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| Dental Crowns |
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A crown (cap) is a restoration that is placed on teeth that have lost a lot of their structure.
There are many different types of crowns, full porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, full metal... Your dentist will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each kind for you.
The process of making a crown includes many steps that start in our office with preparing the teeth and taking impressions from the tooth/teeth involved. Then a temporary crown or bridge is placed on your teeth.
The impressions are sent to the lab. In the lab a mold of the teeth is poured and the work begins.
There are multiple steps involved and different technicians work on the mold to fabricate a crown or bridge. The completed work is sent back to the office and after necessary checks and adjustments, it is cemented onto your teeth.
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| Teeth Whitening |
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Teeth stain during our lifetime due to consumption of a variety of foods and drinks (Coke, spicy food, coffee...) New technology of teeth whitening has enabled dentists to whiten teeth without any change or damage to the tooth structure.
Almost all the whitening methods are similar in concept but some are much more effective because of the way the whitening material is delivered to the teeth. The other factor in effectiveness of the method is the concentration of material, which is the reason why over the counter whitening systems usually don t give patients the result they are hoping for.
The two main methods of professional whitening are tray whitening and in office whitening. Tray whitening is when a custom tray is made for the patient after an impression is taken, then a supply of whitening gel is given to the patient and he/she will wear the tray for a few hours a day (techniques differ) for a period of time until an acceptable result is achieved. Sensitivity of the teeth is a normal complication of this method of whitening and is almost always transitional.
In office whitening on the other hand is the most effective method of whitening. There are a few different ways that are available for example, Britesmile, Zoom, Laser whitening....But in all these methods the process is similar and you can have your teeth whitened in one session with great results. Your dentist can give you more detailed information and tell you which method is more suitable in your case and which one is indicated for your teeth.
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| Dental Implants |
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During the last 20 years dental implants have become a great alternative to other methods of replacing missing teeth. Excellent success rates and a variety of available options give dentists many new ways to treat and replace lost teeth.
Your dentist will be able to evaluate your case and tell you if you are a candidate for dental implants. Basically, a dental implant is a Titanium based cylinder that replaces the missing tooth root. After a period of time and when the implant is taken other parts will be placed on the implant that enables your dentist to eventually place a crown (cap) on the implant.
Implants also can be used to support full or partial dentures. They dramatically improve the denture retention and stability.
Most patients with enough amount of bone can have implants, although individual decisions are made between you and your dentist. Usually an x-ray and a CT-scan is done to determine if you have enough bone to place the implant and also to determine the size and kind of the implant that should be placed.
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| Veneers & Laminates |
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This is how you can get a beautiful smile quickly. Veneers or Laminates are a thin shell of porcelain or resin that is bonded to the surface of the teeth to change their shape, shade and position to improve the cosmetics of your teeth and smile and/or replace and restore the lost tooth structure where it is indicated.
Your dentist will do a complete examination of your teeth and will determine if veneers are indicated for you. Usually with veneers it is possible to improve the esthetics of your teeth and smile dramatically.
Veneers can improve the shape of your teeth, make your teeth as white as you want and give you the smile you have always wanted. Veneers are bonded to your tooth structure, which gives them strength.
Also because they are very thin, they are considered one of the most conservative cosmetic treatments available. Most of the times very little or no tooth structure is removed before placing veneers. Ask your dentist how veneers can improve your smile.
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| Root Canal Treatments |
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Every tooth consists of three different layers. From the outside, first there is Enamel (the outer layer of the teeth which is the hardest part of the body).
The second layer is Dentin (the inside hard layer) and then we have the Pulp (which is an empty space where the live tissue and nerve of each tooth is located)
If for any reason the pulp space is exposed to the outside, the tissue becomes contaminated and eventually infected. The exposure of pulp happens in many circumstances for example when you have a large cavity, or a fractured tooth. Your dentist can explain the exact reason for damage to this tissue. Regardless of the reason for this contamination or damage to pulp tissue, the treatment is usually Root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment is the process of going inside the pulp space and removing the infected and dead tissue. Then the space is disinfected and sealed with special materials.
Now-a-days, root canal treatments are performed with advanced techniques and material and are more comfortable and faster. After root canal treatment is done your restorative dentist will usually place a crown on you tooth to protect it against fracture.
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| Root Canal Re-Treatments |
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When a root canal treatment fails, the first course of action that is usually taken is trying to re-do the root canal treatment. It is usually done by an Endodontist (root canal specialist) or an experienced general dentist.
