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Tips for Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist
Because so many dentists are branching out into cosmetic dentistry, finding the right one to do Orange County dental implants can be a staggering undertaking. Usually there is no insurance administrator that can direct the selection, as cosmetic dentistry is not often covered by insurance. Without a referral system, the decision-making process can seem insurmountable. These tips should make the process a little easier to navigate.
Start with a Referral
If the regular dentist does not provide implant care, he or she may be able to provide a referral to a dentist that does. The recommendation does not come lightly, as their own reputation is on the line. Other sources of referrals can come from friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.
Questions to Ask
It is important to thoroughly check out the cosmetic dentist before scheduling the consultation. During a phone call, questions that might be asked would be:
- Is the dentist a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry?
- How long has the dentist been in practice?
- What technology does the dentist employ (lasers, CAD/CAM restoration, intraoral imaging, etc.)?
- How are emergencies handled?
- Are before and after photos of previous patients available and satisfactory?
Schedule a Consult
Following the research, visit the cosmetic dentist to discuss the Orange County dental implants. At the consultation, the dentist will review information from the regular dentist and examine the patient to make a determination of their own. Next, there will be a discussion about what the patient’s expectations are and what the dentist can provide. A treatment plan will be worked out and a quote for services given.
How to Choose a Newport Beach Dentist
Those who have recently moved to Newport Beach or who have not visited a dentist in many years may have questions about how to choose a Newport Beach dentist. A relationship with a dentist can last for decades, and the care of one’s teeth depends on that relationship being a good one. How a dentist conducts their patient care, what techniques he or she uses, and other factors can be important in choosing the right dentist. Below are some tips for choosing the right dentist in Newport Beach.
Check with Insurance Company
Some insurance companies provide dental insurance coverage. In order for it to apply, patients may need to see dentists in the approved network. Checking with your insurance provider to find out if there is such a restriction can save lot of time, money and frustration down the road.
Get Recommendations
People will gladly reveal bad experiences they had with a dentist, as well as good ones. Ask friends, family members and coworkers for recommendations. Coworkers may be among the best referrals because they share the same dental plan and will know who is covered and who isn’t.
Check Availability
Some dentists may not be accepting new patients. Others may not offer office hours that fit a person’s schedule. This can be a deciding factor on whether or not that is the right Newport Beach dentist to see for you.
Make an Appointment
After the research has been done, it is time to make an appointment. Schedule a simple semi-annual cleaning. Observe the waiting room and take note of the number of patients and the overall appearance of the place. Is the staff cheerful and helpful? Observe how the dentist interacts with patients. Do you feel a good chemistry with the dentist? If so, then the right provider was selected. If not, try someone else for the next cleaning. From here, the decision to seek another opinion or proceed lies with the patient.
What to Expect from a Dead Tooth
If you have experienced a serious injury that killed one of your teeth, you may just be a few short weeks or months away from seeing the full effects of that injury. As much as you may hate to think about having dental work done, the fact of the matter is that if you have a dead tooth in your mouth, it is only a matter of time before you aren’t the only one who knows you have a dead tooth.
Sometimes a fall or some sort of heavy impact will loosen your tooth to that the roots are no longer attached. Just like anything else with roots, when the roots are not attached there is no way to get nutrients through to the tooth. It is easiest to see this in plants and trees, as it is obvious when they die. They turn brown and brittle.
Your Orange County cosmetic dentist probably won’t be able to save your tooth, but he or she will be able to save you from the embarrassment that can be the result of a dead tooth. Over time, that tooth will turn an ugly brown color and can cause you to avoid smiling, talking, or going out at all. It could even impact the results of job or college interviews, even if no one says that is the problem. Visit your Orange County cosmetic dentist today to learn what your options may be for dealing with a dead tooth.
Don’t Forget This Important Part of Your Body Detox
Don’t Forget This Important Part of Your Body Detox
More and more people are trying to eat healthier and are looking to organic solutions as a means to avoid any unnecessary chemicals in their bodies. Cancer, mental health issues and brain disorders sometimes tend to be born of the chemical poisoning that results from all of the preservatives, added flavors and added colors in our food today.
For most people, the first step is a whole body detox. This can be done by getting rid of all the junk food in the house and other foods that contain ingredients you can’t pronounce. The next step is to restock with healthy foods and complete a detox diet that usually consists of smoothies and foods that have antioxidants. Yet some people overlook one very important area: their teeth.
