Any habit that puts pressure on the front teeth consistently can result in protruding teeth, so awareness and an effort to break the habit are critical to the success of any treatment. Your dentist can provide the optimum advice and treatment solutions.

Adolescents and adults alike are very fortunate to be able to straighten out an overbite with Invisalign clear soft plastic aligners. There are many advantages to straightening teeth with Invisalign including:

• Aligners are transparent making the process virtually undetectable.
• Being made of soft plastic means no metal or wires to cause abrasions or cuts on soft tissues in the mouth and cheek.
• Aligners are removable. There are no dietary restrictions as braces are removed to eat, so you can enjoy all the foods you love.
• Daily flossing and brushing is easy.  Just remove the aligner, clean teeth, and replace.
• Dental check-ups every six months are performed completely and accurately. Plaque build-up and dental decay are kept in check by removing these dental braces during hygiene visits.
• Activities that require wearing a mouth guard to protect teeth allow the athlete to remove the Invisalign aligner and replace with a mouth piece that has been designed and fitted specifically for the individual to offer the maximum protection. When the activity is completed, replace the mouth guard with the aligner.

Invisalign aligners are designed to be worn consistently throughout the day and night except during meals and daily hygiene. In order to achieve the desired results in the prescribed amount of time, aligners are to be worn a minimum of twenty to twenty-two hours every day.

Throughout the straightening process, please visit your dentist so he can monitor progress. The patient needs to adhere to the rules given and you can solidify treatment by wearing a retainer so the teeth and jaw have a chance to memorize their new position. The result will definitely be worth the effort.

If you are considering Invisalign to correct your overbite, contact the experienced team of Drs. Bonner and Huriega to schedule a professional consultation.

Dental health is not just about the toothpaste that will whiten the best or the mouthwash that provides a “minty fresh breath.”

From the time those first baby teeth come in, formulating good oral hygiene habits is a goal that will serve a child well into adulthood:

• Never put a baby to bed with a bottle containing milk or juice. The high sugar content in these drinks is very satisfying for the child, but remnants can remain in the mouth throughout the night or the duration of a nap. Dental decay can happen, and is not helpful for a child’s dental future.
• Baby’s first birthday is the appropriate time for the first visit with the dentist. This introductory visit is more to acquaint everyone with what to expect, and on subsequent visits will keep the child from fearing the dentist as they age.
• Instilling excellent hygiene habits starts with very small children.  Brushing with an age appropriate tooth paste should be performed by an adult until the child is old enough to do a good job on their own. Example can be the best teacher, so allow children to watch parents brush and floss.
• Floss daily.
• Brush at least twice per day with tooth paste or gel; more often, if possible.
• Be prepared to know what to do in the event of a dental emergency.
• See the dentist twice per year for a cleaning and dental exam. Follow recommendations and complete treatment as necessary.
• Ask your parents questions about their dental history. If there is a genetic tendency to periodontal disease, be aware and discuss prevention with your dental provider.

Even the most diligent person can be faced with dental problems. But following the rules of good dental hygiene will likely keep them from escalating into a major issue.

For more information, contact the dental office of Drs. Bonner and Huriega to discuss your dental health.  Call 210-616-0858 to schedule an appointment today.

Genetic factors that are beyond our control include jaw space, teeth size, and dental malformations. From birth defects to oral issues that are not immediately evident, parents should monitor their child’s oral development and consult their dentist for any conditions that appear abnormal.

Quite often if one or both parents wore braces due to a malocclusion, their offspring is likely to face the same fate. A visit to consult with an orthodontist will help identify potential issues.

One of the more predominant genetic dental issues relates to gum disease. Being proactive by teaching children how to care for their teeth, along with consistent visits to their dental provider for a thorough cleaning and exam every six months, will help to establish healthy teeth and gums.

However, the effort can’t stop there. Example is the best teacher, so adhere to the following:

• Do not smoke or use tobacco in any form.
• Limit sugary snacks and beverages, and encourage brushing after consumption.
• Floss and brush teeth at least twice per day.
• See the dentist every six months for a dental check-up.

