How to Determine if You are a Candidate for Invisalign

Many people are intrigued by Invisalign treatment, the system of clear plastic aligners that is designed to straighten teeth. Two of the biggest perks about Invisalign are that it is invisible to the outside observer and that it is removable. However, how exactly do you know if you would make a good candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign was designed to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues. It is particularly effective at treating protruding teeth and minor cases of crooked teeth. It is also able to treat certain cases of malocclusion, open bite, underbite, overbite, crossbite, crowded teeth, and gapped teeth. In fact, Invisalign actually offers a free smile assessment on their website that can help determine if you would be right for Invisalign. If the assessment indicates you may be a good candidate, then there is also a list of Invisalign providers that is given to you by the company. At the time of your consultation, the Invisalign provider will be able to make the final determination.

While Invisalign can treat many different cases, there are some instances in which it may not be recommended for you. In particular, if you need to rotate your teeth, move your teeth vertically, or have bite issues affecting your back teeth, then Invisalign may not be right for you. Contact our expert in Invisalign in Beverly Hills to set up a consultation if you are interested in seeing if you are a good candidate.

Endodontic Treatments

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that concerns the pulp located inside the root canal of each tooth. An endodontist is specially trained to deal with this pulp and is able to perform a variety of treatments related to it.

Root canal therapy is one of the treatments in which an endodontist specializes. Due to decay or trauma, the pulp of the tooth can be severely damaged and infected. In order to treat this infection, our endodontist in West Hollywood actually needs to remove all of the pulp from the tooth. When a permanent tooth has fully matured, the pulp is actually no longer necessary for the survival of the actual tooth structure. Once the pulp is removed, the tooth can be saved and restored by the placement of a crown.

Another treatment that an endodontist specializes in is the repair of cracked teeth. If you crack a tooth bad enough, you can end up exposing the pulp. This is particularly painful, and an exposed pulp will require immediate treatment by an endodontist. Since they specialize in treating the pulp, they may be able to save your tooth. The same holds true for a tooth that has been knocked out. The sooner you get to an endodontist, the better the chances they will be able to save your tooth.

What You Should Know about Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontic treatments are there to correct tooth alignment issues from which patients may be suffering. Some people mistakenly think that orthodontic treatments are only designed for children and teenagers, though. The truth is that a growing number of adults are also receiving orthodontic treatments.

One of the reasons for this increase is due to the modern treatment options that are now available. For many years, traditional metal braces were the only option for correcting alignment issues. Now there are tooth-colored ceramic braces that blend in much better with your natural teeth. Our Los Angeles cosmetic dentist even offers the Invisalign system, in which a series of clear plastic aligners are used in the treatment instead of metal brackets and wires. Since the aligners are clear, an outside observer would not be able to tell that they were being worn. Adults decide to go through orthodontic treatments for a variety of reasons, but promoting good oral health is probably the best one. Crooked teeth can trap food particles more easily, which encourages plaque buildup. These areas can be harder to clean, making it is easier for problems to start to develop.

If you are interested in seeing whether an orthodontic treatment is right for you, contact our expert in orthodontic treatments in Los Angeles to set up a consultation.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Veneers?

With the vast amount of options to choose from for a smile maintenance, things can get complicated very fast. Patients do not always have the best idea on what they want even, so the more options you consider, the more information piles up.

The first question most people have relates to the cost. For example, in terms of dental veneers, people want to know how many veneers will be necessary, how much they will pay per tooth, and how much of that price, if any, will be covered by their dental insurance.

Unfortunately, no straight answers to these questions can be given, because each case is different and there are different variables associated with each. If you are curious about the price of dental veneers in Pasadena, you should start by determining if your insurance provider will cover veneers. You may also ask your doctor if she offers any payment plans or financing options. Much of your fiscal confusion can be cleared at your initial consultation, though.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that, in most cases, you really do get what you pay for. Veneer prices may vary depending on the experience and expertise of the doctor, as well as on the quality of materials chosen. Since veneers are made in an off-site laboratory, your dentist will incur extra fees, which will show up in your quote.

Our dental office is eager to discuss the most cost-effective ways to get veneers for you. Make the call to schedule an appointment today.

What is Endodontics?

Endodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that is concerned with the pulp tissue that is located inside of the tooth. If you are looking within the tooth itself, the pulp is located inside the root canal of the tooth.

When there is an issue that affects the pulp, the services of an endodontist are required. A common procedure that they perform is the root canal treatment. When a tooth is damaged by decay or injury, it can cause the pulp to be affected. If it becomes too badly damaged or infected, then the pulp needs to be removed altogether. This is thoroughly achieved by drilling through the top of the tooth and then carefully removing the pulp. Our dentist in West Hollywood will then flush out and clean the root canal. If there was an infection, then an antibiotic may be placed. Once it is fully clean, the canal is filled and the tooth is restored with a crown.

A cracked tooth can also require endodontic work if the pulp has been exposed. The endodontist can seal and save the tooth, but the matter is very time sensitive. The same holds true with a dislodged tooth. The endodontist has the best chance of saving your tooth if you are able to get there within a half-hour to an hour of the occurrence.

If you feel like you may be in need of a root canal treatment or are suffering from a cracked tooth, contact our endodontist in West Hollywood to set up a consultation.

