Dr. David Meng D.D.S.

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Whitening treatments, cosmetic bonding, full porcelin crowns and veneers.

Halitosis, Fillings, Gum Treatment, Crowns and Bridges.

Teeth cleanings, teeth Sealants and patient Education.

We offer the latest in dental treaments. Visit our High-tech Dentistry page

PORCELAIN VENEERS

What are porcelain laminates?

Porcelain laminates, also known as porcelain veneers, are thin shells of porcelain which exactly fit over the front surfaces of the teeth. The veneers have the unique ability to completely mask unattractive stains while letting light through to appear entirely real. Like fake fingernails, they are affixed with an adhesive to the front surfaces of teeth. What are the advantages?

Porcelain veneers solve the same types of problems as bonding - chips, gaps, stains, discolorations, and crooked teeth; however the veneers have the additional advantage of strength and support. Veneers are relatively maintenance-free and are much more durable than bonding. If very dark stains need to be masked or if existing porcelain crowns need to be matched, porcelain veneers may be the treatment of choice. How is the process done?

Porcelain veneers require two office visits because of the laboratory work involved. Minimal shaping is required to create space for the veneer. Typically there are 7 days between appointments, although special arrangements can be made for a shorter waiting time. Between visits, the patient wears provisional veneers, a kind of smile sculpture which allows us to choose the final result. What is the cost?

The fee for porcelain veneers varies according to the choice of materials. Cost varies case by case. Call today for a complimentary cosmetic dentistry consultation!

TEETH WHITENING

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a simple, safe oxygenating procedure used to lighten and brighten discolored teeth. Whitening is most effective in whitening teeth which have become discolored due to yellowing from age, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, medications, chemically-induced stains, excessive fluoride, accidents, trauma, and decay. Whitening is not effective in whitening existing crowns or porcelain veneers. We have had moderate success in lightening bonding.

How is it done? How long does it take?

We have two methods. Zoom! whitening and home whitening. Zoom! whitening is accomplished through one office visit; the whitening solution is applied to the front surfaces of the teeth and activated with a safe, effective cool Zoom! lamp. With home whitening, you apply a mild whitening solution inside a custom-made tray that you wear for several hours during the day or at night. With the Office Zoom! Whitening System, most discolored teeth require only one office visit of about an hour. Typically a maintenance bleaching tray or Crest Professional

White Strips for a week is suggested after to follow the office Zoom! The home system can take from 10-14 days for good results.

Can whitening damage teeth?

Documented university studies demonstrate that whitening causes no damage to the tooth structure. It does not cause brittleness or weakening of teeth; no cavities or gum problems have been shown to form because of the bleaching. Some people can experience sensitivity to hot and cold for a day or two as a side effect.

What is Composite Bonding?

Bonding is a form of smile sculpture accomplished with a composite resin which enables patients with imperfections in their teeth to have more attractive smiles. Bonding can be used to close spaces, change the color of the teeth, mask any discolorations, repair chips, alter the size or shape of teeth, and give jumbled or crooked teeth a straight-looking appearance.

How is it done?

Bonding is a simple procedure. First, a solution is painted on the tooth enamel. A liquid resin is then flowed onto the tooth surface. A putty-like resin is then sculpted on the tooth and hardened with a bright light to a durable finish. It is polished and smoothed to a life-like luster. The bonding process is usually reversible. Depending on the number of teeth involved, one visit of several hours duration is usually all that is needed. Generally, no anesthesia is required.

How long does it last?

The life of bonding is 8-10 years depending on your lifestyle. If you drink, smoke or use your teeth as tools, you may not see the entire life expectancy of your bonding. At the

end of the bonding's term, a resurfacing (1/2 the cost) usually suffices. A complete rebonding rarely is necessary. Depending on the number of teeth involved, one visit is usually all that is needed

INVISALIGN

Clear alternative to braces

Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners that are custom-molded to fit you. The virtually invisible aligners gradually reposition your teeth into a smile you'll be proud of.

The Invisalign system has been successful in giving hundreds of thousands of amazing smiles to both teens and adults. Dr. Meng, a certified Invisalign provider, can create your individual treatment plan using Invisalign's clear, custom-molded aligners to solve a range of issues, including overly crowded

teeth, widely spaced teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Fits any lifestyle

Now nothing comes between your lifestyle and having an incredible smile. Because Invisalign offers you comfort, convenience and virtual invisibility during treatment. With Invisalign, you can be as active as you like, remove your aligners for special events, and feel more confident everywhere you go.

Invisalign is clear and practically invisible, so nothing gets in the way of your new smile. It's unobtrusive in business meetings or social gatherings, no metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth, and many people won't even notice you're wearing aligners.

Additional information also available at the website of Align Technology, Inc., invisalign.com.

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
Invisalign® uses a series of clear removable aligners (pictured to the left) to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research and in orthodontic practices nationwide. In fact, over 70% of all U.S. dentists are certified to treat patients with Invisalign®.

How Does Invisalign® Work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position your dentist has prescribed.
You'll visit your dentist about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

How Are Aligners Made? You'd Be Amazed...

The aligners are made through a combination of your dentist's expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology. (Click here to learn more about how technology plays a vital role in the Invisalign® process.)
Click here to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign®.
Click here to find out how easy it is to get started.

White tooth fillings to replace silver fillings

Many people in the San Jose area have had silver fillings placed into their teeth because they had "cavities". These silver fillings are called amalgams. Amalgam fills the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed.

However, over time, the amalgam corrodes and leaks which blackens the silver, and many times the tooth. This is easily seen as soon as a patient opens his or her mouth and is usually a source of embarrassment for the patient.

At Samaritan Dental Aesthetics we can provide you with composite fillings that are made of a porcelain-like material that actually bonds to the tooth for a tight seal. They are strong and stain-resistant, and they are color-matched to the natural tooth, making them "invisible".

Composite fillings also lack the sensitivity that is often associated with silver amalgam fillings. They are especially suited for smaller cavities and for patients who may be allergic to metal fillings.

Replace Silver Mercury Fillings

Tooth-colored "resin" fillings

For over 100 years, dentists have been using silver-mercury amalgam fillings to restore decayed or broken teeth. The only other alternative was gold and that was too expensive for most folks.

Now, at Samaritan Dental Aesthetics, there is a new and economical way to restore teeth using tooth-colored resin fillings. The resin is made up of glass particles in a plastic matrix. Dr. Meng bonds the putty-like material to the tooth with a high-intensity light. This hardens the material and allows it to be shaped and polished for immediate use.

Once completed by Dr. Meng, your tooth has a natural appearance and is actually stronger than before due to the strength of the adhesive agent used to bond the resin to the tooth. Resin restorations not only look better, but they are stronger and last longer than the old silver-amalgam fillings. Resin restorations can range from $150 to $350 per tooth.

Tooth-colored dental restorations

For over 100 years, dentistry has restored teeth primarily with a material made of mercury and silver. It has done its job well, although we have had to live with its weaknesses. Those weaknesses consist of cracking teeth due to expansion of the material, and restorations turning black as the silver in the material corrodes.

Now we have many ways to provide tooth-colored restorations at Samaritan Dental Aesthetics. We can use adhesives to bond tooth parts that look and act like teeth. We can provide a bright, healthy and strong smile with these exciting new techniques in adhesion dentistry.

Reasons to get dental crowns

The crown serves two important functions. First, it restores the appearance of your teeth and your face. If your tooth is severely decayed or cracked, the dentist will need to restore it prior to preparing a cap. Teeth also support the muscles in our faces, so anything less than a full tooth may affect the way you look.

Second, a crown will be the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result, it will keep your jaw and bite aligned; it will also make sure that other teeth don't shift locations or take on a greater share of the work of biting and chewing.

