Blog | Optima Dental Spa

When Is Emergency Dental Care Necessary?

November 9, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

In this blog post, we provide an overview of situations when you should reach out to our expert team for emergency dental care in Portland, Lake Oswego, or Bellevue.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

These are some common signs that you’re experiencing a dental emergency that requires urgent care:

Profuse oral bleeding
Extreme tooth pain
Swelling
Broken, chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth
Complications or abnormalities after a dental procedure
Lost or damaged dental crown or filling
Broken dentures
Failed dental implant

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

If you are experiencing a dental issue, don’t panic! Remain calm and contact us right away for an emergency appointment. On the phone, we can also suggest additional steps you can take before you are able to see us.

For example, to reduce any swelling, ice your cheeks in 20 minute increments using a cold compress, bag of frozen peas or corn, or a baggie of ice cubes. If you have a toothache, brush and floss your teeth and rinse with a mixture of warm water and salt. Time is critical for a knocked-out tooth since the tooth must be reattached within the hour. Keep the tooth moist in a glass of milk until you can see us.

Tips to Prevent a Dental Emergency

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of an emergency situation:

If you play contact sports, always wear a well-fitting mouthguard to protect your teeth from potential impact.
Those who grind their teeth should wear a custom-fitted nightguard to prevent chips, breaks, and enamel thinning.
If you’ve recently undergone a dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction, carefully follow our post-treatment instructions to prevent complications.
Always maintain good oral health habits to promote strong teeth and gums. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, floss at least once a day, drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, and quit or avoid cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Keep up with your routine dental checkups. These appointments allow us to identify oral health problems and address them before they worsen into an emergency situation.

Your Emergency Dentist

At Optima Dental Spa, we offer emergency dental services so you can enjoy a pain-free and fully-functional smile in nearly no time. Moreover, we can help you stay relaxed throughout your appointment with our sedation dentistry options and pampering amenities. Emergencies are stressful, but we’re here to help you stay calm. Contact us today!

What Can Cause Dental Implant Failure?

October 30, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

Dental implants are a terrific modern solution with a high success rate when it comes to replacing missing teeth. But with any surgical procedure, sometimes there are complications and the procedure fails. In this blog post, we go over some situations that can cause failure of a dental implant. But don’t worry–the good news is that trouble can be averted with early intervention. Here at Optima Dental Spa, you have options when it comes to fixing the problem and restoring your mouth to full health.

Causes of Dental Implant Failure

A variety of issues can increase the risk of dental implant failure. For example:

If an implant was placed incorrectly or with improper techniques, it could puncture the orofacial cavities, cause nerve impairment, or lead to infection.
A patient lacking sufficient jawbone density before the surgery, and who did not receive a bone graft, will not have a strong enough jaw to support the implant.
Poor oral hygiene by the patient after surgery can result in gum irritation and infection that can compromise the implant.
Nighttime teeth grinding and clenching can also put excessive pressure on the implant.
Other factors that increase the risk of failure include poor overall health, poor circulation, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain medications.

Improving Your Success Rate

For many of these reasons, it’s imperative to have your dental implant surgery done by a highly qualified dental provider, such as a member of our expert team at Optima Dental Spa. A correct surgery will obviously increase the implant’s chance of success. But an experienced implant dentist will also know what red flags to watch out for and can help you stay healthy and comfortable every step of the way before and after your surgery.

What to Do If Your Implant Fails

If you experience dental implant failure, contact our trusted team at Optima Dental Spa. We’ll examine your mouth and jaw to diagnose what is wrong. Depending on the issue, we’ll come up with a personalized plan to safely resolve your issue and restore your mouth to full health and function.

Consult with Our Smile Team!

Do you have a failed dental implant? You don’t need to suffer any longer. Contact Optima Dental Spa so we can help find you a solution to your pain and inconvenience as soon as possible!

In-Office vs. Take-Home Teeth Whitening

October 23, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

If you’re looking to whiten and brighten your smile, consider professional teeth whitening. This is the most efficient way to whiten your teeth and achieve the dramatic, long-lasting results you deserve. The strong whitening agent used in professional systems is more effective at removing stains than what is used in over-the-counter products like whitening pens, whitening strips, and whitening toothpastes. It’s also safer because of the included guidance of a trained professional. This means that you’ll get a whiter smile in less time, and with less risk to your oral health (and wallet).

At Optimal Dental Spa, we offer two types of professional teeth whitening: in-office and take-home. Here, we’ll explain the difference between these two options.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Our in-office Zoom!^® teeth whitening is fantastic because in just one visit you’ll see dazzling results. Our office utilizes a professional-strength whitening gel and accelerating LED light that takes just three 20 minute sessions. To further stabilize your results, we’ll give you a take-home Zoom! whitening kit, which you’ll use for 14 days. If you desire, you can then return to our office for another in-office treatment.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

We also offer custom take-home bleaching trays so you can whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule. Your trays will be made from impressions we take of your teeth. Every night you’ll squeeze Nite White^® bleaching gel into the trays. For optimal results, you’ll need to wear them for the treatment time recommended by our team. As your smile becomes whiter and brighter, you decide when your teeth are as white as you’d like them, at which point you can stop wearing the trays. Although this option is not as rapid as in-office whitening, it is still safe and effective.

Looking to Brighten Your Smile?

If you are interested in whitening your teeth, contact us today to schedule a consultation so we can help you decide whether take-home or in-office teeth whitening is better for you. We look forward to helping you achieve a glowing smile!

How to Care for Your New Dental Veneers

October 16, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

When you get veneers, it can finally feel like you have the smile of your dreams. You may be walking around, looking for every opportunity to show off your pearly whites. To keep that glowing feeling and that sparkly look lasting as long as possible, keep in mind these important steps for taking care of your new dental veneers:

Maintain Daily At-Home Oral Hygiene

No special changes are necessary for your daily at-home oral care if you’ve been following the recommended guidelines of brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing at least once a day. Doing this will keep your gums and tooth roots healthy, which in turn will help keep your veneers looking great. If you’re having a tough time staying consistent, try switching to an electric toothbrush and water flosser.

Watch What You Chew On

Before getting veneers, you may not have thought twice about chewing on some ice, your pen, a jawbreaker, lollipop, or unpopped popcorn kernel, but you definitely should now. That intense pressure from chewing on a hard material can end up chipping or cracking the material that your veneers are made out of.

Get a Guard

If you play a lot of contact sports and you don’t already have a custom athletic mouthguard, now is the time to get one. Wearing a well-fitted mouthguard will help prevent your veneers from suffering potential damage from a blow to the face, a fall, or a collision. Additionally, if you grind your teeth at night while you’re sleeping (a condition called bruxism), you should get a custom nightguard so you don’t end up damaging your dazzling new veneers.

Expert Help in Lake Oswego, Portland & Bellevue

Do you need more help keeping your dental veneers in their very best shape? As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Optima Dental Spa team. We are proud providers of veneers at our practice, and we can answer any questions you might have about the cosmetic procedure. Or if you are interested in getting veneers and you’re here doing preliminary research, all you need to do is give us a call or send us an email to set up your complimentary consultation!

Visit Our New Bellevue Dental Office!

October 10, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

Hey, dental family! Our Optima Dental Spa team has some exciting news. We already have locations in Lake Oswego and Portland, OR, but we’re proud to introduce another office location for Optima Dental Spa in Bellevue, WA! Here’s a little bit more about it:

Our New Optima Dental Spa Location

Come check out our new Optima Dental Spa office conveniently located at 10500 NE 8th St., #208, Bellevue, WA 98004, near the intersection of NE 8th Street and Bellevue Way NE. You can find us in The Bellevue Collection, which is just a quick Sky Bridge stroll from Bellevue Square. If you have any trouble at all finding our office, call us at 425-688-1345 so we can give you additional directions.

Bellevue Office Hours

Monday & Tuesday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Thursday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday – 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Meet Our Dentists in Bellevue

When you visit our Bellevue location, you’ll be seen by one of our friendly, hardworking dentists: Dr. Lynn Jones or Dr. Sarah McDonald. Both dentists are passionate about helping each patient achieve and maintain their very best smile.

Dr. Lynn Jones

Dr. Jones received her dental doctorate from the University of Washington School of Dentistry. She is internationally recognized for her excellence in cosmetic dentistry. In fact, her exceptional work helped the practice snag a spot on CBS Seattle’s Best Places for Teeth Whitening list, ThreeBest Rated Best Cosmetic Dentists in Bellevue list and on Seattle Met’s Best Dentist list for 10 years.

Dr. Sarah McDonald

Dr. McDonald also earned her dental degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and has received various awards for her research and patient care. She loves continually enhancing her dentistry skills and knowledge about a variety of dental topics, particularly Invisalign^®, dental implants, and IV sedation.

Our Dental Services

We’re proud to offer a comprehensive suite of dental services in order to meet the unique needs of our patients. For example, we not only provide preventive dentistry like routine check-ups and cleanings, we also provide cosmetic and restorative dentistry like Invisalign, veneers, and dental implants. Whatever your dental issue or goals may be, whether you’re looking to improve your gum health or would like to makeover or restore your smile, we’d love to help you every step of the way. Our Bellevue dental office also provides sedation dentistry!

