- June 2011 -

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Meet Mary Horne

(another extremely happy patient of Complete Dental Care)

This short video clip from one of our recent (*extremely happy*) patients did this little jingle thanking us for her dental service. She gained confidence, happiness, and a new “spring in her step”… Watch it as Mary’s joy is contagious!

Listen for yourself.  Click the play button to view.

“Thank you Dr. Ingram”

Complete Dental Care
5149 Moorpark #101,
San Jose CA 95129
(408) 940-3939.

Try our NEW PATIENT SPECIAL at: http://www.completedentalcare.org/go/services/new-patient-discount/.

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:

Invisalign: It works!

• Overly crowded teeth
• Widely spaced teeth
• Overbite
• Crossbite: When the upper and lower jaws are misaligned, causing one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth.
• Mild relapse: After traditional braces have been removed, when some relapsing tooth movement has occurred.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Orthodontics

Invisalign may not be right for everyone.  For certain cases of misalignment or complex bite problems, conventional orthodontic appliances (wire and bracket braces) are the best solution. Though not as esthetically appealing as clear aligners like Invisalign, today’s traditional braces have been improved so they are smaller, less visible and more efficient. These newer wire-and-bracket braces also help to correct misalignment much faster than before.  Ask us about which treatment option might is right for you.

Best Results

Invisalign is currently approved for adults and teenagers with permanent teeth who can faithfully follow treatment directions: wearing the aligners for the prescribed number of hours each day, following eating and drinking restrictions and making regular dentist visits.

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.

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

Dental Veneers

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.

(actual patient of Complete Dental Care)

This short video clip of Louie Alicea shares his experience at Dr. Ingram’s dental office.  Louie states, “… the service, customer service and treatment are all excellent.”  He’s very thankful for the professional and expert dental services that he and his family have received over the years.  Listen for yourself.  Click the play button to view.

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.

Dentures

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.

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?
• Do you ever get headaches or jaw pain?
• Are your temples or jaw muscles lender when pressed?
• Do you have occasional discomfort when chewing?
• Do you have a clicking jaw?
• Are you told that you grind your teeth while sleeping?
• Do you wake up feeling tired and sleepless?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, Bruxism may well be causing significant problems for you. Please discuss this completed questionnaire with your dentist and  we will recommend a solution that’s right for you.

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.

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.