Six Month Smiles® is an innovative alternative to traditional braces. Metal braces have long been the standard in orthodontics, often used during childhood and early teen years to correct problems with overcrowding, bite, and alignment. But adults and older teens may avoid highly visible braces despite their desire for straighter and more cosmetically appealing teeth. Thanks to Six Month Smiles®, now they can maintain discretion while getting the treatment they need. This revolutionary system combines the powerful results of metal braces with the subtlety of clear aligner trays. Using clear brackets and wires that blend into natural tooth color, Six Month Smiles® can deliver fast, effective results in as little as six months.
Few people are born with a perfect smile. Did you know that approximately 5 million people per year are wearing braces at any given time? Most are children between ages 9 and 14 – an age when patients are generally less concerned about the appearance of metal braces. By the middle teen to adult years, however, patients who desire straighter teeth may be reluctant to wear traditional braces due to their prominence. Six Month Smiles® is a cosmetically appealing solution for fast and social distraction.
You may be a candidate for Six Month Smiles® if you are embarrassed or bothered by smile imperfections but do not want to spend years wearing traditional metal braces. Patients must be at least 15 years of age to undergo Six Month Smiles®. Schedule an oral consultation for more information about this revolutionary clear orthodontic system or to find out if you could qualify for treatment.
The Six Month Smiles® brackets and wires are administered to the teeth in the same way that traditional braces are. This initial visit is usually the longest, though additional visits will be necessary during treatment to monitor progress and tighten the braces. Six Month Smiles® works quickly because treatment is generally isolated to the most visible teeth in a patient’s smile. Additionally, the low-force method utilized by Six Month Smiles® causes less discomfort than traditional braces during the treatment process.
Because Six Month Smiles® is a bracket and wire system, you will have some limitations during treatment. Primarily, you will need to make certain dietary changes that restrict hard or ‘gummy’ foods. Examples include whole, raw fruits and vegetables, bubblegum, popcorn, nuts, croutons, and caramel candies. At the conclusion of treatment, you will also need to wear a retainer to maintain results.
There are many different types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). In obstructive sleep apnea, a person struggles to inhale properly because the airway is partially collapsed. In central sleep apnea, a persons brain fails to send signals to breathe, resulting in short periods of sleep when he or she is unable to breathe at all. Instead of using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to relieve these issues, we offer dental alternatives to open the airway to allow natural breathing.
Around 1 in 5 adults have mild symptoms of sleep apnea, while 1 in 15 have moderate to severe symptoms? Though it can occur in kids of any age and adults, it is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 8 and people who are overweight or have enlarged tonsils or adenoids are at the greatest risk of developing OSA, which is the most common type of sleep apnea in children. However, some kids with OSA also develop central sleep apnea – a condition known as mixed sleep apnea.
A child or adult with sleep apnea will show signs of labored breathing. Often, this includes snoring, pauses between breaths and gasping. During the day, a child or adult with sleep apnea may be drowsy or have difficulty staying awake due to restless sleep during the night.
Prolonged pauses between breathing can be a serious problem. Schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist for a complete evaluation and diagnosis. The doctor will examine you or your child and may take x-rays of the upper respiratory tract to identify any potential obstructions. In some cases, an overnight sleep study may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
Treatment for sleep apnea varies depending on the type of apnea you have. For example, obstructive sleep apnea is typically easily resolved with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or our less disturbing alternatives, which is administered at night using an oral appliance. Central sleep apnea, however, is more complicated and may require oxygen supplementation or assisted breathing to treat.
The use of sedation in dentistry has revolutionized the way patients view dental visits. Patients who once were afraid or anxious about even the most routine dental procedures now visit the dentist with confidence. Sedation is typically administered to healthy individuals who need help relaxing or managing treatment anxiety. Reasons for needing sedation may include lengthy procedure times, dental phobias, or fear caused by negative experiences in the past.
that here are three different types of sedation dentistry? You can opt for sedation administered in one of the following ways:
Only you and your dentist can determine if sedation is right for you. Because sedation covers a spectrum of treatments, you will need to consult with your dentist to discuss whether light, moderate or deep sedation best meets your needs. Your eligibility for sedation will depend on your age, health, and any other medications you may be taking.
That depends on the type of sedation you undergo. Oral sedation is relatively simple and involves taking a prescribed medication about an hour prior to your procedure. You’ll feel more relaxed, yet completely aware of your surroundings during treatment. If you choose nitrous oxide, you’ll be instructed to inhale the gas at the beginning of your appointment. Additional nitrous can be administered throughout your procedure to keep you in a state of euphoria. At the conclusion of your treatment, you’ll be given oxygen to help ‘snap’ you out of your sedated state.
If IV sedation is right for you, you’ll be instructed to avoid foods and beverages the night before your treatment. A sedative will be administered to you intravenously prior to your procedure, causing you to fall into a deep sleep. A dental anesthesiologist will monitor you throughout the procedure and adjust dosage as needed.
Depending on the type of sedation you undergo, a licensed driver may need to drive you home from your dental appointment. If you undergo IV sedation, you may need to be supervised for several hours following the procedure.
Veneers help give your patients the smile they’ve always dreamed of having. Our office provides custom-made veneers that can transform the shape and color of your patient’s teeth, exuding the look of vitality and confidence. Just two appointments can change the way you experience life – all thanks to a thin, translucent exterior shell place atop the surface of the teeth.
Dental veneers have long been used for cosmetic purposes among people who are displeased with the natural appearance of their smiles. Our veneers can provide greater symmetry to the face, reshape a chipped tooth, and help your patients achieve a brighter, whiter smile than is possible with traditional tooth whitening.
Put our team to work for you, and let us fabricate custom veneers to help give you the smile you deserve. We offer solutions to fit your needs with both porcelain and ceramic veneers. Each is bonded to the teeth and require minimal prep work. Their translucent appearance provides life-like esthetics, while the durable composition allows them to stand up to the demands of everyday wear and tear.
Once you meet with Dr. Kargodorian to discuss the goals for cosmetic treatment, we will prepare your teeth for bonding. Then, take an impression and our technicians can begin working on your new smile. We will work quickly and diligently to prepare your veneers according to your specifications and install them in our office for placement.
Our veneers are unlikely to stain and are resistant to fracture. When well cared for, they tend to last for many years, and even decades before needing to be replaced.
Periodontal therapy consists of scaling and root planing procedures used to treat periodontal disease. Thought of by many as a ‘deep cleaning’, this in-office procedure involves the careful removal of hardened plaque near the gum line, where harmful bacteria can grow and cause damage to both the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. The treatment starts with scaling, during which special instruments are used to scrape tartar away from the teeth and gums. Root planing follows, which is a process of smoothing the surface of the tooth’s root in order to prevent bacteria from accumulating there in the future. Finally, an antibiotic is administered to ensure that no bacteria remain at the treatment site.
that you cannot brush or rinse away hardened plaque that causes periodontal disease? The only thing you can do is prevent is from accumulating by using good brushing and flossing habits. Once tartar has formed, the only way to remove it is via a professional dental or periodontal cleaning.
You may need scaling and root planing if you are suffering from mild to moderate periodontal disease. Visit your dentist for an exam if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of periodontal disease, such as inflamed or receding gums, chronic halitosis, or loose teeth. If your periodontal disease is advanced, you may require grafting or flap surgery.
If you require a scaling and root planing, you’ll first be made comfortable – perhaps using a local anesthetic. You should feel little or no discomfort other than the sensation of the cleaning tools scraping away hardened plaque. Procedure lengths vary according to the extent of the disease and the areas it is located within the mouth. If your periodontal disease is widespread, you may need to spread out your treatment into multiple visits.
Yes. You’ll need to follow all instructions for antibiotic usage following your treatment. You’ll also be advised to avoid certain habits that can cause recurrences of periodontal disease in the future, such as smoking. Most patients experience little or no discomfort after scaling and root planing, although your mouth may continue to be numb for several hours following the procedure.
Dental implants are surgical-grade root devices that support permanent tooth prosthetics that are manufactured to last a lifetime. These artificial roots are anchored in the bone beneath the gums where they become fused into the jaw. A crown is mounted atop the implant for a long-lasting and natural looking smile. Many dentists and patients prefer dental implants because they offer the same function as natural teeth and also help prevent bone atrophy in the jaw. Dental implants may be used to replace a single missing or damaged tooth or to restore an entire smile.
that approximately 30 million people live with no natural teeth in one or both jaws? But more and more dental patients are opting for dental implants as a means of tooth replacement. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry reports that 3 million people currently have dental implants – a number that is rapidly growing by about 500,000 per year. Modern titanium implants were first developed in the 1950’s, but archeologists have determined that ancient Egyptians and Mayans were the first cultures to implant artificial teeth.
You may qualify for dental implants if you have missing, broken or severely decayed teeth and are in relatively good overall health. The only way of determining your eligibility for implants is to consult with an oral care provider to identify whether you have adequate bone support and healthy gums that will support the new tooth structure.
The placement of dental implants is a multi-step process that typically takes between 6 and 9 months to complete. It begins with a surgical procedure during which a titanium rod is placed where a previous natural tooth root once was. The gums are sutured shut over the implant, where is will stay for several months while it heals and begins fusing with the surrounding bone. Due to the nature of implant placement and its average procedure time of between 1 and 2 hours, you’ll be sedated and/or anesthetized for the duration of the treatment. At the conclusion of the healing period, you’ll return to be fitted for permanent crowns and have them placed.
It is normal to experience some discomfort, including bruising and swelling following a dental implant procedure. However, inflammation and pain may be managed with over-the-counter medications, hydrocodone, or codeine. You may be asked to eat only soft foods for approximately 2 weeks until the surgical site heals.
Millions of people have lost all of their natural teeth, leaving most looking for tooth replacement solutions. Of them, many turn to dentures, which remain one of the most common and affordable dental prosthetics used in modern dentistry. If dentures are something you are interested in, make sure you only use a quality dentist you can rely on for quality production, quick turnaround, and an accurate fit.
Our process of preparing your mouth is by simply extracting any damaged or decayed teeth that remain and take an impression of your gum line and the roof of your mouth. Then, we custom fabricate new dentures and return to you to our office for fitting as quickly as possible.
We are always learning about new technology and techniques for creating highly functional and more attractive dentures. There are many different materials that can be used to fabricate dentures, and we do our best to ensure a natural look and fit. All of our dentures are made with your individual anatomy in mind. We never compromise quality for value, because there is no acceptable way to cut corners when it comes to your quality of life. We aim to create dentures that look and feel as natural as possible, allowing your confidence to speak clearly and eat with greater confidence.
When you choose our office for your denture fabrication needs, you are choosing to work with a team of technicians and professionals who are committed to the highest standards of service and accuracy. We work hard to stay at the forefront of restorative dental technology and help lead the industry in efficiency and reliability. Practices that work with us learn to expect fast and dependable results, time after time.
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are more extensive than dental fillings but less so than caps and crowns. They are typically formed in a dental lab and are made of gold, porcelain or resin depending on the patient’s needs and aesthetic goals. An inlay refers to a restoration that is formed to fit the center of a tooth, whereas an onlay refers to a restoration that encompasses at least, one cusp of the tooth. Both inlays and onlays are bonded to the surface of damaged teeth and matched to the color of the surrounding teeth.
that inlays and onlays can serve as alternative treatments to dental crowns when you have a broken or damaged tooth? When fillings are not enough to adequately repair a tooth, an inlay or onlay can be custom-created to fit securely onto the tooth’s surface. Depending on the materials used, the restoration can be created to appear natural and will have the same function of an organic tooth. Inlays and onlays have extremely high success rates and because they are custom made for each patient, most last longer than traditional fillings.
