Archive for the ‘Restorative Dentistry’ Category

Cosmetic Dentistry Options

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Cosmetic Dentistry Options Have you thought about upgrading your smile? Cosmetic dentistry offers many exciting possibilities.

The quickest and least invasive procedure is light teeth whitening. The results are dramatic and teeth whitening side effects are minimal.

If your teeth are slightly crooked, but require no orthodontic work, porcelain veneers could be the answer. Porcelain teeth veneers are translucent, wafer-thin covers that are permanently attached to the front of teeth, correcting chips and stains. Prepless veneers do not require the removal of tooth structure.

If your teeth are more than slightly crooked, it’s not too late for braces. Patients of all ages are undergoing orthodontic treatment and achieving fantastic results. The newest braces are less noticeable, more comfortable and bring teeth into alignment much faster than old-school metal braces.

Has gum recession caused the metal base of an old crown to be visible? Soft tissue grafts and crown replacement can correct this problem.

Are you missing one or more teeth? One of the best tooth replacement options is a dental implant. A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The post integrates with the bone to provide a stable foundation for the replacement tooth.

Can you envision yourself with a dental makeover?
Call Marcos Ortega DDS at 619-295-4545 to discuss your cosmetic dentistry options.

Dr. Marcos Ortega, DDS
http://www.MySanDiegoSmiles.com

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Wisdom Teeth And Your San Diego Dentist

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Wisdom Teeth And Your San Diego Dentist Wisdom teeth are the last of the molars (grinding teeth) to erupt from the gum. They usually appear in the late teens and early twenties. Not all people develop these teeth while others have from one to four.

Though some people never experience any problems with these extra molars, many times Wisdom teeth can create serious dental complications. If the wisdom teeth do not have the room to develop and erupt normally, they are referred to as impacted wisdom teeth. An impacted tooth may never emerge from the bone and gum, emerge only partially, or come in sideways.

Impacted teeth can damage the adjacent molar, cause infection or trigger gum disease. Sometimes these problems cause no noticeable symptoms for a period of time. To prevent these serious complications, wisdom teeth are often removed.

Wisdom teeth symptoms include pain when opening mouth, gum swelling, bad breath, and pain when chewing. These indicators can be constant or intermittent.

To learn more about wisdom teeth extraction, call 619-295-4545 to schedule an exam with Marcos Ortega DDS. Our very comfortable and friendly dental team can recommend the best course of treatment.

Marcos Ortega DDS

Providing comprehensive dental care for San Diego area families since 1986.

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Overbites And Underbites in San Diego

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Overbites And Underbites When the upper part of the jaw and the lower part of the jaw are not the same size, bite problems can occur. When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the reverse is true, it is called an underbite. Another related alignment disorder is called a crossbite. Crossbites occur when lower teeth are in the wrong position. They may be incorrectly positioned sideways, forward or backward.

Malocclusion (literally ‘bad bite’) is the term used for all types of bite problems including overbites, underbites and crossbites. Jaw alignment disorders can cause a range of problems and often prohibit proper chewing and/or swallowing. Teeth can shift around in the mouth, causing even more discomfort or difficulty. Gum disease and tooth decay are also harder to prevent because proper oral hygiene can be difficult with a malocclusion. TMJ disorder can develop over time. Distorted facial shape and unattractive teeth are often the most noticeable and troubling issues for those affected.

Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for bite problems. If you suspect your child has a bite misalignment, it is especially important to have them examined as early as possible. By starting early, you can make sure they avoid years of pain and self-consciousness.

Call Marcos Ortega DDS at 619-295-4545. Dentist Dr. Marcos Ortega is experienced in diagnosing bite disorders in patients of all ages. We can create a successful treatment plan for you. We also perform porcelain veneers and dental crowns and Invisalign invisible braces for San Diego area dental clients.

-Marcos Ortega DDS

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Oral Conscious Sedation

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

Oral Conscious Sedation Some people experience severe anxiety when undergoing dental treatment. With oral conscious sedation, it is possible to relax during dental procedures instead of being tense and fearful. Oral sedation dentistry, relaxation dentistry, conscious sedation and anxiety-free dentistry are all terms used to describe this type of treatment. In addition to alleviating anxiety, oral conscious sedation can help patients with a variety of conditions.

You may want to consider oral conscious sedation if you have any of the following issues:

  • Strong gag reflex
  • Fear of needles
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • A history of negative dental experiences
  • Trouble controlling body movement due to Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy or related condition
  • Need extensive dental treatment requiring lengthy dental visits

If you have avoided dental treatment due to any of these factors, give us a call at 619-295-4545. We can give you more information about sedation options and help you determine which one is right for you. At Marcos Ortega DDS we do all we can to make your visit as comfortable as possible. We look forward to discussing your oral health and dental goals.

Serving San Diego dental patients since 1986.

Achieving Health and Beauty with Modern Dentistry.

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California Dentist: Calming Root Canal Fears

Monday, January 12th, 2009

California Dentist Calms Root Canal Fears In San Diego, California a dentist’s office is sometimes seen as a painful and scary place. Marcos Ortega DDS located at 306 Walnut Ave., Suite 25 San Diego, California 92103 tries to discourage that image with a very comfortable and friendly staff and a qualified dentist. However, endodontic therapy, a dental procedure commonly known as a root canal, still carries a strong association with pain that sometimes keeps people from regularly visiting the dentist and tending optimally to their oral health.

