Restorative Dentistry

Smile Makeovers: First Things First

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

smile design Daly City

In this post, we will focus on something that happens occasionally when a patient requests cosmetic dentistry from a dentist like Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City.

Let me set the stage. The patient comes in for a consultation about a smile makeover. We’ll call him Mr. Jones. The dentist listens carefully as he explains the esthetic problems that he wants to remedy. Mr. Jones wants to fix two chipped teeth, get a dental implant for a tooth that is missing altogether, and whiten his whole smile. He describes what he envisions for his smile after undergoing treatment.

The dentist performs an examination of his entire mouth and takes x-rays. The dentist discovers some additional troubles. There are three teeth with moderate decay, one tooth with acute decay, gum disease, an old crown with a crack in it, and severe bone recession at the potential dental implant site where the tooth was extracted ten years ago.

The dentist explains that these issues need to be addressed before the smile redesign is performed. Mr. Jones says that the smile makeover is his first priority and plans to deal with the other problems sometime in the future.

How does the dentist advise Mr. Jones? The dentist will probably explain that the lasting success of a cosmetic dental procedure such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or tooth whitening is influenced by the condition of the mouth at the time of treatment. There must be a solid, healthy foundation, so to speak, on which to build the smile makeover.

First things first. It makes no sense to attach a veneer to a decayed tooth that may need a root canal. A dental implant may not integrate with the surrounding bone structure if placed at a site where there is bone recession. Tooth whitening will probably not produce favorable results where there is gum disease and exposed tooth roots.

Can Mr. Jones ever have his dream smile? Yes! There are treatments to correct all of the problems mentioned previously. But just like many other things in life, the order of operations is critical.

Find out what cosmetic dentistry can do for your smile by contacting Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City. We also provide general dentistry. Make an appointment today.

Contact Kenneth Hovden DDS:

650-755-6000

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California
94015

 

Amazing Dental Implants

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, General Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

The best permanent tooth replacement treatment available to Daly City people who are missing teeth are cutting-edge dental implants, available from Kenneth Hovden DDS.

A dental implant is a metal (usually titanium) rod implanted into the bone to replace the missing root. The crown and supporting structure are securely and permanently attached to the rod. Titanium is amazingly strong and extremely well tolerated by the human body.

Dental implants offer a long-term solution to tooth loss. Are you a good candidate?

Because the metal rod is anchored into the jaw bone, it is essential that you have enough healthy bone at the implant site. We can determine if you do. Age is rarely a factor. Dental implants have proven to be successful for people of all ages.

There are a few medical issues that may affect your eligibility for implants. These include diabetes, osteoporosis, radiation therapy for cancer, parathyroid disorders, bone disorders and leukemia. The presence of one or more of these conditions does not necessarily mean an implant cannot work for you; discuss any health problems with us during your implant consultation.

At Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City, we provide dental implants, along with general dentistry. Make an appointment with us today.

Contact Kenneth Hovden DDS:

650-755-6000

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California
94015

 

Help! My Crown Came Off!

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Categories: Restorative Dentistry

repair broken dental crown Daly City

You are chewing an apple and hear an odd sound. Something in your mouth feels wrong. One of your crowns has popped free. Chances are, the crown (which cost you hundreds of dollars) can be re-cemented.

What do you do when your dental crown comes off? It’s essential that you take the following steps:

Don’t Swallow It!
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is essential. Carefully take the crown out of your mouth. If you accidentally swallow it, you will have some extra troubles that aren’t pleasant.

Look Carefully
Inspect the crown and your tooth. If there is damage to either, Dr. Hovden will need that information. Which brings me to number 3:

Call Kenneth Hovden DDS
We will schedule you an appointment right away and guide you on whether you should use temporary cement to re-attach the crown until you can have it permanently re-cemented.

Clean Gently
Use a toothbrush to cautiously clean the crown and the unprotected partial tooth.

Handle With Care
While waiting for the crown to be re-cemented, skip substances that are chewy, sticky, or crunchy.

 

Contact Kenneth Hovden DDS: 650-755-6000

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California
94015

 

Have A Large Cavity In Your Tooth?

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Categories: Restorative Dentistry

Daly City Cosmetic Dentistry When Dr. Kenneth Hovden of Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City repairs a tooth that has decay or damage, the procedure chosen often depends on the location of the problem. (We’re talking tooth-specific locale here; it doesn’t matter whether you live in San Mateo, Pacifica, or Half Moon Bay.) If there is a chip, crack or cavity on the biting surface of a tooth, an onlay or inlay is often used to restore the tooth.

Inlays and onlays are a type of tooth restoration used successfully at Kenneth Hovden DDS. They are usually bigger than a conventional filling yet smaller than a complete crown. An inlay is used to fill an area inside the cusp tips or bumps of a tooth. An onlay covers an area that includes more than one cusp.

At Kenneth Hovden DDS, the inlays and onlays we place for our San Mateo and Pacifica patients are indistinguishable from their natural teeth. Dr. Kenneth Hovden has the finely-honed eye for detail and complete mastery of dental aesthetics to create an exact match.

