Restorative and General Dentistry: TMJ Treatment, Dental Bridges, and More — Los Gatos near San Jose
Dr. HagShenas offers a complete range of general and restorative dentistry options for his Los Gatos, San Jose, Campbell, and Saratoga patients. Because Dr. HagShenas’ focus is on comprehensive restorative and cosmetic dentistry, all procedures at his office are delivered with a focus on improving his patient’s overall health while improving their appearance. For example, dental bridges can improve chewing ability and fill in gaps left by missing teeth, while TMJ treatment can improve one’s overall dental health and correct a visible overbite. Contact Los Gatos Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry near San Jose to find out how Dr. HagShenas creates dazzling smiles that last a lifetime.
- Restorative Dentistry
- TMJ Treatment / Advanced Bite Therapy
- Full Mouth Reconstruction
- Dental Bridges
- Dentures
- Dental Implants
TMJ Treatment / Advanced Bite Therapy
Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) affect thousands of people who suffer from headaches, tenderness or pain in the jaw and face, and an array of other uncomfortable symptoms. By carefully analyzing the patient’s bite with a mandibular positioning indicator (MPI) and using a 3-D pantographic recording to measure jaw movements, Dr. HagShenas can create treatment plans that address TMJ problems and ease the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder or other bite-related issues.
Dr. Amir HagShenas has dedicated much of his career to implementing the most intricate principles of advanced bite therapy into his restorative dentistry practice. He is a graduate of the prestigious FACE (Foundation of Advanced Continuing Education) program, where he has perfected his bite therapy techniques. Dr. HagShenas’ ultimate goal is to make sure that his patients are proud of their attractive smiles, while giving them the confidence to enjoy their meals with strong teeth – without suffering from bite–related headaches or interruptions to their lives.
TMJ Diagnosis and Therapy
Dr. HagShenas specializes in analyzing TMJ disorders and has extensive experience with advanced TMJ treatment. He utilizes joint imaging technology such as (MRI), and the newly developed Cone Beam Tomography (CBT) to view the condition of his patients’ jaws and diagnose problems in their TMJs. By carefully analyzing the patient’s bite with a mandibular positioning indicator (MPI) and using a 3-D pantographic recording to gauge jaw movements, Dr. HagShenas can create treatment plans that address TMJ problems and ease the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder or other bite-related issues.
Through advanced splint therapy procedures, Dr. HagShenas can place his patients’ jaws in their optimal positions and relax the jaw muscles. The bite splint is typically a removable appliance that is worn to ease muscle tension and/or reposition the jaws. Dr. HagShenas uses the following splint therapy options to address each patient’s individual bite problems:
- Flat arch splint appliances
- NTI bite therapy
- TMJ orthotic splint therapy
- Night appliance therapy
Full Mouth Reconstruction
In some cases, other restorative dentistry procedures are required to ease the symptoms of TMJ disorders, including the restoration of teeth through a comprehensive bite correction. Dr. HagShenas’ ultimate goal is to offer his patients a comprehensive, full mouth rehabilitation, and to restore his patients’ dental health by correcting their bite and its related functions. Dr. HagShenas has treated many patients in need of full mouth reconstructions, including those with extensively worn or damaged teeth and those with a collapsed bite due to years of wear. As part of a comprehensive TMJ treatment plan at his San Jose-area practice, Dr. HagShenas can perform a full mouth reconstruction to correct bite issues and TMJ disorders – or simply restore every case to an ideal smile. In addition to relieving the symptoms of TMJ disorder, a restored bite is often able to minimize undesirable wrinkles around the lips and create a dazzling smile.
Dental Bridges
It is important to replace a missing tooth in order to maintain proper alignment of the surrounding teeth. Dental bridges can be used at our Los Gatos practice to replace one or several missing teeth. Dental bridges help prevent other teeth from shifting out of place, while creating a pleasing look by filling in unsightly gaps.
The bridge includes an artificial tooth, or set of teeth, that fill in the gap left by missing teeth. Dental bridges may be either fixed or removable, and they can be made from gold alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. A fixed bridge is bonded to surrounding anchor teeth. These anchor teeth are first prepared similar to teeth covered by dental crowns so that the bridge can be bonded in place. Removable bridges, also known as partial dentures, are held in place with metal clasps or with precision custom attachments.
Placing Dental Bridges
The procedure to place fixed dental bridges at Los Gatos Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry typically takes two visits. During the first visit, Dr. HagShenas prepares the anchor teeth for dental bridges. An impression of the area will be made so that the bridge can be precisely crafted to ensure a correct bite and function. Once the bridge has been made, it will be bonded into place during a second visit. Fixed dental bridges depend on the surrounding teeth for support, so a strict regimen of brushing and flossing will help keep the bridge in good condition for a long time.
Dentures
Dentures are sets of removable replacement teeth that are used when all of the teeth are missing (full dentures) or just several teeth (partial dentures). An immediate denture is usually worn for several months after the teeth have been extracted so that the tissues have time to heal. Then a custom denture is made to fit the mouth. With the advancement of dental implants, full or partial dentures (dental bridges) can be reinforced by implants for a more secure fit.
Dental Implants
As part of Dr. HagShenas’ restorative dentistry services, dental implants are offered to his San Jose-area patients as a long-term solution to missing teeth. Titanium “roots” are first implanted into the jawbone, and a replacement tooth is secured to the dental implants. Dental implants look and function like real teeth. To learn more about dental implants, visit our implant dentistry page.
General Dentistry
Dr. HagShenas offers his patients a variety of general dentistry options at his Los Gatos practice for maintaining their long term dental health.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal (gum) diseases are infections of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. Adults over the age of 35 lose more teeth to periodontal disease than to cavities. Daily brushing and flossing, regular examinations, and professional cleanings are the best defenses against periodontal disease.
As part of the general dentistry services at Los Gatos Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry, your periodontal maintenance includes an oral cancer screening, a review of your medical history, and a review of your home hygiene techniques. You will be shown new methods in home care, and you will benefit from ultrasonic and manual teeth cleaning techniques that help you overcome gum disease. If you have experienced periodontal disease, the following treatment options are offered at Los Gatos Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry to help reverse the damage:
- Advanced laser therapy
- Antimicrobial therapy
- Sub-gingival (below the gum line) antibiotics
- Deep cleaning with scaling and root planing of the diseased teeth and tissues
Laser dentistry is a gentle and effective method of treating gum disease. Through advanced laser therapy, the diseased tissue can be removed from around the tooth and under the gums. This interrupts the destruction of the gum tissue by bacteria and stops the advancement of gum disease. Laser therapy may be combined with other restorative dentistry treatment options available at Dr. HagShenas’ San Jose-area office for optimal results.
For cases in which gum disease has severely advanced, Dr. HagShenas may refer his patients to a periodontist for a more invasive type of surgery.
Root Canal Therapy
Occasionally, tooth pain is caused by an infection of the pulp in the center of a tooth. In order to save such a tooth, root canal therapy can be performed. During root canal therapy, the infected root canal space is thoroughly cleaned, and the area is sealed with a safe material. With our Waterlase® system, root canal procedures can be completed more efficiently than traditional methods.
Because the pulp is responsible for giving the tooth its vitality and strength, a tooth which has undergone root canal therapy becomes weak and is prone to chipping or breaking. Therefore, a restorative dentistry option such as a dental crown will be necessary to add strength to the tooth. With CEREC® 3D technology, your tooth can be restored in just one visit, and in some cases, immediately following your root canal therapy.
Tooth Extractions
Only when all efforts to save a tooth have been explored and exhausted will Dr. HagShenas suggest that a tooth be removed. If a tooth needs to be extracted, Dr. HagShenas will make sure your procedure is as comfortable as possible by thoroughly making the tooth and the surrounding area numb. Because of Dr. HagShenas’ careful anesthesia technique, his patients report only a very minor sensation of pressure as the tooth is removed from its socket. It is essential that you have the tooth replaced with dental bridges or dental implants to maintain proper alignment of the surrounding teeth and to avoid needing TMJ treatment in the future. After a tooth extraction, Dr. HagShenas will discuss with you which tooth replacement options are right for your individual case.
Contact Dr. HagShenas' General and Restorative Dentistry Practice
For more information about Dr. HagShenas’ general and restorative dentistry options, including dental bridges and TMJ treatment, contact Los Gatos Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry, located near San Jose, Campbell, and Saratoga.
For exceptional restorative and general dentistry, including dental bridges and TMJ treatment, contact Los Gatos Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry near San Jose.
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