At Alta Loma Dental Care, we Straighten Teeth Discreetly with Invisalign

Having straight teeth would be great, wouldn’t it? You’re probably holding off though, because you don’t want to deal with the embarrassment of having a mouth full of braces. Patients who want to straighten their teeth without the hassle and appearance of metal braces are quickly turning to Invisalign. Thanks to these innovative aligners, we have the ability to straighten your teeth quickly and discretely.

 

Invisalign aligners are plastic, removable mouth pieces that gradually straighten teeth over time. They give less force per week and cause considerably less pain to straighten teeth compared to traditional braces. Since the pieces are transparent, you are able to maintain an aesthetically pleasing smile while improving it at the same time. One of the main complaints of traditional braces, while they are effective, they often leave stain marks on the teeth. This is not the case with Invisalign; patients are able to remove the mouth pieces in order to brush regularly.

 

The mouth pieces are created by a 3D computer imaging technology. As the teeth begin to shift, new aligners will be used to replace the originals. Each aligner is made to perfectly fit the stage that the teeth are in at that time. The mouth pieces are only taken out to eat and brush; they are typically worn at least 22 hours a day.

 

Compared to bracket traditional, Invisalign is a much safer option. Patients who use Invisalign often avoid damage to the gums and supporting tissues. If you choose Invisalign, you will also avoid bacteria build up that would result through traditional braces. The best part is that you can have your regular dental checkups while using Invisalign. Traditional braces prevent X-rays and regular cleanings while the removable aligners used through Invisalign can be removed allowing for dentist access. So we can keep an eye on your teeth’s health while they’re being straightened!

Alta Loma Dental Care "Bridges the Gap"

Dental bridges are a great solution if you are looking to literally “bridge the gap” created by one or more missing teeth. We use dental bridges to restore smiles, improve talking and chewing abilities and help maintain the shape of your face. We utilize dental bridges to get your smiles back to its natural look.

Creating a bridge is quite simple. Dr. Kim will create a base out of the existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are reshaped to support the base of the bridge. After the abutments are created, a mold is cast of the area and sent to a dental lab. The lab uses the mold to manufacture a permanent bridge. Dr. Kim will fit you with a temporary bridge in order to keep your teeth from shifting. The permanent bridge usually takes between 1-2 weeks to be created. During the second visit, Dr. Kim will remove the temporary bridge and the new permanent bridge will be checked and adjusted. The bridge will be placed on the abutments and an adhesive will be used to make sure the bridge is set.

Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge will make eating easier. We recommend that our patients eat soft foods immediately following the procedure, but after a couple days patients can resume their normal diet. You will also see improved speech with dental bridges. The gaps caused by missing teeth often make speech difficult, by filling in those spaces, patients will drastically improve speech. 

Alta Loma Dental Care Offers Various Restorative Dental Treatment Options

While most dental practices offer a very narrow scope of procedures, at Alta Loma Dental Care, we have established a full-service dental practice that specializes in preventative, restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. We wanted to create a practice that not only keeps your teeth safe, but also one that can restore your smile if something happens.

 

With restorative dentistry, we are able to replace or restore missing teeth or missing parts of the tooth structure. Tooth structure can be damaged due to decay, deterioration of a previously placed restoration or the tooth could fracture. We offer the following restorative dental procedures at our Alta Loma, CA office:

• Bridges
• Crowns
• Dentures
• Bonding

The goal of restorative dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth as much as possible. In cases where we cannot save the natural teeth, full dentures might be necessary. Most people do not know that a missing tooth can cause serious damage to your mouth. When a tooth a missing, the rest of your teeth will begin to shift, causing your teeth to become misaligned. When teeth become misaligned, they are more difficult to clean, and decayed teeth are susceptible to periodontal disease which can lead to tooth loss. Missing teeth also put extra stress on your remaining natural teeth because you don't have as much surface area to chew with.

Alta Loma Dental Care Provides Custom Night Guards for Bruxism Prevention

Think you might be a night grinder but aren’t sure? If you wake up with a dull, constant headache or a sore jaw then you might be suffering from bruxism (night grinding). If you suspect that you might be grinding your teeth and you live in the Alta Loma, CA area, schedule an appointment with us at Alta Loma Dental Care for information on treatment options.

 

You might grind your teeth because of stress and anxiety, but it more likely due to an abnormal bite or missing/crooked teeth. Patients often find out that they are a grinder from a loved one or through a consultation with their dentist. Dr. Michael Kim is trained in the detection of bruxism and can diagnose it through a simple examination. Patients exhibiting symptoms such as jaw tenderness and teeth abnormalities are most likely grinding their teeth at night.

