Coronado Personal Dental Care Treatments in Coronado, CA

The Dental Examination

Coronado Personal Dental Care Treatments in Coronado, CAA comprehensive dental exam and cleaning are recommended twice-yearly for children and adults. During your initial dental examination at Coronado Smiles Dental, our staff will take full mouth X-rays to ensure the health of your gums, teeth, and jaw. X-rays will not be required at every visit, and Dr. Afshar will discuss whether new X-rays will be required.

During a twice-yearly check-up, patients receive a thorough examination of their teeth, gums, tongue, jaw, and neck. Dr. Afshar or one of our experienced dental hygienists will examine each tooth for cavities, plaque, or damage using a small pick instrument and mirror. An examination of your gums will detect if any gum disease is present or needs treatment. Your head, neck and jaw are examined to diagnose any possible issues with glands or joints, such as TMJ disorder. If necessary, Dr. Afshar may recommend additional X-rays, an oral cancer screening, or a further periodontal inspection.

Cleaning &  Periodontal Prevention

A preventive program is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the natural dentition and supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions.

Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet.  It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.

Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth.  Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.

Digital X-rays

Digital radiography (digital X-ray) is the latest technology used to take dental X-rays.  This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of X-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer.  This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged, helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems more easily.  Digital X-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental X-rays.

Dental X-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam.  Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan.  Without X-rays, problem areas can go undetected.

Dental X-rays may reveal:

  • Abscesses or cysts.
  • Bone loss.
  • Cancerous and noncancerous tumors.
  • Decay between the teeth.
  • Developmental abnormalities.
  • Poor tooth and root positions.
  • Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line.

Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth!

Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain Crowns are a great way to restore broken or cracked teeth, giving you back the beautiful smile you had before. After an initial consultation, we’ll match the porcelain crown to your tooth color and affix the crown with an easy and painless procedure. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

Porcelain Veneers

Improve the look of your smile and strength of your bite with porcelain veneers that are custom fitted to your teeth. Get that confident smile you have always wanted.

White Fillings

Have a cavity or need an old silver filling replaced? White fillings are a safe, functional, and natural looking solution for unsightly and painful cavities.

Invisalign

Do you wish you had straighter teeth, but don’t want to experience metal or clear braces? Invisalign® may just be the perfect option for getting those straight teeth. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Afshar  to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign®.

Teeth whitening

At the initial consultation for whitening, Dr. Afshar  will discuss your oral and overall health background, reviewing any concerns that you might have about sensitivity and laying out which option will be best for your desired results. For the most dramatic result,  In-Office Whitening is definitely the best option.

With  In-Office Whitening, you will see amazing results and the in-office procedure can be repeated up to once a year. Depending on the amount of teeth-staining food and drink you consume, touch-up treatments can be done every 3-6 months.

Periodontal Disease

Mouth – Body Connection

Research studies have shown that there is a strong association between periodontal disease and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications and respiratory disease.

Periodontal disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gum tissue, periodontal infection below the gum line and a presence of disease-causing bacteria in the oral region.  Halting the progression of periodontal disease and maintaining excellent standards of oral hygiene will not only reduce the risk of gum disease and bone loss, but also reduce the chances of developing other serious illnesses.

Common cofactors associated with periodontal disease

1) Diabetes

A research study has shown that individuals with pre-existing diabetic conditions are more likely to either have, or be more susceptible to periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease can increase blood sugar levels which makes controlling the amount of glucose in the blood difficult.  This factor alone can increase the risk of serious diabetic complications.  Conversely, diabetes thickens blood vessels and therefore makes it harder for the mouth to rid itself of excess sugar.  Excess sugar in the mouth creates a breeding ground for the types of oral bacteria that cause gum disease.

2) Heart Disease

There are several theories which explain the link between heart disease and periodontitis.  One such theory is that the oral bacteria strains which exacerbate periodontal disease attach themselves to the coronary arteries when they enter the bloodstream. This in turn contributes to both blood clot formation and the narrowing of the coronary arteries, possibly leading to a heart attack.

A second possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease causes a significant plaque build up.  This can swell the arteries and worsen pre-existing heart conditions.  An article published by the American Academy of Periodontology suggests that patients whose bodies react to periodontal bacteria have an increased risk of developing heart disease.

3) Pregnancy Complication

Women in general are at increased risk of developing periodontal disease because of hormone fluctuations that occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.  Research suggests that pregnant women suffering from periodontal disease are more at risk of preeclampsia and delivering underweight, premature babies.

Periodontitis increases levels of prostaglandin, which is one of the labor-inducing chemicals.  Elevated levels prostaglandin may trigger premature labor, and increase the chances of delivering an underweight baby.  Periodontal disease also elevates C-reactive proteins (which have previously been linked to heart disease).  Heightened levels of these proteins can amplify the inflammatory response of the body and increase the chances of preeclampsia and low birth weight babies.

4) Respiratory Disease

Oral bacterium linked with gum disease has been shown to possibly cause or worsen conditions such as emphysema, pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).  Oral bacteria can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract during the course of normal inhalation and colonize, causing bacterial infections. Studies have shown that the repeated infections which characterize COPD may be linked with periodontitis.