How Come the Color Could Never Match For Crowns on the Front Teeth?

September 11, 2011 alexnguyen

The two front teeth are the most commonly restored teeth. They erupt into the mouth at about the age of eight, and being positioned in front of the mouth they often sustain the most damage. Color is not the only parameter required to match the two front teeth with the rest of the teeth in the smile. Among other factors, we have to also match contour, surface texture, and shade variations of different areas of the teeth. Matching the front teeth is like sculpting a portrait of what they used to look like. That is the only way they will blend in with the natural dentition. Furthermore, the two front teeth serve as a very important guidance for joint stability and function. We must approach the front teeth in more than one dimension.

When done correctly, restorations for the front teeth will disappear into the rest of the smile. Here is a testimony from a recent case I delivered last week.

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Email dated 9/09/2011

Dear Dr. Alex,

I want to personally thank you for the wonderful job you did on my case. Although it took longer than I anticipated, it was worth the wait and I am very pleased with the end result. You definitely have the knack for how teeth should look and function. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and professionalism. ...Again, I want to thank you for a job well done.

P.S. you will soon have another positive review on Yelp :)

Sincerely,

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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.

From a patient who moved to Hawaii

June 23, 2011 alexnguyen

Email dated June 23, 2011 to her parents. Aloha Dad and Momma,

Dr. Jonathan Kam is my dentist who went to college at UCLA and Stanford. He told me that he knew Dr Nguyen from conferences and his excellent reputation. In fact, when Dr Kam examined my fillings, Dr Kam asked me who did my fillings because they were some of the best fillings he had ever seen and reported he was a "filling snob." I told him Dr Nguyen in San Jose did my fillings and Dr Kam said, "Oh my gosh, I know him! He is an excellent dentist and one of the best." Dr Kam told me to tell Dr Nguyen what an excellent job he did with my fillings. So, That's the story:)

The waves were huge in Waikiki today! They were about 15 ft and yes, I surfed them! It was really fun and I had a great time surfing because it is very rare that Waikiki has big waves like today. I am really excited for Mom to come and wish you were coming too, Dad:( Hope you have a nice rest of the week and talk to you both soon.

I love you,

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How can I have a cavity if my tooth does not hurt?

June 22, 2011 alexnguyen

Your tooth will only hurt if the cavity penetrates the chamber which houses the nerve inside your tooth. A cavity begins from the outside surface of your tooth and usually balloons inwards until it penetrates the nerve. Bacteria from the cavity and temperature exposure will cause the nerve to become inflamed and eventually ... die. That's when it really hurts.

The best way to diagnose the extent of a cavity is to use proper radiographs. Regular check-ups allow your dentist to catch cavities in their early stages of development. A small cavity is much easier and inexpensive to fill, than to wait until that cavity dictates the need for root canal, build-up, and crown treatments.

The Xray below shows 3 cavities on a patient who has not been to the dentist in a number of years. This patient has no pain in her dentition, yet it is a matter of time before these cavities become big problems for her dental health.

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Naturally Beautiful Smiles

March 5, 2011 alexnguyen

Occasionally I have the pleasure to invite some of my patients to do a photo shoot for ... fun ! Here are some samples of our latest collection of beautiful smiles. Whether it is a full mouth of restorative works or a few enhancements, I want the smiles to be simply beautiful and natural looking.

Thanks to Ivy, Alydia, and Saifon for allowing me to showcase your smiles.

My sincere appreciation to our stylist Jackie ( www.jolidejackie.com) and our photographer Paul (www.ferradasphotography.com).

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

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Can a Smile Makeover be Done in Two Visits?

February 14, 2011 alexnguyen

On December 19th, 2010 I posted a blog entry with a wonderful smile guide sent to me by a well-informed patient. Last Friday I delivered the porcelain restorations which completed his smile makeover process. I will still have to bring the patient back to fine tune and touch up some of the detail work. I could not have done the job in two simple visits like many advertisements claim to be able to do. The process cannot be done in two visits because a number of critical steps must be carried out:

- Diagnostic work-up of the case

- Laser contouring of the gum

- Equilibration of the bite

- Bonding of some of the teeth

- Preparation of the teeth for porcelain

- Working with the ceramist while the case is at the lab

- Tryin/delivery of the final restorations

Depending on what level of quality you are looking for, the process typically defines the end result.

Here is the feedback I received from the same patient today via email about his feelings regarding the end result of the case.

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From: S

Subject: teeth

Date: February 14, 2011 11:54:26 AM PST

To: Alex Nguyen

Hi Dr. Alex, just wanted to drop a quick note to express how happy I am with how my smile has turned out (the gums are much better and closer to normal now) The teeth are exactly what I wanted: shapes/edges are just as envisioned, and the whiteness and translucency couldn't be any more perfect. I noticed the very slight decalcification on the inciscor is exactly as I wanted. The bite feels solid and like my own teeth.

In short I can't stop myself from looking in the mirror and smiling :) Thanks for your hard work and attentional to detail. Looking forward to the fine-tuning and tweaking of the bicuspids and wrapping up the case.

See you soon

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