(209) 952-8804
Our Blog
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
Tags
- celebrity smiles (58)
- mouthguards (5)
- oral health (14)
- dental hygiene (1)
- common symptoms (1)
- tooth decay (6)
- orthodontic treatment (13)
- tooth extraction (1)
- fillings (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (12)
- pediatric dentistry (6)
- oral cancer (3)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- crown (1)
- Invisalign (5)
- fluoride (2)
- Dental Implants (22)
- bad breath (2)
- Dentist (1)
- Sedation Dentistry (7)
- Oral Sedation (1)
- Inhalation Sedation (1)
- bridge (2)
- bleeding gums (1)
- gum disease (10)
- jaw pain (2)
- dental implant (2)
- Implant Dentures (1)
- root canal (2)
- oral hygiene (12)
- teething (2)
- Dental Sedation (1)
- TADs (2)
- braces (9)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- dentures (9)
- age one dental visit (1)
- crowns (4)
- tmj disorders (1)
- tmd (1)
- tmj (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- periodontal disease (3)
- retainers (2)
- mouth sores (2)
- orthodontics (4)
- root canal treatment (3)
- apicoectomy (1)
- restorative dentistry (7)
- laser dentistry (1)
- teeth whitening (1)
- tooth erosion (1)
- veneers (1)
- dental anxiety (2)
- teeth grinding (3)
- pediatric care (1)
- loose teeth (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- bonding (1)
- mouthguard (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- headgear (1)
- dental exam (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- chipped tooth (2)
- diabetes (2)
- hiv (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- x-ray (1)
- dental injury (4)
- toothache (1)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- dental specialists (1)
- gum recession (2)
- retainer (1)
- Implant Supported Dentures (1)
- extraction (1)
- pulp capping (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- sleep apnea (1)
- snoring (1)
- smile makeover (2)
- dental injuries (1)
- smoking (1)
Categories:
Do you want a straight smile? You probably think there is only one way to get it, with brackets and wires. The truth is, you can achieve a straight smile more comfortably and easily than you’ve ever thought possible, without wearing brackets and wires. You now have another option; it’s called Invisalign! Dr. Alexander Pritsky, Dr. Ravneet Otal, and Dr. Emil Tanase at Brookside Dental Care in Stockton, CA, offer a full range of dental services including Invisalign to give you the smile you deserve.
Conventional brackets and wires can be unsightly and uncomfortable, giving you a smile filled with metal. Invisalign is different, using a system of clear plastic trays called aligners. Invisalign aligners offer you many benefits that brackets and wires don’t. With Invisalign, you will enjoy:
- Discreet treatment, because Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic, which makes them virtually invisible when you wear them
- Comfortable treatment, because there are no sharp metal parts to irritate your cheeks, tongue, or soft tissue
- Quick treatment, because you can have a straight smile in as little as 9 to 15 months with Invisalign
When you choose Invisalign, you’ve chosen a strong, effective orthodontic solution for alignment problems like these:
- Overlapped or gapped teeth
- Crowded or poorly-aligned teeth
- Underbite or overbite
- Open bite or crossbite
When you receive your first set of aligners, you wear them for 2 weeks. Then you move on to a new set of aligners, which you wear for another 2 weeks. You move up to a new set of aligners every 2 weeks until your treatment is complete at 9 to 15 months. During your treatment period, you will visit your Stockton, CA, dentist every few weeks for monitoring and adjustments.
You deserve a straight, beautiful smile without suffering to achieve it. Now, thanks to Invisalign you can have the straight smile without the hassles of brackets and wires. To find out more about the benefits of revolutionary Invisalign, call (209) 952-8804 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Pritsky, Dr. Otal, or Dr. Tanase at Brookside Dental Care in Stockton, CA, today!
People improve their smiles for a lot of reasons: to better their career prospects, to put some juice in their social lives or just to do something special for themselves. But you may have an even stronger reason: a once-in-a-lifetime event—maybe your wedding day—is coming up soon.
You have several options for transforming your smile for the big day—and some are even quite economical. Here are 4 affordable ways to make your smile beautiful for that forever moment.
Cleanings. While dental cleanings should already be part of your regular dental care, scheduling one right before a big event can do wonders for your smile. Not only can your hygienist remove any lingering dull and dingy plaque and tartar, but they can polish your teeth for a brighter shine. Remember, though: dental cleanings support your own hygiene efforts, they don't replace them. Your own daily practice of brushing and flossing will also help you maintain a beautiful smile.
Teeth Whitening. You can also get an extra boost of brightness with a tooth whitening procedure. Using a professional bleaching solution and other techniques, your dentist can lighten your smile to your tastes, from a more natural hue to dazzling white. The whitening effect, though, is temporary, so plan to see your dentist no more than a few weeks before your big day.
Bonding. Perhaps a tiny chip is all that stands between you and a knockout smile. Your dentist may be able to repair that and other minor defects by bonding tooth-colored materials to the chip site. These composite resin materials have the shine of enamel and can be color-blended to match your tooth's natural shade. Composite resins are also fairly rugged, although you should avoid biting down on hard foods or objects.
Veneers. Although more expensive than the previous options mentioned, veneers are still affordable compared to crowns or bridgework. Usually made of thin layers of dental porcelain, dentists bond veneers to the front of teeth to mask mild to moderate problems like heavy staining, disfiguration and minor gaps. But because veneers are custom-fabricated by a dental lab, you'll need to plan them with your dentist at least six months before your event. The resulting change to your smile, though, may well be worth the wait.
If you would like more information on transforming your smile for a special event, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Planning Your Wedding Day Smile.”
Although costly in the beginning, dental implants often turn out to be the least expensive tooth replacement option. That's because their enviable record for longevity often outpaces dentures or bridges. Over the long-term you might spend less for implants than these other restorations.
