Professional Dental Care

Cosmetic Dentist Serving San Jose, Sunnyvale and the Bay Area

Maintenance and longevity of natural teeth and cosmetic restorations also depend on professional dental care. Your dentist and hygienist can monitor the condition of your cosmetic restorations and head off problems before they are serious. Problems that can occur are usually related to periodontitis, occlusion, or bruxism.

Periodontitis (gum disease) can usually be controlled with professional help and home care. Plaque is the soft colony of bacteria that forms in our mouths every day. This can be removed with floss and toothbrush.

Calculus, also known as tartar, is a hard deposit that can only be removed by your hygienist or dentist. Calculus alone does not cause gum disease. But when looked at under an electron microscope, tartar looks like an English muffin with lots of nooks and crannies that harbor bacteria. The bacteria produce toxins and acids that damage our gums and teeth.

Occlusion refers to the way your teeth come together (your bite). Poor occlusion often leads to fractured teeth and restorations, accelerated gum disease, bone loss, headaches, and muscle pain. Your dental professionals can treat poor occlusion.

Bruxism is the dental term for nighttime grinding of teeth. This is usually controlled with a “nightguard” appliance that is worn while sleeping. Nightguards fall under the general heading of splints and are also known as stabilizing appliances, precision bite stabilizers, repositioning appliances, orthopedic appliances, or deprogrammers.

Owners manual suggestion #3

Visit your professional dentist and hygienist regularly.

If you have periodontal disease it is recommended that you visit your dental professional every 3-4 months for maintenance and dental care. Occlusion can be adjusted by minor reshaping of teeth or improved with restorations. Bruxism and clenching can be treated with nightguards or splints.

Your cosmetic dentistry treatment can correct many different aesthetic problems, but without proper dental care, your results can fade. Contact Dr. Wayland today to schedule your initial consultation to learn more about dental care and how to keep your teeth looking beautiful.