San Francisco Dentist Smile SF

https://smilesf.com/how-can-i-brighten-up-my-smile/ Shine-up your smile with teeth whitening. Did you know that people with whiter teeth are almost always perceived to be more attractive? It’s true. Depending upon the condition of your teeth, they can have a positive or negative impact on your relationships, career, and self-confidence. If you’re beginning to think about getting some cosmetic dentistry, this easy and popular treatment can give your confidence a boost with shocking results. Illuminate the shadows with white fillings. Replace old, dated silver-colored fillings with new natural-looking ones that we will match to your own enamel color for a completely natural look. Achieve a younger and more-attractive grin with bonding or veneers which offer value-added benefits! Continue Reading at https://smilesf.com/how-can-i-brighten-up-my-smile/

Yes, typical Invisalign treatment is 6-14 months vs typical treatment with braces is 2-3 year. With Invisalign smaller forces are applied to teeth every two weeks with every new aligner. So teeth are subjected to smaller more frequent pressure with makes the treatment faster and more gentle. With braces typical adjustment and tightening of the wires is every 6-8 weeks. In this case teeth are subjected to bigger less frequent force.

Invisalign is long lasting as long as you wear your retainers. Your teeth have a tendency to want to go back to their original position so retainer wear is crucial to maintain the result of your Invisalign treatment

When you wear a new aligner, it is designed to put pressure on teeth to move them. That pressure can last few hours to few days until the teeth move to their new position. During this movement teeth may feel sore, not painful.

The aligners are designed to move your teeth starting the 1st aligner.

Yes, for the best and quickest result you mush wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day. Take them out only when you are eating.

We recommend you ideally floss and brush after meals or the least rinse your mouth before you wear your Invisalign. You can gently brush your Invisalign rinse and soak them in cleaning crystals to keep them clean

Correcting crowding, rotations and misalignment of teeth with Invisalign provide many benefits. It can improve oral hygiene by making it easier to clean around teeth and prevent gum disease. It can also improve the bite and reduce trauma on teeth. Both factors can improve the longevity of teeth and prevent potential treatment and cost associated with gum disease and tooth fracture and tooth loss in the long run

Typical Invisalign treatment is 6-14 months

Invisalign is a clear alternative to braces. It is an effective orthodontic treatment that is faster and gentler compared to braces. Typical Invisalign treatment can be 6 to 14 months compared to the typical 2-3 years with braces. It also has the added benefit of maintaining your oral hygiene by removing the aligners to floss and brush your teeth. So, while you are straightening your teeth while not introducing the potential for gum disease due to the difficulty of cleaning around the braces.

Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.

"If you are missing one or more teeth, or have loose fitting dentures, dental implants may be for you. Dental implants are permanent anchors that integrate with the jawbone to provide secure, stable and long-lasting tooth replacement. Because dental implants become part of the jaw, they look and feel like natural teeth, allowing you to eat, talk and smile without worry. When properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them one of the best investments for long-term tooth replacement. Studies have reported that the long-term success rate of implants is over 95%."

There is very little risk in dental X-rays. Dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children and adults are exposed. Lead aprons and digital sensors are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation. More radiation comes from using a smartphone than getting a full set (25) of dental x-rays.

"In a perfect world everyone would brush and floss twice a day. Plaque builds up over time and this sticky bacterial film can solidify and turn into calculus or tartar. This cement-like substance is removed by the hygienist at your regular cleaning visits. A six-month interval not only serves to keep your mouth healthy and clean, it allows potential problems to be found and diagnosed earlier. In some instances a six-month schedule in not enough. Based on your dental history, rate of calculus buildup, and pattern of decay a 3 or 4 month interval may be needed. Your dentist can work with you to determine what will be best for you. Also, Dental insurance companies came up with the idea for people to have two teeth cleanings per year. An insurance company recommends what is average. At Blue Apple, and many other dental offices in CA and the US, three teeth cleanings per year is becoming more standard to help battle gum disease and keep a healthy mouth."

Yes. Over 1.5 million patients have been treated with Invisalign. It is perfect for realigning teeth if you have had regular braces, or looking to make a minor correction. Wear your aligners and your teeth will move into alignment.

