Are you less than happy with the appearance of your smile? Do you shy away from business situations and social interactions because you’re self-conscious about your appearance? You may be surprised to learn that many issues that people think are purely cosmetic can also have an impact on your overall oral health.

Teeth that are cracked, decayed, missing, or incorrectly aligned not only mar your appearance and make you feel self-conscious, but they can lead to a variety of other problems including periodontal disease, jaw pain, and difficulty with chewing. Cosmetic dentistry can correct these issues, restoring your oral health and beautiful smile.

Cosmetic Dental Solutions

At San Bruno General Dentist we understand that every patient’s needs are unique. When you visit our office, we will work closely with you to find the solution that is right for you, correcting potentially harmful dental issues and giving you a smile you can be proud of.

Cosmetic dentistry offers several solutions for perfecting your smile:

• Porcelain Veneers can cover discolored teeth and correct problems like uneven spacing, gaps, and crooked teeth
• Dental Implants can be used to replace missing teeth and offer additional support against shifting teeth and jaw collapse
• Porcelain Crowns offer a strong, aesthetically pleasing solution for patients with cracked or chipped teeth
• Tooth-colored fillings prevent further decay while appearing natural, unlike amalgam fillings
• Tooth bonding corrects the appearance of broken, misaligned, or crooked teeth

There are almost unlimited options for creating a smile you can be proud of. In addition to correcting potential dental problems and ensuring your overall oral health, San Bruno General Cosmetic Dentist offers a wide range of cosmetic services from basic teeth whitening to more complex procedures such as dental implants. This combination of sound general dentistry combined with cosmetic dentistry offers a solution for every smile.

Sleep Apnea is well-known as being related to snoring, but most people are unaware that it is also a potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Continued disruption of breathing causes an imbalance between carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the bloodstream, as not enough carbon dioxide is exiting and not enough oxygen is entering the body. People with Sleep Apnea partially awaken many times a night as they struggle to breathe, often accompanied by loud snoring or a choking sensation.
 
Sleeping masks were traditionally used to keep the patient’s airways open while they slept, but advances in sleep dentistry provide some less intrusive options such as dental devices that gently coax the lower jaw forward. San Bruno Dental Medicine, highly trained in the area of sleep dentistry with over 20 years’ experience, utilizes these devices and they have proven quite effective in preventing the tongue from blocking the main air passage.

Benefits of Using a Dental Device to Treat Sleep Apnea:

• Considerable reduction in paused breathing for patients with mild-to-moderate apnea, especially if the patient sleeps either on their back or stomach.
• Improved, healthier sleep
• Reduction in the frequency and volume of snoring
• Higher compliance rates than with CPAP masks

What does sleep apnea treatment involve?
Initially, we conduct tests in order to investigate, diagnose, and pinpoint a suitable treatment. San Bruno Dentistry utilizes the Sleep Solution test to treat Sleep Apnea. This is a comfortable, reliable at-home sleep study, offering an alternative to traditional laboratory sleep studies. We may also advise that you discontinue habits that aggravate Sleep Apnea such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and tranquilizer use.

If you suspect you have Sleep Apnea, contact a dental professional immediately who has specialized training in the area of sleep dentistry as this is a serious and potentially life-threatening problem if left untreated.

Many new patients come to me expressing fear and hesitation because of dental phobia. If you suffer with a similar problem, you should know that this issue is fairly common for many people. However, dental phobia can result in neglected oral care and long-term problems that become difficult and costly to repair. But there are is an easier way, and you now have many options available to you through Sedation Dentistry.

When you arrive for your consultation, we will begin by discussing advancements in modern sedation dentistry and how it has improved the experience for patients like yourself who suffer from dental phobia. Sedation Dentistry refers to the practice of administering specific sedatives that will reduce your anxiety and enable you to become quite relaxed. Through the use of Sedation Dentistry, your visits to San Bruno Dental Medicine will be anxiety-free from start to finish.

