Category: San Diego Dentist Association

San Diego Dentist Association members work hard before dental surgery to make sure everything goes smoothly. They also stand with you after the procedure, making sure you have any support you need for a complete recovery.

When working with an SDDA dentist, ask questions before and after your dental surgery to make sure you understand how things should progress so you can be sure your recovery is always on track. The goal is always total accuracy for the procedure and total satisfaction for you, the patient.

If you’re contemplating dental surgery and need advice or a second opinion, reach out to an SDDA dentist now.

Panoramic x-rays provide exactly what the definition of the word “panoramic” suggests: A wide, sweeping view of what’s happening in your mouth. This wraparound view gives more information about cavities, wisdom teeth, and jaw health than regular x-rays. There’s no better way to see fractures, bone loss, or bite concerns than panoramic x-rays, which may also be called orthopantomograms or referred to by the brand name Panorex.

With today’s panoramic x-rays from San Diego Dentist Association members, there’s no film to put in your mouth. Either the x-rays are done digitally or the film is built into the machine – which moves around your head to take the x-ray and doesn’t go inside your mouth at all. Your dentist can see a broad overview of what’s happening with your mouth, jaw and face and may still perform other x-rays to get a close look at any teeth of concern.

There is a range of reasons why your dentist might choose to take a panoramic x-ray. Some do them routinely. Others do them only for specific purposes, including:

• Looking for gum disease and cavities that might otherwise be missed
• Understanding if TMD or other jaw problems are progressing
• Diagnosing an overactive gag reflex
• Looking for cysts
• Seeing fractures in jawbones or teeth
• Planning for braces, dentures, or implants
• And more.

The unique circular view of a panoramic x-ray is taken using a rotating arm with an x-ray machine on it that moves around your head while you are either seated or standing, depending on the machine. The rotating arm moves slowly around your head while you remain still and face forward to take the panoramic x-ray. The image will be blurred and not usable by the dentist if you move your head, so it’s important that you stay as still as possible.

Once the panoramic x-ray has been generated, your dentist will magnify the image and examine it closely for either the specific problems they were concerned about or generally to see if any problems are detected. This vital diagnostic tool can help a dentist understand what’s happening and how they can treat it. When used in conjunction with regular x-rays a dentist can get a much clearer picture of what’s happening with your teeth and mouth than with other x-rays alone.

For more information about panoramic x-rays or for diagnosis of your oral health concerns, reach out to an SDDA dentist now. It’s the right time to make an appointment and get your problems resolved – before they get worse.

To get your X-Rays done with our Panoramic equipment, call (619) 745-6870 to schedule your appointment

While everyone looks in the mirror from time to time – and some of us quite often – we probably don’t spend much of that time looking at our teeth (unless something is wrong with one of them) and even less looking at our gums. Yet, oral health is crucially important to overall health because it has both direct and indirect impact on many aspects of wellbeing. The longer you leave dental problems untreated, the longer it will take and the harder it will be to restore them – and the more it will cost too.

Laser cavity detection from a San Diego Dentists Association member is one way to make sure your teeth get close attention during your dental visit. Tools like the DIAGNOdent laser can find problems the naked eye might miss so that measures can be taken to put things right. SDDA dentists use the DIAGNOdent laser to detect tooth decay when it is still small and easily treatable – for early intervention and maintaining the healthiest teeth throughout your life.

You May Not See Tooth Decay

There are many reasons that tooth decay may not be obvious even though it’s happening. One is that an area of decay may be too small to be easily noticed. Another is that fluoridated drinking water can make cavities harder to detect. That’s because fluoride protects the outside enamel surface of the tooth, but decay can develop inside. Before fluoride, cavities almost always developed from the outside and ate away toward the inside of the tooth. Now, cavities can form from the inside out.

Cavities may not be detected using ordinary, traditional means until there is enough decay that a large amount of the tooth is damaged. By increasing the ability of dental offices to detect small cavities, laser cavity detection allows problems to be detected earlier so that they can be treated before a large amount of tooth is lost.

The DIAGNOdent laser allows dentists to see a tooth in a new way that’s painless, simple and doesn’t involve any radiation. It involves light being reflected from the teeth in a special way. The scanner analyzes how the light is refracted. If there is a fluorescent reflection, there is tooth decay. The fluorescence is created naturally by the decay in the tooth with no need for chemicals, dyes or probing.

