Why to Have Dental X-Rays

As part of regular dental practices, x-rays are used all the time. For adults, many dental practices use them about once a year, or every-other appointment, to check for existing or potential problems. They have become a critical part of ensuring oral health for good reason.

X-rays, obviously, are able to see right through the soft tissue of our bodies. This means that they can see beyond our cheeks and our gums to see just the teeth and the jaw. Incredibly, x-rays are also able to see when there is a soft spot in a tooth, which shows up as a slightly darkened area on an otherwise white tooth. While looking at the tooth with the naked eye would reveal no such area, our expert in dental x-rays in Glendale can see the area with one. This soft spot is a cavity and needs to be addressed before it becomes more serious and problematic.

X-rays are also valuable to identify teeth that are coming in for children and wisdom teeth for teenagers or twenty-somethings. As a result, x-rays in children are used more commonly to ensure there are no problems on the horizon. Needless to say, x-rays are a critical part of the practice of our dentists in Glendale, CA.

What are White Fillings Made of?

White fillings, or composite fillings, are becoming the most popular type of dental fillings. When compared to gold or silver amalgam fillings, white fillings offer a much more aesthetically pleasing option. These white fillings are actually made from a resin material, which is a special mixture of plastic and glass.

Composite fillings have quite a few applications. The use that most people are familiar with is to fill cavities after the decay has been drilled away. Many people even choose to have their old amalgam fillings removed and replaced with white fillings. The composite resin material also happens to be the same material that is using in dental bonding. That means that whenever a tooth is chipped or cracked, it can be restored using this same composite resin material. Our cosmetic dentist may also use this material to lengthen a tooth. For people who suffer from sensitive teeth, a common reason for it is that they are missing the enamel that would normally insulate the dentin layer of the tooth. The same material that is used for white fillings can be used to replace the enamel that these patients have lost.

If you think you may have a cavity and are looking for a cosmetically pleasing way to have it filled, contact our expert in white fillings in West Hollywood to set up an appointment.

When are Dental Bridges Used?

Our San Francisco dentists use dental bridges quite commonly for a variety of reasons for both new and existing patients. They are exceptionally useful in many situations.

As a general rule, dental bridges are used to fill gaps left by missing teeth. This could be one missing tooth or multiple. A bridge is anchored into place on both of the adjacent teeth with dental crowns and a fake tooth is suspended in the gaps. Naturally, this process is exceptionally valuable for aesthetic purposes, restoring the appearance of natural teeth where there was just a gap before. These can be done for both front teeth and back teeth.

But it goes beyond aesthetics. Dental bridges are valuable because having a missing molar, for example, can cause biting and chewing problems, and the gap can lead to problems associated with decay. A missing tooth is more likely to cause gum problems in the area, as well as cause decay in the neighboring teeth. A dental bridge addresses this issue, restoring the function of the missing tooth.

Contact our expert in dental bridges in San Francisco to learn more about them and if they could help restore the look and function of your missing teeth.

Common Restorative Dentistry Treatments

Restorative dentistry is something our San Francisco dental office handles on a regular basis. It involves the diagnosis of oral health problems, effectively addressing them, and then attaining an aesthetic that the patient is looking for. These steps are usually done in that order, but some aesthetic concerns can be handled while any underlying health concerns are addressed. As a general rule, though, aesthetics must take a back to seat to problems such as gum disease, with the former being delayed until the latter is under control. Common restorative dental treatments include:

Tooth-Colored Fillings: metal amalgam fillings are replaced with much more appealing alternatives such as composite resin.

Porcelain Crowns, Inlays, Onlays & Veneers: This natural-looking material is used for a variety of purposes to mimic the appearance of natural teeth, hiding discolorations and other abnormalities, providing structural support for teeth weakened by decay or trauma, and even protecting sensitive or decayed teeth.

Dental Bridges: Also made of porcelain, these are used to replace missing teeth to restore a full smile.

Root Canal Therapy: As part of addressing oral health issues, this is an important option to remove infections from problem teeth, which will also helps prevent gum disease in the future.

These are just some of the options available to our restorative dentist in San Francisco, who can provide you with additional information at a consultation.

Getting Dental Implants for Multiple Teeth

If you are missing multiple teeth, dental implants are a very effective replacement option. In fact, no other replacement option offers the aesthetics and functionality that are provided by dental implants.

The nice thing about getting dental implants for multiple teeth is that one dental implant is able to support several replacement teeth. Even if you are trying to replace all of the teeth in your mouth, as little as four-six dental implants can support a full row of replacement teeth. When replacement teeth are secured by dental implants, it is much easier to speak and eat. With partial or full dentures, it is easy for the appliance to fall out while trying to do these activities. And with a tooth-supported bridge, the neighboring teeth need to be filed down in order for the appliance to fit. Bridges supported by dental implants do not require any collateral damage to surrounding teeth. Since implants are placed deep into your jawbone, they mimic the root of a natural tooth. The implants actually stimulate the jaw bone and prevent the bone loss from occurring that would happen without the implant. This is one of the reasons that our Beverly Hills tooth implant expert recommends dental implants for replacing multiple teeth.

If you are looking to replace multiple teeth, contact our expert in multiple dental implants in Beverly Hills to set up a consultation.

What are Inlays and Onlays?

Inlays and onlays are a tool used by dentists in a couple different situations. Both of them are dental restoration treatments that are made outside of the mouth and then cemented into place. The difference between them is essentially just the size and area that they cover of a tooth.

An inlay is essentially nothing more or less than a tooth filling. The primary difference, however, is that while traditionally fillings are set into the tooth in a liquid or putty consistency and then hardened, inlays are shaped on the tooth, removed, hardened outside of the mouth, then cemented into place back on the tooth. The primary advantage of doing this is that both metal amalgam and composite resin fillings will shrink slightly during hardening. While the difference between the sizes will be essentially unnoticeable to the naked eye, the tooth experiences the strain from that change. If the tooth is already weakened due to the decay or from other dental work done on it, that strain can break the tooth. Inlays avoid that risk.

Onlays are essentially the same, the difference is that they will also cover one or more of the cusps of the teeth, the bumps that allow us to grind food. Our Van Nuys dentist will use these as a way to strengthen the tooth, provide protection for it, but not put undue strain on it in the process.

What is Different in Denmat Lumineers?

Denmat is the only company that makes and sells Lumineers. Denmat uses Cerinate, a high-quality porcelain, to make the most cutting-edge veneer on the market. This product is designed to cover smile blemishes and restore aging dental work, all while requiring no anesthetic or drilling.

One of the hard parts of getting traditional veneers is the discomfort involved. The doctor must prep the affected teeth by removing a certain amount of enamel beforehand. This step is thankfully missing from Denmat Lumineers. They are thin enough to withstand wear and be barely noticeable at the same time.
If you choose this cosmetic upgrade, our expert in Lumineers in Los Angeles will work closely with you to customize your laminates. The porcelain can be matched with your existing teeth shade to fully restore a natural, healthy smile.

In addition, Lumineers have a longer lifespan than most veneers, with a tested 94 percent success rate at 20 years.

You probably know by now that not every dental case is alike, and results of solid products may differ from patient to patient. It may be helpful to review work by your doctor, who should have a case library to peruse. The difference between Lumineers and other veneers should be highly visible.

Endodontic Treatment Options

Endodontic treatment is used to clear teeth of infections in order to save them. In providing endodontic procedures, our San Francisco dentist helps patients keep the appearance, comfort and function that natural teeth offer. A variety of endodontic options may be recommended by our dentist, including root canal therapy and root canal surgery.

Root Canal Therapy

Also simply called a root canal, this treatment involves drilling into an infected tooth and removing the infection and any damaged tissue. After placing medicated packing in the new space, our dentist seals the tooth with a filling and covers it with a crown.

Root Canal Surgery

In many cases, root canal surgery is used for teeth that have re-occurring infections after a previous root canal therapy. Depending on the type of procedure, root canal surgery may involve reaching a tooth from an alternate angle or removing it for treatment.

Like many other types of dental treatment, endodontic care is performed under local anesthesia. This means that patients stay comfortable while their dental health is restored. By receiving root canal treatment, patients avoid needing extraction and replacement. Patients can schedule a consultation with our San Francisco endodontist to learn more about endodontic treatment options.

Reason for Tooth Sensitivity after Whitening

Given the prevalence of the selfie in pop culture today, teeth whitening treatments have become increasingly popular. Some professional whitening treatments even have the power to whiten your teeth several shades in under an hour. While it is a popular procedure, a common complain that is heard is that teeth whitening causes tooth sensitivity afterwards. What exactly is the reason for this?

The answer is found in the active ingredient that is used in most teeth whitening treatments – peroxide. During the procedure, the peroxide will actually temporarily dehydrate your teeth. When the water is sucked out of your teeth, it tends to make them sensitive. This is a temporary occurrence, though, and the sensitivity from the treatment should dissipate shortly after the procedure.

If you already have sensitive teeth, there are some precautions that can be taken to minimize the sensitivity during and after treatment. Taking ibuprofen before the procedure can help. Additionally, some dentists may give patients with sensitive teeth trays filled with fluoride to wear before their treatment begins. There are also some whitening solutions that contain less peroxide, which may be appropriate for certain patients.

If you are looking to treat your discolored teeth with a whitening procedure, contact our teeth whitening doctor to schedule a consultation.

Smile Makeovers and Their Advantages

Smile makeovers, like other makeovers, can include a variety of treatments selected for the individuals receiving them. Advantages of smile makeovers involve their versatility and efficiency for patients with multiple dental flaws. Here is more about what makes smile makeovers beneficial.

Versatility for Individuals

Patients seeking smile makeovers first visit our cosmetic dentist in East Los Angeles for an exam. During this appointment, our dentist looks for flaws and explains to patients how those issues can be corrected or concealed. In the process, patients may learn about flaws they had not been aware of and find out that certain flaws can be addressed in more than one way.

Speed and Efficiency

The creation of a unique plan of appointments for a smile makeover ensures that the process is efficient. If certain beneficial procedures are best completed before others, this will be arranged from the outset. This can ultimately save patients time and money.

A smile makeover varies in length from days to months based on the options included in it. Although makeovers are always different, patients can get an idea of the improvements possible by looking at before and after pictures. A consultation with our expert in smile makeover in East Los Angeles can be scheduled to learn more about the benefits of smile makeovers.