Who Can Benefit from a Smile Makeover

Smile makeovers are a great way to bring a dull smile to life. They involve cosmetic dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.

Any cosmetic treatment or procedure can be included in a smile makeover. Commonly used are porcelain veneers, crowns, dental implants, bonding and teeth whitening, among others. The goal with a smile makeover is to improve the appearance of your smile, so any procedure that helps in this regard can be utilized.

You may benefit from a smile makeover if you have any of the following dental issues.

•    Chipped or cracked teeth
•    Teeth that appear short
•    Crooked or uneven teeth
•    Stained or discolored teeth
•    Missing teeth or gaps between your teeth

When you decide to get a smile makeover, you will first meet with your dentist to discuss your goals and the available treatments. Before any treatment can begin, a dental exam and x-rays will need to be performed to check the health of your teeth and identify any issues. The length of your treatment will depend on the extent of your issues and the specific treatments that are chosen to address those issues.

If you are considering a smile makeover, call our office to find out how our dentist in Hollywood can transform your smile.

Invisalign Express and How Fast It Works

Everyone’s teeth are different. This means that everyone sports unique orthodontic issues. So it stands to reason that while some may require extensive orthodontic care from our Rocklin orthodontist, others may only have a few small problems that need to be fixed. Invisalign has ensured that there is treatment available specifically for these types of cases.

For those curious, Invisalign Express does require less time than Invisalign Full treatment. To be more specific, usually only six months are needed compared to the twelve to eighteen required with Invisalign Full. As previously stated, however, everyone’s smiles are different, and this number will vary depending on your specific case. Speak with your Rocklin Invisalign Express expert for a better idea.

There are also many factors that can affect the length of time your Express treatment lasts. Patients must be sure to wear their aligners between twenty and twenty-two hours a day. This is how much time is required for maximum effectiveness. Failure to wear your aligners enough typically leads to longer treatment time. Patients should also to their best to keep an eye on their aligners. It can take several weeks for a replacement to be delivered, and this will basically put a pause on your treatment, which will then have to be extended to make up for it.

What Makes Invisalign Unique

Many are intrigued when they are told by their orthodontist that they are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. Most people are familiar with traditional braces and how they work, but the case is not the same when it comes to the increasingly popular alternative.

Invisalign is a unique treatment that provides many options and benefits. Of course, everyone loves the fact that Invisalign aligners are made with clear material, thus offering a more discreet orthodontic experience than other teeth straightening appliances. But the fact that the aligners are removable is what makes the treatment truly unique. This flexibility allows patients to eat and clean their teeth with ease.

Many are unaware that Invisalign offers different treatments to meet the needs of their many different types of patients. Invisalign Teen is available for younger patients, and allows our Rocklin Invisalign expert to know how often the aligners are being worn by a blue use indicator. Aligners are also made with extenders, as the mouths of teens can still yet grow. They can also relax knowing that they get up to six replacement trays as part of the plan. Invisalign Express is also available, for those who require only minimal orthodontic help.

Is a Dental Implant Procedure Expensive?

When it comes to tooth replacement, dental implants are a top-of-the-line treatment. While the initial cost of dental implants is often higher than the other treatments available, they are not as expensive as you might think.

First of all, it is hard to put a price tag on the confidence and restored quality of life that you get from dental implants. When it comes to tooth replacement, there is no other treatment that matches the performance of dental implants. They are the only treatment available that looks, feels and functions just like natural teeth. No more restrictions on what you can eat. No fears about them breaking or moving out of position. And oral hygiene with implants is just as easy as with natural teeth; just brush and floss normally.

In case all of these benefits were not enough, implants might actually end up costing less than alternative treatments. Other treatments, such as bridges and dentures need to be replaced from time to time. But implants typically last a lifetime, potentially making them a more affordable option in the long run.

For more information on how affordable dental implants can be, contact our Beverly Hills dental implant doctor to schedule a consultation.

