Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Cosmetic Dentistry Richmond District San Francisco CA

Dental Bridges

Dental Bridge otherwise known as a Fixed Partial denture comes under a branch of dentistry known as Prosthodontics. The major function of the Dental Bridge is to fill the gap between teeth generated due to the missing of one or more teeth. Here, a bridge is created of two crowns for the teeth on each side of the gap and the gap itself is filled by a false tooth/teeth.

The two teeth on the either side of the false teeth play the anchoring role and are termed as abutment teeth. The false teeth are known as pontics in dental terms. These false teeth (Pontics) are made from the materials like alloys, gold, porcelain or with a combination of all the materials. The dental bridges can get the necessary support with the help of natural teeth or by implants.

Why Dental Bridges?
There is immense number of benefits you can avail of, while going in for dental bridges. The major advantage of these bridges is that with the help of them you can easily restore your smile as well as personality. It is a fact that you will certainly feel uncomfortable while biting food, even if one tooth is missing. If you are missing multiple teeth, it becomes quite difficult for everyday activities such as eating or speaking. This problem can easily be sought out, with the help of bridges.

Types of Bridges

There are three main types of bridges available, which you can choose from. One of them is the traditional bridge, which is the most common amongst all the available bridges. It is manufactured with the help of porcelain, which is normally fused with any metal or ceramics.

The next important type includes cantilever bridges. These kinds of bridges are used only in special cases. They are applied, when there is the presence of adjacent teeth on one side of the missing tooth or teeth.

The last major type of bridge includes Maryland bonded bridge. They are also known as resin-bonded bridge. These bridges are normally made from plastic teeth and gums and are supported with the help of a metal framework. There are metal wings present on each side of the bridge, which make a link with the existing teeth for it’s proper fixation with the socket.

Dental Bridge Procedure

If you want to obtain a dental bridge, then you will be required to make visits to the dental clinic a few times. During the first visit to the clinic, Diagnosis and general evaluation is carried out to make sure dental bridge is the right treatment for you. Then abutment teeth are prepared according to the requirement of your bite. A specific portion of the enamel is removed so that the crown can be placed over the teeth. In the next step impressions of the teeth are taken, so that it can be taken as a model for the manufacturing of pontic, crowns and bridges in the dental laboratory. Your dentist will provide you a temporary bridge for the protection of exposed gums and teeth for some period of time.

In the next visit, the temporary bridge will be removed and a new permanent bridge will be located in the place, which can easily be adjusted according to the requirement of the patient. It will take around 2 weeks for permanent bridge to get cemented into its location. After that it can perform its function independently.

Above article from: DentalHealthSite.com

Monday, March 14, 2011

Clear Dental Braces Richmond District San Francisco CA

Invisalign = Clear Invisible Dental Braces
Richmond District San Francisco CA
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Invisalign
Aesthetic clear braces resembling tooth color are marketed under the trade name Invisalign. They blend in with the teeth making them virtually invisible. Invisalign are a boon for patients who always needed braces but avoided them because of cosmetic reasons. They are removable enabling the wearer to snap them on and off when required.

However, Invisalign treatments tend to take longer, are costly and not preferred in complex orthodontic cases.

How Braces Work?

Braces work by application of constant pressure on the teeth over a period of time. Although the force applied isn’t substantially high, the constant pressure coupled with the time factor manages to reshape the teeth in the desired way.

When pressure is exerted on the teeth, they start moving in the desired direction. This causes the bony socket (which holds and serves as anchor point of teeth) to get remodeled based on the newly acquired position. This is known as bone remodeling which is carried out by selective deposition and resoption of the bone to support the newly acquired position.

Time is an important factor. You can’t apply a great force and expect to align your teeth in a few days as this will rather damage them. There is a limit to the force your teeth can handle. An optimum pressure along with suitable time achieves the best results in orthodontic treatments. The average tooth movement is 1mm per month although there is no standard and different people show different responses to the treatment

Procedure for getting Braces?

You should first consult an Orthodontist (A dentist specializing in Orthodontic Treatments) who will make an oral examination and determine whether you require braces.

Preliminary tests will be conducted such as impression making of your mouth and X rays. The results of these tests are analyzed to determine your exact requirements and a plan of action.

The Orthodontic treatment period can range from 6 months to 3 years or even more depending on the severity of the problem. In extreme cases, Orthognathic surgery might be the best viable option.

