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Increase Self Confidence With Help From Your Local General Dental Practice

Local General Dental Practice Santa Cruz

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Having a bright, beautiful smile helps you look and feel your best. There’s no single gesture or word in any language more powerful than a smile – in fact, experts believe a smile is one of the most potent ways to activate the brain’s mirror neurons, associated with empathy.

Smiling more not only makes a good impression on others, but also helps you. Science is increasingly learning that the brain is deeply keyed into the muscles of the face. Smiling can make you feel better and create a neurological “feedback loop” that leads to more happiness.

Sadly, some people don’t have the smile they want. This can make them feel shy about smiling.

Even if you work hard at maintaining your teeth, it’s still possible to run into difficulties with dental health. Although brushing is the most important thing you can do for your teeth and gums, it can’t prevent all forms of staining.

With help from a general dentist practice, you can get the smile you’ve always wanted. That will increase your confidence and help you become a more open and authentic “you.” Yes – a smile really is that important!

Here’s what you can get from your general dental practice at Landmark Dental Group:

Tooth Whitening

Many people spend lots of time and money on “over the counter” whitening solutions only to find they don’t get the results they want. OTC whitening gels are not very effective, and they can cause a burning discomfort if applied incorrectly. At Landmark Dental Group, we offer a combo of customized trays and a powerful whitening agent – much stronger than commercial ones!

Veneers

Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that can be placed over the visible surface of teeth. These are perfect for restoring the color and shape of teeth that are permanently damaged. Both types of veneer are made to blend in with the natural look and feel of teeth. If you choose a composite veneer, it can be placed in a single visit to your general dental practice.

Crowns

When teeth are damaged, it’s important to restore them to greater strength. Weakened teeth can cause problems for surrounding teeth and jaw health down the line, even if there is no underlying infection. Crowns reinforce damaged teeth. A crown is like a “cap” that covers the entire surface of the tooth. This returns a cracked, chipped, or weathered tooth to strength and good looks.

Bridges

Bridges help when you have consecutive missing teeth – one or several. The teeth on either side of the missing ones are reinforced with crowns, strengthening them into what’s called abutment teeth. Then, a bridge consisting of artificial teeth is inserted into the gap. Bridges can be made using gold alloy, porcelain, and various other materials.

No matter your age or dental health, it’s never too late to improve the look of your smile. As a community general dental practice, Landmark Dental Group is always here to help. Call us today!

Crowns and Bridges From Your Local Geriatric Dentists

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4 FAQs about Dental Crowns and Bridges

Older patients often struggle with many dental problems, but a general dentist that has experience with the geriatric population can do a lot to give you a more beautiful and healthy smile. Check out these four FAQs about dental crowns and bridges.

What Materials Are Used to Craft Dental Crowns and Bridges?

There are many materials your dentist can use to create dental crowns and bridges. Some of the most common materials include metal and porcelain. Metal crowns may be crafted from gold alloys or alloys of high-noble metals. To many people, metal crowns and bridges are the least attractive, but they are incredibly durable. They withstand wear and tear well, and they are not susceptible to cracking or chipping.

Porcelain crowns and bridges can be all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Both types are beautiful because the porcelain mimics the look of natural teeth well. All porcelain crowns are slightly less durable than metal crowns, but they are good for people with metal allergies or for front teeth.

What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?

Traditional bridges are still extremely popular because of their durability. A traditional bridge is commonly used when you have one or two missing teeth between at least two healthy teeth. The healthy teeth are filed down as they would be with a crown. The bridge is bonded to those healthy teeth, which hold the fake tooth/teeth in place.

Why Might Geriatric Dentists Suggest Dental Crowns?

Even older patients want to have a healthy, strong smile, but normal wear and tear and bad dental hygiene often leads to weakened teeth. Luckily, dental crowns can actually strengthen your teeth. They are commonly suggested if you have large cracks, large chips or large fillings.

Crowns give the tooth a solid surface again. Consider a solid clay pot vs. a fractured pot that has been glued back together. The repaired pot requires a lot less pressure to break because of the weak spots. Similarly, a tooth with cracks or big fillings has weak spots that affect its durability. The dental crown covers and protects these weak spots.

