Can You Be Too Old for Implants?

As a senior, you may wonder, are you too old for implants? The answer is an emphatic “No!” You can benefit just as much from implants as younger individuals. In fact, implants will improve your quality of life in your golden years as your replacement teeth will look, function, and feel like natural teeth and be just as easy to care for as natural teeth. Implants require no special treatment other than routine brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleaning to maintain their attractive appearance. Through dental implants, seniors gain the comfort, natural appearance, and functional capabilities of real teeth.

Key Advantages of Implants for Seniors

Implants are a permanent means of replacing lost teeth as they’re surgically embedded into the jaw and topped with a crown to act as your replacement tooth. This keeps your teeth from shifting when you eat, laugh, or speak. Implants also offer additional benefits in the form of:

• Facial support to prevent sagging – Implants act as tooth roots to prevent bone loss, keeping your jaw and face from sagging
• Improved health due to fewer diet restrictions – Implants function like natural teeth, enabling you to eat healthy foods without worrying about endangering your teeth.
• Restored speech – Implants restore your ability to speak clearly.
• Greater confidence to smile with ease – Implants complete your smile to restore its natural appeal so you can smile confidently and easily. Implants restore your confidence to socialize with friends, dine out with loved ones, and even pose for pictures once again.

Dental Implants Recovery

Dental implants aren’t a quick fix for replacing lost teeth. The process may take up to six months to complete. Once the surgery is completed, you’ll have to wait for the implant to integrate into your system and fully heal before a crown is attached to complete your treatment.

Most patients require a few days of rest after the initial surgery to allow gum swelling and tenderness to subside. You’ll need to follow a soft-food diet during the next few weeks while your gums heal. Smoking should be avoided during recovery as it could lead to gum infection. After your gums have fully recovered and the implants have been assimilated into your system, we’ll put crowns on top to act as replacement teeth. This completes your treatment.

To learn more about our affordable implant treatments for seniors, contact Dr. Carlos Garcia from Bright Smiles Dental Studio, La Crescenta, California, at (818) 290-8788 .

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What is CEREC?

Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CEREC, is a recent revelation in dental technology which has given dentists the ability to construct certain tooth restorations in-office. Previously, certain tooth restorations, including crowns, inlays, and onlays, all needed to be made off-site in a laboratory. With CEREC technology, digital impressions are taken from the dentist’s chair (no sticky, nasty putty necessary) and then sent to a Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM) machine, where the restoration is crafted from a block of dental ceramic. These restorations made in-office provide the same strength and durability as those made at a remote lab. The biggest difference is the convenience it offers dental patients. There is no need for multiple appointments, temporary crowns, etc.!

How Can CEREC Help You?

The main advantage and reason that so many dental patients seek dentists who offer CEREC restorations is the convenience this dental technology offers. If you are in a situation where you need a dental crown, inlay, or onlay quickly, CEREC makes this possible. What used to take multiple appointments can now be achieved in a single visit.

Traditionally, these restorations would require two visits. Physical impressions would need to be taken using a putty-like substance during the first visit. This can be uncomfortable to some. These impressions are sent to an off-site lab, where your restoration is created. In the meantime, temporary restorations would be put into place. You would then return for a second appointment weeks later to receive your restoration.

With CEREC, this entire process takes place within a single visit. There is no need to go weeks with a temporary fix and take time out of your busy schedule for multiple appointments. Digital impressions replace physical molds, and the restoration is created right there at your dentist’s office that same day.

The Benefits of CEREC

The CEREC technology offers other benefits besides convenience. It offers a highly precise way for dentists to generate digital impressions. Using a specialized tool that takes images of the inside of your mouth and sends them to an on-site computer, your dentist will create an incredibly precise three-dimensional impression of your mouth that can be used to create your CEREC restoration.

The durability of a CEREC restoration is another benefit. Just because it is crafted within a single appointment does not mean the quality or durability of the restoration is compromised. A CEREC crown can last several years if properly cared for as long as you maintain good oral health by following a proper at-home oral hygiene regimen and seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.

