Our office supports the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards by providing our staff with continuing training and education to ensure safe and infection-free delivery of care.

The team at Pacific Dental Care and Fastbraces® reviews our current infection control protocols during weekly staff meetings and determines if changes are needed based on professional judgment and the CDC infection control recommendations. We take compliance with infection control seriously and make your health and safety a priority. Please feel free to discuss our infection control procedures with any team member.

Emergency Dental in the Tri-Valley Area

Chipped or Cracked Teeth
If you chip or crack your teeth, you may or may not experience pain. Regardless, this is a situation that requires a dentist immediately. A chipped or cracked tooth is unstable and can lead to a serious situation. Caught early enough, most teeth that have cracks or chips can be saved. A dentist can go over your options and treatment plan a solution for you.

Cut or Laceration in the Mouth
Cuts and lacerations in the mouth can occur in a variety of ways. A bit tongue or cheek can be a simple pinch or it can be a serious open wound. Accidents can cause even more severe wounds in the mouth. With the number of bacteria in the oral cavity it is important to have wounds looked at by a dentist right away. Some of these lesions need to be washed out properly and closed with stitches. Ignoring these larger wounds can lead to serious complications including but not limited to infections.

Tooth Pain with a Fever or Swelling
Occasionally, teeth can hurt. A common cause of “sore” teeth is grinding. If you wake up and your teeth are hurting, this may be a sign you are grinding your teeth in your sleep. Your dentist can help with this, but a regularly scheduled exam is all that is needed. However, if your tooth pain is accompanied with swelling and or a fever, this is more of an emergency situation and the dentist should see you as soon as possible. Swelling around the tooth or surrounding area may be red and or tender.

Whole or Partial Tooth Knocked Out
If your tooth gets knocked out, it is a true emergency situation. There is a limited amount of time a tooth can out of the mouth with an option of being put back in successfully. A dentist should be seen within 30 minutes of the tooth or teeth coming out. Do not wash the teeth or place them in alcohol as this will make saving the teeth impossible. Collect all the teeth or pieces and place them in milk and bring them with you to the visit.

This is only a partial list of emergency scenarios. If you have a question as to whether or not you have an emergency condition, contact our office and we can help you.

by Jeffrey J. Bueno, DDS

Sean Vanderbilt, RDH, BS

If a patient has been diagnosed with periodontal disease, this involves diseased pockets of 4mm or more around the teeth with bacterial deposits below the infected gums. The gums in this case are usually inflamed, red and bleeding above and/or below the gumline. This condition requires non-surgical periodontal therapy also known as a deep cleaning or scaling and root planning in order to resolve.

Once this treatment is completed a patient is forever considered a “periodontal patient.” Similar to how a patient with diabetes or high blood pressure must return for regular check-ups and treatment so too must a patient with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can never be cured because the bone beneath the gums can never grow back, but it can be properly treated and maintained to reach a state of stability.

A periodontal maintenance appointment is a post-therapeutic procedure used to maintain healthy results after periodontal therapy or deep cleaning. The periodontal maintenance appointment includes assessment of the periodontal health, the measurement of pocket depths and the removal of bacterial plaque and calculus above and below the gumline followed by an antimicrobial rinse.

It is recommended that these appointments occur every 3 months because clinical studies show that periodontal pathogens will repopulate a recently scaled pocket within 90 days. Studies also show that good home care may not be enough to prevent this from occurring.

If a patient’s periodontal condition is not well monitored and treated every 3 months, deeper pocketing and infection below the gumline may reoccur. If this condition continues to worsen over time it could necessitate referral to a Periodontist, a gum specialist, who may decide that more invasive and costly gum surgery is necessary. If both of these options are avoided, this could lead to deeper pocketing, bone loss and eventual tooth loss. Periodontal disease has also been linked as a contributing factor to many systemic health problems including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, premature birth, dementia, osteopenia and respiratory infection. For more information please visit our website and the American Dental Association at ada.org.

Pacific Dental Hygiensts – Pleasanton

Pictured (left to right): dental hygienists Julie Nanson, RDH, Ellen Slater, RDH and Sean Vanderbilt, RDH. At Pacific Dental Care and Fastbraces® we encourage ongoing continuing education for our dentists and hygienists. We pride ourselves in keeping pace with the latest in dental care.

Ellen: “I am always interested in education and how it can help me improve our patients’ overall health.”

Sean: “Continuing education keeps me sharp.”

Julie:”Keeping up with the latest techniques and clinical research helps us keep our patients healthy.”

Smiles For Life Campaign ~ March through June

March through June, Pacifc Dental will be donating time for seriously ill, disabled, and underprivileged children in our local community. 100% of our contribution will be going directly to the kids.

Fastbraces® Technology uses a patented bracket design which offers unique, triangular shaped brackets that allow for the use of just one wire during the treatment process. These braces work on an entirely different mechanical principle than old braces. In the past, old braces would move the crown of the tooth in the first year, and the root of the tooth in the second year, thus requiring two or more years of treatment time.

Fastbraces® Technology moves the crown and the root of the tooth at the same time allowing for a much quicker treatment time. Patients can now get results often with less sensitivity, in about a year, and in some cases, just a few months.

Research has shown that the longer patients wear braces, the more root resorption (tooth root shortening) they have (American Journal of Orthodontics). University research in the same journal showed that Fastbraces® Technology presented “even less root resorption” than the traditional systems tested. This could be due to the fact that it moves the whole tooth in one stage, and therefore patients don’t stay in braces a long time.

Fastbraces® for Children, Teenagers & Adults

University Research has shown that Fastbraces® Technology had “lower sensitivity”, “a clear-cut reduction in sliding friction” and “the lowest mean frictional forces” compared to the old braces systems through university research.  Fastbraces® Technology typically works with just one orthodontic wire from start to finish, whereas old braces usually require a series of wires and tightening procedures. Fastbraces® Technology uses a special square super-elastic nickel-titanium wire which is activated by the heat of the mouth. This dynamic wire helps upright the whole tooth using the natural temperature of the mouth in just one stage, safely and comfortably.

The design used in Fastbraces makes them appropriate for children, teenagers and adults. Any dentist with Fastbraces® certification can quickly help you determine whether this form of treatment is appropriate for you or your loved one. If you are frustrated about your crooked smile, Fastbraces® is definitely your best option for regaining your self-esteem and getting the smile you’ve always wanted.

If you would like further information about Fastbraces® or your options for improving your smile, give us a call at Pacific Dental Care and Fastbraces. We look forward to helping you enhance your dental health! We can be reached at (925)426-1300 or via email at info@pacificdental.com.

Why Do I Grind My Teeth?

Bruxism affects up to a third of the population, and occurs more often in women than men. It is often a result of stress, anxiety, tension, missing teeth, poor posture or even poor sleeping habits. Your jaw may also be misaligned or your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may be damaged. Finding the root cause of why you grind your teeth will play a big part in treating the problem.

What Problems Are Caused By Teeth Grinding?

Bruxism can be a habit that has developed over a lifetime which means that the effects to your teeth, jaws and facial/head/neck muscles can be very extensive. The damage to the enamel of your teeth can result in teeth that are misshapen, discolored or even misaligned, which often further contributes to your teeth grinding. Having as smile that you are not happy with also contributes to your overall level of stress and anxiety, which again can lead to more grinding.

Grinding your teeth can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. This condition is marked by pain in your face, neck, head, back and even arms that can be excruciating. While pain medication may provide temporary relief, a permanent solution can be provided at our dental office.

Working with our team, we can determine what causes you to grind your teeth, assess the damage to your teeth and jaws and come up with a treatment plan. Once we correct the problem and stop the cycle, healing can begin.

How Do I Know If Grinding my Teeth Is Problem for Me?

A lot of people who suffer from bruxism or TMJ syndrome grind their teeth at night and may not know that they have problem. They may not get a good night’s sleep, may have severe headaches, neck pain, etc., but may not be aware that grinding their teeth is the root cause.

Often the cause of the problem is not identified until a dental checkup when the dentist informs them that they are grinding their teeth at night. If you have any of the symptoms of bruxism, seeing your dentist right away can be your first step towards finding relief and protecting your dental health.

What Are Some Possible Treatment Options?

If your dentist feels that tooth grinding is a problem for you, there are several treatment options available, and combining different treatment methods often results in the best possible outcome for you. Your dentist can determine why you grind your teeth and what the best solution to your problem is.

Your dentist may recommend that you wear a custom made dental splint to protect your teeth, relax your jaw and prevent grinding, especially at night when you may not even be aware that you are grinding. If stress is believed to play a role in your bruxism, then finding ways to reduce your stress level and find relaxation can bring about a big reduction in the amount of you grinding your teeth.

Can Cosmetic Dentistry Provide Relief?

By the time your dentist discovers that tooth grinding is a problem for you, the damage to your teeth may already be quite extensive. The constant grinding will most likely have eroded your enamel to a point where it is very thin, leaving your teeth misshapen, uneven and even discolored. If this applies to your particular situation, then cosmetic dentistry can play a big part in your over all treatment plan.

If your teeth have been damaged by years of grinding, you may be very self conscious about your smile and general appearance, which can be very stressful. This in turn leads to more teeth grinding, and the cycle continues. Using cosmetic dental procedures can give you back a smile you’ll be proud to share, and when combined with other dental procedures and a splint for your jaw, your teeth grinding will be greatly reduced. The end result will be less pain, less stress, much less damage to your teeth and an overall happier you!

How Do I Get Started?

If you feel that bruxism may be a problem for you, contact us for an appointment today. The friendly dentists at Pacific Dental Care and Fastbraces® will examine your teeth, determine what the problem is and work with you to come up with a solution that’s right for you. You’ll be on your way to happier life with a beautiful smile.  Call us today at (925)426-1300 or email us at info@pacificdental.com.

If you feel self-conscious about chipped, discolored, or misaligned teeth, porcelain veneers may be the answer to transforming your smile. Made of durable ceramic materials, dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells custom-shaped and bonded to one or more of your teeth.

Porcelain veneers are a fast but durable treatment used in cosmetic dentistry that provides a less intrusive alternative to dental crowns or dental implants. At Pacific Dental Care and Fastbraces^®, we can help you construct the smile you’ve always wanted in just two to three visits.

BEFORE – Porcelain Dental Veneers

AFTER – Porcelain Dental Veneers

Porcelain Veneers Transform Smiles

While minor issues such as small chips or cracks may be resolved with a composite filling, dental veneers are a more durable solution for larger chips and more substantial problems.

• Cover chipped, cracked or broken teeth
• Correct abnormal overlaps or gaps between teeth
• Shield worn teeth
• Conceal teeth discolored from root canals, fillings or medicine
• Cover uneven or irregularly shaped teeth
• Realign teeth

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Whitening The high-tech materials that make up the dental veneers resist staining and do not change color with time, leaving your teeth looking white and natural.

Instant Orthodontics Instead of enduring years of teeth straightening using metal braces, porcelain veneers can be fitted and positioned in just 2-3 visits, leaving you with a beautiful new smile almost overnight. You can forgo the pain and hassle of wires and brackets for a permanent solution that helps you confidently smile immediately.

Natural-Looking The translucent nature and tooth-like color of a porcelain veneer makes it difficult for others to notice a difference between the porcelain veneer and your natural tooth. The gum tissue adjusts to the dental veneers without irritation, making your smile feel and look great.

Protection Porcelain veneers provide necessary protection to teeth that are worn down or damaged, and protect natural teeth from any further staining.

Practically Painless With a mild local anesthetic during the reshaping and preparation of your natural teeth, the porcelain veneer treatment process is comfortable. Some experience slight swelling for a few days following the procedure, but healing time is rapid.

BEFORE – Porcelain Dental Veneers

AFTER – Porcelain Dental Veneers

What Is The Process of Porcelain Veneers?

1. Tooth Preparation: The natural tooth is prepared by removing merely a coating of external enamel. This reshaping is necessary so that the added thickness of the veneer doesn’t abnormally protrude. A mild anesthetic is suggested during this preparation process to make your experience more enjoyable.
2. Porcelain Veneer Preparation: We will take an impression of your prepared tooth to help us custom-design a porcelain veneer to perfectly cover your natural tooth.
3. Bonding Process: Using a strong adhesive made of resin cement, we will bond the prepared porcelain veneer to the anterior of the natural tooth, leaving you with an instantly improved smile.

Tips For Caring For Your Dental Veneers

• Good oral hygiene extends the durability of your porcelain veneers.
• A mouth guard protects your dental veneers from teeth grinding at night.
• Porcelain veneers may break if you bite down on hard objects like ice.
• Remember broken dental veneers must be replaced since tooth reshaping is irreversible.

To learn more about how enhancing your smile, schedule a consultation to find out more about porcelain veneers at our office.  Call Pacific Dental Care and Fastbraces^®  today at (925)426-1300 or contact us by email at info@pacificdental.com.