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A tooth abscess can occur without warning.  So, you may be asking “What exactly is an abscess?”  An abscess is a pocket of pus which can either form at the root tip and show on an X-ray or in the tissues surrounding the tooth.  A tooth abscess occurs when the immune system tries to fight off a bacterial infection.   When the pocket of pus has no where to drain, it grows in size as the pus keeps forming.  Often, a fistula (hole in the tissue) will form allowing for pus to drain to elevate the pressure.  Just a little side note… the bacteria associated with gum disease and tooth decay are the same bacteria when it comes to a tooth abscess.  Proper oral hygiene at home at consistent visits to the dental hygienist decrease the amount of bacteria present in the mouth, thus lessening your chance of infection.

Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess:

Pain in the form of a long-lasting dull ache or sharp quick pain can be signs that an abscess has formed.  In some cases, there is very little pain reported with an abscess, however bad breath or foul taste in the mouth are also signs that an abscess has formed.  Along with these symptoms of a tooth abscess, most often the glands surrounding the jaw will become swollen.

Treatment for an Abscessed Tooth:

It is best to call your dentist right away if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above.  Over the counter pain relief medication like Ibuprofen will help with pain.  Swishing with warm salt water or hydrogen peroxide and water will help to disinfect the area.  At my Holistic-minded dental office, we strive to accommodate all dental emergencies in the same day that the patient calls our office.  You can expect that we take an X-ray and perform and exam to determine exactly what type of abscess/infection is present.  In severe cases, I prescribe antibiotics to help the body destroy the bacteria.  Again, depending on the location of the abscess, I more than likely will refer my patients’ to my friend and colleague who is a first-class Endodontist for further evaluation.  With further testing from the specialist, we can determine if the tooth is savable with a root canal.  If the abscess and infection are severe, then I will recommend the tooth to be removed.

If you think you are suffering from an abscess or are looking for a dental office that is more natural in its approach, please call or email my Inland Empire Holistic Cosmetic dental office.  We are located in Riverside, California just off of the 91-freeway.  (951)686-3666.

There are several different companies that make dental implant systems. However, there are only 2 types of materials used in manufacturing dental implants. The most common implant used is made of titanium metal. In rare cases, when individuals have severe metal allergies a Zircona metal-free implant is recommended.

Why is Titanium metal the “gold standard?”

Titanium is extremely strong and light in weight, in fact it is used in many aerospace applications due to its strength. When chewing food up to 200 pounds of pressure are placed on the teeth. Titanium also has the ability to withstand bending and breaking. Therefore, it is very important to use a strong material when replacing a missing tooth. Titanium can also withstand acids from the saliva and minerals in saliva and toothpaste. The most important aspect of tit anium metal is that it is biocompatible. Simply, the body accepts titanium when it placed into the body. The titanium dental implant stimulates the bone cells, creating “osseointegration.” This process allows the dental implant to become part of the jaw bone during the healing process, thus providing added strength.

What is a Zirconia Implant?

Zircona implants have been used in Europe for many years, in recent years Zircona implants have been used in the United States. It is a 100% biocompatible material that is used when metal is not an option for patients. In rare cases, people that are sensitive to metals and have several metal crowns or other dental implants can feel a very small current which creates discomfort. The solution for this is the Zircona implant which is made of zirconium which is a non-metal substance.

As a dentist with a holistic approach to dentistry, when a patient reports that they are metal sensitive, has severe allergies, or has metal toxicity I recommend dental material testing. I also recommend metal toxicity testing to determine if there is an overabundance of metals in the system, as that can affect the overall health of the body. Once the material testing is complete, it will allow me to determine the best material to use based on the individual’s body response to the materials tested.

If you are interested in dental implants and have questions regarding what material is safest for your body, please contact my Holistic Cosmetic dental office specializing in safe-mercury removal and dental implants, along with many other dental procedures. (951)686-3666.

Having the experience of a tooth loss can be extremely traumatic for most people.  Often times, when a toothache along with infection occurs a tooth extraction is needed.  Other times, teeth that have severe bone loss will need extraction due to further infection.  So, the question is what decision do you make when needing a tooth extraction?  Dental implants are the best option when it comes to replacing a tooth that has had to be removed.  In order for the dental implant procedure to have longevity and success, it must be determined if the area where the tooth/teeth was removed is ideal for a dental implant.

An ideal candidate for a dental implants is of good health, along with healthy bone and gum tissue.  When there is significant bone loss/infection present, then a bone graft will be needed prior to implant placement.  Periodontal/gum disease can cause complications with dental implants, which is why proper toothbrushing/flossing along with frequent dental hygiene visits will ensure the long term success of a dental implant.

