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Technological advancements in the field of dentistry have forever changed the way people clean, care for, and repair their teeth. One of the most exciting and state-of-the-art procedures available is laser dentistry. But before you sign up for an appointment, here are a few things you should know about the procedure.

What is laser dentistry?

The use of small, concentrated beams of light to either remove or shape tissue. Lasers can be used for a variety of different procedures, including but not limited to:

• Performing biopsy procedures
• Removing or reshaping bone and gum tissue during crown lengthenings
• Treating root canal infections
• Speeding up the tooth whitening process
• Removing overgrown tissues, often caused by certain medications
• Shaping and removing gum tissue during impressions for crowns
• Removing muscle attachments that are limiting movement
• Fully exposing partially grown wisdom teeth
• Reducing discomfort of cold and canker sores

What are the benefits of laser dentistry?

Compared to traditional surgical methods, laser dentistry is far less invasive and disruptive to the delicate tissue of your mouth. It can also speed the healing and recovery time of various soft tissue procedures, particularly gum surgeries, as lasers decrease bleeding and pain by cauterizing as they cut.

Lasers are also useful for working with hard tissue treatments. When used alongside water, they are strong enough to replicate the use of a drill but can do so without the whirring sound or heat from friction.

Many teeth bleaching systems are enhanced with laser light. These lasers can help activate deep-penetrating whitening agents in your teeth, illuminating your smile in a way that can never be accomplished with over the counter whitening kits.

Lasers also have diagnostic benefits. They can be used to detect cavities and even trace amounts of tooth decay. Dental care providers can also bounce a soft light off the surfaces of your teeth in order to study the strength and structure of each individual tooth.

Is laser dentistry safe?

Used in accordance with accepted dental care practices, lasers are just as safe as any other dental instrument. The only big difference you’ll notice is that you’ll be asked to wear special eyeglasses during procedures to protect your eyes.

Dental lasers are still a relatively new invention and one that is constantly upgrading and changing. If you think you may be a candidate for laser dentistry, schedule an appointment with your dental care provider. And if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Pro Health Dental.

You should see your dental care provider every six months, but it would be nice to be able to avoid any surprise emergency visits. Be proactive with your oral health by taking preventative steps towards stopping cavities and tooth decay before they start.

Tips for Preventing Cavities

Brush with fluoride toothpaste after meals: You should be using a fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal. The same goes for flossing. If you can’t brush after eating, at least try to rinse your mouth out with water.

Visit your dentist regularly: Professional teeth cleanings and regular oral exams can’t be replicated at home, regardless of your oral care routine. Keeping on schedule helps you diagnose problem areas before they become major issues.

Drink tap water: You don’t have to all the time, but most tap water is infused with fluoride, which helps decrease tooth decay.

Rinse with fluoride: Are you seeing a pattern? A fluoride rinse is a fast and easy way to reach areas that can be hard to reach via other means of cleaning. It’s also a common recommendation for those who are at a high risk of developing cavities.

Avoid grazing: The constant snacking and sipping of beverages other than water makes teeth cleaning between meals all but impossible and helps mouth bacteria develop acids that can break down tooth enamel.

Know what you’re eating: There are certain foods and drinks that are better for you than others. Fresh fruits and veggies are good as they can increase saliva flow. Tea, sugar-free gum, and unsweetened coffee can help wash away food particles. But try your best to avoid foods that get stuck in the pits and grooves of your teeth. Those are already danger areas even without food particles being stuck in them for a prolonged period of time.

Ask about dental sealants: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all school-age children receive sealants, which are protective plastic coatings that are applied to the back teeth. They seal off the grooves in chewing areas that often collect food, and can last up to ten years before they need to be replaced.

Ask about antibacterial treatments: If you’re particularly prone to dental problems, like due to a specific medical condition, talk to your dentist about mouth rinses and other treatments that are antibacterial.

As is always the case with your health, being proactive is the key. Stay on top of your oral health, and if you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us at Pro Health Dental.

Nowadays if you want straight teeth, you have some options, including Invisalign, which is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear (although not technically invisible) aligner trays to straighten your teeth without the use of traditional metal braces.

Below are some perks and considerations if you’re thinking about talking to your dentist about Invisalign.

Perks of Invisalign

They’re practically invisible: Totally clear and fit to your teeth, it will be hard for people to see that you’re wearing Invisalign, which is exactly the point for many patients, particularly older ones who think they’re too old for braces.

Eat what you want: With traditional braces, you have to remove a lot of foods from your diet because they run the risk of disrupting your metalwork. Since your Invisalign aligners are removable, you just take them out before mealtimes.

Your oral care routine stays the same: Traditional braces require you to brush and floss around wires and brackets, but with Invisalign, you simply remove the aligners and continue with your standard oral care routine.

It could help you lose weight: While not an “official” benefit of Invisalign, let’s be honest. The fact that you have to take out your aligners and brush your teeth after every meal may help cut down on that snack grazing throughout the day and/or that midnight meal.

It’s practically painless: Unlike traditional braces, where the tightening process was often a torturous affair, Invisalign aligners slide right onto your teeth pain-free.