The teeth which will receive the brace will undergo a process called etching which creates micro-porosities on the teeth surface. A bonding agent is added which helps strengthen the bond between the teeth and composite. The composite is a material which is added to a single tooth and then a small square like metal piece (called bracket) is attached to it. A special light is then projected on the teeth with the bracket to help in hardening the composite so that it better retains the brackets.

This process is repeated for all the teeth which are to be shaped. Molar bands are metal bands that are placed on your first molar which make sure that the bracket sticks well. A typical archwire is then passed through the brackets and secured with ligatures.

Braces tend to hurt up to a week after getting them and the pain should subside soon enough. You should take regular visits to your dentist (generally at 1 month intervals) after getting your braces. The dentist may tighten, modify or even replace the arch wire depending on your teeth response to the brace.

Above article from DentalHealthSite.com

Ronald Yee, DDS • Mary Anne Baysac, DDS
Richmond District Dental Care
Tel: (415) 668-0526
4200 California Street, Suite 210,
San Francisco, CA 94118

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Dentures Richmond District San Francisco CA


Learn more about Dentures!
A Denture is a Prosthodontic device which replaces missing teeth in the oral cavity. There is no need for you to get a denture if you take good care of your teeth and prevent subsequent tooth loss. The Dentures are custom made for the patients who have partial or completely missing teeth and classifying them on that basis, they are of two types: Complete and Partial Dentures.

There have been admirable advances in the field of Prosthodontics enabling production of dentures that feel, function and appear nothing but natural. They have appealing aesthetics too and you can avoid any possible embarrassment with the help of these modern dentures.

This however does not imply that there are no issues with modern dentures. Although dentures replace teeth, there never has been a just replacement for natural teeth. It will take time for your mouth (and brain) to acclimatize to the new foreign substance in the mouth. Everyday actions such as talking and eating will require practice and can take some time to get the hang of. For some people it might become extremely difficult for the brain to accept the denture and they constantly get gag reflex. Such people might have to consider implant supported palateless denture or hypnosis therapy.

The two types of Dentures are:

Complete Dentures

These are dentures made to cover the entire arch and employed in patients who have lost all their teeth either in the maxillary arch or mandibular arch or even both. Complete Dentures in lower jaw are difficult to manage than the upper jaw as they tend to get displaced easily due to the absence of suction.

An overdenture is a slight modification of complete denture in which a few teeth remain which are shortened and the denture fits Over it (and hence the name Overdenture). An Overdenture has a few advantages like:

- The remaining natural teeth preserve the bone.
- The natural teeth also share some of the bite force during biting.
- The stability of the denture is improved.
- But an OverDenture is expensive and demands regular maintainance to prevent decay and gum disease.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures cover a few missing teeth but not the entire jaw. They are of two types: Fixed and Removable.

Removable Partial Denture:

As the name suggests, these are the partial dentures which can be removed and snapped back as and when desired. They consist of metal framework along with artificial teeth and metal clasps which hold the denture in position.

Fixed Partial Denture

Fixed Partial dentures often referred as “Bridges” are cemented in the appropriate position. Bridges are preferred over removal partial dentures as they are comfortable and better resemble natural teeth but they require healthy teeth for their support and are expensive.

Other special types of removable dentures are the Flipper denture and Nesbit Denture.

Alternatives to Partial Dentures

Dental Implants are fast becoming a preference over the conventional bridges. These are single artificial teeth which are fixed in to the jaw. They mimic the natural teeth very well but they cost more than the bridges.

Steps in Denture Processing

A finished denture might appear a simple device but requires a lot of work for its processing. The Denture manufacturing process consists of multiple steps extending over a period of 3 weeks to 2 months involving several visits to the dentist.

The manufacturing process of the denture is specific to the kind of denture that is being made but the general steps are

Taking an impression of your mouth.
Creating temporary models in the form of wax or plastic which resemble the measurements of the final denture. This is tried on your mouth and necessary adjustments are made depending on how it fits in to your mouth
- After all the required trials, a final denture will be cast.
- The final denture will be placed in your mouth and any required changes will be made.
- You will be required to give a visit to your dentist after a day or two just to check the response of your mouth to the denture.
- Adjusting to a Denture

Although, modern dentistry has enabled us to create efficient and tooth resembling replicas which we can fit in our mouths, there is no comparing them to natural teeth. Hence, we should always strive to maintain our Dental health. Adjusting to Dentures can be tricky and here are some of the common problems you will face with your new denture.