With laser cavity detection, your dentist can detect 3 specific types of decay:

• Fissure and pit decay. This is what first comes to mind when most people think of cavities: damage to the chewing surfaces of molars caused by enamel wear and excess sugars in the mouth.
• Root decay. Especially prevalent in people with receding gums from gum disease, root decay happens where the root meets the gums. Poor brushing and flossing can cause a buildup of plaque in the mouth that leads to gum disease and eventually root decay.
• Smooth surface decay. Plaque and the bacteria it contains can eat away smooth tooth surfaces and create cavities that can be just as painful and require treatment just as much as other types of decay.

Dentistry Tools Work Together For You

It’s no longer true that dentistry has to be painful, thanks to the range of tools available to dentists now. The DIAGNOdent laser is one way that today’s dental office visits can be simple, effective, and pain-free yet more informative than ever before. Laser cavity detection can diagnose tooth decay using light and only light without discomfort or hassles. It can assess precisely how much decay is in a tooth so your dentist can make a smart decision about what to do next.

Please understand, however, that San Diego dentists don’t rely totally on laser cavity detection and anything else. Today’s dental world is overflowing with painless oral and dental health diagnostic tools. X-rays, for example, are still used, now done digitally and requiring less radiation than ever. But they can miss small cavities. A cavity often needs to be at least one-third the size of a tooth to be picked up using even the best modern x-rays, but laser cavity detection can find the small areas of decay that radiographic imaging misses.

When San Diego dentists use several types of technology at once, it’s easier than ever for them to support patient needs and provide effective treatment for total dental and oral health. Small cavities discovered with laser cavity detection can often be filled with microabrasion that doesn’t require a drill and therefore doesn’t generate pain. That means numbing may not be necessary. Dentists today use tooth-colored composite fillings that are safe, effective, and biocompatible.

Research has shown that visual inspection allows for proper cavity detection in less than 60 percent of patients. But with laser cavity detection, more than 90 percent of cavities can be detected. When combined with other tools, the detection rate can be even higher. Turn to an SDDA dentist now for early detection and early treatment of tooth lesions and demineralized areas for safer, quicker, and easier treatment that preserves as much natural tooth as possible.

For laser-accurate diagnosis and better dental health, reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member now. For total oral health, it’s the best decision possible.

If you are interested in a laser-accurate diagnosis of your teeth, call (619) 745-6870

It’s not a wave of the future; it’s here now. Precise 3D dental scanning helps dentists see exactly what’s happening in your mouth in excellent detail so you can get the best treatment. One 3D scanner, the Carestream CS 3500 intraoral scanner, is used by many San Diego Dentist Association members and is a simple device that’s overflowing with remarkable technology to provide patients more accurate crowns and other restorations with fewer issues and no pain.

In some cases, dental impressions are a thing of the past with 3D scanning technology.

This modern tool is small, easy for dentists to handle and creates a computerized picture of whatever your dentist needs to see for accuracy and quality of treatment. With 3D imaging, your dental appointment can be quicker, more convenient, hassle-free and precisely targeted to your needs.

A 3D Dental Scanner For Today’s Dentists

The small and light CS3500 digital scanner is amazing technology that can scan up to 16 mm deep and at multiple angles. All you have to do as the patient is relax as your chosen dentist and this technology work together for your benefit. The device has preprogrammed guidance built-in so that the dentist can pay attention to you and your needs while the device does its work.

Even better, 3D dental scanning doesn’t just work for new patients and new needs. Dental impressions taken in the past can be easily converted to this modern new technology, helping a dentist who has treated you in the past understand the best way to take care of your crowns and other restorations that were placed with the aid of impressions. In this way, 3D scanning serves as a bridge between the old way of doing things and the simpler, better modern way. That means you don’t get left behind because your records include impressions instead of digital scans.

Dentists and their staff members have more time for patient care because of the special computer software involved in dental scanning, which stores records in one safe place. That means administration is easy and inexpensive, saving the dentist money and time – and saving you costs and hassles.

While this is an amazingly clever kind of dental device, the underlying idea is really quite simple: It’s a top-notch digital scanner connected to a computer by USB, making the system as portable as any laptop.

