Maintaining a healthy, radiant smile starts here. Professional teeth cleanings and checkups are essential for preventing dental problems before they begin. The American Dental Association recommends these visits every six months, and we wholeheartedly agree. Regular checkups and cleanings are the foundation of preventative dental care, helping you enjoy a beautiful smile year-round.
What happens during my cleaning and checkup? We use advanced tools and techniques to comfortably and thoroughly remove plaque and bacteria – even from those hard-to-reach areas that brushing and flossing alone can miss. This meticulous cleaning helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay, keeping your smile healthy and vibrant. We also polish your teeth to remove surface stains and leave your smile sparkling.
Your comprehensive exam with Dr. Cristea goes beyond just checking for cavities. She'll carefully assess your gum health, screen for oral cancer, evaluate your bite, and discuss any concerns you may have. Early detection of any dental issues allows us to provide quick, easy, and conservative treatments, often using biomimetic, tooth-preserving techniques.
What is biomimetic dentistry? It's a revolutionary approach that mimics the natural structure and function of your teeth. Dr. Cristea uses biomimetic principles and materials to strengthen weakened teeth, seal them against bacteria, and restore them in a way that's more natural, long-lasting, and preserves your natural tooth structure.
Why are regular cleanings so important? While brushing and flossing at home are crucial, only a professional cleaning can remove hardened plaque (tartar or calculus) that builds up between visits. This buildup can contribute to gum disease and other oral health problems. Dr. Cristea provides the thorough cleaning you need to maintain optimal oral health.
Ready to experience the difference? Schedule your cleaning and checkup today and take the first step towards a healthier, more radiant smile! Call or text us at 408-252-8171
Are Dental X-rays Safe? We understand that some patients have concerns about radiation exposure from X-rays. Your safety is our top priority. That's why we utilize state-of-the-art digital X-ray technology, which significantly reduces radiation exposure – up to 90% less than traditional X-rays. This advanced technology allows us to get clear, detailed images of your teeth and surrounding structures while minimizing any potential risks.
Why Do I Need X-rays? X-rays are an essential part of a comprehensive dental exam. They allow us to see things that we can't see with a visual examination alone, such as:
Cavities that are just beginning to form
Impacted teeth
Bone loss
Other bone pathology or dental issues
We carefully review each patient's dental history, the results of their oral exam, and their individual risk factors for developing cavities to determine how often X-rays are needed. This personalized approach ensures that you receive the necessary diagnostic information while minimizing your exposure to radiation. We only recommend X-rays when they are truly necessary for your health and well-being.
Introducing the iTero 3D Digital Scanner – revolutionizing dental impressions. This cutting-edge technology uses a laser to capture thousands of images of your teeth and gums, creating a highly accurate 3D digital model. The iTero scanner offers several key advantages:
Enhanced Comfort: No more messy, uncomfortable impression material.
Increased Accuracy: Digital impressions are far more precise than traditional methods, leading to better-fitting restorations and appliances.
Faster Appointments: The scanning process is quick and efficient.
Improved Treatment Planning: The detailed 3D model allows for more precise treatment planning and communication with the lab.
Protect your health with an annual oral cancer screening. Early detection of oral cancer is crucial for successful treatment, and an annual screening is the best way to identify any potential problems in their earliest stages. Dr. Cristea performs a thorough and comfortable oral cancer screening using advanced techniques.
What to expect during your screening:
Visual and Physical Examination: Dr. Cristea will carefully examine your lips, face, head, and neck, looking for any abnormalities. She will also palpate the tissues in these areas to feel for any unusual lumps or bumps.
Comprehensive Intraoral Exam: She will thoroughly inspect all the soft tissues inside your mouth, including the inside of your lips, gums, cheeks, the base of your tongue, and below your tongue. This meticulous examination helps identify any lesions, discolorations, or other signs of oral cancer.
Advanced Technology: For an even more comprehensive screening, Dr. Cristea may use a special fluorescent light. This technology can help highlight subtle changes in the tissues that might not be visible under normal light, aiding in the early detection of potentially cancerous or precancerous lesions.
Why is early detection so important? Finding oral cancer in its early stages significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and a full recovery. The screening is quick, comfortable, and could save your life.
Schedule your annual oral cancer screening today! Call or text us at 408-252-8171
Composite Restorations: A Natural-Looking Solution for Damaged Teeth. Composite resin is a durable, tooth-colored material that is used to fill cavities, repair chips and cracks, and restore the natural shape and function of your teeth. Composite restorations offer several advantages:
Natural Appearance: The resin can be customized to match the exact color of your teeth, creating a virtually invisible restoration.
Strong and Durable: Composite fillings are strong and durable, providing long-lasting results.
