Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatment

Defeating Gum Disease Without the Pain

Gum disease, not tooth decay, is the number one reason for tooth loss. We can now offer you a treatment that is easy and painless with ARESTIN™. It is an antibiotic in powder form that is time-released to your gums and very effective in stopping periodontal disease. Not only does it take care of the infection, it is completely painless! 

East County Dental Studio
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SanDiegoSmileMakeover.com 

What are the Stages of Gum Disease?

What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.
There are three stages of gum disease:

• Gingivitis: this is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.
• Periodontitis: at this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage.
• Advanced Periodontitis: in this final stage of gum disease, the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, which can cause your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if aggressive treatment can't save them, teeth may need to be removed.

Read the rest of the article at Colgate.com to learn more about how to know if you have gum disease and how gum disease is treated.
 

 

 The above article is from: Colgate.com

East County Dental Studio
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SanDiegoSmileMakeover.com 

Laser Dentistry

Have questions about how the latest dental technology can make your visit easier and more comfortable than ever before? Give us a call today at (619) 442-8841.

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East County Dental Studio
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Kurt Christensen, DDS • Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Call (619) 442-8841 Website: www.SanDiegoSmileMakeover.com

Gum Disease Treatment El Cajon CA 92020 • Laser Dentistry • Comfortable Dental Care California

Copyright © 2013 New Patients, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
[ Designed by New Patients, Inc. ]

Lasers Make a Treatment Easy and Comfortable

The main reason patients have fear of dentistry is because of shots or the use of a drill in a procedure. With laser technology, now for many treatments, we can repair teeth or heal gums without needles or drills! Previously, a dental laser was used only for teeth whitening or gum problems, but the WaterLase™ is used for a wider range of applications to make more procedures comfortable. As the droplets of water are emitted from the handpiece, the water absorbs the energy from the laser, instead of the teeth. The energized water actually removes the decay and there is no need for needles and no pain!

Easier and Faster Treatments with The Picasso™ Laser

Dental work that previously required scalpels and incisions can now be performed with the Picasso Laser. This FDA-approved technology is safe, effective, and painless! It can also be used in cosmetic procedures such as making gum lines even, giving instant relief from mouth ulcers and cancer sores, and re-contouring areas of inflamed gum tissue. It makes for a shorter recovery time with no post-op discomfort. 


East County Dental Studio
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SanDiegoSmileMakeover.com  

Sports Safety: Avoiding Tooth and Mouth Injuries

A few years ago, a dental newsletter published what seemed like an unusual story. A boy snagged his teeth on a basketball net while doing a slam-dunk.
A freakish accident? Not quite. After the article appeared, nearly 40 dentists wrote in with their own stories. They all told of would-be Michael Jordans who sacrificed their front teeth in pursuit of the perfect dunk.
In older children and adults, sports injuries are common. Dentists estimate that between 13% and 39% of dental injuries occur while playing sports.
About 80% of all dental injuries affect at least one of the front teeth. Damage to the tongue or cheek is common, too.
Basic Protection
Even if a tooth has been knocked out, it often can be saved if you get to a dentist quickly enough. Minor chips and cracks can be repaired. Dentists use tooth-colored materials that are nearly as strong as the original tooth. However, even "minor" injuries can cause serious and costly damage. If you enjoy sports or other high-risk activities, protect yourself. The use of mouth guards among football players, for example, is believed to prevent about 200,000 mouth injuries a year.
Depending on the sport, two types of protection are available: 

• Helmets- A helmet is a must for activities that involve speed or impact. These include football, hockey, skating and bike riding. The helmet should fit correctly. It should also be appropriate for the sport you are playing.
• Mouth guards - Wearing a mouth guard is one of the best ways to prevent injury to your teeth, tongue and lips. A custom-fit mouth guard from your dentist is recommended. This type of mouth guard usually fits better than a ready-made one (found in sporting-goods stores). That means it may protect your teeth better.

If a custom-fit mouth guard isn't an option, try a "boil-and-bite" mouth guard. You can buy one in a sporting-goods store. You place the mouth guard in boiling water. Once the plastic is soft (but not too hot), you bite down on the mouth guard and mold the softened plastic around your teeth. If the mouth guard doesn't fit comfortably the first time, you can reheat it and do it again.

©2002-2013 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved.
09/25/2013

The above article is from: Colgate.com

East County Dental Studio
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SanDiegoSmileMakeover.com 

Comfortable & Convenient Dental Care

For Your Convenience

As we use the latest technology in our dental care, we save you time and effort. You can be assured that we make your visits convenient and enjoyable with the personalized attention you will receive. Here is what we offer:

• Sedation Dentistry – We know you have a busy schedule and with sedation options, you can now easily have more work completed in just one visit! If you have anxiety or fear of treatments, our sedation dentistry options will relax you and make you completely comfortable.
• We Care for Your Entire Family – Your children will love us! And no matter the age of your family member, whether a two-year-old or a grandparent, we give each member the individualized care they need. 
• Emergency Care the Same Day – If you have a dental emergency, we can see you that day to relieve your pain and take care of the problem.
• Conveniently Located – We are just a short drive from Interstate 8 and the San Vicente Freeway.
• New Patient Forms – You have the convenience of filling out these forms at your home. This will ensure you have all the necessary information we need to care for you. 
• Our Financial Options – We accept most dental insurance plans and make it easy for you by filing your claims and ensuring you receive all your benefits. If you do not have insurance, you can pay with a major credit card or apply for a payment plan that is interest-free.

East County Dental Studio
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SanDiegoSmileMakeover.com 

Senior Dental Care

The Care Our Seniors Need
We understand the needs of our seniors to maintain healthy teeth and gums and we provide excellent care to relieve their dental problems. We have procedures that can remove build-up of plaque as well as make teeth white again after years of caffeine or tobacco consumption. We have products to solve the concern of reduced saliva flow from medication use. We watch for cracks in teeth or loose fillings that need to be replaced to prevent decay within the tooth from developing. We always advise them of the need to see us immediately if gums are red or bleed from brushing or flossing or teeth become loose. These are symptoms of gum disease or root decay and can lead to serious health problems, especially in seniors. 

East County Dental Studio
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SanDiegoSmileMakeover.com 

Tooth Anatomy

What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth?

• Crown- the top part of the tooth, and the only part you can normally see. The shape of the crown determines the tooth's function. For example, front teeth are sharp and chisel-shaped for cutting, while molars have flat surfaces for grinding.
• Gumline- where the tooth and the gums meet. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up at the gumline, leading to gingivitis and gum disease.
• Root- the part of the tooth that is embedded in bone. The root makes up about two-thirds of the tooth and holds the tooth in place.
• Enamel- the outermost layer of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest, most mineralized tissue in the body - yet it can be damaged by decay if teeth are not cared for properly.
• Dentin- the layer of the tooth under the enamel. If decay is able to progress its way through the enamel, it next attacks the dentin ó where millions of tiny tubes lead directly to the dental pulp.
• Pulp- the soft tissue found in the center of all teeth, where the nerve tissue and blood vessels are. If tooth decay reaches the pulp, you usually feel pain.

What Are the Different Types of Teeth?
Every tooth has a specific job or function (use the dental arch in this section to locate and identify each type of tooth):

• Incisors- the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.
• Canines- sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and are used for tearing food.
• Premolars- these teeth have two pointed cusps on their biting surface and are sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The premolars are for crushing and tearing.
• Molars- used for grinding, these teeth have several cusps on the biting surface

 

The above article is from: Colgate.com

East County Dental Studio
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SanDiegoSmileMakeover.com