The process is very similar to Root canal Treatment, the difference is that besides taking any remaining infected tissue out, the doctor has to take old filling material, any posts and crowns or any other obstacle in the pulp space out to be able to successfully disinfect and seal the area of the root canal.
After the root canal treatment is done your restorative dentist will place a crown to protect the tooth against fractures.
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| Inlays & Onlays |
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Inlays or onlays are lab made restorations that are placed on teeth when the cavity or lost tooth structure is too large to be restored by a simple filling. The process of making an Inlay is very similar to a crown. After the tooth is prepared it is cemented or bonded to the tooth.
There are different materials that inlays are made of, gold, porcelain and composite resins are among them. Porcelain and composite inlays and onlays are cosmetic alternatives to fillings and are very strong compared to regular white fillings. Gold inlays and onlays are also good alternatives but their appearance has made them less popular.
Your dentist will explain to you when an inlay or onlay is a good treatment option for you. In general, inlays and onlays can replace most of back teeth fillings and provide a better alternative to conventional filling. At the same time they are more conservative than crowns.
As far as the cost is concerned, because the process of making an inlay or onlay is similar to a crown, its cost is also comparable. When long-term longevity of inlays and onlays are considered, though, they can end up costing less than traditional fillings.
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| TMJ Treatments |
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TMJ is the joint that connects the lower and upper jaw (skull). The terms TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint. This is one the most complicated joints of the whole body. One that allows forward and backward moves as well as rotations and side to side movements.
TMJ is often referred to as the complications and problems with this joint. Some of the most common symptoms of TMJ problems are:
Pain
Limitation of movement of the lower jaw
Clicking sounds
Muscle spasm
Locking of the jaw
Some causes of the disease are genetics, hormones, low-level infections, auto-immune diseases, trauma, and clenching or grinding of the teeth.
Diagnosis of such conditions and evaluation of causes are done by dentists experienced in TMJ problems and treatments. Some common treatments are Night Guards, Bite Guards and Bite Adjustments. Your dentist will be able to guide you toward the best treatment for you.
If you experience any TMJ problem or symptoms please let us know. The doctor will be happy to evaluate your situation and offer the best treatment possible.
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| Dental Salants |
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Sealants are thin layers of resin that are placed on the pits and fissures and grooves of (usually) molars to prevent decay on these surfaces.
Majority of decay on back teeth starts on grooves and pits of chewing surfaces, especially during the first few years after their eruption. Sealing these surfaces with composite resins prevents these kinds of decay.
Sealants are one of the most effective methods of preventing decay on the surfaces where they are places. Although it is still a possibility that decay may happen on surfaces in between the teeth, sealants significantly reduce the overall chance of having cavities.
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| Post-Operative Instuctions |
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| Extraction |
1- Pressure should be placed on the gauze pad that has been placed on the extraction site for one hour. If the bleeding continues new gauze should be placed and pressed on for another 45 minutes.
2- If you are supervising children who have had extraction done, make sure they don t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
3- Avoid eating or drinking anything hot on the day of your extraction. Also, do not rinse your mouth, do not use a straw for drinking. Do not spit and do not drink carbonated beverages. Do not brush on the day of the surgery; you can resume your brushing and flossing the day after, gently.
4-You may experience some pain, bruising around your lips and/or some swelling, especially after extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. Ice bag application and medication prescribed for you will help to minimize your discomfort.
5- Please take all the medication you have received based on the instructions given to you.
6- During the first 2-3 days after the surgery a diet of soft food and liquids is recommended (soup, yogurt, milk shake and juice).
7- For more complex Surgical Procedures including Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Implant Surgical Procedures, etc; you will receive an ice wrap which should be worn for the rest of the day and until you go to bed on the day of surgery only (10 minutes on and 5 minutes off). Individual instructions for various surgical treatments will have some unique directions which will be supplied to you at the time of your treatment.
8- Call our office if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain or swelling or if you have any questions or concerns. In case of serious emergencies call 911
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| Fillings |
1- Do not eat on your new filling for one hour and until your numbness is gone.
2- If you are supervising children who had fillings done, make sure they don t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
3- Do not bite hard or chew on silver Amalgam fillings for 24 hours.
4- You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some soreness on your gum, this usually subsides in few days.
5- Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the fillings, or if you have any questions.
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| Crown and bridge (also Inlays and Onlays) |
1- Crown and bridges usually take 2 or 3 appointments to complete. On the first appointment the tooth/teeth are prepared and impressions are taken and a temporary crown is placed on your tooth/teeth.
