What To Expect From Contouring

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Do you spend time lamenting the way your smile looks? What is the problem, exactly? If you have ever wished you could gently reshape your teeth or soften problem areas, then it may be time to look into the benefits of dental contouring. This cosmetic treatment is akin to filing your fingernails – you can dramatically alter the shape of your teeth (and the appearance of your entire smile). With the removal of a minuscule portion of your tooth tissue, we can address little imperfections that make a dramatic impact.

Dental Contouring Steps

  • Consultation: We will begin by inspecting your smile and speaking with you about your goals. We can achieve many different improvements with contouring, such as reducing a long tooth, smoothing a pointed tooth, or even improving the texture of a pitted tooth. We can make a single change or multiple changes. The goal of our consultation is come to an agreement regarding the choices you desire.
  • Imaging: We may need to take X-rays of your teeth to ensure you have enough enamel for us to contour your smile. Enamel is your tooth’s outermost layer. Most patients will make good candidates for this gentle treatment.
  • Contouring: This is a subtractive cosmetic treatment, which means we will take away a little bit of your tooth tissue. Dental contouring includes a delicate buffing process. We will utilize a handheld polishing instrument to carefully take away bits of tissue on target sites. You can expect a quick, comfortable visit.

Addressing Your Concerns

You don’t need to worry about contouring causing discomfort. To the contrary, dental contouring is known for many things, including its comfort as well as its convenience. Generally speaking, contouring only requires a single visit for you to achieve the simple or dramatic improvement you want for your smile. 

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE, CA DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

Dental Bonding: FAQs

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Do you find that you feel highly dissatisfied with your smile because of concerns you worry may be considered too insignificant for treatment? First, allow us to reassure you that every detail is considered important when it comes to helping you achieve the look you desire for your smile. Fortunately, we offer dental bonding to create the illusion of additional tissue if your imperfections result from a lack of tissue. For instance, you may find that with just a little bit more tooth tissue in one or several target locations, your smile would look just how you want it. Learn more about treatment, so you can move forward on your journey toward a prettier grin.

Question: Why do you suggest dental bonding?

Answer: We suggest bonding for minor esthetic concerns, including the desire to fill gaps between teeth, to lengthen a tooth or several teeth for a symmetrical smile, to repair minor issues like cracks or small chips, or to cover serious stains.

Question: Will the material match my tooth?

Answer: Yes, we use a material called composite. This substance is a synthetic acrylic resin. Fortunately, it is quite easy to work with and color-customizable. This means we can match the shade of the bonding to your tooth and that we may mold it to your specifications.

Question: How many visits will I need to schedule?

Answer: In general, dental bonding requires only one visit. We will mold the composite during treatment, so there is no need for wait time or follow-up visits.

Question: Will you need to numb my tooth first?

Answer: No, bonding is completely comfortable. You may feel us working but it will not result in any discomfort.

Question: Is bonding affordable?

Answer: Yes, dental bonding is known as one of the most budget-friendly cosmetic solutions around, similar to dental contouring.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

White Restorations: Reasons To Get Excited

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Finding out that you need restorative dentistry to improve your smile can result in a mixed bag of emotions. First, you are likely over-the-moon with joy at the fact that your current oral health problem, be it a broken tooth, cavity, or other concern, is easily fixed with treatment. However, if you’ve spent time looking at other individual’s smiles, you may worry that your mouth will end up full of unsightly restorations, such as metal crowns and fillings. The good news? We offer white restorations so your smile looks good as new.

What’s So Great About White Restorations?

White restorations bring with them a long list of benefits. First, we rely on lifelike materials, which will allow your tooth to look natural and as though it never suffered from disease or damage. The result? A beautiful, healthy-looking smile that nobody can detect once received restorative care. In addition, our restorations are free of metal and mercury, which makes them safe for nearly every patient. Even pregnant women and patients who are allergic to metal can receive restorative care without concern.

