In this blog post from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA we are going to talk about stomatitis. Stomatitis refers to non-specific irritations in the mouth. It is usually caused by cold sores, gum disease, or even from biting the inside of the mouth.
Most of us have probably suffered from stomatitis and donít think it is a big deal. That is generally the case because most of these irritations clear up on their own in less than two weeks.
However, there are cases where a bacterial or viral infection can occur in these areas of inflammation.
Because of this possibility, be sure to tell us if you have any of these issues. Even if there is no infection present, we can always help treat the symptoms.
At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA we want the best possible dental health for all of our valued patients. People from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to our office for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
Regular check-ups and cleanings at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA are essential for good dental health. But some people tend to have gums that bleed after a thorough cleaning, causing them concern.
Is this a problem? Well, it depends. If your gums bleed for a couple days after your dental cleaning, don’t worry about it. But, if the bleeding and tenderness last longer, you should be checked for the possibility of gum disease.
Gum disease arises when plaque builds up along the gum line. You might also see bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth.
It is a progressive condition and a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also treatable, but as with most conditions, the earlier it is diagnosed and the treatment begins, the better.
We treat gum disease at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA. Patients from throughout Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale know they can trust us with their dental health. They also come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
Patients who are thinking about a dental implant from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA often ask how long they last. An implant is a significant investment, after all. Do they really last a lifetime, like people say? The answer is yes, but an explanation is in order.
A dental implant is not a replacement tooth, but the titanium post that is inserted into the jaw. Titanium is well-suited for implants, and cases of rejection by the body are rare. A big factor in how long the implant lasts comes down to how well you take care of it.
Dental implants are life-changing! With regular checkups and proper care at home, a dental implant can last a lifetime. When you get your implant, we will have specific instructions for daily care. For most patients, we recommend brushing and flossing twice a day.
Dental implants like those from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA have become the tooth replacement solution of choice. People from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale also come to our office for other restorative dentistry options. Contact us today!
A dental implant is a tooth replacement that is screwed directly into the jaw bone. It is not attached to the adjacent teeth like a dental bridge. The post replaces the tooth root and is implanted where the tooth root used to be. When the post fuses with the bone, the dentist attaches an abutment and then a crown for the visible portion of the tooth.
It’s important to understand that a tooth implant involves several elements:
The post (screw)
The abutment
The crown
So, how much does a tooth implant cost?
Give me a rough estimate….
In Michigan, you can expect to pay from $1,000 to $3,000 for one implant (the post that is screwed in).
Then there is the abutment (connector piece) and crown. These fundamentals could cost from $900 to $3,000.
This would bring the total price tag from $1900 to north of $5,000.
Remember, this is for ONE post, abutment, and crown.
What if I need a whole bunch of implants?
Some people spend between $20,000 and $50,000 for a total mouth reconstruction.
Wow!
Implants seem really costly…
An implant procedure is an oral surgery. It requires consultation and additional visits. It requires X-rays and impressions. You might need bone grafting to augment the bone where the implant will be placed.
There are indirect expenses as well…
Your dentist will pick up the components from a dental supplier. The dental crown is custom-made in a lab. Dental laboratories have pricey equipment. They employ professionals who are specially trained.
Consider your dentist’s schooling. Just one year of dental school costs between $30,000 and $70,000… (Don’t forget, your dentist earned an undergraduate degree before attending dental school.)
Your dentist employs a team of professionals. A dental office must purchase and maintain expensive equipment and supplies.
According to the American Dental Association, it costs at least $500,000 to open a dental practice. The yearly overhead can run over $200,000.
Does my dental insurance cover dental implant procedures?
Some dental insurance carriers cover dental implants. Some only cover the crown portion. Others don’t cover any portion of the procedure. It’s unfortunate that more dental insurers don’t cover implants. They are significantly less expensive over the long run. They preserve bone. They don’t require removing tooth structure like dental bridges. They don’t have as many complications as dental bridges.
Talk to your provider. If your insurance company doesn’t cover them, or if you don’t have dental insurance, talk to us about financing.
Dental implants are pricey. No doubt about it.
But if you talk to our patients, each one will tell you that they are worth every penny.
When you think about getting into shape, your teeth are probably not the first body parts that come to mind. But at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA , we can provide a smile redesign with bonding and enamel shaping, and you won’t even have to join a gym!
Bonding is a great way to improve the appearance of teeth that are cracked, stained, broken, chipped, or have large spaces between them. The process consists of applying tooth-colored materials and “bonding” them to the tooth surface.
