3/26/2018 0 Comments How Do Lingual Braces Work?When a patient comes to our office wanting braces, they have more options for orthodontics than ever before. We have years of experience improving patients’ smiles and can help you decide which type of braces are best for you.
One type of braces that patients ask our East LA Dentist about is lingual braces. These are a type of braces placed behind the patient’s teeth. They function in a similar way to conventional braces. A patient receiving lingual braces will find that there are not many differences between regular braces and lingual braces. Generally speaking, lingual braces and traditional braces use the same components, in the same way, to achieve the same results. Both kinds of braces have wires, brackets, connecting elements, and rubber bands. Lingual braces work by using force to move your teeth into the correct position in your mouth and require regular tightening and adjusting much the same as traditional braces. The lingual braces usually take the same amount of time as conventional braces to straighten teeth and are an option for adults as well as our younger patients. Despite the similarities between lingual and traditional braces, there are a few factors to think about before you decide which type of braces is best for you. • Meticulous oral hygiene with braces is crucial. The brackets provide excellent hiding spots for bacteria and the build-up of plaque. If you choose lingual braces, you must actively commit to an excellent oral care regimen. It is much more difficult to see the braces when brushing and flossing so you will need to take extra time and be sure you are thorough. Adding an anti-cavity mouthwash to your daily routine is a good idea, but it will not replace careful brushing and flossing. • Lingual braces require a longer period of time for a patient to adjust to the new braces. Tongue irritation and minor speech difficulties are common during the time that you spend breaking the braces in and becoming familiar with them. We find that our patients who choose lingual braces are pleased with the braces, and with their results. Our staff will gladly give you more information about all types of braces, including lingual braces, to help you make an informed choice. Your perfect smile is just a call away.
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Our cosmetic dentists have many options to help our patients achieve the smile of their dreams, and porcelain veneers are at the top of the list. The number of patients that we consult with regarding porcelain veneers is continually growing, and with good reason, the process of applying the veneers is painless and efficient. Most patients see our Agoura Hills cosmetic dentist only two or three times, and then the process is complete. Additionally, the veneers will last for around 15 years, or in some cases longer.
Porcelain veneers offer our patients nearly immediate results, and they are the perfect solution for chipped, stained, or gapped teeth. Additionally, we can use veneers to cover mild orthodontic problems in places where we often use braces. Some patients prefer this option over braces because the veneers give immediate results. Choosing veneers instead of braces means patients avoid adjustments and restrictions which come with braces. While this is not an option for everyone with orthodontic issues, ask our staff if you are a candidate for this sort of procedure. The procedure for getting porcelain veneers usually involves two steps. STEP ONE- Consultation Before any dental work takes place, our dentist will talk with you about your teeth and what you are hoping to achieve. Together, you will plan the changes you would like, and our dentist will provide you a timeline for the work. Typical porcelain veneers involve two or three office visits, but in some cases, you may need a few more visits, especially if many teeth are affected. Our dentist will take an impression of your teeth to use when making your new veneers. STEP TWO- Application During the application phase, we clean and polish your teeth, then a thin layer of tooth enamel removed. Removing the coating will make sure that your new veneers adhere to your teeth securely. Once your teeth are ready, the dentist will painstakingly fit them to your teeth. Your final steps involve cementing your veneers, curing the cement compound with light, and remove any residual cement compound. If a flawless smile is your dream, contact our office for a consultation about porcelain veneers. We can make your dream smile a reality. Technology has been on the rise and different sectors of the economy are taking advantage of it. Dentists are some of the professionals who have taken advantage of technology in their place or work. From same day crowns to porcelain fillings, dentists have used technology to come up with better treatment methods which have made their work easier and comfortable for patients. Such technology has changed the perception of many patients who now find it easy to visit a clinic to have their teeth examined.
