Blog Archive
What is a Veneer? Dental veneers are a fantastic cosmetic dental treatment that allows patients to fully customize the look of their smile. Continue reading to learn more about dental veneers to determine if this treatment is right for you. What are Dental Veneers? Veneers are thin layers of composite...
What is Whitening All About? Am I a Candidate? If you have been displeased with the shade of your teeth, you may have found yourself wondering if you can benefit from professional teeth whitening. Continue reading to learn more about teeth whitening, and to determine if you are a tooth...
Peri-Implantitis and Failed Osseointegration Peri-Implantitis is a destructive inflammation process that affects the gums and bone surrounding the implant. This is a form of gum disease in the bone that will make the implant become loose and may eventually cause it to fall out. In this case, the patient is...
What Causes Tooth Decay? Tooth decay occurs as a result of harmful bacteria, acids, and sugars weakening and damaging the structure of the tooth. Foods and beverages that may increase your child’s risk of tooth decay include: Candy Soda Juice Cookies A diet that is high in harmful foods or...
What are PRR Fills? PRR stands for “Preventive Resin Restoration”. They are most commonly referred to as dental sealants. PRR’s are thin coatings of resin that are applied directly to the chewing surface of the tooth to create a protective layer against decay. They are better than dental sealants because...
What is Fluoride? Fluoride is a mineral that is not only found in nature, but also in your bones and teeth. Fluoride is used to strengthen tooth enamel. Enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body and the outermost layer of your teeth. Fluoride can be found in toothpaste,...
Why Do I Need Dentures? Dentures are prosthetic devices that are placed into the mouth to replace missing teeth. While most people may think that dentures are simply used for aesthetic purposes, they actually help preserve the alignment of the teeth and help improve the overall quality of life for...
You may be wondering how root surface decay is different from a regular cavity; continue reading to learn more about why it is so important to take care of this condition right away. What Is Root Surface Decay? Root surface decay--otherwise known as root cavities, root decay, or root caries--is...
Regular Floss Regular floss is typically found in the following forms: Waxed Floss: Nylon floss with a coating of wax that makes it easier to guide between the teeth. Unwaxed Floss: Nylon floss. Because there is more friction when guiding between teeth, unwaxed floss tends to be a bit prone...
There’s a lot of conflicting information about fluoride on the internet, so it’s important to ensure that you are making an informed decision based on information provided by a dental professional. Continue reading to learn more about fluoride treatments in San Jose. What Is Fluoride? Fluoride is a mineral that...
Why Replace The Old Filling? Many people are a bit surprised to learn that their old fillings cannot simply be replaced with a new filling. In fact, it’s quite common for the patient to be surprised that the filling needs replacing at all, as they do not have any pain...
Continue reading to learn how many dental cleanings you should have each year, and why you need them on that frequency. Prophylaxis (Regular) Cleanings Most people will be asked to return twice each year for their prophylaxis dental cleaning, commonly referred to as a “prophy” or “regular” cleaning. In most...
Different Types Of X-Rays The frequency that you have x-rays taken in your dentist’s office depends on the type of x-rays that your dentist will order to be taken. Dental x-rays can be divided into two types: intraoral (inside the mouth) and extraoral (outside the mouth). Below are the most...
Continue reading to learn more about why flossing is important. Flossing Basics Plaque is essentially a sticky film of bacteria that rests on the teeth. If plaque is allowed to remain on the surface or between the teeth, it poses a risk for causing the development of decay in the...
What Are Implant-Supported Teeth? An implant-supported denture is a prosthetic device that clicks snugly into place over implants that are placed directly into the bone of the jaw. They offer a semi-permanent solution for missing teeth, providing a stable dental prosthetic that allows the patient to eat and enjoy a...
What is Fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that has proved to have various medical benefits. It has proven to be exceptionally beneficial in strengthening and reinforcing the protective outer layer of the tooth, known as the enamel. Fluoride has proven to be beneficial and successful in the following scenarios:...
What are PFM Crowns? Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns are made up of metal alloys that are covered in a thin layer of porcelain for a neat aesthetic appearance. First invented in the 1960s, PFM crowns are used to protect teeth that have been restored after sustaining considerable damage...
What is Dry Mouth? Known clinically as xerostomia, dry mouth is an oral condition in which the salivary glands are not able to produce an adequate amount of saliva. Saliva acts as a natural lubricant ,a neutralizer that protects the surface of the teeth from harmful and erosive acids, washes...
What is a Treatment Plan? Your dental treatment plan is a comprehensive analysis of the current state of your dental health as well as the treatment that is needed to ensure the longevity of both your teeth and gums. In order to create your treatment plan, your dentist will first...
