Dental Crowns « Dr. Ortega’s San Diego Dentist Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Dental Crowns’

Dental Implants In San Diego

Friday, January 27th, 2012

The best permanent tooth replacement treatment available to San Diego people who are missing teeth are dental implants.

A dental implant is a metal (ideally titanium) rod implanted into the bone to replace the missing root. Dental crowns and supporting structures are securely and permanently attached to the rod. Titanium is amazingly strong and extremely well tolerated by the human body. There are very few instances of rejection. In fact, most San Diego implant dentists are not familiar with any such cases.

Tooth implants offer a long-term solution to tooth loss. Are you a good San Diego candidate for dental implant surgery?

Because the metal rod is anchored into the jaw bone, it is essential that you have enough healthy bone at the implant site. Dr. Marcos Ortega can determine if you do.

Age is rarely a factor. Dental implants have proved to be successful for San Diego area people of all ages. Dr. Ortega provides comprehensive dental care for all your cosmetic dentistry needs.

There are a few medical issues that may affect your eligibility for implants. These include diabetes, osteoporosis, radiation therapy for cancer, parathyroid disorders, bone disorders and leukemia. The presence of one or more of these conditions does not necessarily mean an implant cannot work for you; discuss any health issues with Dr. Ortega during your implant consultation. If you are nervous about having intensive dental work done, please ask us about sedation dentistry.

Marcos Ortega DDS is located at 306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25 in San Diego. Call 619-717-8459 to schedule an implant consultation.

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Sedation Dentistry
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Cosmetic Dental Solutions in San Diego

Friday, October 21st, 2011

San Diego cosmetic dentists use dental crowns to solve a number of dental dilemmas. A dental crown is a strong, natural-looking permanent tooth restoration that covers the top of the damaged tooth.

San Diego family dentists recommend crowns to remedy the following problems:

A broken tooth with decay
An ill-fitting existing crown
A decayed tooth that has lost significant tooth structure
A tooth that has had a root canal
A tooth that is too small or misshapen
A tooth that causes a bite problem

Before your San Diego dentist can attach the crown to your tooth, we must prepare the tooth. Family dentists often apply a local anesthetic so you won’t feel pain during the prepping. Your dentist will remove decay, if any, and shape the tooth to receive the crown. Then a mold is taken of the prepped tooth and surrounding teeth.

A temporary crown is then placed on the tooth to protect it until you return to your San Diego cosmetic dentistry office to receive the permanent restoration. The patient needs to be careful while wearing the temporary crown. Vigorous brushing or flossing can displace the crown or damage the exposed soft tissue. The San Diego dental crown patient should also refrain from eating extremely hard foods like nuts or sticky candy.

The mold of your teeth is sent to a San Diego dental lab where your crown is built. Dental crowns are fabricated in three varieties: tooth colored crowns made of resin or porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and solid metal crowns. Each type has its pros and cons. Your San Diego cosmetic dentist Dr. Marcos Ortega DDS will choose the best crown material for your particular tooth.

What if you need a permanent dental restoration for both the top and root of your tooth? A dental implant is your answer.

For more information about complete dental restorations and other cosmetic dental solutions, call Marcos Ortega DDS at 619-717-8459 today.

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Crowns, dental implant, root canal
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Teeth Whitening at Your San Diego Dentist

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to improve your smile in San Diego. It is quick, affordable, and non-invasive. Though some San Diego cosmetic dentistry patients experience short-term sensitivity, most experience no tooth whitening pain at all.

If you have looked into San Diego teeth whitening, you probably already know the basics. The one thing they have in common is that they use a solution containing peroxide to remove the stains that have settled in the natural microscopic cracks in your tooth enamel.

There are many DIY teeth bleaching products available in San Diego and it seems like new ones appear every time you visit the toothpaste aisle at your local grocery or drug store.

These tooth whitening strips and tooth whitening pens can sometimes whiten your teeth a few shades, but the peroxide concentration is much lower than the whitening solutions used in San Diego cosmetic dental offices. It may not be strong enough for your tooth stains.

Tooth whitening offered at San Diego mall kiosks is risky, also. Most of these teeth whitening businesses in San Diego have no professional oversight and the employees have little dental training. (Except instruction on how to take advantage of customer naivety.)

Dr. Marcos Ortega recommends that you use extreme caution when considering a take-home San Diego tooth whitener. If you have tooth decay, gum recession, dental crowns, or veneers, you should deal with these issues before you whiten your teeth.

