Ada Gruita, DDS

In our modern era, individuals afflicted with malocclusions – a misalignment of the teeth, are afforded a more extensive range of treatment options. Traditional braces have been the typical corrective method, but the advent of clear aligners such as Invisalign has introduced a new popular alternative in the orthodontic area. Many prospective patients find themselves questioning the comparative effectiveness and, importantly, the speed of Invisalign versus conventional braces. Let’s explore this further.

Demystifying the Invisalign Treatment Timeline

Studies suggest that as much as 69.1% of school-age children may experience malocclusions, marking them as common across all age groups.

It’s understandable that anyone with a malocclusion would want a swift, efficient treatment. Coupled with the pleasing aesthetics of Invisalign compared to traditional braces, individuals are keen to know whether Invisalign can offer a speedier resolution for their dental malalignment.

The duration of Invisalign treatment is contingent on a variety of factors, primarily the severity of the malocclusion. More pronounced tooth displacement necessitates additional time for correction. The majority of patients use Invisalign aligners for approximately 12 to 18 months. By the end of this period, you should witness substantial enhancements in your dental alignment. In cases of mild malocclusion, Invisalign may be worn only for six months, providing a rapid resolution for less severe cases. Cosmetic dentists likely favor clear aligners for their aesthetic and time-efficient benefits.

Treatment Duration for Conventional Braces

In comparing traditional braces and Invisalign, considering treatment duration is crucial. Braces typically require a longer treatment period, often extending over two years, influenced by factors like age, severity of malocclusion, compliance, and brace type. In contrast, Invisalign treatment usually lasts between 12 to 18 months, offering a quicker solution for many. Despite Invisalign’s speedier timeline, the choice between both options should also factor in individual dental needs, lifestyle, and professional advice.

For individuals grappling with mild to moderate dental alignment issues, Invisalign might potentially provide a faster and more aesthetically pleasing treatment route. Beyond speed, Invisalign provides significant aesthetic benefits, making it a highly favored option for numerous patients. At Pro Dental Health, our dedicated team of professionals in Mission Viejo takes pride in years of experience cultivating healthy, radiant smiles. If you’re considering an alignment solution for your teeth, we encourage you to get in touch and explore how we can assist in your journey to a better smile.

If you’ve been in an accident–be it from falling off a bike, in a car, or playing sports–you are likely to realize if one or more of your teeth have been chipped or cracked.

But some cracks can be so slight that they are invisible if you look in the mirror. They may reveal themselves by causing your teeth to be sensitive, especially when you eat or drink something hot or cold, chew something sticky or hard, or just brush your teeth, in which case a full dental exam needs to be done to determine the exact cause.

Periodontal infection

Small cracks or chipping can occur even from the impact of cavities, grinding your teeth while you sleep (known as bruxism), or a misaligned bite that causes teeth to damage each other. A periodontal infection can result in gums pulling away their support of your teeth and even get into your jawbone, affecting your bite. The first indicator something is seriously wrong will probably be pain when you bite down in one area. 

In mild cases of cracking or chipping, you can just set an appointment as soon  as possible with Dr. Gruita. Meantime, you should avoid chewing in that area, put Dentemp (available at any drugstore) on it, and manage the pain with an OTC option.

If the tooth is fractured or severely chipped, you should have it initially treated at an urgent care clinic before coming into Pro Health Dental. We will then create a temporary dental crown for protection and have our dental lab craft the permanent one (in the most serious cases, a tooth may need to be extracted and replaced by an implant or if the root is infected, a root canal procedure will be done). 

Minor chipping or cracking will generally be treated by placing a porcelain dental veneer over the front of the affected teeth to both protect it and restore your smile (with the same shade as the neighboring teeth that are still healthy). Veneers, with proper care, can last 10-15 years or more.

Dental Bonding

Another option, if the chip or crack is small, is dental bonding, a composite resin that can be matched to the color of your teeth and applied quickly (it is inexpensive and does not require removing any enamel, which veneers do).

Maintaining good oral health involves more than just regular brushing and flossing. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, dental problems can arise that require professional intervention. In this article, we will discuss the importance of seeking restorative dental care and identify situations where prompt treatment is crucial for preserving your oral health.

Tooth Pain or Sensitivity

Persistent tooth pain or sensitivity can indicate underlying dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, or an infection. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to further damage and more extensive treatment in the future. Seeking immediate dental care can help alleviate pain and prevent the progression of dental problems.

Cracked or Chipped Teeth

If you have cracked or chipped teeth, it is essential to seek dental care promptly. Cracks and chips can weaken the structure of the tooth, making it more susceptible to decay and fractures. Restorative treatments such as dental bonding, crowns, or veneers can repair and protect damaged teeth, restoring their strength and appearance.

Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can significantly impact your oral health and quality of life. It can lead to difficulties in chewing, speech problems, and misalignment of the remaining teeth. Restorative dental options like dental implants, bridges, or dentures can help fill the gaps, restoring proper function and preventing further complications.

Gum Disease

Gum disease, if left untreated, can progress from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, leading to tooth loss and bone deterioration. Early signs of gum disease include red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Seeking treatment at the first sign of gum disease can help prevent further damage, preserve your teeth, and improve your gum health.

Jaw Pain or Bite Irregularities

Persistent jaw pain, clicking sounds, or difficulties in opening or closing your mouth can indicate temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ can cause pain and discomfort, affecting your ability to eat and speak comfortably. Seeking restorative dental care can help diagnose and treat TMJ, improving your jaw function and alleviating pain.

Unattractive Smile

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile due to stained, misaligned, or unevenly spaced teeth, restorative dental treatments such as teeth whitening, orthodontics, or dental veneers can help transform your smile and boost your confidence.

Restorative dental care plays a vital role in maintaining your oral health and overall well-being. Whether you are experiencing tooth pain, have damaged or missing teeth, or are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, seeking prompt treatment from a Mission Viejo dentist at Pro Health Dental is crucial. Remember, early intervention can save you from more extensive and costly treatments down the line, allowing you to enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come.

As everyone thinks about finally getting away for summer, it’s easy to forget about the importance of keeping up your oral health. Why spoil the fun by having to bother with taking all that gear for a few days here and there?

Gum Infections

In fact, that sticky bacterial film called plaque that develops around particles of food and drink that are not thoroughly cleaned off can turn into hardened tartar in a few days, which only a dental hygienist can scrape off with special tools. Unless you’ve had a professional cleaning in the dental chair within the last six months, you really don’t know whether the result of inadequate brushing and flossing has you already in trouble. If a gum infection has started before you go on  a summer vacation, your gums will likely start bleeding, they will pull away their support from your teeth, then eventually become loose and fall out.

Cleaning & Flossing Thoroughly

If you have recently been given a thumbs up for your oral care habits, you want to continue them on vacation, especially if you will be away for an extended period. A soft-bristled  toothbrush (instead of bringing the electrical one you may normally use) and  a small tube of preferred toothpaste can be packed away, along with floss. As you may already know, you should brush both sides of each tooth and chewing surfaces for two minutes twice a day (ideally after breakfast and the last snack of the evening). Before you go to bed, you should floss thoroughly, which means moving the string each time you scrape each side of every tooth, to avoid contaminating them with plaque.

Other important oral care tips for summer:

• If you have not had your dentist do a full oral health checkup in the past six months, including a digital x-ray (which involves minimal radiation), call for an appointment before you leave, to avoid getting into a dental emergency on the road.
• Avoid sugary and sticky foods that are prevalent at summer events (you could bring along sugar-free snacks to avoid temptation, munch on fruit when you feel a sweetness craving), and try to include more protein, healthy fats, dairy products (which stimulate saliva that fights oral bacteria), vegetables, and whole grains, seeds, nuts, beans, and peas in your vacation diet: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=4062
• Don’t chew on ice, which can damage dental work. Likewise, don’t eat hard, hard-to-chew, or sticky foods and treats like jerky, dried fruits, hard candy, caramels, and lollipops.
• Instead of drinking sugary beverages or alcohol (which dries the mouth), consume much more water (many people are dehydrated without realizing it and this can cause a reduction in saliva). 

You can also put into your luggage a dentist-grade mouthwash and small brushes that can clean tight areas between teeth (in lieu of bringing a water flosser).

Dental emergencies are common, but often avoidable. Some of these can be prevented simply by brushing and flossing more thoroughly, as well as having your dental hygienist do a professional cleaning at least twice a year. 

But accidents do happen, so keep a note in your glove compartment, purse, or car with Pro Health Dental’s number just in case ((949) 916-6868). If it occurs during our office hours (Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm) call us immediately so that we can have you see Dr. Gruita ASAP.

If a car, bike, boating, swimming, or sports accident occurs when we are closed and tooth is knocked out, hold it by the top (do not touch the root), wash it in warm water, and try to put it back into the socket or place it in milk on your way to an urgent care clinic. Ibuprofen or aspirin should be adequate to manage the pain and you can put a cold compress on the outside of the mouth in that area for 15 minutes, then take it off for 15 for a few hours, which will prevent swelling. If it takes a long time to be treated, it will probably need to be replaced with a dental implant.

Chipped Teeth

If the tooth has been slightly chipped (which could occur just from biting into hard candy or chewing on ice), take the same approach, but if the pain is manageable, wait until your appointment at Pro Health Dental. This will probably need to have a dental veneer attached to the front of the chipped tooth to protect it from further damage and sensitivity.

