Blue Apple Dental Group Patient Information Videos
Dental Services, Treatments & Procedures Explained
- Your First Visit
- Dental Hygiene
- Child's First Visit
- Pediatric Dental Hygiene
- Deep Cleaning
- Home Teeth Whitening
- Dental Veneers
- In Office Teeth Whitening
- Porcelain Crowns
- Porcelain Inlays
- Inlay Fillings
- Dental Implants
- Implant Attached Dentures
- Composite Fillings
- Protecting Your Smile
- Root Canal
- Root Canal Alternatives
- Tooth Extraction
- Wisdom Tooth Extraction
- Post Surgery
- Invisalign
This may be your first visit to the dentist, or just your first visit in a while either way, you may not know what to expect and you may even be a little nervous but sit back, relax, and let us explain to you what we will be doing during this visit.
The first thing we will check during the exam is your face and neck. Checking visually, we will look for any abnormalities such as lumps, bumps, or swelling.
Checking inside your mouth is next on the agenda during this part of the checkup. We will be looking for any abnormalities in the soft tissue, such as discolorations or ulcers on your lips, gums, tongue, palate and cheeks.
We will also perform an oral cancer screening, and will check your bite and your jaw joint for any problems.
Next, we will check your gums and jaw bone as they are the foundation for your teeth. We will check them for any signs of gingivitis, gum disease, and bone disease.
Checking your teeth comes next. We will be checking your teeth for any cavities or other problems.
Finally, we’ll be sure to look specifically at any areas where you may have symptoms or concerns. In most cases, a clinical exam by itself is not sufficient to completely diagnose all potential problems with your mouth. In fact the majority of problems with your teeth in the jaw bone, are not visible to the naked eye and that’s why X Ray’s play a key role in allowing a better and more accurate look at what is really going on inside your mouth, below your teeth and gums.
A good example of this would be the use of X Ray’s to better diagnose the destructive periodontal disease by using X Ray’s, your dentist can check for any bone loss and determine the severity of the gum disease.
Based on the diagnosis from the x ray, your dentist can then determine the proper cleaning, or treatment you may require. In addition to revealing any problems that were not visible during the clinical exam, these initial X Rays will also provide your dentist with a benchmark with which to compare against during your future visits. If you have any additional questions please consult your dentist.
No treatment will be effective unless you follow it up with routine and proper home care. This means you should brush and floss regularly after every meal, and at a minimum of twice a day.
The key is not only to do it regularly but also to do it right, here is how to properly floss.
You should wind the floss around both of your index fingers, and push it between each of the teeth in your mouth, make sure to freely move the floss upwards, downwards, and even sideways to remove any food particles or plaque that may be lodged between your teeth or under the gums.
Many people these days use an electric toothbrush such as Sonic care, whether you use an electric brush or still prefer a manual brush, you should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth.
Gently, but thoroughly rotate the bristles across your teeth and under your gums with a backward and forward motion. Be sure to also get the top surfaces of your teeth, where you bite or chew on food.
Your tongue can also be cleaned with your toothbrush, which will help reduce bad breath. It is important to clean the inside surfaces of your teeth with the same rotating motion.
When brushing it’s also important to use toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps Harden the outer layer of the tooth called enamel, which will prevent cavities and also reduce bacteria in the mouth. It can also reverse the formation of smaller cavities.
Lastly, antibacterial mouth rinses can also help reduce bacteria in the mouth.
Please check with your dentist or dental hygienist if you have any additional questions.
After the checkup part of your visit, it’s time to have your teeth cleaned. Your dentist or a certified staff member will use what’s called a rotating toothbrush to clean the plaque from your teeth after your teeth have been brushed and the dentist may floss to remove any and all remaining plaque between your teeth. If necessary to help Harden your teeth and help fight future cavities, your dentist or dental staff member may apply a fluoride foam solution or paint. Obviously, you can’t go to the dentist every day to have your teeth cleaned so here are some tips on how you can keep your teeth strong and healthy at home.
First, you should start by flossing your teeth to remove any food particles and plaque that may get stuck between them the right way to floss is to wind the floss around both of your index fingers and gently push it in between each of your teeth in your mouth make sure you freely move the floss upwards downwards and even sideways to get out any food that might be stuck.
After flossing you should then brush your teeth you should put a small amount of toothpaste on a soft toothbrush and hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth then gently rotate the bristles across your teeth and under your gums with a backward and forward circular motion. Be sure to also get the top surfaces of your teeth where you chew. Lastly, it’s important to brush the inside surfaces of your teeth with the same rotating motion if you have any additional questions please consult Dr. Lieu.
