We strive to meet our patients’ needs in the most efficient way possible. Advances in dental technology are making it easier to treat our patients more immediately than ever.
At one time, our dentist in San Francisco waited weeks for restorations to arrive from a dental lab. During those weeks, patients wore uncomfortable and ill-fitting temporary restorations in the hope of protecting the injured tooth until the permanent restoration arrived. Not only was this system inefficient, it was also unpleasant for the patient and frustrating for the dentist. Thanks to cutting edge technology, our dentists are able to respond to our patients’ emergency (and non-emergency) needs with minimal waiting. Thanks to Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) provided by the CEREC system, healthy beautiful teeth only require about an hour of your time. Our dentist has certification in CEREC and is also a faculty member at the University of California, UCSF School of Dentistry. He is not only well equipped to use the technology, our dentist also teaches others how to use CEREC and CAD/CAM. The new technology revolutionizes how patients with injuries such as broken, cracked, or chipped teeth receive care. A patient in need of same day dental care will receive an examination and if a dental restoration is the best option, our dental expert will use the CEREC system. After assessing the damage, and preparing the tooth for a restoration, our dentist scans the tooth and sends highly detailed information to the milling machine in our office. The machine creates a perfectly tinted, expertly milled crown from a single block of porcelain. The process takes about an hour. After the crown is ready, our dentist permanently attaches the crown to the tooth. The patient’s treatment is complete with no long wait for a crown. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please contact our office. We will arrange for you to get the care you need as soon as possible. If you would like more information regarding same day dentistry, please reach out to our office. Our staff can give you useful information and answer your questions.
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12/9/2019 0 Comments Can Dental Implants Work for Me?Patients who are missing teeth often come to our office, believing that dentures or bridges are the only options to give them back their smile. While both of these treatments are effective in masking teeth that are missing, they do nothing to help in the long-term. A more effective procedure would be getting dental implants.
The concept behind dental implants is centuries old; early man tried various techniques to replace missing teeth. However, in the 1950s, an orthopedic surgeon from Sweden proposed using titanium rods to replace missing teeth. The idea behind dental implants was born. Since that time, modern dentistry has improved upon the idea exponentially. Today’s dental implants not only make your smile look great, but they also improve the overall health of your mouth. Many of our patients are not aware that after they lose a tooth, their body reacts to the lack of stimulation in the socket by no longer providing nutrients to the area. Eventually, bone loss occurs, and over time your face takes on a sunken look because of the bone loss. Even if you receive a dental bridge or dentures, the bone loss is inevitable because the socket is empty. When our dentist in Huntington Beach places the titanium rods in empty tooth sockets a process called osseointegration begins. The socket believes the rods are roots and they fuse to the jawbone. Because of the fusion, the body believes the area needs nutrients and blood and resumes caring for the area. This action by the body prevents future bone loss. Dental implants work well for the vast majority of our patients. Occasionally, a patient is not able to have implants. This generally happens for a few reasons. • A patient taking medication that interferes with the body’s healing process should not get dental implants while on the medication • If a patient has extreme bone loss, a dental implant may not be possible • Patients’ with a diminished ability to open their mouth may not be able to allow the dentist access for an implant If you are missing teeth and would like to learn more about dental implants, please feel free to contact our office. Our staff can give you information as well as make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation where you can learn more specific information about dental implants. 10/9/2019 0 Comments Invisalign OptionsHere at our office, our staff receives many requests for information about Invisalign treatments. It is easily one of our most popular treatments. Invisalign has given orthodontic patients reasons to smile for over two decades. Align Technology, makers of Invisalign, continue to improve and evolve their product making it possible for more patients than ever to use this cutting-edge treatment.