 

Teeth grinding can become a serious issue. Chronic teeth grinding can lead to fractured, loosening or loss of teeth. Taking the time to visit us at Alta Loma Dental Care is a great preventative measure when it comes to preventing night grinding. Chronic teeth grinders can wear their teeth down so bad that bridges, crowns or even dentures may be necessary. While these procedures are effective, they are also very expensive and can be very invasive.

 

We have a great reputation when it comes to creating custom mouth guards for prevention of night grinding. Our team is able to custom-fit a mouth guard to your individual needs so as to prevent any discomfort during sleep. Dr. Kim will take an impression of your teeth and the mouth guard is molded over the model using special material. Custom-fitted mouth guards are utilized because they provide the most comfort and best overall protection. The night guard creates a barrier between your top and bottom teeth, preventing your teeth from grinding. Call us today to schedule your appointment!

Alta Loma Dental Care Restores Smiles with Dental Bonding

Our patients who have cracks or gaps in their teeth are turning to dental bonding to restore their smile. Dr. Michel Kim has become the go-to local dentist for bonding procedures. Unlike veneers, which are manufactured in a laboratory and require a customized mold, bonding can be done in a single visit.

 

Dental bonding is not just used to repair teeth that are cracked or damaged, it is also used to repair decayed teeth, improve discoloration of teeth or even change the shape of teeth. The procedure for dental bonding is non-invasive and can be completed in just a few steps. After selecting the proper tooth shade, Dr. Kim will begin the bonding process. He will begin by abrading or roughening the surface of the tooth. The tooth will then be coated lightly with a conditioning liquid. This liquid will help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. Once the tooth is prepared, Dr. Kim will simply apply the tooth-colored putty and mold it to the proper shape and size. The material is then hardened with an ultraviolet light. The final step is polishing the area to give you a fresh, vibrant smile.

 

The bonding process typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. When it comes to maintenance, bonded teeth should be treated just as your regular teeth. They can be stained by tea, coffee and cigarettes just as normal teeth so regular brushing and flossing is highly recommended. 

Alta Loma Dental Care Straightens Teeth Quickly with Six Month Smiles

Are you an adult who feels the need to hide your smile when you laugh, smile or even talk? At Alta Loma Dental Care, we provide the opportunity to reverse that feeling with "Six Month Smiles". This system utilizes specialized tooth colored braces to gently straighten and align teeth in an average time of just six months.

 

With Six Month Smiles, Dr. Michael Kim is able to align your smile quickly and effectively with the help of new technology. The system uses low force to adjust your teeth more comfortably. Many people think that the accelerated treatment means simply “tightening” regular braces to get the teeth moving, but that is not the case. Unlike traditional braces, Six Month Smiles focuses on the cosmetic appearance of your smile, rather than the position of your bite.

 

Traditional braces are the most widely utilized and are considered the most effective method to align your smile. There’s just one problem, most adults don’t want a mouth full of metal braces. With Six Month Smiles, you will get the benefits of traditional braces without the look. Dr. Kim uses tooth-colored braces that are barely visible. The wires are tooth-colored as well. Six Month Smiles has taken the best aspects of traditional braces and modified the treatment in addition to the materials in order to give adults a common-sense, cosmetic solution that fits your lifestyle.

 

Give us a call today at 909-987-6268 to schedule you appointment and straighten your teeth! 

Alta Loma Dental Care Helps Patients Suffering from Bad Breath

Halitosis, commonly referred to as bad breath, is a condition caused by a persistent foul-smelling odor in the mouth. With millions of bacteria in the mouths of many of our patients, it is no surprise they are struggling with bad breath. But here at Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, we offer preventative care and treatment options for bad breath. The treatments vary based on the cause of the bad breath.

There are a lot of different things that can cause bad breath, such as bad dental hygiene causing particles to remain in the mouth, periodontal disease, respiratory tract infections, dry mouth, external causes like smoking cigarettes or drinking coffee, and certain illnesses, such as kidney, liver or lung disease. Diabetes has also been known to cause bad breath.

Dr. Michael Kim provides treatments based on the cause of bad breath in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Tooth infections receive antibiotics and treatments, while periodontal care is provided for the treatment and prevention of bad breath when gingivitis or periodontal disease is the culprit. Patients are also urged to stop smoking cigarettes, as it can worse the condition. If you are struggling with bad breath, visit us in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Dr. Michael Kim of Alta Loma Dental Care Provides Comfortable Dental Procedures with Anesthesia

Here at Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, we care about the comfort of our patients during dental procedures, which is why we offer anesthesia for many of our treatments. Patients often have the option to choose between general and local anesthesia, depending on their anxiety level, though this depends largely on the type of treatment being performed. Anesthesia is helpful to the patient as it eliminates pain, while Dr. Michael Kim benefits by being able to perform treatments quickly and effectively.

