Gum reshaping is a cosmetic procedure that can be performed for patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their smile due to prominent gums. Insecurities about a smile don’t always stem from the teeth, but this safe and effective treatment can transform a smile into one you’ll be proud to show off.

Fortunately, treatment is available to lower the gum line and the underlying bone in order to enhance the appearance of the smile and create a more natural look. This treatment may also be referred to as crown lengthening, and can be performed using laser or electrosurgical techniques. These advanced treatments eliminate the need for stitches and long, painful recoveries.

During the gum reshaping procedure, excess gum tissue (and underlying bone) are gently re-contoured using a laser, which is performed under a local anesthetic. Failure to remove the bone tissue can stimulate future gum growth and reverse the results of treatment. For patients with insufficient gum tissue, a gum graft may be placed to create a more balanced appearance.

Each gum reshaping treatment is completely customized for the individual patient’s smile. Our dentists work one-on-one with each patient to create the smile of your dreams using the safest and most advanced techniques available.

To learn more about gum reshaping and to find out if these treatment is right for you, please call us today to schedule an appointment!

Dr. Ravin and his staff recently visited Port-au-Prince, Haiti to provide free dental care to those in need. Over the course of seven days with a 110 degree heat index, he saw over 700 patients, most of which were children, and performed general and surgical services to promote healthy teeth. Many of these patients are unable to afford or do not have access to regular care. Check out some of the pictures from the trip below. The rest of the pictures are available on our Facebook page!

From the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the manufacturer of Orbit gum, October is National Dental Hygiene Month, an annual initiative that aims to promote good oral hygiene in between dental appointments.

There are many simple practices that can be followed in your everyday routine to help maintain oral hygiene. The ADHA aims to spread awareness of these practices so that patients can maintain happy and healthy teeth and gums, while reducing the risk of more serious dental problems. At Hospital Dental Group, we remain dedicated to educating our patients on the best oral care practices, and always take the time to answer any questions you may have about your smile.

The most effective oral hygiene can be achieved through the following steps: brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, flossing everyday, rinsing everyday with mouthwash and chewing sugar-free gum after eating.

Although many people are already aware of these steps, it is important to follow them as recommended. Brushing for two minutes may seem like a long time, but is necessary in order to reduce plaque build-up and the risk of cavities and other types of decay. Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process that should be done everyday in order to effectively clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing is the greatest challenge for many patients, so it is important to find the type of floss that works best for you.

While brushing and flossing target the teeth, using mouthwash and chewing gum help protect the rest of the mouth by killing germs and utilizing the natural defenses of saliva to keep decay out. There is scientific evidence supporting the positive effects of sugarfree gum.

At Hospital Dental Group, we educate patients year-round on the importance of dental hygiene, and are available to help them develop a customized hygiene routine that works for them.

Dental implants provide long-term, sturdy support for crowns, bridges and dentures in order to effectively treat tooth loss. These metal structures replace the tooth root and provide many health and aesthetic benefits to patients who may have been experiencing difficulties eating, drinking or speaking because of their missing teeth.

Similar to regular dental implants, mini implants provide support for crowns, bridges or dentures, but are much smaller and can actually eliminate the need for bone grafts for many patients. Mini implants also prove more effective for smaller teeth or missing teeth in narrow areas of the mouth, and are about half the price of regular implants, making them an ideal choice for many of our patients.

Dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone during a simple, one-time procedure performed in the doctor’s office. There is no need for cutting open the gums and long waiting periods often required with traditional implants. A small hole is simply drilled into the jawbone in order to insert the mini implant, after which the restorative material is placed. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia with or without light sedation, and most patients are able to eat normally within a few hours.

There is no special care required for mini implants, so patients can resume their normal eating, speaking and hygiene habits. With proper oral hygiene, mini implants can provide long-term results for missing or severely damaged teeth.

Missing teeth are a serious problem that need to be corrected quickly in order to reduce the risk of long-term damage and gum loss. Call us today to schedule an appointment and find out if mini implants are right for you!

