We Specialize In Quality Patient Care
Welcome to Merrell & Nichols Dentistry in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. P’Jay Merrell and Dr. Kathleen Nichols prioritize your comfortable and effective treatment. We hope this patient resources page will help you understand the answers to the questions we receive the most. Please follow up with us if you have further questions.
What is a Prosthodontist?
Prosthodontists are specialists in restoring and replacing missing teeth and oral/facial structures with natural, esthetic, and functional replacements.
This includes:
-surgical implant placement
-the simple to most complex implant-supported restorations
-laboratory and clinical training in esthetics/cosmetics
-crowns, bridges, veneers, and inlays
-removable complete and partial dentures
-dental implants
-TMD-jaw joint problems
-traumatic injuries to the mouth’s structures
-congenital or birth anomalies and/or teeth
-snoring and sleep disorders
-oral cancer prosthetic reconstruction
-continuing care
How Much is a Cleaning?
There are “three” levels of cleaning that we perform in our office. Each patient’s cleaning will be tailored to their specific needs. After a comprehensive exam, our doctors will formulate a treatment plan based on the information gathered. This plan will include treatment specifics, such as fee, treatment alternatives, and time frame.
Are You Taking New Patients?
Of course! We love getting the opportunity to meet new faces!
Do You Take My Insurance?
Yes, as long as your company allows you to choose your dentist. We are an out-of-network or unrestricted dentist. As a courtesy, we will file your claim with your insurance company. The patient is responsible for the remainder of the balance after the claim is paid.
Do You See Children?
Yes! Around the age of 3, we begin to assimilate kids into an actual appointment where we will perform a comprehensive oral exam, dental cleaning, and oral hygiene instructions for parents and kids. Our main goal is for your child to be comfortable in our office, so we work to build a positive relationship with them gradually.
What Should I Do if My Child Gets a Tooth Knocked Out?
If the tooth is a permanent tooth, time is extremely crucial. Immediately stick the tooth back in the socket. Don’t worry about getting it straight. Immediately call your dentist. If you are uncomfortable placing the tooth in the socket, put it in a glass of milk and take it to your appointment. If the tooth is a baby tooth, do not put it in the socket because damage to the permanent tooth can occur. Put the tooth in milk when in doubt and see your dentist immediately.
What Do I Do if I Grind or Clench My Teeth?
Bruxism is the grinding or clamping of the jaws that occurs outside of normal function and is frequently caused by physiological stress. When you do this, the forces on your teeth can cause wear and fracture of natural tooth surfaces, crowns, or other restorations. Clenching and grinding may or may not cause muscle or joint pain, so you may be unaware there is an issue. If you are experiencing bruxism, come into the office for an evaluation.
What Do I Do if I Have an Emergency When the Office is Closed?
If you are already a Merrell & Nichols Dentistry patient and have an emergency, please call our office at 806-698-6684 and follow the instructions to contact our on-call doctor.
What Should I Do About Bleeding Gums?
People often respond to bleeding gums with the wrong method of treatment. Usually, gums that bleed are a symptom of the onset of periodontal disease or gingivitis. But often, people stop brushing frequently and effectively because it may be painful or cause the gums to bleed again. Instead, when gums are inflamed, brushing often and effectively is imperative. More importantly, you should see your dentist to have a periodontal screening and recording performed to determine the disease level present and the best treatment course to pursue. It is also worth noting that chronic dental pain and discomfort are obvious signs of a problem. Over-the-counter drugs may provide some temporary relief. These medications usually only mask symptoms and should be taken temporarily. It is essential to see your dentist as soon as possible if your gums begin to bleed.
What is a prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dentist who has completed dental school plus at least three additional years of advanced training and education in a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited prosthodontic graduate program. They specialize in treating and handling dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing teeth and jaw structures. A prosthodontist is highly trained in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD), and more.
