LANAP Dentistry in Monterey, CA: Why You Need It

Technology is continuing to improve dentistry and as an LANAP dentistry in Monterey, CA, we are using the best of it. As a patient, you need to consider what the value of using technology has been in your life. For example, if you could have an iPhone that has all the touch screen options, can help you to find information, get directions, instantly call people, use your social media, and more. While the idea of using a flip phone becomes incredibly strange. Well, the same is true when it comes to dentistry.

Why visit a dentist with old technology that can be more irritating when you could visit one that can keep you comfortable during your entire appointment? In most cases, we find that the only reason patients do not take advantage of options like LANAP Dentistry is because they are simply unaware of it. With that in mind, here is information about LANAP dentistry in Monterey, CA. We also recommend calling us or visiting our office if you have any other questions.

What is LANAP Dentistry?

LANAP dentistry stands for Laser-assisted new attachment procedure and is a gum disease treatment with FDA approval. A form of laser therapy, LANAP dentistry is a minimally invasive solution that can help to regrow gum tissue and fight against bone loss due to gum disease. Using a laser, we are able to remove the bacteria that causes gum disease to begin with. Since the laser fiber is as small as a few human hairs, it does not irritate the gum tissue while removing the bacteria. By comparison, traditional gum treatments require the use of metal dental tools to scrape the bacteria off of the teeth after the gums have been pulled away. A traditional procedure can be painful and uncomfortable due to how invasive it is.

Our process works incredibly well because we are targeting the cause of the swelling and irritation, while also working to restore your health to what it was before the gum disease. Since we can use this procedure to decrease the amount with which your gums recede, we can restore your gums and cover more of your tooth structure without the need for a gum grafting procedure. We can treat your entire mouth in only two visits, around two hours for each. A traditional deep cleaning and gum grafting procedure can take far longer.

LANAP Dentistry in Monterey, CA: Why It's Better
There are several benefits to LANAP dentistry over traditional methods, including:

• The LANAP procedure is less painful
• You will have minimal sensitivity after the treatment
• The recovery process is quick and there is little downtime, meaning you can get back to work
• You will experience little to no gum recession

Visit Us for LANAP Dentistry in Monterey, CA

Our LANAP treatment focuses on healing and regeneration. Rather than simply focusing on removing the bacteria that is causing the disease, we also seek to restore your health regenerate both your gum and bone; the restoration promotes new gum and bone growth. This treatment is an all-encompassing treatment rather than a narrow one, which improves your health dramatically.
Learn more by calling our office today.

Periodontist  >  Gum Recession

Common Causes of Gum Recession

Gum recession can be extremely scary and painful to experience. However, there is really no need to worry if you're willing to seek out the treatment you need to stop the gum recession immediately. In the meantime, there are several steps you can take while you are still at home that may serve as an effective way to stop the gum recession or at least limit it until you have the ability to visit our clinic. If you do have gum recession. you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to discuss our non-invasive solutions. Coming in to consult with us will allow us to address any oral health matters and find out what other health measures need to be taken in order to stop and reverse your gum recession. Gum recession is a relatively common occurrence and can happen to anybody for any number of reasons. Gingival recession, also known as gum recession, is the process by which the gum tissue is recessed and lowers its position on the tooth. When this happens, the roots of the teeth can become exposed. Life habits, genetics, and tooth positioning can all influence gingival recession.

Causes of Gum Recession 

Overly aggressive brushing and flossing of your teeth can actually lead to gum recession. According to the Journal of Periodontology, you need to make sure you are brushing and not scrubbing your teeth. It is a common myth that you need to use an extremely hard bristle toothbrush to get your teeth properly clean. As a matter of fact, the American Dental Association highly recommends using a medium to soft toothbrush, because an overly hard toothbrush can damage your teeth and gums.

One of the most common causes of gum recession comes from your genetics. Your gums' characteristics are determined by your DNA, and if one or more of your parents have gum recession, you stand an extremely high chance of also having the condition. In addition to your genetics, you may have abnormal tooth positioning, which can also lead to gum recession because the teeth are not in proper alignment with each other. Naturally, good oral health habits, having a dental relationship that involves coming into the clinic at least once every six months, and keeping an eye on your gums can help offset and even restrict this condition from occurring.

