Teeth Whitening Home Kits and What You Should Know

When it comes to teeth whitening, many options are available, from professional whitening treatments to over-the-counter kits. Many people choose OTC whitening treatments for their convenience, but before you go the drugstore route, we encourage you to stop by for a consultation to ensure at-home whitening is the right choice for you.

Whitening can be a great way to eliminate stains from your teeth, but not all stains respond equally well to conventional whitening methods. Stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, soft drinks, and tobacco, and age usually respond best to peroxide-based whitening. Fluorosis, trauma-related discoloration, and other types of stains deep inside the tooth are unlikely to respond to superficial bleaching.

A consultation can also identify any untreated dental disease that could compromise your results. The whitening ingredients can aggravate decayed teeth and trigger pain. In some cases, they can even cause nerve damage, so getting cavities fixed before whitening is vital.

Finally, at your consultation, we can discuss your expectations. OTC whitening offers only subtle whitening, so if you are looking for more dramatic results, you might benefit from a professional-grade whitening that can lighten teeth eight shades or more. Call us today to learn more or to schedule your consultation with our Los Angeles teeth whitening doctor.

When is Invisalign Retainer Needed?

Invisalign is a great, and often preferred, way to straighten the teeth and fix the bite. The trays, or aligners, fit around the teeth much like a mouth guard, and apply consistent pressure to move them into healthier spots. The Invisalign Full treatment typically requires twenty to thirty aligners over the course of about twelve months. During this time, the look of your smile will improve considerably. It’s best to be sure that your smile stays this way after your main treatment is done, so all of that time and work is not wasted.

This is done with the help of a retainer. Invisalign offers retainers that look and feel much the same as their aligners. Your Los Angeles Invisalign retainer dentist will examine your orthodontic progress and decide how often you will need to wear this new appliance. Most patients will need to wear them twenty-four hours a day for one or two weeks, and then be allowed to switch to only at night. Wearing your retainer while you sleep is the best way to ensure that your teeth stay in their new positions for the rest of your life. This eliminates the possibility of having to undergo orthodontic treatment again later to correct repositioning.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Symptoms

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disorder, and is currently suffered by approximately twenty-five million adults in the U.S. today. It occurs during sleep, caused by the muscles in the throat blocking the airways, making it hard for the sleeper to breathe properly. This forces the body to some weird things in order to get air to the brain, which disrupts the sleep.

You may have obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, if you experience the following symptoms:

•    Heavy snoring
•    Pausing of breath while sleeping
•    Gasping for air periodically during the night
•    Tiredness, moodiness, or recklessness during the day
•    Irritability and/or depression
•    Difficulty concentrating
•    Dry mouth and/or sore throat when waking
•    Headaches in the morning
•    Suspicious changes in mood

If you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms, it is important you see an expert in sleep apnea in Thousand Oaks right away for an exam. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and weight gain.

Common treatments for OSA include lifestyle changes, CPAP machines, and in some cases, surgery. Correcting the issues caused by the disorder can award patients with longer, more effective sleep.

Are Veneers Covered by Insurance?

Dental veneers are not normally covered by dental insurance. They are usually considered a cosmetic treatment and not necessary for dental health. This means that the cost of each porcelain veneer will be out of pocket. However, we offer a variety of payment options that can keep your treatment more budget-friendly.

Veneers are priced individually. Most patients will need veneers on all visible upper teeth, and some may need them on their lower teeth as well. This ensures a beautifully uniform smile. Periodically, we run buy-one-get-one specials that can dramatically reduce the cost of your smile makeover.

Financing can be another option. Flexible and no-interest financing plans are available for qualified patients. These plans allow you to finance the cost of your veneers and make affordable monthly payments. This enables you to get your smile now without breaking your budget, and keep your payments low and affordable. Most financing plans include same-as-cash periods so that you can pay off your smile early without incurring any interest at all.

Veneers are an investment in your smile, self-confidence, future. They can improve your smile, help you feel better about yourself, and give you the edge you need to get ahead in your social and professional life. Call us today to find out more or to schedule your consultation.

What is Dental Bonding Made of?

Dental bonding is a great way to quickly and effectively repair small areas of damage on teeth. This process uses tooth-colored materials to restore cavities, chips, cracks, worn enamel, or stained teeth, but it can also be used to protect exposed roots. Dr. Frame, our dentist in Santa Clara, can help you decide if dental bonding is right for you.

Composite resin is used in dental bonding. Composite resin is a type of synthetic resin that uses a combination of silica, monomers, and glasses or glass ceramics. The glass creates a translucent finish that blends in with the natural tooth enamel while the monomers give it the desired properties, such as strength, longevity, and wear resistance. This mixture can be tinted to the desired color to match the color of your tooth.

