Dental Implant Surgeons Urge Newport Beach Residents to Quit Smoking with 13 Top Tips, PART 5

This five-part article series provides smokers and tobacco users with 13 tips for kicking the habit permanently through social, psychological and physical assistance.

Welcome to the final installment of this five-part article series on the top tips for successfully kicking a smoking habit. Over the course of this epic series, we have provided the advice of the dental healthcare professionals who routinely repair the damage done to teeth and gums that have had to endure a lifelong smoking habit. The dental implant surgeons, who have provided Newport Beach residents with new teeth, also have a great arsenal of advice when it comes to quitting smoking and so far, they have discussed the following 11 tips with us:

Quit Smoking Tip # 1: Define your precise reasons for quitting smoking and think of a powerful, personal reason that could be your motivation.

Quit Smoking Tip # 2: Don’t suddenly stop or go “Cold Turkey.”

Quit Smoking Tip # 3: Talk to your doctor about prescription medication to aid in the cessation process.

Quit Smoking Tip # 4: Make use of nicotine replacement therapy to combat the physical withdrawal symptoms.

Quit Smoking Tip # 5: Gather the support of friends, family and co-workers and think about joining a support group.

Quit Smoking Tip # 6: Find alternative ways to deal with stress - such as yoga, exercise, meditation, acupuncture or massage - because this is often the biggest trigger for smoking.

Quit Smoking Tip # 7: “Avoid old triggers and associations, such as the pubs, bars, restaurants and coffee shops where you used to smoke,” warns a dental implant surgeon in Newport Beach. “Also avoid habits you used to combine with smoking, such as drinking alcohol.”

Quit Smoking Tip # 8: Eliminate all vestiges of your smoking habit from your home by throwing away ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes and by thoroughly cleaning your house!

Quit Smoking Tip # 9: You may not be successful the first few times you try to quit smoking. What’s important is that you learn every time why it was you failed and keep trying.

Quit Smoking Tip # 10: Get out more and get more exercise. It’ll help you feel better and stay in shape and the release of endorphins will help to ease your withdrawals.

Quit Smoking Tip # 11: “Start improving your diet by introducing more fresh fruits and vegetables,” says a Newport Beach dentist. “Don’t try to diet while quitting smoking, though.”

Now let’s look at two final bits of advice that could help you permanently quit smoking and, in doing so, enjoy a much better quality of life and well being!

Picture courtesy of Free Digital Photos

Quit Smoking Tip # 12: Reward Yourself!

Calculate how much money you will have saved on cigarettes and, at the end of smoke-free month # 1, use that money to reward yourself! Saving money is one of the amazing benefits of kicking the habit and you deserve a treat at the end of your first month, so go out and enjoy it!

Quit Smoking Tip # 13: Track Your Health Improvements

“The great thing about quitting smoking is that the improvements in your health are immediately apparent and you can track them quite clearly from day-to-day,” says a Newport Beach dental implant surgeon. “Right from day 1, you’ll find yourself with more energy and breathing a little easier. Your blood pressure will lower to healthier levels and your heartbeat will slow down. Within two or three days, your taste and sense of smell will return and with weeks to months, your risk of heart attack will lower substantially. Lung function improves, overall health improves and you’ll find yourself feeling so much better.

“In the long term, the benefits of quitting smoking include a much lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, gum disease and other kinds of cancer,” says the Newport Beach dentist. “So, quit smoking… do it for your health, your family and your smile.”

Corona Del Mar Dental Implant Surgeons Urge Residents to Quit Smoking with 13 Top Tips, PART 4

This five-part article series provides smokers and tobacco users with 13 tips for kicking the habit permanently through social, psychological and physical assistance.

Welcome to the fourth installment of this five-part article series on the top tips for successfully kicking a smoking habit. Previously, in Part 3, we spoke to some Corona Del Mar dental implant surgeons about the advice they have for those people who are trying to get healthy by quitting smoking and they provided the following three important tips:

Quit Smoking Tip # 6: Find alternative ways to deal with stress, because this is often the biggest trigger for smoking.

Quit Smoking Tip # 7: Cut down on or avoid whatever you used to associate with cigarettes, such as drinking alcohol. Also, start going to different pubs, coffee shops and restaurants to avoid places you used to associate with smoking.

Quit Smoking Tip # 8: Eliminate all vestiges of your smoking habit from your home by throwing away ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes and by cleaning the stink of it out of your upholstery, clothing, curtains, carpets and life!

Let’s take a look at another three useful tips…

Quit Smoking Tip # 9: Never Stop Trying

“You may not be successful the first time you try to quit smoking. You may not be successful the first 10 or even 20 times you try to quit smoking, but what’s important is that you keep trying,” say Corona Del Mar dental implants surgeons. “Each time you relapse, figure out what circumstance or emotion it was that lead to your downfall and the next time you try to quit, address that weakness, or figure out a way to avoid it entirely. Kicking any addiction is a learning process, so as long as you’re figuring our more about what you need to be successful, no relapse is a disaster. Just don’t take too long to set another date for quitting; give yourself a week or two.”

Quit Smoking Tip # 10: Get Active

“I’ve asked many patients who used to smoke what they personally found to be the best aid in their journey to better health and one of the most frequently repeated items is exercise,” says one Corona Del Mar dentist. “Getting outdoors and getting active, even if it’s just taking the dog for a walk or mowing the lawn, have a number of really positive impacts. First of all, exercise distracts you from your immediate cravings and withdrawals by physically taking you away from any triggers or negative associations. Secondly, exercise releases endorphins, which help you feel happy and thirdly, exercise tends to make you not want to smoke.”