Did you know that grinding your teeth in the night, a condition commonly known as bruxism, can actually lead to gum recession as well? If you find that you often wake up in the morning with a headache, or have been told by a significant other that you grind your teeth in your sleep, you will want to consult with your dentist. Bruxism is actually an extremely common condition and can be easily and comfortably treated with the help of a mouth guard or using one of many other options available.

Trauma to your gums as a result of an accident can result in the gums receding, but by far the most common reason why people tend to experience this condition is as a result of poor oral health.  Fortunately, we can improve your oral health and treat your gum recession in our clinic.  Call our office to schedule your treatment today.

Periodontist  >  Laser Dentistry

Dental Implants in Monterey Are the Best Way to Replace Teeth: Compare Your Options

Dental implants in Monterey are the best way to replace teeth that have been lost because they allow you to have a solution that looks, feels, and acts exactly the same as your natural teeth. There was a time, not so long ago, when people who lost their teeth had very limited options for replacing them. Most people would choose to replace the teeth with dentures. While dentures as a solution were very good for the time period, dental implants in Monterey have long since surpassed them by way of being more convenient and a better option for people to replace their lost teeth.

Comparing Solutions 

When you stop to examine dental implants in Monterey vs. dentures you will immediately realize the advantages that dental implants in Monterey provide you with. The first and most obvious advantage is that, unlike dentures, dental implants are a permanent solution that cannot be removed and do not need to be removed in order to be cleaned.  Dentures have to be removed on a regular basis for cleaning which means that you are taking your teeth out of your mouth, cleaning them, putting them in a solution, and then replacing them hoping that the adhesive you use will hold them in place. You have none of these challenges with dental implants.

Understanding the Solution

There is a common misconception that the tooth you see is actually the dental implant. Dental implants in Monterey are actually the tiny post which is underneath the tooth that you see on top of the gum. The visible tooth is actually called a dental crown and is a perfect replica of the tooth we are replacing. Dental crowns can be placed even if you do not have a dental implant. The dental implant itself is a tiny titanium screw which is directly placed into the jaw bone. This tiny screw acts in lieu of your tooth root and provides the jaw bone with the stimulus necessary for growth and development. In addition, because the dental implant is placed directly into the jaw bone it provides an extraordinarily safe and secure way for your dental crown to be attached. What this means in layman's terms is that when you get dental implants, you are getting a product that is an identical man-made replica of your naturally occurring teeth, complete with the root structure.
As we mentioned earlier, dental implants are a permanent solution. Once the tooth has been placed, it is not going to need to be taken out, replaced, or specially cleaned for the duration of its life cycle. From the perspective of oral hygiene, this also gives you a leg up over dentures. With dental implants, all you need to do is brush your teeth, and the dental implants will be clean just like your natural teeth will. So for people who want a convenient, secure, long-lasting solution to tooth loss, dental implants are definitely the way to go. If you have thought about getting dental implants, have questions about them, or want to find out if you will be a great candidate for dental implants in Monterey you should call us to schedule a consultation today.

Cosmetic Dentist  >  Implant Dentistry

Why Visiting a Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve Your Outlook on Life

If you are looking for a reason to visit a cosmetic dentist and improve your smile, keep reading. There is scientific evidence to show that smiling can actually improve your life, or at least how you feel about it.

It's all about the science.
Yes, improving your smile is something that can make you feel better about yourself. Improving your self-esteem should not be underrated since this can influence how you interact with others. However, there is much more going on from a scientific perspective every time you smile.
Smiling releases the molecules that allow your neurons to communicate with each other. Called neuropeptides, they allow you to feel happy and excited or sad and depressed. Smiling releases positive neuropeptides, also known as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. There are serious emotional, mental, and physical benefits associated with doing so. The list is long and includes:

• A reduction in stress.
• The ability to lower your blood pressure and reduce your heart rate.
• Reduction in any pain you are experiencing, just like if you were taking medication.
• Increased feelings of happiness and overall well-being.
• Improvement to your mood.

