Cosmetic Dentistry in Tijuana

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's teeth, mouth and smile. In other words restorative, general and/or family dental practices address dental problems that require necessary treatment, whereas cosmetic dentistry provides elective — or desired — treatments or services.

Cosmetic dentistry may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth. Previously, most dental fillings were composed primarily of gold, amalgam and other materials that left visible dark spots on the teeth. Today, dental fillings may fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry, because you can select fillings made of porcelain or composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth, thus maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile. Many people may choose to have their older fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored fillings to enhance their oral appearance.

Cosmetic Dentistry Trends
Technological advancements in natural-looking, tooth-colored dental materials make today’s cosmetic dental treatments more durable and predictable than in years past. Additionally, dentists are now using more conservative cosmetic dentistry techniques to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, depending upon your specific clinical situation.
Cosmetic dentists may also use such technologies as lasers in order to perform some procedures necessary for cosmetic treatments in their own offices — without the need for referrals to specialists. This makes cosmetic dental procedures such as smile makeovers more comfortable and convenient for patients, as well as helps to reduce recovery time.

By Dr. Ana Oviedo

Malocclusion and Orthodontics

Malocclusion and Orthodontics

What is malocclusion?
Malocclusion means having crooked teeth or a "poor bite."
Orthodontic treatment can correct the way teeth and jaws line up. Dentists who are specially trained to correct malocclusion are called orthodontists. They use a variety of treatment tools and techniques (including braces to move teeth, and sometimes the jaw, into the right places.
What causes malocclusion?
A common cause of malocclusion is teeth that have too much or too little room in the jaw. If children have a small jaw, their teeth may grow into a space that is too small. As a result, teeth may grow or drift out of place.
Other causes of crooked teeth include thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and tooth loss.
What are the symptoms?
The most obvious sign is teeth that are crooked or stick out. Malocclusion can range from mild to severe. Most of the time, having crooked teeth is only a cosmetic problem, meaning people don't like the way their teeth look. But in severe cases, it can cause problems with eating or speaking.
How is malocclusion diagnosed?
A dentist usually checks for malocclusion in children during regular dental visits. If the jaw or teeth are out of line, the dentist may suggest a visit to an orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get a checkup with an orthodontist by age 7.
An orthodontist will:

• Ask questions about your or your child's past health problems.
• Check the mouth and teeth.
• Take X-rays of the face and teeth.
• Take photographs of the face and teeth.
• Make a plaster model of the teeth.

Start your child’s trips to the dentist at age 12 months. This will help your child get used to seeing a dentist. It will also catch any early problems. Keep up with regular dental checkups 2 times a year.

By. Dr. Monica Muñoz, Dentist in Mexico

VENEERS

VENEERS

Veneers are a fantastic way to fix front teeth. You can whiten your teeth, close spaces, and create a great smile. We can even do virtually instant orthodontics to straighten crooked teeth.

1. Spaces between the teeth.
2. Broken or chipped teeth.
3. Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings.
4. Permanently stained or discolored teeth.
5. Mis-shapen or crooked teeth.
6. Whiten dark yellow or stained teeth.

Veneers are very thin and are bonded on the front of your anterior teeth. Dentists use some of the same techniques to bond plastic resins for minor smile corrections. These veneers are about 0.3mm to 0.5mm in thickness but are very strong once bonded to your teeth.

Have you ever wished you had better looking teeth without all the hassle of braces or crowns? Now you can! Porcelain veneers are the answer for instant orthodontics to straighten smiles, close spaces, reshape, and accomplish minor realignment of your teeth. You can even have that "Hollywood" smile you've always wanted.

By Dr. Monica Muñoz, Dental in Mexico

DIRECT VENEER APPLICATION

DIRECT VENEER APPLICATION

Is a Composite veneers that can be made in one visit to the dentist. You and your dentist select the tooth color from a shade guide; it can either match the existing color, or you can have your teeth bleached first and then match the new whiter color.
Now the dentist prepares your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel from the front side of the teeth and the biting edge, this will provide the room necessary for the resin, so the veneer won’t look to bulky, and the results will look natural.

Once the tooth is conditioned, your dentist will apply your chosen color composite resin, to your tooth and will give it a natural looking shape.

A curing light is then applied to the resin to harden it.

Now for the last part your dentist will smooth and polish the resin so it has a natural look and can blend with the shape of your other teeth.

Are a thin layered resin (Direct veneer application, one appointment) or fabricated porcelain cover (Indirect veneer application 2 appointments) that is applied to the prepared tooth surface.
By Dr. Cirenia Aparicio - Dentists in Mexico

We invite you to discuss this problem by adding your comment... !!!

WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL

AFTER WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL

The removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important for uncomplicated healing. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.

Immediately Following Surgery:

• The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for at least a half hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed carefully and discarded.
• Spit out, vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided.
• Take the prescribed pain medications after the surgery.
• Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
• Place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation.

POST-SURGICAL INSTRUCTION

-Bite the gauze for an 1 hr.
-Don't spit out, make suction or drink with a straw.
-Extremely oral hygiene after each meal.
-Place a cold pack on the surgical area (external) for a 3 day's.
-Take the medicines like the write in the prescription.
-You may eat soft diet, not so spicy. For 8 day's.
-High impact exercises or hard work may avoid for 8 day's.
-Don't expose to sun or been in hot areas for 8 day's.
-Sleep whit the head level, higher than the foot level.
-If you still have a low bleeding bite an other gauze again for an hour
-If you have a question or confusion call immediately.
-If you can't assist to your next visit please call 24 hrs. after.

