Restorative Dentistry

Can I Ignore a Cracked Tooth if it Doesn’t Hurt?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

cracked tooth repair Daly City

You may have heard that tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body. It is, but here’s a reminder from Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City: it isn’t indestructble, and if you crack a tooth you should have us look at it as soon as possible.

A tooth may become crackded as a result of trauma, or from biting down too hard on a solid object such as ice.

A cracked tooth may or may not be a dental emergency. It depends on the severity of the crack, and where it is in your mouth. If it’s a minor crack we still recommend seeing us right away, but you can safely wait until normal business hours.

If, on the other hand, the crack is severe then you should seek help right away. This is especially true if there is a piece of the tooth missing. A small crack can treated with a filling. Larger cracks may require a protective dental crown.

A tooth that is cracked all the way through is a more serious matter. It may even require an extraction, followed by an implant.

Never ignore a cracked tooth! Seeing us at Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City is your first step in fixing it. Patients from San Mateo, Pacifica, and Half Moon Bay have entrusted their smiles to us for years. We offer complete general dentistry, and special services like dental implants. Schedule 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

 

ArticleID 8291

If Only I Had Taken Care Of My Teeth…

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Categories: Dental Health, Oral health, Restorative Dentistry

caring dentist Daly City

Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is something we stress to all of our patients, at Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City. Coupled with twice-a-year checkups and cleanings, it’s the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and your beautiful smile.

A good dental hygiene routine, something you do every single day without fail, is essential to your dental health. It’s related to your overall health, too. But we understand that some people, for whatever reason, let it slip. Some have even been known to skip brushing and flossing so often, you could say they never do it at all.

It’s Worth It!

In cases like that, some people may think their teeth are too far gone – that no amount of treatment can restore their dental health. If that sounds like you or someone you love, we’re here to tell you it isn’t so. There is always a way to make your teeth look and feel better.

That doesn’t mean it will be easy, but it will be worth it. In cases of neglected teeth, initial treatment begins with an inspection in our office. At that time we will identify the need for any fillings or extractions.

We’ll also look for signs of gum disease, which is common in cases of neglected teeth. If we find it we’ll begin a sequence of cleanings and treatments to revive your gum health.

There Is Always Hope

Once we have your mouth back in a healthy condition, we start looking at what needs to be done to fix any damage. It may not be a walk in the park, but it won’t be as bad as you might imagine. And it will definitely be worth it, in the long run.

Your biggest takeaway from this post should be this: even if you haven’t taken care of your teeth, there is always hope.

At Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City, we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. Our patients come from San Mateo, Pacifica, and Half Moon Bay for restorative and general dentistry. Schedule 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

 

ArticleID 6686

6 Ways Dental Crowns Restore Smiles

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Categories: Dental crowns, General Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

cost of dental crowns San Francisco

Dental crowns have been around a long time, and they continue to play a critical role in cosmetic dentistry at Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City. A dental crown, often called a cap, covers the visible part of the tooth.

Dental crowns are used for many common dental problems:

  • An old crown that is damaged or ill-fitting
  • A broken tooth
  • A tooth with acute decay
  • A tooth that has had a root canal
  • A tooth that is too small or misshapen
  • A tooth that inhibits a proper bite

A dental crown serves both structural and aesthetic purposes. It protects a natural tooth from additional decay and damage while permitting normal function. Plus, a crown can save a tooth from extraction and ensuing bone loss.

Cosmetic dentistry patients who get a dental crown should not assume that the tooth is now invincible. Crowns need daily cleaning and flossing just like natural teeth. The remaining tooth structure just around the gumline could still become decayed and the soft tissue around the crown is susceptible to gum disease. Chewing hard foods or using your teeth as a tool can cause a crown to crack or break.

At Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City, we can advise you on caring for your new crown so that it will last as long as possible. We also provide dental implants, porcelain veneers, and other services. Schedule 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

 

ArticleID 4938

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