Toothpaste!

You all know I am not one for toothpaste, because as you remember from your plaque control training, it is not what you rub on your teeth, but what you clean off that matters. However, when brushing just for refreshment it is nice to have a good toothpaste for stain removal, fluoride, and whitening. I don’t like brand promotion in my practice and try to remain neutral. BUT I HAVE TO SHARE THIS!

This Crest 3-D White Brilliance has been great for maintaining color with patients whom I have bleached. in some cases even gotten a little lighter.

So for a shade boost, get some of this and leave it on awhile. And it’s got fluoride too! Come and see us for a tooth shade evaluation. We love to see your smile! 

New Digital X-Rays

Come and see what’s new at your Sunset neighborhood/Parkside dental office here in San Francisco! Every operatory is equipped with new computers, where low radiation x-rays can be viewed easily by the patient and the dentist. Intra-oral photographs can give details of needed care for the patient to view, and they can be of help for insurance company documentation. Digital X-rays cut down on radiation and WE HAVE THE THIN KIND, THAT ARE COMFORTABLE IN THE PATIENT’S MOUTH, thinner than even the old fashioned x-rays. So for all those patients who have struggled in the past with Xrays, we did not go with fat, bulky sensors. We purposely chose the thin, flexible way to have digital films for the sake of your comfort. We are invested in your care.  ️

Nightguards

Nightguards! Why the expense? We recommend nightguards for some patients to protect their teeth and jaw joints from the damage caused by clenching and grinding.  Why not pay less for one from the store or online? Because so much goes into making this important appliance to customize it for individual needs. In this photo you can see a patient’s nightguard in wax, mounted on an articulator, which simulates human jaw motion. This patient’s nightguard is being carved to protect weak teeth and guide forces to strong areas. The articulator goes back and forth between the doctor and the lab technician until it is ready to be processed and delivered to the patient. Improved dental health is the goal.

Summer Dental Camp

Longtime patient (since childhood) Michele Driscoll Lynch is a teacher and so sometimes schedules her dental appointments in the summer. Last summer she had a particularly large number of appointments, and so began calling her visits "Summer Dental Camp" and kept us all laughing by asking if there were arts and crafts, snacks and a T-shirt. At her last appointment of the season we presented her with this "camp T-shirt". She surprised us by wearing it again this year. We are so glad to have Michele keep us laughing.

Here is our long time, very entertaining, patient Frank X. Gallagher, with Sting at the Rainbow Room in New York City. Frank is a production manager for numerous high profile musicians and bands. Frank reports that he enjoys working with Sting almost as much as he enjoys his dental visits with Dr. Presley-Nelson and staff!

The New Year newsletter is on its way to you! Included is the handy 2016 yearly calendar. 

Temporary crowns are your friend!

Why wear a temporary crown between dental visits?  It is vital and necessary for the fit of the final crown.  It keeps the prepared tooth from drifting to meet the opposing tooth, or leaning to one side or the other.  It also protects the prepared tooth from bacteria and food and fluids.  Yes, the temporary may feel a little rough, but the final product will be smooth and life-like.  If your temporary comes off, save it and call us to bring it in to be re-cemented. It is a quick visit, without anesthesia. If it is broken or lost, we will make a new one, which takes a little longer, but is easily done and very important.  Clean around your temporary crown gently, and if you floss it, pull the floss out to the side. Soon you will have a lovely finished product, that will feel like one of your own teeth and give you long service.  As always, we appreciate you wonderful patients.