As a cosmetic dentist, we know that when you smile, you also look more attractive and friendly to everyone you encounter. This can naturally lead to benefits in your social and professional life. This is because when you see a smiling face, it activates your orbitofrontal cortex, and you can actually feel happier or rewarded because you saw someone smile. When you combine the fact that smiles are contagious, every time you smile, you are helping others feel better as their brain releases endorphins.
Scientifically, smiling can actually make your life and your world a better place.

Visit Our Office If You Don't Like Your Smile

If the appearance of your smile is preventing you from wanting to show off your pearly whites, visit our cosmetic dentist office. When you smile, the world around you improves and so does your mood. However, many people are afraid to smile because they don't like having missing teeth, gaps in between them, stains, etc. We can correct all of these things and more using modern cosmetic dentistry solutions, from dental veneers to crowns, dental implants, and even teeth whitening. We can:

• Close gaps in between your teeth. This can be done using dental bonding or by placing dental veneers or crowns on your teeth.
• Replace missing teeth. We can use dental implants or dental bridges as a secure way to replace missing teeth that are more durable and natural-looking than dentures.
• Remove stains. If your teeth are stained or discolored, we can remove the stains and whiten them using our advanced teeth whitening solution. Gentle yet effective, this is an excellent way to improve your smile and also make you look younger.
• Create a uniform smile. If you have teeth that are longer than each other or your smile does not look symmetrical, we can help correct it.

Find out which of these solutions would work best for your smile; visit our office today.

Implant Dentistry  >  Dental Implants

Learn How Oral Surgery Can Benefit You

Oral surgery can be used to fix a number of conditions. Some of these conditions include tooth loss, impacted teeth, and any number of other conditions that specifically require us to perform surgery in order to correct the problem. It is important to note that an oral surgery is a surgery, just like any other operation you may need to have on the body. There will be a required time that you spend in our practice or hospital, you will need to take time for recovery and for healing, there will be a level of discomfort, and in most cases, we use local or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the oral surgery itself. The reason why we make sure people understand these elements of surgery is because it is easy to confuse a general dentist visit with an oral surgery procedure before you come in. You will need to be prepared for surgery and all of the steps that come after it, in order to ensure that it is successful and that you recover quickly.

We Can Surgically Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

One of the most common oral surgery procedures performed is done on the wisdom teeth. Most people are familiar with the term, impacted wisdom teeth. Your wisdom teeth are also called your third molars and are typically the last set of teeth to develop in your mouth. Very often, these teeth emerge from the gum line, and the jaw is simply not large enough to make room for them. When this happens, they fail to emerge properly or emerge in an improper alignment, which results in them being trapped or impacted between the jawbone and the gum tissue. This condition can lead to infection of the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth, swelling, pain, and permanent damage to the nearby teeth, bone, and gums. It can also lead to the formation of cysts and tumors that destroy part of the jawbone. It is highly recommended that if you have impacted wisdom teeth, you have the oral surgery necessary to remove them. It is not just wisdom teeth that can become impacted, but other teeth, such as the cuspids and bicuspids, can also become impacted and will need oral surgery to be removed.

We Can Replace Your Missing Teeth

Another frequent use for oral surgery is to replace missing teeth.  Dental implants can be surgically placed and this is the most secure, durable, and natural way to replace missing teeth because it gives you a new root along with a new tooth.  As such, you can eat your favorite foods, smile with confidence and not worry about your new teeth becoming loose. Dental implants look so natural that you will not be able to tell the difference between your new teeth and your old ones. Since they are taken care of the exact same way, there is no additional effort required either.
Call today to learn more about the types of surgical procedures available to you from our clinic.

Implant Dentist  >  Cosmetic Dentist

Tips From a Sleep Dentist On How To Ease Anxiety at Your Dental Appointment

If you have dental anxiety, also known as dental phobia, you should only see a sleep dentist. When you have dental anxiety, you know it is more than just a childlike fear of visiting the dentist. It is an intense, unreasonable, and unhealthy fear that can lead you to take any measures possible to avoid visiting the dentist. When your anxiety comes to this level, we, as a sleep dentist, can provide you with a calming environment where you won’t feel as apprehensive. Avoiding the dentist for any prolonged period of time is harmful to your teeth and your overall health. It could result in painful cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, and even the need for oral surgery. Instead of taking the risk of skipping the dentist altogether, you can try these tips in addition to visiting our office for dental sedation.
When you prepared for a dentist appointment in the past, you may have noticed that your nerves were on edge, you felt irritable or depressed, and you felt like you could not muster enough courage to step out the door. However, this time, it will be a little easier because you will know you are headed to see a sleep dentist. A sleep dentist, also known as a sedation dentist, features a relaxing environment during appointments and procedures by providing you with varying levels of sedatives. Although they are called sleep dentistry practices, they actually typically do not put you all the way to sleep. The differing levels of sedation that may be considered are:

• Minimal sedation.  You are in a relaxed stage, but you are also aware of your surroundings.
• Moderate sedation.  You feel heavy and sleepy and may slur when you talk, but you can still follow verbal orders from the dentist. In this stage, you may or may not remember your entire appointment.
• Deep sedation.  You are barely on the edge of consciousness, but you can be woken up if needed.
• General anesthesia.  You are completely unresponsive and asleep. This form of sedation is typically reserved for oral surgeries.

As your dentist, we will talk to you about your concerns and assess your level of dental anxiety to determine what scale of sedation is best for you.
In the meantime, you can prepare for your appointment by:

• Making a list of all the things you are anxious about to share with your dentist.
• Setting your appointment early in the morning so you are not required to wait. This will limit how long you agonize over the appointment.
• Bringing a friend or loved one to calm you.
• Bringing along your favorite reading materials or music to distract yourself while you wait to be sedated.
• Requesting oral sedatives that can be taken before your appointment and arrange for a driver to bring you in.

In addition to these tips, it is best to get to know our office and staff before your appointment so you will know you are with people you can trust and relax around. As a sleep dentist, we will help you conquer your fears and provide you with an environment you won’t be scared to come back to.

Options Available from an Implant Dentist

For an implant dentist, it is easy to understand how dental implants have made such a huge impact on all different forms and techniques of replacing teeth. In the modern world of dentistry, we use dental implants to support a variety of other techniques, including dentures. Dental implants have literally changed the way we look at replacing teeth, vastly improving the stability and security of devices like dentures and dental crowns.

Dentures Have Limitations 

Dentures have been around for a very long time; however, they have severe limitations. Dentures are placed on top of the gums, where the fake teeth have to be secured with the help of wires or messy adhesives. As a result, unsecured dentures tend to fall out very easily or don't feel secure when you are chewing harder substances. All these limitations have been addressed by the invention of implant-supported dentures.

Dental Implants Behave Like Natural Teeth

As your implant dentist, we will tell you that dental implants are so effective because they mimic, virtually perfectly, the natural order that teeth are supposed to exist in your mouth. The dentures, or the dental crowns, act as your teeth that you see above the gum line. The dental implant acts as the root securing the tooth to the jawbone and also providing the jawbone with necessary stimulation.

Implant-Supported Dentures

There are two distinct types of dentures that typically use dental implants. The first is a ball-retained denture, also known as a stud-attachment denture, where each of the implants placed by your implant dentist has a metal attachment that fits into another attachment on the denture itself. Attachments on the implants are typically ball-shaped, known as male attachments, and they fit into sockets, known as female attachments, on the denture itself. The second kind of dentures that can be placed with the help of dental implants are bar-retained dentures. In the case of bar-retained dentures, a thin metal bar, designed to follow the curve of your jaw, will be attached to between two and five dental implants that have been pre-planted by your implant dentist into your jawbone. The bar is attached to the denture with a series of clips. The denture fits snugly over the bar for additional stability, while also hiding the bar for better aesthetics.
Regardless of the type of dental implant-supported dentures you will be getting, the one thing you can rest easy knowing is that the dentures fitted on the implants placed by your implant dentist will be far more secure than traditional dentures. With the help of your implant dentist, you will have the ability to smile easily, chew on any food you want, and have the safety and security of having teeth that are fully attached, just as nature intended them to be.

Traditional Dental Implants

As an implant dentist, we can also replace your teeth on an individual basis by implanting a small titanium post under your gums in each position where your missing teeth once were.  Once the process of osseointegration has taken place, we will secure a new tooth to the abutment attached to your implant.  This completes the process and is the most natural and durable way to replace missing teeth because we will have effectively replaced your roots and teeth.
To learn more about your options, call our office and schedule an appointment with an implant dentist.