Can All Teens Get Invisalign?

Invisalign Teen is a great orthodontic alternative for teens that need orthodontic treatment, but do not want the wires and brackets of conventional braces. Our dentist in Huntington Beach can help you and your teen decide if Invisalign Teen is the right choice.

Many orthodontic problems can be addressed using Invisalign Teen, including:

•    Crooked teeth
•    Spaced teeth
•    Crowded teeth
•    Crossbites
•    Underbites
•    Overbites

Most mild-to-moderate orthodontic problems can be treated with Invisalign’s clear aligners, but the system might not be appropriate for all orthodontic issues, including some severe malocclusions. Our team can help you decide if it is right for your teen.

Invisalign Teen’s system includes all the benefits of conventional Invisalign, as well as eruption tabs, which adjust as teeth erupt, and the Blue Dot indicators, which let your teen know when it is time to change his or her aligners. The aligners are clear, so your teen can wear them with confidence. They are also smooth, so they will not irritate her gums or cheeks. Because the aligners can be removed, they will not interfere with the ability to participate in favorite activities or enjoy favorite foods. Call our office today to learn more or to schedule your teen’s consultation with our Invisalign Teen dentist in Huntington Beach.

What is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry, also called sedation dentistry, is the practice of providing different types of sedatives during treatment to ease the experience. While anxious patients often benefit from the relaxing effects of sedation, others, such as patients with certain neurological disorders, benefit from the muscle relaxation it provides. Here is a look at the three major types of dental sedation.

Inhaled Sedation

This consists of a mixture of air and nitrous oxide, which patients inhale through a tube during treatment. The gas offers immediate relaxation and mild anesthesia, and wears off rapidly afterwards, allowing patients the ability to drive right away.

Oral Sedation

Stronger than inhaled sedation, this option entails giving patients a sedative pill to take before treatment starts. The effects do last long after treatment is finished, so a ride home is required.

IV Sedation

This is the heaviest sedation option and offers effects most similar to sleep. Administered into a vein, IV sedation comes in two levels: deep sedation, which is not quite sleep, and general anesthesia, from which patients cannot be awakened until the anesthesia is stopped. Like oral sedation, this requires patients to have a ride arranged for afterwards.

Most patients are eligible for sedation dentistry, but medical history and an exam may be necessary to confirm candidacy. Patients can contact our dentist in East LA to schedule a consultation and learn more about our sedation options.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Usually Last?

Porcelain veneers are the perfect way to perfect the look of the smile and mask any visible dental flaws. Some flaws that can occur in the teeth can affect the dental health, and these should be addressed. But other issues can simply be covered in order to avoid lengthy and expensive treatment costs. Porcelain veneers can effectively mask a wide variety of these flaws.

Patients have the choice of applying veneers to all of the visible teeth, or only ones that feature flaws. Some enamel on the teeth must be removed in order to apply the veneers without making the teeth look unnaturally big. Because of this alteration to the teeth is required, veneers are a permanent restoration.

Veneers are effective at covering:

•    Stains and discolorations
•    Crooked teeth
•    Gapped and crowded teeth
•    Small or misshapen teeth

If cared for properly, porcelain veneers can last fifteen years, or even longer. Porcelain is strong and durable, which is why it is a material often used in dentistry. For this reason, porcelain veneers only require regular brushing and flossing. However, damage and wear can occur over time. Our Los Angeles porcelain veneers expert can address any singular veneers that need to be repaired.

When Do You Need a Gum Graft?

Gum grafts can help restore lost gum tissue, protect exposed roots, and create a more cosmetically appealing smile. Although a gum graft might sound like a major operation, it is a commonly performed treatment in periodontics.

If you have lost gum tissue due to gum recession, periodontal disease, or age-related changes, you might be a candidate for a gum graft. Your teeth might look longer than normal, or you may notice a darker line near the gums because the dentin is more visible on the roots. Covering the roots with a gum graft can help protect them against root decay and sensitivity, and improve the look and health of your smile.

