Did you know, according to scholars and historians, Braces date back to ancient times?

400-300 BC in fact, Hippocrates and Aristotle both contemplated ways to straighten teeth and fix various dental conditions. Archaeologists have discovered numerous mummified ancient individuals with what appear to be metal bands wrapped around their teeth. Catgut, a type of cord made from the natural fibers of an animal’s intestines, performed a similar role to today’s orthodontic wire in closing gaps in the teeth and mouth.  The Etruscans buried their dead with dental appliances in place to maintain space and prevent collapse of the teeth during the afterlife. A Roman tomb was found with a number of teeth bound with gold wire documented as a ligature wire, a small elastic wire that is used to affix the arch wire to the bracket.

Dental Braces (also known as orthodontic braces, or braces) are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten your natural teeth and help to reposition them with regard to your bite, while also working to help improve your overall dental health.

They are often used to correct an under bite, as well as malocclusions, over bites, cross bites, crooked teeth, and various other flaws of the natural teeth and jaw.

Braces can be used for either cosmetic or structural purposes.

Today, many people travel to Costa Rica for Dental Braces. The placement of Braces in Costa Rica can be considerably less on the budget and regular monthly maintenance  treatments can be carried out with your Local Dental Team.

Interested in learning more about whether Braces are right for you

Contact our International Patient Coordinator at clinic@davincisdentalcare.com

So you think you have Gingivitis…now what?

Treatment of Gingivitis

Prompt treatment usually reverses the symptoms of gingivitis and prevents its progression to more serious gum disease, tooth loss and over loss of health.

Effective treatment requires professional Dental care followed by stepped up oral hygiene at home.

Professional gingivitis care includes:

• An initial evaluation

• Your initial professional evaluation will include a thorough cleaning with use of dental instruments to remove all traces of plaque and tartar — a procedure known as scaling.

• Instruction on effective home brushing and flossing techniques

• Regular professional checkups and cleaning

• Dental Restorations, if required; fixing crowns or fillings that make good oral hygiene difficult

• Misaligned teeth or poorly fitting crowns, bridges or other dental restorations irritate your gums and make it harder for you to remove plaque during daily home care.

If problems with your teeth or dental restorations contribute to your gingivitis, your dentist may recommend fixing these problems.

Gingivitis usually clears up after a thorough professional cleaning — as long as you continue good oral hygiene at home. Your dentist will help you plan an effective at-home program.

To book a consultation today contact our International Patient Coordinator atclinic@davincisdentalcare.com and see for yourself the DaVinci Difference!

Gingivitis is a form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gums.

Gingivitis is common, and anyone can develop it. Many people first experience gum problems during puberty and then in varying degrees throughout life.

Gingivitis can be mild so you may not be aware that you have the condition.

Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include:

Swollen gums

Soft, puffy gums

Receding gums

Occasionally, tender gums

Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss, sometimes seen as redness or pinkness on your brush or floss

A change in the color of your gums from a healthy pink to dusky red

Bad breath

It’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly as untreated gingivitis can progress to gum disease that spreads to underlying tissue and bone (periodontitis), a much more serious condition that can lead to tooth loss. Studies have shown that Periodontitis may also adversely affect your overall health.

Diagnoses of gingivitis is based on symptoms and an examination of your teeth, gums, mouth and tongue. Your dentist will look for plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and check your gums for redness, puffiness and easy bleeding. If it’s not clear what has caused your gingivitis, your dentist may recommend that you get a medical evaluation to check for underlying health conditions. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Good oral health habits, such as drinking lots of water, proper diet and of course brushing at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing daily are essential.

Stay tuned for our next blog article featuring treatment for Gingivitis.

Contact our International Patient Coordinator at clinci@davincisdentalcare.com for all your questions on Gingivitis and how to treat it effectively.

Experience the DaVinci Difference!

Bad breath… can it be reversed and what can you do to prevent it?

The simple answer is yes it can be reversed and is preventable!

Bad breath can easily be reduced or prevented if you:

Practice good oral hygiene.Brush twice a day for a minimum of 2 minutes to remove food debris and plaque.Brush teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch).Don’t forget to brush the tongue, too.Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months and immediately after an illness.Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between teeth once a day before bed.Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.See your dentist regularly every 4 to 6 months. We will conduct an oral exam and complete a professional teeth cleaning, detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist.Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think they may be causing bad breath, bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take as some drugs may play a role in creating mouth odors.

