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Invisalign® is a teeth alignment treatment. Many patients prefer the Invisalign® system to traditional metal braces because of the increased comfort and convenience, as well as the discreet nature of the Invisalign® system.

How does Invisalign® work?

The Invisalign® system utilizes a series of customized clear plastic aligners to achieve teeth straightening. Every few weeks, you receive the next set of aligners in your personal treatment series, which gradually work to move your teeth into the desired positions.

Why use Invisalign®?

There are many benefits associated with the Invisalign® system. First, it is a highly effective teeth straightening treatment. Secondly, it is a comfortable alternative to traditional metal braces. Additionally, it is extremely convenient because the clear aligners are removable for eating and brushing. Finally, because the aligners are clear, no one has to know you are using them!

Who are ideal candidates for Invisalign®?

Most people who are concerned about tooth alignment issues make good candidates for Invisalign®. However, individuals with severe misalignment may be better suited to traditional orthodontic treatments. During your consultation, your dentist will evaluate your needs and help determine which treatment option is right for you.

Are there other ways to improve misalignment?

Porcelain veneers are quickly becoming a popular treatment option for patients who wish to improve misalignment but who do not want to undergo lengthy orthodontic treatments. With porcelain veneers, you can not only correct alignment concerns but also address discoloration, chips, and cracks – often is an little as two office visits.

To learn more about these options, please contact our San Diego cosmetic dentistry center today.

Professional teeth whitening is an increasingly popular treatment. The teeth whitening procedure is a simple and effective way to create a dramatic improvement in the appearance of your smile.

Initial Consultation

In preparation for your treatment, your dentist will give you a full dental check-up and try to analyze where the stains in your mouth have originated. It is important for the dentist to determine this, as it will help him or her decide how effective your treatments will be. If you have particularly difficult staining that your dentist believes will not respond to teeth whitening treatments, he may suggest that you explore other cosmetic dentistry options, such as porcelain veneers, to achieve your desired results.

Treatment Details

On the day of your treatment, your dentist will give you a quick cleaning and then apply peroxide to your teeth. Then, the teeth are exposed to a special light that helps to activate the whitening gel. The professional teeth whitening treatment takes approximately one hour. During this time, you can relax in the dentist's chair while the whitening gel works to remove stains from your teeth.

Expected Results

If you are unhappy about the way your teeth look and you feel that teeth whitening will only give you partial results, you may want to consider porcelain dental veneers. A veneer is a thin piece of porcelain that is permanently adhered to the front of the tooth. Veneers give the appearance of a bright, white, and completely healthy smile.

Treatment Information

Porcelain veneers are custom-designed to fit easily over a tooth, or teeth, to cover worn enamel, spaces, chips, cracks, or even minor misalignments. Porcelain veneers are considered a cosmetic dentistry treatment because they can easily conceal a number of aesthetic concerns. They are an increasingly popular treatment option thanks to their versatility and their reputation for natural-looking results.

Candidacy for Veneers

Before you have the porcelain veneers applied to your teeth, your dentist will need to make sure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. If too many of your teeth have cavities or are in an advanced state of decay, you may not qualify. Your teeth will need to be healthy, but stained or discolored to the point where teeth whitening will not be effective. After your initial consultation, your dentist will make a mold of your teeth so that the porcelain veneers can be made specifically to fit your mouth.

Procedure Details

On the day you get your porcelain veneers, your dentist will give you a cleaning to remove any plaque or tartar from your teeth. A small layer of enamel will be removed from the front surfaces of your teeth to make room for the veneers, which will then be permanently bonded in place. You may notice a bit of an adjustment period as you get used to the feeling of having veneers on your teeth, and you will likely be asked to forego food and water for a few hours following your procedure, but by the end of the day, you can resume normal activities. 

Sedation dentistry is a good choice for individuals who are so afraid to go to the dentist that they avoid getting necessary and important dental care. Approximately 30 percent of the population avoids going to the dentist because of dental phobia. This can cause problems with oral health and dental issues that can affect the functionality and health of the entire mouth.

Sedation Dentistry Techniques

Sedation dentistry treatment allows the patient to relax throughout their dental procedure. The dental professional administers sedative drugs such as anti-anxiety medicines, depressants, or nitrous oxide. These can be delivered to the patient orally, intravenously, or through inhalation. It is necessary after sedation dentistry for the patient to have someone with them for a few hours. The patient should not be allowed to operate machinery or drive as the effects of the sedation can last up to six hours after being administered.

