Dental crowns have been used in dentistry for over 2000 years. There is evidence that the Etruscans experimented with crowns on teeth using ivory and bone as early as 700 B.C. By 200 A.D., they began using gold crowns to construct artificial teeth. Ancient Egyptians fashioned tooth replacements out of seashells and then hammered them into their gums (Oral sedation, anyone?).

Porcelain crowns were first used in the 1800s. With the refining of metal casting methods in the 1900s, crown dentistry advanced significantly.

Today, crowns are strong, comfortable and are made to match your surrounding teeth.

Dental crowns (also called caps) cover the entire visible portion of the tooth and are cemented in place. Crowns are used to strengthen teeth that have been worn down or weakened by decay or injury. Crowns are also used to restore the original shape of a tooth or solely to improve the appearance of a tooth.

The most common types of crowns are:

• All-porcelain (ceramic)
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Gold

The material used is determined by several factors. If you suspect you need a crown, want to replace an old crown, or want to learn about other cosmetic dentistry procedures, call Dr. Jeff Gray DDS at (619) 337-7700. Jeff Gray DDS-Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry is located at 8555 Fletcher Parkway #102, La Mesa, CA 91942. We have been serving clients in the San Diego area for several years. We can recommend the best tooth restoration or cosmetic dentistry option for you.

If you are planning extensive cosmetic dental work, you may be wondering whether to do it all at once or one procedure at a time over an extended period. Here are some factors to consider:

Cost
In the long run, it is less expensive to do it all at once. At Jeff Gray DDS in La Mesa, we are able to complete several procedures in one visit. We know that complete smile transformations are a significant investment for most California residents. We would be happy to discuss affordable dentistry financing options. Call us at (619) 337-7700 to schedule a no-pressure consultation.

Time
With the latest materials and cosmetic dental techniques, healing times are shorter than ever before. However, some procedures such as bone grafting, soft tissue grafting, root canals, and dental implants often require a short healing period.

It is easier physically and psychologically to have the fewest possible visits to your La Mesa dentist. You should also consider how your dental visits and necessary healing periods will impact your employment and family life. You will have less down time if you receive several procedures at once.

Aesthetic Results
While we routinely achieve great outcomes when doing a smile makeover in steps, porcelain restorations are best fabricated in the same “batch” for the most precise color matching.

Sedation Dentistry

When you come in for a smile analysis, we can discuss oral sedation dentistry. Many California cosmetic dental patients benefit from this safe and effective solution for pain and anxiety management. Conscious sedation is especially helpful for procedures such as multiple wisdom teeth extractions and dental implant placement.
Dr. Jeff Gray DDS
8555 Fletcher Parkway, Suite 102
La Mesa, California
(619) 337-7700
http://www.smilesandiego.com/

If you have money in your La Mesa flexible spending account you may want to schedule some cosmetic dentistry before the deadline. Remember, you lose any funds left over after the plan year ends. Why not improve your smile with tax-free dollars?

Even a small change can make a big difference in the appearance of your teeth. You might consider getting a veneer for a chipped tooth or replacing a broken crown. Maybe you want to straighten your teeth with braces or replace amalgam fillings with clear ones that blend with your natural teeth. Tooth whitening is quick and easy and benefits even the most attractive smiles.

Perhaps aesthetic dentistry is not your first priority. Maybe you have a more pressing dental need such as a cavity that is bothering you or swollen gums. Don’t let these problems get worse and possibly more expensive to treat.

Call (619) 337-7700 to book a consultation at Jeff Gray DDS in La Mesa. We are located at 8555 Fletcher Parkway, Suite 102, La Mesa, California.

Dr. Jeff Gray is one of the most sought-after San Diego dentists and stays at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry techniques and technology. A radiant smile is possible for anyone, regardless of issues such as tetracycline stains, periodontal disease, or missing teeth.

If you are planning to use flex account funds for dental needs, make sure you check your employer’s guidelines for eligible cosmetic or restorative dental procedures.

With a smile makeover at Jeff Gray DDS, what will your ‘after’ photo look like?

