Wednesday, March 4, 2015

CEREC Same Day Dental Appliances

In the past, getting a crown involved multiple appointments, which could be spaced weeks apart. It also involved having a temporary crown while you waited for the permanent crown to be made in an outside lab. At Radiance Dental, we offer a different and better option to the traditional process.
 
We are proud to offer our patients the latest technology when it comes to having crowns placed. CEREC is a dental machine, which allows us to create veneers, inlays, onlays and crowns in one visit right in our office.
 
The CEREC process starts by removing the decay from the tooth and reshaping it. A picture is then taken and appears on the computer screen in 3D. Dr. Chawla can then design the restoration. The nest step involves the CEREC machine milling or carving out the restoration while you are in the office. It eliminates the need for temporary crowns and makes the process more convenient.
 
Same day crowns using CEREC technology allow you to walk in and walk out the same day with a restoration. The process also eliminates the need for messy impressions.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Lumineers vs. Veneers

You have probably heard a lot about veneers, but do you know about Lumineers? If not, you should know that they can transform your smile in less time and more comfort than you ever imagined. Similar to veneers, Lumineers are hard, porcelain shells that can be applied seamlessly over your teeth. They are digitally designed to be ultra-thin and give you a beautiful and natural-looking smile.
 
Because traditional veneers tend to be thicker, they require more aggressive removal of healthy tooth enamel. On the other hand, Lumineers are about as thin as a contact, so they require a less-invasive procedure than traditional veneers, and it only takes two visits to our office to get them. Since very little enamel has to be removed from the teeth to make room, the procedure does not typically require shots or temporary veneers as you wait for your custom-made Lumineers to be crafted.
 
While Lumineers offer many benefits, Dr. Geetika Chawla recommends that they only be used for minor cosmetic adjustments and not for a major makeover. If you want to extend the size of small teeth, fix minor chips, make teeth appear straighter or change the color of your smile, Lumineers are an exceptional option.
 
To get a smile that you will love showing off, schedule an appointment with our office in Camas, WA by calling (360) 369-6420. For more information about our practice and our services, visit www.radiancedentalnw.com.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Full Dentures

Getting full dentures involves removing all the natural teeth and replacing them with prosthetic teeth. At Radiance Dental, we understand if you are transitioning into full dentures, you’re likely to have questions. Dr. Geetika Chawla and her experienced team are happy to walk you through the process and answer all of your questions.
 
Having full dentures does not mean you will compromise appearance or function. In fact, getting full dentures can be beneficial in the following ways:
  • Improved Appearance: Dentures can replace missing teeth and give you the confidence to smile again. Also, missing teeth can cause facial muscles to sag. Full dentures can prevent this from happening.
  • Restore proper chewing and speaking: Missing teeth can mean difficulties chewing and eating. It can also cause problems speaking. Getting full dentures will help improve chewing and speech difficulties associated with missing teeth.
  • Increased Self-esteem: Improving your appearance and smile is not only about looking better, but it can increase confidence. Improved confidence and self-esteem carry over to almost all areas of your life.
Getting full dentures can improve your appearance, functioning and quality of life. Dr. Chawla and her staff at Radiance Dental want you to have a positive dental experience. We aim to provide excellent customer service to meet your needs.
 
For information on full dentures or other services visitwww.radiancedentalnw.com or call us at (360) 369-6420.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Inlays/Onlays

We provide many restorative dental procedures here at Radiance Dental in Camas, WA, one of which includes inlays and onlays. These types of restorative procedures are completed using composite resin, and similar to a partial crown. It is the same basic procedure as fitting a crown, except they do not cover the tooth fully. Patients who want to cover decay or get fillings, have discoloration or staining, or have damage to their tooth from a crack or chip, benefit from inlays and onlays.
 
Inlays are placed inside the cusp of the tooth, while outlays are on the outside of the tooth. The basic procedure for inlays and onlays in our practice goes as follows:
 
1. Decayed parts of the tooth are first removed, as well as any infected areas.
2. The tooth is cleaned and sterilized thoroughly.
3. An impression is made of the tooth and sent to a dental lab. Temporary restorations are available.
4. In two weeks, patients return to have the inlay or onlay bonded to their tooth.
 
If you are in need of inlays or onlays, call us at (360) 369-6420to schedule an appointment with Dr. Geetika Chawla here at Radiance Dental in Camas, WA. 

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Bad Breath

Bad breath is something our patients often experience, and is one of the common things they ask us about at our practice. Quite often, having bad breath, also called halitosis, is the result of decay and can be remedied with proper cleanings and periodontal health.
 
Radiance Dental offers a variety of dental services that help clean the patient’s mouth. Whether that means a regular cleaning, treating gum disease, or providing tips and suggestions for improving their halitosis, we help patients find better self-confidence.
In general, bad breath can be caused by a number of things, including the following:
  • Failing to brush and floss regularly
  • Smoking cigarettes
  • Not drinking enough water
  • Suffering from dry mouth, also called xerostomia
  • Taking certain medications
During the first dental visit, we determine the root cause of the bad breath. This helps guide us in the right direction for the best treatment options. In some cases, it is simply a matter of a deep cleaning, while other patients need treatment for periodontal disease.
 
If you are struggling with bad breath in Vancouver, WA schedule an appointment for a professional cleaning and check-up at Radiance dental by calling (360) 369-6420 or visit www.radiancedentalnw.com

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that often goes unnoticed because it has very few signs and symptoms that patients notice. This is why Dr. Sanjeev Sharma performs free oral cancer screenings during each routine visit here at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, Washington.
 
Our patients who have a bi-annual dentist visit also receive a screening for oral cancer by Dr. Sharma. He looks for signs of cancer on the tongue, gums, inside and outside the mouth, cheeks and lips. The exam goes as follows:
 
1) Patients are asked to remove any partials or dentures.
2) Dr. Sharma looks at the outside of their face, cheeks, lips, neck and mouth for sores and other signs of oral cancer.
3) He then feels underneath the jaw and neck for lumps.
4) He inspects the inside of the mouth next, starting with the cheeks and lips.
5) He thoroughly exams the tongue, followed by the roof and floor of the mouth.
6) Finally, the gums are looked at carefully for signs of oral cancer.
 
Oral cancer is more treatable when it is caught early. We provide oral cancer screenings for every patient, regardless of their age. If we find a lump or sore, we order more tests to confirm the diagnosis.
 
If you haven’t had an oral cancer screening recently, or ever, we encourage you to contact us directly at (360) 369-6420 to schedule an appointment for this important preventative screening.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Bonding

Patients that are not happy with their smile have options when it comes to restoring it. One of the options we provide here at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, WA dental is dental bonding.
 
Bonding is one of the simpler procedures to improve the appearance of teeth, including covering up staining, filling a cavity with a tooth-colored material, and fixing gaps or spaces in the teeth. Bonding is done using composite resin, which can be mixed to any shade to match the natural teeth. It hardens with an LED light, so the process is quick and easy.
 
Here are the basic steps to getting bonding performed by Dr. Sanjeev Sharma:
 
1. The teeth to be treated are cleaned thoroughly to remove any plaque or decay.
2. The surface of the teeth are prepared by being scuffed and possibly filed down. This process helps the composite resin material adhere better.
3. The bonding resin is mixed by our dentist, matching the color to the patient’s natural tooth.
4. The composite resin material is painted on the tooth and left to dry using an LED light. It is then polished once dry.
 
To restore your smile using a simple and effective bonding procedure, visit us at Radiance Dental! Visit www.radiancedentalnw.com or call (360) 369-6420 to set up an appointment with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma!