If you’ve dreamed of having a beautiful, healthy smile then now it can be yours. Routine care of your teeth is the only way to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and that you maintain that beautiful smile. At our practice we believe that early disease detection is critical in order for our patients to maintain optimum oral health. We encourage all of our patients to have regular dental check-ups which enable us to minimise treatment and maintenance procedures. Everyone of our patients is unique and therefore has different dental needs. At each examination your dental health will be assessed in 15 key areas. These will help us understand and achieve your dental goals and needs, to provide a healthy, happy smile.

1. How healthy do you feel your teeth and gums are?
2. What are your dental concerns or problems?
3. How happy are you with your smile?
4. Are things working OK?
5. Medical and general health discussion
6. Examination of teeth for health
7. Examination of fillings for integrity
8. Examination of gums for health
9. Examination for the presence of plaque
10. Examination of the tongue, lips, cheeks and skin for health (TLCS)
11. Examination of the jaw for health
12. Examination of the glands and muscles for health
13. Examination of how the teeth meet and bite
14. Examination of the bone supporting the teeth for health
15. Examination inside, under and between teeth by the use of x-rays

We assess each patient individually to tailor a dental plan that meets their exact needs. This incorporates regular dental check ups, tooth cleaning by one of our trained hygienists and any other restorative treatments that may be required. As our patient, you are always considered our first priority.

Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene treatment includes professionally cleaning the teeth for the patient. This is usually called scaling and polishing. However, perhaps our most important role is showing the patient the best way to keep the teeth free of plaque. The dentist also plays an important role in treating gum disease.

Bad Breath & Gum Disease

Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease. The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause gum disease and dental decay. If you see your dentist regularly this will not only help prevent bad breath but will also let the dentist look for and treat these problems.

Decay Detection

Decay may or may not cause discomfort; even though it doesn’t hurt, the tooth is deteriorating. When cavities are small, they are much easier and less expensive to treat.

Mouth Cancer Screening

Mouth cancer is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, lips and throat. Mouth cancers have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma.

At Soft Touch Dental Care, our skillful dentists can provide natural-looking tooth-colored fillings (composite and white), so you can keep smiling with confidence. We can safely replace unsightly, silver amalgam fillings that may show when you laugh or smile with white tooth-colored fillings, which will beautify your smile!

White fillings can also be used to restore broken or chipped front teeth, or to close small gaps to improve your appearance and self-confidence.

What is White/Composite Filling?

A composite and white filling repairs and restores the surface of a tooth that has been damaged by decay, fracture, or wear. A dental filling strengthens the tooth. If tooth decay is not repaired at its early stages, it will worsen and additional or alternative dental treatments may be necessary. With proper care and routine oral hygiene, a filling has a lifespan of 5-12 years, depending upon the type of filling material used.

Warning Signs

Tooth sensitivity is the most common early warning sign of enamel loss due to tooth decay. While there could be a number of reasons for this sensation, only your dentist can diagnose its underlying cause. If a damaged tooth surface is not treated early, your discomfort will increase.

When Prescribed

A filling prescription is made when:

• The surface enamel of a tooth is damaged due to decay, fracture, or wear.
• A tooth’s surface needs to be evened out to improve your ability to bite or chew.

Patient Experience

After a thorough exam of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structure, your dentist will discuss treatment options with you and answer your questions. If the agreed-upon treatment is a dental filling, your dentist will:

• Apply a local anesthetic to the affected area of your mouth.
• Use a hand-held instrument to prepare your tooth by removing the decayed or damaged tooth surface.
• Cleanse the prepared tooth to remove debris and bacteria.
• Isolate the tooth using a small, protective sheet called a “dental dam” to keep it clean and free of saliva during your procedure.
• Select the dental filling material based on the placement of the tooth, the location of the damaged area of the tooth, and the extent of its surface damage.
• Apply adhesives and filling material to the prepared area and shape it to match the look and feel of a natural tooth.
• Expose a special hand-held light to the filling material to harden the repaired surface of your tooth.

Before and After Composite and White Fillings

With composite, tooth-colored fillings, we can eliminate those unsightly silver-black fillings with a more conservative, aesthetic option.

Although it sounds complicated, a tooth extraction is a routine procedure that according to The Mayo Clinic carries a very low risk of long-term complications. The procedure itself is painless when performed by an experienced dentist or oral surgeon, and the recovery process is usually equally simple.

Causes for Tooth Extraction

There are many reasons why a dental healthcare provider would recommend extracting one or more teeth. One of the most common reasons is due to severe tooth decay beyond what is reasonable to save. In these cases, an extraction is performed to prevent infection and also make the patient more comfortable.

