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.