Teeth Whitening Walnut Creek

Many patients wonder what the difference between teeth whitening and teeth cleaning is.  While both the procedures may basically sound to have the same objective, they are miles apart.

Teeth cleaning, better known as scaling and polishing, is a routine dental procedure that removes dental plaque and tartar along with extrinsic stains present on the outer surfaces of teeth. Teeth whitening is a purely cosmetic dental procedure that lightens the pigmentation present inside the tooth structure. Scaling and polishing, however, is a part of the procedure for teeth whitening.

Types of Teeth Cleaning:

(i) Supragingival Scaling (Normal cleaning)
(ii) Subgingival Scaling (Deep cleaning)

Teeth Whitening:
(i) Over-the-counter methods: These include toothpaste, rinses, gels, and strips. Although these are the cheapest method available, they have the least whitening effect.
(ii) At-Home methods: These involve fabrication of custom made trays which have to be worn for 30 minutes to several hours each day, according to the dentist’s instructions. Such methods have a more dramatic effect than the over-the-counter methods. However, the whitening gel is of lesser concentration to avoid sensitivity to the gums etc.
(iii) In-Office Whitening: This method has the most appreciable and dramatic results of teeth whitening. A much stronger concentration of peroxide is used and involve the use of special lights or lasers to carry out the procedure. In-office whitening usually takes about one hour to complete and may be split into cycles of 15-20 minutes each. This is usually preceded by a session of scaling and polishing.

After teeth whitening, there are some foods that one is required to avoid whereas there is no such need after scaling and polishing. Any aesthetic restorations that need to be done are also recommended to be carried out 24 hours after the teeth whitening for better shade matching.

As teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, it is not advisable to get it done too often as it may lead to sensitivity and weak enamel. Additionally, teeth whitening is best avoided in people who already have sensitive teeth, hypocalcified teeth or fluorosis.

If you are a candidate for teeth whitening, it is advised to get teeth cleaning done once in every six months.

To learn more about these treatments or to schedule an appointment with your Walnut Creek cosmetic dentist, call us today at (925) 937-9017!

Walnut Creek cosmetic dentist encourages patients to consider aesthetic services to improve the smile

Visiting a cosmetic dentist in the Walnut Creek area is the first step to take if you are truly interested in enhancing the smile. Patients used to believe that cosmetic dentistry was overpriced and unattainable. They thought that cosmetic treatments were only affordable to the Hollywood elite. This is not the case! In fact, many patients in the Walnut Creek area are excited to learn how easy it is to have aesthetic work done and not break the bank!

Cosmetic dentistry incorporates many different services. Some patients may choose just one or two treatments while others may work with Dr. Greenfield to develop a complete treatment plan that involves many of the below services for optimum results.

• Porcelain crowns – patients who need to cover or protect a tooth may opt for the placement of a porcelain crown. These crowns are made of quality ceramics and are bonded over a tooth. They can make a tooth stronger while also improving its appearance.
• Teeth whitening – while over-the-counter whitening products are a dime a dozen, they fail to provide results patients want to achieve. This is why our team provides professional-grade teeth whitening with patient choice of either in-office power bleaching or take-home whitening trays.
• Dental bridges – a dental bridge can “bridge the gap” when teeth are missing from the smile. These restorations are made of high-quality porcelain and bonded over the adjacent teeth for support. These restorations are permanent and beautiful.
• Dental veneers – porcelain veneers are facings made for patients to bond over a tooth to camouflage issues such as staining, misalignment, and breakage quickly and easily.
• Dental bonding – composite resin bonding also plays an important role in cosmetic dentistry. It can be used to repair a tooth or cover imperfections.

If you live in the area of Walnut Creek, California and have considered visiting a cosmetic dentist to discuss treatment options, now is the time to make an appointment with your Walnut Creek cosmetic dentist, Dr. Greenfield. His practice is conveniently located at 1111 Civic Drive, Suite 145 and can be reached at (925) 937-9017. Call today to schedule your no-obligation consultation visit with our staff and discuss the many possibilities for enhancing the aesthetics of the smile quickly and easily with cosmetic dentistry solutions.