There are many benefits to using composite resin bonding. The bonding material bonds micro-mechanically to the structure of the tooth, which ensures a strong seal and a reduced risk of leaking. This type of restoration also minimizes the amount of preparation needed, so healthier tooth structure can be preserved. The procedure is fast and can be completed in a single appointment. It is also versatile enough to be used for both restorative and cosmetic purposes. Call us today to find out more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Frame, our expert in dental bonding in Santa Clara.

Most Common Dental Treatments

There are certain treatments that our Agoura Hills dentists see more commonly than others, especially when it comes to cosmetic dental issues. Common problems include cavities and deep decay, chipped and cracked teeth, and missing teeth. The following is information about how these problems are fixed.

Fillings

Materials used to restore decayed teeth include gold, porcelain, and composite resin. These are used to fill the space of the tooth left by cavities.

Root canal therapy

Usually performed by endodontists, but also done in general dentistry, root canal treatments can save teeth that are suffering from deep decay. A hole is drilled into the tooth so the center of the tooth can be accessed, and the infected pulp can be removed. It is then filled with a material called “gutta percha”, and capped with a crown.

Crowns

Crowns are actually used for a variety of reasons. Teeth that are cracked or broken can be fortified by a crown, which will also protect it from further damage.

Dental implants and bridges

Missing or removed teeth can be replaced in a number of ways. An artificial tooth can cover a titanium post fused into the jaw bone over the course of several months. Alternatively, crowns on the adjacent teeth can act as support to an artificial tooth between them, otherwise known as a dental bridge.

How Zoom Whitening Affects the Teeth

There is a big difference between teeth that are bright and white, and teeth that are yellowed or discolored. Teeth that aren’t the natural white color they should be can make a smile look considerably unhealthy. There is a change in the person, as well. Those with dark teeth are not as likely to flash a wide smile or engage in conversations as freely. Zoom whitening offers a simple solution to this problem, and has worked for many patients everywhere.

After a successful exam, and possibly a routine teeth whitening to prep the teeth, our Orange County cosmetic dentist will cover the lips and gums to protect them from materials that could irritate them. The special Zoom hydrogen peroxide gel is then applied to the teeth. The bleaching ingredient in this gel is activated by a light or laser. Together they will break up the stains embedded in the teeth. The gel will need to remain in place for three sessions of fifteen minutes, the entire process taking about an hour.

You will likely notice that your teeth are considerably whiter right after the treatment. But to ensure they stay this white, you will need to take some extra measures. Our Zoom whitening dentist in Orange County will supply you with a kit with the tools needed to touch up your teeth at home. You should also avoid foods and drinks that stain to make sure your results last as long as possible.

What is Involved in a Professional Dental Cleaning?

Regular cleanings are necessary to keep the teeth low on plaque and ward off gum disease, which happens to be rampant in America. As a lot of gum disease goes undiagnosed, it is important to keep up with your cleanings so your teeth stay strong and healthy, and the risk of decay stays low.

Our dental cleaning dentist in Beverly Hills uses mirrors and curettes to get the best look at all your teeth, and remove sticky plaque deposits. Frequently, the dentist will dissolve the larger deposits with an ultrasonic vibration device before moving to the small tools. Each tooth must be treated individually.

After this disinfectant phase, the dentist moves on to polishing the teeth with a pasty prophylactic product. This is administered through a polisher with a spinning cup attached. Afterward, fluoride may be applied to the teeth. You can even pick your flavor of fluoride!

Cleaning is indispensable to maintaining the health and composure of your teeth. The presence of plaque can be felt anytime you go too long without brushing, and the unpleasantly rough or filmy texture should remind you not to neglect. On top of your regular routine, you should schedule at least two cleanings a year with your dentist in Beverly Hills.

What Could Cause Tooth Infection?

A toothache is a very distinct kind of pain, and can be constant or only felt after stimulation, such as eating extremely hot or cold food. Many patients fear this kind of issue occurring, so when it does, they avoid seeing an expert in treatment in tooth infection in San Francisco to get it checked out. It is important, however, to treat the tooth to prevent the infection from becoming worse, which could even lead to the need to extract it. Here is a look at the most common cause of a tooth infection.

Deep decay can set into a tooth if it is not cleaned properly, including brushed and flossed daily, and examined by a professional at least twice a year. If this does not occur, the decay developed from sugary foods can eat away at the enamel, or the outer protective layer of the teeth. If not treated, it can continue on to damage more of the teeth, and eventually reach the inner layer. This is where the pulp, blood vessels, and nerves live. The pulp becomes infected or inflamed when the decay comes in contact.

Our San Francisco dentist can mend the tooth by performing a root canal. This involves creating a hole in the tooth, and removing the infected pulp. The tooth is then filled with a material called “gutta percha”, and sealed with a crown.

