Orange County Dentistry - News

About Toothaches

2009-07-07T23:09:35Z

There are times that pain mimicking toothache can be caused by other sources. This is especially true with upper teeth.

What Can Cause Tooth Aches

There has been many times when a patient came in to my office complaining of severe toothache in the upper molar area. Further examination revealed that the pain was due to sinusitis or inflammation of the sinus membrane caused by a head cold or allergies. The patients are obviously relieved because most often they are under the impression that they need a root canal.

Another cause for toothaches in absence of decay or fracture is clenching. Often times the trauma from the excessive force can cause the tooth to become hypersensitive to hot or cold.

These are just two examples of how tooth aches can be caused by other factors.

Proper Dental Testing and Diagnosis

There are many other situations in which the tooth pain is caused by other factors. Proper testing and diagnosis is key in determining the source of the pain. This is important because unnecessary treatment of the tooth or misdiagnosing the source can create more problems in the long run.

Have a tooth ache or tooth pain? Contact Orange County Dentist Aria Irvani and a dental check up today.

Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry

2009-05-20T23:04:47Z

Cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry does not have to be a major or costly procedure. When most people think about cosmetic dentistry, they imagine veneering or capping all their teeth or going through extensive treatment to significantly improve their smile.

The truth is often times a minor procedure or a combination of them can significantly enhance your smile without incurring a large expense. This requires some creative treatment planning on the part of your dentist and his or her ability to maximize the results with as little dentistry as possible. This has two benefits. First by minimizing the number of procedures, the smile enhancement becomes much more affordable and second; fewer numbers of teeth are treated.

The procedures can vary from teeth whitening to enamel reshaping to selective restoration of teeth or even small dental bondings. A combination of these procedures can also be used to give you the most visual impact on your smile. As I said before often times, a small change can make a big difference.

A new improved smile can boost your self confidence and open doors for you. Whether it is getting a new job or pursing a new relationship or turning back the clock, a great smile will have a tremendous impact in many different aspects of your life.

For a complimentary cosmetic dental consultation please contact the office of Aria Irvani DDS for Orange County cosmetic dentistry

Dental Care and Pregnancy

2009-05-04T21:02:13Z

It is always advisable to treat any dental issues before a planned pregnancy. A routine dental exam and check up goes a long way towards your peace of mind that nothing unexpected can go wrong with your teeth during your pregnancy.

Pain Medication and Pregnancy

So what happens should you have a dental problem that needs treatment during your pregnancy? The most common issues are use of anesthetics, pain medication and antibiotics. Dental anesthetics are relatively safe although the use of anesthetics with epinephrine should be avoided if at all possible. Acetaminophen is generally considered to be safe throughout pregnancy. If stronger pain medication is needed it is best to consult your obstetrician.

Antibiotics and Pregnancy

Most commonly prescribed antibiotics in dentistry are penicillin and cephalosporins, The antibiotics are also considered safe by many obstetricians as long as you do not have any allergies to these medications. Tetracycline should be avoided because it can affect the developing teeth and bones of the fetus.

Fluoride and Pregnancy

The question about whether an expectant mom should use supplemental fluoride is also one of the most commonly asked questions. It is important to note that there is tremendous controversy surrounding this issue and because of that, the use of supplemental fluoride during pregnancy is not advisable.

Have questions about dental care during pregnancy?

Dr Irvani offers a wide variety of dental services for Orange County residents.

Please feel free to contact Orange County Dentist Aria Irvani by phone or email if you have questions or would like to book a dental care appointment.

Cosmetic Dentistry - Enamel Reshaping

2009-03-27T23:44:30Z

One of the easiest, most conservative procedures in cosmetic dentistry that can produce dramatic, profound results is enamel reshaping or enameloplasty. This procedure when combined with teeth whitening such as Zoom, Britesmile or home bleaching can give the patient amazing results with minimal expense and virtually no damage to the teeth.

Turn Back the Clock and Restore Your Smile!

As people age, the teeth tend to accumulate chips and wear patterns that over time, make teeth look misshapen and unattractive. With selective recontouring of teeth followed by whitening, the patient can restore their smile and turn back the clock.

It is important to note that the success of this procedure depends on careful case selection. The severity and type of wear, amount and quality of available enamel and existing restorations along with patient's smile line determine the viability of this procedure.

Book a Dental Consultation Today

A consultation along with photographs and digital simulation can reveal if you are the right candidate. If you are interested in a consultation please contact Aria Irvani, your Orange County Cosmetic Dentist.

Cost of Dental Crowns

2009-02-22T16:04:50Z

The cost of a dental crown or cap varies greatly from dental office to dental office. As a general rule, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. While you should be highly skeptical about offices that advertise crowns for 500 dollars or less, you should be equally cautious about offices who charge 1,000 dollars or more for a crown. Since most dentists will charge similarly for their time, discounting the procedure will mean using a less expensive or a “cheaper lab”.

There are a wide variety of labs with different lab fees. Because of the current economic climate, some labs even outsource their crowns to China in order to reduce costs. Although the quality of the crown made in China may be comparable to the one made in the U.S., the labs are not regulated to the same criterion as required by the labs in the United States. That would mean the materials used and the infection control procedures are not held to the same standard.

As a consumer, you want to get the best value for your money. What that means is that you want to get the best fitting, longest lasting and most natural looking crown for a fair fee. You can have the crown made by the fanciest, most expensive laboratory, but if the impression is inadequate, substandard or if the tooth is prepared poorly by the dentist, the end result is disappointing. Therefore, it starts and stops with your dentist.

What is a fair fee then? Since there are wide variety of crowns, an acceptable fee range is anywhere from $650 to $950 for LA and Orange County area. Anything far below the low end should be suspected and anything far beyond this amount should be questioned as well. You do not want to be paying extra for someone’s excessive overhead or compromise your health for a cheap crown.

At the office of Aria Irvani DDS, Orange County dentist, you can always call us to come in for a complimentary consultation.

Cleanliness at the Dental Office

2009-02-07T19:24:32Z

A dental office is where a clean, sterile environment is essential for patient's safety and peace of mind. Here are a few things to look or ask for to see if the office is up to code as far sterilization protocols are concerned.

As a general rule, in any office the instruments fall into 3 categories.

Disposable instruments, should only be used for one patient and discarded.
Sterilizable instruments that can be sterilized using steam, heat or chemicals.
Instruments that can be "cold sterilized" but this category should only comprise a very small percentage of instruments used.

Our Orange County Dental Office has to meet ADA standards for sterilization procedures and requirements. Although some states only require monthly testing of the sterilizer. You want an office that does weekly testing to see if the sterilizer is functioning properly. Furthermore, a 6 month log of all the testing should be available for your review.

As a redundancy to the weekly testing, all the individual bags used to sterilize instruments must have indicators confirming that the contents have indeed been sterilized.

The counters, chairs, light handles and anything that comes into contact with the patient or the dentist or the staff has to have a protective sheath. Since some areas are too large to have a protective sheath (such as counters), they should be disinfectable.

The floors of the treatment rooms and the sterilization area have to be easily cleanable and be made of a durable non porous material.

The sterilization area has to be separate from all the other areas or rooms in the office to minimize cross contamination.

Your Orange County dentist Aria Irvani DDS meets or exceeds all sterilization standards.

Temporary Remedies for Toothache

2009-01-09T14:36:08Z

Toothache can be caused by a variety of problems. Decay, gum disease, trauma, etc. Although you should make every attempt to see a dentist to avoid more serious consequences, there are those times that access to a dentist is not always possible.

If the toothache strikes during such an occasion when immediate dental care is not available, there are some basic steps that may alleviate your discomfort until you can visit your dentist. These tips are just as useful whether you are on a deserted island for vacation or you are traveling for business. Since the nature of the problem has to be investigated by a dental professional, you may have to try one or several of these remedies to see which one will relieve your pain. Here are some of these tips.

Floss the area to make sure there are no debris lodged between the teeth causing pain.
Hold warm salt water in the area for about a minute to reduce inflammation.
You can use clove oil on the tooth or in the gum adjacent to the tooth.
In adults holding a swig of whiskey over the painful tooth may help the pain.
If you have pain to biting, avoid fully closing your teeth so that the teeth do not contact one another.
Holding ice chips may help pain depending on the source of the pain. If the ice chips increase the discomfort, discontinue using it.
If it is a throbbing toothache, keeping the head elevated may reduce your pain.
Over the counter medication can give you temporary relief as well.
Do not place an aspirin over the gum as this may cause a chemical burn.

At Orange County dentist Aria Irvani DDS, we are always available to take care of any dental emergency. We have same day appointments available for all your dental emergency needs.

Smile Make Over Before 9 [Flickr]

2009-01-08T14:04:30-08:00

Aria Irvani DDS posted a photo:

Smile Make Over After 9 [Flickr]

2009-01-08T14:04:28-08:00

Aria Irvani DDS posted a photo:

Smile Make Over Before 8 [Flickr]

2009-01-08T14:04:28-08:00

Aria Irvani DDS posted a photo:

Smile Make Over After 8 [Flickr]

2009-01-08T14:04:27-08:00

Aria Irvani DDS posted a photo:

Smile Make Over Before 7 [Flickr]

2009-01-08T14:04:26-08:00

Aria Irvani DDS posted a photo:

Diabetes and Periodontal Disease

2008-12-16T04:13:35Z

Periodontal or gum disease can increase blood sugar, making it difficult for people with diabetes to manage their condition. In the reverse, people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes are more likely to become affected by periodontal disease.

Patients with diabetes also suffer from impaired healing which makes the periodontal disease more difficult to manage.

It is essential to keep the gums healthy, particularly if you are suffering from or are prone to diabetes or gum disease. Regular dental cleanings can help here.

