• Make a date. Our doctors and hygienists are very experienced at detecting and treating gum disease. Schedule an appointment now for an examination and gum evaluation. Remember, it is recommended to get a professional cleaning every 6 months. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, CDA is one of the top Cosmetic Dental Offices in San Antonio and we can begin your smile transformation today.

• Time to break up. Set a date to quit using tobacco. Smoking is not only a bad habit but it causes health problems and can stain your teeth. If you have some discoloration schedule and appointment for a whitening. CDA offers two types of whitening. We offer in-office whitening and take-home whitening kits. Both options are very effective ways to whiten your teeth.

• Freshen Up. Brushing and flossing are the key ingredients for good dental health. Try to always brush your teeth for at least two minutes and angle your toothbrush about 45 degrees to effectively remove plaque. Brushing your tongue will also help keep your breath nice and fresh.

• Go sugar free. Reduce your intake of snacks and drinks with high sugar content. Constant snacking and sipping on soda, sports drinks and energy drinks can significantly raise your risk for cavities. A mouth full of untreated cavities can lead to more serious problems and a lot of pain.

• Watch your mouth. Dry mouth increases plaque buildup. Chewing sugar-free gum and rinsing with an alcohol-free mouth wash helps increase saliva flow and reduce plaque build up. Schedule and appointment to determine what might be causing your dry mouth.

• China sets aside September 20th as a national holiday known as “Love Your Teeth Day."

• During the Middle Ages in Germany, you were advised to kiss a donkey in order to relieve your toothache.

• Lucy Hobbs was the first woman in the world to earn a D.D.S. degree from a dental school and become a certified dentist. The year was 1866 and the school was the Ohio College of Dental Surgery in Cincinnati, OH.

• Long ago, people used ground-up chalk or charcoal, lemon juice, ashes or even a mixture of tobacco and honey to clean their teeth. It was only about 100 years ago that someone finally created a minty cream to clean teeth.

• The average life span of a taste bud is ten days.

• A third of the population squeezes the toothpaste tube from the middle.

• A snail can have about 25,000 teeth on its tongue.

• Pigs have 44 teeth.

Click for a fun coloring activity! activity_coloring_sheet_en

The CDA dental lab consists of three lab technicians that work together to create beautiful teeth and smiles. The CDA lab team members are Karen who does the model work, Mingo who does the metal finishing and waxing and Susan who does the porcelain finishing.

“The most fulfilling part my job is creating a smile that the patients will enjoy forever and knowing their life will now be impacted because of my work,” said Mingo, CDA’s Lab Director.

Creating the teeth requires several careful steps and demands that all three lab members work together to make the teeth.

First, the dentist takes the impression of the teeth after prepping them. Then the impression goes to Karen, who pours stone into the impression, which will harden and become a duplicate of the patient’s mouth. Then, the stone mold goes to Mingo who uses the WaxRite machine to make a pattern of the tooth. The wax pattern is then put into a ring, which is filled with a plaster mold material. The wax is then melted out of the ring by putting it in to a burnout furnace. After the wax is burned out, melted metal is forced into the mold to create a super strong surgical grade frame. It is then covered with opaque porcelain and then sent to Susan who does the final steps. She meticulously applies porcelain to the opaque frame creating a beautiful natural sculpting of a tooth. This tooth then goes to one of our highly trained dentists, who uses it to give you a perfect smile.

Having our own full service dental lab is a part of our pride as premier San Antonio dentists and it is because of all this that CDA is able to consistently achieve beautiful lasting results for every individual patient in one or two visits.

Veneers can reverse years of aging or damage, giving you the smile and self-esteem you deserve. Our dentists are experts at using veneers to correct worn enamel, uneven teeth, abnormal spacing, chips or cracks and discoloration.

Although your teeth are protected by enamel, this protective covering may become worn, discolored or dull over time. This typical wear and tear can be caused by drinking alot of dark colored beverages like coffee and red wine. Smoking can also cause staining over time. Certain medications can also be damaging to enamel causing teeth to become weak or stained. Some people grind their teeth, which is very harmful to the shape of the teeth because it can cause chips, cracks or an uneven appearance.

All of this can be corrected with custom made veneers that are designed to fit your unique smile. Schedule your appointment now with one our two warm and caring San Antonio dentists and transform your smile in only two visits!
 

