Dr. Dena - San Diego Premier Dental Group

Welcome to San Diego Premier Dental Group. Dr. Dena has cared for patients as a dentist in Encinitas, Del Mar and Carlsbad for more than 16 years. As a full service family dentistry practice, we treat patients of all ages with the highest standard of quality dental care. Whether you are looking for a teeth whitening, family dentist, emergency dentist, or cosmetic dentist, Dr. Dena has the extensive training and expertise to meet your needs. Our staff offers quality service from the moment you arrive in our office. We strive to provide a relaxed environment for your peace of mind and a wide range of dental services to meet your needs. Our state of the art dental office is equipped with the latest technology in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere complete with comfortable chairs, warm blankets, soothing background music and personalized attention. We offer a wide range of general dental care services: Dental Exams Regular Cleaning Extractions Root Canals Fillings Night Guards Deep Cleaning White Fillings Dentures Partials Implant Restoration Onlays and Inlays

Dental exams can help detect a variety of issues including cavities, plaque buildup, gingivitis, and alignment problems. During your dental exam, Dr Dena or one of our hygienist will clean your teeth and perform a thorough examination of your teeth and gums . A dental exam might also include dental X-rays or other diagnostic procedures. During a dental exam, we will discuss your diet and oral hygiene habits and may recommend and demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques. Other topics for discussion during a dental exam might include: Any medications you’re taking Use of tobacco products Consequences of tooth loss Benefits of crowns, fixed bridges or dental implants Use of dentures Cosmetic procedures A dental exam also gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your oral health.

What are Night Guards? These small pieces of plastic are designed to fit securely around your teeth. They are actually quite small and can fit in the palm of your hand. Typically, they are made of clear plastic, so they will not stand out when you wear them. This is excellent news for those who are self-conscious about appearance but want to save their teeth. To see what one looks like, visit our dental office. Do I really need to wear a night guard? If you are grinding your teeth at night – yes, you do. At Dr. Dena’s Encinitas office, we believe in the value of preventative care, and night guards are one of the ways we can prevent you from damaging your teeth. Since you only get one set of permanent teeth, allowing them to be ground down is unwise. The discomfort you will suffer and the cost you will incur to repair your teeth is simply not worth skipping out on this easy, preventative measure. We know that not all of our patients enjoy the idea of wearing a guard, and we will not recommend doing so unless we are certain that it will be useful in solving your problems. WHY DO MOST PEOPLE WEAR A NIGHT GUARD? Prevent damage. If you have paid to repair your teeth or have had cosmetic work done to improve your appearance, teeth grinding could reverse all that the work. Even if your teeth have never needed repair, grinding can cause your teeth to chip, crack, or simply wear down. This translates into direct discomfort as the teeth flatten, and your dentin or nerves could become exposed. This can lead to feelings of sensitivity when you eat or drink. If this type of damage continues, you could end up with gum recession and even loose teeth. If you use a night guard, your upper and lower teeth will be unable to grind against each other and the potential damage will be avoided. Ease discomfort. Nighttime teeth grinding can cause severe headaches and tooth pain in the morning. If you are regularly waking up in pain or feeling uncomfortable, this can be a sign that you need to wear a guard while sleeping. At Dr. Dena’s Encinitas office, we have found that many of our patients feel significantly better after wearing their guard for just a few days. The key is to continue wearing it every night. While some grinding is caused by stress or tension, there is no way to tell exactly what causes people to grind their teeth or to stop the body from attempting it. This is why continued use of the guard is necessary. Treating TMJ. Severe grinding or jaw clenching can lead to TMJ disorder. This can be incredibly uncomfortable, typically starting out as a sore jaw in the morning with the occasional headache. If you experience these symptoms or have face pain, neck pain, or your jaw hurts while eating, call 760-943-7788 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dena right away. It is critical that you treat TMJ early by wearing a night guard and preventing your teeth from clenching or grinding in your sleep. Otherwise, TMJ can become severe. At this stage, some people find it difficult to even open their mouth, let alone eat or speak normally. In some instances, you may need to be referred to a TMJ therapist. What should I do to take care of my night guard? Another way to keep your guard in good shape is to brush it regularly. Cleaning it is relatively easy. All you need to do is brush it with a soft toothbrush, toothpaste, and lukewarm water. This should remove the plaque that has built up on it. Additionally, you can try a special dental solution and soak it once per week. Be sure to dry it afterwards to prevent any bacteria buildup.

