The secret to a bright, healthy smile is actually no secret at all: brush, floss and get a professional dental exam at least once every six months. Professional dental exams are all about prevention – preventing existing problems from getting worse and preventing dental problems from developing in the future. Regular dental exams make it possible to identify and treat a problem in its earliest stage – which is not only good for your oral health but also good for your budget!

There's nothing to fear with a dental exam. Your teeth will be visually examined for signs of plaque, tartar and tooth decay. Your gums will also be examined for puffiness or discoloration, which are signs of gum disease. A full set of dental X-rays may also be taken during your dental exam, to enable your dentist to see below the surfaces of your teeth. Dental exams typically end with a dental cleaning, to remove surface stains and buildup.

Dental X-rays have come a long way. Todays dental X-rays are safer, faster, more comfortable and more informative than the X-rays of years past. Digital X-rays, one of the latest and most advanced dental technologies, produce high-quality images of your teeth that can be viewed instantly by you and your dentist on a LCD monitor. Digital X-rays reduce radiation by up to 90% and provide exceptional diagnostic information to ensure that potential problems are caught in their earliest stages. Intraoral photography is another alternative to traditional dental X-rays. With intraoral photography, problems such as cavities, fractures and discolorations in the teeth are captured through clear and sharp photographic images that are taken with a 35mm or digital camera.

No matter how often you brush and floss, plaque and tartar deposits can still build up on your teeth. A professional teeth cleaning is the single most effective way to remove these deposits and prevent them from causing more serious problems in the future. While a traditional teeth cleaning involves manually scraping away these deposits with special dental tools, advances in dental technologies now give you more options for teeth cleanings.

A laser teeth cleaning, also known as an ultrasonic cleaning, is a popular alternative to traditional teeth cleanings. With a laser teeth cleaning, an ultrasonic scaler (rather than a manual probe) is used to remove deposits, kill harmful microbes and eliminate bacteria around the teeth and gums through high-frequency sound waves. Many patients find laser teeth cleanings more comfortable than traditional teeth cleanings because they are quicker, quieter and pain-free.

A deep cleaning may be recommended if excessive plaque and tartar deposits have developed below the gum line. Deep cleanings, also known as scaling and root planing, involve a two-part process: first, the stubborn deposits are removed, and then the root surfaces are smoothened. A deep cleaning helps prevent periodontal disease and restores gum tissues to a healthy state.

Oral cancer affects nearly 35,000 Americans every year. The keys to surviving oral cancer are early detection and early treatment. This starts with a regular oral cancer screening – at least once every six months. An oral cancer screening takes just minutes, is pain-free and can be performed during regular dental exams. If you are male, a regular oral cancer screening is especially critical: Oral cancer is more than twice as common in men as it is in women. Other people at high risk of oral cancer include people over the age of 60, tobacco smokers and heavy drinkers.

If your silver fillings make you feel self conscious when you smile, or it's simply time to replace them, consider Tooth Colored Fillings. Tooth Colored Fillings are just as durable as they are attractive! Made of composite resin, white fillings match the natural color of your teeth and are an excellent option for small to mid-sized cavities. Tooth Colored Fillings are strong, stain-resistant and require less removal of your tooth structure than amalgam fillings.

CEREC crowns are one of most innovative dental technologies to ever emerge. With CEREC crowns, you don't have to worry about messy impressions, temporary dental crowns, or multiple dental visits. CEREC crowns are made right in the dentist's office and are placed in just one visit. CEREC crowns look great, too. Made of pure porcelain and no metal, CEREC crowns look and feel like your real teeth. The convenience, comfort and beauty of CEREC crowns are unbeatable!

Although dental crowns can be made of a variety of materials, including stainless steel, gold and silver, nothing looks better than a porcelain dental crown. Porcelain dental crowns match the natural color of your teeth and are virtually undetectable by the naked eye. And because they're metal-free, porcelain dental crowns are an excellent option for patients with metal allergies. Best of all, porcelain crowns don't just look beautiful – they're long-lasting, too!

