Dental Veneers

If you’re ready for a total smile makeover, or your teeth have multiple issues with chipping, cracking, stubborn staining or moderate misalignment, veneers may be your answer.  Here at Lewelling Dental Care, we provide veneers as part of our comprehensive cosmetic dental services.

 

Veneers work by covering your existing tooth structure with a custom crafted porcelain shell that is designed to cover discoloration, restore enamel and reshape the tooth to create a more idealized smile. They are permanent and require no special maintenance beyond brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups.

 

The veneer planning and placement process requires just two or three visits and provides beautifying results that has the potential to last a lifetime. To find out if this cosmetic solution is right for you, please call us and schedule your consultation for dental veneers.    

Full/Partial Dentures

If you have missing teeth, you know how it can interfere with your speech and chewing. Having missing teeth can also cause the structure of your face to change. In addition to physical issues caused by missing teeth, it can lead to decreased self-esteem or self-consciousness.

 

At Lewelling Dental Care, we offer solutions for replacing missing teeth including dentures. Conventional dentures involve having the teeth extracted and giving the gums time to heal. After healing takes place, dentures are placed.

 

In addition to conventional dentures, we also offer immediate dentures. This option involves placing the dentures immediately after the teeth are extracted. One benefit of immediate dentures is you don’t have to wait for your dentures to be placed. Dr. Shital Kazi will evaluate your situation and determine if immediate dentures are right for you. If you still have some remaining teeth, which don’t need to be extracted, partial dentures may also be a good option.

 

Dentures may take a little time to get used to. In most cases, dentures are a comfortable option for replacing missing teeth. It’s also important patients take proper care of their dentures. Maintaining good oral hygiene is still essential if you have dentures.

 

Our team here at Lewelling Dental Care is experienced in various areas of dentistry including cosmetic, preventative and restorative services. For more information on dentures or any of our services, please call Lewelling Dental Care at (510) 276-6040. 

Bad Breath

The topic of bad breath can be tough to confront, whether it’s yours or someone else’s. And, whether or not you know you have it, it’s always a good idea to take steps against bad breath—as they are often one in the same with good dental hygiene.

 

Most bad breath can be traced to a source in the oral cavity, whether it’s trapped food particles or potent beverage residue, bacterial and plaque buildup, unclean dental prosthetics, gum disease, or even cavities. Many of our patients here at Lewelling Dental Care regularly ask us what they can do to prevent bad breath.  Besides completing all necessary dental work and consistently undergoing regular exams, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce bad breath on your own.

• Drink plenty of water: Drinking water helps flush away food and beverage residue. It also keeps your teeth and gums hydrated, which inhibits bacteria growth.
• Reduce intake of coffee and alcohol: Both substances can contribute to stubborn breath and dehydration.
• Abstain from all tobacco products: Cigarettes, pipes and chewing tobacco all contribute to fouls breath and other periodontal issues that feed into the problem.
• Brush, floss and use alcohol-free mouthwash every day: Good oral hygiene controls bacteria and prevents a number of dental problems. Your at-home hygiene efforts are extremely important in keeping your smile beautiful and fresh.  

Night Guards

Night guards provided here at Lewelling Dental Care help our patients get relief from their jaw pain and headaches, and protect their teeth. Some patients find themselves clenching and grinding their teeth either during the day or, more often, at night while sleeping.  Most patients are not even aware that they even have this problem that is slowly damaging their teeth.  It is more problematic at night because it can happen for hours at a time while sleeping. Teeth clenching and grinding stresses and wears down tooth enamel.  These problems can also cause irritation to the gums. Not only do our patients complain of headaches, and jaw pain, but can also have ear pain frequently because of excessive teeth clenching and grinding.

 

Dr. Shital Kazi offers a solution from our San Lorenzo, CA dental clinic in the form of night guards. Night guards are custom made for the patient, based on impressions taken of their teeth. Every night, the patient is instructed to wear the night guard which protects their teeth if they start clenching or grinding them. It acts as a barrier between the top and bottom teeth, so they can’t grind anymore and their teeth are protected.

 

We also recommend that our patients refrain from alcoholic drinks and caffeine before bed because it can exacerbate the grinding problem. To ask us about night guards for your teeth grinding, contact us today.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions

At Lewelling Dental Care, wisdom teeth extractions are fairly common. Your last set of molars to come in, wisdom teeth usually emerge when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Since wisdom teeth can often become impacted, which means they come in at an angle, it is necessary to remove them before they cause pain or begin to push your other teeth.

 

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. If this flap of skin forms, the tooth will be hard to clean and can become infected. This infection is called pericoronitis.

 

When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Shital Kazi will extract the tooth. Often it is necessary to remove all four at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic or a general anesthetic, based on the preference of the doctors and patient. After the anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured for healing.

 

After the surgery, rest is required, and you will need to change the gauze applied to the incision. To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with us by calling 510-276-6040. 

Partial and Full Dentures

Dentures are an option that many of our patients choose at Lewelling Dental Care. Available in both full and partial, dentures serve as a removable replacement for missing teeth. In providing patients with conventional full dentures, Dr. Shital Kazi will remove all the teeth from their mouth. Afterwards, the gums are given time to heal before dentures are placed. The patient would be without teeth during this healing process, which can take a couple months.

 

Immediate full dentures forgo this healing process with no teeth. Prior to having their teeth removed, the dentist takes measurements of the patient’s mouth, so that dentures are ready after teeth have been removed. This type of full denture requires a follow-up visit to refit the dentures once the jaw bone will slightly change shape as the mouth heals.