When is Getting a Root Canal the Best Option?

Root canal therapies are considered one of the most feared treatments in dentistry, thought of as extremely painful. The truth is that the purpose of root canal therapies is to relieve the pain caused by infected teeth. If a tooth is not cleaned well enough, decay can develop and grow to reach the center of the tooth, where the pulp resides, causing inflammation or infection. Patients experiencing this issue will learn that root canal therapy is the best option for restoring the functionality of the tooth and eliminating pain.

Our Los Angeles endodontics expert will begin the process by administering a local anesthetic to the affected area. They will then create a hole in the tooth and use special tools to remove the infected and inflamed pulp. Once removed, the pulp will be replaced with a dental material called “gutta percha”. The tooth is then capped with a crown to restore its strength and functionality.

Our expert in root canal treatment in Los Angeles may also recommend the treatment if repeated dental procedures have affected the tooth, or the pulp has been damaged by a break or chip. You can learn more about root canal treatment by visiting our endodontist in Los Angeles.

Qué hacer en Emergencias Dentales

Tener una emergencia dental puede ser una experiencia particularmente amenazante. Pueden ocurrir después de un accidente físico, tal como una caída o golpes, o debido a la falta de una buena higiene dental, que puede conducir a la caries profunda. No importa cómo se produce la emergencia, el dolor es siempre un factor presente. Estas son algunas de las emergencias dentales comunes y cuándo hacerlo si uno pasa a usted.

diente noqueado

Si todavía tiene el diente después de que se cae de la boca, es importante para mantener su seguridad, ya que nuestro dentista de Los Ángeles puede ser capaz de volver a introducirla. Puede hacer esto poniendo en un vaso de leche, utilizando un kit de Conservación de los dientes, o se mantienen en el lado de la mejilla. Póngase en contacto con su dentista inmediatamente en busca de ayuda.

Astillado o diente roto

Después de ponerse en contacto con su dentista, enjuagar la boca con agua tibia para limpiar la zona. Use una compresa fría para mantener ningún tipo de hinchazón.

Dolor de muelas

Una vez más, enjuagar la boca con agua tibia para deshacerse de los residuos. Use hilo dental para eliminar cualquier alimento atrapado entre los dientes. Llame a su dentista inmediatamente y obtener el permiso de ellos antes de tomar cualquier aspirina o analgésicos similares.

Muchas oficinas dentales tienen un número específico para llamar si usted tiene una emergencia dental en Los Ángeles.

How Does Invisalign Work?

For many years, patients who required straighter teeth and corrected bites had basically only one option – braces. This appliance is made up of metal brackets and wires placed on the fronts of the teeth. Extremely visible and irremovable, not many were happy with this treatment. Thanks to modern technology and new inventions in dentistry, many patients now have another, more preferable option - Invisalign.

Invisalign treatment consists of a series of trays that are worn like mouth guards, called aligners. Patients love the fact that aligners are clear and seamless, making them virtually undetectable to others. They are also removable, making it easier to eat and clean the teeth, creating a more flexible treatment overall. These aligners work to apply slight, but consistent pressure to the teeth in order to reposition them. Where braces require the wearer to return to their orthodontist every few weeks for adjustments, Invisalign aligners are made beforehand, so patients can move on to the next one when instructed.

Invisalign also offers variations of this treatment. Most patients require Invisalign Full, but younger patients can benefit from Invisalign Teen, which features aligner replacements and use indicators. Those who require only minimal corrections may qualify for Invisalign Express.

Visit our Santa Clarita Invisalign dentist to see if you are a good candidate for this alternative orthodontic treatment.

Types of Dental Crowns

You probably know that crowns are used by dentists to restore damaged or decayed teeth or to improve their appearance. But did you know that there are actually three different kinds of crowns to choose from? If you are in need of a crown, here is a look at the options you have.

•    All ceramic: Generally made of porcelain, these tooth colored crowns look extremely life-like thanks to properties that allow them to reflect light similar to tooth enamel. This makes them ideal for front teeth. To place them, our expert in porcelain crowns in West Hollywood first removes enough enamel from the tooth to accommodate the crown. Though they are durable enough to last for decades if properly cared for, they are not as durable as the other types. For instance, they may not hold up well if put under excessive pressure, such as from teeth grinding or clenching.
•    Porcelain fused to metal: These are similar to ceramic crowns, except that they contain an underlying metal structure, making them much more durable than pure ceramic crowns.
•    All metal: These crowns are made of gold or other metal. They are extremely durable and will not erode or fracture. Placing them also requires less enamel to be removed. However, since they are visible, they are normally used for back teeth where they will not be seen.

If you are in need of one or more crowns, our West Hollywood cosmetic dentist can help determine which kind is best for you. Call our office to schedule your consultation today.