Tooth Fracture

A fractured tooth will require a dental crown to cover it and hold it together, if the tooth can be saved. After this happens, rinse the area with salt water and use a cold compress, then go to an urgent care before setting an appointment with us. 

Crown Falling Off

If a crown comes off, just make an appointment to come into our office, put it back on with some dental adhesive available at any drug store, and meantime avoid chewing on that area.

There are three types of toothaches. A cavity is not an emergency, so manage the pain with OTC remedies or put clove oil on it (a traditional way to reduce tooth pain).

However, if the pain is extreme, this may be a sign that the root of the tooth is infected and this will need a root canal procedure to clean it out (contrary to popular usage, a root canal operation is not painful, just the infected tooth). Another infection that can be very painful is an abscess, the symptom of which is that it exudes pus within or near a tooth that exudes poss. Both require emergency treatment.

Pro Health Dental is well-known for its excellent “restorative” dental work. You may wonder what that term means and the answer is wide-ranging.

In childhood, we all learn that filling cavities (aka dental caries) is what dentists do and it remains the second most common disease in the U.S. for all ages, second only to the even more common cold. Removing the decay caused by not adequately brushing or flossing away the dental bacteria is a restorative task, making the teeth and mouth as healthy as they were before the cavity. Dr. Gruita uses only mercury-free, tooth-colored composite resin to cover the hole. If this is especially large, he can fill it with similar material in procedures known as inlays, onlays, or bonding.

This example illustrates that restorative measures usually also have cosmetic benefits for your smile, since you would not want to grin wide and have others see flashes of old silver fillings.

Dental Implants Restore Your Natural Smile

This is also true of dental implants, those artificial teeth that look exactly like the visible part of real teeth. If a tooth has been knocked out in an accident or fallen out because of poor dental hygiene, an implant restores your smile while keeping your bite the same (which has a tendency to start misaligning as neighboring teeth lean towards the gap, loosening even more teeth).

A dental bridge is a less expensive alternative, which involves attaching an artificial tooth (made out of dental porcelain) to the teeth on either side of the gap where the missing tooth was, also prevents misalignment. However, a bridge typically lasts 5-10 years, while an implant can be a permanent solution with proper care.

Dentures Replace Multiple Teeth

If you have lost quite a few teeth, dentures are a common option, but unlike implants, they sit on top of the gums and are not usually anchored into the jawbone, which would stop erosion of the jaw. That is why they need to be adjusted about every five years, but they do restore appearance, the ability to chew, and speak clearly.

Veneers are thin pieces of dental porcelain attached to the front of teeth that have been cracked or chipped. These can also be used to improve the look of teeth that are misshapen, too large or too small, and they can cover gaps between teeth. If even professional whitening does not remove severe discoloration, veneers can restore a gleaming smile.

If a tooth is fractured or the top has been ground down (often unconsciously while sleeping), a crown or cap can be used to restore the tooth to its normal function and prevent further damage.

Call Pro Health Dental today to set an appointment for a full examination and to discuss with Dr. Gruita your priorities for achieving your unique perfect smile.

The dentists and hygienists at Pro Health Dental know just how important it is for you to floss like a professional.

No individual can duplicate the level of cleaning that a dental hygienist can provide, because she has the tools, techniques, and experience to be able to reach everywhere in the mouth and to even inject antibiotic pellets or a solution to stop periodontal infection. Be sure you have this done at least twice a year.

Good Cleaning Habits Improve Your Treatment Results

But ideally you make their work easier by brushing after breakfast for two minutes (in part to remove the bacteria that collects in the mouth while you sleep) and then after your last snack at night, when you also floss.

Late at night it is tempting to rush through flossing, which is not as easy to do as brushing. It is important to scrape the sides of both teeth and beneath the gums at least once, twice if needed, not just rush the string between the teeth. If your efforts cause bleeding, that is gingivitis, the initial stage of what can become periodontal disease or periodontitis. That can ultimately lead to the gums pulling away their support from the teeth, leading them to fall out or need to be extracted.

Another technique that is often not done is to move a fresh part of the string to each area you floss. Otherwise, you can simply be transferring the sticky bacterial plaque that has formed around food particles (because they were not cleaned off earlier) from one area to the other.

If your teeth are crowded and it is hard to fit the string between them, use one with a thinner string or that is waxed.

Cleaning Difficult-to-Reach Spaces

What if you still see particles in hard-to-clean spaces and around dental bridges? Use a small-bristle interdental brush, a water flosser, or pre-threaded floss that has a stiff point that can be inserted in a tight space.

Also, don’t neglect the rear of the back molars, which are very difficult to clean and it is easy for plaque to not only accumulate, but if not removed, where it will harden into tartar that only a hygienist can clean off.

And do not forget to brush and floss around your braces and dental restorations, like crowns, implants, and dentures.