 

Partial dentures are another option for those who do not need all their teeth to be removed. This makes them similar to bridges, but partial dentures are not permanent fixtures. Whichever dentures our patients choose, they take time getting used to, and even though they are not real teeth, they should still be cared for as if they were. They should be brushed before removal and should be placed in room temperature water or cleaning solution overnight.

Inlays/Onlays

At Lewelling Dental Care, Dr. Shital Kazi wants to provide you with options when it comes to repairing damaged teeth. Since everyone’s dental needs are different, the best treatment for one patient may not be the best treatment for another.  That’s why we provide options for replacing teeth damaged by decay or injury.

 

Inlays/onlays are used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury. These molded dental prosthetics are applied to the damaged tooth, preserving its structure and the health of your smile. Some advantages of an inlay/onlay are it often covers less area of a tooth than a traditional filling. This means more of the natural tooth is preserved. In addition, inlays/onlays fit precisely, which reduces the amount of bacteria that can get between gaps or spaces. Inlays/onlays are also stronger than traditional fillings and tend to last longer.

 

Dr. Kazi will be happy to discuss inlays/onlays with you and help you decide what works best for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment call us at 510-276-6040!

Dental Bonding

Of all the cosmetic and restorative procedures, dental bonding is one of the easiest and most affordable. Called bonding because tooth-colored resin is bonded to your teeth, the procedure is used to repair teeth that are discolored, unevenly shaped or chipped. At our office, we can even use bonding as an alternative to amalgam fillings if only a small filling is required.

 

Bonding is achieved by applying incredibly strong resin to the tooth in need of restoration. The procedure can usually be accomplished in one visit and allows you to keep most of your tooth’s original enamel, which makes bonding preferable to veneers or crowns in many cases. Once the right color resin has been chosen for your smile, Dr. Shital Kazi will slightly abrade your teeth to roughen the surface. Then a conditioning liquid is applied to help the resin adhere. The putty-like resin is then applied to your tooth and molded and smoothed until it is in the proper shape. It is hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser. After the bonding material has hardened, Dr. Kazi will trim and shape it even more and then polish it until it shines like a tooth. Altogether, the procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour for one tooth.

 

If you’re unhappy with your teeth but unwilling to go as far as veneers, bonding can be used to improve your smile quickly and effectively. 

Jaw Joint Pain

If you suffer from jaw joint pain, you know how it can interfere with your daily activities. In order to find relief, the first step is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. When the jaw joint is involved, pain is usually due to a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ may develop due to a jaw injury, arthritis, teeth clenching or a combination of these factors.

Dr. Kazi DDS at Lewelling Dental Care can help. Dr. Kazi is experienced in diagnosing jaw joint pain caused by TMJ. Part of the diagnostic process is taking a medical history and completing an exam. In addition, Dr. Kazi may recommend x-rays to rule out other causes of jaw pain.

Once an accurate diagnosis is made, you can discuss treatment options. Dr. Kazi will educate you on ways to decrease symptoms. For example, applying heat or ice may decrease pain. In some instances, special exercises may help stretch and strengthen the jaw and decrease symptoms.

Lewelling Dental Care also offers night mouth guards, which are often used in order to treat TMJ. The guard is worn while you sleep and helps prevent teeth grinding, which often contributes to symptoms of TMJ. Dr. Kazi will be happy to provide you with more information on night mouth guards and determine if you are a candidate.

For more information on jaw joint pain or to schedule an appointment, please call Lewelling Dental Care at (510) 276-6040 or visit us athttp://www.lewellingdental.com.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants

If you’re missing teeth or are in need of an extraction due to disease decay or injury, dental implants provide an attractive and long-lasting solution for filling the gaps in your smile. While there are other options for replacing missing teeth, bridges require alteration to adjacent teeth and dentures are not permanent. Dental implants, on the other hand, can not only last you a lifetime but also look and feel natural. At Lewelling Dental Care, we can use dental implants to help you achieve a complete smile that you can be proud of.

 

The implant process can take between three to six months to complete, and the first step in the process is to implant a titanium screw, which will serve as the replacement tooth root, in your jaw bone through an incision in your gums. The gums are then sutured, and the jaw bone is left to heal around the implant. This process is called osseointegration, and while it takes place, you may receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

 

Once the jaw has healed, an abutment will be placed on top of the implant to serve as the foundation on which your permanent crown will be fixed. The tooth restoration is then custom made for your mouth and is either fixed or cemented in place so that you may enjoy a complete smile that looks and feels natural.

 

To learn more, call us at (510) 276-6040 or visit www.LewellingDental.com. 

Headache Relief through TMJ Care

Anyone that suffers from headaches knows that they are the last thing you want to wake up to in the morning.  A pounding headache as soon as you open your eyes is not only painful, but it makes it difficult to function and start your day.  If your morning migraines are largely focused behind your eyes, near your temples, around your jaw and ears or in the back of your head, your headaches could be a sign of a dental problem.  Although very common, it’s something few headache sufferers think about.

 

Turns out many patients that complain of chronic migraines are actually suffering from TMJ disorder.  TMJ has to do with your jaw function and is often a result of night grinding.  If you think that TMJ could be the cause of your migraine, you should be on the lookout for some of the other common symptoms.  Many of my patients that are suffering from TMJ also have pain when opening and closing their mouth, trouble chewing, find that their jaw can be stuck open or shut, have clicking or popping sounds when opening their mouth, and they grind their teeth while sleeping or during moments of stress.

