Blog - Page 11 of 15 - Dentist Cerritos

Will I Need a Bone Graft for My Dental Implants?

July 16, 2020 by Jesmine Boghawala DDS

Dental implants are one of the best ways to permanently replace missing teeth. Using a metal post, your dentist can physically anchor a new, natural-looking tooth directly into your jawbone. The result gives you unparalleled stability. As a result, patients who have dental implants can resume all normal activities without concern once the healing process is complete. However, some patients may first need a bone graft.

Unfortunately, the efficacy of the procedure does come at the cost of time. It can take months to complete the process of placing a dental implant because it is broken into multiple stages. After each stage, you will need to completely heal to ensure the procedure is successful.

In some cases, a dental implant can be placed over a period of three months. But this is usually only possible in younger patients with no complicating factors. If you smoke, are over the age of fifty, or require a bone graft, then the procedure is likely to take place over six to nine months.

What is a Bone Graft?

A bone graft is a small piece of healthy bone that is affixed to a location where the bone is broken or deteriorating. You may require a bone graft before receiving an implant if the jaw bone near the missing tooth has become too weak to support the metal post required to anchor the new tooth.

Your jawbone may be weakened due to a pre-existing condition. These include conditions such as osteoporosis, or gradual bone loss caused by the initial loss of the tooth. The integrity of your jawbone depends on your teeth being regularly used. If you have been missing a tooth for an extended period, then you may have experienced some bone loss.

Fortunately, the best dentist in Cerritos should be able to identify possible bone loss in your initial x-rays, so you will be able to make an educated decision as to whether you would like to move forward with dental implant surgery. If you would rather avoid the process, then you may want to ask your dentist if a dental fixed bridge is right for you.

What to Expect During a Bone Graft?

If you decide to move forward with the dental implant procedure, then it helps to know what you are getting into. Your oral surgeon is an expert in their field. So you should feel free to ask them any questions you might have regarding your individual case. Fortunately, the procedure is fairly straightforward, and complications are avoidable with appropriate care.

Whether you are placed under general anesthetic will depend on the source of the graft. Most oral surgeons use a specially crafted material that mimics bone, allowing for the graft to take easily. In this case, you will most likely only require a local anesthetic to treat the jaw. However, if you are opting to have the bone graft taken from another bone on your body, then general anesthetic is a far more likely treatment.

Once the anesthetic is applied, and you are comfortably numb, your surgeon will cut into the gum in order to expose the jaw bone. The graft will be placed against the deteriorating bone and secured. The gum is then closed. That is when the waiting begins. Your dental surgeon will want to make sure that the bone graft has completely grown into the bone and made your jaw strong enough to support the implant.

Healing Process

The healing process after a bone graft typically takes four to six months. Then, once your jaw is ready, you will most likely have three further appointments to complete the procedure. The first will place the post. The second will be used to take impressions. And during the third your dentist will place the new tooth. Afterward, you will have an implant that looks and feels like the real thing.

How Do You Fix a Chipped Tooth?

June 16, 2020 by Jesmine Boghawala DDS

Did you know that the average human has a bite force of 162 pounds per square inch? That’s a lot of pressure, but our teeth are usually sturdy enough to handle it. Unfortunately, every so often we give them more than they can handle, and they break. A mild chip may not even be painful initially, but it does mean you will be paying a visit to your best dentist in Cerritos at Jesmine Boghawala DDS. How do we fix a chipped tooth?

As shocked as you might be after accidentally chipping your tooth, your dentist is more than prepared to fix you right up. The procedure required to fix a chipped tooth is usually relatively straightforward, with little to no downtime depending on the severity of the break. In most cases, it just requires your dentist to use resin to replace the missing portion of the tooth.

What is Dental Bonding?

The material used to replace the missing part of your tooth is called dental bonding. The resin is colored to match your natural teeth and can be used to fix chips as well as misaligned teeth, giving you a smile you’ll be glad to show off. In the case of a chipped tooth, the process is fairly simple.

Your dentist will start by etching minuscule ridges into the natural tooth. These ridges are necessary. The resin is unable to physically bond with a completely smooth surface. So etching the tooth increases the strength of the bond between the two. Once your tooth is prepared, your dentist will apply and carefully shape the resin to mimic your natural tooth’s shape. The resin is then smoothed and polished, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the natural tooth. Finally, your dentist will use a UV light to harden the resin more quickly.

Dental veneers are another cosmetic treatment that can be used to fix the appearance of a mildly chipped tooth. Still, this process requires a custom-built porcelain shell designed to completely cover the remaining. Highly effective, veneers can also be costly, so many patients opt for dental bonding as an effective alternative.

What if I Lost Most of My Tooth?

In the case of a severe break, dental bonding may not be able to fix the issue. If you’ve lost a substantial portion of your tooth, then your dentist is likely to recommend a crown. For patients unfamiliar with the process, a crown requires your dentist to remove the outer portions of your tooth and fit a custom-made crown over the remaining tooth.

