Does Invisalign Treatment Take Longer than Braces?

If you are in need of orthodontic treatment to correct an alignment issue, you may be wondering if you should go with traditional metal braces or Invisalign. Each treatment option has its advantages and disadvantages, but the thing that patients are usually concerned about the most is the length of treatment. So does Invisalign treatment take longer than braces?

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to that question. Each orthodontic treatment takes as long as it needs to in order to properly align your teeth. That being said, there are some general trends concerning each treatment. As far as how long Invisalign takes, it is usually about a year for treatment to reach its completion. And for braces, it is usually around two years. Regardless of the treatment option that is selected, if only minor teeth movement is required for the treatment, it will take a shorter amount of time. Likewise, if major teeth movement is required for the treatment, it will take a longer amount of time. Your orthodontist will let you know which treatment option works best for your particular case.

If you are interested in learning if you would make a good candidate for Invisalign, contact our Beverly Hills Invisalign doctor to set up a consultation.

Is Invisalign Always a Good Option?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that uses a series of clear plastic aligners in order to straighten the teeth. It can be used for a wide variety of orthodontic issues, but there are some instances in which it may not be the best option for treatment.

Invisalign is particularly good at treating crowded teeth, gapped teeth, crooked teeth, and minor issues affecting the bite. Our North Hollywood dentists may recommend traditional metal braces, though, if you are suffering from a severe bite issue, or require that teeth be moved vertically or be substantially rotated. Metal braces simply offer the dentist more control over tooth movement, and this is necessary for these types of cases. If you have received bridgework, you also may not qualify as a good candidate for treatment with Invisalign.

Compliance is an important aspect of your Invisalign treatment. In order for the treatment to be successful, you must wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day. If you do not feel that you can make this type of commitment to your treatment, then Invisalign may not be the best option for you.

If you are wondering if Invisalign would make a good treatment option for your orthodontic needs, contact our expert in Invisalign in North Hollywood to set up a consultation.

Candidates for Zoom Whitening

Zoom whitening uses a unique tooth-bleaching process to surpass the results of traditional teeth whitening. This process includes a special formula and activation method. Here is a look at characteristics of candidates for this procedure performed by our cosmetic dentist in Northridge.

Have Surface Stains

Stains on the outsides of teeth are well addressed by Zoom. These include discoloration associated with tobacco, coffee, tea and wine. Unfortunately, stains on the insides of teeth cannot be reduced by this procedure and will require concealment instead.

Want Maximum Results

Zoom is significantly more effective than store-bought whitening treatments. Its gel includes both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, and its application requires the experience and equipment of a professional.

Have Tooth Sensitivity

Teeth whitening procedures can cause or worsen tooth sensitivity in vulnerable patients. However, Zoom can include fluoride application after the bleaching process to minimize or prevent sensitivity. Patients with sensitive teeth should mention it to our expert in Zoom whitening in Northridge before planning the procedure.

In just one hour of Zoom whitening, patients can have the whiteness of their smile improved by up to nine shades. Patients can schedule a consultation with our dentist to find out whether they are eligible to have their teeth whitened with Zoom.

Are Dental Sealants Effective?

Back teeth, commonly known as molars, are especially susceptible to caries, or cavities. This is because these teeth are harder to reach and are therefore harder to clean. They obtain more cavities also because these teeth tend to have a rougher texture than teeth toward the front of the mouth. Many molars have a grooved or fissured makeup. It is these grooves and fissures that attract food particles and precipitate decay.

Fortunately, you can address these irregularities with dental adhesives, or films, called sealants. Sealants are pasted into the grooves or fissures of the molars, where they quite literally seal off these spaces, preventing any material from entering them. The teeth are thus fortified against bacteria and decay.

Children are especially good candidates for dental sealants. When their molars are newly erupted, our expert in dental sealants in North Hollywood recommends applying dental sealants immediately. When combined with the routine regular brushing using a soft-bristled brush and a fluoridated toothpaste, sealants can be 100 percent effective against cavities.

To apply sealants, our North Hollywood dentist first roughens the teeth with a special etching solution. The teeth are then rinsed and dried, and the sealant is placed in the teeth. The sealant is hardened with a curing light.