Come in for a professional consultation and cleaning today and experience the DaVinci Difference!

We all worry about it and at some point we all have it … Bad breath!!

Medically called halitosis, it can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems too.

Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

How Does What You Eat Affect Breath?

Basically, all the food eaten begins to be broken down in your mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, they are eventually carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing — even mouthwash — merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body.

Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?

If you don’t brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses also can help reduce bacteria.

Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products also can cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate your gums.

What Health Problems Are Associated With Bad Breath?

Did you know that persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum (periodontal) disease?

Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth, when bacteria causes the formation of toxins to form, which in turn irritate the gums.

If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage further damage to the gums, jawbone and overall health.

Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental caries (cavities).

The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) also can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.

Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.

Stay tuned for our blog on Bad Breath Prevention.

Want more information on this and other blog articles contact our International Patient Coordinator at clinic@davincisdentalcare.com

Did you know there are hundreds of different types of toothbrushes on the market today!

It can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing the right toothbrush for your dental hygiene.

Here are some easy tips to help break it down and find the right toothbrush for you!

1. Manual

   Manual toothbrushes are the oldest types of toothbrushes and feature a hard handle with bristles on one end. Certain manual models may contain a tongue scraper. These toothbrushes are very inexpensive and come in many different colors and designs. They are easy to travel with but can be hard to use for people with arthritis.

2. Battery Powered

   Battery powered toothbrushes often contain a large-handled base that can hold two AA batteries. The bristles will vary and some will spin, while others simply move back and forth in a gentle pattern. Another type of battery-powered toothbrush features bottom bristles that are stationary like a manual toothbrush, while the upper bristles will spin in a circular fashion. The battery-powered brush can clean more effectively, but the bulky base may not be comfortable to hold for some users.

3. Sonic

   Sonic toothbrushes are newer model toothbrushes use sonic power to clean teeth. Instead of spinning or moving in a predetermined pattern, the bristles will vibrate intensely to shake lose any hidden plaque and debris that are hiding between teeth. While other kinds of toothbrushes only will clean where the bristles can touch, sonic power will clean areas that bristles can find. A sonic toothbrush is plugged into a household outlet.

4. Chewable

   A chewable toothbrush is a small piece of plastic that has bristles on one end. They are used at times when water, toothbrush and toothpaste are not easily accessible. After a meal or simply to freshen your breath, pop in a chewable toothbrush, chew it for a few minutes, spit it out and you should have clean teeth and fresh breath. Remember, Chewable brushes should not be swallowed, and they are not meant to replace regular brushing and flossing.

If you have more questions, or would like to book a cleaning and consultation today

Contact our International Patient Coordinator at clinic@davincisdentalcare.com

Do you think your teeth are too short and your smile is too gummy, or that your gums cover too much of some teeth while leaving others the right length?

Wondering how easy it is to correct, and get that smile you always wanted to see in the mirror?

Then Dental Crown lengthening might be the solution for you.

How it Works; during this procedure, excess gum tissue is removed to expose more of the crown of the tooth. Then your gum line is sculpted to give you a new smile.

But before starting any cosmetic work wouldn’t it be nice to see the finished product, and be totally confident exactly what the procedure will look like at completion?

At DaVinci Dental Care, Dr. Barquero will first complete a Digital Smile Design Analysis (DSD) this is for the patient, and the dental team to clearly create and see how your new smile will look and feel on you before any work begins.

Once the patient and the Dental Team have the right look achieved our Periodontists then goes to sculpt the perfect smile for you and make it a reality!

If you have more questions, or would like to arrange a Digital Smile Design Consultation now,  contact our International Patient Coordinator at clinic@davincisdentalcare.com

In dentistry, floss is classed as an interdental (between teeth) cleaning aid, it is a cord of thin filaments used to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and wiped along the teeth sides, especially close to the gums or underneath them as toothbrushes do not clean between teeth or below the gum line.

There is an old saying in Dentistry… Only floss the teeth you want to keep!