Kenneth Hovden DDS inlays and onlays…

Are stain resistant
Do not cause tooth sensitivity
Are beautifully matched to natural teeth
When bonded to the tooth, they strengthen the tooth and prevent further decay or damage

Call 650-755-6000 to book a cosmetic dental consultation today.

We’ll help you keep your smile happy and healthy!

Say Goodbye To Old Amalgam Fillings

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Categories: Restorative Dentistry

white fillings San Francisco

Remember what your teeth looked like before you had your first cavity? When you opened your mouth to laugh or yawn, the people with you could see only pearly white molar surfaces. (Unless, of course, you had been munching Oreos.)

If you are like many Daly City and San Mateo adults, you started developing cavities fairly young and started receiving the ubiquitous silver amalgam fillings that were used by San Francisco family dentists. As the years went by, two fillings became three. If you didn’t drink fluoridated water, three fillings may have became four. Now when you open wide – others see a mouthful of metal.

Fortunately, Daly City people with silver amalgam fillings can regain the smile of their youth. The replacement of silver fillings with composite tooth-colored fillings is a relatively inexpensive cosmetic dental procedure available at Kenneth Hovden DDS that can transform a smile just as dramatically as more extensive cosmetic dental treatment.

Composite fillings available at Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City are comprised of a mixture of glass or quartz and resin which creates a natural tooth-colored material. They are strong and durable when bonded to the tooth with adhesive.

Hopefully, you don’t have a new cavity. But if you do, you can start off with a white composite filling. In addition to the cosmetic advantages over silver, the preparation requires the removal of less healthy tooth structure. A conservative (as possible) restoration at Kenneth Hovden DDS leaves you with more of nature’s superior dental material — your own enamel and dentin.

If you would like to improve your smile by replacing silver-mercury fillings, schedule a Kenneth Hovden DDS cosmetic dental consultation today by calling 650-755-6000. We will develop a treatment plan to address all areas of concern. If you have your teeth illuminated in combination with silver filling replacement, you’ll be pleased with your new sensational smile.

Ask us about TMJ treatment, sleep apnea and snoring, restorative dentistry and Invisalign. We look forward to meeting you. Call us today at 650-755-6000.

Kenneth Hovden DDS
901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California 94015
650-755-6000

How Long Will A Dental Crown Last?

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Categories: Restorative Dentistry

cost of dental crowns San Francisco

San Francisco endodontists, oral surgeons, and general dentists use dental crowns (sometimes called caps) in many restorative treatments. A crown adds strength to a tooth that has a large filling or has been injured, a crown can correct bite misalignments, and a crown is usually necessary after a root canal. In a dental implant procedure, attaching the crown to the abutment is the final step.

Crowns are also used extensively for purely cosmetic problems: yellow teeth, stained teeth, too-small teeth, and teeth that are misshapen.

Dental crowns are fabricated from a variety of materials that vary in appearance and strength:

1. All ceramic (porcelain-based)
2. Porcelain fused to metal
3. Gold alloys
4. Base metal alloys

Your dentist can help you determine which type is right for you. Factors to consider are the location of the crown in the mouth, your budget, and any allergies to metal.

When many Daly City dentists provide a crown restoration, they use a process that requires two office visits. On the first visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth and take an impression for the dental lab. Then, the dentist will make a temporary crown for the patient to use until the permanent crown is ready. Some dentists have special technology that allows them to fabricate and place crowns in one visit.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? Dental crowns can last for many years but are not designed to last indefinitely. Even with proper care, dental patients should not expect crowns to be trouble-free for decades. There is encouraging evidence, however, that points to a high success rate: a 2009 study found that more than 90% of dental crowns will not require treatment within five years of placement. The study also found that 50% to 80% last from 15 to 20 years.1

At Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City, we provide quality restorative and cosmetic dentistry. In addition to dental crowns, we offer restorative dentistry, Invisalign, and sleep apnea and snoring treatment.

Kenneth Hovden DDS
901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California 94015
650-755-6000
http://cosmeticimplantdentistryca.com/services.php

1Bader JD1, Shugars DA., “Summary review of the survival of single crowns,” PubMed.gov, 2009, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19146146, accessed June 16, 2014

“Keep Your Teeth Safe, Daly City”

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Categories: Dental Health, Restorative Dentistry

Daly City General Dentistry To Keep Your Teeth Safe

Hopefully you are one of many health-conscious Daly City residents who is finding ways to get outside or to the gym and get moving. There has been an explosion in the variety of activities offered by personal trainers, all-purpose Daly City gyms, specialty facilities, and California recreation departments in recent years. With all these exciting ways to exercise becoming commonplace, people in the San Mateo, San Francisco, and Daly City areas may not be aware of the tooth risks associated with them.

I’m Dr. Kenneth Hovden, a concerned Daly City dentist and fitness enthusiast, and I want to talk to you today about mouth protectors.

You might think that mouth protectors are only for ultimate fighters and football players, but actually mouth guards can and should be used during any activity where a blow to the face is possible.

