General Dentistry

Implants

Implants are quickly becoming one of the most popular dental procedures requested for replacing missing teeth. Implants are the healthiest replacement method and the most natural feeling.

Wong Family Dentistry offers dental implants in Richmond, CA. If you are missing a tooth, call (510) 222-4178 to schedule an implant consultation with our dental professionals.

Dental implants allow patients to resume normal life in a relatively short period of time. Smiling, laughing, eating, and talking can resume without the worries of some removable tooth replacements.

Implant technology began in the 1960s. They have become more widespread as dental technology has made them better, and they are also now used as more than a replacement for a single tooth. Implants are now used as anchors for bridges and dentures for superior stability.

An implant consists of three components. A titanium screw is placed in the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure in the dental office. An abutment is placed on top of the screw to attach the crown to. The initial crown placed is only a temporary crown that remains in place for the healing period. Healing will take from three to six months. When healing is complete, a permanent crown is then placed on the abutment.

Bridges

Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth with a prosthetic apparatus. This apparatus consists of multiple crowns and a faux tooth in between. The dental bridge fills the space created when a tooth is lost or extracted. The crowns function as anchors for the faux tooth, dubbed a pontic, to be held in place. If you dislike the look of your smile or face due to a lost tooth or are struggling with chewing, biting or speaking, you can benefit from a dental bridge.

The placement of a dental bridge starts with a visual examination of the area of the mouth where the tooth is missing or requires extraction. X-rays will be taken to get an accurate view of the space in question. The dentist will apply local anesthesia to numb the gums and teeth. The teeth to receive the crowns will be shaped and trimmed. If necessary, the dentist will build up adjacent teeth.

A dental impression is taken with the use of paste or putty. The reshaped or trimmed tooth is then washed and dried. The dentist adds impression putty around the space. The composite material hardens and fuses so impressions can be used to make a plaster cast. The dental bridge is then made and put into position.

Crowns

Dental crowns are made in a dental lab to suit your unique mouth. Our dentist, Martin Wong, DDS, will send impressions to the lab to ensure your crown fits just right and looks perfect. The crown ultimately fills up the space created when the natural tooth was drilled to remove a cavity or removed to accommodate a dental implant. It takes a single visit to place a crown in the mouth. However, if you are receiving dental implants, a temporary crown will be used prior to the addition of the actual crown that will remain in place for a decade or longer. The dentist will carefully check the crown’s fit to ensure it does not interfere with the biting/chewing process. If necessary, the dentist will trim the crown with a drill. The dentist might also floss between the crown and the adjacent teeth.

You will be asked to bite down into carbon paper so the dentist can verify your bite is at the right level after the crown is added. The crown is held in place with the use of dental cement or a similar adhesive. The excess cement that seeps out of the crown will be removed and your bite will be re-checked. Once your crown is in place, you will seize the opportunity to smile widely in the presence of others. Your new crown will look similar to a natural tooth, meaning your smile will be absolutely amazing.

Dentures

Are you losing your teeth? Perhaps your teeth are decaying to the point that you need extraction. Instead of waiting months for the process of osseointegration to occur as is required with dental implants, opt for dentures. Dentures replace the teeth without requiring a fusing of a titanium implant to the jaw bone. Both partial dentures and full dentures are available. Full dentures replace all the teeth while partial dentures replace one or several teeth. Martin Wong, DDS, is here to answer all of your denture-related questions and address your concerns. Chances are you will love your dentures and wonder why you didn’t get them earlier!

Resin specifically meant for use with the teeth serves as the supportive structure for dentures, ultimately holding these artificial teeth in the perfect position. This flexible polymer fits just right with the gum line. Our dentist will customize dentures for your mouth’s unique dimensions, ensuring they are a perfect fit and keep the mouth structure well-supported. Your dentures will make it that much easier to consume foods that require chewing. Furthermore, your tooth pain and other oral health issues such as significant damage and rotted roots will no longer be a problem. In the end, you will agree your dentures are as an aesthetically pleasing and strong alternative that empowers you to live life to the fullest

Fillings

If you know or suspect you have one or several cavities, you will need a filling. Give us a call at (510) 222-4178 to schedule an appointment with our dentist for your tooth filling. We go to great lengths to keep patients as comfortable as possible during tooth fillings. If you are nervous, fearful or highly sensitive, let us know and we will apply anesthetics to minimize your potential discomfort. We add composite fillings to teeth after drilling out the decay. Composite fillings are preferred as they look like natural teeth, blending in with the rest of the teeth to perfection.

