Other Services FAQs

Dental Veneers

What Are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are thin shells made from high-quality porcelain or composite resin material bonded to the front of your teeth. Dental veneers can conveniently hide several imperfections in your smile, including stained, chipped, cracked, or uneven teeth. At Sonrisa Dental, we provide quality porcelain and composite veneers in San Antonio that can give you the perfect, bright smile you always wanted.

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

Dental veneers generally last 10 to 15 years or even longer with proper care. The longevity of your porcelain or resin veneers depends on factors such as your oral hygiene practices, diet, lifestyle habits, and the quality of the veneers. Regular dental checkups at our local dentist in San Antonio and good oral hygiene can help extend their lifespan.

Tooth Extraction

When Should I Start Eating Solid Food After Tooth Extraction?

Our dentist at Sonrisa Dental recommends avoiding eating solid food for 24-48 hours after the tooth extraction. Sticking to a soft or liquid diet for proper healing and minimizing the risk of dislodging the clot that develops at the extraction site is best. Follow the specific instructions provided by our dental office for a speedy recovery.

When To Stop Using Gauze After Tooth Extraction?

Our dentist places gauze after a tooth extraction to control the bleeding. We recommend placing the initial gauze for about 30 minutes and applying gentle pressure. After that time, you can remove the gauze and assess the bleeding. If bleeding has significantly reduced or stopped, you can discontinue using gauze. However, if bleeding persists, consult our dental clinic for further guidance.

When Can I Smoke After Tooth Extraction?

Our local dentist near you strongly advises avoiding smoking after tooth extraction. Smoking can delay the healing process, increase the risk of complications, and hinder proper blood clot formation in the extraction site. Therefore, we recommend refraining from smoking for at least 72 hours after the procedure. However, quitting smoking altogether or as long as possible will significantly benefit healing.

Can I Eat Bread After Tooth Extraction?

You can consume soft bread after tooth extraction, but it is essential to exercise caution. Avoid biting directly into the bread with the extraction site. Instead, tear small pieces and chew them using the opposite side of the mouth. Be mindful of discomfort or sensitivity and adjust your diet to promote healing. Please consult with our dentist for specific dietary recommendations.

How Long Should You Wait To Begin Working Out After Tooth Extraction?

You should avoid participating in strenuous physical activity or exercise at least 48 to 72 hours after your extraction procedure at our dental office. Engaging in exercise too soon can increase blood flow and potentially disrupt blood clot formation at the extraction site, leading to complications. If you need instructions based on your case, please talk to our dentist near you.

Is It Safe To Use A Straw One Month After Tooth Extraction?

Our dentist in San Antonio suggests that patients avoid using a straw after tooth extraction for at least 48-72 hours after the procedure, as it can dislodge the clot and hinder healing. After about a week, using a straw for drinking is typically safe if you are gentle to avoid disrupting the healing process.

Dental Fillings

Do Dental Fillings Hurt?

Our dentist at Sonrisa Dental performs dental fillings under local anaesthesia, which is generally painless. However, some patients usually experience mild discomfort or sensitivity during anaesthesia injection or when the decayed portion of the tooth is being removed. After the filling, any sensitivity or pain usually subsides within a few days. Our dentist ensures a comfortable experience with proper anaesthesia and communication.

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

The lifespan of dental fillings can vary depending on several factors, including the material used, oral hygiene practices, diet, and the size and location of the filling. On average, fillings from our dental clinic can last 5 to 15 years. However, some fillings can last even longer with proper care, regular dental checkups, and maintenance.

Dental Crowns

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

You can expect 10-15 years of usage from the dental crowns from our dental clinic near you. However, the durability of a dental crown depends on your oral hygiene practices, diet, tooth-grinding habits, and the material used for the crown. Regular dental checkups with our local dentist near you and proper care can help extend the longevity of dental crowns.

Why Is My Dental Crown Hurting When I Put Pressure On It?

Experiencing pain or sensitivity when pressure is applied to a dental crown can indicate various issues. It may be due to an imbalanced bite, an ill-fitting crown, underlying tooth decay, or an infection. In some situations, it can be attributed to nerve sensitivity. Therefore, consulting with our dentist to determine the root cause and receive the proper treatment is crucial.