 

 TMJ can cause severe pain in patients that are suffering from the disorder.  Call 510-276-6040 to schedule an appointment to find out if TMJ is the reason behind your chronic headaches.  Don’t waste time suffering from your migraines.  Let me help you with your night grinding habit and stop your headaches from interrupting your day.

Yours in good smile health,

 

Dr. Shital Kazi, DDS, FAGGD

Bridges

If you need a tooth replacement or restoration after an accident, infection or extraction, a bridge can be just what you need to renew your smile.  Dental bridges can be used to fill smile gaps by using surrounding healthy teeth as support and creating a complete, cohesive and natural look.  This restorative allows you to enjoy a full diet, easy hygiene and maintenance, and protection against issues that can result from missing teeth.

 

Bridges are custom crafted from many different materials, including dental porcelain which can be matched to the precise shade of your surroundings.  This ensures that your bridge will virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your smile, even in highly visible portions of the mouth.

 

If you are in need of a full tooth restoration, contact us here at Lewelling Dental Care to determine if dental bridges are right for you.  

TMJ

TMJ issues affect many Americans daily. This disorder causes pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that connects your lower jaw to your skull at the temporal bone. This joint controls many jaw functions and any pain in this area may cause jaw joint muscle problems, known as temporamandibular disorder (TMD). At Lewelling Dental Care, Dr. Shital Kazi and her team have trained extensively in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ and offer various treatment options to new and existing patients.

 

Symptoms of TMJ are wide-ranging. Patients will often feel pain when opening or closing their mouth, trouble chewing food, their jaw will become stuck, headaches are quite common and they will often hear a clicking or popping noise when opening or closing their mouth. These symptoms can be associated with a lot of other health problems so if you are feeling any of these symptoms, make sure to ask during your next appointment.

 

Treatment for TMJ can go many different ways. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are short term methods and often do not solve the problems. Another possible treatment for TMJ would be wearing a night mouth guard, this will lessen the effects of teeth grinding that can cause TMJ. More permanent solutions include possible surgery in severe cases, but behavioral treatments to change the way the jaw muscles are used can be enough to solve the problem permanently. 

Take-Home Tray Whitening

Even with consistent brushing and good oral care, teeth can lose their color. Today, patients have many options when it comes to teeth whitening that include over-the-counter options and professional options that include either in-office or take-home systems. At our San Lorenzo, CA practice, Lewelling Dental Care, we offer our patients custom tray whitening to help improve the cosmetic appearance of their teeth. Having teeth professionally whitened is an excellent way to restore the natural color of teeth quickly and effectively.

 

When it comes to whitening your smile, we will first need to determine whether your teeth are intrinsically or extrinsically stained. Intrinsic stains are on the surface, having barely penetrated the enamel. They are caused by staining agents like coffee or smoking; they can also be caused by old-age. These stains are reversible through take-home tray whitening.  Extrinsic stains develop from the inside of the teeth and are often caused by more permanent staining agents like antibiotics. With an extrinsic stain, the teeth are darkened as a result of bacteria buildup and cannot be reversed by whitening alone.

 

Traditional tray systems include a custom-fitted mouth tray that the patient wears for a period of 40-45 minutes for a few days. We will take a mold of your mouth in order to create a custom-fit mouth tray. You will apply the gel treatment to the mouth trays and wear it for approximately 45 minutes a day. The amount of days the mouth tray is worn depends on how white you want your teeth to be. This often results in a whiter smile of 4-8 shades in just a few days. 

Sports Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are essential in any type of contact sport regardless of how old you are. Most people believe that mouth guards are just for sports like football and hockey because they’re high contact, but in reality, you should be wearing one during any sport where contact is even a possibility. We provide custom-fit mouth guards to our patient-athletes to help prevent structural damage to their teeth and jaws. Mouth guards also help prevent lacerations to the cheeks, tongue and lips.

 

One of the most beneficial aspects of wearing a mouth guard is that it can greatly decrease the risk of concussions. There’s been a lot of news lately about the large number of concussions in professional and amateur sports. That’s because we’re finally seeing the negative impact concussions have had on these athletes. Mouth guards will not prevent concussions, but they can decrease the chances of sustaining one. The material we use to create our custom-fitted mouth guards is extremely shock absorbent and reduces transmitted forces caused during your athletic event.  

 

But you can get a mouth guard at any sporting goods store, why would you need one from us? Over-the-counter mouth guards, also known as “stock” mouth guards come in very limited sizes and are considered the least protective. There are also “boil and bite” mouth guards that claim to be “custom.” While these mouth guards are “molded” to your mouth, they do not cover the entire area, and often leave the posterior teeth exposed. Both of these over-the-counter options are bulky, uncomfortable and interfere with speaking and breathing.

 

Custom-fitted mouth guards are the only way to fully protect your teeth. If you schedule an appointment with us at Lewelling Dental Care, we will create a custom mouth guard that is specifically designed to protect your mouth. Our goal is to keep your teeth healthy. If you’re an athlete and you’re using an ill-fitting uncomfortable mouth guard or no mouth guard at all, it’s time to consider one. 

Dental Phobia and Sedation Dentistry

If just the thought of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on fear and anxiety, sedation dentistry is probably the right choice for you. Between 5 and 8 percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to dental phobia, but you don’t need to let your oral health suffer because of fear. At our office in San Lorenzo, CA, we offer a safe environment where we can comfort anxious patients through both oral sedation and nitrous oxide.

