Effectiveness of Invisalign

For more than 20 years, the Invisalign system has discreetly and effectively improved the smiles of millions of dental patients, including many who visit our Torrance dentist.

Invisalign is one of our most requested treatments because it has such a wide appeal. The alignment trays are clear, so most people will not notice you wearing them. Patients must remove Invisalign trays before eating or drinking anything except water. Because the trays are removable, the food restrictions common for other braces are not a problem. Invisalign patients receive new alignment trays about once a month; this eliminates painful tightening and adjustments endured by patients wearing traditional braces. It is easy to see what attracts patients to Invisalign. However, many patients ask our Invisalign dentist in Torrance if the Invisalign system is effective.

The treatment is highly effective and receives excellent reviews from patients and professionals. There are a few circumstances where Invisalign excels as the best option for orthodontic care.

• PROPERLY ALIGNING TEETH- Our patients with misaligned teeth love the fact that Invisalign repositions their teeth without the pain and inconvenience of metal braces.
• CORRECT VARIOUS BITE PROBLEMS- Invisalign is a great option for our patients with the following bite problems:

 

• Crossbites
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Openbites

There are a few situations where our dentist would not suggest Invisalign as a treatment option. These include:
• A tooth rotation of more than 20 degrees- Invisalign cannot compensate enough to turn a tooth that is greatly rotated
• A tooth incline of more than 45 degrees- For an extreme incline, traditional braces are the best patient option
• Patients with dental implants- Because Invisalign works by pushing teeth into their best position, the stationary nature of implants means they will not move
• Patients who have dental bridges- Dental bridges are not meant to move, as we see with implants, the Invisalign system works by moving teeth and Invisalign would be a poor choice for those with bridges.

Invisalign is a wonderful option for many of our patients. If you would like to learn more about how Invisalign can help you, please contact our office.

Teeth Whitening Tips

Our patients understand the value of a smile with beautiful white teeth. It boosts self-confidence and is proven to lead to more smiling. There is an increase in patients requesting appointments with our Torrance cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening.

When you come to the office for a whitening consultation, our teeth whitening dentist in Torrance will evaluate your smile and recommend a care plan for you based on the level of staining and the condition of your teeth. If your teeth are not healthy, the dentist will likely advise you on how to restore your teeth to their optimal condition before any whitening treatments. If you have veneers or dental bonding, you should note that a conventional whitening treatment will not increase your teeth’s’ whiteness. Likewise, if your staining is a result of a reaction to medication, a typical whitening treatment will not remove the stains.

Our dentist uses two kinds of whitening for our patients. The first is the in-office whitening and the second is an at-home kit of trays and whitening gel that goes into the trays then placed on your teeth. Both types of professional whitening work well. Usually, our patients choose between the options based on personal preference or time constraints.

When our dentist whitens your teeth in our office, the procedure is painless, and you need no anesthetic. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your whitening appointment.
• Plan on your appointment lasting at least an hour
• Let our dentist know if you experience sensitivity during the whitening process
• The majority of your visit will be spent in our dental chair while the whitening gel removes stains, so you may want an audiobook or some relaxing music to listen to while you wait.

If you purchase a whitening kit to use at home, there are a few things you should know.

• Follow our dentist’s instructions carefully to avoid bleaching your gums or over-whitening your teeth
• Be aware that at home whitening also may lead to tooth sensitivity
• You will need to repeat the treatment to maintain your results

If you are ready to show the world a brilliant smile, contact our office to schedule an appointment for your no-obligation consultation to learn more about your teeth whitening options.

Steps in Getting a Dental Implant

Our office sees numerous patients who want to know more about dental implants. Implants are easily one of the most important dental advancements of our time. From a health standpoint as well as from an aesthetic one, implants improve our patients lives every day.

Often patients ask what steps occur while getting a dental implant. Here is a summary of the events necessary for a dental implant.

The initial steps in your dental implant begin with an examination and a consultation with our dental implant dentist in Torrance. After clearing you for surgery from a medical standpoint as well as assuring you are in good dental health, our dentist will work with you to create a care plan and an approximate timeline for the procedure. Occasionally, patients are unaware that dental implants require months before they are complete and having a timeline to follow is helpful.

