How to Know if You Have TMJ

Over the years, our practice helped scores of patients dealing with Temporo Mandibular Joint Disorder, commonly called TMJD or TMJ. It is a common disorder, yet many people are not aware they have TMJ.

Our dentists can offer treatments to help patients who struggle with TMJ. However, patients need to be aware of the issue before they decide to seek treatment.

There are numerous symptoms that point to a TMJ diagnosis. These symptoms may ease for a time and then return, or you may experience different TMJ symptoms during different flareups.

Here are several common TMJ symptoms

• Pain in one or both of your jaws that often radiates out from the jaw area and spreads toward other parts of your face
• Swelling on one side of your face
• Clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth
• Difficulty opening your mouth wide
• Jaws that get stuck while partially open
• Facial fatigue
• Grating sounds when you chew or speak
• Headaches that radiate from the jaw area these are generally worse when you wake and then ease as the day passes
• Ringing in the ears
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
• Earaches
• Dizziness
• Difficulty hearing
• Toothaches
• Bruxism- also called teeth grinding
• The feeling that your upper and lower jaws do not fit together properly

Patients often try several remedies at home to try and ease their discomfort. These include:
• Hot or cold compresses
• Bite guards
• Massage therapy
• Biofeedback
• Stress reduction
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications

In severe cases, our dentists may prescribe antianxiety medicine or antidepressants to help patients relax. Muscle relaxants are also a common medical treatment, and in some cases, Corticosteroid injections can also alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.

If you believe that you could have Temporo Mandibular Joint Disorder or if you would like to know more about TMJ, please feel free to contact our office. Our staff can provide you with helpful information about the disorder. Additionally, our staff can set up an appointment for you to see one of our dentists and find out if you have a TMJ disorder.

What Dental Implants Can Do for You

For many years, dentists at our office had few options to offer our patients who were missing teeth. Generally, bridges or false teeth were the choices for patients.

Our dental implants dentist in San Francisco wants our patients to know that implants are not only a way to improve a smile’s appearance. Dental implants are an important way to improve your dental health as well.

When you lose a tooth, the root will no longer send messages to the brain. Without this stimulus, the brain will stop sending nutrients to the area of the jaw that has a tooth missing. Over time, the area that receives no nutrition will begin to reabsorb into the body, and bone loss occurs. After enough bone loss, the face begins to look shriveled and sunken.

These unpleasant physical changes still occur with patients who get bridges or false teeth because the area impacted is below the gum line.

When you receive a dental implant, the problem of bone loss and changes in your facial structure return to normal. This happens because of the way the dentist places the implant in your jaw.

To place your dental implant, our dentist first inserts titanium rods into the empty tooth socket. These rods fuse to the jaw through a process called osseointegration. Normally, this process takes between six weeks and two months.

After the rods fuse to the jaw, the brain begins to get stimuli from the previously empty root socket. The brain will send nutrients to the area, and the bone loss stops. In most cases, there is a reversing of the bone loss and an improvement in facial structure.

For the final step, our dentist attaches the top of your implant to the rod. We match the color of the implant to your teeth for a natural look. At this point, your teeth will look and feel comfortable and natural.

If you are missing one or more teeth, consider reaching out to our office. Our staff can give you helpful information and set up a no-obligation consultation with one of our dentists. You can have an evaluation and get your questions answered at this time.

Good Candidates for Invisalign

One of our most requested treatments is Invisalign. Although Invisalign is an option used successfully for over two decades, we still see patients who want to learn more.

Our Invisalign dentist in San Francisco is exceptionally skilled and experienced in the use of Invisalign. Our dentist is one of the first dentists approved by Invisalign and owns many awards from the company.

Even though Invisalign creator, Align Technology made many changes and improvements to Invisalign over the past 20 years, we still find that many patients believe it is difficult to be a candidate for treatment with Invisalign. This is an idea our dentists would like to change.

The Invisalign treatment system has well over 7,000,000 successful treatment cases. The odds are in your favor that you could become an Invisalign success story, too.

