A dental prophylaxis is a dental procedure which is performed with the goal of reducing the risk of gum and tooth disease. Also known simply as a prophylaxis or prophy, this procedure is recommended at intervals which can vary from six months to two years, depending on a patient's history. It is performed by a dentist or licensed dental hygienist who has received specialized training in tooth care. In a dental prophylaxis, the technician performs both scaling and polishing. During the scaling process, tools are used to remove tartar, plaque, and stains from the teeth, including below the gum line. The polishing process smooths the teeth to remove rough spots which might otherwise attract bacteria. Some dentists also offer tooth sealant services, which are designed to prevent decay of the teeth. The most important part of a dental prophylaxis involves cleaning below the gumline. People who floss and brush their teeth regularly can usually keep their teeth relatively healthy above the gums. Below the gums, however, it is difficult for tools like toothbrushes to reach, and dental calculus can build up. This exposes the patient to the risk of gum disease and dental decay. During a dental prophylaxis, the care provider will also inspect the teeth and jaw for any obvious signs of ill health. This inspection may reveal underlying medical issues such as receding gums, erupting wisdom teeth, or dental cavities which will require treatment. Early identification of dental problems can help people deal with them before they become serious.

What are Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges? Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist. How do Crowns Work? A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive. Your dentist may recommend a crown to: Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining Protect a weak tooth from fracturing Restore a fractured tooth Attach a bridge Cover a dental implant Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment How do Bridges Work? A bridge may be recommended if you're missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the spaces, resulting in baf bite. The imbalance caused by the missing teeth can also leed to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Dental fillings our practice in Lebec is a mercury-free practice. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Composite or tooth-colored restorations create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are esthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies. Disadvantages of Silver fillings Silver fillings have many drawbacks. The edges of the silver filling can wear down, become weak or break. This results in the tooth not being protected and lets cavities get started once again. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can split. Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak and cause stains on your teeth and gums. Fortunately, silver fillings can safely be replaced with tooth-colored restorations. Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations. Resin fillings are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where much of the tooth structure has been lost. The tooth remains intact and stronger. Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums! The result is a beautiful smile!

Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws. When dental implants are placed in your jawbone, they bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. A connector – known as an abutment – is placed on top of the dental implant to hold and support your crowns. The crowns are custom-made to match your natural teeth and fit your mouth . Modern dental implants have been used successfully for over 30 years. They are the strongest devices available to support replacement teeth – and even better, they allow these new teeth to feel, look and function naturally. When performed by a trained and experienced dental implant dentist, dental implant surgery is one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry. In our office in Lebec we are using only US made implants, produced by Nobel-Biocare, a company with the longest tradition in the industry. 3 million people in the United States have implants, a number that is growing by 500,000 annually. How long does it take to replace teeth using dental implants? Each patient is different. After an initial consultation, your implant dentist should provide you with a treatment plan including the estimated amount of time to complete the process. Total treatment time depends on your needs, medical and dental history, jawbone condition, and the technique and materials used. It can be as short as a few months, or more than a year for more complex conditions.

Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. If you are facing a tooth extraction, it can seem a little daunting and nerve-wracking. But did you know that tooth extraction is a fairly standard dental procedure? Let’s face the fear together. Take a look at our what’s-what guide on tooth extraction to help you prepare for your upcoming procedure. When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary? In many cases, teeth that are broken or damaged by decay can be fixed with a filling, crown, or other dental treatment. Sometimes, though, the damage is too severe to repair, so your dentist will recommend extraction. Here are some other reasons tooth extraction might be necessary: Decay has reached deep into the tooth Infection has destroyed a large portion of the tooth or the surrounding bone There isn’t enough room for all the teeth in your mouth Extra teeth block other teeth from coming in Baby teeth don't fall out in time for the permanent teeth to come in People getting braces or other orthodontic treatment may need teeth extracted to create room for the teeth that will be moved into place. Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are often extracted either before or after they come in during the late teens or early 20s. When your jaw is too small to accommodate normal wisdom teeth, it is common for gum or jaw discomfort and swelling to occur. In addition, there is a greater risk of developing gum (periodontal) disease. Surgery to remove wisdom teeth is typically the best course of action. If a wisdom tooth has fully erupted through the gum, a standard tooth extraction is performed. If the tooth has not erupted through the gum, an impacted tooth extraction method is used.

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. "Root canal" is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth's nerve lies within the root canal. A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory -- to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth. Why Does Tooth Pulp Need to Be Removed? When a tooth's nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth. An abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of the tooth. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause: Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head Bone loss around the tip of the root Drainage problems extending outward from the root. A hole can occur through the side of the tooth with drainage into the gums or through the cheek with drainage into the skin.

If you have any of the following, you may be a candidate for orthodontic treatment: Overbite, sometimes called "buck teeth" — where the upper front teeth lie too far forward (stick out) over the lower teeth Underbite — a "bulldog" appearance where the lower teeth are too far forward or the upper teeth too far back Crossbite — when the upper teeth do not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when biting together normally Open bite — space between the biting surfaces of the front and/or side teeth when the back teeth bite together Misplaced midline— when the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the center of your lower front teeth Spacing — gaps, or spaces, between the teeth as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not "fill up" the mouth Crowding — when there are too many teeth for the dental ridge to accommodate In our office we are correcting the different malocclusions with orthodontic braces or in many cases by using INVISALIGN.

LASER DENTISTRY

Laser dentistry in Lebec refers to the use of advanced laser technologies for treating different dental issues including oral soft tissues and gums. It uses invisible and strong energy beams to efficiently target and address the soft tissues and gum issues. Using lasers for dental treatment removes the requirement of hand-held dental equipment such as scalpels, to perform the treatments. Laser dentistry also shortens the healing time and minimizes associated pain.

Sleep apnea has been linked to a number of serious medical conditions such as hypertension, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and depression. Because sleep apnea can have such a negative impact on your health, Dr. Maria Porazik seeks out the most innovative solutions for our sleep apnea patients at our Frazier Park, Pine Mountain and Lebec community. As part of our commitment to advaned sleep apnea care, Dr. Porazik is proud to be an Integrated Provider of the Vivos System. The Vivos System is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option designed to restore normal breathing and improve the overall health and wellness of our sleep apnea patients.

PANORAMIC X-RAYS

Panoramic dental x-ray uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to capture the entire mouth in one image. It is commonly performed by dentists and oral surgeons in everyday practice and may be used to plan treatment for dentures, braces, extractions and implants. This exam requires little to no special preparation. Tell your doctor if there is a possibility you are pregnant. Remove any jewelry, eye glasses or metal objects that might interfere with the x-ray images. You will be asked to wear a lead apron to protect the rest of your body from any radiation exposure.

Our office in Lebec also offers cosmetic dentistry services Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the functionality) of teeth, gums and/or bite. It primarily focuses on improvement in dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance. Today, we'll look at 5 of the most common types of cosmetic dentistry. Composite Bonding. Bonding is one of the most cost-effective cosmetic procedures and is used to repair all sorts of minor issues ranging from tooth decay to chipped teeth.