Invisalign and Its Advantages

If you have been considering orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile, you might have wondered if Invisalign might be right for you. Invisalign is an advanced system of transparent plastic aligners that progressively straightens your teeth. These custom-made aligners fit your teeth at each stage of treatment and apply pressure at specific points so that there is no need for brackets or wires. Our Invisalign provider can use Invisalign in much the same way as braces to treat overbites, underbites, crossbites, gapped teeth and crowded teeth.

Some of the advantages of Invisalign include: 

1. They are transparent, making them almost invisible when you wear them. 
Many teens and adults are uncomfortable with the idea of wearing visible braces. Invisalign aligners are made to fit over your teeth without any noticeable wires or brackets, and your friends, family members and coworkers will never need to know you are wearing them.

2. They require no food restrictions. 
Patients who undergo treatment with conventional braces often have to forego a variety of foods because they can damage either their teeth or braces. With Invisalign, you can simply remove the aligners when you eat, and you can enjoy whatever you want, including whole apples, popcorn, nuts, corn on the cob and anything else you like. 

3. Brushing is a breeze. 
Cleaning your teeth can be a complicated ordeal with braces because you have to brush around bulky brackets and maneuver floss around the wires. If you miss a spot, your dental health could be at risk. With Invisalign, you will brush and floss while your aligners are out just like you did before you wore aligners. 

Call our office today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.

Does Invisalign Work Faster than Braces?

For patients trying to decide which orthodontic treatment right for them, the search can be somewhat confusing. For many people, especially older patients, the thought of wearing noticeable dental brackets that traditional braces provide can be embarrassing. Fortunately, there are several new methods that are more discrete than standard braces, and typically take less time to display noticeable results.

When deciding between traditional braces and Invisalign, you should take into consideration the amount of time you plan to spend in the orthodontist’s office. Patients with this discrete method change their aligner trays every two weeks and plan visits to their orthodontist every four to six weeks, whereas patients with standard braces visit their orthodontist every month. Aligner trays do not impact your diet in any way, as you remove them before eating or drinking. The standard length of time needed for this treatment is up to 18 months, while traditional braces are known to take up to two years. In the long run, this method is a great option for someone who can commit to wearing aligner trays for up to 22 hours a day and does not wish to change their dental hygiene practice of brushing and flossing daily. When it comes to caring for your aligners, you can rinse them in warm water and apply toothpaste with a soft-bristled brush.

Talk to our dentist to find out if this treatment is right for you.

Does TMJ Damage Nerves?

Facial pain and tenderness of the jawbone can make it difficult to go through your day. For some patients, it can be challenging to identify a source of pain because of the intricate composition surrounding the jaw joints.

TMJ is characterized as pain located in the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. Unlike Trigeminal Neuralgia, TMJ is not associated with the nerve endings near your jaw. Common symptoms of TMJ include headache, painful sensations in the ears, dizziness, shoulder and neck pain, and a popping sound when you move your jaw. Certain people are more prone to develop temporomandibular disorder than others. Patients become more likely to develop this disorder as they age. People who have arthritis, experience high levels of stress, and are known to grind their teeth should take preventative measures to avoid TMJ. Some habits you should avoid if you experience jaw tightening are gum chewing, eating hard candy, and sleeping with poor posture.

 If you notice signs of TMJ, there are several massage techniques to target and relieve your joint pain. Many professionals may recommend dental splints to avoid further irritation to the jaw and teeth. Our Los Angeles TMJ expert can answer any questions you may have about this condition.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, about 25 percent of Americans lose all their teeth by the time they reach 75. Tooth loss can often be blamed on gum disease, tooth decay, accidents and other serious dental problems, but once a tooth is lost, it must be replaced to restore the look and function of your smile. In the past, dentures and bridges were used to fill the gaps, but today, our dentist in Torrance uses dental implants. Weighing the pros and cons of implants can help you decide on the best restoration for your needs. 

Pros

Dental implants are titanium screw-like devices that are anchored by the jawbone. The device is placed in several steps, but once it is in place, it is considered a permanent restoration. Each bite you take and each time you chew, the jawbone is stimulated just like it would be if the implant were a natural tooth. This helps keep the bone strong and dense. Implants look, feel and act just like your own teeth, and once they have fused with the jawbone, they can be restored with dental crowns or your choice of restoration, including bridges or dentures. 

Cons 

All procedures do have downsides, including implants. Implants are generally recognized as safe and have a high success rate, but as with any surgery, complications can occur. It is important to discuss risks and complications with our team before making your decision. Additionally, the implant process can take longer than other types of restorations, and initial costs can be higher even though the long-term costs tend to be lower.

Call our office today to learn more about getting dental implants in Torrance or to schedule your consultation with our team.

How is Dental Reconstruction Done?

Full mouth reconstruction is used as both emergency dentistry—when teeth have been lost traumatically—and as a long-term treatment plan for the full or partially toothless. It can involve pieces of general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Depending on your budget and needs, it can revolutionize your smile and take years off your look.

If your teeth are worn down by bruxism or simple attrition, you may start with dental crowns. These are prophylactic in nature, and are wrapped around teeth after decayed tooth structure is drilled out. If you have the budget and time, ask your cosmetic dentist in West Hollywood about dental implants. If you have sufficient bone density, implants are the preferred mode of tooth replacement by modern practices. A crown is placed over a titanium root, which grafts naturally with the jawbone over a period of weeks.