Invisalign Considerations

You may not see them, but you can hear them: Since you’re still wearing something on your teeth, once you start talking, certain words and letter combinations can create a lisp. However, this gets better over time as you get used to the aligners.

You have to wear them: It may sound obvious, but this isn’t the retainer from your childhood. In order to get the most out of your aligners, you should wear them at least 20 hours a day (although 22 is the preferred amount). Since you won’t be wearing them when you’re eating, that means they’re in your mouth almost 24/7.

You have to brush between meals: After all, invisible aligners aren’t much of an aesthetic benefit if you have spinach stuck inside them. So you’ll need to carry a travel toothbrush (or two) and be adamant about teeth cleaning after everything you eat.

They might take longer than you think: The average Invisalign patient will have to wear their aligners for a year, but like other forms of teeth alignment, sometimes that treatment can be extended for the use of “finishing” aligners to really get that smile perfect.

Invisalign is a tremendous option for many people looking to straighten their teeth, but it’s important that you look over the details before making a decision. If you think Invisalign may be right for you, contact a dental consultant at Pro Health Dental and we’d be happy to set up an appointment.

Actually, it’s been around longer than you think (since the early ‘90s). Laser technology is no longer the subject of science fiction narratives. No, lasers are now a big part of many different medical fields, ranging from non-invasive aesthetic enhancement, tattoo removal, and tattoo lightening, and also in dentistry.

Let’s start with the basics. For those who aren’t exactly up to date on dental laser technology, we’ll do a brief overview. A laser is an instrument that will produce a narrow, intensely focussed beam of light energy. When coming into contact with gum tissue, a laser will cause a reaction, either removing or reshaping tissue.

Lasers have been used in dentistry for decades. They can be used as a controlled, non-surgical treatment for a wide range of dental procedures, often in tandem with other cutting edge tools.

So what can laser technology do for your teeth and gums?

Dental lasers can be used to perform biopsy procedures. They can help treat infections in root canals and reduce the discomfort that plagues people from canker and cold sores. Lasers can also aid in exposing partially erupted wisdom teeth. They can expose partially erupted wisdom teeth to facilitate the tooth extraction process. Lasers can also help with cosmetic procedures like speeding up the tooth whitening process.

Laser technology helps dentists ditch the drill in a lot of areas, as well as avoid anesthesia. It’s a process that is more economical than alternate methods, despite the fact that a lot of folks might identify laser technology as being tremendously expensive. Lasers can help reduce negative symptoms and healing time after surgical procedures; they can even help control bleeding during surgery, and are less likely to require stitches!

We offer several procedures in soft tissue laser dentistry at Pro Health Dental. We offer crown lengthening procedures, reshaping gum tissue with a soft tissue laser, as well as bone with a hard tissue laser. This will help expose healthier tooth structure, promoting a stronger foundation.

Our laser dental procedures can alleviate the “gummy smile”, where the gums are too high on the teeth, reshaping the gum line. We can help alleviate a restricted or tight frenulum which can prevent proper breast feeding or restrict tongue movement, causing speech impediments with a simple “laser frenectomy” treatment.

Pro Health Dental also uses laser technology to help with ill-fitting dentures by easily and conveniently removing soft tissue folds without needing stitches.

If you have any additional questions about laser dentistry, please contact Pro Health Dental in Mission Viejo, CA today.

When it comes to teeth, your confidence is everything. One of the most unpleasant dental ordeals is to have a missing teeth. At Pro Health Dental, we believe that a step in the right direction in restoring your smile are dental implants.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are specially crafted titanium tooth root materials that replace the space where your missing tooth previously occupied. The implant creates a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth and stabilizes the jawbone to prevent loss of bone density and volume. The modern techniques and technology of today makes dental implants more comfortable experiences than before. In addition, implants help in improving your overall health and well-being.

The great thing is that they do not require having to reduce other existing teeth, which can be the case for dental bridges. They are quickly assuming their place as the new standard for full tooth replacement treatments.

You may be wondering whether you are even qualified to receive dental implants. Are you affected by a missing tooth or experiencing biting/chewing difficulties? Is your speech giving you trouble due to a missing tooth? If you are committed to recovering a long lasting smile, then consider dental implants as the solution.

Mission Viejo dentist Dr. Ada Gruita develops the right treatment plan according to her patients’ circumstances and condition. Our entire office is devoted to providing the level of treatment that will ensure benefits individually optimized for you. Together with our team, we can place you back on track towards recovering a full, beautiful, and functional smile!

Do something positive for yourself! FLOSS!

In less than one minute per day you can accomplish the following health benefits:

1. Prevent Decay
2. Prevent gum disease
3. Fresher breath
4. Whiter smile (less stain)
5. Younger smile (less gum recession)
6. Less dental expense
7. Less dental pain
8. Less time away from work or family life
9. Healthier Heart (bacteria from gum disease has been linked to certain types of heart disease).
10. Maintains health/condition of dental restorations

Having a healthy mouth allows you the opportunity to maintain a nutritious diet therapy increasing your chance for vitally and longevity!