The first type of anesthesia is general anesthesia, which means our patient is complexly unconscious (asleep). They have no memory of the treatment, are completely pain free and unaware of what is happening. This type of anesthesia is given through liquid or inhaled gas, and used for many oral surgery procedures, especially extracting wisdom teeth. We monitor our patients carefully while under general anesthesia.

Local anesthesia is also offered, which is injected under the skin. This type of anesthesia is for eliminating pain while getting a procedure done, such as fillings, root canals and basic extractions. The patient is awake and alert, but doesn’t experience any pain. Many patients also find they have less anxiety with local anesthesia. Visit our dental clinic in Rancho Cucamonga, CA if you want to find out more about anesthesia offered.

Air Abrasion is Offered to Rancho Cucamonga, CA Patients at Alta Loma Dental Care

Air abrasion is a technique we use in our dental office for fillings and removing tooth decay from the teeth. It is a drill-less technique that provides a more comfortable experience for Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients, but is also helpful for our dentist, Dr. Michael Kim, as well.

With air abrasion, there is an instrument that sprays away decay from the teeth by using a stream of particles aimed at the portion of the tooth with decay. With compressed air, it helps to remove these particles quickly and without sounds, heat or pressure.

There are a variety of benefits to air abrasion, including:

• No heat, pressure, vibration or sound.


• Most patients don’t need anesthesia.


• Leaves the working area dry for placing fillings.


• More of the healthy tooth remains.


• Less fracturing and chipping of the tooth.


• The procedure is very quick.


• Our dentist treats multiple sites in one visit with air abrasion.

Patients choose Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA partly because of the technology we use, including air abrasion. If you have anxiety about visiting the dentist due to the sounds and vibrations, call us at 909-296-7920 to schedule an appointment and request air abrasion.

Braces Align Smiles at Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

There are many types of braces available for adolescents and adults, ranging from traditional metal braces to Invisalign, which are practically translucent. Invisalign and traditional can take anywhere from one year to four years in total before the teeth are ready to have the braces removed. Here at Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, in addition to Invisalign braces, we offer another alternative in our Six Month Smiles program. The typical complete treatment length for patients getting these braces is right around six months.

Most Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients who choose Six Month Smiles braces are adults who don’t want to feel self-conscious with their braces for a long period of time. We use a combination of modern materials, innovation and orthodontic techniques to provide a shorter treatment. Here are some reasons to choose these types of braces:

1. Treatment in as little as six months.

2. Less expensive than traditional braces due to being worn less time.

3. Brackets available in tooth-colored and clear.

4. Wires are thin and barely visible.

If this sounds like the type of braces you want for straightening your teeth and correcting your bite, schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care with Dr. Michael Kim by calling 909-296-7920.

What to Do Before Anesthesia at Alta Loma Dental Care

Patients come to Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA for extractions of impacted teeth and wisdom teeth, as well as for other oral procedures. Many of these procedures and extractions are done under anesthesia to be more comfortable and pain free for our patients. Patients must be aware of the type of anesthesia they will receive, and what must be done prior to their appointment. If they fail to follow instructions, the anesthesia may not work as well or wear off more quickly.

Alta Loma Dental Care patients should not eat or drink anything, including water, eight hours before surgery. They should also not smoke cigarettes 12 hours before surgery. Any medications or vitamins they take must be reported to our office so we can instruct them on when to stop taking them before surgery. It is also helpful that patients try and get a good night’s sleep prior to the appointment and anesthesia.

Aside from these basic instructions, Dr. Michael Kim advises Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients to avoid wearing the following items:

• Hair ties or hair pins


• Sandals or flip-flops


• Contact lenses


• Jewelry, including body jewelry, especially tongue rings


• Long sleeves; the blood pressure needs to be taken

Remember too, that all patients who have anesthesia need someone to drive them home following their procedure.

If patients follow these instructions, the anesthesia and procedure will go smoothly. Contact us at (909) 296-7920 for more information about pre-anesthesia instructions.

What Should You Do After Implant Surgery at Alta Loma Dental Care?

Providing dental implants is one of the cosmetic dental procedures we offer at Alta Loma Dental Care. Dr. Michael Kim urges patients to follow his aftercare instructions for faster healing and to avoid potential complications. After dental implant surgery, patients are encouraged to rest for 2-3 days. Having dental implants involves installing metal posts in the bone of the missing tooth, which requires some rest for healing. The surgical site should also not be disturbed, including rinsing, touching or spitting for 24 hours.