Try signing up for team sports or at a gym so that you can get away from any circumstance, situation or physical context that might weaken your resolve. After a good sweat and workout session, you’ll find it hard to believe you ever enjoyed smoking in the first place. Regular exercise will also help to prevent the weight gain many Corona Del Mar residents experience after quitting smoking.

Quit Smoking Tip # 11: Eat More Vegetables and Fruits

Trying to diet AND quit smoking is likely to lead to failure… there’s only so much deprivation your mind will be willing to put up with! What you can and should do, however, is improve the quality of your diet by getting more fresh fruits and vegetables and by switching to low fat dairy. A healthier diet will not only make you feel physically better about yourself, but it also makes cigarettes taste truly awful.

“As a smoker, your taste buds will have become numb to nuances in flavor, which is why you may have found yourself preferring saltier, sweeter and more unhealthy foods,” says a professional Corona Del Mar dentist. “Once you’ve quit smoking, your sense of taste will resume with a vengeance and you should use this opportunity to redefine your diet and start enjoying natural, healthy foods.”

Stay Tuned for Part 5

To read the final two tips and advice from Corona Del Mar dental implant surgeons on how to quit smoking, stay tuned for the final installment of this five-part article series.

Dental Implant Surgeons Urge Costa Mesa Residents to Quit Smoking with 13 Top Tips, PART 3

This five-part article series provides smokers and tobacco users with 13 tips for kicking the habit permanently through social, psychological and physical assistance.

Welcome to the third installment of this five-part article series on the top tips for successfully kicking a smoking habit. Previously, in Part 2, we spoke to some dental implant surgeons in Costa Mesa about their advice to those who are trying to quit smoking and the following important tips were explained:

Quit Smoking Tip # 3: Talk to your doctor about prescription medication to aid in the cessation process.

Quit Smoking Tip # 4: Stock up on nicotine gum, patches or lozenges as these will help to soothe the withdrawal symptoms in the days and weeks following quitting.

Quit Smoking Tip # 5: Gather the support of friends, family and co-workers. You should also consider joining a support group where you will find all the empathy and understanding you need to help you in the fight against your smoking addiction.

Let’s now shift our attention to the undoing of the lifestyle triggers that are often the downfall of smokers trying to kick the habit…

Quit Smoking Tip # 6: Find a Way to Deal with Stress

“Stress is a major downfall for people trying to quit, because it is one of the biggest triggers for picking up a cigarette,” says a dental implant surgeon in Costa Mesa. “Moments of stress and aggravated situations often put an ex-smoker’s mettle to the test, because it can become overwhelmingly tempting to just give up and buy a box of smokes. After all, it’s not YOUR fault you were so stressed… you NEEDED a cigarette to feel better. At the end of the day, a part of your journey to overcoming your addiction is learning how to cope with stress without turning to cigarettes for respite.”

Costa Mesa residents in the process of quitting smoking should come up with a list of stress busters that they can turn to when faced with such situations, such as acupuncture, yoga, massages or even just relaxing music. Instead of cigarettes, force yourself to get into your car, drive down to the beach and go for a walk. The craving will subside and you will feel so much better for having had a little exercise and some beautiful fresh sea air.

Quit Smoking Tip # 7: Avoid Traditional Triggers, Such as Alcohol

What are the things that most make you want to have a cigarette? Is it that post-work beer or glass of wine? Is it when you go down to your favorite pub and hang out with friends? Or is it in the morning, when you sit down with your first cup of coffee?

Identify what situations are most conducive to cigarette cravings and, while you are in the beginning stages of trying to quit, avoid those situations. Cut down on drinking alcohol or coffee, and try to avoid your regular hangout spots – bars and coffee shops - because they will have negative associations and triggers attached.

“The worst you’ll deal with is a little anxiety at “missing out,” but you may be too vulnerable in the beginning to be surrounded by all that temptation, especially if the people you hang out with also smoke,” warns a Costa Mesa dentist. “Focus on improving your whole body health during this time, because it will take you away from the old contexts in which you were a smoker. Also, get busy – find things to do during the occasions you would normally be lighting up, such as after a meal.”

Quit Smoking Tip # 8: Purge Your House of Temptation

It’s day # 1, you’ve resolved to quit smoking and now it’s time to clean house! Go through every room of your house, making sure to collect together all of your smoking paraphernalia and throw it away ceremoniously!

“Lighters, ashtrays, boxes of cigarettes… get rid of them completely,” advise dental implant surgeons in Costa Mesa. “And once the solid evidence has been disposed of, give your house a thorough clean to eliminate any residual evidence of smoking, such as washing clothes that might smell of smoke and cleaning the upholstery, carpets and drapes.”

This might seem like a massive undertaking, but it’s also a very cathartic and therapeutic experience that’s symbolic of a whole-life change. You’re eliminating all evidence of ever having been a smoker and not having even a whiff of smoke as a reminder in your life will ensure a greater chance of quitting success.

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read more tips and advice from Costa Mesa dental implant surgeons on how to quit smoking, stay tuned for the fourth installment of this five-part article series.

Dental Implant Surgeons Urge Newport Beach Residents to Quit Smoking with 13 Top Tips, PART 2

This five-part article series provides smokers and tobacco users with 13 tips for kicking the habit permanently through social, psychological and physical assistance.

Welcome to the second installment of this five-part article series on the top tips for successfully kicking a smoking habit. Previously, in Part 1, we spoke to some dental implant surgeons in Newport Beach about their recommendations to those brave souls who are taking their health into their own hands by quitting and the first two important tips were explained:

Quit Smoking Tip # 1: Define your reasons for stopping and don’t just say, “to better my health.” Think of a more personal reason that could act as your mainstay when you’re trying to ride the waves of withdrawals.

