As we get older we deal with a lot of changes to our bodies as well as our general health. These are often changes that we just have to live with. But patients of the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist are seeing a dramatic difference in the appearance of their smile with some fairly simple cosmetic dental treatments.

Many of us don’t think about it until we take a really good look at ourselves in the mirror, but aging can have an impact on the appearance of our teeth. There is simply no way around the fact that your teeth will lose their original luster and become more yellow-looking as you age.
 
Staining of dental enamel is a common cause of teeth discoloration. This staining can result from the foods you eat, the types of beverages you drink, and tobacco use. Beverages like red wine, coffee, tea, and cola will darken and stain teeth your teeth. Tobacco use is a primary contributor to cosmetic dental problems.
 
As we age, changes to tooth enamel can also make teeth appear dark and dull. Children’s teeth are naturally white and bright, but underneath this pristine white tooth enamel is a yellowish layer called dentin. The dentin is not apparent in children because their teeth have not been exposed to the same wear and tear as adults.
 
But as we age this enamel just naturally wears thin. Not only does it become thinner but it also becomes more porous. This allows the dental enamel to attract microscopic food particles. In addition, thinning of the enamel makes the yellow dentin underneath more noticeable. Fortunately, however, the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist offers effective treatments that will whiten dental enamel quickly and easily.
 
Teeth whitening is painless, and patients see results after only one or two sessions. You don’t have to live with a smile that is less than dazzling even though some tooth discoloration is natural. If you’re concerned about the impact the aging process is having on your smile, contact our office for a free consultation. We will be happy to work with you to find the cosmetic treatment that is best for you.

People spend millions of dollars every year on over-the-counter teeth whitening products. They certainly seem to be a quick and inexpensive solution for whitening your teeth. But are these products really effective when compared to a custom teeth whitening treatment by the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist?

Let’s start with one of the most popular whitening products being sold today. A home whitening tray kit purchased over-the-counter may claim to provide a custom fit. But a plastic tray from a kit purchased at your grocery store is simply not going to give you the same fit as a tray that is custom-made by the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist.

Why is the fit so important? If you’ve ever tried whitening your teeth and had the bleaching gel come in contact with your gums, you already know the answer. It’s very important to minimize the contact of any bleaching agent with sensitive gum tissue because that stinging sensation you feel is not your only problem. Sensitive gum tissue that is frequently exposed to the chemical agents in teeth whitening kits can be more prone to serious gum problems like periodontal disease and gingivitis.

In order to provide a customized teeth whitening tray that fits your teeth perfectly, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. The resulting custom-made tray is trimmed to cover the entire surface stopping 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.

A custom-fit whitening tray can also provides full contact with the entire tooth surface. This results in a uniform whitening of the teeth since the bleaching agent stays in contact with the whole tooth for the duration of the treatment time. A tray that is designed to fit perfectly is also more comfortable for the wearer and more likely to be worn for the recommended time needed to achieve desired results.

Contact our office if you’re interested in learning more about the ways in which a customized teeth whitening treatment can help you obtain a great, sparkling smile. We will help you decide if you’re a better candidate for an in-office teeth whitening such as the Sapphire Whitening System or a customized, take-home bleaching kit.

Professional dental cleanings may not seem all that important to many people. They mistakenly think that regular brushing and flossing at home is enough to do the job. If you don’t have a clean, healthy mouth you can’t have a completely healthy body. You may not realize it, but there’s a strong possibility that you may have developed gum disease if you have not had a dental cleaning in over six months.

Why do I need regular cleanings by my dentist?

Even if you clean your teeth diligently, plaque and calculus can build up and lead to gum disease. Regular professional cleanings by the San Bruno, CA Periodontics Dentist serve to prevent and treat the progression of gum disease. This is especially important if you are prone to gingivitis which can lead to periodontitis if not treated.

I brush and floss regularly. Do I still need professional cleanings?

