The “Why’s” of Mouth Weirdness!

If you’ve ever had the occasion think about how to correct an “underbite” or a less than attractive smile, your conversation may have centered on the painful idea of having to “break” the jawbone, weeks on a liquid diet because of a jaw that was then wired shut, and the application of braces both before and after surgery. Understandably, such conversations tend to elicit a lot of wincing… are there alternatives? Yes, and they can be accomplished with the help of Dr. Lane.

Expanders: Expanders are often used to correct a crossbite – a situation where either the upper or lower bite is narrower than the other. An expander helps adjust the spread of a child’s teeth so the bite matches evenly on all sides. Expanders resemble orthodontic retainers, and include a screw that is tightened nightly so as to “spread” your bite to the prescribed measurements.

Braces: You may have had them as a kid, and you or someone you know might need them again. Seeing an adult with braces isn’t as much an odd sight as it may have been, and given that many of us didn’t wear our retainers as we were instructed, it’s

not much of a surprise. Braces alone can sometimes alleviate a lot of bite concerns, and if your bite is only slightly off, our solutions like Invisalign can be an even less intrusive method to correct your bite.Bonding, Implants and Reconstruction: Braces and expanders not going to cut it for you? If you’ve experienced dental trauma in the past, or just weren’t on top of your oral health care routine, you might need a bit more help. But, no fear … simple bonding, implants and “reconstruction” that could include new crowns and even veneers can deliver the solution you’re seeking.

Veneers: Speaking of veneers, it’s amazing how even an underbite can be cosmetically altered so the teeth give the appearance of no underbite. There is a good degree of artistry with this approach, and when done correctly, this creative placement of veneers on the upper jaw mimics a jaw in proper alignment.

Fixing a bad smile doesn’t have to be fraught with expense and pain.

A BEAUTIFUL SMILEwww.DentistWestHills.com

Welcome to a different kind of dental experience

Our Mission & PhilosophyOur mission is to provide our patients with the finest care and most comfortable dental experience in the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys.

Our dental philosophy is not merely to correct a tooth, but to change your life for the better. To us, that’s what dentistry is all about.

Our professionalism, technology and quality materials provide a solid foundation for our relationship with our patients. We listen to you and we work together to accommodate every patient’s long-term dental goals.

We want to give you a beautiful smile and healthy mouth.

Along the way, we enhance our patients’ understanding of techniques and alternatives. We let you know in advance the What, Why, How and the benefit of our recommendations. If you are covered by dental insurance we’ll give you tips for making the most of it. With this knowledge comes the confidence to make dental decisions you’re comfortable with.

We want you to be comfortable. Then we can deliver quality dental care that’s tailored for you.

Did you enjoy the articles? Visit our website to read our blog! www.DentistWestHills.com

4 Methods for Non-surgical Smile Correction

The main reason a tooth is likely to hurt after a filling has to do with many highly individual factors in your mouth. The structure of your teeth, past dentistry, personal habits (like clenching and grinding), and even the durability of the blood vessels, tissues, and nerves within your teeth, play a part in whether you remain pain-free after your anesthetic wears off.

What Can Bring About the Pain?

Heightened sensitivity: If it has been a while since your last teeth cleaning and you consider yourself to have sensitive teeth, a trip to the dentist may make them feel worse for a while. That’s mostly because prior to your visit, your teeth have, in a way, been “hiding out” underneath a bunch of plaque and tartar. No good for the health of your teeth, for sure, but that gunk can mask sensitivity when it covers recessed root areas. Once our hygienist removes that barrier, you’re going to experience more sensitivity as a result. Also a clenching or grinding habit can create or prolonged sensitivity. A nightguard and toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help – so please ask your hygienist or Dr. Lane for samples and recommendations.

Material used: When filling teeth today, many dentists tend to gravitate toward the use of composite materials. They’re flexible and durable, insulate the tooth from extremes in temperature, and bond so efficiently that less of the tooth needs to be removed to place the filling.

That said, despite their proficiency in dealing with temperature, composite fillings can cause increased sensitivity when the filling is deep, or if it’s placed on an area of the tooth that experiences greater “flex.” For example, a filling completed along the gum line may hurt for longer than one completed on the biting surface, because of the unique stresses the tooth experiences at that location.

Pulpitis: Just as any surgeon will tell you “all surgery is risky,” all dental restorative work is traumatic to teeth. When a tooth requires a filling, the extended vibration and heat from the drill can cause the pulpal tissue within the tooth to swell. This can result in a condition known as pulpitis. In most cases, the swelling that results from this overstimulation is transitory, and fades as the tooth heals itself. Occasionally, though, the tooth fails to deal with the trauma, and the result is irreversible pulpitis. When this happens, the unfortunate remedy is often a root canal procedure. Dr. Lane recommends taking ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation. Call our West Hills office and speak with him about what is appropriate for you and your individual needs.