Contact our team for more information about this proven cavity fighter.

Types of Teeth Whitening Treatments

A professional teeth whitening is a faster, more effective and longer lasting whitening treatment than most store-bought whiteners. Furthermore, multiple options are available for patients who want to brighten their smile this way. Here is a look at the two most common teeth whitening treatments.

Professional Whitening

This treatment uses a whitening gel that is based on hydrogen peroxide to bleach stains away. After cleaning the teeth and placing protective rubber guards in the mouth, our cosmetic dentist in West Hollywood applies the gel to the teeth. The gel is then activated by a dental light as a chemical process and allowed to work. After about one hour, the gel is then cleaned off and patients can immediately see the results.

Zoom Whitening

Zoom whitening is fairly similar to other professional whitening procedures, but it uses a different formula, activation method and process. The Zoom bleaching gel includes not only hydrogen peroxide, but it also includes carbamide peroxide to enhance the penetration of stains. During a one-hour Zoom session, our dentist applies the gel, activates it with a light and allows it to work up to three times in one visit.

Both of these teeth whitening options can resolve most stains associated with foods, beverages and tobacco use. To learn more about these methods and what they can achieve, patients can schedule a consultation with our expert in tooth whitening in West Hollywood.

Costs Involved in Gum Lift Procedure

A gum lift is a special type of cosmetic procedure in dentistry that corrects the look of a gummy smile. A smile with excess gum tissue covering a large portion of the crowns of the teeth is considered a gummy smile. When wanting to balance out your smile with a gum lift, looking at the cost will vary per patient. Several factors can affect your final gum lift cost in Los Angeles. At your consultation, we will develop your treatment plan and explain the associated costs.

The cost can vary depending on your needs, as each individual is different. If a single tooth is covered by excess gum tissue, then the cost is likely to be much different than if you need the entire gum line addressed. Tissue grafts to cover exposed roots in patients with uneven gum lines will also affect your cost. Although the procedure is an outpatient procedure and is usually done using local anesthetic, some patients need additional sedation to feel more relaxed, which can affect the final cost. It is important to note that, unless a gum lift is being performed for health reasons, it may not be covered by dental insurance.

The gum lift may not be your only cost, especially if your treatment plan includes other cosmetic procedures. Teeth whitening and porcelain veneers are often combined with a gum lift for a total smile transformation. These additional treatments are often used to create a smile makeover. Call us today to learn more about gum lifts or to make an appointment with our expert in periodontics in Los Angeles.

What Does a Professional Dental Cleaning Involve?

It is strongly recommended to visit the dentist every six months for a professional dental cleaning. A big reason for this is because no matter how good you are at brushing and flossing, it is unfortunately not possible to remove all the plaque on your own. If plaque has been allowed to accumulate, it will turn into tartar. The only way to remove tartar is through a professional dental cleaning.

A major part of a professional dental cleaning is the removal of the plaque and tartar that the patient was not able to remove through brushing and flossing alone. If any cavities are found, the decay will be removed and the tooth will be fit with a dental filling. In cases where decay has reached the pulp of the tooth, a root canal treatment may also be recommended. Once the cleaning is completed, it is likely that you will receive a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your teeth from further decay. If the dentist or hygienist feels that you are not using proper brushing and flossing technique, they may educate you on the right way to do it. With any professional dental cleaning there is also an exam portion. During this portion of the cleaning, you will also be screened for oral cancer, gum disease, and any other issue that may be affecting your oral health.

If you have not had a professional cleaning in a while, contact our expert in dental cleaning in Los Angeles to schedule an appointment.

Benefits of Using Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns, also called porcelain caps, are a versatile treatment used for cosmetic and restorative purposes. Although similar to veneers in their material and custom tinting, porcelain crowns are thicker and cover the teeth completely rather than just the front. This treatment from our cosmetic dentist in San Francisco has several benefits.

Crowns are useful for concealing structural and color-related flaws. Teeth that are misshapen, improperly spaced, cracked or broken can be concealed and fortified with crowns. In cases where teeth are too heavily stained for concealment with veneers, crowns may also be a viable solution. Crowns are commonly used after root canal treatment to hold treated teeth together and block bacteria from entering the treated site.

