Smile Solution for Your 50's

PROBLEM 1: Can Your Smile Age You?
If you’re not quite ready to undergo cosmetic surgery to address fine lines, wrinkles and deep folds, a nonsurgical alternative that uses veneers may be an option. When the back teeth are worn or missing, the facial structure they support tends to collapse or fall in, which can lead to deep nasolabial folds.


SOLUTION 1: Veneers, Crowns, Bonding, and Teeth Whitening
Building out the back teeth with veneers or crowns helps to lift the cheekbone area of the face and widen the smile, thereby making you look younger. When the teeth that support the lips are built out, the blood supply is stimulated and lines around the lip area are less noticeable. The end result is a more balanced appearance, enhancing the prominence of the cheekbone for an overall younger look.


By modifying the dimensions of your teeth, cosmetic dentistry can fill out the bottom third of your face without surgery. Cosmetic dentistry can provide excellent foundation, proportions, and color of your teeth. Best of all, the effects will be right away!


If you are ready to undergo cosmetic surgery, more and more patients opt to consult both their plastic surgeons as well as their cosmetic dentists. Patients going through plastic surgery normally undergo certain dental procedures, which include teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding. Combining both procedures are often necessary to bring about the optimum results.


PROBLEM 2: Overcrowded Teeth


SOLUTION 2: Adult Orthodontics
In addition to enhancing the aesthetics of a smile, straight teeth can improve your oral health and your overall quality of life. If you've been considering straightening your teeth, but dislike the hassle 
or appearance of metal braces, then Dr. Castaneda has a solution for you. Invisalign clear braces quickly straighten teeth without metal, wires, or brackets.
Click here for Invisalign video...

Treating facial pain and jaw problems

Chronic facial pain is a problem faced by millions of Americans.

Common symptoms can include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth or even head and neck aches.

If you are suffering from this type of pain, your dentist can help identify its source with a thorough exam and appropriate x-rays.

Sometimes, the problem is a sinus or toothache or it could be an early stage of periodontal disease.

But for some pain, the cause is not so easily diagnosed.

There are two joints and several jaw muscles which make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak, and swallow.

These structures include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone, the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints, the TMJs.

Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working together properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.

There are several ways the TMJ disorders may be treated.

Diagnosis is an important step before treatment.

Part of your clinical examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving.

Your dentist may take x-rays and may make a cast of your teeth to see how your bite fits together.

To help you deal with this pain, your Dentist San Francisco CA will recommend what type of treatment you need and may refer you to a specialist.

Aesthetika Dental Center Rebecca Castaneda DDS
450 Sutter Street Suite 1616, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 944-1447
www.aesthetika.net

The difference between canker sores and cold sores

Although canker sores are often confused with cold sores, there is a difference.

Canker sores occur inside the mouth, and cold sores usually occur outside the mouth.

Canker sores are small ulcers with a white or gray base and a red border. There can be one or more sores in the mouth. They are very common and often recur.

They usually heal in a week or two and rinsing with antimicrobial mouthrinses may help reduce the irritation.

Cold sores – also called fever blisters – are composed of groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters that often erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or chin.

Cold sores are usually caused by herpes virus type I and are very contagious. They usually heal in about a week.

Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide temporary relief and prescription antiviral drugs may reduce these kinds of viral infections.

Visit Dentist San Francisco CA today!

Aesthetika Dental Center Rebecca Castaneda DDS

450 Sutter Street Suite 1616, San Francisco, CA 94901

(415) 944-1447   

www.aesthetika.net

 

Smile Solutions for Your 30's

PROBLEM 1: Uneven Teeth  


Looking for a quick fix for a minor flaw like a smile hampered by slightly crowded teeth, and uneven edges? 

SOLUTION 1: Cosmetic Recontouring 

One of the more economical smile solutions, this subtle re-shaping procedure is usually recommended for those whose teeth are uneven in length or experience minor crowding that isn't severe enough for braces.  Plus, cosmetic recontouring results can usually be achieved in one visit.- It's the edges of the teeth that gives the appearance of crooked teeth. Recontouring the edges of mildly crooked teeth will change the visual perception and give a straighter appearance. 

Cosmetic recontouring, from $50-$350 per tooth; up to $3,000 for the entire smile 

PROBLEM 2: Overcrowded Teeth

SOLUTION 2: Adult Orthodontics 

In addition to enhancing the aesthetics of a smile, straight teeth can improve your oral health and your overall quality of life. If you've been considering straightening your teeth, but dislike the hassle 
or appearance of metal braces, then Dr. Castaneda has a solution for you. Invisalign clear braces quickly straighten teeth without metal, wires, or brackets. 

