Dentist San Francisco specializing in mercury free dentistry, zirconia metal free implants, invisalign treatment and cosmetic dentistry
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
The Difference between Zoom! Whitening and Take-Home Tray Whitening
The Difference between Zoom! Whitening and Take-Home Tray Whitening
By Mina Levi, DDS 02/20/2014
Teeth whitening is a popular choice for those who wish to enhance their smile cosmetically. The teeth whitening procedure has been around for thirty to forty years, and does not damage the structure of the tooth in any way. Today, there are two main teeth whitening options at the dental office of Dr. Mina Levi, DDS. The first is traditional tray whitening, and the other is the new Zoom! LED light in-office whitening. In this article, we discuss the procedures in detail with pros and cons of both.
Take-Home Tray Whitening
Procedure:
1. First, the patient makes an appointment to come into the office and have impressions taken of their
teeth. Custom-made whitening trays will be fabricated in the office from these impressions.
2. A few days later, the patient will come back to the office to pick up their trays and receive the whitening gel, which is between 8-32% carbomide peroxide gel.
3. Dr. Mina Levi will give the patient instructions on how to load the whitening gel into the trays, and advise that they wear the trays for about fifteen minutes per day for two weeks.
Pros:
· Produces the same desired outcome of the Zoom! procedure if the patient has been consistently following directions for the entire two weeks.
· Patients can do a touch-up of whitening at any time because they will always have the trays available to them, all they have to do is pick up more whitening gel.
Cons:
· The tray whitening procedure takes a long time to achieve the desired effect. Many patients are excited and keep up with the whitening for a few days and then are not consistent.
· The tray whitening procedure is also inconvenient for patients since it needs to be done every day, which is the main reason that patients do not stick with it throughout the entire process.
· Dark-colored foods like pasta sauce and red wine must be avoided the entire time whitening is taking place, for about two to three weeks.
Zoom! Whitening
Procedure: 
1. The patient will make one appointment at which they will be sat in a dental chair and their gums will be covered with a protecting gel, so that their gums aren’t damaged in the process.
2. The patient will then undergo three fifteen-minute sessions of the Zoom! light with a 25% hydrogen peroxide gel applied to the teeth.
Pros:
· The Zoom! procedure is instant and requires one single office visit. This is convenient for patients who want instant results, especially if there is a deadline or event that is taken into consideration.
· The Zoom! procedure is proven to whiten teeth up to eight shades in the forty-five minutes the patient will be at the office.
Cons:
· The Zoom! procedure is a bit more expensive than the tray whitening option.
· Can cause “zingers” in the teeth which are tiny zaps that the patient may feel. They last no longer than a second or two and can be felt for twelve to twenty-four hours after the procedure. The “zingers” depend on the patients’ sensitivity.
If you have an interest in whitening your teeth and have any questions or concerns regarding either the Zoom! procedure or the tray whitening procedure, visit Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066. If you aren’t sure if teeth whitening is for you, the dental office of Mina Levi, DDS also offers “Lumismile” which shows you what your teeth can look like if they are whitened.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Be Informed About Oral Piercings
Be Informed About Oral Piercings
By Mina Levi, DDS 02/13/2014
Many people get piercings, but there are risks to your dental and oral health involved in getting an oral piercing that you need to know about before deciding on getting one. In the article below, we discuss risks and other information associated with oral piercings so that you can be as informed as possible.
Risks of Getting an Oral Piercings
1. Symptoms after oral piercings include pain, swelling, and increased saliva flow.
2. The mouth is home to a large amount of bacteria even when oral hygiene is readily executed, and infections occur readily after an oral piercing. Although not as common, severe infections such as hepatitis or endocarditis can occur as a result of an oral piercing.
3. Piercers do not typically have training in anatomy and physiology, and if a blood vessel or nerve is in the pathway of the needle during the piercing process it can cause severe bleeding or nerve damage.
4. Sometimes blood poisoning, metal allergies, or blood clots can occur.
5. Metal jewelry in the mouth is often the cause of cracked and broken teeth. This risk is reduced slightly by plastic jewelry, but is not eliminated.
6. Piercings of the lips in which the backside of the jewelry lies on the inside of the mouth can cause irritation of the gum tissue as it can scrape and wear gum tissue away as it moves in the mouth. This requires reconstructive surgery to repair and sometimes results in the loss of teeth. It is incredibly important to check the gum health regularly at the dental office of Dr. Mina Levi DDS to discover this early.
If You Already Have an Oral Piercing
If you already have an oral piercing, you may want to consider having the jewelry removed to protect
your teeth and gums. If you decide to keep it, make sure to do the following:
1. Remove the jewelry when participating in sports, and also wear a mouth guard.
2. Check the tightness of your jewelry regularly with very clean hands, to ensure the jewelry is never loose.
3. Have regular check-ups with the dentist Dr. Mina Levi to keep track of the health of the gums and teeth.
How to Choose a Good Piercer
Choosing a professional is very important when considering having
an oral piercing done, because you want it done correctly. The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) provides resources for finding a reputable piercer on their website at www.safepiercing.org. It is important to make sure your piercer uses an autoclave sterilizer and that they do not re-use needles. Make sure that the piercing room is clean and that you will be receiving aftercare instructions. It is encouraged that you ask your piercer questions that will help you evaluate their experience. Be sure to follow your instincts; if the piercer or piercing location does not seem to meet all of the standards or does not make you feel comfortable, then go somewhere else.
