How to Choose an Orthodontist ?

September 24, 2010 alexnguyen

Often time, people get braces because they want straight teeth. However, straightening the teeth is only one aspect of an ideal orthodontic treatment plan. The best orthodontic treatment will also:

1. Balance the alignment of your teeth with the proper position of your jaw/joint.

2. Harmonize the esthetic of your smile with the esthetic of your face.

If an orthodontic treatment is done without considerations for the above two significant factors, the patient can come out of braces with:

1. Problems of teeth wear and joint pain over time.

2. Higher chances of teeth drifting back into malalignment.

3. A smile that may not fit the face.

4. A face that is not developed to its full potential.

Parents who choose to give their children orthodontic treatments should consider proper research to understand all treatment options. Children's orthodontic treatments revolve around complex growth phases. The orthodontist/dentist need to carefully monitor the development of not just the teeth but also of the jaw, joint, and face. The decision to start and end orthodontic treatments is based on science and clinical needs.

Here are some DO's to remember:

1. Consider more than 1 consultation with different orthodontists.

2. Ask the orthodontist to explain the treatment process of their sample cases. Ask Why, How, and What was done?

3. Look at the smile from the overall esthetic of the face.

Here are some DONOT's :

1. Choose an orthodontist based on price alone.

2. Automatically accept a treatment plan which suggests extractions of permanent teeth to create room. Instead, ask for multiple options.

3. Wait until all permanent teeth have erupted.

If you have had braces and are experiencing joint noise/pain. This is not normal, and further diagnostic testing and treatments should be considered in order to prevent long term damage.

Good luck in your quest for a beautiful and healthy smile !

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Alex Nguyen, DDS is a Saratoga Dentist who practices General Dentistry, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry. For over 20 years the practice has been serving the residents of Santa Clara County and San Francisco Bay Area.

What Should Implant Crowns Look Like?

September 13, 2010 alexnguyen

I saw a patient last week for a consultation regarding implants to replace some missing teeth. As these teeth would be displayed in her smile, she was really concerned with whether the final crowns would look like real teeth. According to her. she has been putting off implant treatment because she has heard so many horror stories about complications and the "fake" look of implant crowns. My patient's concern is completely legitimate. Implant treatments carried out with improper planning and coordination between the implant placements and the final crowns can result in unattractive results. To avoid unfavorable outcomes, ask your dentists to show you their before and after cases of actual patients. Moreover, as a patient you should have a clear understanding of the necessary steps involved from beginning to end.

Beautiful crowns which mimic real teeth require a multi-dimensional construction of bone, gum, and teeth. When it comes to the esthetic of the anterior teeth, just remember one simple rule: Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, should all look like your real teeth.

Here is a case of front teeth that I have completed for one of my patients. Can you tell which one is a conventional crown, and which one is an implant crown? In reality, no one would ever look at your teeth at this close a magnification. Nonetheless, I would always choose to address all details in order for the restorations to come to life in your smile.

All Images of actual patients of Alex Nguyen, DDS are Copyrighted and Digitally Embedded to track Unauthorized Use.

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Our Philosophy of Practice When It Comes to Cosmetic Dentistry

August 31, 2010 alexnguyen

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrC7GuJKO44&feature=player_embedded] ........................................................................................

Cosmetic or Simply ... Form Follows Function?

August 27, 2010 alexnguyen

Years of bite discrepancies caused this patient to wear down her teeth. In her smile, one can hardly see any teeth showing.

Here is how the teeth look after 50+ years of wear and tear:

With proper diagnostic records and planning, we restored her bite to the original state, starting with these acrylic temporary restorations:

Here is a sneak peak of her final restorations. Stay tuned for complete case photos.

Fine quality dentistry is simply to respect and restore nature's functional creation of the dentition.

All Images of actual patients of Alex Nguyen, DDS are Copyrighted and Digitally Embedded to track Unauthorized Uses.

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How Much Does It Cost ?

May 13, 2010 alexnguyen

I recently had the opportunity to explain the meaning of “cost” to a patient of mine. Crystal called the office and asked a question on her friend’s behalf. Crystal: Dr. Nguyen, my friend got charged $500 for deep cleaning. Is that expensive? How much does it cost?

Alex: I don’t know… What did your friend’s dentist do for her?

Crystal : Well… he put some numbing gel on the teeth that were sensitive, and then he cleaned her teeth for about an hour. When he was done… he told my friend that she just had a full mouth deep cleaning done, and the receptionist asked her to pay $500.

Alex: I see. Here is what I do in my office… The mouth is divided into 4 quadrants. Each quadrant is charged separately...

Crystal: So how do you do your deep cleaning sequence?

Alex: Ok … so typically we do 2 quadrants at a time. In 2 appointments we can do the entire mouth. Then, we need another appointment to follow up with a complete cleaning and evaluation.

Crystal: Ohhhh. So you actually spend 3 times as long as what my friend had just experienced. But wait… If that guy charged $500 for one hour worth of work, then if he were to do exactly what you do… in three appointments, then his costs would actually be $1500… which would make it way more expensive then your over all fee for your 3 appointments for deep cleaning.

Alex: Well…You do the math. My job is to do the dentistry.

The message to take home is: You will not get a fair answer for “How much does it cost?” without asking “How will it be done?” and “What will be done?” and “Why is it being done”. Furthermore, the last thing you want to do is to call up an office, ask how much things cost, and make a decision to choose your dentist based on simply ... Cost .

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