Many people think that they have to suffer with old fashioned, ugly, bulky dentures. Nothing could be further from the tooth…I mean truth.

Dentures have not been forgotten in the cosmetic dental field. With new advancements in acrylic and porcelain technologies, a denture can look as good as natural teeth.

One of the most common complaints I hear from denture wearers is about the unattractive and unnatural look of their dentures. This causes them to be self conscious about their smile and consequently, they smile less. This grievance is usually accompanied by limitation in their ability to chew their food and the overall discomfort they experience.

At WinningSmiles, we offer exceptionally natural, beautiful, drop-dead gorgeous dentures. Using principles of cosmetic dentistry, we can design custom dentures that will help restore your natural, beautiful smile.

Oftentimes, when making dentures, it is helpful for a patient to bring in photos of their smile when they had their natural teeth….for example a high school graduation picture. We can match the shape and contour of the denture teeth to mimic your natural teeth. We will also work together to choose a shade for your new teeth that you are comfortable with.

Every beautiful smile found in nature can be used to create a denture for you that is truly a work of art! By combining just the right shape, length, and color, along with the latest tools to make the best impressions of your face, jaw, and mouth, we can create your very own most beautiful and natural smile.

Sedation Dentistry is a very safe method whereby pills are used to help people achieve a completely relaxed and comfortable state to receive your dental work. I am DOCS (Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation) certified sedation dentist. Patients with increased anxiety, nervousness, or those who need a significant amount of work are candidates for oral sedation. Administration of pills under close supervision is clinically extremely safe and allows for extensive treatment to be performed in a single appointment. I have restored the hopeless mouth to complete health in just a few visits using sedation and advanced techniques

Here are Common questions regarding Sedation Dentistry:

Q: Will I be groggy after my treatment is over?
A: You will feel just fine. For your safety, we do require that you have a family member drive you home and stay with you for a few hours.
Q: Is Sedation Dentistry safe for me?
A: Before starting any treatment, we review your medical history completely to determine if you are a candidate.
Q: Will I be totally relaxed?
A: You’ll receive just enough sedation so that you will be completely unaware of the treatment as if it were a dream.
Q: Will I remember anything?
A: At the end of the treatment, you’ll have little to no memory of the dental visit.
Q: Will I feel any pain?
A: Most patients feel no discomfort whatsoever during their treatment and feel surprisingly good afterwards.
Q: Will my insurance cover this treatment?
A: We will review your insurance coverage, then, if necessary, make financial arrangements to ensure you get the dental care you need.

Ill fitting dentures result from different reasons. Because dentures rest on tissue and bone and over time, with chewing and swallowing, the bone tends to resorb or disappear and the dentures won’t fit as tight. In addition, the tongue and the surrounding tissues constantly move when one talks or chews and this tends to cause a denture to dislodge. Dentists can make most upper dentures fit fairly well because suction can be created with the palate. This is not true for lower dentures. Many people’s quality of life is affected with ill fitting dentures. Patients are not able to enjoy foods as much with dentures because they cover taste buds which will compromise taste; besides, chewing food with ill fitting dentures is challenging and may affect a person’s diet and their overall health.

A couple of options exist for people with ill fitting dentures. Oftentimes, a denture can be relined or rebased. To do this, the dentist will make an impression within the existing denture and send it to a dental laboratory. The lab will put a new surface on the under side (tissue side) of the denture. This may or may not solve an issue with a loose denture….especially a lower denture. Lower dentures “suck”…in fact, they don’t “suck” and that’s why lower dentures “suck”. It is almost impossible to create suction with a lower denture. People will often result to denture adhesives to “glue” their dentures into place. This is often a “band-aid” which will not improve the quality of a person’s life. Too often, an ill fitting denture causes sore spots in a patient’s mouth. This situation can be hard to solve.

Enter dental implants: Dental implants have literally revolutionized the dental industry. Dental implants are small titanium cylinders which are inserted into the jaw bone to replace the roots of missing teeth. In the case of a denture patient who wants to have a stable denture, two to six dental implants can be placed in either the upper or the lower jaw and a denture can be fashioned to snap onto the implants. There are several advantages of dental implants. First, a stable denture will allow the patient to chew their food better. Also, dental implants help prevent bone from resorbing. Furthermore, using dental implants to stabilize a denture allow a patient to enjoy their food more because we can make the denture bases smaller, thus exposing more taste buds. The other thing that dental implants will help prevent is sore spots. This is because the implants help take the “load” off the tissues.