Dental disease and tooth decay occur primarily because plaque is allowed to build-up on teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that clings to teeth when food particles are allowed to linger. Over time, it hardens and every time we eat and drink, the bacteria remnants encourage plaque growth. The only way to get rid of this build-up of plaque is with a cleaning by a dental provider.

You might even be able to feel that ridge of tartar forming on teeth at the gum line. If you are genetically predisposed to dental disease, this build-up is signaling the potential onset of gingivitis.

Follow the basic rules for excellent dental health and be rewarded with healthy teeth and gums, and hopefully overcome your genetic gum disease history and keep your teeth for a lifetime.

With tooth loss, the patient is faced with multiple concerns:

1. Appearance – If the tooth is located in the “smile line”, every time you open your mouth to eat, speak or smile, you think about how you must look to others.
2. Bone loss – The bone in gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred will start to deteriorate allowing the gum tissue to shrink providing a shriveled appearance.
3. Remaining teeth will eventually start to shift toward the open space creating the potential for a malocclusion. This is where the upper teeth no longer align with the bottom teeth, which can lead to bite problems.
4. Chewing difficulties – Tooth loss usually results in steadily chewing where the most teeth are present. Diets become restricted, which can impact oral as well as overall health.
5. Discomfort from chewing modifications can become an issue for the jaw, neck, ears or head.

Dental implants offer an ideal solution. Surgically placed in gum tissue, the implant fuses to existing bone through a process called osseointegration. Eventually the implant will be firmly entrenched, and provide the strength and support to the final restoration designed to cover it. 

The implant will act as the root of the tooth, while the crown or bridge that covers it appears just like the surrounding teeth. The implant dentist will fabricate the restoration to match the color, size and contour making the implant blend perfectly.

Commitment to the implant procedure requires vigilance with keeping the implant area clean and healthy to prevent infection, the leading cause of implant failure.

Tobacco use is highly discouraged, as this also contributes to implant difficulties.

The reward is obvious when you see the results. There are no chewing difficulties or diet restrictions. There are no special care practices … daily brushing and flossing, and possibly rinsing with an anti-bacterial rinse should keep all your teeth healthy.

Seeing your dentist twice per year for a standard cleaning and dental exam should keep you and your implants smiling brightly for a lifetime.

To learn more about your tooth replacement options, contact the office of Drs. Bonner & Huriega at 210-616-0858 and schedule your professional consultation today.

1. Teach children how to brush their teeth at a very early age. A soft bristle brush with a small amount of tooth paste geared to the child’s age should be introduced initially by a caregiver. Only until the child is coordinated enough to brush on their own should you rely on the child’s ability to care for their own teeth. Even then, supervision is important to make sure daily brushing is performed correctly.
2. Flossing helps to keep gum tissue stimulated, and plaque build-up to a minimum. Teaching by example is often the best approach to formulating this practice.
3. Never put your child to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water. Baby bottles containing formula, milk, or juice are beverages loaded with sugar. As baby sleeps, the contents of the bottle linger in the mouth.  Plaque is formed when bacteria, in this case originating with sugar, stay on the teeth. Plaque build-up can lead to dental decay.
4. Take your child to see the family dentist before any problems have a chance to develop. This preliminary dental visit should be more of an introduction where an exam is conducted in a calm atmosphere. Imagine how traumatic it is for a child when their first dental visit is required to have a cavity repaired.

Even though baby teeth are somewhat temporary, they do pave the way for the permanent teeth. Having healthy primary teeth will allow your child to form proper speech and develop correct growth structure in the jaws and face. Premature loss of baby teeth due to inappropriate care or diet can jeopardize dental health as the child matures.

A child will benefit from consistent dental visits, including fluoride and sealants to protect the chewing surfaces of teeth. Being proactive in the care of your child’s teeth will serve you and your child well with a lifetime of healthy teeth and smiles.

Discomfort in the neck, head, jaw or ear can result if you are clenching or grinding your teeth (usually subconsciously during sleep).  Additionally, dental decay, gum disease, ear infection, sinus infection, allergies or anything that impacts those muscles above the neck can result in multiple possibilities that could lead to TMJ Disorder.

An actual diagnosis of TMJ Disorder will follow testing to rule out other problems. Patients suffering from it are dealing with inflammation of the muscles and joints just in front of the ears. The TMJ is the joint that allows the jaw to move up and down as well as side to side. Eating, speaking, smiling, laughing, crying, yawning … each of these actions can put a lot of pressure on those joints.