The dental filling procedure is nothing to fear. This is a non-invasive procedure. The procedure requires preparation of the damaged or decayed area. The filling is put in place after all the decay and debris are eliminated. A gel is added to help clean the tooth, ensuring the filling is not placed atop bacteria. An adhesive material ensures the composite filling adheres to the tooth. A specialized light is applied to the tooth for a couple seconds to ensure the material hardens. If there are edges, they will be smoothened out prior to the polishing of the tooth. The end result is a lovely-looking tooth that is pleasing to the eye and functions without flaw.

Root Canal Therapy

Contrary to popular opinion, root canal therapy should not be feared. If you know you need a root canal, suspect such therapy might be necessary or simply have not been to the dentist in the past six months, contact us today at (510) 222-4178 to schedule an appointment. This endodontic therapy is necessary when the tooth nerves and pulp are infected or suffer significant damage. If the tooth were to go untreated, the infection might cause the tooth to die, leading to extraction. This is precisely why root canal therapy at Wong Family Dentistry is so important. Once the root canal is performed and the dental crown restoration is added, we will return the tooth to its original structure as well as the original shape so it looks just like the rest of the teeth in your mouth.

Our dentist will do everything possible to save your tooth. The infected portion of the tooth tissue will be removed and filled. A dental crown is added to the tooth for protection. Chances are you will not be able to tell your tooth’s pulp has become infected. Anything from a broken tooth to a crack in a tooth, repetitive dental procedures, a particularly deep cavity or a tooth injury can cause the pulp within a tooth to be infected. So don’t assume you will know when the time is right for root canal therapy. Schedule an appointment with our office and we will determine if your tooth pulp has been compromised of if you can benefit from a dental treatment or procedure aside from a root canal.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are added to the teeth in the back of the mouth for additional protection. Kids, tweens and teens with an elevated risk for tooth decay are prime candidate for dental sealants. Reach out to our practice at (510) 222-4178 to determine if dental sealants are ideal for your unique situation. The addition of dental sealants requires the use of polish with pumice applied with a bristle style brush connected to a handpiece. The tooth will be isolated with a rubber dam or small rolls of cotton. The dentist then dries the space with compressed air so phosphoric acid can be etched to the tooth. The liquid sealant is added over the fissures and pits so the material flows to the etched portion of the surface.

The dentist then uses a light shield and adds the light cure. The sealant will be evaluated to ensure it looks just right. The dentist will also use articulating paper to check for potential occlusion. If there is excess sealant, it will be removed with a finishing bur. The final step is to add topical fluoride.

Once your dental sealants are in place, they will provide essential protection against potentially harmful food particles and plaque. Thankfully, this process does not cause any sort of pain so don't spend a single second worrying about potential discomfort during the application of dental sealants. Your dental sealants will last for upwards of an entire decade. In fact, there is a good chance your dental insurance will cover most of the cost of dental sealants.

Tooth Extractions

If your have a painful tooth, excessive decay or a loose tooth, extraction might prove quite helpful. Tooth extraction is also necessary for the addition of a dental implant. If you know or suspect you can benefit from a tooth extraction, give us a call at (510) 222-4178 to schedule an appointment at our practice. We carefully remove teeth from the sockets within bone, causing as little discomfort as possible, ultimately setting the stage for the addition of a faux tooth such as a dental implant, dentures, etc. We use anesthetic to ensure patients are as comfortable as possible when a tooth is extracted.

Simple tooth extractions involve a loosening of the tooth. Forceps are used to extract the tooth from the socket. Surgical extractions are a comparably complex procedure used when the tooth breaks off the gum line or fails to erupt as it should. A diminutive incision is made within the gums so the impacted or broken tooth can be surgically removed. Though this process sounds like it will be painful, our patients are quick to testify that they do not feel pain during tooth extraction in our office. Our mission is to remove teeth that require extraction as quickly and painlessly as possible so you can move forward with improved oral functionality and health.