White Restoration Options

For the most part, you will visit us for restorative treatment if you need to repair a tooth suffering from tooth decay, physical breakage, or for an infection. All of these concerns will typically require a filling or a crown. Learn more about your options:

  • Tooth-Colored Fillings: These white restorations are composed of composite, a synthetic acrylic-resin material that we will color-customize to match the shade of your tooth, rather than relying on a universal shade of white.
  • All-Ceramic Crowns: We offer patients crowns crafted out of porcelain, which is a substance that looks a lot like natural tooth tissue and reflects light in a similar manner. We will color-match your custom-crafted crown, so your smile looks gorgeous, while your tooth receives sufficient coverage and support.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

Are Partials And Bridges The Same?

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When you begin your journey into exploring the world of dental prosthetics, you may find that there are some nuanced details that set certain options apart from others. If at first glance you are discovering that you have some difficulty telling partials and bridges apart from one another, we can help. We are quite accustomed to the types of questions patients ask and the particular areas of confusion that can trip them up. By becoming more familiar with the specifics of what each option offers, you will have an easier time making a final decision regarding teeth replacement.

How They Are Alike

  • They Replace Multiple Teeth. Partial dentures and bridges are both referred to as “dental prosthetics.” Unlike complete dentures, which restore a full arch of teeth, these two solutions replace multiple missing teeth. Neither of them replaces your roots (which you can expect from implants). Instead, they simply replace the part of your tooth that rests above your gumline and that is visible when you speak or smile.

How They Are Different

  • A Partial Is Removable. A partial denture is called a “removable prosthetic” for the obvious reasons. You will place this device in your mouth when you need it to complete your smile. Then, whether you need to remove it to clean your smile or to go to bed, you will take it out of your mouth. In some cases, patients choose partials as a temporary solution while they wait for a fixed prosthetic like a bridge or implant. A dental bridge, however, is “fixed.” This means that it will remain right where we place it, cementing it over your teeth. You will not be able to take it out of your mouth.
  • Partials Replace Multiple Tooth Loss Patterns. Partials and bridges are also different in the tooth loss patterns they address. A partial denture can replace most partial tooth loss configurations. A dental bridge replaces one tooth, two teeth, or three teeth all in a row.

ABOUT YOUR CORONA, CA DENTIST:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

3 Important Reasons To Schedule Your Filling

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Scheduling your dental filling to repair your tooth may seem like nothing more than a task you need to check off of your to-do list. However, ensuring you make time for this restorative treatment is actually very important. In most cases, waiting a day or two to return to our practice to address your cavity will not result in side effects. However, putting your filling off for an extended period may certainly yield serious consequences. Become familiar with the reasons to add some urgency to your plans to fix your tooth.

Your Tooth Will Look New

We use tooth-colored fillings at our practice, which are composed of a synthetic resin material called “composite.” We will match the color of the composite to your tooth’s shade for a beautiful finish that is completely undetectable. You can expect your tooth to look new again, rather than display signs of prior tooth decay.

You Can Avoid An Infection

Tooth decay is progressive. This means that if you postpone your dental filling, the decay will continue to become worse. Unfortunately, this means bad things for your tooth. An opening that provides entrance into your tooth’s body and roots creates an ideal environment for bacteria to invade, resulting in an infection. Rather than waiting until you require root canal treatment, save yourself the time and energy by choosing a filling.

You Can Prevent A Broken Tooth

Imagine your tooth with a cavity in it. A cavity begins as a small hole within your tooth tissue – now visualize a larger, crater-like cavity. The walls of your tooth begin to become quite thin the larger the cavity becomes. What was once a solid piece of tissue becomes fragile. The longer you ignore your cavity, the greater the chance that your tooth – or a portion of it – will shatter. Stick with dental fillings, which are more budget-friendly than a dental crown.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

Tips For A Whiter Smile

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Have you been unhappy with your smile for some time now as a result of discoloration? Fortunately, you are not alone or without options. Like many patients, you have a variety of solutions at your fingertips. You may assume that the only way is to achieve a brighter smile with traditional teeth whitening – which is certainly one option. However, reaching your goal of enjoying a whiter smile (and keeping it that way) is a multi-faceted experience. We encourage you to learn some simple tips that will help you attain the sparkling smile you want.