Quit Smoking Tip # 2: Don’t suddenly stop or go “Cold Turkey.” The majority of smokers are never successful doing this. Rather cut down according to a strict schedule defined by you and then, when you’re down to only a few cigarettes a day, quit.

But, before you do… you have to ensure that you have the right support in place and we shall now be exploring the various safety blankets you should establish for yourself in the days and weeks following your cessation.

There are three “safety blankets” you can arrange for yourself prior to quitting smoking and these come in the form of (1) prescription cessation medication, (2) nicotine replacement therapy and (3) help from friends, family and support groups. Together, these modes of assistance can help you successfully and permanently kick the habit.

Let’s explore these various pillars of support…

Quit Smoking Tip # 3: Prescription Cessation Medication

A number of medications have been developed to help people quit smoking and they do this by introducing chemicals into the brain that ease the nicotine withdrawal symptoms, control cravings and even make smoking less enjoyable. Speak to your doctor about these medications, because they could provide you with the physical assistance you need.

“It’s important to note that while there are medications available to help people quit smoking, they don’t necessarily address the habit itself,” explains a dental implant surgeon in Newport Beach. “You will need to learn to undo all the habits, routines and triggers you’ve developed as a smoker yourself. The medication can only help with the physical addiction; the psychological addiction is another issue entirely.”

We will provide tips for this later on in the series.

Quit Smoking Tip # 4: Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Any Newport Beach resident who has tried to quit smoking (and their partner) will be well acquainted with the physical withdrawals that play out in the first few days: irritation, depression, restlessness and wave after wave of cravings. What can help to address or reduce these withdrawals is nicotine gum, patches or lozenges, so make sure you stock up and are well prepared when you do quit!

Quit Smoking Tip # 5: Gather Social Support

Oftentimes, smokers planning to quit don’t want to tell friends and family because it puts that added pressure on you to be successful. Also, it can be embarrassing when, time after time, you end up relapsing. However, a fundamental part of successfully quitting smoking is having the support of friends and family.

“We often recommend support groups to patients who express the desire to stop smoking,” says one Newport Beach dentist. “You can never underestimate the value of social support to those who are trying to kick a nasty habit and not everyone can get this support at home. Support groups are fantastic in that they provide the specific psychological tools and an empathetic, understanding environment in which people can unravel their addiction.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read more tips and advice from Newport Beach dental implant surgeons on how to quit smoking, stay tuned for the third installment of this five-part article series.

Dental Implant Surgeons Urge Orange County Residents to Quit Smoking with 13 Top Tips, PART 1

This five-part article series provides smokers and tobacco users with 13 tips for kicking the habit permanently through social, psychological and physical assistance.

Mark Twain was famously quoted as having said: "Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times."

It’s true for smokers all over Orange County, the United States and in fact the world: putting down that box of cigarettes and making the public announcement that you intend to quit is the easy part. It’s the days and weeks and months that follow that make this essential step towards better general and oral health extremely difficult and a challenge that the vast majority of smokers fail to overcome. And yet, quitting smoking is absolutely fundamental if you are to enjoy full health and a long life.

Dental implant surgeons may not seem like the obvious choice for Orange County residents to turn to for smoking cessation advice. But, when you consider that they are trained doctors and that they routinely repair the damage done by smoking, it’s understandable why these medical healthcare professionals might have some very useful advice under their sleeves.

And so, we shall be exploring the top 13 tips these highly qualified Orange County dentists have for those who are preparing to embark upon a journey to better health by kicking the habit! Let’s begin…

Quit Smoking Tip # 1: Define Your Reasons for Quitting

If it were easy to quit, most people would forever relinquish the habit for the reason that it could potentially kill you. Unfortunately, it’s not easy and you need to become better acquainted with the precise reasons you want to quit smoking so that you can recite these as a mantra to yourself when you’re in the clutches of withdrawal.

“Write down the short, medium and long-term reasons you want to quit smoking and put these reasons up somewhere you can see them regularly,” advises a dental implant surgeon in Orange County. “Better health in the long term is a good reason, but it doesn’t have the same kind of urgency that other short term goals have, such as healthier teeth, more energy and less harm to your children, for example.”

So, think long and hard about the things you want the most from quitting smoking. Find that one powerful reason that will help to guide you through the withdrawals and sustain your efforts. Your reason could be any one of the following:

• I no longer want to expose my children to my second hand smoke.

• I want to protect my teeth and my smile.

• I want to be able to breathe properly without wheezing or coughing.

• I don’t want to smell like an ashtray anymore. It’s making me feel self-conscious around other people.

• I want to stop spending money on cigarettes.

Quit Smoking Tip # 2: Don’t Suddenly Stop

For the vast majority of smokers, going cold turkey only ever ends up in failure. You’ve got to secure some kind of therapeutic or even medical assistance to aid you in your journey to better health or you may very well end up relapsing. This is especially the case for dedicated, box-or-more-a-day smokers.

“You may think you have the mental strength to endure the psychological withdrawals, but nicotine is physically addictive and your brain will be sending you craving signals that you might not be able to resist,” warns an Orange County dentist. “It’s best to establish a series of goals over a course of weeks or months that will lessen your exposure to nicotine. Cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day every week or month and be strict about your new limits. Once you’ve cut down considerably, you can then try and quit altogether.”

But, before you do… you have to ensure that you have the right support in place and to find out more about this, stay tuned for Part 2, coming next week!

