Randy Fong D.D.S.

Brushing, flossing, seeing Dr. Fong every six months — we all know the tenets of good oral hygiene and taking care of the general health of our teeth. But most of us would also like to have a smile we could see on a celebrity up the road in the Hollywood Hills. That’s where Dr. Fong’s expertise with cosmetic dentistry comes into play. He offers a variety of treatments whose sole aim is to give you a dazzling, perfect smile. Our Cosmetic Dentistry Services BIOCLEAR Porcelain Veneers Teeth Whitening Tooth-Colored Fillings Pinhole Surgical Technique Invisalign® Orthodontic Treatment What is Cosmetic Dentistry? You normally think of dentistry as addressing problems such as decay or tooth damage. These are generally functional treatments to keep your oral health in good order. For Dr. Fong, his general dentistry offerings are wide ranging, everything from placing a composite filling to saving a tooth with a root canal or remaking a smile with Teeth-in-a-Day. Cosmetic dentistry is a sideline of general dentistry that is focused on the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, but not necessarily their function. Cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry can have the same goal, for instance when a dental implant is used to replace a damaged tooth. But usually cosmetic dentistry has the goal of giving you a dazzling smile without addressing issues such as gum disease, decay, or other functional problems. Dr. Fong uses cosmetic dentistry to improve patients’ tooth shape, position, whiteness, alignment, and overall appearance. Would I Be A Good Candidate For Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures? No one has a perfect smile. We all have some flaws with our teeth. It could be a small chip here or a misshapen tooth. There could be a couple small gaps between teeth. You could have deep staining from tetracycline you received as a child, or surface staining from drinking red wine and eating raspberries. You could have some black triangles where your front teeth meet your gums. These are all cosmetic problems that Dr. Fong could fix with cosmetic dentistry. The question is one of the overall health of your teeth and gums. If you have teeth with decay, gum disease, teeth that are in danger of needing extraction, and other serious general dentistry problems, cosmetic dentistry fixes aren’t for you. Problems such as gum disease would need to be tackled first. Once these are taken care of, then you could consider the cosmetic attributes of your smile and if you’d like to improve them. But your teeth and mouth need to be healthy first. What Are The Different Tools Used For Cosmetic Dentistry? Dr. Fong offers a variety of cosmetic procedures to give our Orange County patients dazzling, perfect smiles. Porcelain veneers — Ultra-thin porcelain shells are placed over the front sides of the teeth. They can aesthetically correct unevenly spaced, crooked, chipped, oddly shaped, or badly discolored teeth. Bioclear — Bioclear uses flowable composite that is shaped by clear mylar wrapped around the tooth. The composite then flows to the shape and makes a perfect looking tooth. Dr. Fong uses Bioclear as a more affordable alternative to porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns for changing the shape and appearance of a tooth. It also is perfect for filling black triangles. Composite Fillings — We place only composite resin fillings, which are the color of your natural teeth and invisible once in your tooth. For cosmetic purposes we replace silver amalgam fillings with these tooth-colored alternatives. Pinhole Surgical Gum Technique — Dr. Fong is one of the few dentists trained in this simple method for addressing and reversing receding gums. It involves very little pain, which is a stark contrast to traditional treatment for gum recession. Teeth Whitening — We use laser energy to activate professional whitening gel for our 45-minute, in-office whitening treatments. We also offer at-home teeth whitening custom-fit trays and professional gel. Invisalign — Who wants to be a metal mouth? Invisalign® uses clear acrylic aligner trays to move the teeth. So much more comfortable, so much less medieval torture than metal bands, wires, and rubber bands. Our Santa Ana teens and adults love Invisalign®! What’s The Difference Between Invisalign and Traditional Braces? Invisalign® is an alternative orthodontic system. Instead of using bands cemented to the teeth with wires strung through them, Invisalign® uses clear aligners that the user wears for 20-22 hours per day but can removed for eating and cleaning his or her teeth. Traditional braces create movement by adjusting the pull of the wires and using various rubber bands. This leads to a fair degree of soreness every month for a few days after the wires are tightened. Invisalign® instead uses aligner trays that the patient wears for two weeks. At the onset of treatment, Dr. Fong uses our 3D imaging to create a model of the patient’s overall bite and teeth positions.

General Services General Dentistry Dental Fillings Remove / Replace Fillings Tooth Extraction Sedation Dentistry Intravenous Dental Sedation Conscious Sedation Digital Imaging 3-D Digital Imaging (CBCT) Bruxism Dental Splints Prosthodontic Dentistry Root Canal Root Canal Re-Treatment Endodontics Apicoectomy Scaling And Root Planing Periodontal Disease Periodontitis

Implant Dentistry Services BioHorizons Dental Implants® Dental Implants Full Arch Implants Mini Implants Teeth-in-a-Day

About Dental Bone Grafts Bone grafting is a regenerative treatment option for patients who have lost quality and quantity of supporting bone tissue as a result of periodontal disease. This procedure is often needed before dental implants can be placed. It also helps protect the teeth from bacteria, trauma and further degeneration. The Bone Graft Procedure During the bone graft procedure, the gums will be separated from the teeth so that Dr. Fong can gain access to the underlying bone. Once the graft is in place, the gums will be reattached to the area with sutures. The graft used during this procedure may come from the patient’s own body, cadaver, or cow bone. The most effective results are often achieved when the patient’s own bone is used for part or all of the graft. Recovery After A Bone Graft After the bone graft procedure, the patient may experience discomfort and swelling for several days. The patient will return to Dr. Fong’s office about 12 to 14 days after the procedure for a follow-up appointment. At that point, we will evaluate the healing progress. Over time, new bone from the patient’s own body will replace the graft.

