Laser Dentistry-A New Way to Manage Gum Disease

Laser Dentistry-Enjoy a More Gentle Dental Experience

What is Gum Disease?

Inflamed, bleeding gums, bad breath, and gum recession are common signs of gingivitis and gum disease.  Gum disease is caused by bacteria in periodontal pockets, deep in the gum tissue down to the tooth roots.  Routine hygiene, such as brushing and flossing, helps to get rid of plaque, but if the plaque solidifies and forms tartar, brushing and flossing will not remove it.  The professional skills of dentists or dental hygienists are required to regularly perform cleaning treatments to remove this tartar.

Here are some warning signs of Gum Disease:

·       Gums that bleed easily

·       Red, swollen, tender gums

·       Gums that have pulled away from the teeth

·       Persistent bad breath or bad taste

·       Permanent teeth that are loose or separating

·       Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

·       Any change in the fit of partial dentures

Gum Disease risk factors:

·       Poor oral hygiene

·       Smoking or chewing tobacco

·       Genetics

·       Crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean

·       Pregnancy/hormonal changes

·       Diabetes

·       Medications, including steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives

It’s Not Just Gum Disease. It’s your Health.

If you have been told that you have gum disease, you are not alone.  Nearly 70% of adults have some form of gum disease.  The most important thing to know about gum disease is that you shouldn’t ignore it.

Left untreated, gum disease will result in receding gums, bone loss, and ultimately may cost you your teeth.  Additionally, studies show that periodontal disease is associated with heart disease, diabetes and cancer.  So, if you have gum disease, it’s very important for your overall health that you get treatment.

 

Finally, a New Way to Manage Gum Disease

Now, with Laser Dentistry, we can control the bacteria in your mouth to prevent the progression of gum disease and bring your gums back to health.  Laser Dentistry may be recommended as part of your treatment plan during the early stages of gum disease to prevent the progression of this disease.

Laser Dentistry offers significant advantages including:

·       Eliminates bleeding gums

·       Reduces discomfort associated with red, swollen, tender gums

·       Promotes more rapid healing

Dr. Anna Lee is a General & Cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you experience any of the warning signs and symptoms of gum disease, call our office for a dental checkup. Ask Dr. Lee or one of our staff if you are a candidate for Laser Periodontal Therapy, and help us take better care of you and your oral health.  Please visit us at www.annaleedds.com or call for a dental checkup at 626-335-5114.

Laser Dentistry-Teeth Whitening

Epic Laser Dentistry-Enjoy a More Gentle Dental Experience

Get a More Confident Smile

Your smile says more about you than any other physical feature; it is the first thing other people notice.  Imagine the difference a whiter smile could make for you.

Epic Laser Whitening is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure.  It’s safe, effective and fast.  In just 20 minutes, your teeth will be dramatically whiter.

Epic Laser Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results.  The convenience of Epic Laser Whitening in comparison to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

The Benefits of Epic Laser Dentistry

A hydrogen peroxide-based whitening gel is applied to the teeth and activated by the laser.  The Epic treatment process lightens dark, yellowed, or discolored enamel caused by tobacco, food, and beverages such as tea, coffee, and red wine.  Results are noticeable immediately after the procedure.

Convenient for your Time and Schedule

Epic is an affordable investment in the beauty of your teeth and overall sense of welling-being.  For those with time constraints, Epic is the ideal option.  The laser whitening procedure is so short, only 20 minutes, which means less time is spent driving back and forth to the dentist’s office.  It also means that less time will be spent away from work and less time will be spent sitting in the dental chair resulting in a more comfortable experience.  No longer is there a need to squeeze a lengthy appointment into your schedule or deal with the hassle of inconvenient, time-consuming nightly trays to achieve results.  What is your time worth?

Epic Laser Teeth Whitening

·       Fast

Yellowed and stained teeth can now be whitened in as little as 20 minutes, right here in our office, enabling you to get back to your daily routine that much faster.

·       Effective

Years of stain build-up can be effectively erased with the Epic laser treatment.  Patients will be able to notice results immediately after the procedure.

·       Easy

We proudly offer Epic laser teeth whitening system.  It provides a less-sensitive experience than other whitening systems, making Epic an easy choice for you to brighten your smile.

Dr. Anna Lee is a General  & Cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you would like to enjoy the benefits of a whiter, healthier looking smile, let’s talk.  We invite you to make an appointment with our office to learn more about the Epic Laser Whitening and the beautiful results you can expect. Please visit us at www.annaleedds.com or call for a FREE consultation at 626-335-5114.

Laser Dentistry-Oral Lesions (canker sores & cold sores)

Laser Dentistry-Enjoy a More Gentle Dental Experience

Canker sores and cold sores are a painful nuisance.  They can make talking or eating difficult, and always seem to take forever to go away.   Fortunately, laser dentistry can safely and efficiently treat these sores on your lips, tongue, inner cheek and gums – often relieving pain immediately.

Once your canker sore or cold sore has been diagnosed, laser dental treatment is simple:

·       Laser energy is applied to the sore for just a few minutes

·       Most people experience immediate pain relief

·       Sores typically heal faster when treated with laser

·       Potentially avoid prescription medication for your sore, avoiding its side effects and possible drug interactions

Canker sores = Aphthous ulcers

·       Cause: stress, poor nutrition, food allergies, illness, hormonal changes, trauma

·       Symptoms: painful, open sores that appear inside lips & cheeks, at base of gums, or under tongue

Cold sores = herpetic lesions

·       Cause: outbreak of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1)

·       Symptoms: appear around the lips or at the corners of the mouth

The Benefits of Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is one of the most advanced dental treatments today.  Laser uses unique technology that combines focused light and thermal energy for a highly precise, exceptionally gentle dental experience.  Laser allows Dr. Anna Lee to perform a wide range of procedures with benefits including:

·       Faster healing time and less trauma to gums

·       Less anesthetic for most procedures

·       Less post-operative discomfort

·       Making dental care a more relaxing experience for you

Dr. Anna Lee is a General & Cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you are experiencing discomfort associated with canker or cold sores, let’s talk.   Our office invites you to make an appointment to learn more about Laser Dentistry and how it may provide the relief and results you need. Please visit us at     www.annaleedds.com or call for a FREE consultation at 626-335-5114.