Everyone reacts differently to different types of sedation so there are many factors to take into account (such as physical structure and mindset) when choosing your best sedation option. We work closely with you to match your needs with the appropriate sedation option for you. We also keep you fully informed every step of the way about the specific type of sedation chosen for you. Some of these include:

• Inhalation Sedation
• Oral Sedation
• IV (Intravenous) Sedation
• General Anesthesia (GA)

A controlled and regulated approach to your chosen level of sedation allows us to monitor your comfort throughout the duration of your treatment and ensure that your post-procedure experience leaves you feeling refreshed and renewed. With Sedation Dentistry at our Restorative Dentistry, CA Office you can now achieve the beautiful smile that you have always wanted without fear, stress or anxiety.

There’s a huge selection of tooth whitening tray kits available in your supermarket.  But did you know that choosing a customized at-home tooth whitening kit from a qualified cosmetic dentist may prevent other dental issues arising from the use of over-the-counter whitening agents?

 

Home whitening tray kits cannot provide the exact fit obtained when using a custom made whitening tray provided by your dentist.  A custom tray is designed to minimize the contact of bleaching gel with gum tissue.  Trays that don’t fit properly can also cause irritation when the edge of a bleaching tray rubs against the gums.

 

When custom bleaching trays are used gum irritation can be kept to a minimum, helping to protect you against more serious gum issues (periodontitis, gingivitis) down the road. For this reason a custom-fit whitening tray is most important in instances where a relatively higher concentration whitener is being used. In order to provide a perfect-fitting customized tray, your San Bruno Tooth Whitening Dentist takes an impression of your teeth. The resulting custom-made tray is trimmed so that it covers the entire surface of each tooth, falling just short of the gum line. This special contouring not only protects the sensitive gum tissue but also eliminates irritation caused by tray edges rubbing against the gum line.

 

The fit of a custom-molded tray from your cosmetic dentist has other advantages:

 

Contact with the entire tooth surface: A uniform whitening effect is best achieved when the whitener being used remains in contact with the entire surface of a tooth.

Proper tray retention: It’s important that the whitening tray stay in place for maximum whitening action.  A custom-fabricated tray can virtually guarantee this type of fit.

 

Contact San Bruno Cosmetic Dentistry to determine if you’re a better candidate for an in-office whitening procedure such as the Sapphire Whitening System or a customized, take-home bleaching kit. Your cosmetic dentist is highly trained and dedicated to your overall oral health as well as helping you achieve a brighter smile.

An increasing number of patients in my practice are reporting a problem with dry mouth. This condition is termed "xerostomia." Xerostomia can be a side effect of the medications a person is taking for illnesses such as high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, allergies, weight loss, Parkinson's disease, pain and many more. However, there are many other factors that contribute to a decrease in salivary production including the aging process, radiation treatments and depression.

 

At San Bruno Dental Medicine we know that, aside from being annoying, the symptoms of dry mouth can cause significant dental hygiene problems. Saliva is the body’s natural cleansing mouth rinse.  Each time we swallow, saliva washes away bacteria, as well as the food and debris on which they feed. Saliva contains compounds that kill bacteria in the mouth, and without proper dental hygiene dry mouth enhances the conditions for bacterial growth (and associated periodontal disease) as the ability to neutralize bacterial waste products is reduced.

 

If you’re experiencing chronic dry mouth and you suspect that it may be due to medication, consult with your medical doctor who may be able to adjust your dosage to help alleviate the problem. Some other steps you can take to reduce symptoms are:

• Using sugar-free candy or gum
• Drinking plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist
• Using a vaporizer to add moisture to the air in your bedroom
• Using an artificial saliva substitute available at your pharmacy

 

The reduction in saliva production leads to the very conditions on which the bacteria in your mouth thrive, allowing bacteria lingering at the gumline and between teeth to cause serious damage, periodontal disease or gingivitis. Since patients with Xerostomia (dry mouth) are at increased risk for periodontal disease, good dental hygiene - brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste, using a fluoride rinse, and visiting your San Bruno California Dental Office frequently for cleanings and examinations - are critically important to your oral health.