A crown is a porcelain usually placed over a cracked tooth in order to protect the tooth’s pulp from being infected by bacteria hence requiring the creation of a root canal. Through the process of drilling out the affected area, our cosmetic dentist is able to reinforce broken teeth from the affected area hence providing the tooth with better chances of flourishing again. However, getting a crown is something that has always sent chilling waves in the nerves of even the bravest patients. It takes close to three weeks for the crown process to complete. As a result of technology advancement in the medical field, same day crowns have become a relief for most patients. Just as the name suggests, same day crowns are done in a single visit. Unlike conventional crowns, same day crowns not only save you from several weeks of uncomfortable chewing on one side of the mouth but also allow you to continue with your normal activities. All you need to do is wait for your crown to be created and placed in your mouth. Some people might think that new technology crown treatments are costly. However, the fact that such treatment takes less time makes it worthwhile in the sense that patients are able to get back to their normal duties as soon as possible. 1/29/2018 0 Comments Candidates for Dental SedationFor those who will be undergoing any type of invasive, potentially painful dental or orthodontic procedure, the inclusion of dental sedation into the picture is nearly always a possibility. Our Huntington Beach dentists will be able to determine if dental sedation can help you.
Many of us are familiar with the use of Novocain in the dentist’s office and may confuse it with true dental sedation. While Novocain only numbs the area in question locally, dental sedation is unique in that it operates on the consciousness of the patient rather than the strictly physical sensation of the pain to be experienced as a result of the procedure to be performed. Good candidates for sedation are those undergoing invasive procedures or treatments that will require an extended amount of time, such as an individual receiving a dental implant or a root canal. Some patients may be biologically impervious to the numbing effect of Novocain, necessitating the need for dental sedation in some cases. Individuals who experience chronic jaw soreness or other disorders of the head and neck that may inhibit their ability to comfortably sit through the entire procedure while fully conscious may also benefit from the use of dental sedation, as will any patient with an uncontrollable gag reflex, or insurmountable anxiety in anticipation of dental treatments. Some pre-existing conditions might make the administration of dental sedation too risky to be professionally recommended. Women who are pregnant will want to avoid sedation as the drug can affect their growing infant negatively. Patients who are in poor health or who suffer from some medical conditions such as heart disease or abnormal blood pressure may also want to consider alternative means of pain management during their procedure. Our dentist will take all these factors into consideration before making a final call on whether or not sedation is right for you. Of course, to minimize any danger or health risk to the individual being sedated, our sedation dentist will want a full report on both your dental history and health records, including a list of allergies and previous negative reactions to anesthesia. Your current regimen of medications will be checked against the sedation to be administered to avoid the possibility of an adverse drug interaction. 1/26/2018 0 Comments Why Get a Smile MakeoverA smile is a first impression; it can say a lot about us, for better or for worse, and nothing can take a toll on a person’s confidence like looking into the mirror every morning and feeling like the one they have is inadequate. Many feel that their teeth are simply beyond hope, but the good news is that is rarely the case; a smile makeover may be just the thing you need to change your life.
A smile makeover is rarely as simple as it sounds; in most cases, it involves a combination of different types of cosmetic procedures and restorative fixtures used in conjuncture to solve a variety of problems with the appearance of the mouth and teeth at once, as opposed to fixing things one problem at a time. During your initial consultation, our cosmetic dentist will have a discussion with you about all of the areas you feel could be improved about your teeth. Once you have made your list, we will recommend a course of action, suggesting various types of treatment and means of enhancement. If your teeth have become discolored in some way, our dentist may recommend a whitening regimen, or in some more advanced cases the prospect of a new set of dental veneers. Others may be dissatisfied with the natural shape and size of their teeth, some patients even electing to alter their gumlines; this is also something that can be achieved with veneers, which can be sculpted to bring any smile into proper proportion. For those with teeth that have become damaged, chipped, or fractured in some way, dental crowns are a great solution – they can be used to hide and hold together teeth beginning to break apart but still firmly lodged into the gums. For teeth missing entirely, a dental bridge or one or more implants may be the way to go; they are able to mimic the look of a natural tooth without the need for a root to latch on to. Our expert in smile makeovers in Torrance who will be able to help you decide if a smile makeover is right for you. 1/17/2018 0 Comments History of Tooth ImplantsThere is a wealth of information that comes with the topic of tooth implants, from how they are administered to why a person would need one. One often-overlooked aspect of this restorative device, however, is its long and storied history. Implants have certainly come a long way from their humble beginnings, becoming the refined way of replacing teeth that we all know today.