The first part of your implant involves the placing of a small titanium screw in the empty socket of your jaw. The screw will function as if it were a root for a tooth. After a period of time, a process called osseointegration takes place. This term means that your body accepts the tiny screw and it fuses with the jaw. This process and the healing of the implant site, take between three and six months. During this time our dentist in Torrance will conduct periodic checks to be sure you are healing well.
Once osseointegration is complete, and the area around your implant heals, you will receive the final two pieces of your implant. Our dentist will place an abutment on the screw to work as a foundation for the visible implant. The implant fits on top of the screw and the abutment, and together they form your complete dental implant.

Going forward, you should care for the implant just as you would care for one of your natural teeth. Regular brushing at least twice a day and flossing along with timely dental checkups will all help you to keep your implant and your natural teeth healthy and beautiful.

How Teeth Can be Replaced with Dental Bridges

For many people missing one or more of their permanent adult teeth, the possibility of improving the look of their smile may feel entirely hopeless. Those same people may also be pleased to learn about the possibility of having a dental bridge placed where the missing tooth once was. Bridges are safe, non-invasive, virtually painless, and mimic the look of natural teeth almost imperceptibly and will also prevent the remaining teeth from shifting toward the open gap.

There are many different types of bridges, but all of them do the same thing – using the support of surrounding structures already existing in the mouth, they suspend one or more false teeth in place, right where the original one or row used to be. The new tooth, called a pontic, can be supported by any of a number of different things, all termed abutments in this context. The most common kind of bridge traditionally administered is affixed to two sturdy, healthy teeth on either side; the pontic is surrounded by two crowns, which, after sculpting down the two real teeth on either side to accommodate the size of the fixture, will be placed over top; this means of tooth replacement is strong enough even to hold fully-functioning molars into place. Cantilever bridges are exactly the same as regular ones, the sole difference being the face that there is only an abutment on one side. The preparation and placement process is identical, but it not a reliable enough option to take the place of load-bearing teeth. Maryland bridges are braced on either side from behind the two abutments, meaning no enamel will need to be removed to make room for two crowns. Again, this method isn’t as reliable as a traditional bridge, but may be suited to some cases. Implant-supported bridges are the final and most drastic measure to be taken when it comes to replacing multiple teeth at once through these means. In cases where there are several consecutive teeth missing in a row, our dentist may elect to only place implants at either extreme, saving your gums and mouth the damage and disruption so many implants at once may cause. Between these two implants is one or more pontics, the same as any other bridge. This option is quite time-consuming and may take months or more the finally achieve your final desired result. It is, however, a strong enough restorative fixture to hold up under the duress that molars endure.

There is no reason not to seek a replacement for any teeth you happen to be missing – from an uninformed perspective, the task may seem daunting and too expensive to consider, but recent breakthroughs in dental and orthodontic technology have made the procedure less dangerous and more affordable than ever before.

Invisalign for New Patients

We all want to have an immaculate smile. Some of us just don’t have that kind of luck. That’s why so many people have turned to Invisalign. These clear plastic aligners are the perfect solution to setting a smile straight.

The treatment process begins with your first consultation. This is necessary to establish whether Invisalign treatment is right for you. The best way to find out is by visiting an Invisalign dentist in Torrance. From there, your doctor will make a custom treatment plan. By scanning your mouth, they can create 3D images, which get sent off to a lab. They will arrive and the orthodontist will help you set them in your mouth. You’ll have to wear your clear aligners 22 hours a day, only taking them out to eat and brush and floss your teeth. Otherwise, they’ll have to be in. That’s the only way to get results.

As a new patient wears them, their teeth will gradually move into perfect position. From here, it may be recommended that patients wear a new aligner every week. This will ensure that the treatment is taking. After several months, your doctor will recommend a retainer. This is the only way to ensure that everything is kept in its proper place.

New patients have to be vigilant when it comes to Invisalign. Not only is oral hygiene important, but wearing your aligners as many as 22 hours per day is the only means of getting results. The convenience of being able to take them out has advantages and disadvantages. Most people won’t even notice that someone is going through treatment because the aligners are so transparent. You’ll be able to do the things you’re used to while straightening your teeth at the same time. The benefits are clear.

