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.

Orthodontics for Adults

The doctors of Alta Loma Dental Care provide orthodontic care for adolescents and adults.  It is often recommended to start orthodontic treatment on an adolescent patient once all the permanent teeth have come in, but adults can still get great results from orthodontic care.  There are several options for adults beginning orthodontic treatment, and the best one for you will depend on what needs to be corrected.

To correct bite issues and straighten teeth, the traditional braces method includes brackets on the teeth and connecting wires that are tightened over the course of treatment. Clear braces use the same method but the materials are tooth-colored to avoid a metallic look.  Accelerated orthodontics are applied to correct cosmetic issues in about six months. Severe misalignments and bite issues can’t be corrected in such a short time, but if your concerns are purely cosmetic, it’s a great option for a short treatment time that can completely transform your smile.  Invisalign treatment is popular because of its almost invisible appearance.  A treatment plan consists of a series of clear aligners that straighten teeth over time.  Come see us and find out what will be best to correct your smile!

To learn more about orthodontic treatment and all the services provided 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.

Pain with Braces

We’ve seen many smiles transformed with braces Alta Loma Dental Care, and we know braces are a long process and that there is some pain and discomfort along the way.  Patients with braces often feel a little discomfort after their wires have been tightened, and patients with new braces usually experience some uncomfortable chafing as their mouth gets used to braces.  These are both normal occurrences and there are simple ways to ease the pain while getting to your perfect smile!  

With a new set of braces, the insides of cheeks and lips will rub against the brackets and wires.  The soft tissue will toughen as your mouth gets accustomed to the braces, but at first it can create sore spots.  Dental wax is a great defense against this.  Just a small piece can cover the edge of a bracket and relieve any chafing.  After a set of braces is tightened a patient will also feel some pain and soreness.  The patient should eat soft foods right after a tightening if they are experiencing discomfort.  If the pain continues, over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin are helpful.  Please still contact the office if you experience any extreme or long-lasting discomfort.

To learn more about orthodontics and all the services we provide, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care, call 909-987-6268.

Overbite Overview

If you have been diagnosed with an overbite, this simply means that your top teeth extend beyond your bottom teeth. It is a common dental problem that our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care can correct with braces. Overbite teeth are considered a type of “bad bite.” It can either be noticeable or unnoticeable, but it some extreme cases it can make your jaw look significantly larger or your bottom jaw look much smaller.

Most often, overbites are inherited as traits just as the color of your eyes or the freckles on your cheeks. Other causes of misaligned bites may result from an early loss of baby or adult teeth, gum disease, or common oral health problems in children, such as thumb sucking. Once one of our doctors confirms your overbite with X-rays, he or she may take regular photographs of your face to further examine the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and head. From there, an individualized treatment plan will be developed to correct the bite.

If you wish to correct your bite with orthodontic treatment, please give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more 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.

Bad Habits to Stay Away from While Wearing Braces

While wearing your braces, it is important to follow any precautions. Holding onto bad habits while wearing braces can slow down the process or damage the braces. At Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, we want all of our patients to understand how to take good care of their braces. Keep reading to learn about habits to avoid.

Biting Hard Objects

Biting your fingernails is already bad for your teeth, but when you bite them while wearing braces, it could create enough pressure to cause one of your brackets to break or pop off. Even if the brackets remain intact, the pressure will make the braces less effective, therefore delaying treatment. The same goes for biting pencils, water bottles, etc. While wearing braces, you should even stay away from hard foods like raw carrots, bagels, and popcorn. In addition, skip sticky foods like caramel and gum.

 

Brushing Abrasively

When brushing your teeth, only a light scrubbing with a soft bristled toothbrush is needed to remove plaque. Brushing too abrasively can wear down enamel and while wearing braces, it can damage brackets or wires.

 

Daily Sweet Tooth

Do you have a sweet tooth? Sugar leads to cavities so eating too much of it daily can really affect your teeth. If you drink pop every day, especially, consider cutting down. Not only is pop filled with sugar, but is also often has acid that can lead to the wear-down of enamel.

