May 22, 2009

Porcelain Veneers - Get Cosmetic Dental Work to Improve Your Smile

If you want to improve on your smile you should consider visiting your local cosmetic dentist to discuss the possibilities of getting porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers have made the option of improving our smile so much easier. A veneer consists of the porcelain mineral that is shaped into a thin layer resembling the front of a molar. This is then attached to your existing tooth in order to improve its appearance. This procedure is used to fix crooked teeth, misshapen teeth or to fill in a gap where a tooth has been lost.
Getting cosmetic dental work will involve going to the dentist for a consultation. The dentist will be able to go through the different options available. Once you have decided that porcelain veneers are for you, you will have to decide on the colour you would like to have. The dentist will of course want to match it to your existing teeth so that it appears as natural as possible. However you may feel that although your own teeth are in good condition, they might not be as white as they could be.
Using a colour chart you can decide to go a couple of shades whiter. This will involve additional cosmetic dentistry work where you will have to go through a teeth whitening session. At the end of the whole process, you will have a perfect set of bright white teeth that will no doubt improve your appearance and even increase your confidence.
Porcelain veneers are an excellent choice to help give a uniform balance to your teeth along with a perfect smile.
Read more about cosmetic dental surgery and the popular choice of using porcelain veneers.

Roles of Veneers in Dentistry

There are many factors that can have an adverse impact on the quality of your smile, from tooth crookedness to discoloration to unsightly gaps. Whatever the cause, a less-than-perfect smile can dramatically affect your self-esteem, personality, and ability to communicate with others.
For many, dental veneers (often referred to as porcelain veneers) provide an ideal solution. Formed from ceramic, these custom-made, eggshell-thin coverings are designed to mimic the look and feel of natural enamel. They are placed over the surface of teeth to conceal chips, gaps, cracks, or other problems that can jeopardize dental health or aesthetics. Dental veneers can provide an easy, painless way to achieve a bright, confident smile.
Problems Addressed by Porcelain Veneers
There are several different conditions that can be quickly and painlessly solved by veneers:
Chipped Teeth: Teeth can chip for a variety of reasons, including stress-induced grinding, an accident or trauma, using your teeth for purposes they are not intended for, or a fracture that causes a gradual weakening. Regardless of the cause, chipped teeth can detract from the appearance of your smile while increasing the risk of discoloration, sensitivity, and decay.
Crooked Teeth: In addition to affecting the appearance of your teeth, crookedness can cause dental pain and inhibit good oral hygiene. Those who leave the problem untreated are more prone to tooth decay, tooth loss, and bad breath. It can also be difficult to chew properly with crooked teeth, increasing the chances of jaw misalignment.
Discolorations: The most obvious effect of discolored teeth (a wearing-down or dulling of surface enamel) is a dirty appearance, creating the implication of poor dental health. Noticeable stains on the surface of your teeth can make you look older than your age, while drawing more attention to other issues, such as gaps and crookedness. Varying degrees of discoloration can be caused by numerous factors:
- Genetic predisposition
- Prolonged exposure to certain foods or drinks such as coffee or tea
- Ingestion of or contact with of certain medications
- Smoking cigars or cigarettes
- Nerve damage to a tooth during an accident or fall.
Gaps: Anyone who's ever had extra space between their teeth knows that gaps can have a dramatic impact on self-esteem. Those born with gaps often notice the problem worsening with age. They wonder if people are staring at the gap in their teeth or they find themselves reluctant to talk or smile. In addition to affecting your confidence, the condition can also make it difficult to chew or speak.
Misshapen Teeth: Even if you have perfect dental health, just one misshapen tooth can cause your smile to look flawed or unhealthy.
All of the above: Many folks don't have a single dental affliction. A combination of genetics, lifestyle choices, and normal wear and tear can create a set of unique circumstances.
In most cases, depending on the severity of these conditions, smiles can be aesthetically and functionally enhanced with the use of porcelain veneers.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers offer a number of advantages to today's dental patients:
A more natural look: With today's enhanced dental technology, ceramic veneers offer a high degree of translucence, making them virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Custom design and creation: Porcelain veneers are custom-matched to the color of your teeth. If you desire a whiter smile, veneers can be used in conjunction with whitening to create a dazzling smile. Veneers are designed specifically for your mouth, your lifestyle and your individual circumstances.
Quicker results: Unlike straightening with braces, tooth whitening systems, or complex dental bonding, veneers can be applied in just one or two visits, immediately achieving a bright, even smile.
Lower cost: Veneers are typically less expensive than other, multi-step, more complex
treatments including surgery.
Long-term protection: In addition to looking good, veneers are durable enough to strengthen weak or damaged teeth, potentially eliminating the need for a bridge, crown, or other, more invasive procedures. Also, if properly maintained, veneers can last several decades.
There are several different options and brands available for dental veneers, such as Lumineers. Before making a decision about what type or brand of veneer is best, contact a Cosmetic Dentist who is experienced in placing porcelain veneers. Ask the dentist to see examples of their work, such as before and after photographs where porcelain veneers were used. Ask if the dentist offers a no-fee consultation, and never be rushed into making a decision about your smile. You and the dentist should work collaboratively to come up with a treatment that fits your oral health needs, lifestyle and budget.
Dr. Mark Kleive is a Cosmetic Dentist in Minneapolis and has been named Top Minnesota Dentist for the third consecutive year. He will handle any dental problem you're suffering to give you back your smile. Please visit http://www.markakleivedds.com/ for more information and details.

