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Gum Surgery

Gum surgery is used to repair the tissue in patients with advanced gum disease.

Gum Surgery Q & A

Why Does a Person Need Gum Surgery?

Periodontal disease is the number one reason for gum surgery. Gum disease occurs when plaque and bacteria build up in the mouth and inflame the gums. This inflammation can then lead to bleeding when brushing and painful or tender gums. Eventually, the gums begin to loosen and detach from the teeth, therefore, forming a pocket.

During gum surgery, Dr. Donia will reduce the size and depth of these pockets to save your teeth from falling out or becoming infected and preventing the need for additional procedures in the future.

What Are Some Different Kinds of Gum Surgery?

There are mainly three types of periodontal surgery including gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, and gingivoplasty.

Gingival flap surgery is performed when your pockets have reached a depth greater than five millimeters. The dentist will cut through the affected gum tissue in order to fold it back, deep clean the affected area and remove all of the plaque and tartar buildups found beneath the gums. After the area is clean, Dr. Donia will reattach the gums and secure them against the teeth.

A gingivectomy is a procedure aimed to give the patient better access to the teeth underneath any excess or overgrown gum tissue by cutting it away.

A gingivoplasty involves the dentist in reshaping healthy gum tissue around the affected teeth. This is achieved through a gum graft where tissue is relocated from the roof of the mouth.

How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?

The best way to avoid the need for gum surgery is by preventing gum disease in the first place. Always practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing at least once a day. Additionally, schedule an appointment with Dr. Donia every six months to receive a thorough dental cleaning and examination. During your visits, Dr. Donia will inspect your teeth and gums for any abnormalities.

Tooth Extractions

Sometimes, a tooth is so decayed or damaged that it cannot be saved. In this case, an extraction is the only option. Another example is when a teen or young adult needs a wisdom tooth pulled. Dr. Donia of Encino, California uses the latest techniques to ensure your tooth-extraction process is as comfortable and easy as possible.

Tooth Extraction Q & A

What Is Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is the process of pulling a tooth from the mouth. Tooth removal is permanent, which means your tooth will be gone for the rest of your life. Depending on the type of extraction, Dr. Donia may apply either a local anesthetic or general anesthesia, to ensure a painless procedure.

Why Does Someone Need a Tooth Pulled?

The most common reason for tooth extraction is tooth damage caused by extensive decay or trauma. Dr. Donia will try his best to repair the tooth before considering an extraction, but sometimes it is too damaged or decayed to be saved. If left untreated, an affected tooth can cause infection, patients undergoing an organ transplant or cancer treatment are especially vulnerable.

Extra teeth, wisdom teeth or baby teeth that prevent other healthy teeth from coming in are also candidates for tooth extraction. In other cases, the dentist can also extract a tooth in order to create room for teeth to move when you get braces or other corrective gear. Also, many patients with gum disease can develop loose teeth and the dentist may remove the loose teeth before they cause further damage.

What Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Wisdom teeth are an extra set of molars that most people have in the back of their mouth and start to emerge when patients are in their teens to early 20s. Wisdom teeth can cause misalignment of the other teeth and crowd the jawbone and nerve. Wisdom teeth also have a relatively high chance of being impacted and never fully emerge from the gums, which can lead to infections and swelling.

To prevent these problems, Dr. Donia can pull your wisdom teeth before any symptoms even arise. The younger you are, the less the roots of your wisdom teeth are developed and the easier the procedure to remove them.

Fillings

Fillings are used to save and restore teeth damaged by decay. Dr. Donia will match the color of your natural teeth to any filling he applies to cover a cavity.

Fillings Q & A

What Is a Filling?

A filling is a simple procedure that is used to restore teeth after they have been damaged by decay. During your appointment, Dr. Donia will first remove any decayed portion of the tooth leaving a hole or gap in its place. The gap is then covered by a filling material.

What Are Some Different Kinds of Filling Materials?

There are four main types of filling materials: porcelain, composite resin, gold, and silver amalgam. Porcelain fillings are the most wanted since they are the color of your teeth and are able to resist staining over time due to their non-porous material. However, porcelain fillings are quite expensive. Composite resin fillings are also the color of your teeth but are less durable and are expected to last a period of 3-10 years while also being vulnerable to staining from food and drink.

Gold fillings have a shelf-life of over 20 years but also the most expensive price tag when it comes to fillings. A silver amalgam filling is a much cheaper alternative that offers similar wear resistance. However, silver has a dark appearance that turns some patients off especially when applying to the back molars.

What Are Indirect Fillings?

Indirect fillings are used in cases where tooth damage is too extensive to support a traditional dental filling. Indirect fillings are made in a laboratory using a special impression of your mouth in order to manufacture them to fit exactly into that space. Because they are custom-made to fit your unique tooth, they are typically much more durable than traditional fillings and have a shelf-life of up to 30 years.

How Do You Know if You Need a Filling?

With a dental exam, Dr. Donia will examine your teeth to see if there is any decay present. Typically, patients with cavities or a chipped tooth need a filling.

TMJ Treatment

TMJ related pain is caused by the temporomandibular joint not working properly and therefore causing pain in the jaw or neck. Dr. Donia encourages patients suffering from pain in the jaw or neck to visit his office in the Encino, CA area and take advantage of his expertise in treating the disease.

TMJ Q & A

What Are the Symptoms of a TMJ Disorder?

Patients with Temporomandibular disorders can experience a variety of symptoms in varying degrees of severity and length. Adults ages 20-40 are most commonly affected by TMJ Disorder and symptoms can be felt by patients on one or both sides of the face.

The most common sign of TMJ is a pain in the jaw, face, shoulders, or neck while you chew or open your mouth. This pain may be accompanied by popping, clicking or grating noise when the mouth opens. The jaw may also get locked in an open position, or the face may simply feel tired or swollen.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

Unfortunately, the underlying cause of temporomandibular disorders is unknown. However, there are triggers that can cause the disease to develop such as injury to the jaw, neck or head due to blunt force trauma or whiplash.

Grinding your teeth while sleeping can also stress the joint and lead to pressure and potential damage. Also, if the disc between the ball and socket of the jaw experiences too much motion, this can then lead to irritation. Other potential causes include arthritis of the joint and the patient being overly stressed.

What Is the Treatment for a TMJ Disorder?

Dr. Donia can design a treatment plan to help you manage TMJ symptoms through a variety of therapies including the use of medications that help to relax the muscles and reduce pain and swelling. The Dr. may also prescribe a device such as a splint or dental mouthpiece to help keep your upper and lower teeth from touching while you sleep. Splints are typically worn all the time and will also serve to correct any mild abnormality associated with your bite.

Replacing missing teeth will also serve correct the way you move your jaw and therefore alleviate some of the pain associated with TMJ. Dr. Donia may also recommend crowns, braces, or bridges to help guide your jaw and bite into the proper position.

Dentures

Dentures provide an alternative to improve a patient’s smile without the pain and long recovery times of dental implants. Dr. Donia provides a range of denture services for his patients in the Encino, California area.

Dentures Q & A

How Are Dentures Made?

Dentures are customized to meet each patient’s needs and require a few visits to complete the process. At the initial appointment, Dr. Donia will make an impression of the patient’s mouth and take several measurements. At the next appointment, Dr. Donia will create a model denture that the patient can try on and provide feedback about the fit and overall shape.

The dentist will then any necessary adjustments based on the patient’s feedback and the final denture is sent to be manufactured in a lab and delivered to the patient to wear.

Do Dentures Change the Way People Speak and Eat?

Yes but in a positive way! Dentures allow patients to chew normally and to speak without a lisp. Dentures also increase the stability of the mouth and are more reliable than other types of tooth replacement, such as crowns or bridges.

How Are Dentures Held in the Mouth?

Dentures are fitted to the jaw, so they stay in place effortlessly and naturally. However, denture adhesive is an option to add security and confidence to the patient. There are two main types of adhesives: pastes and powders. Paste is used by simply applying small dots along the ridge of the dentures; the process can be done when the dentures are either wet or dry.

Denture powders are even easier to use since they only require patients to sprinkle the adhesive onto the places where it will touch the gums. Powders are easier to clean and ensure a better fit against the gum tissue than compared to pastes.

What Are the Benefits of Dentures?

Dentures are preferred by patients for many reasons. Dentures do not require painful procedures to install like dental implants, crowns or bridges and are removable. They are very easy to keep clean and tidy at all times. Dentures also serve to exercise facial muscles and keep them from sagging while enhancing the patient’s natural smile for years to come.

Dental Cleaning

Regular dental cleanings are essential to overall health since they serve to keep teeth healthy, beautiful and free from decay and abscess. Dr. Donia is an expert at providing comfortable yet thorough dental cleanings to all of his patients in the Encino, California region.

Dental Cleaning Q & A

What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?

During a teeth cleaning, Dr. Donia will remove plaque and tartar build-up from your teeth in order to reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. During cleanings, children also receive sealants on their molars to help prevent cavities. At this time, you may have X-rays taken and the dr. may perform a gum tissue evaluation to check for additional mouth problems such as hard-to-see cavities or the development of gum disease.

Typically, Dr. Donia also checks your bite, swallowing and chewing patterns as an additional screening for issues with your oral health. Dr. Donia will also take this time to polish and clean any dentures or fillings you have.

Part of the appointment may also involve education on the proper way to brush and floss as well as recommendations as to foods to avoid or add to your diet to promote your overall oral health.

Why Are Dental Cleanings Necessary?

Absolutely! Dental cleanings allow your dentist to remove plaque and tartar build-up from your teeth while taking the opportunity to perform an overall oral check for gum disease and other oral health issues. If left untreated, these issues can lead to tooth loss, and harmful diseases such as dementia, diabetes complications, and heart disease.

Gum disease and tooth infections lead to a weakened immune system which can cause problems throughout the body.

How Often Is a Dental Cleaning Needed?

The Academy of General Dentistry recommends receiving a thorough teeth cleaning every six months to drastically improve your oral health.

However, patients with gum disease or a history of tooth decay are encouraged to visit our office every three months so Dr. Donia can ensure the disease is not progressing.

Zoom Whitening Q & A

Will Zoom Whitening Work for Me?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Donia can determine if Zoom Whitening is right for you. We have witnessed Zoom Whitening successfully restore the brightness of smiles that have been affected by:

• Staining from food or drinks
• Staining from smoking
• Dulling with age
• Tetracycline staining

How Does Zoom Whitening Work?

Zoom Whitening is a system that was scientifically developed to provide the maximum results in the shortest period of time. The procedure starts with the isolation of your lips and gums to shield them from the gel/light bleaching process. Next, the whitening gel is applied to your teeth and is activated by a special lamp that works to increase the effectiveness of the bleaching gel, therefore, leaving you with amazing results. In some cases, you may even notice your teeth lighten even more after the first few days following the procedure.

Maintaining your new Zoom Smile is easy with regular dental care and occasional touch-ups at home. If you would like to know more about the Zoom Whitening process, please visit: www.zoomnow.com

Whitening your teeth is one of the easiest and quickest ways to update your smile. All it takes is about the same amount of time as you would spend on a lunch break and you can walk out with a new bright smile that’s worth bragging about. Call us to schedule your initial consultation today!

Dental Implants Q & A

What are the Benefits of Implant Dentistry?

Dental implants offer many benefits over removable teeth replacements. Implants are anchored into the jawbone (osseointegrated), so there is no pressure being placed on the adjacent teeth. Implants reduce the chance of further bone loss which can otherwise lead to loss of support for facial features and contours and increase the aged appearance of the face. Implant dentistry will improve your confidence while speaking, eating, and ultimately allow you to live your best life. Implants blend right into your smile since they emerge from the gum with a natural color and profile that is designed by Dr. Donia to fit you, just like your natural teeth.

Will Dental Implants Work for Me and what is the Process?

As with any procedure, Dr. Donia will start the process with an initial consultation to evaluate a variety of factors before proceeding with implants. He must evaluate your general health status and the availability of the amount of bone required to complete the treatment with success. If you are eligible, Dr. Donia will then use x-rays to determine where the implant can be placed. In some cases, you may be referred to an oral surgeon or specialist for the next step in treatment.

Your next visit will be for the actual placement of the implant into the bone. During this visit, Dr. Donia will place the implant into the precise position before suturing the gums back over the implant. The final part of the process is a healing period of 4-6 months where the implant becomes osseointegrated, or “fixed” into the bone.

At the conclusion of the healing period, it is time to come back to the office for the placement of the abutment (the post on which your crown will “sit”). Dr. Donia will take impressions to make your final cosmetic crown at this time, the crown will be a virtual replica of a natural tooth.

Crowns Q & A

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a prosthetic cap that is placed over a tooth to improve appearance and functionality by restoring the tooth’s size, shape, color, and strength. Crowns are permanent and therefore cannot be removed. A crown will look and feel like a normal part of your mouth. Crowns are typically used to cover damaged teeth, and fully extend to the gum line, therefore no one will be able to tell they are not part of your natural teeth.

Why Does Someone Need a Dental Crown?

Crowns are needed for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. The most common reason for a crown is because a tooth has been broken or decayed to a point where there is not sufficient tooth left to be eligible for a filling. Crowns also add support to weakened or fractured teeth to prevent further damage.

Crowns are often used in conjunction with other dental procedures such as bridges and dental implants. Crowns are the support that holds a dental bridge in place and is usually placed on the teeth surrounding the bridge. In a dental implant, crowns are attached to the abutment to cover the implant and therefore restore lost teeth.

What Are the Different Types of Crowns?

Crowns can be made using a variety of materials ranging from stainless steel to metals like gold or nickel, to porcelain-fused-to-metal, to full resin, and even full ceramic or porcelain.

Stainless steel is the easiest and cheapest material to use. This material the go-to option for children’s crowns.
Gold is the most durable and is preferred for use on molars because they are not tooth-colored.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal is the most realistic looking option as porcelain matches the color of your teeth and can be used in the front or back.
The full resin is inexpensive but will wear down over time easier than any other material.
All-ceramic looks the most natural but will eventually degrade the surrounding teeth.

Bridges Q & A

What Are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are a treatment method to fill in the gap from one or more missing teeth. Dr. Donia designs and creates false teeth that fit in the gap and then secures them in place using several crowns on each side of the gap, which creates a “bridge.” Dental bridges are permanent and are cemented in place to ensure they are not able to slide or fall out.

Why Does a Person Need a Bridge?

Dental bridges are typically needed if a patient is missing one or more teeth. These teeth could have been lost due to a number of reasons including trauma, extensive decay, gum disease, or tooth extraction.

Dental bridges serve to protect your bite by preventing the remaining teeth from shifting into the space to try to fill it. Bridges also help prevent gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorder since both can be caused by a lack of teeth.

What Are the Types of Bridges?

There are three main types of bridges: traditional, cantilever and Maryland bonded. Most patients are eligible for a traditional bridge. A traditional bridge uses a crown made of porcelain-fused-to-metal or ceramic on either side of the gap to anchor a tooth in the middle.

Cantilever bridges are required when there are only teeth remaining on one side of the gap. However, this technique places too much pressure and stress supporting teeth and is therefore considered outdated and rarely used today.

Maryland bonded bridges are supported by metal or porcelain wings which are then permanently cemented to the surrounding teeth and therefore forgo the use of crowns.

What Are the Benefits of Bridges?

Bridges are great for patients because they allow you to eat and speak without limitations just like your natural teeth. Bridges also serve to reduce stress on the other teeth in your mouth as you will be chewing normally. Another important advantage is that bridges help to maintain the shape of your face and to restore your naturally beautiful smile.

Invisalign® Q & A

Why Use Invisalign?

Straightening your teeth is not just about having a gorgeous smile you can show off, it is also about keeping your entire mouth and body healthy.