Here are some more tips for patients who get dental implant surgery in our Rancho Cucamonga, CA dental practice:

1. Reduce the amount of swelling after the dental implant procedure by applying a soft ice pack to their cheek.

2. Patients should expect some bleeding for 24 hours after the procedure. Excessive bleeding can be stopped with gauze, but should apply it gently.

3. Only soft foods and liquids are permitted on the day of surgery. Afterward, patients can eat what feels comfortable, avoiding the area of the implant. Hot food and liquid is not recommended.

4. Antibiotics should be taken as instructed and ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken for the pain.

Call us today at (909) 296-7920 if you have additional questions about dental implant surgery recovery instructions.

Alta Loma Dental Care Offers Surgical Instructions for Wisdom Tooth Extraction Recovery

Here at Alta Loma Dental Care, we provide tooth removal for a variety of reasons. Some teeth may be infected and the patient chooses extraction over root canal, others need to be pulled because they are impacted or are wisdom teeth. Dr. Michael Kim has specific surgical instructions after wisdom tooth removal that should be followed for optimal healing.

If a tooth is removed because it is impacted, there may be some mild swelling and discomfort, but not much more than a typical tooth extraction. A cold compress placed gently on the cheek can reduce some of the swelling. An antibiotic or pain relief medication may also be prescribed, and should be taken as directed. We recommend following a diet of soft foods and liquids.

Wisdom tooth extraction requires a longer healing time.  Therefore, Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients should be careful after the procedure. Gauze will be placed on the site right after surgery, and should be removed for an hour, then discarded. As with all extractions, Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients must not drink any liquids using a straw as this can dislodge the blood clot and remove the sutures. Patients who follow these simple surgical instructions after tooth removal will have faster healing and less chance for complications.

Alta Loma Dental Care Provides Post Op Instructions to Rancho Cucamonga, CA Patients

Oral surgery ranges from tooth extractions and root canals to cosmetic procedures like dental implants. Here at Alta Loma Dental Care, we provide these procedures and more, but also have post op instructions for patents. The post op instructions are in place to help the healing process go more smoothly, reduce complications and offer the patient a more comfortable experience before returning to our office.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients who get a procedure requiring anesthesia need to have a ride home. Root canal, crowns, bridges and corrective procedures don’t typically require anesthesia, therefore patients can drive themselves home. In order to let the anesthesia wear off, all anesthesia patients must wait in our office for two hours before going home.

Here are some basic post op instructions for different procedures Dr. Michael Kim offers:

Root Canal – Avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where you had the root canal and take antibiotics prescribed to you.

Crowns and Bridges – Expect some sensitivity and soreness after being fitted for a crown and/or bridge. Chew slowly at first and inform us if you experience any difficulty.

White Fillings – Patient’s teeth are slightly sensitive after the filling and should avoid hot and cold food and drinks for 2-3 days after the procedure.

Veneers – It can take about a week for the veneer to feel normal. Patients should not pull up with dental floss and should brush the veneer gently.

Scaling and Root Planing - Rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day with salt water.

Contact us if you have questions about these post op instructions.

Surgical Instructions After an Impacted Tooth at Alta Loma Dental Care

Here at Alta Loma Dental Care, we are dedicated to providing our dental patients with quality dental care from the time of your in-office experience to your at-home preventative, maintenance, and recovery care. That’s why we provide our Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients with detailed home care tips and instructions, including surgical instructions after an impacted tooth.

After oral surgery for an impacted tooth or wisdom tooth, it is important to follow our post-surgical instructions to a T. This will help to minimize discomfort, swelling, and support proper healing. General surgical instructions after an impacted tooth include:

• ·         Proper use of gauze pads


• ·         Avoiding rinsing vigorously prematurely


• ·         Keeping the surgical site clean


• ·         Utilizing ice to minimize swelling


• ·         Taking pain medications as indicated by us for discomfort


• ·         Using a mouth rinse containing warm water and salt

Keep in mind, these are just general instructions. You will be given a full set of detailed instructions that are meant to make your recovery from oral surgery as smooth and unremarkable as possible. However, if at any time post-surgery you have questions or concerns about your recovery from oral surgery for an impacted tooth, be sure to call our Alta Loma Dental Care office in Rancho Cucamonga, CA at (909) 987-6268.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA Patients Visit Alta Loma Dental Care for Multiple Tooth Extractions

If more than one tooth needs to be removed, many of our Alta Loma Dental Care patients prefer to have multiple tooth extractions during one visit. Not only does this save the patient time, but offers the advantage of feeling any potential discomfort following an extraction only once.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients who have extensive or severe periodontal disease, and who need their teeth removed, are usually encourage to have multiple tooth extractions in a single visit rather than having teeth removed over multiple visits.

