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When we think of Valentine’s Day, we think of cards, flowers, and chocolates. We think of girlfriends celebrating being single together and couples celebrating their relationship. We think of all things pink and red taking over every pharmacy and grocery store imaginable. But what Drs. Sheena Allen, Murat Ayik, and Mark Margolin and our team would like to think of is when and how this joyous, love-filled day began.

Several martyrs’ stories are associated with the origins of Valentine’s Day. One of the most widely known suggests that Valentine was a Roman priest who went against the law at a time when marriage had been banned for young men. He continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young lovers in secret and when he was discovered, he was sentenced to death.

Another tale claims that Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape from Roman prisons. Yet another says that Valentine himself sent the first valentine when he fell in love with a girl and sent her a letter and signed it, “From your Valentine.”

Other claims suggest that it all began when Geoffrey Chaucer, an Englishman often referred to as the father of English literature, wrote a poem that was the first to connect St. Valentine to romance. From there, it evolved into a day when lovers would express their feelings for each other. Cue the flowers, sweets, and cards!

Regardless of where the holiday came from, these stories all have one thing in common: They celebrate the love we are capable of as human beings. And though that’s largely in a romantic spirit these days, it doesn’t have to be. You could celebrate love for a sister, a friend, a parent, even a pet.

We hope all our patients know how much we love them! Wishing you all a very happy Valentine’s Day from the team at Dallas Dental Arts!

Whether you’ve lost a tooth from decay, are preparing for dentures, or were born with a gap where a tooth should have been, you could be a candidate for dental implants.

Dental implants have changed a lot since their debut in 1965, thanks to continuing advances in design and technology. Today, you no longer have to worry about whether dental implants might have a negative aesthetic impact on your smile.

So what are dental implants? Pretty much what they sound like: An implant is a replacement tooth that substitutes for a missing natural one. It gets placed through several steps; it’s a process that can take a few months.

The initial step involves the surgical implantation of the implant root, which resembles a small screw. After that’s placed, the top is covered with gum tissue to enable it to heal faster. This is an essential phase in the process, since this portion of the implant will serve as the base of support for everything else.

In the second step, the implant gets uncovered and an implant restoration (or crown) is created and affixed to it. After that, you’ve got yourself a new tooth!

While dental implants require a little special care, it’s all easily manageable. All you have to do at home is make sure you brush and floss your implant daily, the same as you would for any other tooth. Although an implant can’t develop a cavity, if something were to get stuck in it, that could lead to a gum infection.

If you have any other questions about dental implants, give our Dallas,TX office a call!

There are numerous options for dental treatments out there, so how do you choose which are right for you? Our experts at Dallas Dental Arts have handpicked the three must-have procedures that we believe can benefit nearly every patient.

1. Periodontal Exam: This should happen at least once a year and is quick and painless. Drs. Sheena Allen, Murat Ayik, and Mark Margolin or your hygienist will carefully probe around each tooth and take measurements that indicate the health of the bone and its supporting tissue. This appointment is worthwhile because of the known fact that gum disease can increase the risk of potentially fatal conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Silent killers like diabetes can show signs in the mouth before the person becomes aware of other symptoms. Did you know adults lose more teeth to periodontal disease than to cavities? A simple screening once a year could save your smile and boost your overall health!
2. Dental Sealant: For both adults and children, sealants provide a protective barrier from bacteria deep in the pits and grooves of the teeth where cavities often start. Sealants placed in childhood will often wear away in adulthood, so replacing them is useful because it can help prevent tooth decay later on. Dental insurance will likely not cover sealants for adults, but the cost of a sealant for prevention versus the cost of a filling is much lower, and definitely worth it.
3. In-office Whitening: Most people develop tooth stains. in-office whitening at our Dallas,TX office is the perfect way to correct discoloration. It’s safe and produces dramatic results in a short amount of time. In two hours, you could take years off your age. Who wouldn’t want that?

With the new year comes new hopes and promises.  This new year also has the potential to be a tumultuous one.  Because of this, Dr. Allen of Dallas Dental Arts has the resolution of focusing on what is in her control.  One of those things is taking care of herself, both mentally and physically. This means getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, improving her personal and business relationships, and being the best dentist she can be! Three of her guiding words for 2020 are resilience, achievement, and prosperity.

After a nice holiday break resting with loved ones, the team of Dallas Dental Arts is back at work. This year, the office has the resolution to be more efficient. We are introducing new technology to the office this year.  The team has made the commitment to always be at the forefront of dentistry, and injectable leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) is the first effort this year to achieve that. L-PRF is a process that uses the patient's own blood and platelets to stimulate tissue regeneration instead of relying on donor tissue.  This process can be used for bone and soft tissue grafting, in addition to other surgical procedures.  Dallas Dental Arts is working to implement this process into the practice immediately.  As with all new procedures, the team is working diligently to make sure they bring you this state of the art procedure.

A common new year's resolution many people share is improving their dental health. We have a few suggestions on how to best achieve the perfect dental health routine for 2020.  First, there are so many great hygiene products on the market, but you have to use them! Consistency is key. Second, be sure to ask your hygienist about what you can do better.  Sometimes you just need to hear it from an expert. Make sure not to skip regular dental check-ups.  We schedule them regularly for a reason.

We hope everyone is having a great start to the new year! See you in our office soon.