Why Choose a Dental Bridge Instead of a Partial Denture?

So many elderly patients choose dentures because they are cheap and easy. If you only have a few missing teeth, you may consider partial dentures; however, a dental bridge is a much better option. Firstly, dental bridges are not removable, so you don’t have to take them out at night or use special cleaner. You clean your dental bridge like normal teeth, except you will need special floss to floss under the bridge.

Another advantage of dental bridges is they are more durable than partial dentures. People with partial dentures may have trouble eating certain foods because they make the dentures move or slip. This isn’t the case with a dental bridge. You can typically continue eating all of the foods you love.

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have to live with weak or missing teeth. Geriatric dentists can give you a healthy, strong smile, so you can continue enjoying the foods you love without fear. For more information contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Looking for a Dentist Near You? Get 2017 Started Off Right With a High-Quality Santa Cruz Dentist

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Get 2017 Started off Right with a High-Quality Santa Cruz Dentist Near You

With the new year here, it’s time to start thinking about your smile. If you’ve been neglecting your teeth, it’s time to make the resolution to get back to taking care of them. Start by finding a high-quality Santa Cruz dentist near you.

Check out what they can do for you:

Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy

What’s the most basic thing a Santa Cruz dentist can do for you? The answer is simple: keep your teeth clean and healthy. Regular check-ups and cleanings are a must for good oral hygiene.

And, if you’re in need of extra special care, Landmark Dental Group also offers root scaling and planing for people with gingivitis or deep pockets that hide tartar and plaque. Everyone needs to come to the dentist at least twice a year for preventative care even if you don’t have a problem. It’s the best way to stop problems before they start.

Get Your Whole Family Treated

As a family dentist office, Landmark Dental makes treating your whole family easy because they see anyone at any age. If you have a child whose first tooth just emerged, they invite you to bring your child for their first exam. You’ll learn how best to care for your child’s teeth. If you have a geriatric parent, bring them by. Older patients often have many problems such as dry mouth, gum disease, etc., that need specialized attention.

Fix Problems That Arise

Of course, even with good preventative care, problems may arise. A little too much sugar could lead to a cavity, and a lot of sugar could lead to a big crack. Your Santa Cruz dentist is there to help with fillings, crowns and extractions. They even offer tooth-colored fillings. So if you need a filling or have metal fillings, you can have them replaced with white fillings that look like natural teeth. Everyone will think you’ve never had a cavity on your life!

Get a Complete Smile

It’s so common to have one or two missing teeth, especially if you are older. This can sometimes be embarrassing, but Landmark Dental Group has you covered. They offer three different ways to replace missing teeth: dentures, dental bridges and dental implants.

Dental implants are the most durable way to replace missing teeth, but they are expensive. Whatever your budget and preferences, you’ll find a way to get the complete smile you desire.

Perfect Your Smile

So many things affect the beauty of your smile: discoloration, genetics, poor oral hygiene, etc. In the past, you pretty much had to live with an imperfect smile. However, today, there are many ways a Santa Cruz dentist can give you a breathtaking smile. Some services include teeth whitening, veneers and crowns. These are all great ways to make your smile look brighter, healthier and younger.

Stay Calm and Relaxed

Too many people have anxiety about going to the dentist, and in the past, there may have been reason, but today, going to the dentist is painless. Of course, that doesn’t always stop your anxiety. So, if you need a way to relax in the chair, choose sedation. You can choose from inhalation sedation, oral sedation and IV conscious sedation. All of them make you feel so relaxed you may fall asleep. Plus, they have some amnesiac qualities, so you won’t remember much of your visit — making it less scary to go to the dentist in the future.

Don’t neglect your mouth a moment longer. You want to be proactive with your smile, so serious problems don’t arise. For more information, contact Landmark Dental Group.

New Teeth for the New Year

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If you’d like to transform your smile in the upcoming year, and you have missing teeth, dental implants are a must to consider. Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. Check out these dental implant pros and cons, and determine if they are right for you.

Pro: Most Durable Option for Missing Teeth

Without a doubt, dental implants are the most durable option for replacing missing teeth. With proper care, a dental implant may even last the rest of your life. So, why are dental implants so durable? Like natural teeth, they use your actual jawbone to support the implant. The titanium fuses to your jawbone to create a strong bond.

