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Different dental issues necessitate the dentist to recommend a digital dental x-ray be performed. Some of these dental issues include tooth decay, root canal infection, and bone loss in the jaw, among other dental problems. These images are essential as they will help the dentist identify the problem and recommend a suitable treatment plan for your condition.

There are different digital dental x-rays that can be performed, and this article will take a closer look at each type and help you know their purpose and how digital x-rays are performed.

Why are Digital Dental X-Rays Performed?

It is imperative to note that there are factors that affect how often your dentist can recommend a dental x-ray to be performed. Some of these factors include your current oral health if you have symptoms of the oral disease if you’ve had a history of recurrent gum diseases or tooth decay, and your age.

However, the dentist can also recommend an x-ray if there are no previous digital x-rays of your teeth. This procedure is done regularly on kids more than on adults as dentists require to monitor the growth and health of their teeth and curb any disease that might affect their oral health in the future.

This is essential as our dentist in Chino, CA may recommend tooth extraction to prevent the spread of the disease or bacteria to healthy teeth.

Therefore, the purpose of digital dental x-rays is to examine the condition of teeth and come up with a recommendation that can treat an issue if there is any and prevent other dental issues from arising in the future.

Risks of Dental X-rays

Before looking at what goes on during an x-ray procedure, it is essential to know the risks associated with this type of dental process:

• First, dentists recommend that pregnant women or women who believe they are pregnant should steer away from any kind of x-ray. This is because the radiation produced by the x-ray machine can harm the developing fetus.
• In addition to that, digital dental x-rays are regarded as safer than the traditional film x-rays as digital x-rays are viewable in seconds meaning your body is exposed to radiation for a shorter period than the traditional x-ray.

What is the Procedure of Digital Dental X-Ray?

• Prior to your dental x-ray, it is vital that you brush your teeth as this creates a more hygienic environment for the dentist that will be working on your mouth.
• This is because x-rays are done before cleanings and therefore brushing your teeth before leaving the house is essential.
• When you get to the dental clinic, you will sit on a chair that has a lead vest that crosses your lap and chest.
• The x-ray device is positioned above your head to take images of your mouth.
• There are dental clinics that have a different room for performing x-rays, while for others, the procedure is performed in the same room where extractions and cleanings are done.
• The x-ray machine takes images of your mouth, which are then recorded in a computer from which your dentist will study your teeth.

What Are the Types of Dental X-Rays?

Here are the types of dental x-rays:

Periapical X-Ray

The first type of dental x-ray we will look at is a periapical x-ray. This type of x-ray shows the whole tooth. The images taken from a periapical x-ray show the crown, tooth root, and where the tooth attaches to the jaw.

Occlusal X-Rays

Next, there is an occlusal x-ray, and this type tracks the growth and placement of an entire jaw of teeth: either the lower or upper jaw.

Bitewing X-Rays

There is also a bitewing x-ray, and this shows the details of the lower and upper teeth in one section of the mouth. A bitewing image shows the tooth from its exposed surface to the level supporting it. The advantage of this type of x-ray is that it can detect any changes in the thickness of the jaw bone brought by gum disease and decay between teeth.

In addition, the dentist in Ramona Dentistry of Chino can carry out a bitewing x-ray to determine the proper fit of a crown or dental bridge. On top of that, a bitewing x-ray can show if the dental filling applied has worn out.

Visit a Dentist Near You

Are you looking for dental x-rays near Chino Hills? Call us now or book your appointment with Ramona Dentistry for getting digital x-rays in Chino, CA!

Braces and Invisalign straighten misaligned or crooked teeth and improve your smile and overall oral health. They both have the same outcome but different ways of achieving their results.

Braces involve the use of a metal wire that pulls teeth in a straight line over time. Invisalign straightens teeth with a series of aligners; they shift your teeth slowly into the right position.

