Advanced Cosmetic and General Dentistry Blog

Studio City, Valley Village, Burbank, North Hollywood

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Placement of Dental Implants

Dental implants are an excellent foundation for replacement teeth. Removable dentures rest on the gum line and fixed bridges use adjacent teeth as anchors, but dental implants replace a missing tooth root. Once firmly established as part of the jawbone, they can hold individual teeth, a bridge, or a denture.

The statistics surrounding tooth loss are surprising. As many as 69% of adults in the 35-44 age group have at least one missing tooth due to decay, gum disease, trauma or a failed root canal. By the age of 74, 26% of adults no longer have their natural teeth. Just twenty years ago, dentures and bridges were the only solution. Today, dental implants offer a sturdy permanent solution for replacing both the missing teeth and their missing roots.

Procedural Steps
The typical dental implant resembles a titanium screw. In a dental surgery it is positioned in the jawbone and over several months the bone tissue grows firmly around it.

  • In a second and simpler procedure, a small metal post called an abutment is attached to the top of the implant. It protrudes through the gums and will hold your new tooth. 
  • The third step is attachment of your replacement tooth to the abutment. For individuals missing several teeth, the dentist will create a bridge or denture instead of an individual tooth. In this case, several implants may be required.

Dental implants combine superior techniques and high-quality dental materials. In Studio City, California, Smiles By Sands is ready to help you regain your self-confidence and naturally beautiful smile with the latest dental implant procedure.

posted by Evan Langsted at 10:28 AM 1 comments

Friday, March 20, 2009

Tooth Sensitivity

Each person has tooth sensitivity of a particular degree, which is typically natural and inborn. For some, the teeth are quite insensitive and heat and cold make no impression. For others, desensitizing toothpaste is a life essential.

Where is the Tooth’s Nerve?

We may be feeling discomfort or pain on the tooth surface, but the nerve is in the tooth’s center, surrounded by two solid layers of tooth tissue:
  • Tooth enamel forms the hard outside surface, and it ends at the gumline. It is the body’s hardest substance as it is almost 100% mineral in its composition, largely calcium.
  • Dentin is the next layer, extending all the way to the tip of the tooth’s roots. It is another mineralized layer but softer than enamel.

Surrounded by dentin and enamel is the pulp chamber containing tooth pulp, a term which covers nerves, blood vessels, and cells related to immunity. Each tooth is connected to the body’s nervous system via nerves which enter the tooth from the jawbone. Each tooth is also connected to the body’s blood circulation via tiny blood vessels entering from the jawbone.

These nerves and blood vessels run from the bone through the tooth’s roots (and each tooth may have up to four roots) to the pulp chamber. The areas they travel through are the tooth’s root canals, the interiors of each root.

How Tooth Sensitivity Feels

When something impinges on the tooth’s nerve, it registers that sensation and transmits it to the brain. The brain interprets it as pain or discomfort. If a tooth has thin enamel and dentin layers, the nerve may be affected more often and you will feel that your tooth is “sensitive”. When those layers are thick the nerve is more protected and does not so often register any pain.

As we age, our teeth become gradually worn and the enamel thins. This creates a yellowing effect as the yellow dentin shows through. It also exposes the tooth nerve to more frequent stimulation, so we feel our teeth as being more sensitive.

Tooth Whitening Sensitivity

Teeth are whitened by a bleaching agent. That is true regardless of whether you do it yourself with a store-bought kit or have your cosmetic dentist do it with a professional system such as the Zoom! Tooth Whitening System. In most cases you can choose which strength of whitening gel you want, according to how sensitive you feel your teeth to be. The whitening agents come as mild, moderate and strong.

The chemical action of the whitening gel liberates oxygen molecules which enter the enamel. This may impinge on the tooth’s nerve or it may not.

At Smiles By Sands, we understand that people sometimes procrastinate about getting the dental care they need because of the fear of discomfort. That is why we treat every patient with care and compassion and offer the latest in sedation dentistry to help you have the very best dental experience.

Please contact us to schedule a personal consultation.

posted by Evan Langsted at 10:24 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Look at what patients are saying about us:

3/13/2009
Don't let the "polite" comment below fool you, the ladies up front are a sassy bunch, in a good way.
I am a new patient of Dr. Jamie Sands and I am very happy I found her! I had let a few too many months (years) go by between cleanings and thought I would try someone new. I was immediately suprised by the beautiful design of the office. I have to say that I was very impressed that everyone went out of their way to say hello and to make sure I was well taken care of. My first impression was that everything (and everyone!) about the place was attractive. Of course, the only thing that matters is the quality of care...
So on to the care...
I was very impressed with the quality of the facilities... brand new chairs and digital photos and xrays. Within a few minutes, I was looking at a very detailed (kinda creepy) view of my mouth. The dentist and her team were able to take me through the work I would need. She walked me through the necessary dental health work I needed and then talked to me about the potential cosmetic treatments available. As a professional consultant, I am hypersensitive to over selling and really can't stand a hard sell. I never once felt pressured or oversold. On the contrary, I was given the opportunity to ask as many questions as I liked. Dr. Sands recommendations were sound and well presented.
Today (a week later), I had the first of my "real" dentist visit and can say that my enthusiasm for Dr. Sands office is still going strong. Nothing can take away the sound of the drill, but they made sure I didn't feel it! My teeth are healthier and I am happy for it.
I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Sands. I kinda want to go back and just hang out!

posted by Judith M. at 6:56 AM 0 comments