It is your personal decision whether or not to get an oral piercing, but make sure that you are as informed as possible before deciding. If you have any questions or concerns about oral piercings and the risks involved with your oral health, visit Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Lumineers
Lumineers
By Mina Levi, DDS, 02/06/2014
A common worry that patients have when considering getting porcelain veneers put on as a cosmetic choice is the amount of healthy tooth structure that has to be removed in order to do so. Traditional porcelain veneers are thick, so a good amount of tooth structure must be shaved down in order to ensure that the veneers look natural and do not turn out too bulky and stick out. This is a credible concern and causes many patients to turn away from having their dream smile. However, Den Mat’s Lumineers are thin like a contact lens, and allow for a minimally invasive veneer experience. In this article, we talk about what Lumineers are and how patients can benefit from this option.
What are Lumineers?
Lumineers are ultra-thin veneers that can be seamlessly applied over your teeth for a flawless, natural looking smile. They are minimally invasive and do not require shots, temporaries, or the loss of much healthy tooth structure.
How long will Lumineers last?
Clinical testing has proven that Lumineers can look great and last durably for over twenty years.
With Lumineers, can I still chew gum and eat my favorite sticky foods?
Lumineers are applied in the most durable way possible, so you may eat and drink whatever you want. However, Lumineers don’t replace good hygiene, so you should continue to visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and cleaning to keep your Lumineers looking their best.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Lumineers or any other cosmetic dentistry options, visit Lumineers Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.
Mouthwash: Do I Need to Use It?
Mouthwash: Do I Need to Use it?
By Mina Levi, DDS 01/30/2014
Many of us are aware that brushing and flossing should be a part of our daily hygiene regimen, but mouthwash seems to have always been optional. This leaves us with questions regarding whether or not it is actually necessary, what kinds we should be using, and how often. The only thing we know to be true is that it usually burns our mouths when we use it. In this article, we discuss the history of mouthwash and how to use it in our daily dental care routines.
Where did mouthwash come from?
People have been using mouthwash-like recipes for cleaning teeth and freshening breath since ancient times, in Greek, Egyptian, Chinese and Roman cultures. The mouthwash that we know and use today was developed and mass-produced in the later 1800’s. Then, most of the mouthwash formulas used alcohol to kill off germs. With improvements in science and research, we are now able to develop mouthwash formulas without alcohol and instead with products like cetylpyridium chloride. There are even developments of mouthwash formulas for sensitive mouths or with more natural products that work to kill germs, too.
Is mouthwash a necessary part of the oral hygiene regimen?
If a person has optimal oral health and keeps up with flossing and brushing regularly, then mouthwash is optional, but still good to use. However, for those who have gingivitis, periodontitis, easily bleeding gums, halitosis, or other oral health-related ailments, then mouthwash is absolutely a necessary part of the daily dental care routine. Mouthwash works with brushing and flossing (and should for no reason act as a substitute for either) to keep the mouth healthy. Mouthwash can be helpful in ensuring that the maximum amount of germs are destroyed, especially those that the brushing and flossing may have missed.
How do I know if I am using mouthwash properly?
There are a few factors to consider when using mouthwash, which is how much you should use, how much you should dilute it, and how long you should swish it in your mouth.
You want to have enough mouthwash in your mouth to be able to run it throughout the mouth and through all of the crevices of the teeth and gums, but you do not want so much that you are not able to move it around in your mouth easily. One way to ensure that you are using a good amount is to use amouthwash dispenser. This also helps with over-filling and wasting the mouthwash.
Depending on the brand or type of mouthwash you choose to use, each may have different recommendations on dilution. With alcoholic mouthwashes, it is good to dilute them with water so that the burning sensation is not so intense. However, if the label on the mouthwash does not recommend diluting, then diluting it may cause the germ-killing benefits to decrease.
Normally, a good amount of time to have mouthwash in the mouth each time is about thirty seconds to one minute. However, this time will also depend on the brand or type of mouthwash that you choose to use.
The most important factor in the proper use of mouthwash is to remember that mouthwash is not a replacement or substitute for brushing or flossing.
What type should I be using?
The office of Dr. Mina Levi suggests using a non-alcoholic mouthwash with a medium concentration that does not stain the teeth. Oxyfresh is a good option – it has hydrogen peroxide and Xylitol, which adds antibacterial and mechanical properties from the foam to push plaque out of the periodontal pockets. Xylitol has antibacterial properties and inhibits the growth of oral bacteria. Oxyfresh also has mouthwashes with peppermint oil or lemon-mint scent.
If you have any questions about what type of mouthwash you should be using or if you are including mouthwash in your daily dental hygiene routine correctly, visit Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com, or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.
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