What is Deep Cleaning in Encinitas (Deep Scaling & Root Planing)? You may notice that your gums bleed a bit when you are brushing or flossing. This is the early stage of gum disease called gingivitis. If plaque and tartar are left on the teeth, it provides the right conditions for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria irritates the gums, which means they bleed more easily. If you have gingivitis, your dentist will clean your teeth by scaling and polishing them. He may also recommend an antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine and show you how to brush and floss your teeth effectively. Most adults have some degree of gum disease. Should I be concerned with my dental health? If gingivitis is not treated and nothing is done about it, the inflammation will work its way down towards the foundations of the tooth causing a “periodontal pocket”. The bacteria inside the pocket will multiply causing infection that in turn deteriorates the bone surrounding the teeth. Periodontal (Gum) disease can break down the support (bone) structures of the teeth, so that eventually, they will become loose. The problem is that until it gets quite severe, the person often has no symptoms. Sadly, the damage or bone loss to the teeth is irreversible. The good news is that if periodontal (gum) disease is caught in time, its progression can be halted and stabilized, the active infection is reduced or eliminated. To stop periodontal (gum) disease from progressing, your dentist may advise periodontal therapy, or deep cleaning. This gets rid of the bacteria in the pocket and provides the necessary conditions for healing to occur. What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning? Regular dental cleaning is the process of removing plaque and tarter that is above the gums and deep cleaning is the process of removing plaque, tarter and calculus (hard form of plaque) that is below the gums. Does it hurt? Depending on the depth of the pocket and severity of the gum disease, Dr. Dena may make the area numb so that the process is comfortable for you. Don’t hesitate to discuss with Dr. Dena how to best manage any discomfort. Sometimes if the pockets are not too deep, there may be little or no discomfort during the procedure – even without numbing. The only sensation may be the physical scraping feeling along the teeth as the area is cleaned and smoothened. Dr. Dena uses an Ultrasonic Scaler, which is more effective and comfortable for the patient, in addition to hand instrumentation. A tooth that is free of tartar has a better chance of allowing the gum tissues to heal and reattach to it. As a result, some deep gum pockets can be reduced after a deep cleaning. How long does it take? Typically with deeper pockets, the deep scaling and root planing procedure might be broken down into two appointments. For example, the right side of the mouth might be worked on one day, and the left side at a separate appointment. However on some cases Dr. Dena may be able to perform the deep cleaning in one appointment. Dr. Dena may use antibiotic gels within the periodontal pocket to decrease bacteria and may irrigate the pocket with various medications such as chlorohexidine. What can I expect afterwards? Discomfort can vary after root planing, but one can expect it to be tender afterwards since it’s usually in a deeper region under the gums. The teeth themselves can become a bit more sensitive to temperature, and bleeding might occur for a little while. Over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen work very well to alleviate discomfort Brushing and flossing can be done more gently to avoid aggravating any bruised or tender gum areas. Your dentist may recommend salt water or chlorhexidine rinses. Generally though as health returns to your gums, sensitivity and soreness tend to resolve. Remember though, if diagnosed with periodontal disease, you did not get there overnight and we cannot treat it overnight. If you are faithful with your home care it usually will resolve. Successful treatment is 70% what you do at home to treat the disease and 30% what we do when you come in for treatments. Left alone it will only get worse. If you go through the non-surgical therapy and do not continue with the maintenance therapy the disease will come back again. Periodontal Disease The objective of scaling & root planing is to remove etiologic agents which cause inflammation to the gingival (gum) tissue and surrounding bone. Common etiologic agents removed by this conventional periodontal therapy include dental plaque and tartar (calculus). These non-surgical procedures which completely cleanse the periodontium, work very effectively for individuals suffering from gingivitis (mild gum inflammation) and moderate/severe periodontal disease. Reasons for scaling and root planing Scaling and root planing can be used both as a preventative measure and as a stand-alone treatment.

At Dr. Dena’s, with our expertise in cosmetic dentistry, we use a variety f procedures including white fillings and a number of other state-of-the-art solutions to give you the smile you deserve. We can even combine these procedures with other restorative dentistry, and the placement of porcelain veneers to give our patients a full smile makeover sure to turn heads. Everyone deserves a beautiful smile. Smiling is an important way of conveying warmth, friendship, openness, and sincerity. If you aren’t happy with your smile, you may not be projecting the image you’d like to. Here at Dr. Dena’s office, we think you deserve to have the kind of smile that lets the world know how great you really are!

