Menlo Park Dental Technologies and Procedures

I am pleased to offer our patients the following services with continuing education and latest dental technologies.

• Recognize, diagnose, and treat oral cancer, dental and gum diseases
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• CEREC 3D onlays & crowns
• Implant — surgery & prosthetic restorations
• Endodontic — Root canal Therapy
• Periodontic — successfully used combinations of scale/root planning, two antibiotics, & laser deep gingival curettage for pocket reduction

What Our Patients Love about Our Practice

My staff and I take time to care for our patients, and we see only one patient at a time. I like to reserve full attention for each individual patient with no interruption or rush from one room to another to see a second or third booked patient.

I am always proud of  my exceptional and beautiful work. While I am also proud of our state-of-the-art facility,  our office provides the latest and most comfortable technologies such as the following.

• Laser PowerLase AT Gum Treatment and Cavity Removal
• CEREC 3D same day crowns
• Digital X-rays
• Computerized Comfort Control Numbing technology
• Implant, extraction, bone graft in one visit

Laser Gum Treatment and Cavity Removal:

I have successfully used the PowerLase AT soft & hard tissue laser to treat most types of gum diseases combining with antibiotics, deep cleaning, and oral antibiotic rinse.

I also this laser to remove cavities or prepare a crown. However, it can’t be used to remove amalgam fillings. 

CAD-CAM CEREC 3D :

CAD-CAM CEREC 3 D stands for Computer Aided Design-Computer Aided Manurfacturing Chairside Economic Restoration of Esthetic Crown 3 Dimension makes porcelain crowns and fillings in one visit.

It takes about one hour and a half to make a beautiful porcelain crown by this machine using a porcelain block for a simple or root canal treated tooth. It takes two hours to do the same for a molar or back tooth.  

You are numb first, then I will take one picture of your desired tooth, then another picture of the prepared tooth. These two will be superimposed and designed so that the computer will sculpture the final tooth using the porcelain block of your tooth color.  It is then fitted and bonded in this same visit.

This CAD-CAM 3D  technology has allowed us to eliminate second appointment with the second time of numbing, the impression material, and the temporary tooth that is sometimes unfit or cause decay and sensitivity. It also saves your time and my time.

CEREC technology began in 1985 as CEREC 1 and the latest CEREC 3D came in 2005 with the evolving and better software every day as I am writing you.

Studies have shown the strength and duration are as good as the gold crown or porcelain fused to metal or PFM crown with better esthetic. However, with full mouth cosmetic case and severe grinder or bruxier and clencher, I always restore teeth using the lab technician. The color match and the metal strength will benefit much better in  these patients.

According to the California Department of Public Health:

Dexis digital x-rays and Plameca panoramic digital x-rays:

We use digital x-rays that has 65%-85% less radiation than regular x-rays.  This allows you to see what I see in the computer enlarged screen instantly after it is taken.  I had just upgraded this new x-rays & its software and the images give exceptional quality for cavity detection or bone cancer lesion.  

 Are Dental x-ray doses safe for patient?

 Any radiation dose, no matter how low, is believed to have the potential of causing cancer. The radiation dose from a single intaoral image is relatively low. However it is important to assure that radiation doses to patients (and staff) are ALARA as low as reasonably achievable) so that any potential risk from the x-ray dose is minimized.

 Why are there concerns about dental radiation doses ?

