What Do Periodontists Do?

Periodontists are dental specialists who focus on treating periodontal tissues, such as the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontal disease is common and affects about half of American adults. Without treatment, periodontal disease can lead to extensive gum, jawbone, and tooth loss. Our Hollywood dentists offer periodontal treatments that can protect, restore, and preserve your gum health.

All dentists receive the same basic education and training, but periodontists complete an additional three years of highly specialized training, which enables them to become experts in the field of gum health. Periodontists spend those extra years learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat all stages of gum disease. They can use both surgical and nonsurgical treatments to address gum disease and can even replace lost teeth using dental implants.

Periodontal disease is common, but it is also highly preventable. Early diagnosis is key to a positive outcome. If you notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss, or they look red, puffy, inflamed, or swollen, it is time for an evaluation. Call us today to learn more and schedule an appointment with our periodontist in Hollywood.

Myths about Root Canal Treatment

We’ve all heard someone say that they would rather have a root canal than do something unpleasant. Root canals are widely known as a painful and uncomfortable treatment, but this idea is far from the truth. The following are some myths about root canal therapy and some facts many do not know.

Root canal therapy is not painful. In fact, they are performed by our dentist in Agoura Hills in order to spare the patient of the pain that comes with a tooth infection. When decay caused by a diet high in sugar and a lack of dental hygiene reaches the inner layer of a tooth, the pulp and nerves can become infected, and need to be removed and replaced. Root canal treatments begin with a local anesthetic. While this shot will likely be painful, it will prevent you from feeling anything else during the procedure.

Some are misinformed, and think that if they have a toothache, the tooth needs to be extracted and replaced. However, any expert in root canal in Agoura Hills will tell you that it is always best to keep the natural tooth if possible. Do your best to avoid deep decay and the need for root canal therapy by cleaning the teeth properly at least twice a day, and scheduling regular cleanings.

What Makes Zoom Different

Chances are, there is nobody out there who wants stained, darkened teeth. Everybody realizes the importance and beauty of a bright, white smile. It is an appealing feature that indicates you are a healthy and responsible person. But sometimes stains get in the way, due to consuming too many foods and drinks high in tannins or not cleaning our teeth well enough. If this occurs, going to our cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles for a teeth whitening is the best option to take. We use the Zoom method to ensure our patients get the brightest results possible in a remarkably short amount of time.

Zoom versus other methods

Zoom is a brand of teeth whitening that uses unique tools. Our expert is careful to place a peroxide- based gel on the teeth while avoiding soft tissues, such as the gums and lips. Once it is applied, a tool is used to activate the bleaching properties in the gel. This method is sometimes referred to as laser whitening, but it in fact utilizes a powerful UV light. Our expert in Zoom whitening in Los Angeles usually does three to four rounds of this two-step process, leaving the teeth up to eight shades brighter in just one appointment.

The main alternative method to Zoom whitening involves gel put into trays that are left on the teeth for long periods of time. They are supplemented with components to use at home. As can clearly be seen, the Zoom method of whitening is much more convenient and efficient.

Are Patients Happy with Lumineers?

Lumineers are particularly friendly to patients. Their ease of installation and expedited improvements leave most recipients grateful they went for the no-prep, minimal-invasion veneer over the alternatives. Cosmetic dentistry is predicated on speed, and most people who want a better smile either do not have the patience for braces, or do not have the orthodontic problems braces are best at. Most cases of Lumineers can be completed in just two sessions.

If you think you qualify for Lumineers, check your smile in the mirror first. Do you have all your teeth but are unhappy with the spacing between them? Are a lot of your teeth crooked? Do you have staining from tobacco products? Lumineers are clever, ultra-thin laminates that act as shields for any imperfections. They go on over your existing teeth, filling in the flaws.

Another way to check your candidacy is reading Lumineers reviews. People all over the country can testify to the effectiveness of Lumineers, and many have taken to social media to do so.

Call today for a consult with our Lumineers dentist in Los Angeles.

Who Can Benefit from Getting Lumineers?

Many cosmetic flaws can appear on the teeth over a short period of time. These can occur due to lack of dental health, physical damage, and other reasons. Patients have the option of seeing their Lancaster cosmetic dentist for treatment for each individual issue, or employ a simpler, more efficient solution.

Patients with mild to moderate, strictly cosmetic dental problems may be candidates for veneers. Veneers are thin porcelain coverings that are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth in order to mask unsightly flaws. Lumineers are a type of veneer, but they are much thinner than their porcelain predecessors.

Common flaws Lumineers can mask include:

•             Gaps and overcrowding
•             Stains and discolorations
•             Chips and cracks
•             Misshapen teeth
•             Worn teeth
•           
Patients often prefer Lumineers to veneers as the latter requires the removal of dental enamel. Lumineers are thinner – about the thickness of a contact lens – and do not require any alterations to the teeth at all. This means that they can be removed if necessary.

If your smile sports several cosmetic flaws, and you do not have the time or resources to fix them all individually, you will likely benefit from this option. Contact our expert in Lumineers in Lancaster to schedule a consultation today.

TMJ and Neck Pain

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the joints connecting the jaw to the skull. One of or both of these joints can become damaged or inflamed, causing severe pain and discomfort. One of the areas that can be affected is the neck.

Over worked jaw joints can affect the muscles that surround and support them. These are the same muscles that make up the neck. If the muscles by the jaw become inflamed or damaged, it can cause serious discomfort and pain lower, in the neck and shoulders. It can be confusing when trying to diagnose the cause of the pain in this area, as its source is in an entirely different part of the body. But our Los Angeles TMJ expert is well versed in the symptoms of the disorder.

Other common symptoms of TMJ include:

•    Earaches
•    Tooth pain
•    Lock Jaw
•    Clicking or crackling in the jaw
•    Difficulty chewing
•    Tooth pain
•    Muscle spasms
•    Tenderness in jaw

Treatments for TMJ include physical therapy, stress reduction, lifestyle changes, mouthguards, and anti-inflammatory drugs. In severe causes, surgery may be necessary. If you recognize any of the above symptoms in your daily life, schedule an appointment with our TMJ expert today.

How is a Chipped Tooth Repaired?

A chipped tooth can usually be repaired in a single dental visit. Depending on the severity of damage, you may not even need anesthetic. If your tooth has been chipped, our expert in treatment of chipped teeth in Los Angeles can help you decide on the best restoration for your needs.

If only a small piece of enamel has broken off, dental bonding may be the best solution. This procedure can be performed in a single office visit. We will smooth the enamel, apply a special conditioning liquid, and then build the tooth back up using composite resin. Each layer of resin is cured using a dental laser, and then the restoration is trimmed, shaped, and polished to match the rest of the tooth.

Larger areas of damage may require more extensive repairs. Inlays, onlays, and dental crowns protect larger portions of the tooth, but they can take two dental visits to complete. These restorations are custom-fit to your tooth and made in a dental lab using tooth-colored porcelain materials. They can require more preparation but offer aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting results.

Call us today to find out more or to schedule your appointment with our team.

How Invisalign Express Works

Invisalign is a relatively new form of orthodontics with benefits appreciated by many patients. Invisalign aligners apply consistent pressure in order to straighten the teeth, close gaps, and spread out crowded areas all while being removable and relatively unnoticeable. Invisalign also provides different styles of treatment to custom fit all types of patients. Full is for those who require complete treatment, while Teen is for younger patients. Invisalign Express is also offered by our Rocklin orthodontists.

Invisalign Express works much like the complete Full option, but involves a quicker treatment time. While thirty to forty aligners are normally needed over the course of about twelve months, Express typically features ten aligners worn in six months. Patients can enjoy a healthier, better looking smile in a short amount of time.

This treatment is not available for everyone, however. Express is best for those suffering from only mild orthodontic issues. These issues are limited to:

·         Minimal rotation of the cuspids, bicuspids, and/or incisors

·         Less than two millimeters of spacing or crowding concerns per arch

·         Less than two millimeters of midline correction per arch

·         Less than 1.5 millimeter of dental expansion required per arch

To find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment, schedule a consultation with our expert in Invisalign Express in Rocklin.

Do All Dentists Offer Lumineers?