Dental bridges have been used for centuries to replace missing teeth. Today, dental bridges are still considered one of the most durable, conservative and cost-effective options for bridging the gap between a missing tooth and surrounding teeth. Comprised of two anchoring teeth and a replacement tooth, dental bridges help prevent surrounding teeth from drifting out of position, improve chewing and speaking, and help keep your natural face shape in tact.

There are three types of dental bridges: 1) traditional dental bridges, 2) cantilever dental bridges, and 3) Maryland bridges. Traditional bridges have either dental crowns or dental implants on either side of the missing tooth, plus a replacement tooth, which is held in place by a post-like structure called a dental abutment. Cantilever dental bridges are used in cases where there are surrounding teeth only on one side of the missing tooth. Maryland bridges are made of a specialized resin that is cemented to a metal framework and cemented to the enamel of surrounding teeth.

Dental bridges typically take 2-3 weeks to complete and are less invasive than other options, such as dental implants. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, dental bridges can last up to 30 years.

Using dentures to replace missing teeth is not only great for your oral health; it's a great way to look and feel younger! Today, there are a variety of natural-looking and comfortable dentures for patients who need to replace missing teeth. Made of a gum-colored plastic resin or acrylic base and either resin or porcelain replacement teeth, dentures are custom designed to fit your mouth. If you have several teeth or all teeth missing on the upper or lower jaw, full dentures may be your best option. Partial dentures, which can be either fixed or removable, are great for patients who have several missing teeth scattered along the upper or lower jaw.

The process of getting dentures may take a few months and several dental visits. In some cases, however, same-day dentures are also possible. With same-day dentures, the dentures are created right in the dentist's office instead of at an offsite laboratory. Same-day dentures aren't for everyone, though. If your dentures require a lot of customization, same-day dentures may not be right for you.

Just as with your natural teeth, dentures require daily maintenance. With regular wear and tear, your dentures can last 5-7 years. During that time, you may need periodic denture relines to accommodate changes in the contours of your mouth. Regular denture relines involve resurfacing the base to ensure that your dentures fit and function perfectly. If you break your dentures, it's critical to bring them to your dentist for professional denture repair. Home denture repair kits can cause more damage and be even more costly to fix.

Dental braces have come a long way – today's dental braces look, feel and function better than ever. Along with traditional metal braces, there are now a variety of dental braces to fit every need and budget. Clear dental braces use an innovative sliding technology instead of wires and have small, clear brackets that are virtually invisible. Lingual dental braces are metal braces placed on the back of teeth, completely hidden from view. Invisible dental braces don't use brackets at all; they include a customized set of clear plastic aligners that can be removed while eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. If a beautiful, straight smile is what you're after, you can't go wrong with dental braces – no matter what your age!

Dr. Navarro uses state-of-the-art laser periodontal therapy to eliminate bacteria and restore your healthy smile!

The truth is that periodontal disease (another name for gum disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss among adult patients. Common symptoms of gum disease include bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth (some patients feel that their teeth “wiggle” or shift along the gum line), and eventually tooth and bone loss.  Patients suffering from advanced periodontal disease experience periodontal pockets, which are areas where the gum tissue detaches from the tooth root. Additionally, the latest scientific evidence shows that periodontal disease is associated with a number of chronic whole-body illnesses. Gum disease may increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

What Can We Do?

Periodontal disease is caused by a bacterial infection that has spread to the gum tissue. It used to be that the only way to treat gum disease was with aggressive tooth scaling, root planing and invasive surgeries. Most of the time these measures were only moderately effective and left patients with sensitive and painful gums.

Now, however, Dr. Navarro has an effective alternative to traditional cut-and-sew gum surgery—LANAP laser periodontal therapy!

What is LANAP?

LANAP stands for “Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure.” This treatment uses energy from a safe, FDA-approved Periolase laser to kill bacteria and remove diseased gum tissue. Then Dr. Navarro cleans the tooth root of tartar build-up and bacteria with an ultrasonic cleaning instrument. Once the bacteria and debris have been eliminated, he once again uses the laser to seal the treated gum tissue—promoting gum healing and reattachment to the tooth.

Watch our LANAP educational video for more information:

Root canals get a bad wrap. But don't believe the rumors; the dreaded root canal isn't dreadful at all! Root canals are needed when either decay or an injury infects the inner tooth (the pulp). In the earliest stages of infection, you may not feel any pain at all. But when it progresses, you could have a toothache and swelling, or a dental abscess might form. Root canals remove the infection and prevent it from spreading. Thanks to laser root canals, this process is faster, more comfortable and, in many cases, more thorough than conventional root canals. Pulp capping is an alternative to root canals that are used when the infection has yet to penetrate the pulp. Pulp capping can also prevent a large dental filling from getting too close to the nerve.

Oral surgery is an umbrella term for surgical treatments such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extractions and bone grafting. Dental implants, an excellent solution for missing teeth, are surgically placed tooth roots that hold dental crowns in place. A wisdom tooth extraction may be recommended if there isn't enough room in your mouth to accommodate wisdom teeth and they become impacted, partially erupted or infected. Bone grafting transfers bone from one part of the jaw to another, usually to accommodate a dental implant. While a general dentist can perform some oral surgery procedures, an oral surgeon is required for others.

If you've been living with persistent jaw pain, ear pain and headaches, you could have TMJ – temporomandibular jaw disorder. TMJ can often be traced back to an improper bite, misaligned jaw joints, or an injury to the jaw or face. TMJ treatment from a dentist can relieve the discomfort. Although TMJ treatment varies from patient to patient, it typically involves one or several procedures, including the use of an orthotic splint, enamel reshaping, dental crowns, dental braces or night guards. The goal of TMJ treatment is to stabilize your bite so that your teeth, jaw muscles and jaw joints work properly together without strain – and without pain!

Regular care for children is extremely important for setting a great foundation for a lifetime of good oral hygiene and a healthy smile. At Rosemary Navarro, DDS, we provide dental care for the entire family, including infants, children and adolescents. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Rosemary E. Navarro is experienced in providing dental care for infants and children and strives to make these special patients feel comfortable during their examinations and treatments.

First Dental Examination

Your child should have his or her first dental appointment after the first tooth appears and before his or her first birthday. While children do lose their "baby" teeth, or primary teeth, these teeth are instrumental in helping children speak and chew properly. Additionally, these primary teeth create a path for their permanent adult teeth to follow when they erupt. Dental check-ups are also important opportunities to create a good foundation for ongoing oral hygiene and give parents the chance to ask any questions they have about a child's oral health.

You child's first dental visit will include scaling and polishing, fluoride treatment, a soft tissue examination, brushing and flossing instructions, a developmental examination, and nutritional counseling for maintaining good oral health.

Sealants, Fluoride, and Mouth Guards

In addition to regular examinations and cleanings, Dr. Navarro may recommend further services to protect your child's oral health. Other services provided in our Sylmar office include sealants, fluoride, and mouth guards. Preventative sealants help to protect the teeth from decay. They are made of clear plastic and are applied to pits and grooves in the teeth. Before applying sealants, the tooth is cleaned and dried. Fluoride treatments are also essential to preventing tooth decay for both children and adults and are part of a regular dental examination and cleaning.

Mouth guards, "night guards," or athletic guards, may be recommended for children that constantly grind their teeth at night, clench their jaws, or are extremely active in sports. Mouth guards can protect the teeth from excessive wear and tear and can prevent severe dental trauma for kids that are highly active or athletic.

Restorative Care

At Rosemary Navarro, DDS, we provide restorative dental services for children in addition to preventative care. Children can suffer cavities, broken teeth, or malformed teeth just like adults. Our Sylmar dentist and staff are trained to provide restorative care to meet the specific needs of children while helping them to remain calm and comfortable.

Call 818-833-7216 to schedule an appointment for your child today.