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Contouring & Reshaping Your Teeth

Dental Implants

Veneers

Teeth Whitening

Night Guards

Teeth Straightening

Cosmetic Dentistry

Contouring Gums & Reshaping Teeth

What’s one of the first things you notice when you meet someone new? It’s often the person’s smile. Teeth that look clean, even and healthy help make a positive impression.

Does your smile reveal chipped or irregularly shaped teeth? Tooth reshaping is a simple procedure often used to correct minor flaws and problems where the teeth are chipped or oddly shaped. Reshaping will smooth irregular edges and improving odd angles can provide large improvements in your smile. Even subtle changes, to the length, shape, or position of teeth can improve your smile!

Reshaping allows your dentist to gently sculpt the teeth, artfully eliminating or minimizing the imperfections and creating a smile that makes a lasting impression.

What’s Involved?

Tooth reshaping is a procedure with very little discomfort. Anesthetics usually are not required, and the entire process may take just one or two visits.

Because some tooth enamel will be sacrificed during the process, your dentist may elect to take an x-ray to determine the size and location of the tooth’s pulp. The dentist may mark the tooth before removing a tiny amount of surface enamel with a handpiece. In addition to the handpiece, abrasive strips can remove the enamel on the sides of the teeth before they are smoothed and polished.

RECONTOURING GUMS

Gum recontouring is a procedure used to reduce the tissue around the teeth or help level a canted smile. These procedures provide a more robust change versus tooth reshaping, and alterationsions in length can dramatically improve one’s smile. Making you smile “pop.” 

Your dentist gently sculpts the gum tissue with a laser to remove excess gum tissue and create a smile that makes a lasting impression.

What’s Involved?

Gum contouring is a procedure with minimal, if any, discomfort. Anesthetics are required, and the entire process may take one or two visits.

The process of tissue removal will likely lead to minor soreness for a day or two.  Avoid spicy foods; ask me how I know.

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Recontour

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Gum Recontour

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Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Implants - What They Are And How They Work

Dental implants provide anchorage for a single tooth, several teeth, or a mouthful of teeth. Dental implants, whether replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth consist of three separate pieces, each fulfilling a unique role in the process. 

An implant is a titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone. Once placed there, it will require three to six months to heal. It then becomes an immovable base upon which the two other components, the abutment, and the prosthesis or crown, will be placed. The abutment attaches to the portion of the implant. It forms a platform that secures the crown.

After the implant integrates, an impression or scan will be completed to allow the laboratory to construct both the abutment and the final crown. After the lab delivers the case to the dentist a third appointment is planned to torque the abutment to the implant and cement the crown. Great care is required to adjust the new prosthetic to fit the tissue, the surrounding teeth, and the opposing teeth.

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Cosmetic Dentistry

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Many patients are discovering the benefits of dental veneers.


Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer is a thin covering that is placed over the front (visible) part of the tooth. The dentist applies veneers in a simple, comfortable procedure that takes just a few visits.


Veneers are a popular treatment option for several reasons. Veneers generally are placed on upper front teeth that are severely discolored, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Veneers may be used to lighten front teeth that are naturally yellow or have a gray cast and can’t be whitened by bleaching.


Veneers are sometimes used to correct teeth that are chipped or worn. They may also be used to correct uneven spaces or a diastema (a large, noticeable gap between the upper front teeth).


Ceramic Veneers…

are extremely thin shells made of a strong and durable dental ceramic. The dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the front and sides of the tooth. This makes room for the veneers and prevents the restored tooth from feeling or looking bulky or unnatural. Next, the dentist makes an impression of the prepared teeth so that the shape of the preparations and surrounding teeth can be replicated in the dental laboratory.


The dentist also looks for the shade that will best match or blend with the other teeth. The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory that makes the ceramic veneers to fit your individual teeth. This may take several days.


At the next visit, the dentist places the veneers on the teeth to check the fit and shape. After any adjustments, the teeth are cleaned and the ceramic veneers are then bonded to the teeth with dental cement. Further adjustment may be done at a subsequent appointment.


Composite resin veneers…
generally are done in one appointment. After the tooth is prepared or reshaped, the dentist carefully bonds and sculpts the composite material in a color that matches your other teeth. A special light is used to harden the composite. The veneer is smoothed and polished to look like a natural tooth.

Considerations

Ceramic veneers have a smooth translucent surface that provides a very natural appearance. They are more resistant to staining that composite veneers but may require more visits to complete. Ceramic veneers generally are more expensive because they involve custom impressions in the dental office and custom fabrication by a dental laboratory technician. The procedure for ceramic veneers can require the removal of more tooth enamel than that for composite veneers.