About Tooth Extraction A tooth extraction, also known as exodontia, is one of the most common procedures performed at a dentist’s office. The procedure involves removing or pulling a tooth. An extraction may be necessary if there is disease, trauma or overcrowding. Causes For Tooth Extraction Tooth extractions may be performed for the following reasons and/or to remove the following conditions: Wisdom teeth Decayed teeth Broken teeth Overcrowding Loose teeth In preparation for braces Tooth Extraction Procedure After the dentist has decided that a tooth extraction is necessary, an X-ray will be used to further evaluate the tooth. The extraction procedure may be performed under local anesthesia or sedation to minimize discomfort. There are many types of dental extractions, including simple extractions and surgical extractions Simple Extraction This is an extraction of a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. In a simple extraction, forceps are used to remove the tooth. Surgical Extraction A surgical extraction is performed on teeth that have extensive decay, broken at the gum line or have not descended into the mouth such as wisdom teeth. It is a more complex extraction procedure that can be performed in our office using sedation. After the extraction, stitches may be necessary; alternatively, a bridge, implant or a denture will be used to replace one or more teeth. Recovery From A Tooth Extraction After the extraction, patients may experience a certain amount of pain. The pain may be relieved by: Applying ice to the external area if swelling occurs Rinsing with warm salt water Taking anti-inflammatory medication Antibiotics may be prescribed to fight infection. Patients are also advised to avoid certain foods and hot liquids for 24 hours after the procedure. A follow-up appointment may be necessary to remove stitches. Most patients recover completely from a tooth extraction within one to two weeks. Complications Of Tooth Extraction The dental extraction procedure is safe for most patients with minimal to no complications. While most complications are rare, they may include: Accidental damage to surrounding teeth Fractured jaw Soreness in the jaw Dry socket or exposure of bone in the tooth socket Infection Patients may also experience side effects from sedation. The dentist or surgeon will discuss any potential side effects before the procedure.

What is Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment? For people who are dissatisfied with their smiles but have not done anything about them because they are not interested in a mouthful of metal, Invisalign® “braces” may be a good option. They eliminate both the discomfort of metal wires and the inconvenience of adjustments. The Invisalign system uses virtually invisible aligners that straighten teeth without metal bands, brackets or wires. The custom-made trays are comfortable, and easy to remove for eating, brushing, flossing and special occasions. The clear-plastic Invisalign aligners are so inconspicuous that it is difficult to tell when someone is wearing them. Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment Technology Invisalign aligners use the latest in 3-D computer imaging to determine a projected path of tooth movement for each patient. This allows a dentist to design a series of personalized aligners (repositioners) that work to straighten teeth over time. Each set of aligners is worn for approximately two weeks, at which point there is a changeover to a new set. What are the Benefits of Invisalign? Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, and do not draw attention to the mouth; most people cannot tell when someone is wearing them. Invisalign aligners offer many benefits over traditional metal braces inlcuding: More cosmetically appealing Lower cost Little-to-no impact on daily life Less painful Greater flexibility because aligners can be removed at any time Easier to keep teeth clean and healthy No dietary restrictions Who are the Ideal Candidates for Invisalign Treatment? Invisalign aligners capably treat most common problems found in adults and teens. They are successful in straightening crooked teeth, eliminating crowding and closing gaps. Invisalign aligners can be used to treat both minor cosmetic issues and more-complex bite problems. Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment Process Step One: Consultation With Dr. Fong, A Certified Invisalign Provider To begin the Invisalign treatment process, a dentist must be consulted. The dentist will determine whether Invisalign aligners are suitable for the patient, and, if so, will develop an appropriate course of treatment. X-rays, photographs and impressions will be taken of the teeth. Step Two: Fabrication Of Invisalign Custom Aligners Advanced 3-D computer-imaging technology will analyze and transform impressions of a patient’s teeth into a custom-made series of clear and removable aligners. Using this same computer imaging, a dentist will be able to see the anticipated progression of the therapy, and what the teeth will look like after treatment is completed. This analysis can be done in-office before any treatment has started. Step Three: Receiving The Invisalign Aligners At the next visit, the patient receives the aligners. Each set is worn day and night for about two weeks, and is removed only to eat, drink, brush and floss. The patient sees the dentist every four to six weeks to ensure that treatment is progressing as planned, and to get the next set of aligners to take home. Treatment is complete once each set of aligners has been worn. The average treatment time, which depends on the complexity of the case, is typically six months to one year. The Invisalign system has been shown to be highly effective at straightening teeth. Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation Today! Dr. Randy Fong proudly serves Santa Ana, Irvine, Anaheim, Garden Grove and the surrounding areas. To schedule and appointment for Invisalign® near Santa Ana, call us at 714-549-1903 today or fill out our contact form for more information.