In the past, fillings and other dental procedures were done using materials that contain mercury. Your Orange County dentist can tell you if you have any of these materials in your mouth. If you do, part of your detox program should be to have those materials removed and replaced by your Orange County dentist.
Planning for a healthy diet is a great idea as long as you follow through with it. However, if you have mercury in your mouth, you are poisoning your body on a regular basis. The mercury gets into your blood stream and can cause all sorts of serious health problems. It has been linked to Alzheimer’s, for instance. Don’t wait until you see the effects of the mercury. Have your dental work examined today.
What to Expect from Your Root Canal
The term “root canal” strikes fear in the hearts of even the bravest patients, but there is no longer a reason to fear this procedure. The old way of performing root canals has fallen by the wayside, and new treatments are virtually pain-free, leaving patients feeling better, without having to spend days recovering. Instead of putting off your root canal, take a moment to understand what you can expect from your Irvine dentist when you undergo this procedure.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is the procedure that removes the infected or decayed pulp from a tooth. This allows the tooth to be saved so you don’t have to get it extracted. The pulp needs to be removed, because, if left untreated, it can cause the tooth to become abscessed, which is a far more painful condition. The bacteria can also cause infections.
How Much Will It Hurt?
Many people are concerned about the potential pain of the procedure, but the pain that the infected pulp causes before the root canal is far more intense than the root canal procedure. Advances in local anesthetics now allow dentists to perform root canals while patients feel little to no pain at all. Remember, leaving the tooth untreated will cause you more pain down the road, so be sure to schedule your root canal before the situation requires more invasive treatments.
Your Irvine dentist knows all the latest techniques to perform your root canal quickly and with as little pain as possible. The term “root canal” is no longer one of which to be fearful, and having this procedure can help save your teeth.
Get Your Smile Ready for Valentine’s Day
Get Your Smile Ready for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you are planning on spending time with your sweetheart for the holiday, make sure you get your smile ready for your big date. Your Mission Viejo dentist can help you spruce up your pearly whites in time for the most romantic day of the year.
Teeth Whitening
With the latest technology in dentistry, you can get your teeth up to eight shades whiter in a single sitting with ZOOM whitening. The procedure lasts about an hour and gives you a safe, fast way to take years off of your smile. When you talk to your dentist about different cosmetic options for your teeth, be sure to ask about ZOOM whitening.
Teeth Cleanings
Even if you don’t need a whitening procedure, a visit to your dentist for a checkup and cleaning can give you the confidence you need for Valentine’s Day. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you have any cavities, or if your teeth need any special care. The cleaning will give you a bright, white smile just in time for your date with that special someone.
Tooth Bonding
If you have a cracked or chipped tooth that is preventing you from flashing a big smile, tooth bonding may be the answer for you. This simple procedure allows you to restore the natural look of your smile without undergoing a complicated procedure.
A bright, healthy smile is the key to making you look and feel younger. As you prepare for your Valentine’s Day celebration, think about more than just the outfit you will wear. Plan on wearing a great smile, with the help of your Mission Viejo dentist.
Prevent Dental Damage from Nightly Teeth Grinding
Prevent Dental Damage from Nightly Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding occurs in your sleep, and is often caused by anxiety or having crooked teeth. Over time, this condition can cause headaches, jaw aches, and tooth damage. One way to combat this problem is to have a custom mouth guard made. Your Orange County dentist can create a mouth guard to wear at night that prevents damage caused by grinding your teeth.
Your dentist will work with you to find a mouth guard that is comfortable, so you won’t lose sleep over your teeth. Once fitted, simply put the guard in place before you go to sleep every night. Be sure to clean it thoroughly every morning to keep your teeth healthy and germ-free.
There are also other things you can do to prevent grinding your teeth at night. Your dentist will discuss stress reduction techniques that may help you, and you can also discuss daytime habits that may contribute to your teeth grinding. Avoiding alcohol before bed can be very helpful, since drinking tends to exacerbate the problem. Daily exercises to prevent clenching your jaws throughout the day can also reduce the risks of nightly teeth grinding.
Your Orange County dentist will discuss all possible courses of treatment, in addition to fitting you with a mouth guard. If you already have damage to your teeth, you may want to ask about cosmetic options to repair your teeth once you have your teeth grinding habit under control. All of these treatment options combined will help you to be more comfortable and will help you retain your healthy smile.