2- You may experience sensitivity, gum soreness and slight discomfort on the tooth / teeth, it should subside after the placement of permanent crown.
3- Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.
4- Temporary crown is usually made of plastic based material or soft metal. It could break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown also may come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth to move. If it comes off it should be replaced. To avoid losing your temporary, avoid chewing on sticky and hard food (chewing gum, ice). Try to chew on the opposite side of the treatment as much as possible.
5- After the permanent restoration is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Also, the bite may feel different for a day or two. But if the bite feels uneven or you feel discomfort on chewing on the tooth after 2-3 days call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently.
6- Continue your normal brushing but be careful while flossing around the temporaries (remove the floss gently from the side).
7- Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.
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| Root canal treatment |
1- You may experience moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on your tooth. Also, you may feel gum soreness for few days after your treatment. The healing process may take several days but the pain and discomfort should subside gradually.
2- Take any medication that was prescribed for you according to instructions.
3- Usually a temporary filling has been placed on your tooth, do not bite on the tooth for one hour and while you are numb. Also, until the permanent restoration is placed, be very gentle with the tooth. Try to chew with the opposite side.
4- Continue your brushing and flossing.
5- Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as you have been advised. Any unnecessary delay on placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently.
6- Call our office if you are in severe pain or experience swelling or if you have any questions.
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| Teeth cleaning(Deep cleaning) |
1- You may experience some cold and heat sensitivity (especially after deep cleaning).
2- If you have received anesthesia do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off.
3- Continue your regular brushing and flossing.
4- Some bleeding for a day or two after cleaning is normal, but if you experience any excessive bleeding call our office.
5- Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.
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| Braces were placed |
1- You may experience some pressure and discomfort on your teeth.
2- Be gentle with braces and avoid chewing hard and/or sticky food.
3- Brushing and flossing around braces are sometimes challenging but very important.
4- Call our office if you have any questions.
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| Gum surgery |
1- You may experience some pain, swelling and bleeding after the surgery.
2- Take all the prescribed medications based on given instruction.
3- Apply an ice bag on your face over the surgical site on the day of surgery for 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off.
4- Keep your next appointment on time for removal of sutures and follow up checks.
5- DO NOT raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.
6- DO NOT brush teeth near the surgical site. Brush teeth in the rest of your mouth.
7- There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.
8- Do not smoke, spit or use a straw on the day of the surgery (avoid smoking for a few days after the surgery).
9- Should any difficulties occur, do not hesitate to call our office anytime. In case of an extreme urgency call 911.
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| Implant surgery |
1- You may experience some discomfort and bleeding the day of the surgery.
2- Take all the prescribed medications based on given instructions.
3- Apply an ice bag on your face over the surgical site on the day of surgery for 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off.
4- Keep your next appointment on time for removal of sutures and follow up checks.
5- DO NOT raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.
6- DO NOT brush teeth near the surgical site. Brush teeth in the rest of your mouth.
7- There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.
8- Do not smoke, spit or use a straw on the day of the surgery (avoid smoking for a few days after the surgery).
9- Should any difficulties occur, do not hesitate to call our office anytime. In case of an extreme urgency call 911.
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| Denture delivery |
1- You will experience some discomfort with any new denture for a few days. All new dentures need several adjustments to completely and comfortably fit your mouth.
2- You should take the dentures out every night and keep them in a clean container containing water or denture cleaning solution. Your gum needs rest and to be without the dentures every day for a period of time.
3- Clean dentures thoroughly with brush and water before putting them back in your mouth.
4- It may be difficult to talk normally with the new denture for a few days. A way to practice is to read a book or newspaper out loud for a period of time everyday. Your tongue and muscles will get used to the new denture and you will talk normally very soon.
5- Call our office if you are experiencing pain, discomfort or if you have any questions.
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| Apico-surgery(Root canal surgery) |
1. Swelling, minor pain and / or skin discoloration may be experienced following the surgical procedure. This will be temporary.
2. In order to keep the swelling to a minimum, use an ice pack for the first few hours (on for 10 minutes and off for 5 minutes).
3. The dayafter the surgery use lukewarm water rinses for the treated area following each meal. This should continue for the first 3 days following the surgical procedure.
4. Eat only soft foods. Avoid hard and chewy foods.
5. Get plenty of rest and insure normal intake of food, especially liquids such as fruit juices, soup, and milk. Use a vitamin supplement if desired. Try not to sleep on the operated area for 2-3 days.
