How Do Braces Behind Teeth Work?

Lingual braces are one of the oldest options for straightening the teeth discreetly. Although these braces do use metal brackets and wires, their placement behind the teeth prevents them from being seen. This option from our East Los Angeles dentist can be preferable to invisible braces for some patients.

Progressive Straightening

At the start of treatment, lingual braces are cemented to the backs of the teeth and threaded with wires, which are then tightened. Patients have their wires tightened again at regular intervals until their new smile is finished. The amount of time this process takes can vary, but most patients finish in one to two years.

How Discreet Are Lingual Braces?

The discretion of these braces can differ between the top and bottom teeth. Because the top teeth are bigger, they normally hide the braces completely. Lingual braces on the bottom teeth, however, may be visible from certain angles when patients open their mouth.

Lingual braces can be used by children and can correct certain issues that invisible braces cannot, so their candidacy requirements are more open. An exam is still required to verify candidacy for braces behind teeth, which may not be an option for patients who have very small teeth or an extensive over- or underbite. Patients can schedule a consultation with our dentist to learn more about this treatment.

Health Conditions You Should Tell Your Implant Dentist

Dental implants require surgery for placement and strong jaws for stability. As a result, some conditions can impact candidacy for this treatment. Here are health conditions that you should tell our dentists about before getting implants.

Heart Disease and HIV/AIDS

These conditions reduce immunity to bacteria, making surgery more risky. In cases of heart disease, implant placement may raise dangers of infections that could contribute to other complications in the blood vessels.

Diabetes and Osteoporosis

Both of these conditions can reduce capacity for bone healing, which is essential after implant surgery. Diabetes can also decrease immunity. With osteoporosis, the jaws may not support the implants for the long term.

Smoking and Heavy Drinking

Smoking can affect implant placement in two ways. Because of the nicotine in tobacco, smoking can inhibit healing after surgery. The action of smoking can also disturb the oral tissues during the healing process. Alcohol, which thins the blood, could make surgery hazardous by increasing risks of uncontrolled bleeding. Nutrient deficiencies associated with alcoholism could also impact healing.

A review of medical and dental history and current health is essential before implant placement. To find out more about conditions that may affect implant candidacy, you can schedule a consultation with our dental implants dentists.

Candidates for Teeth Whitening

Getting your teeth professionally whitened is a great way to get your smile looking bright and shiny. Our West Hollywood cosmetic dentist is skilled at using the special tools and materials required of general dentistry, including teeth whitening. It is important to know, however, that there are certain factors that make patients good candidates for the procedure.

Teeth whitening is idea for patients who have healthy teeth, with no restorations (meaning no fillings or similar repairs). Patients must also have healthy gums, with no signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. Teeth whitening works best on teeth that have developed a yellowish tone.

There are also several reasons why a patient would not make a good candidate for the procedure.

•    Whitening can make teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks, so it is not recommend for those already suffering from it.
•    Whitening is not for those under the age of sixteen.
•    Potential patients cannot have any cavities, worn enamel, or exposed roots.
•    Patients cannot be pregnant.
•    Smokers should know that they will experience only limited results.
•    Our expert in teeth whitening in West Hollywood will not perform the procedure if a patient has unrealistic expectations. Several appointments may be required to reach the level of brightness desired.

Visit our West Hollywood cosmetic dentist to see if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Does Getting a Root Canal Hurt?

Many people cringe at the very mention of a root canal treatment. In fact, claiming you would rather get a root canal than do something else is a fairly popular statement. This is likely due to the infamous pain caused by treating a tooth with an infected nerve supply or pulp. Fortunately, this statement actually holds little meaning, because root canal treatments our your dentist in West Hollywood do not, in fact, cause pain, and only very little discomfort.

The key thing to remember about treating an infected tooth is that it is supposed to eliminate the pain. If you are suffering from this dental issue, you are likely in serious pain. Your dentist performs a root canal to alleviate that pain, while still allowing you to keep your tooth. The lack of pain is due to the numbing agent, and in fact, the shot that numbs your gums in the infected area is likely the only part that will hurt.

Any discomfort usually comes from two main factors. You will be required to keep your mouth open for a long period of time. You should be supplied with a block that can prop your jaw open and relieve some of the strain of keeping it open on your own, but it can still be a cause for discomfort. The second source is the length of the treatment. A root canal treatment usually requires two appointments, both lasting some time, as your dentist has a lot to accomplish in order to get your tooth back to its intended functionality. However, due to the lack of pain, some patients have found that they are able to relax during this time.