Straightening teeth actually increases overall health. Having straight teeth reduces the possibility of periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting your teeth and has been linked to bacteria found in the mouth. This is because straight teeth are easier to clean and therefore will have less bacterial. Periodontal health or lack thereof has also been linked to other health issues such as cardiovascular disease, increased blood pressure, increased chance of stroke, and increased chance of heart attack. But it doesn’t stop there, the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease has also been linked to reproductive health issues such as premature pregnancies with low birth weights and even more complications for those who suffer from diabetes.

Teeth alignment is not just a step towards meeting a cosmetic or self-esteem goal, it’s also a step toward improving your overall health by reducing contributing factors to serious health issues such as cardiovascular diseases and reproductive health complications.

Will Invisalign Work for Me?

Invisalign can be used to treat a variety of issues related to teeth alignment:

• Overly crowded teeth: This occurs where the jaw does not have the necessary room to allow the teeth to fit normally. If left untreated, the condition can lead to decay and gum disease, and prevent the normal function of the teeth.
• Widely spaced teeth: This condition occurs when the jaw bone has overgrown, or teeth are missing, leaving the remaining teeth to shift into the open spaces. If left untreated, these conditions increase the risk of developing periodontal diseases.
• Crossbites/Overbites/Underbites: This case is when the upper and lower parts of the jaw do not line up properly which causes a protrusion of the upper or lower portion of the jaw, affecting the face profile. Left untreated, the patient will not be chew or occlude properly and therefore will experience discomfort.

Dr. Donia has earned the coveted title of elite provider of Invisalign due to his extensive experience with the treatment. Over the years, he has helped many of his patients to achieve the straight and beautiful smile they always dreamed of. If you think one of the above conditions describes your current smile, take the first step toward enhancing your health, confidence, and smile by consulting with Dr. Donia about Invisalign.

Can Adults Use Invisalign?

Yes! Invisalign is perfect for adults because it is virtually invisible and most people won’t even notice you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. The adult patients Dr. Donia has treated with Invisalign report outstanding results with little to no interruption to their lives throughout treatment.

Comprehensive treatments – a solution worth smiling about

Treatment plans are customized by Dr. Donia and sometimes require more than one treatment technique by combining Invisalign into a treatment plan with porcelain veneers or other restorative work.

Why would you want to do both Invisalign and Veneers?

Every patient presents a unique set of circumstances and while some patients may benefit from instant orthodontics with veneers, that is not the case for all patients. Invisalign can prepare a more solid foundation for extensive restorative work by first addressing health issues of the teeth and gums. Only a renowned and experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Donia can create the perfect treatment plan that will achieve the best results to suit your goals and needs.

Porcelain Veneers Q & A

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers cover only the front of the teeth using thin sheets of porcelain. This differs from veneers that use porcelain crowns to cover the entire tooth. Depending on your unique case and your specific cosmetic goals, Dr. Donia will determine the correct treatment option for you.

What To Expect When Getting Porcelain Veneers

When receiving porcelain veneers and crowns expect the process to require a few visits to our office. We will start with an initial consultation where Dr. Donia will show you some examples of the issues that can be corrected and address any additional improvements you have in mind in order to design your new custom perfect smile. Once your unique treatment plan has been formed, the first appointment will focus on creating a foundation for your veneers by contouring the outer layer of enamel, this is a gentle process.

Dr. Donia will then take an impression of your newly contoured enamel to use as a guide for the creation of your new veneers. After this initial appointment, you will go home with custom temporaries, these are similar to your final result so you can start showing off your smile right away.

The next visit is the seat appointment, at this time, Dr. Donia will remove the custom temporaries and apply the permanent veneers. At this time, there will be one last check that your veneers complement the shape of your face and smile and you are all set. Your new porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years with proper care and are resistant to stains.

What Are No-Prep Veneers?

No-prep veneers are a type of porcelain veneer that can help patients achieve a beautiful smile with minimal invasion of the patient’s own teeth. Not all patients are candidates for no-prep veneers, Dr. Donia can determine if they are right for you.

Please visit our gallery to see some of the beautiful smiles Dr. Donia has provided for his patients through the years. You will find an entire section on porcelain veneers and crowns.