Get More Info on CEREC

The days of needing multiple appointments over several weeks to get a dental crown or other restorations are a thing of the past, thanks to the technology CEREC. If you are in the Montrose, California area and seeking a solution that offers unmatched convenience without compromising the strength and durability you expect from a crown, inlay, or onlay, you should ask Dr. Carlos Garcia, and the team at Bright Smiles Dental Studio about CEREC. Please call (818) 290-8788 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcia.  

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Importance of Professional Teeth Cleaning

Professional teeth cleaning isn’t a luxury — it’s a need! Annual dental exams and teeth cleaning can improve the health, appearance, and function of your teeth. Even with good home oral care, you run the risk of plaque or tartar building up on your teeth or developing gum disease. Gum disease, when left untreated, can escalate into periodontal disease — a primary cause of tooth loss. Working with professional teeth cleaning dentists like Dr. Carlos Garcia minimizes these risks to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

At Bright Smiles Dental Studio, we use advanced dental equipment and technology to remove plaque and tartar in between teeth and under the gum line, where bacteria can breed and cause gum disease. In addition to cleaning, we’ll floss and polish your teeth and provide oral care instructions to reduce the spread of bacteria that can cause cavities and gum inflammation.

By scheduling annual dental checkups and cleanings, you provide Dr. Garcia with an opportunity to thoroughly examine your teeth to detect signs of dental issues in their early stages when they are easier to treat. It can save you from having to undergo extensive or expensive treatments. Early treatment of dental problems can also save you from suffering permanent tooth damage or premature tooth loss.

Benefits of Professional Teeth Cleaning in Glendale California

Annual dental exams and professional teeth cleaning provide you with a practical, affordable means of caring for your teeth. Professional teeth cleaning services reduce your risk of developing dental problems that can damage your teeth or lead to costly dental treatments. Here are a few ways that dental exams and professional teeth cleaning can benefit you and your family:

• Thoroughly cleanses your mouth of plaque and tartar buildup that can damage your teeth.
• Reduces the risk of tooth decay and infections.
• Whitens and brightens your teeth to give you a beautiful smile.
• Freshen your breath.
• Minimizes the risk of periodontal disease that can lead to tooth loss.
• Uncovers dental issues early on when they’re more manageable (and less expensive) to treat.
• Protects your overall health by safeguarding you against dental problems like periodontal disease that can cause damage to your internal organs.
• It saves you money on expensive dental treatments.

Never take your oral health for granted. Working with dental professionals from Bright Smiles Dental Studio ensures you get the necessary services to maintain beautiful, healthy teeth.

To schedule an appointment for teeth cleaning services in Glendale, CA, contact Dr. Carlos Garcia at Bright Smiles Dental Studio today at (818) 290-8788 . We look forward to taking good care of your dental needs.

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What is CEREC dental restoration?

CEREC technology, in full, Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, has been making tremendous improvements since its invention in 1985 by Dentsply Sirona. But today, it’s widely used by dentists to perform numerous dentistry procedures, including veneers, onlays, inlays, implant crowns, and traditional crowns.

This technology shaves off time producing plaster models, sending them to labs, and waiting for the crowns to be shipped back. In contrast, CEREC technology uses computer-aided manufacturing to make dental restorations within a day. But how?

After prepping the tooth, your dentist uses an intraoral camera to take 3D digital impressions of your mouth. Then, these high-quality images are sent to a computer-aided milling machine to carve out full porcelain restorations that restore your smile.

CEREC porcelain dental crowns and porcelain onlays

Dental crowns and porcelain restorations are pivotal in disguising teeth imperfections like stained, chipped, damaged, or irregularly shaped teeth. However, since traditional crowns and porcelain onlays need at least two appointments, most patients don’t have the luxury of time to undergo this procedure. But thanks to CEREC technology, you can get same-day porcelain crowns or porcelain onlays, saving your precious time.

Usually, to get a traditional crown or porcelain onlay, your dentist prepares your teeth, takes your bite impressions, and sends the results to a lab. Meanwhile, you will wear a temporary restoration and come back after two weeks to receive your permanent restoration.