In general, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, Invisalign should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces. Because medical benefits differ from policy to policy, you should review your personal coverage plan and check with your insurance provider.

When following your Invisalign Orthodontists recommendations, the results from Invisalign last longer during the treatment and become permanent.

You will see results with Invisalign faster and it will be more comfortable than wire braces for about the same cost. Typical Invisalign treatment is 6-14 months vs typical treatment with braces is 2-3 year. With Invisalign smaller forces are applied to teeth every two weeks with every new aligner. Teeth are subjected to smaller more frequent pressure with makes the treatment faster and more gentle.

A dentist is a healthcare provider that specializes in treatments that promote healthy mouth, gums, teeth and smile. A dentist will detect and diagnose gum disease, tooth decay also known as cavities, fractured or infected teeth, crooked and rotated teeth and malocclusion or uncomfortable bite, TMJ pain, sleep apnea and oral cancer. A dentist will accordingly recommend appropriate gum disease therapy including basic teeth cleaning to various noninvasive gum therapies and or gum surgery. In case of tooth decay, a dentist may recommend appropriate restorations like tooth color fillings, porcelain inlays or crowns. To treat tooth infection, a dentist will provide a root canal treatment to save a tooth or in case a tooth cannot be saved, a tooth extraction and a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. A dentist will provide orthodontic treatment for crowded, rotated teeth with malocclusions. More Information at https://smilesf.com/what-does-a-dentist-do/

One good way is through word of mouth and to ask friends and family if they are happy and recommend their dentist. Another good option is to conduct an online search for a local dentist near you. Review their website to become familiar with the dentist and their office. Read their reviews and call the office to schedule an appointment to meet the dentist. Ultimately, choosing a dentist is a personal decision and it’s important to energetically feel comfortable with the dentist you choose and feel confident that they will provide you an excellent and caring service.

At home remedies such as brushing with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Care should be taken to limit the frequency to prevent tooth sensitivity. Various over the counter teeth whitening systems such as crest white strips to use few hours a day for 1-2 weeks. Custom made whitening trays made by your dentist with professional grade whitening gel to wear few hours a day for 1-2 weeks. In office whitening treatment performed by your dentist using stronger more effective whitening gel in a controlled environment. This allows your dentist to concentrate the whitening gel on your enamel while protecting your gums and soft tissue to maximize your teeth whitening in a short 1- 2 hours procedure while minimizing any adverse reaction. More Teeth Whitening Information at https://smilesf.com/category/dentist-faqs/teeth-whitening/

Dentists receive either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctors of Dental Medicine) degree from an accredited dental school which typically entails an additional 4 years of training after receiving a bachelor degree. They are doctors who are specializing in the diseases of the mouth, gums, teeth, and dental occlusion or bite and TMJ. Their training covers general internal medicine, physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, microbiology as is covered in the first two years of medical school. They additionally receive training specialized to dentistry to develop the hand eye coordination skills and the knowledge of biomechanics and dental materials to be able to provide the various dental treatment procedures.

https://smilesf.com/cosmetic-treatment/ The hydrogen peroxide used in teeth whitening does not change or affect the nature of the teeth and enamel. More Cosmetic Dentistry Answers https://smilesf.com/cosmetic-treatment/

https://smilesf.com/what-is-cosmetic-dentistry/ While it may not help the overall health of your teeth, it can help you improve your bite and smile. Recent surveys have revealed that 83% of participants said their teeth take top priority when it comes to looking their best, so we know it’s important! Speaking of physical appearance, surveys have also shown that teeth have even been rated as more important than hair, eyes, and skin! More Cosmetic Dentistry Answers at https://smilesf.com/what-is-cosmetic-dentistry/

During our adult lives, many of us will lose a tooth to injury, decay, or gum disease. When that happens, chewing forces can shift front to back and side to side. This can cause teeth to move, shift, even flare out, causing unwanted spaces.

There are many factors to consider when deciding between a bridge vs an implant. Implant Cons: 1. An implant involves surgery and several months of healing time. A bridge typically is a 2-visit procedure that is 2-3 weeks apart. 2. The fee associated with an implant surgery, Implant abutment and implant crown is typically higher than a bridge.

