Is Invisalign Right for Me?

Here at our office, we have the great distinction of being named one of Invisalign’s Premiere Providers. We have the understanding and the ability to use Invisalign to help our patients and provide the path to their dream smiles. Our dentist also has exceptionally well-trained dentists who provide care to our patients. Our dentists are certified and possess years of experience with Invisalign.

We often have patients ask us if Invisalign is the right choice to adjust their misaligned teeth. When they come to consult with our Invisalign dentists in San Francisco, they are frequently surprised that Invisalign technology continues to advance and those who could not benefit from the alignment system several years ago, now get excellent results.

Because of Invisalign advances, teens have great success with Invisalign Teen, a newer extension of the traditional system with specially designed aligners made to meet the needs of teen patients. Many patients also enjoy the Invisalign Express treatments which are an accelerated version of the traditional Invisalign. Our dentists often recommend this treatment for patients with relatively minor issues.

There are a few reasons that a patient could not benefit from the Invisalign alignment system.

Patients with dental implants and bridges do not experience success with Invisalign because the dental work, by design, will not move. This defeats the purpose of the alignment trays pushing the teeth into proper position.

Many of our patients who have Temporomandibular Joint problems have limited success with Invisalign. Our office will not automatically rule you out for Invisalign if you have TMJ. It is a condition that varies in symptoms and severity so our dentists judge the benefits of the aligners for TMJ patients on a case to case basis. Those with excessive swelling or pain usually are not good candidates for the alignment trays. However, other patients with TMJ concerns have success with Invisalign.

If you would like Invisalign aligners, contact our office and ask about our no-obligation consultation. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn the Invisalign system is just what you need to love your smile.

When is Invisalign Express a Good Option?

The Invisalign system has spent 20-plus years helping dental practices create straight and brilliant smiles. During that time, there have been advances and upgrades to Invisalign making a great system even better. Our dentist is at the forefront of these advances. As one of eight dentists sitting on The Align Technology Innovation Leadership Panel, our dentist works with Invisalign’s parent company, Align Technology, to continue improvements and enhancements to Invisalign. Therefore, our office is at the front of the line for Invisalign innovation. One particularly useful addition to the group of products is the Invisalign Express system.

Our dentist in San Francisco sees many patients who could see excellent results from the Invisalign Express system. Our dentist normally suggests the express option to patients with minor imperfections or crooked teeth.

The Invisalign Express system works in the same way that the original Invisalign treatment works. A series of transparent plastic alignment trays work to guide the teeth into the proper position. The customized aligners change periodically during treatment. Each change moves the teeth a bit closer to the preferred location.

The most noteworthy difference between the primary Invisalign system and Invisalign Express is that express patients complete their treatments in approximately three to six months. The average time spent using the full Invisalign system is 12 to 18 months. We like to remind our patients these are just approximations each individual’s treatment time can be shorter or longer. Occasionally, our dentist may add to your express treatment, especially if he sees insufficient progress.

The protocol for Invisalign Express is the same as that of traditional Invisalign. For a patient to get optimal results, you need the aligners on your teeth for 20-22 hours every day. Also, patients using Invisalign Express must adhere to the hygiene standards set for traditional Invisalign patients such as removing aligners to eat, brushing your teeth after meals, and cleaning the aligners regularly.

If you think Invisalign Express may be a good option for you, contact our office to schedule a no-obligation consultation to learn more about this revolutionary system. 

Types of Braces for Adults

Often hearing the word braces brings to mind teenagers with mouths full of wires and rubber bands. While we see many teen orthodontic patients in our practice, adults are opting to get braces in ever-increasing numbers. Many of our adult patients are willing to see our orthodontist because the latest kinds of braces are more discreet and this led to their decision to seek orthodontic care. There are numerous types of braces well suited for our adult patients.

• WIRED BRACES- While today’s wired braces are similar to the traditional sets of heavily wired stainless-steel braces from decades ago, the updated version is smaller and more discreet. They are as effective as the braces from long ago, and they work in the same way. Our dentist attaches small brackets to the surface of your teeth and then threads the wire through them. The wires connect to rubber bands used to adjust the amount of pressure the braces put on your teeth.

• CLEAR OR CERAMIC BRACES- The clear or ceramic braces are quite popular with our adult patients. While these braces work just as regular braces work, the materials used to make ceramic or clear braces blends in with your natural tooth color. This makes them difficult to notice. This is also the reason for the popularity of clear braces.

• LINGUAL BRACES- These braces are metal and work the same way as traditional braces work. The difference is they are unnoticeable because they attach to the back of your teeth and are out of sight. Because the wires are closer to the tongue, some patients find lingual braces uncomfortable.

• INVISALIGN- The Invisalign system differs from braces, but it is made to correct misalignments. This system consists of a series of custom-made clear plastic aligning trays. The aligners fit on to of your upper and lower teeth and gradually push your teeth into the proper position. Invisalign is extremely popular with patients because the alignment trays are difficult to see and come out when eating; this eliminates the food restrictions of traditional braces.

Our dentist can help guide you through the process of choosing your braces. If you would like to learn more, please contact our office.

Good Foods for Oral Health

Even though we give our patients suggestions regarding the best ways to maintain good dental health, it is also essential for our patients to understand the way nutrition can help improve oral health.

It is not surprising to learn that many of the foods which are good for our overall health also can help improve our dental health. Likewise, many of the foods carrying an adverse effect on our bodies are also best avoided for your dental wellbeing. Things like candy, soda, and pastries are low in nutrients but high in carbohydrates. When you eat carbs, the bacteria in your mouth produce high levels of acid. The acid wreaks havoc on your tooth enamel and your gum health.

Fortunately, there are many tasty and readily available foods beneficial to your dental health. These include:

• DAIRY PRODUCTS- While many patients hear that dairy is a food that is good for teeth because of calcium and vitamin D, studies show that consuming cheese changes the pH in your mouth, helping to avoid cavities.

• NUTS- Aside from being full of protein, nuts also contain minerals necessary to build your oral health. Another benefit of nuts is that chewing them stimulates the production of saliva. Because saliva continually cleans your mouth, having more is a good thing. There is no reason for you to be concerned about small indulgences; a hand-full of nuts is a great snack.

• FRESH VEGETABLES- Many of us can remember being told to eat our vegetables because they would help us to grow healthy and strong. It turns out that veggies not only promote our overall wellbeing, they also work to keep our teeth in good shape. Much like the nuts, the crunch effect of raw vegetables helps to stimulate saliva. In turn, saliva helps wash away bacteria, sugars, and debris in our mouths. The vitamins found in vegetables also promote oral health.

Be sure to add these types of food to your diet so you can reap the benefits of health-conscious and dental health-conscious eating. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our dentist.

Options for Treating Periodontics

As many of our patients may already know, periodontitis is not just a threat to your dental wellbeing but your overall health as well. More commonly known as gum disease, periodontitis is an insidious disease which begins when the bacteria in your mouth build up and release toxins. The toxins attack the surfaces close to your gum line and can usher in a variety of health problems. After compromising your gum tissue enough, the bacteria can enter your body through the bloodstream, creating infection and inflammation throughout the body. Additionally, as the disease progresses, your teeth loosen, your gums are unstable, and you are at risk for tooth and bone loss. This is why proper dental care is necessary during all stages of your life.

Gum disease has several levels of severity and therefore our periodontist in San Francisco offers patients numerous treatment options.

TREATMENT FOR EARLY STAGE GUM DISEASE:
• Gum disease in its earliest form is also known as gingivitis. This initial form of the disease is known for symptoms like inflamed or swollen gums, bleeding gums when eating or brushing your teeth, and chronic bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.

Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible. Your first course of treatment is called scaling and root planing. This treatment involves a deep cleaning to remove plaque, tarter, and diseased tissue at and below the gumline. To maintain healthy gums, you should practice diligent oral health care at home.

• A more developed form of gum disease is chronic periodontal disease. The hallmarks of this stage of gum disease include prominently bleeding gums, inflammation, and a receding gum line.

Patients with this form of gum disease need more treatment than a deep dental cleaning. You may receive antimicrobial therapies to stop the progression of the disease. Because the gums and jawbones are affected by the infection, our dentist may choose to do pocket reduction surgery or tissue grafts.

• Aggressive periodontal disease is the hardest gum disease to treat because it progresses extremely quickly. Patients experience bone loss and gum detachment.

Surgical intervention is usually necessary to keep any healthy bone and tissue. Laser treatments, bone grafts, and tissue regeneration are options that can save your smile.


If you have signs of gum disease, do not delay in seeking treatment. When caught in the early stages, gum disease is curable. For more information or an appointment, please contact our office. 

What are Invisalign Aligners Made of?

In our dental office, we see new techniques and treatments as well as the happy reactions of the patients who try the new advances. Few new devices have gained the level of popularity that we see in the Invisalign system.

Invisalign began more than twenty years ago, yet it is still gaining popularity with patients requesting more consultations about the system than all of the other orthodontic options combined.

Our Invisalign dentist in Huntington Beach credits the success of the aligners to its comfort and the fact that it delivers on its promise to be nearly invisible. In our society, we have a premium on our image, so many adults who want straighter teeth and a beautiful smile rejects the traditional wire and metal braces in favor of Invisalign and its system of alignment trays.

Invisalign has numerous positive features that our patients like.
• The system is removable, so those who wear the aligners do not have strict limitations regarding food and drink.

• Invisalign is comfortable. A few patients report an adjustment period of one or two days, but the majority of Invisalign wearers say they do not notice the alignment trays.

• Patients say it is easy to track your progress with Invisalign because the results are present each time the aligners are not on the teeth.

• Invisalign is nearly invisible.

Our patients are always impressed by how such a thin and discreet tray can correct misaligned teeth. They often ask what materials are used to make Invisalign’s clear and lightweight alignment trays.

The Invisalign makers use top of the line medical grade plastic to create the alignment trays. The plastic is polyurethane, and the United States Pharmacopeia also known as the USP approves of the plastic finding it is biocompatible with humans, making it safe for human use in the mouth. Invisalign manufacturers the aligners in a high-tech facility specializing in medical manufacturing.

If you would like to learn more about Invisalign, please feel free to contact our office and make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation. 

How Veneers Improve the Appearance of Teeth

Veneers can do a lot for a smile. Dental veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front of teeth. Typically made of porcelain, veneers have a translucent appearance that mimics dental enamel, but they cover imperfections for a more aesthetically appealing smile. Our cosmetic dentist can use veneers to correct many cosmetic flaws and transform a smile. 

What Can Veneers Do?
Our cosmetic dentist can use veneers to improve the shape, color and other aspects of teeth. They can conceal chips, cracks, uneven enamel and other common flaws, and they can cover stains, close gaps and make teeth look straight. Veneers can even be used to strengthen a weak tooth. Once a veneer is applied, it can last 15 years or more with good care.
Benefits of Veneers
Little preparation is required to place veneers, and some require no preparation at all. The porcelain is carefully matched to teeth for a natural appearance, and once they are applied, they are indistinguishable from natural enamel. They have an attractive translucency that reflects light just like teeth do, but they do not stain or discolor. 
The Process 
Candidates for veneers will begin by having a small portion of their outer enamel removed. This is to make room for the veneers, which are about the same thickness as a contact lens. By removing the enamel, a better, more comfortable fit is ensured. Once the tooth has been prepared, an impression is made to serve as a model for crafting the veneers. The porcelain is matched to surrounding teeth for a flawless look. 
Two visits are needed: the first to prepare the teeth and the second to fit the veneers. The veneer is bonded into place using a special adhesive that will keep it secure for years. To maintain the veneers, patients only need to brush and floss as directed and schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups. They should also avoid using their teeth as tools, a habit that could crack both veneers and natural teeth. 
Contact our veneers dentist in San Francisco today to learn more about how veneers can transform a smile. 
x

When is Invisalign Express a Good Option?

