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.

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: