Mini dental implants have the same structure as regular implants, but are slightly smaller in form. These mini implants have two parts: a titanium post with a ball on the end, and a socket with a rubber O-ring that attaches the tooth to the post.
Mini implants are also less expensive than regular dental implants. Ask Reedley Family Dental if mini implants are right for you. Give us a call at (559) 637-0123 for more information on mini implants.
Dental implants are becoming more popular in today’s dental society for a number of reasons. Whenever a tooth is lost, the biting forces change and the teeth next to the space can shift. Also, opposing teeth may even be compromised by extruding into the open space, resulting in eventual tooth loss. Implants are titanium cylinders that are surgically placed in the jaw to serve as artificial roots. Attaching a replacement tooth to an implant allows us to avoid placing a bridge.
With dental implants, you can have a beautiful smile without any invasive procedures. Dental crowns and bridges are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth – so securely fitted that they don’t move when chewing or speaking; additionally, dental implants are a great way to achieve the perfect smile. They improve chewing function and contribute towards preserving healthy teeth, which in turn gives you an attractive appearance with self-esteem that will make everyone notice your amazing grin!
Your tooth structure has two main sections, the root, and the crown. A dental implant replaces this entire section of your jaw with an anchor in order for you to have proper support against wear from things like eating hard foods or grinding your teeth during workouts! This process starts off by placing the implants where needed after which they will be covered up by gum tissue until it’s time that we attach them into place just under skin level using local anesthesia so there isn’t any significant discomfort at all. This procedure usually takes between 1 – 2 hours depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. The second step in installing a tooth is to attach an abutment. This part of the implant will support your crown and make it strong enough for chewing tasks.
Finally, the implant is given an impression of its own. A restoration crafted from abutment to crown will be ready for use immediately after completion; it’s comfortable and will leave you smiling nonstop! When your implant procedure is complete, it will be ready to use immediately. This means that the only thing holding back from going about normal activities is walking out our dental office.
Ask us if implants are the right choice for you, and get the support and stability you deserve. Call Reedley Family Dental, we’ve placed over 1000’s of implants!
Practicing good oral hygiene is of the utmost importance. To ensure all our patients maintain healthy, clean, and fresh teeth and gums, we encourage them to schedule regular check-ups and cleanings with our highly trained dental hygienists every 4-6 months. Everyone at Reedley Family Dental is here to help you with any questions or concerns you have regarding daily dental practices like brushing and flossing.
Before anything is done inside your mouth your dentist will need to know about your medical history if this is your first appointment at the dental office or, if you have been to the practice before, any changes in your health such as new medications, diabetes, arthritis, pregnancy, etc. It is important that your dental care team knows about any health concerns, anxieties, or allergies you may have in order to avoid incidents and to make sure you get the kind of care you need.
It is having a look at any problem areas in your mouth. A metal probe with a small angled mirror will be used, which will help we see behind and between teeth and gums, as well as check for the softening of tooth enamel and dentin.
We will also be on the lookout for the swelling of gums in any areas, mouth sores, and redness. Finally, we will measure your mouth’s periodontal pockets, which are the spaces between the top of the gum line and where the gum tissues firmly attaches to the tooth. Ideally, this pocket should only be between one and three millimeters deep, however, deeper pockets can be a sign of gum disease and thus should be closely monitored.
The dental exam is different from the initial teeth examination that your hygienist completed as this one is done by your dentist. They will use your dental x-rays to see if there is any loss of bone, fractures, or any other abnormality below your visible gum line before moving on to look for issues with jaw alignment, teeth grinding, and oral cancer.
Once all of this is done, your dentist should have a full understanding of what your oral health needs are, and will be able to prescribe any necessary dental treatments to prevent or treat your issues.
Dental x-rays are used diagnostically to help dentists see issues that are otherwise nearly invisible to the naked eye. Adults receive dental x-rays so dentists can better identify and treat various issues. Using these x-rays, your dental professional provider can see:
Without an x-ray, many of these problems could go undiagnosed. With an x-ray as a reference, dentists are also better equipped to prepare tooth implants, dentures, Invisalign, and other cosmetic dental treatments.
We will start by scraping off built-up plaque and tartar that collects above and below the gum line before flossing between and around every tooth to remove any plaque or food particles that are clinging on.
We will also give your teeth a smooth and shiny finish using a tooth polisher with a spinning head and slightly abrasive paste. The polishing will get rid of any residue that was previously missed and will make your teeth smoother so that plaque will not collect as easily on them between visits to the dentist.
The final step of the routine dental checkup is scheduling your next one for a date 4 to 6 months in the future. Scheduling your next appointment right away is the easiest and most effective way to ensure that you don’t forget to have your dental checkup regularly. Even if you are diligent in your personal dental care, there is no better protection against oral issues than having your mouth professionally cleaned and monitored.
Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause tooth sensitivity and jaw pain. Studies have shown that grinding can be associated with sleep apnea – a serious medical condition. The noise from teeth grinding and snoring can also disturb your spouse’s sleep if loud enough. Always consult with a dental professional if there are any questions or concerns.
If you clench or grind your teeth you should consider a night guard. This device, which is very similar to a mouth guard worn by athletes, provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. All night guards are custom fitted for comfort and to allow proper breathing. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and have the night guard created by a dental lab. Night guards are very durable and can be used for up to 10 years.
There are also some things that you can do to try to consciously stop teeth grinding. Awareness of the problem can help to identify the times and situations that cause you to grind. Refrain from chewing gum or on other objects like pens. Studies show that you should also avoid drinks with caffeine, as these can increase the likelihood of you grinding your teeth. If you suspect you might be grinding your teeth at night, set up an appointment with us today.
Braces and orthodontic treatment are used to correct “bad bites,” or malocclusion (teeth that are crowded or crooked). In some cases your teeth may be straight, but your upper and lower jaws may not meet properly. These jaw or tooth alignment problems may be inherited or could result from injury, early or late tooth loss, or thumbsucking.
If you have an abnormal bite, our dentist at Reedley Family Dental may recommend braces or another orthodontic treatment to straighten out your smile. Correcting the problem can create a nice-looking smile, but more importantly, orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth. Not correcting an abnormal bite could result in further oral health problems, including:
One of the most popular dental solutions of the past two decades; it is basically braces without the hassle of metal wires. Composed of removable aligners made of durable, crafted acrylic, Invisalign provides a comfortable and invisible alternative to traditional braces. In addition, the duration of an Invisalign treatment is, on average, around 12 months. This is a huge step above metal braces, which sometimes take years to properly readjust a patient’s teeth.
When wearing Invisalign for the first time, you’ll notice it doesn’t fit perfectly. This is because it has yet to conform to the shape of your teeth. Each arrangement for an aligner is a two-week process. Each aligner you put into your mouth will not fit right at first because it has been shaped to fit your teeth at the end of the two-week adjustment period. In this way, you can see the progress of each arrangement as you are then given the next aligner that is shaped to fit your mouth two weeks later. This process can continue 10, 20, or possibly 30 times, but the total amount of tooth movement that can be accomplished is substantial.
Reedley Family Dental is participating in this year’s Community Health & Wellness Fair!
Event starts at 10am-2pm, Sep 29th at Reedley College. Free bag of goodies for everyone that shows up to our booth. While supplies last.
