Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

Our dental office treats scores of patients who are missing one or more teeth. Aside from being unsightly, missing teeth eventually lead to bone loss and a change in your facial structure. Dental implants can stop bone loss and give you back your smile. The American Dental Association feels implants are one of the most important advances in recent dentistry.

When you lose a tooth, you no longer have a root to contact the nerves in your jaw. Because there is no contact, your brain believes this area is unnecessary and stops sending nutrients to that part of your jaw. This is when bone loss begins. After enough bone is gone, your face will start sagging and then appear sunken.

The process involved in dental implants requires between three and six months. This is because after our dentist places a titanium screw in your socket, the area must heal and the screw must fuse to the bone before the cap placement occurs.

Dental implants can stop and reverse bone loss. When the screw used as the implant base stimulates the nerve endings in your jaw, your brain begins to send nutrients to the area once again. This allows the bone to grow back improving your overall dental health and your appearance.

Dental implants also greatly improve your ability to bite and chew foods. At one time, you may have avoided healthy, but difficult to chew foods like fresh fruit and raw vegetables. By opting for softer and less nutritious foods, you robbed your body of essential vitamins and minerals. With dental implants, you can eat whatever you like.

Only our dentist can help you decide if dental implants are for you. Consulting with our dental implant dentist in Torrance can help you learn all of the details involved in your dental implant care plan. Please contact our office to make an appointment to talk with our dentist about getting dental implants.

How to Prepare for Dental Emergencies

If you had a dental accident or emergency, would you know how to handle it? Being prepared for dental emergencies is as important as being prepared for any other kind of emergencies. Our Encino dentist offers emergency dental care. 

Prevention

Many dental emergencies can be avoided with good dental habits. Brush and floss your teeth to remove disease-causing bacteria and plaque. Visit our office at least twice a year so that we can catch early signs of problems and replace old, worn restorations when necessary. Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth in your sleep, and wear a protective mouthguard if you engage in athletic activities.

Periodically check your own mouth for signs of problems, such as sharp edges on teeth, pain, irritation or restorations that are loose or showing damage. Addressing issues quickly can prevent them from worsening. 

First Aid

Your best efforts might not be able to prevent all dental emergencies. Because of this, you need to keep a dental first aid kit close at hand. With the tools in your kit, you can manage common dental emergencies until you can reach our office.

Stock your first aid kit with: 

·        Nitrile or latex gloves for protection

·        Alcohol wipes to clean blood or remove dirt

·        Cotton or gauze to stop bleeding

·        Salt to create a soothing rinse

·        Dental floss to remove debris

·        Topical anesthetic and over-the-counter pain relievers to ease pain

·        Temporary dental cement to protect injured teeth or reattach crowns that have been dislodged

·        Dental wax to cover damaged orthodontic appliances or sharp tooth edges

·        Treating Dental Emergencies 

Although first aid can stabilize your dental health temporarily, it cannot replace professional care. This is especially true if you have lost a restoration, cracked or broken a tooth, dislodged a tooth or knocked a tooth out. In these situations, seeking dental care as soon as possible is vital, and with a knocked-out or dislodged tooth, it is essential that you seek care immediately. Call our office today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Encino. 

How Effective are Braces?

Our office works with many orthodontic patients as well as patients who would like to learn more about braces. Our dentist and our staff frequently hear questions from those who want to know if braces are effective.

Our dental office is proud that we give our patients helpful and relevant information. Even after decades of practice, our braces dentist in San Francisco is still helping patients get beautiful and straight smiles.

While there are a few main kinds of braces, we find that the traditional wired braces are most effective across a wide range of orthodontic problems. Dental problems like poorly aligned teeth, crossbites, overbites, malocclusions, underbites, and other misalignments all respond well to metal braces. Wired braces consist of brackets, bonding adhesive, archwire, and ligature bands. To place braces, our dentist attaches the brackets to the patient’s teeth and carefully guides the archwire through the brackets. Finally, he attaches rubber bands to the wires. These will control the pressure of the braces.

These are popular variations of wired braces.

• Clear braces- The very popular clear braces work just as wired braces do. The main difference is clear braces are often known as invisible because the brackets are see-through or tooth-colored. The clear braces are a bit less durable than wired braces. Because of this our dentist does not recommend clear braces for severe misalignments requiring a great deal of pressure.