While you may view it as just an embarrassing quality that you try to hide, bad breath, clinically known as halitosis, is actually an oral health condition, and is quite common in people of all ages.

Bad breath occurs as a result of bacteria building up in the mouth. Many different factors can contribute to bad breath, including:

• Certain foods (such as garlic or onions) or an overall poor diet
• Poor oral hygiene, including inconsistent brushing and flossing that allows food to collect on the teeth, gums and tongue
• Improper cleaning of dentures, allowing food particles to collect
• Periodontal disease
• Dry mouth, one of the the most common causes, in which a lack of saliva prevents the mouth from cleaning itself
• Tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco and snuff
• Underlying medical condition, such as a respiratory infection, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorder, liver or kidney disease

These different causes can lead to different types of odors associated with halitosis. Although the cause and severity can vary, research shows that more than half of all people in the US experience halitosis at some point in their lives.

Fortunately, many patients with halitosis can find relief from their condition.  Treatment for halitosis depends on the cause and severity of the condition, as well as the patient’s oral health. Your dentist will determine the best treatment for your halitosis, which may include proper oral hygiene, therapeutic mouthwash, periodontal treatment, proper nutrition, drinking through a straw or by treating the underlying condition.

Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to speak to your dentist about bad breath and you will no longer have to worry about this condition!

Patients looking to improve the appearance of stained or discolored teeth should look no further than the Zoom!® Whitening system by Discus™. With faster, safer and longer-lasting results than at-home trays, whitening strips or toothpaste, Zoom can provide the stunning results you desire under the supervision of a professional dentist like Dr. Ravin.

Zoom! whitens teeth by applying a light activated whitening gel with hydrogen peroxide to the teeth. The Zoom light source is then delivered to the teeth in three 15-minute segments.  During the Zoom procedure, patients can relax and watch television or listen to music.

The bleaching takes about 45 minutes with just a few minutes of preparation needed.  Patients can achieve teeth that are up to eight shades brighter, although results may vary for each case.  Patients may experience mild sensitivity or tingling during or after the treatment, but are able to return to their regular activities right away, making Zoom an ideal lunchtime treatment.

The results of the Zoom whitening procedure are visible right away and can be long lasting, provided that patients maintain healthy dental hygiene habits, including flossing and bruiting regularly and using the Zoom touch up products at home.  While results may begin to fade over time, your teeth will always appear whiter and brighter than they were before.

Whitening with the Zoom system is considered safe for nearly all patients over the age of thirteen, and is considered the safest and most popular cosmetic dental procedure available.  Call us today to take advantage of this great treatment!

In the month of April, dentists across the nation are offering patients oral health screenings in celebration of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, an event sponsored by the American Dental Association and the Oral Cancer Foundation to help educate patients on the dangers of oral cancer and learn how to recognize early symptoms of these diseases.

Oral cancer is a serious condition that affects over 30,000 Americans each year, with many people unaware that this disease is even present. It often appears as a tiny white or red sore on the lips, gums, inner cheeks, tongue or hard or soft palate that may go unnoticed. Common signs of oral cancer may include:

• A sore that does not heal
• Red or white patches
• Sore throat
• Pain or tenderness in the mouth area
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Those at greatest risk for oral cancer include patients over the age of 40, although it can occur at earlier ages. Additional risk factors for oral cancer include long-term use of chewing or spit tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption and prolonged exposure to sunlight. Patients with certain types of HPV may also be prone to developing this condition. Your doctor will evaluate your risks and provide you with valuable tips on how to prevent oral cancer.

Like many other cancerous conditions, oral cancer is most effectively treated when detected during the early stages. Regular dental exams are invaluable in the prevention of oral cancer and should be performed on all patients, especially those at a higher risk.

We are proud to provide comprehensive oral cancer screening and education services to our patients yearlong to help them recognize the signs of this potentially deadly disease and learn how to effectively protect themselves.

Many patients with crooked, discolored teeth who are unhappy with the appearance of their smile are apprehensive about undergoing cosmetic treatment because they believe it entails a painful procedure, lengthy recovery and high costs. But thanks to advancing technology, a beautiful smile can be achieved in as little as two visits thanks to Lumineers.