Sedation is mainly used when a patient has a high level of anxiety or dental phobia, not because of pain. At Lewelling Dental Care, we can sedate our patients through oral sedation or nitrous oxide. These methods will make sure you can tend to your oral health while avoiding the anxiety that accompanies visiting the dentist.

A common sedation method utilized in the dental industry is nitrous oxide (N20). Nitrous oxide works very rapidly, reaching the brain within 20 seconds. With this method, Dr. Shital Kazi will place a small mask over your nose and ask you to breathe normally. Within a few short minutes, you will begin to feel the effects. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, and there is no “hangover” effect.

The other method utilized by our office is known as oral conscious sedation. It is as simple as taking an aspirin. It is utilized for patients with mild to moderate anxiety as it is not as powerful as other sedation methods. With oral sedation, Dr. Kazi will provide you with an oral sedative, such as valium. You will not be “knocked out,” but you will feel more relaxed.

To schedule an appointment with Lewelling Dental Care, call (510) 276-6040. For more information, visit www.lewellingdentalcare.com.

Why Invisalign?

At our office in San Lorenzo, CA, we offer Invisalign aligners so that you can straighten your teeth without committing to a mouth full of metal. Using a series of clear plastic aligners Dr. Shital Kazi will guide your teeth into a smile you can be proud of.

While regular braces are still best for more serious cases, Invisalign is great for cases of mild to moderate spacing or crowding. For these cases, Invisalign provides teeth correction that bypasses the discomfort,  and restrictive diet that those who have traditional braces must face.

With a computer program that generates a series of aligners with small changes in each, Invisalign will allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing. Virtually invisible, the aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic, and unlike traditional braces, they are removable. Therefore, your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque build-up that can normally occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will be able to eat all the foods you like, such as popcorn, chips, pretzels, nuts, apples, carrots and corn.

If you think Invisalign might be the best option for you to achieve the smile you’ve been dreaming of, call us at (510) 276-6040 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

What to Do About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that affects the way you breathe while sleeping, causing your breath to become interrupted for 10 to 20 seconds at a time and jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm multiple times a night. As a result, your energy, mental acuity and productivity can suffer. Over time, sleep apnea can even lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and weight gain.

At Lewelling Dental Care, we use oral surgery to treat sleep apnea and increase the quality of sleep and life for patients.  Oral surgery relieves sleep apnea symptoms by removing the blockage caused by excess tissue, which vibrates and blocking the upper air passages. One way this is done is through UPPP, or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which involves removing excess tissue from the upper mouth and throat while under general anesthesia. Maxillomandibular advancement is another procedure used to treat sleep apnea. This procedure moves the lower jaw forward, away from the rest of facial bones, which allows more room behind the soft palate and reduces any obstruction.

If these treatments fail to relieve your sleep apnea, a tracheostomy can be performed. A tracheostomy is when a tube is inserted into your throat to allow breathing. The tube is covered during the day while you are awake and then opened at night while you sleep.

If you believe you have sleep apnea, call (510) 276-6040 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shital Kazi. For more information, visit www.lewellingdental.com. 

Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth are your last set of molars to emerge, and they usually come in when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Because these teeth often become impacted, which means they come at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is often necessary for them to be removed before they cause pain or crowd your other teeth. At our office in San Lorenzo, CA, Dr. Shital Kazi can determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed and extract them if they do.

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. This flap of skin makes the molar extremely hard to clean, which means you are susceptible to an infection called periocoronitis.

When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Kazi extracts the tooth. Many times all four are removed at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate the patient. It depends on the preference of the doctor and patient, as well as how far the wisdom tooth has emerged. After an anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue over the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured.

After surgery, rest is required. You will also need to change the gauze applied to the incision every couple hours.

To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with Lewelling Dental Care by calling (510) 276-6040. For more information, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

Oral Cancer

Did you know that oral cancer often goes completely undetected until it spreads to another part of the body? You can stay ahead of the game by having regular oral cancer screenings with us in San Lorenzo, CA. If you use tobacco and drink alcohol regularly, you are at a greatly increased risk for oral cancer. Oral cancer is also being connected to human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. Oral cancer can appear anywhere in the oral cavity. It is mostly found:

• On the lips
• On or under the tongue
• On the roof of the mouth
• Back of the throat
• Inside the cheek

The ability to detect oral cancer early is a great tool for us and for you. We are able to identify and pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution, meaning it can be treated well before it becomes a major problem. If you’re having regular cleanings at least twice a year, you are much more likely to have possible problems detected early because we document each appointment and know your history.

 

You should be getting an oral cancer screening at least once a year. Come in and visit us today so we can make sure your oral hygiene is in tip-top shape. We’re here to help, so call today!

Acid Reflux and Teeth

The enamel of your teeth is the thin, tough outer layer of your teeth. Enamel protects your teeth from daily activities like chewing, biting and grinding. The enamel of your teeth also protect against harmful temperatures and chemicals. Although enamel is a hard protector of your teeth, it can chip and crack. There are many factors that affect the health of your enamel, but one of the quickest ways to erode enamel comes from acid reflux disease.

 

If you suffer from consistent acid reflux, the health of your teeth probably isn’t one of the first things you’re thinking about. You’re probably reaching for an antacid or a glass of milk and moving on with your day. However, new research reveals how gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can severely damage your teeth thanks to an increase of acid in the mouth. The study concluded that acid reflux can ultimately lead to thin, sharp and pitted teeth.

