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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Does Your Tooth Still Hurt After a Root Canal? Dr. Michael Kim Can Help

If you’re still experiencing pain after a root canal, you may be wondering why. Aren’t root canals meant to take your pain away? There are many reasons why your tooth may still be hurting. It is possible that the base of your tooth root (periapical) is still slightly tender or that your pain is caused by a temporary filling that is a bit too high. In these cases, taking OTC painkillers, preferably ibuprofen, may be all you need to alleviate your pain while your root canal heals.

However, if you’ve had a root canal at our practice in Alta Loma, CA and are still experiencing pain that is severe or persistent, you should call our office immediately. The dentist may need to prescribe you an antibiotic to make sure the infection does not remain, or she may need to perform retreatment.
At your follow-up appointment, Dr. Michael Kim will want to know what type of pain you are experiencing. Is your tooth sensitive to hot and cold? Is it the tooth root that is sensitive or the gums that are over the tooth? Is it a constant ache, or does it only hurt when biting? Is there any swelling, drainage or pus? The answers to these questions will give Dr. Kim the information he needs to diagnose your pain.

Root canals don’t always work, and there are many reasons for this, including fractures of the root, convoluted or twisted root structures and failure to protect the root canal after the procedure. If this occurs, you may need further treatment. If the root canal was successful, it should feel normal most of the time.

To schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care, call (909) 987-6268. For more information about the dentist, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.   

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Dr. Michael Kim Restores Patients Smiles with Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are two procedures that use the tooth structure as a base for restoration. Often called partial crowns, both inlays and onlays strengthen the tooth while restoring its shape and prevent further damage or decay. At our office in Alta Loma, CA, we use these procedures to repair teeth when decay is too extensive to support a filling but not extensive enough to use a crown.

When there is no damage to the cusps of a tooth, Dr.  Michael Kim uses an inlay for restoration, bonding it right on top of the tooth structure. Made of porcelain, inlays are both strong and natural-looking, providing an attractive solution for repairing your tooth. Dr. Kim uses onlays when damage is a little more extensive and repairs to the cusp of the tooth are required.

Inlays and onlays can be created at a lab out of porcelain, gold or composite resin. Fabrication normally takes between two to three weeks, and during that time, you will be provided with temporary restorations. Once your permanent restorations are ready, they will be cemented in place.

To ensure that your teeth get the best dental care available, schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Dental Crowns in Alta Loma, CA

From the acid erosion caused by the food you eat to the constant biting, crunching and grinding you do when eating or stressed, daily activities weaken your teeth and make them more susceptible to decay, cracks, discoloration and more. If any of your teeth reach a point where they become so weak or decayed that the tooth structure becomes compromised, a crown can be used to protect and reinforce it. By covering a weak or broken tooth and restoring it to its original size and shape, a crown reduces pain and saves the tooth from needing to be extracted, and in Alta Loma, CA, Dr. Michael Kim can determine if a crown is needed to save your smile.

Made from porcelain, gold or porcelain fused to metal, crowns are used to repair teeth when fillings or bonding are not enough. When you have a crown placed, Dr. Kim will first prepare your tooth by removing any existing decay and insulating the tooth nerve with core buildup. Besides providing insulation, the core buildup also serves as a surface for the crown to bond to. Once the tooth is prepared, an impression is taken so that the crown can be created to fit perfectly. Then at your next appointment, the custom crown is cemented onto the current tooth to prevent further decay and fracture.

Schedule an appointment with Alta Loma Dental Care by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com

Friday, February 6, 2015

Get your Smile Ready at Alta Loma Dental Care

Valentine’s Day will be here soon, so it’s time to look your best. Nothing enhances your looks more dramatically than an attractive smile, which is where we come in. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we can get you a bright, white smile in no time with the ZOOM! teeth whitening system.

The ZOOM! system is a chair-side whitening procedure that is done in our office and combines a safe whitening gel with low-intensity light. The light activates the hydrogen peroxide in the gel, which can lighten your teeth up to 10 shades in only an hour! Unlike other whitening systems that involve multiple sessions and take-home trays, ZOOM! produces results that are both drastic and quick, which makes whitening your teeth an easy way to improve your smile during for the upcoming holiday.    

For the best results, patients should have their teeth cleaned prior to the whitening procedure since tartar and plaque can prevent the whitening gel from working in certain areas. By having your teeth cleaned, you are ensuing that you get an even, white smile.

Dr. Michael Kim can ensure that your pearly whites are as white as can be come the fourteenth. Schedule an appointment in Alta Loma, CA by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.