As technology and techniques have improved over the last 10 plus years, there are many more possibilities with dental implants for those individuals who have had missing teeth for many years.  For those individuals who are currently wearing bridges, partial or full dentures, there is hope in sight for a stable and esthetically pleasing result with dental implants.

As a Southern California dentist who specializes in dental implants, it is extremely important for any individual interested in dental implants to have a consultation along with any recommended X-rays and/or cone beam CT scan.  There are many times where the CT scan is essential to reference when placing bone and/or the dental implant itself.  My goal is to provide stability, longevity, and esthetics in all dental implant procedures.  If you are interested in a consultation to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants, please call my Riverside Cosmetic dental implant office which also specializes in a more holistic approach to dentistry (951)686-3666.

As I reflect on this long holiday weekend filled with an overzealous appetite and delicious food, I determined that it is easy to forget just how important teeth are to us on a daily basis.  Sitting here this morning, thinking of the important functions that teeth have are pretty impressive.

A question I have is…When was the last time you have thought about what your teeth do for you?  This is the list I came up with…..

1. Chewing Food: (not just turkey!)

Teeth are shaped in a variety of shapes to allow for us to eat all different types of food.  For example, the front teeth are made for chewing and tearing vegetation.  Where as, the back molar teeth are made for grinding heavy foods such as meat.  A great example of how having a stable chewing system is when a older gentleman came to my Southern California cosmetic dental office in search of a way to secure his loose-fitting denture.  To assist him in his dream of eating a hamburger without dentures  hurting his mouth and/or falling out, we placed dental implants to support a new denture.  The result was life-changing for him, as he now is confident in his smile as well as can happily enjoy a In-and-Out burger as he pleases!

2.  Teeth Help Us Speak:

Teeth are used along with the muscles surrounding our mouth to shape letters and sounds.  For fun, say the word “thankful” notice how the tongue touches the top teeth.  Now say the word “for” notice how the lower lip and upper teeth touch to make this sound.  When our teeth are not positioned properly in alignment with our jaw, speech impediments can occur.  Ways to correct a speech problem are moving the teeth and/or jaw with orthodontics and/or jaw surgery.

3.  Teeth Keep the Jaw Bone Strong:

Without teeth in the jaw bone present, the bone surrounding the missing tooth/teeth begins to decrease over time.  This lack of bone stability creates many dental problems, such as, ill-fitting dentures and discomfort chewing food.  In severe cases, dentures may not even be an option due to the lack of bone in the jaw which makes chewing food nearly impossible.

4.  Teeth Help Shape Our Face:

Imagine a person who has no teeth.  Their face appears to be “sinking into their mouth.”  The devastating cosmetic result of missing teeth for a long period of time is the loss of facial structure.  Loss of facial structure not only creates instability in the jaw, it also unfortunately distorts the shape of one’s face.

5.  Teeth Create Beauty:

A bright, healthy, and straight smile greatly improves the attractiveness of one’s smile.  How does a person smile without teeth?  Or, individuals who are self conscious about their smile rarely show their teeth when they smile.  As a holistic cosmetic dentist, I focus on bite stability along with a natural approach to achieving my clients goals when it comes to dental treatment.

In closing, I give many thanks to my teeth!  To schedule a visit at my Holistic Cosmetic dental office located in Southern California just off of the 91-freeway in Riverside, please call us at (951)686-3666. (more…)

When it comes to determining pricing on a dental procedure, it is not always a straight forward explanation of cost.  New techniques, technology and materials are constantly evolving to improve dental procedures.  Aside from the dental profession evolving, it is important to remember that the overall health of the surrounding gum and tissue will determine the procedure that is needed.

Another factor in dental pricing is the expense of the materials used for the particular dental procedure. For example, when a cavity is detected in its earliest stages the cost is minimal in comparison to a larger filling or onlay type of restoration. Simply, the more treatment needed = one can assume the fees will increase.

Detecting cavities at their earliest stages and treating these areas as soon as they arise protect the majority of the tooth structure from the trauma of a dental procedure.  Here at my Riverside biological cosmetic dental office, we use the latest in technology to detect the early stages of tooth decay.  If you are concerned about any dental treatment that you have had recommended and are looking for a second opinion or concerned that you may have cavities or more serious dental needs that need to be addressed; please call to schedule a thorough consultation.  I am confident that my dental team will address your concerns. (951)686-3666.