it is time to find out. Call 817-200-7323 to schedule a consultation. Come in to our office on 1007 W Randol Mill Rd in Arlington Texas and see photos of our happy Fort Worth dental makeover clients who are enjoying their beautiful smiles every day!
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
1007 W Randol Mill Rd in Arlington, Texas 76012
Give us a call at 817-200-7323 or find us on the Web at: http://www.MyArlingtonCosmeticDentist.com.
December 16th, 2011
Hundreds of Fort Worth dental implant recipients have replaced missing teeth with jaw-bone anchored tooth implants. Unlike a dental bridge, a tooth implant consists of a titanium post inserted into the jaw bone. The bone meshes with the post to create a strong base for the natural-looking prosthetic tooth and dental crown that attaches to the post.
Dental implants are usually the ideal restoration for Fort Worth restorative dentistry patients who want to replace a missing tooth. There is a problem, however, if the jaw bone is too thin at the implant site.
When a tooth is extracted, the bone loses the blood circulation at the former site of the root. Consequently, bone recession often occurs. If the recession is extensive, there is not enough bone to hold the dental implant post.
Bone grafting can augment the bone at the implant site and provide the bone density necessary for a successful implant. This is usually effective, but it does require time for the new bone to generate. A new discovery may provide a quicker solution for regenerating bone.
Researchers at the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine have identified a protein that quickly stimulates the production of new bone. The research team, led by Dr. Ulf M.E. Wikesjo, implanted bone morphogenetic protein in test subjects and discovered that “more new bone formed within four weeks than with conventional bone grafting.”
This protein will require extensive testing before it is available for Fort Worth dental implant patients. However, I am pleased at the prospect of an additional method for making dental implants possible for my Fort Worth clients with missing teeth and jaw bone recession.
For information about tooth restoration options including tooth implants, dental bridges, and porcelain crowns, call Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 817-200-7323.
December 9th, 2011

Hello Arlington TX! Has your smile lost its luster? Are your teeth discolored? If flashing a pearly white smile is important to you I can help. My name is Dr. Stephen Ratcliff and I have been creating whiter, brighter smiles for patients in the Arlington TX area since 1990 at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
Whether your teeth have been stained through sipping dark-colored drinks such as red wine or coffee or if smoking has left your teeth brown and dull, my staff and I at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can whiten your teeth and intensify your smile.
Maybe you have injured your tooth in some way causing it to turn gray. We offer several solutions to restore the color to your tooth. When you come in for a consultation we will determine which cosmetic dentistry procedure is best for your teeth.
Your smile the first thing people notice, I will make sure your smile is brilliant and absolutely unforgettable!
At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we not only offer tooth whitening to our Arlington TX area patients, we also specialize in family dentistry.
If you or your family need restorative dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, we invite you to come in for a dental consultation. We are located at 1007 W Randol Mill Rd in Arlington, Texas.
Invest in a white, bright smile!
Call Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington TX today at 817-200-7323 to schedule a teeth whitening appointment or visit http://www.MyArlingtonCosmeticDentist.com.
Thanks for visiting my cosmetic dental blog
- Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
December 2nd, 2011
If you are pregnant, your oral health may be the last thing on your mind. However, many Fort Worth women experience an increase in dental problems during pregnancy. This family dentistry article contains important information for expectant Fort Worth mothers and those planning to become pregnant.
Dr. Stephen Ratcliff recommends having a thorough dental cleaning early in your pregnancy. Lying in a dentist’s chair can be uncomfortable during the last trimester. A professional cleaning performed by one of the skilled dental hygienists at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, along with diligent brushing and flossing, helps prevent gum problems that are often triggered by hormonal changes. The American Dental Association has found a positive correlation between periodontal disease and preterm deliveries and low birth weight.
If you are currently pregnant and have sore, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment today by calling 817-200-7323. Once the baby is here, it will probably be harder for you to make time for a restorative dentistry visit.
If you receive dental treatment at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry during your pregnancy, be sure to inform Dr. Stephen Ratcliff that you are expecting. This will affect decisions about X-rays, pain relievers, antibiotics, and conscious sedation.
Hormonal changes cause an increase in plaque production which can lead to decay. If you are eating many small meals during the day, take care to brush after eating. If you avoid sweet snacks, your teeth will be less likely to develop cavities.
Remember, your oral care, nutrition and lifestyle affect your baby. It is essential that you eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods. A poor diet can harm your baby’s tooth and bone development. Be sure to get enough calcium, iron, vitamins A, D and C, protein, and phosphorus. Your Fort Worth Ob/Gyn can give you specific recommendations for your age, height, weight and medical conditions.
At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we take special care of our clients who are expecting.
November 25th, 2011
Hello Arlington TX dental friends. Welcome to the Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry blog. This site is for my remarkable Arlington TX patients and anyone in the surrounding areas who is seeking:
- A smile makeover
- A family dentist who is great with children
- Quick solutions to any immediate oral problems
- A dental practice that focuses on preventative care
- An experienced cosmetic dentist who uses the latest materials and techniques
- A friendly dental atmosphere with amenities that make your visit comfortable and as pleasant as possible
I am Dr. Stephen Ratcliff. I am currently accepting new patients at my elite dental practice which is located at 1007 W Randol Mill Rd in Arlington Texas. I have been practicing preventative, cosmetic and restorative dentistry since 1990. I am a member of Forth Worth District Dental Society.
I promise you that the tooth restorations (crowns, dental bridges, porcelain veneers) we fabricate in our Arlington TX lab will look as beautiful as your natural teeth did at their best. Many of our Arlington TX cosmetic dental patients believe that their smile redesigns look far better than they had imagined.
Don’t just dream about the smile of your dreams. At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, your Dream Smile becomes a reality. I look forward to being your Arlington TX dentist of choice.
Call 817-200-7323 today to schedule an evaluation.
Stephen Ratcliff Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
1007 W Randol Mill Rd
Arlington, Texas 76012
817-200-7323
http://www.MyArlingtonCosmeticDentist.com
November 18th, 2011

