In some cases, patients to experience a slight discomfort at the beginning of each phase in the alignment treatment. The discomfort lasts for a short amount of time, typically only a day. The slight ache that may occur is the aligner working properly.

Aligners and treatment plans are customized to fit the needs of each individual patient. Some patients may need small adjustment and aligners may be the only element in their treatment program. While other patients with poor oral health may need a more extensive treatment, and aligners may only be part of the treatment plan. Dobson Ranch Dental Care will work with you to develop the plan of treatment that’s the best for you.

If you have an insurance plan that covers orthodontic care, aligner treatment and braces should be covered equally. However, it is best practice to review your policy with your policy provider to confirm the orthodontic benefits covered in your plan. It is best to review your policy with the policy provider prior to scheduling a visit at Dobson Ranch Dental Care.

Traditional orthodontic treatments use fixed appliances such as stainless steel or ceramic braces, elastic bands, headgear and retainers to treat misalignments of the teeth and jaws. They can interrupt social activities and cause embarrassment for the patient. On the medical side, they can also be irritating to the mouth. Fixed appliances can also make brushing and flossing difficult – a significant drawback for patients with gingivitis or other gum-related conditions since dental hygiene is supposed to be kept up diligently.   Patients also need to watch what they eat and drink to ensure braces and bands aren’t damaged. Again, they have their uncomfortable moments. Aesthetic orthodontic treatments use removable appliances known as aligners to move teeth. Aligners are custom-made from clear, strong, medical grade plastic and are practically unnoticeable when worn. There are no metal parts to irritate the mouth or affect speech. And, because aligners are removable, the patient’s diet is not restricted and brushing and flossing can be done normally. They do however have to be cleaned, but their cleaning is simply and easy.

Is Sedation Dentistry safe? The short answer is yes, sedation dentistry is very safe. Upon arriving at Dobson Ranch Dental care, you will be treated to a comfortable and safe environment, where our experienced team will take care of your oral health needs. Sedation dentistry is an easy and very safe procedure. Complex dental treatments can often times require multiple office visits, however, with sedation dentistry you will be able to complete your complex procedure in one easy, safe visit. Patients often have no memory of the experience. Depending on the procedure, the time of sleep will vary. Sedation dentistry is a safe way to reduce the fatigue of extended dental treatments. Sedation dentistry is best for those who have a fear of needles, dental phobias, or general anxiety.

What causes periodontal disease, or  what is more commonly referred to as Gum Disease is an infection in the gums from bacteria. The most common ailments include bleeding gums that are red and puffy during flossing or brushing. Periodontal disease, if left unchecked can destroy the bones that support the teeth, leading to loss of teeth and extensive gum bleeding. Unfortunately, periodontal disease can go left unchecked for years without pain and without detection. Treatment is the best option to treat periodontal disease. Regular office visits to Dobson Ranch Dental Care can help alleviate the burden of developing periodontal disease. Early detection is essential in the treatment in tooth loss and disfiguration.

What causes tooth decay is when bacteria inflicts damage on the enamel of the tooth, typically leaving a hole or cavity. Any part of the tooth can receive damage from tooth decay, from the roots underneath the gum line all the way to the surface of the tooth. If left unchecked, bacterio can damage the pulp within the tooth, causing the tooth to die. Tooth decay happens from any number of issues, including poor flossing habits, poor brushing habits, high sugar diets, and poor lifestyle habits, such as smoking and lack of fluoride in the water supply.

Many seniors in today’s healthcare environment have retained their teeth, avoiding the trauma of removable dentures. However, many seniors experience dry mouth as a side effect of consistent medication. Without the benefit of saliva to decrease bacteria, an increase of cavities can occur. Anyone on a medication with a side effect of a dry mouth should be encouraged to see Dobson Ranch Dental Care for regular dental cleanings and topical fluoride rinses.

The best practice for dealing with a lease tooth is to leave it in place, do not remove it. However, if a tooth is knocked out, it is best to have the tooth be held in it’s socket until a dentist can re-implant it. It is important to not let it dry out and handle the tooth as little as possible. Do not try to scrub the tooth, disinfect it, or remove any tissue that may be attached to it. If the tooth is completely removed from someone’s mouth and is found in the ground or any other soiled area, best practice is to place the tooth in milk to preserve it. If milk is not available at the time, utilizing lukewarm water or saliva will help to preserve the tooth as well. The longer the tooth is out of the socket the worse it is. To have the best opportunity for long-term success of re-implantation, seek a dentist’s help within 30 minutes. Re-implantation may still work after several hours, however the likelihood of it’s long-term success is not as high as it would be if it was treated in a timely manner.

Bad breath is often times a frustrating situation. While there may be a multitude of issues causing bad breath, it often stems from tooth decay and periodontitis. Periodontitis is a disease that affects the bone and gums. Because the bone and gums support the teeth, it often manifests itself through irritated gums, bacteria, and ultimately an unpleasant odor. If you find that you have these symptoms, it is important to speak with Dobson Ranch Dental Care right away. By treating the underlying issues of periodontitis, bad breath will ultimately fade away.

Losing one single tooth can cause a lot of problems in someone’s overall oral health. What often happens is that proximal teeth will move into the space of the missing tooth, causing misalignment. To prevent this from happening a dental implant is needed. Dental implants are anchors that support replacement teeth. This easy procedure requires a titanium root to be planted into your jaw to replace the root of the lost tooth. Typically the anchor requires six weeks to six months of healing. Once healing occurs, a replacement tooth is anchored onto the implant.

A porcelain veneer is used to lighten stained teeth, close unwanted gaps and even alter crooked teeth. With veneers, you can change every aspect of your teeth, including: color, shape, and size. Veneers are small, strong shells that cover the front of the tooth. Veneers are traditionally made from porcelain and are very strong, stain resistant, and natural-looking. Treatment for veneers requires a custom fit, which is done by removing a small amount of enamel and bonding.  Veneers are an easy and long-term solution to improve your smile.

The most effective and affordable way to fix a chipped tooth is Cosmetic bonding. Cosmetic bonding can fix:

• Gaps in teeth
• Spots or stains
• Chipped teeth

Cosmetic bonding sculpts individual teeth without the removal of the tooth structure. This safe and effective technique bonds a composite material to your tooth without showing any signs of tooth repair. Cosmetic bonding is an easy procedure, and is less expensive than veneers.

Crowns are often employed to restore a tooth that cannot support a large size filling. Restoring teeth usually are done by using silver or composite fillings. However, despite the best efforts of fillings, a crown or also known as a “cap” may be needed. Restoring teeth with crowns are typically due to:

• Large fillings that cannot be filled through composite fillings
• Attach bridges
• Restoring a fractured tooth for protection
• Cover up poorly discolored teeth
• Protect dental implants

Prior to our modern advances in oral healthcare. Dentists utilized inexpensive silver and mercury to seal cavities and seal unwanted craters. The problem with this method is that silver fillings do not bond well to teeth, thus a chamber was required to be drilled into the tooth. This process was known as an “undercut,” which allowed the silver bonding to be kept within the tooth. While initially this solved the issue of the cavity, the undercut typically causes the tooth to become weaker over time. It is these types of fillings that can weaken the tooth. Modern oral healthcare has deemed that composite or porcelain fillings are much stronger, safer and more natural looking. Why should you replace silver-mercury fillings? Composite fillings are your best bet for creating a long-lasting and healthy smile. With no discoloring and no weakened teeth, composite fillings are a better material to replace your silver-mercury fillings.