Ease Of Use Means Excellent Reliability For You

Whether your SDDA dentist is left-handed or right-handed, 3D scanning with the CS3500 digital scanner is equally easy. Because the device is so simple to use, it’s very practical for a dentist to devote their attention to their patient rather than dealing with all the hassles of impressions or all the knobs, buttons, bells and whistles of previous generations of dental scanning technology.

The device can be placed into a feedback mode that projects two lights to guide the dentist perfectly, helping them quickly make any changes required to their scanning technique to keep within the parameters of the scanner. In just a few minutes, almost any dentist can create a complete scan of your mouth.

In guide mode, the CS3500 digital scanner used by many SDDA dentists can function as a training tool for new staff so that each dental professional at the practice is prepared to offer the highest level of care to patients.

The image created by 3D dental scanning is in full color, giving your dental team a clear and easy to understand view of which areas shown are soft tissue and which are enamel, dentin or other types of tissue – essential information when you require treatment below the gum line where dentists once had to work in the dark and without full information. This is also a remarkable step up from the black-and-white technology of x-rays and other kinds of scans.

All information gather is saved in a computer file for when you return to the dental office for additional treatment, saving time in the future and allowing for comparison.

Today’s dental scanners are the natural progression for smart dental offices that put patients first every step of the way. Dental scanning gathers most kinds of information in less than 3 minutes with no pain, no hassle, no mess and no discomfort.

You deserve the best in dental care, and that’s why you deserve a San Diego Dentist Association dental professional. Why not reach out to an SDDA practice now for more information about 3D digital scanning?

Unlike any other dental organization, less than 1% of the practicing dentists in San Diego are approached for admission into The San Diego Dentist Association. The meticulous 30 point screening process requires spotless background checks, referrals from prominent members in the field, excellent educational records, advanced specialties, absence of any litigation, up to date knowledge of the latest equipment, materials and treatment, and flawless online reputation. The SDDA does not accept payment of any kind for admission.

There are a host of reasons why you can trust San Diego Dentist Association members. Each is an experienced dentist with a team you of proven experts in dental and oral care. The focus of SDDA dentists is painless, nontoxic, attractive cosmetic dentistry. Their modern, advanced facilities and forward-thinking approach makes them among the most in-demand San Diego dentists. There’s a close-to-home dental office awaiting your visit that can improve your smile and your health in general while helping you overcome dental anxiety. There’s no reason to delay getting treatment anymore.

The top priority at SDDA dentist offices is you: restoring and maintaining your smile, establishing full functionality of your teeth and mouth, gaining your trust and offering you a positive, pain-free treatment experience. Each is a caring, experienced professional who is an expert in personalized care.

They want you to understand where you stand with your dental and oral health so you can make smart decisions about how to move forward with the services you want and need to look and feel your best.

The Dentists San Diego Relies On

People across the San Diego area and around Southern California benefit every day from choosing a gentle, modern dental office committed to the latest procedures and cutting-edge technology for a pain-free experience. If you want a beautiful, fully functionally mouth and teeth now and for the rest of your life, you need one of these dental teams on your side. Some of the ways SDDA dentists are different include use of:

• Low-speed drills generate less heat and therefore less pain
• Topical anesthetics to prevent you from feeling any needed numbing injections
• 3D scanners and laser diagnostics so we don’t perform unnecessary or imprecise work
• Special techniques to help you manage and overcome dental anxiety
• And more.

When you choose to rely on a San Diego Dentist Association member, you’re moving toward more aesthetically pleasing teeth, better gums and increased oral health for the greatest overall wellbeing.

Often, they can treat you in a single visit with multiple visits necessary only for complex issues, and they always arrange your appointments to fit into your schedule. Whenever you need them, they await you with a professional, caring attitude and a deep commitment to service.

Here are a few more ways they’re different from some other dentists:

• They offer cosmetic dentistry at our San Diego office, including porcelain veneers and dental implants.
• They feature Invisalign and other clear aligners for metal-free correction of crooked teeth.
• They create a caring environment and use special techniques to help you overcome dental anxiety.
• They practice biocompatible, nontoxic dentistry that doesn’t harm you or the environment.
• They can do many restorations and cosmetic procedures with no shots or drills.
• They use digital x-rays and laser diagnostics for accurate, pain-free treatment
• And more.

