For edentulous patients (those who have lost all natural teeth), dentures are still the go-to procedure for restoring the appearance of a healthy smile and the function delivered by strong teeth. However, modern dental techniques allow Drs. Steven and Michelle Okamoto to customize treatment to meet your expectations.
If you are in need of dentures to restore your smile, consider the following treatment options and how you can keep your smile healthy with your new teeth:
Traditional or Fixed Dentures?
Dental implants are touted as a revolutionary way to replace teeth, and they do provide significant benefits, but some patients are simply uninterested or do not wish to complete the surgical component of implant treatment. For many patients, removable traditional dentures serve them well, while others may struggle with their prosthetics. Take the following into consideration when choosing which teeth replacement option will provide best comfort and function:
Missing all Teeth in a Top Arch – Though traditional dentures are held in place with temporary adhesive only, denture patients often have more success with upper dentures. With these top prosthetics, there is a component that covers the palate and helps to keep replacement teeth stable through creating suction. Though some patients find this portion of the denture to restrict taste, it’s an important part of keeping teeth in place and providing for a higher success rate.
Bottom Dentures- Comprehensive tooth loss on the bottom jaw arch tends to be the most problematic. While removable dentures can be used here as well, patients often report more issues with these replacement teeth, as there is less suction to hold them in place. Because of this, and because bottom dentures are an important part of supporting chewing function, they often slip and slide out of place or become loose after consistent wear and use. For those patients, just a few dental implants can create the comfort and stability needed to ensure that their smile is functional and feels more natural.
Taking Care of your New Teeth
It’s important to remove your dentures each night and soak them while you sleep, so that they do not become dry and do not trap bacteria and debris that can cause bad breath. It’s also suggested that you brush your dentures with a soft bristled tooth brush before you soak them to keep them as clean as possible. Be careful not to use toothpaste when cleaning your dentures and not to damage them by using a brush with bristles that are too hard.
If your denture is removable, but held in place with implants, you can follow the same care steps as listed above. If you’ve selected to receive dentures that are permanently affixed and removable only at our dental office, you will need to be diligent about cleaning under your prosthetic with a device like a waterpik.
Undecided about which denture treatment best fits your needs? Contact our Torrance prosthodontist for more information about removable and fixed dentures.
Showing posts with label dentist in Torrance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dentist in Torrance. Show all posts
Monday, November 28, 2016
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
How Dentists Work with General Care Providers
At Steven K. Okamoto, DDS, Drs. Steven and Michelle Okamoto want patients to experience the most comprehensive care for their needs, which is why our team partners and cooperates with general care providers and specialists in the creation of your treatment plan, whenever needed. These partnerships are essential in improving systemic and dental health. The following are just some of the ways we work together with other professionals to care for our patients:
Oncologists for Pre-Cancer Dentistry
If you or a person you know is dealing with cancer, our dental office is able to work with your primary care physician and oncologist to assess your medical history and create an all-inclusive treatment plan. Drs. Michelle and Steve Okamoto provide beneficial care in protecting the health of your smile as you complete necessary therapies to combat the progression of your condition and ensure future wellness.
Steven K. Okamoto, DDS is dedicated to working with chemotherapy patients to maintain proper oral health during this time. Visit our dental office either before or during your chemotherapy treatment and we can establish contact with your medical team to maintain your dental health status under after your course of chemotherapy is complete.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Dental Appliances and Sleep Physicians
You may be looking to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) without the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. When providing OSA appliances, we consult your general care physician, determining whether such treatment is ideal for you, and collection information about current health standings that may inform how your treatment is completed at our office.
Part of this cooperation includes your participation in a sleep study. While our office provides at-home sleep tests for determining the cause and severity of sleep disordered breathing, findings that can affect your overall health can and should be shared with your primary care physician. In cases of sleep apnea, overall health concerns like maintaining an optimal weight for your height and monitoring your blood pressure are all components that your general practitioner can provide assistance with during sleep apnea treatment through our dental office.
Existing Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions are intricately linked with your dental health, and vice versa. When diagnosing and treating these problems, your general physician and our dentists work together to determine the best course of treatment for you. One such circumstance is the correlation between gum disease and systemic health. Chronic gum disease can lead to serious heart problems, as the plaque present in soft tissue infections can build up in arteries when allowed into the blood stream. Patients exhibiting serious gum disease problems are treated by our office and often advised to have their general health carefully monitored to ensure they are not at-risk for secondary problems.
Cooperative Dental Medicine
If you are looking for comprehensive dental treatment that works in concert with your general care physician, contact Steven K. Okamoto, DDS and Michelle Okamoto, DDS today. Our team is eager to provide full care for residents in and around the Torrance area.
Oncologists for Pre-Cancer Dentistry
If you or a person you know is dealing with cancer, our dental office is able to work with your primary care physician and oncologist to assess your medical history and create an all-inclusive treatment plan. Drs. Michelle and Steve Okamoto provide beneficial care in protecting the health of your smile as you complete necessary therapies to combat the progression of your condition and ensure future wellness.