The portion of your teeth below the gumline, if exposed, may respond differently to tooth whitener. Likewise, the peroxide solution does not noticeably whiten crowns and veneers. If you use a DIY tooth whitener on teeth with extensive porcelain restorations (like porcelain veneers), you should probably hope it doesn’t whiten too much–you may end up with a two- or three-tone smile!

Even though San Diego teeth whitening seems fairly straightforward, your teeth deserve a professional opinion. After all, we are talking about teeth here. You can’t fix an uneven teeth whitening result like you can a bad hair-coloring job.

Schedule a San Diego tooth bleaching evaluation before you waste your money on more Crest White Strips. We can be reached at 619-717-8459.

Tags: cosmetic dental, Dental Crowns, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening
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Smile Perfection in San Diego

Friday, September 16th, 2011

“The most difficult part of attaining perfection is finding something to do for an encore.” -Author Unknown

We are perfectionists at Marcos Ortega DDS, where we create perfect smiles for our San Diego cosmetic dentistry and smile makeover patients.

Here are some of the cosmetic dental procedures we use in smile makeovers at Marcos Ortega DDS, Cosmetic and Sedation Dentistry in San Diego.

Implant Dentistry
Dental implants are the ultimate tooth restoration available in San Diego or anywhere else, for that matter. A tooth implant consists of a metal post that is inserted into your jawbone. The post replaces the root of the missing tooth.

After a few months, it meshes with your jawbone to provide the strength and integrity of a natural tooth. A base and natural-looking crown is permanently attached to the post. For most San Diego patients with missing teeth, it is the preferred restoration. Implants can also be used to attach dentures and partial dentures for no-slip implant/denture combos.

Crowns
A mainstay of San Diego cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns are more beautiful than ever. New fabrication technologies and materials have improved the aesthetics and strength of this restorative option.

Veneers
Dental veneers are a more conservative treatment than a full crown. This is a good choice for San Diego patients whose teeth are structurally sound but have unsightly flaws such as discoloration, chips, cracks, or imperfect shape. Are you one of the many San Diego teens or adults with dark tetracycline stains? Call us today at 619-717-8459 to say goodbye to tetracycline stains!

Inlays/Onlays
Inlays and onlays (indirect fillings) are designed and fabricated using dental CAD/CAM software. These fillings are strong, attractive, and precisely fitted to the cavity.

Tooth Whitening
Teeth whitening is the crowning touch for a perfect smile. (It’s the only thing you need if you are a fortunate San Diego man or woman with perfectly-shaped and aligned teeth.) No one has to live with dull or stained teeth. Call us today for a teeth whitening consultation at our San Diego office.

Tags: Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, dental veneers, Sedation Dentistry, Teeth Whitening
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Cosmetic Dentistry vs. General Dentistry In San Diego

Friday, August 5th, 2011

Hello, I’m Dr. Marcos Ortega. Welcome to my San Diego cosmetic dentistry blog. Today’s article focuses on the difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

General dentists in San Diego are dedicated to preventing and treating oral disease such as cavities and gum disease. When a problem is diagnosed, let’s say, a cavity between two teeth, a general dentist will assess the best way to restore the tooth involved.

San Diego cosmetic dentists perform elective dental procedures that make a smile more attractive. Cosmetic dentistry procedures available at Marcos Ortega DDS in San Diego include teeth whitening, tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, veneers, inlays, onlays, and dental crowns.

Some San Diego dentists, like myself, offer both general and cosmetic dentistry procedures. In some cases, there is a cosmetic component to restorative procedures. For example, if a San Diego dental patient comes in after receiving an injury that chipped a front tooth, the tooth needs to be restored to prevent decay. The tooth is also less structurally sound, so it is vulnerable to further damage. In addition, the tooth affects the overall appearance of the smile. Depending on the specifics of the damage, there are several of restorative options. Dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and crowns are all used to repair a damaged tooth.

As you can see, there is not always a definitive line between general and cosmetic dentistry. At Marcos Ortega DDS, my very comfortable and friendly team provides the full spectrum of preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental procedures.

Experienced San Diego dental professionals who perform general, orthodontic, and cosmetic dental procedures can meet all of your families’ dental needs.

If you are looking for a full-service dental practice in the San Diego area, I invite you to come into Marcos Ortega DDS in San Diego, We are located at 306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25. To schedule an oral examination or smile makeover consultation, call 619-717-8459.

Marcos Ortega DDS
306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25
San Diego, California 92103

http://www.MySanDiegoSmiles.com

Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Crowns, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening
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Wisdom Teeth Checkup

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 16 and 24 for people in the San Diego community. While not always troublesome, it is important to learn as early as possible whether your wisdom teeth are coming in sideways, or otherwise impacting your other teeth.