The common advice is that flossing should be carried out once per day prior to brushing, completing all teeth to allow the fluoride from the toothpaste to reach between them.

Used in addition to brushing as part of regular oral hygiene flossing can reduce cavities, gingivitis and halitosis compared to brushing alone.

For more information on dental procedures and treatments contact our International Patient Coordinator at clinic@davincidentalcare.com

Experience the DaVinci Difference!

Did you know Teeth Whitening is the most asked for cosmetic procedure!

It is also one of the simplest cosmetic procedures if done right. Doing it right means using a proper whitening agent and an appropriate whitening accelerator.

The most practical accelerator is an LED lamp emitting cold blue light with a wavelength of around 465 nanometers. This wavelength of light is ideal for activating the hydrogen peroxide and accelerating the whitening process.

Most teeth whitening treatments can be done in approximately 30 minutes to one hour, in a single visit.

Experience the DaVinci Difference! To reserve an appointment, or if you have any questions about your anticipated treatment contact our International Patient Coordinator at clinic@davincisdentalcare.com

Not everyone is a good candidate for Dental Implants, over health of the patient is an important factor, more so than the age of the patient.

A patient in good medical condition, with a good oral hygiene regime along with a healthy diet will have a high success rate for implants.

Another important factor is the condition of the jaw bone, many people will need to augment their upper bone prior to placing implants.  Prior to starting the procedure x Rays are taken to determine the health, and depth of the bone where the implant will be placed. If all is in good order the first stage is the placement of the implant.

Dental implants are an effective way to replace missing teeth and are designed to bond with your natural bone then once the final crown is placed will look and act just like your other teeth.

They are an excellent long-term option for restoring your perfect smile and bite.  Dental implants are usually made up of titanium which is very compatible with the human body and bone. The use of implants is one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years giving many people back their smile and a good bite.

However, regardless of age, there are many reasons why a Dental Implant may fail; a patient who does not practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis, or a patient who smokes will have a much higher failure rate for implants.

If you would like a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for implants contact our International Patient Coordinator at clinic@davincisdentalcare.com to arrange a Digital Smile Design Consultation today and start the process to release your perfect smile.

Experience the Da Vinci Difference!

What is a Cavity …and why you shouldn’t wait to visit the Dentist if you think you have one?

If you are like most people, you may suspect that you have a cavity, or that perhaps something is wrong with a tooth but you hesitate to visit the dentist.

Joining the many who find out they do indeed have a dental cavity when they visit a dentist due to severe pain. But did you know pain due to dental cavities range from very mild to severe depending on how it progresses.

In some cases, if the decay progresses very slowly, pain may be totally absent. It can also manifest as ‘sinusitis-like’ pain in the cheek bones, pain in the ears, neck, shoulders and back.

Early detection, restoration and prevention helps in many ways, it stops decay from spreading to other healthy teeth, gums, bone and organs. It stops the pain, clears the infection and ensures your dental treatments are non-invasive and cost effective for your pocket book.

Here are a few signals which should trigger you to call the Dentist Stat:

Food getting stuck between or on the teeth

This is one of the most common complaints people have, and is directly related to major dental decay. Since decay creates ‘holes’ or cavities on the upper surface of the teeth or on the sides, the gap between the teeth is increased. This in turn causes food to get stuck between the teeth. The food then stuck between your teeth can release putrid smells giving you bad breath.

It is painful to chew properly with certain teeth

When dental decay progresses to the pulp, which is the innermost part of the tooth full of nerves, and the periodontal space, which is the tissue that anchors the tooth to the bone, an infection is created and pus is formed. This is what causes the pain when biting down on the affected area.

Highly sensitive teeth

One of the first signs of dental cavities is sensitivity to cold foods and is an indication that the tooth may still be alive with a high possibility of saving the tooth with a filling. If not treated on time you will then start to feel sensitivity and pain when you consume anything hot, this may be a sign of a now dying or dead tooth. Once this happens it may warrant a root canal treatment or other more invasive options which increases the time length, and cost of treatment.

Chipping off or fracturing of teeth

If you find your teeth chipping off when you bite or chew on anything moderately hard, it is a sign of serious dental decay making the enamel vulnerable to fractures.