Denture Fit

Initially, the denture might feel loose and this occurs mainly to mandibular dentures due to absence of suction which the maxillary dentures enjoy. Your mouth will learn to retain them over a period of time. There might be areas that need to be worked on which only your dentist can do. You might also experience denture sores initially due to tight fitting of the denture.

Eating with a Denture

Eating with a denture requires practice and it’s just not the same as natural teeth. Don’t exert too much pressure on the denture and it might be seen that some of the patients can chew almost any thing with a denture while others may have some limitations. It is also suggested to use a sidewise grinding motion while chewing with a denture rather than the natural up-down motion you used when you had natural teeth.

Speaking with a Denture

You might find pronouncing some words or even trying to talk difficult. This again requires practice on your part and you should try to pronounce the “trouble” words aloud.

Removable Denture Care

- Take out your denture before sleeping as this effectively lets your mucosa and gums to take some rest as well.
- Remove the denture and rinse your mouth with a mouth wash once daily to keep infections at bay
- Do clean your denture frequently with your denture toothpaste.
- Visit your dentist when you develop sores or experience sudden difficulty in speaking or eating.
- Make sure you get your denture reevaluated at every 6 months interval by your dentist.

Above article from DentalHealthSite.com

Dentures Dentist
Ronald Yee, DDS
4200 California St #210
San Francisco, CA 94118
Telephone: 415-668-0526

Friday, January 21, 2011

Cosmetic Dentistry Richmond District San Francisco CA

Dental Bridges - Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Bridge otherwise known as a Fixed Partial denture comes under a branch of dentistry known as Prosthodontics. The major function of the Dental Bridge is to fill the gap between teeth generated due to the missing of one or more teeth. Here, a bridge is created of two crowns for the teeth on each side of the gap and the gap itself is filled by a false tooth/teeth.

The two teeth on the either side of the false teeth play the anchoring role and are termed as abutment teeth. The false teeth are known as pontics in dental terms. These false teeth (Pontics) are made from the materials like alloys, gold, porcelain or with a combination of all the materials. The dental bridges can get the necessary support with the help of natural teeth or by implants.
Why Dental Bridges?

There is immense number of benefits you can avail of, while going in for dental bridges. The major advantage of these bridges is that with the help of them you can easily restore your smile as well as personality. It is a fact that you will certainly feel uncomfortable while biting food, even if one tooth is missing. If you are missing multiple teeth, it becomes quite difficult for everyday activities such as eating or speaking. This problem can easily be sought out, with the help of bridges.
Types of Bridges

There are three main types of bridges available, which you can choose from. One of them is the traditional bridge, which is the most common amongst all the available bridges. It is manufactured with the help of porcelain, which is normally fused with any metal or ceramics.

The next important type includes cantilever bridges. These kinds of bridges are used only in special cases. They are applied, when there is the presence of adjacent teeth on one side of the missing tooth or teeth.

The last major type of bridge includes Maryland bonded bridge. They are also known as resin-bonded bridge. These bridges are normally made from plastic teeth and gums and are supported with the help of a metal framework. There are metal wings present on each side of the bridge, which make a link with the existing teeth for it’s proper fixation with the socket.
Dental Bridge Procedure

If you want to obtain a dental bridge, then you will be required to make visits to the dental clinic a few times. During the first visit to the clinic, Diagnosis and general evaluation is carried out to make sure dental bridge is the right treatment for you. Then abutment teeth are prepared according to the requirement of your bite. A specific portion of the enamel is removed so that the crown can be placed over the teeth. In the next step impressions of the teeth are taken, so that it can be taken as a model for the manufacturing of pontic, crowns and bridges in the dental laboratory. Your dentist will provide you a temporary bridge for the protection of exposed gums and teeth for some period of time.

