Understanding Cosmetic Restorations

For many, cosmetic dental treatments are seen as procedures that impact only the look of the smile, offering no contribution to the overall health and dental function. However, cosmetic dental procedures take on a hybrid approach, providing patients with multi-faceted solutions that improve their entire smile and benefit their future oral health. Consider the restorative benefits of the following procedures:

Composite Fillings
Recommended in the case of cavity, chips, or minor fractures above the gum line, composite fillings offer a cosmetic solution that prevents further damage. Unlike traditional metal amalgam fillings, which contain trace amounts of mercury, composite fillings are made of tooth-colored resin, therefore matching the rest of the tooth.

As composite fillings are metal-free, patients do not need to worry about their filling expanding or contracting when exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Not only does this eliminate the sensitivity typically associated with traditional fillings, but it also prevents the tooth from cracking or undergoing further damage.

Porcelain Crowns
Often used to reinforce teeth following root canals or other restorative treatment, porcelain crowns offer a natural looking alternative to metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Crowns sit like a cap on top of damaged teeth, restoring function while preventing additional damage from compromising the patient’s overall oral health. As these crowns are highly durable, they can also be used to restore molars that have been compromised by damage or decay.

At Willow Glen Dentistry, we use CAD/CAM technology to digitally create porcelain crowns in office. By using CEREC® technology to take digital impressions then manufacture your unique crown, our team is able to provide patients with a customized cosmetic restoration that fits naturally with the rest of the smile.

Dental Implants
Dental implants and implant-supported restorations offer several aesthetic and functional benefits for patients. From a health perspective, dental implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth without compromising the health of neighboring teeth. As treatment requires implant posts be fully integrated into the underlying jaw bone, implants also have the added benefit of stimulating healthy bone density and preventing further tooth loss.

Aesthetically, dental implant restorations are designed to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Depending on the number of teeth that are being replaced, crowns, bridges, or fixed overdentures can be made to ensure your smile looks as natural as possible.

Learn More Today
Our team is dedicated to creating long-term solutions tailored to your unique needs. By combining effective cosmetic procedures with efficient restorative treatments, our patients are able to enjoy a beautiful smile without compromising their oral health. To learn more about which treatment will most efficiently help you achieve your ideal smile, please contact Dr. John Pisacane today to schedule your consultation.

5 Ways to Improve your Child’s At-Home Oral Hygiene

Brushing and flossing aren’t most kids’ favorite hobbies. However, a number of studies suggest that the earlier children are introduced and become involved in their oral health, the healthier they will be throughout their lives. In fact, research indicates that establishing good brushing habits before the age of three can help children reduce their chances of tooth decay and cavities in both primary and permanent teeth.

As a parent, you can help your children establish positive oral health habits that will follow them into adolescence and adulthood. By incorporating a little fun into the dental health routine, you can help your kids develop a commitment to and appreciation for oral hygiene. These five techniques can help you encourage your kids to brush both properly and often.

Brush Together

One of the easiest and most beneficial ways to encourage proper brushing is if your children and you brush your teeth together in a group. Prime tooth brushing time (early mornings and right before bed) can be some of the most stressful times of the day. By brushing together every day, you’ll establish a routine that will make these stressful times more predictable. You’ll also get to serve as a role model for your children, showing them the importance of dental hygiene. Additionally, by brushing together, you’ll be able to identify and gently correct what they’re doing wrong.

Use “Fun” Brushes and Pastes

Rather than relying on basic toothbrushes and toothpastes, allow your child to select their own themed toothbrush and flavored toothpaste. You can find your child’s favorite princess or superhero on the handle of a brush or flosser designed for little mouths in your local drug store. These tools can help you get your kids interested in brushing and flossing. When they’re motivated to use their special brushes and pastes, they’ll be excited enough to remember to brush and floss and interested enough to take their time.

Play Dentist

You want to instill a sense of independence in your children, but you still need to check their teeth when they brush. To accomplish this without a fight, brush your teeth in front of your child (modeling good oral hygiene techniques), and then ask them to be the dentist and check them. Next, you be the dentist and ask your child to be the patient while you check their teeth. This way, you’ll not only get to check your child’s teeth, but you’ll also be able to give wise brushing advice in a way that is fun rather than nagging.

