San Diego Smile Center

X-Rays give your dentist a better picture of what is happening in your mouth and how to best treat you.

It is often a symptom of poor dental hygiene, but not always. Depending on the sensitivity and degree of pain, you may want to consult your dentist.

Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day and floss every day.

Brush your teeth before bed every night. Brush properly. Brush your tongue. Use fluoride toothpaste. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Limit sugar consumption.

Dental checkups are usually recommended every 6 months, but your dentist may recommend more frequent check ups depending on your condition and oral health.

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a variety of reasons including cold/heat, gum recession, enamel erosion, tooth decay, cracked tooth, grinding teeth, infections, or teeth whitening/bleaching.

You will want to see a dentist or a periodontist to find out. Some symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, bad breath or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Overdentures are implant retained dentures.

Dentures may take a few weeks to get used to when speaking. Most people adjust just fine though and speak normally again within a couple weeks.

Rinse your dentures after eating and brush them once per day. You can use hydrogen peroxide to clean them with and then rinse with water.

It varies for everyone, but most people adjust to them within a few weeks or so.

Keep your dentures moist, brush them daily, rinse them after eating.

Full dentures are a dental prosthetic that acts as a replacement for missing all of your teeth.

Partial dentures work to replace a group of teeth that might otherwise be replaced with a bridge.

Traditional Dentures, Fixed Partial Dentures (Implant-Supported Bridge), Removable Partial Dentures, Implant-Retained Dentures (Overdentures), Immediate Dentures, Snap-In Dentures.

Most healthy people can get a dental implant if they are healthy enough for oral surgery and have healthy gums and haven't sustained too much bone loss.

It's difficult to say with certainty because everyone is different. Most people compare the discomfort to that of a dental extraction. We care about our patients and will be attentive to your needs. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible during the process.

Yes, Dental Implants are quite safe.

Dental implants are a fairly common method for replacing missing teeth. Although they are the best method for replacing missing permanent teeth, they are also the most expensive.

Dental implants are surgically placed into the bone/jaw where a tooth is missing. They can look and function in the same way as your natural teeth and are often the optimal method for replacing missed teeth and preventing bone loss after you lose a permanent tooth or teeth.

Your dentist will be able to identify weaknesses in your previous fillings and will let you know when they need to be replaced.

You can extend the life of your fillings in a similar way that you would prevent cavities. Limit your sugar intake, brush often, particularly after meals and before bed, floss daily, etc.

There's not a specific limit. If you have several fillings needed in the same area, your dentist may elect to do them all in one visit.

There can be pain or discomfort while filling cavities, but your dentist will use local anesthetic which makes the pain much less than you would otherwise experience. After the filling has been placed and the anesthetic wears off, most patients experience no pain.

Composite fillings are tooth colored synthetic resins used for fillings.

Fillings can vary in how long they will last but they usually last about 15 years.

Yes, a dental filling can fall out. It is not usually what we consider to be a dental emergency, but you wouldn't want to leave a tooth in that state for very long because it is vulnerable to damage and can sometimes even be painful. If your dental filling falls out, make an appointment with your dentist right away.

Yes, dental fillings are safe and quite commonly used to restore a tooth to a fully functional state.

The "best" option might depend on a persons own personal opinion. Composite fillings are often considered to be the most esthetically pleasing as they look very much like your natural tooth. Silver amalgam fillings are not as pretty, but they are cheaper and usually more durable.

The dentist will numb your mouth in the general area where he will be working on your teeth. Using a dental drill, he will carefully remove the decay from your tooth. He will then "fill" the missing space on your tooth to restore it to it's full function.

Your dentist will be able to tell if there is decay or if your tooth is otherwise compromised and needs to be restored in any manner. Dental fillings are one of the most basic and common dental procedures performed by dentists.

Partial dental bridges, also known as partial dentures are replacements for missing teeth that bridge the gap between teeth and are often connected by metal or plastic.

If they are taken care of, it is not unusual for dental bridges to last 10 or 15 years.

A dental crown helps to protect a tooth that has been more severely damaged.

They work to "bridge" the gap where you may be missing one or more teeth.

Dental crowns are ways to cap a tooth and restore it to full functionality. A dental bridge is a way to fill a space in your mouth where a missing tooth or teeth used to be.

porcelain, ceramic, gold, and other metal alloys are most commonly used.

There are a variety of ways to deal with missing teeth, including a dental bridge, dentures, and implants. Implants are usually the best method, but it is also the most expensive option.

Very simply, we remove the decay and infection from the tooth and seal off the space that is occupied by the pulp. After the root canal, the tooth should be fully functional.

You may be prescribed painkillers, or you may want to take other over the counter pain medications. Gauze may be used to reduce bleeding and help with clotting. Ice may also be used to prevent/reduce swelling. Avoid spitting, rinsing, or using a straw for a few days as well. You want a clot to form in and remain in the socket where your tooth was once at for optimal healing.

There could be many reasons to get a tooth extraction. Along with wisdom teeth, which often create problems if not removed, there are other reasons to extract a too at times as well. Those reasons can be due to excessive crowding, excessive tooth decay, and infected teeth that cannot be saved.

It is generally a good idea to avoid any types of harsh mouth wash or oral rinses after a tooth extraction. Warm water with a little salt is recommended.

Yes, you can brush your teeth after a tooth extraction. Just be sure to be delicate around and near the extraction site.

It can take up to 2 weeks for the extraction site to heal.

Anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Very small amounts of blood should not concern you 24-48 hours after extraction. You should avoid excessive physical activity, smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking through a straw, and even spitting. Also, be care about what you eat in the following days to help the healing process go on undisturbed.

Pain for tooth extractions range from mild to moderate in most cases. However, the pain experienced from an extraction is often done to prevent much more severe pain that can result from not extracting the tooth.

No. Unfortunately some teeth cannot be saved with a root canal. Some root canals do fail, and in some instances, we simply may not be able to perform a root canal. Your dentist will be able to tell you what the best course of action will be.

It really depends on the specific situation. Your dentist should be able to advise you regarding the viability of saving the tooth and the best course of action regarding an extraction vs a root canal.

That is best left for your dentist to decide. If you think you may need a root canal, see your dentist and he will examine the tooth and determine if you need to have a root canal.

Dental emergencies are not uncommon. Sudden trauma such as a chipped or broken tooth, or a tooth simply falling out. If your tooth falls out somehow and it was otherwise healthy prior to the accident it can often be placed back into your mouth. If that happens try not to touch the root. Rinse it with cool water, then place it in some milk and get an appointment with your dentist ASAP. If you cannot get into see your dentist right away, you can try pushing the tooth back into the socket (gently) and see about getting in to see a dentist as quickly as possible. If that doesn't work, leave it in milk. The faster you are able to see a dentist, the better chance that your dentist will be able to save your tooth.

Yes! If you would like to know more about crowns and bridges, call the office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Cortes and his staff. (858) 566-0842