A dentist may also recommend extraction for impacted teeth, malfunctioning teeth, or teeth that are hard to clean, such as the wisdom teeth. Removal of wisdom teeth can prevent crowding and may also be more prone to causing inflammation or infection if they do not fully emerge.

Procedure

Although there are exceptions, most tooth extractions are uneventful procedures that last only a few minutes. Usually, the dentist or surgeon will have already taken x-rays of the teeth prior to the procedure. The tooth, gum, and bone will then be anesthetized using a local numbing agent for a patient who will be awake for the extraction. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, may also be administered to help with anxiety during the procedure. Once the extraction begins, patients should feel only pressure – not pain. In most cases, the dentist can remove the tooth using only applied pressure to the socket and dental forceps, rather than surgical intervention.

In some cases, a dentist or oral surgeon will recommend full sedation – especially if there will be more than one tooth extracted during the procedure. In this case, the patient is instead given anesthesia intravenously to prevent pain throughout the entire body. Patients who undergo a sedated tooth extraction will have no memory of the procedure.

Recovery

Following a dental extraction, the dentist or oral surgeon will have a very specific set of instructions for caring for the extraction site in the hours and days following the tooth removal. Usually, this involves leaving gauze on the extraction site to minimize bleeding for the first few hours.

Depending on the type of tooth extraction performed, the dentist or oral surgeon may also prescribe medication to help relieve pain for the first few days following the procedure. So long as the extraction site is kept clean and patients follow the instructions for care, the gums should heal in a matter of weeks without complication or infection. Furthermore, if necessary and once the extraction site heals, the dentist can replace one or more missing teeth with a bridge, a denture, or a permanent dental implant for both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Overview

A dental crown restores a tooth’s shape, size, and strength, fully encasing the visible portion of the tooth or dental implant. Once bonded in place, only a dentist can remove it. With proper care, a crown can last between 5 and 15 years.

When is a Crown Prescribed?

A crown may be recommended to:

• Restore and protect a tooth that is worn, decayed, cracked, or broken.
• Support and protect a tooth after a large filling or root canal treatment.
• Cover a dental implant.
• Secure a dental bridge or other prosthetic device.
• Enhance your smile by covering a misshaped or discolored tooth.

Types of Crowns

Dr. Galgali will recommend the best crown type based on the location and structure of the tooth or implant needing restoration. The main types include:

• Full Porcelain
  Porcelain is attractive, strong, stable, and highly resistant to wear. It offers a high level of biocompatibility because it does not contain metal. A porcelain crown provides the best natural color match to the rest of your teeth and is an excellent choice for front teeth.
• Full Metal
  Metal offers strength and endurance. A metal crown may be recommended for back teeth where the forces of biting and chewing are the greatest. A metal crown rarely chips or breaks. In addition, it requires minimal removal of tooth structure. A gold or other high-noble metal crown offers biocompatibility. A base metal crown is often the least expensive treatment option; however, it lacks biocompatibility and may cause allergic reactions or gum line discoloration.
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal
  Porcelain-fused-to-metal offers the benefits of a natural surface color that resembles the rest of your teeth and the strength of a metal substructure. While there are several advantages to selecting this type of crown, it requires the removal of more tooth structure than other types of crowns. This means that there is greater potential for patient discomfort during the treatment procedure.

Patient Experience

After a thorough exam of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structure, your dentist will discuss treatment options with you and answer your questions. If the agreed-upon treatment is a dental crown, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to prepare your tooth or dental implant.

Porcelain Crown
If the treatment of choice is a porcelain crown, several methods are available:

• CEREC® CAD/CAM: In just one office visit, you will have a fully completed porcelain crown. Since your crown is designed and created in our office using CEREC® CAD/CAM technology, there’s no need for a temporary crown or a second visit.
• Lava™: When the highest level of natural translucency of your crown’s porcelain surface is important, this procedure is used. During your first office visit, CEREC® CAD/CAM technology is used to design your crown. Then you will be fitted with a temporary crown to protect your gum and tooth or dental implant. During a second office visit, your dentist will fit and permanently bond your crown.

Metal or Porcelain-Metal
After your tooth or dental implant has been prepared and shaped for a crown:

• A putty-like material is used to take an impression of your prepared tooth. Your crown will be fabricated for a precise fit based on this impression.
• You will be fitted with a temporary crown to protect your tooth/implant and gums until your permanent crown has been fabricated.
• During a second office visit, your dentist will fit your permanent crown and bond it to your tooth or dental implant.

What Are Dental Bridges?

