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Cosmetic Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions
Provided by Dr. Craig Merrihew


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Anti-Snoring Devices


Again, new innovative appliances e now having a real impact on a very annoying and sometime life threatening (sleep apnea) problem shared by so many people. We are having great success with many chronic snorers with these custom-fit and very comfortable devices.


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Athletic Mouthguards


We provide state of the art custom made athletic mouthguards for all patients requiring protection during athletic competition in "at risk" sports. Store bought over-the-counter mouthguards do not fit as well nor do they provide the anticipated and necessary protection to help prevent dental/facial injuries. The only mouthguard that should be worn is that made from a model of the mouth. Patients have individual requirements for fit, comfort, level of competition, and compliance. The professionally designed custom made mouthguard satisfies these requirements.


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Dentures & Implants


Dentures

Many people believe that once they have dentures, they no longer need regular dental care. Denture wearers require regular exams to ensure their health, comfort and appearance. Gum tissues are in a constant state of change. Periodic relining of the dentures may be necessary to ensure a tight and comfortable fit.

Mini Implants for Lower Dentures

For those dentures wearers who are tired of the instability of their lower denture we have Imtec mini implants.

Implants

A remarkable procedure, implants can replace any or all of your teeth. The implant becomes integrated with the bone and acts like a "bolt" which will ultimately support a new tooth. The advantages of implants for patients with dentures are: denture stability, increased patient comfort and confidence.


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Fresh Breath


A large segment of our society suffers from bad breath, or "halitosis". Many new and effective products are now available to help treat this bothersome and potentially embarrassing problem.


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Invisalign


This new and revolutionary technology allows adults and older teenagers to now straighten their teeth to give them that Hollywood smile invisibly with no wires or brackets. You can eat all your favorite foods without restrictions, brush and floss normally, and best of all: they are extremely comfortable and no one will know you are wearing than! At our office, Invisalign orthodontics costs no more than conventional braces and takes no more time either.


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Nightguards


It is estimated that as much as 30% of our adult population suffers to some degree from grinding or clenching (called "bruxism") their teeth, usually at night while sleeping. This can have a devastating long-term effect on the teeth, supporting bone and gums, and temporomandibular joint Fortunately, when detected in the early stages, most individuals can be treated successfully with a bruxism splint or "nightguard" to alleviate discomfort and/or further destruction.


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Oral Surgery


The goal of modern dentistry is to prevent tooth loss. When a tooth cannot be saved, extraction (removal) of the tooth may be the only course of treatment

A panorex x-ray allows us to see a complete picture of the alignment of your jaw, the positioning of your teeth and if there is sufficient space for your third molars (wisdom teeth) to fully erupt. In addition, it is an excellent diagnostic tool for evaluating the supporting bone for possible cysts or tumors.

Most minor surgeries are performed at our facility; however the doctor may choose to refer to a maxillofacial surgeon for more complicated cases.


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Orthodontics


For patients, adults and children, who have crowded or crooked teeth, spaces between their teeth or misaligned teeth and jaws orthodontic therapy can help reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma due to protruding teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an evaluation by 7 years of age. More than 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults.

Minor tooth movement can be accomplished with removable appliances right he Patients requiring more extensive treatment are referred to an orthodontic specialist.


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Periodontal Disease


We seldom painful and frequently free of any obvious signs or symptoms, periodontal disease can progress, undetected, to the point where supporting bone is destroyed With 80 to 90% of all teenagers having some form of gingivitis (inflamed gums) and 75% of adult tooth loss for people over the age of 35 due to periodontal disease, early treatment and prevention is essential. While periodontal disease is caused by plaque, a number of other factors including poorly fitting bridges, badly aligned teeth and defective fillings contribute to the development of this condition.

Our hygienists, Linda, Kellie, and Belinda all have extensive training and experience in treating and preventing periodontal disease. There are also many new and exciting non surgical prescription drugs which have shown excellent results.


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Sleep Dentistry


Imagine not being afraid to go to the dentist. Dr. Merrihew is trained and experienced in administering oral conscious sedation. You'll be able to smile with confidence and chew your food without pain. If you've been putting off years of dental work sedation dentistry can change your life.

On the day of your appointment, you'll simply take a pill and have a companion bring you to our office. Our experienced team will make certain that you're relaxed and completely comfortable and we monitor you very closely while you're sedated.

Sleep dentistry is extremely safe, affordable, patients feel no discomfort whatsoever during treatment, and have little or no memory of the visit.


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Teeth Whitening


Whitening and Laser Dentistry

Bleaching teeth to whiten them is one of the most satisfying and fun things we get to do for our patients. We have several options on how to approach your particular needs, including the new "power" laser bleaching which takes less than one hour to produce a whiter, brighter smile. Ask us about this exciting new technique.


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Treatment of Tension and Migraine Headaches


No pills, shots, surgery, or side effects. The only FDA-approved dental appliance for the prevention of migraine pain, this simple and affordable device is custom fabricated right in the office in about thirty minutes and adjusted as needed with an extremely high success rate.


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Tooth Decay and Repair


Utilizing an intra-oral camera gives both you and us the opportunity to see potential problems occurring in your mouth, such as decay or fractured teeth. Often a tooth will not start bothering you until there is significant loss of tooth structure. With the help of the intra-oral camera, problems can be detected earlier, before you experience a toothache.

No Shots, No Drills...Really?

One of the greatest advances in dentistry in years is here. Now cavities can be removed with no shots or high-speed drills using "Micro Air Abrasion". A painless air-driven stream of fine powder quietly removes decay from virgin teeth without your child even knowing and makes their appointment so much nicer. When we say "virgin" teeth, we mean teeth that have not previously been filled. Obviously, many adult cavities fit this description as well and we have surprised many of our "older" patients with the new "Micro Air Abrasion" experience.


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Craig R. Merrihew, DDS
Canyon Crest Dental

Office Address:

5225 Canyon Crest Drive
Suite 209
Riverside, CA 92507
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