Dental Services in La Jolla, CA
At Open Wide La Jolla, we take pride in being far from corporate. Dr. Dains is confident that he and his team can provide you with a comfortable dental experience and maintain your oral health and aesthetics for years to come.
COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL SERVICES
- General Dentistry
- Restorative
- Dental implant restorations
- Periodontal treatment (gum disease treatment)
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Root canals
- Bridges
- Dentures
- Tooth extractions
- Preventative & Hygiene
- Oral Exams
- Cleanings
- Scaling and root planing
- Oral cancer screening
- Night guards
- Bruxism and migraine treatments
- Oral appliance therapy
- Sleep apnea treatments
- Snore appliance therapy
- Frenectomy
- TMJ treatment
- Restorative
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Veneers
- Crowns
- Bonding
- Teeth Whitening
- ClearCorrect treatments
- Gum contouring
- Gum bleaching
- Laser dental treatments
- Smile design
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental examinations
- Teeth cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- Sealants
- Nitrous sedation
- Dental x-rays
- Hygiene and nutritional education
- Emergency Dentistry
RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
Dental Implant Restorations
Dental implants are made from biocompatible materials like ceramic and titanium and are used to replace missing teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
One major benefit of dental implants is that they stimulate bone tissue in your jaw. Bone tissue needs stimulation to retain strength and prevent deterioration of your jawbone to maintain the natural shape of your face.
To be a candidate for dental implants, you first need to have healthy gums. If you have gum disease, you’ll need to have that treated before getting dental implants. You’ll also need to have sufficient amounts of bone tissue in your jawbone.
After your dentist or oral surgeon secures your implant and the root fuses to your jawbone, your dentist will install a restoration, like a crown, bridge, or dentures.
Periodontal Treatment (Gum Disease Treatment)
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, and it occurs when plaque builds up on the surfaces of your teeth. Over time, acids and bacteria in the plaque can irritate your gums and cause an infection, slowly eroding your gum tissue. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to more serious systemic infections throughout your body.
Gum disease often develops silently, so it’s important to recognize early warning signs.
Signs of gum disease:
- Gum swelling or tenderness
- Red or inflamed gums
- Loose teeth
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
The two most common gum diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. During this stage, your gums may become red, tender, or swollen. You may also experience bleeding during brushing and flossing. Treatment is critical to avoid the progression to periodontitis.
Periodontitis
Periodontal disease is a more advanced stage of gum disease. At this stage, your gums begin pulling away from your teeth, creating pockets between your teeth and gums. These pockets can fill in with more plaque, food, and debris. As the cycle continues, the infection worsens and eventually leads to tooth loss.
Treatments for gum disease:
- Professional dental cleaning
- Scaling or root planing
- Laser therapy
- Pocket reduction treatment
- Gum lifts
If you have signs of gum disease, call our La Jolla, CA office today to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Crowns
Crowns cover your entire tooth above the gum line, and they are for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. Crowns are commonly made from porcelain, metals resin and ceramics.
Reasons to consider a crown treatment:
- Protect weak teeth from further damage
- Hold a cracked tooth together
- Correct a misshapen tooth
- Replace a large filling
- Attach a dental implant
- Restore an excessively worn tooth
To install a crown, your dentist will carefully remove a thin layer of enamel from your tooth. Next, they will take an impression of your smile and send it to a dental lab, where a technician will fabricate a custom-made crown. This may take a couple of weeks.
While you wait for your permanent crown to arrive, your dentist can add a temporary crown that you will wear until it’s time to fit your crown.
Root Canal Treatments
A root canal is an outpatient oral surgery that helps prevent tooth extractions.
Common reasons for root canals:
- Extensive tooth decay
- History of repeated dental procedures on a tooth
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- Injury to the tooth due to force or impact
The procedure begins with your dentist creating a hole in the top of your damaged tooth to remove the infected pulp. After rinsing your tooth with antiseptic, your dentist will refill your tooth with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Next, your dentist will take impressions of your tooth and send them off to a dental lab that will fabricate a permanent crown. The last step is to seal the hole in your tooth to prevent reinfection.
After your root canal, you’ll take an oral antibiotic to prevent infection. If you experience any pain or swelling, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. You’ll also need to avoid smoking until your tooth heals. The procedure only requires a local anesthetic, and most people fully recover in about a week.
When your crown arrives, you’ll return to the office to have it fitted.
Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions are outpatient procedures that involve removing one or more teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are the most common type of tooth extraction.