 

GERD, better known as acid reflux disease, causes chronic heartburn. The stomach contents, including acid, leak into the esophagus and often work their way back up into the mouth, causing burning pain. The damage from acid reflux looks a lot like tooth wear because the acid dissolved the tooth surface directly, softening the surface. Once the surface is softened, it becomes worn down layer by layer. Once the enamel is eroded, it cannot come back. In that case, patients would need a crown, veneer or filling to replace their tooth.

 

We recommend the following to our patients who suffer from acid reflux disease:

• Do not brush immediately after an acid reflux episode, use a fluoride rinse instead
• Use specialized toothpaste recommended by our staff
• Utilize antacids or baking soda after an episode to protect your teeth

If your teeth have been damaged by your condition, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shital Kazi to discuss your treatment options. 

Perio Protect

Did you know that we utilize Perio Protect technology at Lewell Dental Care? The goal of this technology is to manage the oral biofilm for lasting oral health. The method is a combination of non-invasive chemical debriding therapy and traditional mechanical debriding procedures. We use Perio Protect to help manage biofilms, or communities of bacteria, growing in the spaces or pockets between teeth and gum tissue.

 

The chemical therapy involves a tray delivery of solution to chemically debride the biofilm from the periodontal pocket. This process will also alter the pocket’s microbiological environment in order to disrupt biofilm growth. Standard cleaning procedures used throughout the dental field help remove plaque and tartar but bacteria reproduce quickly and biofilms will regenerate very easily unless its environment is changed.

 

With the Perio Protect method, we are able to prescribe solutions and introduce them to the pockets the biofilm has developed. In most cases, we will prescribe oxidizing and oxygenating agents to remove the slimy protective coating of a biofilm and its underlying layers. We will provide you with custom-made trays to deliver the solution to the affected areas. The trays are very comfortable and are worn for just a couple minutes a day.

 

If you are suffering from biofilm growth in the pockets between teeth and gum tissue, set up an appointment with Dr. Shital Kazi to learn more about this innovative treatment option. 

Night Guards for Bruxism

Think you might be a night grinder but aren’t sure? If you wake up with a dull, constant headache or a sore jaw then you might be suffering from bruxism (night grinding). If you suspect that you might be grinding your teeth and you live in the San Lorenzo, CA area, schedule an appointment with us at Lewelling Dental Care for information on treatment options.

 

You might grind your teeth because of stress and anxiety, but it more likely due to an abnormal bite or missing/crooked teeth. Patients often find out that they are a grinder from a loved one or through a consultation with their dentist. Dr. Shital Kazi is trained in the detection of bruxism and can diagnose it through a simple examination. Patients exhibiting symptoms such as jaw tenderness and teeth abnormalities are most likely grinding their teeth at night.

 

Teeth grinding can become a serious issue. Chronic teeth grinding can lead to fractured, loosening or loss of teeth. Taking the time to visit us at Lewelling Dental Care is a great preventative measure when it comes to preventing night grinding. Chronic teeth grinders can wear their teeth down so bad that bridges, crowns or even dentures may be necessary. While these procedures are effective, they are also very expensive and can be very invasive.

 

We have a great reputation when it comes to creating custom mouth guards for prevention of night grinding. Our team is able to custom-fit a mouth guard to your individual needs so as to prevent any discomfort during sleep. Dr. Kazi will take an impression of your teeth and the mouth guard is molded over the model using special material. Custom-fitted mouth guards are utilized because they provide the most comfort and best overall protection. The night guard creates a barrier between your top and bottom teeth, preventing your teeth from grinding. Call us today to schedule  your appointment!

Orthodontic Options

Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, you no longer have to feel embarrassed or self-conscious because you’re wearing braces. While traditional bracket braces are the most commonly used throughout the industry, there are other treatment options available. Our dentist, Dr. Shital Kazi offers you the opportunity to wear clear braces, Invisalign or even traditional braces to align teeth quickly and effectively.

 

Invisalign is considered the most technologically advanced orthodontic option for aligning teeth and is very comparable to Clear Braces. This technology uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that gradually straighten teeth. Invisalign is worn a minimum of 22 hours per days, patients will take them out to eat, brush and floss. Not only does Invisalign allow patients to have a great look while straightening their teeth, it also allows for a great smile after. Because the aligners are removable, patients are able to brush and floss just as they would if they had no braces at all.

 

Clear Braces are made from ceramic and provide a certain degree of transparency in order 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. Clear Braces are also designed so that they will not stain or discolor the teeth over the period of their use.

 

Dr. Kazi also offers traditional braces for patients looking to correct bite problems while straightening their teeth. These braces are made of strong metal alloys and are considered the smallest and most comfortable option. While they do take the longest of all the orthodontic options made available by Dr. Kazi, they are the most effective when it comes to aligning teeth and correcting bite problems.

 

Give us a call today if you want to straighten your teeth and have the smile you’ve always wanted!

Dental Implants

If you’re missing teeth or are in need of an extraction due to disease decay or injury, dental implants provide an attractive and long-lasting solution for filling the gaps in your smile. While there are other options for replacing missing teeth, bridges require alteration to adjacent teeth and dentures are not permanent. Dental implants, on the other hand, can not only last you a lifetime but also look and feel natural. At Lewelling Dental Care, we can use dental implants to help you achieve a complete smile that you can be proud of.