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more tips and advice from Orange County dental implant surgeons on how to quit smoking, stay tuned for the second installment of this five-part article series.

Newport Beach Dentistry News: How Celebrities Achieve Perfect Smiles with Porcelain Veneers

This article explains what porcelain veneers are and the many benefits this cosmetic treatment affords patients in terms of smile appearance and longevity.

Over the decades, different innovations have been introduced into the field of cosmetic dentistry, each with the promise of being able to help you achieve a better smile, not only in terms of aesthetics, but also with regards to oral health. While not necessarily new, one innovation in dental treatment has managed to captivate the attention of many Newport Beach residents, as well as some of the country’s rich and famous: dental veneers.

The popularity of porcelain veneers in Newport Beach can be attributed to an increasing consciousness of the public of appearance and in particular, of smile beauty. So, what are veneers and what are the benefits of this fantastic cosmetic treatment?

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Also called dental veneers, porcelain veneers are made from wafer-thin shells of a composite ceramic and glass material. The color is very similar to that of natural dental enamel and can be specially created to match the individual’s smile. Veneers are bonded to the outer surface of a tooth or teeth in order to achieve a very natural look. They are modified in terms of size, color, and length to make it similar to your natural set of teeth. While porcelain is the most common material used, veneers can also be made from resin. However, porcelain is a preferred material because it looks absolutely stunning and has a better ability to resist staining.

This image demonstrates the difference a complete set of upper porcelain veneers has made to this patient’s appearance. The bottom teeth, which are heavily worn and eroded, are yet to be worked on.

Image source: Wikimedia commons

Are Porcelain Veneers for Me?

There are several reasons why you might want to consider getting porcelain veneers. More often than not, most Newport Beach residents choose porcelain veneers in order to improve the appearance of their smiles. If your teeth have become discolored or if they appear too small or misshapen, porcelain veneers can help make your smile really "pop" while still appearing totally natural.

Porcelain veneers are also used to repair chipped or broken teeth, whether they are the result of a sports accident, teeth grinding, or other causes. People that have irregularly shaped teeth, teeth with large gaps between them, or excessive gingival tissue are great candidates for veneers.

“Porcelain veneers are exceptionally versatile in the cosmetic and even structural imperfections they can successfully address,” explains a Newport Beach cosmetic dentist. “And the benefits are not only aesthetic, but also functional. Teeth that have been repaired with veneers are likely to last longer, too.”

Famous pop star, Miley Cyrus, is one celebrity who underwent a smile makeover using porcelain veneers.

Image source: Wikimedia commons

The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Among others, porcelain veneers are a preferred treatment of many cosmetic dentists in Newport Beach because they truly mimic the natural appearance of the teeth, making it almost impossible for other people to tell what treatment a patient has have done. Veneers promote better oral health through the repair and reinforcement of damaged teeth and they are also resistant to staining.

Lastly, according to many cosmetic dentists who offer Newport Beach patients dental veneers, they are an excellent choice because they are a conservative approach towards changing the way your smile looks in the absence of requiring extensive surgery.

Cosmetic Dentistry News for Newport Beach: Don’t Use Teeth Whiteners until You Read This!

This article explores the many different teeth whitening solutions available to Newport Beach residents, and exposes the reality behind these various methods.

Are you considering getting your teeth whitened, but are wondering about the pros and cons of the different methods available?

Coffee, tea, cola and other factors such as medications and chronic illness can contribute to teeth discoloration, and many individuals like you are turning to over-the-counter and homemade teeth whiteners to provide cosmetic solutions.

However, a recent research study shows that many Newport Beach residents who have experimented with natural teeth whiteners have suffered from dental and oral complications as a result.

In this article, a Newport Beach cosmetic dentistry expert will explain some of the most common mistakes people make in choosing a teeth whitening solution and how to avoid making these mistakes.

Understand the Limitations of Over-the-Counter Teeth Whiteners

Almost everything that you see on the TV has been digitally enhanced and is usually not a reliable indicator of the real picture behind the scenes. You are not going to get your teeth beautifully whitened in just one week using a special whitening toothpaste, nor are you going to get an instant celebrity smile from using a low-end whitening product.

“Most commercial over-the-counter teeth whiteners contain a low concentration of the bleaching agent hydrogen peroxide and this only achieves minimal results over a long period of time. Unfortunately, because many people don’t see the outcomes they were hoping for, they tend to continue use beyond the recommended time, or they overuse the product. This can end up doing extensive damage to their gums and dental enamel, while causing painful side-effects like tooth sensitivity,” cautions a Newport Beach dentist.

Then there are teeth whitening products that aren’t FDA-approved, many of which are available on the black market or through dodgy discount stores. A study of these kinds of commercial teeth whitener products actually revealed that many contain heavy metal residues as an unlisted ingredient, and this can have neurologic effects!

What’s The Best Way To Get Your Teeth Whitened?

Teeth whitening treatments that are done by experienced and qualified cosmetic dentists in Newport Beach can ensure optimal teeth whitening results through the correct dosage and treatment time recommendations. Additionally, the bleaching gels used by these professionals contain a greater percentage of the active ingredient, which secures you much better results, faster.

Look for a cosmetic dentist who utilizes state-of-the-art materials and products for teeth whitening and bleaching. Custom teeth whitening trays tend to offer the fantastic results, as well as in-office LED-activated bleaching treatments.

Your dentist will make a tooth whitening tray based on digital impressions made of your mouth, so that the tray will fit perfectly and comfortably over your teeth. You simply insert a small amount of tooth whitening gel in the tray and wear at night while you're asleep. This provides a gradual tooth whitening process over a period of about six weeks. You simply stop wearing the tray when the desired shade of white is achieved or as recommended by your dentist. This avoids over-whitening that can lead to an unnatural fluorescent appearance in addition to tooth and jaw pain.

