How to Determine if Your Crown (or) Veneer Will Fit Right

Hello, everyone. I’m going to let you in on a little secret today. One of the best ways to determine whether your crown or veneer restoration fits before the dentist cements, is have them take an x-ray. You can tell pretty quickly if there is a big gap between the crown or the restoration. At this point you can assess if the fitting needs to be closed more before he cements it. Hopefully that helps some people out and keeps you from getting your crown that doesn’t fit quite right and will lead to problems in the future.

~ Dr Andrew Spath, Newport Beach CA Dentist.

COVID-19 Update

We hope you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice as you may have seen during your previous visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you a about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations. You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example for your safety when returning to our office the following protocols will be in effect.

  • All staff will be wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is disposed of after each patient.
  • We have installed new state of the art HEPA air filters in each operatory. Each filter is designed for a space of 700 sq. ft. and each operatory is approximately 100 sq. ft.
  • We are lengthening the procedure times and the times between appointments to allow for double sterilization of each operatory after each procedure. You may notice a slight changing in your appointment time due to this.
  • Your temperature will be taken and documented upon arrival.
  • A quick health questionnaire will be requested from you upon arrival
  • Only one patient will be allowed in the reception area at a time to ensure social distancing.
  • We will be requesting patients wear a face mask when able to during their visit.
  • Each morning our staff will undergo a series of questions that would indicate any risk for COVID-19 in addition to having their temperature taken.
  • We will be working the landlord on cleaning all common areas in the building including the elevator, door handles, and bathrooms.
  • Patients over the age of 65 are advised to consider postponing any non-emergency or elective dental care.
  • As added safety measures we recommend that patients with known pre-existing medical conditions including obesity, diabetes, COPD, hypertension, cardio-vascular, or immune-suppressed individuals consider postponing any non-emergency or elective dental care.

In addition to the protocols above we will be implementing precautions to limit production of aerosols including utilization of rubber dam, Isolite suction, and temporarily eliminating the use of the dental hygiene air polisher and ultrasonic instrument.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding while these safety protocols are in place. We feel confident that by following these protocols we can safely practice dentistry and provide you the best possible care. Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends to the office.

When to Consider Dentures & Today’s Technology

Transitioning to prosthetic teeth or dentures can be a cumbersome time that many don’t want to accept.. However, with breakthroughs in dental & denture technology, today’s denture offers a very realistic and very function option for teeth. Listen to Newport Beach Dentist Dr. Andrew Spath go over dentures options for his patients.

To learn more, ask a question, or anything else oabout the adavances in dentures, call our office and one our friendly staff will be there to greet you, (949) 612-2356 or reach us via our email!

Gum Disease: Causes, Detection, and Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Have you noticed blood in your sink after brushing your teeth lately? Bleeding while brushing can be one of the first warning signs of Periodontal Disease. In its earliest stages, it manifests as gingivitis and only infects your gums. However, if left untreated, the disease can travel below your gum line, infecting your bones, and evolving into Periodontal Disease.

The Prevalence of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease, or more commonly known as gum disease, is a common infection that involves inflammation around the tooth. This inflammation damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the tooth. Without treatment, the alveolar bone around the teeth can be lost over time. The disease can also cause tooth loss and can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other health complications.

According to the recent findings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately half of Americans aged 30 and up have periodontal disease. These findings indicate that the disease affects upwards of 64.7 million Americans. A variety of risk factors can be an indicator if someone will experience the disease. Some can be attributed to inherited or genetic susceptibility, but others are caused by smoking, lack of adequate hygiene practices, age, diet, health history, and certain medications.

What Causes Periodontal Disease

Microorganisms, such as bacteria, can stick to both the surface of the tooth and in the pockets surrounding it. Once this bacteria has the opportunity to multiply, the immune system reacts, releasing toxins, and inflammation occurs. Bacterial plaque, which takes the form of a sticky, colorless membrane, can develop over the surface of the teeth and is often the most common cause of Periodontal Disease. If the plaque is not removed, it can eventually harden to form tartar.

