Improving Your Smile and Oral Health with Cosmetic Dentistry in Torrance

A healthy smile is powerful; it impacts personal and social interactions, psychological health and overall wellness. Cosmetic dentistry, the field of dentistry focused primarily on the aesthetics of teeth, has helped patients achieve healthy, attractive smiles. Cosmetic procedures such as dentures and fillings have changed throughout the centuries, evolving from rudimentary and often painful methods, to the safe treatments available today.

Cosmetic dentists today have a variety of methods that not only improve the beauty of a smile but also increase the entire dentition’s function. These treatments are focus on sustaining the health and well-being of the whole mouth as well as creating a more beautiful smile. Some of these dual-purpose cosmetic procedures include:

·         Teeth Whitening

·         Fillings

·         Dentures

·         Dental Implants

·         Orthodontics (Braces)

·         Veneers

·         Inlays and Onlays

·         Crowns and Bridges

·         Gum Surgery and Restorations

Cosmetic Dentistry in Torrance: The Healthy Option

While some may argue that cosmetic dental procedures are unnecessary, many procedures actually target and correct damage caused by dental conditions. For example, several cosmetic procedures and therapies address the damaging effects of tooth misalignment. Other treatments, such as fillings, involve removing pockets of infection, halting the spread of disease, while also preventing a recurrence of dental decay. Still others, such as tooth restoration procedures and veneers, reinforce weakened dental structures while providing structural rehabilitation to the smile.

All procedures that improve dental health can be considered cosmetically beneficial; clean and healthy teeth and gums look better, and they promote and support a healthier lifestyle. Good dental health is also an indicator of overall wellness; advancements have demonstrated a direct link between poor dental health and a plethora of medical and physical problems, such as heart conditions, stroke, and diabetes.

Technological advancements have also helped patients achieve a greater level of comfort during care. Cosmetic procedures utilize biocompatible material as well as innovative technology to create more effective, longer lasting treatment plans. These more advanced techniques also help encourage better oral hygiene post-treatment, improving the patient’s overall oral health.

If you are looking to improve your smile, contact Blue Sky Family Dental inTorrance. Dr. Mondavi is dedicated to improving oral health with an artistic approach to beautiful results. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about improving your smile and oral health with cosmetic dentistry.

The Fight against Gum Disease

Gum disease is among the most common dental health conditions, afflicting millions every year. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 47% of all American adults have mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis, the advanced form of periodontal (gum) disease. (perio.org)

These days, it's rare to find a dentist who's not passionate about raising gum disease awareness. Although very common, gum disease – or, periodontal disease – is highly preventable. By focusing on good hygiene, gum disease can be treated, and even eradicated altogether. Although initially easy to miss, gum disease is a dangerous condition that can lead to more serious health problems. Because of this, Dr. Robert Mondavi of Blue Sky Family Dental keeps a watchful eye for signs of gum disease at every routine exam.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is the infection of the gums (soft tissue) around the teeth. When left untreated, bacterial buildup creates a plaque on teeth, eroding enamel and attacking the roots. The disease can cause receding, puffy and bleeding gums, bad breath, and eventually lead to loosened or missing teeth.

In severe cases, bone and soft tissue are irreversibly damaged, which can have harmful side effects. Physicians have determined that there is a significant link between heart disease, diabetes and risk of stroke with patients who live with gum disease.

Causes of Gum Disease

Multiple factors can affect the levels of bacteria in a person's mouth, although neglect and a lack of dental hygiene is often the primary reason for the progression of gum disease. Other risk factors include:

·         Stress

·         Heredity

·         Diabetes

·         Smoking

·         Immune deficiency

·         Medications that cause dry mouth

·         Hormone changes, such as pregnancy.

A Healthy Mouth = A Healthy Body

Gum disease can be tackled by increasing attention paid to dental hygiene, both at home and by attending regular dental checkups. The existence of periodontal disease isn't always obvious; many patients do not know they have it until hygienists discover it during an exam.

To prevent gum disease, dental professionals recommend brushing and flossing every day, which removes residual bacterial buildup. Also, the American Dental Academy recommends seeing a dentist for regular checkups at least once a year, or more often if necessary. It is important to promptly address any major changes in the health of your teeth..