Each separate restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedure performed in San Diego can address a specific dental problem. For example, a porcelain veneer can perfect the surface of a tooth that is discolored or slightly misshapen. Dental bonding can fill a small chip in an otherwise healthy tooth.

Some La Mesa dental problems are more extensive and require a combination of procedures. Crown restoration combined with soft tissue grafts can restore a severely decayed tooth with the root exposed. A bone graft and dental implant can restore a missing tooth in an area where the jaw bone has receded. Orthodontia followed by tooth bleaching totally transforms a smile by straightening and whitening.

What is the difference between tooth bleaching and whitening? Whitening is the term for procedures which remove surface stains to restore the degree of natural lightness. Bleaching goes even further by lightening teeth beyond their natural shade. That’s right: you don’t have to resign yourself to yellow teeth even if they have been that way your whole life! The natural shade of your teeth, by the way, like your skin and hair color, is determined by genetics.

Some California smiles have been gleaming for years by regular whitening. You can maintain the whiteness of your teeth just as you maintain your fitness level. (Of course it is a lot easier to make a quick visit to your San Diego dentist once a year for whitening touch-ups than sweating in a gym several times a week!)

We live in an age where severe dental problems can be permanently corrected. You don’t have to participate in a TV makeover show in Hollywood to access these premium cosmetic dental procedures. They are available right here in La Mesa. Dr. Jeff Gray has the same advanced training and extensive experience as the dentists who keep the smiles of famous actors and musicians camera-ready.

Schedule a consultation at Jeff Gray DDS to discover the perfect combination of procedures to achieve your ultimate smile. Our phone number is (619) 337-7700.

When a tooth is threatened by severe decay, periodontal disease, or damage from an injury, a skilled San Diego dentist or endodontist must make a judgment call concerning the course of treatment. If the pulp of the tooth is infected or inflamed, a root canal is often the only way to save the tooth.

Jeff Gray DDS: (619) 337-7700

During a root canal procedure (or endodontic treatment) the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is removed. This tissue contains veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material. The root canal is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. After the root canal, without a crown, the tooth will become dry and brittle. The final steps are the core build up and crown.

At Jeff Gray DDS, we fabricate strong, natural-looking crowns that blend perfectly with the surrounding teeth. With proper oral hygiene and regular visits to a San Diego dentist, a tooth with a filled root can often function problem-free for the rest of a patient’s life.

I am Dentist Dr. Jeff Gray. I have been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. During that time I have seen hundreds of teeth saved by this effective dental procedure. Root canal therapy at Jeff Gray DDS in La Mesa has a very high success rate.

Because teeth with infected pulp tissue often cause no symptoms, it is important to have regular dental examinations. I can determine which (if any) teeth have infected roots. If the infection in the soft pulp tissue is left untreated, it can progress to a point where the tooth cannot be saved. Is it time for a thorough dental exam? Call our office at (619) 337-7700.

Call Jeff Gray DDS immediately if one of your teeth is screaming for attention!

Many San Diego professionals, students and retirees are enjoying the lasting benefits of aesthetic dentistry. A beautiful smile not only looks great, it makes you feel great! When you first look in the mirror in the morning while brushing those gleaming babies, you remember; oh yeah, I fixed my teeth and they look fantastic!

When you smile at old friends or make new ones, you are happy to show off your new movie-star grin. When you are in a professional setting speaking with colleagues or clients, you feel poised and super confident.

We have talked about different cosmetic and restorative dental procedures available in previous blog articles, but let’s review the most common.

Veneers are glass-like, wafer-thin covers that adhere to teeth. Porcelain veneers are strong and have the translucency of natural teeth. They correct chips, stains and misaligned teeth that do not require orthodontia. There are several companies that fabricate veneers. One of the most well-known brand names is Lumineers.

Crowns correct more extensive tooth problems. They are used in a variety of situations such as the final restoration following a root canal or to restore teeth damaged by decay, injury or periodontal disease.

Dental implants are one of the best fixes for a missing tooth. They are becoming a popular and effective alternative to bridges and partial dentures in La Mesa and surrounding areas, especially among middle-aged professionals and people in the public eye.

Bridges are another strong, natural looking replacement for one or more missing teeth. They have been used with success for many years.

Professional tooth whitening in your dentist’s office is the least invasive and quickest way to brighten your smile several shades. One of the most popular systems is called Zoom!.

If you are interested in any of these safe and effective procedures, schedule a consultation at Jeff Gray DDS today. Even if you are still a bit hesitant, remember: discussing your options with a cosmetic dentist does not require a commitment of any kind. It is merely a relaxed way to get the most reliable information.

We are waiting for your call. Jeff Gray DDS can be reached at (619) 337-7700.

A smile takes but a moment, but the memory of it lasts forever. You can make your smile memorable and beautiful with a smile makeover at Jeff Gray DDS in San Diego.

Cosmetic dentistry is a broad term that specifies dentistry with an emphasis on aesthetics. Cosmetic dentists perform general dental procedures in addition to providing advanced cosmetic dental treatments. San Diego cosmetic dentists have specialized training in the latest cosmetic dental procedures and techniques.

Jeff Gray DDS is knowledgeable about the processes used to fabricate crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, braces and dental implants. Advances in ceramic and composite materials have boosted the popularity of  cosmetic dentistry but these miracle materials are worthless without a skilled cosmetic dentist to incorporate them into a healthy and beautiful smile.

When designing a dental treatment plan for a patient, the client’s goals and expectations are discussed. The most skillful cosmetic dentists consider the shape, alignment, color and condition of the teeth. The cosmetic dental client’s age, health condition and lifestyle also influence the plan.

If you want to learn about the possibilities for your smile, call Jeff Gray DDS at (619) 337-7700. We have created memorable smiles for many of your friends and neighbors in the San Diego area.

• cosmetic dentistry
• porcelain veneers
• dental implants
• http://www.smilesandiego.com

Picture the following scenario: You are stretched out in a chair at your dentist’s office holding a remote as you try to tune into your favorite California radio station. An assistant clips a paper bib around your neck. Someone switches on a bright overhead light and you see latex-gloved hands moving toward your open mouth. You close your eyes.

As you read this, does your heart begin racing? Are your palms sweaty?

If so, you may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Oral sedation benefits nervous dental patients in San Diego every day. Moderate sedation is used for all types of dental procedures such as root canals, dental implants, and wisdom teeth removal. If you are considering extensive restorative or cosmetic dental work, conscious sedation may allow your dentist to complete multiple procedures in a single visit.

Don’t let fear prevent you from getting the dental treatment you need. Schedule a visit with Dr. Jeff Gray to learn about conscious sedation dentistry.

We’re your lifelong dental health partner.

Jeff Gray DDS, Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry

8555 Fletcher Parkway, Suite 102 in La Mesa, California 91942.

Give us a call at (619) 337-7700 or find us on the Web at: http://www.smilesandiego.com

It’s not just about looks. According to a recent study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), a healthy and attractive smile makes you appear more intelligent, successful, friendly and interesting. (See http://www.aacd.com for complete survey results.)

Our smile makeover patients who have undergone restorative and cosmetic dentistry at Jeff Gray DDS in La Mesa have experienced this phenomenon firsthand. They have expressed that they not only feel great about their looks, they are more confident in professional and social situations. Another benefit: they also feel more appealing to the opposite gender.

I’m Dr. Jeff Gray of Jeff Gray DDS in San Diego. I get great satisfaction in using my years of specialized experience to provide premium cosmetic dentistry for my patients. I am passionate about developing a custom treatment plan for each California dental client. Some of my patients had lived with misaligned or crooked teeth for years. Others had been self-conscious about missing or stained teeth.

There has never been a better time to upgrade your smile. There are solutions for every kind of dental problem. If you are not familiar with the latest teeth whitening, crown restoration and tooth replacement procedures, it is time to find out. Call (619) 337-7700 to schedule a consultation. Come in to our office at 8555 Fletcher Parkway, Suite 102 in La Mesa, California and see photos of our happy dental makeover clients who are enjoying their beautiful smiles every day!

Jeff Gray DDS, Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry
8555 Fletcher Parkway, Suite 102 in La Mesa, California 91942.

Give us a call at (619) 337-7700 or find us on the Web at: http://www.smilesandiego.com