Dental Fillings 101
You’ve seen your Mission Viejo dentist and learned you have a cavity. That means you’ll need a filling. If you’ve never had a filling done before, you may have some questions. What steps are involved? What types of materials are used for fillings? What are their advantages and disadvantages? Let’s explore those questions.
Every dentist has his or her own method, but generally the first step will be to apply a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding area. A drill, air abrasion device or laser will be used to carve out the decayed portion of the tooth. The dentist will then explore the area to make sure all the decay has been removed. The area will be cleaned and readied for the filling material. Next, the filling material will go in, and, finally, the dentist will finish and polish it. There are a few extra steps for tooth-colored fillings.
When it comes to filling materials, there are several. Your Mission Viejo dentist will talk to you about your choices. Typical choices include gold, silver and tooth-colored plastic and glass materials. A number of variables come into play when choosing a material, including the extent of the decay, the cost of the material, whether or not your insurance will cover it, and your dentist’s expertise and recommendation.
Cast gold fillings last 10 to 15 years or longer and don’t erode. They can handle chewing pressure, and some people prefer the look of gold fillings. They are, however, expensive and require a minimum of 2 office visits to put in place. If you already have a silver amalgam filling and the gold filling is placed directly next to it, in rare cases it can also cause a sharp pain known as galvanic shock.
Silver fillings also last 10 to 15 years and stand up well to chewing forces. They are less expensive than gold or composite fillings. The drawback is that they don’t match teeth color and are not all that attractive. They can cause the surrounding tooth to turn gray, and the material is more susceptible to experiencing a wide degree of expanding and contracting, which can cause the filling or surrounding tooth to crack.
Tooth-colored fillings closely match the color of your tooth and chemically bond to the tooth. They can be used to mend chipped or worn teeth, as well. Their biggest disadvantage is that they only last about 5 years. They can chip, and they cost about 5 times as much as silver amalgam.
Why Regular Dental Checkups Are Important
Why Regular Dental Checkups Are Important
Good oral hygiene is important not only because it affects your smile, but because it has bearing on your overall health, as well. With regular checkups, your dentist can watch for signs of periodontal disease, which can lead to health issues including stroke, heart disease, gum infections, and low birth weight or premature births. These issues and others can be avoided or caught early if you visit your Newport Beach dentist regularly.
Gum Disease Prevention
Your dentist will instruct you on the proper ways to brush and floss your teeth. Doing these things and having regular checkups can help prevent the development of gingivitis, periodontitis and other gum diseases. Should you develop one of these diseases, your dentist can map out a treatment plan to correct the problem.
Oral Cancer Detection
Some form of oral cancer kills one American every hour. By seeing your dentist regularly, signs of oral cancer may be caught early enough to treat, thus increasing your chances of a successful cure.
Healthy Smile Maintenance
A healthy smile boosts your confidence, which in turn can have a positive effect on your social and professional life. With regular cleanings and good oral care, your smile can open new doors for you.
Improved Overall Health
Your Newport Beach dentist can help safeguard your overall health. Did you know that there is a relationship between bad oral health and inflammatory diseases like diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease? Those regular checkups and cleanings will keep teeth and gums healthy, and that can help reduce the chance you’ll develop a more serious health concern.
Popular Tooth Replacement Options
If you need one or more teeth replaced, you may not be aware of all the options you have and what they entail. Dentistry has come a long way in the past decade or so and there are now options that show more understanding of cosmetics than ever before, but those options have also taken functionality into consideration. Before you go in and ask for an older replacement method to be used, understand what your options are so that you can have a better dental experience.
Partial plate: A partial plate is relatively inexpensive, and most people won’t know that you have had dental work completed. However, they can be hard to get used to, because they cover a portion of the roof of your mouth. You are also somewhat limited in how you can eat. For instance, if you have a partial plate in to replace your front tooth, you can’t bite into an apple like you normally would. While most people don’t even notice, this can make you feel self-conscious. You also have to take the plate out to clean it on a regular basis.
Irvine dental implants: Irvine dental implants are done by very skilled Irvine dental professionals. These implants are installed permanently so that they function just like your other teeth. They are secured through the jaw, so you never have to worry about biting into something that might knock your teeth loose. They are more expensive than a partial plate, but they are also a permanent solution that will leave you feeling like you never had a tooth to replace at all.