Luckily, most cases of gum disease are completely preventable through good dental hygiene!

Treating Periodontal Disease

Maintaining good oral hygiene practices is one of the easiest and most effective ways to treat gum disease. Proper dental care involves brushing twice daily and flossing once daily.

A more in-depth treatment can include scaling, which involves a dental professional cleaning below the gumline. This can be done using hand tools or an ultrasonic device that breaks up plaque and tartar. This method of cleaning is recommended to be completed twice a year.

While these tips can be useful in preventing and treating the disease, it’s important to note that there is no replacement for 6-month check-ups with a dental professional.

Finally, A Self-Assessment App For Your Oral Health

Don’t waste your time searching resources for your oral health care through search engines anymore! The Healthy Mouth App the Kois Center recently released has everything you need. From smile reports to the contact info of dentists near you. Check out what this app is all about:

mouth app

Key Features

  • Take the assessment and check out what the app has to say about the 4 different categories it reports for you:
    1) Smile Characteristics.
    2) Gum Health.
    3) Bite and Jaw Health.
    4) Tooth Health.
  • See the forecast on your heart disease risk score.
  • Bring your tracked brushing and flossing habits into your dental appointments.
  • Have access to over 75 articles in the Patient Education Section.
  • Locate dentists that are uniquely trained to review the reports with you and schedule directly through the app.

Process

5 Minutes. That’s all you need from start to finish to get through the initial setup! This app can get you registered, the algorithm and analysis reports, and local dentist’s contact info in the time it takes you to listen to your favorite song!

  • Download, then create your account within the app.
  • The apps algorithm that will analyze your responses and provide you with risk estimates for all aspects of your mouth.
  • You will then be directed, within the app, to local dental offices that can interpret your results.
  • Once you pick the dental office of your choice, you can schedule an appointment for any concerns you may have that may have come up in your assessment results.

Benefit

Just a tap away and you have all the resources that the internet could provide you with, but in about half the time and almost no effort. This app will centralize your oral care and  make your dental care easier to maintain in the long run.

Contact us and we can answer any questions you have about the app process and reports produced! Give a call (949) 612-2356 or reach us via our email!

Download The Healthy Mouth App

Download Now

Sleep Apnea and Your Oral Health

Sleep Apnea and Your Oral Health

Image result for cant sleep gif

Have you been waking up feeling lethargic and exhausted, even after 8 hours of sleep? Sleep apnea could be the reason! What is sleep apnea? What causes it? And who can help me? These are some of the very first questions that come to mind when experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea. After asking said questions, it’s important to know exactly what these answers are before moving on to the next possible causes of your sleep issues.

Let’s go over these questions and if you need to follow up with more concerns… you know where to find us!

What is sleep apnea?

The straight forward definition for sleep apnea is: A chronic condition that causes people to stop breathing at different times throughout their sleep cycles. Now, there are 2 different kinds of sleep apneas: Obstructive and central. If you have any of the below symptoms it could mean you have one of these:

Potential Symptoms

  • Long pauses in your breathing while asleep.
  • Gasping for air while sleeping.
  • Restless sleep.
  • Dry mouth or sore throat when waking up.
  • Being exhausted every morning, even after 8 hours of sleep.

What causes sleep apnea?

As discussed above, there are 2 forms of it- Obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Let’s start with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is the most common form and is when your upper airway gets blocked when you’re asleep, making it hard on your diaphragm to draw in air. You can reduce your risk of having this form of sleep apnea by losing weight, avoiding drinking alcohol 4-6 hours before bed, and sleeping on your side.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is when your brain isn’t sending your muscles the right signals to breathe correctly. This is sometimes caused by medications that you may be taking, or it could be related to an illness from which your lower brain stem is affected.

Who can help?