This includes many common sports such as pick-up basketball games, volleyball, gymnastics, and bicycling. When you have a properly fitted mouth protector, you can prevent broken or lost teeth as well as lip, tongue, and jaw injuries.

Mouth protectors come in three main types: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, they rarely fit well. You can find boil and bite mouth protectors at sporting goods stores in the San Francisco area. They are to be softened in water and then formed to your mouth (make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions). Custom-fitted mouth protectors can be made by your Daly City dentist to make sure you have a perfect fit.

The soft tissues that line your cheeks and lips are especially susceptible to injury when you have braces or fixed bridge work, not to mention the damage that can be caused to the orthodontic appliances themselves. For these reasons, a mouth protector is extremely important for San Francisco patients undergoing these treatments. Your Daly City orthodontist may even suggest a mouth protector for your lower teeth as well.

If you have questions about sports dentistry in Daly City or any other dental issues, please contact my office and schedule an appointment. I look forward to meeting you.

Kenneth Hovden
Kenneth Hovden DDS
901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City California
650-755-6000    http://cosmeticimplantdentistryca.com/services.php

More Valuable Than a Diamond

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Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

“Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”
-Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote, 1605

San Mateo Dental Implant Dentistry When Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, there was no way to replace teeth that were lost to trauma or decay. We are fortunate to live here in Daly City at a time where there is a permanent replacement for missing teeth-the amazing Dental Implant.

A dental implant, or tooth implant, is anchored into the jaw bone. It does not slide around like a removable denture. It functions just like a natural tooth.

With a dental implant, you can talk, chew, and brush like normal. Eat that steak. Laugh out loud. Sing at the top of your lungs!

The dental implant procedure available in Daly City is not an experimental treatment. Dental implants have been available for many years. You can be sure that the dental implant procedure has been fully tested and tweaked to perfection. The success rate for dental implants in Daly City is almost one hundred percent.

If you have a missing tooth and want to get a tooth implant, it is important to choose an experienced Daly City cosmetic dental specialist to perform your implant procedure. To schedule a dental implant or cosmetic dentistry consultation, call 650-755-6000.

A Daly City dental implant is a strong and beautiful tooth replacement that, incidentally, costs much less than a diamond of similar size. (See the quote at the beginning of this article.) To discuss financing options, contact our office.

At Kenneth Hovden DDS, we offer the full spectrum of restorative, cosmetic, and general dental services. If you need a gentle family dentist to put your kids at ease or a precision smile design artist, we invite you to meet Dr. Kenneth Hovden, DDS.

At Kenneth Hovden DDS, we are committed to providing superior dental care for patients from 18 to 75.

To Chew Or Not To Chew In Daly City

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Categories: Dental Health, Restorative Dentistry

Can Chewing Gum In Daly City Prevent Restorative Dentistry

Hello Daly City gum chewers, today we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but can it really help prevent cavities? That’s the question we’re asking in today’s Daly City dental blog.

It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum can help remove bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.

However, gums with some alternative sweeteners have an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener which not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but it also has antimicrobial properties that reduce plaque buildup. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes tooth decay.

So if you’re headed out to any restaurants in the San Mateo, San Francisco, or Daly City area, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with you and pop it in your mouth when your meal is done. Of course, brushing and flossing are a better option for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, choose a sugarless gum with xylitol to chew.

I’m Dr. Kenneth Hovden, a cosmetic dentist in Daly City. I want my patients to have the best oral health possible. My practice, Kenneth Hovden DDS, is located at 901 Campus Dr Ste 202.

If you have any questions about how to improve your oral health, or if you would like to learn more about any of our cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, and complete smile makeovers, give us a call today at 650-755-6000.

We specialize in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and restorative dentistry. Call our professional staff today for an appointment!

Dr. Kenneth Hovden
Kenneth Hovden DDS
901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City California
650-755-6000
http://cosmeticimplantdentistryca.com/services.php

Teeth: What Have They Done For You Lately?

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

San Francisco Cosmetic Dentistry

Welcome to the San Francisco dental blog! Today we are going to look at the secret life of our teeth.

The shape of each tooth gives a clue to what it does. The incisors, or your front teeth, are sharp. They need to be because they are there to cut food and their curvature helps move food inside the mouth.

Behind the incisors, you find the canine teeth. Their roots go far into the jaw bone because they are designed to hold onto food and tear through it.

Premolars, found just behind the canines, are flat on the surface. This allows them to crush your food as you chew. And, finally, in the very back are the molars. They are large and have nice, flat chewing surfaces that help them to grind food down into smaller, more digestible pieces.

I’m Dr. Kenneth Hovden, a local Daly City dentist, and I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about the different teeth in your mouth. If you are in the San Mateo, San Francisco, or Daly City area and would like to make an appointment at my practice, Kenneth Hovden DDS, please give us a call at 650-755-6000. We can schedule an appointment and tell you about cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening in Daly City.

If you’ve ever been interested in a smile makeover, come on in and we’ll discuss the possibilities. I want my San Francisco dental patients to have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. At Kenneth Hovden DDS, we offer comprehensive dental services including:

cosmetic dentistry
dental implants
restorative dentistry