Standard Dentures:

Standard dentures are the general dentures made for patients already missing all of their teeth. As almost all dentures do, the top relies on suction to retain it and the underlying tissue for stability. The bottom relies of the tongue, its weight, and the underlying tissue for stability and retention. From the initial examination, to the final adjustments to the dentures size, it generally takes 4, or sometimes more appointments to make a set of standard dentures.

Immediate Dentures:

Usually this type only requires one or two appointments before insertion. This type of denture can be made before natural teeth are extracted, so the patient can have the denture immediately after the teeth are extracted. While this denture does become a permanent denture while the gums heal, most patients want new ones after the gums have healed form the extractions. This is usually due to sizing issues, and is why they are sometimes referred to as temporary dentures.

Cu-Sil Partial Dentures:

This partial denture is for the patient missing nearly all their teeth on their arch. It has holes for the remaining teeth to fit through; silicone lining ensures it is retained. However this type of denture has a couple of disadvantages. Those are:

• The lower dentures are prone to breakage, specifically if the patient grinds their teeth.
• It takes longer to get this type of denture relined. Instead of having it done in about 6-8 hours, the denture must be send to a specialty lab where it may take up to a week to get done.

Overdentures:

This refers to any form of dentures that are inserted over existing teeth or their remnants. A main advantage to this is that the roots of the teeth are still in place, so the bone supporting them stays instead of resorbing into the body.

Implant Retained Dentures:

These are the most expensive form of dentures. However they are very effective in retaining the bottom denture. This is because rather than relying on the tongue to hold the denture in place, a series of implants is placed in the jaw to hold the denture in place. After the implants are put in place a 3-6 month waiting period is needed before the implants can support a denture’s weight.

Mini Implant Dentures:

This is similar to the implant retained dentures but there are two significant differences. One of those is that mini implant dentures are cheaper. Another is that there is no waiting period after the mini implants are put in place, and they can immediately support a denture.

Duplicate Dentures:

This is an exact copy of the original denture, made right after the first denture that can be made cheap and quickly, and is usually made and kept for emergency use. A possible disadvantage to this denture is that it is finished without adjustments so sore spots can be an issue. The overall quality is not remarkably high, which may be correlative to the cost. However it is important to note that though the initial cost is cheaper than the primary denture, the cost of adjustments possibly needed may make the duplicate cost the same as the primary denture.

The three major types of extractions are:  simple, complex, and impacted.  The general dentist can perform a simple extraction by moving the tooth side to side with forceps as seen to the left.  The forceps hold the crown of the tooth as the doctor moves the tooth separating the periodontal ligament, sheathe, from the tooth and bone.  Complex surgical extractions are performed on teeth that can’t be pulled through a simple extraction as seen below which requires bone and gum tissue to be cut away in order to extract the entire tooth.  Sutures are then placed to put the tissue back in its place and the healing process begins.  The third type of extraction is impacted teeth extraction.  Impacted teeth are those that do not erupt and remain under the surface of the gums.  These teeth can create health issues for patients in the future therefore are extracted prior to further complications.  Raising the tissue flap allows the impacted tooth to be exposed and the extraction can then be performed by removing the gum tissue and bone covering the tooth.  These types of extractions are done in fragments in order to assure the entire tooth is taken out.  Usually the tooth will be cut into two or three sections in order to remove every piece.

After extractions take place, the replacement would be an implant, partial denture, or denture.  At 7 Day Dental we can help you get out of your dental pain and restore your beautiful smile.

• Enamel, which is naturally white, but it can be stained, brushing definitely helps on this level
• Dentin, which is naturally yellow
• Nerve

As we age materials from the nerve tend to pervade the porous dentin and make it darker. The overall color of a tooth is a composite of the color of the enamel as well as the color of the dentin, because the enamel is slightly translucent. This is why brushing alone will not keep teeth from yellowing as we age.

So what’s the solution? Bleach. Of course not just any kind of bleach though. The bleach considered safe for bleaching teeth is known as urea peroxide, or 10-percent carbamide peroxide solution. According to the American Dental Association bleaching with bleach produced from a reputable manufacturer, under the supervision of a dentist in short-term treatment duration, is safe. It should be noted that a very common side effect of dental bleaching is sensitivity to cold, however that is temporary.

When it comes to dental bleaching there are many different options for how to go about doing it. The options are:

• Whitening toothpastes
  • This option is best for maintaining the results of other types of bleaching, rather than achieving the desired results.
• Bleach releasing disposable strips
  • This option is a decent option with a few setbacks. The concentration of the carbamide isn’t as strong as what a dentist could give you, and sometimes the size of the strips becomes an issue; but users do tend to see some results.
• Professionally supervised take-home bleaching with custom made trays
  • This option is only available through a dentist and the results are usually very evident. However tooth sensitivity is a very frequent complaint, but does not usually last more than a day.
• In-office bleaching
  • Sometimes called power bleaching, this is relatively the quickest option to see results. However, due to the extended amount of chair time, it tends to be the most expensive option.

