Dental Bridges Made Fast

When patients at Alta Loma Dental Care need new crowns, they don’t need to make a second appointment. Our CEREC machine allows us to mill prosthetic teeth in-house, often in under an hour. This is particularly useful for people who need multiple crowns replaced in the form of bridges.

A bridge is a dental prosthetic which replaces several teeth in a row. Traditionally, they were made by reshaping two natural teeth and placing new crowns over them, with a third crown suspended in between. This method worked best when the teeth being reshaped were badly decayed and needed to be replaced, anyway. It had the advantage of allowing patients to retain their natural tooth roots, which are more durable, but required a lot of preparation. The link between the crowns also helped prevent the teeth from migrating.

Newer dental bridges can be made with more customization for a patient’s needs. Partial dentures can be designed around healthy teeth, and fixed bridges can be supported by multiple implants. Because we can fabricate bridges at our office, patients need not wear artificial crowns after having their natural teeth reshaped, sparing them time and allowing them to go home with a smile they can be proud of.

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.

 

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.

Alta Loma Dental Care 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 working to prevent further damage. 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. 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 while you wait. Once they are ready, they will be cemented in place.

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

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 Promotes Proper Oral Hygiene for Fresh Breath

There’s no better feeling than waking up in the morning and brushing your teeth. After a night of sleep, all the food, drink and whatever else you consumed the day before is still there, no matter how much you brush and rinse. So does this mean that you need to carry a toothbrush with you all day to maintain that fresh breath? No, you can reverse bad breath just by having a regular brushing and flossing routine.

 

You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about your bad breath, it happens to millions of Americans. Food and drink particles are digested and absorbed into your bloodstream and are eventually carried to your lungs, causing bad breath. There are things you can do to help improve your breath and it all starts with your oral hygiene routine. If you are not brushing and flossing daily, those food particles can remain in your mouth. These untouched particles promote bacterial growth between teeth, around gums and on the tongue causing bad breath. If you fall into this category, try a regimented brushing schedule and always rinse with antibacterial mouthwash.

 

Smoking or chewing tobacco can also cause bad breath. These activities also stain teeth, reduce the ability to taste foods and irritate the gums. Basically, if you are worried about your breath because you use tobacco, stop using tobacco.

 

Persistent halitosis or a consistent bad taste in your mouth might be a warning sign of periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on the teeth and the gums become irritated. Other causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth and dental caries. 

 

If you are suffering from halitosis, schedule an appointment at our Alta Loma, CA dental practice by calling 909-987-6268. If one of your friends is suffering from bad breath and you don't want to be rude, direct them to our website (www.altalomadentalcare.com) so they can learn more about treatment options.

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Dental crowns help protect and strengthen teeth that have become badly decayed or fractured. Covering your tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, crowns (also called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be removed and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

 

Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the existing tooth structure is compromised. When a dental crown is installed, the decay is removed from the tooth and a core build-up is used to insulate the nerve and create a surface to bond the crown to. Then an impression of this surface is made so that the new gold or porcelain crown can constructed to fit perfectly. After the crown is fabricated, a process that can take around two weeks, it is cemented onto the current tooth.

 

Dental crowns are made incredibly strong to protect the remaining tooth structure, and the custom fit ensures that the seam between tooth and crown is minute, which protects it from further decay.

If you’re experiencing decay and pain in one of your teeth, stop by our office to see if a crown can save your smile. Schedule an appointment with Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA by calling (909) 296-7920. For more information, visit www.AltaLomaDentalCare.com.