However, with CEREC porcelain crowns and porcelain onlays, the procedure is condensed to a day. While you wait, your teeth are prepared, and digital impressions are taken and sent to a CAD milling machine. And within less than one hour, your new porcelain restorations are ready for placement!

Benefits of CEREC full porcelain dental restorations

With CEREC technology taking the dentistry world by the storm, you, too, should join the bandwagon. This way, you will obtain the below benefits:

• It saves time
• No messy impressions
• Provides best-fitting crowns
• Yields comfortable results

Besides, with CEREC restorations, you don’t need temporary crowns or onlays; that could be an added layer of inconvenience while waiting for the permanent restorations.

Same-day full porcelain dental restoration services in and around Glendale, California

Would you like to get porcelain restorations in just one visit? Are you searching for bridges with no waiting time? Please contact (818) 290-8788  to book an appointment with Bright Smiles Dental Studio in Glendale, California. Dr. Carlos Garcia and the team will transform your smile within a same-day appointment.

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What Is General Dentistry?

General dentistry is a practice which offers a wide range of services to patients. A great number of dentists in the United States, a majority even, are general dentists. Many general dentists offer treatment to patients of all ages and are considered a primary health care provider. Whereas there are fields of specialized dentistry that focus in on a specific area of dentistry, a general dentist will provide patients with a wide variety of services and will usually offer treatment to entire families.

What Are Some Services Offered by a General Dentist?

Preferably, a general dentist mostly does work of the preventative nature with the goal of excellent long-term dental health for their patients. This includes regular dental cleanings and examinations, but also includes education. Educating a patient on best practices for at home teeth and gum care and recommended nutrition is also part of preventative dentistry. Regular check ups allow a dentist to monitor a patient’s ongoing oral health and detect any potential problems before they can progress to a state where the dentist is now having to react and do more invasive work. Dental cleanings allow for the removal of any built-up plaque, which helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

When preventative measures fail, treatment is the next option. General dentistry offers treatments (in most cases) from simple cavities to root canals and crowns. Some treatment options offered by Dr. Garcia include:

• Fillings
• Root Canals
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Extractions
• Dentures
• Periodontal Maintenance
• TMJ Therapy

When You Are Looking for A Smile Rejuvenation

When your dental health is in order, but you are looking to brighten or enhance the appearance of your smile, general dentists usually offer various cosmetic services as well. Dental health is important, but so is how you feel about your smile. A person’s smile plays a huge role in their everyday life. You may not be happy with your smile because it is not as white as you would like or because it appears crooked or damaged due to misaligned or chipped/cracked teeth. Whatever the reason, cosmetic services offered by Dr. Garcia include:

• Professional Whitening
• Dental Bonding
• Inlays and Outlays
• Crowns
• Porcelain Veneers
• Dental Implants
• Cosmetic Aligners

When You Are Looking for a One Stop Dentist

Making appointments at various dentists who offer specific services can be a hassle. With a general dentist, you can get a wide selection of treatments done under the same roof by the same dentist. This is not only great for the sake of convenience, but this allows the dentist to have a thorough familiarity with your dental history. If you are looking for a general dentist in the Glendale, CA area, please give Bright Smile Dental Studio a call today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Carlos Garcia by dialing (818) 290-8788 .

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Constant Pain

Prolonged pain is one of several signs that may indicate you require a root canal. Pain which continues, unabated, for a long period of time and pain which may go away but always come back should always be investigated. Pain which feels deep within the bone of the tooth or which has spread into the face, jaw, or other teeth should be considered serious as a root canal may be needed.

This pain may not always require a root canal and could also be caused by:

• Periodontal disease
• A cavity
• Damaged fillings
• Impacted tooth

Even if the pain is not caused by something that a root canal can fix, it is still crucial that you seek prompt treatment so that something such as a cavity does not progress to the point to where a root canal is needed. Always consider preventative dentistry as your friend. Early diagnosis and treatments of several dental issues will most likely lead to more favorable outcomes.

Increased Sensitivity to Temperature

Are you experiencing increased tooth sensitivity or pain when you eat cold or hot foods or drink hot coffee? What about when you treat yourself to a deliciously ice-cold coke or ice cream cone? Increased sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink could be a sign you need a root canal.

