Our modern, spacious office design defines our atmosphere. At our practice we offer the finest dental care available, treating everyone as we would treat ourselves and our family members. Feel at home with our team of dental professionals. During your visit expect to be treated with respect. Quality and innovation, newest materials and technologies, but above all, personal attention to all our patients this is our philosophy.

Keeping up with the latest trends in dental medicine allows us to provide cutting edge service to our patients. At Hillside Dentistry, we provide personalized care by our approachable team of highly trained professionals which is led by Dr. Scott B. Essig.

Dr. Essig grew up in Houston, Texas and considers Texas to be home.During the last two years of high schoolhelived overseas in the United Kingdom where he graduated from the American Community School in Cobham, England. He then returned to Texas and graduated MagnaCum LaudefromBaylor University. Dr. Essigreceived his dental trainingin general dentistry and oral pathology and received the Most Outstanding Student Award fromthe New York Universitry College of Dentistry in 2009. From there he worked in various otherprivate practices which has allowed him to get extensive experience in all disciplines of general dentistry includingfamily dentistry and dental prosthetics.

Permanent Dentures The most common type are permanent dentures. These are normally constructed after all necessary extractions have been completed and your gums and bone have healed.Your gums and bone need time to heal and therefore, permanent dentures can take as little as three months but up to one year to complete. Permanent dentures allow your dentist to fabricate your new dentures with the traditional and ideal measurements and techniques normally used in denture construction and design.A major advantage of permanent dentures is your ability to try in your new dentures before completion. This allows you and the dentist to make esthetic and minor functional changes before the denture is completed. This is welcome input from you during the denture fabrication process. In general, the longer you wait after your teeth are extracted for bone and tissue to heal, the better the outcome.

Immediate Dentures Immediate dentures are generally constructed before all necessary extractions have been completed. These dentures are normally inserted the same day as the teeth are extracted.Immediate dentures are fabricated and delivered to you more quickly than permanent dentures. This will allow you to smile, eat, speak, and return to work faster. However, swelling and soreness may occur. Immediate dentures also help minimize bleeding and protects the tissues around the extraction sites by covering those areas immediately after the extractions are completed.A major disadvantage of immediate dentures is that you will be unable to try in and make any major changes to the new dentures before they are fabricated. Your dentist will have to make estimates concerning the tooth color, shape, and size that will be used in order to make your new dentures look and function as natural as possible.Our bones and gums rapidly change during the first six months of healing after extractions. Immediate dentures usually require more adjustments or relines than permanent dentures in order to properly fit as your mouth heals and changes.

How to Maintain Your Dentures Regular maintenance is essential for any type of denture. You can use a soft denture brush and warm water to clean your dentures on all sides of the denture except for the side that touches your gums. Using a denture brush on the tissue side of the denture may wear away some of the denture and cause the fit of your denture to change. Using your fingers with warm water normally works well on this side of the denture. Dentures are designed to remain moist and, therefore, when not in use dentures should be stored in water or a denture specific cleaning solution. These cleaning techniques will help prevent your dentures from drying out.As mentioned above, your gums will be healing and changing as soon as the extractions are completed. During the first six months many changes will occur, and it is usually necessary for your dentist to make adjustments. Occasionally, it may be necessary for your dentist to temporarily reline your dentures to maintain proper function and fit.Permanent relines of dentures are needed as your bone and gums change. We usually want to wait for the rapid bone loss and gum healing to be completed, which can take up to a year, before completing a permanent reline of your dentures.It is critical that you continue to have regular checkups with your dentist and to notify them of any adjustments or changes that may be needed in order to prevent tissue or bone damage. Everyone is unique and heals at a different rate which means that the number of adjustments or relines will also vary from patient to patient.

Periodontal diseases (also known as gum diseases) are infections of the gums and bone that hold our teeth in place. Periodontal diseases are often painless. However, in some instances, if left untreated it can lead to tooth loss. You may not be aware that you have a problem until your gums and supporting bone are damaged.

Periodontal diseases are caused by plaque, a sticky film that is always forming on your teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that produce harmful toxins. If teeth are not cleaned well, the toxins can irritate and inflame the gums.

Inflamed gums can pull away from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. The pockets trap plaque and bacteria which cannot be fully removed with brushing. If the infected pockets are not treated, the disease can progress. The bone and other tissues that support the teeth can be damaged.

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss (or use another between-the-teeth cleaner) daily. If plaque remains on the teeth, it can harden into a rough surface called tartar or calculus. Tartar/calculus can only be removed when teeth are cleaned at the dental office.

Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease. Affected gum areas become red. They may appear swollen and may bleed easily, especially when you brush or floss your teeth. The condition is reversible, however, gingivitis may lead to a more serious condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis can do lasting damage to the gums, bones and other structures that support the teeth. There are various treatments that can help. At more advanced stages, the disease may require more complex treatment to prevent tooth loss. In the worst case, teeth can become loose and may need to be removed by the dentist. How periodontitis is treated depends on how far the condition has developed and how well your body responds to therapy over time.

Diseases such as diabetes, blood cell disorders, HIV infections, and autoimmune disorders can lower the bodys resistance to infection. This can place a person at greater risk for more severe forms of periodontal diseases. Smoking may also increase your risk of developing periodontal disease, and treatment may be less successful if you continue to smoke.

Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red and swollen and to bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis can be reversed with treatment in the dental office and good oral care at home.

Chronic Periodontitis is a form of periodontal disease that results in swelling and redness in the tissues around the teeth. Patients suffer loss of tissue and bone that may become more severe over time. In chronic periodontitis, pockets form and/or gum tissue pulls back. This is the most common form of periodontitis in adults but can occur at any age. It usually gets worse slowly, but there can be periods of rapid progression.

Aggressive Periodontitis is a highly destructive form of periodontal disease that occurs in patients who are otherwise healthy. Common features include rapid loss of tissue and bone. This disease may occur in some areas of the mouth, or in the entire mouth.

Periodontitis as a Manifestation of Systemic Diseases is a form of periodontitis that is the result of a specific disease or disorder. Patients who have certain blood diseases or genetic disorders frequently show signs of periodontal disease.

Necrotizing Periodontal Diseases result in the death (or necrosis) of tissues surrounding the tooth and connecting bone. This most commonly comes with pain, bleeding, and a foul odor. These infections, in part, are caused by stress, tobacco use, malnutrition and HIV infection.

If you schedule regular dental exams, your dentist can catch periodontal diseases before the gums and the bone supporting your teeth are severely damaged. If left untreated, periodontal diseases usually get worse over time.During a periodontal exam, the dentist will check your gums for problems. The dentist or hygienist uses an instrument called a periodontal probe to gently measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums. In a healthy mouth, this space is very small, less than threemillimeters. When periodontal disease is present, the gums develop a deeper pocket that bleeds, collects more plaque bacteria, and is difficult to keep clean.Besides checking your gums, your dentist will assess your general dental health, and perform an oral cancer screening. Dental X-rays are usually taken to check the condition of the bone supporting the teeth and to detect other problems not visible during the clinical examination.If gum disease is diagnosed, your dentist may provide treatment or you may be referred to a periodontist (a specialist in periodontal diseases).

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. If the disease is caught early (when it is gingivitis), and no damage has been done to the supporting structures under the teeth, you may simply be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene after having a professional cleaning.

Even with these measures, some patients develop more severe periodontal disease that must be treated. The first step usually involves a special cleaning, called scaling and root planing. In this treatment, plaque and tartar/calculus are carefully removed down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. This treatment may be done over several visits, depending on your needs. The tooths root surfaces are then smoothed, or planed, to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the teeth. This is sometimes called a periodontal cleaning or deep cleaning and may take more than one visit.

Your dentist also may recommend medications to help control infection and pain or to aid healing. These medications could include a pill, a mouth rinse, or a substance that the dentist places directly in the periodontal pocket after scaling and root planing. If you smoke or chew tobacco products, it is important to quit. Your dentist may also advise you to talk to your physician about any other health problems that may be affecting your oral health.

Teeth may be sensitive for some time after periodontal therapy. When unwanted deposits are removed from root surfaces, your teeth may be sensitive to temperature changes, acids produced by bacteria in your mouth, and even touch.

This soreness can make you want to avoid cleaning the areas that were treated. But it is very important to keep brushing gently and flossing to remove the plaque. If this plaque is notroutinely removed, root decay (cavities) may occur. Your dentist may be able to provide various treatments or recommend dental home care products to reduce sensitivity.

You dont have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Keeping your gums and teeth healthy takes a partnership between you and your dental providers. Without your help, by brushing and flossing and the proper oral hygiene at home, a healthy smile is not possible.

Check your benefits plan when planning treatment with your dental office. However, treatment should be determined by you and your dentist, not by your benefits plan. If your treatment is not fully covered by insurance, ask the dental office if they have payment options to cover the rest. Keep in mind that having periodontal treatment now may be less expensive than replacing a tooth lost to disease.

Signs and symptoms A TMD is a condition, not a specific disease. Temporomandibular disorders can have many different signs and symptoms, from mild to severe. Some patients may have symptoms but are still able to function fully. Specific symptoms may include:

To determine how best to treat your condition, a complete evaluation is recommended. Your dentist may check the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Your complete medical history may be reviewed, so it is important to keep your dental office record up-to-date. Your dentist may take X-rays and may make a model of your teeth to see how your bite fits together. Your dentist may also request specialized X-rays of the TMJ.

How the jaw joints and muscles work The joints and muscles on each side of your jaw help open and close the mouth. These joints move in many different directions. They allow you to chew, talk, and swallow. The two temporomandibular joints are among the most complex joints in the body. They work together in a delicate balance with muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and your jaw bones. When a problem prevents these parts from working together properly, pain may result but not always.

There are several ways TMD may be managed. The success of the treatment often depends upon you and your dentist working together to find what works to relieve your symptoms. Treatment may involve a series of steps. The step-by-step plan allows you to try simple treatment before moving on to more involved treatment. Experts generally recommend a less is often best approach to treating TMJ disorders.