Our many years of experience with Invisalign allows us to help our patients achieve their best smiles. It also gives our staff a great look at all of Invisalign's advances and improvements over the years. One such development that many of our patients’ love is the Invisalign Express treatment.

While the majority of our patients get excellent results with the Invisalign full treatment, we have many patients that our orthodontist in Rocklin believes would benefit from the Invisalign Express system. We typically advise a patient to use the Express treatment when they have slight imperfections or misaligned teeth.

Invisalign Express works the same way that the full Invisalign treatment works. See-through plastic alignment trays fit over your teeth and will progressively move your teeth into their ideal position. As with the full course of Invisalign, in order to get the best results, you should wear your alignment trays for 20-22 hours every day. Also, express patients need to follow the hygiene protocol prescribed for traditional Invisalign patients. Our Invisalign Express patients have their progress checked at regular intervals so that they can get their new alignment trays. The guidelines for using the full Invisalign and the Express Invisalign are the same. The beautiful results are also the same for each type of Invisalign.

The most significant distinction between the original Invisalign system and Invisalign Express is that an Express patient finishes their treatment in as little as three to six months. The typical amount of time spent using the full Invisalign system is 12 to 18 months. It is important to remember that these are averages and your personal treatment time may be somewhat shorter or longer. Occasionally, our dentist may add to the amount of time using the express treatment. This typically only happens when our Invisalign dentist does not see the projected amount of progress.

If you think that you may be a good candidate for the Invisalign Express treatment or would like to learn more about all the ways Invisalign can help you, do not hesitate to call our office right away. Our staff is always happy to answer your questions and meet your dental needs.

Same Day Dentistry Options

All of the staff at our office understand that everyone lives busy lives. Work, school, and family life all make dental work difficult to schedule, especially if your treatment requires multiple visits to our office. Meeting your dental needs while accommodating your busy schedule is why we are pleased to offer you several options for same day dentistry.

Thanks to technological advances in equipment and techniques, we are able to provide you with options for same day teeth whitening and same day crowns. In addition to these, we are able to treat many dental emergencies such as a broken tooth, injured gums, or a tooth which is out of its socket on the same day.

Our patients love same day whitening. It eliminates struggling with at home treatments, yet still gives flawless results. In a single appointment, our cosmetic dentist in Huntington Beach cleans your teeth, applies the whitening solution, and uses special lights to complete the treatment. You will walk out of our office with brilliantly white teeth in a fraction of the amount of time a course of whitening would have taken in years past.

Providing dental restorations in a single day was one a dream of many dentists. Thanks to incredible advances, that dream is now very much a reality. If you need a crown, we now use a hand-held scanning device to get highly detailed images of your tooth which go to a computer. The computer uses the data to create a 3-D model of the perfect crown for you. The plans for your crown go to our milling unit. Here the unit uses a single block of porcelain to build the crown. Eliminating messy dental impressions and the time spent waiting for a dental lab to create a crown are two of the best features of this new technique.

So if you need dental work but do not want to spend a great deal of your free time in our dental office, contact us for more specific details about how same day dental treatments can help you accomplish your dental goals without compromising your schedule. 

Options for Treating Periodontal Disease

Because we care about our patients and the ease at which they can get care, our dental office proudly offers our patients the option of in-office periodontal treatments. Our patients prefer visiting a familiar office with a comfortable waiting room and friendly staff. Some of our patients are aware of the sorts of periodontal therapies that we excel in, but many do not know the options we offer for treating periodontal disease.

Periodontics is devoted to learning about and caring for the structures which support the teeth, especially the gums. Our dentists spend a great deal of time working with our patients who have gum disease, often known as periodontitis. This work is crucial because those with gum disease have a high probability of losing teeth and bone.

In addition to periodontitis, our dentist can help patients with other gum-related issues. These include:

• Crown Lengthening- This process reduces the amount of excess gum tissue, above or below the patient’s teeth. This procedure helps the patient’s teeth to look larger because the smile shows less gum.

• Dental Implants- Our periodontist uses a titanium screw to take the place of the root of a missing tooth in the empty socket. In time, the body accepts the screw, and it fuses to the jaw bone. Our periodontist places an abutment on top of the screw and caps it with a natural-looking crown. This procedure prevents bone loss and gives the patient a healthy-looking replacement tooth.

• Gum Grafts- When a patient’s gums recede there is a risk of root exposure, tooth infection, tooth loss, and eventually bone loss. Our dentist can prevent these issues and improve the patient’s appearance by grafting healthy gum tissue to the tissue which is receding.

• Pocket Reduction Techniques- Patients with periodontal disease have empty spaces (also called pockets) near the roots of their teeth. When gum disease destroys the tissue and bone that support the teeth, a pocket forms. Unfortunately, this pocket is a perfect place to hold bacteria. In time, the empty space will grow so large the patient cannot care for their tooth. At this point, pocket reduction surgery will decrease the pocket size and help to prevent tooth loss.

We consistently are watching for signs of gum disease. If we see any indication of periodontitis, we will refer you to our periodontist, so your dental health is restored as soon as possible.

Types of Invisalign

For over 20 years our orthodontics patients have successfully used Invisalign aligners as an alternative to standard metal braces. As time goes on, the Invisalign system advances and expands in acceptance.

Adults who feel embarrassed by misaligned teeth and are not comfortable with the idea of metal braces embrace Invisalign as the perfect solution. The method is practically unnoticeable, and our patients also appreciate that is an efficient as well as an effective way to create a flawless smile.

The traditional Invisalign alignment trays are ideal for older teens, who are finished growing, as well as for adults. The clear plastic aligners are discreet, thin, simple to use, and require minimal care. Patients must wear the trays for about 22 hours a day and remove the trays at mealtime. Through the course of treatment, the aligners are replaced to help move the teeth into the correct place. Our Invisalign dentist in Torrance has hundreds of happy patients with perfect smiles thanks to Invisalign.

Recently, the Invisalign company introduced two new kinds of Invisalign: Invisalign Express and Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign Express is very similar to the traditional Invisalign system. Clear plastic aligners gently push your teeth into the correct position to give you a straight, beautiful smile. The difference between regular Invisalign and Express is that the Express system is ideal for patients who have mild to moderate misalignment problems. Our dentist in Torrance will evaluate patients to see if the Express treatment is best for them. It takes half as long as traditional Invisalign and still delivers fantastic results.

Teens are a group who would benefit from the option of a nearly invisible removable orthodontic method. So, to meet this need, Invisalign Teen is available. There are three main differences between Invisalign Teen and the traditional version.
• Invisalign Teen has a tab which allows for continued jaw growth or erupting permanent teeth.

• There is a small blue dot on the teen variety of Invisalign. This dot wears away slowly as the alignment tray spends time in the teen’s mouth. After two weeks, the dot should disappear. If the blue dot is still there, then the teen has not worn the aligner enough during the two-week period.

• Unlike traditional Invisalign, parents may order replacement alignment trays if a tray is lost or broke.

With three types of Invisalign systems available our dentist can help you find the one that will give you a beautiful smile.

Types of Dental Sedation

At our office, we are continually improving procedures to reduce pain and recovery time. We understand that some people just fear visits to a dentist, and we are aware that some patients have phobias which significantly impact them. Because our dentists also know that regular check-ups and various treatments are essential to our patients’ oral health, we offer dental sedation in our office.

In our office, we offer four different levels of sedation as well as four methods of sedation. We work to deliver a comfortable middle ground where you are anxiety and pain-free, but not excessively medicated. Levels and methods of sedation vary based on the procedure and your physical health.

The four levels of sedation we use in our practice are:
• MINIMAL SEDATION- This is the lightest level of sedation; you are awake but calm and free of anxiety.

• MODERATE SEDATION – This was once called ‘conscious sedation’ because you are still slightly awake. Patients with moderate sedation often fall asleep during the procedure and remember very little of what happened.

• DEEP SEDATION – You are close to unconsciousness, yet we are able to wake you.

• GENERAL ANESTHESIA -- You are entirely unconscious.


The four methods of dental sedation:
• INHALED SEDATION- This is a minimal form of sedation where you breathe in a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, commonly called ‘laughing gas.’
The dentist delivers the gas through a mask which is over your nose. The gas helps you relax and wears off quickly.

• ORAL SEDATION- The level of drowsiness achieved by oral sedatives varies from minimal to moderate depending on the dosage. Typically, the dentist administers the drug Halcion in pill form, and you will feel sleepy and calm. The dosage is increased to reach a moderate level of sedation. Oral sedation usually takes an hour to work, and afterward, you will be groggy.

• IV SEDATION- You can either receive moderate or deep sedation via intravenous therapy. You receive medicine directly into your vein, and it works quickly to relax you. In deep sedation, you are asleep, but we can easily wake you.

• GENERAL ANESTHESIA- If you receive general anesthesia, you will be entirely unconscious and will wake when the medication wears off, or we reverse the effects with a different medicine.

If you are fearful of a visit to our office or have questions about dental sedation, please contact our office, and we would be happy to help you.

Effectiveness of Sleep Apnea Treatments

Sleep Apnea affects more than ten- million people every year. It is a common misconception that sleep apnea merely an inconvenience that features loud snoring. However, sleep apnea sufferers experience a momentary pause in their breathing, which leads to oxygen deprivation in some cases. The reality is that sleep apnea is a disorder best measured on a continuum. While many cases of mild sleep apnea fall on the less critical end of the scale, a large number of sleep apnea cases are severe and accompanied by potentially dangerous disorders. Studies show that those who suffer from sleep apnea have a higher incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Our office treats patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea using a two-tiered approach.

• We encourage necessary lifestyle changes when warranted. Often patients with mild sleep apnea reduce or eliminate it by losing weight and increasing physical activity. We also strongly recommend that patients with sleep apnea do not smoke and decrease caffeine and alcohol.

• Patients with sleep apnea often find relief when fitted with a device that is similar to a mouth guard. It fits over your teeth and helps you to breath by repositioning your mouth and moving your lower jaw forward.

Remember that only a highly trained expert can properly diagnose and treat sleep apnea. Dental intervention can correct many cases of sleep apnea. However, our sleep apnea dentist in Agoura Hills prefers to collaborate with your medical doctor to be sure that you are receiving the best treatment for your individual condition. If you have questions and would like to consult with our dental office, you should feel free to call and set an appointment. The sooner you begin treatment for sleep apnea the sooner you can enjoy a good night of sleep.

Success with Invisalign Teen

Many teens are self-conscious about their looks but are not real thrilled about the prospect of wearing braces in order to have the perfect smile. These same teens are often pleasantly surprised to find out that our dentist offers Invisalign Teen as an alternative to traditional braces. This alternative can help them reach the same dental goals as traditional braces can help them achieve.

This revolutionary teen product works a lot like the adult version does. One of the main differences is that the teen version is designed with specific features that satisfy teeth that are not fully grown or erupted through the gums yet. In addition, there are compliance indicators to help teens monitor how long they are wearing them. Finally, we offer discounts on replacement aligners since teens are more apt to misplace one.

