Clear Braces

Braces aren’t just for teenagers anymore; people of all ages are turning to braces in order to improve their smiles. These days, adults make up nearly half of orthodontic patients hoping to finally get the perfect smile they've always dreamed about. That’s why Dr. Shital Kazi offers a clear braces option for her San Lorenzo, CA patients.

While traditional braces are the most commonly used to correct alignment and structure, there are other treatment options available. Dr. Kazi offers clear braces for those who are more concerned about aesthetic appearances. These braces are made from ceramic and provide a certain degree of transparency to mimic the color of your natural teeth, this makes them less visible. They are as effective as traditional braces and function the same way.

Braces are typically worn one to three years, but it really depends on each individual case. Patients who have greater pride in their smile will go further to keep up their oral hygiene. Poor oral health, particularly gum disease, has been linked to heart disease, strokes and other heart conditions, so keeping good care of your oral hygiene could improve your overall health.

If you are interested in improving your smile with braces in San Lorenzo, CA, schedule an appointment with Dr. Shital Kazi by calling (510) 276-6040. For more information on other services offered by Dr. Kazi, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

Sport Mouthguards

When it comes to protecting your mouth during physical activity, especially during contact sports, a mouthguard is an essential piece of equipment everyone should own. While collision and contact sports, such as boxing and football are higher-risk sports for the mouth, patients can suffer a dental injury during non-contact activities too. The best, most protective mouthguard is one that has been custom-made for your mouth. That’s why our dentist, Dr. Shital Kazi offers custom sports mouthguards to patients of all ages at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA.

You might be asking yourself what the benefits of custom-mouthguards are compared to a stock mouthguard or a “boil and bite” option. Mouthguards created by a dental professional such as Dr. Kazi are based on a mold taken of your mouth, which means they only fit your mouth. Custom mouthguards are made of resilient and tear resistant materials, ensuring a proper fit for ultimate comfort. A properly fitting mouthguard must be comfortable, odorless, tasteless and most importantly, protective.

Dr. Kazi encourages patients to let her know if they participate in contact-oriented sports. She is able to layout the risks of injury to the teeth, jaw and oral soft tissues (mouth, lip, tongue, and cheeks) to help educate patients. From there, Dr. Kazi will discuss your protective options and create a plan of care to keep your teeth safe.

To learn more about custom sports mouth guards, visit our website, www.lewellingdental.com. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with Dr. Shital Kazi here at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA please call (510) 276-6040. 

Benefits of Digital X-rays

Dental technology has improved greatly over the years, enhancing every step of dental care, from diagnosis to treatment. New technology has even made dental X-rays safer and more convenient, and many dentists have adopted digital radiography to view their patients’ teeth.  At our office, we have many state-of-the-art technologies, including digital X-rays, to provide our patients in San Lorenzo, CA with the best dental care available.

Digital X-rays are taken in a similar manner to traditional X-rays that use film, but rather than placing film in the patient’s mouth, a digital sensor is used. This sensor is connected to an imaging program on a computer that projects the image, allowing Dr. Shital Kazi to view your teeth more closely and with better accuracy than traditional dental X-rays. Better images mean that there is a greater chance that the dentist will spot potential problems and be able to fix them before they become more serious or possibly more painful. In addition to better accuracy, digital radiography produces 80 percent less radiation than regular film X-rays, granting peace of mind to those who take X-rays frequently.

Whichever treatment you’re receiving at our practice, from a regular check-up to dental implants, we will strive to provide you with the best service with the most up-to-date technology.

To schedule an appointment at Lewelling Dental Care, call (510) 276-6040. For more information on our practice, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

Deep Cleaning

If your teeth are sensitive or your gums bleed when you floss or brush, you might be suffering from gum disease. Patients who come in for regular cleanings are much less likely to suffer from periodontal disease.  If you’re not taking care of your oral hygiene, the bacteria and plaque can advance to gum disease and it becomes more difficult to treat. While gum disease sounds like a scary thing, the good news is that there are treatment options available. At Lewelling Dental Care, our dentist, Dr. Shital Kazi treats San Lorenzo, CA area patients with a procedure known as “deep cleaning.”

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. There are many different forms of periodontal disease but all of them can cause serious damage to the mouth. The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Gingivitis causes the gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. The biggest cause of gingivitis is lack of a regular oral hygiene regimen. Preventative measures, such as regular brushing and flossing, go a long way when it comes to preventing periodontal disease. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral health practices at home.

We offer a non-surgical, non-invasive option known as deep cleaning for our patients who have chronic gum disease. This procedure is a great alternative to surgical options. Deep cleaning involves removing built-up plaque below the gum line using either manual scraping instruments or an ultrasonic tool. Then, Dr. Kazi will essentially gently sand your teeth, removing rough spots on the tooth surfaces and roots, which tend to harbor bacteria.

