What are the Treatment Options for Gum Inflammation?

Inflamed gums can be seriously uncomfortable. Gums become inflamed as a result of irritation from plaque, dental appliances, hormones, or other issues. Inflammation can also be an early sign of gum disease. Treating gum inflammation promptly can help reduce more serious problems and restore comfort. Our periodontists can help you find the best treatment for your needs.

One of the first things you will need to do is to evaluate your dental hygiene routine. Brushing carefully using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is a great way to clean your teeth without further irritating your gums. You also need to clean between your teeth by flossing gently or using an interdental cleaner. Use an antiseptic mouthwash to rinse and flush away bacteria.

Addressing the underlying cause of the inflammation is also vital. The proper treatment can vary based on the cause. If gum disease is to blame, we may recommend a proactive treatment strategy to bring the infection under control and reduce the risk of long-term damage. Call our office today to schedule your appointment with our expert in gum inflammation treatment in Los Angeles and create your treatment plan.

Are Braces Covered by Insurance?

The cost of braces in Los Angeles can be expensive for some patients, and this can raise questions about insurance covering part or all of the cost. Insurance policies vary widely. If you have dental insurance, you will need to check the specifics of your plan to determine your individual coverage.

Dental insurance typically covers the cost of orthodontics for children under the age of eighteen who need them for medical rather than cosmetic purposes. Insurance does not necessarily cover the cost of braces for children or adults who want or need braces for cosmetic purposes, and it may not always cover treatment for adults who need braces for medical purposes.

Even if your current plan does not offer orthodontic coverage, supplemental plans are available. These plans can cover the cost of orthodontic treatment, dental exams associated with treatment, retainers, and other costs associated with braces. Financing options are also available for qualified patients and can allow you to spread the cost of braces over several months or the course of treatment. Call our office today to learn more about covering the cost of braces or to schedule your consultation with our Los Angeles orthodontist.

Use of Fixed Bridges for Replacing Teeth

A fixed dental bridge is a type of partial denture that is permanently fixed in the mouth. They can be beneficial for patients who are missing just one tooth, or a few teeth in a row. Bridges are made using dental porcelain, which closely replicates the natural look and function of teeth. Dental bridges are highly effective at replacing teeth. Our dentist in Torrance can help you decide if a fixed bridge is the right choice for you.

Several options are available for replacing lost teeth, so the first step will be to schedule a consultation. We will examine your teeth and explain each of your options. Bridges are most effective in patients who have healthy teeth or implants to support the bridge. Next, we will prepare the abutment teeth and take impressions, which will be used to design and make your new restoration.

Once your bridge is bonded to your abutments, it will help keep your teeth properly spaced and positioned, and evenly distribute your bite forces. Your smile will be restored, and the porcelain teeth and crowns will be impossible to distinguish from your other teeth.

Taking care of your new bridge is essential to ensuring a long lifespan. Brush your bridge along with your teeth at least twice a day using non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. You can floss around the bridge daily using floss threaders or floss made specifically for those with this restoration. Call our expert in dental bridges in Torrance to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our team.

TMJ and Stress

TMJ remains highly neurological, which is part of its mystery. Stress as a contributing factor to TMJ remains to be studied. But a high correlation exists between symptoms of anxiety that are caused by stress, and symptoms of TMJ.

If you ask for a TMJ consult, one of the first questions our doctor will ask is about your stress levels. Did you recently go through a life event or change, like a breakup or job loss? Did you assume more responsibility at work? Stress can manifest in physiologic signals, such as joint pain and neck stiffness. Our expert in treatment of TMJ pain in Los Angeles can coach you in stress relief, such as ergonomic exercises and ways to improve your posture if you sit for long periods.

One problem is that experts cannot say for sure how much of your TMJ comes from stress, and how much of your stress comes from TMJ. Things like morning headaches and dizziness can originate in TMJ dysfunction, largely because of nerves and blood vessels wired through the jaw. These can disorient the body and raise anxiety levels, further exacerbating the TMJ.

If you feel confusion about your TMJ dilemma, ask for a consult today.

When is Emergency Dental Surgery the Only Option?