Our dental patients should know that multiple tooth extractions are quite different than removing one or two teeth. When the jaw bone loss is so extensive, as is often the case with severe periodontal disease, and risk of continuous dental infections and gum inflammation could impact the overall health of a dental patient, multiple tooth extractions in one visit is typically advised.

To determine if you are a candidate for multiple tooth extractions, please contact Alta Loma Dental Care directly at (909) 296-7920 and arrange your consultation.

Alta Loma Dental Care Provides Rancho Cucamonga Patients with Extraction Site Preservation

Whether it is due to an abscess, impacted wisdom tooth, advanced gum disease, or severe tooth decay, sometimes it’s necessary to extract a tooth at our Alta Loma Dental Care office.

However, it’s necessary to know that after a tooth is removed, extraction site preservation is of utmost importance. This is because the bone that supports the teeth, called the alveolar bone, begins to collapse after a tooth extraction. The gum surrounding the removed tooth begins to thin as well. If nothing is done to preserve the extraction site, the jaw bone may change shape and degenerate, and can eventually cause your teeth to shift. Of course, this can affect your ability to eat and how you speak.

Several options exist for extraction site preservation, including a dental implant and dental bridge. We at Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA will discuss the options of what to do to preserve your extraction site before your tooth is removed. If you are ready to schedule your appointment for a tooth extraction with our practice, please call our office at (909) 296-7920.

Makeover Your Smile at Alta Loma Dental Care with Snap-On Smile

Do you have stained, uneven, crooked, chipped or even missing teeth?  If so, do you like the sounds of having a smile makeover without having to undergo an extensive dental procedure? Here at Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, we offer Snap-On Smile.

Snap-On Smile works just like its name. A new smile is “snapped on” and is placed over your current teeth. There are no extractions, drilling, whitening chemicals, and best of all — no pain! All it takes is just two speedy and pain free visits to our office.

• First visit: You select the style and shade of your new smile


• Second visit: After your new Snap-On Smile is manufactured (about three weeks), you’ll come back to Alta Loma Dental Care to have your new smile placed.

To learn more about the two quick visits to a new beautiful Snap-on Smile, please give our Alta Loma Dental Care office in Rancho Cucamonga, CA a call at (909) 296-7920.

Our Bone Grafting Capabilities at Alta Loma Dental Care Provide Rancho Cucamonga, CA Dental Patients With More Successful Dental Implants

Here at Alta Loma Dental Care, we are committed to providing our patients with a Rancho Cucamonga, CA dental practice that can address complete dental needs.  That is why we maintain comprehensive bone grafting capabilities.  We complete bone grafting for our patients who need to build and strengthen their jaw bones to fully support dental implants or other tooth prosthetics. Since bone grafting involves a surgical process, our Alta Loma Dental Care patients gain peace of mind in knowing they can complete this procedure at a practice they trust.

The bone grafting process starts by collecting a bone sample from another part of the jaw or elsewhere in the body.  The bone sample is then used to patch and strengthen the future site of the tooth prosthetic. Over a period of months, the bone graft will naturally heal as a part of the jaw, providing adequate strength and stability for the implant or other restorative.

If you have been seeking dental implants in the Rancho Cucamonga, CA area but you’ve been told your jaw may not be strong or thick enough to accommodate, contact us here at Alta Loma Dental Care and ask us about our bone grafting capabilities.

Want to Try Invisalign in Rancho Cucamonga, CA? Rely on Us at Alta Loma Dental Care

Here at Alta Loma Dental Care, we provide our Rancho Cucamonga, CA patients with a variety of modern orthodontic solutions including Invisalign.

Invisalign allows our patients to cosmetically straighten their smiles without the need to adjust their lifestyle or compromise their appearance. That’s because Invisalign is comprised of clear plastic tooth aligners that are flexible, discreet, and can be removed as needed. Our Alta Loma Dental Care patients especially love the ease and manageability of the Invisalign treatment, in addition to the beautifying results.

We recommend Invisalign to those Rancho Cucamonga, CA dental patients who are in need of mild to moderate cosmetic alignment. While the Inivsalign treatment frequently requires a longer treatment time than our other orthodontic options like Six Month Smiles, the aligners are so inconspicuous and comfortable to wear, the process will hardly feel like an adjustment.

If you’re interesting in Invisalign and you live in near Rancho Cucamonga, CA, call us here at Alta Loma Dental Care.  We’ll help you determine if this discreet orthodontic option is right for you.