6. DO NOT raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.
7. DO NOT brush teeth near the surgical site. Brush teeth in the rest of your mouth.
8. There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.
9. Take medications according to the instructions.
10. Should any difficulties occur, do not hesitate to call our office anytime. In case of an extreme urgency call 911.
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| Bone Graft Surgery |
You have just had surgery completed for the reduction of periodontal pocketing and/or for replacement of bone in an area where pathology existed; or in conjunction with endosseous dental implant surgical placement with or without platelet addition to the bone graft. You will be advised of the particular procedure and pertinent directions relative to your treatment modality. Whether you were put to sleep for this procedure or were only given local anesthesia, the post operative directions remain the same.
You will have several sutures (stitches) placed at the surgical site. These sutures may or may not be resorbable. If you have been told that you have received external silk sutures they have to be removed by us. The sutures will cause a pulling of your tissue over the bone grafting site. Since the bone graft site will have approximately 15 % more bone fill than what was naturally there, it is imperative that you do not pull up your lips or cheeks to show or examine the area. The undue pressure will cause the sutures to widen away from the surgical site, expose bone, create more pain, and delay healing dramatically. This delay can lead to the need for the area to be sutured again when you are seen for your 1 week post surgical evaluation. The sutures will remain in place for between 14 and 21 days depending on the size of the graft, the severity of the pathology, and the condition of the tissue being sutured.
Your doctor will tell you what time period to expect. Remember though that this is not etched in stone, and that the doctor may extend the time before your sutures are removed to assure adequate healing and to avoid surgical regression.
You also may have a periodontal pack placed over the surgical site. The pack is pink in color, impregnated with antibiotic, and will protect the surgical site form infection and any wash out of the particulate bone utilized to restore your jaw. The pack should be left in place for as long as possible. If a pack is placed the doctor will remove the packing on your 1 week followup and decide if the packing should be replaced or kept off. Usually the packing is kept on for 7 to 10 days minimally. You must return to the office if your pack falls off before you are seen for your 1 week follow up.
Your maintenance during healing has to be completed carefully. You can brush in every area where the periodontal pack is not placed. It is imperative that you use NOTHING ASTRINGENT such as mouth wash or antiseptic solutions during the healing period of your bone graft. Listerine, Viadent, and any other potentially caustic agent can RUIN your bone grafting procedure, if contaminated, and require a replacement bone graft. Doctor and our staff will reiterate this with you at, during, and after your bone graft surgical procedure. After the first stages of healing is satisfactory, we will deliver and instruct you on how to use normal saline (with or without the addition of salt), and irrigation syringes for cleaning of the surgical site.
Since bone grows and heals slowly, and requires conditions conducive to a proper environment and blood supply, it is imperative that immediately after your bone graft that you alter your diet, as you would for any Oral Surgical procedure. This means that you should not eat anything that is too large, too hot, or too sticky. Your food should be tepid or on the cool side. Any food too hot will have a deleterious affect on your surgical procedure. Common sense must be used in determining what should be done or not done. If for some reason you have a question about anything post surgically, please call the office and we will inform you of the proper action to take.
Smoking after any Oral Surgical procedure will ALWAYS delay or badly disrupt normal healing due to a decrease in oxygenation of the tissue that is healing. Smoking should therefore be stopped for the first 7 to 10 days to allow for adequate initial tissue closure. Complete epithilization (closure) and wound healing normally takes a minimal of 21 days from the day the surgery was completed under ideal healing conditions and no other underlying systemic causes such as Diabetes Melitus, etc.
Bone grafting is a very predictable surgical procedure when done correctly and when patient cooperation is adhered to. Please try to be reasonable in understanding that this procedure has inherent risks associated with it as stated in your informed consents. Some of these risks are also pertinent to your post operative care.
We want nothing more than a perfect outcome with the surgical procedures that you are having done to rehabilitate your bone. This can only be attainable with proper cooperation from you. Please always feel free to communicate with us, at any time, to make sure that the procedures that you are having completed are properly maintained. No question is ever perceived by our office as being silly or unreasonable. We would rather have questions answered immediately than to have a chance that the procedure will not go as planned, especially from omissions that are preventable.
Please also remember, as stated above, and as outlined on your informed consents, that there are some occasions that no matter what is done that the outcome is not perfect. There are even infrequent instances when a surgery may have to be redone that are neither the doctors or the patients fault.
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