Your first course of action is to completely revamp your oral hygiene habits. Daily flossing and brushing following meals are essential habits to develop. You must have a clean mouth before you go to bed. If you smoke, you should stop. Your mouth’s health depends on it.

If you haven’t been keeping up with your professional checkups and cleanings, you need to start again. Long-term gum health is greatly impacted by the plaque, tartar, food debris and bacteria left on teeth. Hardened calculus, or calcified plaque, can be removed using a process called scaling. This process may require local anesthesia.

Your progress will be evaluated by your dentist to see if your gum tissue is recovering. With enough progress and response to treatment, your gum disease treatment may not progress beyond these initial steps; however, for more severe cases of gum disease, you may require oral surgery.

Surgical procedures are available that can regenerate and repair the soft gum tissue in the mouth, as well as hard tissues such as bone or teeth. Your oral surgeon will want to reduce or completely eliminate gum pockets, or open areas beneath the gum line, improving and renewing gum to tooth attachment. Normal oral functions and aesthetic appearances are aimed to be restored.

There are many sedation dentistry options available to patients treating their gum disease with oral surgery. These include local anesthesia and IV or conscious oral sedation. Talk to your oral surgeon to see what’s appropriate for your specific needs.

Don’t wait to treat your gum disease. Do what you need to do to ensure a lifetime of better oral hygiene and gum health.

Do not let another day go by without taking care of your dental needs. Request an appointment now at our Fresno dental office!

Why Choose CEREC for Your Dental Crown?

Here are some key reasons to consider CEREC for your next dental crown:

1. Time Efficiency: Traditional crowns require at least two appointments, with a temporary crown worn while the final version is crafted in a lab. CEREC crowns are made and placed in just one appointment, saving you time by eliminating the need for multiple visits.

2. No Temporary Crowns: CEREC eliminates the need for temporary crowns, offering a more convenient and comfortable experience.

3. Material Benefits: CEREC crowns are made from ceramic, avoiding metals that may cause allergic reactions in some patients.

4. Fewer Anesthesia Requirements: With fewer appointments, you’ll need fewer anesthesia injections, making the overall experience more comfortable.

5. Less Impact on Your Natural Tooth: The high-quality imaging used by CEREC requires less drilling on your natural tooth compared to traditional crown methods.

6. Fewer Gaps for a Better Fit: CEREC crowns create smaller gaps between the crown and neighboring teeth, resulting in a more secure and natural fit with fewer chances for failure.

7. Full Control for Your Dentist: With CEREC, your dentist can design and create the crown in the office, giving them full control over the process rather than relying on an outside lab.

8. Cost Savings: Although CEREC crowns generally cost the same as traditional crowns, you can save on expenses like travel, time off work, and childcare by reducing the number of office visits.

If you need a dental crown to restore a damaged tooth, a dentist trained in CEREC technology can provide a quicker, more efficient solution with fewer hassles and great results.

Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Fresno dental office to schedule your consultation!

Dental sedation involves administering certain types of drugs, from mild to stronger medications, to help a patient relax. The effects of the drugs decrease anxiety and awareness of the specifics related to treatment, so that procedures can be performed without upsetting the patient. Pain is also diminished so that the patient is comfortable during the dental visit.

Sedation methods vary according to the patient and the treatment. The medication may be given as pills that are swallowed orally, nitrous oxide gas that is inhaled through a mask, or medication given intravenously directly into the vein. Often, local anesthetics might still be required but the patient is already under the effects of sedation and does not feel the injection.

There are a number of benefits provided be sedation dentistry. Patients who otherwise might avoid checkups are able to get preventative care and procedures done without anxiety. They usually don’t remember what happened during treatment, so they come away without negative memories. Patients are also able to sit still during treatment, and for longer periods of time so that multiple procedures may be performed if needed. Lengthy or complex procedures are made possible by using sedation that allows patients to cooperate and not realize how long they are in the dental chair.

Sedation dentistry is a way for patients to obtain necessary dental care without the anxiety or fear that sometimes accompanies it. This can make all the difference in improving some people’s oral and general health.

Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Fresno dental office.

What are veneers?:
These very thin shells are usually made from porcelain or composite materials, and they fit right onto the surface of the fronts of your teeth to improve their appearance. They hide imperfections so that no one can even tell what your natural teeth underneath might look like.