Remember to follow the instructions of your Newport Beach dentist very closely to avoid damaging your oral health and any unpleasant side effects.

Take Advantage of Newport Beach Dental Implants and Improve Your Smile

Explore the many benefits afforded by dental implants and find out the simple procedures behind implant placement with this introductory article.

Most Newport Beach residents will, sooner or later, experience the need to have one or more of their natural teeth replaced, usually as a consequence of tooth decay, a failed root canal, a traumatic accident or gum disease. And of course, if you lose or damage a tooth, you will need to consider a replacement by examining the available options. Only a few decades ago, dentures were the most popular option for Newport Beach residents requiring many or most of their teeth replaced. These days, however, things have changed. Newport Beach dentists regard dental implants to be the best possible solution available, because of their superior function, aesthetics, lifespan and comfort!

The Dental Implant Process: Initial Consultation

While most people can be considered candidates for dental implants, not everyone can march into the dentist’s office and get new teeth the following week! For one, you need to be in acceptable oral health and have enough healthy jaw bone volume to support the implants. This is why your adventure begins with a thorough clinical examination and X-rays, during which your dentist will determine if you can be scheduled for dental implant surgery.

If you are deemed a good candidate, the dentist will take a mouth of your mouth and what teeth you have left so that a new tooth or set of teeth can be fabricated in a special prosthetic laboratory for you. During this initial consultation phase, you should provide your dentist with a full medical history and make mention of any medications that you take. Dates will then be set for any treatment planning sessions you may require, as well as for surgery.

The Dental Implant Process: Getting Your Implants

On the day of your procedure, you will be gently sedated by a qualified Newport Beach dental implant surgeon and your gums numbed so that you’re totally comfortable and pain-free. A small incision is created in the gums and the titanium rod of the implant gently inserted in the empty tooth socket. The periodontal tissue will then be closed around the implant using tiny stitches and once the surgeon has tidied up, you will be allowed to recover.

An abutment is attached to the titanium screw, which is used as the "base" for the porcelain crown or dental prosthesis. The porcelain crown is crafted by a ceramicist (or prosthodontist) in conjunction with the dental implant surgeon and made to look like a healthy natural tooth or set of teeth.

The entire procedure seldom takes dentists in Newport Beach longer than an hour in the case of single tooth replacement. For more advanced cases requiring full mouth reconstruction, surgery can take a few hours, but not much longer than that.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

There are a lot of advantages afforded by dental implants:

• After a completed treatment, you can expect to have a very beautiful and natural-looking smile. Your smile is often the very first thing other people notice about you and it plays an integral role to developing good first impressions!

• You should be able to eat better and more comfortably.

• You new tooth or teeth should feel natural and won’t typically cause you any pain after they’ve healed.

• You don’t need to remove your teeth for cleaning, as is the case with removable dentures.

• Newport Beach dental implants promote the health of the underlying jawbone, which is great for long-term oral health and smile longevity.

• Dental implants can last a lifetime if cared for properly.

How Cosmetic Dentists Can Help Newport Beach Residents Get Their Smiles Back

This article takes a brief look at what dental implants are, how they work, what their benefits are and what patients need to know about getting teeth replaced with this sophisticated technology.

Having a beautiful smile is important to most Newport Beach residents. However, the reality often makes this exceptionally difficult, especially in the face of dental diseases and accidents that can leave you with missing or irreparably damaged teeth. To solve such problems, cosmetic dentists in Newport Beach can perform a variety of treatments and procedures that are designed to replace missing teeth. Dental implants in particular have proved to be highly successful in achieving smile restoration and many general dentists now offer this service from the comfort of their offices.

Let’s take a closer look at dental implants and their benefits…

Why Choose Dental Implants?

Patients who opt for dental implants get to enjoy the benefit of having strong and durable teeth, where previously there were none. One of the most important benefits of dental implants is the fact that with proper care they are bound to last as long as a person’s natural teeth.

“Dental implants look like natural teeth, feel like natural teeth and enable you to lead a high quality, comfortable and confidence life as you would if you had a mouth full of natural, health teeth,” explains a Newport Beach dental implant surgeon.

What Does the Dental Implant Procedures Entail?

Once you have been determined a candidate for dental implants, a date will be set for surgery. Beforehand, you’ll receive a thorough dental examination and X-rays as well as (possibly) a mold of your teeth. On the day of your surgery, any remaining tooth structure will be removed and a dental implant gently inserted at the site/s of the missing tooth or teeth. The gums will then be sewn around the new implant and a ceramic crown or dental prosthesis (in cases where multiple teeth are being replaced) attached to it.

You will be required to return to the cosmetic dentist in Newport Beach for a follow-up appointment at around the 10-day to 2-week mark following your surgery. Healing typically takes a few months, but you should be able to enjoy the look and feel of your new teeth immediately.

What to Consider when getting Dental Implants

Dental implants require the right care to keep them in the best condition. As your dentist will advise you, it is only through observing proper dental hygiene and care can your teeth last. Below you will find some tips on how to keep dental implants healthy:

• Keep Your New Teeth Clean: Since dental implants are held in place by posts drilled into the jawbone, any infection that affects the health of the neighboring areas will also affect the integrity of the implant’s foundation. This may necessitate additional procedures or even removal of the implant in severe cases. It is, therefore, essential to follow all the directions of post-operative care and hygiene provided to you by your dental implant surgeon. Brush, floss and gargle with an anti-bacterial mouthwash every single day.

