Longview Dentist - Robert B. Guttry, DDS

Did you know that February is National Gum Disease Awareness Month? This is a great time to learn more about the signs and symptoms of gum disease, as well as how to prevent it in the first place. Gum disease can be very serious if left untreated and even lead to serious conditions like heart disease. Read on to learn how to improve your oral health and have healthy gums. What is gum disease? Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection caused by bacteria that accumulate on the teeth. The bacteria produce toxins that irritate and inflame the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. These bacteria also contribute to plaque buildup along the gum line. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth and often leads to cavities. Gum disease may also be caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or autoimmune diseases. It is a very common condition, and it can cause serious problems if it is not treated. In the early stage, gum disease is ...

Among the different dental conditions that anyone will ever deal with throughout their lifetime, none can make a person feel more insecure than having missing teeth. Although it may seem like a surface-level problem compared to gingivitis and tooth decay, missing teeth can bring about an array of different inconveniences. When you start living with missing teeth for long periods, you’ll eventually get to that point where you can’t help but notice the gaps (pun intended) in your dental health! For example, you may have a difficult time eating certain kinds of food, and you work hard at keeping your mouth closed when you smile. If you’re looking for a way out of your predicament, dental technology is on your side. There are many available options that are both excellent, convenient, and accessible! Why Should You Avoid Living with Your Gaps? While you might dismiss it as a cosmetic problem, the truth about missing teeth is that they pose problems far beyond “weird” feelings and funny...

Chipping a tooth can be uncomfortable and embarrassing for anyone unfortunate enough to experience it, but it’s not the end of the world when that happens. In fact, there is an entire range of cosmetic dentistry techniques to help you fix your chipped tooth! Although treatment options depend on the extent of the damage, it’s actually relatively easy to fix. All you have to do is schedule a visit to your dentist, and they can perform any of these procedures: Dental Bonding Also known as “fillings,” dental bonding involves filling the missing enamel with a tooth-like composite resin. This is typically a quick and painless procedure that doesn’t even require anesthesia or any numbing medication to undergo.  The composite is shaped to replace the chip on the tooth. In order for the resin to stick to your tooth, an adhesive material is applied. Then, the composite resin is shaped on top of it to blend with the natural tooth. Finally, the dentist will use ultraviolet light as a way to...

Dental implant surgery is the most sought-after restoration procedure in cosmetic dentistry. It not only restores the original look and feel of the lost tooth—it reinforces its functionality so that the tooth is healthier and sturdier than it ever was. To set your proper expectations, here’s what you need to know about the procedure: The Implant Process A prevalent misconception attached to the word “surgery” is the seemingly likely possibility of pain. The commonly held idea is that because surgeries involve major body changes, there must be physical pain involved. However, the first step in the surgical process of dental implant surgery is the administration of anesthesia to numb oral pain receptors. This means that the patient should not feel anything during dental implant surgery! Here’s the complete rundown of the operation: Local anesthesia is administered towards the infected tooth and its surrounding area. Once the anesthesia kicks in, the doctor makes space for the inse...

If the eyes are the window to one’s soul, a person’s smile can be equally arresting, if not more. That’s why many dream of flashing a picture-perfect smile, but stains, discoloration, chips, awkward gaps, misalignment, plaque build-up, and other oral complications can make it difficult to show off those pearly whites.  Fortunately, there are cosmetic dental solutions that can help bring back the confidence behind your smile. Every treatment fulfills a unique purpose, so we’re here to give you the lowdown on the five common types of cosmetic dentistry. That way you can discover which procedure meets your needs the most:  Teeth Whitening  Teeth whitening is arguably the simplest, quickest, and most affordable way to improve your smile, since the treatment is all about restoring your teeth’s luster. It works by bleaching your teeth to remove any discoloration, yellow streaks, and other forms of staining, allowing you to enjoy a blindingly white smile. However, keep in mi...

Your smile has a significant impact on how you carry yourself and the quality of life you live. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with a perfect set of teeth—but don’t fret! Thanks to innovations in dental technology, you can have the smile of your dreams through invisible teeth alignment treatments. Restoring Your Smile With Invisalign Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment designed to help you achieve a more beautiful smile. This treatment involves a series of custom-made orthodontic appliances that cover your teeth and gradually pull them into the proper position. Whether you have an overbite, crossbite, or underbite, Invisalign can help you solve your dental problem. Throughout the teeth alignment process, you will receive several months’ worth of clear aligners in advance. Every few weeks, you will need to change them out to help shift your teeth into the proper position. The alignment could take up to nine months or even longer, depending on the extent of the alignment yo...