Invisalign

Invisalign is a system of straightening teeth without the use of conventional braces. A series of clear plastic aligners are utilized to create tooth movement. New technology has developed that can generate a series of aligners with small changes to each aligner and doesn’t require traditional braces. A new aligner is given to patients every few weeks to continue moving the teeth into the desired position.

Made from a clear plastic material and fit tightly over the teeth, Invisalign can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing. At Alta Loma Dental Care we make the aligners so they are virtually impossible to notice, comfortable, and easy to wear.

Invisalign is recommended for young adults and adults with fully developed mouths so the Invisalign fits appropriately and their mouth structure isn’t still changing. Children’s mouths aren’t fully developed at a young age so they are a better fit for traditional braces. Patients who have only a mild to moderate case of spacing and crowding with their teeth are the best fit for invisalign.

At Alta Loma Dental Care we specialize in Invisalign and can get patients on the right track to making their teeth healthier and straighter.

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

Teeth Grinding

Patients affected by bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, need a customized night guard from Alta Loma Dental Care. Teeth grinding can damage enamel, wear down teeth, create jaw pain, and irritate your gums. The only way to prevent teeth grinding is a customized night guard that we make to protect the top and bottom of your teeth from grinding while you sleep.

The reason people most likely grind their teeth is due to an abnormal bite, or missing or crooked teeth. Patients who experience high levels of stress and anxiety are also more prone to teeth grinding.

It is difficult for patients that grind their teeth to know they do it because they are sleeping. Patients waking up with headaches or sore jaws regularly are likely grinding their teeth. Teeth grinding is loud and can be heard by other people who are present while you asleep and should tell you.

Night guards are the only defense against teeth grinding and guards can be made at Alta Loma Dental to prevent your teeth from ruining a good night's sleep.

To learn more about night guards and the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadental.com. To schedule an appointment at our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Dental Phobia

If you are afraid of going to the dentist, you may suffer from dental phobia which is a more serious condition than anxiety. It leaves people panic-stricken and terrified to visit the dentist, an estimated 10-20% of people suffer from dental phobia. Many patients simply avoid the dentist to solve the problem until the pain in their mouth is no longer tolerable. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we work with our patients to make their experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Patients who have trouble sleeping the night before the dentist may suffer from dental phobia. If while at the dentist's office patients feel physically ill, nervous, or experience intense uneasiness they should talk to their dentist to find a solution. Dentists should always take your concerns seriously and do everything they can to put your mind at ease.

At Alta Loma Dental Care, we talk to our patients to make sure they are comfortable and feel at ease while in the chair. If patients have issues that cause them duress while at our practice, we work with them to find common ground and make the experience is as pleasant as possible.

To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadental.com for more information. To schedule in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Do You Know Your Dental Instruments?

The instruments at a dental office are hopefully a familiar sight to you, but you may not know their names. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we’re always happy to answer patients’ questions, but often, people may struggle with what to ask if they don’t feel equipped for a discussion. We thought it would be a good idea to let patients know a little more about our instruments and how we use them.

We’re providers of 6-month braces, but most of our patients come in for cleanings and fillings. During cleanings, our hygienists will rely heavily on the handheld mirror and hooked instruments called probes or explorers. Probes have a hook that forms a ninety-degree angle with the handle and are used to test the cleanliness of gum pockets. Explorers are used to break apart calculus, the mineral and bacterial build-up on teeth, and to test the hardness of enamel. One of the things that sets our office apart is that we also use lasers to remove bacterial build-up. While breaking apart calculus, we occasionally have the patient close their lips around an evacuator, which is the tube that vacuums out debris.

Larger evacuators are needed for drilling away tooth decay. Before drilling begins, patients are numbed with an anesthetic delivered through a syringe. The drill sprays water to prevent overheating. Following the decay’s removal, we apply the filling in layers using a blunt instrument called a burnisher. We can also use a laser to desensitize tooth roots and then apply sealants to them.

Alta Loma Dental Care is at 7283 Carnelian St, Alta Loma, California, 91701. To schedule an appointment, call 909-987-6268 or visit Alta Loma Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.