After the checkup part of your visit, it is time to have your teeth cleaned. Your dentist or a certified staff member will use what’s called a rotating toothbrush, to clean the plaque from your teeth.
Once your teeth have been brushed, your dentist may floss your teeth to remove any and all remaining plaque between your teeth. If necessary to help Harden your teeth, and help fight future cavities, your dentist or dental staff member may apply a fluoride foam solution or paint. Obviously, you can not go to the dentist every day to have your teeth cleaned so, here are some tips on how you can keep your teeth strong and healthy at home.
First, you should start by flossing your teeth to remove any food particles and plaque that may get stuck between them. The right way to floss is to wind the floss around both of your index fingers, and gently push it in between each of your teeth in your mouth, make sure you freely move the floss upwards, downwards, and even sideways to get out any food that might be stuck.
When you finished flossing you should then brush your teeth, you should put a small amount of fluoride toothpaste on a soft toothbrush, holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth, gently rotate the bristles across your teeth and under your gums. With a backward and forward circular motion be sure to also get the top surfaces of your teeth where you chew.
Lastly, it’s important to brush the inside surfaces of your teeth with the same rotating motion.
If you have any additional questions please consult with Dr. Lieu.
Scaling and root planning is frequently referred to as deep cleaning, deep cleaning is the treatment of choice for an infectious disease called Periodontal Disease.
So, what is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal Disease mainly starts with the formation of plaque around the teeth, this plaque is the yellow film on your teeth caused by food and bacteria in your mouth. When plaque buildup mixes with the saliva it hardens over time, and turns into tartar, tartar containing bacteria will irritate the gums around the teeth by attaching to the outer surface of the teeth and roots and releases poisonous toxins.
These toxins cause an infection and an inflammation of the gums, which worsens if left untreated. This can ultimately cause bone loss and eventually tooth loss. Keep in mind, the lost bone will never grow back, fortunately, deep cleaning can help as a procedure that treats the infected area by meticulously cleaning the tartar and bacteria from the teeth and their roots.
Deep cleaning scaling and root planning is normally performed by your dentist or dental hygienist in a couple of visits, the exact number of visits, however, depends on your dentist and the amount of tartar buildup. Often your dentist will choose to administer a local anesthetic to make the procedure virtually painless, the deep cleaning is either done manually or with an ultrasonic instrument called a Cavitron. Sometimes, a combination of both of the techniques loosen and remove plaque and tartar buildup.
In addition, an antibacterial irrigant or local antibiotics such as Actisite may be used in conjunction with the cleaning procedure to further reduce the number of bacteria around the gums. Keep in mind although rare one or more of the following symptoms can occur after treatment bleeding of the gum, inadvertent removal, or irritation of the gum, tooth discomfort such as sensitivity to hot and cold, or sweets, swelling, and inflammation of the gum, and finally allergies to some of the materials used during the procedure.
You may ask yourself, can I get a regular cleaning instead? The answer is no, as the name “deep cleaning” implies, the main difference is that deep cleaning goes below the gum to remove plaque or tartar buildup from the tooth root where the bone is affected by the infection.
Whereas regular cleaning only removes the plaque or tartar above the gum. Periodontal Disease cannot currently be cured, it can only be controlled so, it’s important to follow your dentist’s recommendations for follow-up maintenance and treatment. In addition to routine checkups, performing proper dental hygiene at home is of course also important to help prevent the recurrence of this destructive disease.
please check with Dr. Lieu, Dr. Styles or Oriana Lieu if you have any additional questions
When you look in the mirror what color are your teeth white, yellow, or Brown? You may or may not be aware, that overtime teeth naturally become darker and stained In addition, to natural aging there are some other factors like cigarette smoking, in certain types of foods and drinks such as coffee and tea also darken your teeth.
Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs can have the same effect as well, a bright white smile can be achieved by bleaching your teeth. Home whitening involves wearing a custom fit mouth tray that contains a concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel, which will bleach your teeth to a brighter whiter smile. So how does it work? During the first visit, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth, after making sure your teeth are free of plaque and tartar from this impression a custom mouth tray is made specifically for your mouth.
On your second visit, your dentist will show you how to apply the gel to the tray and place it into your mouth, as well as tell you the amount of time you must wear your mouthguard. The amount of time depends on how badly your teeth are stained, as well as the concentration of the gel used. It can vary from a few minutes to a few hours, as an example, many brands are applied twice a day for one to 2 hours, over a time period of two weeks. Home whitening can last anywhere from a few months to a few years and the degree of whitening changes from one person to another. This in part, depends on the original condition of your teeth specifically how stained they were as well as the strength of the bleaching gel used also. In large part, it depends on your eating, drinking, and smoking habits as no teeth whitening solution will result in a permanent color change of your teeth, and it won’t prevent future staining.
