Gum Disease/Periodontal Disease

Some form of gum and bone disease is present in most adult mouths.

Periodontal disease is unrecognized because the condition is generally painless and slow in progression. Symptoms include red, inflamed gums, which bleed easily with brushing and flossing, bad breath and teeth becoming loose as condition worsens.

The supporting structures of the teeth including the gums and bone are termed Periodontium.

Gum and bone breakdown begins at the gum line with gingivitis and progresses to the more severe periodontitis. When oral hygiene is neglected and poor over all health is encountered, gum disease begins.

Gingivitis is a mild inflammation of the gum tissue when food deposits, dental plaque or the more calcified calculus are allowed to remain on the teeth.

Periodontitis is when food deposits, plaque and calculus continue to remain on the teeth, over time the bone begins to degenerate. This condition is termed Periodontitis.

As bone surrounding the root degenerates, teeth loosen, drift, migrate eventually leading to the loss of tooth. Proper treatment can still save most teeth.

Gum Disease Treatment Alternatives:

The success of conservative gum disease treatments rests on significant coordination and cooperation between the patient and the dental professional. Periodontal health can be stabilized with conservative treatment alone but in some cases the more invasive conventional therapy is required.

Conventional Periodontal Therapy is usually surgical. It involves gently lifting away the gum tissue from the affected teeth, removing and root planing the calcified calculus, re contouring the irregularities on the root and bone surfaces and carefully placing back and securing the reflected tissue. After a healing period and maintenance of good oral hygiene, the periodontal condition can be improved or stabilized.

Prevention of gingival and periodontal disease only requires optimal oral hygiene practices, healthy diet and a restriction on tobacco and alcohol use.

Maintenance of periodontal health may require more frequent dental hygiene visits and adherence to individual hygiene recommendations made to you by the dental professional.

Oral Health is Important to Overall Health Maintenance. Let Smile Artistry, a trusted dentist in Chino, help you achieve your best smile yet!

Visit wwwsmileartistrychino.com for additional information

Cracked teeth

A good one third of the population has a problem with clenching and grinding of their teeth.

Human teeth are subjected to enormous forces in the mouth and as a result cracking teeth is unavoidable, especially as we age. Cracked teeth are painful and can occasionally cause loss of the tooth.

To understand the various types of cracks and appreciate the variations in treatment options, a basic understanding of the tooth anatomy will be helpful

Cracks in enamel only are generally asymptomatic and require no real treatment. Almost all adults have cracks in the enamel of teeth. These are caused by eating hard foods, biting accidents, contact sports and aging. Some preventative measures include softening hard foods before biting into them and avoiding hard and brittle foods like peanut brittle, corn nuts and chewing ice.

Cracks in dentin cause sharp pain when biting especially when there is contact on the cracked portion of tooth. Contact with sweets also causes lingering pain. Cracks in dentin above the gum line are easily corrected by removing the cracked portion of tooth and placing a crown covering the tooth including the cracked defect.

Cracks in dentin extending below the gum line require a surgical modification of the surrounding bone away from the fracture line and a subsequent placement of crown. This combination of treatment can become questionable if crack extends deep down into the root surface, especially when exact extent of crack cannot be determined. Tooth removal and replacement with implant or bridge can be an alternative.

Cracks into pulp can be very painful and usually need immediate attention. Conservative treatment options are of limited value and generally involve removal of tooth and replacement with a bridge, implant or removable prosthesis. Sometimes, a root canal therapy is performed and root temporarily restored and observed for several weeks and if asymptomatic, restored with a more permanent crown. If pain persists, an extraction becomes necessary.

Only superficial cracks can be left with no treatment. Most cracked teeth require treatment as soon as pain is experienced. Early treatment can mean less invasive and less expensive treatment. 

If you are concerned about a fracturing or a cracked tooth, feel free to call our office for a no obligation 10 minute consultation. Call 909 627 6699 or visit www.smileartistrychino.com

FREE SMILE MAKEOVER!

NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR A FREE SMILE MAKEOVER!

Dr. Cherukuri and her Team at Smile Artistry Chino Valley will change the life of one very lucky Chino resident. We are searching for a Chino resident deserving of a complimentary smile makeover (up to $2,000).The nominee can be a friend, family member, or even yourself.To nominate someone please submit a photo of the person showing their teeth and full smile. You will also need to provide a brief (100 words or less) explanation on why your nominee deserves a new smile.

 You may submit your nomination to lovemydentist@gmail.com

Nominations will be accepted until June 3, 2016.

For additional details call Samantha at (909) 627-6699

Our Raffle Winner is...

Congratulations Diane!!! 
You are the winner of our $100 VISA Gift Card Raffle! 

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Office Phone Number:  (909)627-6699

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Sealants

All teeth in the back of the mouth have grooves in them. Many of the grooves are defects where the tooth did not develop properly. They may have openings into the inside of the tooth. They collect food debris and are the starting point of dental decay.

If the grooves are detected at the right time, which is soon after they have erupted and no decay has set in, the grooves can be sealed with a plastic resin or a sealant which can prevent decay from starting.

Various sealant materials are available to close the defects in the tooth before decay starts. Teeth sealants are either natural tooth colored or slightly off color for easy observation of their retention on the tooth.

Sealants are most indicated for the permanent first and second molars. First molars erupt around age six and second molars usually around age twelve. It is best to seal them within six months of their eruption. Premolars, the teeth in front of the molars; are not as prone to formation of grooves as the molars and may not need sealant protection on a routine basis. Occasionally, sealants can be considered for baby or deciduous teeth. It is not always easy to detect the onset on decay even with electronic gauging devices and therefore best to seal the permanent molar teeth as soon as they erupt as a preventative measure. Sealant placement cannot be successfully placed after the onset of decay in the tooth. Placement of teeth sealants is relatively simple and does not need the use of any anesthetic. Various isolation techniques are used to keep the tooth dry- a mild acid will cleanse the tooth and create microscopic pores to mechanically lock and retain the sealant material. Plastic is applied and hardened and the sealant is completed. Teeth sealants need to be observed at recare visits to ensure that the edges or thin area of the sealants are not worn out and if needed, they need to be repaired or replaced.

It is estimated that more than 50 % of the back molar teeth will have decay if not protected with sealants. Restoring teeth with fillings is usually more expensive and invasive than the simple placement of a sealant for teeth. Waiting to place a sealant for teeth that are fully erupted in the mouth has risks of starting decay that can be easily avoided.

Sealants for teeth are a simple, well-documented measure of protecting teeth from decay. They preserve tooth structure and reduce the cost of oral health care

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INVISALIGN

Invisalign  has revolutionized the world of Orthodontics by providing a virtually invisible, predictable and removable treatment option for straightening teeth.

Invisalign involves the use of a custom made series of aligners that gradually shift teeth into better positions in the jaws and mouth. There are no uncomfortable metal brackets to attach or wires to tighten. A new set of sequential aligners are changed every two weeks until the teeth have moved into the pre-planned desired position.

Advantages to Invisalign

Virtually invisible teeth straightening

Easy access to brushing and flossing

Less irritation to gums and cheeks

Minimal disruption to daily life activities and socializing

Attractive orthodontic option for all age groups

Disadvantages to Invisalign

Patient compliance is a huge component in the success of Invisalign treatment

Conventional treatment may work more effectively in some orthodontic cases

Discuss your best option with the dentist.

Benefits of having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond a confident and beautiful smile. Swollen, red gums are often a result of teeth crowding. Unfortunately, they are also signs periodontal disease.Properly aligned teeth allow the healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems and other overall health hazards.

Most dental insurances provide coverage for Invisalign treatment just as they would other orthodontic treatment. In addition, flexible and comfortable monthly payments are also available with Care credit and other third party financing agencies. with

Over three million individuals of all ages enjoying beautiful and confident smiles after Invisalign treatment is a positive testament of its popularity, versatility, comfort and convenience. 

Call Janice at 909 627 6699 to schedule a complimentary consultation

Visit www.smileartistrychino.com for additional practice information.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

It is estimated that 30-50% of patients snore while sleeping- the incidence of snoring increases with age and men snore more frequently than women. Most people are unaware that there is professional help available for snoring.

A related condition, sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where the breathing space in the back of the mouth is closed off. OSA causes significant pauses in breathing and can be life threatening.

Dentists are associated with the treatment of both snoring and OSA. However, a team approach is a safe and effective means to treat these conditions. Dentists work with dental laboratories; sleep technicians and board certified sleep physicians as a team to curb snoring and sleep apnea.

Causes of snoring are partial or complete closure of airway is the cause of snoring as seen in:

Obstruction of nasal airway

Weak throat muscles

Lower jaw being too far back closing off throat

Sleeping posture- sleeping on back causes closure of breathing space

Fat accumulation in and around throat

Loss of muscle tone related to aging

Use of muscle relaxants including alcohol and sedative hypnotics

Snoring Effects:

Sleep deprivation

Social and marital challenges

Increased potential for heart attack and stroke

Snoring can be reduced or eliminated with relative ease but the associated condition of OSA needs more consideration. The pauses in breathing in children and adults happen between 5- 30 times an hour and causes daytime fatigue, slow reaction time and vision problems. About 15% of the American population suffers from sleep apnea. It is a serious condition that can be life threatening. Since OSA is associated with snoring, it must be addressed as part of the treatment for snoring.

Types of Sleep Apnea:

Obstructive sleep Apnea- occurs when soft tissue in the back of throat relaxes during sleep and blocks airway and causes loud snoring

Central Sleep apnea- much less common condition and occurs when the nervous system fails to signal the muscles that control breathing

Complex Sleep apnea- a combination of OSA and central sleep apneas and is associated with significant medical problems

All forms of sleep apnea often go unnoticed and can become serious when left untreated over time.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatments:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Anti snoring oral appliances / mouthpiece for snoring

Surgery

Medications

Losing Weight

Stopping Smoking

Sleeping on Side

Over the Counter Nasal Sprays

Nasal Strips or Clips

Anti Snoring Pillows

CPAPs and anti snoring devices are the most used and most successful treating options. Severity of snoring and OSA condition is measured by a sleep monitoring device to select appropriate treatment. Assuming that the OSA is not severe, sleep apnea dental appliances can easily control snoring and OSA.



Potential Side Effects of Oral Appliances:

Jaw/facial pain

Bite Changes

Tooth Pain

Jaw Joint Pain

Drooling

Dry Mouth

Sound, restful and peaceful sleep is possible. Cost of our sleep apnea dental appliances, or our mouthpiece for snoring are very minimal considering the huge benefits of sound sleep and increased productivity. 

Visit www.smileartistrychino.com for more information on our services.