One of the best services I have been able to provide my patients is using mini-dental implants in the lower jaw to stabilize their denture. This service is economical, and in most cases can be done in one short visit. As long as an existing lower denture is adequate (that is, the teeth aren’t worn and the acrylic is in good shape) I can retrofit the denture to receive the dental implants. This procedure is usually done with just a local anesthetic, although, if a patient desires, a light sedation can be provided for comfort and relaxation.

Having a stable, retentive denture will improve your quality of life.

Why can a tooth become sensitive after a filling or a crown preparation?

Teeth are made up of four different types of tissue: pulp, dentin, enamel, and cementum. The inner portion of a tooth is called the pulp. The pulp is made up of nerves and blood vessels. The next layer of the tooth is called the dentin which is comprised of millions of tiny tubules, filled with fluid, that conduct impulses or sensations to the pulp. Dentin surrounds the pulp. A hard yellow substance, it makes up most of the tooth and is as hard as bone. It’s the dentin that gives teeth their yellowish tint. Enamel, the hardest tissue in the body, covers the dentin and forms the outermost layer of the crown. It enables the tooth to withstand the pressure of chewing and protects it from harmful bacteria and changes in temperature from hot and cold foods. Both the dentin and pulp extend into the root. A bony layer of cementum covers the outside of the root, under the gum line, and holds the tooth in place within the jawbone. Cementum is also as hard as bone.

I contend that God played a cruel joke on animals when He designed teeth. As I see it, one of the only purposes of the pulp is to allow the tooth to develop. Without the dental pulp, there would be no tooth. Once developed, the pulp just tends to wreak havoc. In addition, sensation, in particular of pain, is a protective function of the pulp, and can help prevent people from doing further damage to the teeth.

There are several reasons a tooth may become sensitive after a filling or a crown:

1. A High Bite:  The most common reason is a bite that might be slightly off or “high”. If a patient comes to my office with a recently filled tooth and the tooth is hurting, the first thing I do is check the bite. We use carbon ribbon and ask the patient to “tap” their teeth together and to slide from side to side. If I notice that the ribbon is marking the offending tooth more than the other teeth, I’ll adjust the filling or crown, thus relieving the bite. Often this is all that is necessary to make the tooth comfortable.

2. Reversible Pulpitis:  Imagine you had a hole drilled in a bone….you would expect it to be sore for several days, especially if it is in function as a tooth is when you are chewing. A dental drill causes vibration and heat, (even though we do use water when drilling) and the pulp gets irritated. Because the pulp is in a confined space (in the middle of your tooth) it really doesn’t have anywhere to expand and thus it causes the tooth to feel sore. Most of the time the pulp will settle down within a couple of days or weeks, much like a bump or a bruise does.

3. Irreversible Pulpitis: Oftentimes, when there is a deep cavity, one that is near the pulp, the pulp becomes irritated so much that it starts to necrose or die. With a deep cavity, microscopic bacteria may already be offending the pulp, but as a dentist, we can’t always determine this. We oftentimes do our best to insulate the pulp with a base under the filling. However, once a pulp starts to die, the only treatment we can do to save the tooth is a root canal therapy (endodontic treatment). A root canal therapy removes the nerve and places an inert material called gutta percha in the root canal system. You may realize your tooth may need a root canal therapy if it causes intense or throbbing pain, it wakes you up during your sleep, or you have an earache (lower molar).

In short, teeth can be a challenge to both a patient and a dentist. I guess that’s why God created dentists…..and root canal specialists.

A cavity is just a hole that acid eats in your tooth.

Acid? Yes!

How does this occur? Where does the acid come from?

The acid in your mouth comes from two sources:

1. Acid produced by bacteria.
2. Acid that is present in your diet (food and drink).

Acids produced by bacteria work in this way: You eat something sugary or eat something that has a by-product that is sugary. The acid producing bacteria in your mouth use this sugar as an energy source. The waste product of these bacteria is lactic acid which lowers the pH in your mouth and destroys tooth structure. I’ve found that even foods that don’t seem like they would be a problem can cause cavities. For example, chips and crackers are a culprit because they tend to get stuck in the crevices of teeth and their ultimate by product is sugar. So make sure you brush right away after eating that bag of Cheetos.