With this product, there is no need to fear the traditional process of having impressions made. The whole process begins with taking an impression of the patient's mouth. At the beginning of a treatment plan with this product, a patient will be required to make more frequent visits to the dentist. In the beginning, the teen may be required to visit the office approximately ever 4-6 weeks. When confidence and competency are built, the visits may be adjusted to ever 6-8 weeks.

The determining factor in how successful this product will be is the patient. It is vital that the patient wear the aligners the proper amount of time in a day, and be careful not to lose or misplace them. It is equally important for the patient to follow all recommendations made by our dentist. It is recommended that patients do not consume hot food or beverages while wearing aligners, only cool or room temperature. It is best to remove them before eating. It is also recommended that patients brush their teeth and rinse their mouth out before replacing the aligners after meal consumption.

When is a Dental Bridge Used to Replace Teeth?

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’re probably looking into your options for finding a suitable way to restore your smile. If you qualify, you may be pleased to learn about the possibility of having your mouth fitted with a dental bridge by our own Northridge dentist. Dental bridges are a great way to safely and subtly replace one or more teeth in a row, especially if they happen to be molars.

What is a dental bridge exactly? A dental bridge is just what the name implies – it is a restorative fixture used to bridge the gap or gaps left remaining after losing one or more teeth through some circumstance or another. They contain two major parts – a pontic or multiple pontics, which are the false tooth or teeth that will replace the lost one(s); and two dental crowns on either side, also called abutments, which anchor the entire apparatus in position. This device allows our dentist to place the bridge securely, even if there is nothing left remaining in the gap.

During your first appointment, our dentists will assess you as a possible candidate. They will inspect the area surrounding the missing tooth carefully, making sure that the healthy teeth on either side will be able to stand up against the duress of day-to-day oral activity. Once you are deemed eligible, the task of prepping the teeth for the procedure will begin. The area will be cleaned thoroughly and our dentist will sculpt the teeth on either side to make room for the eventual abutments to be placed over the top. At this stage, physical impressions and x-rays of your mouth will be taken and the data gathered will be sent to a dental lab where the bridge will be manufactured; you will most likely be given a temporary bridge to wear in the meantime. During your next appointment, our dentist will affix the bridge to your teeth using a special type of light-sensitive cement. After making any necessary tweaks or adjustments, you’ll be free to enjoy your new bridge just as you did the tooth or teeth that came before.

Our expert in dental bridges in Northridge can easily answer any of your questions and assuage any potential concerns you may have. Give us a call and we will help you find the option which best suits your needs.

How to Best Clean Dental Veneers

If you’re reading this article, chances are you are the proud owner of a brand new set of dental veneers, the most effective way to dramatically improve the appearance of one’s smile action. Candidates and recent patients may be curious about the best way to properly care for and maintain them. Our veneers dentist in Torrance is happy to provide you with all the answers you seek.

Veneers are wafer-thin tiles, usually manufactured from porcelain or in some cases composite resin, that are affixed to the front of visible teeth to change their shape, size, or to hide any discoloration the teeth may have accumulated over the years. As they are in fact individual pieces as opposed to one solid denture-like fixture, cleaning them is quite similar to cleaning the completely natural teeth you took care of before. Continuing your previous routine of brushing thoroughly twice a day and cleaning between the veneers daily with dental floss to dislodge any foreign debris is one obvious way to keep them pristine – be careful as you do, however, as a common experience is flossing too hard and accidentally fracturing one or more of the veneers. Using less abrasive toothpaste will help your veneers last as long as possible and stay as beautiful as they were the day you left our office.

There are many preemptive measures you can take as a patient to not only keep your veneers clean, but also to keep them looking clean, as well. Veneers of all varieties are quite prone to staining – the last thing you want to do after all is finally said and done is tarnish your new smile with a dull, dingy tinge. The best way to avoid doing so? Abstaining from foods and beverages with dark staining properties, coffee and red wine being two prime examples. Another bad habit to break would be indulging in tobacco products, whether chewed or inhaled. While it is possible to lift some varieties of less severe stains from the artificial material via in-office whitening treatments and/or switching to a whitening toothpaste, in most cases severely discolored veneers will unfortunately have to be replaced. This is quite costly, especially so if your veneers happen to be made of ceramic. Prevention is the most logical course of action.

