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Invisalign Treatment Timeline

By Rafael Mercado, DDS on February 26, 2019 Orthodontic treatment is a highly personalized process, and straightening your teeth with Invisalign® is no different. Each and every treatment plan at our Castle Hills, TX practice is tailor made to fit the unique needs of the patient. The average Invisalign treatment timeline takes about 12 months. However, this can vary depending on…

Professional vs. OTC Teeth Whitening

By Rafael Mercado, DDS on February 06, 2019 Bright, white teeth are associated with good oral health and a beautiful smile. However, many patients have stains or overall discoloration. Fortunately, these problems can be effectively treated with teeth whitening. Patients can undergo professional teeth whitening treatment, which is considered safe and offers noticeable results. There are…

Tooth Loss Statistics

By Rafael Mercado, DDS on January 07, 2019 According to the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. In addition, roughly 40 million people in the United States are missing all of their teeth. These numbers are expected to increase over the course of the next two decades.…

Planning Dental Implant Surgery with Cone Beam 3D Technology

By Rafael Mercado, DDS on November 30, 2018 A cone beam computed tomography (CT) scanner is a type of imaging device that many modern dentists use to take three-dimensional x-rays of the structures in a patient’s mouth. Our Castle Hills, TX practice use the Sirona GALILEOS® Comfort PLUS to take our 3D x-rays. This tool is essential…

Five Signs that Indicate Dental Crowns Are Right for You

By Rafael Mercado, DDS on October 30, 2018 In the field of restorative dentistry, dental crowns offer a wide range of uses. These restorations can be used to repair teeth or to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Crowns can be crafted from ceramic or zirconia to deliver natural-looking, lifelike results. If you are considering dental…

Invisalign® vs. Porcelain Veneers

By Rafael Mercado, DDS on September 28, 2018 Many people want to fix their flawed smiles. That’s understandable. When it comes to major flaws with dental alignment, you generally have two good options worth considering: porcelain veneers, a cosmetic dentistry option sometimes referred to as instant orthodontics, and Invisalign®, an alternative to traditional braces that funcitons…

Root Canal Therapy Recovery

By Rafael Mercado, DDS on September 01, 2018 Castle Hills, TX dentist Dr. Rafael Mercado offers many different dental procedures that improve health, wellness, and smile aesthetics. We can help all members of your family with their needs. For infected teeth, root canal therapy (endodontic treatment) is ideal. The process will involve the removal of diseased dental…

Traditional vs. Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

By Rafael Mercado, DDS on July 30, 2018 If you are missing a tooth or a few teeth, it can have a negative impact on the appearance of your smile as well as your dental health. Thankfully there are many options for treating tooth loss at our Castle Hills, TX dental practice. Both traditional dental…