• Avoid Eating Hard Foods and Avoid Strenuous Activities: In the weeks and months following implant placement, it is crucial that you avoid applying any pressure to the surfaces of your new tooth or teeth. The jawbone is undergoing the delicate process of regrowing around the implant and so any trauma or pressure that’s applied could impede this.

• Look After Yourself: A person’s health as a whole affects the integrity of their bone structure and thus that of dental implants. It is, therefore, important to ensure that patients who have had this procedure done maintain the best health practices as advised by their Newport Beach cosmetic dentist. Get plenty of sleep, take your medications as instructed and eat balanced meals!

Why Newport Beach Cosmetic Dentistry Professionals Consider Dental Implants Superior To Dentures

What are the major benefits of choosing dental implants over alternatives such as dentures? Dental experts can tell you there are many reasons why you should consider getting dental implants if you are missing one or more teeth.

There are an increasing number of Newport Beach residents who are opting to go for dental implants over other dental prosthetic treatments, such as traditional dentures. The aesthetic benefits of dental implants over these techniques goes without question, however, because of the price and the surgical procedure that implants require, many individuals will opt for a pair of dentures instead. What they don’t realize is the hassle dentures can be to keep clean and maintained as well as the pain they cause and the permanent damage to the jawbone.

In this article, Newport Beach cosmetic dentistry professionals will provide us with an overview of top benefits of dental implants, but be warned: you’ll never want to wear your dentures again!

Dental Implants Help to Prevent Bone Loss

“When you lose an adult tooth, the underlying bone loses the functional stimulation is needs to remain strong and bulky,” explains a Newport Beach Dental Implant dentist. “As a result, your jawbone loses its shape and shrinks. The shrinking or atrophy of your jawbone disfigures the proper arrangement and alignment of your teeth, and you may notice a change in the fit and feel of your teeth or your dentures.

“Dental implants mimic the function of natural teeth and in doing so, keep the underlying jawbone healthy. This also helps your teeth to retain their normal alignment, thereby keeping your smile beautiful and healthy. Dental implants are the only teeth replacement solution that stimulates the underlying jawbone the same way natural teeth do and this prevents bone deterioration.”

Dental Implants Enable You to Resume Your Normal Eating Habits

“Dental implants function like normal teeth and therefore, they are able to withstand the chewing, grinding and biting of all the foods you loved before but perhaps couldn’t manage with ill-fitting and painful dentures,” explains a Newport Beach cosmetic dentist. Because dental implants are supported by the jawbone and the prostheses attached to them are super durable, they provide a fantastic long-term solution for missing teeth. The ability to eat all your favorite foods is important for your proper nutrition and for the quality of life of Newport Beach residents.”

Dental Implants are a Long-term Solution

“Dentures deteriorate over time and because of the changing shape of the underlying jawbone, they need to be refitted periodically,” say dental implant surgeons in Newport Beach. “Implant-supported bridges, on the other hand, can last several decades without needing to be removed, repaired or replaced. And forget the hassle of removing and cleaning your dentures ever again!”

Dental Implant Solutions Boost Your Confidence

“The loss of teeth or having to wear dentures can interfere with speaking and proper enunciation. Additionally, the fear of your dentures moving around or even falling out can deliver a terrible blow to your social confidence and self-esteem. Dental implants support a beautiful new set of teeth that look natural, won’t move around and won’t get in the way of you speaking to friends, colleagues and loved ones.

“There simply isn’t a better aesthetic solution to missing teeth than implants,” say Newport Beach cosmetic dentists.

Invisalign®: Orthodontic Treatment that Spares Corona Del Mar’s Teenagers and Adults from “Brace Face” Embarrassment

This article provides an overview of the Invisalign® orthodontic system for the treatment of skew, crooked, overcrowded and poorly occluding teeth. 

I come from an era when skew, crooked, over-crowded or mal-occluded (poorly fitting) teeth were dealt with by traditional orthodontic braces. You would go to a qualified Corona Del Mar dentist totally ignorant of, or even mildly excited (as I was) for the orthodontic treatment you were about to receive. What this turned out to be was 18 torturous months of being called “brace face” by your brother and a painful abstinence from sticky sweets and buttered popcorn.

Traditional Orthodontic Braces: A Pain in the Face

You don’t need to have worn traditional braces to be able to sympathize with those who did. It’s painful, it’s uncomfortable and it’s really unattractive. As a teenager, wearing braces will get you a lot of attention from the opposite sex, but for all the wrong reasons. The only mercy is that many Corona Del Mar residents have their orthodontic problems taken care of at an age when they either don’t care about what the opposite sex thinks, or they have many years’ worth of maturing left during which their egos can recover. Adults requiring orthodontic treatment were not so lucky.

Thankfully, ultimate respite comes in the form of a revolutionary technology that is helping many Corona Del Mar teenagers and adults alike receive fantastic treatment for a suite of orthodontic maladies and abnormalities. It’s aptly called Invisalign®!>

Revolutionary Invisalign® Orthodontic Treatment>

Invisalign® is the 21st Century orthodontic treatment for teeth that are skew, crooked, over-crowded or have large gaps between them or for jaws (bites) that are badly aligned. In other words, the Invisalign® system can be used to treat most of the common orthodontic problems affecting Corona Del Mar residents, provided the patient’s jawbone has fully matured and all of their adult teeth have emerged.

How Does Invisalign® Work?