A single bitewing image results in a patient entrance dose of about 200 mrad* while a full mouth survey with 20 images will result in a entrance dose of 4,000 mrad, or 4 rad, similar to a CT head scan. If four bitewings are taken annually from age 10 to age 70, the patient receives a lifetime entrance dose of 48 rad, a significant radiation dose. *The entrance dose for a chest x-ray is about 15 mrad and for head CT is about 5,000 mrad (5 rad). Are digital dental x-ray doses lower than film? Digital dental radiography uses x-rays the same as film imaging and also results in x-ray dose to your patients and staff. Digital offers the potential for significant reductions in x-ray dose. However, it has been our experience that about 25% of the offices that switch to digital dental are using doses similar to or higher than D-speed film! D-speed film usually requires a dose of about 200 mrad. Digital doses should be on the order of 50 to 75 mrad, a reduction in dose of 60 to 75%. How do I know if my doses have been reduced appropriately when I switched to digital dental x-rays? You should have your present doses measured, a service provided by DIQUAD via mail through http://diquad.com/. Your present exposure time should be about 25% to 45% of the exposure time you were using with D-speed film. For example, if your exposure time was 300 msec (0.3 sec) for D-speed film you should be using about 75 to 120 msec (0.075 to 0.12 sec) for digital imaging. If you were using E-speed film and an exposure time of about 200 msec (0.2 sec), your digital exposure times should also be about 75 to 120 msec (0.075 to 0.12 sec). Are Dental X-rays “Safe”? What x-ray dose should be used for patients? X-ray doses are relatively low for a single intra oral bitewing radiograph. This assumes that the x-ray equipment is properly maintained, radiation doses are measured, equipment is calibrated periodically (annually or biennially), and that film processing is carried out according to the film manufacturer’s recommendations. Concern about x-ray doses is significant for full-mouth surveys since the skin dose for these are similar to doses from CT head scans. This was emphasized by Brenner DJ and Hall EJ, and Brenner DJ, et al. in the New England Journal of Medicineand AJR. While a single bitewing results in a patient entrance dose of about 200 mrad and a full mouth survey with 20 images will result in a dose of 4,000 mrad, or 4 rad, similar to a CT head scan. If four bitewings are taken annually from age 10 to age 70, the patient receives a lifetime entrance does of 48 rad, a significant radiation dose. Also of concern is that dental x-ray imaging may start at a young age, when patients are more susceptible to cancer induction. Brenner, et al., estimated that the risk for a pediatric patient may be 10 times higher than for an adult. A pediatric patient has a long life ahead, thereby leaving more time for radiation induced cancer to develop. In addition, dental x-rays are often taken more frequently that CT scans, e.g. annually. X-ray doses are relatively safe but it is essential to know what radiation doses are used, to minimize that patient dose, and to maximize the image quality! Why are patient and staff radiation dose important? It is important to minimize the radiation dose received by patients while assuring optimum quality of the radiographic images. Whenever the dose to the patients is reduced there is a similar reduction in the dose to the staff. For example, changing from D speed film to E speed film will result in a 40% reduction in radiation dose to the patients and the staff. (See below for more on today’s D- and E-speed film and image quality.) References Brenner DJ, Hall EJ. Computed Tomography- An Increasing source of radiation Exposure. New England Journal of Medicine, 357:2277-2284, 2007. Brenner DJ, Hall EJ. Estimated Risk Radiation-Induced Fatal Cancer from Pediatrics CT. American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), 176:289-296,2001. (http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/content/full/176/2/289)

Intra oral camera:

This is a small camera that shows individual tooth or all your teeth with sharp high quality pictures. It allows you and me to see conditions of your dental cavity or oral cancer lesion.

Midwest Comofort Control Computerized Anesthetic delivery system:  

Comfort Control Computerized Anesthetic Numbing System:

Before numbing you with this system or regular injection, I use a powerful topical anesthetic called TAC. TAC contains 4% Tetracaine, 20% Lidocaine, 4% Phenylephrine. This gel help numb the gum very well within 1 minute.

 Then the computerized anesthetic system delivers very small drop of anesthetic at a very low rate to help the numbing process senseless by the gum tissue or oral mucosa.  It  is the most comfortable and 99% of the time painless as my patients say.

Implant and Extraction in One Visit:

I have successfully done this procedure in the past four years. When a tooth has severe cavity and broke to the gum line, the root either has a filling from root canal therapy or has decay to the bone.  This root can be removed, then  the implant is placed followed by an addition of resorbable membrane, bone graft and Emdogain matrix placed at the same time of extraction. The healing is exceptionally good and the abutment and crown can be placed in 6 to 9 months.

However, with small infection at root tip for any tooth, I use the laser to clean all of the decay and then the implant can be placed at the same time as described earlier.