There are some minor risks associated with home whitening, the most common side effect is tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is generally mild and will subside most of the time once the treatment is completed. If you feel severe sensitivity, you should wear a mouth tray for shorter periods of time or consider stopping treatment entirely. Brushing your teeth with a highly concentrated fluoride toothpaste, or desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne, will also help to reduce the discomfort. Your dentist can also prescribe a fluoride gel that can be used in your bleaching tray, which also should help reduce the sensitivity. gum irritation. or discoloration of the gum is another possible side effect of the home whitening procedure, this is mainly due to over loading the mouth tray. Simply stopping the process for a few days should help your gums feel and look normal again.
If you have any additional questions please consult with Dr. Lieu.
Veneers are custom made tooth-colored shells that are bonded to your teeth with dental cement or bonding adhesive, they cover the front surfaces of your teeth and can help improve your appearance and smile by covering up a tooth that is discolored, misshaped, or worn down. Veneers, can also close gaps between teeth or repair a chipped tooth, veneers can be made from several different types of materials generally, your dentist will help you decide which type is best for you.
Veneers can be porcelain, composite or Lumineers. Porcelain are the most common type of veneers, porcelain has a very shiny surface that closely resembles your enamel, and will give you a more natural and translucent appearance. In addition, porcelain is stain resistant and it is also very friendly to your gums. It normally takes 2 visits for your dentist to complete your veneer.s In preparation it is necessary on the first visit for your dentist to use a dental hand-piece to shape and prepare the teeth so the veneers will properly fit over them.
Next, an impression of your teeth is taken and temporary veneers may be placed to protect the prepared teeth, the impression of your teeth is then sent to a dental laboratory where custom-fit veneers are made. During this first visit, your dentist will also help you choose the proper shade for the color of your veneers in most cases, on your second visit the veneers are placed, and if necessary adjusted to create a proper fit. If the fit, shape, and color of the veneers are satisfactory your dentist will proceed with permanently cementing them into place. Keep in mind, in some instances the veneer received back from the laboratory may not fit as expected in these cases your dentist may have to take a second impression or readjust the tooth in order to fabricate a veneer that fits just right and creates the beautiful smile you want.
Though rare, during the first few days with your new veneers you may feel some discomfort or sensitivity to temperature changes, as advised by your dentist you can take over-the-counter pain medicine to alleviate the discomfort. If your symptoms persist more than a few days, visit your dentist sometimes your newly cemented veneers may feel too tall in this case, you should also contact your dentist for further adjustment of the veneers porcelain veneers, are usually not repairable should they chip or crack so you should attempt to avoid biting directly on small hard items such as hard candies, your fingernails, or pens.
You should never chew on anything cold or hard such as ice, if you grind your teeth during the day or night your dentist may recommend a nightguard to protect your veneers from these grinding forces, a nightguard is a plastic cover that fits over your teeth to deflect hard forces. Nightguards will also increase the longevity of your veneers finally, it is important to keep up with your daily brushing and flossing to avoid getting cavities in your teeth with veneers as well as your other teeth.
If you have any additional questions please consult with Dr. Lieu.
When you look in the mirror what color are your teeth white, yellow, or Brown? You may or may not be aware that overtime teeth naturally become darker and stained. In addition, to natural aging, there are some other factors like cigarette smoking, certain types of foods, and drinks such as coffee and tea that also darken your teeth. Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs can also have the same effect as well, a bright white smile can be achieved by bleaching your teeth, there are several ways in which this can be done but the most commonly recommended technique by dentists is an in-office bleaching.
Hands down, this is the quickest and most effective way to whiten your teeth, here’s how it works in-office whitening uses a concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel to bleach your teeth to A brighter whiter smile. To help accelerate the process for better results a special light or with some bleaching systems our laser is used in conjunction with the gel, what’s great is that the whitening procedure generally takes only one office visit.
The first step is to make sure the teeth are free of any plaque or tartar.
The next step is to apply a protective layer of cream to your lips, so they stay moist during the process.
Next, your dentist will place a protection on your gums, now that the lips and gums have been protected your dentist will apply the bleaching gel to your teeth.
Finally, the entire process is accelerated by shining a special light on your teeth, the entire process takes roughly 1 to 2 hours, and unlike other whitening techniques that may take weeks to show results, you will see results almost instantly. In-office whitening can last anywhere from a few months to a few years and the degree of whitening changes from one person to another. This in part depends on the original condition of your teeth, specifically how stained they were, as well as the strength of the bleaching gel used.
