I’ve Heard Horror Stories About Root Canals – What Should I Expect?

April 20, 2018

grimacing man holding jawRoot canal therapy has gotten a bad reputation. If you need a root canal, we have some great news – this negative reputation is very unfair. In fact, root canal therapy typically relieves the pain and dental sensitivity many patients feel prior to receiving this treatment. Root canals are comfortable, and they may just allow our team to save your damaged tooth. In this post, we’ll walk you through just what to expect, during and after your root canal therapy.
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Practice Great Dental Care Habits with the Horsham Family Dentist

September 16, 2015

Happy family with outstanding oral health from their horsham family dentistGreat dental health starts and ends at home. There are no two ways about it. True, whenever you come to our office for a dental checkup or any other service, it can improve your oral health and give you a beautiful smile. It’s what we specialize at doing. However, at-home care is just as important as coming in to our office for a checkup. From brushing and flossing to watching what you eat, it all adds up in deciding how healthy your mouth will be.
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Introducing Invisalign: Clear Braces Horsham Residents Will Love

August 4, 2015

Invisalign treatment for your teeth.Invisalign treatment is within your grasp, all you need to do is take hold of it. If you’re new to the teeth-straightening world, or have never had to deal with misalignment issues in the past, Invisalign is the latest and greatest in straightening technology. What used to take multiple years to accomplish can now be taken care of in less than half the time. In the past, metal braces have been the dominant procedure when it came to correcting a smile’s alignment issues. Many years and countless hours of research and testing later, Invisalign is the futuristic way to straighten teeth. The best part? It can all be done invisibly to where nobody notices you straightening your teeth. How cool is that? True, braces can offer the same type of treatment, but it’s more painful and you won’t see the final results for an average treatment duration of five years. That’s too long to wait for real results. You’ve got a life to live and that shouldn’t involve sporting metal braces on your teeth. You’re older and need treatment that works. When you visit Horsham Dental Elements in our Philadelphia, PA and Horsham, PA, you’ll see firsthand just how beneficial Invisalign treatment is for your smile. For the best straightening treatment featuring Invisalign, Philadelphia residents are urged to check it out for themselves!
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Have A Bad-Breath Problem? Fix It!

July 16, 2015

Bad breath can be stopped if you're proactive.Bad breath is a serious issue for some people. There are varying degrees of bad breath, especially in the “smell” category. No two cases of bad breath are the same, and some can be flat-out horrible. Bad breath didn’t invade your system on its own – it needed something to get it that way. The United States has a bad breath problem with one in four people suffering from the disease. Most of the problem can be pointed back to poor dental hygiene practices. Are you brushing as well as you think you are or could you use some help in other areas? Our Horsham, PA office wants you to know that bad breath shouldn’t be something you have to deal with forever. It can be fixed with some changes in your dental hygiene as well as what you’re eating. Are you ready to kick halitosis to the curb?
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Restorative Dentistry from Horsham Dental Elements

April 27, 2015

134124545If you have a tooth that becomes damaged, then you’ll need a dentist who’s ready and able to help you restore your smile. Dr. Gary Henkel at Horsham Dental Elements is that dentist. With years of experience and hundreds of hours of continuing education, Dr. Henkel and his staff offer the kind of restorative dentistry that people in Horsham, PA, and Philadelphia, PA, count on.

Probably the most common restorative dentistry procedure Dr. Henkel performs is a filling. Tooth decay is something almost everyone experiences at some time in their lives. To repair your tooth, we use mercury-free fillings. These not only eliminate the possible concern of mercury in your mouth, but they also help people with metal sensitivity chew and bite comfortably. In addition, tooth-colored fillings retain your white smile as they restore function to a tooth damaged by decay.

Restorative Dentistry with Dental Implants

While there are several tooth replacement options, there’s likely none more natural looking than a dental implant. With a dental implant, Dr. Henkel replaces both the root and crown of a tooth. A titanium post is surgically implanted in your jawbone where you have a tooth missing. This post fuses with the surrounding bone tissue to create a solid base for the tooth restoration—usually a porcelain crown—that Dr. Henkel attaches once you’ve healed. Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth and serve as anchors for dentures.

Root Canal

When a tooth becomes infected, the need for a root canal cannot be overstated. A root canal can save a tooth from needing to be extracted. During a root canal, Dr. Henkel removes the pulp and infection from the interior of a tooth. Once removed, the pulp chamber and the connected root canals are disinfected and filled with a biocompatible material. Dr. Henkel will then prepare the tooth for a crown that will provide an added measure of protection.

Call our Office Today

To repair a damaged tooth and retain your healthy smile, schedule a restorative dentistry appointment with Dr. Henkel at Horsham Dental Elements. We conveniently serve patients from Horsham, PA, and Philadelphia, PA, as well as the surrounding areas of Dresher, Springfield and Hatboro, as well as Bucks County and Montgomery County.

Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants from Horsham Dental Elements

March 15, 2015

480753457Unless you are a child eagerly waiting for the tooth fairy, nothing good can come from having a missing tooth. To the contrary, there are a number of negative consequences: a “hole” in your smile, insufficient nutrition because you can’t chew healthy foods, and damaged self-confidence. Obviously, tooth replacement is imperative. Dr. Gary Henkel of Horsham Dental Elements in Horsham, PA, and Philadelphia, PA, is an expert in restoring smiles, good health and confidence with dental implants.

Although you do have other options when choosing a tooth replacement—crown and bridgework, partial or full dentures—dental implants are the most lifelike, because they not only replace the crown of a tooth, but the root, as well. And when you choose to have your dental implant done at Horsham Dental Elements, you can be sure that you’re receiving the finest care; Dr. Henkel not only places implants and restores bad implants, he teaches other dentists how to perform the procedure, as well.

Furthermore, Horsham Dental Elements uses cone beam computed tomography, or CBCT, to create 3D images as a guide for dental implant placement. With this, Dr. Henkel is able to more accurately position your implants during the actual procedure.

The Dental Implant Procedure

The first step in tooth replacement with a dental implant is minor surgery to position a titanium post in the bone beneath your open tooth socket. This post becomes the “root” of your new tooth. As such, it offers greater stability and prevents bone deterioration, which often occurs when there is a missing tooth and root. As you heal, the post and bone will fuse together. After a few months, you’ll return to Horsham Dental Elements for Dr. Henkel to complete the tooth replacement by attaching a crown to the post. When completed, you’ll have a lifelike tooth replacement that looks and feels completely natural.

Call Our Office Today

To learn more about dental implants, call Horsham Dental Elements in Horsham, PA, or Philadelphia, PA. We also conveniently serve patients from Dresher, Springfield and Hatboro, as well as Bucks County and Montgomery County.

Get a Dazzling Smile with Porcelain Veneers from Horsham Dental Elements

February 15, 2015

92589293Do you smile easily or do you often find yourself covering your smile with your hand? Well then why not just hide that smile permanently? Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic treatment that cover smile imperfections and give you a beautiful new smile. Using porcelain veneers, Dr. Gary Henkel at Horsham Dental Elements in Philadelphia, PA, and Horsham, PA, has improved smiles for many people in the area, and he can do the same for you.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers, also called dental veneers, are a type of cosmetic dentistry in which a micro-thin layer of dental porcelain is bonded to the outer surface of the teeth in your smile zone. As such, they correct and conceal a number of dental imperfections, including:

  • Stains and discoloration that will not respond to teeth whitening
  • Chipped or slightly cracked teeth
  • Teeth that are unevenly worn
  • Teeth that are misshaped or somewhat misaligned

How are Porcelain Veneers Applied?

The first step in building your new smile is a consultation with Dr. Henkel, where the two of you will discuss your smile goals and he will examine your teeth and gums for any concerns that might need to be addressed before the veneers. Then the procedure usually requires two appointments at Horsham Dental Elements.

At the first appointment, Dr. Henkel will likely need to slightly reshape the teeth receiving the veneers, so your new smile will blend seamlessly with your existing teeth. An impression of your teeth is taken in order to create a mold for our dental lab to use as they fabricate your custom veneers. While your permanent porcelain veneers are made, you’ll wear temporaries to protect your teeth. In a few weeks, you’ll return to Horsham Dental Elements for Dr. Henkel to place your custom veneers. You’ll leave our office with a smile you wouldn’t dream of covering!

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you’d like to learn more about how porcelain veneers can give you a new smile, then call Horsham Dental Elements in Philadelphia, PA, or Horsham, PA. We also conveniently serve people from Dresher, Springfield and Hatboro, as well as Bucks County and Montgomery County.

 

Make 2015 the Year of the Smile with Teeth Whitening from Horsham Dental Elements

January 20, 2015

100047604The New Year has really just gotten started, so it’s not too late to make one more resolution. Resolve to smile more! Smiling isn’t just good for you, it’s good for everyone around you, too—acquaintances and strangers alike. And if you really want your smile to have an impact, then consider teeth whitening with Dr. Gary Henkel of Horsham Dental Elements in Horsham, PA, and Philadelphia, PA.

Teeth can become dull and discolored for a number of reasons, including:

 

  • The natural aging process
  • Favorite foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, cola, blueberries, cherries and chocolate
  • Certain prescription medications, such as the antibiotic tetracycline
  • Teeth grinding, which may cause the biting edge of teeth to darken
  • Tooth injury that leads to cracks, which hide stain-causing debris

Teeth whitening doesn’t just improve the appearance of your smile. Numerous studies have shown that people with white teeth are more confident, more socially out-going and are even considered to be smarter than people whose smiles aren’t as white. So, a white smile not only goes a long way aesthetically, it can impact you emotionally and psychologically.

Teeth Whitening Made Easy

Dr. Henkel and his staff at Horsham Dental Elements understand that your schedule is busy enough already. You shouldn’t have to squeeze another appointment onto your calendar to have white teeth. That’s why we offer an at-home teeth whitening kit for you to use in the privacy and convenience of home. We’ll give you custom-fit whitening trays that you’ll fill with the professional grade gel we supply. Then, just wear the trays as Dr. Henkel instructs, and you’ll be on your way to a whiter and brighter smile in no time!

Call Our Office Today

If you would like to learn more about at-home teeth whitening, then call Dr. Henkel at Horsham Dental Elements in Philadelphia, PA, and Horsham, PA. We also serve patients from Dresher, Springfield and Hatboro, as well as Bucks County and Montgomery County.

Dr. Henkel Creates New Smiles with Full-Mouth Reconstruction

December 16, 2014

151545340Full-mouth reconstruction is reserved for those instances when nearly all of the teeth on the upper and lower arches need replacement. At Horsham Dental Elements in Philadelphia, PA, and Horsham, PA, we don’t question why there is a need for full-mouth reconstruction, and we don’t judge. Our job is to help you enjoy the best oral health possible. With this in mind, Dr. Gary Henkel will create a treatment plan for your full-mouth reconstruction that rebuilds your smile as well as your oral health.

Full mouth-reconstruction may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Tooth loss due to decay
  • Numerous teeth that are fractured or otherwise injured
  • Teeth that are worn because of acids in foods, beverages or from acid reflux
  • Uneven and worn teeth from bruxism (teeth grinding)
  • Constant jaw, muscle and head pain that requires adjusting the bite

In order to plan for a full-mouth reconstruction, Dr. Henkel will conduct a thorough examination. He will assess the condition of your teeth to determine what procedures may be necessary, including porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, crowns, dental implants or bridges. In addition, Dr. Henkel will look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease or root canal issues, which will need attention before your full-mouth reconstruction can begin. Likewise, if you are having jaw pain or headaches, he will examine the function of your temporomandibular joints to determine if correcting your bite needs to be part of the reconstruction plan.

With the information gathered from his examination, along with any necessary x-rays, photographs or impressions, Dr. Henkel will develop a comprehensive treatment plan for your full-mouth reconstruction. The plan will proceed in a logical step-by-step process that corrects all of the problems in your mouth.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you would like to learn more about full-mouth reconstruction, then call the office of Horsham Dental Elements in Philadelphia, PA, or Horsham, PA. Dr. Henkel also serves patients from Dresher, Springfield and Hatboro, as well as Bucks County and Montgomery County.

Cosmetic Bonding from Dr. Henkel Solves Minor Tooth Flaws

November 15, 2014

158554263Accidents happen, well, accidentally. Unfortunately, our teeth are sometimes hurt in accidents. Like when you bite down on a hard candy and chip a tooth. On the other hand, accidents aren’t always the culprit of minor tooth imperfections. Perhaps you have a few teeth that are misshapen or slightly misaligned. In either case, cosmetic bonding may be the answer. Dr. Gary Henkel at Horsham Dental Elements in Philadelphia, PA, and Horsham, PA, has repaired the smiles of many patients thanks to cosmetic bonding.

Cosmetic Bonding is a common dental procedure where a tooth-colored plastic dental material is applied to the tooth and hardened with a special light. The bonded material restores the tooth’s natural appearance and functionality. Cosmetic bonding is often the best option for when:

  • A tooth is chipped or cracked
  • A tooth requires a filling because of decay
  • Teeth are discolored
  • Teeth are misaligned or have gaps in between them
  • A tooth is misshapen or should look longer

Cosmetic Bonding: As Easy as 1-2-3

As dental procedures go, cosmetic bonding is relatively simple. Dr. Henkel will use a shade chart to make sure the bonding material is a match to your tooth color. Then, the tooth’s surface is made slightly rough, which allows the bonding material to adhere more securely to the tooth. After Dr. Henkel applies the resin, he will mold and smooth it to the desired shape. Once the special light hardens the material, the doctor may need to further shape the bonding and polish it to match the existing tooth. In less than an hour, you’ll have a tooth that looks as good as new!

Call Our Office Today

If you’ve been contending with a flawed tooth for a while—or if an accident just happened—then schedule an appointment for cosmetic bonding with Dr. Henkel today. Horsham Dental Elements in Philadelphia, PA, and Horsham, PA, also serves patients in Dresher, Springfield and Hatboro as well as Bucks County and Montgomery County.

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