How Do Veneers Improve Tooth Appearance?

Veneers are bonded to teeth and can last for decades. With their natural appearance and ability to hide the teeth they cover, veneers can improve the smile in countless ways. Here is how this treatment enhances the look of teeth.

Covers Cracks and Chips

Teeth that have sustained damage from physical trauma can be concealed instantly with veneers. In the process, veneers actually splint the teeth as well, helping to strengthen the teeth against deterioration.

Hides Heavy Stains

For stains that whitening cannot eliminate, veneers can be a viable method of concealment. While crowns are sometimes the better choice for the heaviest stains, veneers are able to conceal most major discoloration, including when it is on the inside of teeth.

Conceals Orthodontic Issues

Some orthodontic problems, such as some gaps, have only cosmetic effects without impacting function or comfort. Veneers may be used to cover the bite issue instantly, saving patients from having to spend months or years wearing braces.

Every veneers treatment is customized to the patient in terms of tooth color, size and shape. If you want to find out what cosmetic flaws veneers can conceal for you, you can schedule a consultation with our Los Angeles porcelain veneers dentist.

Dental Filling Options

Dental fillings are one of the most common treatments in modern dentistry. They are most often needed when a tooth suffers from decay or a cavity. Our cosmetic dentist in Torrance will remove all of the decay and replace the empty space with a filling. Patients have a few options when it comes to the type of filling they want.

Though there are many materials that can be used for fillings, porcelain and composite resin are used most often. These both offer several benefits. For example, composite resin is the perfect shade of white for the teeth. Porcelain is durable, stain resistant, and similar to dental enamel.

There are also two ways fillings can be placed. Direct fillings are created in the tooth, and hardened using a special dental tool. Indirect fillings start with taking an impression of the tooth, which is then sent to a lab or CAD/CAM machine. The impression will help to create an extremely precise restoration that is later placed in the tooth. Patients often prefer this option, as these fillings are more comfortable and mean they do not need to return for alterations. 

For more information about dental fillings and your options, you can visit our office or website today.

Choosing Your Invisalign Doctor

Although all Invisalign providers complete the same training, this does not mean all Invisalign providers are equally skilled. Some are merely orthodontists who completed the training but do not push Invisalign treatment in their practice. Others provide Invisalign, but have small practices with low clientele.

Invisalign has a ranking system for its doctors that on its face can be confusing, just because these designations are typically not defined in media. The three stages are as follows: Preferred, Premiere, and Premiere Elite.

Preferred providers treat 10 cases per year. Premiere providers treat at least 25 cases every six months, and have treated at least 50 cases total. Premiere Elite providers treat 50 cases every six months, and have treated at least 300 cases total.

There’s obviously quite a leap between 50 cases and 300 cases, so you may find plenty more doctors with the Premiere, or in-between, designation. Fortunately you can research most dental practices online, and get reviews and testimonials. Invisalign is a meticulous process that requires a lot of doctor planning and oversight. You may not want to trust your investment to a physician with less experience, even when the program trains everyone the same way.

To find out more, contact our Invisalign doctor in Beverly Hills.

Who Can Get Porcelain Veneers?

Many patients come to our office asking about dental veneers. These thin strips of porcelain are custom designed for each patient and bonded to the teeth surfaces in order to perfect the smile. They can effectively mask a wide variety of cosmetic flaws, such as chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and crooked teeth. Misshapen teeth can also be covered with veneers to give the appearance of a symmetrical, even smile.

You might be wondering if you are a candidate for porcelain dental veneers. This option is best for those with otherwise healthy smile. Any issues, such as gum disease or cavities, must be addressed before veneers are placed. Those who suffer from bruxism, or the habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth, do not make good candidates. A properly aligned bite is also a vital factor.

Furthermore, the patient must have enough dental enamel, as some must be removed in order to place the veneers. Without enough enamel, the teeth will not be strong enough to support the veneers. This however, also makes the veneers a permanent addition to the teeth, so good candidates should also be those interested in a permanent solution.

If you would like to know for sure if you are a candidate for those cosmetic option, visit our dental veneer dentist today.

What to Ask Your Sleep Apnea Specialist

Sleep apnea is a very serious condition, and is currently suffered by over ten million American adults today. If you know that you have this disorder, it is vital that you seek the help of our Los Angeles sleep apnea specialists as soon as possible. At your first appointment, you might want to think about asking these questions.

•    Is the position I am sleeping in the best? What position should I be sleeping in?
•    Does my weight have anything to do with my sleep apnea?
•    Are any of my lifestyle habits affecting my condition?
•    Am I at risk for any serious health conditions due to sleep apnea?
•    What are some symptoms I might not be aware of?
•    What is involved in an overnight sleep apnea test?
•    Am I a candidate for an oral appliance?
•    How does an oral appliance work?
•    What does CPAP stand for, and how does a CPAP machine work?
•    When is surgery needed?

Our doctor will do their best to answer any and all questions you have. It may take a few different attempts to find the right treatment for you. Eliminating sleep apnea is important to ensure your overall health, and prevent effects such as weight gain, diabetes, and depression.

Types of Dental Implants

Losing a tooth can be a traumatic experience, whether it is knocked-out or extracted. Leaving a gap in the teeth after tooth loss is not only aesthetically displeasing, but also incredibly unhealthy. It can lead to orthodontic issues, jaw bone loss, and other serious health problems. Fortunately, our cosmetic dentist offers several ways to replace missing teeth.

Dental implants are considered the best way to fill the gap in the smile left by a lost tooth. This is because of several different benefits they offer. For example, unlike other restorative options, implants are integrated into the jaw bone, meaning it is able to act as a natural tooth.

