Anyone can have problems with his or her teeth – even young people!  We have had young men come to us with teeth so damaged from drinking sodas that they never smile anymore. We have seen young women with teeth that were too small for their faces or so gapped they felt so self-conscious they covered their mouths with their hands. That’s when I suggest porcelain veneers.  The  porcelain veneers offered here in my Chino dental office are so strong and beautiful that they are an ideal solution for anyone – young or old –needing his or her teeth corrected. Having a beautiful smile increases your chances for success both socially and in the job market.  There is no better time to look and feel your best! For more information about what dental veneers can do for your smile, call me, Dr. Lucas Setiady, at (909) 627-0988.

Regular check-ups and cleanings from your Chino dentist can keep your teeth and gums healthy. But you may be surprised to learn that this basic dental care may also save your life.

Dentists have long suspected a link between periodontal disease and serious health issues. They have recently been proven correct.

Studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Periodontology report that periodontal disease can also lead to an increased risk for:

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Certain Cancers (including pancreatic cancer)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Difficulty controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes
• Premature Birth
• Low Birth-Weight Babies
• and more

Unfortunately, you can have periodontal disease and not even know it.  Although symptoms include swollen gums, gums that bleed when you brush or floss, loose teeth, receding gum line and halitosis, sometimes there aren’t any symptoms at all.

With more than 85 percent of people in the United States having some level of periodontal disease, chances are you may have it too.

If you haven’t been to your Chino dentist in the past six months, schedule your visit now.  Periodontal disease is treatable, and in many cases, it’s reversible. With modern dental technology and advanced periodontal therapy, including dental lasers, ultrasonic scalers and antibiotics, treatment is more gentle, comfortable and effective than ever before.

It’s easy to keep your gums healthy; simply visit my Chino dental practice for your regular check-ups and cleanings. Brush and floss daily at home and use an oral irrigator. This care will not only protect your smile, it will protect your health as well.

There was a time when all you had to do to choose a dentist in Chino was to open the Yellow Pages, pick one, and call. After all, general dentistry in Chino was general dentistry in Chino and all dentists did the same thing.

Oh, how times have changed.

These days, not all dentists offer the same dentistry. To find the right dentist for your needs, you have to do a little research.

Thankfully, most of the information you need is on the Internet. But before you start your search, ask yourself these questions:

What kind of dentist do I need?

• A family dentist that offers comprehensive care in one location?
• A dentist that focuses on restorative dental care, like filling, bridges, crowns, dentures, etc. for the more mature patient?
• A dentist that offers more specialized care like cosmetic dentistry? Endodontics? Periodontics?  Orthodontics, TMJ treatment, etc?
• A dentist that complements care with comfort, from sedation to patient amenities?

What do I want my dental care to do for me?

• To maintain my oral health?
• To restore my mouth to health? Do I have broken teeth? Do I want to replace missing teeth?
• Do enhance the appearance of my smile?
• To restore more than oral health, but also relieve painful TMJ symptoms or sleep apnea?

What do I expect from a dental practice?

• The use of advanced technology?
• A comprehensive range of treatment available in one location?
• Convenient hours or location?
• Dental insurance participation?
• Financing?

Once you know exactly what you’re looking for, search online for a dentist that meets your criteria. For example, if you need a general dentist, search: Chino general dentist. Your search will provide a number of results. Check out those dentists. (Most dentists have websites that have all the information you need. Online patient reviews are also helpful.)

Does that dentist have specialized training and experience in the area of care you need? Does he or she take CE (continuing education) courses?  Does the dentist show photos of his or her patients and describe the treatment they received? Does the dentist offer any patient testimonials that you can read? There’s no better way to get the “feel” for a dentist than to hear what his or her patients have to say.

Finally, call the office and ask specific questions about the dentist and the care offered. If you feel confident and comfortable, schedule a visit. You’ve done your homework and you’re well on your way to getting the care you need and deserve!

There was a time when the smile you were born with was the smile you lived with.  Not anymore.

Today’s cosmetic dentistry can enhance any smile to a white, straight, beautiful result.  And it’s more affordable than you might think.

The majority of smile design is completed with porcelain veneers.  Veneers are thin facing of porcelain that are placed on the front of the teeth, then individually shaped to give them a healthy, attractive appearance.

Using porcelain veneers, I can:

• Straighten crooked teeth
• Repair chipped, worn or broken teeth
• Whiten stained teeth
• Close gaps between teeth
• And more

And the best part that surprises most of my patients? Even the most comprehensive smile design can be completed in two to three visits.

If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers and what they can do for your smile, read here: http://www.chinodentalcare.com/porcelain-veneers.html

If you’re tired of feeling self-conscious about your dentures or partials, worrying that they’ll slip while you’re talking, smiling, laughing or eating, it’s time to think about dental implants. Even in these tough economic times, implants are definitely a “secure” investment.

 Dental implants are permanent replacements for both missing teeth and their roots. Versatile, strong and natural looking, they can be used to replace one tooth, several teeth or your entire smile.

The procedure takes two steps. First, an impression of the existing teeth is made and sent to a dental laboratory with precise instructions for tooth shape, size and bite measurements.  The lab creates new teeth made of porcelain.

