Most people have something about their smile that they don’t like. Unfortunately, this can be powerful enough to impact their level of self-confidence and overall quality of life. The good news is that dental veneers, a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment, can transform smiles by covering up these imperfections. Let’s take a closer look at how they work. How Do Dental …
Invisalign is a popular treatment used to fix mild to moderate and sometimes complex orthodontic issues. With the help of comfortable, clear aligners, it can encourage the teeth to move into their correct place. For many patients, Invisalign is the preferred method for correcting dental issues, such as crooked teeth, gaps, cross bites, open bites, and of course, underbites. How …
Dental implants are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to improve their smile. Whether you are looking to replace a single missing tooth or are considering full-mouth implants, the process can seem intimidating. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the dental implant process, from the initial consultation to the final result. Learn about the different …
Invisalign® is a discreet, comfortable alternative to metal braces. It corrects misaligned teeth quickly and easily. However, Invisalign® works better for certain types of patients. This blog will explain the criteria shared by candidates for Invisalign® treatment. Which Patients Should Consider Invisalign®? Older Teens and Adults Patients need to have all their adult teeth to receive Invisalign® treatment. Their jaws …
Invisalign® is a sophisticated orthodontic system that uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth. The aligners are smooth, comfortable, and nearly invisible. The system uses no metal wires or brackets. The time required to straighten your teeth with Invisalign® depends on the degree of complexity. For the average patient, Invisalign® takes as little as 5 months to about 13 months …
If you are missing one or more teeth, you are putting your oral health at risk. And this is why finding a natural-appearing tooth replacement, such as dental implants, is so important. Of course, if you know anything about dental implants, then you are probably aware that they are a costly investment. So, are they worth it? How long do …
Overbites are more common than you’d imagine. In fact, they are one of the most prevalent dental issues among children, teens, and young adults. While slight overbites don’t often pose an issue, those that are quite noticeable may. One such solution could be Invisalign. This treatment involving a set of clear aligners can allow you to fix your overbite while …
Having beautifully straight teeth is something many people long for so they can feel confident every time they expose their teeth, whether while speaking, eating, laughing, or smiling. To achieve this, though, many patients want to avoid the high visibility that comes with traditional braces. And this is what makes the effective and discreet Invisalign so popular. If you have …
The advantage of clear aligners over traditional braces that require brackets are many. Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons patients requiring teeth straightening are choosing aligners over brackets. Clear Aligners are More Comfortable Far more comfortable than traditional metal braces, Invisalign works through a series of clear plastic aligners that, over time, correctly position your teeth. …
Everyone deserves quality dental care, but not everyone feels they can afford it. Dental insurance is offered by some employers, but it isn’t always a standard part of employee benefits, and it often costs extra. Even with dental insurance, some procedures are not covered, or are only covered up to a certain amount or percentage. The financial burden is enough …
Invisalign is a comfortable choice instead of traditional metal braces, and is an excellent option for orthodontic treatment to align your teeth correctly. The Invisalign process of clear retainers and aligner trays repositions your teeth over time, allowing Invisalign’s modern aligner system to incrementally move teeth into straighter positions. Each individual Invisalign aligner set is worn for approximately one to …
Seeing the dentist regularly from the time your child is very young is important for establishing a lifetime of good oral health. Sadly, most parents assume that dental care during the younger years is no big deal since those teeth will fall out anyways. But, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Here’s everything you need to know about pediatric …
Getting braces, no matter which type, is a big decision. But giving yourself a healthy, beautiful smile can have long-term benefits that are genuinely priceless. Though it’s true that both Invisalign and traditional braces can correct misaligned teeth as well as help to boost your confidence, oral health and overall wellness, Invisalign can offer distinct advantages. If you’re in need …
National Align Your Teeth Day: August 11, 2022 It’s that time of year again! To celebrate National Align Your Teeth Day on August 11, Dental Associates of Lodi has a special event planned! From 9 am – 5 pm on Friday, August 11, 2022, we will be giving away a whole lot of valuable services. The reason? We hope to …
