Straight Teeth, No Braces!

Invisalign is a removable plastic orthodontic appliance for people who want the results of orthodontia but not the unsightly mouthful of metal braces and brackets. This removable orthodontic appliance incorporates a series of clear plastic aligners that fit comfortably over your teeth and are designed to move them gradually into the desired orthodontic position.

How it Works

Using only one set of dental impressions and photographs, Invisalign creates a three-dimensional computer projection of how your teeth can be moved incrementally.  With a computer-aided design and manufacturing process (CAD/CAM), Invisalign creates a series of custom-made aligners, which are dispensed in a specific order.  Each aligner must be worn for about two weeks, during which time it moves your teeth in small increments.  You can remove the aligners (for eating, drinking certain beverages and brushing/flossing), but they must be worn at least 20 hours a day in order to successfully reposition your teeth.

A typical Invisalign treatment requires 20 to 30 aligners for both the upper and lower teeth. Most adults complete their treatment in less than one year. However, treatment time depends on the specific alignment problem.

Invisalign can be used to correct the following types of mild dental problems:

Can veneers improve my appearance?

If you have teeth that are yellowed and can’t be whitened by bleaching; if you have teeth that are chipped or worn or have a gray cast; or if you have gaps or uneven spaces or gaps between your teeth — a veneer may be an ideal solution.

A veneer is a thin covering that is placed over the front part of your tooth.  These strong, durable, translucent surfaces look natural and resist staining.

How veneers work

We remove a small amount of enamel from the front and sides of the affected teeth, which makes room for the veneer and prevents the restored tooth from feeling or looking unnatural.

Then, we make an impression of the prepared teeth so that the shape of the veneer fits with your surrounding teeth.  We also match the veneer’s color to your existing teeth. The impressions go to a lab for manufacturing.

At the next visit, we place the veneers on your teeth to check the fit and shape. After any adjustments, the teeth are cleaned and the ceramic veneers are then bonded to the teeth.

No special maintenance is needed other than good oral hygiene.

About the author

Dr. Brent Ingram received his doctorate of general dentistry from The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and his undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University. A practicing dentist since 1996, Dr. Ingram assumed ownership of Complete Dental Care in 2001.  He maintains current credentials in leading-edge dental technologies, including Invisalign orthodontics, endodontics, laser surgery and cosmetic dentistry.  He is a member of the Santa Clara Dental Society, the American Dental Association and California Dental Association.

Adjusting to Dentures

Dentures require an adjustment period, but with practice – and patience – you will be able to accommodate them quite naturally.

When you are first learning to use your dentures, eat soft foods. Cut your food into small pieces and chew slowly. To keep your dentures from tipping when you eat, chew on both sides with your back teeth. After a few days, when the dentures feel more comfortable, gradually try coarser and harder foods until you are able to eat a more normal diet. Avoid eating sticky or very hard foods until you have more experience.  Learning to chew takes practice.

Speaking: Sometimes wearing dentures can make a difference in the way you pronounce certain words. To help overcome this, practice reading aloud. If the denture teeth click together when you talk, speak slower. If you continue to have problems, bring them to your dentist’s attention.

Appearance: When you first get dentures, your facial expression may seem different. Not to worry.  A more normal expression will return when the muscles of your cheeks and lips accommodate the dentures. Some people don’t really notice the details of their own face until after they get dentures.  Often, these features existed when you had your natural teeth, but only became noticeable after you started wearing dentures.  The good news is that denture may even improve your appearance.  The shape of your face may be changed, facial, creases can be eliminated and undesirable features may be minimized.

Upcoming: tips on denture maintenance.

About the Author

Dr. Brent Ingram received his doctorate of general dentistry from The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and his undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University. A practicing dentist since 1996, Dr. Ingram assumed ownership of Complete Dental Care in 2001.  He maintains current credentials in leading-edge dental technologies, including Invisalign orthodontics, endodontics, laser surgery and cosmetic dentistry.  He is a member of the Santa Clara Dental Society, the American Dental Association and California Dental Association.

Stopping the Grind

Bruxism, the involuntary clenching and grinding of teeth, is a major dental problem.  It can cause headaches, damage to teeth and fillings, as well as neck pain.

Since tooth grinding happens primarily during sleep, most people are unaware that they do it; and although it may be mild in some cases, if left undiagnosed it can be painful and costly when complications occur over time.

Are you a grinder?  Here’s the test:

• Do your teeth touch or make contact when you are not chewing?
• Have you had wear, damage or fractures of teeth, fillings, or crowns?

Am I Hypersensitive?

Do you experience tooth pain?  Have a prickly or jolting sensation when consuming cold or hot food and beverages? When brushing or flossing?

If so, you may have what we call dental hypersensitivity.  It’s a condition that affects nearly 1 out of 4 adults.

Causes of hypersensitivity include: eroded or chipped enamel, natural changes in your gums and recession, where gums pull away leaving teeth and nerves exposed.

Contributing factors

• Cold/hot foods and beverages
• Over aggressive brushing/flossing
• Diets high in sweets or acids
• Periodontal surgery
• Smoking
• Dental cleanings leading to
• Exposed Dentin

Our recommendation

Sensodyne toothpaste contains ingredients that help stop the pain of hypersensitivity, and builds protection against future pain.

About the author

Dr. Brent Ingram received his doctorate of general dentistry from The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and his undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University. A practicing dentist since 1996, Dr. Ingram assumed ownership of Complete Dental Care in 2001.  He maintains current credentials in leading-edge dental technologies, including Invisalign orthodontics, endodontics, laser surgery and cosmetic dentistry.  He is a member of the Santa Clara Dental Society, the American Dental Association and California Dental Association.

Broken or Missing Teeth?

Crowns and bridges are the two most common solutions. A crown covers or caps a tooth to restore its normal size and shape, giving strength and protection to a badly decayed or fractured tooth.  Depending on the location your damaged teeth and your overall dental health, we can determine the best material to use.  We typically use precious or semiprecious metal, porcelain, acrylic or some combination of these materials.

A fixed bridge replaces one or more missing natural teeth. It is cemented into place and is firmly attached to the surrounding natural teeth that remain healthy. These teeth are called the abutment teeth. Crowns are placed on the abutment teeth to provide support for the fixed bridge. Meaning, your new artificial tooth is part of that fixed bridge which is fused to the crowns on abutment teeth.

Long-term. The success of these solutions depend on keeping the abutment teeth and their supporting gums in top health. It’s easy.  Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth and gums, eat a balanced diet and visiting us for regular check-ups.

About the author

Dr. Brent Ingram received his doctorate of general dentistry from The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and his undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University. A practicing dentist since 1996, Dr. Ingram assumed ownership of Complete Dental Care in 2001.  He maintains current credentials in leading-edge dental technologies, including Invisalign orthodontics, endodontics, laser surgery and cosmetic dentistry.  He is a member of the Santa Clara Dental Society, the American Dental Association and California Dental Association.

Are Dental Implants Right For Me?

Do I Have Gum Disease?

Gum disease is not always easy to spot.  You don’t even have to be in pain to have it.  The symptoms are swelling or soreness of the gums around your teeth caused by plaque, a sticky, colorless film that forms on the teeth.  If it is not removed by brushing or flossing, it can infect your gums, teeth and supporting bone structure.  Untreated, gum disease can result in the loss of your teeth and increase your risk of stroke and heart attack.

That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly.

Three stages of gum disease