What Braces Can Do

Braces can have such amazing effects on the smile that its other benefits are sometimes overlooked. With orthodontics, people gain some important changes that can help them for a lifetime. Here are some of the specific and general things that patients can get with braces from our dentist in Houston.

Specific Changes to the Bite

The bite can be improved in countless ways with braces. For example, braces can be effective at correcting overbite, underbite, tooth rotation, crossbite, underbite, gaps, and overcrowding. Symmetry of the bite, an important part of a beautiful smile, can also be developed through orthodontics.

General Improvements From Braces

Beyond better looks, braces enhance comfort and oral health. A better fit between the upper and lower teeth aids teeth in both of these ways. Lower jaw strain can result, making TMJ less likely to occur. Plaque tends to collect less on straight teeth, and patients are less likely to suffer tooth wear, so risks of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss are all reduced.

Oral health, comfort, and appearance can be improved markedly with braces. To learn more about the things that different types of braces can do, patients can schedule a consultation with our braces dentist in Houston.

Reasons for Pain in the Teeth

Experiencing pain in the teeth can be particularly concerning. This is because pain is always a sign of a bigger, underlying issue that might require considerable treatment. Furthermore, pain in the teeth can have many, many causes. Here are the more common reasons why your teeth might be hurting.

Possibly the most common cause of tooth pain is sensitivity. This is when you experience pain after the teeth are exposed to intense temperatures, for example, when eating hot soup or ice cream. This is due to a lack of enamel on the tooth, or the gum tissue receding and exposing the roots.

Tooth infections can sometimes go unnoticed, but often cause pain. This is because the pulp of the tooth, where the connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves reside, has become decayed. Our Los Angeles dentist can perform a root canal treatment to remove any decay and immediately eliminate pain.

If you have a restoration, such as a filling or crown, that has become loose, it is logical that you will be experiencing pain. The dentin underneath is likely exposed, allowing the nerves to become irritated. Our dentist can mend or replace the restoration.

Painful teeth are considered a dental emergency, and should be seen to as soon as possible.

Dental Crowns Options

Dental crowns are likely the most commonly used restorative treatment in dentistry today. They are used to repair and protect teeth after they have lost some health and strength. Crowns cover the tooth entirely, from the gum line to the cusp and all around. Our cosmetic dentist offers several options when it comes to dental crowns.

First it is important to note that all dental restorations, including crowns, are made custom for each patient. This is often achieved by taking an impression of the tooth and using it directly to create the crowns. You can work with our dentist to ensure it meets your needs and wants, so you can get the perfect restoration.

There are also several options when it comes to the material used. Crowns can be made from silver amalgam, mercury, metal alloy, porcelain, metal fused to porcelain, and composite resin. Dentists are unlikely to use mercury today, as it can cause some health issues. Porcelain and composite resin are the most common materials. You may require the help of our dental crowns dentist in Torrance if you have a tooth that has been treated for a cavity, had a root canal treatment, or have a discolored tooth that will not respond to teeth whitening.

How are Incognito Braces Made?

Some patients do not make good candidates for more modern orthodontic options such as Invisalign, due to the nature or severity of their structural flaws. This means that metal braces are the most effective choice. However, many patients do not prefer braces, as they are very bulky and highly noticeable. These issues are eliminated with Incognito braces. Incognito braces are a lot like traditional ones, but are placed on the lingual side, or back surfaces of the teeth.

The process of getting Incognito braces is simple. Our orthodontists in LA will take impressions of your teeth to ensure your braces will fit you perfectly. These impressions will be sent to a lab, where your brackets will be designed specifically for you using the latest 3D technology. These brackets are gold casted in order to fit flatly against the teeth, making them even more comfortable and less noticeable to others.

Incognito also offers a Lite option, for those who do not need a full treatment. This utilizes only six brackets on both the upper and lower arches to straighten out and align the middle teeth. Interested patients can schedule a consultation appointment at our office to learn more.

How Could Dental Veneers Get Damaged?

Veneers are made to be stain resistant and sturdy, but they can still become damaged in certain conditions. Reviewing possible reasons for this damage can help you take good care of your new smile. Here are some of the most common ways for veneers to become damaged.

Discoloration From Lifestyle

Foods, drinks and tobacco can create stains on veneers with frequent exposure over time. Coffee, wine, tea and chocolate are common culprits. Although veneers are more resistant to plaque than enamel, they can still develop plaque buildup and stains. Brushing every day will help control plaque and rid your teeth of any stains at the same time.

Cracks, Chips and Other Breaks

Veneers are stiffer than enamel, so they are more likely to break under direct force from hard objects. Hard foods, such as unpopped popcorn kernels and ice, are possible sources of this damage. Teeth grinding, chewing on pens and pencils or opening bottles with front teeth may also break veneers. To avoid damaging veneers, never abuse your teeth in these ways.

Although some stains can be polished away by our Los Angeles dental veneers dentist, broken veneers will require repair or replacement. During a consultation at our office, you can learn more about the types of damage that can affect veneers.

How to Clean Dental Veneers

Dental veneers may look just like real teeth, but they are not made from enamel. As a result, they do require different care in some ways. Here is how to keep veneers clean and looking good long after getting them.

Rinse and Brush Every Day

Just like other teeth, veneers benefit from being rinsed and brushed regularly. Especially when you consume staining foods or beverages, such as chocolate or coffee, you can benefit from rinsing your mouth out immediately afterwards. Twice a day, you should brush your teeth, including your veneers, using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid using whitening toothpaste, which will not work on veneers and could lead to different shades of teeth in your smile.