Darkening of teeth

Darkening of teeth which were earlier fine is a sign of dental decay. When the decay progresses to the pulp, it destroys the dentine, and the dying or dead pulp produces certain pigments which makes the teeth look dark.

Swelling in gums

When the dental decay reaches the pulp of the tooth it then progresses to the tissues surrounding it along with the bone, it also continues to generate more pus which can cause swelling in the gums and often has to be treated immediately with Antibiotics.

Sinus Lift Surgery and what to expect after.

A sinus lift is surgery that lifts your upper sinus membrane to add bone to your upper jaw in the area of your upper jaw. It is sometimes called a sinus augmentation.

The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are on either side of your nose. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward, or “lifted.”

A sinus lift usually is done by a specialist, this could be either an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist. Most patients have only a little discomfort after a sinus-lift procedure.

 What It’s Used For

A sinus lift is done when there is not enough bone height or density in the upper jaw, or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, for dental implants to be placed successfully. There are several reasons for this:

Bone Loss in the upper jaw — usually due to tooth loss, age, and the anatomy of the skull, the back of the upper jaw has less bone than the lower jaw.Bone may have been lost because of periodontal (gum) disease.Tooth loss may have led to a loss of bone as well. Once teeth are gone, bone begins to be resorbed (absorbed back into the body). If teeth have been missing for a long time, there often is not enough bone left to place implants.The maxillary sinus may be too close to the upper jaw for implants to be placed. The shape and the size of this sinus varies from person to person. The sinus also can get larger as you age.

Sinus lifts have become common during the last 15 years as more people get dental implants to replace missing teeth.

How It’s Done

Your surgeon will cut the gum tissue where your back teeth used to be. The tissue is raised, exposing the bone. A small, oval window is opened in the bone. The membrane lining the sinus on the other side of the window separates your sinus from your jaw. This membrane is gently pushed up and away from your jaw.

Granules of bone-graft material are then packed into the space where the sinus was. The amount of bone used will vary, but usually several millimeters of bone is added above the jaw.

Once the bone is in place, the tissue is closed with stitches.

Follow-Up

After the procedure, you may experience some swelling of the area. You may bleed from your mouth or nose. Do not blow your nose or sneeze forcefully, as either one could cause the bone-graft material to move, and loosen the stitches. Your dentist may give you saline sprays to keep the inner lining of your nose wet and prescribe medicine to prevent congestion and inflammation. You also will be given pain medicine, an antibiotic and an antimicrobial mouthwash to help prevent infection.

A follow up check-up is completed 7 to 10 days after surgery as this time the dentist will evaluate the surgical site, remove stitches if they will not dissolve on their own, and make sure the area is healing properly.

After a sinus lift the area will need to approximately 6 months for the material to harden and integrate with your jaw, implants can then be placed usually within 6 to 8 months.

 Risks

Infection is a risk of any surgical procedure. However, this rarely occurs after sinus lifts.

On rare occasions, the existing bone does not integrate with the bony graft material, and the grafted area does not develop a blood supply. If this happens, any implants placed in this area will fail because there is no live bone for them to attach to. If this happens, you can have the sinus lift procedure repeated.

 Tips for after Care of a Sinus Lift:

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. BLOW YOUR NOSE FOR THE NEXT FOUR (4) WEEKS. This may be longer if indicated. You may sniff all you like but NO BLOWING.

Do not blow your nose or sneeze holding your nose.  Sneeze with your mouth open.

Do not drink with straws

Do not spit.

Avoid any activity that causes pressure in your nasal cavity.

Avoid “bearing down”—as when lifting heavy objects, blowing up balloons, playing musical instruments that require a blowing action or any other activity that increases nasal or oral pressure.

Smoking must be stopped.

Scuba diving and flying in pressurized aircraft may also increase sinus pressure and should be avoided for at least 10 days.

When to Call a Professional:

After a sinus lift, contact your surgeon if:

Any swelling or pain gets worse over time. (It should decrease after the first two days or so.)The bleeding does not stop after one to two days.Bleeding is bright red and continuous. (Normal bleeding after this procedure oozes slowly and is dark red with possible clots.)You think the bony material may have been dislodged after sneezing or blowing your nose.Pain does not decrease over time.You develop a fever.