TEETH
Porcelain Crowns
A crown (cap) is a restoration that is placed on teeth that have lost a lot of their structure. There are various types of crowns, ranging from full porcelain to full metal. Dr Arredondo will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each kind for you.
The process of making a crown includes a number of steps, beginning with preparing and taking impressions of the tooth/teeth involved. A temporary crown is then placed on your teeth. Meanwhile, the impressions are sent to the lab where a mold of the teeth is poured and the work begins. The completed work is sent back to the office; after inspection and any necessary adjustments, it is cemented onto your teeth permanently!
Root Canal
Every tooth consists of three different layers. The outermost and hardest layer is enamel, and the second layer is dentin. The third is pulp, which is the cavernous 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, such as when you have a large cavity or a fractured tooth. Dr. Arredondo can explain the exact reason for damage to this tissue. In these cases, the treatment is usually root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment is the process of going inside the pulp space and removing the infected, dead tissue. The space is then disinfected using advanced laser light energy and sealed with special materials. Nowadays, root canal treatments are performed with advanced techniques and materials, making them far more comfortable and faster. After root canal treatment is complete, Dr. Arredondo will place a crown on your tooth to safeguard against fracture and to properly seal the tooth from leakage back into the disinfected root canal treatment.
Tooth Colored Fillings
When considering tooth fillings, one of the options available are composite fillings which are made from durable plastics that are similar in color to natural teeth. Because the composite fillings are tooth-colored, they look more natural and are less noticeable compared to other types of fillings. Another benefit of tooth-colored fillings is that they are compatible with sealants allowing Dr. Arredondo to perform both procedures in a single sitting preventing further decay. There are other advantages to composite, tooth-colored fillings, most importantly the capability of bonding to tooth structure. Also in many cases they can be repaired by addition of more composite material. Speak with Dr. Arredondo to learn more about these exciting and natural filling materials.
Dental Bridge
If you have a space from a missing tooth or teeth, a bridge will be custom made to fill in the space with a false tooth or teeth. The false tooth is attached by the bridge to the two other teeth around the space – bridging them together.
Dr. Arredondo will prepare your teeth on either side of the space for the false tooth. You will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the area, and Dr. Arredondo will remove a small amount from each tooth in front and behind the missing tooth to accommodate for the thickness of the crown.
Dr. Arredondo will then make an impression, which will serve as the model from which the bridge, false tooth and crowns will be made by a dental laboratory. A temporary bridge will be placed for you to wear while your bridge is being made until your next visit. This temporary bridge will serve to protect your teeth and gums.
On your second appointment, the temporary bridge will be removed. Your new permanent bridge will be fitted, checked and adjusted for any bite discrepancies. Your new bridge will then be cemented to your teeth permanently!
GUMS
Adult Prophy
Our professional cleaning of teeth is sometimes referred to as prophylaxis (or prophy for short). It’s a Greek word which means “to prevent beforehand” – in this case, it helps prevent gum disease.
Dental cleanings involve removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and tartar (calculus) deposits that have built up on the teeth over time. Your teeth are continually bathed in saliva which contains calcium and other substances which help strengthen and protect the teeth. While this is a good thing, it also means that we tend to get a build-up of calcium deposits on the teeth. This chalky substance will eventually build up over time, like lime scale in a pipe or kettle. Usually it is tooth colored and can easily be mistaken as part of the teeth, but it also can vary from brown to black in color.
If the scale, or calculus (tartar, as we often call it) is allowed to accumulate on the teeth it will unfortunately provide the right conditions for bacteria to thrive next to the gums. The purpose of the cleaning and polishing is basically to leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria are unable to stick to them and you have a better chance of keeping the teeth clean during your regular home care.
Also it leaves your teeth feeling lovely and smooth and clean, which is nice when you run your tongue around them.
Deep Cleaning
If plaque and tartar is left on the teeth it provides the right conditions for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria irritate the gums and causes them to bleed more easily. You may notice this if you are brushing your teeth, or eating, and sometimes your gums may bleed a bit. This is the early stage of gum disease called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, our hygienist will clean your teeth by scaling and polishing them. She will show you how to brush and floss your teeth effectively because most adults have some degree of gum disease.
If gingivitis is not treated and nothing is done about it, the inflammation will work its way down towards the foundations of the tooth causing a “periodontal pocket”. Again, within the confines of the pocket, the conditions are such that the bacteria can thrive, and cause more damage.
Gum disease can break down the support (bone) structures of the teeth, so that eventually, they will become loose. The problem is that until it gets quite severe, the person often has no symptoms. Sadly, the damage to the support structures of the teeth is irreversible. The good news is that if gum disease is caught in time, its progression can be halted and improved upon, and that is the key.
To stop gum disease from progressing, Dr. Arredondo may advise periodontal therapy, or deep cleaning. This gets rid of the bacteria in the pocket and provides the necessary conditions for healing to occur.
Brushing and Flossing
Your teeth can last a lifetime if you practice basic dental care, which involves brushing and flossing regularly, eating a mouth-healthy diet, and visiting your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings. Developing good dental health habits is the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
BITE
Complete Dentures
If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll be able to eat and speak—things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.
There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are dentures that replace only a limited number of teeth, and not an entire set. Partial dentures are a single piece fitting that is supported by the remaining teeth and gums. They are much more secure than complete dentures, and are more comfortable. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by a metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. Precision attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and they are nearly invisible. Crowns on your natural teeth may improve the fit of a removable partial denture and they are usually required with attachments. Dr. Arredondo will let you know which type is right for you.
Extractions
Before the tooth extraction process is begun, Dr. Arredondo will of course need to anesthetize both the tooth that will be extracted and the bone and gum tissue that surround it. The plan for any extraction is simply this: The root portion of a tooth is firmly encased in bone (its socket) and tightly bound within this socket by a ligament. During the extraction process, Dr. Arredondo needs to both “expand the socket” (widen and enlarge it) and separate the tooth from its ligament, to the point where the tooth is loose and free to come out. And after repeated application of pressure to a tooth, from many different directions, the entire socket becomes larger. Finally, enough space will have been created so that the tooth will come out. You will feel the sensation of pressure while you are having your tooth wiggled free, but don’t confuse this with pain or the precursor to feeling pain. The reason you will feel pressure during the tooth extraction process is because our bodies have different types of nerve fibers, each of which carry different types of sensations. And each of these different types of nerve fibers has different physical characteristics. Due to these differences, the local anesthetic that we use to “numb up” a tooth is very effective at inhibiting the function of nerve fibers that transmit pain sensations, but it doesn’t have as great an effect on the nerves that transmit pressure sensations. So, expect to feel some pressure during the tooth extraction process, but don’t assume that this indicates that you will soon be feeling pain because it doesn’t. If you do find you feel pain (discomfort that has a sharpness to it) during the extraction process, we will stop and boost your anesthetic.
Night Guard
About 50-95% of the population are bruxers, half of whom become chronic enough to require treatment. Bruxism (teeth grinding) can occur at any time, but it’s most common at night while sleeping. Because it happens during sleep, most people don’t know they brux until their dentist tells them that they are showing signs of bruxing. Often a spouse or family member hears the grinding sound. When diagnosed early, teeth grinding can be treated before it causes permanent damage to the teeth
SMILE
Home Bleaching
Teeth stains are inevitable due to our consumption of a variety of foods and drinks. However, advanced teeth whitening technology has enabled Dr. Arredondo to whiten teeth without adversely affecting the tooth structure.
Almost all whitening methods are similar in concept, but some are much more effective because of the way the whitening material is delivered to the teeth. Another contributing factor is the concentration of the material, which is why less potent over-the-counter whitening systems usually don’t give patients the results they are hoping for.
Our main method of professional whitening is the use of bleach trays. In tray whitening, an impression is taken and a custom tray is made for our guests. Then, a supply of whitening gel is given and our guest wears the tray for a few hours each day for a period of time until an acceptable result is achieved. Sensitivity of the teeth is a normal side-effect of this whitening method and is almost always transitional.
Veneers
This is one way to quickly get that beautiful smile you have longed for. Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to the surface of the teeth. This can change their shape, shade, and position to improve the cosmetics of your teeth and smile. They are also used to replace and restore any lost tooth structure where indicated.
Dr Arredondo will do a complete examination of your teeth to determine if veneers are ideal for you. Veneers often provide the opportunity to dramatically transform the esthetics of your teeth and smile.
Veneers can enhance the shape of your teeth, make your teeth as white as you want, and give you the smile you have always desired. Additionally, veneers are bonded to your tooth structure, which gives them strength.
Complete Dentures
If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll be able to eat and speak—things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.
There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.