• Lingual braces- These braces have wires and brackets placed on the inside of the mouth by attaching to the back of the teeth. The way lingual braces work in the same way as traditional metal braces.

Invisalign- While these are not technically braces, they are an effective orthodontic treatment. A set of transparent plastic alignment trays modeled from molds or digital scans of a patient’s teeth. The trays fit over the upper and lower teeth and move the teeth to the optimal position.

If you are interested in finding out more about the types of braces, call our office. We can answer your questions and make an appointment for your consultation.

Invisalign and How It Works

Our patients who are seeking orthodontic treatment often ask us about the Invisalign system, how it works and what it can do for their teeth. The Invisalign treatment system is an alternative to traditional wired braces. It is popular because it is comfortable, discreet, and removable. After more than 20 years and five-million smiling patients, Invisalign is the gold standard in orthodontic alignment tray treatments.

How Invisalign straightens teeth:

To fit you for the Invisalign system, our dentist takes a digital scan of your teeth; the dental lab uses the image to make a series of clear and lightweight plastic alignment trays. The series starts out fitting snugly to your teeth in their present position. You will change your alignment trays periodically throughout your treatment. As the aligners gradually change they guide your teeth into the correct position with steady but gentle pressure.

The most significant results of Invisalign include:

• Properly aligned teeth-
Realigning misaligned teeth is the primary reason patients are interested in orthodontics. The Invisalign system is highly successful when used to realign mild or moderately crooked teeth. Our Invisalign dentist in Torrance will assess your teeth before moving forward with Invisalign. If you have an incline of more than 45 degrees or a tooth rotation of over 20 degrees, the Invisalign system will not adequately correct your issues.

• Correcting bite problems-
Even though Invisalign is not meant to take the place of needed surgical treatments, some of our patients had overbites or underbites corrected with Invisalign.


• Improve speech impediment-
We see many patients who struggle with speech because they have misaligned teeth. The misalignment blocks the tongue’s movement causing speaking problems. The Invisalign system helps remove the problem by realigning teeth and allowing the tongue a free range of motion.

If you are interested in learning more about Invisalign and how it can help you, please contact our office. We are happy to arrange a no-obligation consultation.

Recovery After Dental Extraction

Our dental practice no longer extracts as many teeth as once was common. As restorative treatment options continue to improve, dental extractions tend to decline. However, there are still circumstances where pulling a tooth is the best option for you. You can rest assured we will provide gentle and efficient care to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

There are several reasons our dentist in Van Nuys may suggest an extraction. One of the most common reasons is that you have no room in your mouth for more teeth. This frequently happens with the third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth. Another circumstance leading to extraction is a severe injury or trauma to a tooth. If the tooth is rendered unrepairable, our dentist may opt to pull the injured tooth and place a dental implant after the site heals. Excessive periodontal disease is frequently the reason to extract a tooth before it breaks or falls out.

A dental extraction is a straightforward procedure. If you are having a single tooth removed, you will most likely get an injection of a local anesthetic. This will numb the area around the tooth, but you will be awake throughout the procedure. If our dentist is removing several teeth or impacted teeth, you will receive general anesthesia. Once you are numb or asleep, our dentist will use forceps to remove your tooth. You may get a few dissolvable stitches to close the area.

For a smooth recovery, it is essential to follow the direction of our dentist. A blood clot will form over the empty socket. You should avoid disturbing the clot. This aids the healing process and prevents an extremely painful condition known as dry socket.
Additionally, plan on resting for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Do not smoke or use a straw because both are known to dislodge the clot covering the empty socket. Use an ice pack for 10 minutes at a time to reduce pain and swelling. Take any prescribed pain medication as directed. Limit your diet to soft foods for a few days.

A typical extraction takes a week or longer to heal fully. Do not try and rush the healing process. If you experience any unusual bleeding or extreme pain, call our office right away. While no one likes having a tooth pulled, we will do all we can to make it an uncomplicated process.

Side Effects of Tooth Bleaching

Our office helps scores of patients achieve brilliantly white teeth through tooth bleaching, also known as whitening. Tooth bleaching is a quick and uncomplicated way to improve your smile and your confidence.