Lumineers are thin porcelain shells applied to the front of teeth improve their appearance. These shells are as thin as a contact lens and are custom-crafted to fit each individual tooth for a beautiful, natural-looking smile. They are similar to traditional porcelain veneers, but are thinner and do not require any grinding down of the natural teeth, allowing for a shorter and more comfortable procedure. Lumineers are also completely reversible, and since the real teeth aren’t affected, there is not additional treatment needed after removal.

Patients who can benefit from Lumineers include those with crooked, chipped, discolored or misshapen teeth, those who wish to correct previous dental work or those who simply want to improve the appearance of their smile. They can even be used in place of braces in some cases.

Dr. Ravin can place Lumineers in two simple office appointments. During the first appointment, a mold will be created of your teeth and used to develop custom Lumineers to improve your smile. The mold will then be sent to the Lumineers Smile Design Studio to create your custom materials. They will be placed during the next visit through a simple and painless procedure with no shots or drills, which usually takes less than an hour.

Patients will leave the office with the bright and beautiful smile of their dreams, with results lasting up to 20 years. And Lumineers require no special care, simply treat them as you natural teeth, which includes regular brushing, flossing and cleaning appointments with your dentist.

To learn more about Lumineers and to take advantage of our special offer on this service, please call us today!

Patients looking to improve the health and appearance of their smile by straightening their teeth with a convenient and aesthetically-pleasing treatment approach. Invisalign® is an advanced alternative to traditional braces that effectively straightens teeth using a set of customized aligners that are worn daily for about a year.

Invisalign can be used to correct a number of teeth problems, including overcrowding, excess spacing, overbite, crossbite and other malocclusions. Nearly anyone who needs orthodontic care can benefit from this treatment, although Invisalign is restricted to minor alignment abnormalities. Invisalign braces eliminate the unattractive, metal appearance of traditional braces, making them ideal for adults or teenagers seeking a subtler treatment approach.

To begin treatment with Invisalign, Dr. Ravin will take a series of three-dimensional photographs of your teeth in order to create customized aligners that will be worn for approximately two weeks, before switching to the next one. The aligners are designed to follow each patient’s individual treatment progression

Treatment is adjusted for each patient throughout the process to ensure the most effective results. You will wear the aligners for 20-22 hours each day, taking them out while eating, brushing your teeth and flossing. A visit to the office will be required every six weeks to monitor the progress of treatment.

More and more patients are choosing Invisalign for their orthodontic needs. Dr. Ravin and his staff are highly trained and experienced in administering this advanced treatment to help patients achieve straight, beautiful teeth. We are also offering a special offer on Invisalign for a limited time only! We encourage you to call us today to schedule a consultation and find out whether or not Invisalign is right for you.

Dr. Ravin and the staff at Hospital Dental Group are proud to introduce the CEREC dental restoration system to his patients, allowing for the design, creation and fitting of crowns, veneers and other materials in just one office visit.  CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, and eliminates the need for multiple visits and temporary restorations that may leave your teeth at risk for damage.

Using an infrared digital camera, 3-D imaging software and a unique milling unit, the CEREC system creates highly accurate and long-lasting dental restorations in a single appointment.  First, Dr. Ravin takes a digital photo of the tooth with the system’s camera, which is then converted to a three-dimensional virtual model.  This model is used to create the actual restoration, giving your dentist complete control over the fit and design of the materials for optimal results.

Once a design is finalized, it is sent to an on-site milling unit to create the restoration, which usually takes less than 20 minutes and is performed by an experienced team of professionals.

The restorations produced with the CEREC system include crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, and are made of strong, tooth-colored ceramic materials that look and feel like natural teeth. Patients will be able to eat hot and cold foods with no sensitivity and can care for their restorations just as they do with their own teeth.

To learn more about the new CEREC system at Hospital Dental Group and to schedule an appointent to take advantage of this advanced technology, call us today!