The Invisalign® system consists of a series of clear, and so virtually invisible, aligners (see image below) that are custom made for you by your Corona Del Mar dentist to fit over your teeth. Using some pretty sophisticated computer software, your dentist will fabricate you a series of translucent aligners that are designed to slowly and gradually force your teeth into better positions. You’ll notice this when you put your first Invisalign® aligner into your mouth: while it fits over your teeth, it doesn’t quite fit right. The pressure you feel on your teeth is the aligner moving them into their rightful positions.

What is the Treatment Time for Invisalign®?

You’ll wear one aligner for 23 hours every day and for a period of two weeks before changing to the next aligner in the series. You only ever take your Invisalign® aligners out for eating and cleaning and if this takes you longer than one hour per day, you’re spending too much time eating. After six weeks of treatment, your Corona Del Mar dentist will take a look at your progress and advise you accordingly.

While the total treatment time Invisalign® requires for satisfactory and permanent results is approximately the same as it is for traditional orthodontic braces, you:

• Will only require a dental check-up every six weeks, as opposed to every two weeks. This saves you money.
• Won’t experience the social embarrassment caused by having a mouth full of metal brackets and wires. This saves you face.
• Can enjoy a far more comfortable orthodontic transformation with none of the pain and ulceration caused by jagged metal bits and brackets. This saves your close relationships.
• Will be less of a walking human lighting conductor, which is great news for residents of the Midwest. This could save your life.

A Final Note on Invisalign®

So, if your teeth could benefit from orthodontic treatment – which is as important for cosmetics as it is for the longevity of your teeth and their optimal functioning – you might want to speak to your dentist about the fabulous breakthrough known as Invisalign® in Corona Del Mar!

Newport Beach Dental Implants: The Truth Behind an Unfairly Painful Reputation

This article abolishes the myth that dental implant procedures are extremely painful by discussing the amazing technology and techniques used by dentists to keep patients comfortable and anxiety and pain-free.

Dental implants are a fantastic and sophisticated treatment for missing teeth. They offer treatment outcomes that are typically unrivalled by other teeth replacement solutions that include tooth-supported bridges, removable dentures and partials. It’s for their many benefits and advantages that professional dentists in Newport Beach recommend them to patients who have lost one or more or even ALL of their original adult dentition in an accident or to tooth decay and gum disease.

The problem is, there seems to be a rather unfair reputation attached to dental implants and that is that they’re really painful to have placed! Nothing could be further from the truth according to the qualified and experienced professionals that work with them on a daily basis, so let’s get to the bottom of this myth concerning dental implants.

Modern Dental Implant Procedures: Minimally Invasive

First and foremost, let’s start by discussing the very nature of modern dental implant protocols. With continued advancements and the increasing sophistication of the diagnostic equipment and treatment planning software used by Newport Beach dental implant surgeons, modern surgical procedures have become less and less invasive in nature.

What this means is that your dentist will know exactly what your case looks like from all conceivable angles before he or she has even begun surgery. With only a few quick and highly accurate incisions needed, Newport Beach patients can enjoy a much speedier and pain-free recovery than ever before.

The Use of Anesthesia and Sedation “Sleep” Dentistry

While dental implant procedures have become highly planned and are minimally invasive, the use of local anesthesia is obviously necessary during the procedure so that patients are kept completely comfortable and pain-free. For more complex procedures involving multiple teeth replacement, many Newport Beach dental implant dentists will recommend sedation to their patients. This is totally safe and doesn’t have any nasty “hangover” effects. Rather, you will feel relaxed, calm and a little dazed throughout your procedure and “wake up” when it’s all over!

With the combined used of local anesthesia and sedation dentistry, Newport Beach residents don’t have to worry for a second about their dental implant procedure being painful, stressful or uncomfortable in the least. Your dentist will explain to you well in advance exactly what you can expect on the day of your treatment, so if you have any fears or concerns you must feel free to discuss them.

Post-Operative Pain Management

As with any surgery, there will be some slight discomfort in the first few days of recovery. Managing any pain is rendered incredibly easy with the use of over-the-counter pain medications, which your dental implant surgeon will send you home with. Most Newport Beach residents, however, don’t complain of any post-operative pain other than some sensitivity when eating. This soon disappears over the course of the week and you’ll be back at work and smiling almost immediately!

A Final Note on Dental Implants and Pain

And so you can see from all the above-mentioned factors that there really is no need to be fearful of dental implants. In fact, in the long run, they won’t only save patients money on constant maintenance, repair and products, but they also avoid much of the pain and discomfort associated with removable dentures and other inferior teeth replacement technologies. This makes dental implants the clear choice for teeth replacement in Newport Beach!

Cosmetic Dentistry: Everything Newport Beach Residents Need to Know About Porcelain Veneers, PART 2

This two-part article series provides a comprehensive overview of dental veneers as a wonderful cosmetic treatment for an imperfect tooth or imperfect teeth.

Welcome to the second half of this two-part article series on everything Newport Beach residents could possibly need to know about getting porcelain veneers. In Part 1, we explained what porcelain or dental veneers are, the various cosmetic imperfections and problems they could be used to fix and the procedure involved in getting them done by a cosmetic dentist in Newport Beach. Now, let’s address some of your frequently asked questions about this fantastic cosmetic solution to chipped, cracked, fractured, gappy, stained, discolored, worn, skew or overlapping teeth!

FAQ: Will I Get To Choose The Shade Of My New Teeth?

Cosmetic Dentist Answer: Getting a smile makeover with porcelain veneers in Newport Beach is great in that you can lighten the shade of all your teeth, giving you a whiter, more beautiful smile. However, any Newport Beach dentist will warn you that if you have existing restorations, such as crowns or bridges, it is advisable that you match the color of your porcelain veneers to these restorations, or else you risk your smile looking a little unnatural and like patchwork.