Composite veneers can often be completed in one appointment because they do not require dental laboratory work or impressions. They are generally not as strong or wear-resistant as ceramic veneers; but should they fracture, composite veneers are easily and quickly repaired. If a ceramic veneer fractures, another may be needed to replace it. For both types of veneers there may be a period of adjustment, a few days to a week, to become accustomed to the feel of your restored teeth.

Teeth must be healthy and free of decay and active periodontal disease. Your dentist can treat these conditions before a veneer is made. Veneers typically require less removal of tooth enamel than crowns. However, the process is not reversible once the enamel is removed.

Patients who clench or grind their teeth are not good candidates for veneers, because the thin veneers may chip or break. If you clench or grind, your dentist may suggest a plastic dental nightguard to be worn while sleeping, which can help minimize stress on the teeth.

Because veneers are somewhat brittle, they might chip or peel. Avoid biting your fingernails and chewing on hard objects, such as pencils or ice. Like any dental restoration, it is possible, over time and with wear, for veneers to dislodge. In that case new ones may be needed.

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Cosmetic Dentistry

Whitening

Consuming foods that stain or drinking dark beverages will darken your teeth is a life long process. The solution for a brighter smile is bleaching your teeth. Dr. Larson has completed countless bleach cases, both in-office and home bleaching trays. Using this data the best method for most people is at home bleaching.

In-office bleaching is not as effective and involves a more complicated process than at-home bleaching. At-home bleaching allows the patient to bleach as quickly or slowly as needed. Your teeth will continue to darken and need to be touched-up six months or six years latter you have everything you need. 

Office whitening can cause pain. With at-home bleaching in trays, you can control how much bleaching you do per day, minimizing discomfort. Both types of bleaching are safe, effective, and last

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Cosmetic Dentistry

Night Guards - Use If You Grind Your Teeth

Most patients are unaware that they are grinding or bruxing their teeth because it usually happens while they sleep. Some people may wake with a headache, toothache, or a sore face. In addition to causing discomfort, grinding can wear away or fracture tooth enamel and dentin. But the most significant concern is losing the tooth-supporting bone.

Bruxism can develop at any age; children, as well as adults, can grind their teeth. Although the causes of bruxism are unknown, several factors seem to be involved. Stressful situations, problems sleeping, an abnormal bite, and crooked or missing teeth may be responsible.

Regular dental checkups are essential to detect damage in the early stages. Your dentist can diagnose and treat irregular wear on teeth and determine the source of facial pain that may result from bruxism.

Based on your dentist’s diagnosis, one or more treatments may be recommended. The dentist may suggest using a nightguard worn while sleeping. Custom-made by the dentist from soft inner and hard outer material to fit your teeth, the night guard slips over teeth and prevents abnormal contact between them. In addition to providing cushioning, the night guard relieves clenching, damaging jaw joints.

An abnormal bite in which teeth do not fit well together may lead to grinding, and treatment may involve reducing the “high spots” on one or more teeth. For severe cases, your dentist may suggest reshaping or reconstructing the biting surfaces of the teeth.

Grinding is prevalent. Dr. Larson observed a dramatic increase in clenching and grinding after the Covid pandemic.  If you suspect that you are routinely grinding your teeth, see your dentist about protecting your smile.

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Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Straightening

What Is Clear Aligner Therapy?

ay be removed for special occasions. The minimum wear time is 22 hours a day. The patient’s teeth are gently guided into their ideal position during wear.

The length of the process depends on the patient’s specific situation and the results the patient wants to achieve. Aligners are clear, and most people won’t even know you’re wearing them. Comfortable, removable, hygienic, and convenient.

AOA Outperforms All Other Aligners

When it comes to creating beautiful smiles, AOA is the clear winner. AOA aligners:

Are clearer · AOA aligners are the “clearest” on the market.

Stay clearer · AOA aligners do not “cloud” during treatment.

Are more hygienic · the smooth surface of AOA aligners has no ridges to trap bacteria, and is easier to clean.

Are more comfortable · AOA’s revolutionary manufacturing process creates the most precise aligners on the market today, ensuring the most accurate fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of AOA will vary from patient to patient, depending on the treatment that’s needed, and is generally comparable to the cost of traditional braces. However, doctors will set their own charges for treatment and we do not provide specific cost information.

Yes. Orthodontists and dentists have been using invisible orthodontics to straighten teeth for decades. Hundreds of thousands of patients have been successfully treated with invisible orthodontic technology.