Steven K. Okamoto, DDS is dedicated to working with chemotherapy patients to maintain proper oral health during this time. Visit our dental office either before or during your chemotherapy treatment and we can establish contact with your medical team to maintain your dental health status under after your course of chemotherapy is complete.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Dental Appliances and Sleep Physicians
You may be looking to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) without the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. When providing OSA appliances, we consult your general care physician, determining whether such treatment is ideal for you, and collection information about current health standings that may inform how your treatment is completed at our office.
Part of this cooperation includes your participation in a sleep study. While our office provides at-home sleep tests for determining the cause and severity of sleep disordered breathing, findings that can affect your overall health can and should be shared with your primary care physician. In cases of sleep apnea, overall health concerns like maintaining an optimal weight for your height and monitoring your blood pressure are all components that your general practitioner can provide assistance with during sleep apnea treatment through our dental office.
Existing Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions are intricately linked with your dental health, and vice versa. When diagnosing and treating these problems, your general physician and our dentists work together to determine the best course of treatment for you. One such circumstance is the correlation between gum disease and systemic health. Chronic gum disease can lead to serious heart problems, as the plaque present in soft tissue infections can build up in arteries when allowed into the blood stream. Patients exhibiting serious gum disease problems are treated by our office and often advised to have their general health carefully monitored to ensure they are not at-risk for secondary problems.
Cooperative Dental Medicine
If you are looking for comprehensive dental treatment that works in concert with your general care physician, contact Steven K. Okamoto, DDS and Michelle Okamoto, DDS today. Our team is eager to provide full care for residents in and around the Torrance area.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Top 5 Tips to Maintain Optimum Oral Health
Your smile should not only be aesthetically beautiful, but it should be healthy as well. Understanding what it takes to keep your teeth and gums healthy can affect not just the way your smile looks, but your overall health as well. Maintaining your oral health can be an easy task with these 5 top tips:
Changing your diet – Inhibit the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis. If you’re a heavy soda drinker, consider the two essential ingredients in many sodas and other carbonated drinks that eat away at the surface of your teeth: phosphoric and citric acid. Food and drinks with added acid and sugar wear down dental enamel and make teeth susceptible to cavities. But whole and natural foods that produce a scrubbing effect, like certain vegetables, or contribute in vitamins help to keep your smile strong and healthy.
Rinsing – Utilizing mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride can protect your smile. Fluoride has a protective effect that makes your teeth more resistant to decay. Implementing fluoride based oral care in your twice daily regimen will protect your teeth from decay and strengthen their durability, while also cleaning and freshening your mouth.
Flossing – Although there is some recent buzz that flossing isn’t the be-all-and-end-all for your oral health, the truth is that flossing doesn’t damage your teeth – rather it helps to keep your smile cleaner overall. Not only it will remove food from in between your teeth, it can also prevent bacteria and debris from collecting below your gum line. However, there is a right way to floss your teeth; you should utilize a fresh section of floss for each tooth and follow the curve of your teeth gently.
Brushing Technique and Choice of Toothbrush – By brushing at a 45 degree angle and utilizing a brush with soft bristles, brushing your teeth twice daily effectively maintains a clean mouth. Be sure to use soft circular motions and thoroughly clean back molars, as well as brushing your tongue.
Regularly visit your dentist! Visiting your dentist is the number one way to maintain your oral health all year round. Dentist provide ample information and tips to ensure you maintain a proactive approach with at home oral care and are making smart choices about keeping your smile clean, healthy, and beautiful.
At Steven K. Okamoto DDS, Inc., our father-daughter team helps patients understand the importance of their oral health. Contact our Torrance, CA dental practice today for your next appointment or to speak to a member of our staff.
Changing your diet – Inhibit the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis. If you’re a heavy soda drinker, consider the two essential ingredients in many sodas and other carbonated drinks that eat away at the surface of your teeth: phosphoric and citric acid. Food and drinks with added acid and sugar wear down dental enamel and make teeth susceptible to cavities. But whole and natural foods that produce a scrubbing effect, like certain vegetables, or contribute in vitamins help to keep your smile strong and healthy.
Rinsing – Utilizing mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride can protect your smile. Fluoride has a protective effect that makes your teeth more resistant to decay. Implementing fluoride based oral care in your twice daily regimen will protect your teeth from decay and strengthen their durability, while also cleaning and freshening your mouth.
Flossing – Although there is some recent buzz that flossing isn’t the be-all-and-end-all for your oral health, the truth is that flossing doesn’t damage your teeth – rather it helps to keep your smile cleaner overall. Not only it will remove food from in between your teeth, it can also prevent bacteria and debris from collecting below your gum line. However, there is a right way to floss your teeth; you should utilize a fresh section of floss for each tooth and follow the curve of your teeth gently.
Brushing Technique and Choice of Toothbrush – By brushing at a 45 degree angle and utilizing a brush with soft bristles, brushing your teeth twice daily effectively maintains a clean mouth. Be sure to use soft circular motions and thoroughly clean back molars, as well as brushing your tongue.
Regularly visit your dentist! Visiting your dentist is the number one way to maintain your oral health all year round. Dentist provide ample information and tips to ensure you maintain a proactive approach with at home oral care and are making smart choices about keeping your smile clean, healthy, and beautiful.
At Steven K. Okamoto DDS, Inc., our father-daughter team helps patients understand the importance of their oral health. Contact our Torrance, CA dental practice today for your next appointment or to speak to a member of our staff.
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