What Invisalign Dentists Do

Invisalign is easily one of the most popular orthodontic treatments today, but it is not available at all dental offices. Dentists who offer Invisalign have completed specialized training, which prepares them to screen patients for eligibility, as well as design and administer the treatment. Here is more about what these dentists do.

After determining that a patient is a candidate for Invisalign, our dentist takes bite impressions, photos, and X-rays of the teeth to use to design the Invisalign aligners. Our dentist may make a variety of changes to the treatment plan based on the needs of the individual. After ordering the aligners and receiving them from Invisalign, our dentist dispenses the first set of aligners to the patient. Our dentist then monitors the progress of the patient and provides the next aligners at regular visits scheduled until completion. At the end of the treatment, our dentist prescribes retainers, which are similar to the Invisalign aligners, to be worn for a set period.

Invisalign aligners are manufactured by the company, but each treatment is designed and administered by the dentists who provide it. The training our dentist has completed helps ensure that patients will complete their orthodontic goals successfully and on time. To learn more about our Invisalign dentist and this treatment, patients can schedule a consultation at our office.

What You Should Not Do after a Root Canal

Root canal has become so normal, aftercare may not be necessary apart from resuming regular hygiene. About 60 percent of recipients of root canal therapy do not report pain afterward. Some doctors administer gauze for light bleeding, or prescribe over the counter medication for any pain. But results of the modern root canal are almost always strong, with guarantee of a full recovery at near 100 percent.

For at least a day following a root canal procedure, you should avoid chewing on the affected tooth and avoid foods and liquids that are especially hot or cold. Be careful when flossing to avoid irritating the root canal area, which may still have some tenderness.

Our expert in root canal in Beverly Hills advises you not to travel for up to a week after your root canal procedure. What is known as “endodontic flare-up”, which basically covers all pain or adverse reactions to the procedure, can happen in about 8 percent of cases, usually within 48 hours. This would necessitate a trip back to your dentist in Beverly Hills. Obviously you would not want an endodontic flare-up while on vacation or a business trip, so do your best to schedule accordingly.

How are Full Dentures Placed?

The prospect of getting dentures can be a scary thought. Often, though, it is simply a fear of the unknown. To ease any fears you may have, read on to learn about full dentures and how they are placed.

Full dentures replace all teeth in your mouth. They are made out of acrylic and look very natural. The base of the dentures is flesh-colored and fits over your gums. Upper dentures cover the roof of your mouth, while the lower dentures simply sit on the gums of your lower arch.

Dentures are made by a laboratory using models and measurements of your mouth. Before full dentures can be placed, any remaining teeth must be removed. There are two options for placing full dentures, depending on your needs and preferences.

1.    Conventional full dentures: After remaining teeth are pulled, the mouth is given time to heal before the dentures are placed. This means that you will be without teeth for a period of time.
2.    Immediate full dentures: These are placed immediately after teeth are removed. While they offer the benefit of not being without teeth, they will require readjustment after the mouth heals.

If you are in need of dentures, contact our Hollywood dentist to find out what kind is right for you.

Pros and Cons of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a composite resin material that is applied to the surface of teeth to repair minor defects. Patients of our expert in dental bonding in West Hollywood choose bonding for its numerous benefits.

•    Many uses: Dental bonding has a wide range of applications. Some of the ways it can improve the appearance of teeth include repairing chipped teeth, filling in gaps between teeth, lengthening teeth, and whitening teeth, among others.
•    Color: The dentist has complete control of the color. Bonding can be matched to the color of the other teeth, or can be used to whiten teeth to a lighter shade if desired.
•    Inexpensive: Dental bonding is inexpensive compared to other treatment options.
•    Quick: Bonding can normally be applied in a single dental visit.

There are a few disadvantages with bonding, however.

•    Not as durable: Though bonding can last five or more years, it does not last as long as porcelain veneers or crowns.
•    More fragile: Dental bonding is more prone to chipping or breaking off.
•    Staining: Dental bonding can absorb stains more readily than natural enamel or porcelain. In addition, unlike tooth enamel, it does not respond to teeth whitening.

To find out what dental bonding can do for you, contact our dentist in West Hollywood today.

Can Porcelain Veneers Get Stained?

Porcelain is highly resistant to staining, but your teeth can still stain even when covered with veneers. Good dental habits are needed to keep your smile looking like the “after” picture of a smile makeover before and after session.

1.    Brush and floss regularly – Good dental hygiene keeps plaque and tartar from building up, and reduces the risk of tooth decay and superficial staining. Be sure to schedule regular professional cleanings to keep your teeth as clean and healthy as possible.

2.    Limit your exposure to staining foods and drinks – Coffee, wine, colas, and energy drinks can be particularly discoloring. While the porcelain veneers are unlikely to stain, your teeth can absorb the stains from these beverages, and the dark colors can show through the translucent porcelain.

3.    Do not use abrasive products on your teeth – Abrasive toothpaste can damage the glazed coating on your veneers, which can leave the porcelain vulnerable to discoloration and damage.

As long as you take care of your smile, your porcelain veneers should continue to look beautiful for many years. Call us today to learn more about maintaining your healthy smile or to schedule an appointment with our expert in porcelain veneers in Los Angeles.

Teeth Whitening and Gum Disease

Teeth whitening is used by many to remove stains and achieve a brighter smile. Those who have active gum disease, however, are discouraged from undergoing whitening treatment unless the disease is treated first.

