How to Choose a Newport Beach Dentist

by Kurt Schneider | Feb 18, 2014 | Teeth Whitening

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.

Tips on Caring for Your Teeth

by Kurt Schneider | Dec 10, 2013 | Teeth Whitening

Californians have a reputation for being particularly beautiful. While this may or may not be true, many of those living in Irvine take great pride in their smiles. You need only to look at the bright smiles in shops and walking along the streets to see evidence of it. Those sparkling smiles begin with good oral hygiene and clean teeth. To achieve a great smile, all you have to do is follow a few simple steps and practice them every day.

Brush your teeth twice each day and take the time to do a good job. Your toothbrush should have soft bristles and fit comfortably in your mouth. Electric toothbrushes can do a better job of reducing plaque and gingivitis. They can also be easier for those with arthritis to use. Aim the bristles at an angle toward your gums, brushing back and forth gently. Also brush the sides and roof of your mouth, as well as your tongue.

Use about 18 inches of floss to clean between your teeth. Wind the majority around each of your middle fingers, holding the length left between your thumbs and forefingers. Slip the floss between each pair of teeth until it touches the gum line. Curve the floss toward your tooth and rub the tooth in an upward motion, scraping loose any debris caught there. Unwind fresh floss as you move through the rest of your teeth.

While hygiene is important, there are times when your Irvine cosmetic dentist may be required to treat some conditions. Crooked or missing teeth, cracks in the tooth, or discoloration are things only your Irvine cosmetic dentist can correct. The rest is up to you.

Why Dental Implants Are Used

by Kurt Schneider | Nov 12, 2013 | Teeth Whitening

Dental implants are used when a patient has lost one or more teeth. The ensuing gaps can cause embarrassment for the patient, who may be uncomfortable smiling or speaking because it reveals a gap. The gap can also allow the other teeth to shift, over time, causing a misalignment that can create even further dental problems.

Dental implants are a way of permanently replacing that missing tooth and restoring full tooth function, as well as the confidence of the patient. In Newport Beach, dental implants are typically done as a two-step process that takes six or more months to complete. In a surgical procedure, the implant is mounted in the jawbone, and, covered by the gums, it takes anywhere from four to six months to heal. Once the site is healed, the gums are reopened and posts are inserted: one for each tooth. Then the artificial tooth can be permanently mounted on the post.

Newport Beach dental implants are a complicated process, but can result in a brighter smile and improved dental health. Why walk around with gaps in your teeth, afraid to talk to others or smile in person or for photographs, when there is a viable alternative? There is no need to hide your dental situation when it can be remedied. If you are one of those people who have lost a tooth and feel embarrassed about it, or if you simply want to restore your teeth to a fully functioning status, why not see if dental implants can provide the change you are looking for at a reasonable price?

Shop Now for Perfect Teeth for Christmas

by Kurt Schneider | Oct 15, 2013 | Teeth Whitening

Showing off your perfect pearly whites in the family’s Christmas photos can be as easy as making an appointment, today, to choose an Orange County cosmetic dentist.

Whether it is teeth that need straightening via Invisalign, or a dental implant to replace teeth that are showing the signs of use, age and improper care, an Orange County cosmetic dentist can help take your smile from Halloween horror story to Christmas miracle. Start now, to get the results you want in time to dazzle your family at Christmas dinner. With sedation dentistry as an option, you do not have to be awake while they transform those ugly chompers into a perfect smile.

For teeth that look like candy corn, or are chipped and dirty, porcelain veneers and teeth whitening are all options for helping create a smile of which you can be proud. This year, opt for the Christmas gift you really want — a brighter smile and a healthier mouth. When your teeth are straighter, your mouth is healthier. It’s easier to floss and maintain your dental health. Even chewing your Thanksgiving dinner is easier, with teeth that are well-aligned.

If it’s a broken tooth, an ancient silver filling, or just too many years of coffee and tea that are marring your smile, your cosmetic dentist can evaluate the problems and create a custom solution to make your smile shine. Replace missing teeth with a bridge or partial dental implants, and get that just-cleaned feeling. Whatever it takes to make your smile the best part of your white Christmas, visit now, and we can make it happen.

Understanding TMJ and How It Affects You

by Kurt Schneider | Sep 19, 2013 | Teeth Whitening

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, can be a painful affliction, but your Newport Beach dentist can help to alleviate your symptoms. You may have questions about this disorder, so reading up on it before you visit your dentist may help you to have a more in-depth conversation about your treatment.

There are many causes of TMJ, but most often it is the result of grinding your teeth at night, complications from arthritis, or a jaw injury. If you have pain around your ears, tenderness in your jaw, discomfort while eating, or a general sense of pain in the jaw region, you should talk to your dentist, especially if these problems are chronic. These disorders can cause major disruptions in your everyday life; so early intervention is the key to successful treatment.

Your dentist will ask a series of questions to try to determine the cause of your TMJ, which can also help to treat the problem. X-rays or a CT scan may also be ordered to determine the cause and severity of your TMJ disorder. Often dentists are able to offer nonsurgical treatments, such as mouth guards, physical therapy, and prescription medication. If these treatments do not help to solve the problem, be sure to follow up with your dentist. There are other, more radical courses of treatment that can be used when all nonsurgical options fail.

TMJ disorders can make it difficult to eat, talk, and sleep. If you suspect you have a TMJ problem, be sure to contact your Newport Beach dentist to resolve the problem and get your life back to normal.

How Do You Choose a Dentist?

by Kurt Schneider | Jul 30, 2013 | Teeth Whitening

When the time comes to choose a dentist, how do you make that decision? Some people have been seeing the same dentist since they were children, and he or she may be retiring, while others have moved to different parts of the country and have had to find new dentists. Whatever the reason you need to choose a new Irvine dentist, it is important that the things that matter to you are addressed.

Do you have specific needs that may not be handled by a general dentist? Bleaching, caps, implants, dentures or the need for braces could be a reason to look for a full service or cosmetic dentist.

It may be important to you to find a dentist who takes the time to explain procedures and show you what will be done in order to alleviate your anxiety or deal with your OCD issues. Being a dentist means being able to treat all sorts of people and conditions that are not always related to teeth.

If you have children and want to find a dentist who is prepared to deal with children, fear and anxiety, then that is what your main criteria should be in your quest for a new dentist. Location, insurance participation and cost are important, but finding a dentist that meets all of your treatment needs and who can provide the services you need is the main point of choosing a dentist.

Irvine dentist offices offer a variety of services and treatments; it’s up to you to decide which dentist fits your needs, personality and family. Sometimes even the best dentist around may not match your personality. It is important to feel comfortable and have trust in your dentist, which is why shopping around for a new dentist may require visiting more than one.

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