The procedure can be done using your own tissues or donor tissues. The treatment site is numbed, and the grafted tissue is gently positioned and sutured into place. Once the graft is complete, your body’s own natural healing process will begin, and new blood vessels will start to grow, nurturing the grafted material and creating a healthy new gumline.

After your gum graft, good dental hygiene is vital. You might need to take precautions to reduce the risk of disrupting the healing tissues. Good brushing and flossing habits will reduce the risk of oral bacteria contaminating or infecting the grafting site. Call us to find out more or to schedule your appointment with our gum graft surgeon in Los Angeles.

Candidates for Full Mouth Reconstruction

Patients sometimes come into our office with more than one dental or oral issue needing to be addressed. These issues may be cosmetic, periodontal, endodontic, or orthodontic. Patients can choose to correct some of these issues, but when they opt to correct them all, either at the same time or in quick succession, it is referred to as a full mouth reconstruction.

Some treatments and procedures that can be performed by our dentists in Northridge during a full mouth reconstruction include:

•             Teeth whitening
•             Fillings, inlays or onlays
•             Dental bonding to cover cracks, chips, or breaks
•             Root canal therapy
•             Veneers, to mask harmless cosmetic flaws
•             Periodontal work, such as scaling and root planning
•             Orthodontic work, such as braces or retainers
•             Dental implants, bridges, or dentures to replace missing teeth
•             Crowns, to both fortify and protect a tooth

Candidates for full mouth reconstructions include those with:

•             Short, worn, or missing teeth
•             Several cavities
•             Advanced oral diseases, such as periodontitis and cancer
•             TMJ disorder
•             No smoking or other tobacco habits

Our full mouth reconstruction dentist in Northridge can meet with you to discuss what treatments and procedures you could benefit from. They can also give you more information regarding what can be done at the same time, and the procedures that can only be done on their own, and not supplemented with anything else. This will give you a good idea of how long you can expect your treatment to take.

What are Veneers Made of?

Dental veneers are a very popular cosmetic dentistry option. They are thin strips that are bonded to the teeth in order to cover cosmetic flaws. Such flaws include stains, crooked teeth, gaps, and crowding, among others.

There are different types of veneers, all made of different material. One of the more popular options is porcelain, which is used often in dentistry. Porcelain is both strong and durable, making it ideal to protect the teeth. It also reflects light in the same way that natural dental enamel does, making veneer coverings look like normal teeth. Porcelain also resists stains, making veneers look better longer Composite resin is also a common material used for veneers. Dentists can blend shades of the resin to match that of the teeth, so the smile does not look two-toned. Composite resin also supports the natural tooth structure, which prevents breakage and insulates the teeth from intense pressure changes.

Patients should be aware that getting veneers does require some alteration to the teeth. Our Beverly Hills veneers dentist will remove some of the enamel on the surfaces of the teeth in order to place the veneers and ensure that the teeth do not look too big.

Common Orthodontic Treatment Options

Although metal braces are very visible, they also are versatile and can correct the widest variety of issues. Furthermore, metal braces are often more affordable than alternatives.

Lingual Braces

These are constructed like metal braces, but are attached behind the teeth. This makes lingual braces preferable for patients who value discretion. Due to their placement, lingual braces also will not abrade the inner cheeks as metal braces can.

Ceramic Braces

These braces use metal wires but ceramic brackets, which are tinted like teeth to make them less visible. With this popular option, self-ligating brackets can also be used for more comfort and faster treatment.

Clear Braces

Invisalign is the most popular type of clear braces. These use removable aligners made of clear plastic for virtual invisibility. Clear braces treatment is faster and more comfortable than alternatives, but candidacy is slightly more restrictive.

In addition to these common options, our dentist also offers some specialized orthodontics with a variety of benefits. You can schedule a consultation with our San Francisco orthodontist to find out which braces will work best for you.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Modern dental sedation includes multiple options: inhaled sedation, oral sedation, and IV sedation. Different ones are appropriate for different procedures, and candidacy can vary between patients. Here are the options provided by our East Los Angeles dentist.