Daily brushing and flossing helps keep plaque under control and reduce the buildup of calculus, but it’s not enough to keep your gums free of disease. You can be very diligent about brushing and flossing, but even the best oral home hygiene is not going to remove all the plaque from your teeth. When plaque is left to harden on the tooth, calculus is formed. This can only be removed during a professional dental cleaning.

What’s the difference between a deep cleaning and a regular cleaning?

Regular dental cleanings are generally required two to four times per year so that we can remove plaque and calculus above and below the gum line. A deep cleaning is much more thorough as it gives us access to the parts of your teeth that are below the gum line.
 
Prevention is the key to maintaining the health of your teeth. It is especially important when it comes to periodontal disease. Emerging research indicates a strong connection between periodontal disease and complications that lead to serious illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory disease and stroke.

We have a much greater chance of eliminating gum disease through early detection and professional dental cleanings. A deep cleaning performed at the San Bruno, CA Periodontics Dentist office is the easiest and most effective way to treat gum disease before it becomes severe and causes more serious health concerns.

It is important to know how to care for your teeth especially when you invest in your smile with a cosmetic dentistry treatment at the San Bruno Veneers Dentist office. No matter what type of treatment you receive, you need to protect your investment with proper post-treatment care and maintenance. Dental veneers, in particular, can transform your smile and do not require extensive maintenance after placement.

Dental veneers are made of very thin layers of porcelain that are attached to the surface of your natural teeth to make give them a bright, uniform appearance. Veneers are a permanent cosmetic dentistry treatment so it is important to care for them properly so that they will provide many years of wear.

In general you will care for your porcelain veneers in much the same way that you do your natural teeth. Even though they look very natural, you do have to take some special precautions to care for them properly.

• Avoid overly abrasive toothpastes that can dull the polished surface of the veneers.
• When eating nuts or seeds, avoid biting down with your front teeth.
• Avoid chewing on ice or hard candies since this may result in cracking the veneer.
• If you notice that you are grinding or clenching your teeth, notify your dentist.
• Over time your dental bite can naturally shift. If you notice this happening, advise your dentist as soon as possible. The additional stress a misaligned bite places on your teeth can damage your veneers.

Dental veneers can really change your smile and your appearance because they look and feel like natural teeth. By taking just a few proactive steps, you can protect your beautiful veneers and keep them strong and healthy for years to come. Contact the San Bruno Veneers Dentist for more information about this exciting cosmetic dental treatment.

We hear more and more about periodontal disease these days and the impact it can have on our oral health. But many new patients at our San Bruno Periodontal Dentistry office do not understand what periodontal disease is or how it impacts their health. It is important to understand because statistics show three out of four people have symptoms of the disease.

What is periodontal disease?

All day long bacteria develop on the surface of your teeth and near the gumline. When you eat and drink, a sticky film called plaque develops. Plaque is a film of bacteria that coats your tooth enamel and oral tissue. You can remove some plaque buildup with regular brushing and flossing. But even the most conscientious at-home oral hygiene alone simply cannot eliminate plaque completely.

How do I know if I have periodontal disease?

Some of the most common symptoms of periodontal disease are:

• Swollen, red or inflamed gums
• Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing
• Bad breath or a bad taste even after using mouthwash or brushing your teeth
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when biting down.
• A feeling that your teeth are coming loose
• Receding gum tissue makes your teeth appear longer

Why is it important to treat periodontal disease?

If you have periodontal disease, it is extremely important to have it taken care of as soon as possible. Periodontal disease not only leads to tooth decay and potential tooth loss. However, many people are unaware of the strong connection that has been established between the presence of periodontal disease and other chronic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, pregnancy complications, and diabetes.

The best way to prevent periodontal disease from developing in the first place is by scheduling regular exams and professional cleanings with the San Bruno Periodontal Dentistry office. If you already know you have gum disease and have been told you need surgery, contact our office. We have surgery-free options for removing periodontal disease that are quick and comfortable and require little or no recovery time.

