Extrinsic Stains

Beverages that contain pigments such as tea, coffee, and wine, can leave our smiles looking lackluster if we consume them on a daily basis. When our smiles don’t shine, this may leave us with a diminished self-esteem. Our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care can revive your smile with professional whitening treatment and remove extrinsic stains instantly.

Extrinsic tooth stains develop on the outer surface of the tooth enamel and are easier to eliminate than stains that reside underneath. Tooth discoloration isn’t typically something to be worried about but may require an improvement in your oral hygiene routine. After scheduling a consultation with one of our doctors to see which whitening option is right for you, you can begin your journey to a whiter smile.

If you have questions or concerns about the appearance of your smile, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

ZOOM! Teeth Whitening

At Alta Loma Dental Care, our doctors offer ZOOM! teeth whitening to patients looking to treat surface stains or whiten their natural teeth.  This professional whitening system delivers dramatic results, and treatment can be completed in the office in as little as an hour.

ZOOM! Whitening combines whitening gel with an activator light to penetrate the enamel and break up stains at the dentin layer.  When stains penetrate the tooth enamel they can darken the color of the dentin, the hard tissue layer of your tooth under the enamel. When the dentin is darkened it can make the whole tooth appear yellow.  Once the gel is applied to your teeth, the light activates and accelerates the whitening process.  When the chemical reaction lightens the color of the dentin, the whole tooth is free to become whiter. A dentist can tell you based on the level of staining on your teeth what results you can expect from ZOOM! whitening. Patients have seen their smile lighten up to ten shades after a one-hour treatment!

If you have questions or concerns about dental bridges, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Cleaning Fixed Bridges

Although our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care are experts at placing implants, there are situations in which a fixed bridge is the best way to restore a patient’s smile. Bridges can last a lifetime when properly cared for, but cleaning them does require some minor changes in a patient’s hygienic routine.

Tartar can accumulate in between the bridge and the gum line and must be removed. People who have worn braces will already be familiar with one means of doing this: a dental threader. Threaders are big, floppy loops which can be drawn under a bridge like a sewing needle, trailing floss behind them. The floss can then be grabbed at both ends and rubbed in an arch along the bridge’s underside. Some floss manufacturers also make floss that comes with stiffened tips so it can be pushed under bridges. If the bridge is supported by implants, it may also be possible to use a proxy brush to dislodge large pieces of debris. If patients find this difficult they may want to try one of the normal-sized tooth brush handles which can be affixed with a proxy brush.

If you have questions or concerns about dental bridges, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Dangers of Intrinsic Stains

Patients at Alta Loma Dental Care can count on us for all their cosmetic needs, but some tooth stains are beyond the ability of normal cosmetic treatments. Extrinsic stains are those on the outside of a tooth, which are caused by prolonged exposure to dark liquids such as coffee and smoke. They can be treated with bleaching. But intrinsic stains affect the pulp of a tooth, which is sometimes too deep for bleaching to have an effect.

An intrinsic stain could be the result of something that affected the tooth during its formation or of trauma. If the tooth is discolored due to overexposure to something like fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics, it may be covered with a veneer. However, if the pulp is infected, a root canal is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading further and causing the patient a severe tooth ache. The worst dental infections can even cause facial abscesses and sepsis. Once the pulp has been removed and the tooth has been sealed, the doctors and patients can precede with more normal cosmetic restoration, although it is possible that the entire crown will need to be replaced.

If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Thank You for Your Positive Reviews!

At Alta Loma Dental Care, our staff appreciates feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team.  Our staff would not only like to thank Matthew C. for this five-star review, but we would like to thank him for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“When I walked in, one of the ladies addressed me by my name I go by and I was surprised that she remembered. All the staff is very pleasant, professional and down to earth. The Doctor showed me my x-rays and explained everything to me so that I could understand and make a well informed decision. Then the same lady that said hi to me when I first walked in, sat down next to me and went over prices and payment options with me. She even assisted me with finding dental insurance on one of their computers. It was a great experience, and I am looking forward to my next visit.”

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at our Alta Loma, CA office, call us at (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com. 

How Can I Get a Crown in a Single Appointment?

The doctors of Alta Loma Dental Care use technology that delivers to give patients the best products available and the most pleasant dental visit possible.  CEREC is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.  As the full name implies, CEREC equipment is used to fabricate crowns in the office during a dental appointment.

A crown fits over the top of a tooth like a little cap.  When a tooth experiences damage or decay, it can be rescued with a crown if the tooth hasn’t been harmed near the root.  For a tooth to receive a new crown, the decay will be drilled out and the remaining tooth is then reshaped to ensure there will be a great fit for the crown.  Without CEREC machines, other dentists make a mold of the patient’s mouth and send the mold to a laboratory which designs the restoration.  Using CEREC allows us to take a detailed digital image which we use to design the new restoration and mill a custom product.  It only takes about 10 minutes for the CEREC machine to mill a ceramic crown restoration, and it can be applied in the mouth on the same visit.  With the aid of CEREC technology, a crown can be done in as little as an hour!

To learn more about single visit crowns and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Thank You for Your Testimonials!

At Alta Loma Dental Care, our staff appreciates feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team.  Our staff would not only like to thank Yon S. for this five-star review, but we would like to thank him for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“I am very pleased with the care I'm getting. At my last visit I had a cavity treated - the last of four cavities! Dr. Vidal is careful and considerate. The staff is friendly and competent. I never have any problems with the work they do for me, and my teeth look great!”

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at our Alta Loma, CA office, call us at (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com.