Often used in conjunction with bonding, enamel shaping is the process of modifying teeth by contouring or removing enamel. It’s a quick, painless procedure with dramatic results that are almost immediate.
The dental team at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA prioritizes patient communication and would be happy to answer any questions you might have about these and other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale also come to us for general dentistry and dental implants. Contact us today!
Dental implants have been called one of the most important steps forward in the history of modern dentistry, and we are proud to make them available to our patients at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA.
Dental implants as we know them today have been around for decades, but they’re one of those things that most people to learn about until they need one. When they do, certain questions crop up pretty consistently:
Are dental implant procedures too expensive?
Are implants safe?
Are they experimental?
Is the surgery painful?
Does it take a long time to recover?
The answer to all of these is short and sweet: No. Dental implants are an investment in a better quality of life
They might not be cheap. But, when it comes to a permanent addition to your mouth, why would you want it to be? Plus, you gain so much more than a titanium post and porcelain crown or denture.
You regain the ability to chew steak and raw vegetables. You gain self-confidence. You preserve the shape of your face. You prevent your teeth from shifting after an extraction. You avoid embarrassing dentures slipping around in your mouth.
Permanent dental implants are a safe, mainstream dental procedure and they are definitely worth it! The cost of not doing anything could be far worse.
In healthy patients who are good candidates for the procedure, implants have a success rate around 98%. If you get a permanent dental implant, it could last the rest of your life!
Something else to note is that dental implant surgery involves very little pain and patients usually recover swiftly.
The procedure doesn’t usually take very long, though it depends on how many implants you’re getting. When it’s finished you may experience:
Minimal pain at the implant site
Minimal bleeding
Swelling and/or bruising of the gums and cheeks
These effects should subside after a few days. Ibuprofen and ice packs usually take care of the pain. Our team will provide you with specific care instructions when you leave the office, in order to ensure your implant’s longevity.
Dental implants from Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL restore smiles and change lives! Patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to us for this and other restorative dentistry options, as well as extractions. To find out if we are the right practice for you, contact us today!
Hello, I’m from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA. Thanks for visiting my blog. In today’s post, we will focus on something that happens occasionally when a patient requests cosmetic dentistry from their dentist.
Let me set the stage. The patient comes in for a consultation about a smile makeover. We’ll call him Mr. Jones. The dentist listens carefully as he explains the esthetic problems that he wants to remedy. Mr. Jones wants to fix two chipped teeth, get a dental implant for a tooth that is missing altogether, and whiten his whole smile. He describes what he envisions for his smile after undergoing treatment.
The dentist performs an examination of his entire mouth and takes x-rays. The dentist discovers some additional problems. There are three teeth with moderate decay, one tooth with extreme decay, gum disease, an old crown with a crack in it, and severe bone recession at the potential dental implant site where the tooth was extracted ten years ago.
The dentist explains that these dilemmas need to be addressed before the smile transformation is performed. Mr. Jones says that the smile makeover is his first priority and plans to deal with the other problems sometime in the future.
How does the dentist advise Mr. Jones? The dentist will probably explain that the lasting success of a cosmetic dental procedure such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or tooth whitening is influenced by the condition of the mouth at the time of treatment. There must be a solid, healthy foundation, so to speak, on which to build the smile makeover.
First things first. It makes no sense to attach a veneer to a decayed tooth that may need a root canal. A dental implant may not integrate with the surrounding bone structure if placed at a site where there is bone recession. Tooth whitening will probably not produce favorable results where there is gum disease and exposed tooth roots.
Can Mr. Jones ever have his dream smile? Yes! There are treatments to correct all of the problems mentioned previously. But just like many other things in life, the order of operations is critical.
If you are interested in a smile makeover or simply need a check-up, schedule an appointment by calling us. I look forward to discussing both your oral health and esthetic concerns.
Countless people see their stress levels rise as they anticipate an upcoming dental appointment. It’s so common there’s a term for it: dental anxiety. But a calm and comfortable atmosphere, as well as a focus on patient communication, can often be the best answer to this sort of stress. This is what we offer at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA can help even severe cases get the dental care they deserve.
Some people get so concerned at the thought of a dental checkup that they’ll put it off for months, even years. In severe cases, they’ll avoid the dentist completely, and trust to daily flossing and brushing to keep their teeth and gums in good shape. We’ll never discourage regular flossing and brushing, but skipping the dentist is never a good idea.