Visit Our Dental Office in Bellevue!

At our Bellevue dental office, we will strive to help you have a positive dental experience from start-to-finish. And for those who are not native English speakers, we have team members that can communicate in Russian, Romanian, Korean, Spanish, and French during your appointment. So why wait to schedule your visit with us? Contact our practice by phone or email – we hope to see you very soon!

Porcelain vs. Zirconia Dental Crowns

September 30, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

A dental crown can be a great solution to a broken or damaged tooth. Alternatively, multiple crowns can be used to totally refresh a smile. If you are a candidate for a dental crown, or crowns, read on to learn about the options we offer here at Optima Dental Spa.

What Is a Crown?

A dental crown is essentially a cap that fits right over a natural tooth. Crowns are custom-made with durability, comfort, and aesthetics in mind. This restoration aids in fixing a variety of issues, such as hiding a cracked, worn-down, or discolored tooth; restoring strength and function to a damaged tooth compromised by decay and/or infection; topping a dental implant; or anchoring a dental bridge.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns consist of a special ceramic that is durable and stain-resistant. It can be layered to create a natural look that matches the shade, shine, and translucence of neighboring teeth. Although realistic-looking and strong, they are not invincible and can chip.

Zirconia Crowns

We also offer zirconia crowns. Zirconia, sometimes referred to as “ceramic steel,” is incredibly strong. In fact, solid zirconia crowns are the strongest available material for crowns. This is a safe, nontoxic option that provides a long-lasting new tooth. It is unlikely to crack or break and can withstand immense pressure, which is a requirement for functional back molars. Although zirconia’s appearance does not mimic that of natural teeth quite like porcelain, a layer of porcelain can be added to help this restoration blend more seamlessly with your smile.

Crowns in Lake Oswego & Portland

If you have a problem that requires a crown, set up a visit and we’ll have your smile restored to full beauty and function in nearly no time. If you’re not sure which crown material is best for you, we can provide a further breakdown of the pros and cons of porcelain and zirconia. So come on in for a consultation and we’ll help you understand which is right your needs. Contact us today!

What Is Holistic Dentistry?

September 25, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

The link between your dental health and your overall health and wellbeing is not to be ignored. Here at Optima Dental Spa, we emphasize that link with our practice of holistic dental care. New to the notion of holistic dentistry? Read on to learn all about it.

What Is Holistic Dental Care?

With our holistic approach to dental care, we look beyond just the care of your teeth by taking into account your overall health and recognizing connections between your wellbeing and your oral health. That means using non-toxic materials, emphasizing patient education and preventive care, promoting relaxation, and much more.

Mercury-Free Fillings

A key component of holistic dental care is in the materials we use. Traditional amalgam fillings actually contain mercury, an ingredient that can contribute negatively to your overall health. At our practice, we use only non-metal, composite fillings. Not only are they free of unhealthy elements, but composite fillings actually serve to strengthen your teeth. Additionally, we are happy to provide the service of safely removing and replacing amalgam fillings if you have them.

Porcelain Crowns

Similar to how we only use natural-looking and safe materials for fillings, we are also picky about the materials we choose for dental crowns. We opt to provide our patients with porcelain crowns. These restorations are not made with metal, and therefore safe to remain inside your mouth for long periods of time. Porcelain crowns are strong and durable, and they offer a realistic look that will blend in with the rest of your smile.

Holistic Dental Care in Lake Oswego & Portland, OR

Our Optima Dental Spa team will recommend a conservative treatment plan whenever possible. And you can trust we’ll be honest when we explain why certain procedures will benefit your oral and overall health. So let us know if you have any questions about our comprehensive dental services or would like to schedule an appointment. We have dental offices in Lake Oswego or Portland. Contact us today!

Full Mouth Reconstruction 101

September 21, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

Full mouth reconstruction allows us to completely reinvent your smile, replacing each and every tooth. It can be a fantastic solution to a variety of dental problems, but it’s not for everyone. In this blog post, we’ll explore what a full mouth reconstruction entails, and who can benefit from it.