Our Invisalign dentist in San Francisco, has a longstanding relationship with the makers of Invisalign. When Align Technology first offered Invisalign, our dentist was one of the first San Francisco dentists to become a certified Invisalign provider in 1998. Additionally, our dentist holds a Preferred Premier Provider status with Invisalign. Our dentist also serves on Align Technology’s Innovation and Leadership Panel. This group assists Align Technology with new ideas and feedback and expertise related to developing products. Patients who visit our office for Invisalign are in good hands as our dentist passes his knowledge and skills on to every associate dentist in our office. When Invisalign was new on the market, there were numerous restrictions regarding the conditions of the patient who hoped to receive Invisalign treatments. For example, teenagers could not use Invisalign because, at that time, there were no provisions for growing jaws and erupting molars. Additionally, Invisalign was not useful for our patients who needed very little adjusting, as the number of aligner trays was more than necessary. In the past 20 years, Invisalign’s makers at Align Technology expanded the usefulness of the clear plastic alignment trays. Invisalign now has options for teens (Invisalign Teen) and Invisalign Express for patients who need minor adjusting. If you would like to learn more about the ways Invisalign can improve your smile, please feel free to contact our office. Our staff can give you information or set up an appointment for a no-obligation consultation with our dentist or one of our associate dentists. We often hear patients speaking about orthodontic treatments as if the only purpose was cosmetic. While we know that having straight teeth that are evenly spaced and not overlapping looks great, there are other reasons that make orthodontic care important to your overall health.
Malocclusions and misalignments do more than ruin your smile. There are several reasons to seek orthodontic care that are in everyone’s best interest. These include: • TOOTH DECAY- When your teeth are not correctly aligned, it is easy to miss areas while brushing and flossing. This is frequently the case with crowded and twisted teeth. When left unchecked, the bacteria in your mouth advances turning to tartar and plaque leading to tooth decay. Another way poor tooth positioning causes tooth decay is when upper and lower teeth rub together. Over time, this action wears down tooth enamel and leaves teeth vulnerable. • GUM DISEASE- Crooked and crowded teeth can make proper flossing nearly impossible. The result is a buildup of plaque at the gum line. If allowed to grow, the plaque will bring about gum disease. In extreme cases, gum disease can lead to tooth loss or necessitate a root canal. • DIFFICULTY CHEWING FOOD- Your teeth and jaws are meant to fit together in a specific way. If misalignment and malocclusion disrupt the correct fit, you will have a difficult time properly chewing your food. This can lead to poor digestion. In many cases, painful or difficult chewing leads patients to make poor food choices. Because many of the most nutritious foods are also difficult to chew, patients opt for softer and less nutritious foods that are much easier to eat. Our orthodontist in San Francisco works with many of our patients to help them achieve healthy, straight smiles. While there are many useful orthodontic options, our experience and expertise will help to guide patients to the treatment that will provide the best results possible. If you think you could benefit from orthodontic care, please contact our office. Our staff can set up an appointment for a no-obligation consultation with our dentist. 6/3/2019 0 Comments Teeth Whitening MethodsPatients visiting our office often ask our staff for information regarding teeth whitening. The two most common questions are what kinds of teeth whitening exist and which type of whitening works best.
There are three types of whitening methods: • Professional whitening in our office • Professional whitening kit for use at home • Over the counter at home whitening kit The goal of each method is the same whiter, and brighter smiles for those using the treatment. However, the similarities (and effectiveness) between the different whiteners ends there. Take a closer look at your options to see how the varieties differ. • OVER THE COUNTER WHITENING KIT- The kit that you purchase from a local retailer has two features some people may find redeeming. This product is readily available, and it is affordable. However, we cannot, in good conscience, recommend any over the counter whitening kits. At best, you may see a shade or two of uneven whitening after using an at-home kit. At worst, you could bleach your gums or injure the inside of your mouth with the chemicals. • PROFESSIONAL WHITENING KIT FOR HOME USE- An at-home kit begins with a set of custom whitening trays. We make these from impressions of your teeth, so you are sure to have a great fit. We also provide the whitening solution and detailed instructions regarding use. This product will whiten your teeth. However, it is not as fast as the in-office method, and you usually need several applications to reach your desired result. • PROFESSIONAL WHITENING IN THE OFFICE- Whitening your teeth during a visit to our office is simple and painless. Some of our patients even say it is relaxing. In our office, we clean the surface stains from your teeth and then carefully cover your gums to avoid sensitivity. Next, we apply the whitening solution to your teeth and use a special light to help activate the whiteners in the solution. After about an hour, your treatment is complete. If you are considering whitening your teeth, feel free to contact our office to learn more about your options or to schedule an appoint for a no-obligation consultation with our cosmetic dentist to help you decide the treatment that is best for you. 4/9/2019 0 Comments History of BracesIt is always interesting and informative to look at the origins of something that has been a regular part of life for a long time. Our dentists our staff enjoy sharing the history of some typical dental treatments and procedures with our patients.