When a tooth becomes badly infected or decayed, a qualified dentist in California can clean the inside of the tooth by removing the bacteria, soft tissue (called pulp), decayed nerve tissue, and any debris that may be causing the tooth infection from the inside of the tooth. Your qualified dentist will then seal the tooth to prevent further decay and finish by applying a crown or filling. This is the process and purpose of a root canal. The process can be completed, typically, in just a few visits to your California dental practice. In many cases, a root canal procedure is a better option than removing the infected tooth since it allows you to keep your natural tooth.

Teeth that are more prone to requiring a root canal procedure in the state of California are cracked or chipped, have received repeated dental procedures, have been damaged by trauma to the face, or are suffering from deep tooth decay. Wearing a mouth guard can help prevent damage sustained to teeth and practicing good oral hygiene habits, such as daily flossing and brushing, coupled with regular dental visits, can reduce the possibility of needing a dental root canal.

Though a root canal can be intimidating or scary, educating yourself and talking to your local dentist in the San Diego, California area can relieve much of your anxiety. Root canals are often not painful, and for many people the pain of the infection experienced beforehand is worse than any pain that might be experienced during the procedure, and the relief is well worth the trouble.

If you are in the California area you can give Marcos Ortega DDS a call at 619-295-4545 to see what we can do for your oral health.

Achieving Health and Beauty with Modern Dentistry

Don’t forget to visit us at our online dentistry website at: http://www.MySanDiegoSmiles.com

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San Diego Prepless Veneers

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

San Diego Prepless Veneers

One of the latest breakthroughs in San Diego cosmetic dentistry is prepless veneers. Though thousands of Hillcrest and Mission Hills, Mission Valley smile restoration clients who have received traditional veneers are happy with the results, some California dental patients have delayed this procedure because they do not want to lose healthy tooth structure.

San Diego prepless veneers are a less-invasive procedure for transforming San Diego smiles. New Marcos Ortega DDS prepless veneers are incredibly thin shells which adhere to the face of teeth and require no removal of tooth enamel. Most San Diego prepless veneers are about the thickness of two pieces of paper. Because the color is built into the veneers (instead of being applied after fabrication), they look like your natural teeth–only better!

Our experienced California ceramists are skilled artists. They create each custom San Diego dental veneer with the optimum shape, color and thickness for your new smile. Another great feature of the Marcos Ortega DDS prepless veneers application procedure is that it requires no anesthesia or drilling.

If you are embarrassed by misaligned, discolored or broken teeth, Mission Hills, Mission Valley prepless veneers may be a California smile restoration solution that you can feel good about.

Call Marcos Ortega DDS to learn more about prepless dental veneers. It is the first step toward your dazzling new smile!

Dr. Marcos Ortega

Marcos Ortega DDS
306 Walnut Ave., Suite 25
San Diego California 92103
619-295-4545

http://www.MySanDiegoSmiles.com

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San Diego Dental Implants and Dental Bridges

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

When my San Diego patients ask me about tooth restoration, I usually tell them about fixed (or ‘traditional’) dental bridges or dental implants. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth which replaces a missing tooth. The false tooth (called a ‘pontic’) is fused to porcelain crowns on either side of the missing tooth.

Tooth replacement has been a highly requested procedure at my San Diego dental practice. Patients from the Mission Hills area and Hillcrest area have expressed concern about tooth replacement for many years. Most of my questions in these areas and the Mission Valley area have to do with the strength of the tooth replacement, and durability.

Dental implants are also popular concern for my San Diego tooth replacement patients. A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The post integrates with the bone to provide a stable foundation for the replacement tooth.

After it has bonded with the bone (it usually takes three to six months), a smaller post is attached. This post extends above the gum line. The artificial tooth (crown) is then attached. The entire process takes several months, but consistently yields terrific results for San Diego dental implant patients. My California cosmetic dentistry patients appreciate the fact that I stay up to date on the latest advancements in tooth replacement procedures.

Both Callifornia smile restoration options preserve or restore facial contour and allow you to talk and eat normally. Tooth replacements prevent adjoining teeth from gradually shifting and can help correct bite problems, too. Tooth implants and dental bridges can replace one or more missing teeth. Many Bankers Hil area dental patients have been treated successfully with these tooth restoration alternatives.

Call Marcos Ortega DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry and ask for Dr. Marcos Ortega to schedule an evaluation for California tooth restoration. You can schedule your tooth restoration by calling us at 619-295-4545.

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San Diego Root Canals

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘I’d rather have a root canal’ to describe something painful or unpleasant? At Marcos Ortega DDS, Cosmetic and General Dentistry, we perform root canal (endodontic) therapy routinely for our San Diego dentistry patients and many report minimal discomfort. San Diego root canal procedures have advanced significantly in recent years. For many California root canal patients, the procedure is no worse than getting a filling from your Marcos Ortega DDS dental professional.

At Marcos Ortega DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, our goal is to help our Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Mission Hills and Bankers Hill root canal patients avoid the necessity of endodontic treatment in California by providing skilled dental care. However, if root canal therapy is necessary to preserve a tooth for one of our greater San Diego area root canal patients, we provide the most advanced San Diego endodontic treatment in California.

How do you know if you need a California root canal? See your Marcos Ortega DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry dental professional immediately if you experience tenderness or pain, hot or cold sensitivity, tooth discoloration, tooth injury, gum swelling, gum pain, or lymph node tenderness or drainage. However, for some San Diego endodontic patients, there are no symptoms. That is why it is crucial to visit your local San Diego endodontic dentist regularly for a thorough dental examination.

Call Marcos Ortega DDS, at 619-295-4545 to schedule an appointment.

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