What is minimally invasive dentistry?

Minimally invasive dentistry (MID) uses a preservative approach to dentistry with the use of biocompatible materials and techniques to repair damaged teeth while preserving as much of the natural structure as possible.

MID incorporates minimally invasive procedures, gold standard adhesive bonding, and materials like composite resins and ceramics to mimic the natural tooth. 

Benefits with the MID approach include preventing sensitivity, minimizing future complications such as tooth death and/or tooth loss. Additionally, the MID philosophy of less is more avoids removing more of the tooth than necessary and uses biocompatible materials such as Ribbond (fiber) to reinforce weakened and compromised tooth structure.

What is Biomimetic Dentistry?

The term "biomimetic" comes from the Latin words bio, meaning life, and mimetic, meaning to imitate. Biomimetic dentistry utilizes the MID approach as described above.

What is an EMAX crown?

E-MAX crowns are made from lithium desilicated ceramic, a material that has been harvested for its translucent color and durability. As a result, you get a crown that is tough and durable but looks exactly like your other teeth. Aside from its esthetic value, E-MAX crowns behave the closest to your tooth structure in function, allowing your tooth to undergo flexion while minimizing the risk of fractures and crown de-bonding associated with using stiff materials like zirconia. An additional advantage of this crown material is its ability to bond to tooth structure.

What is Ribbond?

Ribbond is a bondable, translucent, and biocompatible dental reinforcement fiber used in treatment of fractures due to its unsurpassed fracture toughness. It consists of patented leno weave and flexible ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.

Ribbond is utilized in a variety of dental applications, including space maintainers, fixed partial dentures, endodontic posts and cores, and splints.

Reference: Ribbond.com

I have a sensitive tooth. What should I do?

Our dental practice has a few options to address tooth sensitivity using a tooth desensitizer, Fluoride varnish and prescription strength Fluoride toothpaste.

I just completed ortho treatment and still have gaps in between my teeth.

Give us a call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Ursales about our composite veneers.

My tooth is bothering me and I’m afraid I will need root canal treatment.

When the tooth pulp (nerve) develops inflammation and necrosis (tooth death), root canal treatment is usually recommended. Symptoms include the following: lingering pain that lasts for a few minutes, extreme cold sensitivity, pain that wakes one up at night and lingers, pain that is not alleviated with the use of over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen.

There is also pulp inflammation that is still reversible, meaning, addressing the source of the pain will restore the normal pulp function. An example of a reversible source of inflammation may be tooth breakdown or tooth decay.

I have a missing tooth. What is an implant?

Dental implants are usually comprised of three elements — a titanium fixture, which goes into the jawbone; an abutment, or connector; and a crown resembling the existing tooth, which is placed on top.

What implants do you use?

We are in partnership with Nobel Biocare.

Nobel Biocare is a world leader in the field of innovative implant-based dental restorations with over 65 years of continuous innovation from Switzerland that features a unique design and exceptional performance. The company conducted its first-ever dental implant in 1965 via osseointegration and has since gained widespread recognition as a reliable innovator in the industry.

Is titanium harmful in my body?

The body accepts titanium very well. It is a biocompatible material, meaning it is not harmful to living tissue. Additionally, titanium is also resistant to bacteria.

Many orthopedic implants utilized in medicine are made of a metal like Cobalt Chrome and Titanium.

I have a silver (amalgam/mercury) filling. Is this harmful for me?

Dental amalgam is mixture of metals that includes mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Because it is made with mercury, some people worry about its effects on their health and the environment.

The type of mercury used in dental amalgam is mixed with other metals which forms a hard material that doesn’t easily break down. After reviewing many scientific studies, the US Food and Drug Administration found that dental amalgam fillings are safe.

Additionally, dental amalgam contributes less than 1% of the mercury in the waste stream. Dental offices use a device called an amalgam trap that reduces the amount of amalgam leaving the dental office and entering the public sewage system.

Do I need to premedicate with antibiotics prior to my dental appointment?

In patients with prosthetic joint implants, a January 2015 ADA clinical practice guideline, based on a 2014 systematic review states, “In general, for patients with prosthetic joint implants, prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended prior to dental procedures to prevent prosthetic joint infection.”

According to the ADA Chairside Guide, for patients with a history of complications associated with their joint replacement surgery who are undergoing dental procedures that include gingival manipulation or mucosal incision, prophylactic antibiotics should only be considered after consultation with the patient and orthopedic surgeon; in cases where antibiotics are deemed necessary, it is most appropriate that the orthopedic surgeon recommend the appropriate antibiotic regimen and, when reasonable, write the prescription.

For infective endocarditis prophylaxis, American Heart Association guidelines (updated with a scientific statement;in 2021) support premedication for a relatively small subset of patients. This is based on a review of scientific evidence, which showed that the risk of adverse reactions to antibiotics generally outweigh the benefits of prophylaxis for many patients who would have been considered eligible for prophylaxis in previous versions of the guidelines. Concern about the development of drug-resistant bacteria also was a factor.

Infective endocarditis prophylaxis for dental procedures should be recommended only for patients with underlying cardiac conditions associated with the highest risk of adverse outcome from infective endocarditis. For patients with these underlying cardiac conditions, prophylaxis is recommended for all dental procedures that involve manipulation of gingival tissue or the periapical region of teeth or perforation of the oral mucosa.

Reference: https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/antibiotic-prophylaxis

I have dental phobia and anxiety.

We offer Nitrous gas sedation in our office. Please call and inquire about other options we have available to allay your dental anxiety concern.