 

The implant process can take between three to six months to complete, and the first step in the process is to implant a titanium screw, which will serve as the replacement tooth root, in your jaw bone through an incision in your gums. The gums are then sutured, and the jaw bone is left to heal around the implant. This process is called osseointegration, and while it takes place, you may receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

 

Once the jaw has healed, an abutment will be placed on top of the implant to serve as the foundation on which your permanent crown will be fixed. The tooth restoration is then custom made for your mouth and is either fixed or cemented in place so that you may enjoy a complete smile that looks and feels natural.

 

To learn more, call us at (510) 276-6040 or visit www.LewellingDental.com. 

Sports Mouth Guards

With baseball and softball season starting up again, we thought it would be a good idea to talk about protecting yours or your children’s teeth with sports mouth guards. Mouth guards are made to protect teeth, but not many people know that they are also used to protect the head against a blow to the jaw that could result in a concussion and loss of consciousness. At Lewelling Dental Care, we provide custom fitted mouth guards for athletes to protect their mouth and head.

 

While most people think that mouthguards are only used in “contact” sports, many athletes across all sports are utilizing mouth guards. Mouth guards can be worn by athletes of all ages who participate in sports such as:

• Football
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Wrestling
• Basketball
• Baseball/Softball
• Soccer

Traditionally, mouth guards cover your upper teeth only. If you have braces or any other fixed dental appliances on your lower jaw, Dr. Kazi will make a mouth guard for your lower teeth as well. Dr. Kazi will evaluate each patient to determine what kind of mouth guard is best for you.

 

A custom-made mouth guard will be comfortable, durable and easy to clean. Over the counter mouth guards often restrict breathing and speech. Custom mouth guards are made of thin plastic that is hardened to protect your teeth. The thinness of a custom-made mouth guard allows for easy breathing and does not hinder speech skills whatsoever. If you are interested in a sports mouth guard for either yourself or your child-athlete, make sure to give us a call!

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an excellent way to gain a boost of confidence, make a great impression every day, and feel great about smiling overall. Many of our Lewelling Dental Care patients have been thrilled with the results of our teeth whitening and bleaching services.

 

One of the benefits of the teeth whitening and bleaching service we provide is its convenience. Through the use of custom trays and a specialized, prescription whitening gel, you can whiten your teeth at home, when it’s most convenient for you.  By repeating the at-home teeth whitening process several times, you should already begin to see some improvement.  Once the full process is complete, you can expect a smile brightening improvement of up to eight shades.

 

If you’re ready to brighten your smile with our custom teeth whitening and bleaching system, contact us here at Lewelling Dental Care.   

Jaw Joint Pain

If you suffer from jaw joint pain, you know how it can interfere with your daily activities. In order to find relief, the first step is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. When the jaw joint is involved, pain is usually due to a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ may develop due to a jaw injury, arthritis, teeth clenching or a combination of these factors.

Dr. Kazi at Lewelling Dental Care can help. Dr. Kazi is experienced in diagnosing jaw joint pain caused by TMJ. Part of the diagnostic process is taking a medical history and completing an exam. In addition, Dr. Kazi may recommend x-rays to rule out other causes of jaw pain.

Once an accurate diagnosis is made, you can discuss treatment options. Dr. Kazi will educate you on ways to decrease symptoms. For example, applying heat or ice may decrease pain. In some instances, special exercises may help stretch and strengthen the jaw and decrease symptoms.

Lewelling Dental Care also offers night guards, which are often used in order to treat TMJ. The guard is worn while you sleep and helps prevent teeth grinding, which often contributes to symptoms of TMJ. Dr. Kazi will be happy to provide you with more information on night guards and determine if you are a candidate.

For more information on jaw joint pain or to schedule an appointment, please call Lewelling Dental Care at (510) 276-6040 or visit us at www.lewellingdental.com.

Bridges

Bridges

If you have had a tooth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled since gaps in your smile can cause your remaining teeth to shift out of position. When this happens, your teeth become more susceptible to disease and decay. At Lewelling Dental Care, we can help keep your smile beautiful and functional after an extraction with dental bridges.

Called a bridge because it literally creates a bridge to cross the area where you tooth is missing, this prosthetic tooth replacement is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last more than a decade if properly cared for.

The process of creating a bridge takes two visits to our office. In the first, we will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your missing tooth. This is where the bridge will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge will consist of two crowns, which will be fixed to the abutments, and a pontic, which is the prosthetic that will replace your missing tooth. We provide you with a temporary bridge while your permanent one is crafted in the lab. On the second visit, the permanent bridge will then be fixed to the abutments with an adhesive.

For more information, call our office in San Lorenzo, CA by calling (510) 276-6040. You can also visit www.LewellingDental.com.

Bonding

Bonding

At Lewelling Dental Care we can transform your smile with dental bonding, which is among the easiest and most affordable cosmetic dental procedures. Called bonding because a tooth-colored resin is bonded to your teeth, this process is used as an alternative to amalgam filling and to repair decayed, chipped, unevenly shaped, fractured or discolored teeth. We achieve this by applying incredibly strong resin to the tooth you would like to restore and then shaping and polishing it until it matches your surrounding teeth.

Not only can this procedure be accomplished in only one visit, but this process also allows you to keep most of your tooth’s original enamel, making bonding preferable to veneers or crowns in many cases. Once we have chosen the right color resin for your smile, your teeth will be slightly abraded to roughen it and then coated lightly with a conditioning liquid, which will help the bonding material adhere. Then we will apply a putty-like resin that will be molded and smoothed until it is in the proper shape and then hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser.