The porcelain used to make these crowns is highly resistant to stains, which means patients are less likely to need professional care to remove discoloration in the future. Simple brushing, flossing and regular checkups can help porcelain crowns last for at least 20 years or longer.

Getting a crown requires two visits to the dentist. The first visit is used to remove tooth enamel, take bite impressions and place a temporary crown. The second visit is used to permanently bond the new crown in place. To find out more about this treatment and its advantages, patients can schedule a consultation with our expert in porcelain crowns in San Francisco.

Benefits of Dental Sedation

Dental sedation ranks alongside anesthesia as a great advancement toward tolerable dental care for all patients. While sedation is often praised for eliminating fear of dental treatment, this service can also enable dental care for individuals with a variety of neurological conditions. Furthermore, benefits of sedation extend to long-term oral health support.

Issues Benefiting from Dental Sedation

Patients with anxiety or phobias associated with dental treatment are among the most common beneficiaries of sedation. However, certain neurological disorders can also interfere with treatment by promoting involuntary movements, agitation or both. Examples of such disorders that may warrant sedation are autism and cerebral palsy.

How Sedation Promotes Oral Health

Anxiety and neurological disorders may cause patients to avoid the necessary checkups and treatment, resulting in emergence of new dental problems and the worsening of existing ones. With sedation from our West Hollywood dentist, patients can more easily receive the care they need to preserve their oral and overall health for a lifetime.

Our sedation dentist in West Hollywood is trained and licensed to use sedation safely. To determine candidacy for inhaled, oral or IV sedation choices, patients should discuss their medical history with our dentist. A consultation can be scheduled to learn more about dental sedation and its advantages.

Surgical Dental Extractions

There are several instances in which a tooth is deemed unsalvageable and is scheduled for extraction. When this occurs, there are two levels of extraction: simple and surgical. The surgical option is necessary when access to the entire crown of the tooth is difficult or when the tooth needs to be broken into manageable pieces, for instance.

While these procedures are surgical in nature, they do not necessarily require an oral surgeon. Some surgical extractions can be performed by your general dentist in Beverly Hills.

Wisdom teeth are a popular choice for removal. These can erupt improperly in the jaw, causing crowding or blockage to the surrounding teeth. Wisdom teeth can also develop curved root systems that make their removal difficult. These instances require a surgical extraction, since the doctor would need to do more than just pull the tooth from its socket.

Teeth that have been endodontically treated in the past often develop brittle roots, which can require surgical extraction.

Sometimes teeth are partially or fully buried in the jawbone. In this instance, the dentist would pull back the gums for access and then trim the relevant bone tissue.

Surgical dental extractions can become more common as the patient ages due to increased bone density and a higher instance of calcification.

For more information about surgical dental extractions, contact our expert in dental extractions in Beverly Hills.

Can Smoking Cause Black Gums?

Black gums can be the result of either genetic factors or lifestyle factors. Although they are frequently hereditary, some people with lighter-colored gums develop black gum tissue over time. This is most commonly due to lifestyle habits, such as frequently in-taking stain-causing substances. Anything that can stain your teeth can also stain your gums, including smoking.

Black gums due to smoking are common, especially with those who are avid and frequent smokers. Fortunately, there are treatment options. When you smoke, the tar in the cigarettes can stain teeth, gums and even fingers. Gum lightening treatments can bleach the tar-stained gum tissue and restore your naturally pink gums for a more attractive smile. We offer a permanent gum lightening treatment to get your gums pink again, as well as keep them pink.

Unfortunately, smoking can do more than just darken your gums. It can also increase your risk of gum disease, tooth loss, jawbone loss, bad breath, oral inflammation and a higher risk of oral cancer. You may be more likely to develop plaque buildup and be in need of a root canal therapy. Chewing tobacco is not a safer choice when it comes to your smile, as this can also cause gum discoloration.

Many people are not yet ready to kick that habit, but for the health of your oral tissues, teeth, and general health you should cease these habits as soon as possible. However, we can give you the brighter smile you want until you are ready. Call us today to schedule your consultation.