How Invisalign Moves the Teeth

Invisalign is the orthodontic treatment preferred by many patients today. Those who require orthodontic work will request this appliance, but we find that most do not know how it actually works. Here is a description of how Invisalign works to move the teeth.

Traditional braces use brackets that are bonded to each tooth, and wires that are threaded through them. These wires are tightened periodically throughout treatment in order to pull the teeth into place. Invisalign works very differently. Instead of brackets and wires, it utilizes trays that fit around the arches like mouth guards. These Invisalign aligners push the teeth into place. Depending on the type and length of your treatment, you could get between ten and thirty aligners, each custom made for your smile.

When first worn, each aligner will fit just a little bit too tight. This is to apply pressure to the teeth in order to move them into straighter, healthier positions, bit by bit. Our Invisalign dentist in Torrance will keep track of your progress at appointments periodically throughout your treatment. A 3D digital model of your smile will also be used in order to show you the ideal development of your teeth movement, and compare with your actual progress.

Our cosmetic dentist in Torrance can answer any questions you may have about the Invisalign process.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious chronic sleep disorder that affects your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Most commonly, it is caused by an obstruction of the airways. Excess tissue in or near the throat collapses over the airway and partially or completely blocks it. When breathing stops, the brain wakes up briefly to reopen the airway. The result is that even though you may sleep eight hours a night, your body will not feel like you did. Our dentist in Huntington Beach can help.

Recognizing the symptoms of sleep apnea is the first step in getting diagnosed. Most commonly, people with obstructive sleep apnea snore loudly. Sleep apnea can also cause dry mouth, a sore throat, morning headaches, irritability, unrefreshing sleep, weight gain and insomnia. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, further testing may be needed.

A physical exam and sleep diary can be helpful in obtaining a diagnosis. A sleep apnea test may also be recommended. This test is usually performed in a sleep lab or at your home, and during the test, your heart rate, blood oxygen levels and other biometrics will be monitored and recorded. Once this information is analyzed, a treatment plan can be created to alleviate your symptoms. Call us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our sleep apnea dentist in Huntington Beach.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. This form of the condition is characterized by the airway being physically blocked during sleep by either the tongue or a very relaxed throat.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Snoring
• Pauses in breathing lasting from a few seconds or more
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or sore throat during the night
• Regular need to urinate during the night
• Abrupt awakenings
• Inability to concentrate during the day
• Lethargy or excessive sleepiness during the day
• Irritability or mood swings

If you or a loved one is experiencing these or other problems, consider getting them to a sleep apnea center in Torrance. This condition is a serious issue that should be addressed, it has consequences ranging from lack of daily productivity to significant systemic health issues. Sleep apnea can not only effect your family and work lives, but sufferers have heightened risks of developing heart disease as a result of high blood pressure. This increases chances of heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.

Our expert in obstructive sleep apnea in Torrance has a variety of way to help with both diagnosis as well as treatment, including custom-fitted oral appliances.

Do All Dentists Offer Braces?

Not all dentists offer braces, but all general dentists can offer braces if they feel that they can offer a quality standard of care. All dentists receive training in orthodontics during dental school, but orthodontists do receive 2-3 years of additional training in moving teeth. That being said, it really depends on the dentist as to whether or not they offer braces. Some dentists feel totally comfortable with orthodontics and have a track record to prove it. Other dentists would rather refer their patients to an orthodontist for treatment.

Most dentists that offer orthodontics also attend additional coursework in order to provide the best possible orthodontic care. It is common in many professions to take continuing education courses to stay on top of your field, and dentistry is no different. Some dentists are particularly interested in studying the finer points of root canal therapy, while others are more apt to study the movement of teeth. To a certain extent, it is a matter of personal preference as to whether the dentist wishes to offer orthodontic treatment or not. If you are planning on receiving orthodontic treatment from a dentist, just be sure to do your research about their orthodontic track record beforehand, just as you would an orthodontist.

If you are looking to correct the alignment of your teeth, contact our braces dentist in Torrance to schedule a consultation.