Orthodontics without braces like Invisalign or Clear Correct involve clear, custom-molded acrylic trays that slide over the top and/or bottom teeth. 
Dr. Castaneda designs the aligners in tandem with the aligner company 
to gradually shift the teeth into their optimal position. You'll wear a new set 
of aligners about every two weeks, until you've used all the aligners in your series. The length of treatment is individual and can take from 
2 to 24 months.

Health benefits of straight teeth:
http://www.invisalign.com/Why-Invisalign/Pages/dental-hygiene.aspx

PROBLEM 3:  Minor Imperfections

If a minor imperfection is preventing you from showing off your pearly whites--be it a gap or crooked, short, chipped. decayed or broken tooth--consider bonding to instantly fix the problem.

SOLUTION 3:  Bonding

Bonding is quick and pretty painless.  During this single-appointment procedure, Dr. Castaneda will apply an enamel-like material to your teeth, which is matched to your tooth color.  The material is then shaped, hardened with a special light and polished.  The polishing step is what gives a bonded tooth a natural appearance and feel.  Since bonding can chip, it's important to avoid biting your nails or using your teeth as tools.


Bonding, from $500-$2,000 per tooth, depending on the treatment area

http://www.aesthetika.net/adult_orthodontics.html?

Different types of fillings and restorations

Nowadays, thanks to advances in dental techniques and materials, patients have a much wider range of choices when they have to repair missing, worn, damaged or decayed teeth.

For example, materials such as ceramics and polymer compounds that look more like natural teeth help dentists create pleasing, natural-looking smiles.

The traditional materials such as gold, base metal alloys and dental amalgam are still widely used as they have many advantages.

The strength and durability of traditional dental materials continues to make them useful in many situations. For example, they are good when fillings are required in the back teeth because the pressure of chewing is high in that area.

The choice of the best option will depend on several factors such as the patient’s oral and general health, where and how the filling is placed and the number of visits needed to prepare and adjust the restored tooth.

The choice about which option is best depends on each individuals needs so you should discuss the options with your dentist.

Visit your Dentist San Francisco CA today!

Aesthetika Dental Center Rebecca Castaneda DDS
450 Sutter St #1616, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 944-1447 ‎
www.aesthetika.net

Taking care of removable partial dentures

If you have removable plastic dentures, its important to look after them carefully.

You should brush them each day to remove food deposits and plaque. This also helps prevent them from becoming permanently stained.

It’s best to use a brush that is designed for cleaning dentures as it has bristles arranged to fit the shape of the denture. But a regular, soft-bristled toothbrush is also acceptable.

Avoid using a brush with hard bristles as these can damage the denture.

When you are handling a denture, hold them carefully. Try standing over a folded towel or a sink of water with them in case you accidentally drop them.

Its advisable to use a denture cleanser which has the American Dental Association seal of acceptance. However hand soap or mild dish washing liquid are also acceptable for cleaning dentures.

Other types of household cleaners and many toothpastes are too abrasive and should not be used for cleaning dentures.

A denture can lose its proper shape if it is not kept moist. So it should be placed in soaking solution or water at night though one with metal attachments could be tarnished if placed in soaking solution.

As you age, your mouth naturally changes, which can affect the fit of the denture so, if they no longer fit properly, they should be adjusted by your dentist.

See your dentist promptly if your denture becomes loose as this can cause sores or infections.

Don’t try to adjust or repair your denture yourself as this can damage the appliance beyond repair.

When you wear a partial denture, you need to continue brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily. This will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Pay special attention to cleaning the teeth that fit under the denture’s metal clasps. Plaque that becomes trapped under the clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay.

Your Dentist San Francisco CA can demonstrate how to properly brush and clean between teeth.

Regular dental check-ups and having your teeth professionally cleaned are vital for maintaining a healthy smile.

Aesthetika Dental Center Rebecca Castaneda DDS
450 Sutter St #1616, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 944-1447 ‎
www.aesthetika.net

The power of panormaic x-rays

X-rays are extremely valuable for helping dentists identify issues that may not show up on normal oral examination.

The three most common types of dental X-rays are the bitewing, periapical and panoramic X-rays.

Panoramic X-rays give a broad overview of the entire mouth – supplying information about the teeth, upper and lower jawbone, sinuses, and other hard and soft tissues of the head and neck.

Unlike other X-rays, where the film is placed inside the patients mouth, the panoramic film is contained in a machine that moves around the patient’s head. So they are very easy to use.

Panoramic X-rays are often used to check wisdom teeth but they will also reveal deep cavities and gum disease. They are also useful to help patients with past or present jaw problems or those who require full or partial removable dentures, dental implants, or braces.

They can also be valuable in assisting people who are suspected of having oral cancer or have had recent trauma to the face or teeth.

Panoramic X-rays play an important role in thorough dental examinations and are recommended at least every five years or so for most patients.

Visit Dentist San Francisco CA.

Aesthetika Dental Center Rebbecca Castaneda DDS
450 Sutter St #1616, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 944-1447 ‎
www.aesthetika.net