Porcelain Veneers to Makeover your Smile

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Veneers are comprised of thin porcelain shells fabricated either in the dentist’s office or in a ceramist’s lab. Each shell is meticulously designed to cover a specific tooth imperfection. Porcelain dental veneers are carefully placed individually on the front of each tooth.

What Do Porcelain Veneers Correct?

  • Chipped teeth
  • Gapped smiles
  • Poorly shaped teeth
  • Deep staining or discoloration which doesn’t respond to whitening
  • Unusually small teeth
  • Jagged edges on your smile
  • Slightly crooked teeth

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?

The porcelain used to make veneers is strong, stain resistant, and natural looking. Each porcelain shell is designed with the same aesthetic qualities of a natural tooth. The veneers are color matched, with translucency and light reflection just like tooth enamel. Veneers can last for decades with proper dental care.  You can care for them just like you would natural teeth. (more…)

Want to Feel Happy? Just Smile!

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even when you’re down can make you happy again?

Smiling Research

There have been many studies on the power of smiles to predict the future well-being of individuals. For example, Wayne State University researchers studied baseball cards to find out that longevity related to the qualities in each player’s smile. UC Berkeley scientists instituted a similar study looking at yearbook photos to track the well-being and success of previous students based on their smiles. The more wide and natural a smile was in college, the more success that person was likely to have in career and marriage. One study in Great Britain focused on the therapeutic effects of smiling. The same types of feelings of happiness which came from being told a participant had won $25,000 were also elicited through smiles. Benefits of smiling included lower blood pressure and a reduction of stress hormones.

Cosmetic Dentistry for Confident Smile

The best way to ensure that you are flashing plenty of happy grins is to take care of your teeth and gums. If tooth decay, injuries, or genetics have made it difficult for you to feel comfortable with your smile, consult with the Riverside dentists on possible treatments. Dental implants, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, bonding, and invisible braces (such as Invisalign) are common cosmetic procedures for offering you the smile of your dreams.

Visit your Riverside Cosmetic Dentists

If you feel uncomfortable with the way your smile looks, the Riverside cosmetic dentists can help. We offer a full array of general dental services. We would love to see you at our  Riverside dentist office, call (951) 689-5031. We serve patients from Riverside and nearby communities.

Chewing Gum for Temporary Oral Hygiene

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You know that what you eat affects your dental and overall health. If you eat something acidic, your mouth’s pH balance will be off. If you eat strong foods (such as onions or garlic) then your breath may tell the tale of that meal for many days to come, in the form of halitosis (bad breath). You probably don’t have a toothbrush handy after every meal you eat. The Corona dentists at Dental Associates of Corona will offer you some great advice about using sugarless gum to help cover up bad breath and keep teeth cleaner and healthy.

The Importance of Saliva

You are in constant danger of developing cavities and periodontal disease. Your mouth actually has a few incredible defense mechanisms built in, luckily. Your tooth enamel, for instance, is the hardest substance your body produces. Enamel is transparent, but protects the internal structure of your teeth from bacterial infection and acid attacks. Saliva moistens your mouth and breaks down food for easier digestion. Salivary output also washes away food particles and helps to neutralize oral acidity. When your salivary glands are stimulated by mastication (i.e. chewing) the pH balance inside your mouth is evened out further. Stimulated salivary production also provides additional phosphate, calcium, and fluoride on the surfaces of your teeth. If you find brushing your teeth is not possible for you after every meal, simply chewing on a piece of sugarless gum with Xylitol may be all it takes to maintain healthy teeth and gums. (more…)

What Do Pufferfish have to Do with Dentistry?

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Puffer fish are known for their poisonous bodies. These ocean fish puff up into a spiky ball when approached by threats. Pufferfish have teeth and something resembling a beak. Research shows that, following the fish’s initial tooth development may offer insight into spontaneous tooth replacement. One particular study focused on the pufferfish beak. The development of this part of the fish’s anatomy is dictated by genes which have remained consistent for upwards of 400 million years.

What Researchers Say About the Pufferfish

Dr. Gareth Fraser led research at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Animal and Plant Sciences on the pufferfish’s beak. The scientist noted that the beak is a “model for a simplified tooth replacement system – composed of just four continually replacing teeth that make up the beak structure.” If future research can discern how pufferfish (and other similar aquatic animals) are able to continuously replace lost teeth, they may also determine why humans don’t do the same. Pin-pointing this information may aid in advances in dentistry regarding the replacement of missing teeth. Other animals which have been the subject of similar studies include sharks and crocodiles.

Keep Your Second Set of Teeth for Life

At Riverside Dental Group, we are dedicated to keeping you informed of the latest developments and advances in dentistry. If a time comes in your future when you might be able to spontaneously regenerate lost permanent teeth, this will be great news. However, you want to make sure that you take good care of the teeth you have, and try to avoid tooth loss if at all possible. Over 600 different types of bacteria are swarming around in your  mouth at any given time. Some are responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. Keeping up with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups is important. So is wearing an athletic mouthguard when you play high contact sports, to avoid traumatic dental injuries.

Visit your Riverside Dentists

To schedule an appointment with one of our Riverside dentists, contact us at (951) 689-5031. We have six dental offices throughout Southern California, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Link Between Earaches and TMJ Pain

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You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJs) located on either side of your jawbone. TMJs help you to chew, eat, yawn, and speak properly. TMJs are sensitive joints which make it possible to open and close your mouth smoothly. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is an unpleasant condition which involves both the joints and muscles in your jaw. Conditions such as bruxism (teeth grinding) traumatic jaw injuries, and stress all contribute to the unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms of TMD. Beware of aches, pains, a feeling of misalignment, popping, and clicking in your jaw. One TMD symptom which may surprise you is pain in your ear. (more…)

The Up Side(s) of Orthodontics

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Whether you’re a working professional, a stay at home mom (or dad), or the parent of a tween who’s about to get braces, you’re probably dealing with some mixed up emotions. Often, negative emotions like doubt, uncertainty, and even anxiety can overshadow more positive emotions, like the anticipation and excitement of achieving a fantastic looking smile. Today, we’re taking a glass-half-full approach and looking at three upsides to keep in mind throughout your orthodontic treatment. (more…)

What Motivates Men to Go to the Dentist?

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According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) men are far less likely to stick to their regular biannual dental checkup schedule than women. What could be the reason behind this? The number of men going to the dentist is fortunately on the rise, but their motivation may be something other than overall dental health. Many dentists report an influx of male patients on a quest for a whiter, brighter smiles with the help of cosmetic dentistry. (more…)

How Smoking Works Against Dental Treatments

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Your Oasis Family dentists’ number one priority is you. Above all else, they care about the oral health of their patients. That is why they affirm the cause behind the upcoming World No Tobacco Day on May 31st. The World Health Organization (WHO) has marked this date as World No Tobacco Day in order to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco consumption. Specifically, the WHO is asking countries across the globe to raise taxes on tobacco in order to decrease tobacco use. Your Temecula Valley dentists at Oasis Family Dental offer superb comprehensive dentistry in a friendly environment. They understand the impact of smoking on the services that they provide. Read on to learn more about smoking’s effect on popular dental services.

  • Whitening. Your Temecula dentists offer professional teeth whitening in their office. In-office whitening can brighten your teeth up to ten shades in as little as an hour. Your dentists also offer a take-home whitening kit which includes bleaching trays which are used daily for about two weeks. However, smoking can work against your best efforts to whiten your teeth and obtain that brighter smile that you had envisioned. Smoking can quickly stain your teeth because of its nicotine and tar.
  • Bad breath. Smoking can lead to bad breath because it reduces saliva flow. When our mouths create adequate saliva flow, the saliva helps to remove food particles which may later cause bad breath. Our dentists can suggest potential clinical treatments as well as possible home therapies to combat bad breath such as increased hydration, sugar-free gum, avoiding certain food, or sleeping near a humidifier. However, treatments may prove to be less effective if patients smoke because of smoking’s effect on saliva flow.
  • Dental implants. It is a common belief among dentists that dental implants are less likely to succeed or last a long period of time if the patient smokes. In fact, the National Institutes of Health performed a study that found that the majority of all scientific studies shows that smoking is indeed a significant risk factor for the success of dental implants. Most of the studies conclude that for smokers, the failure rate of implants is more than twice the failure rate in nonsmokers.

About Our Doctors

Oasis Family Dental offers comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. Dr. Y. Stephen Sugiono provides general dentistry, Dr. Tonia Cantrell is our pediatric dentist, and Dr. Jessicah Moretz specializes in orthodontics. Together they strive to maintain your good oral health so that you can enjoy a beautiful, vigorous smile. To schedule a consultation at our 92591 dental office, please call (951) 695-2290. We proudly treat patients from Temecula and all surrounding communities.

Porcelain Veneers: Plenty of Advantages

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Are you in the market for whiter teeth, a straighter bite, and a nearly flawless grin? can help you achieve the smile of your dreams thanks to porcelain veneers.

Are you a Veneer Candidate?

Because porcelain veneers are a minimally invasive cosmetic dental procedure, almost anyone can benefit from the procedure. The treatment is completely customized to complement your facial structure and your smile wishes.  One stipulation for candidacy is age, however. Veneers aren’t a viable option for kids, as their facial structure is fully developed. You also must be free of  and tooth decay. A healthy foundation is imperative, or the veneers will fail until the infection is addressed. If you do qualify as a porcelain veneer candidate, placement is surprisingly fast. From start to finish, high-quality veneers are usually completed in as little as two office visits.

High Quality Materials

At Riverside Dental Group, we use high quality materials for all of our cosmetic dentistry procedures. Close collaboration with an experienced dental ceramist and the insistence of not cutting corners translates to high-end porcelain veneers. These cosmetic dentistry wonders look and feel natural because we start with ultra-thin porcelain shells. The material is not only color matched to your smile, but also mimics the semi-translucency of natural teeth. Porcelain veneers offer an aesthetic transformation which brings out the smile you’re meant to have instead of hiding your teeth behind bulky, fake looking prosthetics.

Visit your Riverside Dentists

Are you in the market for a fast smile makeover? For more information about cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers, contact our Riverside dental office. Reserve an appointment at by calling (951) 369-1001.

The Vicious Cycle of Tooth Loss

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Permanent tooth loss is a surprisingly common occurrence, especially as we get older. The frequency may make losing adult teeth seem like no big deal, but to your body, there is nothing normal about it. Tooth loss has detrimental effects on your mouth. In our determination to ensure that you maintain excellent dental health, the Moreno Valley dentists at Moreno Valley Dentistry would like to make you aware of how to prevent the vicious cycle of tooth loss.

The Importance of Maintaining Teeth (more…)