There are several types of dental implants. Single implants can be placed and allowed to heal over the course of several months. All-on-four implants are used when all or most of the teeth in an arch are missing. This involves four dental implants inserted evenly across the jaw, which are attached to pontics, or artificial teeth. This creates the appearance of a full and brand new smile.

Furthermore, there are Endosteal and Subperiosteal implants. Endosteal are most common, and placed in the jaw bone. Subperiosteal are used for patients of our cosmetic dentist who may have unhealthy jaw bone tissue. They are placed under the gums, but above the jaw.

Lava Dental Crowns

Crowns have many uses in dentistry. Our cosmetic dentist in Torrance applies them to teeth that have suffered from deep cracks, serious decay, after root canal treatment, and in several other situations. Furthermore, there are many different types of crowns. One type that we use often is the Lava dental crown.

There are several aspects to crowns that are all equally important. They must be strong, in order to sustain bite forces that the teeth meet every day. They must also be aesthetically pleasing, as patient’s value this aspect greatly. Lava crowns achieve both of these goals and more. Lava crowns are made of porcelain and zirconium. This combination creates a strong restoration, even stronger than these materials individually. Furthermore, when placed, they are treated with heat and pressure, making them even stronger.

Our dentist can also combine these materials in such a way that matches your tooth exactly. Porcelain is actually able to reflect light in the same way as our dental enamel does, meaning you may even forget you have a dental crown when you look in your mouth. Another added benefit of lava crowns is that porcelain also resists stains. 

For more information about lava dental crowns, talk to our team today.

Why Parents Love Invisalign Teen

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is not meant for patients of any age. This is why they introduced Invisalign Teen, which offers several features that lend themselves to a teenage lifestyle. Each of these advantages is appreciated by the patient’s parents, as well. Here is a look at the reasons why parents love Invisalign Teen.

It can be hard for parents to keep track of everything their teenager does. Because Invisalign is removable, you might worry that they are not wearing it for the needed twenty hours a day, or more. However, this does not need to be a concern with this treatment option. The aligners all come with blue dots that disappear with use. The patients, patient’s parents, and our Invisalign dentist in LA can therefore see if they are being worn enough or some extra effort is needed.

Another benefit of Invisalign Teen is that they offer up to six replacement aligners. With the busy lives of teens, they can easily become damaged or lost. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about either of these possibilities, as exact replicas can be sent straight to you or our office.

You can learn more about Invisalign Teen and why parents love it at a consultation appointment with our dentist.

Effectiveness of Invisalign Treatment

Are you weighing the pros and cons of Invisalign treatment? You probably know how discreet the treatment is, but perhaps you still wonder about its effectiveness. Here is an overview of how well Invisalign really works.

Very Effective for Most Patients

In most cases, Invisalign is an excellent choice of braces. The majority of bite irregularities, including overbite, underbite, cross bite, and overcrowding, are correctable with Invisalign. Furthermore, Invisalign usually gets the job done faster than metal braces.

Few Things Invisalign Cannot Do

It is true that Invisalign cannot achieve a few types of orthodontic correction. For instance, the design of the aligners makes vertical movements impossible. Also, severely rotated teeth cannot always be straightened with this treatment.

Can Be Combined With Other Orthodontics

Our orthodontist offers a variety of appliances, such as palatal expanders, for correcting different aspects of the teeth and jaws. Fortunately, Invisalign can often be used in combination with these appliances. This broadens the types of improvements Invisalign patients can expect.

The effectiveness of Invisalign depends on your needs as a patient. For most adults and older teens, Invisalign works quite well. You can schedule a consultation with our Invisalign dentist in Rocklin to find out if this treatment will straighten your teeth.

At Home Teeth Whitening Options

When it comes to teeth whitening, many people prefer at-home whitening solutions. Whitening your teeth at home is convenient and private, and you can choose the treatment that best fits your needs and lifestyle. Our teeth whitening doctor in Beverly Hills can help you find the right tooth bleaching option.

At-home teeth whitening treatments can include the following:

1. Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes contain polishing ingredients, and some brands also contain chemicals that can break down stains. Although they can remove minor surface stains, they are not generally recommended for deeper stains.

2. Whitening rinses
Mouthwashes containing peroxide may help keep your smile white, but a mouthwash will not remain in contact with your teeth long enough to whiten them significantly.

3. Teeth whitening strips
Whitening strips have an active whitening ingredient that is delivered through a strip that is attached directly to the teeth. They are applied and left in place for a specific period and can lighten teeth a few shades over the course of treatment.

4. Teeth whitening trays
These trays are used to apply a peroxide-based gel or liquid bleaching agent. Whitening trays are available in over-the-counter strengths and professional versions, which use prescription-strength peroxide whiteners.

Call us today to schedule your tooth whitening consultation.

Cost of Snap On Smile Compared to Other Cosmetic Procedures

Snap On Smile is not for everyone. However, the fact that it’s a niche product is no reflection on its quality. Snap On Smile brings empathetic smile design to a budget-conscious audience. These are people who want a strong smile, but cannot commit to high-end restorations like braces, Invisalign, or dental implants. Whether or not your decision is financial, Snap On Smile is a reasonable alternative at a fraction of the cost.

Made of high-tech dental resin, Snap On Smile is made to order based on your unique dental impressions. The product looks and feels natural and gives you a psychological break from a smile that doesn’t impress. Testimonials by Snap On Smile users allude to even a handshake being less stressful when they have their device in. If you’re in business for yourself, your smile can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Snap On Smile is here to make sure it’s the former.

Snap On Smile prices in Los Angeles may be slightly higher than in other parts of the country. Los Angeles is a major city and a beauty capital. The good news is, due to the relatively new status of Snap On Smile, many dentists offer payment plans as an incentive.

Contact your LA Snap On Smile dentist for more information.