Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ozone therapy is a gentle, natural treatment that uses a form of oxygen to help eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the mouth. Dr. Ramsay incorporates ozone therapy as part of her functional and holistic approach to dentistry, which focuses on supporting your body's natural healing abilities while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

Understanding Ozone Therapy

Ozone is made of three oxygen atoms and can be applied as a gas, mixed into water, or infused into oil. Because it's minimally invasive and doesn't rely on harsh chemicals, it can be a helpful addition to many treatments, including:

• Treating early-stage tooth decay, which may help avoid or reduce the need for drilling.
• Supporting gum health by targeting bacteria below the gumline during periodontal care.
• Disinfecting root canals and other hard-to-reach areas of the tooth.
• Promoting faster, more comfortable healing after extractions or oral surgery.
• Reducing tooth sensitivity by strengthening and protecting exposed areas.
• Soothing canker sores and other irritated soft tissues in the mouth.

Would You Like to Learn More?

When a trained dental professional uses it, ozone therapy is comfortable and quick, and most patients barely notice it during their visit. Dr. Ramsay will determine whether it's a good fit for your needs and explain how it can complement your overall treatment plan.

If you'd like to learn more about ozone therapy in Frisco or explore other holistic options for your smile, contact our friendly team at (972) 668-7118 to schedule a visit!

Straight teeth are about far more than a great smile (though that's certainly a wonderful bonus). At Preston Ridge Dental, we view orthodontic alignment through a whole-body wellness lens because how your teeth fit together truly affects your overall health.

The Downfalls of Crooked Teeth

When teeth are crowded, crooked, or misaligned, they create tight spaces that are harder to clean, even with diligent brushing and flossing. Over time, this can lead to plaque and bacterial buildup, increasing your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Misalignment can also put uneven pressure on certain teeth, accelerating wear, chipping, or even fractures.

Beyond oral health, misaligned teeth can affect your body in other ways, including:

• Jaw pain and headaches — An uneven bite can strain your jaw muscles and joints, leading to chronic discomfort.
• Jaw joint (TMJ) issues — Since your bite affects how your jaw functions, misalignment can contribute to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) over time.
• Chewing discomfort — An improper bite can make it harder to chew efficiently, which may affect digestion and eating comfort.

And, of course, there's the confidence factor. A straighter smile often helps patients feel more comfortable speaking, laughing, and smiling freely, which can have a real impact on day-to-day life.

How Can I Learn More?

If you've been considering straightening your teeth, we'd love to talk through your options and help you find a path that fits your goals, your health, and your lifestyle.

Have questions about which treatments might be right for you? Give our Frisco dental office a call at (972) 668-7118.

For most patients, we recommend visiting their Frisco dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. These routine visits are one of the best ways to keep your smile healthy and catch small concerns before they turn into larger, more costly problems.

At Preston Ridge Dental, we take a functional and holistic approach to care, so preventive visits are an important part of preserving your natural tooth structure and supporting your overall wellness.

When Do We Recommend More Frequent Dental Visits?

That said, every smile is unique, and some patients benefit from more frequent visits. Dr. Ramsay may recommend seeing us more often if you:

• Have gum disease or a history of periodontal concerns that need closer attention.
• Are prone to cavities, tooth sensitivity, or dry mouth.
• Smoke or use other tobacco products, which can affect gum health.
• Have diabetes, heart disease, or other health conditions linked to oral health.
• Are pregnant, since hormonal changes can make your gums more sensitive.
• Have dental implants, crowns, or other restorations that need monitoring.

What to Expect During Your Routine Dental Visit

During each visit, our team will gently clean your teeth, check your gums, and evaluate your bite and jaw function. Dr. Ramsay will also screen for early signs of decay, oral cancer, and other issues, which allows her to recommend conservative, minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. If it's been a while since your last checkup or you're due for a visit, we'd love to welcome you to our practice.

Contact our friendly team at (972) 668-7118 to schedule your appointment!

The cost of cosmetic dentistry varies widely by procedure, and we hear this question often at Preston Ridge Dental. Simple treatments like teeth whitening are budget-friendly, while more involved work such as porcelain veneers or a full smile makeover naturally costs more because of the materials, time, and customization involved.

Understanding Your Options

Dr. Kirstin Ramsay takes a conservative, whole-body approach to care, which means treatment plans are built around what your smile actually needs—not a one-size-fits-all package. This often helps patients avoid unnecessary procedures and keeps costs more reasonable in the long run.

We Offer Transparent Payment Options

It's also worth knowing that most cosmetic procedures aren't covered by dental insurance, since they're considered elective rather than medically necessary. That said, we do accept dental insurance for procedures that overlap with restorative care, and our team is happy to help you understand your specific benefits.

For patients paying out of pocket, we offer several ways to make cosmetic treatment more manageable. We work with third-party financing companies like Cherry and CareCredit, which let you pay over time rather than all at once. We also offer an in-house dental savings plan, which can be a great option if you don't have insurance or if your cosmetic treatment isn't covered—often offering more savings than insurance would for these procedures.

Talk with Our Team

The best way to know your actual cost is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ramsay. We'll walk you through your options and help you find a plan that fits both your smile goals and your budget.

Composite and porcelain veneers can transform your smile by covering chips, stains, gaps, and uneven teeth. Dr. Ramsay takes a functional and minimally invasive approach to cosmetic dentistry, so she'll help you choose the option that enhances your smile while preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.

Dental Veneers Explained

While both are excellent cosmetic treatments, they differ in materials, durability, cost, and placement. Here's a quick look at how the two compare:

• Composite veneers are crafted from tooth-colored composite resin and placed directly on your teeth, then sculpted and polished for a natural-looking finish, often in a single visit.
• Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-crafted shells created in a dental lab and typically placed over two appointments.
• Composite veneers usually require little to no enamel removal, making them a highly conservative choice.
• Porcelain veneers may require minimal enamel reshaping, though some cases allow for ultra-thin, minimal-prep options.
• Porcelain is more stain-resistant and can last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care.
• Composite veneers are more budget-friendly and easy to repair, though they may need replacement sooner.

Are You Considering Dental Veneers in Frisco?

Both options can deliver beautiful, natural-looking results. The right choice depends on your goals, budget, bite, and the current health of your teeth.

During your consultation, Dr. Ramsay will evaluate your smile, discuss your priorities, and recommend a treatment that fits your needs and supports long-term oral health.

If you're ready to explore veneers and boost your confidence, contact us at (972) 668-7118 to schedule a visit!

Caring for your dental implant is a lot like caring for your natural teeth, and with consistent attention, your implant can serve you well for decades. At Preston Ridge Dental, Dr. Ramsay takes a functional, whole-body approach to oral health, so she'll help you build habits that protect not only your implant but also the healthy gums and natural teeth around it.

Helpful Tips on Implant Care

Although implants can't develop cavities, the surrounding gum tissue and bone can still become inflamed or infected, a condition called peri-implantitis. Keeping that foundation healthy is the key to long-term success. Here are a few simple ways to care for your implant:

• Brush twice daily gently with a toothbrush that has soft bristles and a non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching or harming the crown's surface.
• Floss daily using implant-friendly floss, a floss threader, or a water flosser to clean along the gumline.
• Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or other hard objects that could fracture the restoration.
• Limit tobacco and alcohol, which can slow healing and weaken gum and bone health.
• Wear a night guard if you clench or grind your teeth.
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet that supports strong bone and healthy gums.

Do You Have Questions? Talk with Our Team

Just as important, keep up with your regular checkups and professional cleanings. During these visits, Dr. Ramsay and our team will monitor your implant, gums, and bite to catch small concerns early. If you have questions about your implant or would like to schedule a visit, our friendly team would love to hear from you!

Advanced gum disease, also called periodontitis, occurs when bacteria and inflammation damage the gums and the bone that support your teeth. Without treatment, it can lead to gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss, and research has linked it to broader health concerns such as heart disease and diabetes. Dr. Ramsay treats gum disease with a functional and holistic approach that focuses on healing the tissues while preserving as much of your natural smile as possible.

Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of your condition, but it may include:

• Laser therapy, a minimally invasive option that removes infected tissue and bacteria with less discomfort, bleeding, and downtime than traditional gum surgery.
• Scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar buildup below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots.
• Ozone therapy helps disinfect gum pockets and supports healing.
• Antimicrobial rinses or localized treatments to control harmful bacteria.
• Nutritional and lifestyle guidance to strengthen your body's natural defenses.

Understanding Laser Therapy

Laser therapy often suits patients who want effective results without scalpels or sutures, and many return to their normal routines quickly. After treatment, regular periodontal maintenance visits help keep your gums healthy and reduce the risk of the infection returning.

If you've noticed bleeding, tender, or receding gums, contact our team at (972) 668-7118 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Ramsay. Early care can make a meaningful difference for your smile and your health.

Full mouth reconstruction is a personalized treatment plan that restores the health, function, and appearance of your entire smile. Dr. Ramsay approaches this process with a functional and holistic philosophy, looking at how your teeth, gums, jaw joints, and bite work together as a system. Whenever possible, she favors minimally invasive procedures that preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.

Personalized Care Offers Several Advantages

Because every plan is tailored to your unique needs, the benefits can extend well beyond a more attractive smile. Patients who undergo treatment often enjoy:

• Improved chewing and speaking, so you can enjoy your favorite foods and communicate with confidence.
• A balanced, comfortable bite that may ease jaw pain and headaches and reduce uneven tooth wear.
• Healthier gums and supporting bone, which contribute to your overall health and wellness.
• Long-term protection for your remaining natural teeth by addressing decay, cracks, and damage early.
• A natural-looking, refreshed smile that boosts your self-esteem and confidence.
• Fewer dental emergencies thanks to a stable, well-planned foundation.

Full mouth reconstruction may combine treatments such as crowns, bonding, implants, gum therapy, or bite adjustments, depending on your goals. Dr. Ramsay will take the time to explain each step, answer your questions, and ensure you feel comfortable with your plan and timeline.

Talk with Our Team

If you're ready to explore how a healthier, more functional smile can improve your quality of life, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ramsay to learn more about your options.

Yes, in many cases, a dental bridge can replace multiple missing teeth, though the right solution really depends on your unique situation. Dr. Ramsay evaluates each patient individually, taking a conservative, whole-body approach to determine whether a bridge, implants, or another restorative option will best serve your long-term oral health.

Understanding Tooth Replacement

Traditional bridges typically work well for replacing one to three consecutive missing teeth, anchored by crowns on the adjacent natural teeth or supported by dental implants. For larger gaps or multiple missing teeth in different areas of the mouth, Dr. Ramsay may recommend alternatives like implant-supported bridges or partial dentures, which can offer better stability and preserve more of your natural tooth structure.

A few factors that go into this decision include:

• Location of the gap — Bridges work best for adjacent teeth rather than gaps scattered throughout the mouth.
• Condition of neighboring teeth — Healthy adjacent teeth are needed to support a traditional bridge.
• Bone health — Adequate jawbone density matters most for implant-supported options.
• Long-term goals — Some patients prioritize preserving natural teeth, while others prioritize durability.

Because cosmetic and restorative work like bridges isn't always fully covered by dental insurance, we offer several ways to make treatment affordable. We accept dental insurance and also work with financing partners like Cherry and CareCredit for pay-over-time options. Our in-house dental savings plan is another great alternative, especially for patients without insurance.

The best next step is a consultation with Dr. Ramsay, who can assess your smile and recommend the option that fits both your health needs and your budget.