Dental accidents and emergencies can lead to pain and distress, and without prompt care, they can also lead to the loss of a tooth. Although the goal of our emergency dentists is typically to save the tooth whenever possible, emergency dental surgery is sometimes the only option.

You may need emergency dental surgery if you have:

1.       A severely infected tooth

An abscessed or infected tooth can lead to serious complications. The best treatment for this situation will likely be a root canal procedure, but if the tooth cannot be restored, you may need a dental extraction instead.

2.       An extremely damaged tooth

Teeth that are severely damaged may be able to be saved with a root canal and a dental crown, but if they are broken down to the gum line or the roots are cracked, an extraction might be the better option.

Other types of dental problems could also necessitate emergency dental surgery. At your appointment, our team will assess your dental health and recommend the best treatment strategy for your needs. If an extraction or another dental surgery is needed, we will ensure your comfort throughout the process. Call our office today to learn more or to schedule your appointment with our emergency dental surgeon in LA.

How Porcelain Veneers Can Improve Your Smile

If you have ever covered your smile with your hand, then you might be delighted to learn that porcelain veneers give you the option to cover your teeth with thin layers of porcelain that look and feel just like natural teeth. Veneers are custom-fit to your teeth and can be used to cover up those flaws that bother you, and they reflect light just like natural dental enamel. Our porcelain veneers specialist in Beverly Hills can use porcelain veneers to completely transform your smile.

Some of the things that veneers can do include:

•    Give you a white smile
•    Create an even smile
•    Erase imperfections
•    Smooth away chips, cracks and broken enamel
•    Strengthen worn enamel

Because the veneer covers the tooth, it can make many types of changes at once. You can take your smile from dull and damaged to bright and beautiful in just a few dental visits. The process is simple, and the results are long-lasting. They can be taken care of much like you take care of your own teeth, and they resist staining for a smile that remains bright year after year. Call our office today to learn more or to schedule an evaluation with our team.

How to Prepare for a Root Canal

Root canal treatments are routine procedures that are used to remove diseased tissue from the inner chambers of the tooth so that it can continue to function normally. Little preparation is required, but understanding the process can help you know what to expect.

If our expert in root canal in Los Angeles recommends a root canal, we will provide you with specific instructions. You might be prescribed an antibiotic if you have an active infection. Take this medication as prescribed, and do not stop taking it prematurely even if your symptoms have abated. Have your current insurance information ready for your appointment, as well as your health and dental history. If you are taking any medications or supplements, let us know so that we can take appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of interactions or side effects.

After the root canal, continue taking prescribed medications as instructed. You may experience some tenderness or sensitivity, which can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications. Brush carefully to keep the treated tooth clean.

The treated tooth will typically be restored with a dental crown, and with proper care, it can continue to function like any other tooth. Call our office today to schedule your root canal appointment.

What is Different in Invisalign Teen?

Invisalign may not specialize in youth, but it does have an excellent alternative program with younger patients in mind. The goals of Invisalign Teen are identical to regular Invisalign: straighten teeth with unprecedented discretion. For adolescents and teens, this discretion is especially important. Given the choice between traditional metal braces and clear plastic aligners, most teens are happy for the latter.

Parents can rest easy as well, especially if your child plays sports or is otherwise active. An on-field mouth injury while wearing braces can cause significant damage to the product as well. But your child can take out their Invisalign aligners before the game and play without stress.

Along the same lines, because teens are so active, Invisalign Teen includes extra aligners—six in most cases, so a lost tray does not require a visit to the office.

Our expert in Teen Invisalign in Los Angeles also recommends the program for its eruption tabs. These are spaces left in the aligners so that adult teeth still on the rise have room to grow in.

Last but not least, if you want to keep an eye on your kid throughout treatment, Invisalign Teen comes with compliance indicators. These are simply blue dots on the trays that fade with usage, making sure the patient is wearing the aligners for the recommended 20 or 22 hours per day.

Does Gingivitis Have any Symptoms?

Healthy gum tissue helps anchor and protect your teeth. They are firm, pink, and they fit tightly around the crown of the tooth much like a turtleneck fits tightly around a person’s neck. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, and recognizing the first symptoms can ensure you get treatment earlier.

