- Root Canalusing advanced technology
- Cosmetic Dentistself esteem and confidence
- Teeth Whiteningget a beautiful white smile
Advanced Technology Makes Root Canals Easier
Root canal therapy has gone high-tech recently, making the procedure as easy as possible for both patients and dentists! Thanks to recent root canal technology, teeth can now be treated without invasive dental surgery. With modern dental instruments and advanced techniques, Temecula dentists have more resources than ever to complete successful root canals, and patients can have the procedure done in just one visit — virtually pain-free!
Temecula Dental technology has produced the following advancements in root canal therapy:
Nickel Titanium Files — Stainless steel files used to clean out the root canals were susceptible to breakage and limited the amount of infection that could be removed. Now, Temecula dentists use nickel titanium files, which are more flexible with less breakage.
Anesthetics — Current local anesthetics make it easier to numb the entire tooth, so patients don’t feel any pain during the procedure. There are also more sedation dentistry options for fearful patients, including nitrous oxideand oral sedation.
Modern Dental Instruments — New high-torque motor hand pieces are much stronger and faster than before, enabling dentists to have more control over their dental instruments and better shape the root canal. Ultrasonic instruments are also being used during the root canal procedure — they produce ultrasonic vibrations to clean the root in preparation for the filling.
Microscopes — Used mostly during complex dental treatment, surgical operating microscopes allow dentists to see deep within the root canal for improved removal of infection. Magnifying glasses with fiber optic light can also be worn to give dentists a better view during the procedure.
X-Rays — Temecula Dentists may use X-rays several times during the procedure to check the status of the tooth. Digital X-rays not only produce less radiation, but are developed immediately, lessening the time you spend in the dental chair.
Apex Locators — The dentist’s goal during the procedure is to clean and fill the canal to the very end of the root, or apex. If a Temecula dentist cannot find the apex, some of the infection may be left behind. An electronic apex locator measures the root, finding the apex through sound waves and guiding the dentist to the end of the root canal.
Cleaning and Filling the Canal — Temecula Dentists take several measures to keep the infection from returning. Once the infection is removed, dentists use a medicated rinse to wash away any leftover debris and disinfect the tooth. Gutta percha, an antibacterial tooth filling material, better fills the canal, and non-allergenic dental sealers seal the space without irritating the tooth.
Laser Root Canal Therapy — The most recent innovation in root canal technology, laser dentistry thoroughly cleans the root’s canal without using drills or hand files. The Waterlase® laser uses a laser and high-pressure water system to “melt” away the infection, reducing post-operative pain, healing time and the possibility of side effects.
How Temecula Dentist Stay Ahead
Through continuing education, many Temecula dentists stay up-to-date on ongoing advancements in root canal technology, and are utilizing their skills in the dental office. If you’re interested in what dental technology has to offer, speak with your Temecula dentist about their state-of-the-art equipment and procedures. You may be surprised to learn what new dental solutions are being developed to improve your regular Temecula dental visits!
Having a Beautiful smile can create life changing results!
A healthy attractive smile can boost your confidence and enhance your personal and professional life. All of our procedures are gentle, and now with sedation dentistry you can sleep through them. Millennium Dental’s cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles has revolutionized the way people feel about dental work and about themselves. Now, more than ever, you can transform your smile easily and painlessly in just two visits!
Procedures:
- Teeth Whitening – Learn about the procedures, who it’s best for, the costs and options available when having all of your teeth whitened.
- Tooth Whitening – Discover the tooth bleaching procedures, who it’s best for, the costs and options available when having a tooth whitened.
- Porcelain Veneers – Learn how porcelain veneers correct a great many dental problems, the procedures, costs and when they are best used.
- Dental Implants – Learn how dental implants correct missing teeth, the procedures involved, costs and when they are best used.
- Dental Bonding – Is the bonding of a tooth right for you? Learn about the procedures involved, costs and when dental bonding is the way to a perfect smile.
- Dental Bridges – Bridges replace missing teeth. Learn about the procedures involved, costs and when dental bridges will give you a perfect smile.
- Tooth Contouring and Reshaping – A great deal for your smile can be accomplished through small changes. Learn about the procedures involved, costs and when contouring is the way to a perfect smile.
- Dentures – Dentures often solve a host of dental problems. Learn about the procedures involved, costs and when dentures are your way to a fantastic smile.
- Dental Fillings – Today’s dental fillings are more than the typical metal fillings of our youth. Dental fillings are now color matched to the rest of your teeth for a great smile.
- Dental Crowns – A great deal for your smile can be accomplished through crowns. Learn about the procedures involved, costs and when crowns are your way to a perfect smile.
- Dental Caps – A great deal for your smile can be accomplished through caps. Learn about the procedures involved, costs and when caps may be your way to a perfect smile.
- Root Canals – Learn about the procedure, costs and when you might be a candidate for a root canal.
- Accelerated Orthodontics – Learn about wearing braces for only a few months compared to a few years with traditional braces.