A bridge (or partial denture) is a custom-made replacement for one or more missing teeth that literally “bridges the gap.” Artificial teeth are attached to gum-colored plastic bases. The bases are attached to a framework supported by abutments.

There are two types of bridges: removable and fixed. Both can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of materials. Porcelain bridges are often bonded to precious or non-precious metal.

With proper care, the life of a bridge is 10-20 years. Typically, two office visits are required to prepare, complete, and fit a permanent bridge.

Warning Signs

Tell Dr. Galgali if you have one or more missing teeth and experience any of these symptoms:

• A noticeable difference in your ability to speak or chew
• A change in the shape of your face or the self-confidence of your smile

Left untreated, missing teeth will:

• Produce an unstable bite and dental stress that can damage teeth and gums or cause headaches
• Increase your risk for periodontal disease and tooth decay

When Prescribed

A bridge is often prescribed:

• When one or more teeth are missing and there are healthy teeth on both sides of the gap
• As part of a dental restoration plan after the removal of damaged, decayed, or broken teeth

Bridge Types

Whether removable or fixed, a bridge is anchored in place by abutments.

Removable Bridge: A removable bridge is detached by its wearer for daily cleaning and at bedtime. It is prescribed when:

• Teeth adjacent to the gap are weak
• There are multiple missing teeth
• There are no posterior teeth to provide an anchor for the bridge

Fixed Bridge: A fixed bridge provides greater stability than a removable bridge because it is permanently anchored to abutments by use of bonding or a crown. Fixed bridges must be cleaned daily using dental floss and a specially made aid.

Patient Experience

After a thorough exam of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structure, Dr. Galgali will discuss treatment options and answer your questions. If the agreed-upon treatment is a dental bridge, here’s what to expect:

• A local anesthetic is applied so your dentist can prepare the abutments. If an abutment tooth is decayed or broken, your dentist may first need to rebuild and protect it with a crown.
• A putty-like material is used to make an impression of your prepared teeth. Your bridge will be fabricated for a precise fit based on this impression.
• To protect your teeth and gums until your permanent bridge is ready, your dentist will fit you with a temporary bridge.
• During a second office visit, your dentist will fit and attach your permanent bridge.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted.
When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile.

Types of Dentures:

Conventional: This full removable denture is made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months.

Immediate: This removable denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period, but may need to have the denture relined or remade after your jaw has healed.
Overdenture: Sometimes some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. An overdenture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after they have been prepared by your dentist. Implants can serve the same function, too.

New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should go away. Follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after a denture is inserted so the fit can be checked and adjusted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dentist.
Even if you wear full dentures, you still have to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your gums, tongue and roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

• Rinse your dentures before brushing to remove any loose food or debris.
• Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser to gently brush all the surfaces of the dentures so they don’t get scratched.
• When brushing, clean your mouth thoroughly—including your gums, cheeks, roof of your mouth and tongue to remove any plaque. This can help reduce the risk of oral irritation and bad breath.
• When you’re not wearing your dentures, put them in a safe place covered in water to keep them from warping.
• Occasionally, denture wearers may use adhesives. Adhesives come in many forms: creams, powders, pads/wafers, strips or liquids. If you use one of these products, read the instructions, and use them exactly as directed. Your dentist can recommend appropriate cleansers and adhesives; look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

If you have any questions about your dentures, or if they stop fitting well or become damaged, contact your dentist. Be sure to schedule regular dental checkups, too. The dentist will examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue to fit properly.

A Root Canal endodontic treatment is performed to remove infections and save our patients’ teeth. Our dentist is an expert at completing the procedure while keeping patients comfortable. If you live in the San Ramon area and are experiencing tooth pain, call (925) 735-3838 to schedule an appointment.

Why do most people need a root canal?

When a tooth becomes infected, the infection can spread into the dental pulp, causing pain. We can perform a root canal quickly for people in the Inpland Empire area.

How does the treatment work?

A root canal endodontic procedure works by removing infected dental pulp and sometimes the roots. Once cleaned, antibiotics may be prescribed to ensure elimination of infection. The tooth is sealed with gutta-percha and restored with a filling or crown.

Why should I have a root canal endodontics treatment?

If you live in San Ramon, CA, schedule an appointment with Our dentist to discuss your teeth’s health. A root canal can effectively save damaged teeth, making eating and drinking easier.

What about discomfort?

We ensure comfort during root canal procedures with sedation dentistry, eliminating discomfort and anxiety.

What are the advantages of this procedure?

In the past, severe infections often required tooth extraction. Now, root canals preserve natural teeth, maintaining facial structure and normal function.

To learn more, call Soft Touch Dental Care at (951) 280-0322 or schedule an appointment using the link below.