With TMJ, patients often comment that their jaw makes a clicking sound while chewing, and the jaw can become locked in place. During dental exams, the dentist will usually check the TMJ for unusual movement or inflammation, and will make recommendations such as wearing a mouth guard for patients dealing with concerns.

It can be difficult to assign a specific cause for TMJ. A malocclusion is a misalignment of the upper teeth to the lower teeth. This condition can result in grinding and clenching, which can impact the jaw. The pressure on the jaw can result in swelling of the TMJ.

Holding the mouth open for a long period of time can put stress on the TMJ resulting in discomfort. Trauma to the jaw or chin can produce jaw joint ache, except in unusual cases, the discomfort from inflammation of the TMJ is brief. Heat to the outside of the jaw along with an over the counter analgesic should provide relief.

In some cases, the patient may suffer from severe headache and/or dizziness, ear ache, hearing loss or ringing in the ear. There are a few things to consider that might point to clues of the origin of TMJ inflammation:

• People who suffer from arthritis may be more susceptible
• Chewing gum for long periods of time can contribute
• A malocclusion can result in pressure on the TMJ
• Stress can result in teeth clenching

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact the office of Drs. Bonner & Huriega at 210-616-0858. Our skilled team of dentists can diagnose and offer ways to relieve the pressure and discomfort associated with TMJ.

In-office teeth whitening can lighten teeth up to eight shades in one visit. With Zoom in-office teeth whitening, your dental provider has access to the most powerful whitening agents available; trained staff; and the equipment needed to ensure a great result in one appointment. Touch-up kits are available for subsequent at home treatment as needed.

Intrinsic stains due to fluorosis, medications or those too stubborn to be removed during a standard cleaning by the hygienist, may better be treated with veneers. Veneers are very thin shells that are cemented to the front of teeth that are stained. Veneers are the least invasive cosmetic procedure that your cosmetic dentist can provide to correct many dental imperfections.

Dental bonding is another option that is more permanent than whitening, but not as extensive as veneers. With bonding, composite resin is used to cover stained teeth. The surfaces of the teeth are slightly roughed up to help the composite to better adhere to the teeth. A bonding agent is applied right before the composite resin. Bonding is added a little at a time, and hardened with a curing light or laser before the next coat is applied.

When the desired shape and shade are achieved, the treated teeth are polished to match surrounding teeth.

Teeth treated with bonding and veneers do not require any special care for day to day maintenance, however, care needs to be taken to avoid chipping or breaking. Do not bite into hard objects like ice or chew fingernails. This can weaken both dental bonding and veneers.

To maximize teeth whitening, limit beverages that stain like wine, coffee, tea, or soda and foods like blueberries. If you do consume these products, brushing teeth or rinsing with water as quickly as possible is recommended to maintain that “wow” smile.

No matter which treatment you determine is best for you, dull and discolored teeth will be history, and your smile makeover will be a great boost for your self-confidence. Contact our experienced team of cosmetic dentists today to schedule an appointment and learn how you can achieve a “wow” smile.

Missing teeth don’t just create aesthetic issues as remaining teeth can shift toward an open space, and while this might not seem problematic, the resulting malocclusion can be. When the upper teeth do not align properly with the bottom teeth, numerous problems associated with an improper bite can occur.

That is why many patients seek a consultation with their implant dentist to discuss how they can improve their ability to eat, speak and smile with a permanent solution. A dental implant is placed surgically in the gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. If more than one tooth has been lost, multiple implants or an implant-supported bridge may be recommended. 

The implant itself is made from titanium, which has been proven to possess the unique ability to fuse to bone tissue. Bone regeneration around the implant will take place during the healing period of four to six months. What this means to the patient is a permanent, strong and comfortable solution that is not attainable with any other type of tooth replacement.

When the healing process is completed, the final restoration will be permanently cemented in place. The crown or bridge will be made to match the appearance of the surrounding natural teeth.

The end result means you can eat the foods you love. Soft food diets or chewing with just a few teeth is a distant memory.