Walnut Creek Cosmetic Dentistry Emphasizes the Importance of Knowing how to Safely Whiten Your Teeth

When you see a celebrity’s smile on television, there’s a desire to have similar shining teeth as they do. Some people assume that it’s out of their reach, but scheduling an appointment with your Walnut Creek cosmetic dentistry can quickly and efficiently give you the brighter, whiter smile that you’ve dreamed of! We want to talk more about the popularity of teeth whitening and why seeing a professional is the best option.

As you visit your local grocery store, you’ll be able to find a wall of take-home whitening kits on the shelves for the taking. It can be overwhelming, but some people choose this option because it’s convenient and cheaper. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the right choice. Every patient has their own unique smile, which means they all need a particular treatment for their teeth. The take-home kits may have too much or not enough bleach to change the shade of your teeth to the one you want. The bleach can also cause extreme sensitivity and damage your enamel, making it difficult for you to eat and drink normally.

If you’re interested in purchasing a take-home kit from the store, we highly recommend doing research beforehand. This includes visiting our office for consultation; your dentist is the best professional to ask to see what your teeth can handle and what can make them whiter and brighter to your liking. Ask as many questions as possible, even to explain how the whitening gels and strips work, just to make sure that your teeth won’t suffer from any damage.

We also have the ability to whiten your teeth in-office, too! The process typically takes about an hour and you’ll recognize a notable difference in the shade of your teeth once you’re finished. You’ll also feel much more comfortable, relaxed and knowledgeable, knowing that a professional is taking care of your teeth. If you’re more comfortable in your home, then don’t hesitate to ask about our personal whitening kits! Make sure to follow the instructions so your teeth will properly benefit from the treatment.

If you’re interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment or consultation, please contact your Walnut Creek cosmetic dentistry by calling us today at (925) 937-9017! Your brand new smile is right around the corner!

Your Dentist in Walnut Creek Shares how Invisalign Gives You More than Just a Straighter Smile

You’ve been thinking about the way your teeth look and how you’d like to improve them. You notice that they’re crooked and that you’re uncomfortable with smiling, laughing and even eating around friends and family without feeling self-conscious. Thankfully, your dentist in Walnut Creek offers a simple solution and that is Invisalign! Not only will this treatment straighten your teeth, but can improve a number of other dental health issues that you could have been suffering from without even knowing.

Invisalign has become one of the most popular orthodontic treatments around, allowing patients to correct the position of their teeth without having to deal with the difficulty that traditional metal braces usually bring. They’re available for adults, as well, giving them another chance at a better smile without avoiding their dental issues. Many adults will refuse to receive orthodontic work because they believe that metal braces will hinder their personal and professional lives, so they don’t think it’s worth it. With Invisalign, your daily routine will hardly change and you’re still able to improve the way your teeth look.

With straighter teeth, your overall health will also improve. When your teeth are too crowded or they’re widely spaced, your gums can become swollen and red due to excess bacteria in the area. It can also be difficult to clean those areas, but when your teeth are properly aligned, everything fits in place and makes it easier to clean. The straightened teeth will create a strong and healthy environment for those around it, protecting them against potential periodontal issues.

You also won’t have to deal with the difficulty of eating with traditional metal braces. Many patients find it difficult to eat and enjoy their favorite foods without having to extensively clean their braces, which takes an abnormal time out of their day and can still end up without the results you want. With Invisalign, all you need to do is remove the aligners to eat and clean your teeth when you’re finished so there are no remaining food particles or bacteria being lodged in once you place your aligners back on.

Invisalign has provided millions of patients around the world with a smile that they’re excited to share and you can be next! Contact your dentist in Walnut Creek to learn more about this treatment and schedule a consultation by calling our office today at (925) 937-9017.

How Dental Implants have Changed the Game of Tooth Replacement

This may come as a surprise, but methods of tooth replacement similar to dental implants have been in the works for hundreds of years. Long before we had a viable technique to restore the fullest degree of function after tooth loss, humans recognized the important role played by tooth roots. They attempted to replace teeth and their roots with fixtures made from shells, and even from cadaver bone. Fast forward many centuries, and you can feel oh, so fortunate to live in a day and age when we can replace teeth and their roots, and we don’t rely on shells or bone to do so.

Why Dental Implants Make Sense

Here’s the thing. Dentures have been the go-to treatment for tooth replacement since most of us can remember. The techniques and materials that are used to design and fabricate dentures have improved, facilitating an end result that looked a heck of a lot more like natural teeth than what our grandparents wore! Still, dentures fall short. There’s no way around it. They don’t fall short because of poor planning, per say. They fall short because they lack the design element that mimics natural oral anatomy. Basically, they lack roots.