The alignment trays are able to remedy numerous issues, including:

• Crowded teeth
• Teeth that are generally straighter
• Gap teeth
• Overbite
• Open bite
• Crossbite
• Underbite
• A mix of permanent teeth and baby teeth


It is worth noting that there are a few conditions that may make Invisalign ineffective for certain patients. These include:

• Dental Implants- Because the titanium rods fuse to your jawbone, the Invisalign alignment trays will not reposition those teeth

• Bone loss- If you suffer from bone loss, your teeth lack sufficient anchoring in your jaw. Using Invisalign may cause greater bone loss as the alignment trays move your teeth

• A significant build-up of calculus- The calcified plaque will block tooth movement, making Invisalign ineffective. However, calculus is removable with dental instruments. If your calculus is gone, you could be a candidate for Invisalign treatment

• Dental bridges- Since bridges attach to at least two teeth, Invisalign aligners will not function properly

If you are interested in finding out if the Invisalign alignment system can help improve your smile, please contact our office. Our staff can provide you with helpful information and set up a no-obligation consultation with our dentist so you can ask questions and learn how Invisalign can help you.

How Zoom Whitening Works

Our dental office receives many requests for information about ways to whiten teeth. Whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic procedures, and we are proud to offer our patients the Zoom whitening treatment.

Zoom is widely considered the top of the line for in-office whitening systems. Our cosmetic dentist in Huntington Beach is extensively trained in using Zoom and recommends it to patients on a regular basis.

Zoom whitening treatments work quickly and give brilliant results. The Zoom whitening treatment uses a special whitening gel that is 25 percent hydrogen peroxide. This is a much higher concentration than other teeth whitening products. Other whiteners also use Carbamide Peroxide. This works less efficiently than hydrogen peroxide and can take more than 30 minutes to penetrate your tooth enamel. In addition to the whitener, Zoom also uses a special blue light on your teeth after the application of the whitening solution. The blue light increases the action of the whitening gel creating enhanced whitening.

Using the blue light also helps the whitening solution penetrate your tooth enamel to clean thoroughly. The whitening takes place deep within your teeth and actually whitens your teeth from the inside out. Because Zoom does more than remove surface stains, the treatment gives better results which are long-lasting.

Patients appreciate the fact that Zoom takes about one hour in our office, and during the hour their teeth can become up to eight shades whiter. Zoom also causes less sensitivity for patients. This can occasionally be a problem for patients who receive other types of in-office whitening. Our dentist also places a special gel barrier on your gums before applying the whitening solution. The barrier prevents the whitening gel from accidentally seeping onto your gums and discoloring them.

If you are interested in teeth whitening options and would like to learn more about Zoom, please contact our office. Our staff can give you more information about the treatment and make an appointment for a consultation with our dentist.

Best Teen Candidates for Invisalign

Some of our happiest patients are teens getting orthodontic treatment with Invisalign Teen. When dentists first began using the traditional Invisalign system, it was not suitable for teenagers. The alignment trays did not allow for jaw growth or the eruption of molars. There were also doubts about teens keeping up with the strict protocol needed for Invisalign success.

Our San Francisco dentist is a skilled expert with Invisalign Teen as well as traditional Invisalign. In the majority of cases, Invisalign Teen will create the smile your teenager wants. On rare occasions, usually with misalignments involving vertical tooth movement, a different kind of orthodontic treatment will give the best results.

Invisalign Teen can help numerous malocclusions, including:

• CROWDED TEETH- If your jaw is not large enough for all of your teeth to fit properly, they will often overlap, turn, or push forward or backwards. Aside from aesthetics, crowded teeth are usually difficult to brush and floss adequately.

• CROSSBITE- When you close your jaw, and some upper teeth are inside your lower teeth; you have a crossbite. Crossbites often lead to gum problems, such as receding gum lines. Additionally, your teeth are more likely to chip or crack if you have a crossbite.