Many of our patients are surprised to learn that the very first culture to attempt braces was that of the ancient Egyptians somewhere around 500 BC. At that time, their methods were very similar to modern dentistry. The ancient dentist's used cords pulled tightly through metal brackets to push teeth into place. The ancient Greeks and the Romans both used various methods to straighten teeth. Near 1000 BC, Greeks tried straightening teeth belonging to deceased people. Not many years later, we have records of Romans attempting to adjust the teeth of living patients with varying results. During the Dark Ages, no noteworthy orthodontic advances took place. However, during the reign of King Charles X the King’s dentist Mr. Pierre Bourdet revived interest in dentistry. Bourdet discovered that tooth crowding decreased after removing a patient’s wisdom teeth. In 1757 Bourdet wrote “The Dentist’s Art” which influenced those who came after him. From 1757 until the 1890s dentists believed that the best way to fix overcrowded teeth by removing teeth. In 1900, the term braces described a series of metal wires and brackets anchored to teeth with the hope of guiding the teeth into a proper position. For decades, braces changed but in the 1970’s using stainless steel and applying dental adhesive helped reduce the pain of braces exponentially. As time moved forward to the 21st century, technology brought about clear and tooth colored braces as well as the revolutionary product, Invisalign. If you are considering braces for yourself or for a family member, please feel free to contact our office. We would be happy to make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation with our cosmetic dentist. You can learn the pros and cons of various treatments and decide on the type of orthodontic treatment is best for you. 2/13/2019 0 Comments How Well Does Invisalign Work?Our dental office receives more requests for information about Invisalign that nearly any other treatment we offer to our patients. Even though the Invisalign alignment system is by no means new, many patients have little or no information regarding this popular treatment.
A question our Van Nuys cosmetic dentist hears quite often is regarding how well Invisalign works. Our dentists stand behind Invisalign, with good reason. The alignment system featuring clear retainer-like aligner trays has over 20 years of experience. During that time, Invisalign is responsible for more than five-million happy customers with beautiful smiles. The company, Align Technologies, is highly responsive to the patients’ needs and wants. Throughout their two decades of orthodontic work, Invisalign continually sought improvement for their product. When teenagers expressed disappointment in the fact that Invisalign was not an appropriate orthodontic option for people with growing jaws and erupting molars, Align Technology created Invisalign Teen. This is a modified version of regular Invisalign. The alignment trays can expand to accommodate growing jaws and more teeth. Align Technology also revised its system to help patients who have slight misalignments. Invisalign Express works just like the traditional system. The biggest difference between Express and traditional Invisalign is there are fewer aligners used, and the process takes about half as long as the traditional Invisalign system. Our Invisalign dentist in Van Nuys is consistently pleased with the results our patients get by using Invisalign. The aligner trays are very effective at realigning teeth. The see-through trays gently guide teeth into the optimal position. Patients love Invisalign because it is discrete. The aligners are nearly impossible to notice when they are on teeth. The fact that they are removable makes patients happy as well. This means that foods normally off-limits to those undergoing orthodontic care are ok to enjoy. If you think the Invisalign system may be right for you, please contact our office and make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation. You will have time to ask questions and learn about what Invisalign can do for you. Many of the patients who visit our office have several things they would like to change about their smile. For the majority of these patients, their dream smile is within their grasp. A smile makeover offers solutions to numerous issues, and it is not as complicated as you might think.