Crowns are done over two dental visits. During your first visit, you can expect your dentist to remove the outside of the tooth. They will then take impressions of your mouth, so your crown is made to fit you perfectly. You will also be given a temporary crown during this visit to get you by until your crown can be placed during your next appointment.

Crowns can be made of metal, porcelain, or a mix of the two. You should carefully discuss the costs and benefits with your dental care provider to ensure you make the best choice for your needs. As long as it is well cared for and made of sturdy material, your crown can last for life, so it is an investment worth considering.

Making an Appointment

Regardless of the severity of the chip, your first act in response should be to call your dentist. Let them know if you are experiencing pain and the severity of the chip. This will help to determine how quickly you need your appointment. Regardless of the waiting period, you should pick up a small box of dental wax to soften sharp edges, preventing further injury. You should also avoid chewing with the affected tooth until your dentist can see you.

Can I Chew Gum While I’m Wearing Invisalign?

May 18, 2020 by Jesmine Boghawala DDS

In comparison to wired braces, Invisalign offers more flexibility and comfort. However, the rules surrounding their usage are less firmly established in the popular imagination. As a result, you may have some questions revolving around Invisalign “dos and don’ts.” In these cases, you can always talk to your dentist at Jesmine Boghawala DDS directly or review their FAQs. One of the most common questions is whether you can chew gum while wearing Invisalign. Fortunately, the answer is pretty straight forward.

Do Not Chew Gum While Wearing Invisalign

When it comes to your aligners, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you are about to chew or drink anything other than water, you should remove your aligners first. Tacky or hard substances can easily damage the trays, negatively affecting your journey towards a perfect smile.

That being said, you can technically chew gum as long as you remove your aligners first. However, there are several reasons that you may want to reconsider that choice and just skip gum entirely.

SmartForce Attachments

Although it isn’t the case for everyone, many patients using Invisalign require a few SmartForce attachments. These innocuous, tooth-colored bumps are placed discretely throughout the patient’s mouth. These attachments ensure that their aligning trays stay in place and exert force in the desired direction.

They may not seem very important at first, but allow your trays to move your teeth in more complex ways. They help you get closer to the smile you always wanted in a fraction of the time that would be required otherwise.

Despite their smooth outer edge, there is still a possibility that gum could stick to these attachments and undermine them over time. Therefore, if you do have SmartForce attachments in place, it is advised that you not chew gum at all while undergoing Invisalign treatment to avoid inadvertently lengthening your treatment period.

Time in Place

The creators of the Invisalign technology suggest that patients wear their aligners at least 20 to 22 hours every day. As a result, chewing gum regularly isn’t usually feasible for patients trying to stick to that schedule.

One patient, writing for Real Self about her own experience with Invisalign, explained that it was difficult to fit all of her meals, snacks, and daily hygiene routine into two to four hours. This was especially true as her dental care provider suggested a full 22 hours a day for the best results. Taking your aligners out to chew gum can reduce the efficacy of your aligners and lengthen your overall treatment period.

Hygiene

In addition to concerns regarding the general efficacy of your Invisalign, patients should consider skipping their gum-chewing habit during the treatment period for hygienic reasons. Given that you will spend the vast majority of your day with the plastic trays tightly fitted to your teeth, it is imperative that patients follow a rigorous dental hygiene routine.

Whenever you eat or drink anything other than water, you have to brush your teeth before returning your aligners to your mouth. Gum is no exception. As a result, you would need to brush your teeth every time you chew a new piece of gum. This only increases the time your aligners are out of your mouth and taking precious minutes out of your day.

Invisalign and Gum

At the end of the day, it isn’t worth it to chew gum while wearing Invisalign. It requires you to remove your aligners, which can be painful depending on the stage you are in, chew quickly, brush your teeth, clean your aligners, and pop them back in your mouth, which can also be painful if your gums are sore. Instead, let your aligners do their work, and make it easier on yourself by skipping your gum habit for now.

TMJ Disorder or Tooth Pain? How to Tell

April 16, 2020 by Jesmine Boghawala DDS

Temporomandibular disorder (TMJ) is the medical term that applies to a range of disorders that affect certain areas of your jaw. Specifically, it deals with the temporomandibular joints, jaw muscles, and facial nerves. The cause and treatment can vary widely. But, TMJ disorders are marked by chronic pain near the hinge of the jaw bone. This pain can radiate into the facial muscles, ear, and even into the forehead. As a result, some patients experience tinnitus and migraines in addition to joint discomfort.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

There are four primary causes of TMJ disorders. They are arthritis, misaligned teeth, blunt force trauma, and stress. In all four cases, the joint, disk, or cartilage receive damage as a result of physical erosion. This damage breaks down the normally smooth motion of the temporomandibular joint.

However, the cause of a TMJ disorder is not always clear. This is true even though nearly ten million Americans suffer from the condition. Some experts theorize that poor diet, sleep deprivation, and the use of orthodontic braces could contribute to the condition. But, scientists have yet to fully prove these theories with definitive evidence.

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorders are most commonly identified by chronic discomfort or pain in the region near the jaw, just below the ear. Most patients experience heightened discomfort when opening and closing the jaw. The motion is often accompanied by a popping, clicking, or grinding sound. Less common symptoms include chronic migraines and tinnitus (a constant ringing or buzzing in the ear). These can sometimes be accompanied by numbness, according to Medical News Today.