If you fear that you might be suffering from gingivitis or gum disease, set up an appointment at our San Lorenzo, CA practice so we can go over treatment options. 

Traditional Braces vs. Invisalign

Straight teeth go a long way toward creating a beautiful smile, but they are also important for overall oral health. If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, correcting them can prevent dental issues from developing in the future. There are several options available for straightening your teeth, including traditional braces, clear braces and Invisalign, and Dr. Shital Kazi of Lewelling Dental Care can help you achieve a smile you can be proud of with quality orthodontics in San Lorenzo, CA.

Traditional braces have been around for years and are considered the standard correction method among patients looking to straighten their smiles. Able to correct even serious cases of misalignment, today’s braces are made with incredibly strong metals that are durable enough to wear for a considerable time on your teeth. While contemporary braces offer some customization with different colored bands, if a mouth full of metal doesn’t appeal to you, Dr. Kazi also offers clear or ceramic braces. Functioning just like metal braces, clear braces are their ceramic counterpart and are specifically designed to not stain or wear over time.

If you’re in need of a mild to moderate correction, Invisalign may be a great option for you. Using a series of virtually invisible aligners, Invisalign adjusts your teeth bit by bit with a new aligner used approximately every two weeks. Invisalign aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic and are removable, which allows for convenient cleaning and eating. The ability to remove the aligners means that your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will not have the same diet restrictions that you would have with traditional braces. You will still be able to eat all the foods you like, including popcorn, chips, pretzels, apples, nuts and corn.

Whether you’re a child, teenager or adult, you can straighten your teeth affordably and effectively. In San Lorenzo, CA, Dr. Shital Kazi of Lewelling Dental Care will make sure your smile is both beautiful and healthy. Schedule an appointment by calling (510) 276-6040. For more information about the practice, its services and any special deals, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

Tray Teeth Whitening

Getting whiter teeth is on the minds of many patients who visit Dr. Shital Kazi in San Lorenzo, CA. Teeth can become discolored over time, as well as stained from things like coffee, wine, and dark soft drinks. Dr. Kazi uses a tray teeth whitening system to help patients whiten their teeth without the harsh chemicals and mediocre results home systems have. By getting their professional teeth whitening at Lewelling Dental Care, patients have the option for spectacular results and minimal side effects. The process is easy to do and done in two easy steps.

For teeth whitening in San Lorenzo, CA, patients visit Dr. Shital Kazi for two separate appointments. The first step is getting impressions made of their teeth for custom teeth whitening trays. These are not the trays sold in stores that don’t always fit right, but custom to the patient’s teeth. Once the trays have been crafted, patients return to Dr. Kazi for the whitening process. Whitening gel is placed inside the tray and they are fitted to the patient’s teeth. The patient is given these reusable trays and the gel, and instructed to wear them multiple times over several days. Patients are thrilled when they see that the end result is teeth that are up to eight shades whiter.

Teeth whitening with the custom tray system allows for significantly whiter teeth without pain or discomfort afterward. Some patient may experience a little gum tenderness for a few days. For superior and professional teeth whitening results, Dr. Shital Kazi invites new patients to her San Lorenzo, CA practice.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Throughout the year we undergo various health tests and screenings to make sure that we are staying on top of our health.  These tests are preventative measures that leave patients with peace of mind or a serious advantage in finding an effective treatment.  While we know that we have to monitor our blood pressure, stress, weight, hearing, sight and other health concerns, many forget to visit the dentist for oral cancer screenings.  Dr. Shital Kazi offers oral screenings at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA.  She encourages all older adults to visit her office for a complete regular oral cancer screening to improve their health.

Oral cancer is commonly identified by a tumor or growth that arises within the oral cavity.  These malignancies can occur anywhere on the mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, soft palate, hard palate, pharynx and sinuses.  In the earliest stages of oral cancer, you may experience bumps, swelling or rough spots on the lips, and difficulty when moving your jaw or tongue.  However, early detection at Lewelling Dental Care means that you can treat oral cancer before these symptoms fully develop or become problematic.

Dr. Kazi stresses the importance of undergoing an oral cancer screening at her practice.  Every year roughly 35,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer.  When patients keep track of their health through oral cancer screenings, they lessen their risk of developing advanced stages of oral cancer.  By treating the symptoms and addressing the problem early on, treatments can be administered promptly and the likelihood of recovery greatly increases.

For more information on oral cancer screenings, visit www.lewellingdental.com or call (510) 276-6040 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shital Kazi at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA.