Preventative dental care: does it really matter?

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You’ve been urged since childhood to make an annual appointment with your dentist. But other than providing you with a few weeks of desperate flossing and guilt, does this annual visit actually serve a purpose? We turned to a trusted dentist in Sunnyvale, CA, to ask more about your annual checkup and why it matters

Prevention is better than cure

Most of us only pay attention to our teeth or gums when they hurt, so it’s easy to miss the many tell-tale signs of coming trouble. Your dentist, however, is a trained pro and knows exactly what to look for. When you find dental problems early, you can act to head off damage before it gets too bad. You may even be able to reverse the issue altogether! While good brushing habits day-to-day are the secret to great dental health, preventative check-ups prevent little problems from becoming big ones.

Deep cleans count

Did you know that the deep clean your dentist does in your annual checkup isn’t just for show? No matter how diligent you are with your daily oral health routine, over time a hard coating called plaque builds up on the teeth. This plaque eventually erodes your tooth enamel, leading to cavities, and there’s not much regular brushing can do to remove it. It only slows its formation. Your annual deep clean ‘resets’ the teeth and removes plaque you may have missed.

Help and education

Brushing your teeth is simple, but the mouth itself is a complex and fascinating part of the body. When you make a habit of visiting your dentist, you not only learn more about your specific mouth and any challenges you have, but also about your care options. Issues like misaligned teeth or impacted wisdom teeth don’t have to be suffered through. You can explore your options with your dentist, and proactively stay on top of both cosmetic and mechanical dental issues.

Your annual dental checkup is a vital part of your overall health. Remember, your dental practitioner wants you to have a happy, healthy mouth and a smile you’re proud of. And if you happen to be looking for a dentist in Sunnyvale, Sunnyvale Dental Speciality is always happy to hear from new patients.

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Are dental implants worth considering?

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The power of a good smile is legendary. Having broken, missing, or damaged teeth can be a huge hit to your confidence, and even hold you back in your career. Dental implants are the closest thing you will find to a real replacement tooth, instead of aesthetic work built over your existing damaged tooth, and can be a great, confidence-boosting alternative to bridges or dentures. Let’s take a closer look.

How dental implants work

Dental implants come in two parts, although you will not handle the pieces after installation. One is a fake tooth designed especially for your mouth, with a screw-like bottom. The other part, the socket for the tooth, must be installed into your gums. This means you need healthy enough gums and jawbones to stabilize the tooth.

If you can take a dental implant, however, it offers greater speech, comfort, and appearance than other dental aesthetic repairs. It’s easier to eat and take care of your teeth than with dentures, and offers a self-esteem boost for many people as they feel, act, and look just like ‘real’ teeth. You can even keep them a secret from others, who won’t know that you have them. With the right care, your implants could last a lifetime.

Financing implants

Unfortunately, most dental implants are not covered under insurance, which always shy away from covering aesthetic procedures. This means the cost can be a little prohibitive for many people. It’s always worth talking to your dentist to see if they offer any kind of pay-off or loan scheme to help you afford procedures that are not covered by insurance.

Dental implants offer a new technology that can help you feel more comfortable with the aesthetic restoration work you need doing on your mouth. As a new technology, it can be a more expensive option, but many people find the trade-off in looks and convenience worth paying for. Additionally, unlike crowns and bridges, there’s a good chance that your implants will last and look good for many decades.

For now, dental implants remain the closest we can get to ‘regrown teeth’, offering a versatile way to restore smiles and confidence alike.

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What are CEREC Dental Crowns

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Everyone likes to have a pretty smile, but not all of us are born with good teeth. Dental crowns are one of the most affordable aesthetic procedures available for your teeth, and CEREC crowns, a new crown technology, are taking the dental world by storm. Let’s take a look.

What are dental crowns?

A traditional dental crown is a small toothlike ‘cap’ that is placed over a fully stabilized and treated tooth. It hides a cracked, chipped, or broken tooth, and can also help preserve more of the natural tooth by protecting it. They’re made of a variety of materials, but must be custom-made for your mouth and can take up to two weeks before installation, which is a bit tricky if you have a business image to maintain.

How are CEREC crowns different?

CEREC crowns, also called same-day crowns, use computer-aided design programs to capture the shape of the tooth (instead of traditional molding) and allow a crown to be created for you right in the dental office. Think of it as a type of 3D printing.

This means it can be installed there and then, and there’s no lengthy weight. As the CEREC crown doesn’t have a metal core, it can also look more natural. There’s also some preliminary data that suggests they’re stronger over time, although it’s still a new technology.

This fact is one of the only downsides to CEREC crowns over normal dental crowns. Not all dental offices are able to offer them, as the tech is new and not everyone is trained in them, meaning they can also be a little bit pricier than standard crowns.

All the same, if you have the option to get a ‘chairside’ CEREC crown installed, it’s well worth considering as a fast and effective way to brighten your smile and boost your confidence.

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Dental Implants – A Solution for Missing Teeth

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Are you missing teeth and it makes you feel self-conscious? Do you hide your mouth when you smile or laugh aloud? Is eating in public too embarrassing or difficult because of your missing teeth that you just avoid it altogether?

Dental Implants Could be the Answer

If your missing teeth cause you physical or emotional discomfort, dental implants could be the solution you’ve been waiting for. Dental implants are false teeth surgically placed in the gum to look and act just like your natural teeth. Dental implants are virtually undetectable by others – only you’ll know they’re there!

Talk to Your Sunnyvale Dentist about Dental Implants

Dental implants correct many missing tooth problems. Whether you’ve lost teeth, had them removed, or they never grew in at all, dental implants can fill in the gaps to beautify your smile, restore functionality, and give you the confidence you need to smile wide again.

Dental implants aren’t for everyone, so you’ll need to discuss them with your Sunnyvale dentist to determine if they’re right for you. Good candidates for dental implants have overall good oral health as the implants need to adhere to strong, healthy jawbone. Your dentist will be able to tell you if dental implants are a good option for you.

Dental Implants – The Procedure

Dental implants require multiple sessions in the dentist’s chair. It’s a multi-step process that’s well worth the wait.

The first surgery places the implant in the jawbone. It’ll take 3-6 months for the jawbone to heal and grow around the implant.

During the second surgery, the surgeon places the abutment that will hold the artificial tooth in place. It will take 2-4 weeks for your gums to heal before the next step in the process can take place.

Finally, your dentist will attach the artificial tooth. It may take several more visits to your dentist to make adjustments during this phase to ensure a stable, pain-free bite.

Although the dental implants procedure is a lengthy one, the results are phenomenal. You’ll have a smile you won’t ever want to hide again, and you’ll be able to eat and talk as if missing teeth were never a problem, to begin with. Contact Dr. Hong at California Dental Specialty Group to find out if dental implants are right for you.

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5 Things You Should Know About CEREC Crowns

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Dentists often prescribe dental crowns to fix damaged teeth. In the past, getting a crown was a long process requiring multiple visits to the dentist’s office to complete. Depending on the type of crown your dentist recommends, you may be able to receive a crown in a single visit. Called a CEREC crown, these crowns can be manufactured and placed all in the same visit. Here are a few things you should know about CEREC crowns.

CEREC Crowns are Convenient

Most people don’t have the time to schedule multiple visits to the dentist. Because CEREC crowns can be created and placed in a single visit, it’s a lot more convenient than traditional crowns used to be.

There is No Need for Temporary Crowns When You Get CEREC Crowns

The traditional crown procedure called for the placement of temporary crowns while the permanent crown was being manufactured. These temporary crowns were often ill-fitting and clumsy. With CEREC crowns, however, the need for temporary crowns is eliminated. You come in with a damaged tooth and leave with a spectacular smile in a single visit!

CEREC Crowns are Durable

You might think that a crown manufactured on the spot might be less durable or lower quality, but the opposite is true. CEREC crowns are extremely durable and long-lasting.

CEREC Crowns Aren’t for Every Type of Tooth Damage

Unfortunately, CEREC crowns don’t address all kinds of tooth damage. Just because your dentist offers CEREC crowns doesn’t automatically mean they are the right solution for your tooth issues. Talk with your dental professional about your options if he recommends a dental crown solution.

The CEREC Crown Technology Requires Extensive Training

Although CEREC crowns are a great solution for tooth damage, not every dentist has the education necessary to offer such treatment. This innovative technology requires extensive training that some dentists just don’t have. Again, you’ll need to discuss the options available to you with your dentist.

Dental crowns address a variety of tooth damage. If your dentist recommends a crown for you, be sure to inquire about CEREC Crowns. In addition to being a convenient alternative, they also provide a durable and long-lasting solution that restores beauty and functionality to damaged teeth. Talk to your dentist to find out if CEREC crowns are right for you.

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4 Ways Your Sunnyvale Dentist Can Help You Look and Feel Better

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For many people, a trip to the dentist invokes feelings of fear and anxiety. Not many people can say they like going to the dentist, but if you suffer from tooth pain or low self-confidence caused by missing, broken, or misaligned teeth, going to the dentist can make a world of difference. Here are several ways your Sunnyvale dentist can help you look and feel better.

1. A Sunnyvale Dentist Can Give You a Whiter, Brighter Smile

One of the most common dental problems people face is the discoloration of the teeth. Yellowed or stained teeth can make you feel less confident in your smile. Luckily, returning your teeth to a brighter, whiter shade is one of the easiest things for your Sunnyvale dentist to do.

2. Your Sunnyvale Dentist Can Transform the Look of Your Teeth

Misshapen, broken, or discolored teeth can be fixed using porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin coverings that fit tightly over your existing teeth to change their shape and/or color to give you a completely transformed and beautiful smile.

3. Sunnyvale Dentists Can Replace Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can really put a damper on your smile and your self-confidence, but if you visit your Sunnyvale dentist, he can replace that missing tooth with one that looks and acts just like its natural predecessor. If you have missing teeth, be sure to ask about dental implants as they not only fix your smile but can also change your life!

4. Your Dentist Can Take Away the Pain

Even if your teeth appear white, straight, and perfect, if there’s underlying pain caused by tooth decay, you’ll feel terrible. Tooth pain is no joke, but a dentist in Sunnyvale, CA can take it away, usually in a single visit with a simple procedure. When you walk out of the dentist’s office, you’ll feel as great as you look!

If you’re like most people, you hate going to the dentist. If you suffer any type of dental issue or pain, however, seeing your dentist can give you the pain relief and boost to your confidence that you need. Don’t go another day feeling self-conscious or dealing with tooth pain. Call a dentist in Sunnyvale, CA today.

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What Do the Letters “DDS” Stand for After Your Sunnyvale Dentist’s Name?

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As you search for a Sunnyvale dentist, you may notice that each one has either “DDS” or “DMD” behind their names. These initials represent the degree the dentist earned after finishing dental school.

“DDS” stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. “DMD” stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine. While the degrees sound quite different, they are actually the same degree. It just depends on where the dentist graduated from as to which acronym appears after his name.

A Little DDS/DMD History

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), Baltimore College of Dental Surgery was the first to grant the DDS certification in 1840. Harvard University, on the other hand, began its dental school in 1867 and called their degree Dentariae Medicinae Doctorate or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. Despite the difference in their names, both degrees have the same educational requirements.

Rigorous Training for DMD and DDS Sunnyvale Dentists

These days, most universities grant DMD degrees after several years of rigorous training. Aspiring dentists must complete four years of undergraduate training, after which, they go on to dental school for four more years of classroom education, clinical training, and dental laboratory training.

After completing dental school, a dentist must acquire licensing to practice in the state, which requires passing a written exam called the National Board Dental Examination as well as a regional board exam, and then a jurisprudence exam on the laws in that state.

With such strict educational and examination standards, you can be sure both DMD and DDS Sunnyvale dentists are highly qualified to treat your dental concerns.

Education Beyond DMD and DDS Degrees

Many dentists practice general dentistry, but some go on to specialize in a specific area of dentistry. Specializing in a particular area of dentistry can require anywhere from 2 to 6 additional years of education and clinical training. Some specialty areas include orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, and oral surgery.

So, whether you see DMD or DDS behind your Sunnyvale dentist’s name, you can be sure he has received rigorous training and will be able to provide the care you need. Be sure to choose a Sunnyvale dentist who communicates effectively, provides outstanding customer service, and offers the types of services you need.

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A Sunnyvale Dentist for the Whole Family

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When your teeth are an issue – whether it’s a cavity or some other more extensive problem – it’s hard to enjoy life to its fullest. When you have to cover your mouth when you smile because your teeth embarrass you, your self-esteem takes a hit. If you’ve been dealing with dental issues for a while and have finally had enough, call your dentist in Sunnyvale CA – the California Dental Specialty Group (CDSG).

A Sunnyvale Dentist You Can Count On

The CDSG, with Dr. Hong at the helm, provides a wide array of dental services including dental veneers, crowns, implants, reconstruction surgery, orthodontic treatments, maxillofacial prosthetics, cosmetic dentistry, and more.

It’s our goal to help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of, and in some instances, we can do that in as few as a single visit to our office. For example, CEREC Same-Day Crowns give us the ability to create strong, ceramic tooth restorations in just one visit. There’s no need for temporary crowns or second appointments, and the results are amazingly beautiful.

A Dentist in Sunnyvale, CA for the Whole Family

Whether it’s a simple tooth cleaning for your child or you have a broken tooth that needs attention, your Sunnyvale CDSG can handle it. We cater to patients of all ages and are able to provide a wide range of services from general dentistry to reconstructive surgery. We know that visiting the dentist is stressful for some people, so we make it our mission to make your appointment as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and need a dentist, give the CDSG a call. Dedicated to providing a wide range of dental services for the entire family in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere, you can count on us to help you get that smile you’ve always dreamed of.

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Sunnyvale Cosmetic Dentistry will Improve Your Smile

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People seek cosmetic dentistry services with Dr. Hong at the California Dental Specialty Group to fix defects in their smiles. A malformed bite or crooked teeth can cause you to be self-conscious about your smile, but with the help of a dentist, you can bring your smile back to life. Dr. Hong in Sunnyvale, CA offers a host of cosmetic procedures designed to help you smile with confidence and pride.

Cosmetic Dentistry to Fix Your Smile

At the California Dental Specialty Group, your smile is our priority. We offer several cosmetic dentistry procedures to fix your smile.

Teeth Whitening

If you drink tea or coffee regularly or if you smoke, it’s common for teeth to become discolored over time. With a professional teeth whitening done in our office, however, your teeth will look brighter and whiter in no time.

An in-office teeth whitening involves applying a bleaching agent to the surface of your teeth. We then activate the whitening agent with a special light. The process takes about 30 minutes.

Dental Implants

Are you missing a tooth or teeth and the defect makes you cover your mouth when you smile or laugh? If so, dental implants could be the answer. During a dental implant procedure, Dr. Hong places a metal implant into the gum and then attaches an artificial tooth to it. The result is a great looking, functional tooth that makes you look and feel youthfully beautiful.

Dental Veneers

If your teeth are discolored, cracked, chipped, or otherwise misshapen in some way, dental veneers can help reshape them to enhance your smile. Dental veneers are thin layers of composite or porcelain material that fit over your teeth to change the way they look. Veneers can last 20 years or more, correcting a host of damaged and/or misshapen teeth.

If you’re in the Sunnyvale or surrounding areas and would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry Sunnyvale and what it can do to enhance and beautify your smile, Give Dr. Hong a call at (408) 749-9888.

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Bad Teeth in Sunnyvale? Here’s How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Help

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Cosmetic dentistry is a broad term that encompasses several dental procedures including teeth whitening, dental veneers, and bonding. These are just a few of the procedures and products that Sunnyvale dentists use to help residents look and feel better.

There are many reasons to schedule an appointment with your dentist if you aren’t happy with your smile. Through the advancements in cosmetic dentistry, your dentist can fix your teeth and give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Cosmetic Dentistry Improves Your Appearance and Self-Confidence

Regardless of the procedure, you have done, cosmetic dentistry Sunnyvale improves your appearance and thus, your self-confidence, too. When you look better, you automatically feel better. You’ll be excited to get out and show off those pearly whites!

You’ll Eat Better After Your Cosmetic Dental Procedure

Missing or misshapen teeth can really impact the way you eat. From making it more difficult to chew your food adequately, to causing an improper bite, this issue severely impacts your overall health.

Once you’ve undergone your dental procedure, however, you’ll be able to painlessly chew more completely, which ultimately aids in digestion and allows you to eat to your heart’s content.

Cosmetic Dentistry Improves Dental Health

While cosmetic dentistry improves your appearance, it also helps to ward off future issues by correcting and protecting teeth for your best dental health. For instance, crowns keep damaged teeth from getting worse and dental implants to keep teeth from shifting, which can lead to bigger, more expensive problems in the future.

If your teeth cause you pain and/or embarrassment, give the professionals at the California Dental Specialty Group in Sunnyvale a call to see how cosmetic dentistry can help you achieve a healthier, happier quality of life.

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