Who is Susceptible to TMJ Disorders?

There are three primary risk groups with TMJ disorders. They are the elderly, women, and violinists. Due to the effects of arthritis on general joint health, the inflammation and erosion of healthy joints often contribute to the development of TMJ disorders. Overuse of the jaw, as with violinists, also appears to put individuals at risk. Overuse can also apply to patients who consistently clench their jaw or grind their teeth as a stress response.

Research shows that women are far more likely to develop a TMJ disorder over their lifetime. Part of the explanation for this otherwise strange statistic is women’s increased susceptibility to develop arthritis. However, many cases of TMJ have been found in women of childbearing age, leading some scientists to guess that hormonal responses may play a role.

How to Treat TMJ Disorders

Fortunately, many cases of TMJ will fade with time if you address the underlying cause. To this end, your dentist at Jesmine Boghawala DDS will diagnose your condition based on a physical examination. Still, they may also suggest that you visit an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT) to confirm the diagnosis.

Once confirmed, your health care provider will ask you about lifestyle habits. This could include whether you chew gum, use a mouth guard while sleeping, or have been feeling stressed to establish possible underlying causes. Typically, for immediate relief, your provider will prescribe an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. They likely will suggest reducing chewing activities. To this end, patients should restrict their diet to soft foods. Also, they should use a mouth guard if teeth grinding looks to be a likely cause.

When TMJ Disorder is Severe

In more severe cases, light muscle relaxers, jaw exercises, and stabilization splints may be required for a short period. Surgery is rarely used to treat TMJ disorders as results vary, and moderate treatments are typically successful. Your health care provider will only suggest surgery when there is clear damage to the joint that causes extreme jaw restriction. In these cases, the surgeon can replace the joint, but this is very rare.

How Common are Dental Phobias?

March 16, 2020 by Jesmine Boghawala DDS

If you experience anxiety at the thought of going to the dentist, then you are probably wondering if that response is “normal.” The honest truth is that dental fear is pretty common. One study, performed in the Netherlands, found that in a sample size of almost two thousand people, 24.3% of those surveyed reported dental fear. However, dental phobias are slightly different.

Psychologists are careful to differentiate between fear and phobia. This allows them to differentiate between more common responses and severe responses to specific stimuli. As the Huffington Post explains, fear is only identified as a phobia if it interferes with your quality of life or prevents you from functioning as you would otherwise.

In the case of the above mentioned study, only 3.7% of participants had a demonstrable dental phobia. Interestingly enough, dental fear ranked lower than other common fears including heights, snakes, and physical injury, while dental phobias were actually the most common of all phobias tested.

Causes and Manifestations of Dental Phobias and Fear

The Cleveland Clinic reports that an average of 9% to 15% of American adults admit they avoid the dentist due to their anxiety. Their anxieties typically have five major stressors: stimuli that are at the root of the patient’s fear and tend to exacerbate the patient’s response. These stressors include:

Pain
Needles
Fear of anesthetic failure or side effects
Fear of feeling helpless or having no control
Limited personal space or self-consciousness

Any dentist or combination of these stressors can trigger any given patient displaying the signs of dental phobias. A patient’s fear may manifest in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, tensing, shaking, or refusing to comply with their hygienist’s instructions. Unfortunately, all manifestations of dental fear or phobia make regular dental visits and procedures difficult for both patient and dental professional. This means that patients must learn coping techniques to manage dental fear.

Coping with Dental Phobias and Fear

Victoria, Australia’s Better Health Channel has a number of suggestions to assist patients in dealing with their anxieties before and during their dental visit. For mild to moderate dental fear, deep breathing and meditation exercises help keep anxiety responses under control. This is especially true if the patient’s fear is only of pain and/or needles.

Alternatively, relative analgesia or “laughing gas” can help you relax without losing consciousness. This is a good option for patients with normal drug tolerances who haven’t been regularly exposed to the effects of the gas. Patients who experience high levels of anxiety, higher drug tolerance, or have had “laughing gas” repeatedly in the past may not experience the same results.

For patients who fear loss of control, don’t be afraid to ask your dental professional to talk you through everything they do. Even better, instruct them to ask for your consent before proceeding to the next step of your treatment. By telling the patient what they plan to do and asking for permission, a good dental professional indicates that they are willing to take a little extra time and effort to build a relationship of trust with the patient.

However, before asking your dentist to commit to regularly asking for your consent, you must also be willing to trust their judgment as a professional. The system only works when both parties understand that trust goes in both directions.

Sedation Dentistry

For phobias or fears that severely compromise your dentist’s ability to perform their duties, you should consider sedation dentistry. At Jesmine Boghawala DDS, Dr. Boghawala administers the sedative orally or by IV, allowing safe and reliable options for a wide range of patients with different stressors. From dental cleanings in Cerritos to extractions, sedation dentistry allows anxious patients to receive the full, quality dental care that they need to stay healthy while removing the need for hours of fear and discomfort.