• OVERBITE- While it is normal for your upper teeth to overlap the lower teeth, a very large gap between the two is called an overbite. It is common for your front lower teeth to wear down because of the way your jaws fit together.

• UNDERBITE-Patients with underbites have their lower teeth in front of the upper teeth when the jaws close. This can cause difficulties in speaking and chewing.

• OPEN BITE- If your top and bottom teeth do not touch when your jaw closes, it is considered an open bite. Patients with open bites experience difficulties biting into foods and with speaking.

If your teen would like to learn more about Invisalign Teen, please contact our office. We can make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation where your teen can ask questions and learn more about Invisalign Teen.

Age Range for Invisalign Teen

When the Invisalign orthodontic system debuted a little over 20 years ago, it was immediately popular with adults who did not wear braces when they were younger and did not want unsightly wire braces as adults.

Unfortunately, another group was unhappily not a part of this new treatment. Teenagers, who are still often the first image that comes to mind at the word braces, were not good candidates for Invisalign. The reason for the exclusion was two-fold. Invisalign alignment trays did not allow for jaw growth or tooth eruption. Many parents did not believe their teens would maintain the strict protocol necessary for Invisalign success and felt concern about lost or damaged alignment trays.

Invisalign creators responded to the numerous requests from teens and parents for a suitable alignment system for teenagers. The company's newest product, called Invisalign Teen, was the product that dentists and teens hoped would arrive.

The Invisalign Teen alignment system worked the same way the traditional Invisalign alignment system worked. A series of transparent plastic aligners, worn over the teeth, guided the misaligned teeth into their best position. The product offered the same benefits as traditional Invisalign. It was discreet, removable, and the treatment generally took a year to 18 months. The new system works best with patients in their mid to late teen years.

Invisalign Teen developers made a few critical changes to adapt the alignment trays for teens.

*Designers eliminated the problem of allowing space for growing jaw bones and erupting molars by giving the alignment trays tabs to make extra space for growth or new teeth.

*Creators used a clever tactic to relieve dentist and parent compliance concerns. Each set of aligners came with an inconspicuous blue dot. Gradually, the dot would wear off over time. If the patient wore the aligners according to directions, the dot would not be present when the time came to change aligners.

* To save teens and parents stress, Invisalign Teen offers a replacement aligner if one is broken or lost.

If your teen needs orthodontic treatment and would like to learn more about Invisalign Teen, feel free to contact our office to set up an appointment for a no-obligation consultation with one of our dentists.

Importance of Healthy Gums

We understand that our patients want to do all that is necessary to have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Our staff does everything possible to help you achieve those goals. However, many of our patients overlook the significance of healthy gums.

Our dentist in Huntington Beach wants to make sure all of our patients have the best total dental health possible. Keeping your gums healthy is essential in order to have optimal dental health.

Your gums have the essential task of holding your teeth in place. There are other reasons your gums matter, including:

• Giving support to the teeth by stabilizing them when you use your mouth
• Absorbing pressure for the teeth
• Supporting your teeth when you chew food
• Protecting your jaws
• Containing your teeth


It is important to remember gum disease begins subtly and painlessly, so being proactive with the health of your gums is vital. Since your gums are as important to your overall oral health as your teeth, there are steps you should take to ensure that your gums are healthy. These include:

• BRUSH YOUR TEETH AT LEAST TWO TIMES A DAY- This may be a tip you first heard as a child, but its importance to your oral health has not diminished over time.

• FLOSS DAILY- While brushing your teeth is important, there is no substitute for thorough flossing. The areas where plaque collects are tough to reach with a toothbrush, so flossing is essential for healthy gums.

• GARGLE WITH MOUTHWASH EACH DAY- Just as flossing supports your brushing efforts, gargling helps to eliminate bacteria dental floss missed.

• USE A TOOTHPASTE THAT CONTAINS FLOURIDE- There are many choices in the toothpaste aisle of your local store. While each variety boasts miraculous abilities, focus on purchasing a tube containing fluoride.