If you’ve shopped for over-the-counter tooth whitening products lately, you were probably overwhelmed by the number of products available that claim to whiten your teeth. But how effective are they in reality? Let’s take a look at some of the more popular products on the market today and see how they stack up.

 

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips purchased at your local pharmacy have drawbacks. They do contain a peroxide-based whitening agent, but it is not nearly as potent as those safely used in our San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist office. Also, whitening strips only touch the front surface of your teeth, missing the spaces between your teeth. Though it is possible to remove stains over time with whitening strips it may take months to see any significant results.

 

Whitening Rinses

Whitening Rinses are similar to mouthwashes. They kill bacteria, refresh your breath and may help remove plaque. Unlike mouthwashes, whitening rinses contain hydrogen peroxide. Manufactures advise you to rinse your mouth twice a day for one minute each and state that it may take 12 weeks to see results. Most consumers report no difference after using, probably because the rinse barely touches your teeth for two minutes a day.

 

Whitening Gels

Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied directly to the surface of your teeth. Instructions generally call for twice a day application for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about four months. However, application can be difficult since teeth are required to be completely free of saliva before use.

 

Whether you choose a home whitening treatment option or an in-office whitening procedure such as the Sapphire Whitening System, you should consult with your dentist first. Our San Bruno, CA Cosmetic Dentist can examine your teeth and determine if there are any underlying issues with your teeth or gums that would cause problems as a result of using over-the-counter whitening agents.

When one of my patients comes in asking which mouthwash I would recommend to cure bad breath, I often surprise them by answering, “None of them.” The reason is that mouthwash is just a temporary mask and should not be considered a “cure” for bad breath. In fact, the best-selling mouthwashes have a significant amount of alcohol, which can help cause bad breath by drying out the mouth.

 

Millions of people suffer from chronic halitosis, or bad breath. It may be caused by digestive or other medical conditions, but for the majority of people it originates from the gums and tongue. The odor is caused bacteria in the mouth, the decay of food particles, other debris in your mouth and poor oral hygiene.

 

The only way to eliminate bad breath is to find the cause. The first place to start is with a diligent routine of proper oral hygiene to get rid of hidden bacteria multiplying between your teeth. It’s also important to remember that those bacteria are also a breeding ground for infection and periodontal disease. Our team at San Bruno Dental Office can show you how to maintain proper at-home oral hygiene. But here are some general tips:

 

• Brush for at least three minutes. There is a lot of area to cover on multiple planes so the most effective cleaning is achieved by brushing every reachable surface of every tooth.
• Floss carefully around each and every tooth, pulling the floss down into the space at the gumline on both sides.
• Brush your gums, sides of mouth, palate, and tongue, also. You may also want to consider the use of a tongue scraper, a cleaning tool that scrapes bacteria and food particles off the surface of the tongue.

 

Jump-start your oral hygiene program by scheduling a cleaning at our San Bruno General Cosmetic Dentist. We will be happy to give you pointers on brushing techniques as well as which cleaning products may be most appropriate for you.

It can be overwhelming for dental patients today to select a dentist who will not only make them feel comfortable but, just as importantly, one who can provide the range of services that will enable them to have “one-stop” convenience and avoid the hassle of running to different dental practices to receive the services and treatments they need and desire. Today’s blog will focus on the relationship between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

 

General dentists are dedicated to preventing and treating oral disease such as cavities and gum disease. If you visit a general dentist and a problem is diagnosed, he or she will assess the best way to restore the tooth involved.

 

Cosmetic dentists perform elective dental procedures developed specifically to make your smile more attractive. Cosmetic dentistry procedures available include teeth whitening, tooth-colored fillings, Invisalign invisible braces, veneers, inlays, and dental crowns.