Sing a Brushing Song

Even with character toothbrushes and colored toothpastes, most kids want to rush through brushing so they can get back to their toys. To help them take the time they need, teach them to brush while singing a certain song in their heads. When the song is done - so are they! Are popular choice is “Happy Birthday,” though you might need to ask your children to sing it two or three times if they tend to pick up the tempo.

Earn and Learn

Remind your children that they need to brush and floss every day with a rewards system that recognizes them for their efforts. For very young children, a simple sticker chart can do the trick. Older children might be more impressed with a reward chart that promises a larger prize if they brush and floss every day for a week or two. Choose a reward your child will love, such as a day at the beach or a stuffed animal, but don’t choose candy. This will only undermine your aim of helping them develop a healthy smile.

Great oral hygiene and health starts at home. With a few of these time-trusted techniques, you can encourage effective, independent oral care. However, it’s still important for your child to regularaly see a dentist for professional cleanings. Regular dental checkups can keep your kids motivated, your teeth clean, and dental problems at bay. Schedule an appointment today at Willow Glen Dentistry, and we’ll work with you to help you keep your children smiling.

Understanding My Dental Implant Options

There are a number of benefits associated with dental implants. From convenience to durability, this restorative treatment option offers health, aesthetic, and financial advantages unparalleled by traditional teeth replacement options. In particular, the versatility and adaptability of dental implants allows for integration into a number of other treatments, opening the door for patients with extensive restorative needs to receive high-quality treatment.

Understanding your needs and which treatment option will best fulfill your health and functional goals is an important component when it comes to choosing between different implant restoration options. Consider the following:

For patients with one missing tooth:

Single crown dental implants are ideal for replacing a single tooth that is missing or has been extracted as a result of trauma, decay, or damage. Unlike bridges, which require that adjacent teeth be shaved down to accommodate the restoration, single unit implants support themselves, thereby preserving the structural integrity of neighboring teeth.

For patients missing several consecutive teeth:

In these instances, an implant-supported bridge may be recommended in order to sufficiently replace missing teeth. Depending on the number of missing teeth and the length of the bridge, this treatment option can use anywhere between two to four implants to support the prosthetic and stimulate underlying jawbone. Not only does stimulation help to prevent additional tooth loss, but also strengthens the jaw, preventing bone deterioration and preserving facial structure.

For patient missing entire arches of teeth:

In cases of extensive tooth loss, patients have several teeth replacement options. Traditionally, dentures are used to provide a functional restoration. Over the course of time however, this restorative option can lead to further damage by failing to protect jaw bone density, leading to bone resorption, the appearance of premature aging, and limited oral function.

In contrast, dental implants can be used to support dentures, providing patients with the convenience of a removable denture coupled with the stability offered by dental implants. For patients with limited bone density, mini implants can also be used to anchor dentures in an affordable, health-conscious manner.

Dental Implant Restorations in San Jose

At Willow Glen Dentistry, our mission is to help patients find the right solution for missing teeth. By partnering with local oral surgeons and periodontists, our San Jose dentist Dr. John Pisacane is able to provide patients with long-term restorations that improve all parts of their smile. For more information about dental implant restoration in San Jose, contact Willow Glen Dentistry today. 

5 Steps for Preventing Periodontal Disease

Unlike other oral conditions, gum disease can affect any patient at any age. With few symptoms exhibited during the early stages, many patients are unaware that they are experiencing periodontal disease until the disease has already progressed past a point where it is reversible. While extremely common, gum disease is easily prevented with just a few simple, proactive steps. These include:

Brush Correctly

Developing an effective hygiene routine goes beyond just brushing and flossing in the morning and before bed. Often, patients forget or put off brushing and flossing or don’t do it correctly, thereby putting themselves at risk of developing gum disease in the future. For complete efficiency, begin brushing and flossing after each meal. Rather than just running your toothbrush over the teeth, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and use circular motions to clean the teeth. If possible, invest in an electric toothbrush- these are specifically designed to efficiently remove plaque and bacteria.

Floss Thoroughly

Similar to effective brushing, individuals should also try flossing after each meal to remove left over food debris trapped between the teeth. To properly floss, wrap the floss around the index and middle fingers, leaving about two inches between the hands. Slide the floss between the teeth and create a “c” shape with the floss around the tooth, sliding the floss around the base of the tooth and below the gum line. Repeat this process in every gap, including the molars at the end of the arch.