Uneven Bite: The most common cause of pain after the placement of a filling is a “high” or uneven bite. This occurs when a filling placed on the biting surface of your tooth is uneven with the opposing tooth. When this happens, your bite might feel a bit “off.” The good

news is, it’s not really anything to worry about. All you’ll have to do is revisit us and Dr. Lane will smooth out the filling so it fits more naturally with its opposing tooth.

How Long Will the Pain Last?

This is the $64,000 question – and the most difficult to answer. The short answer is, it depends. It depends on your overall health, the health of your teeth, and the exact reason for the pain you are experiencing. In the vast majority of cases, pain that exists after a restoration tends to dissipate within a few days.

However, if pain persists beyond a week, or starts to worsen please call to inform us of your symptoms. Depending on the type of work you had done, our staff may decide to have you come in to see Dr. Lane, or suggest you wait a bit to see if things settle down with the passage of time.

Believe it or not, it’s not unheard of for some patients to experience discomfort for months after a filling is placed. The key is to be in communication with our office so you can monitor the situation correctly. While certainly not ideal, maybe you can find some comfort in the idea that you are as unique as you’ve always thought you were!

Is Your Tooth Still Sensitive After A Filling?

If you’re a denture wearer, and your dentures have begun to fit less comfortably than in the past, you may wish to consider having them relined. Denture relining is a simple and affordable procedure that reshapes the underside of a denture to make it more comfortable as it rests against your gums. Relines are referred to as “soft” or “hard,” and can be completed either at the office, or in a lab. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so let’s take a look at the specifics to find a solution that might be good for you.

When a tooth is extracted from its place within the alveolar bone tissue that houses it, the tissue undergoes what is known as resorption, or a “breakdown” at the cellular level that takes its component materials and disperses them elsewhere throughout the body. In layman’s terms, this bony material is essentially “taken” back “into” the body for other use. Denture wearers experience most of this resorption within the first three to four months after extractions, and then gradually over time throughout the rest of one’s life.

As a result of this resorption, the gum tissue surrounding the alveolar bone experiences a change in density and shape that begins to cause a previously fitted denture to become more uncomfortable over time. This is where a denture reline can help.

Soft RelineSoft relines are often the preferred option for denture wearers simply because they tend to be more comfortable. This is particularly true if you’re a recent denture wearer with bone resorption still taking place at its most rapid rate, or if your gum tissue is just sensitive to the weight and feel of the denture. A soft

reline can be done in the office (chairside) with a liquid polymer that is layered into the denture to add depth and cushion. It’s a relatively quick procedure, and a secure, comfortable fit is achieved with input from you during your appointment.

The main advantage to a soft reline done chairside is how fast you can have your denture completed. In contrast, when a soft reline is done in a lab, you would need to be without your denture for whatever period of time it takes to complete the reline. A possible disadvantage to the soft reline – regardless of where it’s completed – is the fact that it may require more frequent fine-tuning due to its soft, porous nature. If this disadvantage matters to you, and you would rather sacrifice some comfort in favor of longevity, then a hard reline may be a better option for you.

Hard RelineA hard reline reshapes a denture in the same manner as does a soft reline, but it is done with a material more like the hardened denture base itself. The result is a more permanent reline fix that lasts more years than does a soft reline. It too can be done chairside, or at a lab. Dr. Lane will evaluate your situation and determine which way is best for you. As with a soft reline sent to a lab, you would be without your dentures for whatever time period it takes to complete the fix.

So, as you can see, denture relining is an effective method to reshape a denture when it starts to give you difficulty. It can also be used to repair a cracked denture, and is an excellent way to delay the cost of a new denture altogether.

Uncomfortable Dentures? Maybe It’s Time For A Denture Reline.

Want Great Lips? Follow These Tips!

Here’s your mission: name an actor or actress whose lips you find attractive. How many immediately come to mind? Three, four … ten? It’s pretty easy, right? Now try to name just one Hollywood star who has attractive teeth. Not nice teeth. Attractive teeth. Not so easy! The reason for that is because while we all like straight, white teeth, they’re really somewhat of a facial commodity. Everyone has them, and they pretty much all look the same. Lips, on the other hand are unique. So unique, in fact, that they’re a one of a kind – just like your fingerprints! So, take care of them you must. Here’s how to avoid dry, wrinkled, cold sore ridden lips all year long.