The sensitivity you experience could present itself as a dull ache but could also be a sharper, more immediate pain. If this sensitivity lingers for a prolonged amount of time, even after you are done eating and drinking, it could be indicative that the blood vessels and nerves within your tooth are either infected or damaged.

Other Signs You May Need a Root Canal

There are many signs and symptoms you can watch out for which could indicate that a root canal may be necessary. Some of these symptoms include:

• Tooth Discoloration
• Swollen Gums
• Pain When You Eat or Touch the Tooth
• Teeth which are chipped or cracked
• Teeth which become loosened

Safe Root Canals

The simple fact is that when a tooth has decayed to the point where it needs a root canal, it is time to act. Unless you want the infection to spread beyond the tooth, prompt action is necessary. You can elect for a root canal or the tooth may need to be extracted, which will lead to further cost as a replacement will be needed so that associated health risks (including teeth shifting and loss of jawbone) can be avoided. Root canals have been proven to be safe. Here is why:

• The removal of infected tissue
• Your body’s immune system is built to fight existing infection
• Filler material has greatly improved over the years
• There really are no other suitable options

Preventing Root Canals

Sometimes, no matter what you do, a root canal may be needed. There are many steps you can take in your day-to-day routine that will go a long way in reducing the risk you will need one. The biggest preventative step you can take is regular and proper dental hygiene at home.

• Twice a day brushing
• Flossing between your teeth daily
• The use of fluoride toothpaste in brushing
• Regular dental checkups (every 6 months)
• Professional dental cleaning once a year
• Limit your intake of sugary food and refined carbohydrates when eating as they tend to stick to the teeth. When eating sugary foods, try to make sure and rinse after.

If you are experiencing tooth pain that may require a root canal, please give Dr. Carlos Garcia at Bright Smiles Dental Studio a call today to learn just how safe this procedure is and how effectively it can restore your dental health. To reach Bright Smiles Dental Studio, please call (818) 290-8788 today!

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Most children and adults have regular exams and get their teeth cleaned at least twice a year. The goal is to save our natural teeth for as long as we live. Despite how hard we try, we may have a dental problem crop up. When this happens, schedule a dental exam as soon as possible before the tooth begins to decay, and more stringent procedures are needed to restore and save the tooth.

If the tooth has deteriorated badly, it may be time to save it by having root canal treatment to preserve the natural tooth. In Glendale, California, one of the best dentists for root canal treatment is Dr. Carlos Garcia and his dedicated team at Bright Smiles Dental Studio.

Preventative Care:

No one wants to have a filling, a root canal, or oral surgery, so we do all we can to keep our teeth in good condition with preventative dental care. Here are some things we can all do to keep our smile sparkling and our teeth in the best shape possible.

• Schedule regular teeth cleaning appointments: At least twice a year, you should visit a professional dental hygienist for a professional cleaning. They will remove plaque, tartar, and deep stains. It also enables the dental team to check for possible dental issues that should be addressed.
• Deep cleaning is often suggested: If the hygienist or dentist sees signs of plaque from the tooth roots, they may have to do a deep cleaning to keep gums and roots healthy.
• The dentist may suggest sealants: Dental sealants are brushed onto the chewing surface of molars to fill in any pits that may trap food and bacteria.
• Fluoride treatments: These treatments help those with exposed roots or gum recession. It enables the tooth to withstand decay.
• Regular dental visits: This is critical in helping retain natural teeth. If there is a problem, it can be corrected before there is any tooth loss.

Other Dental Procedures:

In addition to the preventive care previously mentioned, Bright Smiles Dental Studio offers a full range of dental services, including:

• General Dentistry
• Family Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Root Canal Treatment Process
• Oral Appliances
• Dental Implants
• Clear Aligners
• Sedation Dentistry
• CEREC

No matter what type of oral issue you are having, our team can find a solution to save your natural tooth or replace it with the best option available. That may be a dental implant or other solution that will help protect your smile.

Make an Appointment with our Glendale, California-based Team Today:

If you are looking for a root canal dentist in Glendale, CA, call Dr. Carlos Garcia at Bright Smiles Dental Studio today at (818) 290-8788 . We are easy to get to, located in Glendale, CA, at 3600 N. Verdugo Road, Suite #105. 