Invisalign clear braces provide an amazing alternative to traditional braces. The treatment system used by the San Bruno Invisalign dentist consists of clear removable aligners instead of the hardware of traditional braces. Invisalign clear braces provide a less noticeable and significantly more comfortable choice for gently straightening your teeth.

How Does Invisalign Work?

The process begins when we take an impression of your mouth in order to create a clear thermoplastic aligner. This custom made aligner fits your teeth similarly to a mouth guard. However, the Invisalign aligner is designed to gently realign your teeth. Every two weeks you will remove your current aligner and move to the next aligner that has been carefully calculated to shift your teeth to the next phase in the straightening process. It will take approximately a year for your aligners to gradually mold your teeth to a straighter and happier smile.

The Invisalign system corrects nearly any adjustment issue you may have with your teeth. The San Bruno Invisalign dentist is an approved Invisalign provider, and our patients have chosen the system to correct the following issues:

• Crooked teeth
• Overbites/Underbite
• Overcrowding
• Spaces/gaps in teeth

Why Choose Invisalign?

Discreet: Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible. The casual observer won’t even notice any difference when you’re wearing your aligner.
Removable: You can remove your aligners when you eat, brush your teeth, or any other time that it is essential to have the aligner removed.
Comfortable: Since Invisalign aligners are made of a soft, flexible material, they are much less likely to create any irritation to your mouth.

The Invisalign system is a perfect choice to fit into your busy lifestyle while providing the straight, beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of.

For years our San Bruno Restorative Dentistry office has been transforming the appearance of teeth with the help of advances in cosmetic dentistry. Every patient and situation is unique and fortunately there are many options available to correct various cosmetic conditions. One of the most sought after treatments is teeth whitening.

Many patients can easily achieve the results they want with a professional teeth whitening treatment. For others, this approach is not enough to help the patient obtain the great smile they are looking for. It may be that the best treatment is for the patient’s teeth to be resurfaced in order to get the results they want.

If you are interested in a treatment that will really transform your smile, you may want to consider Lumineers that address a number of cosmetic issues.
 
Badly Stained Teeth
Some patient’s teeth are more resistant to whitening treatments than others. Lumineers may be an alternative if you have had whitening treatments but not achieved the results you desire.
 
Tetracycline
Tetracycline is as antibiotic that was widely in use until the 1980s. But one of the unfortunate side effects was that young patients often ended up with teeth that were dark and permanently stained. Since this staining is deep in the enamel of the teeth it is difficult to remove with products that are made to whiten the surface of the tooth enamel.

Fluoride
Many young patients have also developed fluorosis as a result of consuming too much fluoride while their teeth are developing. Teeth that have been affected by fluorosis are often stained as the dental enamel contains surface pits and grooves.

Lumineers are very thin layers of porcelain placed over your existing teeth. By using Lumineers our San Bruno Restorative Dentistry team can create a smile that helps make teeth appear bright and beautiful. Unlike veneers, Lumineers do not require removal of significant healthy tooth structure. This means that the process is reversible.

We will be happy to answer any questions and help you decide which cosmetic treatment will work best for your situation. Lumineers can help patients with severely damaged teeth obtain the perfect smile they are looking for.

It is inevitable that your old dental restorations will wear down with the passing of time. Obviously this detracts from your beautiful smile. Dental crowns and fillings may be a common solution for restoring the structure of a tooth, but they may not be the most cosmetically attractive solution.

 

From time to time we see a patient at San Bruno Restorative Dentistry who has had a chipped or cracked tooth repaired with a dental crown. However, it may be the case that a dental crown has been placed that does not blend in with the natural teeth. In some cases a dental crown may even become discolored. Not only is this unattractive but it is obvious to observers that the dental restoration is not a natural tooth.

What causes a dental restorations to "fail"?