Purpose of Dental Sealants

The different types of teeth have different characteristics. For example, the division of chewing explains that the back teeth tend to have more pits and fissures than the smoother front teeth. This means that the back teeth attract more food particles and bacteria than the front teeth. They are also harder to clean, simply because they are harder to reach and are full of natural seams or grooves.

To reinforce your back teeth against decay, dental professionals may want to utilize a dental sealant. This product is particularly common among children who are just getting their molars in. Our expert in dental sealants in Northridge recommends for the sealant to be applied to six-year molars and 12-year molars as soon as your child gets them. In some cases, a dental sealant may even be appropriate for baby teeth if they are especially fissured. The sooner the sealant is applied to the new teeth, the sooner it can start repelling decay.

First, the dentist will clean the teeth, sometimes using a drill to expose the more intricate seams. Then, she will apply an acidic solution to roughen the surface of the teeth in preparation for the sealant. As the final step, the sealant is quite literally painted on. Most sealants last up to 10 years, but you should create a proper dental schedule to help fight against any future decay. Your dental sealants may require the occasional touch-up.

For more information, contact our Northridge cosmetic dentists.

How Does Invisalign Teen Work?

Invisalign was once only an option for older teens and adults. Fortunately, thanks to several advanced features in the system, today’s teens can also benefit from Invisalign. Invisalign Teen is a treatment that has been carefully designed to meet the unique needs of teens. Our Los Angeles Invisalign dentist can help you and your teen decide if Invisalign is right for them.

As with conventional Invisalign, Invisalign Teen uses clear aligners designed to put pressure on specific teeth in order to straighten them. However, it also has special additions perfect for meeting your teen’s needs. The Blue Dot indicator reminders your teen to change to the next set of aligners and can help them keep his treatment on track. Eruption Tabs allow for the eruption of the molars without requiring a complete change of treatment to accommodate them.

If your teen has a history of losing track of things, Invisalign Teen has an answer for that, too. Up to six replacement aligners are available, which can prevent your teen’s treatment from being disrupted due to a loss. Whether your teen has minor spacing or crowding, or if they have more serious bite problems, Invisalign Teen can be a great choice. Call us today to schedule your teen’s appointment with our expert in Invisalign Teen in Los Angeles.

When is Periodontal Surgery an Option?

For patients suffering from periodontal disease, a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing is usually the first step in their treatment. Although if the gums have receded past 5 to 6 millimeters, scaling and root planing may no longer be an effective procedure. The bacteria that have encased the root of the tooth may need to be removed through periodontal surgery at this point.

With periodontal surgery, our dentist in West Hollywood will need to make a small incision into the gums in order to fold them back in such a way that the tooth root surface becomes visible. The bacteria at the root of the tooth are then removed to prevent further damage. If damage has already occurred, our dentist may then need to perform a bone or tissue graft to repair it. Sutures are used to close the gums back up. While periodontal surgery does not cure periodontal disease, it does prevent further damage from happening to the teeth and gums. Meticulous aftercare is needed after the surgery to prevent bacteria from re-forming on the root of the tooth.

If you are wondering whether periodontal surgery is the right option for you, contact our expert in periodontal surgery in West Hollywood to set up a consultation.

Are Orthodontic Treatments Effective for Adults?

Teeth can shift as we age, even as we enter into adulthood. In a lot of cases, children who should have been treated with braces never were in their adolescent years. Now, as adults they desire to finally straighten their teeth. Some adults may simply want to straighten their teeth for a new career move. Whatever the case may be, orthodontic treatments are a very effective option for adults and teens alike.

While traditional metal braces are certainly a good orthodontic option, there are also alternative choices for many adults. Ceramic braces are tooth-colored, and, as a result, are less noticeable to others. Adults now have the option for a more discreet orthodontic treatment, called Invisalign. Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligner trays to straighten the teeth. Since the Invisalign aligners are clear, they are basically invisible to an outside observer.

Many adults get their teeth straightened for aesthetic reasons, but there are also other health benefits to be gained. Crooked teeth can cause you to have a bad bite, which in turn can contribute to bone and gum loss. Crooked teeth also promote tooth decay, as food can get trapped more easily. Because our bones become more rigid as we age, it is possible that orthodontic treatments may take a little longer for some adults. This is not always the case, though, and it will depend on the complexity of the orthodontic issues.

If you are an adult who is interested in having orthodontic treatment done, then contact our expert in adult orthodontics in San Pedro to set up a consultation.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Usually Take?

One advantage Invisalign can claim over metal braces is a reduced timetable. If you follow your treatment plan carefully with Invisalign treatment, you will see results faster.

Invisalign is a highly linear program with exact guideposts to meet. Your doctor will determine these when setting up your treatment plan. You can expect the entire process to last as few as five months for a simple case, or as many as 24 months for a complex case.

The high-tech aligners, or trays, that methodically push your teeth into a better position have to be worn at least 20 to 22 hours per day. Invisalign works in a series of two-week stages, with a new set of trays for each stage. Each set of trays will have a determined goal location toward where to move your teeth, building on the previous set. The aligners are numbered sequentially, making it easy to see where you are in the straightening process.

If you wear the aligners as instructed for the recommended hours per day, the process should move flawlessly toward completion.
You will see your doctor for routine checkups, at which our expert in Invisalign in Burbank will perform any adjustments or maintenance that may be necessary. These visits do not interrupt your timetable, and should be seen as supplemental to your overall treatment plan.

For more information on Invisalign, contact our Pasadena cosmetic dentist.