In large part, it depends on your eating, drinking, and smoking habits as no teeth whitening solution will result in a permanent color change of your teeth, and it won’t prevent future staining. However, you can maintain this whitening effect with the use of a home whitening kit, home whitening involves wearing a custom-fit mouthguard, that contains a less concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel to help preserve your new brighter and whiter smile.
There are some minor risks associated with whitening, the most common side effect is tooth sensitivity, tooth sensitivity is generally mild and often subsides in a few days. Brushing your teeth with a highly concentrated fluoride toothpaste or desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne will also help reduce the discomfort. Dr. Lieu can also prescribe you a fluoride gel to use, which will also help reduce the sensitivity, gum irritation, or discoloration, side effects such as these will subside and the gum will go back to normal condition in about a few days.
If you have any additional questions please consult with Dr. Lieu.
As you age your teeth age to, decay, fillings, and trauma or even just normal chewing habits can make your teeth breakdown overtime. A dental crown or a cap is a cover that is placed over a tooth to protect a weakened tooth from further fracturing or deteriorating, a Crown could also be used to replace a discolored or badly shaped tooth or protect a tooth that has had a root canal. Lastly, a new Crown is necessary to simply replace an old worn down or defective crown, it normally takes 2 visits for your dentist to complete your Crown.
On your first visit, a local anesthetic is administered to make the procedure more comfortable, during this visit your dentist will use a dental handpiece to shape and prepare the tooth so the Crown can properly fit over it. In some instances, the tooth may need an additional procedure to replace areas of decay or old fillings to better support the Crown. Next, an impression of the tooth is taken and a temporary crown is inserted to protect the prepared tooth, this impression is then sent to a dental laboratory where a custom-fit permanent crown is made. In some cases on your second visit, the permanent crown is placed and if necessary adjusted to create a proper fit, if the fit shape and color of the Crown are satisfactory your dentist will proceed with permanently cementing it into place. Keep in mind in some instances the Crown received back from the laboratory may not fit as expected in these cases, your dentist may need to take a second impression or readjust the tooth in order to fabricate a Crown that fits just right.
After, the successful completion of the Crown it is not uncommon to feel some discomfort or mild pain when you chew or sensitivity to temperature changes for a few days. As advised by your dentist you can take over-the-counter pain medicine to alleviate the discomfort, if these symptoms persist more than a few days visit your dentist. finally, if your newly cemented Crown feels too tall or your bite doesn’t feel right you should contact your dentist for further adjustment of the Crown you may ask yourself, can’t I just get a filling instead? The answer is usually no. When a tooth requires a Crown it is already been weakened to the point that it may not be strong enough to support a filling using an unsupported filling instead of a Crown often causes the tooth to fracture beyond the point of repair.
Please keep in mind that the longevity and durability of your crown is directly related to your oral hygiene, and the material selected to make the Crown. All-porcelain crowns are generally considered the most aesthetic choice since they closely resemble the color and appearance of your teeth, porcelain continues to improve, and in fact, there are newly developed porcelain materials such as zirconium and Empress too, that can better withstand the forces of chewing. Porcelain crowns can give you the Hollywood smile that you’re looking for, if you have any additional questions please consult your dentist
In laser custom fit fillings are made in a laboratory first, the decay is cleaned from your tooth and then an impression of the tooth is made and sent to the lab, in the interim a temporary filling is used to fill in space and protect your tooth from fracture or further deterioration, it is important that you avoid chewing or applying any stress to the temporary filling as it may be fragile. When the lab receives the impression from your dentist, they will custom make your filling for your tooth, there are several types of materials they can use for the inlay the first type of inlay, is porcelain or ceramic material colored to match your tooth.
In addition, to being aesthetically pleasing the other benefits of porcelain or ceramic inlays are that they are also quite stain resistant and hard. The second type of inlay is made of a metal such as, gold metallic inlays are well known for their durability, the final type of inlay is made of tooth-colored composites, like the porcelain inlays, composites are also very aesthetically pleasing. All three types of inlays are bonded or glued to your teeth with a special cement or glue keep in mind that you should stay away from eating on the site of a newly cemented inlay for at least 24 hours following the filling procedure, it is very common to experience some discomfort, normally at the sight of the anesthetic or at the tooth itself. To alleviate the discomfort it is recommended you take over the counter pain medication if the symptoms persist then you should visit your dentist, sometimes due to a variety of reasons an inlay will become loose. In this case, you should contact your dentist immediately to have it re-cemented, please keep in mind the longevity of a filling depends in large part on your oral hygiene and diet, so be sure to maintain your filling with proper brushing and flossing. If you have any additional questions please consult Dr. Lieu.