For early stages of gum disease, treatment is relatively easy. But gum disease that has progressed beyond the early stages is associated with gum recession. When tooth roots are exposed, any whitening treatment can cause increased tooth sensitivity because the tooth roots lack enamel so the peroxide penetrates into the tooth. Whitening treatment generally should not be attempted in these cases unless soft tissue grafting is done first to reverse the recession.

For those who find themselves in the situation of having gum disease and wishing to have whiter teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene habits can help in both areas. First, good oral hygiene promotes healthy teeth and gums and can even reverse early stages of gum disease. In addition, good oral hygiene helps to promote whiter teeth.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing immediately after consuming dark foods and beverages can prevent staining.

Floss daily to clean between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach.

Use an anti-bacterial mouth rinse daily to keep harmful bacteria at bay.

Get regular professional cleanings, preferably every three to four months for those who are prone to gum disease. These cleanings also help to maintain whiter teeth by removing surface stains.

For more information on whitening for those with gum disease, contact our Los Angeles teeth whitening doctor.

Teens Who are Candidates for Invisalign

Parents are advised to bring their children to an orthodontist around the age of seven. This means that younger patients usually know early on if they are going to need orthodontic treatment. Said treatment usually takes place during the teenage years, when all of the permanent teeth are in but the jawbone is still soft enough to manipulate. If you are a teen, or the parent of a teen, who is due for an orthodontic appliance, you may be wondering if Invisalign is a good option.

Invisalign is a great alternative treatment to traditional metal braces. The aligners work to straighten teeth, and fix spacing issues. However, your Los Angeles Invisalign provider might recommend traditional braces to address certain specific problems.

But if you are a good candidate for Invisalign Teen, you can benefit from the several unique features this treatment offers. Blue indicators on the aligner trays inform you and your orthodontist if they are being worn enough. This is important, as failure to wear the trays can prolong the process. Invisalign Teen also offers up to six replacement aligners, as the busy life of a teen means they can get lost or broken easily. Finally, as Invisalign knows the mouths of teens are still growing, aligners are equipped to expand as necessary.

For more information about the treatment, talk to our expert in Invisalign Teen in Los Angeles today.

What are Dental Emergencies?

Nothing is scarier than a medical emergency, but things can get especially scary when a dental emergency happens, as severe tooth injuries cause a particular kind of pain. It can help in these situations to know what qualifies as a dental emergency, and what to do when they occur.

Knocked out tooth: Immediately call your dentist to set up an emergency appointment. Many dentists keep empty blocks in their schedule for just this reason. To better your chances of reattachment, handle the tooth by the crown, not the roots, and gently place it back in the socket. If this is not possible, keep it in a glass of milk or similar liquid and bring it with you to our dentist in Los Angeles.

Tooth out of position: Try to move the tooth back into position, and bite down to keep it in place.

Fractured tooth: Begin by rinsing out the mouth with warm water, and apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling. Take an Ibuprofen for pain, and refer to you dentist for a proper assessment.

Injury to tissue: This includes lacerations, tears, or puncture wounds to the tongue, cheek, or lips. Clean the wound with warm water, and go to the emergency room.

For more information about having a dental emergency in Los Angeles, feel free to call our office.

Replacement Options When All Teeth are Lost

The complete loss of teeth is a traumatic experience. Two treatments are available for those who have suffered the loss of all of their teeth. But one of them is definitely superior to the other.

Removable dentures were the treatment of choice for many decades. They stick to the gums through suction and use of an adhesive. They can be attractive, and provide wearers the ability to speak and eat relatively normally. They are not always reliable, however. Slippage or shifting are two common drawbacks. Today, there is a better option.

Dental implants can also be used to restore a mouth that has suffered complete tooth loss. Full mouth implants, as they are called, actually involve placing four implants in strategic locations around each arch. The locations are chosen based on where there is enough bone left to support them. Sometimes a bone graft can be performed if necessary to build up the bone. After the implants are in place, removable dentures can be snapped onto the implants. The implants provide a secure foundation for the dentures, allowing wearers to confidently speak. Laugh and eat all of their favorite foods without fearing that the dentures will ever move or fall out.

Only implants can restore appearance, function and security to a level close to that of natural teeth. Contact our implants dentist in Beverly Hills to find out if they can work for you.

What are Dental Implants Used for?

Patients can be missing teeth due to many reasons. They can be knocked out due to injury, suffer too much decay and fall out, or need to be removed by a professional. Fortunately, there are several different ways to replace missing teeth, including partial dentures and dental bridges. Dental implants, however, are the most common option.

Dental implants are mostly made up of a titanium screw. Titanium is used because it is able to fuse with human bone without being rejected and causing an infection. Your dentist in Lancaster will create a hole in your jaw after administering a local anesthetic. The titanium screw is placed and fuses with the bone, often called osseointegration, a process that can take anywhere from two to nine months. Once this process is complete, you can return to your expert in dental implants in Lancaster for the abutment, artificial tooth, and crown.

Replacing missing teeth, whether with implants or another option, is vital to your dental health. All of your teeth rely on the teeth next to them to stay in the correct positions. If there is a space in your smile, the teeth may shift. This can lead to crookedness and difficulty cleaning the teeth properly.