Choosing between braces and Invisalign can be difficult, so let’s look at their procedures, pros, and cons.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a more advanced and modern way to straighten teeth than braces. The treatment process includes putting on clear plastic trays made to fit your mouth’s impressions.

Here is How Invisalign Works

An orthodontist examines the patient’s mouth and then uses x-rays or other digital imaging techniques to create a mold of the teeth. Next, the mold is used to design a plan to help position the teeth correctly.

The plan helps them to make a series of clear aligners. Every set of aligners moves the teeth a little closer to the end goal.

The average treatment time for Invisalign takes about 12 to 18 months. You will receive new trays after every two weeks. For the treatment to work as planned, you must wear the trays for at least 20 to 22 hours every day.

Pros of Invisalign

Here are the advantages of Invisalign:

• The main advantage of Invisalign is that the retainers are invisible, unlike braces. Adult patients love the idea that clients and colleagues can’t see them undergoing orthodontic treatment. Self-conscious teens love that too.
• You can take Invisalign aligners out when eating or drinking. That means you don’t have to alter your diet or how you eat. People with braces find certain types of food uncomfortable or difficult to eat.
• When wearing Invisalign, your dental hygiene is better compared to braces. It is easier to floss and brush. You will remove your retainers when brushing or flossing your teeth.
• Moving your teeth around can be slightly uncomfortable; Invisalign results in fewer gum and mouth problems than braces do.

Cons of Invisalign

Below are some disadvantages of Invisalign:

• Taking off your aligners is beneficial, but it’s also a con. The treatment process can take longer for individuals who remove their aligners too frequently and for too long every time. Therefore, the results won’t be as effective as braces instead.
• Invisalign isn’t a good option for everyone, unlike braces. For example, people with extremely crooked teeth may not be good candidates for Invisalign treatment because the process may not be effective or may take too long.

Now that we have seen Invisalign let’s look at braces and see what sets them apart.

Braces

Metal braces are the most popular and commonly used. Traditional braces comprise ceramic or metal, some wire, and glue to make them stick to the teeth.

How Braces Work

Once our dentist in Chino gives you a referral, you will arrange a set-up with an orthodontist. The orthodontist examines your mouth and may take some x-rays to develop the best treatment plan that suits your needs.

When getting the braces, the orthodontist cleans and conditions the teeth and then affixes all the brackets to the teeth utilizing the placements determined in the treatment plan. Wires are then cut and laid between the brackets.

After a certain period, the wires will pull the teeth into the right position. You will have follow-up appointments every 4 to 8 weeks to adjust the wires as the teeth move.

Several factors may determine how long you will have to wear braces. The severity of the misalignment or any jaw issues leads to a longer treatment time. Most people have a treatment period of about 1 to 3 years.

Sticking to the instructions given by your orthodontist can reduce the treatment period by a little bit.

Pros of Braces

Below are the benefits of braces:

• A major benefit of braces is that you can select this treatment despite the difficulty of your case. You can have various dental problems that need correction, and braces can be utilized to treat each one.
• Braces can attain a better outcome than Invisalign. They are stronger; therefore, they possess more force to move teeth into the desired position. Invisalign has a limitation on how many teeth it can move.
• Using braces may be speedier compared to choosing Invisalign. However, since you must wear braces all the time and cannot take them off, this means that the treatment is done soonest possible.

Cons of Braces

Below are some drawbacks of braces:

• A disadvantage of braces is that the treatment is noticeable when patients with braces smile. However, many individuals hate how braces look and feel self-conscious about their teeth’s appearance in social situations.
• It’s hard to manage dental hygiene when wearing braces. Flossing and brushing teeth is more difficult, and failure to clean the teeth properly can lead to plaque build-up around the braces. This may result in tooth staining and decay.

Visit Your Nearby Dentist

Are you looking to get braces or Invisalign in Chino, CA? We at Ramona Dentistry of Chino offer Invisalign and braces in Chino, CA. Call us or book an appointment with our dentist today!

What are Mouthguards?