With dental implants, you won’t naturally shy away from speaking or run when someone pulls out their camera. Having missing teeth replaced will restore your self-confidence while enhancing the ability to eat and speak.

Caring for one or more dental implants does not require anything special. Daily flossing and brushing, in addition to making and keeping twice yearly visits to the dentist should keep your implants and teeth healthy. Additionally, abstaining from tobacco use is critical to the success of the implant process, and will reward you in helping to achieve excellent oral health along with enhancing your quality of life.

If dental implants could greatly improve your smile and quality of life, contact the office of Drs. Bonner and Huriega at 210-616-0858 today.

For those self-conscious about showing off their smile, wearing braces might make those people feel even worse, so a dentist might recommend Invisalign treatment as an alternative.

Invisalign involves the use of a series of clear aligners that have been specifically mapped by the dentist to target the realignment of specific teeth at specific times to achieve the desired end result. Each aligner is worn by the patient for a period of approximately two weeks and each one slowly alters the position and alignment of teeth towards the end goal of a perfectly aligned smile.

One of the real advantages of Invisalign treatment is that the patient can see the end result of the treatment before it’s even begun. A dentist can create a virtual 3D map of the patient’s smile showing how the treatment progresses from start to finish, and so the patient can see exactly how the treatment will work as each aligner is used.

Everyone’s smile is different so the duration of treatment will vary from person to person. Depending on the severity of the misalignment, patients undergoing Invisalign could begin to see results as early as the second aligner, but for other patients, results might not be noticeable until much later in the treatment. However, with the 3D map, patients can rest assured that their treatment is working.

Keeping aligners clean is easy, as Invisalign aligners can be removed for cleaning with a soft brush and rinse. The portability of Invisalign also means the patient can eat and drink as desired, whereas braces might limit a person’s choice of diet.

With their clear construction, using Invisalign doesn’t detract further from a person’s smile in the same way that braces does.

To achieve the best results with Invisalign, it is important to follow the dentist’s instructions. Make sure that the aligners are worn for the appropriate length of time, and the switch to the next aligner in the series is made when due. If worn as prescribed by your dentist, your perfect smile can be attained in no time.

Considering Invisalign to correct your smile? Contact our skilled and dedicated team today to schedule a professional consultation.

As the bacteria digest the food, the process creates plaque – a clear, sticky substance that if left on our teeth can lead to a range of dental problems. Many of the day-to-day cases that those in the dental profession see can be attributed to the build-up of plaque, often as a result of poor dental hygiene.

Plaque is a highly acidic substance; our teeth will never be totally rid of plaque, no matter how hard or often we clean our teeth, and plaque left to build up will slowly erode the enamel of our teeth, creating cavities. Plaque can also harden into a substance known as tartar which is much more difficult to treat; tartar is difficult to remove, and simple brushing and flossing is not sufficient.

The removal of tartar often requires that a dentist or dental hygienist professionally clean a patient’s teeth. Tartar, if left can spread below the gum tissue, causing the tissue to separate away from the teeth, allowing bacteria to access further into the mouth. This in turn can lead to gingivitis and gum disease, which in turn can lead to severe tooth decay and even tooth loss. There are even medical studies which can intrinsically link plaque and tartar to illnesses that occur elsewhere in the body, so it is important to have teeth regularly checked and cleaned to limit the build up of plaque.

In addition to regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning to reduce plaque build up, dentistry professionals recommend a good dental hygiene regime that involves regular brushing, flossing, and the use of a good mouthwash to rinse away food debris from around the mouth.

Avoiding sweet, sticky foods such as candies and pastries and sugared soft drinks can also help to reduce plaque build up. Like bees and wasps, the bacteria in our mouth are especially attracted to sugary foods, and so even a small quantity of sugar left behind can be a veritable feast to bacteria. Regular chewing on sugar-free gums can help stimulate saliva production. Saliva is the mouth’s natural defense against bacteria, so keeping the oral cavity moist is important.

Plaque, although never totally eradicated can be controlled, and with proper dental care the problems associated with plaque build-up can be avoided.

If you are experiencing issues with plaque build-up on your teeth or need to schedule a routine teeth cleaning, contact our dental team today at 210-616-0858 to schedule an appointment.