Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group twice a year to avoid them. 

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If your gums are inflamed or causing you pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505. 

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

No matter how much you diligently brush or floss your teeth at home, harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that can only be removed by a dental professional. These bacteria can cause gum disease and significantly affect your overall health. Here at Summit Dental Group, our hygienists will use professional tools to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria build-up that you are unable to efficiently remove yourself.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, for a healthy mouth it is recommended that a hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months.  For a patient with periodontal disease a periodontal maintenance cleaning is recommended every 3 months.  The professional dental cleaning reinforces the home-care oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives Dr. Charles Crouch an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention. During a teeth cleaning, our hygienists will thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. Once the surfaces are smooth, polishing is done using a slow speed hand piece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end. Last but not least, the hygienist flosses every crevice between your teeth and may apply fluoride if needed.

If you need your teeth cleaned don’t wait any longer, call us today so we can help you maintain a healthy smile! To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505. 

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

If you have a toothless grin, Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group can recommend dental implants. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. There are many benefits to this restoration option, such as improved appearance, improved speech, improved self-esteem, and improved overall health to name a few.

In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. This is because patients need to have healthy gums and enough bone to support the implant, otherwise they risk the dental implant failing. If you are a smoker, have diabetes, cancer, or uncontrolled periodontal disease, this may affect whether dental implants will fuse to your bone. Like tooth roots, dental implants are secured in the jawbone and are not visible once surgically placed. Where and how implants are placed requires a detailed assessment of your overall mouth and jaw structure.

If you have missing teeth and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505. 

The Root Canal Procedure

When a tooth’s nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. Before the bacteria can cause an infection or an abscessed tooth, Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group will perform a root canal. A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. If you’ve been told that a root canal is right for you, we’d like to explain the process to make you feel calmer about the procedure itself.

The root canal procedure itself requires one or more office visits and can be performed right here in the office. The first step in the procedure is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Once anesthesia is administered, Dr. Crouch will make an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling. After the empty space is cleaned and shaped, your dentist will fill the root canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. There may be some soreness after the procedure, but that is perfectly normal.

If you have a damaged tooth and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505. 

What is Sedation Dentistry?

In spite of the dental technology that has made dentistry virtually pain-free, dental fear and anxiety still keep millions of patients away from the dental office every year. Here at Summit Dental Group, Dr. Charles Crouch wants to ensure that you are relaxed as humanly possible, which is why he offers sedation dentistry to patients who are eligible.

There are several types of sedation dentistry to treat different levels of dental anxiety, each putting you in varied states of relaxation. The levels of sedation used include:

• Minimal sedation – where you are awake but relaxed.


• Moderate sedation – you may slur your words when speaking and not remember much of the procedure.


• Deep sedation – you are on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.


• General anesthesia – you are completely unconscious.

Anesthesia is generally safe, but there is always a risk when being sedated. However, certain people, such as those who are obese or have obstructive sleep apnea, should talk to their doctor before having sedation. That is because they are more likely to develop complications from the anesthesia.

If you have questions about our sedation options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505. 

Defining Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax, and central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Here at Summit Dental Group, we always explore non-invasive treatment options first, such as oral appliances, but allow us to explain the difference between obstructive and central sleep apnea.

When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, and you can’t get an adequate breath in. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so you can reopen your airway. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. When central sleep apnea occurs, you may awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep. Like with obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and daytime sleepiness can occur. Regardless of the type you have, it’s best to explore your treatment options.

If you sleep apnea is a concern of yours, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505. 

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea: How Your Dentist Can Help

Sleep has a significant impact on our daily lives. Without adequate sleep, we may find it hard to perform daily tasks. Tiredness and fatigue can also take its toll on our appearance, causing under-eye bags and puffiness. It is estimated that 25 million Americans have sleep apnea, which can make a restful night's sleep difficult. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing - for as long as one minute - while asleep. Believe it or not, your dentist may be able to help you manage your sleep apnea with mouth appliances. Dr. Charles Crouch is a Fort Worth dentist who can help patients with this common sleep issue.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

Sleep apnea is characterized by snoring and gasping for air while sleeping. A person may also make choking sounds. Men are more likely than women to have sleep apnea. Those who are overweight or have a misaligned jaw or marrow airway are also at a higher risk.

How Your Dentist Can Help

If your doctor diagnoses you with sleep apnea, he or she will likely refer you to a dentist who specializes in oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are proven to be very effective and are much more comfortable than other options such as sleeping masks. Oral appliances are used only at night. They fit in your mouth like a mouth guard or retainer. They work by placing your jaw in a forward position, which helps keep the upper airway open. Many health insurance plans cover oral appliances.

Manage Your Sleep Apnea

Dr. Charles Crouch has decades of experience helping his Fort Worth patients with various issues including sleep apnea. Call his office at (817) 294-8505 to schedule an appointment or visit us at www.summitdentalgroupllc.com