A dental implant is defined as a means of tooth replacement that requires no adjacent abutment, instead relying completely on some sort of placement into the jawbone itself, or in some cases just along its surface; over top of this self-sufficient support system is placed a crown bearing an artificial tooth meant to replicate the way the natural one did before. The first recorded evidence of this practice comes from China in the form of bamboo sticks found in the remains of patients of the past, and carbon dating indicates that these tools were used approximately four thousand years ago. Similar findings in Egypt show mummified corpses with implants made of ivory and precious metals. Other antiquated methods of the past include replacing human teeth with those of animals, or even human teeth bought on the black market. As dental and orthodontic technology became more advanced in the 19th and 20th centuries, dental implants made their rocky way through a modern infancy period. There was a great learning curve in refining it in a formal sense, and unlike more primitive takes on the concept from the past, many western attempts struggled to achieve a fully functional way of replacing teeth in this way that could serve as anything more than purely aesthetic. One of the first successful attempts of this era was the Greenfield implant. Conceived in 1913, it consisted of an iridioplatinum stake driven into the bone and topped with a crown of pure gold. Dr. Greenfield modeled his technique after the already tried-and-true method that surgeons used to place implants into the hips of patients after the time; through these means, they achieved the impossible and created a successfully osseointegrated dental implant that could be used just like a real tooth. Later, the advent of using titanium rods as leverage would be introduced by another doctor named Gottlieb Leventhal. Leventhal’s work was built upon in Sweden by a surgeon called Per-Ingvar Branemark, who was the first to formally observe and recognize the osseointegration phenomenon. Between then and now, much has changed, but the basic idea still remains the same; from sticks and stones to titanium and ceramics, dental implants have been revitalizing smiles since the earliest days of civilization. Perhaps you’ll be the next one to have one placed. Teenagers are faced with numerous challenges such as the pressures of high school, their peers, sports and their appearance. If your teen has crooked teeth, gapped teeth, misaligned bite, overbite, or underbite, you may consider Invisalign Teen to improve their smile. Our San Francisco dentist specializes in Invisalign and can talk to you and your teen about straightening their teeth.
Our dentist will discuss your needs and evaluate whether this treatment option is right for your teen. They will come up with a custom treatment plan by scanning your teeth and creating a digital map of your smile. Our dentist will map out the exact movements of your teeth and be able to tell you how long the treatment plan will take. The Invisalign treatment plan consists of clear plastic aligners that are custom fit to your teen’s mouth. They can be removed for eating, drinking and brushing their teeth. The best part is, they are completely invisible. They can continue to enjoy the activities and foods they love without pain or discomfort. Teens don’t have to worry about injuries from wires and brackets or trips to the doctor. The clear plastic aligners are easily removable and comfortable in the mouth. The aligners should be worn for most of the day. The only time your teen should remove them is when they brush their teeth, eat or drink. They can easily clean them with warm water or the Invisalign cleaning kit. Your teen should still maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day for at least two minutes along with flossing. This will ensure that your teen’s teeth and gums remain healthy while the clear plastic aligners do their work! The length of treatment will depend on their specific case. The average case takes about one year. The aligners are meant to be switched out every week as your teen’s teeth move and shift into place. You and your teen can continue to track their progress as their smile improves. Talk to our dentist about your teen’s smile. He can assess their teeth and come up with a treatment plan that works for them. No matter what your teen is experiencing with their smile, our experts are here to help. Schedule a consultation with us today. If you’ve ever bought an outfit that made you feel like a million bucks while trying it on, the principle behind the appeal of a smile makeover should be obvious: when you look good, you feel good. If you look in the mirror and see teeth that don’t smile back at you, you may feel more than a bit hopeless about the situation. Luckily, however, there is a solution. A smile makeover could be just the thing to give you your confidence and your life back.