Checking your wisdom teeth in San Diego is a simple and painless process, and can save you trouble down the road.

Our practice, Marcos Ortega DDS, works with patients from ages 25 to 75, and our very friendly staff can help you determine whether your wisdom teeth will need to be extracted. We can also help you determine whether your wisdom teeth will require advanced care, or if a simple procedure can solve the problem.

Wisdom teeth can be painful, and we don’t like pain at Marcos Ortega DDS, It’s our goal to give you the best care and attention when checking your wisdom teeth.

If you are in the San Diego area and need to have your wisdom teeth checked, please stop by our office at 306 Walnut Ave., Suite 25 in San Diego. We also service the greater San Diego area, including Hillcrest, Mission Hills, Mission Valley and Bankers Hill.

We specialize in cosmetic and sedation dentistry, and often perform porcelain veneers and dental crowns. We can take a look at your wisdom teeth and help you make a healthy decision for your future.

‘Achieving Health and Beauty with Modern Dentistry’, 619-717-8459 We also provide emergency dental care in the San Diego area.

Tags: Dental Crowns, emergency dental care, Sedation Dentistry
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Soft, Medium, or Buzz Lightyear?

Friday, April 8th, 2011

At Marcos Ortega DDS, Dr. Marcos Ortega is often asked how to choose the most basic tool of oral hygiene, the toothbrush. Picking a toothbrush in San Diego can be as difficult as choosing a paint color, and there seems to be just as many choices.

If you have visited the dental section of your local grocery store or San Diego Walmart lately, you know what I am talking about. There are brushes with bristles of varying lengths, brushes that massage your gums, and brushes that change color when they are used up. (If I had to rate them purely on their fun factor, I would choose the Spiderman brush.)

Some toothbrush manufacturers claim their brushes freshen your breath or remove stains from your teeth. How do you choose?

One key factor is the firmness of the bristles. Hard bristles may be more effective for cleaning burnt steak off a grill or hard water deposits off a shower floor. However, this does not hold true for your teeth. Medium and firm brushes can damage your gums. Soft and extra-soft bristles are plenty stiff enough to clean plague, food particles, and surface stains from your teeth. Soft bristles also offer more flexibility for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

After having cosmetic dental work or oral surgery in San Diego, especially anything involving soft tissue grafts, make sure you use an extra-soft brush and be careful!

When buying a toothbrush for a child in San Diego, make sure the brush feels comfortable in their hand. If the size and angle feels awkward, the child will be less likely to use it long enough to clean all areas of the mouth. Children do not necessarily need a child-sized tooth brush. Some San Diego kids can manage an adult size brush better than a short, narrow child size brush. If you are unsure, ask your San Diego dentist at Marcos Ortega DDS.

What about the electric types and water-shooters? Some San Diego folks like the feeling of vibrating bristles or a mini-squirt gun blasting away at the plaque. San Diego people with arthritis or other movement-inhibiting conditions can benefit from powered brushes which take some strain off hands and arm muscles.

Is your toothbrush doing the job? Schedule an exam with your San Diego dentist at Marcos Ortega DDS.

At Marcos Ortega DDS, our very comfortable and friendly dental hygienists instruct our San Diego pediatric clients and San Diego adult patients on proper brushing and flossing. If you haven’t experienced a dental deep cleaning at Marcos Ortega DDS, you don’t know how clean your teeth and gums can feel.

Schedule a thorough dental cleaning today by calling Marcos Ortega DDS at 619-717-8459. An outstanding feature of Marcos Ortega DDS is extremely friendly staff, ontime service and personalized care. We offer porcelain veneers and dental crowns and a full spectrum of restorative dental procedures.

Tags: cosmetic dental, Dental Crowns, Porcelain Veneers
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Does My Hillcrest Dentist Treat Bad Breath?

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

When my San Diego dental clients ask me if mouthwash cures bad breath, I tell them that treating bad breath with a mouthwash is like drenching yourself with cologne instead of taking a shower. Mouthwash is only a temporary mask for odor caused by poor oral hygiene, tongue bacteria, or digestive problems.

The best-selling mouthwashes in San Diego have a significant amount of alcohol, which can even exacerbate bad breath by drying out the mouth. Some bacteria grows even faster in a dry environment.

To eliminate bad breath, you need to find the cause. To get rid of hidden bacteria multiplying between teeth, pay more attention to thorough flossing and brushing.

A haphazard thirty-second brushing won’t prevent halitosis (or cavities). Try to brush for at least three minutes. It may seem like overkill if you have been a speed-brusher but remember that there is a lot of area to cover on multiple planes.