Contact your Torrance Dentist, Blue Sky Family Dental, to find out more about gum disease and treatment options, or schedule an appointment.

Dental Hygienists – The First Line of Dental Defense

Preventive dental care involves regular flossing, brushing, healthy diet and visiting the dentist for routine cleanings and checkups. While at-home care is a vital part of establishing well-being, dental cleanings from a qualified dental hygienist are necessary for overall good oral health.  

Fighting Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

According to the American Dental Academy (ADA), over 47% of adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease (ada.org). Preventive care can significantly reduce the presence of bacterial infection that can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Gum disease – otherwise known as periodontal disease – is highly common, yet wholly preventable. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar, which gradually attacks the soft tissue, causing inflammation, bleeding, and even tooth loss. 

Cleanings and Treatments

The American Dental Academy recommends visiting the dentist at least once every six months – more if needed. This is because dental issues, including gum disease, are often difficult to identify during the early stages of development, and can only be diagnosed by a trained professional. Dental hygienists perform cleanings using special tools to remove tartar, plaque and mineral buildup from the surface of the teeth, and below the gum line. Other preventive dentaltreatments include dental sealants, and fluoride to strengthen and protect dental enamel from decay. 

Cost-Savings

Regular cleanings not only save patients from discomfort, infections and disease, they also save you money. Preventive care helps people avoid invasive and costly deep cleanings and dental treatments, which include tooth restorations and corrective periodontal surgery.

Education and Guidance

Regular dental visits offer dental hygienists the opportunity to pass along good advice to patients. Because they are able to identify potentially problematic areas, dental hygienists can offer customized guidance according to their patients’ needs and lifestyle. Knowledgeable hygienists can also provide information regarding at-home care, including how to select the right toothbrush and proper flossing techniques.

Preventive care is vital to our health and well-being. Arm yourself with one of the best weapons in the fight against gum disease and tooth decay, and visit your dental hygienist regularly for a professional cleaning and checkup. You'll be glad you did – now, and in the future.

Contactour Torrance dental office today to schedule your next appointment.

Invisalign – The Clear Path to a Healthy Smile

Many adults want to correct their smile without the bulky, unattractive wires and brackets associated with traditional brace wear. Invisalign® is a teeth-straightening system that uses a series of clear, removable, plastic trays to make incremental adjustments to teeth. The aligners address issues of crowding, spacing, and overbite in a more aesthetically pleasing orthodontic alternative for adults and teens. 

The Many Advantages of Invisalign®

Invisalign offers a more comfortable teeth-straightening experience. The system use a single set of impressions and detailed imaging to accurately project how teeth should be adjusted. Clear plastic aligners, or trays, are customized to gradually achieve the patient's desired smile.

The clear plastic aligners are far more comfortable than wire and metal and, as removable devices, they also offer a easier care routine than traditional braces. The appliance should be worn for a minimum of 23 hours each day; however, the patient can remove it for short periods of time during meals. They are able to eat and drink without diet restrictions, and brush and floss normally. 

Confidence in your Smile

With Invisalign, patients aren't encumbered with an uncomfortable corrective device. People who would otherwise feel self-conscious in social and professional settings can relax – the clear Invisalign trays are virtually undetectable.

Maintaining a Healthy Smile

Invisalign gives patients the opportunity to stay in control of their dental health. Traditional orthodontics can make it difficult to keep teeth clean and free of plaque buildup -- the metal brackets and wires make flossing extremely challenging. Invisalign makes it possible for patients to maintain a daily cleaning routine of thorough brushing and flossing. Because it is removable, the device itself can be cleaned to remove disease-causing bacteria.  

If you're thinking it's time for braces, talk to your Torrance dentist at Blue Sky Family Dental to see if Invisalign® is right for you. Dr. Robert Mondavi will help you achieve a healthy, beautiful and confident smile.

Contact us today!

Root Canal or Extraction?

Saving teeth is a dentist's primary concern – a tooth can be lost by periodontal (gum) disease and severe tooth decay. When conditions are left alone and are given time to move into the pulp and/or roots of a tooth, your dentist will have to determine if a root canal can save the tooth or if extraction is necessary.

In the past, a severe tooth problem would lead to extraction. Thanks to advancements in dental technology and procedures, dentists are able to focus on saving the tooth whenever possible.