May 16, 2009

Sleep and Sleep Disorders

Sleep:
You spend 33% of your life sleeping! We just can't stay alive without it. The proper functioning of many of your body's functions, such as memory, immune system, and energy, are directly related to the quality of your sleep. Approximately 90 million people in North America have a sleep disorder. Are you included in this group?

While sleeping normally, the body temperature, blood pressure, breathing pace, and nearly all of your bodily functions slow down. In contrast to this, the brain maintains the same level of activity as when you are awake. A lot of research has shown that our minds are as busy when we sleep as they are when we are awake. During the eight hour sleep pattern, adults usually change from two completely different patterns: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM sleep.

REM Sleep: Nearly all dreams happen while in REM sleep.
Normal adults spend 20 to 25% of their sleep in the REM sleep cycle.

One of the most well known sleep problems is obstructive sleep apnea.

Is snoring dangerous?

Unless you think about the harm done to the relationship with your mate in bed then, of course not, snoring is basically not dangerous in and of itself. An experienced dentist can treat and eliminate it. Snoring, however, is known to indicate the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially serious problem that can cause a lot of trouble. Dentist also have the answer for Sleep Apnea - Dental Appliance

Sleep Apnea in kids: Kids who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will snore noisily and will also have brief time periods while they sleep when they stop breathing (known as apnea).

Read more abut Sleep Apnea and the new non invasive dental treatment that is the best way to treat sleep apnea.
http://bonitadelrey.com/services_and_procedures/Sleep_Apnea_Treatment

Sleep Apnea New Dental Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Do you snore a lot? Are you constantly tired? Do you desire to have a better night's sleep? Have you been identified as having Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea happens when the tissues in your throat collapses, thus limiting your air intake while you are sleeping. Someone who has been identified as being afflicted with sleep apnea could have many occurrences during the night. The individual seldom awakens and people usually don't remember not breathing, although this occurs frequently. The body is starved of essential oxygen; in essence, it is being suffocated repeatedly, night after night.

Since they continue to stop breathing off and on, people will usually start to have several problems because they have sleep apnea.

Read more abut Sleep Apnea and the new non invasive dental treatment that is the best way to treat sleep apnea.
http://bonitadelrey.com/services_and_procedures/Sleep_Apnea_Treatment

