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Have you ever caught yourself staring at someone’s pearly white teeth and wished you had your own white and bright smile? Then you may be a good candidate for teeth whitening. This popular cosmetic treatment is the most efficient way to turn your teeth several shades whiter. The dentists at La Jolla Family Smile Design understand that you may have some reasonable questions you would like answered before scheduling an in-office teeth whitening appointment. To help address these potential concerns, we answer some of these questions here: How white will my teeth[...]

Everyone knows that brushing twice per day is an important activity, but are you making the most of your brushing time? If you’re haphazardly rubbing your brush across your teeth, you may still be leaving some plaque and bacteria in your mouth, which makes you susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. Below, Dr. Jaime Breziner and Dr. Yael Kandinov — the outstanding dental team at La Jolla Family Smile Design — share some tips so that you can improve your brushing technique.  Tips for Improving the Way You Brush Your Teeth Use Great Materials[...]

Self-conscious about showing too much gum when you smile? A gummy smile results when more of the gums are visible than the teeth. A gum lift not only improves your smile but increases your confidence. The dentists at La Jolla Family Smile Design explain what a gum lift involves and how it improves your gummy smile. Gummy Smile  Patients with a gummy smile often feel their teeth are too short and the proportion between the gums and teeth is unbalanced. This could result from improper eruption or teeth affected by excessive wear.[...]

When it comes to oral health, children and adults have different needs. They also have differing comfort levels when it comes to dental visits. That’s where a family dentist comes in. Not only can the entire family use the same practice, but family dentists are well-versed in children and adult tooth care. The dentists at San Diego’s La Jolla Family Smile Design discuss the differences between children’s and adult dentistry. Adult Versus Children’s Dentistry  Children’s dentistry focuses on preventive services and educating kids about good oral health habits. Adult dentistry gears[...]

Missing teeth pose far more than cosmetic problems. Chewing is often affected, and so is the ability to speak clearly. Damaged teeth are frequently restorable via crowns or veneers, but some teeth require replacement. Of course, if the tooth is already gone due to an accident, a new tooth is a must. The good news is that patients have several tooth replacement choices. The dentists at La Jolla Family Smile Design discuss various options for replacing missing teeth.  Missing Teeth Not doing anything about your missing teeth is not really[...]

Just how important is having a nice smile? According to a survey, 76% of Americans list the smile as the top physical trait they notice when meeting someone new. The same study found that most people perceive people who smile to be more confident, approachable and trustworthy. If your smile is not your best feature, the good news is that you have options — even if you have multiple issues that require improvement. The expert cosmetic dentists at La Jolla Family Smile Design are accustomed to combining procedures to create the[...]

Do you suffer from chronic or frequent bad breath? You may try to cover it up with mints and gum, but those can only temporarily conceal the odor — they do not solve the problem for the long term. The dental and periodontal experts at La Jolla Family Smile Design have some advice on ways to refresh your breath. Following these tips can help you to avoid awkward social interactions. Brush and Floss Yes, dentists are always telling you to brush and floss, but this advice is legitimately your best[...]

If you are missing a tooth, you may be weighing options for replacements such as a dental implant, dental bridge or partial dentures. Dental implants are the most high-quality and durable option, but the procedure is a bit more involved than the alternatives. To help you understand the process, our implant specialist at La Jolla Family Smile Design, describes what you can expect from dental implant recovery. Recovery Timeline Typically, a patient receives a dental implant over the course of multiple appointments. The first appointment is when the surgery occurs. Our dentist[...]

In the past, braces were synonymous with teenagers and it was rare to see orthodontics in the mouths of adults. Unfortunately, this meant that plenty of people who did not have either the money or the opportunity to have braces in their younger years felt like they had to tolerate having crooked or misaligned teeth throughout their adulthood. Luckily, Invisalign, a newer type of orthodontics, has changed the game. Now it is common for patients in their 20s or even their 50s to straighten their teeth. The award-winning dental team at[...]

Although metallic fillings used to be the best choice for dealing with a cavity, the options have expanded and improved. Some patients who haven’t had fillings in many years are pleasantly surprised to learn about tooth-colored fillings. These fillings are made of composite resin, which is a mix of silica, plastic and glass ionomer. Dr. Jaime Breziner, Dr. David Vasquez and Dr. Yael Kandinov describe some of the benefits of choosing tooth-colored fillings. Better Appearance The name for tooth-colored fillings is accurate in that they correspond with the natural color of[...]