You could be a candidate for an inlay or onlay in if you have moderate tooth damage or decay and are in search of an alternative restoration option to a crown or cap. Schedule a dental consultation for a complete examination and to find out if an inlay or onlay is right for you.
Your inlay or onlay restoration will be completed over multiple dental treatments. First, your tooth will be prepared for treatment, and an impression will be taken to serve as a mold for your new restoration. You may be fitted with a temporary restoration while your permanent inlay or onlay is fabricated. Once completed, you will return to have the temporary restoration removed and the permanent one bonded to the surface of the teeth.
Special care needs to be given to your teeth while temporary restorations are in place. It is important to avoid sticky or hard foods that could cause significant damage to temporaries. Once you receive your permanent inlay or onlay, you can resume normal eating, brushing and flossing habits.
Dental crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that are used to replace or restore damaged or missing teeth. Crowns – also known as caps – are fixed over the surfaces of natural tooth structures or dental implants. Bridges are used to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth and are anchored in place by the natural teeth or crowns nearest the empty space. Both crowns and bridges are non-removable and must be cemented in place by a licensed dentist. Patients who get crown or bridges to restore their smiles achieve both the function and appearance of natural, healthy teeth.
that the Etruscan civilization were the first to use crowns as a means of restoring damaged teeth? In fact, the materials they used – ivory, gold, and bones – were still the standard in dentistry as recently as the 20th century, when porcelain crowns were first invented. Today, crowns and bridges are customized specifically for the patient’s bite and can usually be placed in as little as one or two dental visits. With proper cleaning and regular dental check-ups, crowns and bridges can last many years, or even a lifetime.
If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, but still intact, a dental crown may be right for you. If your tooth is missing, but its former position is surrounded by other tooth structures, a bridge may be the solution for you. Schedule an office consultation to determine whether you could benefit from crowns or bridges.
If you are a candidate for a crown or bridge, your teeth will be reduced to ensure a proper fit. An impression will then be taken of your bite and used to fabricate a mold for the crown or bridge. If you are choosing porcelain prosthesis, its color will be matched to the natural shade of your other teeth. If a dental lab is making your crown or bridge, you may be fitted with a temporary restoration until the permanent one is ready for placement.
Your teeth will need time to heal following the crown and bridge placement process, so it is normal for you to experience some sensitivity – especially to hot and cold. Additionally, you may experience soreness in the gums surrounding your restorations, though this is usually manageable with ibuprofen and should subside within a few days.
Composite fillings – also known as tooth-colored fillings – are dental restorations designed to be inconspicuous and natural in appearance. They blend well with the teeth and appear more natural than amalgam fillings, which are darker and more easily seen by other people. Composite fillings are made of ceramic and plastic compounds that chemically bond to the teeth. They can be used to fill in decayed areas of the teeth, as well as to help repair chipped or broken teeth. Most dentists use composite restorations to treat the teeth closest to the front of the mouth, as they are more noticeable when patients smile. However, advancements in dental technology and the composition of composite fillings have made it possible for dentists to also use tooth-colored fillings on molars, which receive more wear than other teeth.
that composite fillings allow dentists to preserve more of the natural tooth structure? This is because composite materials chemically bond to the surface of the tooth like an adhesive. The process takes slightly longer to complete than traditional amalgam fillings, but patients can preserve more of the natural portion of the teeth while enjoying a restoration that is discreet and understated.
If you have a cavity, broken tooth, or a deteriorated filling, you may be a candidate for a tooth-colored filling. Schedule a dental consultation to find out if composites are right for you.
During your visit, your gums and teeth will be anesthetized with a local anesthetic near the site of the filling. Once the area is numb, the decayed or damaged portion of your teeth will be removed to make room for the new tooth-colored filling. A resin will be placed over the area and cured with a hand-held light for less than a minute. The new filling will then be shaped and polished before the procedure is complete.
Composite fillings are cured with light at your dentist’s office. You should be able to return to normal activity and oral care immediately after your visit. It’s normal for treated teeth to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold in the days following treatment, but sensitivity that persists beyond a week should be reported to your dentist.
