Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a Dental Implant?

    A dental implant is long-term or permanent synthetic tooth root that is used to retain artificial teeth such as a crown, bridge or denture. They can also be used for retain facial prosthetics, as well as serve as anchor points for orthodontics.

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  • Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

    A candidate must have proper bone density in order for the jaw to effectively hold the dental implant.

    People with poor oral hygiene, heavy smokers, diabetics, long-term steroid users and those who suffer from osteoporosis may not be candidates for dental implants. If one any of the following considerations apply to you, please be sure to consult them with your dentist or periodontist.

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  • How do I maintain a Dental Implant and its Prosthetic?

    Dental implants are like your own teeth and require similar care, thus continuing to brush and floss to maintain good oral hygiene is still important. You should also visit your dentist and periodontist regularly so they can monitor you implant, teeth, and gums to ensure they stay healthy.

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  • What is a Veneer?

    A veneer is an ultra-thin composite or porcelain shell that is placed over a tooth in order to protect damage to a tooth or improve its aesthetic. A single veneer is generally used to restore a tooth that may have been fractured or discolored. Multiple veneers may also be used to create uniform color, shape, and symmetry amongst your teeth to create that perfect smile.

    People with gaps between their front teeth or have chipped or worn out teeth may be perfect candidates for veneers.

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  • Teeth Whitening

    Teeth whitening is a common procedure to restore smiles of stained or discolored teeth. If done properly, it can last as long as five years. There are many factors that can lead to tooth discoloration such as age, diet, genetics, smoking, alcohol and personal dental hygiene. Food and beverages such as berries, soy sauce, coffee and tea are some widely known products that can stain your teeth. It is important to drink plenty of water and brush your teeth regularly in order to prevent staining from the foregoing products. However, discoloration can also result from traumatic injuries, certain medications, and fluorosis, which cannot be prevented by brushing and flossing.

    There are few alternatives to teeth whitening such as whitening toothpastes and whitening strips. However, many of these products carry harsh substances that can wear out your tooth's enamel. Professional whitening is generally known to be one of the most effective and safest methods for removing stains, without compromising the integrity of teeth.

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  • What is Osseous Surgery? Why Do I Need It?

    Our periodontist, Dr. Molayem, may recommend Osseous (bone) surgery to you if you suffer from periodontal disease that has not responded to other methods of treatment including deep cleaning & routine maintenance at home.

    Most cases of periodontal disease treatment will resolve with routine deep cleanings as recommended by your dentist, and antibiotic treatments.

    This surgery is performed in order to save a tooth from bacteria decay as a result of being able to effectively keep it clean. It is performed on a tooth-by-tooth basis, as not all teeth will be affected.

    What actually occurs during the procedure is that your gum tissue is gently pushed away from the roots of the teeth. This procedure is known as flap surgery. While the surgeon has the flaps pushed back, it is usually necessary to smooth out damaged bone, and this part of the procedure is called Osseous surgery. The bone and gums and heal naturally on their own, but patients often report mild pain and discomfort as a result. Patients are given anesthesia throughout the procedure so that they are comfortable throughout.

    The first step in the surgery is to determine exactly which teeth require surgery in order to save. Pockets that remain 6mm or more and have not responded to other treatments will benefit from Osseous surgery performed by oral surgeon in Woodland Hills, Dr. Molayem.

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  • What is a Bone Graft?

    A bone graft is an oral surgery procedure often recommended in tandem with dental implants. Dental implant is not as simple as placing titanium in the mouth. If the area that a dentist would like place a dental implant is does not contain enough bone to support the implant, then a bone graft is recommended to resolve this issue. Consider the bone required for an implant the foundation. Without a strong foundation, a dental plant would result in failure. No dentist or implant specialist should ever place a dental implant in an area that does not have enough bone to support it.

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  • What is a Membrane?

    At some point in receiving a dental implant, your dentist may mention the word “membrane”. What are they referring to?

    A membrane is a way to prevent the gum tissue from growing into the bone cavity. Sometimes patients are required to have a bone graft performed in order for a successful dental implant. During this bone graft, membranes are added to the graft for the reason listed above. They are placed over the bone, but under the gums. They’re often made from a protein known as Collagen, but may also be made from your own blood using platelet rich fibrin.

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  • Do I need irrigation after scaling and root planning?

    Scaling and root planning are often performed as a way to reverse the effects of gingivitis and/or periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is considered a bacterial infection.

    Irrigation is an antimicrobial agent that is applied below the gums which helps reduce the amount of oral bacteria in the mouth with the intention of improving periodontal disease. It has shown a lot of effectiveness in the treatment of periodontal disease and is usually recommended while deep cleaning occurs, as the gums are numb during the procedure, making it very easy to apply.

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  • What are implant-supported dentures?

    Implant-supported dentures are another, more advanced, type of dental implant solution offered by Mint Dentistry of Woodland Hills. Just as the name implies, implant-supported dentures utilize dental implants to secure a set of comfortable fitting dentures in place. Learn the benefits of implant-supported dentures.

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  • What are implant-supported bridges?

    Implant supported bridges are just as the name implies: dental bridges that are supported by dental implants, rather than natural teeth. When more than one tooth is missing, an implant-supported bridge may be recommended. Implant-supported bridges reduce the pressure placed on individual implants in the bone, spreading it across the entire bridge.

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  • What is the correct way of flossing?

    Flossing is very important for your oral health; so making sure you understand proper form is critical to your success. Take a lengthy amount of floss, enough to wrap around both index fingers for a secure, tight fit. Use your thumbs to apply pressure up-and-down between each tooth. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth in a C-shaped motion.

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  • Is Invisalign® really working?

    Invisalign® invisible braces are a great option to consider for adults, but teens may use them as well. Many adults often wonder whether or not the orthodontic treatment is working. Invisalign® works just like traditional braces in the sense that results are gradual over time. It may take up to 18 months to see your straightened smile for the first time, but it is a very popular orthodontic treatment option that has provided dramatic results for many adults.

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  • What is crown lengthening?

    This is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of gum tissue, bone, or both in order to expose more of the tooth above the gum’s surface. Crown lengthening is usually recommended when there is insufficient tooth area - following a fracture or decay - to allow for crown or filling placement. This situation may arise when a tooth breaks off, at or near the gum line, or when a filling or crown comes out because of decay underneath. To repair the tooth, the dentist needs to remove some of the surrounding tissue to prepare the tooth for restoration. Crown lengthening may also be recommended as a cosmetic procedure for individuals with a lot of gum tissue around their upper teeth - gummy smile. .

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  • What is the difference between denture supported implant and hybrid?

    Dentures are removable, custom-made teeth and gum replacements for people missing most or all the teeth in the upper or lower arch. Dentures typically sit on the gums and are held in place by muscles in your mouth. Although dentures in the upper jaw have sufficient support, you can increase the stability of dentures on the lower jaw by attaching them to implants. Implant-supported dentures come with special attachments that snap onto other attachments placed on the implants. Hybrids secure the dentures to fewer implants, helping to eliminate slippage, clacking, and other denture problems, while ensuring faster recovery time and greater comfort.

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  • What is the difference between crown and veneer?

    Although both veneers and crowns use porcelain material to repair damaged teeth, veneers refer to thin layers of material that are only bonded to the front surface of the tooth, whereas crowns are fabricated to encase the entire tooth. Because of the mode of placement, veneers allow preservation of more of the natural tooth structure. Crowns, on the other hand, are thicker and tougher, which makes them long-lasting.

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  • What is re-do root canal?

    Root canal therapy is performed in an attempt to save a severely damaged natural tooth from extraction. But if the restored tooth does not recover as expected, perhaps because the initial treatment did not remove all the infection, or decay accumulated again in the treated area, or the tooth fractured and is now exposed to new infection, then it may be possible to re do the root canal treatment to correct the problems and ensure that the tooth functions properly.

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  • Is a molar extraction needed or not?

    No dental professional wants to remove teeth unnecessarily, including wisdom teeth (third molars). There’s no need to remove them if they are fully erupted, correctly positioned, healthy, biting properly with opposing teeth, and can be accessed for daily cleaning. However, wisdom teeth often don’t have enough room to grow properly, causing them to be impacted. This can cause pain, teeth crowding, damage to adjacent teeth, cysts, repeated gum infection, tooth decay, and gum disease. Removing them can provide relief. The decision to keep or remove the molars is not always clear. Please consult your dental professional in Woodland Hills to determine the best course of action for your situation.

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  • What is mandibular tori (extra bone)?

    The term ‘mandibular’ refers to the lower jaw or jawbone that supports the lower teeth. The term ‘Tori’ is plural for ‘Torus’, which refers to a benign bone growth in the mouth. When you have mandibular Tori, it means that you have a benign growth on both the right and left sides of your oral cavity. It is a hereditary condition that can also be caused by stress in the jaw bone or bruxism. Mandibular Tori is not a serious oral abnormality. However, it makes the patient uncomfortable, and in cases of continued growth, disrupts mouth functions and hinders denture placement. The Tori can be surgically reduced, though it may regrow if the stress persists.

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  • What is alveoplasty?

    Alveoplasty is a surgical procedure to recontour and modify the jawbone ridge. It may be recommended following tooth extraction in order to facilitate healing and prepare the jawbone for additional repair work, such as denture placement. In the latter case, alveoplasty is aimed at optimizing the shape of the patient’s ridge (jawbone) to reduce the risk of complications when inserting the appliances and maximize stability, comfort, and retention.

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