There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
July 14, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2996.aspx?currentTab=1

• Stains from coffee, tea, soda, red wine, and smoking among other things.
• Fillings on front teeth.  Although these are tooth colored (one would hope!), they can pick up stains over time, showing dark lines between the edge of the filling and your natural tooth.
• Silver (amalgam) fillings can cause your teeth to have a dull grey color.
• Teeth grinding, toothbrush abrasion, and normal wear and tear:  as you start to lose the outer enamel layer, the underlying dentin that is naturally yellow starts to show more.

Here’s what you can do about it:

• Remember to brush and floss daily.  This will help to manage the amount of stain that remains on your teeth from tea, red wine, and other foods.
• Visit your dentist regularly.  Some stains do not come off easily and require the help of a professional cleaning.  Your dentist can also replace leaking fillings,  suggest gentle brushing techniques to prevent abrasion, and recommend a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
• Quit smoking!  Not only will this reduce your risk of oral cancer, it will improve your breath tremendously and improve the health of your gums.
• Teeth whitening.  There are many safe and effective options available for bleaching your teeth.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave questions or comments below.  To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
April 13, 2010

Sealants are plastic coatings that can either be clear or white.  A very thin layer of sealant material is applied to the biting surfaces of teeth, filling in all the grooves and pits which is where cavities often start.  There is no anesthetic or drilling required.  Once placed, the sealants provide a smooth glassy surface.  In my office we tell the children that we are going to “paint” their teeth to make them like “skating rinks”.

Permanent molars, which start to come into the mouth at around 6 years of age, benefit the most from sealants.  That’s because molars often have deep grooves on the biting surfaces which can retain bacteria and food particles.

Sealants can last many years; however, it is important to have them checked during regular dental checkups to make sure they are still intact.  Otherwise they may need to be redone.

Remember that sealants are only one aspect of a child’s preventive care.  Proper brushing and flossing, wise food choices, and regular dental visits are essential to maintaining the overall oral health of your child.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 18, 2010

The quickest and least expensive option is a removable partial denture or flipper.  A flipper is like an orthodontic retainer with one or two teeth and some wire clasps that hook on to your other teeth.  Many people have difficulty chewing with a flipper in place, and even when properly fitted there is some loss of taste and texture due to having a bulky appliance in the mouth.

A bridge is advantageous over a flipper because it is a non-removable restoration.  Bridges are long lasting and will look and feel similar to the original tooth.  Essentially it would look like 3 or more crowns connected together, depending on the number of teeth to be replaced.  A major disadvantage is that if anything happens to one of the supporting teeth, the entire bridge may be lost.

Unlike a bridge, an implant is independent of the adjacent teeth and does not require the reduction of adjacent tooth structure.  The implant portion actually replaces the missing root and is placed surgically, usually by a periodontist or oral surgeon.  After the implant is successfully accepted and integrated with the patient’s bone, a crown is fabricated and secured onto the implant by your general dentist.  The entire process takes about 6 to 9 months.

Anyone of reasonable medical health with adequate bone should be a candidate for implants.  The benefit of an implant is that it is very secure, so you can chew without worrying about the stability of the replacement tooth or the strength of the adjacent teeth.  Having an implant is the closest thing to having your lost tooth back.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 16, 2010

Whitening toothpastes contain abrasives which polish the teeth and remove any external stains.  So if your teeth have stains from coffee, tea, soda or tobacco the toothpaste will help to remove those superficial stains.  It is similar to having your teeth polished at your dentist’s office during your cleanings, where they use a polishing paste with similar abrasives.  If the toothpastes contain any bleaching agent at all, the concentration is very minimal and not enough to change the color of your teeth.

So if your objective is to change the intrinsic color of your teeth, your best bet is to try the bleaching options available from your dentist or retail stores.  Your options range from over-the-counter whitening products like Crest whitestrips to in-office bleaching procedures like Zoom.

If you choose to do in-office bleaching, your dentist may recommend using a whitening toothpaste afterwards.  This is mainly to keep your teeth free of external stains and not to change the color of your teeth.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 2, 2010

Teeth whitening or bleaching is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform your smile.

Having said that, who IS a candidate for whitening?

Patients with unrestored (ie. no fillings, crowns) front teeth and premolars respond best to whitening.  This is because only natural tooth structure will respond to the bleaching process.  It is also very important that the patient have healthy gums.  If you simply want to brighten your smile and are happy with the shape and alignment of your teeth, and you meet the above criteria, then you are a good candidate.

Who is NOT a good candidate for whitening?

• Children under the age of 16.  For these young people, the pulp chamber of the teeth is still quite large and easily irrated, and bleaching can cause the teeth to become very sensitive.
• Pregnant or nursing women.  The concern here is primarily about the chemicals used in teeth-whitening products, some of which could be swallowed, and their potential effect on a fetus.
• Very sensitive teeth.  The whitening process can make already-sensitive teeth even worse.  Consult your dentist about your sensitive teeth before considering whitening.
• Cavities and gum disease.  Any active disease must be treated prior to whitening.
• Fillings, crowns, veneers, or other restorations.  If your teeth already have fillings, crowns, or veneers, keep in mind that these materials do not whiten.  Therefore, any whitening procedure should be done prior to the placement of any restorations.  This will ensure the best match to your new tooth color.

There are many ways to do teeth whitening, ranging from at-home products with custom trays, to in-office procedures such as Zoom.  As with any dental procedure, consult with your dentist to determine what strategy would work best for you.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po