If you have orthodontic coverage, AOA should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces. But we recommend that you review your coverage, as each policy is different.

Never underestimate the power of a nice smile. A nice smile is not only beautiful, it also promotes good health:Teeth that are straight and evenly spaced are easier to keep clean, leading to better oral health. Better oral health can reduce the incidence of heart disease, gastrointestinal disease, and other health conditions.Teeth that are properly aligned chew more efficiently, and that aids in proper digestionTeeth that are straight and properly aligned create a more perfect bite, and that avoids excessive stress, headaches, and strain on your supporting bone and tissue.

To get started with AOA, simply make an appointment with an orthodontist or dentist who’s certified to use AOA. 

Any orthodontist or dentist who’s been certified to treat with invisible orthodontics can treat you with AOA. Over ten thousand U.S. orthodontists and dentists are certified.

General Questions

AOA uses proprietary technology to produce aligners customized for each patient’s teeth. The patient wears one set of aligners for three weeks and then moves to another set if necessary. By the end of treatment, the teeth have will have moved from an untreated to a treated, beautiful smile.

AOA has a number of important benefits: AOA aligners are so clear, they’re almost invisible. So no one will know you’re straightening your teeth, unless you tell them.AOA’s customized aligners are more comfortable than other forms of orthodontic treatment. There are no wires to tighten and no braces to scrape against the inside of your mouth.AOA is removable, so you can floss and brush your teeth normally during treatment.

AOA aligners are more hygienic. AOA aligners are easy to maintain and clean during treatment.

AOA aligners are made of clear, medical grade polymers. The aligners are so clear, it’s likely that no one will be able to tell you’re wearing them, unless you tell them.

AOA aligners are more hygienic. AOA aligners are easy to maintain and clean during treatment.

Aligners are clear, polymer appliances that are almost completely transparent. Some patients have commented that aligners look similar to tooth whitening trays, others think of them as “contact lenses for your teeth”.

The AOA System is a series of clear, removable, plastic aligners. Because the aligners are clear, AOA is sometimes referred to as invisible braces or clear braces. With AOA, there are no fixed orthodontic appliances.

The technology behind invisible orthodontics has been on the market for decades. AOA has developed an advanced system of invisible orthodontics that has unique aesthetic and hygienic benefits. Many orthodontists and dentists consider the AOA product to be the next generation in invisible orthodontics.

The concept behind AOA dates back to 1945 when it was first envisioned that a series of tooth positioners could achieve the same movements that most people thought were only achievable with metal braces. With AOA, this is now possible.

AOA is part of the invisible orthodontics category of treatment. Hundreds of thousands of patients have been treated with invisible orthodontics throughout the world.

To treat patients with AOA, doctors must be trained to use invisible orthodontics and certified as an AOA provider.

Doctors can use AOA to treat a vast majority of patients with fully erupted second molars. In most patients, this typically occurs between the ages of 12 and 14.

AOA can treat a wide range of cases. The best way to find out if AOA can work for you is to set up an appointment with an AOA doctor.

Many patients have switched to invisible orthodontics after wearing traditional braces for a period of time. We recommend that you consult your orthodontist or dentist to determine if you can switch.

While In Treatment Questions

As with traditional braces, treatment times vary depending on the patient and how much movement is required. However, treatment time is generally about the same as traditional braces, between 9 and 18 months. Often patients find that treatment with aligners is faster than treatment with braces.

No, during treatment you can eat anything you would normally eat. This is because aligners are removed for eating, drinking and flossing.

We recommend that patients do not smoke while wearing aligners, as aligners may become discolored.

No. We recommend that aligners be removed before chewing gum, as gum will stick to the aligners.

The best way to clean your Aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing and flossing. The closer to 24 hours a day Aligners are worn, the better the results of treatment.

Your orthodontist or dentist will schedule regular appointments to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. The frequency will depend on your doctor, but will be on average about once every six weeks.

Your doctor will provide retainers to help prevent your teeth from moving again after treatment. A retainer may be a clear, plastic aligner similar to the AOA aligners, or may be a permanent retainer attached to the inside surface of your teeth. We recommend that you discuss the possibilities with your orthodontist or dentist, as each patient’s treatment will vary.

For some people there will be temporary discomfort at the beginning of each stage of treatment. This means that AOA is effectively moving your teeth. Any discomfort typically lasts only a couple of days, and is at the beginning of each stage of treatment.

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(408) 374-6160

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Campbell, CA 95008 USA

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