Are Lumineers Distinguishable

Patients with visible defects in their smiles are always excited by the possibility of invisible fixes. These may include things like lingual braces or Invisalign. But if you want a less orthodontic treatment, Lumineers are considered a cosmetic highlight. If you have chipped or cracked teeth, problems with symmetry or spacing, or teeth that have worn down due to bruxism or general wear and tear, we encourage you to contact our expert in Lumineers in Los Angeles.

Dental veneers are designed to go directly over the existing teeth, using a bonding agent. But to install traditional veneers, the dentist must shave away millimeters of enamel from the existing teeth. Lumineers do not require this step. The technology involves exceptional thinness, enabling the laminates to adhere to the teeth in their natural state. This way, the patient need not fear drilling, or losing enamel that cannot be replaced.

Looking at Lumineers before and after images reassures that Lumineers patients show no signs of coverage. The laminates are designed to mimic the natural light-reflecting properties of natural teeth, encouraging maximum subtlety. And the thinness we mentioned earlier creates seamless, improved sight lines for teeth that were damaged or misaligned.

For more about the discretion of Lumineers, contact our cosmetic dentist.

Candidates for Porcelain Veneers

Veneers have been retouching smiles since the days of Old Hollywood, when everyone smoked and had ruinously discolored teeth. Modern porcelain veneers are the best way to perfect a smile without orthodontics. However, in that light, there are some factors you should consider for your candidacy. Any orthodontic repair your mouth requires may disqualify you from getting veneers.

One of the most popular uses for veneers is simply to hide stained and discolored teeth. Staining and discoloring happens after years of smoking, or drinking tea and coffee. A certain amount of staining just comes with age or from neglect. Many clients prefer to try teeth whitening, but greyish stains do not respond to whitening treatments. If your teeth are stained in this way, you should be a good candidate for veneers.

It is better if your bite is not irregular, and your teeth are not excessively crooked. These would be considered orthodontic issues. Veneers are best seen as masks, as they tend to camouflage damage more than correct it.

As long as your teeth are fairly healthy and you have no issues with tooth-grinding, our expert in porcelain veneers in Van Nuys will approve you for veneers. Having sufficient tooth enamel is another factor, as most veneers require some alteration of existing tooth structure.

For more about your potential candidacy for porcelain veneers, contact our Van Nuys cosmetic dentist.

Kids and Their Dental Treatments

Healthy smiles start early, which is why the American Dental Association recommends getting your child to see a dentist by the time he or she is a year old. Our dentist in Santa Clara welcomes even young children to our offices. We check their teeth to ensure they are developing as expected. We look at their teeth and gums, talk to them about the importance of good dental habits and make early dental visits fun and educational.

Common preventive treatments for kids include:

•    Cleanings
Cleanings are one of the most important pediatric treatments. Cleanings help your child get used to dental care, and they remove buildup from your child’s teeth to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

•    Dental sealants
Sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, which have folds and fissures that tend to be difficult to keep clean and prone to cavities. Sealants form a barrier between these folds and the bacteria in your child’s mouth.

•    Fluoride treatments
Fluoride helps mineralize the enamel on your child’s teeth to help them stay strong and resilient against cavities and decay.

Other treatments we may recommend for children include tooth-colored fillings, dental crowns, space maintainers, dental extractions, root canal treatments and early orthodontics. Call us today to find out more or to schedule your appointment with our Santa Clara pediatric dentist.

Dental Treatments with the Drill

Dental drills have been used for years to treat common dental problems like tooth decay and cavities. The drill would remove decayed or damaged tooth structure and prepare the tooth to be restored. While drills have long been the standard of care in dentistry and reliably and effectively help treat teeth, they make many patients feel nervous and uncomfortable. After all, the idea of having a drill in your mouth can cause a little anxiety in even the most relaxed patients. Those who struggle with dental anxiety or phobia may have even more struggles related to the sounds, smells or sensations associated with the drill.