What are the benefits?:
In addition to making your smile look nicer, veneers also may be used to fill in gaps between your teeth. They can repair chips in your teeth or decayed areas. Veneers can even correct crooked teeth because they may be used to align your smile in a more appealing way.

Which type should I choose?:
Porcelain veneers are the most popular choice because of its durability and natural appearance. Veneers made of composite are often less expensive, but tend to stain easier and require replacement sooner. Composite veneers may be a good choice for small tooth chip repairs, but for overall improvement porcelain is often the preferred material.

What’s the process for getting veneers?:
After your initial consultation with your dentist, your next appointment will involve gently altering the shape and surface of your teeth if necessary to prepare them for veneers. Then a mold will be made of your mouth so that custom veneers can be created. You’ll be fitted for temporary veneers while your permanent ones are made, which usually takes a few weeks. When they are ready, your veneers will be placed using special glue and then trimmed to fit exactly. Your new smile is now complete!

Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Fresno dental office.

• Professional teeth whitening to improve the color and brightness of dark, dingy, or discolored teeth
• Placement of dental veneers to improve the look of gapped, stained, or crooked teeth
• Replacement of old or unattractive metal fillings with more natural, tooth-colored materials
• Placement of crowns and bridges to repair and replace missing or severely damaged teeth
• Correction of small spaces or gaps between teeth by bonding with tooth-colored composite resin
• Insertion of dental implants to replace missing teeth
• Straightening of teeth and correction of bite problems with braces or Invisalign

Because your family dentist is already aware of your family’s dental history, it will be simple to recommend treatment plans. With this knowledge, your dentist can also quickly and expertly assess if you or other members of your family are suitable candidates for the procedures you are seeking. Your family dentist can perform all the same services as both a pediatric dentist and a general dentist, and will be able to address the cosmetic dental concerns of every member of your family. Family dentists can provide advice as to which procedures are age appropriate and give guidelines for when treatment is recommended.

If anyone in your family is not pleased with the appearance of their teeth, consult first with your family dentist to find out what cosmetic dental procedures and treatments are offered to improve the quality of their smile.

Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Fresno dental office to schedule your consultation!

What is root canal therapy?
Root canal treatment is performed when decay or trauma has damaged a tooth causing it to die. A dentist or endodontist performs a procedure to remove the diseased or damaged pulp from the tooth and then refills the tooth cavity.

Is root canal therapy painful?
In reality, root canal treatment is intended to relieve pain, not cause it. Because the procedures are very similar, you should experience no more discomfort than having a cavity filled.

What happens after root canal therapy?
Your tooth may be slightly sensitive for a few days, but over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient to relieve any pain you may experience. In order for your tooth to return to full functionality, a crown or other restoration will need to be placed after the root canal therapy is performed.

What if I opt not to choose root canal therapy?
Untreated damage or infection in your tooth can travel through the roots and lead to an abscess or larger infection.

Is there an alternative to root canal therapy?
You could relieve the pain and infection by having your tooth removed. However, this can cause problems such as bone loss, migration of teeth, and bite problems.

In the case of a severely damaged or decayed tooth, the ideal solution is to save your natural tooth through root canal therapy and restoration. Contrary to popular belief, a root canal procedure is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed in a cavity, and can have enormous benefits to your long-term oral health. Consult with your dental professional to get answers to any other questions or concerns you may have regarding root canal therapy so you can alleviate your fears and return to your healthy smile.

Take the first step towards optimal oral hygiene. Reserve your dental appointment at our Fresno dental office now and experience personalized care.

Dental implant treatment takes a relatively long period of time to complete as well as to completely heal when compared to other tooth replacement options, such as a bridge. The planning process is far more involved than in other missing tooth replacement plans. The materials utilized with dental implants take more time to create in a dental lab and require greater skill and attention than other lab-created tooth replacements.

Dental implants are much stronger than other tooth replacement options, and will last years or even decades longer. When compared to a dental bridge which lasts an average of 14 years, a dental implant can last up to 30 years.

Sometimes, if insufficient bone is present to provide the necessary support for the implant, bone from elsewhere in the body might be grafted onto the existing bone. A dental implant must heal completely before any pressure is put on the new artificial tooth roots. This can take up to three months. After this time, the tooth portion of the dental implant is applied.