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How sleep apnea affects your body

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects your nighttime breathing. People with sleep apnea will stop and start breathing throughout the night, which disrupts the sleep cycle and lowers your blood oxygen levels at night. It has serious implications for your health, and it can contribute to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and depression. Many patients may go years without realizing they have breathing troubles at night, and in many instances, their partner is the one that notices the issue.

Sleep apnea symptoms include headache, fatigue, snoring, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and irritability. While some kinds of sleep apnea are caused by issues in your brain, obstructive sleep apnea is the result of a physical blockage in the airway, often caused by the placement of the tongue or jaw. While many patients treat sleep apnea with CPAP machines, they are loud and uncomfortable to use, and many people give up on them after a few weeks.

Treating OSA with a custom oral appliance

Dr. Garcia offers a simple, portable alternative for patients suffering from OSA. He will craft a custom oral appliance that you wear in your mouth each night. The device works by pushing your jaw forward gently to open your airway and keep your tongue on you’re mouths palate where it belongs. The appliance doesn’t require electricity, and it won’t disturb you or your partner like a noisy CPAP machine can.

The oral appliance has demonstrated widespread success at reducing snoring and decreasing apnea episodes for a sound, restful sleep. Contact Bright Smiles Dental Studio in Glendale today at (818) 290-8788 to find relief for OSA and snoring.

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Oral health affects the whole body

Cavities form when bacteria feed on sugars and starches in your mouth. They can also infect your gums, causing bleeding and inflammation, which can cause stress to your immune system. Unfortunately, these bacteria can also make their way into your bloodstream, relaxing toxins that can affect your heart and brain health. Regular brushing and flossing can disrupt plaque and reduce the amount of pathogenic bacteria in your mouth.

Even with the diligent home care, bacteria can find their way under your gum line or take cover under tartar. A professional dentist has the tools and education to gently remove plaque and tartar build-up and clean debris from hard-to-reach crevices in your mouth.

Find problems as they develop

During your professional cleaning, we will also evaluate the state of your mouth. X-rays can help Dr. Garcia spot cavities as they start to form and allow him to check your root and bone health. Our staff can also check the pocket depth of your gums and look for signs of periodontal disease and gingivitis before it destroys the soft tissues in your mouth and spreads.

These screenings allow Dr. Garcia to nip problems in the bud before they require extreme measures, such as root canal therapy or tooth extraction. To protect your oral health, you need regular dental care and routine teeth cleaning at least twice a year to keep your smile bright, healthy, and happy for years to come. It will save you time and money in the long run, as well as pain and discomfort. Contact our office today at (818) 290-8788 to schedule an appointment.

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Pediatric dental services

Good oral hygiene should start at home before the teeth erupt. You can keep your baby’s gums clean with warm water and a rag, and book an appointment once their first tooth erupts. Early dental visits will help your child become comfortable with our staff, and we will educate you on the best preventative care for your child.

Once their teeth develop, we can keep an eye out for issues like crowding and bite alignment that are easier to treat when the jaw bone is still malleable. We also offer preventative measures like dental sealants, as well as address cosmetic issues that can make them self-conscious of their smile. We offer plenty of low-cost options like dental boning to treat gaps and misshapen teeth, as well as more advanced cosmetic dentistry for patients of all ages.

General Dentistry

Routine dental exams and professional cleaning are the best preventative measure to guard against tooth decay. The sooner we spot signs of cavities or gum disease, the more treatment options you will have, and the better we can preserve the natural structure of your mouth.

We offer in-house dental implants and periodontics treatment for more advanced care so you won’t have to work with an outside specialist for quality restorations, gum treatments, and painless root canals.

Diverse staff for better patient outcomes

Communication is key to successful dental procedures. We have fluent speakers of Armenian, English, Farsi, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, so we can treat diverse clientele with compassion. Dr. Garcia has over two decades of experience and advanced education in the field of dentistry. Contact our office in Glendale, CA, at (818) 290-8788 for a family-friendly dentist.

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