Dental Lumineers are a great new way to get a beautiful, Hollywood worthy smile. Patients with multiple aesthetic flaws but otherwise healthy teeth can benefit from the simple restoration. Lumineers are thin coverings that are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth, effectively hiding cosmetic issues. Many patients love that such a wide variety of dental flaws can all be hidden using this one restoration, without even requiring enamel to be removed for their application.

Lumineers are able to cover many cosmetic dental flaws, including:

•    Stains and discolorations
•    Gaps
•    Misshapen teeth
•    Chips and cracks
•    Crooked teeth

As less preparation is required with this restoration than other, similar treatments, Lumineers can often be placed completely in just one appointment. Individual teeth with aesthetic flaws can be fitted singularly, as well. Treatment from a Lumineers dentist in Los Angeles is a great way to avoid expensive, often unnecessary orthodontic treatments, giving you a beautiful smile in much less time.

Potential patients should be aware that not all dentists offer Lumineers, and more importantly, not all dentists that do are appropriately trained and certified. Be sure to do some research before you make an appointment in order to find the best cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles for your treatment.

What Do Inlays and Onlays Do?

Inlays and onlays are a form of maintenance. They are necessary when dental fillings start to age, or when the structural integrity of a tooth becomes compromised. 

Unlike crowns, inlays and onlays do not require modification of existing tooth structure. They act as a kind of indirect filling, since the materials are put together offsite in the lab and put in place at a second session.

The dentist only places the new addition after making sure it does not interfere with the bite. This procedure is meant both to preserve natural function, and, since inlays and onlays do not discolor easily, improve overall appearance.

Because they are made to order, inlays and onlays tend to fit better than direct fillings, which may extend or contract over time. In addition to being more resistant to stains, inlays and onlays are made from ingredients that are simply stronger than those found in fillings. After the install, the affected teeth will be as much as 75 percent stronger.

An inlay only fills the space between the cusp tips, or top edges, of the tooth. An outlay extends over the cusps, covering the entire tooth.

Ask one of our Los Angeles dentists for more information about this minimal-prep technique.

Do Kids Need to See an Orthodontist?

Straight teeth benefit kids in many ways, and having teeth straightened during childhood can make the years that follow more pleasant. Certain factors can make early braces especially valuable, but all kids should receive an orthodontic assessment. Read more about this issue and the benefits of early braces below.

Early Assessments by Age Seven

By the time kids turn seven, they should have their orofacial development examined to determine if braces are necessary. This is especially important for kids who have certain orthodontic risk factors, such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing, which can cause crooked teeth and misaligned jaws.

Early Orthodontics Can Bring Major Benefits

Kids who have their teeth straightened before adolescence can benefit significantly. Early care may reduce or eliminate the need for later treatment. Furthermore, braces tend to work more quickly for children, as their jaw bone tissue is softer and more malleable. Finally, kids benefit from getting an early start on the benefits of straight teeth, such as increased confidence and lower risks of oral health problems.

Many kids are a candidate for more than one treatment, so unwanted attention from metal braces is not always necessary for straight teeth today. Parents can schedule a consultation with our childrens orthodontists in Torrance to find out if braces will help their kids.

History of Dental Implants

The concept of dental implants dates much farther back than many realize, which makes sense if you think about it. Ancient civilizations did not practice the same amount of dental hygiene that we do today, and did not have the advanced technology and tools that we do. So the result was a lot more teeth falling out. We have found architectural evidence that 4,000 years ago, the Chinese attempted to carve bamboo and hammer it into the jaw, and some Egyptian mummies have teeth made of ivory, or were taken from other mouths. The skeleton of a Mayan woman dated back to 600 AD was found to have incisors replaced by pieces of shell.

Over the course of the twentieth century, the dental implant evolved. The Greenfield implant system of 1913 featured an iridioplatinum implant topped with a gold crown. It was able to partially fuse with the jaw bone, and could last several years. Titanium was first used for in 1940, when a trio of dentists discovered how well it fused with the bone, a process we now call osseointegration.

Fortunately, we now have the knowledge and technology needed to perform dental implants with little risk and less pain than before. For more dental implants facts, schedule a visit with our Los Angeles tooth implants dentist.