Less drastic, or invasive, procedures include dental bonding—which can fill in gaps or spaces and hide chips or cracks—and porcelain veneers—thin laminates bonded to the teeth to camouflage flaws. One form of veneers known as Lumineers does not require drilling or removal of existing teeth structure.

Any problems with bite or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are handled by specialists in neuromuscular dentistry. Ask our expert in dental reconstruction in West Hollywood for more.

What Your Jaw Pain Means

Jaw pain is a common problem. This complex joint hinges and slides so that you can yawn, talk, bite and chew. Many things can lead to dysfunction and pain in this region. Our cosmetic dentist in Huntington Beach can help you uncover the source of the problem and relieve it. 

Common causes of jaw pain often include: 

Teeth grinding, which can be alleviated with a properly fitted night guard
Jaw injury, which will need to be treated according to the type of injury
Infection, which might need antibiotics or root canal therapy
Periodontal disease, which can be treated with conservative therapies or surgery
Toothaches, which will need to be addressed based on the cause and severity of the problem


TMJ disorder is one of the most common causes of jaw pain. This can occur when something interferes with the proper function of the temporomandibular joint. Treatment can include lifestyle changes, physical therapy, medication, orthodontic treatment or surgery, depending on the extent and cause of the disorder. 

We will work with you to create a customized treatment plan based on the cause of your jaw pain and work to restore the full range of motion. Call our office today to schedule your appointment with our expert in jaw pain in Huntington Beach.

Is Getting Veneers Painful?

The main concern of patients before any sort of dental treatment or procedure is whether or not it will be painful. This is the case for those who are getting porcelain veneers, as well. Our Los Angeles veneer dentist ensures patients that there is no pain involved in this process.

The part that patients are most often concerned about is the removal of a thin layer of dental enamel. While it may sound like this could hurt, dental enamel is simply hard tissue that is not connected to any nerves or blood vessels. You may hear the sounds of our dentist using their tools against your teeth, but it is unlikely you will feel any pain. Furthermore, such a small amount of enamel needs to be removed that you may not even notice a difference afterwards.

The second half of the process is simple. We will place each veneer one at a time on the teeth. The will be held in place with dental bonding, which is used often in dentistry. A special light will then be used to cure and harden the bonding into place. This light may feel warm, but will not hurt in any way.

If you have any other concerns about the dental placement process, be sure to give us a call.

Are Lumineers Reversible?

Lumineers are a product based on revolutionary thinness. The laminates are made of porcelain like ordinary veneers, but cut to the approximate width of a contact lens. This is a drastic improvement, one that changes the veneer process entirely. Ordinary veneers require drilling or trimming of existing tooth structure to ensure proper fit. Lumineers skip this intrusion and bond directly to teeth.

Denmat, the company behind Lumineers, markets the product as a reversible commodity. This is due to the no-prep/no-drill effect. Since your teeth retain their original size and shape, the laminates can be taken off at any point. However, just because it’s possible doesn’t mean you should see Lumineers as a temporary fix. The product is meant to be worn for 20 years or more, without discoloration, and with proper care. As outlined by our expert in Lumineers in North Hollywood, this includes eating and drinking sensibly, not smoking, and practicing regular hygiene.

The process of Lumineers removal is not time-sensitive—in other words, you should not anticipate a quick removal since the bonding cement is very adherent. Another caution you should take is that tooth enamel, ironically, may emerge from behind the Lumineers in a marred condition.

Ask your North Hollywood cosmetic dentist for more about the reversibility of Lumineers.

How Long Does Root Canal Therapy Take?

The time devoted to a root canal treatment can vary based on the extent of the infection and your individual needs. In many cases, just one visit is needed to complete a root canal. However, some patients may need two or more scheduled visits to complete their treatment. Our dentist in Santa Clara will determine the time needed to complete your root canal upon consultation.

The first task is to clean and shape the root canals of the tooth. Next, the root canals are filled and sealed. Both steps may be completed same day, but it may be done at a later appointment if the infection was severe, or there is significant inflammation present. Scheduling multiple appointments allows us to manage flare-ups and gives your tooth time to heal between the initial root canal treatment and the sealing process.

If the treatment is completed in a single appointment, it may be done in 30 to 90 minutes. This variation is dependent on the number of roots that are present. Teeth with single canals will take less time than teeth with multiple canals. The restoration of the treated tooth is typically completed at a later appointment.

An infected or abscessed tooth cannot be treated at home, and will only heal once the diseased tissue has been removed. Call our dental office today to learn more or to schedule your appointment with our root canal dentist in Santa Clara.

Facts About Incognito Braces

Have you been thinking about getting braces, but are worried about how they will make you look? Nobody wants a smile marred by metal, and traditional braces give you just that. Fortunately, our Los Angeles orthodontists offer a new, much less noticeable option with Incognito braces.

Whereas traditional metal braces feature brackets and wires placed on the front surfaces of the teeth, Incognito braces are bonded to the lingual sides. The lingual side is the back surfaces of the teeth. This means that patients can speak and smile freely, without having to worry about an unsightly metal appliance creating a look they do not want to show off.

Incognito braces work exactly as traditional ones do, with a metal wire running through brackets placed on each tooth. The wires are tightened in order to pull the teeth into place. Not only do braces placed on the back of the teeth provide a more discreet orthodontic experience, but it also means they are unable to irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, creating a more comfortable process, as well.

If you are interested in this option, visit our incognito braces dentist to find out if you are a good candidate.