After the bonding material has hardened, we will trim and shape it even more and then polish it until it shines like a tooth. Altogether, the procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete one tooth.
If you’re unhappy with your teeth but unwilling to go as far as veneers, bonding can be used to improve your smile quickly and effectively. Schedule an appointment with Lewelling Dental Care to get bonding performed in San Lorenzo. Just call (510) 276-6040. For more information, visitwww.LewellingDental.com.

Veneers

Veneers

If you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look, veneers are an effective method for reshaping and redesigning your smile. Whether your teeth have stains, gaps, crack, chips or other issues, you can get the smile you've always wanted with veneers. Veneers are thin, ceramic shells that cover the existing tooth structure in your mouth, and we can use them to transform your smile.

Having veneers placed usually only takes two to three visits. During the first visit, we can discuss the shape and look of the smile you want to accomplish, and then we will prepare your teeth. We prepare teeth for veneers by removing some of the enamel on the surface of your teeth. The amount of enamel that is removed will be nearly equal to the thickness of the veneers. This ensures that your smile will still feel natural and not bulky after the procedure.

Once the enamel has been removed, an impression is taken of your mouth so that the veneers can be fabricated to fit your existing teeth. This fabrication process takes between 10 to 14 days and is done in a laboratory of the highest standards. You will be provided with temporary veneers during your wait. Then the final veneers are bonded to your teeth to create an attractive smile that looks and feels natural.
To learn more about veneers in San Lorenzo, CA, call Lewelling Dental Care at (510) 276-6040 or visit www.LewellingDental.com.

Bleeding Gums

If you have bleeding gums, it is most likely due to having a form of gum disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of the adults in the U.S. have periodontal disease, which is a more severe form of gum disease.

Gum disease can cause bleeding gums, as well as swollen gums, loose teeth, tooth loss, infection, and many other problems, which is why our Lewelling Dental Care dentist Dr. Shital Kazi encourages all patients to visit our office immediately after discovering bleeding gums.

Aside from bleeding gums, other symptoms of gum disease include shifting or loose teeth, deep pockets forming between the gums, changes in tooth arrangement, and bad breath that doesn’t go away.

Here at Lewelling Dental Care, we provide several treatment options for bleeding gums and gum disease, depending on other factors our patient is experiencing. Gum disease treatment usually involves various procedures like deep cleaning, scaling and root planing, and some surgical treatments. Antibiotics can help with some infections, but periodontal treatment is the best option.

Call us here at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA at 510-276-6040 to talk about your treatment options if you have bleeding gums.

Source: http://www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm

Loose Teeth

Feeling loose teeth in your mouth is one of the most unpleasant and unsettling things that can happen with your teeth. Immediately you feel like something must be very wrong and that you might end up losing a tooth. You’re also hoping that you can find an effective treatment option that helps you save your teeth.

Severe form of gum disease, excessive clenching or grinding of the teeth, or even pregnancy, are among the many reasons our patients experience the feeling of loose teeth. Any time a tooth is weakened, whether following a root canal procedure or due to the bone structure being lost from periodontal gum disease, it can make the teeth loose.

Along with the feeling of loose teeth, patients may experience other symptoms. For example, patients might experience discomfort while chewing, pain along with the slight tooth movement, or the gum tissue is swollen, red, and damaged, the latter of which may be likely signs of gum disease.

The treatment for loose teeth depends on the cause. If the tooth is loose because it has been weakened, putting a crown over it can be helpful as it saves the tooth structure. However, if a loose tooth is due to clenching or grinding, we provide occlusal (bite) treatments of the teeth. Orthodontic procedures are also helpful in some cases.

Call us here at Lewelling Dental Care at 510-276-6040 to speak to our dentist Dr. Shital Kazi about your loose teeth right away so we can help you to save them.

Stained Teeth

Here at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA, our patients experience a variety of dental imperfections, including lack of luster of their teeth. Stained teeth are an unfortunate result of smoking, drinking certain beverages, and eating foods with high amounts of sugar — in addition to the natural aging process.

Our dentist, Dr. Shital Kazi, provides teeth whitening procedures right here in our office that help patients whiten their teeth. While the tray whitening system we offer can whiten our patient’s teeth up to eight shades, we still believe preventative measures are an important way to keep a smile bright.
Dr. Shital Kazi recommends avoiding the following things that can stain or discolor the teeth:

• Red wine
• Black coffee
• Tea
• Smoking cigarettes
• Dark-colored sodas
• Berries
• Soy sauce
• Sugar and sweets

Our dental office provides the take home whitening system, which utilizes custom-made trays from impressions of the patient’s teeth and whitening gel to whiten their teeth in the office and at home. Our take-home trays are reusable, so our patients can use them again and again should the brightness of their smile fade.

If you have stained teeth and want to whiten them, contact us here at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA at (510) 276-6040.

Migraines and TMJ

Migraines and TMJ seem to go hand-in-hand with those who suffer from both. TMJ is the term used for the joint connecting the lower jaw and temporal bone of the skull, called the temporomandibular joint. Because this joint is responsible for so many daily functions like talking, opening and closing the mouth, and chewing, it is also susceptible to a condition called TMJ disorder.

The following symptoms are common among people with TMJ disorder:
1. Headaches and migraines
2. Teeth grinding
3. Ear pain
4. Clicking and popping sounds of the jaw
5. Difficulty chewing
6. Pain while opening or closing the mouth
7. The jaw getting stuck in the open or closed position

Migraines are a severe type of head pain that also accompanies other symptoms like dizziness, flashes of light, sensitivity to bright lights, nausea, and vomiting. Unfortunately, a misaligned jaw, and the pain that may come from it, can trigger migraines in some of our patients. This is why we provide treatments to alleviate the pain here at Lewelling Dental Care, including night guards to reduce teeth grinding.