Teeth Whitening

Are Teeth Whitening Safe?

Cosmetic teeth whitening is entirely safe by our expert dentist near you. However, some individuals may experience temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation during or after the procedure. Therefore, you must follow the instructions provided by our dentist, avoid overusing whitening products, and seek professional guidance to ensure safe and effective teeth whitening.

When Can I Start Eating Normally After Cosmetic Teeth Whitening?

At Sonrisa Dental, we recommend avoiding consuming foods or drinks that can potentially stain your whitened teeth for at least 48 hours after Cosmetic teeth whitening. In addition, try to avoid dark-coloured beverages, such as red wine, tea, or coffee, and highly pigmented foods, like berries or tomato sauce. Following this period, you can gradually resume your regular eating habits.

How To Remove Deep Stains From Teeth?

Getting at office teeth whitening at our dental office is the best way to get rid of deep stains from your teeth. However, even professional teeth whitening might not produce the ideal results if your teeth are stained too deeply. In such cases, you can consider dental veneers that hide your stained teeth and give you an attractive, natural-looking bright smile.

Invisalign

How Long Does Invisalign® Take?

The duration of Invisalign® treatment to produce the expected results can vary from patient to patient, depending on the complexity of malocclusion. On average, Invisalign clear braces take about 12 to 18 months to work. However, some cases may take little as six months, while others may take significantly more. Our dentist can provide you with an estimate of the expected treatment duration.

Can Invisalign Fix Overbite?

Invisalign from Sonrisa Dental can be an effective treatment option for correcting mild to moderate overbites. The clear aligners gradually shift the teeth and jaw into proper alignment, which can help address an overbite. However, severe overbites may require alternative orthodontic treatments such as braces or surgery. It is best to consult our dentist near you to see if Invisalign is right.

Can You Chew Gum With Invisalign?

Our dentist recommends avoiding chewing gum while wearing Invisalign aligners. Chewing gum can stick to the aligners, making them less effective and causing hygiene issues. Removing the aligners before consuming any food or gum is the best practice. In addition, you should rinse your aligners properly before reinserting them after communing food or drinks.

Dentures

How To Clean Dentures?

Your denture cleaning routine should start by rinsing them under running water to remove loose debris. Next, use a denture brush or soft-bristled toothbrush with a non-abrasive denture cleanser or mild soap to brush all surfaces of the dentures thoroughly. Avoid using regular toothpaste as it can be too abrasive. Finally, soak the dentures overnight in a cleaning solution for the best results.

Can You Eat With Dentures?

Yes, you can eat with dentures, but initially, it may require some adjustments. Start with soft foods chopped into small pieces and chew slowly and evenly on both sides of the mouth. Avoid hard, sticky, or tough foods that damage or dislodge dentures. As you become more comfortable using your dentures, you can gradually reintroduce various foods into your diet.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

Dentures from our local dentist near you can last 5 to 10 years or more with proper care. However, over time, the shape of the mouth may change, and dentures may become loose or require adjustments. Regular dental checkups at our dental clinic, proper cleaning, and maintenance can ensure optimal fit, function, and longevity of your dentures.

How To Whiten Dentures?

Dentures can't be whitened with a cosmetic whitening treatment at our San Antonio dental clinic as they are made from materials that don't respond to bleaching. If you want your dentures to remain spotless, brush them daily using a soft-bristled brush and denture toothpaste. Soaking them overnight in a cleaning solution also helps to keep them pearly white.

Can You Sleep With Dentures?

Our dentist in San Antonio recommends removing dentures before sleeping to allow your mouth tissues to rest and promote oral health. Sleeping without dentures helps prevent denture-related soreness, bacterial buildup, and fungal infections. In addition, removing and adequately cleaning dentures overnight allows them to maintain their shape and extend their lifespan. Follow instructions from our dental office for proper denture maintenance.

How Long Till I Get My Custom Dentures?

Getting dentures at our San Antonio dental clinic typically requires several fitting and consultation appointments over a few weeks. It involves initial consultations, dental impressions, bite measurements, and the creation of custom dentures. The time frame can vary depending on individual circumstances and the type of dentures. The entire denture fabrication and fitting process may take 4 to 6 weeks.