At the office of Dr. Irvani in Orange County, we are at the forefront of treating gum disease. Please contact us for a complimentary consultation.

The Connection Between Heart Disease and Gum Disease

2008-12-07T15:35:34Z

The connection between heart disease and gum or periodontal disease connection is well documented. People with periodontal or gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease. Healthy gums can lead to a healthy heart.

The belief is that bacteria attach to plaque in the arteries and increase buildup causing blockages.

A periodontal assessment can easily determine the health of your gums. With advanced technologies available today, non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease is possible in many cases. You can contact your orange county dentist Aria Irvani DDS for a complimentary consultation.

Quick Braces

2008-11-18T14:41:28Z

We have all come to expect that braces will take 2 or more years to complete. In fact, that is the number one reason why most adults put off straightening their teeth. This is understandable because having braces for that long is not feasible for someone with work related and social responsibilities.

2 years is simply too long.

With the new technological advancements in wire design and materials and use of exotic alloys such as Nickel Titanium, we are able to cut the treatment time (in most cases) to 6 months or less hence the name quick braces. There are cases in which the bite discrepant is so severe that the full course of treatment is needed to correct the bite. The reality is however that most adults are concerned about aesthetics and want straighter teeth. This is usually done by focusing mostly on aesthetics rather than restructuring the bite. Another added advantage is lower cost because the treatment frequently takes less time and requiring less office visits.

Orange county dentist Dr. Aria Irvani offers a complimentary orthodontic evaluation to see if you are a candidate for this treatment.

Dental Implants and Pain

2008-10-11T18:25:51Z

Contrary to popular belief, dental implants are not a major surgical procedure. The vast majority of time, it is done with local anesthetic (same as you would have for a filling) and the patients can go to work the same day or the next depending on the type of work they do.

With the advancement of newer implants and better techniques, the procedure has evolved so that it is significantly more predictable, far less invasive and much more comfortable. Most patients report minimal discomfort after the procedure and resume normal activities.

Furthermore, by starting a combination of pre dosed anti inflammatory medication and antibiotics prior to surgery, the possibility of discomfort is greatly minimized.

For a complimentary consultation please contact Dr. Irvani in Orange County.

Non-Surgical Treatment of Gum Disease

2008-10-05T16:42:02Z

Just up until a few years ago, having gum disease meant a trip to the periodontist and gum surgery. A painful and unpleasant experience. Armed with new methods, non surgical therapy is now a viable option for many people.

With new ultrasonic dental cleaning instruments, a precise local delivery antibiotic called Arestin and better patient monitoring, many cases can now be treated non-surgically and patients can be maintained disease free.

For more information you can call Orange county dentist Dr. Irvani's office at 949-458-5858.

Orange County Emergency Dentistry

2008-09-29T05:12:56Z

Dr. Irvani is available for 24 hour emergency dentistry service. Call us our office any time at 949.458.5858 if you need emergency dental care.

Dental Implants Versus Bridges

2008-09-13T00:46:06Z

Dental implant versus bridge (connecting 2 or more teeth together to replace a missing tooth) was a valid debate several years ago.

With the success, predictability and the aesthetics of the new implant systems, the debate no longer exists. With the exception of some cases, dental implants are superior because they offer a solid, strong, and aesthetic alternative to bridges, and in most cases they rival natural teeth in beauty and longevity.

With implants, decay is no longer a concern, and with the new technology, a missing tooth can be replaced in less than hour. Vast majority of time the procedure is done with local anesthesia and minimal discomfort is reported by patients following the placement of implants. In fact, most patients are amazed at how easy the procedure is.

You can contact Dr. Irvani for a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs.

Teeth Whitening - The Easiest Way to Enhance Your Smile

2008-08-31T21:34:22Z

One the easiest and most cost effective methods to change your smile is tooth whitening.

Tooth whitening has become increasingly popular in the past 10 years. There is a lot of confusion about the methods out there but I will try to make sense of if for you. There are essentially 4 methods of whitening and we will discuss the pros and cons of each method.

The first method is the over-the-counter product. The main advantage is the lower cost, however because there is no professional supervision, the results are very inconsistent.

The second method is the custom-made bleaching trays made by your dentist and worn over a period of a week to ten days. The greatest advantage is that it is done by a dental professional and the results can be monitored and adjustments made along the way. It costs more than the over the counter products but you get to keep the trays and touch up the teeth in the future if there is a need. The results are frequently superior to the over the counter products.

The third method is the light-activated whitening such as Zoom or Britesmile. The main advantage here is speed. Whitening is usually accomplished in a one hour session but the amount of whitening is limited to that hour. They frequently cost more than the tray method.

The fourth and last method is the combination technique. The patient does the one hour whitening followed by tray bleaching at home. This method gives the patient the best of both worlds. Instant gratification, better follow through and the ability to touch up the teeth in the future without having to pay again.

At the office of Dr. Irvani we can discuss your needs in detail and suggest the best method that suites your particular needs. Please feel free to contact us if you any questions.