DDS Luis Ochoa Hernandez

Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces, or simply braces) are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help to position them with regard to a persons bite, while also working to improve dental health. They are often used to correct underbites, as well as malocclusions, overbites, cross bites, open bites, deep bites, crooked teeth, and various other flaws of the teeth and jaw. Braces can be either cosmetic or structural. Dental braces or orthodontic braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to help widen the palate or jaws and to otherwise assist in shaping the teeth and jaws.

Ceramic braces are very much biocompatible with natural teeth. They don’t stain your teeth like metal braces do. Patients are more comfortable with ceramic orthodontic braces and prefer them to metallic braces. After the removal of braces, teeth will bear a natural shiny look as there will be no stain marks and no need of extra whitening treatment.

• Lingual braces (examples of which are Harmony, SureSmile QT, Incognito Braces) are custom made fixed braces bonded to the back of the teeth making them invisible to other people. In lingual braces the brackets are cemented onto the backside of the teeth making them invisible while in standard braces the brackets are cemented onto the front side of the teeth. Hence, lingual braces are a cosmetic alternative to those who do not wish the braces to be visible.

Orthodontic retainers are custom-made devices, made usually of wires or clear plastic, that hold teeth in position after surgery or any method of realigning teeth. They are most often used before or after dental braces to hold teeth in position while assisting the adjustment of the surrounding gums to changes in the bone. Most patients are required to wear their retainer(s) every night at first, with many also being directed to wear them during the day - at least initially. There are four types of retainers typically prescribed by orthodontists and dentists: Hawley, Essix, Zendura, and Bonded (Fixed) retainers.

Typically CAD/CAM dental restorations are milled from solid blocks of ceramic or composite resin closely matching the basic shade of the restored tooth. Metal alloys may also be milled or otherwise digitally produced. After decayed or broken areas of the tooth are corrected by the dentist, an image (scan) is taken of the prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth. This image, called a digital impression, draws the data into a computer. Then proprietary software is used to create a replacement part for the missing areas of the tooth, essentially creating a virtual restoration. This is called reverse engineering. The software sends this virtual data to a milling machine where the replacement part for the defect (the dental restoration) is carved out of a solid block of ceramic or composite resin. Stains and glazes are fired to the surfaces of the milled ceramic crown or bridge to correct the otherwise monochromatic appearance of the restoration. The resulting restoration can then be adjusted in the patient’s mouth and cemented or bonded in place. Depending on the restorative material, cementing/bonding surface areas on the tooth and the restoration may be respectively etched and silanized. Resin cement is then used to fuse the restoration to the prepared tooth, completing the restorative treatment process.

The first meeting with a cosmetic dentist provides a chance to interview and assess her/him before engagement. It also provides an opportunity to discuss with her/him what displeases you about your mouth, teeth and smile. You and the dentist London can establish practical expectations for your treatment. Use the meeting to compile records crucial for developing an accurate and unique treatment plan to achieve your needs.

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap – these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth – and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.

An Implant-supported bridge is a  supported by one or more implants replacing three or more teeth.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) bridges consist of a metal core inside and a layer of porcelain outside blended together. PFM bridges look just like normal teeth.

BENEFITS:

• Unlike purely metal tooth bridges, shade will be matched to the color of existing teeth.
• Porcelain provides the most natural final appearance of any other dental bridge material.
• PFM bridges can be used on both the hidden and prominent teeth.
• PFM crowns are of better quality when they are high in noble metal inside.
• They are durable and have enough the strength.

A temporary bridge can be used for many purposes besides protecting prepared teeth while a permanent dental bridge is being made in a dental laboratory. It can be made from acrylic or dental composite material. Regardless of the material used, it must be highly polished to avoid irritating the gums and possibly causing gum recession. In many case, the restoration can even be used to chew.

The first exam appointment is usually made via a phone call from the patient. Although these days, contact can often be made by e-mail, too. Any initial queries that you have can be answered and you can let the dentist know of any problems you have experienced in the past. You should find out in advance how long the appointment is likely to take and how much it will cost you.

A crown is a type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth.[1] They are typically bonded to the tooth using a dental cement. Crowns can be made from many materials, which are usually fabricated using indirect methods. Crowns are often used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth. While inarguably beneficial to dental health, the procedure and materials can be relatively expensive

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth.

Mini-implants are one of the most controversial topics in dentistry.  There’s a lot of misinformation and confusion on the topic.  First let’s define what we mean by mini-implants.  Conventional implants are 3.7mm in diameter or greater, hybrid implants are 3.0-3.7mm in diameter and Mini-implants are less than 3.0mm in diameter.

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Are you in severe teeth pain during office hours? If so, the first thing you should do is to get in touch with an emergency dentist like Dra. Dominga Cortez who can help you in this particular situation. At first you should explain your condition clearly to the doctor. Then you need to go for proper x-ray if required. After opting for proper x-ray you just have to follow the medication that is being offered by the emergency dentist.

A dental extraction (also referred to as exodontia) is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are routinely performed, as are extractions of some permanent teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment.

The Wisdom tooth, or Wisdom teeth ( also called Third Molars ) usually do not push through the gums until the late teens or twenties. Wisdom teeth are usually the last teeth to come through the gums.