Now we come to the most important question of all, who can help? Dentists are valuable partners when it comes to the study and treatment of sleep apnea- they know the ins and outs of the mouth. Not to mention they are the experts on your oral health and breathing is a huge part of that! These are a few things that dentists can prescribe and help you with once you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea by your doctor:

  • An oral appliance is a “mouth-guard” type of appliance and the most widely preferred! It is quiet, portable, and easy to wear.
  • CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This is very effective for OSA because it provides forced air to prevent any obstruction from happening. However, you do have to wear a mask when you sleep.

There is a surgery that can help treat sleep apnea as well. This surgery is done by implanting a medical device that electrically stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to the tongue- basically a pacemaker for your tongue. This does not cause pain and all it really does is cause your tongue to be pushed forward, away from the back of your airway. This is only a treatment for OSA, not CSA, and is usually only performed when the other 2 treatments are not tolerated.

Contact us and we can set up an initial exam to give you the proper information you need to proceed with whichever treatment option works best for you! Give a call (949) 612-2356 or reach us via our email!

Non-opioid pain management for dentistry with exparel

Let’s put an END to Opioid abuse.

It’s been in the media for sometime now and the matter of fact is that the opioid epidemic is still too prevalent. That is why Dr. Andrew Spath and his talented Newport Beach staff has made a point to further their treatment education and learn about Exparel, a newer dental option that allows pain management for days after the procedure. Watch Dr. Spath give a bit of insight to this product in this quick video.

What is Exparel?

EXPAREL is a single-dose infiltration or as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block that provides significant long-lasting pain control in effort to reduce the use of opioids during post surgical pain.
– Original Source: Exparel.com

How it Works

Exparel is revolutionary nerve blocking injection that is done soon after an operation, in this case a dental operation. It’s intended to provide ample pain management for 3-4 days after the operation which is the average recovery time for most dental procedures. While some procedures will require extra pain management, the idea behind Exparel is to reduce the number of pills a patient has to take and to deter the growth of the Opioid epidemic.

A Patient’s Experience with Exparel

A recent patient of ours was nice enough to jump in front of the spotlight for a little Q & A about his experience using this Exparel. He had a new set of dental implants just a few days prior. Not only does he look fantastic, his normalcy of life has stayed pretty consistent.

I’m always hesitant with Doctors and procedures, but you made it so easy. There was a little pain the first day, but I only took two pills.
-Edwin

To learn more about this product, a certain procedure, to ask a question, or anything else dental related, be sure to call our office and one our friendly staff members will be there to greet you, (949) 612-2356 or reach us via our email!

How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist in Newport Beach

First Off, You’re Worth It.

Invest in yourself and live the life you desire.

Updated 10/14/19

As a premier Cosmetic Dentist in Newport Beach, I understand the commitment that goes into making that decision. Time, money, and results are all things one should consider when seeking cosmetic dentistry. Over the years and after many-many treatments as well as advanced education, here are 3 things that have made patients the happiest!

1) If You Must, Travel.

Cosmetic dentistry is a big step in anyone’s life.  It involves time and money, something we all could use more of. However, this commitment will do wonders for your happiness, vitality, and appearance. If you must, travel. Check out the map below for a visual of where we are located!

2) Quality over Quantity.

If done properly, your treatment should not only look great, but endure the test of time. While there are some outliers like whitening and people’s habits, treatments like crowns, veneers, gold restoration, and a few others should be a one-time procedure. Choose a quality dentist and get the results you deserve.

Most dentist offices that I’ve gone to are nice. But Dr. Spath’s office takes it to the next level. I also love how up to date the office is making it feel like I was at home. I’ve never minded going to the dentist but I kind of look forward to visiting.

3) Education and Experience.

Do your due diligence before making your final decision. Whomever you choose, that cosmetic dentist should have years of continued cosmetic dentistry education and experience.