Continue reading for more information about how fixing the crowding of your teeth can help your periodontal health. Crowding and Misalignment: Health Hazards If you have crowding or misalignment in your smile, you may find yourself uncomfortable with the way your smile looks, but the truth is that these conditions...
There are a few different reasons why amalgam fillings fail and require a root canal and crown to preserve the tooth; continue reading to learn more. What Caused My Filling to Fail? Amalgam fillings, commonly known as “silver” fillings, are considerably durable, and when properly maintained, can last decades. In...
Modern tooth fillings are able to be perfectly matched to the patient’s natural tooth shade, allowing the filling to be almost completely undetectable to the naked eye. While most people will be inclined to choose this option, known clinically as composite fillings, most insurances will unfortunately not cover them. Here’s...
On the discussion of porcelain and porcelain fused metal (PFM) crowns, there are a few things that are important to consider prior to making your decision. What is a Porcelain Crown? As its name suggests, a porcelain crown is a prosthetic dental cap that is composed completely of porcelain. It...
Continue reading for more information about replacing fillings with dental crowns. Why Is This Treatment Being Suggested for Me? When you had the filling placed in your tooth, it is likely that you believed that you would not have to re-address the tooth unless the filling were to break or...
Here at Willow Glen Dental Center, we strive to ensure that our patients are well-informed about their treatment. Continue reading for more information about the process of placing a filling in the tooth and what you can personally expect during your treatment. Why is a Filling Needed? When a dentist...
In order to fully understand your treatment, it is important to understand the adjunctive services that may or may not be used in order to help you achieve your healthiest smile possible. Continue reading for a comprehensive break down of the adjunctive scaling and root planing services that you can...
Continue reading for more information about periodontal maintenance in San Jose so that you can take an informed approach to your dental treatment. What is Periodontal Maintenance? Periodontal maintenance is the dental cleaning procedure that is carried out in order to treat periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease....
In order to choose the treatment that is best for you, it is important to know the difference between the two. Continue reading for more information about amalgam and composite fillings in San Jose. What are Amalgam Fillings? Commonly known as “silver” fillings, amalgam has been in use for over...
Today, we’re breaking down exactly what a deep cleaning is, how it differs from a regular cleaning, and how you can benefit from this treatment. Regular Cleanings Regular dental cleanings, clinically referred to as prophylaxis cleanings, involve a thorough removal of all signs of plaque or tartar that have accumulated...
There are a number of different measures you can take in order to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. Continue reading for more information and tips on how to best manage your dental health and take care of your teeth at home for better dental check ups. Brushing And...
Continue reading to learn the importance of your dental hygiene and check-up appointments. Dental Hygiene Many people wonder why it is important to visit the dentist for their dental hygiene appointments when they already take care of their teeth at home with brushing and flossing. While of course it is...
Continue reading for a thorough breakdown of what your dentist is looking for during your exam. X-Rays During your examination, x-rays will be taken. Your dentist will examine the x-rays for the following reasons: An in-depth and close look at the structure of the teeth and bone in the jaw...
Here at Willow Glen Dental Center, we are dedicated to ensuring that each experience you have in our San Jose, CA office is pleasant and enjoyable. Continue reading to learn what you can expect to experience during your dental examination. X-Rays To begin your visit, x-rays will be taken in...
It has been a challenging time for all, but one thing that we can be thankful for is that we were able to keep our doors open due to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful team, who have followed each health guideline precisely in order to ensure that...
Willow Glen Dental Center is proud to provide our patients with excellent dental care in San Jose, CA, and a large part of that is ensuring that they are knowledgeable about the treatment they receive in our San Jose dental office. Continue reading to learn more about oral cancer evaluations....
While many people may think flossing is recommended simply to remove annoying particles of food between the teeth, there is much more to it than that. Here at Meridian Dental Associates, we’re breaking down information on flossing and why it is important. What is Flossing? Interdental cleaning, otherwise known as...
Continue reading to learn the difference between osseous surgery and a deep cleaning. What is a Deep Cleaning? Deep cleanings, clinically referred to as scaling and root planings (SRP), are thorough dental cleanings that are designed to remove all signs of plaque, tartar, and bacteria from both the surface of...
Root canals are designed to remove the nerve of the tooth and seal it off to prevent further damage or decay, so how could you be experiencing pain? Continue reading for more information and to learn how this problem can be fixed. Vertical Root Fractures Explained During a root...
Meridian Dental Associates’ COVID-19 Plan of Action The world around us has been in a constant state of change since the arrival of the coronavirus. While it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the state of things at the moment, the best thing we can do for ourselves is...