PORCELAIN VENEERS Repair Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers Do your teeth have embarrassing chips, gaps, stains or misalignment? Now you can “renew” your teeth for an attractive smile that will make you want to show the world with Porcelain Veneers. Some of the most common cosmetic and functional dental imperfections can be significantly improved with porcelain dental veneers. Stains, gaps, chips, and even teeth misalignment are all issues that can be corrected with porcelain veneers. Custom-designed to cover only the visible part of the affected teeth, porcelain veneers are wafer-thin, like a contact lens. Porcelain dental veneers can completely transform the look of your teeth for a beautiful smile makeover. Our experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. Dena offer porcelain veneers as an innovative solution to treat number of dental issues that can affect self-confidence, including chips, gaps, discoloration and misalignment. Made up of thin shells of ceramic material, porcelain veneers are custom-designed to look and feel like your natural teeth. This virtually painless procedure can help you achieve long-lasting results and significantly enhance the appearance of your smile. Benefits of Porcelain Veneers An excellent alternative to crowns, veneers can perfect your smile by masking stains, hiding chips, correcting misalignment, and can even be used to close small gaps between natural teeth to create uniformity. Porcelain veneers look extremely natural and healthy, because they are very thin and held in place by strong dental cement, very little tooth preparation is necessary. Porcelain veneers can provide a number of benefits for your smile and self-confidence. Advantages of porcelain veneers include: Improved appearance of chipped, fractured, stained, uneven and worn teeth Aesthetically pleasing appearance Protected tooth structure Custom-designed to match your natural teeth Highly resistant to staining and discoloration (more than natural teeth) Minimal pain or discomfort Can be used to strengthen weakened or cracked teeth Can be used to whiten even the darkest teeth that resist traditional whitening methods Improves teeth affected by chips, gaps, misalignment, stains and discoloration.

IMPLANT RESTORATION Replacing Missing Teeth with Dental Implants and Getting Your Smile Back Do you need replacement teeth, but the thought of using dentures doesn’t appeal to you? Consider dental implants by Dr. Dena – Cosmetic Dentist in Encinitas. Dental Implants are the permanent alternative to dentures that look like your natural teeth and do not need denture adhesives! If you are looking for an alternative to dentures and bridges that provides permanent replacement of missing teeth, dental implants may be the answer. Dental implants can significantly enhance the function of your teeth and the appearance of your smile. Unlike dentures, implants offer more stability and support for your teeth, while also being virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. They do not move along your gums and can also improve your ability to speak and chew. Our experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Dena will discuss the most effective dental implant treatment options with you during your initial consultation to achieve life-changing results. Benefits of Dental Implants Although dental bridges and dentures have proven to be effective for replacement of missing teeth, there are some drawbacks to those procedures that dental implants can overcome. Dental implants improve upon traditional teeth replacement in a number of ways, including: No maintenance required other than routine oral cleaning habits Can improve biting, chewing, and speaking No slippage No need to grind down adjacent teeth to accommodate a dental bridge Improves appearance of the teeth with results that look natural Feels like your natural tooth Permanent alternative to dentures Dental Implant Procedure Patients who have missing teeth and strong bone density in the jaws are often ideal candidates for dental implants. Dr. Dena will help determine your candidacy for this procedure at your initial consultation. During the dental implant procedure, an oral surgeon or periodontist will place a durable titanium rod under the gum in the area of the missing tooth. This rod will anchor directly to the jawbone, where it will fuse itself to the bone over the next few months. Once the fusion of the anchor to the bone has occurred, the implant is now a permanent part of your mouth, and is ready for a permanent crown. Dr. Dena will have the crown custom-made and color-matched to blend in with your surrounding teeth. Once placed, the crown will provide the finishing touch to the implant, providing an appearance that looks natural and a feeling like that of an original tooth. How “Implant Dentistry” Works: Dr. Farhad Dena, Encinitas Dentist is providing smile makeovers to San Diego City area for patients who have missing teeth that make it embarrassing to smile and difficult to chew. “Implant Dentistry” or “Dental Implants” are a popular way to permanently fix missing teeth and give patients a complete “smile makeover” that makes them want to show off their smile again. With dental implants, now you can enjoy the freedom of eating even the chewiest foods whenever you please without worrying about your teeth slipping! Plus, denture adhesives and care routines are completely unnecessary with dental implants. Simply care for them as if they were your natural teeth. Best of all, with proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime! Implant dentistry is a popular and painless way to replace missing teeth.

An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain onlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. Porcelain onlays are made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist. Onlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of onlays. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more of the chewing cusps have also been affected and need to be included in the restoration. As with most dental restorations, onlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile. Reasons for onlay restorations: Broken or fractured teeth. Cosmetic enhancement. Decayed teeth. Fractured fillings. Large fillings. WHAT DOES GETTING AN ONLAY INVOLVE? An onlay procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom onlay and a temporary restoration. While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an onlay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your onlay is made by a dental laboratory. At your second appointment, your new onlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable. You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new onlay. WHAT IS AN INLAY RESTORATION? An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. A porcelain inlay is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist. Inlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. Also, they are more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of inlays. As with most dental restorations, inlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile. Reasons for inlay restorations: Broken or fractured teeth. Cosmetic enhancement. Decayed teeth. Fractured fillings. Large fillings. WHAT DOES GETTING AN INLAY INVOLVE? An inlay procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom inlay and a temporary restoration. While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an inlay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your inlay is made by a dental laboratory. At your second appointment your new inlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable. You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new inlay. Call us to schedule your appointment with Dr. Dena today at 760-943-7788.