Additionally, if you’re only having a veneer placed upon one or two teeth, now might be the perfect time to get a teeth whitening treatment! This is so that the color of your custom-designed veneers will be matched to your new, whiter teeth rather than your previous dulled dental enamel.

Choosing a shade for your veneers might seem like a daunting task considering the very subtle difference between your various color choices, but this is precisely what your dentist is here to help you with. Listen to his or her advice, because he or she will have the trained and skillful eye necessary to choose a good color for your beautiful new teeth.

FAQ: Will I Be Able To Eat Normally With My New Veneers?

Cosmetic Dentist Answer: Porcelain veneers may appear to be made from very fragile materials, but once they are bonded to the surface of your teeth, they are exceptionally durable and enable you to eat most, if not all of your favorite foods. You will be able to eat normally and perfectly comfortably with your new veneers and after a short time, you’ll even forget they are there.

As with any dental restoration, however, the lifespan can be affected by how you treat them, so if you set about chewing on ice, gnawing on bones and crunching hard candies and popcorn, you could damage your veneers. Having said that, any of these activities would also damage your dental enamel, so rather stop them or else your Newport Beach dentist will be repairing more than just your smile aesthetics!

FAQ: Am I A Candidate For Porcelain Veneers?

Cosmetic Dentist Answer: Newport Beach residents, young and old, may be considered candidates for porcelain veneers. The procedure isn’t invasive at all, it doesn’t require sedation (unless you’re a nervous patient and the dentist recommends it) and it can be done in a short dental appointment. The only things that may come between you and getting your teeth improved with dental veneers are:

1. The damage or decay present is too advanced for porcelain veneers to offer a viable treatment solution. Your dentist may, instead, recommend a crown or even a dental implant if the tooth cannot be saved.

2. You have bad gum problems (such as gum disease) and/or tooth decay. In this case, any professional dentist in Newport Beach will opt to provide you with treatment for the infection before going in for cosmetic improvement alone.

Remember, healthy teeth are beautiful teeth, but if your teeth need a little help, porcelain veneers can constitute the perfect answer!

Cosmetic Dentistry: Everything Newport Beach Residents Need to Know About Porcelain Veneers, PART 1

This two-part article series provides a comprehensive overview of dental veneers as a wonderful cosmetic treatment for an imperfect tooth or imperfect teeth.

Your smile is a very personal and intimate reflection of who you are: it’s the ultimate tool of unspoken communication. Unfortunately, not everyone in Newport Beach has a smile they are proud of and the effect this has upon their social confidence and self-esteem can be truly debilitating. Thankfully, there is a cosmetic treatment available for people such as these and recent technological developments have made smile reparation and perfection quicker and easier than ever. We’re talking about porcelain veneers: the cosmetic dental technology that’s perfect for smile makeovers!

In this two-part article series, we shall take a look at all the frequently asked questions there are about porcelain veneers in Newport Beach, so that the residents there, know exactly what to look forward to when signing up for this cosmetic procedure.

FAQ: What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Cosmetic Dentist Answer: Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells or coverings made from high grade, durable ceramic material (take a look at the picture, above). They are custom fabricated in a dental laboratory using molds of your teeth in order to fit over the front surface of every tooth requiring restoration. In other words, the veneer made for your top incisor will be quite different in shape, function and form to the veneer made for your bottom incisor.

FAQ: What Conditions Can Dental Veneers Treat?

Cosmetic Dentist Answer: Porcelain veneers essentially camouflage deep stains and discoloration by covering them up; they also “flesh out” the portions of your dental enamel that have been lost through some kind of physical trauma, natural wear or decay. In short, if you have any of the following conditions, you may be a great candidate for dental veneers and you should speak to a qualified Newport Beach cosmetic dentist:

•    A chipped, cracked or fractured tooth

•    Uneven, jagged teeth

•    Small or short crowns that make your teeth look small

•    Large gaps between the teeth

•    Skew, mildly overlapping teeth

•    Deeply stained or discolored teeth

•    Teeth that have become worn down through grinding

Essentially, any kind of cosmetic imperfection related to your teeth can be addressed by a skilled cosmetic dentist in Newport Beach using porcelain veneers!

FAQ: What’s The Procedure Involved For The Placement Of Porcelain Veneers?

Cosmetic Dentist Answer: The modern procedures used to place porcelain veneers have advanced in leaps and bounds. They no longer require cosmetic dentists to “shave off” or file down a slim layer of the front of your teeth in order to accommodate the veneer, because the veneer can now be made by machine to be ultra-thin.

Your procedure will begin with a consultation with your cosmetic dentist, during which he or she will assess your oral health and ensure that the cause of your problem or dental imperfection isn’t related to tooth decay or gum problems. If it is, it will be address first before Newport Beach cosmetic Denristry treatment is provided. The dentist will then take a mold of your teeth and this will be used to custom fabricate your porcelain veneers. You will be asked to return for another appointment, during which your veneers will be placed on your tooth/teeth.

At your second appointment at your Newport Beach cosmetic dentist’s office, your new veneers will be ready and waiting for you. The front surface of your teeth may be lightly abraded so as to provide greater traction for the porcelain veneer. A dental cement will be brushed onto your teeth and the veneer carefully put over your tooth. A special light will be utilized to harden the bonding agent, thereby cementing the veneer in place.

Once you have been thoroughly checked for bite fit and comfort, you’ll be able to admire your beautiful new smile in the mirror!

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To find out more about dental veneers and how they can drastically improve upon the quality of your smile, stay tuned for the second half of this two-part article series.