Gingivitis is rarely painful, but that does not mean that it has no symptoms. Common symptoms include:

• Gums that bleed, especially when you are brushing or flossing
• Puffy and swollen gums
• Soft gums
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from teeth
• Red or purple gums
• Bad breath that does not go away with improved brushing and flossing
• Tenderness in the gum tissue

Regular dental checkups are one of the best ways to catch the disease before a symptom of gingivitis becomes noticeable and the issue develops further. A professional cleaning will remove the tartar and plaque that cause the disease so that your gums can heal, while improved dental hygiene will prevent reinfection. In some cases, a deep cleaning procedure may be necessary.

Earlier treatment will improve your chances of a positive outcome and reduce the risks of gingivitis becoming periodontitis. Call us to schedule your periodontics appointment.

Does Sleep Apnea Run in Families?

Sleep apnea is most common in male adults with a BMI and neck circumference over certain numbers. Sleep apnea is when the system is not getting enough air due to the muscles relaxing during sleep and blocking the air passageway. Certain conditions, such as the ones listed above, mean that some individuals are more prone to develop the condition. Some of these conditions are genetic and can run in families.

You may be more likely to develop sleep apnea difficulties if you are born with certain characteristics that may have been handed down from your parents. These include:

•    A dental overbite
•    A thick neck
•    A round head
•    A family history of obesity
•    A smaller than average jaw/mouth

Fortunately, our sleep apnea doctor employs many treatment methods in order to combat the disorder. Certain lifestyle changes may be enough to eliminate sleep apnea symptoms, such as weight loss and a different sleep position. Mouth guards can hold the jaw and tongue forward in order to create more room for the air to travel through. Many patients see relief with CPAP machines, as well. Call our office today to schedule an appointment and find the best treatment for you.

Hollywood Celebrities and Smile Makeovers

Have you ever seen a Hollywood actor with bad teeth? It’s not likely. With the close up shots and in person events demanded of famous performers, it’s important their teeth are flawless. But accidents happen – what if they accidentally chip a tooth? Or drink so much coffee their smile starts to stain? The key to keeping up their famous smiles are smile makeovers.

But these makeovers aren’t only available for celebrities. Anyone can fix the flaws in their smile with treatments and procedures performed in a short period of time. A smile makeover can address flaws such as:

•             Crooked teeth and imperfect bites, with orthodontic treatment (braces, Invisalign, etc.)

•             Chips and cracks, with crowns or dental bonding

•             Stains and discolorations, with teeth whitening treatment

•             Missing teeth, with dentures, dental bridges, or implants

•             Long looking teeth or gummy smiles, with gum contouring and grafting

•             And more

Many of these treatments can be completed at the same time. For example, you may be able to get dental bonding to cover a crack or chip at the same time as having a crown placed to restore a worn and weak tooth. You could walk out of an appointment with a significantly improved smile. Others, such as orthodontic work, must be completed on its own.

Schedule a consultation with our expert to see how a Hollywood smile makeover could help you.

Advantages of Dentures

Dentures are one of the ways patients with missing teeth can restore the look and functionality of the mouth. While it is not the first choice (that title goes to dental implants), dentures can often be the best option for some, such as older patients. Full dentures can be used to replace most or all of the teeth, while partial dentures can replace a few side-by-side. If you require tooth replacement, be sure to explore the advantages of dentures, which include removability and cost efficiency.

Removability

Both dental implants and bridges are permanent fixtures in the mouth. Dentures allow the patient more freedom and flexibility by being removable. This can make the natural teeth and the appliance easier to clean, as will be demonstrated by our dentist in Torrance. Removing them at times may also be more comfortable for the patient.

Cost efficiency

Other tooth replacement options may be a bit too pricy. Dentures are an option that can last years with good care, and are much easier on the pocket book. This is especially true of partial dentures. Because of their removability and lower price, option for dentures may also be a good idea if you are planning to get a different type of restoration at a later time.

For more advantages this option provides, talk to our expert in dentures in Torrance today.