The effect of lip and tongue ties on breastfeeding

The effect of lip tie on breastfeeding

Lip tie is a band of thick tissue that connects the underside of the lip to the gums and restricts the normal movements of the lip.  Dr. Ghaheri wrote and explained the effect of upper lip tie on breastfeeding on his blog to the parents on March 6, 2014.   He wrote that the lip tie can affect the baby’s ability to flange the upper lip during breastfeeding:

·       “The shorter and tighter the frenulum the more uncomfortable it is for the baby to flange the lip outward. The baby would either pop off the breast completely or would briefly relax and latch off the breast. Mom would have to flip the lip upward and get the baby latch on repeatedly. ”

·       “Upper lip tie affects breastfeeding is based on muscle flexibility.   The muscle around the lip of an upper lip tie cannot be pushed up toward the nose. This puts an unnatural amount of tension on the muscle of the lip. The baby cannot and would not open widely if the lip is tense.”

The effect of tongue tie on breastfeeding

Tongue tie is a band of thick tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. Tongue tie restricts the movement of the tongue and causes problems for the baby to latch onto the mother’s breast during breastfeeding. Ultrasound studies have shown that the tongue movements of tongue tied babies are different from those without tongue ties. The studies showed that tongue tied babies had difficulty in achieving a good latch during breastfeeding.  They were not able to drain breast milk effectively from the breasts and caused nipple pain and damage.

Lip and tongue tied babies may exhibit some of these symptoms during breastfeeding:

·       Difficulty in achieving a good latch

·       Falls to sleep while attempting to nurse

·       Slides off the breast when attempting to latch

·       Reflux (clicking, swallowing air during nursing)

·       Gassiness, vomiting, spitting up

·       Poor weight gain

·       Short sleep episodes (feeding every 1-2 hours)

·       Milk leaking out sides of mouth during feedings

Mothers may exhibit some of these symptoms during breastfeeding with lip and tongue tied babies:

·       Painful latching of infant onto the breast

·       Gumming or chewing of the nipples

·       Bleeding, creased, cracked or blanching of nipples

·       Poor or incomplete breast drainage

·       Plugged ducts

·       Mastitis

·       Over or under supply of breast milk

These are some of the lip and tongue tied babies who are treated with laser frenectomy:

Baby Kathy

·       7 weeks old and parents wanted an evaluation of lip and tongue ties

·       History: baby had tongue tie frenectomy in the hospital before discharge. It appeared that only the anterior portion was clipped and had reattachment.

·       Baby symptoms: did not open mouth wide when latching, cupped tongue when crying, bubble palate, clicking, spitting up, fell asleep while attempting to nurse, short sleep episodes (feeding every 1-2 hours)

·       Mother’s symptoms: painful, cracked, pinched and blanched nipples, milk blebs, plugged ducts, poor breast drainage

·       Diagnosis: Lip and Tongue ties

·       Recommended treatment: laser lip and tongue tie frenectomy

·       Parents accepted recommended treatment

·       Instructed mom to perform aftercare and sucking exercises for 4 weeks

·       Parent and baby returned in one week for post treatment check up

·       Instructed mom to follow up with lactation consultant and body workers after the procedure to ensure optimal results.

1 week post treatment checkup:

·       Baby looked healthy and gained some weight

·       Both lip and tongue were healing nicely

·       Baby symptoms had improved; latching was deeper, feeding and sleeping longer and no more clicking and spitting up

·       Mom symptoms also improved; less nipple pain during breastfeeding, breast drainage got better, and mother had enough milk supply.

·        Baby had craniosacral therapy and mom reported that baby slept better.

Baby Alan

·       3 weeks old and parents wanted an evaluation of tongue tie

·       History: baby had infection in the hospital

·       Baby symptoms: shallow latching, fell asleep while attempting to nurse, slid off the breast when attempting to latch, fed every 2 hours, heavy, noisy breathing, snored, spit up 3x/day and leaked milk side of the mouth (sometimes)

·       Mom symptoms: painful latch, creased and flat nipples, clogged milk ducts, poor breast drainage, mastitis and on antibiotics

·       Diagnosis: Tongue tie

·       Recommended treatment: Laser tongue tie frenectomy

·       Parents accepted recommended treatment

·       Instructed mom to perform aftercare and sucking exercises for 4 weeks

·       Parent and baby returned in one week for post treatment check up

·       Instructed mom to follow up with lactation consultant and body workers after the procedure to ensure optimal results.

1 week post treatment checkup:

·       Baby looked healthy and gained some weight

·       Tongue was healing nicely

·       Baby symptoms had improved; baby was latching on better during breastfeeding, baby nursed about an hour per session (3 ½ oz.), baby slept afternoon and night time (3-4 hours before waking up for feeding).

·       Mom symptoms had improved; no nipple pain when breastfeeding, mastitis had resolved and no more blisters.

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora.  Lip and tongue ties may cause breastfeeding issues for some babies and mothers.  Dr. Lee is an experienced provider for baby lip and tongue tied frenectomy.  If you have questions about lip and tongue ties, please call for a consultation at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com