Invisalign at Alta Loma Dental Care

Straight teeth play a big part in creating a beautiful smile, but they are also important for overall oral health. If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, correcting them can prevent dental issues from developing in the future. There are several options available for straightening your teeth, including Invisalign, and at our office in Alta Loma, CA, Dr. Michael Kim can help you achieve a smile you can be proud of with quality orthodontics.

If you’re in need of a mild to moderate correction, Invisalign may be a great option for you. Using a series of virtually invisible aligners, Invisalign adjusts your teeth bit by bit with a new aligner used approximately every two weeks. The aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic, and, unlike traditional braces, they are removable. This allows for convenient cleaning and eating, which mean your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will not have the same diet restrictions that you would have with traditional braces. You will still be able to eat all the foods you like, including popcorn, chips, pretzels, apples, nuts and corn.

Whether you’re an adult or teen, it’s not too late to straighten your teeth. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we will make sure your smile is both beautiful and healthy. Schedule an appointment by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Bridges in Alta Loma, CA

If you’ve had one tooth or multiple teeth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or your remaining teeth can shift out of position and become susceptible to further decay. One way to replace your missing tooth or teeth and prevent this shifting in Alta Loma, CA is with a dental bridge.

Called a bridge because a prosthetic tooth is suspended between two crowns to fill in the missing space, this natural-looking tooth structure is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last for many years.

The process of creating a bridge usually takes two visits to our office. During your first visit, Dr. Michael Kim will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your gap. This is where the bridge’s crowns will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. While you wait for the bridge to be fabricated in the lab, you will receive a temporary device for your convenience. Then, once the permanent device is completed, you will return Alta Loma Dental Care to have the crowns fixed to the abutments with an adhesive. The pontic between the crowns forms the bridge and replace your missing tooth or teeth.

To schedule an appointment, call (909) 987-6268. For more information, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.        

Night Guards from Alta Loma Dental Care

At our practice in Alta Loma, CA, we see many patients who suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. While many people who grind their teeth do so consciously throughout the day, even more grind their teeth at night while sleeping. Bruxism can cause damage to your enamel, as well as cause jaw pain, headaches and gum irritation, so it is important to treat it. Night guards are usually the best way to prevent grinding’s negative effects.

Similar to mouth guards worn by athletes during sports, night guards provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth when you sleep. By reducing wear to your teeth and making it harder for you to grind, your teeth will be healthier and you will feel better overall. We custom fit these night guards to make them as comfortable as possible. If you are a night grinder, we will take an impression of your teeth and have a mouth guard created in our dental lab. These guards are very durable and can last for up to 10 years.

If you find yourself frequently waking up with headaches or pain in your jaw, it is very possible that you grind in your sleep. Often those who do not treat their bruxism end up with TMD, which can lead to a change in the appearance of their faces. To diagnose and treat your night grinding, call (909) 987-6268 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Kim. For more information about Alta Loma Dental Care, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Dr. Michael Kim and Laser Dentistry

The introduction of lasers into the field of dentistry has drastically improved the way that certain procedures are performed. Allowing for less invasive, faster and essentially painless procedures, lasers improve the dental experience for both the dentist and our patients. While laser dentistry has only been embraced by about 7 percent of practicing dentists, Dr. Michael Kim utilizes this technology to bring countless rewards to our patients in Alta Loma, CA.

At Alta Loma Dental Care, Dr. Kim uses lasers to sterilize and restore gum tissue, perform root desensitization and treat canker sores and cold sores. Dr. Kim highly recommends laser bacterial reduction for decontaminating gums before cleaning appointments. This allows the dental cleaning to be more effective by preventing infection and protecting your teeth. Additionally, lasers provide an ideal treatment for apthous ulcers (canker sores) and Herpes 1 (cold sores). Lasers can accelerate healing, reduce pain and even prevent the sore from appearing if caught in the tingling, burning stage. Laser dentistry is also great for desensitizing sensitive roots that are causing discomfort for the patient.

When treating gum disease, ulcers or sensitive teeth, lasers improve the effectiveness of many dental procedures while also increasing the patient’s comfort. To schedule an appointment, call (909) 987-6268. For more information about our office and its services, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.