Occasionally, one of our patients will express concern about the safety of bleaching and any side effects that may occur after a whitening session. Tooth bleaching is a safe treatment, especially when the process takes place in our office. Because tooth bleaching is a procedure involving chemical agents, there is always a slight chance of side effects. Here are the most common side effects of tooth bleaching.

• TOOTH SENSITIVITY- Some patients notice that their teeth are sensitive either during the whitening or immediately after the session is complete. This issue is usually minor and short-lived. Patients experience the sensitivity because the tooth dentin comes in contact with the bleaching agent. In order to whiten teeth, the peroxide gel our dentist applies to your teeth must penetrate the enamel and lighten the color of the dentin inside of the teeth. Sensitivity is most common during your first whitening treatment and lasts typically anywhere from a few hours to a day.

• IRRITATION OF SOFT TISSUE- If your gums or the inside of your mouth has prolonged contact with the tooth bleach, you may experience a mild burning sensation. Given the concentrated nature of the whitener, this is not unusual or alarming. In our office, we place guards over your gums to protect them from exposure to the bleaching agent.

• TEMPORARY GUN DISCOLORATION- Your gums may appear lighter in color after a tooth bleaching. This is especially true if you are bleaching at home and use too much peroxide gel in the whitening trays. Just as with the soft tissue irritation, any gum discoloration is temporary and not a cause for alarm. The effects will wear off on their own after one or two days.

Even though the potential side effects of tooth bleaching are rare and relatively minor, you can be sure that our Northridge cosmetic dentist is diligent in protecting you from any possible side effects. If you have questions about the side effects of tooth bleaching or would like information about preventing bleaching side effects, please feel free to contact our office.

Is Wearing Invisalign Retainer Always Necessary?

It is always gratifying to see the happiness of our patients when their Invisalign is complete. Our staff never tires of seeing the radiant smiles after successful treatment. However, to keep the brilliant smile that you worked to achieve, it is vital for you to follow up with the next phase of treatment the Invisalign retainer.

Some patients mistakenly believe that a retainer is unnecessary or is an additional process. The retainers are the second, and necessary, phase in your Invisalign therapy.

An Invisalign retainer is necessary after Invisalign treatment because, once the procedure is complete, teeth have a natural tendency to slide back into their misaligned positions. The necessity of retainers increases for patients who have had a severe malocclusion. If your orthodontic treatment involved adjusting open bites, gaps, or twisted teeth, your retainer is vital to maintaining the results of your treatment. This is because extreme misalignments are the most likely to shift back into their former positions over time.

There are two types of retainers which are available, fixed retainers and removable retainers. Each kind has pros and cons.

• FIXED RETAINERS- As the name suggests, fixed retainers are permanent. To attach these thin wire retainers, our dentist will bond the wire to the back of the teeth.

Pros: The fixed retainers work very well
Because they are permanent, there is no concern about
losing or breaking retainers.

Cons: It is challenging to floss with fixed retainers. Most patients
do not have the ability needed for the task.

• REMOVABLE RETAINERS- These retainers are similar to Invisalign aligner trays; the most significant difference is the retainers are harder and less flexible than the aligners.

Pros: The removable retainers make oral hygiene and eating easy.

Cons: There is a chance a patient may lose or break the retainer.
A patient may forget to wear the retainer, decreasing its
effectiveness.

When you consider all that you have invested in your Invisalign, spending a little longer wearing a retainer is well worth your time to ensure that your results will last a lifetime.

If you would like to know more, feel free to contact our office. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about Invisalign retainers.

What You Should Know about Emergency Dental Extractions

Our staff is proud of the fact that in this dental practice our goal is to help you maintain your teeth and keep them healthy for your whole life. Because we frequently mention this goal to our patients, the idea of a tooth extraction may seem counterintuitive. Rest assured, our emergency dentists always use removal as their last resort.

Only after it is apparent to our dentist that a tooth is beyond repair, or if attempting to keep it will put other teeth at risk will our dentist mention the topic of emergency dental extraction. At that time, you will hear all of the reasons the tooth cannot remain. We will never proceed without answering your questions or discussing your concerns.