Breaking Down the Options

The direction that the reconstruction process will take is completely unique to each patient and their condition. There are a variety of different components that we incorporate into the restoration process:

CEREC crowns are realistic-looking dental crowns that are made in-office during your visit. The quick process produces a durable, reliable cap that will completely cover your natural tooth, protecting it and masking damage.
Porcelain veneers are incredibly thin, super strong shells of porcelain that are custom-made to fit snugly over teeth. They are used to cover the surface to hide imperfections while providing a natural, seamless look.
Dental implants are a popular way to replace teeth because they feel and look natural. Implants involve an artificial tooth root that is fused with the jaw. Once healed, a custom restoration is attached. They help prevent bone loss after tooth loss, and can be used to stabilize dentures.
Bridges can also be used to reconstruct part of the smile. A bridge relies on two or more crowns, which provide the support to hold up the restoration. Alternatively, dental implants can be used to secure a bride.

Understanding the Need

If you’re dissatisfied with your smile, a full reconstruction sounds great, right? Well it’s quite an undertaking, and it’s not a fit for everyone. People who may be good candidates for a full mouth reconstruction are those with multiple missing teeth, multiple worn down or broken teeth, and chronic headaches and/or jaw pain with a root cause in the mouth. Our expert smile team will assess your mouth and overall health and wellbeing before determining your eligibility for a total mouth reconstruction.

Full Mouth Reconstruction in Lake Oswego & Portland, OR

Sound like something that could suit your needs? Give us a call to schedule a consultation and we’ll let you know what we can do to transform your smile.

What to Expect at Our Dental Spa

September 14, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

If you’re looking for a new dentist in the Portland and Lake Oswego area, look no further than Optima Dental Spa! At our offices, we curate a personal, comfortable, and enjoyable experience that will leave you looking forward to your next visit. Read on to learn about the services and amenities that accompany our top-of-the-line dental care.

Calming Amenities

There’s a reason we call our offices a Dental Spa. When you visit us, you’ll have the opportunity to put your feet up and relax while undergoing your dental service. Here’s a look at the amenities we offer at Optima Dental Spa:

Aromatherapy – Essential oils have a variety of benefits. Key among them, especially for many of our patients, is the ability to reduce tension and increase relaxation.
Heated Blankets & Neck Wraps – Get cozy with a warm blanket or neckwarmer. The heat can reduce muscle tension, letting you relax in our chair.
Entertainment – Many patients get bored or anxious during an appointment, or are irritated by the sounds of our equipment. Go ahead and tune out! We offer our patients the chance to watch a movie with a pair of movie glasses, or listen to music with noise-canceling headphones.
Massage Chair – Instead of counting down the minutes until you can leave, you’ll be able to completely unwind in our massaging dental chairs and enjoy your time with us.
Paraffin Hand Wax – Round out the spa experience by indulging in a moisturizing, skin-softening paraffin wax treatment.

Top-Notch Dental Care

But there’s more to our offices than total relaxation. Your teeth will get the royal treatment too! It’s our pleasure to offer our patients a comprehensive range of oral healthcare services, covering all the bases when it comes to preventive, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. Additionally, we offer sedation dentistry to further relax you during your appointment.

Contact Our Team!

If you want to learn more about what we have to offer at Optima Dental Spa, contact us today. We would be thrilled to meet you.

Does Chronic Teeth Grinding Cause Sensitivity?

August 30, 2019 by Optima Dental Spa

Some people know they grind their teeth because they regularly awaken their partner with loud grinding sounds, or they have a sore jaw and headache in the morning. Others find out because their dentist notices signs of unusual wear on their teeth. Regardless of how you discover your nighttime bruxism (or chronic teeth grinding and clenching as you sleep), it’s important to seek treatment. Teeth grinding is more than just a bothersome habit that can disrupt your sleep; it can negatively affect your dental health too! Read on to learn more about bruxism and how to protect your teeth.

Bruxism & Teeth Sensitivity

If someone has nighttime bruxism, they chronically grind or clench their teeth during sleep. Over time, this repeated intense pressure can wear down the outer protective layer of teeth, called the enamel. It can also chip and break teeth. Teeth can be damaged so badly that the next layer of teeth, called the dentin, becomes exposed. This dentin is composed of hundreds of microtubules that connect to sensitive nerve endings stemming from the inner pulp. When pressure and/or extreme temperatures irritate these nerve endings, it’s common to feel sensitivity and pain.

How to Protect Your Teeth

The best thing you can to protect your teeth from the negative effects of teeth grinding and clenching is to get fitted for a custom nightguard. A mouthguard will provide your teeth with a layer of protection and will alleviate some of the pressure and tension that comes with bruxism. We also recommend looking into relaxation techniques and ways to relieve your stress, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or other forms of exercise.

Get Fitted for a Custom Nightguard

If you want to confirm whether or not you have bruxism, or if you already know you do and are interested in getting a nightguard, contact Optima Dental Spa today! Our team can help you protect your teeth so you can avoid dealing with the pesky problems of tooth sensitivity.