Not only is this technology clear and removable, but also the dentist is able to view the results using a computer image, and plan the new smile before beginning treatment. Healthier gums, easy cleanings, improved chewing and speech, are just a few benefits of this technology. Patients will be able to maintain comfort and tooth structure, eliminating abnormal stress caused from misaligned teeth and jaws.

Invisalign technology has recently developed techniques to treat cases that dentists previously thought uncorrectable by Invisalign. Invisalign is able to treat cases from mild spacing to severe surgical cases, such as underbites or overbites and extraction cases. It was also discovered at the 2009 Invisalign Summit for US dentists, that Invisalign gives more stable and longer lasting results than conventional braces.

The Align Tech Institute reported a case where a patient was to receive Invisalign, and were told they would need a tissue graft repair after the straightening of their teeth. After the Invisalign alignment, the dentists involved in this case found the tissue grew back completely. This eliminated the need for grafting, surgery or electro laser surgery.

Here at CDA we have two of the most experienced Invisalign dentists in San Antonio.

To prove how truly revolutionary this technology is, Cosmetic Dental Associate’s Dr. John A. Moore Jr., an expert in Invisalign, clears up common myths and misconceptions often thought about Invisalign.

Misconception #1: Invisalign will take longer than conventional braces
False. In many cases, Invisalign gives the final results faster than conventional braces. Aligners are replaced every two weeks, while traditional orthodontic appointments are spread out, usually a month, for adjustments. In the course of a year, you will receive 26 orthodontic adjustments with Invisalign, whereas you may have 10 adjustments with traditional braces. And although you are coming in to see our dentists in North San Antonio more often, this treatment is not necessarily more expensive than traditional braces!

Misconception #2: Invisalign will not work for me!
Often, patients with overbites and under bites are told by some dentists that they are not candidates for Invisalign, and that there case won’t be corrected with Invisalign. If you have been told Invisalign will not work in your case, you will need to get a second opinion. You can visit, www.invisalign.com, to find a dentist who is an Elite Provider of Invisalign in your area. The reason Invisalign is revolutionary is because it is able to treat many cases, both simple and severe!

Misconception #3: It costs more than conventional braces.
False. Conventional braces and Invisalign cost about the same, and in some cases Invisalign is less. If you are told the Invisalign treatment will be more expensive, consult the Invisalign Web site to locate a recommended dentist in your area.

Misconception #4: It won’t work as well.
False. The number one cause of Invisalign failure has been traced to the patient not wearing the aligners for the required amount of time. The aligners are easily removable, therefore allowing the patient to slip them on and off as they wish. In order for the treatment to be successful, the patient must wear the aligners as recommended. Invisalign developed a sensing system that detects how often the patient wears the aligners. This allows the doctor to see how the patient is keeping up with the treatment. Also, recent developments show that Invisalign gives results that last longer and are more stable.

Misconception #5: If I lose them, there are no replacements!
False. Most dental offices provide replacements for a nominal charge, and some offices will even replace as many as six aligners at no charge to the patient. Furthermore, some offices will provide you with retainers to help you maintain your straight smile.

Because this revolutionary technology is clear, it allows teenagers to breeze through their adolescence, and adults to disguise their treatment. Invisalign gently and precisely re-aligns teeth while being discreet. Invisalign is changing the face of orthodontics, from wiry and time consuming to clear and efficient. Can you imagine the extra time and money you would save on surgery and recovery? Invisalign is truly revolutionary.

CDA Denists are Elite Invisalign Providers

To our knowledge, the Invalign website lists no other San Antonio Dentists who have this level of recognition from Invisalign.

 (Dr. John A. Moore received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio in 1981, where he also taught for 10 years. He has taught and lectured both nationally and internationally since 1990. Dr. Moore has extended training in Aesthetic Dentistry, Orthodontics, occlusal rehabilitation, computerized dentistry, prosthodontics and ceramics. Dr. Moore has been a practicing dentist in San Antonio for over 25 years. )

Gum makers continued to use tree sap for years but they began using chicle, another form of tree sap. Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, more commonly famed from Battle of the Alamo is also credited with bringing chicle back to the U.S. while in exile from Mexico. Thomas Adams, an American inventor eventually found that heating chicle and sugar with the desired flavor would produce the perfect gum. The product became so popular that there was not enough tree sap to keep up with the demand. It was eventually discovered that chewing gum can actually be good for you.

“The physical act of chewing increases the flow of saliva in your mouth. If you chew after eating, the increased salivary flow can help neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth. Over time, acid can break down tooth enamel, creating the conditions for decay. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel.”

Today there is more gum available then we know what to do with but there are a few brands of gum that are actually good for your dental health. The ADA approves several chewing gum brands. These include: Dentyne Ice Sugarless Gum, Stride Sugarless Gum, Trident Sugarless Gum, Wrigley’s Extra Sugarfree Gum, and Wrigley’s Orbit Sugarfree Gum.

In order for gum to be approved by the American Dental Association it must meet a few standards. “The gum must show with scientific evidence that it is effective for one or more specific indications, such as reducing plaque acids, promoting re-mineralization of tooth enamel, reducing cavities and/or reducing gingivitis. Studies must also show that the gum is safe to oral tissues. The manufacturer must provide the results of both laboratory studies and clinical studies in humans.”

So, this holiday season remember to stuff those stockings with ADA accepted gum and best wishes for a bright holiday season.

1. What does chewing gum do?
 
2. How does chewing gum get the Seal?
http://www.ada.org/ada/seal/chewing_gum.a
3. Chewing Gum
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/85/8532sci2.html

Dolores has been with CDA since 2004 and is one of our most experienced Dental Hygienists and a favorite among patients.

There are several options when considering teeth whitening. Possibly one of the most well known methods is over the counter white strips which can be found almost anywhere. While very popular, you have probably heard those concerns that these strips can be damaging to the tooth enamel or just plain ineffective.           

Dolores says, “Over the counter white strips whiten your teeth if you’re able to get the strips to adhere to your teeth. They whiten the surfaces they touch but are unable to touch the entire surface of the tooth which produces uneven whitening. So they are not ideal. Also the strength of the bleaching agent used in over the counter white strips is usually only a third of that used in a professional take home whitening kit obtained through a dentist. White strips do not damage your teeth when used correctly.”

Your dentist can discuss with you the most successful and safe way to whiten your teeth. Dolores continues, “The most effective way to whiten your teeth would be professionally with either take home customized whitening trays, or in-office whitening. Both are very effective and produce great results. Natural teeth whitening remedies such as lemon juice are ineffective and can be dangerous to your teeth.”

Also eating and drinking habits may affect the longevity of whitened teeth, so remember to keep up with touch ups at home. Refrain from dark colored beverages like coffee, tea and red wine and remember to brush and floss after meals to keep those pearly whites!

Dr John Moore, a practicing San Antonio Dentist for over 25 years presented one of the most surprising results of the Summit, having taken a patient who was scheduled for extensive jaw surgery and instead completed a full realignment using only Invisalign aligners. He credits his achievements to an important lesson that learned while teaching dentistry. He stated “It was teaching that really showed me the importance of continuing education and maintaining that attitude that one never stops learning.”  By staying current with the latest in dental techniques Dr Moore created the platform to take on cases and correct them, where previously such correction would be considered only possible through surgical means. “I believe in non-invasive dentistry. If you are willing to push the envelope and learn and use the technologies that are now being developed such as Invisalign, then you can work miracles in modern dentistry.”

Dr. Moore was one of four dentists asked to present case studies at the summit. The cases presented were of patients with severely misaligned teeth that were believed not correctable with braces. However the case studies were the living proof that dentistry has passed a new milestone in terms of the conditions correctable through methods that allow the teeth and jaws to naturally re-align under very gentle pressure. Using Invisalign “aligners” Dr. Moore was able to completely re-shape a patients teeth and jaw alignment. A combination of advanced aligners, plus computer mapping in the hands of a skilled practitioner made this breakthrough possible.  “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be at the forefront of this new technology. I have every confidence that within the next 10 years conventional braces and invasive surgery will have become a thing of the past”

 Dr. Moore has been a practicing dentist in San Antonio for over 25 years at Cosmetic Dental Associates, and has been treating patients with Invisalign since 2001. He has also taught dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center. To schedule a consultation, call 210-696-1220 or visit the Cosmetic Dental Associates’ web site at www.33smile.com.