No matter how good a job you do with dental hygiene, even if it’s brushing after every meal and right before bed, it is no substitute for a dental checkup. But we understand how difficult it is, for whatever reason, for some people to get themselves to our office. Our unique, patient-centered approach has helped hundreds of people get through their appointments.
We pride ourselves in three calming, anxiety-reducing factors:
Patient Communication: Most fear stems from ignorance. With our direct approach, you’ll have all the information about your procedure communicated to you in simple terms. This way, you can choose which treatments you are comfortable.
Topical Anesthesia: Over the last few decades, local anesthetics have become incredibly effective at numbing pain. This, combined with a dental team that is ready to coach you through your treatment, means you are in safe, pain-free hands.
Patient Amenities: Whether you need a glass of water, a re-explanation of a procedure, or even calming music, we are at your service. We will strive to make this appointment as close to a spa experience as possible!
Never take the chance of compromising your dental health by skipping the dentist. Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA can help you overcome your dental phobia. Patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale rely on us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
Did you know that your smile is one of the most important parts of your first impression? We at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA want to make your first impression stunning.
In a Match.com survey, over 5,000 single men and women were asked what they found most attractive in a potential dating partner. 60% of men and 71% of women said straight, white teeth and an attractive smile was the most important feature.
Research by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), found that a healthy, beautiful smile makes you appear more intelligent, successful, friendly and interesting.
Research reveals that many people believe when meeting someone for the first time, an attractive smile makes a deeper impression than the first thing a person says.
Hopefully, we’ve successfully made the case that most individuals place great importance on the quality of a person’s smile.
Have you ever wondered how a more attractive smile could improve your life?
Our smile makeover patients have discovered the power of a beautiful smile firsthand. Not surprisingly, they not only appreciate their attractive smile for themselves, they feel more confident in their personal and professional circles.
It starts with a consultation where I work with each patient to create a custom treatment plan.
What would you like to change about your smile?
Tooth stains?
Crooked teeth?
Chipped teeth?
Missing teeth?
Gum recession?
There are cosmetic dental procedures that can correct each of these issues and more!
If not now, when?
There has never been a better time to improve your smile. It’s an investment in yourself that will pay off every day.
At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA, we can make sure that you have you confidence. We can give you the “it” factor. We serve patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale and and also perform sedation dentistry, dental implants, and more. Schedule an appointment today.
In this post from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA, we are talking about nutrition. There is nothing that impacts your smile as much as your eating habits.
1. Rinse after eating
Rinse your mouth with a drink of water or brush your teeth after meals. People who snack all day long subject their teeth to sugars and food debris. Planned meals with brushing in between keep your oral health on top. 2. Avoid sugary gum
Sugar-free gum doesn’t leave sugar to break down on your teeth and jeopardize your hard-earned healthy gums. If you are a gum chewer, do your smile a favor and go sugarless.
3. Avoid sticky foods
Sticky foods have a habit of clinging to your teeth, which puts you at risk of decay. Toffee, gummy candy, fruit snacks, and even excessive dried fruit can be risky for smiles. Brushing doesn’t always remove the obstinate particles, so remember to floss after eating sticky items.
4. Consume nutritious foods
A balanced diet with a variety of vitamins and minerals can keep the immune system strong and able to resist infection.
5. Say ‘cheese!’
Cheese contains calcium and protects teeth from acid that weakens tooth enamel. (It’s vital not to go overboard as cheese is high in fat.)
6. Avoid acidic foods
Acid will eat away enamel over time: lemons, red wine, soda pop. Limit direct, constant, consistent exposure. All things in moderation.
At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA we are passionate about dental health. We offer complete general dentistry, and patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale also improve their smiles with our cosmetic dentistry. Call to schedule an appointment today!
This place is great! State of the art equipment. Friendly staff and they have cookies! ?? Fresh ones!
Vanessa P
I have finally found a dentist/hygienist that I feel comfortable with. I was there today and felt relaxed the entire time and am actually looking forward to going back for more dental work. Weird, but true.
Carol S
I came in and I felt so welcomed with the lady I met up front. The assistant and hygienist was so amazing and made me feel so comfortable. And then the dr he was awesome I will definitely make this my new home!
Anonymous
The staff here is always happy to help me with my questions and concerns.
Evan C.
Wow what a great place: treated like a queen Staff are friendly and genuine care about my health.
Noreen S.
What a warm and professional office. It really shows that they care a great deal for their patients. Dr.McCulla is wonderful and has an amazing chairside manner.
Charlene T
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