Bonding to Tooth Structure: Composite resin bonds directly to the tooth, strengthening it and reducing the risk of leakage.
Dental Crowns: Restoring Strength, Function, and Beauty. A dental crown, also known as a cap, covers a damaged or weakened tooth, providing strength and protection. Crowns can also dramatically improve the appearance, shape, and alignment of your teeth. We offer several types of crowns to suit your specific needs:
Porcelain Crowns (e-max): These crowns are made from a high-quality, tooth-colored ceramic material that looks and feels natural. They are an excellent choice for restoring front teeth or other visible areas of your smile.
Zirconia Crowns: Zirconia is a strong, metal-free material that is ideal for back teeth or areas where strength and durability are paramount. While strong, they can also be made to look very natural.
Dental Bridges: A Solution for Missing Teeth. Missing teeth can lead to various oral health problems and affect your overall well-being. A dental bridge is a reliable and esthetic way to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of a false tooth (or teeth) that are anchored to adjacent teeth with crowns. Bridges offer several benefits:
Restored Smile: A bridge fills the gap left by missing teeth, restoring your smile and confidence.
Improved Chewing Ability: Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew properly. A bridge restores your ability to chew,so you can enjoy your favorite foods.
Maintained Tooth Alignment: Missing teeth can cause adjacent teeth to shift. A bridge helps maintain proper tooth alignment.
Dentures are removable appliances designed to replace missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics. We offer both full and partial dentures:
Full Dentures: Replace all of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. They are supported by the soft tissues of the mouth.
Partial Dentures: Replace some missing teeth, filling in gaps and preventing remaining teeth from shifting. They can be supported by adjacent teeth, soft tissue, or implants.
Preserving Your Natural Tooth Structure. Inlays and onlays are a conservative treatment option for teeth with moderate damage that extends beyond what a filling can repair, but not so extensive that a crown is necessary. They offer a strong, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing alternative, also conserving the tooth structure
Porcelain Veneers: A Quick and Dramatic Smile Makeover. Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth, providing a dramatic improvement in their appearance. Veneers can address a wide range of cosmetic concerns:
Chipped or Cracked Teeth: Veneers can repair minor chips and cracks, restoring your smile's natural beauty.
Discoloration: Veneers can cover stubborn stains that don't respond to teeth whitening.
Misalignment: Veneers can correct minor misalignments and create the illusion of straighter teeth.
Gaps Between Teeth: Veneers can close small gaps between teeth, creating a more uniform smile.
Uneven Tooth Shape or Size: Veneers can correct the shape and size of teeth, creating a more balanced and harmonious smile.
Professional Teeth Whitening: Reveal Your Most Radiant Smile. We understand that a bright, white smile can significantly impact your self-confidence. That's why we offer personalized in-office teeth whitening treatments designed to deliver stunning results. Our experienced team will work with you to determine the best approach for achieving your desired shade, ensuring a comfortable and effective whitening experience.
Implant Restorations: A Collaborative Approach to a Complete Smile. We work closely with highly skilled oral surgeons and periodontists to provide comprehensive implant treatment. From the initial consultation to the final placement of your custom-made crown, we're here to guide you through the process.
Implant Restoration Process:
Surgical Phase: Our trusted partners, the oral surgeons or periodontists, will perform any necessary extractions, bone grafting, and place the dental implant(s).
Healing Phase: Time is allowed for the implant(s) to integrate with the bone.
Restorative Phase: Once healing is complete, impressions scans are taken and create a beautiful, natural-looking crown (or crowns) that will be attached to the implant(s). Implant supported crowns will ensure a perfect fit and seamless integration with your existing teeth.
Your Path to a Straighter Smile. We utilize advanced technology and techniques to assess your individual needs and create a customized orthodontic treatment plan. Our goal is to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful, and functional smile.
Clear Aligners are a discreet and comfortable way to straighten your teeth. These removable aligners gradually shift your teeth into their ideal positions.
Clear Retainers are a crucial part of any orthodontic treatment. They are custom-made appliances that help hold your teeth in their new, aligned positions after braces or aligners are removed.
During your examination, we will thoroughly evaluate your oral health and discuss all available treatment options, including estimated treatment time and costs.
Protecting Your Teeth from Bruxism. Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching, can cause significant damage to your teeth, jaw pain, and headaches. A custom-made night guard is a comfortable and effective way to protect your teeth and alleviate these symptoms.
Benefits of a Night Guard:
Prevents Tooth Damage: Protects your teeth from wearing, chipping, and cracking caused by grinding and clenching.
Reduces Jaw Pain: Alleviates muscle tension and pain in the jaw and surrounding areas.
Protects Implant Restoration: Helps protect implant restoration from grinding and clenching.