In laser custom fit fillings are made in a laboratory first, the decay is cleaned from your tooth and then an impression of the tooth is made and sent to the lab, in the interim a temporary filling is used to fill in space and protect your tooth from fracture or further deterioration, it is important that you avoid chewing or applying any stress to the temporary filling as it may be fragile. When the lab receives the impression from your dentist, they will custom make your filling for your tooth, there are several types of materials they can use for the inlay the first type of inlay, is porcelain or ceramic material colored to match your tooth.
In addition, to being aesthetically pleasing the other benefits of porcelain or ceramic inlays are that they are also quite stain resistant and hard. The second type of inlay is made of a metal such as, gold metallic inlays are well known for their durability, the final type of inlay is made of tooth-colored composites, like the porcelain inlays, composites are also very aesthetically pleasing. All three types of inlays are bonded or glued to your teeth with a special cement or glue keep in mind that you should stay away from eating on the site of a newly cemented inlay for at least 24 hours following the filling procedure, it is very common to experience some discomfort, normally at the sight of the anesthetic or at the tooth itself. To alleviate the discomfort it is recommended you take over the counter pain medication if the symptoms persist then you should visit your dentist, sometimes due to a variety of reasons an inlay will become loose. In this case, you should contact your dentist immediately to have it re-cemented, please keep in mind the longevity of a filling depends in large part on your oral hygiene and diet, so be sure to maintain your filling with proper brushing and flossing. If you have any additional questions please consult Dr. Lieu.
Have you lost your teeth due to severe tooth decay, gum disease, trauma, or even a failed root canal? If so, you may qualify for implant treatment, dental implants are used to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth. Implants, are made of titanium or similar materials, that are well suited to the human body. They are, artificial replacements for teeth roots that support restoration, or a dental appliance. Besides, it’s cosmetic advantage replacing the missing teeth will restore your ability to properly chew and speak.
In addition, the space caused by the missing teeth may allow the surrounding teeth to shift into that space. This shifting could cause a misalignment in your bite, that can result in problems with your jaw joint, these shifted teeth are harder to clean making them more susceptible to gum disease, decay, or even additional tooth loss. Before we start, it’s important that you notify your dentist of your medical condition. Whether you have any artificial joints, diabetes, or a history of heart, and valve conditions you should also inform your dentist of any medications you are currently or have previously taken. Such as redux or Fen Fen blood thinners, more importantly medications that contain bisphosphonates, like fosa Max.
It normally takes a few phases, and several months for your dentist to complete the treatment. In the first phase, your dentist will place the implants in your jaw bone, it requires 3 to 6 months for the bone to fuse to the implants. In the second phase. your dentist will place an extension, or opposed to extend the implants above the gumline this process can also be performed during the first phase, depending on the technique chosen by your dentist. After, your gums are healed it is time for an impression to be made, and a final restoration or appliance to be fabricated by the dental laboratory.
In most cases, on your final visit the restoration of the dental appliances are made than placed and adjusted to ensure proper fit, and function. While every effort is made to place a successful, and functioning implant, it sometimes fails. This is mainly due to lack of proper attachment between the implant, and the jawbone, during the bone fusing phase. Other problems, such as breakage of the implants, loosening of its restoration of dental appliance, or infection of the surrounding gums are also rare possibilities.
Finally, due to differences in the shapes of the jaws and the bone density, the back area of upper jaw may require an additional procedure such as a sinus lifting, to increase the predictability and long term success. Please, keep in mind that the longevity of your implant, and its restoration depends in large part on your oral hygiene diet and the health of the supporting bones and gums. Please ask your dentist for proper brushing and flossing techniques if you have any additional questions please consult your dentist.
Every effort is made to make a good and functional denture, it is sometimes hard to achieve a stable and retentive denture, this is mainly due to the jaw bone constantly shrinking with age, smoking, or for some systemic diseases such as diabetes, or even chewing pressure on the existing denture. However, there are new advances in making dentures, one such advance is an implant-supported denture that increases the stability of the denture, this kind of dental appliance requires the placement of implants in your mouth, before making the denture, dental implants are used to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth. Implants are made of titanium or similar materials that are well suited to the human body they are artificial replacements, for teeth roots that support a restoration or a dental appliance.
Before we start, it’s important that you notify your dentist of any medical condition you may have such as whether you have any artificial joints, diabetes or a history of heart and valve conditions. You should also inform your dentist of any medications you are currently taking or have previously taken such as Redux or Fen-Phen blood thinners or importantly medications that contain bisphosphonates , it normally takes a few phases, and several months for your dentist to complete the treatment. In the first phase your dentist will place the implants in your jaw bone it requires 3 to 6 months for the bone to fuse to the implants. In the second phase, your dentist will place an extension or opposed to extend the implants above the gum line. This process can also be performed during the first phase depending on the technique chosen by your dentist after your gums are healed it is time for an impression to be made and a final restoration or appliance to be fabricated by the dental laboratory. In most cases on your final visit, the restoration or the dental appliances are placed and adjusted to ensure proper fit and function.
While every effort is made to place a successful and functioning implant it sometimes fails, this is mainly due to lack of proper attachment between the implant and the jawbone during the bone fusing phase. Other problems such as breakage of the implants, or breakage or loosening of its restoration or dental appliance or infection of the surrounding gums are also rare possibilities. Finally due to differences in the shapes of the jaws and the bone density the back area of upper jaw may require an additional procedure such as a sinus lifting to increase the predictability and long-term success if you have any additional questions please consult Dr. Lieu
Composite, is the filling material of choice when it comes to matching your tooth color. Composite fillings, consist of plastic and glass particles, they have become the most popular filling materials because they can match your existing tooth color, and they also solidly bond or glue to the tooth after the decay in your tooth has been cleaned a cleansing gel is applied. Next, a bonding solution is applied finally, followed by the composite filling material. Composite is hardened by applying a high-intensity blue light, it only takes a few seconds for the materials to Harden once the tooth is filled and the composite is hard, and the filling is checked to ensure the proper shape and look. At this point, any necessary adjustments are made and then you’re filling is complete, following the filling procedure, it is very common to experience some discomfort normally at the site of the anesthetic or at the tooth itself. To alleviate pain or discomfort it is recommended you take over the counter pain medication if the symptoms persist then you should visit your dentist.
In some cases, the decay could be quite deep and close to the nerve of the tooth, in these instances, the nerve could already be infected with bacteria even though a filling has been placed, there is still a good chance that the tooth may need to go under root canal therapy to relieve the discomfort. Also, composite fillings may change color over time, and can sometimes chip away from the tooth, please keep in mind the longevity of a filling depends in large part on your oral hygiene and diet. Be sure to maintain your filling with proper brushing and flossing if you have any additional questions please consult Dr. Lieu.
During the first part of your check-up, we will look to see if sealants will be helpful for you, sealants are protection for your teeth. A sealant is made from a plastic-like material and is painted on the chewing surfaces of your teeth to protect them from cavities. If your dentist decides that sealants would help protect your teeth they will either decide to place the sealant on the first visit or schedule a follow-up visit.
You have probably seen others wearing a mouth guard during a game of football, basketball or hockey if you play sports, or if you’re just worried about injuring or knocking out your teeth, you can ask your dentist about a custom made mouthguard. A mouth guard will protect your teeth, lips, gums, and cheeks from injury, a mouth guard is simple to make and it can be the difference between keeping your smile and repairing or replacing a broken tooth. If you have any additional questions please consult Dr. Lieu.
Root canal therapy refers to a treatment in which your dentist, removes the bacteria infection that has entered your tooth pulp or nerve chamber. Why would you need a root canal? There are several reasons why, your tooth may become irritated and inflamed such as deep decay, big fillings, trauma to the tooth, chipped tooth, or even repeated dental work. Here’s how it works, a root canal treatment is routinely performed in one or more visits. First, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the tooth, so that the procedure is more comfortable next, your dentist will place a protective shield or a rubber dam, to keep the tooth clean and saliva free once numbness sets in. An opening is made through the top part of the tooth, root canal files are used to clean and shape the inside of the canals, and prepare the root canal for a final filling material.
During the process, a cleansing solution is used to help clean out any remaining bacteria or tooth debris X Rays may also be taken periodically during the procedure to inform your dentist of the ongoing process once the bacteria is successfully removed your dentist will make the decision whether to continue with the root canal filling procedure or to postpone it for the next visit. This decision depends on the degree of your infection and the professional judgment of your dentist when the root canal filling is performed it is generally done by placing a rubber-like material with a sealer that fills the entire length of the root canal, a temporary filling is then placed on the tooth. Please keep in mind that root canal therapy treats the diseased pulp of the tooth, but the treatment is not complete until the tooth is restored to a functional stage this means, a Crown or similar type of dental work is necessary to make the tooth operational again. After completion of root canal therapy, you might feel some discomfort for a few days following the treatment, to alleviate the discomfort you can follow your dentist recommendation on taking an over-the-counter pain medication, a more extreme cases your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic and prescription-strength pain reliever to help reduce any remaining infection following root canal therapy.
You should never chew directly on the repaired tooth until its final restoration has occurred or your tooth may crack, also keep in mind that the longer you wait to complete the final restoration the more likely bacteria will re-infect the treated canal requiring the therapy to be performed all over again. Root canal therapy, like every other treatment, is not free of unknowns and complications there is a possibility that during the procedure a shaping file could break and get stuck in the root canal, or that the root of the tooth fractures in other cases it’s possible to miss a hidden root or an extra canal that’s in need of treatment Lastly, a good seal may not be achieved due to the shape of the root, of course, these complications are the exceptions, not the norm, in the event that root canal therapy is unsuccessful your dentist can discuss alternative options, including repeating the treatment or extracting the infected tooth. Please keep in mind, that the longevity of your tooth and its root canal depends in large part on your oral hygiene and diet, so be sure to maintain your teeth with proper brushing and flossing, if you have any additional questions please consult Dr. Lieu.
Once your dentist has identified the infection inside your tooth, you may be wondering, what other options you have besides getting a root canal? The first option is to do nothing, however, if the bacteria is not removed it will work its way to the tip of the root and eventually into your bone, once it does, it will cause an Abscess, an infection. Obviously, this course of action or inaction is not recommended, your second choice is to extract or remove the tooth, be aware if you simply extract the tooth, the space caused by the missing tooth will cause the surrounding teeth to shift into that space this shift could cause a misalignment in your mouth that can result in problems with your jaw. In addition, these shifted teeth are harder to clean making them more susceptible to gum disease, decay, or even additional tooth loss. If you do elect to pull the tooth your best plan would be to replace it with a dental appliance such as an implant or a bridge, this, of course, would add more expense to the treatment In addition to the loss of your tooth.
A tooth extraction refers to the procedure of removing a tooth from its socket. Before we start it’s important that you notify your dentist of your medical condition such as whether you have any artificial joints, diabetes, or a history of heart and valve conditions. You should also inform your dentist of any medications you are currently or have previously taken, such as Redux, Phen-Fen blood thinners, or importantly medications that contain bisphosphonates . Here is how an extraction is done first, the local anesthetic is applied to make the procedure more comfortable, in some cases your dentist will elect to use nitrous oxide gas, in addition to the anesthetic once the area is numb, the extraction begins.
A dental instrument called an elevator is used to wiggle the tooth in its socket after the tooth is loose and it is removed using forceps or in some more complicated cases a surgical handpiece is also used to assist with the removal of the tooth. Like most other procedures tooth extractions are not free of possible complications, you should be aware that there is a slight chance of infection, tenderness, prolonged bleeding, dry socket, and loosening of neighboring teeth or their fillings or crowns. Another rare possibility, is a tooth being displaced into the sinus during an extraction of an upper tooth Lastly, jaw fracture is also a very rare possibility, you need to be aware of the importance of replacing this missing tooth, why? Once a tooth is removed, the space created by the missing tooth will allow the surrounding teeth to shift into that space, this shift could cause a misalignment in your mouth that can result in chewing or jaw joint problems.
Shifting teeth are harder to clean, making them more susceptible to gum disease, decay, or even additional tooth loss. For these reasons, it’s important to replace the tooth with a dental appliance such as a bridge, a removable partial denture, or an implant. In some instances, you may be considering the option of pulling a tooth rather than simply repairing it, while it may be less expensive in the short run, in the long run, it may cost you more as you just heard once a tooth is pulled you still need to fill the space with the dental appliance. To avoid future complications if you add the cost of extraction plus the replacement of the tooth you may simply be better off repairing it, please be sure to ask your dentist for proper home care and postoperative instruction care.
Your third molars, commonly known as your wisdom teeth are typically the last teeth to erupt in your mouth if healthy and functional your wisdom teeth can be useful. However, there are also reasons behind why you may need to consider removing your wisdom teeth in some cases, your wisdom teeth are in fact healthy but because of orthodontic treatment, they need to be removed anyway. In other cases your wisdom teeth can become impacted or only partially erupt through the gum in a misalignment when impacted or partially impacted your wisdom teeth can cause swelling, pain, and even infection of the surrounding gum, they can also put pressure on the adjacent teeth which can result in permanent damage to these otherwise healthy teeth and their surrounding bone.
Sometimes, impacted or partially impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to the formation of cysts and in worst-case scenarios even tumors, which could potentially destroy an entire section of your jaw. Lastly, a fully erupted wisdom tooth needs to be removed because they are very hard to clean and could cause severe tooth decay, so For these reasons sometimes the smart move is to have your wisdom teeth removed. Before we start it’s important that you notify your dentist of your medical condition such as whether you have any artificial joints, diabetes, or a history of heart and valve conditions, you should also inform your dentist of any medications you are currently or have previously taken such as Redux, Phen-Fen blood thinners, or importantly medications that contain Bisphosphonates . Whether your dentist or a specialist is performing the extraction the procedure is the same, first, a local anesthetic is given to make the procedure more comfortable, in some cases, your doctor may elect to administer nitrous oxide gas In addition to the anesthetic or use a general anesthetic to put you under entirely. Once the area is numb the extraction begins, a dental instrument called an elevator is used to wiggle the tooth in its socket after the tooth is loose and it is removed using forceps or in some more complicated cases a surgical handpiece is also used to assist with the removal of the tooth.