Do your teeth hurt when drinking or eating a cold or hot beverage? Are you avoiding activities outdoors or smiling less because the cold air makes your teeth hurt? Then you probably have sensitive teeth.

Tooth sensitivity is a common dental condition. It affects one in eight adults, around 12% of the population in America.

So what causes tooth sensitivity? What are the symptoms? And how can you avoid and treat it?

What are the Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth?

There are various dental problems that you may mistake for sensitive teeth. For example, discomfort in your mouth can mean a lot of things. However, a few indications can tell you it is sensitive teeth.

If you feel discomfort, sensitivity, and mild pain when doing the following, you have sensitive teeth:

• When eating and drinking hot, cold, sugary and acidic food and drinks
• Using any product with alcohol
• Brushing or flossing your teeth
• Breathing in cold air

If the above causes sharp pain and you notice the gums have receded, you should check in with your dentist. You could be dealing with something more sinister.

What causes Sensitive Teeth?

The main cause of sensitive teeth is the exposure of nervous tissues (dentin) below your teeth. The exposure is usually caused by the erosion or cracking of the enamel and receding gums.

The enamel and gums prevent any food, drink or substance from reaching the dentin, which gets irritated when exposed.

The following are the causes of gum recession and enamel breakdown:

• Gum recession due to old age
• Recent dental procedures
• aggressive teeth brushing
• Smoking of tobacco
• Bruxism or clenching/grinding of teeth
• Crack in the teeth
• Acidic foods and drinks
• Some teeth whitening and cleaning products

How do you Avoid or Remedy Sensitive Teeth?

The best way to deal with sensitive teeth is by visiting your dentist. They’ll assess the damage and recommend the best solution that could include:

• Tooth desensitizing Toothpaste and mouthwash
• Mouth guard to deal with bruxism
• Restoration replacement
• Flouride treatments
• Root canal if the situation is dire

You can also avoid sensitive teeth before having the problem or after treatment using the following ways.

• Maintaining good oral hygiene
• Using a soft-bristled toothbrush gently on your teeth
• Reducing intake of sweet and acidic drinks and food
• Avoiding or limiting the use of tobacco products
• Spacing out your teeth whitening procedures

There are many ways of dealing with sensitive teeth. The most responsible thing is to talk to your dentist for more professional insight. 

You’ll never fear pulling that stunning smile with the right procedures and habits!

Are you experiencing tooth sensitivity? If this involves only one or two teeth, the local problem can be appropriately dealt with. If there is overall sensitivity in your mouth, the fundamental issue has to be treated. Common causes and remedies can include:

Brushing Incorrectly

It is common for people to use toothbrushes that are too hard and damage the enamel and gums. The enamel is the outside surface of a tooth and is the hardest bone in the body, but it can be scrubbed off or damaged this way. So can improper brushing technique, such as stroking across the teeth going back and forth, rather than carefully brushing from the gums towards the top of each tooth on both sides, using a soft-to-medium brush.

Cavities 

You may not feel much pain initially, but a cavity (aka dental caries) can eat a hole in the enamel and the next protective layer, the dentin, when it becomes painful and then it may penetrate that and reach the vulnerable soft tissue of the inner pulp, which could require extraction of the tooth.

Old or Damaged Fillings

Composite resin fillings may last 10 years and a metal one 15, but they can crack or be worn down much earlier and require a replacement.

Cracked or Chipped Teeth 

The sensitivity even from a tiny opening would be due to the dentin or pulp being exposed. These can be repaired with veneers or dental bonding..

Harsh Whitening Products

Over-the-counter whitening strips, gels, and mouthwashes might be too strong for your teeth. It is better to have whitening done in a dental chair with a trained member of our staff or by using an approved set of take-home trays with gels.

Grinding Your Teeth When You Sleep 

You may not even be aware that you do this, but a dental exam will reveal the damage that would make your teeth sensitive. We can repair them with dental crowns, if severe, and protect them from further damage by creating a personalized mouthguard to wear when you sleep.

Gum Recession

If your brush and flossing habits have been inadequate, the bacterial plaque that forms around bits of food that are not removed can cause your gums to recede, exposing the roots, which are not covered by enamel. We can protect them with a dental sealant or do a gum graft, if needed.

Acidic Foods and Beverages 

Carbonated sodas, beer, hot chocolate made from cocoa, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, pickles, sauerkraut, starchy foods, dairy products, fish, and processed meats should be limited if your teeth seem to be getting worn down by their high phosphoric acid content.

Acid Reflux

If you frequently suffer from acid reflux, the cause should be determined by a physician, but there are OTC remedies that should be used if you anticipate some type of food that keeps causing problems. The acid that comes up harms the enamel of your teeth. 

If any of your teeth have become sensitive, call us for an appointment for a full dental exam before sensitivity leads to a more serious condition.