The term that describes the destruction of tooth structure by acid is “demineralization”. The acid acts on the hard surfaces of your teeth and pulls out the calcium and other minerals leaving a little hole. Your saliva acts as a buffer to this process as it washes the acids from the teeth. However, when a lot of acid is produced, a cavity forms on the surface of the tooth and must be repaired with a filling or a crown.

Acid that is present in your diet is a direct insult to your teeth. Unlike bacterial acids which take a bit of time to produce, dietary acids are start working on the teeth right away. Many foods contain acids such as citrus fruit and tomatoes. The biggest source of dietary acids is contained in sodas like Coke, Mountain Dew, and Dr. Pepper and energy drinks such as Gatorade, Monster’s and Rock Stars. Sodas, energy drinks and other carbonated drinks contain carbonic and phosphoric acids. These acids are sometimes used to give these drinks their color. These drinks cause large drop in your oral pH with every sip. The acid in soda or energy drinks alone can cause serious tooth problems, but many of them also include a LOT of sugar. That’s why soda and energy drinks are especially damaging to teeth. They have very low pH and lots of sugar. If you just have to have a soda drink it quickly through a straw and drink water afterward. Also brush thoroughly right away to wash away that sugar and acid.

• Limit the time that your children can eat candy. As far as your teeth are concerned, it’s all about the length of time that that they are exposed to the sugar in candy and not “how much” candy is eaten.

• After they’ve had their eaten their candy, I recommend that they chew some sugarless gum for a couple of minutes. Gums with Xylitol are preferable. Chewing gum stimulates salivary flow which helps wash the bacterial acids from the teeth. Saliva also has antibodies in it that help offset the cavity producing bacteria.

• Help your children brush their teeth. If they are small enough, you can sit “Indian Style” on the floor and have them sit in your lap facing away from you. Cradle their head in the nook in your arm and brush their teeth with toothpaste that has fluoride. For older children, monitor their brushing, making sure that they are being thorough.

• You can also be a bit sneaky and remove some of the candy from their stash so that they don’t gorge themselves. If you are like me, I used to steal the Snickers and Reeses from my kids’ bags for my own personal enjoyment.

At our dental office, WinningSmiles, in Fontana, California, we have been offering this service for over 5 years. The focus of cosmetic braces is to straighten the teeth you see when you smile. The technique uses clear brackets placed precisely on the teeth and Nickel Titanium wires which have memory. We have been able to help many adult patients who are self-conscious about their smiles. Prior to this service, the only hope for patients was either removing enamel to place porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns, or traditional braces which can take anywhere from 2 to 4 years to complete.

Some Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How can teeth be straightened in only six months?
A: The Six Month Smiles technique employs the latest technology and techniques in dentistry to move your teeth quickly and safely. The key components of the treatment are the use of nickel titanium wires and a primary focus of moving the teeth that show when you smile.

Q: Six Month Smiles sounds good, but will I still have a mouth full of metal for the whole time?
A: No. Six Month Smiles dentists use tooth-colored braces that are barely visible. These are nothing like metal braces.

Q: How are Six Month Smiles braces more comfortable than regular braces?
A: Six Month Smiles uses low force to move teeth more comfortably. Six Month Smiles utilizes standard orthodontic principles, but with an emphasis on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth rather than the position of your bite.

Q: Do Six Month Smiles braces damage the teeth, roots, or gums?
A: There no more risks of root damage or other issues than those associated with traditional orthodontics. Since the forces used with Six Month Smiles braces are lighter, there are actually even fewer risks involved with Six Month Smiles orthodontics.

Q: Will I have to wear a retainer?
A: Yes, as with any teeth-straightening treatment, a retainer is necessary to maintain the straighter position of your teeth. If you don’t want to wear a removable retainer, you can have a bonded retainer placed. There are a variety of options that you can choose from according to your personal preference and situation.

Q: What’s the catch?
A: There is really no catch. If you are an adult with crooked or spaced teeth are you’re not looking for a major alteration to your bite, this could be the solution for you! Most adults are candidates for Six Month Smiles.

Q: Can this technique be used on every patient?
A: No. We don’t recommend this service for children whose jaws are still developing. Also, there are some patients who’s teeth are either too crowded or their jaw relationship is so abnormal that Adult Cosmetic Braces is not a good fit. In these cases, we recommend a consultation with an orthodontist.

The short answer is “No”. The long answer is: “HELL NO!”.