A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. When a dentist gives you a filling, he or she first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity with a filling material.

A root filling can be a cost-effective way to treat teeth using damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. Root treated teeth also have a very high success rate and can last a lifetime.

Tooth colored white fillings are an attractive alternative to traditional metal fillings. They do not stand out visually like metal fillings, but match your teeth and are virtually undetectable. The material used is known as dental bonding, the same substance used for the procedure called dental bonding. It is a white, durable resin which comes in subtly different shades so Dr. Sands can choose the shade which best matches your natural teeth.

Gingivitis ("inflammation of the gum tissue") is a term used to describe non-destructive periodontal disease.[1] The most common form of gingivitis is in response to bacterial biofilms (also called plaque) adherent to tooth surfaces, termed plaque-induced gingivitis, and is the most common form of periodontal disease. In the absence of treatment, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, which is a destructive form of periodontal disease

The goal of tooth contouring and reshaping is to change the size or shape of the teeth so that slightly damaged or out of proportion teeth are brought back into alignment with the rest. In essence a cosmetic procedure, it is most often performed on the upper central, lateral, and canine teeth. Beyond the outward benefits, there are often oral health gains, too, as smoothing the teeth and repairing overlaps can make them easier to clean, reducing the risk of The primary consideration for the suitability of cavities and gum disease. Reshaping can also be used to correct minor problems with bite and function.

Dental implant consultations are a critical part of the process of placing dental implants in any patient. Dr. Lokhandwala will evaluate the condition of the gums and jaw bone before recommending placement of the dental implant. In order to do this intraoral and panoramic x-rays will be taken. StarBrite Dental uses digital panoramic imaging and so all this can be done in one sitting in our offices. Depending on various factors and the amount of diagnostic work required, this "consultation/records visit" may be charged. If the patient has dental insurance a significant (if not all) portion of this dental implant initial visit is covered.

The present study measured the diametral compressive strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity of compositeresins used in inlay/onlay systems. The effect of additional curing also was determined. SR-Isosit material had the highest diametral compressive strength, and SR-Isosit-Dentin material had the lowest flexural strength. The SR-Isosit compositeresins had lowest elastic modulus and Estilux posterior C VS resin the highest. A negative correlation was found between diametral compressive strength and elastic modulus of the materials. It was concluded that the additional curing of Brilliant resin did not result in improved mechanical properties. For Estilux resin, additional curing increased flexural strength and modulus of elasticity.

Dental inlays and onlays are solid fillings used to restore damaged or decayed teeth. They restore beauty, strength and function of the tooth. Inlays and onlays are often needed when there is not enough healthy tissue left in the tooth to support a regular filling. (If a tooth is severely damaged, a crown may be necessary to cover the entire surface instead of an inlay or onlay.) Unlike regular fillings, they strengthen rather than weaken teeth. Inlays lie within the cusps, or bumps, on the surface of a tooth, while onlays cover one or more cusps. They are often placed over two visits: one in which the tooth is prepared, a temporary filling is placed and an impression is made, and one in which the specially constructed inlay or onlay is cemented onto the tooth. Inlays and onlays made of composite resin or porcelain are tooth-colored, while those made of gold alloy offer increased strength and durability.

An orthodontist is a specially trained dentist who does procedures and surgeries of the mouth, jaw and teeth. It would be very appropriate to see an orthodontist to have dental work such as dental implants or dentures.

Periodontal treatment can play a crucial role in prolonging the life of your teeth, as periodontal disease often results in loss of teeth due to mobility from bone resorption. There is also an established link between periodontal disease and cardiac disease. Periodontal disease is diagnosed initially by your general dentist. Regular scaling and polish may often be all that’s required to treat gum disease, and maintain a stable periodontal condition.

A root canal is the space within the root of a tooth. It is part of a naturally occurring space within a tooth that consists of the pulp chamber (within the coronal part of the tooth), the main canal(s), and more intricate anatomical branches that may connect the root canals to each other or to the surface of the root.

The space inside the tooth from the center, known as the pulp chamber, that travels down the length of the root to the tip (or apex) is called a "canal," or more specifically, a root canal. Human teeth may have one to four root canals, depending on the anatomy of the tooth. Molars, may have 2 to 4 canals, premolars may have 1 to 2 canals, cuspids may have 1 to 2 canals, and finally incisors generally have 1 canal. Extra canals may branch out from the main canal, called "accessory canals." The number of canals and the anatomy can vary among teeth.

A root end surgery, also known as apicoectomy (L. apex, apicis: a summit or a tip), is an endodontic surgical procedure whereby a tooths root tip is removed and a root end cavity is prepared and filled with a biocompatible material.

Sedation dentistry is used to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for certain people receiving dental treatment. It enables individuals too afraid to go to the dentist to receive the dental care they need while avoiding the common apprehension known as dental phobia.

Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental cleaning, and dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits not removed by routine cleaning. Those with dentures and natural teeth may supplement their cleaning with a denture cleaner.

Ultrasonic scaling removes calculus and reduces the number of harmful bacteria below the gum line. It is an important tool in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

Zoom is a bleaching process widely used throughout the country and around the world to lighten discoloration of enamel and dentin. Tooth discoloration