For those of you in the Arlington TX area who feel pain when you sip your morning coffee or who cringe each time you brush or floss, Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is here for you.
Dr. Stephen Ratcliff has been treating this common problem since 1990.
The first line of defense against tooth sensitivity is proper oral hygiene. Incorrect brushing and over-brushing can result in receding gums, which leads to the exposure of microscopic tubules in the dentin. When these tubules are exposed, acidic, hot, cold, and sticky foods can then reach the nerve cells in the teeth causing discomfort.
Here in our Arlington TX family dentistry practice, our knowledgeable staff can determine if your brushing style is contributing to your tooth sensitivity and get you on your way to proper oral care habits.
Dr. Ratcliff usually recommends an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste that will alleviate tooth pain after several applications. Most Arlington TX Wal-Mart and Sav-On stores carry it. However, some Arlington TX patients may need restorative dentistry, available at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
Don’t worry if you have sensitive teeth in Arlington TX and want to have your teeth whitened. Here at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Ratcliff can determine which professional teeth whitening or at-home whitening procedures will work for you.
Call our Arlington TX cosmetic dentistry office today to get relief from your sensitive teeth.
Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
1007 W Randol Mill Rd
Arlington, Texas 76012
817-200-7323
http://www.myarlingtoncosmeticdentist.com/meet_the_doctor.php
November 11th, 2011
Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local Fort Worth residents. As your dentist, it’s my job to help you understand how to care for your teeth and to keep them healthy. Everyone in the Fort Worth knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires regular daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local Fort Worth family dentistry practice is also necessary to keep watch for cavities and to help you maintain proper dental hygiene. We often forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial for the health of your teeth.
A Fort Worth diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Examples of local Fort Worth foods to include in your diet include foods rich in vitamin B such as breads and cereals. Foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables, help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in foods like lean beef, fish, and poultry.
All foods increase the production of saliva. Saliva is important to healthy teeth because it helps to maintain the pH balance in your mouth. Maintaining this balance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum and which brand to chew.
Just as certain diet choices in the Fort Worth area can be beneficial to the health of your teeth, others can be detrimental. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes, and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.
Making good diet choices and limiting between meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums. If you have made poor diet choices in the past and are now in need of restorative dentistry, we are happy to help come up with a treatment plan.
If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth in the Fort Worth area, contact Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 817-200-7323. We would love to hear from you.
-Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
November 3rd, 2011

Hello friends of Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry!
Close your eyes. Picture the most beautiful smile you have ever seen. Perhaps it is the smile of your significant other. Perhaps it is your favorite actor, actress, or singer. What makes this smile memorable? The brilliant color? The beautiful translucency? The pleasing shape? The alignment of the teeth? All of the above?
Would you like a smile as memorable as the image in your mind? It’s possible with cosmetic dentistry at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Fort Worth.
Dr. Ratcliff skillfully redesigns smiles to correct alignment, dull color, damage, and stains.
Cosmetic dental procedures include the ever-popular porcelain veneers (gives teeth a brand new face), crown restorations, invisible braces (quicker and easier than ever!), and teeth whitening (affordable and effective).
You can have a billboard-perfect smile right here in Fort Worth.
The very same cosmetic dental procedures used on famous smiles is available at Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. A celebrity salary and jet-setting lifestyle may be out of reach, but not a red carpet-worthy smile.
Come in for a smile design consultation to learn what cosmetic dentistry can do for your world class smile! Call 817-200-7323 to book an appointment with our family dentist today.
Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
817-200-7323
http://www.myarlingtoncosmeticdentist.com/meet_the_doctor.php
October 28th, 2011
At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we restore decayed teeth to create smiles that are both healthy and beautiful. Recent advances in both techniques and materials have made the ‘impossible’ not only possible, but affordable for everyone in Arlington TX as well.
Dr. Stephen Ratcliff has been restoring teeth since 1990. Ongoing training is essential for staying on the cutting edge of the cosmetic dentistry industry.
Decay is the most common Arlington TX dental problem and the second most common disease in the nation (number one is the common cold). If you have one or more teeth with decay, it’s time to take care of them.
Fillings, inlays, onlays and crowns are used to restore teeth for our Arlington TX family dentistry patients. Even the most basic procedure – filling a cavity – has evolved. There are several types of new materials available including porcelain and composite resin. Each has specific strengths and aesthetic considerations. Arlington TX patients who replace silver amalgam with tooth-colored fillings love getting the metal out of their smile.
Inlays and onlays are more extensive restorations. There are two types: direct or indirect. Direct inlays and onlays are made in your Arlington TX cosmetic dental office on the spot and applied in one visit. Indirect inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental lab. They usually require a second visit but the results are well worth the extra trip.
When an Arlington TX client has a tooth that cannot be restored with an inlay or an onlay, a natural-looking crown is the answer. At Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we create dental crowns that blend in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. Let us show you some photos of patients who have received smile makeovers – you will not see any “Chiclet” crowns that stick out like a sore thumb. In fact, you won’t be able to tell which of our Arlington TX dental clients have crowns.
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is located at 1007 W Randol Mill Rd in Arlington TX. Dr. Stephen Ratcliff is currently accepting new patients. Call 817-200-7323 to schedule a restorative dentistry consultation.