Consult with our Torrance cosmetic dentist to learn more.

What to Ask Your Dental Implant Dentist

Many patients who are missing one or more adult teeth entirely may worry that their smile is beyond redemption. Something not everybody may be aware of is the option of a dental implant, the best way to replace teeth which have been lost or removed down to the root either through trauma, decay, disease, or extraction. You probably have many questions regarding the procedure, and our highly-qualified implants dentist in BeverlyHills is more than happy to answer all of them.

To start, what is a dental implant? A dental implant is a restorative fixture used when a tooth must be replaced completely. Unlike less advanced forms of whole-tooth replacement, such as dental bridges, implants are embedded directly into the jawbone, through the gumline, replacing the root completely, and braced there through surgical means – it is usually a titanium screw, and once it has been installed it is covered by a crown which will mimic the appearance of the natural tooth before. It is a permanent solution and once it has been placed can be used exactly like a genuine tooth, allowing you to enjoy the same things you did before losing the original one. The procedure is safe, virtually painless, and takes less than a day to recover from before you will be free to return to your regular life.

The next thing you’re probably wondering is why anybody would want to undergo such a drastic procedure just to replace a tooth. There are many ways a dental implant can improve your life, both cosmetic and practical. For one thing, a renewed smile has a dramatic effect on the confidence of the patient. More tangibly, it also reduced the surface area of your enamel, giving bacteria less of a chance to penetrate your teeth and cause unwanted decay. Most importantly, this procedure will prevent the rest of your teeth from gradually shifting toward the opening where your old tooth was previously and help you avoid other complications in the future, as well.

While there is a small likelihood that the body will reject your new implant, the chances of this happening in an otherwise healthy candidate are slim to none. A dental implant will last decades if properly cared for and maintained. 

Choosing Your Tooth Restoration Option

When it comes to restoring your teeth, there are multiple options available depending on your case. Our Northridge cosmetic dentist is here to help. Our experts can examine your smile to determine the best restoration option available.

If you have dental cavities, there are tooth colored fillings to give your teeth a natural look. Today’s dental composite resins are common in non-amalgam fillings. These composites are made of a plastic resin and silica filler. There are also new ways of bonding filling to the teeth to create a stronger, more protected connection and also more comfortable dental fillings.

Rebuilding teeth depends on the bond between resin materials and both the enamel and dentin. This recreates a tooth that not only looks natural but responds naturally too. The restored tooth will be able to withstand the stress of a bite making it very strong. Dentists are now using more tooth-like materials that are both safe and predicable such as composite resins and porcelains.

If you have an unstable tooth, you may get a crown. This is an indirect tooth restoration that completely covers a damaged tooth that is too unstable for a filling to correct. Crowns give a tooth back its healthy color and function. Some crowns can be made of metal and then covered with a porcelain coating, while others are fully ceramic.

Implants are another restoration option if you are missing one or more teeth. This replaces the entire structure of the tooth including the root.  It is made up of a titanium fixture and then surgically placed into the jawbone, which functions as the tooth root. It takes some time for the jawbone and the fixture to fuse together. Once this happens, a replacement tooth is attached. Dental implants have little to no impact on adjacent teeth.

Bridges are another option for replacing multiple damaged teeth. This is when one or more crowns are splinted together to replace the teeth. This restoration option can restore your smile and proper chewing function.

The least invasive option is teeth whitening. This restoration option is just for lightening and brighter. This can be done in our office or at home. The bleach strength used will depend on the level of your discoloration of your teeth and personal preferences. If you’re going to consider tooth restoration, talk to our dentists. Schedule a consultation with us so we can start restoring your smile.