About

Dr. Pham received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas School of Dentistry, Houston in 1998. She is a member of ADA (American Dental Association), Greater Houston Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Consider Having Multiple Dental Implants for Missing Adjacent Teeth

Many people suffer from nutritional, social and psychological problems when they don't get missing teeth properly treated. Whenever you have adjacent teeth missing, investing in multiple dental implants may be the solution you need. There are actually a number of options available when you do need to replace multiple missing teeth.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Learn the Dangers of Continuing Your Teeth Whitening Efforts at Home

Having that perfect smile is something that many people desire. Years of poor eating habits and wear and tear can cause the teeth to become discolored. When looking for teeth whitening methods, many people want to know about their overall effectiveness.

Each product has both advantages and disadvantages, but it depends on the procedure being used and what chemicals are included in determining the treatments rate of success. Some whiteners may do better than others, especially those that are done in a dental office as opposed to those done at home.

Friday, August 12, 2016

How a Root Canal Procedure Can Help to Save Your Own Natural Teeth

As dentists will tell you, the tooth's structure consists of enamel, dentin and pulp. Proper hygiene, including brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist for cleaning, helps to protect the enamel from acids released by bacteria when they digest sugar. The tooth's sensitive pulp contains a nerve and requires the protection of the enamel.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

How Dental Crowns and Bridges Can Help Prevent the Shifting of Teeth

When you have one or more missing teeth, your other teeth may shift into the gap. This shifting causes problems with your bite. For example, if there is a missing lower molar, the upper molars above it may protrude. The shifting also causes misalignment so that upper and lower teeth no longer come together when you need to chew.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Understanding Gutta Percha: The Dental Wonder-Substance for Root Canal


If you have a major dental procedure done today, then you might run across the term gutta percha. You may wonder just what it is and why it's used. It's a simple material and there are simple reasons. Gutta percha is a material used to seal root canals after the dentist has cleaned the decay from the root of the tooth. Ensuring the integrity of the newly clean tooth is critical, so dentists make sure they use only the best, most effective sealant to keep patients safe.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Tips on Caring of Your Temporary Crowns and Bridges to Avoid Damage


Going for a temporary crown is usually preferred by dentists as a form of preparing the tooth until a permanent crown is ready. Usually the nerve inside is alive and can be too sensitive, so these can help keep it protected. Oftentimes, they will be a "test" to help temporarily see what kind of form and function it needs. This can then allow for the dentists to create a properly designed permanent crown. This wait usually just takes a day but may extend to several more days depending on the kind of crown that is being made.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Nursing a Half-Broken Tooth: Crowns, Bridges and Other Treatments

 
Dental crowns are designed to restore the size, shape, and strength of teeth broken or damaged in some way. When properly placed, dental crowns and bridges, which are used to fill gaps from missing teeth, will result in teeth that appear and function like normal teeth.

What May Cause a Half-Broken Tooth?

A partially broken tooth can be caused by a traumatic impact such as falling off a bike or skateboard. Eating something tough or hard may also cause a tooth to break; as could a previous fracture that was never detected.

Monday, July 4, 2016

What You Should Do When Crowns and Bridges Fall Out or Get Damaged


While crowns and bridges might seem permanent, they often fail for many reasons. Crowns can fall out because of improper placement by a previous dentist, extreme trauma to the tooth that holds the crown, or various forces. The force might come from something like a vehicle accident, or it could come with any incident where a person is struck in the face.

Monday, June 13, 2016

Do You Have Bad Breath? It Might Be the Right Time for a Root Canal


Bad breath or halitosis can be a cause of embarrassment. For those who face people on a daily basis, this can be very problematic. A person can lose a certain amount of self-confidence when they face the world with bad breath. That’s not even the worst of it however. In addition to being an embarrassment, having consistently bad breath In spite of daily brushing is most often a symptom of a host of much more serious problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Other possible causes of bad breath include poor oral hygiene habits, diets, foods, and even some medications. By visiting a trusted dentist, one can determine what's causing their bad breath and seek out the best course of action for treatment.


How Tooth Decay Causes Bad Breath


It may sound like an oversimplification but it’s true that tooth decay and other gum diseases can be prevented simply by observing good oral hygiene habits. Tooth decay is the result of bacteria that destroys tooth enamel. When a person does not properly clean his teeth and tongue, it causes buildup of food residue and particles, providing the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. The bacteria Streptococcus mutans produces acid as it digests sugars from these food residues, which then attack and break down the dental enamel. Decaying tooth enamel results in bad breath.


Addressing Tooth Decay with a Root Canal


Tooth decay, in its early stages, can be treated with a fluoride product to stop further damage to the enamel. This treatment alone however cannot reverse tooth decay. For severe tooth decay, the dentist might suggest a root canal procedure to remove the damaged pulp of the tooth and the nerve. This way, the natural tooth won't have to be extracted but only repaired using a filling material.


Typically, the root canal procedure will solve one's bad breath, but in case it doesn't, then it might mean that something else is causing it. A trusted dentist will be able to determine the right treatment to address the problem.




