Cost of Dental Implants in San Jose CA

January 2, 2020January 15, 2020

Cost of Dental Implants in San Jose CA

While dental implants can be successfully placed in over 95% of cases, and they provide a permanent, long-lasting solution compared to other options, they may not be a viable option for everyone. To begin with, a good candidate for implants needs to be in good general and oral health to ensure proper recovery after the surgery. Secondly, the cost of dental implants is a bit more than the alternative tooth replacement options like fixed bridges or removable partial dentures.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Dental Implants

The cost of dental implants varies considerably depending on different factors. For instance, replacing a front tooth usually involves a lot more work because of the minimal work-space available compared to a back tooth. In addition, the abutment used in the front teeth is usually more costly than the standard abutments used in back teeth placement.

The initial consultation for dental implants also involves a number of costly exams including diagnostic imaging (panoramic X-ray). You also need to keep in mind that each implant comprises three elements: the implant, abutment, and crown, all of which are made from different materials, through different processes, and are placed at different appointments.

Implants also require specialist care that is typically more expensive than general dental care. Dental implants lie in the category of implantology under restoration dentistry. They can only be placed by an oral surgeon, periodontist, or dentist with relevant advanced training and experience.

Lastly, you may require additional procedures to prepare your gums and bone tissue for the implant surgery and increase your chances of a successful procedure. Some patients require periodontal treatment or bone grafts, which add to the overall cost of treatment.

Final Note

Having two or more dental implants can be very expensive. But the treatment can be combined with other tooth replacement options like bridgework or dentures to reduce the cost and provide a satisfactory result. Please visit your dentist in San Jose CA to find out about the cost of your dental implant placement.

December 20, 2019

Dental Crowns Near Me, San Jose CA 95128

When you have chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, the damage can be repaired using a dental crown or tooth cap. In some minor cases of tooth damage, fillings can be used as the preferred restorative treatment. Although fillings are cheaper, there are not as strong as crowns unless the damage is minimal and located in your front teeth. Otherwise, dental crowns are the preferred option.

Dental fillings draw their strength from the tooth. A larger filling would mean that the tooth is severely damaged and weakened, which increases the risk of the filling or tooth breaking. A well-placed filling should last between 5 and 15 years depending on the material used, with metals offering the greatest durability. Crowns should last a lifetime with proper dental care.

Crowns can be successfully used to treat various dental problems, including:

Decay – that has affected more than half the tooth, such that a filling cannot be used
To strengthen the tooth structure following root canal therapy
Broken or fractured teeth
To replace large fillings
To fix chips and cracks
To close small gaps between teeth
To support dental bridges when replacing missing teeth

How the Procedure is Done

Most people are good candidates for tooth crowns, which makes them one of the most popular dental restoration procedures for people of all ages. Tooth caps can also be recommended as a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of damaged teeth.

During your initial consultation, the dentist will examine your teeth to determine if you are a good candidate for dental crowns. The treatments start by numbing the damaged tooth and surrounding gum tissue. Then, depending on the type of damage, any decay will be removed and the site thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in preparation for placing the filling material in the cavity. The dentist will also take digital impressions that will be used to create your custom crown in a dental lab, making sure to match the color of your crown to that of your teeth or use a different shade if you wish to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile.

On your next visit, the custom crown will be placed so it “caps” the entire damaged or decayed area of the tooth. This produces a permanent, long-lasting restoration that looks and functions like your natural teeth.

Contact Your Dentist Today

Please contact your San Jose dentist today to learn more about dental crowns and other dental restorative options that can work for you.

December 6, 2019December 20, 2019

Cosmetic Dentist Near Me, San Jose CA 95128

Your smile plays a big part in your appearance. It is the first thing that people notice about you, besides your eyes, which influences how people perceive you. A bright smile is associated with good health, confidence, and happiness, which essentially draws people to you and makes you more successful in your personal and professional relationships. This truth is why any patients visit a cosmetic dentist to learn more about how they can enhance their smiles.

Preparing for the Initial Visit

If you’re looking to restore or improve the health and appearance of your teeth, the first step would be a free cosmetic consultation at a cosmetic dentist near you. To ensure the best results from your cosmetic dentistry consultation, you should have a good idea of what you want – your ideal smile – before approaching the dentist. Generally, you should know:

What shade of white you would like your teeth to be – natural, ultra-white, in-between
Do you want your teeth to be in perfect alignment or slightly varied?
Do you think your smile is toothy, gummy, or awkward in any other way?
What defects do you want to be fixed? – missing tooth, crooked or misaligned teeth, fractured teeth, stained teeth, etc.

Thanks to technological advancements, dentists today have access to tooth-colored dental materials that help to deliver natural-looking, long-lasting results. Modern techniques are also less invasive, allowing you to preserve a greater portion of your natural tooth structure during restorations. And with 3D software, your dental team can design your smile and show you the expected results of your treatment plan on a screen before the procedures start.

The Consultation Process

A typical cosmetic dental consultation is a brief appointment with the dentist to discuss any issues that you have with your teeth and smile, as well as the various treatments available and the best options for your case.

Your dental visit will also include a physical examination, a review of your dental and medical history, and dental imaging so the dentist can have a clear look at your teeth. Next, you will establish clear treatment goals based on your needs and concerns. This provides a great opportunity to ask other specific details about procedures you’re interested in.

Please contact your dentist in San Jose CA to learn more about available cosmetic dentistry treatments, and to schedule your appointment.

November 19, 2019November 13, 2019

Cost of Invisalign in San Jose CA

Invisalign is a discreet alternative to traditional braces that allows you to improve your smile without anyone noticing. This approach has proven to be helpful for all kinds of patients, from shy teens to social butterflies to active athletes, because the treatment does not interfere with their lifestyle. The success of the procedure makes the cost of Invisalign worth the expense for an improved smile.

Invisalign is as effective as conventional braces for correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues, including:

Underbite
Overbite
Crossbite
Crowded teeth
Widely spaced teeth

Generally, the cost of any orthodontic treatment depends on various individual factors such as:

Complexity of the case
Treatment goals
Duration of treatment
Availability of orthodontic insurance coverage
Your location, etc.

Regardless of the cost, patients choose Invisalign because it is:

Virtually invisible
Comfortable
Removable
Safe
Requires fewer orthodontist visits
Easier to maintain oral hygiene
Has low risk of enamel damage and tooth discoloration

Unlike metal brackets that are bonded to each tooth, Invisalign uses removable plastic trays to move your teeth. The treatment begins with a scan and impressions. The orthodontist takes photographs, x-rays, and impressions of your teeth in order to make a custom treatment plan. This information is fed into the Align Technology system for scanning so it can be converted to a 3D representation of the teeth. The Invisalign specialist can then create a custom treatment plan in 3D from start to finish, and show you the expected outcome at the end of the treatment, including the movement of your teeth in 3D animation.

A series of custom aligners will then be fabricated from a lightweight, transparent plastic material to fit your teeth perfectly. Each aligner is slightly different, so you’ll be expected to change them every two weeks as your teeth gently move into the desired position and improve your smile.

Schedule Your Visit Today

To find out if Invisalign is right for you, and the specific cost of your orthodontic treatment, please visit your orthodontist in San Jose for a free consultation.

November 5, 2019November 13, 2019

What to Expect with Teeth Whitening in San Jose CA

Your smile is your most distinct feature when interacting with people. But over time with aging, the use of tobacco products, drinking colored beverages like wine and coffee, using some spices, taking antibiotics like tetracycline, consuming excess fluoride in water, and other factors can cause your teeth to discolor or darken, affecting the appearance of your smile. Fortunately, patients above the age of 10 years can consider the different methods of teeth whitening for their permanent teeth.

Your dentist will determine whether your teeth are healthy enough to have a successful whitening procedure. There are some stains, such as those caused by tooth developmental conditions or medications that cannot be completely removed with whitening. Any dental restorations, including fillings and crowns, also do not respond to bleaching. To create uniformity in your smile, your dentist can recommend several alternatives or complementary teeth whitening options.

When is Whitening Not Advisable?

If your tooth enamel is damaged and you are already sensitive to cold and hot foods and drinks, then bleaching or any other whitening procedure may aggravate your sensitivity. That said, there are lower strength whitening treatments that can be recommended to people with worn/eroded enamel or tooth sensitivity. The treatments can also be used less frequently to reduce sensitivity. In addition, your dentist can recommend a way to reduce sensitivity after the whitening procedure.

Keep in mind that, there are many different whitening options for different teeth requirements, including those with very thin enamel. It is essential that you follow your dentist’s instructions for your specific treatment.

Final Note

Although teeth whitening leaves your teeth looking impeccably white, the longevity of the results will depend on your diet and habits. The amount of time that you can enjoy your sparkling smile depends on multiple factors. If you drink tea, coffee, wine, or use tobacco products, your teeth will stain again sooner, and you will need more subsequent whitening procedures.

Please contact your dentist in San Jose, CA to discuss ways to improve your smile with teeth whitening.

October 24, 2019October 10, 2019

What to Expect with Invisalign System in San Jose CA

The Invisalign system is an alternative to braces that provides you with a virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and improve the appearance of your smile. The treatment takes between six months and two years, within which time you can correct protruding teeth, crowded teeth, open bites, overbites, underbites, and/or gaps, all without anyone noticing that you’re wearing a dental appliance.

Custom Orthodontic Treatment

No two orthodontic dental cases are the same. With advanced Invisalign technology, teen and adult patients can enjoy a unique, customized teeth-straightening solution that is more precise and designed to keep the teeth moving into the right position discreetly.

Here’re the basic steps:

Step 1:

The treatment begins with a scan or impressions. The orthodontist takes photographs, x-rays, and impressions of your teeth in order to make a custom treatment plan.

Step 2:

Digital treatment planning. As a modern approach to straightening your teeth, your clear aligner therapy is planned using CAD/CAM technology. The orthodontist uses an intraoral scanner to create 3D models of your teeth, which are arranged to replicate your bite on a computer screen. Each tooth is then individually moved – on the screen – to adjust your bite and create a plan for your actual dental treatment. This essentially helps to create the path of least resistance to move your teeth to the desired position, even before your treatment begins, which increases the success rate and reduces treatment time.

Step 3:

Schedule Your Consultation

To find out more about the Invisalign system and whether it can be used to fix your orthodontic issues, please visit your orthodontist in San Jose CA for a free consultation.

October 10, 2019October 10, 2019

Teeth Whitening Near Me, San Jose 95128

The aging process, your diet, and other lifestyle choices can discolor your teeth over time. Whiter teeth are associated with beauty, success, and good health. They also draw attention away from other features, giving you a more youthful and vibrant appearance. Teeth whitening in San Jose CA provides a fast and cost-effective way to get the smile of your dreams. It involves removing stains and discoloration to brighten your teeth and improve their appearance.

Why Do Your Teeth Change Color?

There are many reasons why few people have impeccably white teeth, including:

Age – tooth enamel is naturally white, but it thins over time due to normal wear, allowing the yellowish dentin to show
Fluorosis – teeth darkening due to excessive fluoride consumption
Food and drink – tea, coffee, red wine, and other food items contain intense color pigments known as chromogens that bond to tooth enamel, causing discoloration
Tobacco use – chewing and smoking tobacco exposes you to two chemicals responsible for creating stubborn stains: nicotine and tar
Illness – early tooth decay or illness during tooth development can also cause spots on your teeth
Medications – tooth discoloration can be a side effect of taking certain medication, like antihistamines and antipsychotics. Fetuses and babies may also be at risk of tooth discoloration of the adult teeth if exposed to antibiotics like doxycycline and tetracycline.
Calculus – accumulated plaque can also reduce the sparkle of your teeth

Any of these reasons can lead you to find a San Jose dentist near you for teeth whitening.

Final Note

Please keep in mind that teeth whitening in San Jose CA is a cosmetic procedure that may help to improve your self-confidence, but to maintain the results for as long as possible, you must be prepared to uphold your dental hygiene by brushing and flossing properly, avoiding smoking, avoiding colored drinks that stain your teeth, drinking plenty of water, and getting professional cleaning twice a year.

Please schedule a consultation with your dentist to learn more about teeth whitening and other ways you can improve your smile.

September 17, 2019September 10, 2019

Am I a candidate for Dental Cleanings and Exams? | San Jose CA

Yes. Every individual, including your toddler, elderly parent, and everyone in between, can benefit from dental cleanings and professional teeth examinations. Even if you feel like everything is alright, many dental and gum problems don’t cause any obvious symptoms, like pain or bleeding, until they’re quite advanced. Through routine dental exams, your dentist can detect and treat potential issues before they start to cause any symptoms.

Preventative Care

One of the biggest components of modern family dentistry is preventative care. Not only does it keep your smile healthy, but also works to prevent most dental issues from ever arising, or at least stop them in their early stages before they develop into serious, painful, and expensive problems.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends getting a cleaning and exam every six months, which is why most dental plans cover two exams and two cleanings per year. People at high risk, however, may need more frequent cleanings and exams. Risk factors include:

Diabetes
Smoking
Pregnancy
Cavity-prone
Gum disease
Weak immune system

It’s important to visit your dentist for professional dental cleanings and exams regardless of how much time has passed since your last dental appointment. After your teeth cleaning and examination, the dentist will give you guidelines to follow to maintain optimal oral health until your next dental appointment.

These guidelines may involve:

Maintaining or adjusting your dental routine
Changing your flossing or brushing technique
Changing bad oral habits

In addition, if any problems were found during the exam, your dentist in San Jose, CA will recommend appropriate treatments and book your appointment at a later date to deliver the treatment. If no problem was found, then you simply need to keep up your good daily dental routine.

Final Note

Keep in mind that of all types of dental care (preventive, cosmetic, restorative), preventive care is the most comfortable and affordable. So keeping your dental appointments for regular brushing and flossing is a smart investment that will save you a lot more down the road.

September 10, 2019September 10, 2019

Dental Exam and Cleanings FAQ | San Jose CA

What’s the worst that can happen if I skip my dental exam and cleanings?

Dental exam and cleanings are intended to keep your gums and teeth clean and healthy, which will, in turn, help you avoid paying for costly dental procedures in the future. If you don’t get professional cleanings, bacteria in your mouth will buildup as calculus, releasing acids that inflame the gums, erode tooth enamel, cause tooth decay, stain your teeth, cause bad breath, and even lead to tooth loss. While all these problems can be treated, it would be an expensive and time-consuming process compared to simply preventing them with a 45-minute dental appointment. Moreover, dental exams help to detect the early stages of problems, including chips, gum disease, cavities, and even oral cancer, so you can start interventions early to prevent them from getting worse or even reverse them.

What does the ADA (American Dental Association) recommend regarding routine dental care?

Routine dental care comprises preventive things that you should do ensure optimal health for your teeth and gums. The ADA recommends that you:

Brush your teeth daily at least twice using an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste
Clean between your teeth every day using floss or an interdental cleaner
Get a new toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if you suffer an oral illness
Maintain a well-balanced diet and reduce the intake of sugary items and drinks, and snacks between meals
Visit your dentist in San Jose, CA regularly for oral exams and professional cleanings

What questions are the most common during routine dental care?

Dental consultations provide a good opportunity for you to learn more about caring for your teeth and gums. You may consider asking:

Which toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, or other product should I use for my teeth?
Based on your examination and my dental/medical history, what is my ideal interval for cleanings?
What dental diseases am I prone to if any? Why? What can I do to reduce this risk?

August 24, 2019August 15, 2019

Am I a Candidate for Dental Veneers Treatment? | San Jose CA

Your dentist may recommend dental veneers treatment to improve the appearance of discolored teeth. Different factors including lifestyle choice like smoking, diet options like coffee and wine, excessive fluoride intake, and childhood medications such as antibiotics can cause your teeth to stain or discolor, ruining your perfect smile. Veneers can be used to cover up these defects, giving you the perfect smile.

Other instances where veneers can be used include to:

Repair chipped teeth or severely worn teeth due to grinding
Alter the shape of teeth to produce an even smile
Fill gaps between your teeth that make you uncomfortable
Replace old restorations
Improve tooth alignment

When to Seek Treatment

It’s only through a consultation that you can determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental veneers.

Some of the requirements for veneers include:

Healthy teeth that are free of decay or active gum disease
Sufficient tooth enamel to allow for tooth preparation, though no-prep or minimal preparation composite veneers can be used
Not suffering from bruxism. Patients who grind their teeth or clench their jaws are not good candidates for veneers, because the excessive forces may cause the thin veneers to chip, peel, or break
No bad habits, such as chewing on ice and other hard objects or biting your fingernails

If the dentist in San Jose, CA determines that you don’t have enough tooth left, perhaps due to excessive tooth wear or existing large restorations, and veneers are not suitable for your case, then a ceramic crown may be placed instead. Crowns or tooth caps wrap around the weakened tooth, protecting it while restoring its shape, size, and aesthetic. Dental veneers treatment requires less removal of the tooth enamel compared to crowns, though the preparation process in both cases is not reversible.

Keep in mind that any type of dental work needs to be followed by good oral hygiene practices to get the most out of it. If you don’t take good care of your teeth and mouth, then your veneers or any other restoration will not last as long as it should, and neither will the underlying teeth.