REASONS FOR AN EMERGENCY DENTAL EXTRACTION
• Trauma –Some blow to the face or mouth is a common reason for tooth extraction. Often the injury has knocked a tooth out of its socket; however, sometimes a tooth is partially knocked out or broken into pieces. In cases like this, our dentist will examine your teeth carefully to see if the tooth is salvageable.

• Gum Disease – Periodontal diseases usually build over time and extractions typically are planned. Occasionally, a gum problem will suddenly become much worse. In these circumstances, it can be necessary to extract a tooth to save your gum tissue and any healthy bone.

• Infection – Typically, our dentist will recommend a root canal and antibiotics to stop infection and save the tooth. However, there are times when an infection is so extreme that the tooth is not salvageable without risking the spread of infection to other teeth or even to other parts of the body as a systemic infection.

Before the extraction begins, you will receive an anesthetic to numb your mouth. Then our dentist will trim back gum tissue and loosen the tooth. Eventually, your tooth will be loose enough to pull out. Then our dentist places gauze in the empty socket to stop the bleeding and help a clot to form. At this point, you should rest and follow any specific directions from our dentist.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, an extraction is necessary. If this happens to you, our staff will work to make sure you are as comfortable as possible and heal as quickly as you can.

Why Kids Should See a Dentist

It is a sad fact that the dental health of our children is in a state of decline. Recent studies show that 60% of children 15 years old or younger have at least one, if not more cavities. This trend should be easy to stop when you consider the advancements the dental industry. Our office wants to partner with our parents to create a system to help improve the dental health for all of our young patients.

Our Northridge dentist agrees with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) belief that a child should see a dentist by their first birthday. This makes dental visits more routine and adds familiarity to dental care. There are other reasons kids should see a dentist on a regular basis.

• Our pedodontist in Northridge is great helping children to relax while attending to their dental needs. This sets up a positive feeling for the next visits.

• Children often learn by example. If your child sees how to brush and floss correctly they will likely learn correct techniques. Additionally, some children respond better to the recommendations of a professional than they do when hearing the same advice from parents.

• Sometimes a dentist is the first medical professional to see the signs of other disorders. You child’s pediatrician may not notice signs of teeth grinding, but our dentist would spot that immediately and alert you to the problem. This gives you valuable insight and can help you to manage your child’s over all health in the best and most efficient way possible.

• Early prevention of cavities, gum disease, and other maladies gives your child the keys to good dental health. Visiting our dentist allows us to spot problems and intervene as soon as possible. Many dental issues are easily remedied when caught early by a professional.

• A proper professional cleaning is good for you at every age and stage of your life.
We understand it is easy to become busy, so our office will schedule and remind you about your child’s appointment upon request. 

Sedation Options for Children

There are differing opinions about using sedation in children’s dental treatments. In our office, we believe that removing the fear and showing a child that a visit to the dentist is not a frightful and painful experience will help build a lifetime of proper oral care. We always use the minimal amount of sedation on all of our patients and, we would never go against a parent’s wishes regarding pediatric sedation.
Here are a few different kinds of sedation that we use in our office.

• Nitrous oxide- Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide offers light sedation and an anesthetic effect. It comes to the patient mixed with oxygen via a mask which fits over the nose. Because patients inhale nitrous oxide, it is easy for our dentist to control. There are no long-lasting effects, and patients do not spend an extended period in a sleepy and groggy state because nitrous oxide wears off soon after the gas flow stops.

• Oral Sedation- This form of sedation gives patients a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide. Our dentist gives patients a pill to calm any anxiety, before the dental procedure. The effects are longer lasting than nitrous oxide, and your child will wake up groggy. Because of the lasting effects of oral sedation, we recommend that your child go home to rest after the dental treatment and not return to school.

• Intravenous(IV) Sedation- Our dentist reserves this sedation for extended procedures or oral surgery, and it is highly unlikely that this would be the first choice in pediatric sedation. IV sedation enters the patient through a vein and has a longer lasting effect that other sedation methods. Because IV sedation typically accompanies complex dental treatments, your child should not return to school or engage in strenuous activities for 24-48 hours after the dental procedure.