Even with all of these options it is necessary to know the limitations of bleaching. None of these bleaching options will be able to:

• Get rid of any decay color, such as black or brown on decaying teeth. The teeth need to be treated before any bleaching can be done.
• Take out darkness due to amalgam fillings.
• Whiten existing fillings. A new filling may be needed to be put in a current filling’s place in order to match tooth color.
• Improve appearance of flurosis.
• Remove signs of tetracycline stain.

Consult with our dentists at 7 Day Dental for the best option for you. We are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

In the same way when people come to my office with a beginning or a severe gum disease, I usually ask them if they knew that brushing and flossing everyday would have prevent it. Their answer is usually yes, but at times lack of commitment or laziness made them ignored this solution. In this article, we are going to go over the importance of flossing, and the best way of doing it.

Your mouth has one great enemy known as plaque. Plaque is form by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. The plaque is usually found in the line that separates the teeth and the gums. Its goal is to form decay in the teeth and as a result, the patient may suffer from gum disease. By flossing, you remove the plaque from the regions where the brush cannot reach and prevent a possible infection.

Here is a basic guide to proper flossing:

1. Cut a piece of floss to around 18 inches long.
2. Wrap one end of the floss around the middle finger of the left hand and the other end around the middle finger of the right hand until the hands are 2-3 inches apart.
3. Move the floss gently up and down between the teeth toward the gum line.
4. Curve the floss in a U-shape around each individual tooth and carefully slide it beneath the gum line.
5. Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth  
6. Carefully remove the plaque and debris from between the teeth.

***NOTE: Do not pop the floss in and out between the teeth as this will inflame and cut the gums. Sawing the floss back and fourth does not help cleaning because it may actually wear grooves in the teeth.

I have found that they have two great advantages over flossing. Here they are:

1. Easy: they are known for being very easy to use; you can easily use them with only one hand. In addition, you may take them anywhere and use them at any time, even in the car as you are on your way to work.
2. Effective: when they are used properly they have shown to clean as well or at times even better than when you floss. I have treated patients with severe inflamed gums, whose disease literally stop within two weeks once they started using Stimudents regularly.

Because we care about our community, we hope you use this information wisely, and take advantage of the advices and suggestions we provided. Remember that 7 Day Dental is open 365 days a year for you and your family. 

I have found that they have two great advantages over flossing. Here they are:

a.      Easy: they are known for being very easy to use; you can easily use them with only one hand. In addition, you may take them anywhere and use them at any time, even in the car as you are on your way to work.

b.      Effective: when they are used properly they have shown to clean as well or at times even better than when you floss. I have treated patients with severe inflamed gums, whose disease literally stop within two weeks once they started using Stimudents regularly.

Because we care about our community, we hope you use this information wisely, and take advantage of the advices and suggestions we provided. Remember that 7 Day Dental is open 365 days a year for you and your family.

Things to keep in mind are:

1. False teeth look like real teeth, but they aren’t real teeth and shouldn’t be expected to act just like real teeth. A denture wearer can only exert about 15% of the force that they normally put on natural teeth, before the denture loses the suction that holds them up. In addition to that thought, there is no suction holding the bottom denture in place. While the top denture relies on suction, the bottom relies on its weight, and the wearer’s tongue to hold it in place.
2. Faces age rapidly when all of the natural teeth are removed. This is because the bone that used to support the teeth resorbs into the body. As the top of the mouth resorbs upwards, and the bottom of the mouth resorbs downwards the space between the nose and chin shrinks. The face shape then changes and gives an overall aged look to the wearer.
3. Dentures do not last forever. They need to be replaced every 5-7 years, and relined every 2 years. That’s the only way to minimize face aging.
4. Dentures must, absolutely must be relined every 2 years, and not just because of aging. After time dentures begin to lose stability and retention. There are solutions to retention problems, such as denture adhesives, but that isn’t the best option, relining is. The body will naturally try to fill in the space where the adhesive is put by making soft, flabby gum tissue. This causes stability problems in the already ill-fitting dentures. At this point the only way to remove the flabby tissue is surgically; new dentures will not be any more stable unless the flabby tissue is removed.
5. If a person gags easily dentures will make them gag too.

So do dentures still sound like the best choice? If not are there alternatives? Yes there is an alternative, as long as the patient still has a minimum of two teeth on the arch where the dentures would be. The alternative would be removable partial dentures (RPD). Unlike full dentures, RPD is simply fill in for the missing teeth without having the rest removed. Consult with our dentists at 7 Day Dental for the best option for you.

1. Reimplant the avulsed tooth in the socket within 60 minutes so that the reimplantation has a realistic chance of working. However there a couple of cases where reimplantation is not needed, those cases are if:

• The tooth is one of the four front baby teeth.
• The root of an adult tooth is broken. This is not possible, and in this case a trip to the dentist is needed, but can be put off until convenient.

When reimplanting the tooth make sure it is clean. The patient can suck on the tooth and spit out the debris and blood in between each sucking action. Once the tooth is clean the tooth should be able to be put back in its socket with light pressure. If the patient can bite down without the tooth moving out of place then this step is done.

If the tooth cannot be put back in the socket there are a few things that can be done:

• Have the patient clean the tooth like above, then have the patient store the tooth in the space in between their cheek and top back teeth. This is not advisable if the patient is a small child.
• Place the tooth in a cup of saline, contact lens solution is ideal. This cleans the tooth.
• Place the tooth in a cup of fresh milk, this works similar to the contact lens solution.
• If someone has a commercial product for the storage of an avulsed tooth, yes they make that, then place the tooth in that.

2. Unless otherwise stated by the steps above, get to the dentist as soon as possible. 7 Day Dental is available 365 days a year, even on a major holiday such as Thanksgiving and Christmas Day!

• A sore in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• White or red patches on the gums, tongue, or mouth lining
• Soreness or a feeling of something interfering in the throat
• Trouble swallowing and chewing
• Trouble moving the jaw or tongue
• Numbness within the mouth
• Swelling of the jaw

90% of oral cancers derive from squamous cell carcinoma and tend to occur on the floor of the mouth or undersurface of the tongue as seen in the picture to the right.  Some of the leading causes of oral cancer are tobacco use, alcohol, age, and HPV.  Use of tobacco and alcohol for extensive periods of time contributes significantly to the development of squamous cell carcinoma and these individuals are fifteen times more likely to develop oral cancer.  Tobacco is a carcinogen and it damages DNA first causing the growth of malignant cellular masses and alcohol will inhibit the body defenses from naturally fighting these malignancies.  Age is also a major factor which plays a role with the risks of oral cancer.  Individuals over the age of 40 have a less competent immune system and therefore will be less able to eliminate mutated cells.  HPV has also been found to increase the possibilities of obtaining oral cancer since it is contracted by oral sexual contact.

Oral cancer can be detected by performing ViziLite.  ViziLite causes squamous cell carcinoma lesions to fluoresce and helps the trained clinician to spot the lesions early and detect oral cancer.  As seen in the picture, this light illuminates lesions beyond the surface which would otherwise be undetected by the naked eye.  A doctor would clearly see the blue marks from the TBlue dye showing any oral cancer traces.  7 Day Dental offers ViziLite and it is a 5 min procedure that is painless and extremely effective.

Gum Disease, also known as Periodontal Disease, is a silent disease – it’s slow, painless, and progressive. Most adults are unaware of this disease, making it harder to treat once the damage is done. Some symptoms of this disease includes bad breath, chronic bitter taste, loose teeth, and/or bleeding gums. Contrary to what most people believe, bleeding gums are not caused by thorough brushing but rather by doing the opposite.

Aside from poor dental care, other diseases may cause periodontal disease. Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for infection. Severe Periodontal Disease can increase blood sugar levels and make the damage harder to control for patients with type 2 diabetes. Another recent studies have also shown that periodontal disease is linked to heart disease. The bacteria from the mouth can travel through the blood stream and into the heart, which then attaches itself to fatty plaques in the artery. Consequently, the plaque that builds up over time will eventually lead to heart attacks. Those with diabetes, heart problems, uremia, liver cirrhosis, anemia and leukemia are more as risk than others.

Gum disease is an equal opportunity disease that can affect anyone regardless of age, race, sex, etc. However, the risks of contracting this oral disease are greater if there is history of gum disease in the family and/or by smoking, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In addition, many are not aware that the bacteria can be passed through saliva, which includes sharing drinks and kissing.

However, avoiding this disease is simple. Our 7 Day Dental Ladera Ranch office provides our patients with the best of care. The only way to confirm a diagnosis of periodontal disease is to have your mouth thoroughly examined. We recommend having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year. During the check-ups, we are able to take x-rays and measure the crevices in-between your teeth and gums.

Periodontal therapy is necessary for treatment towards healthy gums to avoid any oral health problems in the future. Our 7 Day Dental doctors in Ladera Ranch can guarantee the best course of care for periodontal disease. This therapy is a non-surgical way of treating gum disease by performing root planning or “deep cleaning”, irrigating the gum pockets to flush out any debris, and finally treating with localized antibiotics. These antibiotics are then placed directly into the gum pocket and released at specific times. Both Doctor Christine Chung and Doctor David McCann are firm believers in early treatment of this disease. Once treatment is done, the patient will be put on an estimated three or four month cleaning schedule. This procedure will ensure that the plaque and tartar build-up is under control.

If you find yourself with one or more of the symptoms listed above, please visit your local dentist to find the treatment that is most fit for you. Avoid losing your beautiful and healthy teeth: floss and brush thoroughly, visit your dentist at least two times a year, and eat well-balanced meals. Your To-Do list may be filled with other responsibilities, but there is no doubt that your dental care belongs amongst your top priorities.