Clean Between the Gums

Bacteria, plaque, and tartar can become trapped in the minute space between the teeth and gums and begin to accumulate, increasing the risk of future gum issues.  After brushing and flossing, use a rubber-tipped gum stimulator to gently clean the space between the teeth and gums. Follow this process by rinsing with mouthwash. Gum stimulators can be purchased at your local drug store.

Know Your Risks

Certain conditions such as diabetes and habits such as smoking can increase an individual’s risk of developing gum disease. As a result, sticking to a healthy diet and taking steps to stop smoking are important steps that help protect the overall health of your smile. For more information about quitting tobacco or managing diabetes, contact your general physician.

Visit the Dentist Twice a Year

Regular visits to the dentist’s office twice a year are a critical part of preventing gum disease from damaging your smile. In addition to providing our San Jose dentist with the opportunity to monitor your dentition for changes in tooth or gum health, routine cleanings performed during this appointment allow our team to remove plaque and tartar accumulation as well as develop an at-home prevention plan.

Schedule Your Next Visit Today

Willow Glen Dentistry is committed to providing patients with the tools and knowledge needed to maintain a lasting healthy smile. For more information about at-home oral hygiene and gum disease prevention, contact Dr. John Pisacane at Willow Glen Dentistry today to schedule your next dental appointment. 

Gum Contouring – A New Approach to A Beautiful Smile

The gums are a critical component of a patient’s smile. In addition to influencing a patient’s health, the gums can also enhance or detract from the overall aesthetics of a smile. For patients unsatisfied with how their smile looks, innovative gum contouring treatments have provided patients with a versatile, minimally invasive treatment capable of transforming their smiles.

What is Gum Contouring?
Simply put, gum contouring or re-shaping is the use of a specialized soft-tissue dental laser to reshape and realign the position of the gums in relation to the teeth. Given the versatility of the treatment, there are a number of conditions where gum contouring may be recommended. At our San Jose dental practice, we recommend gum contouring to correct gummy smiles.

The Innovation behind Gum Contouring
Part of the benefit of this treatment comes from the tools used to reshape the gums. Unlike traditional surgical tools, soft tissue diode lasers use an extremely narrow beam of light energy to remove extra tissue from the surgical site. As the instrument cauterizes the tissue during the treatment, there is limited post-procedural bleeding, reducing discomfort during the recovery phase. Additionally, by encouraging coagulation in-treatment, soft tissue lasers lower the risk of bacteria entering the point of incision, reducing the likelihood of post-treatment infection.

In recent years, soft tissue lasers have been used as part of a periodontal treatment therapy. During this procedure, the lasers eliminate bacteria from within the periodontal pockets while sterilizes the tissue. Similar to the re-contouring procedure, the coagulation that is stimulated by the laser helps to accelerate healing while also encouraging reattachment of the gums to the tooth. As a result, soft tissue lasers are quickly becoming the preferred treatment method for efficiently treating the gums.

Who is a Candidate for Gum Contouring?
As mentioned, this cosmetic treatment is often recommended for patients unsatisfied with an abundancy of gum tissue, creating the appearance of a gummy smile. Gum reshaping may also be recommended as a regenerative procedure for patients suffering from gum recession as a result of periodontal disease.

At Willow Glen Dentistry, our San Jose dentist Dr. John Pisacane works with patients to identify points of improvement in their smile and to develop comprehensive solutions for helping individuals achieve their idea smile. For patients seeking extensive gingival treatments, our dentist collaborates closely with area periodontists to ensure consistency in treatment and post-treatment care. For more information about gum contouring in San Jose, please contact the Willow Glen dental team today.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

Whether you’re looking to correct orthodontic relapse or are undergoing braces for the first time, fully understanding your orthodontic options can ensure that you receive the right treatment for your needs. When weighing your braces options, consider the following factors:

The Condition of Your Bite

For patients with severe bite or jaw misalignment, the clear aligning trays used by Invisalign® may not be enough to effectively treat these advanced dental conditions. As traditional braces use a series of metal brackets and wires that are manually adjusted by your orthodontist on a monthly basis, this more comprehensive treatment option may be the better method of comprehensively addressing these treatment issues.