Dental implants act similar to a natural tooth and requires the same maintenance and care. A tooth can be lost due to the bacteria that causes gum disease, gum infection and bone loss. The same can happen to a dental implant. If you develop gum infection around an implant you can lose the implant. Keeping good oral hygiene & home care is not only crucial for healthy gums and teeth but also to keep your dental implant for a very long time.

There are many factors to consider when deciding between a bridge vs an implant. Implant pros: 1. Ease of cleaning of an implant vs a bridge A dental implant provides a replacement of a missing tooth as an independent tooth. You will be able to floss and brush it like a natural tooth to easily keep the implant clean. A bridge is at least three teeth connected. It takes more effort and additional tools like a floss threader to floss and clean each abutment that is supporting the missing tooth . 2. An implant eliminates the need to cut or involve the adjacent teeth because it is a standalone. A bridge requires cutting into the adjacent teeth to support the missing tooth. If the adjacent teeth have fillings and or other restorations a bridge may be an option to consider, but if the adjacent teeth are virgin, you are choosing to cut into a healthy tooth solely for the purpose of supporting a bridge. In this situation an implant is a better option.

During the procedure, the area of the mouth that is receiving the dental implant is numbed. You may feel some pressure but should not feel any pain. There may be soreness after the anesthetic wears out which is managed well with pain medication

Minimize or avoid staining drinks and foods such as tea, coffee, red wine ( or use a straw) and all foods with natural and artificial colors. This includes most fruits and vegetables which have natural coloring. Some safe food to consider are white breast of chicken, white fish, white rice, white alfredo sauce, white or clear liquids & shakes, cauliflower. If you are consuming staining drinks or food, make sure to brush with a whitening tooth paste as soon as possible.

If you have scheduled a professional teeth whitening, you should avoid staining foods and stick to white or clear foods for a period of 2 days ( the day of the procedure and the following day) Avoid tea, coffee, red wine ( or use a straw) and all foods with natural and artificial colors. This includes most fruits and vegetables which have natural coloring. Some safe food to consider are white breast of chicken, white fish, white rice, white alfredo sauce, white or clear liquids & shakes, cauliflower. If you are having an at home whitening procedure done, it best to limit the staining food during the period which you are whitening your teeth

There are three gum treatment including teeth cleaning options based on the health of your gums and the size of the pockets- the spaces between your gums and teeth. Bacteria or plaque builds up in our mouth constantly because of the wet and dark nature of the mouth. It only takes 24 hours for plaque to calcify and turn into tartar which can only be professionally scraped off and cleaned at that point. Daily flossing and brushing is crucial in maintaining healthy gums & teeth. Below are three treatments indicated based on pocket size: 1. 1-3 mm - a regular above the gumline cleaning 2. 4-6 mm - a below the gumline deep cleaning. Typically more time is set aside for this type of cleaning & local anesthetic is used to keep you comfortable during the procedure 3. 7+ mm - surgical gum treatment is necessary to shrink the pockets to 1-3 mm healthy range so you can manage them with your home care.

Healthy teeth & gums normally should not hurt after a teeth cleaning unless you have had a longer lapse between dental cleanings and have more tartar build up and inflammation causing gingivitis and gum disease. In this case your gums can be sensitive and bleed during a dental cleaning. If you have inflammation to the extent that you have larger spaces or pockets between your gums and teeth, your hygienist or dentist may recommend to use anesthetic to keep you comfortable to be able to thoroughly remove the deeper tartar build up. It is normal to feel soreness and some bleeding after. This typically is managed with pain medication. A good regimen of oral hygiene and home care is crucial to keep the plaque build up under control after a deep cleaning so that your gums can heal and the inflammation subside.

During a dental cleaning the goal is to remove all bacteria & tartar build up. Depending on the health of your gums and if inflammation is present the natural spaces between gums and teeth enlarge and bacteria in the form of plaque and tartar build up deeper under the gum. This requires a noninvasive thorough deep cleaning which may require more time and the use of anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure.

Brushing your teeth with a soft brush for 2 minutes will clean 50% of teeth surfaces. To completely clean teeth floss first and wrap it around each tooth and slide below the gum line and repeat wrapping around the adjacent tooth. After flossing all contact areas of teeth follow with an electric toothbrush with a 2 min timer.