Dental implants are the strongest, best choice for a patient with a missing tooth. They rarely fracture and never decay. As opposed to a dental bridge that necessitates the removal of some of your natural tooth structure, a dental implant preserves adjacent teeth and allows patients the most natural, ideal choice for tooth replacement.

Dental implant candidates who are willing to be patient and plan for the future can experience the benefits these restorations have to offer. Talk to your dentist if you want to explore your options for replacing one or more missing teeth.

Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Fresno dental office.

This state-of-the-art technology utilizes digital equipment to create a 3D image of your tooth, replacing the traditional physical impressions used by dentists. The digital scan is then used with CAD software to design a highly accurate restoration that fits your tooth perfectly.

One of the major advantages of CEREC is the ability to mill the restoration directly in the office. In approximately 15 minutes, your ceramic restoration is ready for placement. The process includes fitting, bonding, and polishing, restoring your tooth on the spot.

CEREC is versatile and can be used for various dental restorations, including:

• Crowns: A cap placed over a tooth to enhance its strength, shape, size, or appearance. CEREC crowns are made from a material similar to enamel, providing a natural look and feel. This process is completed in one visit, eliminating the need for temporary crowns or additional appointments.
• Onlays: These are larger fillings that replace tooth material lost to cavities, covering a significant portion of the tooth’s chewing surface. CEREC onlays are tooth-colored, durable, and look natural while offering a metal-free solution.
• Inlays: Smaller than onlays, CEREC inlays fill a smaller portion of the tooth and provide a comfortable, attractive solution for cavities. Like onlays, inlays are designed using CAD technology for a perfect fit.

With CEREC, you can enjoy quicker, more convenient dental restorations without compromising on quality or aesthetics.

Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Fresno dental office.

The primary reasons many people opt for dentures include:

Eating – Just like natural teeth, dentures allow you to chew and eat a variety of foods, eliminating the need to rely solely on soft foods or liquids.

Speaking – Replacing missing teeth improves your ability to speak clearly and comfortably, making communication easier.

Smiling – Dentures can boost your self-confidence, allowing you to smile and laugh without hesitation. They also help restore fullness to your cheeks and may give you a more youthful appearance.

When you first get dentures, it’s normal for them to feel unfamiliar. It may take time to adjust, especially when learning to speak and eat with them. Be patient during this adjustment period, but if discomfort persists, it’s important to visit your dentist to ensure proper fit and make any necessary adjustments.

Take the first step towards optimal oral hygiene. Reserve your dental appointment at our Fresno dental office now and experience personalized care.

• A dental crown encases a damaged tooth completely within a custom-fit cap, or crown, fitting perfectly over the affected tooth. A dental crown is designed specifically for you and your tooth’s particular design, fit and function. It is a restorative therapy that can restore function to a tooth that may have had excessive decay, has been cracked or has recently undergone root canal treatment.

How do dental crowns work?

• A dental crown covers a damaged tooth entirely and can be used to improve not only the tooth’s appearance, but also its shape or alignment.

What is a dental bridge?

• A dental bridge makes a literal bridge between two anchor teeth, filling a gap left by a missing tooth that has either fallen out naturally or is the result of acute decay or facial trauma. Dental crowns cover the bordering anchor teeth, allowing the bridge to fit securely and to function as your natural tooth.

What materials are used for dental crowns?

• Dental crowns can be porcelain (ceramic), porcelain-fused-to-metal, or gold or other metal alloy. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be designed to closely match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. Metal alloys are usually stronger, and are a better choice for back teeth.

Is a dental cap a crown?   

• Yes! A dental cap is another name for a dental crown.

Am I a candidate for a dental bridge?

• If you are missing a tooth and you have adjacent teeth that are stable, dental bridges are for you. Even if you are missing a front tooth or a tooth that has only one border, there are types of dental bridges that could meet your needs.

Are there alternatives to a dental bridge?

• Dental implants are rising in popularity as technology has improved. A dental implant can restore a single tooth or can restore several, and are the standard of care for the replacement of a missing tooth today. Because a dental implant continues to stimulate the jawbone, it doesn’t lead to bone loss over time.

Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Fresno dental office.