• SEE YOUR DENTIST OR PERIODONTIST AT THE FIRST SIGN OF A PROBLEM- When detected in the early stages, gum disease is highly treatable through non-invasive methods. However, the signs of problems with your gums are hard to notice in the early stages. Our periodontist in Huntington Beach suggests patients make appointments for care if they notice gums that bleed are red and puffy or receding.

If you would like more information regarding how to make sure your gums are healthy, please contact our office.

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

It is an unfortunate fact that many of our patients have some form of periodontal disease and do not know it. Because the disease has few distinguishing symptoms and builds slowly over time, an experienced periodontist must diagnose and treat the problem to prevent tooth loss.

Our periodontist in San Francisco is one of the group of dentists who focus on treating and preventing dental problems affecting the supporting structures of the teeth.

Gum disease ranges from minor plaque build-up to gingivitis to full-blown periodontitis. For this reason, the treatments for periodontal disease vary according to the severity of the condition.

Although individual circumstances are unique, the general guidelines for treating the levels of periodontal disease are as follows.

• In its earliest stages, a thorough professional cleaning is an effective treatment for gum disease. It is important for you to continue to maintain good oral hygiene including brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.

• For patients with gingivitis, the plaque has hardened below the gumline and formed tartar. A dental professional will perform what is known as scaling and root planning to remove the hard substance. This involves using special instruments to slide below your gum line to remove the tartar. Fortunately, this is a highly successful procedure. In the majority of cases, the tooth roots and gums reattach once there are no impediments.

• Periodontitis has different stages; all require significant intervention if the tooth, or teeth, are to be saved.

ü Early stage periodontitis often responds well to gum flap surgery. This procedure involves the dentist pulling back the gums and cleaning away the built-up tartar and plaque.

ü Advance cases of periodontitis often require bone surgery or bone grafts. Bone surgery often takes place following gum flap surgery. Before reattaching the gum, the dentist reshapes the bone to remove pits or crevasses where bacteria collect. Bone grafts involve the dentist attaching pieces of healthy jaw bone to the afflicted area of the jaw. The goal is to encourage new healthy bone growth.

Gum health is critical to overall good dental health. If you would like to learn more, please contact our office. 

What is a Smile Makeover?

Often, patients come to our office with more than one dental issue. When a patient needs numerous treatments to have the smile of their dreams, our cosmetic dentist in Northridge often suggests a smile makeover.

Patients frequently ask our staff what a smile makeover consists of; this is a difficult question to answer. A smile makeover is not just a single procedure. It is one of a kind care plan you create with the oversight of our dentist. The goal of a smile makeover is to give you a smile you love.

While no two smile makeovers are the same, here is a list of the most popular treatments in a smile makeover.
• Bonding
• Braces
• Crowns
• Gum Contouring
• Implants
• Invisalign
• Teeth Whitening
• Veneers

There are several phases involved in your smile makeover. Be advised that this is not a fast fix, and you will have weeks or possibly months of dental appointments before the work is complete.


STEPS INVOLVED IN A SMILE MAKEOVER

1. CONSULTATION- Your consultation with our dentist aims to find out the specific things you dislike about your smile and what you would like to change. Once you and our dentist share a clear picture of the smile you want, your smile makeover will begin.
2. EXAMINATION- A complete exam, including x-rays, is your next step in the makeover process. Occasionally, our dentist finds minor problems, like a cavity, we must repair before moving forward.
3. TIME FRAME- It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how various long phases of your treatment will last. Some procedures, like dental implants or orthodontic treatments, revolve around how quickly your body acclimates to the procedure.
4. TREATMENTS- Once all of your plans are in place, our dentist will start your smile makeover. Remember to be patient. This is an ongoing process with outstanding results. It will be worth your time.
5. COMPLETION AND FOLLOW-UP VISITS- Once all of the treatments are complete, we will schedule several follow up appointments. These are essential for maintaining results and troubleshooting problems.

The majority of our smile makeover patients tell us the makeover changed their life. Why not call us today and start your smile makeover?

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.