There are some situations where pediatric sedation takes the angst out of a dental visit. For instance, if your child has high anxiety that a dental visit would intensify, a light sedative will temper the stress and allow for a positive experience. Also, if your child has cerebral palsy, autism, or Tourette’s syndrome, our East LA Dentist may suggest sedation.

If you have questions or concerns regarding pediatric sedation, do not hesitate to contact our office. Our staff is happy to get you the information you need.

Options for Restoring Dental Implants

Our office sees many patients who benefit from the latest dental implant technology. The most recent technique of placing a screw in an empty tooth socket to act as a replacement root prevents bone loss and saves many smiles. This process is so impactful that the American Dental Association (ADA) believes that this generation of dental implants is the most exciting advance that modern dentistry witnessed in many years.

The process of getting implants has two parts, the placement of a screw that acts as a replacement for the missing root. This procedure requires a specialist usually an oral surgeon, periodontist, or endodontist. The next part of the implant process is the restoration phase. This part of the treatment is when our dentist will attach an abutment and a customized crown to the screw already in your mouth. This attachment will restore your tooth, hence the name of the treatment.

The restoration phase of dental implants is straightforward. It will take place after the screw is a securely grafted part of your jaw, this process is osseointegration. While it is difficult to predict how long it will take the screw to integrate to your jaw, the process usually takes three to six months.

After osseointegration, our dental expert will begin your restoration process by attaching an abutment to the screw which is in your mouth. The abutment helps hold your new crown. We will also measure and size the space you have for the new tooth. Our dentist uses these measurements, as well as possible tooth impressions while crafting your new tooth.

You have other restoration options, but these depend on your overall oral health as well as the location of the implant.

If the replacement tooth is in a very prominent position, you may have a temporary restoration crafted and placed to maintain your smile while the screw fuses in the gum.

You also have an option for immediate restoration where the screw, abutment, and crown are put in place by a specialist during one office visit. Dentists rarely recommended this procedure because it has a lower success rate than waiting until the screw fully fuses to the jaw.

If you have concerns or would like more information regarding dental implant restorations, do not hesitate to contact our office.

Benefits of Dental Implants in Tooth Replacement

In our dental practice, we see many patients who deal with tooth loss. Despite all the dental advances seen today, patients are still vulnerable to tooth decay, periodontal disease, injuries, and accidents. All of which can lead to the loss of teeth.

Fortunately, our dentist in Huntington Beach has a solution for our patients who are missing teeth. Dental implants are the very best way to replace missing teeth. Unlike bridges or false teeth, these implants go directly in your jaw providing a secure and natural- looking substitution for your missing teeth. The American Dental Association strongly approves of implants and believes they are one of the most important advances in modern dentistry.

While some patients believe that the implants are mostly for cosmetic improvements, dental implants have benefits to patients beyond aesthetics.

• A practical option – Before dental implants, bridges were common tooth replacements. Although bridges are still a useful part of dentistry, implants are a better choice for tooth replacement because healthy teeth do not need to be modified to help attach a bridge.

• Stop bone loss- When you lose a permanent tooth, your brain believes that the empty space the tooth once occupied is not useful. Because there is no longer a root present, your body permits the jaw bone to deteriorate slowly. The resulting facial bone loss is unhealthy and unattractive. When our dentalimplants dentist positions an implant in your jaw, the body senses it and believes the jaw bone is holding the root of a tooth. So, the implant will halt the process of bone loss.

Getting dental implants is not complicated, but it can take between three and six months to complete the process. The amount of time from start to finish varies between patients because everyone heals at their own pace.

During the two-part procedure, you receive a local anesthetic. First, the dentist places and secures a screw into the site that held your tooth. After three to six months, the screw will fuse to the jaw creating a solid anchor for the upper part of the implant. Next, our dentist attaches an abutment to the screw and cements a permanent crown to the abutment, and the process is complete.

If you are missing teeth, you no longer need to suffer. Contact our office for a no-obligation consultation and love your smile.

Can Porcelain Veneers Cover Stains?

Porcelain dental veneers are consistently popular with both our dentists and our patients. A simple and non-invasive treatment to quickly improve the appearance of teeth, porcelain veneers can correct many cosmetic issues. Many of our patients tell us the choice to see our porcelain veneers dentist was one of their best decisions ever.