Composite Veneers – Smile Transformation

Ten Veneers After Invisalign

Ten Veneers for a Custom Designed Smile

To learn more, ask a question, or anything else oral health, call our office and one our friendly staff will be there to greet you, (949) 612-2356 or reach us via our email!

Newport Beach Dentist describes the benefits of Invisalign

Achieving the smile you desire doesn’t have to be done with conventional metal brackets and wires, you can make it almost invisible. For those Newport Beach area patients interested in improving the alignment of their smile, there is an alternative called Invisalign. While most of you have probably have some familiarity with the product, the real benefits and time of treatment might actually shock you! The technology has come that far. Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS in Newport Beach offers his patients an alternative called Accelerated Invisalign.

Invisalign is an orthodontic solution that treats mild to moderate misalignment and malocclusion. This method of treatment uses clear aligners, which are discreet and effective at improving the dental arch and the bite. At the practice of Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS, we have years of experiencing providing teenagers and adults with this orthodontic service.

We have helped many patients improve their smiles without the need for conventional metal bracket and wire braces used in the past. Invisalign is an alternative that is more widely accepted in social situations.

Here are some benefits to the Invisalign treatment!

  • Invisalign aligner trays are made with high quality, medical-grade plastic that is clear and discreet.
  • Invisalign is effective at readjusting the teeth and helping ease them into their ideal positions.
  • Invisalign does not require patients to change their eating habits since the trays can be removed for eating and drinking.
  • Invisalign aligners are easy to remove and care for.
  • Invisalign aligners allow patients to maintain their oral hygiene without brackets and wires increasing the risk of periodontal disease or tooth decay.
  • Invisalign aligners are comfortable to wear, unlike brackets and wires that can irritate the sensitive skin of the mouth.
  • Invisalign is affordable and is often comparable in price with conventional braces.
  • Invisalign is covered by many insurance providers making it an economic option for many families on a budget.

Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS starts the Invisalign process with an initial consultation appointment. During this visit, patients can discuss their dental concerns with their dentist and undergo an examination to determine if this method of treating malocclusion is appropriate. Invisalign is best used in situations where there is mild to moderate misalignment of the dental arch or the bite. More severe cases may require the assistance of a true orthodontist to address.

We are here to help, so reach if you have a question or would like to schedule your consultation! Call us at (949) 612-2356 or reach us online.

7 Reasons to Consider Dental Implants

Dental implants are a very popular solution for patients who are experiencing the loss of natural teeth. There are many reasons to consider dental implants, and Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS of the Newport Beach area can consult with patients to determine if they are appropriate for their smiles.

1) Function
Dental implants use the jawbone for stability and strength, so they function just as natural teeth do. The implant acts as a tooth root would, and osseointegration helps the bone wrap around the restoration for superior strength. Biting forces are distributed to the jawbone in the same way they do with natural teeth.

2) Beautiful
Dental implants can be restored with bridges and crowns, which are fabricated to match the existing teeth. This ensures they look beautiful and provide a discreet method of restoration after tooth loss.

3) Versatile
Dental implants can be used for single or multiple tooth replacement. They can be restored with crowns, bridges, and dentures, depending on the needs of patients.

4) Affordable
Considering dental implants can last a lifetime, they have value like no other restoration. While they may cost more upfront, they are highly successful in placement and do not require further treatment over the course of time.

5) Maintain Bone
When natural teeth are missing, the bone below may disintegrate and weaken. By placing dental implants, patients can maintain the jawbone and maintain their facial contours. Lost jawbone can result in a “sunken in” appearance around the jaw, which is often associated with denture wearers.

6) Permanent
Dental implants do not need to be removed as dentures do, allowing patients to have their dental implants placed and not worry about removal for cleaning.

7) Maintain the Smile
Not only can the placement of dental implants maintain the beauty of the smile, they can also provide patients with a way of avoiding the shifting of existing teeth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth have a tendency to drift out of place. By implanting a restoration, the existing teeth can maintain their alignment and positioning.