By Dr. Francisco Ceseña - Mexico Dentist

We have in our staff the best specialists one of them is Dr. Francisco Ceseña who is our Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon with specialty in Implantology, unique in Mexico and one of the 6 throughout Latin America.

We invite you to discuss this problem by adding your comment... !!!

Root Canal Treatment

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

What is a Root Canal or Endodontic Treatment?
It is a dental procedure to save a tooth when it has a diseased pulp also called “nerve”.

What is the Dental Pulp?
It is a soft tissue made up of blood vessels, nerves, and cells. It normally occupies the center of the teeth from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the root.

What causes my tooth to be infected?
When a tooth has a deep cavity, bacteria enter the pulp causing an infection or tooth abscess, leading to pulp death, loss of bone that supports the tooth in place and loss of the tooth itself if left untreated. You may be experiencing tooth pain, gum swelling and sensitivity to temperature and while you chew.

What does the root canal treatment involve?
In most cases, it is a relatively simple procedure, done by an Endodontist. The root canal can be done in one visit with little or no discomfort.
During treatment your dentist will control the pain with local anesthetic, decay is removed, and an opening is made through the crown of the tooth to gain access to the pulp chamber. Using dental files the diseased or infected pulp is removed. The root canals are cleaned, shaped then filled.

In the final step a post is placed in the canal to give structural support and crown is placed over the tooth to protect from future damage. Now your tooth can return to it’s normal function.

By Dr. Cirenia Aparicio - Mexico Dentists
We invite you to discuss this problem by adding your comment... !!!

Biological Dentistry and Nutrition

BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY AND NUTRITION

Biological dentists are aware of the intimate connection between dental health and nutrition.
The teeth require many minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese and boron. These minerals are missing from refined foods. Refined sugars, white flour and white rice, for example, contain little if any of these essential trace minerals. Sugar in the diet feeds bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque and can destroy the teeth. Acidic cola drinks can damage tooth enamel. Phosphoric acid in these drinks also binds and removes calcium, magnesium and zinc from the body. This can lead to bone loss, a common problem today.
Vitamin C, bioflavinoids and many other nutrients are needed for the gums. Eating hard foods such as raw carrots and whole meal bread encourages chewing, which may improve the bite. Chewing natural foods realigned jaw and made braces unnecessary.
What”s Bioflavinoids?

Bioflavonoids enhance the action of Vitamin C and for this reason they should be taken together. Bioflavonoids are effectively used in the treatment of sport injuries as they are pain relieving. They may also be used in relieving pain in the legs, across the back and can lessen the symptoms of prolonged bleeding, a low serum calcium as well as oral herpes.

By Dr. Cirenia Aparicio - Dental Tourism

We invite you to discuss this problem by adding your comment... !!!

Does your mouth feel as dry as cotton?

DOES YOUR MOUTH FEEL AS DRY AS COTTON?

Does your mouth feel dry and sticky when you first wake up in the morning? Do you feel the urge to drink lots of water? Dry mouth can make it hard for you to swallow, chew your food or speak clearly. With a dry mouth your teeth can decay very quickly, and sometimes there are no warning signs for this condition. Untreated dry mouth can also contribute to bad breath, and sometimes others will notice the stale odor.

Dry mouth is a daily problem that makes you feel uncomfortable while you swallow, eat or speak. It is a condition in which you do not produce enough saliva (spit) to keep your mouth feeling wet. Your physician or nurse do not always talk about dry mouth as a side effect when they give you a prescription for medicine, but dry mouth can be caused by the medicine you take. Whatever you do, don’t stop taking your medicine but mention dry mouth to your nurse as soon as you can. Dry mouth can also be a sign of diseases and other conditions like diabetes — so make sure you tell your nurse or dental hygienist about dry mouth if it becomes a problem for you. Dry mouth symptoms:

• Dry or sticky feeling in the mouth like your mouth is stuffed with cotton balls.
• Burning feeling in mouth or tongue and sometimes tongue feels like shoe leather.
• Difficulty or discomfort when chewing, swallowing or speaking.
• Dry lips and throat or mouth sores.

By Dr. Cirenia Aparicio - Mexico Dental

Biological Dentristry?

WHAT ABOUT MERCURY FREE FILLINGS?

In Holistic Dentistry, there is an effort to find biocompatible materials to reduce the potential for toxicity. Silver Mercury "Amalgam" fillings are avoided due to toxicity concerns. Amalgam removal and replacement with natural-looking bonded materials is the standard.
About Mercury?

Mercury is continuously released from amalgam (silver) fillings and is hazardous to your health. Mercury is the most poisonous, naturally occurring, non-radioactive substance on earth. It contributes to over 100 health issues, including heart disease, autism, chronic fatigue, MS, allergies, depression, memory loss and anxiety.In Dentistry, Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury.

They can corrode, leak and cause stains on your teeth and gums.We are a mercury-free practice. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Porcelain inlays and tooth colored restorations (onlays) create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are esthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.

By Dr. Cirenia Aparicio - Dental tours