Benefits of Fluoride Treatment

Preventive treatments have not been around for very long, but are highly beneficial today. Dental sealants are used to protect the molar and premolar teeth from plaque and tartar. Our cosmetic dentist in Torrance often recommends mouth guards to prevent the teeth from grinding together at night during sleep. Fluoride treatment also offers many benefits.

When we brush our teeth too hard, and drink or eat acidic substances, our dental enamel can become scrubbed away. With this protective layer of the teeth diminished, our nerves are exposed to temperature changes through the small hollow tubes in the dentin. This causes severe tooth sensitivity, which is typically very painful. Fluoride treatment is a very easy way to stimulate remineralization and build enamel back up.

We might recommend fluoride treatment if you suffer from:

·         Exposed tooth roots

·         Dry mouth, or irregular flow of saliva

·         A history of tooth decay

·         Poor/infrequent oral care

·         Deep fissures or pits on tooth surfaces

·         Frequent carbohydrate or sugar consumption

·         Certain existing dental restorations

Many toothpastes are made with fluoride, as well as many mouthwashes. Many cities even add it to the tap water. You might opt to use these products daily, or seek more effective treatment with our dentist. 

When to Contact Your Invisalign Dentist

Invisalign treatment tends to go smoothly, but problems may still occasionally appear. In these cases, it is important to contact our dentist as soon as possible. Here are some of the possible situations that should prompt you to call our office during your treatment.

Break or Lose Aligners

For you to finish treatment on schedule, you need to wear your aligners consistently. Breaking or losing aligners can interrupt your treatment, so you should get replacements from our dentist as soon as possible.

Persistent Pain

Some pain can be expected after starting a new treatment stage, but the pain should disappear within days. If the pain continues, you should contact our dentist so that the cause of the pain can be determined.

Oral Health Problems

Active tooth decay and gum disease can worsen quickly when you are wearing any braces, including aligners, so you should have these issues treated without delay. Our dentist can provide treatment quickly so that your bite correction stays on schedule.

You may experience no problems at all during Invisalign treatment, but the availability of our dentist may let you relax knowing that help is always at hand. You can schedule a consultation with our Invisalign dentist in Beverly Hills to find out more about situations that warrant a call to our office during Invisalign treatment.

How Long Does TMJ Pain Last?

One of the reasons TMJ is difficult to diagnose is the somewhat amorphous nature of its symptoms. This includes their regularity. Some patients have regular pain, dizziness, or headaches. Others may only have the occasional flare-up. Just know that if you do not seek medical care, even if your symptoms are infrequent, it’s likely the problem will not correct itself.

Here are some common TMJ symptoms:

·         Headache

·         Dizziness or a vertigo-like effect

·         Discomfort while chewing

·         Audible clicking or popping sounds in the jaw

·         Tinnitus-like ringing or a fluid-like sensation in the ears

Living with pain is something all doctors discourage, not just our Los Angeles TMJ expert. The goal is always to remove the pain entirely, not just manage it. But it is incumbent on the patient to be forthcoming and accurate. The frustrating aspects of TMJ can continue for years, off and on—especially if you treat it as something you have to live with.

Fortunately, TMJ is highly treatable. You can work on it yourself with a home care routine, making sure to include stretching, breathing exercises, and ergonomics. TMJ can be induced simply by stress or by bad posture at your desk. The sooner you identify the source, the shorter your pain’s life expectancy will be. 

Why are Regular Dental Exams Necessary?

Regular dental checkups are necessary to keep your smile healthy, but many people avoid routine exams due to dental anxiety, dental phobias, or a busy schedule. The American Dental Association recommends biannual checkups for most patients. Our Torrance dentist can help you decide on the best schedule for your needs. Here are some great reasons for you to make sure to keep your next scheduled appointment.

1.    Regular dental visits help prevent dental diseases
During your dental visit, we will perform a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Once they have been cleaned, your teeth will look brighter and feel smoother.

2.    Regular checkups can identify and treat dental problems
At a checkup, we will examine your teeth and gums for signs of problems, such as worn fillings, a damaged tooth, or decay. We can recommend specific treatments and schedule an appointment to repair the damage.

3.    Regular dental visits can help prevent serious health problems
Untreated dental diseases, such as periodontal disease, have been linked to serious systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A routine checkup will identify symptoms of gum disease and other dental problems, and can often spot oral symptoms of other diseases, such as vitamin deficiencies or joint problems.

Call our expert in dental exam in Torrance today to learn more or to schedule your appointment.

Popular Orthodontic Options

Where patients in the past had only one choice when it came to orthodontics, those who need their teeth straightened today often have several options available to them. Depending on your orthodontic condition and the flaws you need addressed, you might have your choice between traditional braces, Invisalign, and Damon braces.

Traditional braces, though an older option, are still used today. They are comprised of metal brackets and metal wires that are run through them. Our expert in cosmetic dentistry in San Francisco will periodically tighten the wires in order to apply pressure to the teeth, pulling them into healthier positions.

Invisalign is possibly the most popular orthodontic option available today. It avoids metal and wires by utilizing aligners, which fit around the teeth like mouth guards. Patients wear each aligner for about two weeks before moving on to the next one, which will push the teeth into place. The aligners are see-through, removable, and comfortable.

Damon braces are a newer take on traditional braces. The brackets are made of ceramic or similar tooth-colored material, blending the appliance with the teeth, making them much less noticeable. These are a great option for those with orthodontic issues that cannot be corrected with Invisalign, but who wish for an aesthetically pleasing appliance.