 

San Bruno General Cosmetic Dentist offers both general and cosmetic dentistry procedures. In some cases, there is a restorative procedure will include a cosmetic element. For example, if one of our patients comes in after sustaining a chipped front tooth, the tooth will need to be restored to prevent decay. Because of the chip, the tooth is also not as sound structurally, so it is more vulnerable to further damage. In this hypothetical case, the tooth also affects the overall appearance of the smile. Depending on the extent and type of damage, there are several restorative options. Dental bonding, porcelain veneers (or Lumineers) and crowns are all used to repair a damaged tooth.

 

As you can see, there is not always a definitive line between general and cosmetic dentistry. At San Bruno California Dental Office, our team provides full spectrum of preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental procedures in a state-of-the-art, comfortable environment.

Shopping for oral hygiene aids can be overwhelming. Supermarket shelves are filled with various types of products, and it can be challenging to determine what’s right for you. Today I’m going to provide a quick summary of the different oral hygiene aids available along with their appropriate uses.

Dental Flosses
Dental floss is the most common interdental (below the gum) cleaner and comes in a variety of types and flavors. Floss helps remove food particles and plaque from between teeth. Floss should normally be used twice daily after brushing.

Interdental Brushes
Many hygienists & periodontists recommend interdental brushes in addition to dental floss. These tiny brushes are gentle on the gums and very effective in cleaning the contours of teeth in between the gums.

Mouth Rinses
There are two basic types of mouth rinse available: Cosmetic rinses, used to temporarily suppress bad breath, and therapeutic rinses which may require a prescription from our San Bruno, California Dental Office. Therapeutic rinses are regulated by the FDA and contain active ingredients that can help reduce bad breath, plaque, and cavities. Mouth rinses should generally be used after brushing.

Oral Irrigators
Oral irrigators (like Waterpiks) are designed to clean debris from below the gum line. Water is continuously sprayed from tiny jets, helping to remove harmful bacteria and food particles.

Rubber Tip Stimulators
The rubber tip stimulator is an excellent tool for removing plaque from around the gum line and also for stimulating blood flow to the gums.

Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes are generally recommended by dentists because they are much more effective than manual brushes. The vibrating or rotary motion helps to dislodge plaque and remove food particles from around the gums and teeth. Manual toothbrushes can achieve similar results but with greater effort and should be replaced every three months.

Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining excellent oral hygiene and diagnosing potential problems, but in-office cleanings are only the first step. If you still have questions, the team at San Bruno General Dentist can recommend the most suitable products for your needs.

Once your Invisalign treatment has successfully realigned your teeth, the next important step in your orthodontic treatment is the retention phase. Whether you’ve gone through Invisalign treatment or not, teeth are continually moving to some degree and it may not always be perceptible. This means that you will need to wear some type of orthodontic retainer after your Invisalign treatment is completed.

Wearing retainers after the completion of your Invisalign treatment should be considered an essential element of the overall treatment. If you do not wear the retainer provided by your San Bruno Invisalign Dentist, it is likely that your teeth will begin to drift. You may be surprised to learn that going without a retainer for even a relatively short period of time can give teeth enough of an opportunity to shift to cause another misalignment.

There are certain teeth alignment problems that need to be retained longer than others. Problems such as open bites, gaps between teeth, twisted or rotated teeth (especially upper and lower front teeth) have a high tendency to relapse or move back to their original position. Therefore, retention is more critical in these kinds of cases. Your Invisalign dentist is the best person to judge what is appropriate in your situation.

There are essentially two types of retainers: fixed and removable. As the names imply, these terms refer to the fact that the retainer is either permanently attached to your teeth or is removable. Each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Your San Bruno Invisalign Dentist can discuss both these options with you and help you make the decision as to which will be most beneficial to your situation.

Now that you’ve completed the Invisalign treatment successfully it makes sense to consider the retention phase as an ongoing and necessary part of your treatment. You’ve already made an investment in a beautiful, even smile. By conscientiously using your retainer you are simply protecting your investment.