Inhaled Sedation

Also known as laughing gas, this involves the inhalation a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Strong relaxation and mild analgesia starts quickly when the gas flow starts. These sensations will end soon after the gas flow is stopped, allowing patients to drive themselves home soon afterwards. This is the mildest sedation choice and is often used for less intensive procedures.

Oral Sedation

With this option, patients take an oral sedative pill shortly before their procedure begins. Effects typically include relaxation and drowsiness, and can last long after the procedure ends, so patients will need to arrange for a ride home. Oral sedation may be recommended for a variety of procedures.

IV Sedation

The deepest dental sedation is provided through the IV type, which starts quickly. It also requires a ride home afterwards. Because of its intensity, IV sedation is generally used for longer or more complex treatments.

Depending on the patient and the procedure, more than one type of sedation may be offered. Patients can schedule a consultation with our expert in sedation dentistry in East Los Angeles to find out more about our sedation options.

What Can You Do and Not Do with Dental Implants

Dental implants can do many things. They can replace one tooth or many teeth, and they can last many years while looking, acting, and feeling just like natural teeth. Are there any things that dental implants cannot do?

The list of what you cannot do with dental implants is not nearly as long as the list of what you can do with them.

1. You cannot place implants in a jawbone that has inadequate bone density.

The bone must have adequate quality and density to support the implant. If it does not, you might still be a candidate for subperiosteal implants, which fit over the jawbone like a frame, or mini-implants, which require less bone tissue.

2. You cannot place implants quickly.

While some implants can be loaded, or restored, immediately, all implants take weeks or months to fully fuse with the jawbone.

3. You cannot neglect implants.

Once an implant has been placed, you must care for it properly. Neglecting it can lead to serious dental problems or implant failure, just like neglecting teeth can lead to decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Good brushing and flossing habits are vital for both natural teeth and their replacements.

As one of the most versatile restorations available, implants are able to be used with crowns, bridges, and dentures. Call us to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our team.

Can a Tooth Get Infected after Root Canal?

Although uncommon, infections can occur in teeth after root canal therapy. This may happen due to new physical trauma, tooth decay, or errors in the original root canal treatment. Here is more about causes of post-root canal infection and how to minimize risk.

Root Canal Errors That Can Cause Re-Infection

Failure to remove all parts of an infection or seal out bacteria during a root canal can allow re-infection to result later. If all infected tissues are not removed, due to either practitioner error or unusually complex tooth anatomy, the infection is not eliminated in the first place. Alternatively, infection may later develop if the crown is placed late or if the filling allows saliva to seep into the tooth.

How to Reduce Risk of Infection After Root Canal

Damaged or decayed teeth can lead to new infections in treated teeth, so steps that reduce these risks are beneficial. Avoid chewing hard foods, use good oral hygiene, limit intake of sugary foods, and visit our endodontist regularly for check-ups.

A root canal infection can happen under certain conditions, making retreatment essential for saving the tooth. You can learn more about avoiding infections after root canal by scheduling a consultation with our endodontist.

Uses of Full Dental Implants

You might be surprised to learn that 178 million Americans are currently missing at least one tooth, and thirty-five million have lost all of the teeth in their mouth. If you are one of the individuals that fall into the latter category, our Los Angeles dental implant expert is here to help you restore your smile and dental health. The benefits of full dental implants are multiple. You can read about them below.

Strength

Due to how the implants are placed, patients receive artificial teeth that are just as strong and stable as their other, natural teeth. Titanium posts are inserted into the jawbone and given time to heal and fuse. This means that the implants are just as much a part of the bone as the other teeth.

Bone tissue regrowth

Missing teeth not only have negative effects on your look, but on your oral health, as well. The lack of tooth can cause the tissue of the jawbone resorb, making this area weaker and affecting the shape of the facial structure. Replacing these teeth not only stops resorption, but actually reverses the process.

Aesthetics

Missing one tooth can have a huge effect on the look of your smile, and therefore the whole face. So missing all of the teeth has even more of an impact on your look. Getting full dental implants can make you look happy and healthy again.