There are many cosmetic complaints we hear from our patients: some experience unwanted discoloration, while others wish to have gaps filled or their teeth aligned. Others have teeth which have experienced trauma in the past and as a result are cracked, chipped, or fractured, which is not only a health and safety concern, but can also be quite unsightly. More complicated problems to deal with include patients who are dissatisfied with the shape of their teeth, or want to replace many of them at once. While seemingly insurmountable to the layman, these are all aesthetic improvements our San Francisco cosmetic dentist will be able to make for you. There are many options available to you when seeking to improve the appearance of your teeth. One of the most common cosmetic procedures performed by our dentists is simple whitening. Whether administered in-office or as a take-away package, bleaching or lasering away years of environmental wear and tear is one small thing that can be used to significantly change the way your teeth look. For those who wish for straight teeth in perfect alignment but are not interested in wearing a set of braces for years, either an invisible, removable aligner or dental bonding may be good options to look into. While alignment retainers will work gradually to shift your teeth into a more attractive configuration, dental bonding can fill in the spaces and cover any imperfections. For fractured or otherwise damaged teeth, there are crowns, bridges, and porcelain veneers to consider. A crown is used over a damaged tooth. While similar to a bridge, they are actually quite different; a bridge involves two crowns attached to either side of a false tooth, and this tool is used to bridge the gap where a missing tooth once way. Veneers are wafer-thin façade, hiding misshapen and jagged edges. Finally, there is the most drastic measure in our dentist’s arsenal: dental implants. In cases where the tooth must be replaced entirely and there are no natural structures nearby dental implants are a great option to consider. Schedule a consultation with our dentist to learn more about your options. 11/20/2017 0 Comments When is Dental Bonding Used?Dental bonding is a procedure that can be used to aesthetically improve or restore your smile. Bonding uses the same material that white dental fillings use: composite resin. The tooth-colored resin is applied and shaped to match the surface of your tooth and then cured and polished for a strong, lasting shine.
We can use bonding in many ways to fix your smile, including:
A tooth can be bonded in a single appointment. We will prepare the tooth by roughening the surface. You will not necessarily need anesthesia as long as there is no decay. Once the tooth has been roughened, a conditioning liquid is applied, and the correct color of resin is chosen to match the tooth. The putty-like material is molded, shaped and smoothed onto the tooth, and when it is cured, it forms a strong bond with the tooth that can last up to 10 years with good care. Call our dentist today to learn more or to schedule your appointment. 11/15/2017 0 Comments How Poor Dental Hygiene Can Affect YouPoor dental hygiene can lead to numerous problems including cavities, tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease. Symptoms for gum disease include swollen, red, tender or bleeding gums, gums that recede, persistent bad breath and loose teeth. But there are also numerous other problems that can occur when someone exhibits poor oral hygiene. When people neglect their gums, it can affect other parts of the body and not just the mouth.
The bacterium that causes gum and periodontal disease can actually enter the blood stream and travel to the arteries causing them to harden. This causes cardiovascular disease, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The inner lining of the heart can also become inflamed; a condition known as endocarditis. For those who are diabetic, poor dental hygiene can make it even harder to control blood sugar making diabetes symptoms worse. Those who have diabetes are also more prone to periodontal disease. It is even more important for diabetics to practice good oral hygiene for these reasons. There are also studies that indicate tooth loss and bleeding gums can affect a person’s thinking. According to The Journal of the American Dental Association, cognitive function decreased for every extra tooth a person had lost or had removed. This was true for people that also had severe gum disease. The authors analyzed data from tooth and gum examinations conducted among nearly 6,000 men and women. An estimated 13 percent of those participants had no natural teeth. The researchers found that scores on memory and thinking tests were lower among those who did not have teeth compared to those that did. Other issues associated with poor dental hygiene could also include respiratory infections. According to The Journal of Periodontology, gum disease could lead to infections in the lungs. This connection might not seem obvious at first, but breathing in bacteria from infected teeth over a long period of time can do damage to the body. For all the reasons mentioned above, it’s important to establish good oral hygiene and visit the dental office for routine cleanings. We can get rid of plaque and bacteria in the mouth that a toothbrush or even flossing cannot reach during a cleaning. It is important to brush the teeth every day, twice a day along with flossing. These simple habits can prevent numerous issues associated with poor dental hygiene. |
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