A brilliant white smile is not always easy to create. While there are crowns, braces, and light treatments, not all of our patients have the time to commit to these kinds of treatments. Porcelain veneers correct many dental problems such as cracks and chips, wide gaps between teeth, and minor issues with misalignment. The most common reason patients seek treatment from our cosmetic dentist in San Francisco is to cover stains on their teeth.

Applying porcelain veneers is a painless procedure that requires no anesthesia. Often our patients need only one visit to cover their stains effectively.

Our teeth generally start out white and shiny; there are specific factors that lead to strains on teeth:

• AGE
As we get older, we endure many body changes. Our teeth are not immune from age-related changes, and often they discolor as a part of the aging process.

• DRINKS
Dark beverages are often behind the stains on teeth. Daily cups of coffee or tea over a period of years create tough stains. Colas are particularly bad for oral health. They often contain excessively high amounts of sugar which damage tooth enamel and increasing cavities. We suggest that our patients should not consume cola if you do consider using a straw to protect your tooth enamel.

• FOODS
Naturally colorful foods such as beets along with dark artificially colored foods will create stains on teeth. Always brush after eating to try and prevent stains.

• MEDICATIONS
Often patients receiving chemotherapy experience darkening of their teeth. The antibiotic tetracycline and doxycycline are well known to cause dark staining especially if the child is under eight.

• GENETIC PREDISPOSITION
Some people simply have darker tooth enamel than they would like.

Many of our patients believe that their porcelain veneers changed their lives. While not every patient has a life-changing experience with their porcelain veneers, every patient we treat leaves our office with a brilliant and confident smile.

Signs of Periodontal Disease

We live in a busy world and in this business, many people believe that they are taking good care of their teeth. However, a once-over with a toothbrush and a little floss often is not enough to maintain good oral hygiene. Inattention to your dental health can lead to periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) which causes a variety of problems. Our staff can help diagnose and treat gum disease and help prevent future complications.

Periodontal disease comes from a build-up of bacteria in the plaque that coats your teeth and gums. If the bacteria are allowed to grow unchecked, you risk losing teeth and even bone. While gum disease often occurs without dramatically noticeable symptoms, if you are aware of the subtle changes associated with it, you can seek treatment as soon as possible. Here are some of the most common signs of periodontal disease.

• Bleeding gums, especially while flossing or brushing your teeth. Blood, while you are doing routine oral care, is a sure sign that something is going wrong in your mouth. You may also experience bleeding when eating hard foods like apples.

• Red or swollen gums. It is not normal to have gums which are excessively puffy or bright red.

• Constant bad breath. If you have halitosis despite your best efforts to keep your mouth fresh and clean, gum disease is a likely culprit.

• Receding Gums. Elongated teeth and gums that are pulling away from your teeth, both signal potential periodontal disease. Consult with our periodontistin Torrance as soon as you can.

• Loose teeth. Unless you are a young child with baby teeth, your teeth should not wiggle or move. Also look for small gaps between teeth that you have not previously noticed. Gaps may not always be visible, so notice if your dental floss suddenly seems to get trapped between teeth.

• Pus gathered between your teeth and gums. The presence of pus or any kind of sore in your mouth is a signal to call our dental office right away.

The good news about periodontal disease is that diligent oral care can prevent it.

How Soon Should Children See a Dentist?

If you’re a new parent, you may be wondering how soon is too soon for your child’s first dentist appointment? Navigating through this part of early childhood can be quite daunting, but rest assured that our certified children’s dentist in North Hollywood has all the answers you seek for your growing family.

Even though they may not show it, your baby was born with a set of partly-formed baby teeth hidden in their gums. You’ll first see them grow in after they begin teething.  The American Dental Association recommends that you take your child in for their first appointment no more than six months after the eruption of their first visible tooth, ideally before they turn one year old. While it may seem very strange to take your child in so early, it is imperative to start protecting their enamel under the watchful eye of a professional as soon as possible, even for their temporary baby teeth, as cavities can begin to develop as soon as the tooth has emerged and is readily visible.

