Cobb Dental Group provides a variety of gentle dentistry services for residents of Compton, California.
Cobb Dental Group ofrece una variedad de servicios de odontología suave para los residentes de Compton, California.
Services //
ORTHONDONTICS
Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the formal name of the dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, interception, guidance and correction of poor bites. In most cases, the purpose of orthodontic treatment is to create a healthy bite; a bite is considered healthy when straight teeth properly meet opposing teeth in the opposite jaw. A corrected bite will make it easier for you to eat, chew and speak.
If your teeth are crowded, protrusive, spaced too far apart, meet abnormally, or do not touch at all, a correction may be recommended or even needed. The commonly used "appliances" for orthodontic treatment are braces and aligners once positioned they are used to move your teeth into their correct spaces. Following the recommended treatment length for braces, retainers will preserve and stabilize the results of your orthodontic treatment.
ROOT CANALS
A root canal is needed to treat tooth decay. A tooth becomes infected, or abscessed when the decay reaches past the enamel and proceeds to the dentin or the layer below the enamel. Eventually, the decay reaches the nerve structure of the tooth, which is called pulp. Once it has reached this point, the inflammation that has been caused by the decay of the tooth cannot be reversed. The tooth nerve structures begin to die. As this happens, chemicals are released that can cause an infection at the tip of the root, leading to pain and swelling. It is at this point is when a toothache typically becomes noticeable and painful.
The best way to alleviate the pain is to treat the tooth with root canal therapy. Root canals save and heal teeth with seriously infected roots by taking out the infected nerve and the pulp of the tooth. The area is then cleaned and adequately prepared for a crown that will protect and prevent the tooth from complete removal. There may also be a need for an antibiotic to be administered to avoid further infection within the tooth. The restored tooth will provide a natural appearance and support normal tooth function.
TEETH WHITENING
Teeth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration. Whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can significantly improve how your teeth look. The step in the whitening process is for the dental team to put a protective rubber shield or a gel on your gums. After the gums are protected, the team will then administer the whitening product to your teeth by use of a specially made tray fitting into your mouth like a mouthguard. The 'active ingredient' in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
PARTIALS & CANALS
If you have had teeth removed or missing for other reasons a detachable partial denture is one way to restore the missing tooth.
Partial dentures have many benefits; for instance, they make chewing food easier for you. If your speech has changed due to missing teeth, they can make it easier for you to correct speech problems. Removable partial dentures can restore a youthful appearance by supporting cheeks and lips, preventing a saggy face.
There other reasons to replace missing teeth besides cosmetic, when you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth may tilt or drift into the open space. Shifting up or down toward the open space may occur with the teeth in the other jaw. The shifting of the teeth can change your bite and put unnecessary stress on your teeth and jaws. Missing teeth make cleaning your teeth harder if shifting occurs leading to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It is imperative that missing teeth be replaced as soon as possible. Removable partial dentures will have replacement teeth attached to an acrylic base that matches the color of your gums. The acrylic base covers the metal framework. A clasp of some form will attach the partial denture to your natural teeth, holding the denture in place.
EXTRACTIONS
A tooth extraction is the removal of an infected or severely decayed tooth threatening your overall health and overall well-being. Typically broken teeth or decay damaged teeth will be fixed with a filling, crown or another method. However, in some situations, the tooth damage is beyond repair. If this is the situation, an extraction of the damaged tooth is performed. If a very loose tooth cannot be saved, even with bone replacement surgery (bone graft), extraction will be necessary.
Other reasons teeth may be pulled:
- Some people have extra teeth that prevent other teeth from coming in. Alternatively, maybe baby teeth do not fall out in time to let the permanent teeth to come in. Still some patients getting braces may need the extraction of teeth to make room for the teeth that are moving into place.
-People undergoing radiation treatment to the head and neck may need to teeth extracted that are in the field of radiation. People taking cancer drugs may develop infected teeth because these medicines weaken the immune system. Infected teeth may need to extraction. After an organ transplant if teeth are an infection threat they will need to be pulled. Organ transplant patients have a high chance of infection due to the immune suppression medications they must take.
-Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are often extracted either before or after they erupt. Most people have wisdom teeth appear during their late teens or early 20s. If they are decayed, cause pain or have a cyst or infection they will need to be removed. A lot of the time wisdom teeth can get stuck in the jaw (impacted) and do not come in, causing gum irritation, pain, and swelling. In this scenario, the impacted tooth must be removed. If all four wisdom teeth need to be removed, they are customarily taken out at the same time.
CROWN & BRIDGE
A Crown is a type of dental restoration that completely caps a tooth or dental implant and are often needed when a large cavity jeopardizes the strength of a tooth. The purpose of a crown is to cap a tooth that is cracked, decayed or damaged. Made of porcelain, gold, and other metals, acrylic resin, or an amalgam (mix) of these materials they are created to be a permanent solution to damaged teeth. A Dental Bridge is a mechanism constructed of gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials used to replace missing teeth by attaching artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth. The teeth that the bridge is fastened to are called abutment teeth; bridges can be fixed bridges which are permanent or they can be removable. Fixed bridges can be applied by placing crowns on the abutment teeth, or they can be bond the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are fastened to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments. Once a fixed bridge is in place, it can only be removed by a dental professional.
ORAL PROPHYLAXIS
Oral prophylaxis cleaning is a teeth cleaning procedure removing tartar and plaque build-up from the exteriors of the teeth as well as those hidden in between and under the gums. The dentist uses a scaler, a type of hand instrument, to remove the plaque and tartar. Once your teeth are totally tartar-free, the hygienist brushes them with a high-powered electric brush. You will then receive an expert flossing removing any remaining tartar build up between your teeth.
VENEERS
Dental veneers also are known as laminates, are used to enhance the appearance of one or more teeth cosmetically.
Often veneers permanently transform the look of the smile and reverse years of damage. Veneers are made of very thin porcelain, or resin shells are customized to a desirable color and shape, then bonded to the outside of the teeth to reshape broken, misshapen or irregular teeth. Dental veneers are also an excellent alternative for stained teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments.
With veneers, patients can achieve a natural tooth appearance that is well-tolerated by the gums and resistant to future stains. Dental veneers might be ideal for you if you are looking for alternatives to caps and crowns. They can also provide a solution for gaps between your teeth. Our doctors will be happy to discuss if veneers are an option for you.
WHITE FILLINGS
A filling is a treatment that most people will have experienced at some point or another as a child or an adult. It is a form of treatment for tooth decay or to restore a damaged tooth. The name filling comes from the actual procedure in which a material such as silver amalgam or a composite (white) filling is used to fix a decayed tooth. The filling is implanted into the tooth where it then prevents the further spread of decay or repairs any damage.
This treatment stops the decay from spreading into the root where it will cause a severe infection like an abscess and takes away the need for a tooth extraction.
The silver amalgam filling is the traditional type of filling which is composed of various metals such as copper, tin, and mercury. This combination helps to retain the normal function of the tooth.
The composite white filling is a synthetic mixture of acrylic resin and glass which has a white color thereby allowing it to resemble the natural color of the tooth. This is also preferred for aesthetic reasons as many people prefer to have fillings which match the rest of their teeth rather than the distinctive silver filling.