The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry with Prosthodontics

There are several ways to improve the appearance of teeth without the use of prosthetics (replacement teeth), such as whitening, adding tooth-colored composite material, or manually shaping teeth so they appear more even and balanced.

However, dental prosthetics are particularly effective at giving you a brand new smile and boosting your oral health in the event that you have complex dental needs. In many cases, cosmetic dental treatment with prosthodontics is essential in targeting problems areas and helping patients achieve the look they want. At the Torrance, CA dental office of Drs. Steven and Michele Okamoto, we are skilled in cosmetically and functionally restoring smiles with prosthetics.

What are Dental Prosthetics?

A dental prosthetic is intended to replace a natural tooth, tissue, or part of tooth enamel and can include crowns, bridges, and veneers.  As a Prosthodontist, one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the ADA, Dr. Steven Okamoto has the expertise to restore teeth for ideal cosmetic effect using any number of dental prosthesis.

Prosthodontics and Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental prosthetics help effectively target cosmetic dental problems that include:

Damaged Teeth – Decayed or broken dental enamel can be removed and replaced with a beautiful porcelain dental crown, or even a veneer, depending on your needs and the extent of damage to teeth, so that your smile looks healthy.

Misshapen Teeth – Teeth that are too-small or that are jagged or pointed stand out in your smile for the wrong reasons. By shaping teeth and applying a natural-looking prosthetic, like a veneer, problem teeth can become a seamless compliment to the rest of your smile.

Missing Teeth – A missing tooth in your smile poses significant cosmetic and functional issues, but patients have many options for treatment with the help of prosthetics. Choices like partial dentures, fixed bridges, and dental implants can all replace missing teeth and give the effect of a cosmetically beautiful smile.

Smile restorations with prosthetics help patients achieve stunning smiles and renewed oral health, especially in the event that your needs are complex. At Steven K. Okamoto, DDS, Inc., we can give your smile a cosmetic boost with a number of effective and long-lasting prosthetics, such as porcelain crowns, veneers, fixed dental bridges, and implant-supported replacement teeth.

For more information on cosmetic restorations with prosthetics, contact our office for your consultation.

Tips for Keeping Your Teeth White After Bleaching

Teeth whitening is an effective way to achieve a brighter and more beautiful smile. Maintaining bright results after treatment, however, requires making good choices about the foods and beverages you consume to avoid re-staining teeth. If you’ve recently had your teeth bleached and are interested in preserving your results, consider the following tips:

Limit Consumption of Dark Cola and Red Wines – These drink choices are popular, but they are highly pigmented and therefore contribute to the discoloration of enamel over time. Cutting back on soda and wine, which are also acidic and sugary, not only ensures a whiter smile, but is a good choice for your oral health as a whole.

Kick Your Tobacco Habit – This one may be harder to cut out of your daily life, but it’s no secret that tobacco products leave teeth looking yellow and stained. If you’ve recently visited our cosmetic dental office for teeth bleaching, your bright new smile may not last as long as you’d hope if you still smoke regularly.

Ask Your Doctor about Certain Medications – Some antibiotics and high blood pressure medications can alter teeth’s shade. If you are taking a medication that may discolor teeth, be sure to ask your doctor for more information and visit our dental office for more information about ways to ensure that your teeth stay white.

Make Smart Diet Choices – There are certain foods that are excellent sources of nutrition and help keep your smile white as well. When consumed, vegetables and fruits produce a scrubbing effect that can sweep away debris which contributes to stains on teeth.

Maintain Healthy Hygiene Habits – Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day keeps them looking white, fresh, and decay-free.  When you stick to a consistent oral hygiene schedule, you can be sure that you are routinely removing stain-causing bacteria and debris from teeth.

Keep a Touch-Up Kit Handy – If stains re-emerge, whitening touch-ups can give you the boost of brightness you need to keep the results you want. Ask our dental office about post-whitening touch-up kits you can use at home to keep your smile looking its best.

If you have questions about what teeth whitening can do for you, contact our Torrance cosmetic dental office for your consultation. We are happy to provide same-day whitening with Zoom! for stunning results in just one appointment.

Why You May Need a Bone Graft before Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants provide an ideal solution to missing teeth. With implants, patients get new teeth that behave and look like natural teeth, from roots to crown. However, in order for implants to be strong and improve your oral health, some pre-treatments may be necessary. It’s not uncommon for patients to require a bone graft before implants can be placed. Here’s why:

Prolonged Lack of Natural Teeth

When you’re missing teeth for an extended period of time, jaw bone density in that area will begin to lessen. Your natural tooth roots simulate bone health, but when they’re gone, bone slowly grows weaker. Bone grafts help to build up quality bone in this area, so implants can be placed at the site of missing teeth and act as sturdy anchors for prosthetics like crowns, bridges and dentures.

Stronger Osseointegration

Implants are as strong as they are because bone is naturally compatible with titanium, the material from which implants posts are created. When implants are placed, the posts begin to bond and merge with bone, just like a real tooth. If you have poor bone quality, or thin bone density, there is less supporting tissue for implants to bond with. Bone grafts are sometimes necessary to ensure proper integration.

Longevity of Treatment Results

Implants placed accurately into dense bone, and which are allowed to integrate properly, prove to be long-lasting replacements for missing teeth. With a bone graft, implant dentistry can support life-long and high-functioning replacements for lost or extracted teeth.

Only a dentist can determine if a bone graft is necessary before you can receive dental implants. At our Torrance dental office, Dr. Okamoto performs comprehensive exams to ensure that your smile is healthy enough for dental implants. If a bone graft is necessary, we have an on-site surgical suite and can perform your pre-implant bone graft in our office. Contact Dr. Steven Okamoto for more information about how bone grafting benefits successful implant treatment.

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Here's to your best oral health ever!