Exfoliate! Once a week before bed, use your toothbrush to gently exfoliate your lips. This’ll work wonders if your lips are already chapped, but it can help minimize the occurrence of dry lips as well. Just hold the brush vertically, and brush gently across your lips in circles, much in the way you would brush your teeth. Once done, moisten ‘em up with a slightly damp warm towel, and apply a moisturizer like Vaseline®. Oh, and the best time to refresh your lips is overnight when they’re doing nothing but keeping the drool in your mouth! Which, by the way, is a good reason to keep them moisturized in the first place, because saliva drying on your lips all night is certainly not good for smooth lips in the morning.

Kick the habit: If you want to avoid those vertical lines around the lips that can easily add 10-15 years to your face, you would do well to quit smoking as soon as possible. Why? Because smoking slows the rate of collagen renewal in the body –a side effect you might otherwise never notice – except that the space between your upper lip and your nose contains very little collagen to begin with. Due to this, long-term smokers experience a visual “thinning out” of the plumpness above the upper lip. If you’re a woman smoker, please know that women are a lot more susceptible to developing even deeper wrinkles as they have closer attachment of muscle fibers surrounding the lips – causing deeper creases in skin when you’re inhaling.

Cold Sores: Research suggests 40% of Americans live with cold sores. And, if you’re in that group, avoiding them is a lifelong battle. Believe it or not, you can get a leg up on this viral nuisance by taking care of your lips and your body. Manage stress with plenty of sleep and good food that can thwart cold sore outbreaks, and protect your lips at all times – in all seasons – with a moisturizer containing sunscreen. It bears mentioning that using a sunscreen infused moisturizer is also a great way to protect your lips from cancer, which is far more common than you may realize.

So there you have it. Easy tips … for soft, kissable, healthy lips now and forever.

Congratulations Marilyn!

Marilyn was our referral drawing winner!

Refer a friend or family member and you’ll become eligible to win a $150 gift card that can be used anywhere.

This is our way of saying thank you for the many wonderful referrals we receive from our patients.

and the Winner is.... Marilyn!

Preparing for Your Child’s Tooth Extraction

The memory of having a tooth pulled tends to be replete with blurred scenes of drooling, bleeding, and random acts of silliness – especially if your last extraction was when you were still a kid. But that’s where the memories tend to fade for most of us. So, if your child is gearing up for an extraction or two of their own, and you’d like to freshen up on what’s going to happen after the procedure, we’ve got you covered.

Please keep in mind that Dr. Lane or any specialist he refers you too will likely provide you with instructions specific to your child, this list should serve merely as a guideline to set expectations.

After sedation: If your child will be administered procedural sedation during their extraction, be sure to ask your doctor for pre and post care advice as it relates to your child and the type of anesthesia they will be receiving. Generally speaking, sedation may cause extended drowsiness and, possibly, nausea. Be sure to contact your doctor so you know what to expect and how to care for your child in the 24 hours after their appointment.

Protecting the blood clot: After an extraction, a clot will begin to form where the tooth was removed. The body does this to protect against excessive bleeding and to begin the healing process. To aid the body’s clotting process, your child will be asked to bite on a gauze pad for 20-30 minutes after the extraction. Typically, after this timeframe, bleeding will subside, but if it doesn’t you can place another gauze pad in its place for another thirty minutes. You may have to do this several times.After the blood clot forms it is important to protect it, especially for the next 24 hours. So your child shouldn’t suck through a straw, rinse vigorously, spit forcefully, or clean the teeth next to the extraction site. Additionally, if your child is a teen smoker, they should avoid smoking. Each of these activities can dislodge the clot and slow down healing, not to mention cause a very

painful side effect: dry socket. Limit your child to calm activities for the first 24 hours, this keeps their blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding and helps the healing process.

Addressing pain: Some pain and swelling may be present after an extraction. Swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours, and ice can help. Just be sure to wrap the ice in a towel or something similar (don’t place ice directly on the face), and use it in 20-minute “on” and 20-minute “off” intervals. You child can also use pain medication as directed. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed – be sure to continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

Stay hydrated: Have your child drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods on the day of the extraction. Normal eating habits can generally commence the next day, or as soon as it is comfortable.

Rinse: Have your child gently rinse with salt water (a tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day beginning the day after the extraction. They should also rinse gently after meals, as it helps keep food out of the extraction site. It’s also very important to resume their normal dental routine after 24 hours; this should include brushing their teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day. This speeds healing and helps keep your breath and mouth fresh.

“What ifs”: Should your child experience heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever, chills, or continued swelling after two or three days, please contact your care provider or call Dr. Lane right away.

“I have been a patient of Dr. Lane’s for more than 20 years. His office is over 30 miles from where we live but I’ve never thought about

finding another dentist. I truly feel Dr. Lane and his staff care about me and my dental needs.”

– Suzie F.

Patient Testimonials

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