When Should TADs be Used?

TADS, or temporary anchorage devices, are essentially temporary dental implants used during orthodontic treatment. Not all patients need TADS with their braces, but for patients who do, this addition can offer several important benefits. Here is a look at when our dentist may use TADS.

When Bite Irregularities Are Severe

Major bite irregularities may require so much force to move that the teeth anchoring the braces may be moved in the process. This can complicate treatment and make unpopular devices necessary, such as headgear. Adding TADS to treatment in these cases ensures that a totally stable source of anchorage is present. Furthermore, TADS may speed treatment and eliminate the need for elastic bands or surgery.

How TADS Is Used With Braces

A short, simple visit to our orthodontist in Houston is required to get TADS. The devices are implanted in the gums under local anesthesia, so the process is comfortable. Braces are then attached to the TADS. After bite correction is complete, the TADS are removed during a similarly easy procedure.

TADS can make orthodontic treatment easier for patients with severe bite irregularities. Besides the simple placement procedure, orthodontic treatment with TADS proceeds just as it does when TADS are not used. You can schedule a consultation with our dentist to learn more about how TADS are used at our office.

Success of Root Canal Treatments

Root canal therapy has advanced significantly over the last decade, from an 85 percent success rate to a 95 percent success rate. Most of the advancement is in 3-D imaging, which can make more of the root canal system visible to your root canal dentist in Northridge.

When a root canal procedure is said to fail, it usually just means more treatment is required. This happens for a few reasons, both mechanical and biological.

Mechanical reasons for root canal failure can include improper use of instruments, insufficient cleaning of the root canals themselves, and simply missing root canals. Often, a tooth will have multiple branching canals the dentist can have a hard time defusing. If the patient has calcified canals, or if the roots are particularly curved, the procedure can have a higher risk.

Biological factors can overlap with mechanical factors, simply because inattention to detail can result in biological side effects. These may include microbial reactions in the surgical space, and irritants or inflammatory material that may be left behind. These biological factors can be reduced or eliminated altogether by a skilled dentist, one who is careful to leave the tooth root pristine and all surrounding healthy tissue intact.

For more, contact our dentist in Northridge.

How Long Can Dental Veneers Last?

Many people who want to rejuvenate their smiles or conceal cosmetic imperfections choose dental veneers. Veneers fit over the fronts of teeth and are an ideal solution for smiles that are marred by chips, gaps, stains, crooked teeth, and worn enamel. The porcelain has a lifelike look that reflects light beautifully and resists staining. Veneers are also biocompatible without requiring extensive tooth contouring or shaping.

Once a veneer has been bonded to a tooth, it can last ten to twenty years or longer. Good dental habits will maximize the lifespan of your porcelain veneers. You can get the most out of your new smile by following a few simple guidelines.

1. Do not grind your teeth. Tooth grinding puts massive pressure on your teeth and veneers, and can fracture the porcelain. If you do grind, wear a mouth guard for protection.

2. Keep your teeth clean. Good brushing and flossing habits are essential for preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar that harbor oral bacteria. These bacteria can damage teeth and gums and cause premature veneer failure.

3. Avoid staining agents. Wine, coffee, tea, soda, and other staining agents can leave their mark, which can cause your smile to become mismatched.

Call our office today to learn more about the best ways to take care of your new smile or to schedule an appointment with our dentist.

Are Dental Implants an Affordable Tooth Replacement Option?

Dental implants can be stressful to plan, since they’re the most advanced restorative form and therefore cost a lot. Relevant patients prefer to think of implants as an investment in future health and safety, and since the typical adult in America is already missing an average of 7 teeth before the age of 50, this is a wide open market. Being smart about the questions you ask can help you calmly decide what to pay for, and how much.

Start by identifying the variables of implant expense, like x-ray and anesthesia fees. Most patients can get by with just a local anesthetic. But all patients need x-rays to confirm their status, and x-rays are one of the front-loaded expenses of implant therapy.

To make sure you’re getting the best deal, comparison shop. Within your city, multiple implant specialists are all competing for your dollar. Some may charge more based on zip code, so if you live in an expensive neighborhood you can always range a bit.

To account for the specialized nature of implants, use the investment argument again. You’re paying a dental implants dentist in Beverly Hills with advanced training in periodontics and endodontics, who has detailed experience with implantology.

Talk to someone from our dental group for more about affordable dental implants. In some cases, financing may be available.

Reasons to Get Porcelain Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain that fit over the front surfaces of your teeth. Because they are slightly translucent, veneers look very natural when attached. There are many different reasons why individuals choose to get porcelain dental veneers, all of which amount to an enhanced and more attractive smile.

Veneers can make your teeth look whiter without the need for whitening treatment by covering stains and discolorations. Even deeper stains can seem like they instantly disappear without the need for multiple whitening treatments that can leave your teeth or gums feeling sensitive. Veneers are also designed to resist staining with proper care.

Porcelain veneers can also make your teeth look more straight and even. They can be used to correct spacing and gapping problems without the need for long-term brace work. You can get the desired results in just a few visits, making veneers quicker and more cost-effective in many cases.

With proper care, porcelain dental veneers can last for up to fifteen years before needing to be replaced. A Beverly Hills veneer doctor can help you to decide if this is a good option to help you to get the smile that you have always wanted.