Most people bite their nails because it is a nervous habit. It is the one thing that they always have available under their control when they are nervous or anxious about something. For some, biting fingernails is a lifelong habit that is extremely difficult to quit and can become painful and embarrassing. When you bite your nails you’re inviting all of dirt and germs get trapped beneath your fingernails right into your body. Biting your nails usually leads to the skin around them getting irritated and unsightly. It is also quite common for there to be pain or bleeding if the nail is chewed to closely to the nail bed.

At my San Diego/La Jolla office I developed a unique dental system that helps you control fingernail biting. I have been using it for many years with proven success. The technique involves placing a fixed appliance on the back teeth where it is not visible. It is tooth colored so no one will know it is on your teeth. Attaching the fixed appliance is painless and easy. There is no drilling involved and it is completely reversible. I start by making sure the tooth is free from decay or any other dental problems. I then clean the top surface of the tooth, place a bonding agent, and then build up the tooth colored material to make your custom appliance. Once it is in place I smooth all the edges and make sure it is sealed onto the tooth. This is done on two teeth in your mouth, one in the back on each side. Once they are both in place I make sure you are biting evenly on each one to ensure you are comfortable while wearing them.

How does it work? Since the fixed appliance restricts you from completely biting down, you are prevented from clipping off your fingernail with your teeth . It’s just not that easy to do without a little help. By having a biting surface on only two areas in your mouth you are forced to stop biting off your fingernails. Once you feel as though you no longer need the fixed appliance it can be quickly and easily removed polishing it off. You natural tooth will not be affected by the placement of the materials on it. The tooth will feel just as it did before you had the appliance placed.

If you are looking for a new and different approach to stop biting your fingernails contact my office today. Call for a consultation 858-552-1223 and learn more about a recommended treatment customized for you. My dental office is located in San Diego near La Jolla in the University Town Center.

Emergency dentistry is a service that I have been providing to San Diegans and those visiting, for 30 years.  Many corporations who refer their employees to my office for emergency dental care count on my experience to take care of their dental problems quickly.  Emergency dentistry is a field that requires a dentist to have an extensive background of solving cases of acute pain and sensitivity without delay.

I strive to keep my San Diego/La Jolla dental practice up to date with the latest in technological advances. That is why I have incorporated a soft tissue diode laser into my practice. By visiting my dental office you will have the opportunity to experience this new and exciting advance in dental technology.  

Research has shown that using a dental laser in combination with scaling and root planing improves the effectiveness of the treatment. It can help to reduce periodontal pockets by removing diseased tissues and has been proven to promote limited bone growth. The dental laser is effective while using very little local anesthetic and sometimes no anesthetic is necessary. There is very little if any postoperative discomfort. 

My staff and I are trained to make sure you are safe and comfortable while having laser therapy.

No matter your age or athletic level, you should have a custom sports mouth guard. Getting one now for yourself or your child is the best way to protect the teeth and mouth. I have had many athletes contact my office after they have broken a tooth. They now know they need a mouth guard, but sadly they also now need dental care. Prevention is the best way to avoid dental trauma.

 

Eat slower. Eat less.

My San Diego/La Jolla office is more then just dentistry. It’s about looking better and feeling great. I developed a unique dental system that helps you lose weight safely and easily. I have been using it for many years with proven success. The technique involves placing a fixed appliance on the back teeth where it is not visible. It is tooth colored so no one will know it is on your teeth.

Attaching the fixed appliance is painless and easy. There is no drilling involved and it is completely reversible. I start by making sure the tooth is free from decay or any other dental problems. I then clean the top surface of the tooth, place a bonding agent, and then build up the tooth colored material to make your custom appliance. Once it is in place I smooth all the edges and make sure it is sealed onto the tooth. This is done on two teeth in your mouth, one in the back on each side. Once they are both in place I make sure you are biting evenly on each one to ensure you are comfortable while wearing them.

Pediatric Dentist in San Diego

 

Good dental habits and healthy teeth start at a very young age. New parents are busy and not always thinking about their baby’s teeth, but it is far more important than most people realize. My staff and I are here to help educate new parents and their children on how important their dental health is.

 

My practice is conveniently located in the University Town Center area making me a centrally located pediatric dentist in San Diego. I recommend to my patients that they make an informative and educational appointment for themselves and their child by the time they are one year of age. Although this may seem young, we feel it is important to start prevention early and establish a comfortable relationship that will last a lifetime. We make sure that your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist is relaxing and easy. It is a time for them to get to know me and learn that going to the dentist can be fun. If a parent waits too long to bring their child to the dentist their first visit can be scary because of the lack of familiarity with the doctor and staff and can be painful if the child needs immediate treatment.

 

The thought of having a root canal treatment is frightening to some patients, however my patients rarely experience any discomfort during the entire procedure. My 30 years of experience and techniques has given me the skills to do root canal treatments in a way that makes my patients comfortable.

 

A Root canal treatment is done when a nerve, also called the pulp, has degenerated either through deep decay or trauma. Initially the nerve becomes inflamed causing a toothache. Eventually this inflammation may reverse or may become infected. Sometimes the pulp may degenerate slowly and without symptoms of pain. The painless abscess or infection may only be evident through  viewing a radiograph. Without treatment, an infection may become more severe and either build up pressure or drain either through the tooth opening or through the side of the jaw bone called a fistula. An infected tooth will never heal on its own. As it gets worse it will continue to be a source of infection that depletes your immune system which can affect your entire body. As long as there is enough tooth structure to do a restoration we will recommend doing root canal therapy to save your tooth. The good news is that is can be treated quickly and relief from pain is immediate in many cases.

• Deep decay contacting nerve Deep decay contacting nerve
• Infection spread to bone Infection spread to bone
• Dental File Dental File
•