In the next visit, the temporary bridge will be removed and a new permanent bridge will be located in the place, which can easily be adjusted according to the requirement of the patient. It will take around 2 weeks for permanent bridge to get cemented into its location. After that it can perform its function independently.
Above article from DentalHealthSite.com

Visit our Richmond District Dental Office to learn more about our Cosmetic Dentistry Services which include: dental bridges, dental crowns, bonding, veneers, white fillings etc.

sanfranciscodentalcare.com
Ronald Yee, DDS • Mary Anne Baysac, DDS
Richmond District Dental Care
Tel: (415) 668-0526
4200 California Street, Suite 210,
San Francisco, CA 94118

Dental Veneers Dentist San Francisco CA

Dental Veneers
Dental Veneers (also referred to as porcelain veneers or porcelain laminates) are thin tooth colored shells that are custom made for individual patients and placed on the frontal surface of the teeth to improve its appearance.

They are made from porcelain or resin composites but porcelain has superior stain resisting properties. However, the type of veneer appropriate for an individual can be correctly determined only by a dentist.
What are dental veneers used for?

Dental Veneers (or Porcelain Veneers) are used in a variety of cases such as

1. Individual discolored teeth
2. Worn, chipped or fractured teeth.
3. Uneven and irregularly shaped teeth.
4. Widely spaced teeth

What is the procedure in placement of a dental veneer?

Placement of a dental veneer can only be performed by a qualified Dentist which involves basic 4 steps.

1. Diagnosis and Treatment planning
2. Preparation
3. Etching
4. Placement and Bonding

1. Diagnosis and Treatment planning: This involves the Dentist determining whether it is appropriate for you to get a Dental Veneer and discuss its limitations with you. He will also take an impression of your oral cavity.

2. Preparation: This involves scraping the outer layer of the tooth up to the thickness of veneer that is to be placed. The dentist may use a Local Anesthetic if required. A model of the patients tooth is made which is sent to the laboratory. Repeated color adjustments might be required to achieve a suitable color. A dental veneer is constructed on this model which can take a few weeks.

3. Etching: The next time the patient is called at the clinic is for the actual veneer placement. The dentist first places the veneer against the tooth and checks for its correct position. Now the dentist cleans and polishes the tooth surface on which the veneer is to be placed. The dentist then uses an acid to etch your teeth i.e it creates a roughened tooth surface which improves its bonding to the veneer.

4. Placement: The Veneer will be placed on the tooth surface with a special tooth colored material called composite used for attachment. After the position has been determined, a special light is used which improves and quickens the bonding/hardening process. A few final adjustments may be necessary and a couple further visits are required by the patient to ensure a normal response of the gums towards the veneer.

Above article from dentalhealthsite.com

Ronald Yee, DDS provides a full range of cosmetic dental treatment services to his dental patients in the Richmond District of San Francisco. Visit our main web site to learn more about our dental services.

Ronald Yee, DDS
Richmond District Dental Care
(415) 668-0526
4200 California Street, Suite 210
San Francisco, CA 94118

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Preventive Dental Treatment San Francisco CA

How Does Candy And Snacks Affect Our Teeth
by admin on July 15, 2009

Eating candy, toffee, snacks and munchies can cause teeth to decay because of the cultivated starches that get stuck between the teeth and in turn cause periodontal disease. This type of fast food that remain in the mouth for long intervals cause bacteria to grow which forms acidic and then decay the teeth and the gums.

How do we know when food can affect our teeth causing bacteria?

We would be able to make out when food is stuck between teeth when even after some a long time we can get the taste of that food or can feel it around. This is bad because it has already caused the bacteria to thrive.

What are the consequences of eating Fast Food in Children?

Children are the first to bear the brunt of fast foods especially if their life revolves around it. The outcomes, which not only affects teeth but also overall health in daily life are:

* Food that gets stuck in between teeth causes tooth decay leading to endless pain.
* Their school life gets affected with this pain disturbing their concentration and hindering their learning capacity.
* Eating too much of this food, which lacks nutritive value, can result in obesity, diabetes (Type 2) and problems related to the heart.
* All these factors can worsen over time causing acute tooth infection.
* For growing children, fast food which lacks nutrition and does not have enough calcium causes harmful effects on new teeth coming in which could be unhealthy and lack strength.
* Lack of nutrition and calcium can cause weak bones and ion deficiency could result in stunted brain development.

Above article from DentalHealthSite.com


Visit our Richmond District Dental Office to learn more about our Preventive Dental Services!

sanfranciscodentalcare.com
Ronald Yee, DDS • Mary Anne Baysac, DDS
Richmond District Dental Care
Tel: (415) 668-0526
4200 California Street, Suite 210,
San Francisco, CA 94118