In the interim, artificial tooth roots made of titanium will be placed into the jaw, and allowed to heal.  Once the jawbone has attached to the new roots, custom-made porcelain teeth will be permanently placed on the new roots.

The result can be life changing. First and foremost, with the custom designed teeth, patients have smiles that look and feel completely natural and beautiful. Those with dental implants also enjoy better health for a number of reasons.  With the secure implants, they are able to bite and chew with comfort again, improving their nutritional intake. The new teeth are specifically designed to create a comfortable bite, decreasing any pain that may have been previously experienced. Implants also reduce the chances of gum disease. With the secure fit, patients have improved speech and a boost in confidence.

To learn more about dental implants, read: http://www.chinodentalcare.com/dental-implants.html

If you’d like to proceed with treatment, call me at my Chino, CA dental practice at 909.627.0988.

If you’ve always wanted a straight smile, but the thought of wearing traditional wire braces as an adult keeps you from taking that final step, it’s time to learn about  Invisalign.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces. Instead of metal brackets, Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-fitting, removable devices called aligners.

You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush and floss. As each aligner is replaced with the next in the series, the teeth gradually shift, until they move into the final alignment as prescribed. Total treatment time averages nine to 15 months and the average number of aligners worn is between 18 and 30, but varies by case.

Why Choose Invisalign?

The most obvious reason to choose Invisalign? They’re invisible! No one can tell that you’re straightening your teeth! These aligners are also removable so you can eat and drink what you want. Brushing and flossing are no problem.  With no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment, Invisalign is much more comfortable than braces.

To learn more about Invisalign, read here: http://www.chinodentalcare.com/invisalign.html

There’s nothing like climbing into bed at night, curling up and drifting off to sleep.

Unless, of course, you have to wear a CPAP.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and are being treated with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, you know that slipping under the sheets at night isn’t the relaxing experience it could and should be.

When you go to bed at night, you have an uncomfortable mask strapped to your face, you’re hooked to a machine by a tube, and you’re stuck sleeping on your back.

Sick of your CPAP? Learn about the SomnoDent® MAS.

The SomnoDent® MAS is a special custom made oral appliance that gently and safely holds the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep, preventing snoring.

The SomnoDent MAS fits over the upper and lower teeth like a sports mouth guard. It’s small, custom-made for a perfect fit and best of all, it works.

It’s an ideal solution for those with sleep apnea who hate their CPAP!  Because the SomnoDent MAS is so much more comfortable and convenient than a CPAP, it has a much higher rate of patient compliance. That means more comfort, a good night’s sleep, and most importantly, improved health for you!

If you have been diagnosed by your doctor with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and want an alternative to your CPAP, call me today at my Chino dental practice at 909.627.0988

To learn  more about the SomnoDent Mas, visit http://www.chinodentalcare.com/sleep-apnea.html

Do you snore? Does your snoring wake you up several times a night?  If the answer is yes, you might be risking more than a good night’s sleep. You could be risking your health.

 Snoring and frequent waking are signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a condition caused by obstruction near the base of the tongue.

The real problem associated with sleep apnea isn’t snoring – it’s when snoring stops. When the snoring stops, so does your breathing.

Sleep apnea can cause a person to stop breathing for periods of time, sometimes hundreds of times during the night and often for a minute or longer. This cessation of breathing can cause a variety of problems, from  headaches to chronic fatigue.

But there are also more serious problems associated with OSA including:

Heart problems (heart attack, congestive heart failure, hypertension)

• Strokes
• A higher incidence of work related and driving related accidents
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Generalized inflammation
• Bruxing (teeth grinding)

 Left untreated, Obstructive Sleep Apnea can shorten the average life span by 10 years. If you suspect you may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, see your family doctor immediately for diagnosis.

To learn more about treatment options available for sleep apnea, visit http://www.chinodentalcare.com/sleep-apnea.html

If you experience fear or anxiety when visiting the dentist, you’re not alone. In fact, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) estimates that fear of the dentist affects more than 80 percent of American adults. But there is a solution. Sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry, also known as “sleep dentistry,” can help patients virtually sleep through their appointments. Once you experience this relaxing treatment option, you will never e afraid of visiting the dentist again.

 Sedation dentistry is simple, safe and effective. Prior to your appointment time, you will take a prescribed medication. This pill will help you feel completely relaxed and extremely comfortable. Due to the effects of the pill, you must have someone drive you to and from your appointment.

Once at the dental office, the dental team will constantly monitor your vital signs and you will never be left alone. The remarkable feature of sedation dentistry is that you will be conscious and able to respond to the doctor, but will essentially sleep through the entire appointment and have no memory of your visit.

 Sedation dentistry dramatically reduces the body’s natural tendency to tense muscles while stressed, helping you feel relaxed and at ease. Dental anesthetics, such as Novocaine, are more effective while the body is relaxed, practically eliminating any concerns about discomfort during treatment.

Get over your fear of the dentist and get your smile back to health. For more information on sedation dentistry visit http://www.chinodentalcare.com/sedation-dentistry.html

To schedule your relaxing dental appointment, call my Chino dental practice at (909) 627-0988.