May 12, 2009

A History of Teeth Whitening

Today, products and services are offered everywhere to help us keep our teeth white and beautiful. However, in the long history of teeth whitening, people didn't have it so easy. For 5,000 years people have been using some kind of teeth whitening and cleaning system. Now, in 3000 BC they didn't have access to electric toothbrushes, dental floss, and mouthwash, but they made do. People would chew on sticks to keep their teeth clean. The stick would be an ordinary one, with one end a bit frayed. Rubbing this frayed end over the teeth would clean them and remove food particles and plaque. Actually, this method is still used in some less developed civilizations and cultures.
In the 16th century, bristle toothbrushes started appearing. This started in China, with the toothbrushes made of bone or wood. For the bristles, hog's hair was used. People found that this cleaned and whitened their teeth better than their original methods. The bristles got between the teeth and cleaned there as well as the surface of the teeth.
When DuPont invented the tooth brush in 1938, they campaigned against using hog's hair bristle toothbrushes. Of course, they added the disadvantages of germs and possible infections in their marketing. Since the nylon was extremely hard and actually damaged people's teeth rather than make them better, no dentists would recommend them. However, a little over 10 years later, DuPont created soft vinyl, and the bristles were much more flexible and healthy for the teeth.
The actual practice of teeth whitening began around 4000 years ago with the ancient Egyptians. These people would create a whitening paste using ground up pumice stone mixed in wine vinegar. White teeth were a mark of beauty and a sign of the wealthy. This concoction sounds terrible enough, but it isn't the most disgusting thing ever used for teeth whitening. Ancient Romans would actually whiten their teeth using urine! The ammonia in the urine served the purpose, and there are still products today that contain ammonia. Early dentists recognized that what whitened the teeth was the ammonia, and that's what they started using. A lot of active ingredients in things that we purchase today for cleaning the teeth is ammonia. Thank goodness that we are more developed today, and don't have to rely on those primitive methods of teeth whitening.
During the 17th century, people would visit their barbers for a haircut and tooth whitening. The barbers served as both the one to see for your hair, and your teeth. They would actually perform tooth extractions, or pull the teeth. They also performed whitenings. The barber would file down the teeth and apply an acid to them that would whiten them. This actually did make the teeth whiter, however, it led to tooth decay because of the erosion of the tooth enamel. However, because people considered it to be very important to have a great smile and white teeth, this practiced continued until the 18th century.
Around the 1840's, people began using fluoride as a way to keep their teeth healthy and cavity free. However, it was realized that too much fluoride can actually stain the teeth. This is especially prevalent in children who use fluoride toothpastes. Swallowing the toothpaste instead of spitting it out can cause discoloration of teeth later in life.
Today, dentists will recommend a number of things for teeth whitening. A large factor in discoloration or spots on the teeth is the food and drinks that we consume. Most dentists will recommend that we stay away from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. These are the number 1 teeth staining items.
The demand for teeth whitening products and procedures keeps growing and growing. As a matter of fact, in 2002, a survey was done by the American Dental Association and Colgate. The survey results stated that the fastest growing business of a dentist was teeth whitening. There was a 25% increase in the number of patients who wanted this service. Over the last five years, teeth whitening and bleaching procedure demands have grown over 300%. Apparently we all want a bright white smile.
Today, there are a number of different procedures that you can have done to whiten your teeth and brighten your smile. You can visit your dentist and discuss it with him. He can then help you to decide on a procedure that's best for you. You could also just visit your local drugstore and pick up one of many teeth whitening systems to keep your smile a shiny and bright one.
Marc Ilgen is an internet entrepreneur and and affiliate marketer. He runs a website called Teeth-Whitening-Central.com to provide free information on tooth whitening products. He also has an online store for tooth whitener kits, gels and accessories.

3 The Three Teeth Whitening Techniques

A great smile can prove to be a valuable asset, particularly when you first meet someone. However, people who have brown or yellow stained teeth are very conscious of this short.coming. It may also cause social insecurity. One of the best treatment methods available to gain back that white perfect smile is teeth whitening. The basic methodology of teeth whitening is that it reverses the process of discoloration of teeth, bleaching them to reveal the white enamel again.
Teeth generally darken over a period of time. This may be due to consumption of caffeine-containing drinks (like tea, coffee and cola) or tobacco products. Also, excessive fluoride production and use of antibiotic medication can also lead to teeth discoloration. However, the biggest factor contributing to the loss of whiteness is age. Teeth whitening, to counter the process of discoloration, is one of the safest and the most popular procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Studies indicate that almost 96% of the people who undergo this treatment experience visible benefits.
There are three options available to those considering this procedure – you can either undergo professional bleaching, try home bleaching or use whitening toothpastes. Of the three listed, the quickest and the most effective is professional bleaching. It is also referred to as In-Office or Chair-side bleaching. It usually requires two or more visits to a dentist. However, the effects are much long lasting than any other procedure. The dentist will apply a bleaching agent to your teeth. The gums, however, are not harmed. The most common mouth guard is a gel or rubber shield. After the dentist has carefully applied the bleaching agent to your teeth, he might want to use additional heat or light procedures to make the agent work faster. A usual treatment sitting might last from 30 minutes to an hour.
The second option that is available to you is that of home bleaching. You can buy a kit from any certified pharmacist or dentist. This kit would usually contain a hydrogen peroxide based bleaching gel or solution. This is meant to be applied to the tooth enamel. As a rule, a mouth guard is also included in the kit. You are supposed to place the solution or gel in the mouth guard and then follow the directions given with the equipment. The frequency of use and the duration of treatment for home bleaching vary. Overnight treatments work for a much shorter period. However, if you are, say, required to use the kit twice a day, the treatment might be effective for a longer period of time.
Whitening toothpastes work in a different way from bleaching techniques because they do not aim towards a permanent alteration of teeth color. They usually contain polishing agents. They work to remove some of the deeper stains, which a regular toothpaste might not effectively dislodge. You should always consult your dentist before going forth with any of these procedures – he is the best person to guide you and can advise you on the most effective treatment plan suited to your needs.
Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Looking for the best teeth whitening products? Or perhaps you would like to learn more about specific tooth whitening options available such as the Bravo Whitening System. You'll find that and more at Lustrous Teeth.com.

