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Sonoma Dentist Offers Facelift Dentures

January 26, 2012 Nor Cal Dentist Archives, Dentures

Facelift Dentures Sonoma

Dr. Wayne Sutton of Sonoma Smiles in Rohnert Park is pleased to offer Facelift Dentures to his patients. Dr. Sutton is one of the few dentists in California (and the country!) to offer this innovative and effective procedure that is quickly replacing traditional dentures. Facelift Dentures are designed to combat jaw bone resorption that is responsible for the sagging or sunken facial appearance that is experienced by traditional dentures.

The sagging of the face occurs because when the jaw bones lose teeth, the upper and lower jaw bones begin to deteriorate and give the appearance that you are older than you are. Many patients never really learn about the effects of jaw bone resorption until they are experiencing it themselves. When the tooth root structures in our mouth are no longer stimulated as they are by our natural teeth they begin to resorb. Facelift Dentures can prevent this from happening as can dental implants.

The science behind Facelift Dentures is practicing neuromuscular dentistry treatments that seek to achieve and maintain optimum muscle relaxation and function. Each patient will receive a custom-tailored set of Facelift Dentures that provides stability and relaxed muscles that function better than traditional dentures. These relaxed and stable muscles result in the facelift effect that is produced without the use of surgery.

The benefits of Facelift Dentures include:

Plump lips
Lessening of wrinkles
Helps build the face out
Allows patients to chew better
Achieve a better fit than all the other dentures

No comments dentures, facelift dentures, tooth loss

Lumineers FAQ

January 9, 2012 Nor Cal Dentist Archives, Lumineers

Lumineers FAQ

What Are Lumineers?

Lumineers are similar to dental veneers except they are thinner. The other difference is that Lumineers don’t require the grinding down of healthy tooth structure so they are a less invasive procedure than traditional veneers.

Is The Lumineers Procedure Painful?

Our patients often wonder if the Lumineers procedure is painful. We tell them that most patients experience little to no discomfort because the veneers do not require any grinding down of healthy tooth structure and don’t require shots. After the procedure is completed there is no placement discomfort or tooth sensitivity.

How Long is the Procedure?

The Lumineers procedure typically takes two visits to our office. You will first have to come in for a consultation and a personal evaluation in which we determine your candidacy and to discuss your smile goals. The next visit we place the Lumineers to your teeth and ensure a proper fit.

Can Lumineers Be a Braces Alternative?

Yes! Dr. Sutton will be able to determine if you are a candidate for Lumineers after evaluating your teeth and your bite. In most cases Lumineers can allow you to avoid the inconvenience of braces. For patients who still may need orthodontics, Dr. Sutton may suggest Invisalign braces to help correct orthodontic problems.

How Long Do Lumineers Last?

Lumineers offers a limited lifetime warranty that is available that allows replacements at no charge. Clinical studies have shown that Lumineers can last over 20 years with appropriate care and good dental health.

What Kinds of Dental Issues Can Lumineers Fix?

Dental Veneers have been shown to fix the following:

Damaged teeth (chipped or cracked)
Stained or discolored teeth
Spaced teeth
Misshapen teeth
Slightly crowded teeth
Small teeth
Worn teeth

Is My Diet Limited With Lumineers?

No. You can eat whatever you like with Lumineers including gum and other sticky foods. Lumineers don’t replace good dental health and patients will be advised to take care of Lumineers as they do their natural teeth.

No comments cosmetic dentistry, Lumineers

Interesting Facts About Saliva

November 30, 2011 Nor Cal Dentist Archives, Dental Checkups

Saliva Samples Future of Disease Prevention?

Most people probably think of saliva as the spit-like substance in the mouth that helps them to break down foods and maintain their mouths moisture levels. While these are certainly true and interesting aspects of the fluid there is more to saliva including important dental aspects as well as research that is using saliva to detect diseases in a more timely, efficient and safer manner. In fact, saliva may one day replace blood samples which is big news for scientists and doctors who see the potential of saliva screenings to save lives.

Saliva is secreted into the mouth by three major glands that are near the jaws and inside the lips, cheeks, mouth and throat. The saliva glands secrete a watery fluid that contains proteins, enzymes, minerals, and antibodies that help to perform some very helpful functions within our mouths:

Cleansing- Saliva helps to wash food particles from the mouth and helps to reduce the amount of sugars that cause cavities.

Protecting & Disinfecting- Saliva protects the mouth by fighting bacteria and other germ-causing organisms in the mouth.

Maintenance- Saliva helps to keep the balance in the mouth between acidity and alkalinity that can cause decay.

Re-mineralization- Saliva contain calcium and phosphate minerals which aid in the enamel building process.

Digesting- Saliva makes food easier to chew and breaks down starches.

Most recently saliva has been researched and tested to diagnose disease. It can be evaluated by scientists for molecules that are indicators for disease. By looking into the composition of the fluid scientists are able to see if the molecules contained have indicators of harmful health conditions. The benefit of saliva is that is easier and cheaper to collect, is easier to handle, and doesn’t expose healthcare workers to blood-borne diseases.

Look for more research on this interesting science in the near future as scientists make progress in its research.

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Sonoma Smiles Helps Support Our Troops

November 9, 2011 Nor Cal Dentist Archives, Events, Featured Articles

Happy Veterans Day

Dr. Wayne Sutton and the Sonoma Smiles staff are working hard to help support our troops who need restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments but may not be able to receive them through the VA. Dr. Sutton is a part of the recently launched A Soldiers Smile charity event in which he and other Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE) dentists will provide free dentistry treatments to select soldiers. The event, which kicked off this past weekend, is endorsed by decorated military veteran and celebrity Montel Williams who has already appeared on national TV promoting the event and the dentists.

Our veterans health care system can make it difficult for them to get the dental care they need because there are certain restrictions put in place that apply when dental care is necessary. In fact, the law has restrictions on providing health care for veterans based on their condition in or out of service and their income level. These laws make it difficult for veterans to have access to dental procedures that may help to improve their health.

Instead of waiting for our health care system to make corrections or improve it is through the generous efforts of Dr. Sutton, the other ACE dentists and Montel Williams that the A Soldiers Smile charity is being made possible. Select soldiers will be eligible for dental care that helps to improve their health as well their self-confidence. The charity, which has already begun will be taking place at select VA hospitals where the dentists will be providing the necessary restorative and cosmetic treatments to soldiers who deserve it.

Given the state of the health care benefits eligible to veterans ACE and Montel are hoping that this event will bring awareness to these unfulfilled needs. This Friday the 11^th marks Veteran’s Day, be sure to thank a soldier for their service defending our freedom.

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Dental Veneers Create Beautiful Smiles

August 13, 2011 Nor Cal Dentist Archives, Featured Articles

If you have ever wondered how so many celebrities or beauty queens have such perfect, bright teeth chances are they have dental veneers. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain tooth-like material that are adhesively bonded to the tooth and are used to repair damaged teeth or simply beautify one’s smile. The process of manufacturing veneers is fairly tedious but the results can be amazing. Because all veneers are custom made for each tooth that they replace, your cosmetic dentist must be skilled in the art of fabricating them so that they look and feel natural in a patient’s mouth. This is why it is so important to choose a qualified cosmetic dentist who is experienced in blending art and science for the ultimate in looks and functionality. » Read more..

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Dental Implants: Who are the candidates?

August 13, 2011 Nor Cal Dentist Archives

You have probably heard about dental implants or know someone who has them. In fact, dental implants are becoming the norm as they are highly successful procedures and because of the natural look and feel they bring to one’s mouth. In addition to that they are permanent and don’t have the same nuances as dentures. So who can get dental implants and what are the criteria?

Interestingly enough, most adults are eligible for dental implants provided they meet certain health criteria. » Read more..

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CT Digital Scanning for Face and Jaw

August 13, 2011 Nor Cal Dentist Archives, Featured Articles

Advances in technology mean that doctors have better resources to help prevent issues before they become problematic or better treat problems that are preexisting. Rohnert Park Digital Imaging employs the use of a highly advanced digital x-ray scanner that is specially designed for scanning the face and jaw areas. The machine combines a series of X-ray views taken from many different angles to produce cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissues in this region. This offers the doctor a detailed visualization of the entire facial region as it provides detailed views of a patient’s face from many different angles. Additionally the machine minimizes exposure to radiation as it does not require multiple exposures to catch the multitude of angles it provides. » Read more..