Composition of dental crowns

At Samaritan Dental Aesthetics our dental crowns are most often made of gold or porcelain. Crowns also can be made of stainless steel, but those crowns are often temporary and not designed for long-term wear.

Porcelain crowns usually are built on a metal base, which fits snugly over the natural tooth. We will choose a porcelain that matches the color of your natural teeth.

Porcelain crowns usually are so carefully matched in color, they cannot be distinguished from your natural teeth. Many people choose porcelain crowns for their cosmetic appearance and the confidence it gives them.

New materials are now available that allow the use of "all-ceramic" crowns in some cases. They have a beautiful life-like appearance and short-term studies support their success, with long-term trials ongoing.

Crowns also can be made of all gold. Some people prefer not to use gold because it stands out from the other teeth in appearance. At the same time, if the crown is on a back molar, some people feel the cosmetic issue is not a big one. At Samaritan Dental Aesthetics we will discuss the types of materials available if we recommend a crown.

In today’s society, youth and beauty embody the picture of health and positive self-image. It all begins with a beautiful and natural smile. With modern advancements in the field of cosmetic dentistry, you can now have a healthier and more radiant smile within days. Dr. David Meng and his team of caring professionals specialize in complete smile makeovers, giving you the smile you have always desired.

Dental health and diet

Diets low in certain nutrients reduce resistance to oral and dental infections, that is, periodontal disease (gum disease) and decay. Dr. Meng feels a healthy immune system is essential to controlling periodontal disease.

Counseling in the Four Basic Food groups will improve dental health and general health. The consumption of sugar, especially in sticky forms or in a baby bottle while sleeping, contributes to the rapid development of dental decay.

The trace nutrient fluoride, may not be adequately supplied by bottle or municipal water supplies throughout the San Jose area. Supplementation with oral tablets and topical application will reduce the incidence of dental decay by more than 60%.

Tooth decay prevention

Fluoride, in proper dosage, has been shown to significantly reduce dental decay. When fluoridated water has less than the ideal amount or is not available, fluoride supplements are recommended. (A call to your local water district is all that is necessary to determine whether your water has fluoride or not.)

When supplements are needed, the administration of fluoride supplements should begin shortly after birth and continue through the time of eruption of the second permanent molars (approx. 12 years of age).

Regular dental check-ups at Samaritan Dental Aesthetics should begin no later than 18 months of age.

Cavities - Dental decay

Fluoride has been a great benefit to patients of all ages in helping prevent dental decay. Regular brushing and flossing lowers the chance of developing "cavities."

At Samaritan Dental Aesthetics we know that the most decay-prone areas of teeth are the grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which require further preventive care.

To prevent decay, a plastic-like coating called a sealant should be painted on the chewing surfaces of all the back teeth. Studies have shown that sealants can reduce tooth decay by as much as 90% to 100% in the San Jose area and nation wide.

The American Dental Association recommends, and Dr. Meng agrees, that sealants be placed as soon as the first adult back teeth come in at age 6 or 7. Sealants should continue to be used as each adult back tooth comes into the mouth. All back teeth that need to be sealed are present by age 13. Sealant application is simple, fast, and painless.

Plaque build-up

One of the easiest problems to spot is a build-up of plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky layer of bacteria, which is constantly forming on the teeth.

Usually it is invisible to the naked eye, but when a person is not brushing adequately, it can build up to where it appears to be a thick whitish coating on the teeth at the gum line. If not removed, it can lead to gum disease.

Another potential problem, which is easy to spot, is missing teeth. Many patients Dr. Meng sees assume that if they are still able to eat, they are O.K.

But very often, losing just one tooth can lead to the loss of support, and teeth begin to drift into the empty space, causing a change in the bite. It also forces the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, sometimes past their ability to adapt. In most cases, when even one tooth is lost, the remaining teeth suffer and are more likely to be lost as well.