There should be no pain associated with the drill. We use local anesthetics that numb your mouth in the treatment area. You may still feel some pressure and vibration, however. This can be unpleasant for many people. Although the dental drill has a long history of safety and effectiveness, we now have a new option when it comes to treating decayed or damaged teeth. No drill dentistry uses special dental lasers to remove the damaged or decayed tissue. Dental lasers are especially useful with children and phobic patients but can be used with anyone who would otherwise be treated with a drill.

Lasers offer more precise results and allow us to treat teeth more conservatively, which means that more healthy tissue is preserved. Once the decayed tissue is removed, the tooth can be restored using tooth-colored materials like composite resin or porcelain. Call us today to learn more about dental lasers or to schedule your appointment with our Santa Clara dentist.

How to Find Out if Invisalign is Effective

Though bulky and inconvenient, traditional metal braces are usually unquestioned when it comes to their effectiveness. Invisalign, on the other hand, is a newer treatment that many are not yet familiar with. If you are thinking about using Invisalign to straighten your teeth and improve the look of your smile, you can find out if it would be an effective treatment for you, and if so, how to make sure you are utilizing the opportunity to best perfect your smile.

Invisalign is most effective for those with:

•    Gapped teeth
•    An overbite
•    An underbite
•    An open bite
•    Overly crowded teeth
•    Or crossbite

If you have teeth that require rotating, back bite issues, or teeth that need to move vertically, Invisalign treatment may not be effective for you.

Patients should follow certain rules and practices to ensure treatment is most effective. The main rule is that the aligners must be worn between twenty and twenty-two hours a day. Any less, and there will not be enough consistent pressure applied to the teeth to move them where they need to go.

Patients who want to find out more about whether Invisalign treatment will be right for them should look for Invisalign reviews from patients who had similar dental issues, and visit our expert orthodontist.

Complications after Root Canal

The vast majority of root canal procedures are performed successfully without complication. Although our root canal doctor in Los Angeles has safely performed many procedures without incident, as with any medical procedure, there are no guarantees, and sometimes complications do arise. Here is a look at some potential complications that can arise during or after root canal treatment.

Fracture of the root or crown: This can be present before the treatment or can occur after the procedure, but any fracture gives bacteria an entry point in which to invade and re-infect the tooth. Placing a crown over the tooth after the procedure greatly reduces the risk of the tooth becoming fractured.

Re-infection: This can happen due to a number of factors including a fracture in the tooth or failure to remove all of the bacteria and infected tissue from inside the tooth.

Perforation of the root: Sometimes a perforation or hole is made in the side of the root while the tooth is being cleaned out. If this occurs, it can normally be repaired successfully.

Breakage of Instrumentation: Although rare, instruments can break while inside the tooth. Depending on where the break occurred, it may or may not be recoverable from within the tooth.

To find out what measures our endodontist in Los Angeles takes to minimize the risk of complications, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

Dentists Providing Emergency Services

There is an assortment of specialties in the dental profession: orthodontics, periodontics, endodontists, and general dentistry, to name a few. Emergency dentists are there to help with serious, time sensitive situations that your general or other dentist may not be available or qualified to tend to.

Dental issues that can be treated by a dental emergency doctor in Los Angeles include:

•    Missing tooth or teeth
•    Loose tooth or teeth
•    Cracks or chips
•    Breaks or fractures
•    Toothaches
•    Lost filling or crown
•    Broken or damaged orthodontic appliances
•    An object stuck between teeth

If you are looking for a Los Angeles emergency dental office for current or future reference, there are several resources at your disposal. Contacting your general dentist will likely result in several reliable recommendations. Asking your friends, coworkers, and family members who live in the area may also provide you with several names or offices to keep on file. Knowing that someone you trust has been seen by this dentist before and had a positive experience can be comforting. Searching online can lead you to many web pages for local emergency dentists, but be sure to look at the availability of any you are considering. The ADA can provide a list of any type of dentist in your area that may fit your needs.