Like most other procedures tooth extraction is not free of possible complications, you should be aware that there is a slight chance of infection, tenderness, prolonged bleeding, dry socket, loosening of neighboring teeth, or their fillings or crowns. Another rare possibility is a tooth being displaced into the sinus, during an extraction of an upper tooth. A jaw fracture is also a very rare possibility. When should you have your wisdom teeth removed? There is no single right answer for everyone, however, if your dentist has advised that your wisdom teeth look potentially problematic, it’s generally best to remove them sooner, rather than later. This advice is based on the fact that the younger you are the faster you heal the likelihood of lingering numbness, jaw fracture, or other complications also increases with age. Lastly the longer you leave the troublesome wisdom tooth in your mouth, the longer it has to cause further problems in the future, so listen to your dentist and don’t delay the removal of your wisdom teeth when advised. Please be sure to ask your dentist for proper home care and postoperative instruction care if you have any additional questions please consult Dr. Lieu.
Now that the extraction is completed, here is some advice to help you with the healing process. Do put pressure on the wound first to control any bleeding put constant pressure on the wound by biting on the gauze, also change the Gauze every few minutes for about a couple of hours, a cold compress or ice packs can also help this process. Do stay on a soft diet for the first few days after the extraction, you should stay on a soft diet this decreases the chances that you will disturb the site of the surgery. After a few days it is generally OK to resume your normal diet, do take the pain medicine following the extraction, it is very common to experience some discomfort, normally at the site of the anesthetic or the extraction site itself to alleviate the discomfort you should follow your dentist recommendation on taking an over-the-counter pain medication, when necessary your dentist may decide to prescribe a stronger pain medicine to manage higher levels of pain.
Do not disturb the site of the extraction! Make sure that you do not disturb the extraction site, this means Do not chew, rinse, or brush directly on the site for at least 24 to 48 hours, do not spit or suck through a straw. This is important because using a straw often causes suction that can remove the blood clot, loss of the blood clot causes bleeding or a painful condition called dry socket. Do not smoke, it is important that you do not smoke for at least 24 hours following the extraction, as smoking promotes the likelihood of bleeding and further delays the healing. Smoking may also cause a dry socket sometimes you may experience discomfort when opening your mouth this is due to muscle spasm or trismus which usually heals on its own in a few days. A little bleeding, swelling and discomfort is normal after a tooth extraction, however, if you have any unusual bleeding beyond 4 to 6 hours post-operation it is important that you contact your dentist immediately or seek assistance at your local emergency room if you are unable to reach your dentist. If everything seems normal you can start to rinse with warm salt water 24 hours post-operation, and be sure to keep the area as clean as possible. Visit your dentist for a checkup in one week after the surgery, so your dentist can remove any suture’s and examine the wound to make sure it is healing properly, unless you have complications in which you need to visit your dentist sooner. If you have any additional questions please consult your dentist
Everyone knows that straight teeth give you a beautiful smile, did you know that straighter teeth can also affect your overall health crooked or misaligned teeth also known as malocclusion, affects 74% of American adults. Left untreated, crooked teeth can lead to periodontal disease, and create abnormal amounts of stress on teeth and jaws, which can lead to premature wear the effects of crooked teeth can worsen over time and may adversely affect your overall health. Common types of misalignment include crowding, spacing deep bite, open bite, crossbite, edge to edge bite, and excessive overbite. Crooked teeth can affect your bite, creating unnatural stress and pressure, leading to premature wear on your teeth that are subject to excessive pressure can develop chipping and notches at the gum line.
Overtime the excessive force may also cause flattened or worn down teeth, chipping and fractures at the edges of teeth. Additionally, a bad bite may produce improper forces on the jaw joint, that may lead to pain in the jaw, earache, and even headaches, premature wear can lead to gum recession, poor bone support at the roots, loose teeth and eventually tooth loss. Teeth that fit together correctly last longer, and are likely to need less costly dentistry in the future. Correctly positioning your teeth for proper alignment and function, will help prevent future dental problems and make a significant difference toward a healthy mouth. Keeping your teeth for life, ask your doctor and hygienist today about Invisalign a series of clear aligners, that are custom made to gradually move and align your teeth and start on the road to a healthier you today.
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