Nightguards

If you grind your teeth at night when sleeping or would like a customized form of protection when playing sports, reach out to our dental practice at (510) 222-4178 to schedule an appointment. We will determine which type of nightguard is optimal for your unique mouth and idiosyncratic oral health challenges. Our dentist will also provide advice pertaining to the maintenance of your new night guard and its proper use. Your nightguard really will reduce the damage from clenching and grinding your teeth at night, covering both the lower and upper rows of teeth with a protective barrier. However, nightguards are quite comfortable, meaning you will be able to sleep soundly even while your nightguard is in your mouth.

Nightguards are made with opposing grooves to ensure the bite rests just right and as little damage as possible occurs when grinding or clenching at night. Nightguards also help prevent the onset and worsening of TMJ disorder. Though nightguards are not exactly cheap, they are much more affordable than the cost of TMJ disorder treatment.

However, it must be noted most patients have no idea they are clenching or grinding their teeth at night while sleeping. So don’t assume your teeth are not wearing down. Schedule an appointment with Wong Family Dentistry and we will determine if you suffer from bruxism and whether a nightguard is the optimal solution.

Routine Cleaning

Wong Family Dentistry is here to perform routine dental cleanings every six months. If you have not been to the dentist in the past six months or if you are unhappy with your current dentist, contact us today at (510) 222-4178 to schedule a routine cleaning and exam. Our routine cleanings are centered on the use of highly specialized dental tools that remove tartar and plaque from the teeth and also above/below the gums. Such a cleaning is essential o prevent gum disease and treat gingivitis.

Routine dental cleanings are also an invaluable opportunity to ask the dental hygienist about the areas of the mouth that require attention. Listen closely so you can remember the dental hygienist’s advice pertaining to altering/improving your flossing and brushing technique. An added bonus of routine cleanings every six months is it reduces halitosis, ensuring your breath smells as fresh as possible. An oral cancer screening will also take place during your routine cleaning so the dentist can determine if you have any signs of oral cancer that require additional analysis.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is performed to eliminate the etiologic agents that lead to inflammation of the gums and the bone that supports teeth. This is a non-surgical procedure that is essential for patients who suffer from gingivitis. In other words, scaling and root planing is the type of in-depth cleaning available at Wong Family Dentistry that delves down into the areas of the gums where the toothbrush and floss you use at home cannot reach. Some patients benefit from scaling and root planing as a preventative measure.

Scaling and root planing helps prevent disease, protect the teeth, improve breath quality and make the teeth that much more aesthetically pleasing through the removal of stains. This in-depth cleaning is performed after a comprehensive examination of your mouth. A visual examination along with x-rays will be taken prior to scaling and root planing. The pocket depth, level of calculus and gum conditions determine whether local anesthetic will be applied.

The scaling component of the procedure is performed with dental instruments such as an ultrasonic scaling tool. This tool eliminates plaque and calculus from the crown surface as well as that of the root. Root planing is performed to eliminate surface dentin containing tartar, toxins and microorganisms. The dentist smooths out the tooth root to facilitate the healing process. The dentist might also treat the gum pockets with antibiotics to minimize irritation and expedite gum tissue healing.

Periodontal Maintenance

If you suspect or know you have periodontal disease, you can benefit from periodontal maintenance. Wong Family Dentistry is here to improve the health of your gums, prevent gum recession and help you retain your teeth. Ideally, periodontal maintenance will be performed once every three months. However, the stage of your periodontal disease will ultimately determine the appropriate treatment frequency. Even if you floss and brush two or three times per day, you will eventually require periodontal maintenance at some point down the line. The truth is you can only do so much to maintain your oral health on your own at home.

Periodontal maintenance includes scaling and root planing to clean the gums in a comprehensive manner that cannot be done on your own at home. This maintenance is an in-depth cleaning to address the formation of periodontal pockets, meaning the areas between the gums and teeth where tartar and plaque form. This is a comparably intensive cleaning process necessary to restore the gums and maintain bone health.

If you were to bypass periodontal maintenance, the bacteria in your mouth would lead to nasty inflammation, spurring infection and additional oral health problems. Furthermore, your gum disease would worsen, possibly to the point that you lose one or several teeth. Give us a call at (510) 222-4178 and we will help you prevent such an outcome.