For more information about the details of root canal treatments, contact our root canal dentist in West Hollywood.

How is Sleep Apnea Usually Treated?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that upsets the sleep of over ten million Americans. It shows itself in many different symptoms, including loud snoring, morning headaches, and consistent tiredness due to loss of sleep. It is caused by the muscles in the back of the throat that support the soft palate, the uvula, the tonsils, and the tongue becoming relaxed enough to block the airways. Fortunately, there are several ways an expert in sleep apnea in Northridge can treat the disorder.

There are several tactics you can try at home, most of which involve simply changing certain habits. If you normally sleep on you back, you can try sleeping on your stomach. This can prevent the back of your throat from relaxing in an obstructive way. Keeping your nasal passages open at night by using nasal decongestants or a saline solution can also be very helpful. Exercising and loosing excess weight may eliminate some constriction of the throat. Those suffering from the disorder should refrain from alcohol, sleeping medications, and smoking.

Our dentist in Northridge can provide one or more treatments after an assessment. Many patients experience success from wearing mouth guards while sleeping. These mouth guards work to push forward the jaw and/or tongue so as to keep the airways open. If this does not work, a CPAP machine is a more powerful tool, which not only holds the airways open, but supplies a constant stream of air throughout the night. In some extreme cases, surgery may be required.

Who Can Benefit from Zoom Whitening?

When we are young, our teeth reflect this youth through their bright appearance. Over time, though, our teeth lose their white appearance and begin to take on a yellowish hue. This happens gradually as we consume things like coffee, tea, red wine, chocolate, and other dark colored foods and beverages. Even the simple act of aging yellows our teeth.

Our Hollywood cosmetic dentist treats many patients who want to recapture their youth with a brighter smile. One of the most successful whitening treatments used in our office is Zoom Whitening.

When a patient comes in for a Zoom treatment, their gums are first covered with a shield to protect them during the procedure. The bleaching gel is then applied to the teeth, and a light is directed on the teeth to enhance the effects of the gel. The gel may be reapplied one or two additional times as needed.

Patients love Zoom for its rapid results. They come into our office and walk out about an hour later with teeth that are up to seven or eight shades lighter. If you would like to see what Zoom whitening can do for you, call our office to schedule an appointment with our expert in Zoom whitening in Hollywood.

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

The symptoms of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea tend to be quite similar. Both types of sleep apnea can be serious and can be associated with severe complications. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea, and is caused by obstructions in the airway during sleep. Our dentist in Huntington Beach will evaluate you and determine if further testing is needed and will help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

•    Loud, chronic snoring or snoring loud enough to disturb someone else’s sleep or even your own
•    Pauses in breathing during sleep, which are observed by another person
•    Waking abruptly feeling short of breath
•    Waking with a sore throat or dry mouth
•    Waking with a headache
•    Insomnia or difficulty falling or staying asleep
•    Falling asleep at inappropriate times or unintentionally during the day
•    Excessive sleepiness during the daytime even after sleeping many hours at night
•    Attention deficits
•    Irritability or moodiness

Not all of these symptoms are indicative of sleep apnea and may be associated with other health issues, which is why they should be evaluated by an experienced health professional. Proper treatment can help you get the sleep you need and reduce your risk of serious sleep apnea-related complications, such as weight gain, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Call us today to schedule your consultation with our sleep apnea dentist in Huntington Beach.

Candidates for Dental Implants

Dental implanting is a process required when a natural tooth is no longer able to function properly. The tooth must then be replaced with a replica, or implant. These implants are made of strong materials, such as titanium alloy and porcelain, and are designed to look and act just like the teeth they are replacing.

Your dentist in Northridge may advise you to get a dental implant if a tooth has sustained damage from bacteria and decay, or the root has been infected and root canal treatment is not an option or a desired treatment. An implant will also be required if a tooth is missing entirely, whether due to accident, decay, or disease.

You may be a candidate for dental implants if you:

•    Are in otherwise good oral health, including gums
•    Do not smoke or have alcohol or substances problems
•    Are not pregnant
•    Have fully developed jaw bones, and enough bone to anchor the implant
•    Have not been exposed to high-radiation to the head or neck
•    And do not have any chronic disease or systemic issues, such as uncontrolled diabetes, hemophilia, connective tissue diseases, or significant immune deficiencies.

To further discuss your candidacy, contact our expert in dental implants in Northridge.