- Cosmetic Gum Surgery – A “Gummy Smile” or a “Long Tooth Smile” are corrected through gum surgery. Learn about the procedures involved, costs and when gum surgery is the way to a perfect smile.
Say Cheese... And Smile a bit more!
Whitening your teeth can drastically change your appearance and boost your self-esteem at the same time, but deciding which teeth whitening method to choose can be confusing. If you are the type of person that likes instant results, you might consider chairside teeth whitening which can be performed directly at the dentist office. Chairside teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, can dramatically whiten your teeth (around 4 to 6 shades lighter) in about an hour.
How Chairside Teeth Whitening Works
During an in office bleaching treatment, the dentist will more than likely use a product containing anywhere from 15 percent to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide gels. Before beginning the teeth whitening treatment, the dentist will isolate the gum areas by placing a gel or special shield to protect the soft tissues.
After the dentist has isolated the gum tissues, he/she then applies the hydrogen peroxide gel to the teeth. A laser or a special light could possibly be used to increase the whitening effect. The bleaching gel is then rinsed off and this procedure is usually repeated several times.
Effectiveness of Chairside Teeth Whitening
If you have any visible crowns or white fillings, you may want to consider having them replaced in a lighter shade because they will not lighten during a bleaching process and will stand out against your recently whitened teeth.
Side Effects of Chairside Teeth Whitening
The most common side effect associated with teeth whitening procedures is teeth sensitivity. The sensitivity usually disappears within 24 hours of an in-office teeth whitening treatment.
Talk to Your Dentist About Teeth Whitening
Before deciding upon any type of teeth whitening treatment, it is important to visit your dentist for a check up and cleaning. Only your dentist can decide if you are a candidate for having your teeth whitened and what type of whitening treatment would work the best for you.
How White Can You Go? A Matter of Esthetics
Teeth whitening results are subjective, varying considerably from person to person. Many are immediately delighted with their outcome, while others may be disappointed. Before you embark on any whitening treatment, ask your dentist for a realistic idea of the results you are likely to achieve and how long it should take to achieve them. Expectations play a major role in teeth whitening.
Teeth Whitening Shade Guides
In the dental office, before-and-after tooth color is typically measured with shade guides. These are hand-held displays of wide ranges of tooth colors. (Dentists also use them in choosing crown and other restoration shades.)
The standard-setter among them has long been the Vitapan Classic Shade Guide. This shade guide standard incorporates 16 shades, systematically arranged from light to dark into four color groups, and provides a universal tooth-color terminology.
While whitening can occasionally lighten tooth color by nine or more shades, most of those who bleach their teeth are likely to see a change of two to seven shades.
Teeth Whitening Risks
Teeth whitening treatments are considered to be safe when procedures are followed as directed. However, there are certain risks associated with bleaching that you should be aware of:
- Sensitivity:Bleaching can cause a temporary increase in sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch. This is likeliest to occur during in-office whitening, where higher-concentration bleach is used. Some individuals experience spontaneous shooting pains (“zingers”) down the middle of their front teeth.Individuals at greatest risk for whitening sensitivity are those with gum recession, significant cracks in their teeth or leakage resulting from faulty restorations. It has also been reported that redheads, including those with no other risk factors, are at particular risk for tooth sensitivity and zingers.Whitening sensitivity lasts no longer than a day or two, but in some cases may persist up to a month. Some dentists recommend a toothpaste containing potassium nitrate for sensitive teeth.
- Gum irritation: Over half of those who use peroxide whiteners experience some degree of gum irritation resulting from the bleach concentration or from contact with the whitening trays. Such irritation typically lasts up to several days, dissipating after bleaching has stopped or the peroxide concentration lowered.
- Technicolor teeth: Restorations such as bonding, dental crowns or porcelain veneers are not affected by bleach and therefore maintain their default color while the surrounding teeth are whitened. This results in what is frequently called “technicolor teeth.”
Maintaining Your Teeth Whitening Results
To extend the longevity of newly whitened teeth, dentists are likely to recommend:
At-home follow-up or maintenance whitening – implemented immediately or performed as infrequently as once a year.
- Avoiding dark-colored foods and beverages for at least a week after whitening.
- Whenever possible, sipping dark-colored beverages with a straw.
- Practicing excellent oral hygiene – brushing and flossing after meals and at bedtime.
Caveats
In addition to the aforementioned risk factors, a number of caveats should be considered before undergoing teeth whitening:
- No amount of bleaching will yield “unnaturally” white teeth.
- Whitening results are not fully seen until approximately two weeks after bleaching. This is an important consideration if you are about to have ceramic restorations and want to be sure the color matches that of your newly bleached teeth.
- If cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers or other restorations are part of your treatment plan, they should not be placed until a minimum of two weeks following bleaching to ensure proper adhesive bonding, function and shade matching.
- To avoid the technicolor effect, tooth-colored restorations will likely need replacement after bleaching.
- Recessed gums often reveal their yellowish root surfaces at the gum line. That yellow color has proven difficult to bleach.
- Pregnant or nursing women are advised to avoid teeth whitening. The potential impact of swallowed bleach on the fetus or baby is not yet known.