Getting a Root Canal

A root canal involves removing the diseased pulp – the soft inner part of the tooth containing nerves, tissue and blood vessels – and eliminating infection, in order to save the tooth. It is used to treat inflammation, a dying tooth, or a necrotic (dead) tooth. After the pulp is removed, the chamber and root canals are filled and sealed with the rubber-like material, gutta-percha. The remaining tooth structure is then capped with a crown, in order to resume the natural function of the tooth. 

Extraction

Extraction is final -- it is the removal of the affected tooth/teeth. In cases of a single extraction, patients are given local anesthetic to numb the area – more complex situations, or multiple teeth may require general anesthetic to prevent wide-spread pain. When an infected or severely damaged tooth is removed, other options, such as dental implant-supported crowns and dentures are suggested as a solution to fill the gap. 

Which One is Better for You?

An experienced dental professional can offer in-depth information and advice on how best to proceed. However, when making your decision, it is worth keeping a few things in mind:

Cost – Every case is different, so it is important to find out fromyour dentist what your options are and how they may affect your long-term health. Simple extractions are affordable, but replacing the teeth will add to the price. A root canal is a one-time procedure that only takes 1-2 visits, and doesn't usually require follow-up appointments, other than routine checkups.

Oral health – Simply extracting the tooth leaves a space. If not filled, the gap can cause the surrounding teeth to shift. Shifting teeth cause more problems, such as jaw pain, and stress on other remaining, natural teeth. Crowns or caps will cover-up and protect the remaining original tooth after root canal therapy, protecting your bite..

Understanding your situation – It is best to talk to your dentist about your options. Dr. Mondavi wants you to be happy with your smile but will also have your best health interests in mind. Ultimately, you are the deciding factor in which treatment/procedure is done. Take the time to listen to the pros and cons and how they may affect your health and your budget.

If you are having continuous tooth pain, it is time to talk to your dentist. BlueSky Family Dental, your Torrance dentist office includes a trained staff to help you with questions, insurance claims and understanding the next step in restoring health into your smile. Contact our office today.      

A Closer Look at Dentures through the Years

Not everyone keeps their natural teeth throughout their entire life – studies conducted by the American College of Prosthodontists indicate over 178 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth. Tooth loss occurs for many reasons; gum disease, tooth decay, injury or trauma, cancer, or simply wear over time.

Dental solutions are available to people who are missing teeth. Dentures have come a long way over the centuries, and modern materials and techniques have improved the process of customizing and fitting a new set of teeth. These days, we don't have to sacrifice so much to regain our smiles!

Dentures through the Years

The first known set of dentures were made in Italy by the Etruscan people of Etruria, and date to approximately 700 BC. These basic appliances consisted of teeth from an animal or another person, fastened onto a gold band with a metal pin, and fitted onto the remaining teeth.

Dentures were not for the masses, and the only people who could afford them were the wealthy upper-class. As dentures developed, dentists discovered different solutions to restorations, such as using the hard rubbery material, vulcanite as a base for false teeth. In 1820, a silversmith and goldsmith by the name of Claudius Ash created dentures consisting of 18-karat gold plates and porcelain crowns, featuring gold springs and swivels. Both aesthetically pleasing, and more functional than older models, these dentures marked a turning point in tooth restorations.

Contemporary Tooth Restorations

Modern dentures offer patients reliable solutions to a host of dental problems, including aesthetics. Dentures provide stability and a full range of function. Dentures can be complete or partial – complete dentures are required when no natural teeth remain, while partial dentures are used to replace a series of missing teeth.

Advanced technological improvements have brought additional benefits to traditional dentures by means of dentalimplants. Fixed and removable dentures give patients the added assurance that their denture plate will stay in place. Because the titanium post fused to the bone, the dental implant will also help to maintain the health of the surrounding bone and soft tissue.

If you are missing teeth or are looking to improve your current denture, contact our Torrance office for more details. Dr. Mondavi will discuss your options to improve your smile with comfortable, natural looking dentures.

Welcome to our Blue Sky Family Dental blog!

We're excited to announce the official launch of our Blue Sky Family Dental blog.

We'll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry.

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Here's to your best oral health ever!