Oral Conscious Sedation

The most popular way to provide treatment is oral sedation dentistry. This requires no needles and allows the patient to be completely relaxed during the visit. They do still have some level of consciousness that allows for patient cooperation and safety, so they can interact with the dentist but are relaxed and anxiety free through out the entire procedure. Patients often feel like the procedure only lasted a few minutes even when they really underwent hours of treatment. This is particularly useful with lengthy treatments like implant dentistry or other types of dental surgery.

Complimentary Treatments

Sedation dentistry is not a replacement for anesthetic that will need to be used to block pain impulses during the procedure. Local anesthetic will still need to be used after the patient has been properly sedated and is comfortable. Your dentist can explain how these treatments work together in more detail so that you fully understand your care.

If you have missing teeth you may be considering dental implants to restore the health, functionality, and beauty of your smile. Chances are you have a few questions you need answered as well. The following is the most frequently asked questions about dental implants. This information should help you have a better understanding of the dental implants procedure.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. They are manmade, but look very natural. In most cases a dental implant is comprised of a titanium post that is surgically integrated with the jawbone topped by a porcelain replacement tooth.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

During the implant placement procedure, anesthesia is used to minimize any discomfort. As with any dental surgery, you may experience minor discomfort after the procedure as the area around the implant heals. However, this can be eased with pain medication.

How Long Does the Entire Process Take?

After the first step of the implant placement procedure, a healing period of about six months is necessary to allow the implant rod time to fuse with the jaw bone. Once this process is complete, you return to the dentist's office to have the replacement tooth positioned onto the implant rod.

Are Dental Implants Permanent?

Typically, dental implants are considered a permanent solution. When properly cared for, dental implants last most patients the rest of their life. In addition to this, they do not require any special maintenance beyond basic brushing and flossing.

To learn more about dental implants, please contact our San Diego cosmetic dentistry center today.

There are many different causes of dental imperfections. Fortunately, there are just as many cosmetic dentistry options to correct these dental imperfections. Learning more about each of these options will help you to determine if they are right for you.

Dental Implants

If you have missing teeth, dental implants can be an excellent treatment option. A dental implant is made up of a titanium post topped by a natural-looking porcelain replacement tooth. The implant is placed directly in the jaw bone so that it is there permanently, providing a beautiful, healthy-looking smile for years to come.

Teeth Whitening

Stained or discolored teeth are a common complaint among dental patients. You can easily brighten your smile with professional teeth whitening. This simple procedure is completed in the dentist's office and reveals a healthy new smile in about an hour.

Porcelain Veneers

One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry options is porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers can be used to conceal cracked, chipped, stained, and misaligned teeth. They are thin ceramic shells that slide over your existing tooth. Once porcelain veneers are placed, any sign of a dental imperfection is completely hidden.

Invisalign®

Regardless of age people want their teeth to be straight. Invisalign® clear braces allow patients to achieve straighter teeth without the embarrassment or hassles of metal braces. The Invisalign® system straightens teeth using a series of clear plastic aligners that gently move your teeth into their desired position.

To learn more about these and other cosmetic dentistry options, please contact our San Diego cosmetic dentistry center today.

The Invisalign® system uses a series of clear, removable teeth aligners to straighten teeth. These aligners are made specifically for each individual, and are changed out every two weeks.

Getting Started with Invisalign® 

To get Invisalign® you must visit your orthodontist or dentist. Once it is decided that you are a good candidate for Invisalign®, your dentist will take dental impressions, x-rays, and pictures of your teeth. At this point a three dimensional model of your teeth is created. It is from this model that the plastic resin aligner is manufactured for each stage.

Invisalign® Benefits

Metal braces can be unsightly, as well as uncomfortable, and they tend to pose a problem when it comes to eating. The Invisalign® system does not have any of these limitations. The clear aligners are nearly undetectable, and much more comfortable to wear. The can even be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing.

Another advantage to the Invisalign® system is that it works faster. The use of metal braces to straighten teeth can take anywhere from three to four years, but with the Invisalign® system, treatment can be completed in as little as 12 to 18 months.

With all of the unique advantages of the Invisalign® system, it is not surprising that this orthodontic treatment option has become exceptionally popular. After treatment with Invisalign®, many patients consider teeth whitening to complete their smile transformation. To learn more about these options, please contact our San Diego cosmetic dentistry center today.