Finding a Dentist for Your Family

Families today find it best to consolidate their dental schedules at one practice, eliminating the need for different personalities or styles. It is important to find a dentist who can be like an old-fashioned family doctor, who knows the health of each member and has a memory of past experiences.

Children should be placed on a dental map early, so problems can be detected. Most children are ready for dental care around the age of 7. Naturally, the dental office can be scary for kids. Choosing a dentist who likes children and knows how to put them at ease is especially important.

For teenagers, talk turns to braces and other orthodontic care. The ideal dentist for a teen patient will discuss with her the potential dangers of tobacco products and tongue piercings, along with the milder effects of starchy foods and sugary drinks. Teens obviously care about their appearance, and smile maintenance will be a high priority.

A strong family dentist will advise regular cleanings and checkups, and communicate information in a friendly and engaging way. Lifelong habits of hygiene can start when children and teens have a dentist they respond to. For adults, the family dentist will encourage good oversight and make sure everyone follows best practices for oral health.

For help finding a dentist for your family, contact our general dentists in Los Angeles.

How is Tooth Infection Treated?

A toothache is often caused by infection. A tooth infection can cause, other than mild to severe pain, headaches, fever, swelling or tenderness in the bottom of the mouth, and abnormalities of the cranial nerve. If you are experiencing a toothache, it is important you contact and visit an expert in treatment in tooth infection in San Francisco as soon as possible. It is vital to identify the cause of the infection in order to stop the case from becoming worse.

Common Causes

·         Inflammation of tooth pulp. The pulp of a tooth consists of nerves and blood vessels. Decay in this area can inflame the pulp of a tooth, causing infection.

·         Impacted wisdom tooth – when a wisdom tooth is attempting to emerge from the gum, but is situated incorrectly.

·         Dental procedure. Sometimes an infection can occur after the removal of a tooth.

·         Injured or damaged tooth. Chips, cracks, and breaks can upset a tooth to the point of infection.

San Francisco dentists are able to perform various procedures to treat infections, specific to the cause. To cure inflamed tooth pulp, root canals are performed to remove the infected or lesser decayed areas. Removal of wisdom teeth is customary, and can be performed before the intended time if one or more have become infected. Infections that occur after a dental procedure can typically be treated with antibiotics, and fillings can repair cracks or chips in teeth. 

Be sure to contact our expert in treatment of toothinfection in San Francisco if you are experiencing any dental pain, as you might have an infected tooth.

When are Veneers Used?

For fast, permanent cosmetic dental improvements, veneers are a top treatment. Veneers are not only versatile in their ability to hide dental flaws, but also able to keep a smile looking great. A look at the situations where veneers are used will illustrate the value of this treatment from our cosmetic dentist in Northridge.

Physical Tooth Flaws

Teeth can be misshapen from birth, but they also can become damaged by physical trauma or erosion. In all of these cases, bonding veneers to the teeth will restore the look of the teeth to normal.

Heavy Stains

While many surface stains can be treated with teeth whitening, severe surface or internal stains can benefit from concealment. Veneers cover the teeth from the front, hiding the discoloration completely.

Gaps Between Teeth

Major gaps are often treated with orthodontics, but milder ones can sometimes be hidden instead. Using veneers for this purpose can save time and money as an alternative to braces.

The strength and stain resistance of porcelain makes veneers effective at protecting teeth for the long term. At a consultation with our expert in veneers in Northridge, patients can learn more about veneers and find out if this treatment can help them achieve their aesthetic goals.

Getting Dental Implants and Its Cost

Getting dental implants can be a very lengthy process. After your expert in dental implant in Los Angeles inserts the first, screw-like piece of your implant into your jaw bone, it can take up to seven months for it to integrate into the bone and heal properly. Receiving the implant may require two or more visits to your dentist.

The cost of getting dental implants will vary per patient. As no two patients and their dental health needs are exactly alike, there will be differences in number of appointments and healing time, and therefore costs. After your first assessment, your dentist will provide you with a treatment plan, which will give you a good idea about the details of the process, including expected prices. Depending on how your treatment goes along the way, your dentist will let you know if any amounts change, appointments or materials need to be added, or other unexpected monetary factors change.

That being said, dental implants can cost $1,000 to $3,000 per implant. This procedure may seem less preferable compared to bridges, dentures, or partial dentures when it comes to what you may have to pay. But it is important to know that implants offer a permanent solution to missing teeth, unlike any other treatment available.