Limit Staining Foods

Do your favorite foods happen to include those that are known for their stain-causing abilities? Anything super-pigmented (think tea, coffee, berries, and more) is likely to contribute to yellowing or darkening. One option is to limit these foods and to treat them as occasional indulgences rather than daily treats.

Rinse and Brush After You Eat

Not quite ready to give up your morning cup of coffee or other stain-causing agents? Don’t worry – you can practice a little prevention in this case. Even individuals who have already brightened their teeth with teeth whitening will find that this solution helps keep their smiles nice and bright. You will simply need to rinse your mouth out after you eat or drink something staining. Then, after 30 minutes has passed, brush your teeth.

Don’t Forget Your Cleanings

Dental cleanings are just as important as your daily brushing and flossing. Remember to visit us for your six-month checkups and cleanings, so we can help you keep your teeth as clean and stain-free as possible.

Consult With Us For Whitening

Ready to make a dramatic change for a whiter smile? Visit us for a cosmetic consultation. We will discuss your options, such as at-home teeth whitening or in-office whitening, to help you quickly achieve the smile you desire.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

 

Dental Bridge Design

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There is certainly a difference between the fantasy of replacing your teeth with a dental bridge and the reality. What you begin dreaming about typically includes your completed smile. What you may find that you still have questions about is how we design your bridge so it fits comfortably and beautifully within your smile. Fortunately, we offer custom-fitted devices to ensure your smile looks and feels wonderful when you make the decision to address tooth loss. Rest assured, planning your prosthetic is a simple, streamlined adventure.

About Your Replacement Teeth

First, it’s important that you realize we will match the shade of the replacement teeth to your surrounding teeth. Patients are often concerned that the bridge will not blend with the remainder of their smile. Here’s why this works: First, we use porcelain artificial teeth within your bridge. Porcelain is quite similar to natural tooth tissue, so you can expect a lifelike look. In addition, we will customize the color of those artificial teeth, so nobody can tell where the bridge ends and your natural smile continues.

About The Planning

We will take impressions of your teeth. This includes using a putty-like substance to make molds of your smile, a model from which a ceramicist at a dental lab will craft your bridge. As a result, you can expect an exceptional fit and design that blends seamlessly with your remaining natural teeth.

Placing Your Bridge

You already know that a bridge replaces one tooth or up to three teeth in a row, so you can easily visualize a bridge. It’s simply a series of connected artificial teeth. Each end is composed of a dental crown. We will place each crown over a natural tooth on either side of the open space in your smile. The placement is permanent, which means we will cement it in place, making the bridge a “fixed” prosthetic.

ABOUT YOUR CORONA, CA DENTIST:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

Dentures: About Your Fit

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Wearing full or partial dentures should be a comfortable experience that allows you to enjoy a complete smile. However, sometimes patients experience problems with comfort as the result of fit. This may affect the stability of your denture, as well. If you’re under the impression that this prosthetic is simply something that isn’t meant to feel comfortable, think again. We encourage you to learn more about how your denture should fit and what may change, so you feel confident about wearing dentures and know when to speak up if something doesn’t seem quite right.

Creating The Right Fit

Choosing dentures with us means that you can expect carefully crafted prosthetics that will ensure an excellent fit. We will take extra care in planning your denture. You see, a complete denture will rest over your dental ridge, replacing your entire arch of teeth. A partial will fit over a portion of your smile, making room for remaining teeth, while receiving a bit more support with the use of metal clasps. To make the most of the natural suction that your mouth creates, your denture’s dimensions much match your smile with precision.

Protecting The Fit Of Your Dentures

Now that you have full or partial dentures that fit you beautifully, it is important that you maintain the dentures. Aspects of care that you may not have considered may warp the shape of your prosthetics, which may lead to poor fit and irritation. Here’s what you need to remember:

  • Don’t use hot water to clean or rinse your prosthetic – it may damage the fit of your denture.
  • Follow our instructions for cleaning to keep your dentures in good condition.
  • Remember to soak your dentures, so they do not become dehydrated.
  • Do your full or partial dentures feel uncomfortable? If so, a change in fit may mean you need a repair or replacement. Make sure you let us know right away, so we can prevent your mouth from becoming irritated.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

Dental Implant Candidacy: True or False

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Deciding whether a dental prosthetic is the right choice for you typically includes taking a long list of factors into consideration. Fortunately, there’s a teeth replacement solution that fits your needs – it’s just a matter of making a choice that meets your personal goals and preferences. If you have been considering dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you may find yourself wondering if you will qualify. For a better idea of who makes a good candidate for treatment, take the following dental quiz for a spin and remember to call us with questions or to schedule a consultation.

Implant Candidacy Quiz: True or False?

  1. True or False: There is nothing you can do to become a candidate for dental implants if you have suffered from gum disease.
  2. True or False: Patients typically qualify for implants quite quickly if they are interested in a short-term recovery process with their dental prosthetic.
  3. True or False: Candidacy for implants rests in part on a desire to replace your entire tooth, including the visible portion as well as your tooth’s roots.

Quiz Answer Key

  1. False. If you have suffered from gum disease, which may be the cause of your tooth loss, you may still qualify for dental implants. You see, severe gum disease can damage your jawbone, which must have sufficient volume and strength to support implants. We will determine whether your bone is healthy enough or if you need bone grafting, which may improve your candidacy.
  2. False. Choosing implants provides you with a host of wonderful benefits. However, candidacy will rest partially on your ability to enjoy the somewhat lengthy process. After the surgical placement, you will recover for several months.
  3. True. Dental implants are the only prosthetic that provide you with a way to restore the roots of your tooth. Some patients prefer to simply restore the part of their tooth that rests above their gumline, choosing a prosthetic such as a partial or bridge.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

 

Welcome Root Canal Therapy With Open Arms

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Are you a little confused about why you need root canal therapy to save your tooth? Perhaps you’re not sure if it’s a big deal whether you schedule your appointment now or later. We find that some patients deal with extremely mixed feelings when it comes to root canals, even if they are experiencing discomfort and need a solution. If you suffer from feeling compelled to schedule your visit because you know treatment is the right choice but you are plagued with fear, rest assured: It’s completely comfortable. It’s also time you learn why you should welcome this therapy option with open arms. For hard facts that will help soften your feelings about rescuing your tooth, consider the following:

You Should Schedule Root Canal Therapy Immediately

What’s the rush? Well, your tooth is infected – actually, it’s the dental pulp within your tooth that has become significantly damaged or infected by bacteria. The bad news in this scenario is that your pulp cannot heal or fix itself. To save your tooth, we will need to remove the pulp and other tissues from the interior portion of your tooth, so you can avoid an extraction.

You see, if you neglect the infection, it will become worse and worse. Eventually, we will need to remove your tooth because the infection will become too severe for root canal therapy. This is a problem because the worsening infection brings with it a list of other complications. The infection may abscess, which can become extremely uncomfortable. The infection may move beyond your tooth, infecting nearby tissues. At this point, you will need additional treatments to restore a greater portion of your mouth.

What’s Wrong With Tooth Removal?

An extraction is an aggressive move unless absolutely necessary. Removing your tooth will leave you with an open space in your mouth, which may throw off your alignment and the balance of your bite. You may also have difficulty with chewing, speaking, and may feel embarrassed to smile. This means we will need to replace your tooth with a dental prosthetic to prevent these problems, which is costly. You can avoid these concerns by agreeing to root canal therapy.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.