Get Professional Cleanings Regularly

At least twice each year, everyone should receive professional cleaning at a check-up, and this remains true when you have veneers. Our dentist can remove mild discoloration and prevent veneers from building up plaque that is difficult to remove at home. If necessary, our dentist can also polish veneers to remove stains from them.

If veneers develop stains that do not respond to polishing, replacement can be performed to maintain a perfect smile. You can contact our dental veneers dentist in Los Angeles to find out more about maintaining veneers.

Why Teeth Become Sensitive

Teeth sensitivity is an uncomfortable symptom that can sometimes indicate more serious problems. A variety of issues can cause teeth sensitivity, but treatments are also available to resolve it. Here is why teeth develop sensitivity.

Oral Health Problems and Other Damage

Sensitive teeth have areas exposed that normally would be protected by enamel or gum tissue. If tooth decay or cracks develop, foods that are hot, cold, sweet, or sour can contact the nerves inside and cause discomfort. Gum recession can expose the delicate roots to such foods.

Excessive Consumption of Sour Foods and Drinks

Some consumption of sour foods and drinks is unlikely to cause problems for most people, but regular consumption can cause enamel loss. Sensitivity may develop and persist until the consumption is stopped.

Problems After Dental Treatments

Tooth sensitivity can occur in teeth after restorations become damaged. Old fillings, for instance, may expose tooth pulp and nerves. Teeth whitening, especially if done improperly or too often, can also cause this sensitivity.

To stop teeth sensitivity, our dentist may recommend sealants, bonding, fluoride, or another treatment. Patients can schedule a consultation at our dentist office in Houston to learn more about teeth sensitivity and the treatments we offer for it.

Steps in Getting a Smile Makeover

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, there are many various procedures that are available to help you to achieve the look that you want. It might take multiple cosmetic procedures, but you can makeover your smile by choosing the best cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles.

A smile makeover is not a predetermined set of procedures, but rather a group of treatments that are personalized to help you to reach your own individual aesthetic goals.

Your dentist will talk with you to discuss what you wish to accomplish. Then you will get a thorough examination, which may include x-rays and a professional cleaning. Then your dentist will develop a treatment plan.

Any damage will most likely be addressed prior to any cosmetic work. However, since tooth-colored fillings cannot be lightened, you may receive any desired whitening treatments prior to any filling or bonding procedures so that the fillings can better match the shade of teeth that you desire.

Dental implants can be used to replace any gaps from missing teeth. There are also different straightening methods to help you to get a more even smile. Talk with your dental provider for your options.

Facts About Dental Veneers

One hugely useful tool in cosmetic dentistry is the dental veneer. This is a thin covering bonded to the front surface of the teeth. They are used to mask aesthetic flaws, side-stepping the need for a possibly lengthy and costly treatment. The following are some facts about dental veneers that every potential patient should know.

•    Dental veneers can effectively mask chips, stains, and cracks in the teeth, as well as crooked, misshapen, and poorly spaced teeth.

•    Veneers are most commonly made out of porcelain, a material that is used often in dentistry and offers several benefits. Porcelain is strong and durable, meaning it is able to sustain necessary forces, such as from biting and chewing. This material also resists stains, and looks just like natural enamel, as it reflects light the same way.

•    Our veneer doctor in Beverly Hills wants patients to know that this is a permanent addition to the smile. Some enamel must be removed from the teeth surfaces in order to place the veneers, and so the teeth do not look too big. As they would not be able to function adequately without this layer of enamel, the veneers must remain in place.

For more helpful information about dental veneers, schedule an appointment with us today.

Do Oral Surgeons Treat Gum Disease?

Early stages of gum disease typically respond well to conservative treatments, but in more advanced cases, surgery can be needed. Surgery for periodontal disease is designed to control the spread of the infection, simplify dental hygiene needs, and restore lost tissue. Our oral surgeon in LA can help you decide if oral surgery is right for you.

Several oral surgery procedures can be used in the treatment of gum disease, including:

1.       Pocket reduction surgery

During this procedure, the plaque and tartar are thoroughly cleaned from the roots of the teeth before the gums are sutured to fit more tightly around the teeth.

2.       Bone surgery

The bone around the teeth can develop irregularities and craters as a result of inflammation. Oral surgery can be used to smooth these areas so that oral bacteria cannot collect in them.

3.       Bone and soft tissue grafts

These procedures restore tissue that has been damaged or destroyed as a result of gum disease. Guided tissue regeneration can also be used to stimulate tissue growth.

Your periodontics treatment plan may include both surgical and nonsurgical procedures designed to address the underlying cause of your gum disease and to restore lost tissue. Call our office today to learn more or to schedule your appointment.

Is Root Canal an Option for Me?

A root canal is typically recommended when a tooth is decayed or damaged and cannot be repaired with other more conservative therapies. The nerve of the tooth is typically inflamed, dying or dead, and there may be an infection affecting the inner tissues of the tooth or at the base of the tooth. Our endodontists will typically recommend a root canal to save a tooth that is badly damaged but otherwise viable.

The pulp of a tooth can become inflamed or infected when the tooth develops deep decay or a crack. This allows bacteria to access the inner tissues of the tooth, leading to inflammation. The pulp can become infected and swell, leading to irritation. You may experience a toothache ranging from mild to severe, and it may worsen when you change posture. Your tooth may also be hypersensitive to temperature changes, and the discomfort may linger even after the offending substance has been removed from your mouth. The pain may go away when you bite down on your tooth. You might also notice a pimple or swollen area near the root of the tooth. These are all signs of infection or an abscess.

Root canals today are painless and are typically completed in a single appointment. However, you will need to return to our office to have the tooth restored using a dental crown. This protects the tooth and prevents it from becoming infected again. Call our root canal doctor in LA today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.