Replacing roots, rather than just missing teeth, changes the entire outcome of restorative care:

• Roots are necessary for maximum stabilization. Your natural teeth stay put because their roots tether them to the jaw bone. If you need a replacement tooth, it also needs to be tethered. Otherwise, you will notice that stability has decreased.
• Instability, no matter what the extent of replacement (one tooth or all teeth), often leads to changes in the way a person chews, or their food choices. If  a denture slides across the gums when you try to chew a steak, the resulting soreness in gum tissue may cause you to rethink your future meals. Many people find that the discomfort they experience with conventional dentures leads to a limited diet, and therefore limited nutrition. Some even say their desire to eat has decreased noticeably due to discomfort.
• It is roots that encourage the regeneration of bone tissue. Without these structures, the height and density of the jaw bone decrease bit by bit. At some point, these changes affect the positioning of the lips, chin, cheeks, and nose, making one appear older and less healthy.

We are proud to offer dental implants in our Walnut Creek office. Schedule your visit at ( 925) 937-9017.

Cosmetic dentist of Walnut Creek Cosmetic Dentistry offers CEREC technology for same-day dentistry

They say a photo can speak a thousand words. The same can be said about a smile. Beautiful smiles exude confidence and attract positive attention. Many patients with an attractive smile tend to smile more and share their happiness with others. This is why the cosmetic dentist in Walnut Creek Cosmetic Dentistry works with patients to help them achieve the smile of their dreams with aesthetic services.

At Walnut Creek Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer a wide range of aesthetic services to new and existing patients in the community. However, we are on of the few in the area to offer CEREC technology for same-day dentistry.

Same-day dentistry eliminates the need for temporary restorations as well as the need for return appointments. In the past, a dental crown, bridge, or veneer would require more than one visit to the dental chair. The first appointment would be for the preparation of the tooth, impressions, and the placement of a temporary restoration. The following appointment, often weeks later, would be for the bonding of the new restoration in place. For patients who are incredibly anxious about visiting the dentist, this could be troublesome in addition to time-consuming.

Instead, with CEREC technology, the dental team can do all of this in one appointment. CEREC is a device with CAD/CAM software which uses digitized impressions of the teeth to create restorations in-house in approximately 20 minutes or less. These restorations are just as durable and beautiful as anything created in an outside ceramist laboratory. The restorations are made to match the color, shape, and size of the existing teeth for seamless integration and patients love the ability to have everything done in just one visit versus several with other dentists in the community.

Ready to discuss with your dentist the benefits of CEREC technology in improving the smile? Contact Walnut Creek Cosmetic Dentistry today at (925) 937-9017 and make an appointment. His friendly staff is ready and willing to help new and existing patients learn about the amazing state-of-the-art equipment used in our facility for optimum results and better patient satisfaction.

Your top providers of Walnut Creek cosmetic dentistry are often asked about our profession by patients. Specifically, inquiries about what cosmetic dentistry is, why we practice it and what sets up apart from our competition are all pondered- and are very valid questions indeed. With that in mind, today we will answer all the aforementioned questions to help you learn more about the ins and outs of cosmetic dentistry.

What IS Cosmetic Dentistry?

Compared to family, general or advanced dentistry- cosmetic dental procedures focus most primarily on the look of the smile. The previously mentioned categories will deal more with function and prevention, general health, but cosmetic procedures enhance aesthetic and restore teeth so that they are better looking.

Now, that is not to say that function and appearance don’t cross paths ever. For instance, we may place a dental bridge that can help improve appearance by filling in the gap left by missing teeth…but it will also help improve the bite and speech of the patient as well. As not only a top cosmetic dentist but as a doctor, we will never compromise patient safety or health for just a better-looking smile.

Why Practice Cosmetic Dentistry/What Sets You Apart?

Your Walnut Creek cosmetic dentists practice this particular branch of dentistry because we truly believe in the power of a smile. We have seen first-hand how improving a patient’s smile can improve their confidence, their emotions, their life. Choose our office because of our dedication to patient well-being and our unbeatable, individualized approach to your specific case.

Change your smile- change your life. Call the top cosmetic dentists in Walnut Creek CA today to schedule an appointment at (925) 937-9017.