Devise a system to brush every reachable surface of every tooth. Then floss carefully around every tooth, pulling the floss down into the space at the gumline on both sides. Brush your gums, sides of mouth, palate, and tongue, also.

Schedule a deep dental cleaning at Marcos Ortega DDS with the best hygienist in the Hillcrest area and request a refresher (no pun intended) course on brushing and flossing.

If your tongue is the culprit, you might want to start using a tongue scraper. Tongue scraping has become quite popular in San Diego, especially among the college crowd.

A tongue scraper is a cleaning tool that works like a squeegee to scrape bacteria and food particles off the surface of the tongue.

I am Dr. Marcos Ortega of Marcos Ortega DDS. At Marcos Ortega DDS, we treat many San Diego cosmetic dental patients with bad breath. There is no reason to feel embarrassed. (Leaving bad breath untreated can be more embarrassing.)

Schedule an oral exam and halitosis consultation by calling 619-717-8459. At Marcos Ortega DDS, our specialty is cosmetic and sedation dentistry and we also provide porcelain veneers and dental crowns. Thanks for visiting our blog.

Tags: cosmetic dental, Dental Crowns, Sedation Dentistry
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Why You Need a Genuine Cosmetic Dentist

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

A San Diego cosmetic surgeon has specialized schooling in addition to the training a general surgeon completes. Likewise, a true cosmetic dentist has completed rigorous courses in addition to dental school. Of course, many San Diego general dentists offer cosmetic dentistry treatment.

Teeth whitening, crowns, porcelain veneers, and dental bonding are some of the common procedures in the San Diego, California area.

In many cases, San Diego general dentists achieve excellent results. However, there is a difference between adequate results and incredible results. San Diego cosmetic dentists have the skills and experience to create absolutely beautiful smiles.

You have probably seen attractive front teeth crowns performed by a general dentist. They are often perfectly shaped, correctly aligned and pleasingly white. But have you ever seen front teeth dental crowns done by a true artist? The color, translucency, and texture take the crowns to the ultimate level of breathtaking beauty.

I am Dr. Marcos Ortega of Marcos Ortega DDS in San Diego. I would love to tell you the specifics about my experience and specific training in the specialty of cosmetic dentistry. I can show you photos of mediocre cosmetic procedures performed by competent general dentists and you can compare them with photos of some of my actual San Diego cosmetic dentistry patients.

For a cosmetic dentistry consultation, call 619-717-8459 today.

Tags: cosmetic dentist, Dental Crowns, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening
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Stick Out Your Tongue In San Diego!

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

As health professionals, we know that San Diego dentists diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth and gums, but we sometimes overlook the importance of the tongue.

Have you ever considered all the amazing things your tongue can do? It helps us talk, perceive the texture and flavor of food, chew, and swallow. This strong and nimble gymnast is in near-constant motion during our waking hours. It is a wonder that we don’t accidentally bite it more often as we smile, chew, drink, breathe, swallow, cough, and laugh.

Your tongue can also reveal problems with your health, including digestive problems, infections, and diseases of the blood.

When Dr. Marcos Ortega performs oral exams, the tongue is always checked for signs of oral cancer and other serious diseases.

Here are some tongue abnormalities and possible causes:

Swollen tongue: reaction to food/drink/medication, strep infection, leukemia, hypothyroidism
White tongue: dehydration, yeast infection, irritation to tobacco, enteritis, gastritis, colitis, anemia or other nutritional deficiency
Canker sores: may be triggered by stress or reaction to food, toothpaste, or mouthwash.

If you have persistent canker sores, you may want to try eliminating products that contain sodium lauryl (or laurel) sulfate (SLS). SLS is a cheap foaming agent that is found in many personal care products. It can be difficult to find SLS-free dental products in San Diego. The following brands have previously offered SLS-free versions but check labels carefully every time you buy a new tube. I have noticed that SLS has re-appeared in some brands.

Biotene
Sensodyne Pronamel
Tom’s of Maine
Rembrandt Low Abrasion

If you can’t find an SLS-free toothpaste at your local San Diego Walmart or Target, I would suggest trying health food stores, specialty drug stores, or trusted online sites.

Many of my San Diego cosmetic dental patients have asked me about tongue-scraping. I recommend thorough dental hygiene including cleaning the tongue. To schedule a consultation to discuss any dental health issues including tongue scraping, please contact my office at 619-717-8459.

Dentist Dr. Marcos Ortega DDS
Marcos Ortega DDS

Providing general and cosmetic dental services including cosmetic and sedation dentistry and porcelain veneers and dental crowns