 

A patient may experience problems with a dental restoration for any one of a number of reasons:

• Your dental restorations may have been placed without regard for cosmetic appeal. This happens less frequently with advances in cosmetic dentistry, but sometimes a patient looks for a “quick fix” or makes do with a temporary crown that may be noticeable to onlookers.
• Your gums may recede, revealing the dark edges around your dental crown. This usually occurs because of poor oral hygiene.
• The shade of your natural tooth does not match the shade of your dental restorations making them more obvious.Dental restorations do not change colors as your teeth do. If you experience severe staining or have a teeth whitening treatment, you will most likely have to replace your crowns so they match the shade of your teeth.

It may simply be a matter of not being happy with the way your dental restoration looks. If that is the case, contact San Bruno Restorative Dentistry. We will work with you to find the best solution for you to restore your beautiful smile, and give you back confidence in your appearance.

Periodontal disease can often develop into a serious health concern for many people. This disease can develop rapidly without their knowledge. Bacteria in the mouth must be cleaned away completely by the San Bruno Periodontal dentist or they will build up around your teeth gum line. Without proper treatment, this condition may develop into an infection and lead to periodontal disease or gum disease.

Symptom of Dry Mouth
 
A record number of people take prescription medications regularly for high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, allergies, weight loss, Parkinson's disease, pain and more. A common side effect of these medications is dry mouth. Dry mouth may be a nuisance but it can also create significant problems affecting oral hygiene.

Saliva acts as a natural cleansing rinse because it contains compounds that kill bacteria in the mouth. It washes away these bacteria that accumulate in your mouth as well as food and other debris on which the bacteria feed. Without a proper routine of oral hygiene, conditions for growth of bacteria associated with periodontal disease are perfect since insufficient amounts of saliva reduce the body’s ability to reduce the effect of bacterial waste.

Symptoms of Bad Breath

It’s common for everyone to have bad breath occasionally, but chronic halitosis can indicate a more serious problem. In such cases, the odor is caused by bacteria, decaying of food particles, and improper oral hygiene.
 
A diligent routine of proper oral hygiene is essential to helping remove bacteria that hide and multiply between your teeth. These bacteria are also a breeding ground for infection and periodontal disease.

Whether you suffer from chronic dry mouth or bad breath, the solution starts with a visit to the San Bruno Periodontal dentist. Like most oral health issues, periodontal disease is most effectively treated as soon as possible so that more costly treatment can be avoided in the future.

Gum disease is really a serious oral health problem that may also bring about different overall health complications. We frequently get individuals at our San Bruno, CA Periodontics Dentist office who definitely are already displaying indications of gum disease that can include inflamed or sensitive gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, smelly breath, etc. But these patients don’t understand that these are typically signs and symptoms of periodontal disease.

In addition there are quite a few patients who know that these signs and symptoms suggest periodontal disease. Yet they postpone treatments as a consequence of having an unpleasant experience in the past because of invasive treatment.

Individuals no longer need to worry about treatment for periodontal disease, and you’ll be pleased to find out that modern, non-surgical periodontal treatment, like LANAP, make unpleasant cutting of your gums a thing of the past.

What exactly is LANAP?
LANAP is short for for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, a patented technological advance which offers a patient-friendly alternative to gum surgery. To you this means significantly less discomfort and pain, greatly reduced treatment time, as well as a appreciably shorter recovery period.

Where can I acquire LANAP treatment?
I am very happy to have the ability provide this treatment right here in our San Bruno Dental Office. Normally, we schedule a no-cost consultation, outlining the way the laser operates and supplying you with a demonstration. Subsequently we take X-rays to help precisely analyze the particular severity of the infection.

What can I anticipate at the time of treatment?
On the day of this first procedure, we’ll numb the particular treatment area with a local pain-killer, eliminating any kind of potential discomfort. A very small laser fiber is introduced between the tooth and gum, and the infection is removed. This can be accomplished quickly, taking only two 2-hour sessions; the initial session treating one half of the mouth and the next dealing with the other. You will experience so little pain that you'll probably be capable of continuing with the remaining of your day as usual.

It is most essential to understand that Periodontal Disease may well progress with virtually no indications. Frequent exams as well as cleanings can certainly detect possible difficulties before they become costly and difficult to deal with.