You will be asked about the developmental milestones your child has achieved so far, including any negative habits they may have picked up such as thumb-sucking or being reliant on a pacifier. Your child’s mouth will be examined thoroughly, and usually you will be able to sit right by their side. After checking for any type of injury, disease, or decay, a professional cleaning will be administered and you will be given more information on how to properly take care of your child’s growing mouth.

If necessary, you will be given recommendations for any additional products and/or tools that may be necessary to keep your child’s teeth in good health; this can include things like fluoride treatments, or special brushes to target any problem areas that may be apparent. Our dentist may suggest something called a dental sealant, used to protect the hidden crevasses of the molars from cavities in these early years. There is also the option of dental crowns, which can be used to protect a badly decayed or damaged tooth.

What Can Invisalign Do?

Invisalign is a product quite unlike traditional metal braces of the past; just by observing the difference between the two types of orthodontic implement, it can feel quite unintuitive believing that both have the same capacity to straighten one’s smile. From the outside, that may be a fair assessment. But in reality it couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact of the matter is Invisalign holds its own against ordinary braces at every intersection short of full-on head gear, and it does so without the unsightliness or discomfort that comes with wearing a mouthful of brackets for months or even years at a time.

Our orthodontist in Torrance is qualified to contend with a number of orthodontic issues. Crowding is a common concern. It occurs when one’s adult teeth grow in much too close together, overlapping and obscuring one another in a way that may limit one’s oral motor function. This is not only unpleasant-looking and uncomfortable, it also increases the surface area of one’s exposed enamel, giving bacteria and plaque more opportunity to set up shop and do some damage. The same can be said for the opposite problem – spacing - which occurs when the teeth instead are spread out too far apart. Invisalign can be used in both scenarios as it is able to both pull teeth in together and also gently pull them apart, same as ordinary braces of the past.

If your bite is improperly aligned, Invisalign is a perfectly capable source of relief. Overbites are a common concern. Not to be confused with buckteeth, an overbite occurs when the upper jaw protrudes more than usual, whether through negative habits acquired in early childhood or through sheer genetics. An underbite would be the opposite complaint where the bottom teeth are held in front of the top. Both conditions come with a slew of unpleasant side effects such as headaches, jaw fatigue, difficulty chewing or speaking, and excessive amounts of pressure being put on the jaw bones themselves. Orthodontic correction can help assuage all these discomforts.

Invisalign is a patented system of orthodontic correction that changes lives every single day. If you’re interested in a consultation, give us a call and schedule an appointment with our Invisalign provider in Torrance.

Uses of Dental Bridges

If you’re looking to improve your smile, there are many cosmetic options available to you. Bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants done by our dentist. Dental bridges are commonly used to cover a space if you’re missing one or more teeth. They are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the space where the tooth once was.

Our Huntington Beach dentist can help strengthen your teeth if they are damaged. There are a few types of dental bridges available. The first is the traditional dental bridge. This is the most popular kind of bridge that consists of one or more fake teeth held in place by dental crowns. The crowns are cemented onto the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. These types of bridges can be used when you have natural teeth on both sides of the gap.

There are also cantilever bridges for replacing teeth. They are similar to traditional bridges, but a crown only on one side rather than both sides supports the fake teeth. This happens when one natural tooth is next to the gap. The cantilever bridge ensures that the tooth can still be secured. They are also similar to traditional bridges because our dentists will have to prepare the adjacent tooth to support the bridge by removing its enamel.

Maryland bridges are another option that is much more conservative than traditional bridges. These bridges consist of a fake tooth held in place by a metal or porcelain framework. The framework is bonded onto the backs of the two teeth next to the missing tooth. Since crowns do not hold the bridge together, the adjacent teeth don’t need to be filed.

Implant supported bridges are also another option for replacing missing teeth. If you have more than one missing tooth, this could be an option for you. This type of bridge is supported by dental implants. One implant is usually placed for every missing tooth and the series of implants holds the bridge in place. The bridge may also consist of a fake tooth suspended between two implant-supported crowns if placing one implant for every tooth is not possible.

              

Talk to our dentists if you are missing one or more teeth. There are many options available to help improve your smile. It’s our mission to have you smile with confidence and feel comfortable with your natural and replacement teeth should you receive them. Schedule a consultation with us today.f