Areas of Prosthodontic Treatment
All prosthodontic patients undergo an extensive examination and consultation before receiving treatment. Once the doctor has a deep understanding of a patient’s needs, an in-depth treatment plan is devised that may or may not necessitate several other dental professionals. Though the list of treatments is extensive, prosthodontists generally offer the following services:
- Crowns: Patients may need crowns if they recently underwent a root canal or have fractured, misshapen or broken teeth. Crowns cover the entire visible surface of a tooth above the gum line. They are sometimes also known as caps.
- Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are ultra-thin casings of ceramic that cover the front of the tooth. Veneers reshape, elongate, or change the color of teeth. Occasionally they are implemented to close small gaps.
- Dental Implants: Implants are necessary to replace missing or severely damaged teeth. Implants consist of titanium steel posts that the dentist embeds into the gum line via a surgical procedure. These posts fuse to the jawbone and provide unwavering support for the cap, designed to look and feel like a natural tooth.
- Dentures: Full and partial dentures help improve the aesthetics and functionality of a person who is missing several teeth. Implant-supported dentures provide additional stability. They are attached to the implants rather than resting on the gums.
- Fixed Bridges: This method involves using a natural tooth on either side of a gap to support a bridge of one or more artificial teeth. The placement of a bridge usually takes several dental visits. Bridges may last for 10 to 15 years.
Why might a dentist refer patients to a prosthodontist?
A dentist may refer clients to a specialist if the restoration needs are complex or atypical. General dentists may also give referrals if they do not perform particular procedures. Even without a referral, consulting a prosthodontist provides additional information.
What type of professional should individuals see for restorative dentistry?
Ideally, persons needing restorative dental procedures should work with a prosthodontist. Though several other types of dental professionals can offer restoration services, a prosthodontist provides the latest techniques. Many other dental professionals turn to prosthodontists for guidance and advice.
Which restorative dentistry services are right for me?
The answer depends on several unique factors. For some patients, the need for functionality dictates treatment. For others, the motivating factor is aesthetics. For many, it is both. The dentist and prosthodontist will work together to advise each person of available options and suitable treatment plans.
Can a prosthodontist fix broken dentures?
In most cases, yes. However, some dentures are irreparable. This may be due to age, severe damage, or the location of the break.
How does a prosthodontist differ from a cosmetic dentist?
Prosthodontists undergo an additional three years of graduate school and training. Cosmetic dentists, on the other hand, attend weekend or maybe weeklong courses to advance their knowledge. Moreover, the ADA does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty. Prosthodontics is one of nine specialties it does recognize.
What is plaque?
Plaque is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva that forms a sticky, almost invisible film on the surface of your teeth. Removal of this plaque is very important to your overall health. The bacteria produce toxins that will inflame your gums and can begin the early stages of periodontal disease.
What is Tartar?
Tartar is found above and below the gum line and requires special dental instruments to remove. The tartar is plaque that has been on the tooth surface for so long that it has hardened and is fully attached to the tooth surface.
How can I tell if I have periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial condition that damages and destroys the gum tissue and bone that support your teeth. Untreated periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults.
Except in its earliest stages (gingivitis), periodontal disease cannot be completely cured. It can only be controlled and managed. Current research shows some alarming new information about the effects of periodontal disease. Many studies, including several published in the Journal of Periodontology, confirm that people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk for other serious illnesses. That is because infected gums release significantly higher levels of bacteria into the bloodstream which then spread to other organs in the body. There are many stages of periodontal diseases and it is important to discuss your individual situation with your doctor. There are many stages of periodontal diseases and it is important to discuss your individual situation with your doctor.
Periodontal bacteria may contribute to: Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, and pre-term, and low birth weight babies.
Contributing risk factors include but are not limited to: age, smoking, stress, poor dental care, diabetes, genetics, hormonal changes, medications, other systemic diseases, poor nutrition, uneven bite forces, clenching, and grinding teeth.