Sources:

Oral cavity is main cause of bad breath, halimeter.com

Change Your Breath From Bad to Good, webmd.com

Friday, June 10, 2016

Dental Crowns: Factors Causing Deterioration and Proper Maintenance

Dental crowns generally last for many years, especially with proper care and impeccable dental hygiene. Regardless of the material they are made of - be it porcelain, ceramic, gold, or other metals, or a mixture of various materials - crowns can deteriorate over time due to natural wear and tear. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Cover-Up at the Dental Office: Replacing Dental Crowns and Bridges


Are you looking for solutions to your teeth problems? Would you want to try everything possible that you can do to save your damaged teeth? If yes, then there’s no other place to turn to but your dentist’s office. Here, you should be able to find various options and alternatives, and choose the one that will work best for your situation.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Crowns and Bridges: About Dental Crown Fitting and Tips for Procedure

Making the decision to get dental crowns is one that can bring you much relief. But before you can begin reaping the benefits of this dental prosthesis you have to go through some procedures that allow for the fashioning and the fitting of a dental crown. The technology for the creation and application of crowns and bridges has come a long way over the years. This procedure is now so commonplace that there is very little to worry about especially if the work is being done by an experienced dentist. This article will give you some idea of what to expect from the process.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

What to Do When Things Go Wrong in a Root Canal

When a large cavity has already damaged the root of your tooth, the pulp in the cavity could become infected and inflamed. Dentists perform a root canal, or endodontic treatment, to remove the infected pulp and replace it with an inert material or crown to protect the tooth.

Many root canal treatments are successful but some may result in complications, such as new infection or pain. Post-treatment complications may be due to the following:

Bonding, Crowns and Bridges: The Art and Craft of Replacing Teeth

There are three main types of dental bridges. Traditional bridges, which are the most common type, are made with crowns on either side. The crowns might cover implants or teeth, and the false tooth is attached to it. A cantilever bridge, meanwhile, is held in place by only one crown or tooth. A Maryland or resin-bonded bridge is held in place by wings that bond to teeth on either side. A less common fourth type is the implant-supported bridge.

Recent Trends in Crowns and Bridges: Aesthetic and Practical

Implants like crown and bridges need to make use of the most modern advances precisely because they are permanent implements to the mouth, unlike removable dentures.  Developments in the material continually make it safer and more efficient for the wearer.

What Crowns and Bridges do to Help Improve Your Oral Health

Maintaining healthy teeth is theoretically an easy thing to do. After all, the guidelines for it are rather straightforward: brush after every meal, floss to get rid of food bits stuck in between teeth, and regularly visit your dentist.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

No Ice: Why You Should Avoid Cold Stuff After Teeth Whitening



Tooth sensitivity is common when tooth enamel, which is meant to protect the teeth, thins out. Sensitivity can also occur when the gums start to recede and the underlying surface of the teeth is exposed. You may notice that cold foods and liquids give you discomfort. Teeth may also be sensitive to heat, acidic foods, and even cold air. Sometimes, people who have just had a whitening treatment experience sensitivity.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Parts of a Dental Implant and How to Take Care of Them



Considering to have a dental implant? Please read the information below for a more informed dental procedure.

What are the parts of a dental implant?

The first part of a dental implant is the fixture, which is the part that is embedded in the jawbone. It is beneath the gum line and can be considered an artificial tooth root. The next part is the abutment, which is the part that lies above the gum line that secures the dental work such as a crown or bridge. Basically, it is a screw that holds everything together. The last part is the prosthesis, which is the actual crown, bridge or denture that is replacing the lost tooth.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

These Damaging Habits May Eventually Lead to the Need for a Root Canal



Everyone wants to have a nice, healthy smile that lights up a room. However, having that type of smile does not simply come naturally. It takes work and good oral hygiene in order to keep your teeth in tip-top shape; otherwise, you may end up having to have a procedure to have the pulp removed.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Everlasting Crowns and Bridges: Keeping Your Brand New Teeth Healthy



Dental implants are a great way to help regain some of your smile back. Although crowns and bridges are designed to restore your smile, you must make sure you take care of them as you would your real teeth. If not, you may find that the condition of your teeth will deteriorate again. With that in mind, we’ve answered a few frequently asked questions about crowns and bridges:

Monday, March 7, 2016

Getting the Pearls Whiter Through Professional Teeth Whitening Methods

As we get older, our adult teeth become darkened, yellowed or stained due to certain foods and drinks, tobacco use, trauma, genetics and certain types of medication. Teeth also become darker due to the natural aging process regardless of what we do and what we eat. Having a youthful appearance is one of the main reasons why people want to have whiter teeth.

Monday, February 29, 2016

A Dentist Can Determine if You’re a Good Candidate for Dental Implants

Dental implants are becoming a common solution to replacing a missing tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an accident or from some other reason. The two types of implants are endosteal and subperiosteal. An endosteal implant is where artificial teeth can be surgically placed into the jawbone, and it’s typically used on patients with bridges or removable dentures. The subperiosteal implant is where a metal posts stick out through the gum where artificial teeth can be attached, and it’s used on patients who are unable to wear dentures or have a limited jawbone height.

Monday, February 22, 2016

How to Save a Life: Root Canal for Your Tooth

A root canal procedure is meant to repair and save a badly decayed or injured tooth. During the procedure, the soft area in the center of the tooth (otherwise known as the pulp) and the nerve are removed. The dentist then cleans the inside of the tooth and seals it.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Crowning Glory: Getting Your Teeth Crowned

How Crowns do Work ?

A dental crown is basically a cap that’s shaped like a tooth. It enhances the strength and size of a tooth after it’s nestled over the enamel.

When is the Right Time to Get a Crown?

You’ll need to get a dental crown if you have a weak, broken, or decayed tooth. If you need to hide a dental implant or secure a dental bridge, a dental crown can help you as well.