An important thing to consider is that dental insurance is not similar to medical insurance at all.    The majority of dental insurance plans are designed with the purpose of only covering basic dental care and is not intended to provide comprehensive coverage like that of medical insurance.

Remember, like any other business, dental insurance companies are out to make a profit.  Does it make sense for them to pay out more money in benefits than they take in with premiums?  They end up collecting much more in premiums than they pay out in benefits. In order to make things work in their favor, dental insurance companies place waiting periods of 3 months to a year on certain procedures.  For example, if you need a crown on a given tooth, the plan may make you wait an entire year before paying a benefit. In the meantime, decay may progress to the point where you need a root canal; and the cost of the procedure may double.   In addition, insurance companies will put yearly maximums of $1,000 to $1,500 on your dental benefits and limit your choice of dentists and procedures.

My recommendation is to find a dental office that you like and trust and work out financial arrangements with that office directly, thereby eliminating the “middle-man” (dental insurance).    Most dental offices offer financing that is affordable and allow patients to make small monthly payments.

I never followed hockey before being affiliated with the minor league hockey team: The Ontario Reign. The Reign is the minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings and they play in the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League…go figure as we are on the left coast). My wife and I attend most games. I find the action of hockey to be much more exciting to watch live than any other sport. It is a high-speed, action packed sport. It took me about a year of watching to figure out the nuances of the game and to learn the rules. The puck travels so fast that it really takes a trained eye to follow it.

One of the things I also find interesting about the sport is that, more than any other sport, women are fanatical about hockey and love it. When I observe the crowds at the Ontario Reign games, I estimate about 50% of the spectators are women.

As the team dental office of the Ontario Reign for the past four seasons, WinningSmiles provides custom mouth guards to the players. We take molds of the players’ upper teeth and pour the models in stone. Then we use a thick thermoplastic material that’s heated and “sucked down” over the models under a high speed vacuum. The mouth guards serve 2 purposes:  1) They help prevent dental injury’s such as fractured teeth and bone from a puck (or fist) to the face and; 2)  They help prevent concussions because the material helps absorb the forces of a fall on the ice or a crash into the boards.

Last year (2010 – 2011 season) was a particularly busy year for me as the team dentist. We had two players with major dental injuries….and it was because neither player was wearing his mouth guard. We also had some minor injuries too (mainly stitching up lips). The first injury occured to a Reign player who was actually practicing before a game in Canada. The player went to hit a puck and his hockey stick broke and rebounded into his face breaking his upper 2 front teeth into the pulp. According to the player, it is common to practice without a mouth guard (WHY?!).  He was taken to a dentist in Canada who started root canal therapy (endodontic therapy) on both teeth. When he returned to California, we completed the root canal therapy and placed 2 porcelain crowns on those teeth (and they looked pretty darn good if I do say so myself).

The second major injury occured at a home game, right near the end of a game.  The player took a puck directly to the face.  It struck him squarely in the mouth.  I was called to the training area.  This injury was more severe than the first one, because not only did the two front teeth fracture, but four teeth were displaced and loose.  The game was stopped when the player sustained his injury and they were able to recover the pieces of the teeth that broke off.  This was a minor miracle.  Can you imagine finding 2 tiny pieces of teeth on a frozen tundra of ice?  The assistant trainer and I brought the player to my office (at 11:30 pm) in Fontana and with her help, I was actually able to bond the pieces back to the teeth (which was another minor miracle because of the fragility of the procedure and the fact his gums were bleeding profusely).  Because the four front teeth were loose, we had to stabilize the teeth or there would have been a high chance that he would lose them in the future (they were really loose).  We bonded these 4 teeth and 6 other stable teeth on either side to some orthodontic wire.  Now it was a waiting game to see how the teeth would respond over the next 6 weeks.  Would they stabilize or would they remain loose and have to be removed?

I spoke with the head trainer and we decided that it was imperitive that this player wear a full face shield for the remainder of the season to virtually eliminate any potential trauma to the teeth during a game…. I also made sure the player knew he should back away from any fight with an opposing player.  I also instructed him to avoid chewing off the front teeth.  At 6 weeks we took the bonded wire off and I am happy to report that the teeth were stable….although the pulp on the front 2 incisors was damaged and needed root canals. But, hey, at least he was able to keep his teeth.

From what I understand, it used to be a “badge of honor” in the hockey world to be a player who was missing teeth.  However, I think things are changing….at least I hope.  Just wear your mouth guards DAMMIT!!