Wearing braces should be a healthy experience for your teeth so they are in great shape when the braces come off. To schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care in our Alta Loma, CA office, call us at (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com. 

Invisalign at Alta Loma Dental Care

Straight teeth play a big part in creating a beautiful smile, but they are also important for overall oral health. If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, correcting them can prevent dental issues from developing in the future. There are several options available for straightening your teeth, including Invisalign, and at our office in Alta Loma, CA, Dr. Michael Kim can help you achieve a smile you can be proud of with quality orthodontics.

If you’re in need of a mild to moderate correction, Invisalign may be a great option for you. Using a series of virtually invisible aligners, Invisalign adjusts your teeth bit by bit with a new aligner used approximately every two weeks. The aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic, and, unlike traditional braces, they are removable. This allows for convenient cleaning and eating, which mean your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will not have the same diet restrictions that you would have with traditional braces. You will still be able to eat all the foods you like, including popcorn, chips, pretzels, apples, nuts and corn.

Whether you’re an adult or teen, it’s not too late to straighten your teeth. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we will make sure your smile is both beautiful and healthy. Schedule an appointment by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Straighten Your Teeth in Six Months in Alta Loma, CA

Straight teeth are an important part of creating a healthy and beautiful smile, and the orthodontic community would agree that braces are the most widely-used and effective method for correcting patients’ alignment or bite. However, traditional braces aren’t always a favorite of patients, which is why at our office in Alta Loma, CA, we offer Six Month Smiles.   

Six Month Smiles® is an innovative orthodontic treatment that has taken the best aspects of braces and modified them to give patients the cosmetic solution they want in a way that fits their lifestyles. With an average treatment time of only six months, Six Month Smiles® provides a conservative and predictable final result: a beautiful smile. Using Six Month Smiles Lucid-Lok® clear brackets and tooth-colored wires renders these braces barely visible while straightening your teeth. In addition, Six Month Smiles Patient Tray Kits™ ensure that all your appointments are quick and comfortable. Overall, low forces and short treatment times increase your comfort, safety and hygiene while correcting your teeth.

If you’re looking for an easy and quick solution to your crooked smile, Six Month Smiles® is the way to go. You can get a smile you will be happy to show off without the garish metal mouth of traditional braces.

Dr. Michael Kim of Alta Loma Dental Care offers Six Month Smiles® to give his patients the megawatt smiles they’ve always wanted. Call 909-987-6268 to schedule an appointment and see how these braces can transform your smile. For more information, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.  

Alta Loma Dental Care Patients Receive Straight Teeth with Six Month Smiles®

Alta Loma Dental Care Patients Receive Straight Teeth with Six Month Smiles®

Straight teeth go a long way toward creating a beautiful smile that you can be proud of, and the orthodontic community would agree that braces are the most widely used and effective method for giving patients straight and healthy teeth. However, traditional braces aren’t always a favorite of patients. If you’re unhappy, self-conscious or embarrassed about your smile but don’t want to have metal mouth for over a year, come to our office in Rancho Cucamonga, CA and see how Six Month Smiles® can change your smile.

 

Six Month Smiles® is an innovative orthodontic treatment that has taken the best aspects of traditional braces and modified them to give adults the cosmetic solution they want in a way that best fits their lifestyles. With an average treatment time of only six months, this orthodontic treatment provides a conservative and dramatic final result that is sure to keep you smiling. Using Six Month Smiles Lucid-Lok® clear brackets and tooth-colored wires renders these braces barely visible while straightening your teeth. In addition, Six Month Smiles Patient Tray Kits™ ensure that all appointments are quick and comfortable.

 

Overall, low forces and short treatment times increase your comfort, hygiene and safety while using Six Month Smiles®. Here at Alta Loma Dental Care, we can help you get a straight smile easily and quickly. Schedule a consultation with us by calling (909) 296-7920. For more information, visitwww.AltaLomaDentalCare.com.