How Do I Know If My Toothache is an Emergency?

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Toothaches are not pleasant, but you might not consider yours an emergency if it isn’t severe. The truth is that an aching tooth might not pose an immediate threat to your dental health, but if not treated, it can grow worse and become a serious threat.

The question remains, however, should you schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist immediately, or just wait until your next dental checkup and cleaning? Unless your next appointment is tomorrow, then you might want to consider the following when deciding if your toothache is a dental emergency. (more…)

filed under: Emergency Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

Why Adult Tooth Loss Happens

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Although it happens often, losing your adult teeth isn’t something that comes naturally with age. Actually, it’s something you can avoid if you protect your dental health from the most common causes of tooth loss.

Even if you do lose an adult tooth, the good news is that it can be replaced, and your smile saved, with a lifelike prosthesis – such as a dental implant. By restoring the vital functions of your lost tooth and its root(s), a dental implant can help you preserve your long-term dental health and prevent further tooth loss. (more…)

filed under: Restorative Dentistry, Tooth Loss

How Much Do You Know About Tooth Extraction?

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Extracting a tooth might not seem like the most appealing prospect. Nevertheless, given the prevalence of severe dental issues and trauma, tooth extraction remains a vital procedure for patients with one or more teeth that are beyond saving.

Still, preventing the need to remove the tooth in the first place is preferable, and understanding tooth extraction and why it is required can help you better preserve your natural, healthy smile. (more…)

filed under: Restorative Dentistry, Tooth Extractions

When Should I Start Worrying About Wisdom Teeth?

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“Wisdom teeth” is the common, informal name for your third set of permanent molars, and they are often associated with a number of dental health complications. As the last teeth to erupt, wisdom teeth do not typically become problematic until early adulthood, and for some patients, the molars may never cause any trouble at all.

The problem with wisdom teeth is that they do not always grow correctly, becoming impacted by molars that are already there and causing sometimes-severe dental discomfort, and more. If you’re wondering when you should start worrying about wisdom teeth, then speak with your dentist as soon as possible to determine if you should consider extracting them. (more…)

filed under: Tooth Extractions, Wisdom Teeth

What Does an Oral Examination Reveal?

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Oral examinations are a vital part of effective dental care. By routinely performing a comprehensive exam, or checkup, your dentist can accurately diagnose existing dental issues and recommend appropriate, custom treatment options. But what exactly does your oral examination reveal, and what can it tell your dentist about your dental health?

During an exam, your dentist will perform a visual inspection and use digital imaging technology to inspect your teeth, gums, and mouth and throat tissues to ensure that everything is healthy. If an issue prevents itself, such as one of those listed below, then your dentist will consult with you to explain your condition and your options for addressing it. (more…)

filed under: Oral Health

Explaining Dental Implant Placement

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Dental implants are small, titanium cylinders that are surgically inserted into your jawbone, and are used as an anchor for your replacement teeth. In some cases, a dental implant procedure may include visiting one specialist to place the implant posts, and another to secure your dental crown, bridge, or denture to them. At Cerritos Dental Surgery, however, Dr. Hofkes can place your dental implant posts and restore them with a lifelike prosthesis, all in the same office. (more…)

filed under: Dental Implants, Oral Surgery

Ask Yourself If You Exhibit Sleep Apnea Symptoms

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You might not even realize that you snore unless the noise is loud enough to disturb your sleeping partner. Likewise, you might not realize that you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea unless you start to experience one or more of its related side effects. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA for short, affects more people than many realize, despite the fact that its most prominent symptom is loud, abrasive snoring. To determine if you should seek a sleep apnea assessment from your dentist, ask yourself if you exhibit any of the following sleep apnea symptoms. (more…)

filed under: Oral Health, Sleep Apnea

What’s Happening In Cerritos?

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At Cerritos Dental Surgery, we provide or services to the lovely community of Cerritos. We like to take time in our blog to remind our patients and our readers about all the wonderful and exciting things happening in the community. In addition, we want to remind you that we’re available for your oral surgery needs, from replacing missing teeth with dental implants to removing impacted wisdom teeth.

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filed under: Community Events

Nitrous Oxide Vs. IV Sedation

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If you’re afraid to visit your dentist, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety and fear is fairly common, but that’s why we have sedation dentistry! Using sedation, your dentist can calm your nerves and make for a very comfortable appointment – whether it be a cleaning, checkup, or even something more extensive. When it comes to sedation, however, you have several options; oral medication, nitrous oxide (also known as ‘laughing gas’), IV sedation, and even general anesthesia. Each method of sedation is different, just like each patient – depending on your severity of anxiety, your dentist will recommend the sedation that will best optimize your comfort level. (more…)

filed under: Sedation Dentistry