A question that our cosmetic dentist, our dentist frequently hears is, “What is a smile makeover?” Essentially, a smile makeover is a group of several dental treatments used together to build the smile a patient wants. A smile makeover is a good choice for you if you have several specific things you wish to change about your smile. All smile makeovers are customized to meet your individual needs and your expectations about your smile. It is important to note that while a smile makeover can create a dramatic difference in how your smile looks, it is not a quick procedure. Depending on what treatments you choose, you smile makeover could take several weeks or months before it is complete. If you do not feel you have the time in your schedule for the numerous dental appointments, you will need to complete your smile makeover; it may not be a good choice for you. We offer a great number of dental treatments that can be useful in smile makeovers. These options include but are not limited to: • Adult Braces • Bonding • Crowns • Dental Implants • Gum Contouring Procedure • Teeth Whitening • Veneers Once you decide that a smile makeover is something you want our dentist will talk with you extensively to determine what you do and do not like about your smile. After this, you and our dentist will create a care plan. Your individual care plan serves as a map to guide our dentist as you go through various stages of the makeover. Even though a smile makeover is a lengthy process, you will be amazed when you see your results. If you are interested in finding out more about what a smile makeover can do for you, please contact our office. Our smile makeover patients often tell us that getting a smile makeover was the best decision they have ever made. 12/10/2018 0 Comments Benefits of Invisalign ExpressOur Invisalign dentist in San Francisco has extensive training and experience working with the alignment system. Recent developments with Invisalign make it possible for many patients who once were not able to use the alignment system to share in its many benefits. One such advancement is the Invisalign Express system.
While the majority of our patients enjoy great success with the traditional Invisalign system, the express option allows patients with slight misalignments to take part in faster a version of the treatment giving them great results in about half the time a full Invisalign treatment takes. Patients using the Invisalign Express treatment will discover that it works just like the traditional treatment. The aligners gradually guide teeth into the best position possible. Patients must wear the custom-made clear alignment trays for 20-22 hours each day and remove the aligners if eating or drinking. Additionally, express patients must follow the same strict dental hygiene directions as regular Invisalign users follow. Our dentist will check patient progress at regular intervals and give express patients new aligners as needed. The most notable benefit of Invisalign Express is the fact that express patients spend much less time wearing the aligners. The average amount of time a patient with regular Invisalign wears their aligners is between 12-18 months. While this is not a grievously long span of time, our patients agree that spending approximately six months wearing Invisalign alignment trays is an option our patients choose whenever possible. A second benefit of the express alignment system is that it works very well when patients use it as a retainer to help maintain older orthodontic work. Invisalign Express is often the best course of orthodontic treatment for a patient with mild alignment problems. If you are interested in finding out if the express treatment is the best option for you, please reach out to our office. A simple and painless examination will reveal if Invisalign Express is the right way to meet your orthodontic needs. 11/2/2018 0 Comments Teeth Whitening TipsHere at our office, we see countless patients who would like to have brighter and whiter smiles. Fortunately, we have years of experience making patients’ dreams of whiter smiles into reality.
Our cosmetic dentist in San Francisco understands how much a brilliant smile means to you. Even though there are several different ways you can whiten your teeth, our dentist believes that when it comes to tooth whitening, professional guidance will ensure the best results. While there is nothing inherently harmful about using a drugstore brand of tooth whitener, the majority of our patients tell us that they were not happy with the lack of results or the uneven whitening from the over-the-counter whitening kits. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of our fast, long-lasting, and painless dental whitening in our office. Your results will be dramatic and beautiful. The professional strength hydrogen peroxide used in our office makes an enormous difference in the level of whitening you see. Most store brand whiteners contain a minimal concentration of whitening agent and are not able to deliver the same results a professional product provides. If you prefer to whiten in the comfort of your own home, we offer professional-strength whitening kits. These kits come with a custom-made mouth tray to hold the whitening gel close to your teeth while you whiten. Our patients occasionally see results slightly less dramatic than the in-office whitening treatments, but the level of whitening is typically comparable to that of the in-office whitening kit. Whether you plan on an in-office whitening or will use a professional grade kit at home, here are a few helpful ideas for you to get the most out of your whitening. • Have a cleaning and dental exam before you whiten. All products will work best when they are working on a clean surface. • Avoid red wine, cola, coffee, and tea to help your teeth remain brilliantly white. • Practice good dental hygiene, so your teeth stay healthy. Regular brushing and flossing are critical to keeping your teeth and gums in good shape. • Do not use tobacco products. Tobacco causes staining as well as increasing the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay. A stunning smile is within your reach. To learn more about how we can help you get a whiter smile, contact our office to schedule a consultation. |
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