May 2, 2009

What is malocclusion San Diego

What is malocclusion?
A malocclusion is a misplacement or misalignment of teeth and/or incorrect relation between the teeth on the upper and lower jaw.

Most people have some degree of malocclusion, although with many people it isn't usually serious enough to require treatment. For those people who do have serious malocclusion orthodontic treatment is often required.

Why is it important to treat malocclusions? Research performed by the American Association of Orthodontists reveals that when left untreated, malocclusions can cause several different problems.

Braces are the most common way to remedy this problem.

Cramped teeth increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease because it is much more tricky to brush and floss them effectively. Protruding teeth are at higher risk for sustaining injuries that result in chips and cracks. Uneven tooth wear and less than optimal growth are often the result of cross bites. People with open bites can develop tongue-thrusting habits or speech problems.

In addition to making your smile more beautiful, orthodontics also makes you healthier.

Check out the before and after photos of just a few of my patients that have had braces.

Tradition Braces
http://bonitadelreydental.com/Before_and_After/Traditional_braces_and_veneers
http://bonitadelreydental.com/Before_and_After/Six_Months_Braces_3
http://bonitadelreydental.com/Before_and_After/Six_Months_Braces_4

6 Month Braces
http://bonitadelreydental.com/Before_and_After/Six_months_braces_technique_For_Angel

Contact our Chula Vista Dental Office
Bonita Del Rey Dental Care
1415 Ridgeback Road Suite-26
Chula Vista, CA 91910-6990
San Diego: (619) 482-3264

About Braces Chula Vista, San Diego

Dr Espinosa D.D.S specialize in Braces and Implants at his San Diego dental office, in the Chula Vista area.

The amount of time you will need to wear traditional braces varies from person to person, although it will generally be between one and three years. After this, you will need to wear a retainer for a while to make sure your teeth don't move back to their previous positions.

Your orthodontist Dr Espinosa will design a set of braces that are comfortable for you.

If You or Anyone in Your Family Wears Braces: We advise using special toothbrushes, rinses, and anti-plaque tablets to keep the teeth and gums as clean as possible, to brush many times a day (usually after eating anything at all), to buy new toothbrushes regularly (braces wear the brushes down more than they normally would), and if it is impossible for you to brush, to rinse your mouth after eating.

Flossing is a good way to get rid of any pieces of food that get caught between your teeth and gums. A special 'threader' may be available from your dentist that can help you with flossing. It's best to remove any food particles lurking in your mouth so that tooth decay and gum infections don't develop. Six-month braces allow you to get your teeth straightened quickly and affordably!

If you have had crooked teeth for years, and would like to correct them in only six months, then six month braces are the answer. Get a great smile for a great price in only six months! The six month braces method will reposition your front teeth to give you a beautiful smile!

The Six Month Braces Technique can help you regardless of whether your teeth are too crowded, are overlapping, or have spaces between them -- and it only takes six months!


Ceramic Braces: A wonderful alternative to our metal braces, ceramic braces have a tint that is very similar to your natural tooth color, making them practically invisible! Almost invisible ceramic braces can be used for the six months braces treatment, and are the most popular choice for adults.

Is Orthodontic treatment right for you? Orthodontics can improve malocclusions, or bad bites, in addition to the aesthetics of a smile. Malocclusions are caused by misalignment of the jaw or teeth. A malocclusion can affect the way you chew food, smile, brush your teeth, or feel about yourself.

Ring our Chula Vista Office for an appointment.

(619) 482-3264
San Diego

Or visit our website for more information about Braces
http://bonitadelreydental.com/services_and_procedures/Braces

Braces Dentist Chula Vista

Do you feel uncomfortable smiling because of your bad teeth? Is tooth decay, jaw pain, or gum disease the types of conditions that you are familiar with? Is the task of cleaning your teeth and gums one you find difficult to effectively complete?

Braces might be the solution to your bite problems!

Braces are now less expensive, less noticeable, and much more comfortable, modern braces have come a long way, and even carry a shorter treatment time.

Expect Success: For braces to accomplish their task, everyone (the patient, hygienist and dentist) must adhere to a dental treatment regimen.

Because I take my job as your dentist seriously, I will create a plan of action that is specific to your needs. Our goal will be to create your healthiest, most beautiful smile.

My highly skilled hygienist will be happy to teach you how to properly take care of your teeth and new braces during treatment. It will be up to you to keep your appointments and carefully attend to your daily care and cleaning routine.

Check out the before and after photos of just a few of my patients that have had braces.

Tradition Braces
http://bonitadelreydental.com/Before_and_After/Traditional_braces_and_veneers

6 Month Braces
http://bonitadelreydental.com/Before_and_After/Six_months_braces_technique_For_Angel