24953 Paseo De Valencia, 5C, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, US
Call us today! 949-830-3731
Quality Dental Procedures
Preventative care & Restorative care
- Comprehensive Dental Exams
- Teeth & Prosthesis Cleaning - Dental Prophylaxis
- Bruxism & Mouthgaurds
- Dental crowns (often called a tooth cap)
- Dental fillings
- Dental bonding
- Digital X-rays
- Dentures
- Educate patients on dental home care
Dental Implant Crowns
Dental implants are metal cylinders made of titanium surgically placed in the jawbone where teeth are missing. Dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth and support single implant crown, implant crown bridges, and dentures. State-of-the-art technology makes it possible for these implant-supported replacement teeth to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. There are many options to consider and we work with your oral surgeon and periodontist to help you make the best treatment option.
Do I Need Dental Implants?
There are a variety of circumstances that may lead to missing teeth and the need for dental implants. For example:
- If diagnosed and treated early, most cavities and decayed teeth can be treated simply with a filling, but in some cases the decay is so extensive the tooth cannot be restored and must be extracted.
- Patients with a cleft lip often experience a missing tooth or teeth in a position corresponding to the cleft.
- The forces generated by a patient grinding his/her teeth may be great enough to severely fracture a tooth leading to its extraction.
- Ill-fitting and loose dentures
Dentures
Custom dentures made to fit comfortably and allow you to eat and chew well. Many patients also choose to add dental implants to their dentures and we can discuss that option. Dentures are replacements for missing teeth. Complete dentures replace all teeth and removable partial dentures replace some teeth.
By matching each individual’s unique smile and bite, dentures can improve facial appearance and self-confidence. Dentures may also improve speech problems caused by missing teeth and will improve chewing.
For patients missing several teeth, but not all of their teeth, a removable partial denture may be recommended. This type of denture uses the remaining teeth to hold or anchor the removable bridge in place. There are many different types and designs for removable partial dentures.
Removable Partial Dentures
Typically, a removable partial denture is made of a metal framework with pink plastic to replace the gum tissue and plastic or resin denture teeth. The number of missing teeth and their location will affect the comfort and stability of the removable partial denture. The use of dental implants may increase the stability of a removable partial denture.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown (often called a tooth cap) is a custom-fitting, tooth-shaped cover that encases the entire visible part of a damaged, decayed, or weakened tooth above the gumline.
Crowns on your natural teeth are sometimes needed to improve the fit of a removable partial denture and they are usually required with attachments.
Veneers
Dental veneers are custom-made, natural-looking coverings for your teeth made of high-quality dental material.
Veneers can improve the appearance of teeth that are:
- chipped or broken
- stained
- crooked or misshapen
Veneers also can mask the gaps in your smile. They are different from crowns because they cover only the front surface of a tooth rather than the entire tooth structure.
Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joints, called TMJ, are the joints and jaw muscles that make it possible to open and close your mouth. Located on each side of the head, your TMJ work together when you chew, speak or swallow and include muscles and ligaments as well as the jaw bone. They also control the lower jaw (mandible) as it moves forward, backward and side to side.
Each TMJ has a disc between the ball and socket. The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and rotate or glide. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.
Possible causes of TMJ disorders include:
- arthritis
- dislocation
- injury
- tooth and jaw alignment
- stress and teeth grinding
Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Part of the dental examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Depending on the diagnosis, the dentist may refer you to a physician or another dentist.
There are several treatments for TMJ disorders. This step-by-step plan from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research allows you to try simple treatment before moving on to more involved treatment. The NIDCR also recommends a “less is often best” approach in treating TMJ disorders, which includes:
- eating softer foods
- avoiding chewing gum and biting your nails
- modifying the pain with heat packs
- practicing relaxation techniques to control jaw tension, such as meditation or biofeedback.
If necessary for your symptoms, the following treatments may be advised:
- exercises to strengthen your jaw muscles
- medications prescribed by your dentist; for example, muscle relaxants, analgesics, anti-anxiety drugs or anti-inflammatory medications
- a night guard to decrease clenching or grinding of teeth.
In some cases, your dentist may recommend fixing an uneven bite by adjusting or reshaping some teeth. Orthodontic treatment may also be recommended. Your dentist can suggest the most appropriate therapy based on the suspected cause.