Blog

Apr 22

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3 Solutions for Straightening Your Teeth

By Marine Martirosyan, DDS | Orthodontics

3 Solutions for Straightening Your Teeth

Having crooked teeth can have a detrimental impact on so many aspects of your life – your speech, your bite, brushing and flossing effectively, and even your self-esteem. There are three different orthodontic solutions for straightening your teeth, giving you the smile you’ve always wanted and making dental care more effective.

Traditional Orthodontics

Traditional braces are very effective at straightening your crooked teeth. With this method, wires and brackets are used to apply constant gentle pressure to the teeth and move them into the right place over a period of time. As teeth shift, the wires are changed and brackets are tightened to continue to push them in the right direction. After your teeth are straightened, the use of a retainer is required to keep your teeth in place while your bone tissue adjusts to the new placement of your teeth. Traditional orthodontics are a popular choice among patients.

Invisalign

Invisalign uses clear plastic material, so this method of straightening your teeth is very discreet. The aligners can be removed while eating, brushing, and flossing, so you don’t have to worry about avoiding certain foods the way you’d have to do with traditional orthodontics. If you’re worried about the aesthetics of having braces, Invisalign is likely the best choice for you to straighten your crooked teeth. Invisalign can be used to close gaps between your teeth as well as straightening your teeth. Each set of aligners is custom-made to fit a patient’s mouth, and gets changed regularly as the teeth shift into place.

Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles is perfect if you simply need minor cosmetic adjustments and aren’t looking for a way to fix your bite. While traditional orthodontics and Invisalign will fix your bite, Six Month Smiles will not, instead focusing solely on cosmetic changes. This method involves only moving the teeth that will be shown when you smile. Teeth are moved using transparent braces and memory wire, so the teeth are moved quickly to give you fast results in the most visible area.

Why Straighten Your Teeth?

Leaving your teeth crooked can cause dental issues. When you have crooked teeth, it is harder to brush and floss properly. You are unable to get at every part of your teeth with your toothbrush. This makes cavities and dental infections much more likely to develop in a mouth with crooked teeth. When your teeth are straightened, you can brush and floss much better.

Straightening your crooked teeth can not only help improve your smile and self-confidence, but can also benefit your overall dental health. Your risk of cavities and dental issues lessens when your teeth aren’t overlapping, and you can get at every nook of your teeth. Straightening your teeth can be done a few different ways depending on your needs. Whether you choose traditional orthodontics, Invisalign, or Six Month Smiles, having straight teeth will give you a better smile and keep you in better health.

Contact Pacific Dental Care today and schedule a consultation to discuss your treatment options.

Feb 26

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The Importance of Preventative Dentistry

By Marine Martirosyan, DDS | Dental Article

Preventative Dentistry

It is a common assumption that you only need to visit the dentist when you’ve got a problem. But nothing could be farther from the truth. According to recent reports, nearly half of adults in the U.S. do not visit the dentist for preventative dentistry, such as regular exams, x-rays, and cleanings.

Gum Disease is Rampant in Adults in America

The fact that almost half of American adults lack preventive oral healthcare is a disturbing statistic considering that nearly the same percentage of adults have some level of gum disease and nearly three-quarters of adults are estimated to have at least one cavity.

While the individuals skipping their regular check-ups may feel like they are saving time and money in the short-term, they may actually end up spending more money on expensive interventions down the road.

The Answer to Fighting Gum Disease

Keeping your dental exams and periodic cleanings is not just about saving money. Maintaining good oral health is an important part of keeping your whole body healthy. While daily brushing and flossing is essential for a health mouth, regular check-ups and cleanings are also very important. For most adults, it is recommended they get a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. However, depending on your individual needs and personal dental history, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.

By regularly monitoring your oral health and keeping up on necessary preventative care, dental disease and decay is less likely to occur. If a problem is found during your regular check-up, it is often easier to fix because it was spotted quickly. As a result, the need for expensive intervention and treatment is virtually eliminated, and any threat to your overall health has been removed. When it comes to keeping your dental exams and periodic cleanings, remember the old saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

If you have put-off scheduling your next dental checkup and cleaning, we would love to help get you back on track. We have appointments available to fit into even the busiest schedules. Make 2019 the year you made a change for the better. Contact Pacific Dental Care today to schedule your appointment.

Feb 20

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Jewelry for Your Teeth

By Marine Martirosyan, DDS | Dental Article

Jewelry for your Teeth

Flashing an attractive, captivating smile exudes confidence, makes a memorable first impression, and gives a great boost to self-esteem. If you are looking for yet another way to make your smile even more stylish, you might want to consider adding something really special.

Enter, Tooth Jewelry – bedazzling gems, jewels, and temporary cosmetic appliances for your teeth.

What is Tooth Jewelry?

Tooth jewelry is a temporary, non-invasive aesthetic smile enhancement. Tooth jewelry comes in many different shapes and sizes. One option is a tooth gem – a small rhinestone jewel is attached to the surface of a tooth using a dental adhesive. Another option is a jewel-encrusted cap fitted over a single tooth. Lastly, are the big statement pieces – decorative grills – that fit over most of a person’s front teeth, popularized by artists such as Lil Wayne and Jonathan Davis.

How long will my tooth jewelry last?

In most cases, a tooth gem applied in the dentist’s office will last from six months to one year. If you wish to have it removed before it falls off naturally, your dentist will be able to remove it safely without any lasting damage to your natural tooth.

How do I care for my tooth jewelry?

Tooth jewelry requires no additional maintenance. After you have had your tooth gem applied by your dentist, simply continue with regular daily brushing and flossing. It is also advised that you continue to keep your regular dental cleaning appointments. Your dental hygienist can easily polish the top and around the jewel with a soft point. The only exception is that we do not recommend you use an electric toothbrush for the first 24 hours following your procedure.

If you are looking to make your smile particularly memorable, contact Pacific Dental Care today to schedule your cosmetic consultation and see how tooth jewelry can add an eye-catching pop to your pearly whites.