On the other hand, dentures simply sit on your gums, so they are hardly secured, making it possible for them to slip and move. Bridges are more durable, but they put excess stress on some of your existing teeth, which can actually become loose. Plus, if bacteria gets under the bridge, the anchor teeth are vulnerable with no enamel, and/or the bonding cement may be compromised, causing the bridge to fall out.

Pro: Replace One or More Teeth

An implant is a great option no matter how many teeth you are replacing. If you have one missing tooth, the dentist will use a single dental implant. If you have a few teeth in a row missing, the dentist can use an implant-supported bridge. It’s the same as a standard bridge, but it uses dental implants instead of teeth as anchors. Last, if you have all of your teeth missing, you can get implant-supported dentures. A few titanium implants hold your dentures in place. They are removable, but they snap into place, making them secure.

The disadvantage of bridges is that if you have several teeth missing in a row, a bridge may not be successful. There may be too much stain on the teeth. So, without an implant-supported bridge, your only other option is a partial denture.

Con: The Most Expensive Option for Missing Teeth

There’s no denying the strength of an implant, but do keep in mind that they are the most expensive option for replacing missing teeth. Expect to pay in the ballpark of $4000 for a single implant. This price increases if you need a bone graft to support the implant. And, of course, if you get multiple implants, such as a bridge or dentures, the price increases.

Bridges and dentures are a much more affordable option. Plus, insurance typically pays for some of the costs, reducing your cost even more. Even if your insurance pays for some of your implant, you’ll still have to fork out a lot of out-of-pocket expenses.

However, because implants are titanium, it’s impossible to get a cavity on this tooth. The teeth underneath a bridge are still susceptible to cavities and if this happens, the bridge option will be more expensive than the implant if it has to be replaced.

Con: Not a Good Option for People with Gum Disease

Gum disease often causes tooth loss, so if you have gum disease, you may be thinking about getting an implant. Unfortunately, if you have uncontrolled gum disease, a dentist may not recommend implants or even a bridge. You need a strong jaw to support a dental implant, which you don’t have if you suffer from severe gum disease. Also, you could develop gum disease around the implant, which exposes the titanium root.

If you have uncontrolled gum disease, you can still get dentures. However, the best option is to work with your dentist to improve your gum disease, so you can get implants.

If you have missing teeth, talk to your dentist about an implant. They are sure to give you a breathtaking smile. For more information, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

4 Facts About Enamel Erosion

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You take great care of your teeth because you know the risks: cavities, infection, tooth loss, etc. However, even if you do everything you should, your enamel may be eroding.

Check out these four facts about enamel erosion:

Acid Can Erode Enamel

Enamel erosion isn’t your typical dental problem. True, failure to brush and floss regularly can lead to erosion because it allows bacteria to attack your teeth, weaken enamel and lead to cavities. However, even if you take great care of your teeth, you can still suffer from weakened enamel. This is because acid is a huge culprit of eroding enamel.

So many foods and beverages contain high levels of certain acids that attack enamel. This includes soft drinks, fruit juice and wine. Plus, foods and beverages that are high in sugar and starches can erode enamel, too. Additionally, if you develop acid reflux disease from a bad diet, this too could increase the level of acid in your mouth and cause erosion.

Aggressive Brushing Can Cause Enamel Erosion, Too

Yes, it is possible to be too enthusiastic with your oral hygiene. When you eat sugary or acidic foods, you may feel the need to aggressively brush your teeth to eliminate all that plaque. Plaque, however, is easy to remove with a light touch. When you aggressively brush your teeth, you can actually damage the enamel and wear it away.

If you do brush your teeth hard right after eating foods that have a lot of acid, the risk of wearing down your enamel increases. Acidic foods and beverages soften your enamel for a while. If you roughly brush your teeth while the enamel is soft, it’s easier to scratch it away. If you do eat something high in acid, don’t brush right after. Instead, rinse your mouth with water. Brush later, and don’t be aggressive.

Changing Habits Saves Existing Enamel

To prevent further erosion, change your habits. It would be best if you cut out the acidic beverages and foods completely. However, that can be difficult; our suggestion is to try to cut back. When you do drink soda, fruit juice or wine, try to drink it through a straw or only with a full meal. When you are done, rinse your mouth with water.

If the problem is that you are brushing too hard, ask your dentist to show you how to brush properly. You can also switch to a soft-bristled brush, so even if you do brush a little harder than you should, it won’t erode as much enamel.

Enamel Cannot Be Regrown

Unfortunately, the enamel you have lost cannot be regrown. Just like you cannot re-grow a bone, the lost enamel is gone for good. If you haven’t eroded much enamel, work with your dentist to make healthy choices that can preserve what you have and prevent future erosion.

If too much enamel has been lost, your teeth could be susceptible to severe decay. In this case, your dentist may suggest treatments that could replace the enamel. The dentist can’t replace the enamel with more enamel, but treatments like dental bonding, veneers and crowns cover the tooth like enamel, blocking bacteria and acid.

Erosion of enamel can happen to anyone. Even if you take great care of your teeth, poor eating habits can be wearing down the protective barrier of your teeth. Once this is gone, it cannot be regrown, and your teeth become extremely vulnerable. For more information on tooth erosion, or if you think you may have some erosion, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Tooth Replacement Options After Tooth Extraction

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When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary. After the tooth is pulled, however, it’s important to replace it to maintain functionality and appearance. The three common solutions to replace a missing tooth are a dental implant, dental bridge and removable partial denture.

Dental Implant

A dental implant is a titanium artificial tooth root that replaces the original tooth root. Just like your real tooth sits in your jawbone, so does the titanium root. Titanium has a special ability: it can “fuse” to bone. This process is called osseointegration – where the bone grows around the threads of the titanium screw, creating a powerful hold, which makes dental implants almost as durable as your natural teeth.

The implant process does take some time and happens in several stages. First, the dentist must place the implant into your jaw. The gum and bone is then allowed ample time to heal over the implant. Once the area is completely healed, the dentist makes an incision in the gum to reveal the implant and place an abutment, which sticks out of the gums as the area around it heals again. Last, a porcelain or gold crown is placed on the abutment.

To be a good candidate for a dental implant, you should be in good health and have healthy gums and adequate bone. In some cases, the dentist may suggest a bone graft to help add quality and quantity to the jawbone before placing the implant.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge works much like a real bridge, but instead of connecting land, it connects teeth. Typically, a traditional bridge is comprised of at least three pieces that are connected together: a pontic, that replaces the missing tooth and two abutment crowns (one on each side of the pontic).

To place the bridge, the dentist must file down the teeth on each side of the missing tooth. The crowns on the bridge fit over these teeth, allowing the pontic to fit snuggly between them.

If you are interested in replacing your missing tooth with a dental bridge, it’s important that you have healthy teeth to support the bridge. After the bridge is placed, it’s extra important to keep the support teeth clean and healthy by flossing underneath the pontic tooth with the help of floss threaders.

Removable Partial Denture

Removable partial dentures are used to replace one or several missing teeth. They are usually designed to look like both teeth and gums because they sit on your gums, and they typically have clasps, so they can clip to remaining teeth for extra stability. However, they are removable, so the clasps are not cemented to the existing teeth.

As with dental implants and dental bridges, the dentist will need to take an impression of your mouth to build the partial denture. The dentist can do this before your teeth are pulled to craft immediate dentures or wait until the area has healed for conventional dentures. The benefit of immediate dentures is that you can wear them as soon as your teeth are pulled. However, if you have a lot of missing teeth, the bones and gums have a tendency to shrink, causing the immediate partial denture to feel loose and may eventually require a reline to tighten up the fit.

Removable partial dentures are the best replacement option if you suffer from uncontrolled gum disease or similar oral health problem because dentures don’t require you to have a firm jawbone. They are also usually the least expensive option, making them a common choice for people on a tight budget.

Tooth extraction isn’t always necessary, and if that’s the case, your dentist will discuss other options to save the tooth. However, in some cases, there’s no alternative option and there are replacement options. For more information about tooth extraction or replacement, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

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