If you feel your migraines may be stemming from TMJ, visit our dentist Dr. Shital Kazi in San Lorenzo, CA to get started on treatment.

Clicking / Locking Jaw Joint

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is responsible for clicking and locking of the jaw joint. Usually, this is due to a disorder of this joint, which not only causes locking of the joint, but can also cause pain and problems chewing as well.

Here at Lewelling Dental Care, we provide diagnosis and treatment of disorders relating to a clicking and locking jaw joint. Treatments include dental procedures and orthodontic appliances that help prevent some of the side effects of TMJ disorder.

TMJ disorders cause more than just clicking and locking of the jaw joints, though this is one of the most common signs. Other symptoms include problems chewing, grinding the teeth at night, pain when opening or closing the mouth, ear pain, jaw pain and headaches, and hearing popping sounds when opening the mouth. Clicking and locking of the jaw joint often causes teeth grinding, which can be damaging to the teeth enamel and tooth structure. Patients with this condition often wake up with a sore jaw from clenching or grinding.
Dr. Shital Kazi provides oral appliances, such as mouth guards, to help keep the pain to a minimum. It is not always possible to prevent TMJ disorder, but the teeth can be protected and the pain minimized through treating the different side effects.

Call us at 510-276-6040 to find out more about treatments for clicking and locking jaw joints.

Bad Breath

Bad breath is something our patients often experience, and is one of the common things they ask us about at our practice. Quite often, having bad breath, also called halitosis, is the result of decay and can be remedied with proper cleanings and periodontal health.

Lewelling Dental Care offers a variety of dental services that help clean the patient’s mouth. Whether that means a regular cleaning, treating gum disease, or providing tips and suggestions for improving their halitosis, we help patients find better self confidence.

In general, bad breath can be caused by a number of things, including the following:

• ·         Failing to brush and floss regularly.
• ·         Smoking cigarettes.
• ·         Not drinking enough water.
• ·         Suffering from dry mouth, also called xerostomia.
• ·         Taking certain medications.

During the first dental visit, we determine the root cause of the bad breath. This helps guide us in the right direction for the best treatment options. In some cases, it is simply a matter of a deep cleaning, while other patients need treatment for periodontal disease. If you are struggling with bad breath in San Lorenzo, CA call Dr. Shital Kazi to schedule an appointment for a professional cleaning and check-up.

Teeth Whitening

If you are not happy with the shade of your teeth, you are certainly not alone. Many of our patients struggle with discoloration or staining of their teeth, which can be a natural progression due to things like tooth decay, drinking coffee or red wine, and smoking cigarettes. Lewelling Dental Care provides the tray whitening system for teeth whitening the teeth up to eight shades whiter. With the tray whitening system, custom trays are made to fit over our patient’s teeth perfectly.

This is a great benefit over store-bought trays that hardly fit right. A whitening gel is placed on the teeth, followed by the trays. We perform the first treatment in our office, then send the patient home with the gel and trays, where they repeat the process several times over a few days.

They are left with teeth that are about 5-8 shades whiter, and they stay white for quite a long time. They keep the trays for future use as well, since they were made from impressions of their own teeth. Patients enjoy not having to deal with sensitivity or soreness following this teeth whitening treatment.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Shital Kazi in San Lorenzo, CA by calling (510) 276-6040 for custom teeth whitening.

Traditional Braces

For misaligned teeth, spaces between the teeth or problems with your bite, you have multiple options for correcting these dental problems. A classic method is with traditional braces, which are made up of metal brackets, wires, and rubber brands. Regardless of the patient’s orthodontic problems, including severe cases, traditional braces are highly effective. They also cost less than some other types of braces, and most dental insurance policies have at least partial coverage.

Dr. Shital Kazi promotes the following benefits by offering traditional braces:

1. They are less expensive than other types of orthodontic braces.

2. They help with all levels of teeth problems, including severe overbites, underbites or crossbites.

3. Protruding teeth are corrected with traditional braces.

4. Most dental plans covering orthodontic treatment include coverage for these braces only.

5. They can take the same amount of time as other orthodontic options.

6. They have a very low risk of damage.


Whether you have mild spacing problems or a severe overbite, traditional braces are a very good option for orthodontic treatment. To learn more about traditional braces, contact Lewelling Dental Care at 510-276-6040 to schedule an orthodontic consultation.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants

Patients who have missing teeth are at risk for more than just aesthetic issues. Their adjacent teeth may start shifting, they can experience rapid bone loss, and if multiple teeth are missing, it might cause their cheeks to look shrunken in.

To mitigate these risks, here at Lewelling Dental Care, we offer dental implants for patients who want to replace their teeth permanently. While there are other options in dentures and fixed bridges, dental implants are the most permanent option available.

There are many reasons a tooth might have been lost or needs to be extracted. Tooth decay, congenital defects, trauma, injury, or advanced gum disease may all play a role in the causal factors of missing teeth.

But with dental implants, our patients have the opportunity for a stable, secure and natural-looking alternative. The implant includes a titanium metal post implanted into the jawbone, where the bone gradually heals and grows around the post. This holds it in place and is healed in about three months. Then, the abutment and crown are placed over the top, which look just like a natural tooth.

Call us directly at 510-276-6040 to learn more about dental implants offered by Dr. Shital Kazi.