Facts You Should Know about Dental Implants

If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, your dentist may recommend dental implants to restore the look and functionality of your smile. You may be curious about this restoration, as it sounds like a serious procedure. Read on for more information.

Facts about dental implants:

·         Dental implants have actually been used since about 600 A.D., when a Mayan woman had pieces of shell hammered into her jaw!

·         Modern dentistry, however, uses more advanced tools and materials, and has been proven to be both safe and effective.

·         We estimate that 65% of Americans ages 35 to 44 have at least one tooth missing.

·         We also estimate that one in four individuals over the age of 74 have lost all their teeth.

·         Dental implants are made of titanium, which is able to fuse to the bone without being rejected and causing infection.

·         Dental implants actually stimulate jawbone growth, preserve the natural jawbone, and prevent bone loss.

·         Patients claim that out of all of the tooth replacement options, an implant feels the most natural and functions the most like a normal tooth.

If you have any questions about this procedure, or simply require more information, talk to our tooth implant dentist in Beverly Hills today.

Veneers vs. Lumineers

Both veneers and Lumineers can improve the appearance of teeth by hiding stains and discolorations, repairing minor chips and cracks, closing gaps and correcting misshapen or uneven teeth. So what exactly are they, and what is the difference between them?

Veneers are extremely thin layers of porcelain that are placed on the front side of teeth. Lumineers are the same thing, except they are much thinner. While a veneer can be as thin as 0.5 mm, Lumineers are usually between 0.2 and 0.3 mm, making them about the thickness of a contact lens. Though similar, this difference in thickness leads to differences in the application and effectiveness of the two products.

To place a veneer, a small amount of tooth enamel must be removed, making the procedure irreversible. In contrast, Lumineers do not require the removal of enamel. Therefore, Lumineers placement is done with no drilling and no shots. This makes Lumineers beneficial for patients who fear dental procedures.

Lumineers though have some drawbacks. Since they are so thin, they are not as effective with hiding the color of teeth. For this reason, they are not ideal for those who have heavily stained or discolored teeth. Furthermore, when a patient needs more drastic improvements to their teeth, veneers are normally more appropriate. Lumineers are best for those who have only minor tooth defects.

To learn which treatment is best for your particular case, schedule a consultation with our porcelain veneers dentist today.

When is Dental Bonding Used?

Do you find yourself hiding your smile? Maybe you have small defects in some visible teeth that embarrass you. If so, fear no longer. There is a fix to the problem that is both fast and affordable.

Dental bonding is a composite resin material that can be applied to the surface of teeth to repair minor defects and improve appearance. The bonding material can be matched to the color of the teeth, making it blend in and look completely natural. One of the primary advantages of bonding is the speed and ease in which it can be used. Our West Hollywood cosmetic dentists can apply bonding in a single visit.

Dental bonding is a great way to:

•    Repair chipped teeth
•    Fill in gaps between teeth
•    Lengthen short teeth, improving the bite
•    Whiten teeth that are stained or discolored

There are some drawbacks to the convenience of bonding, however. Though it can last for a number of years, bonding is not as durable as natural teeth or crowns. Teeth grinding or clenching can easily damage bonding or cause it to break off entirely. In addition, it is more porous than natural tooth enamel or porcelain crowns, so it can absorb stains more readily than crowned or natural teeth.

For more information about dental bonding or to learn how it can improve your smile, schedule a consultation with our expert in dental bonding in West Hollywood today.

What is Same Day Dentistry?

There are many procedures performed in dentistry that require multiple steps, which often must be completed over the course of several appointments spanning several days. This can be frustrating and inconvenient for patients who have other commitments, such as work, school, or social events that must be disrupted by multiple appointments. The answer to this problem is found in same day dentistry.

Our expert in same day dentistry in Agoura Hills offers a variety of treatments that normally require several appointments in just one visit. Read about the main treatments available here:

•    Crowns: Restoration in the form of a dental crown is required for teeth that are weak, decayed, broken, or in some cases, discolored. Getting a tooth capped with a crown previously required your dentist to remove the decay and take an impression of the affected area. The patient must then wait about a week for the impression be sent away and the crown to be made and then sent back. CEREC technology speeds up the process by allowing crowns to be made quickly and in-office.

•    Implant surgery: The process of getting dental implants becomes much easier when your dentist is able to cap you implant with a crown, turning three appointments into two. Don’t go any longer than needed without a fully functioning and aesthetically pleasing tooth restoration.

•    Extractions: If you have a tooth or multiple teeth that need to be removed, you can now be fitted with a crown or bridge immediately after until any further necessary additions are ready.

For more information, contact our office.

Can Porcelain Crowns Get Stained?

Crowns not only restore teeth to full functionality, they also make a smile look great again. Porcelain is commonly used for crowns, and known for looking the most like natural teeth. The material, however, can become stained over time. If you have a porcelain crown, or are about to get one, commit these tips to memory in order to avoid staining.

The following are certain foods and drinks to avoid:

·         Coffee

·         Dark colored teas

·         Colas

·         Red wine

·         Sports drinks

·         Hard candies

·         Berries

·         Curry

·         Balsamic vinegar

·         Pasta sauce

If you do drink any of the above drinks and do not wish to avoid them, be sure to use a straw. This allows the harmful liquid to bypass the teeth. Smoking is also very damaging to the color of your teeth. Quitting the habit would be the best way to keep your smile bright.

As always, good dental hygiene is of the utmost importance. Those with porcelain restorations should continue to brush their teeth twice a day, and floss once a day. Keep visiting your porcelain crown sdentist in Los Angeles regularly, at least once every six months. Your Los Angeles cosmetic dentist will likely have further tips and instructions for keeping your teeth free of stains, whether you sport a porcelain crown or not.

Candidates for Dental Sedation

It is no secret that the dentist’s office is not everyone’s favorite place to go. Many can be apprehensive or even panicked at the idea of going, whether because they anticipate discomfort, bad news, or simply because they do not know what is going to happen. For these patients, our Orange County dentist offers dental sedation.

Dental sedation is the use of medication to put a patient in a relaxed state while the dentist works. This allows patients to be free of stress and anxiety, reduces the memory of the appointment, and creates a much more pleasant experience overall. It also makes it easier for our dentist to perform his tasks.

The best candidates for sedation dentistry are those who:

•    Are unable to sit still in the dentist’s chair
•    Have a low pain threshold
•    Have a bad gag reflex
•    Have very sensitive teeth
•    Need a large amount of dental work completed during a single appointment
•    Or children who are too afraid or refuse to cooperate during an appointment

The different types, or essentially different levels, of sedation allow for a customized experience. Minimal sedation leaves you awake, but relaxed, moderate sedation makes you more tired and possibly a bit loopy, and deep sedation puts you at just the edge of sleep. General anesthesia is available for patients who desire or need to be rendered unconscious during their appointment.

If this appeals to you, ask for our sedation dentist in Orange County.

When are Dentures Used?

No one wants to lose their teeth. But when tooth loss is inevitable, dentures provide a worthwhile substitute.

Our teeth are vital to our ability to speak and eat. Without the aid of teeth, we could not speak clearly, and would have trouble eating anything other than the softest foods. For patients of our San Fernando Valley dentist who have lost a significant number of natural teeth, dentures can serve as a replacement for the natural teeth, allowing wearers to regain their ability to speak and eat normally.

Dentures can be used to treat partial and complete tooth loss. If any natural teeth remain, partial dentures can be attached to the teeth and fill in the empty spaces in a smile. For those with complete tooth loss, full dentures span the entire upper and lower arch.

Sometimes dentures can be anchored by dental implants. For those who qualify, this option provides a secure foundation onto which the dentures can be attached, preventing their ability to move or fall out while eating, talking or laughing.

For more information about dentures or to learn whether you would benefit from them, schedule a consultation with our expert in dentures in San Fernando Valley.

Candidates for Full Mouth Implants

Are you suffering from complete tooth loss? Do you wear dentures? Are you tired of all the hassles that come from wearing them? If you answered yes to these questions, you may be a candidate for full mouth dental implants.

Full mouth implants do not mean that an implant is placed in every tooth location. Rather, all that is needed for full mouth implants is four implants on each arch. It involves placing the four implants in strategic locations around the arch. The locations chosen are dependent on where there is enough bone available to support the implant. Once the implant sites are healed, they can then provide a solid, secure foundation onto which removable dentures can be attached. While the dentures are snapped in place, they are held securely in place by the implants.

With removable dentures secured by implants, you, as a denture wearer, can regain the freedoms of your youth. Speak normally. Laugh at a good joke. Eat whatever you want. Forget about worrying that your dentures will move or fall out. Snapped onto the implants, they are not going anywhere!

Not everyone is a candidate for full mouth implants. You must have enough bone available to support four implants on each arch. Treatments are available that may help those with lower bone density to qualify. If you wear dentures, contact our dental implant doctor in Beverly Hills to find out if full mouth dental implants are right for you.

Benefits of CAD/CAM Inlays and Onlays

CAD/CAM technology, or computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing, is now commonly used in many professional fields, including dentistry. This tech is used in many different procedures that take place in the dentist’s chair, one of which is the placement of inlays and onlays. These are typically used to replace old fillings. Inlays are similar to fillings placed on the inside of the tooth cusps, while onlays are placed on the surfaces. CAD/CAM tech used in conjunction with the placement of inlays and onlays means your restorative procedure will be a speedier, safer, and more efficient process.

Three Main Benefits

There are three main advantages of using CAD/CAM technology when getting an inlay or onlay. The process previously took more than one appointment. Your San Francisco dentist would need to take an impression of the area in question, which would then need to be sent to a lab for the restoration to be made. Now your inlays and onlays can be made right in the office and the procedure completed in just one appointment.

The outcome of the process is much more predictable than it used to be, thanks to these new resources. Your new restoration will likely require less modification both when first placed and later on as you are getting used to the filling. This means even fewer visits to the dental office overall.

The material used in CAD/CAM inlays and onlays also offers benefits. Your new restoration will be made of porcelain, typically safer than the previously used metal amalgam. This lessens the possibility of exposure to mercury, and best recreates the natural tooth.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers can change the whole look of your smile. Unlike other types of restorations, veneers are typically used to cover only the visible fronts of teeth. They are more conservative than dental crowns, and require only minimal alteration of the natural tooth, and can be used to cover the problem teeth to create a completely new look. Our Agoura Hills cosmetic dentist can help you decide if veneers are right for you. 

1.       Simplicity
Veneers can fix many issues at once. Whether you have stains, chips, gaps, or all of the above, veneers can quickly and effectively cover them. 

2.       Speed
Veneers can be placed in just two to three dental visits. 

3.       Durability
Once your veneers are in place, you can keep them looking great for 15 years or more with good dental hygiene and healthy dental habits.

4.       Versatility
Veneers can be used with other treatments as a part of a smile makeover, or they can be used on their own to brighten and improve your smile.

5.       Beauty
The translucent porcelain of the veneers looks remarkably natural and resists stains for years to stay beautiful as long as you wear them.

Call us today to learn more about the benefits of veneers or to schedule your appointment with our dental veneers dentist in Agoura Hills.