Dental Implants Provide a Permanent Tooth Replacement Option

Dental Implants Provide a Permanent Tooth Replacement Option

Having a missing tooth is a frustrating experience, but here at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, we offer a permanent replacement with dental implants. As opposed to bridges or partials that need to be replaced every 10-15 years, dental implants have a titanium post installed right into the jaw bone. During the healing process, the bone heals around the post, which holds it firmly in place.

 

The crown on top is the only thing that needs to be replaced, which is a very simple process.

The benefits our patients experience when getting dental implants in Alta Loma, CA include:

• Permanent tooth replacement.
•  Improved smile and overall appearance.
• Better comfort than partials or bridges.
• Crown that matches the patient’s other teeth.
• Improved speed and eating.
• Better self esteem and confidence.

The entire process of dental implants takes 3-6 months, with most of this time being the healing time for the post. After that point, a crown is made to fit over the top of the post, and the implant is complete.

 

New patients are encouraged to call us our Alta Loma Dental Care practice at 909-296-7920 to schedule a consultation with dentist Dr. Michael Kim.

The Importance of Proper Dental Hygiene For Oral and Overall Health

The Importance of Proper Dental Hygiene For Oral and Overall Health

Having proper dental hygiene isn’t just about improving our patient’s oral health with better smelling breath and clean teeth, but it also impacts their overall health. Regular dental hygiene practices are important to reduce gum disease and the need for more complicated oral health treatments, such as oral surgery.

 

Good oral hygiene also helps our Alta Loma Dental Care patients maintain their natural teeth for a longer period of time, and avoid infections that could spread throughout the brain and the body. We encourage dental hygiene by brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day.

Aside from dental hygiene at home, our Alta Loma, CA dental practice we ask our patients to see us at least every six months. During this appointment, we provide a full check-up, professional cleaning, and address any possible concerns.

 

Our dentist, Dr. Michael Kim, also takes new dental x-rays if needed for further diagnosis or treatment planning. The combination of home oral care and dental visits are what help to keep the mouth fresh, clean, and free of gum disease. Regular visits also let us provide early treatment if we notice any problems.

 

Patients with any questions or concerns about their dental hygiene should visit us here at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA.

Patients Restore Their Smiles With Dental Veneers

Patients Restore Their Smiles With Dental Veneers

Dental veneers in Alta Loma, CA offer our patients the option of improving their smile. Veneers are made of thin pieces of porcelain that cover their teeth and correct a variety of imperfections, such as discoloration, gaps or spaces, cracks, or misshapen teeth. They are designed to look like the patient’s other teeth without standing out, and are completed in about two to three weeks from beginning to end.

 

The process of getting dental veneers here at Alta Loma Dental Care is as follows:

 

1. We prepare the teeth by cleaning them to remove decay, then filing them down to make room for the veneers.

2. Impressions are made of the teeth, which are then sent to the lab.

3. In about two weeks, our patient returns to our Alta Loma Dental Care office, where they have the veneers bonded to their teeth.

4. As the final step, the veneers are polished.

 

Veneers make a considerable difference in the patient’s self confidence and self esteem, by improving their smile. It is a simple process that only takes a few weeks and gives them a lasting and beautiful smile.

 

Call us at 909-296-7920 to schedule a consultation with Alta Loma, CA dentist Dr. Michael Kim for veneers.

Utilize Our Tray Teeth Whitening For a Celebrity Smile

Everyone wants to have pearly whites, and by visiting Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, you have the opportunity to get them. Because your teeth can become stained or discolored from many factors, such as smoking cigarettes, drinking tea, coffee or wine, or eating high amounts of sugar, your smile might not be at its whitest and brightest. While brushing daily is essential for good oral health, it doesn’t always help correct the discoloration or staining problem. Fortunately, teeth whitening in our office can give you teeth up to eight shades whiter.

 

We use the tray whitening system, which is a simple way to whiten your teeth. We even give our patients custom trays to bring home for future use. The trays are different from store-bought whitening systems, because they are custom made based on impressions of the patient’s teeth. Once the trays are ready, we apply a whitening gel to them, then place them firmly over the patient’s teeth. They stay on for several minutes, and the process is repeated over a couple days.

 

The end result is much whiter teeth and reusable trays the patient can use for touch-ups. Teeth whitening in Alta Loma, CA has never been easier than using our trays.

Call dentist Dr. Michael Kim (909) 296-7920 to find out more about this teeth whitening option.

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.