But even with the high success rate of dental implants (greater than 95% survive the ten-year mark), we can't guarantee they won't fail. And if you're a tobacco smoker, the risk of failure might be even higher. One study, for example, found early implant failures were twice the rate for smokers over non-smokers. Although implant failures overall are low, smoking seems to be a factor in those that do.
There are a number of reasons to account for this. For one thing, inhaled smoke can damage salivary glands, reducing the flow of this important fluid. Saliva helps control bacterial growth and neutralize mouth acid, so without it you're more susceptible to tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease. Either infection could ultimately weaken implant-supporting bone.
The nicotine in tobacco can also restrict oral blood vessels and lower their ability to supply antibodies and nutrients to the teeth and gums. This slows healing, which could have one particular effect on implant durability.
During the intervening weeks between implant placement and crown attachment, the implant's titanium post attracts bone cells that grow and adhere to its surface. The effects of nicotine on healing, especially right after implant surgery, can interfere with this integration process so that the implant doesn't anchor in the bone as well as it should.
If you're a smoker, you can increase your chances of implant success—and have a healthier mouth overall—by quitting smoking beforehand with the help of a cessation program. Or at the least, consider stopping smoking for one week before implant surgery and for two weeks afterward.
And be sure to brush and floss your teeth daily and visit your dentist regularly to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Stopping smoking and practicing effective oral hygiene could make a big difference in the success or failure of your implant.
If you would like more information on smoking and your dental health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Implants & Smoking.”
How many actresses have portrayed a neuroscientist on a wildly successful TV comedy while actually holding an advanced degree in neuroscience? As far as we know, exactly one: Mayim Bialik, who plays the lovably geeky Amy Farrah Fowler on CBS' The Big Bang Theory… and earned her PhD from UCLA.
Acknowledging her nerdy side, Bialik recently told Dear Doctor magazine, “I'm different, and I can't not be different.” Yet when it comes to her family's oral health, she wants the same things we all want: good checkups and great-looking smiles. “We're big on teeth and oral care,” she said. “Flossing is really a pleasure in our house.”
How does she get her two young sons to do it?
Bialik uses convenient pre-loaded floss holders that come complete with floss and a handle. “I just keep them in a little glass right next to the toothbrushes so they're open, no one has to reach, they're just right there,” she said. “It's really become such a routine, I don't even have to ask them anymore.”
As many parents have discovered, establishing healthy routines is one of the best things you can do to maintain your family's oral health. Here are some other oral hygiene tips you can try at home:
Brush to the music — Plenty of pop songs are about two minutes long… and that's the length of time you should brush your teeth. If brushing in silence gets boring, add a soundtrack. When the music's over — you're done!
Flossing can be fun — If standard dental floss doesn't appeal, there are many different styles of floss holders, from functional ones to cartoon characters… even some with a martial-arts theme! Find the one that your kids like best, and encourage them to use it.
The eyes don't lie — To show your kids how well (or not) they are cleaning their teeth, try using an over-the-counter disclosing solution. This harmless product will temporarily stain any plaque or debris that got left behind after brushing, so they can immediately see where they missed, and how to improve their hygiene technique — which will lead to better health.
Have regular dental exams & cleanings — When kids see you're enthusiastic about going to the dental office, it helps them feel the same way… and afterward, you can point out how great it feels to have a clean, sparkling smile.
For more information about oral hygiene, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read the interview with Mayim Bialik in the latest issue of Dear Doctor magazine.
As spring weather heats up, so do a lot of outdoor sports like baseball or soccer. Unfortunately, the chances of sports-related injuries increase as well. Your child’s mouth in particular is a prime target for injury—and you need to be prepared.
First and foremost, players should wear a mouthguard during contact sports to reduce their risk of injury. Mouthguards can absorb much of the force generated during impact—and may make the difference between minor bruising and a fractured or knocked-out tooth.
“Boil and bite” mouthguards available from the local pharmacy or sporting goods store are popular because of their cost and availability. These are softened in hot water before the wearer bites down to create a semi-customized fit. An even better option, though, is a custom mouthguard that is made from a precise impression of your child’s teeth that we take in our office. This type of mouthguard costs more, but it provides greater protection and comfort than one from your corner store.
A mouthguard can significantly reduce the risk of injury but won’t eliminate it entirely. If a dental injury does occur, you need to know what to do. This will depend mainly on the type of injury: If the tooth is chipped but not pushed out of position, you can collect any tooth fragments and see us within 12 hours for an examination and possible repairs. If the tooth has moved or is loose, you should see us even sooner—within 6 hours so we can readjust the tooth and, if needed, splint it until it is securely reattached.
A more serious injury is a tooth that has been knocked completely out of its socket. It can often be saved, but you’ll need to act quickly—optimally, within 5 minutes—by reinserting the tooth in its socket. Although it sounds daunting, it’s really a matter of a few simple steps: First, find the tooth and rinse off any debris with clean water. Holding it by the crown (the visible part you are used to seeing) insert the root end into the empty socket. If your placement isn’t “just right,” don’t worry; we can adjust it later, but it will require some pressure to place it in the socket. Have the person bite down on a piece of gauze or clean cloth to hold the tooth in place. Call us immediately. If you cannot reach us, go to an emergency room.
Quick action and prompt follow-up dental care after a mouth injury increase the chance of a happy outcome. Along with proper mouthguard protection, remembering these pointers will help ensure that your family has an enjoyable sports season this year!
If you would like more information about sports-related dental injuries, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Athletic Mouthguards” and “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries.”
This website includes materials that are protected by copyright, or other proprietary rights. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use, as defined in the copyright laws, requires the written permission of the copyright owners.