Mouthguards are essential accessories of safety for athletes of all ages. Wearing a mouthguard can save your teeth from chips, cracks, and breaks. Mouthguards also reduce the risk of a jaw injury and reduce the chances of suffering from concussions after a significant impact from football players, wrestling opponents, or any personal contact with another athlete when playing contact sports.

Mouthguards do not entirely prevent tooth and jaw injuries by themselves. However, they can significantly reduce the risks of these injuries occurring during athletic activities.

You can purchase a mouthguard at almost any sports goods store in various styles and sizes. Unfortunately, although you have several options, you may not get the protection you need if you decide to favor low-priced over-the-counter mouthguards that offer minimal protection against any impact on your mouth. Therefore if you want adequate safety when playing or getting involved in any contact sporting activities, you must consider getting custom mouth guards for maximum protection.

What are the Benefits of Mouthguards?

Are you concerned about why you must have custom options and get the perfect fit when you can purchase low-cost mouthguards from local stores? Let us provide you with reasons why you must prefer custom mouthguards to safeguard your mouth as best possible.

1. Injury Prevention

Over-the-counter mouthguards are ill-fitting and incapable of reducing the effects of impacts. It indicates that you or your child could suffer from different mouth, jaw, or brain injuries. Custom mouthguards help absorb the shock when your face or body is impacted physically by another player. If you are wearing an ill-fitting mouthguard that has gaps or wiggles around, you put yourself at risk of injuries. Therefore if you want to prevent injuries to your mouth, you must request custom mouthguards from the dentist near you to have adequate protection for yourself.

2. Customized Fitting

If you wonder why you must favor custom mouthguards instead of the over-the-counter variety, the customized fitting a dentist provides is the reason for making an extra investment in the device. Dental professionals create the mouthguards explicitly for your mouth, ensuring the device covers all susceptible areas of your mouth, including your gums and arch. When the dentist creates a custom mouthguard for you, the professional ensures the device fits the structure of your individual smile and also ensures the device fits properly. After fabricating the device, the dentist checks its positioning in your mouth, looking for gaps or loose areas that need fixing.

3. High-Quality Material

Over-the-counter mouthguards are created from low-quality material to save you money. However, while you might enjoy the lower prices of over-the-counter mouthguards and your savings, you risk injuries that might cost higher than custom mouthguards.

Dentists use materials approved by the US FDA when creating custom mouthguards that provide adequate protection to your mouth. The device designed by the dentist is at least 3 millimeters thick to ensure it absorbs impacts and protects you as best possible. Dental professionals are experts in creating these devices and ensure that the mouthguard meets the necessary requirements to offer you the protection you deserve.

4. Custom Considerations and Fitting

Custom mouthguards are not generic because they are customized explicitly for your mouth. While fitting a mouthguard, your dentist considers several things, including medical history and needs, orthodontic appliances you or your child are wearing, dental cavities, gum disease or other issues, and the sporting activity you are involved in.

The considerations vary between patients because they all need different combinations. Custom mouthguards consider all factors before personalizing a dental device explicitly for you or your child. After investing slightly higher in a custom mouthguard, you can return home confident that you have safeguarded your teeth and mouth from injuries and the need for expensive treatments later.

When looking at the higher prices of custom mouthguards from dentists comparing them to over-the-counter varieties, it helps if you remember store-bought mouthguards are generic, ill-fitting, and do not offer adequate protection needed when involved in high-intensity contact sports like football, soccer, lacrosse, et cetera.

Conclusion

An injury to your mouth resulting in damage or broken teeth costs more to repair than getting a custom mouthguard for yourself from our dentist in Chino, CA. Therefore you must weigh your options carefully before picking up any oral appliance to function as a mouthguard when getting involved in sporting activity.

If you want custom mouth guards in Chino, CA, Ramona Dentistry of Chino provides custom devices. Kindly do not hesitate to contact us for the mouthguard you need today.