Common reasons for tooth extractions:
- Extensive tooth decay
- Overcrowded teeth
- Tooth injury
- Preparation for braces
- Infections
- Impacted teeth
If a toothache doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain medication, you’ll need to have it evaluated by a dentist. Most extractions are minimally invasive procedures, but surgery is often required for impacted teeth.
Most people only experience mild discomfort after a tooth extraction, but if you are prone to anxiety or have a low sensitivity to pain, you may require sedation to stay comfortable throughout the procedure.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Veneers
Veneers are an affordable, non-invasive dental restoration that can restore the size, shape, color, or alignment of your teeth. Dental veneers are made of strong, natural-looking porcelain that bonds to the outside of your natural teeth. Unlike a crown that covers your entire tooth above the gumline, veneers only cover the front portion of your tooth. Veneers are typically used for cosmetic purposes.
Veneers are easy to maintain and can last for years, helping you feel more confident about your smile.
Reasons to consider a veneer treatment:
- Crooked teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Damaged teeth
- Smaller-than-average teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Pointy or crooked teeth
Teeth Whitening
If your teeth are discolored, yellow, or stained, whitening treatments can brighten your smile and restore your teeth to their pearly white color.
Over time, tooth enamel can chip, crack, and erode, revealing the yellowish lower layer of your teeth called the dentin.
Other common causes of discolored teeth:
- Drinking dark-colored beverages like coffee, red wine, and tea
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Smoking
- Eating highly pigmented foods like blueberries and tomato sauce
- Taking certain prescription medications like antihistamines, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors
In- Office Laser Whitening
We offer fast whitening treatments in our comfortable La Jolla, CA, office. During your visit, a rubber dam will cover your gums and tongue. Next, a whitening gel is carefully applied to the surface of your teeth and activated by a laser. The process will be repeated until your teeth are several shades lighter.
Take-Home Whitening Trays
You can also whiten your teeth at home using whitening trays. Each night, you’ll wear the trays for three to four hours until you achieve the desired results. At-home treatments do not produce the same results as in-office whitening, but they can dramatically improve the color of your smile.
ClearCorrect
It’s time to say goodbye to metal braces.
ClearCorrect clear aligner trays are a great way to help straighten your teeth without having metal braces. These aligners are removable and comfortable, which makes them easy to wear for long periods of time. They’re ideal for adults and children alike—no matter what your age or lifestyle, ClearCorrect can help you achieve straighter teeth that look natural and feel great!
ClearCorrect is the only clear aligner system on the market that offers 100% customized treatments through our patented technology. We use advanced 3D laser scans and digital imaging software to create a unique treatment plan for each patient. This allows us to create a customized treatment plan that takes into account both orthodontic needs and aesthetic concerns.
The ClearCorrect process is designed to be as simple as possible, and is designed to treat
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Widely spaced teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Open bite
Schedule an evaluation to see if ClearCorrect would be an option for you.
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Pediatric Dentistry
Dental health is important at an early age. We offer the following treatments for kids and want their experience to be positive when going to the dentist:
- Cleanings: A cleaning is done to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. This will help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
- Oral exams: During this appointment, we will look at your child’s teeth and gums, as well as check for any problems.
- Fluoride treatments: Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities from forming.
- Sealants: Sealants protect your child’s molars from tooth decay by covering pits and grooves in their teeth that are difficult to clean during brushing or flossing alone.
- Fillings: If a cavity has formed in one of your child’s teeth, we may need to fill it.
- Nitrous sedation: If necessary, we can provide a safe and effective method of pain and anxiety control while being treated
- Hygiene education: This involves teaching parents how they can encourage good oral hygiene at home by implementing age-appropriate activities such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily
EMERGENCY DENTISTRY
Emergency Dentistry
Open Wide La Jolla offers fast, effective emergency dental care in our La Jolla, CA office. However, dental emergencies usually happen unexpectedly, which is why it’s essential to see an established and trusted dentist.
Common types of dental emergencies:
- Sports injuries
- Knocked out tooth
- Dislodged filling, crown, or bridge
- Cracked, chipped, or fractured tooth
- Severe toothaches
- Replaced fillings
- Abscess
- Cut or tear on your oral tissues, like lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue
Do not delay treatment. Treating injuries as quickly as possible can alleviate pain and potentially save your teeth.
If you lose a tooth, be sure to bring it with you to your appointment. Do not touch the roots directly, or you may damage them. To prevent the roots from drying out, keep your tooth in your mouth or a glass of milk until you arrive at the office.
Schedule an appointment today by calling our La Jolla, CA office or booking online.