San Diego Cosmetic Dentist
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Porcelain Veneers Materials
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are used to lighten the color of a patient's teeth or change the shape of them. One or more teeth can be done depending on your desired effect. A smaller amount of the tooth is removed than with composite resin veneers. Then, a thin layer of porcelain is constructed and cemented to the tooth in order to change its appearance.
Advantages of porcelain veneers include:
- A more realistic appearance
- More strength and durability
- A better result in shape and color
- Less time in the dentist's chair
- The look and feel of natural teeth
- Stain resistance and lasting appearance
- Less wear than composite resin veneers
Lumineers are basically a high-tech version of porcelain veneers made from Cerinate porcelain which offers a near perfect match to the properties and appearance of real tooth enamel. This material also offers dentists the ability to restore teeth with a veneer that is no thicker than a contact lens, but extremely durable and removable. Lumineers are used to cover stained, chipped, deformed or worn teeth to produce near perfect and instant results. They require less preparation time of the natural teeth, less discomfort for the patient and less effort on the part of the dentist.
If you are considering veneers to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. James Loye of Carmel Creek Dental in San Diego, California today.
posted by Patti at 2:13 PM
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Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Gum Recontouring
Normally, our gums recede during puberty to reveal more of our teeth, but for some people this does not occur. This makes your teeth appear short (a characteristic of older smiles), and your smile gummy.
For other people, the gums are the proper size, but their shape does not give your smile the proper scalloped contour.
Both of these problems can be addressed with laser gum recontouring. In this procedure, a laser is used to shape your gums so that they reveal the full length of your teeth and give each tooth the proper rounded appearance. The procedure is quick and virtually painless.
To learn more about laser gum recontouring, contact cosmetic dentist Dr. James Loye at Carmel Creek Dental today.
posted by Patti at 3:28 PM
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Saturday, May 31, 2008
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Possible causes
- Obesity - over half of those suffering from sleep apnea are obese
- Use of alcohol or sedatives near bedtime - these relax the throat and muscles of the tongue, which can cause a blockage to the airway
- Smaller than average airway
- Anatomical features such as a deviated septum, large tonsils, over-sized tongue, or a receding chin may all cause sleep apnea
There are many treatments available to you if you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea. Dr. Loye will be able to help you decide which treatment is the best way to relieve your symptoms and get you back to sleep.
Please contact us for an initial consultation where we can answer any questions you have about sleep apnea, its causes, and its treatments.
posted by Patti at 7:45 AM
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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sedation May Ease Your Dental Fears
Patients who are appropriate for OCS include those who
- Suffer anxiety when visiting their dentist
- Suffer from acute or chronic soreness of the jaw
- Cannot get numb
- Have a bad gag reflex
- Have neck or back problems
- Have a history of other health problems
Because many people complain of one or more of these problems when they visit the dentist, Dr. Loye has several ways in which to keep you relaxed. Depending on your age, anxiety level, weight, and any other underlying health problems, as well as the procedure you are getting, Dr. Loye will choose the right kind of medication to give you. You might take a pill before you come in for your procedure. If you do not feel with that, Dr. Loye can also administer nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” to keep you relaxed. All of this is done in a safe and caring way.
posted by Patti at 10:01 AM
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Friday, March 28, 2008
Keep Teeth Whiter for Longer with Deep Bleaching
If there was a way to keep your visits to a cosmetic dentist to an absolute minimum for tooth whitening procedures, would you take it? If so, Deep Bleaching is the tooth whitening procedure you need to know about. We now offer this tooth whitening procedure as the latest option to keep you happy for months, and possibly years.
While there are a plethora of in-office procedures and take-home trays that will whiten your teeth, and to the extent you want, you may have to return to have your teeth touched up sooner than you’d like. If you are using take-home trays, the results may not be as even as they could be. And people with tooth sensitivity issues may find some of the products painful. This isn’t the case with Deep Bleaching.
Deep Bleaching offers the chance for you to be rid of stains from coffee, red wine, black tea, and pigmented food for much longer than standard whitening through a type of “power bleaching.” In two appointments, we can offer you whiter teeth and lessen any sensitivity you might feel.
Your first appointment will consist of making molds of your teeth to use as models for your customized trays, and conditioning your teeth for Deep Bleaching by using a hydrogen peroxide gel on your teeth to help absorb oxygen, and a sealant to desensitize them. You will wear your customized trays when you sleep for two weeks. A peroxide-based gel works to take care of the stains. On your second visit to us, another round of hydrogen peroxide gel is used. And that’s it.
If you continue to practice good oral hygiene, the Deep Bleaching effects can potentially last a life time. Using Deep Bleaching trays periodically will help keep the stains from forming, and none of the sensitivity issues that come up with other whitening agents will be a part of this regimen.
For more information on how Deep Bleaching can keep your teeth whiter for longer, please contact our San Diego office. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about this procedure.
posted by LesaH at 3:51 PM
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Friday, February 29, 2008
If You Haven’t Heard About InvisalignFor far too long, unsightly, uncomfortable metal braces were the only readily available option for straightening
The Invisalign clear aligner system, however, has changed all that. Now you can straighten your smile safely, comfortably, and nearly invisibly, using clear plastic aligners, which gently move your teeth into alignment over time.
Invisalign aligners are a particularly popular choice among adults, many of whom either never wore braces or whose teeth weren't properly straightened as children.
The Invisalign system uses a series of clear plastic aligners that fit directly over your teeth. Your Invisalign aligners are created using a custom mold of your mouth, and each graduated aligner will gently guide your teeth into better alignment until the treatment is complete and your smile is strong, straight, and beautiful.
If you'd like to learn more about the Invisalign system and whether it's the right solution for you, call or email our San Diego office today to schedule your personal consultation. We'll answer any questions you have, and guide you through the options that cosmetic dentistry has to offer you.
posted by Patti at 11:02 AM
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Why Should You Choose an LVI Trained Cosmetic Dentist?
LVI, the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, is the world's premiere center for neuromuscular and cosmetic dentistry practices. LVI is where dentists all over the world study the latest in new techniques and technologies for creating beautiful, healthy smiles.
LVI training emphasizes a holistic approach to dentistry, in which the principles of cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry are applied to every dental procedure and every consultation.
This can be especially important in cosmetic dentistry, as the field is growing and advancing rapidly, with new materials and techniques coming onto the market regularly. A cosmetic dentist who has studied at LVI is more familiar with these advances, and is better able to evaluate their efficacy and suitability for his or her patients.
LVI's emphasis on neuromuscular dentistry is an important factor for cosmetic dentistry as well. A trained neuromuscular dentist has the knowledge and experience to create a smile that is not only beautiful, but also well balanced and healthy.
Many cases of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) develop from poor dental work, including ill-fitting dental appliances, such as bridges, dental crowns, or porcelain veneers that cause the bite to become misaligned, leading to stress on the jaw and often serious consequences in terms of dental health and general physical health as well.
LVI training ensures that the dentist you choose for your cosmetic work has the experience and knowledge to offer you the very best that modern dentistry has to offer, and provide you with the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve.
posted by Patti at 2:41 PM
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The Dentist that Makes You Smile!
3830 Valley Center Drive, Suite 702
San Diego, CA 92130