The Right San Diego Dentist For Every Need

Each SDDA member is a cosmetic and family dentist who provides complete dental service in a clean, pleasant and caring office environment. You can feel good about turning to each of these dentists for these services and more:

• Emergency dental service
• Preventative care, including checkups, exams, and cleanings
• Cosmetic dentistry, including bonding, teeth whitening, crown lengthening, and veneers
• Restorative dentistry, including tooth-colored fillings, porcelain crowns, bridges, inlays, and Onlays
• Gum disease treatment, including gingivectomy, root scaling, and planning
• Dental sealants to prevent tooth decay
• Dental implants
• Specialized procedures, including bone grafts, gingival flaps, and osseous surgery
• Orthodontic services
• Wisdom teeth removal
• Custom appliances for TMD and grinding, including mouth guards.

This is not a complete list of services provides. They strive to meet every dental and oral health need at one place so you can have an amazing smile with as few procedures and visits as possible.

The Dentists San Diego Residents Loves

SDDA member clients often return again and again because of the high standards the dental offices maintain and the caring atmosphere they nurture. They’re always aware of and benefitting from the latest innovations – things like laser diagnostics, 3D scanning, digital panoramic x-rays and the best restoration materials – so that your treatment happens quickly, comfortably, accurately and professionally without hassles or pain.

Additionally, they strongly advocate for preventative care and work to provide you with dental education that helps you understand how to best care for and improve your oral health. They understand that prevention and education are crucial for you to experience the best from your teeth and mouth for a lifetime. They would much rather provide preventative dental health services at their San Diego office than treat advanced problems that have already been causing you pain and loss of function.

When you visit the dentist you choose, your first appointment begins with a careful exam of your gums and teeth. The expert dentists, dental assistants and hygienists look for disease, decay and signs of oral cancer and take painless full-mouth digital x-rays. After they understand what’s going on and what’s concerning you, they recommend the procedures and treatments to maintain, restore and beautify your teeth, gums and mouth. A cleaning is always recommended if you haven’t visited a dentist in 6 months or more. They may also recommend sealants, tooth-colored fillings or other restorations, periodontal care and more.

Safety And Sanitation Come First

Each San Diego Dentist Association member is professional that Southern California residents trust for aesthetically pleasing, gentle and effective dental work and that you can also trust for safety and sanitation. Top of mind is your dental and medical record security. Depend on them to exceed all regulations for medical data security, ensuring that your private information is not compromised.

You can also depend on them to take extraordinary care related to infection control. They maintain careful sterilization protocols and work to prevent cross-contamination as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, OSHA and the American Dental Association. As CDC and other guidance regarding dental visits changes, they always stay on top of the latest protocols.

Just as important in protecting your personal safety is maintaining their education so that they always perform procedures according to the latest and best methods. Everyone on their teams participate in frequent continuing education and stay in touch with the latest literature in the dental field. They attend dental lectures, organization meetings, conventions, conferences and more to make sure they’re up to the challenge of meeting your dental and oral health needs.

Now’s The Right Time To Visit An SDDA Member

If it’s been 6 months or more since you’ve seen a dentist, now is the right time to visit a San Diego Dentist Association member. Regular dental visits are the only way you can maintain your oral health. If you don’t visit, they can’t help you. As for cost, you may not realize that dental insurance coverage often expires yearly, so you’re losing benefits if you don’t visit regularly for a checkup and cleaning.

Let the dentist you choose take a look at your medical history, do digital x-rays, check you for oral cancer and examine you for gum disease, cavities and other concerns. Even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms, you may have problems in the making that we can halt or prevent. A simple cleaning to remove plaque and tartar and allow gums to attach better to your teeth can do wonders for how your mouth feels and looks.

Most SDDA dentists have new patient appointments available right away – because they want to be your dental health care provider. Simply reach out now. They will address your concerns, meet your needs and desires and help you quickly, easily and painlessly get back to the things that matter to you. You’ll see that maintaining your teeth, gums and mouth doesn’t need to be a time-consuming and expensive hassle. It can be an easy, affordable and even pleasant process.

Every member of your family deserves a great smile, and SDDA’s respected San Diego dental professionals offer the expert service you need to make that happen. Why not get started now?