In contrast, patients with minor crowding or rotation may find the comprehensive nature of traditional braces to be unnecessary. For these individuals, Invisalign® may provide a less invasive treatment option.

Patient Diligence vs. Convenience

Part of the appeal of Invisalign® comes from the ability to remove the aligners independently, eliminating the number of required visits. While this feature certainly improves the convenience of treatment, this also requires greater patient diligence to a more regimented treatment plan. In order for patients to achieve their ideal results, individuals must be committed to wearing their aligning trays for a minimum 22 hours per day, removing them for cleaning and before eating or drinking anything other than water. With this in mind, Invisalign® is often reserved for adult patients that are able to stick with this more structured treatment plan.

Treatment Experience

While traditional braces have come a long way in regards to appearance and materials, they are not necessarily known as the most comfortable treatment option. As this system uses metal brackets and wires to correct tooth alignment, patients may experience soft tissue irritation and tooth discomfort. Additionally, patients with metal braces are required to maintain a more restrictive diet that avoids sticky, hard foods in order to prevent the braces from breaking.

On the other hand, Invisalign® uses clear plastic aligners to gently move the teeth. As these trays as custom-made to each smile, patients do not experience the same irritation associated with traditional braces. As the aligners are clear, Invisalign® provides patients with a more aesthetic treatment options that is virtually unnoticeable. For adult patients that are looking to discreetly correct alignment issues, the clear nature of Invisalign® makes the treatment an ideal, professional treatment option.

Invisalign® in San Jose

At Willow Glen Dentistry, our team is committed to helping patients determine the right treatment solution for their smile. For patients looking to discreetly improve the alignment of their teeth, San Jose dentist Dr. John Pisacane offers Invisalign®. To learn more about this clear alternative to braces, contact our practice today.

The Versatility of CEREC®

In recent years, CEREC® technology has become synonymous with same-day crowns. However, few realize the diversity of treatment options provided by this innovative technology. Thanks to the versatility of the digital imaging and manufacturing software, CEREC® has made it possible for patients requiring extensive dental treatment to receive conservative yet highly effective restorative solutions. Some of these treatments include:

Partial crowns: In some cases, partial crowns are a more efficient method of restoring function and aesthetics to a tooth without requiring additional tooth preparation. As CEREC® uses digital imaging to create 3D models of the dentition, patients receive partial crowns that fit perfectly into the tooth, requiring minimal tooth preparation.

Bridge: Some patients may require more comprehensive restorations in order to replace one or several missing teeth. By using CEREC® to create customized bridges, patients receive restorations that blend in seamlessly with the rest of their smile.  As CEREC® does not require extensive tooth preparation, this treatment option does not compromise the health of the adjacent supporting teeth.

Dental Implant Restorations: Implants are one of the most durable and permanent restoration options a patient can choose. CEREC® can be used to create implant-compatible restorations, including crowns and bridges. In the event the prosthetic tooth cracks or becomes damaged, the impressions are saved digitally, ensuring convenient and simple restoration without the need for new impressions to be taken.

Veneers: For patients looking to improve the look of their smile, veneers offer a comprehensive method of improving dental uniformity. With CEREC® technology, the veneers are created to match the shape and shade of the rest of the smile, ensuring consistency and enhancing the natural beauty of the smile. As CEREC® veneers are made of highly durable porcelain, the teeth are effectively reinforced, allowing patients to enjoy enhanced dental function.

In addition to restoration creation, CEREC® can also be used in a non-restorative capacity. For example, thanks to software updates, digital impressions for Invisalign® aligners can now be taken using the intraoral scanner. Not only does this make orthodontic treatment planning a simpler process, but it also ensures that changes to treatment plans can be made before unnecessary aligners are manufactured.

CEREC® in San Jose

At Willow Glen Dentistry, restorations with CEREC®technology is just one way that Dr. John Pisacane helps his patients achieve their ideal smiles and improve their long-term oral health. A pioneer of integrating advanced technology into routine dental procedures, Dr. Pisacane was one of the first dentists in the San Francisco Bay area to utilize this innovative technology. For more information about the diverse uses of CEREC®, contact our San Jose dentist today.