For one reason or another, root canals have acquired a bad reputation over the years – though they are much more common and routine than you may think. See, when decay is left to make its way through the enamel and to the inside pulp-area of the tooth, a root canal is needed to rid it of the infection. And …
While professional teeth whitening from your dental office is a terrific, easy way to brighten your smile, there are a variety of natural remedies you can also employ to make and keep your smile looking its best. Most people will experience stains and yellowing of teeth over time, and teeth whitening is the best way to improve the look of …
Although playing sports is a fun activity, losing a tooth during the course of a game is not fun at all. In fact, it can lead to lasting problems. For that reason, many coaches and sports teams recommend the use of mouthguards for all players. While any mouthguard offers protection, over-the-counter products are simply not as protective and effective as …
When a tooth has significant decay or damage that cannot be repaired with a filling, dental crowns are the most commonly used option for restoration. Getting a dental crown involves removing the damaged or decayed parts of the tooth, designing and fabricating a custom-made crown, and then bonding this crown to the prepared tooth. There are a number of variables …
Although designed to last a lifetime, dental implants can become loose on rare occasions—a potentially anxiety-inducing experience. Dental implants are inserted into the jaw to replace missing teeth. They include an artificial tooth, a metal fixture, and a screw anchor—usually delivered as one unit. So, what happens if this metal screw anchor becomes loose? Or if something else occurs to …
A pediatric dental appointment is not all that different from your own appointments as an adult. As with all routine dental exams, these visits provide important preventive care that not only benefits your child’s oral health, but their overall wellness. Here’s what happens during a pediatric dental appointment. Dental Cleaning Depending on the age of your child, we may have …
A missing tooth, whether it’s just one or several, affects how well you can chew and how comfortable it is for you to bite down. At first, that empty space might not seem like a problem, but over time, you’ll feel the effects and wish you had done something about it earlier. Your choices for filling that space are usually …
As Americans search for cheaper ways to get the dental work they need, so-called “dental vacations” have grown in popularity. Dental implants, in particular, are one of the most sought-after dental procedures abroad because of their expense and the fact that dental insurance rarely covers the full costs involved. Before you book a dental implant vacation for yourself, here’s what …
How do you feel when you learn you have to go to the DMV? Do you have positive or negative associations with the emergency room? We’re willing to bet you don’t feel enthused about either of these places because your experiences there weren’t positive. This is why many children don’t like going to the dentist if they don’t visit regularly …
Many of our patients wonder: when it comes to Invisalign vs. traditional braces, which is the better? The answer is different for everyone because you must decide what’s best for you—your preferences, lifestyle, and, of course, your orthodontic needs. At Dental Associates of Lodi, we offer Invisalign treatment, but if we feel it’s not a fit for you, we can …
Dental anxiety and phobia are more common than most people think. One bad experience in the dentist’s chair may be enough to develop a lifelong aversion to going to the dentist. A fear of needles or medical procedures can also trigger anxiety while getting dental care. Whatever the reason, it’s important to understand that you’re not alone: 36% of Americans …
Time and time again, research has shown how oral health and overall health are closely linked. We know that when there is disease in the mouth, it can impact your body—and that the reverse is true as well. One example of this in action is the connection between diabetes and gum disease. How Diabetes Sets the Stage for Gum Disease …
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s certainly true when it comes to tooth decay. It’s much easier to take measures to prevent cavities from developing rather than treating cavities once they’ve occurred. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent tooth decay, and when you use a few of them, you can optimize your oral …
Dental implants are considered the gold standard when it comes to replacing teeth because they address tooth loss both above and below the gum line. Unless you’re getting immediate-load dental implants, the process takes some time and patience, but when all is said and done, you’ll be left with a lifelong solution that functions, looks, and feels very much like …
We’re all familiar with the tell-tale signs of aging. We notice gray hairs and crow’s feet, our knees start cracking when we walk up the stairs and suddenly it’s a lot harder to get up after crouching down in the garden to pull weeds. Just like the rest of the body, our gums and teeth start to show signs of …
A common question we hear at Dental Associates of Lodi is, “What soft foods can I eat after oral surgery procedures?”The best foods to eat after a dental surgery (like wisdom teeth extraction or dental implants) need to have two characteristics: they should have a high nutrient value and be easy to eat to promote recovery. Some examples include: Cool …
When you need to replace a single missing tooth, your options are a dental bridge or a dental implant and crown. While bridges are a popular option for many patients, dental implants are becoming increasingly common because they are the only restoration that addresses the effects of tooth loss both above and below the gum line. Here’s what you need …
On both sides of your jaw, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts as a sliding hinge whenever you open or close your mouth. Without these joints and the jaw muscles and ligaments surrounding them, you wouldn’t be able to bite, chew, speak, or swallow. Despite their importance, most people don’t give much thought to their TMJs—unless they become painful. Here are …
If you’re missing one or more teeth, a dental bridge is a common solution. Although there are a few different types of dental bridges, they all have a basic structure in common—one or more pontics, or replacement teeth, are held in place with abutments. Below, we answer some frequent questions our patients have about dental bridges, starting with the cost. …
When you’re missing teeth, dental implants are the best option for replacing them. Unlike traditional bridges or dentures, dental implants replace the tooth both above and below the gum line. By replacing the root, dental implants can prevent and even reverse bone loss in the jaw, which protects against facial collapse and results in a stronger bite. Even with these …
As you can imagine, we see a lot of patients in our office who are unhappy with their smiles. They visit every six months for cleanings and exams and every time they say, “Someday, I’m going to fix that chipped tooth,” or, “I think next year, I’ll finally get my teeth whitened.” Sound familiar? Sometimes it’s about budgeting for the …
If you are missing one or more teeth, there are three main treatment options: dental bridges, dental implants, and dentures. In this article, we’re going to focus only on the pros and cons of dental bridges. Here’s what you need to know in order to decide if a bridge is right for you. What Are Dental Bridges?When it comes to …
Here at Dental Associates of Lodi, we get many questions about wisdom teeth from our patients. We’re always happy to meet with you in person to discuss your individual situation, but we’ve answered some of the most common questions below. 1. What Are Wisdom Teeth?Wisdom teeth are the very last set of molars that most people get. They’re the third …
Dental Associates of Lodi provides wisdom teeth extractions in Lodi, NJ. Call (862) 247-8030 to schedule your appointment. When you need to have wisdom teeth removed, it’s important to find a qualified oral surgery practice like Dental Associates of Lodi. Although wisdom teeth extractions are routine for most oral surgeons, there’s always a potential for complications. With Dr. Steven Liao’s …
The most common ways to replace a missing tooth are a dental implant and a dental bridge. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, so you should take the time to fully understand each procedure. This will ensure that you make the decision that best meets your needs and goals. Cost ConsiderationsThe up front cost of a dental bridge is significantly lower …
Composite bonding is an alternative and inexpensive way to enhance your smile in just a single appointment. In this simple procedure, we use a putty-like resin to reshape teeth, cover discoloration, or fill in gaps or chips. Composite bonding is durable and aesthetic, and it has become extremely popular. Like any dental procedure, though, it is not right for everyone. …
If you hate your smile, it is possible that cosmetic dentistry can help. Using cosmetic dentistry best practices such as teeth whitening, dental implants, and other restorative dental procedures, many patients are able to enjoy a smile that they can be proud of. Here are some of the ways the cosmetic dentistry can boost your self confidence. Encourages SmilesIf your …
Dental implants are the best choice to replace missing or failing teeth. Dentures can slip and pinch, while dental implants are anchored securely to the jawbone. With dental implants, you can eat, speak, and laugh with confidence, and you will avoid the progressive jawbone loss that is a hallmark of denture wearers. Yet there are many different dental implant options, …
Dental implants have rapidly replaced dentures and dental bridges as the gold standard for replacing missing or failing teeth. They halt and reverse jawbone loss, provide a stable and secure foundation for dental restorations, eliminate issues such as slipping and pinching, and restore nearly all the original bite strength. Yet there is no denying that dental implants are expensive. Here …