Other severe gum disease with severe bone loss of a tooth or many teeth, then the extraction of the tooth, followed by resorbable mebrane and bone graft, sinus lift, and wait for 4 to 6 months prior to an implant placed. I found this result more predictable and successful.

Cosmetic Dentistry

The first thing most people notice about you is your smile. We offer a variety of advanced techniques to create the smile of your dreams. We offer Conservative Refurbishing or a Complete Makeover. Call us today to learn how how we can give you the smile you deserve.

• Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Dental Veneers
• Computerized Anesthetic
• Laser Teeth Whitening
• Crowns
• Bridges
• White Fillings
• Bonding

Teeth Whitening

Whitening is one of the simplest and least expensive techniques and it can give you a brilliant smile you’ll be proud of. Our custom made whitening kits to use at home are comfortable, easy to use, and deliver a great result.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are top line in cosmetic dentistry. If your teeth are chipped, broken, or discolored, porcelain veneers are a great way to change the color and shape of your teeth. A porcelain veneer is a covering over the tooth that gives natural color and bridges small gaps. Veneers can be a great alternative to braces for slight orthodontic problems and provide a beautiful smile in a short amount of time. The results are simply gorgeous!

Bonding

Dental bonding can produce amazing improvements by fixing chips in your teeth. Bonding is covering the front surface of teeth with durable plastic to either change the tooth’s color or shape, or to rebuild broken teeth. Bonding is similar to veneers, but not as strong, but it is a low-cost way to improve your smile. Bonding is great for children who have chipped front teeth and for adults who need an alternative for veneers and understand the limitations.

CEREC Metal Free Crowns

Crowns, or caps, are used to restore broken or cracked teeth. The new metal-free crowns eliminate the ugly black line you may have seen next to the gumline on older crowns.

Tooth Colored Fillings

Inlays and Onlays are tooth-colored restorations that are used in place of silver fillings on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. This approach has become very popular because silver (mercury) fillings are not safe and are less attractive. When more than a third of a tooth’s biting surface is damaged, a dentist may use an inlay or onlay. Large fillings on back teeth often require a stronger and properly contoured restoration, such as porcelain inlays or onlays.

Dentures & Partials

While we wish no one would ever need dentures, sometimes they are the most reasonable option. In the past wearing dentures was the only form of dentistry available to improve a person’s smile. When they are indicated we take the time necessary to create attractive, well fitting dentures. They can’t beat a set of your own teeth when they are healthy and straight, but when natural teeth can’t be restored dentures look great and chew well.

If a person has lost too much of their jawbone to steady their dentures, implants can be placed. The dentures are attached to the implants to hold them firmly in place. If you have this problem, call us for a consultation appointment.

Dental Implants Restoration

Implants are an increasingly popular alternative to dentures and bridges. They have many advantages, including their natural appearance, improved comfort and unequaled convenience. If you are considering implants, we can discuss the considerations and help you make the decision that is right for you.

Cerec Technology

Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics using Computer Aided Design- Computer Aided Manufacturing or CAD-CAM technology to produce a beautiful porcelain restoration in one visit.

We are excited to announce our addition of the Cerec AC CAD-CAM advanced technology to our family dental practice. With this exciting new technology MP Dental Excellence can make beautiful crowns and stunning inlays in a single one day visit, so there is no need for any follow up appointments. This technology is truly a next generation technology now available to to you.

If you are unhappy (like most people are) with the metal fillings currently in your mouth, or have dark embarrassing lines around the edge of your crowns, talk to us today. Our all-porcelain crowns have no metal to show, and the life span of our porcelain fillings equals or surpasses even the most expensive metal fillings available today and far outlasts the conventional composite fillings of yesterday.

Next time you visit MP Dental Excellence, ask us how this breakthrough technology can make your smile more appealing, give your confidence a boost while also giving you long-term functionality.

For more information watch this informational video. Wiki HERE

Laser

Laser – Gum Treatment and cavity removal

PROergo Microscope

Infection Control

Our office is OSHA compliant, and follows the same OSHA sterilization recommendations for hospitals.