The American Dental Association offers some welcome advice for choosing a dentist in Irvine.

We have already talked about how word of mouth is an important factor in how many people find a dentist. Here are some things you should look for in an Orange County dentist:

Location is always a factor when choosing a dentist. If you live in the Irvine, California area, there are many options. While location plays an important role in convenience, many people are willing to drive a little farther for a better experience with their dentist.

Relationship is a strong factor. Your dentist should be approachable, and should make you feel comfortable when you are in the dentist chair. After all, your Irvine dentist will be working very close with you to help you achieve a high level of oral hygiene; you most certainly will want to have a good, professional, comfortable relationship with your dentist and the dental office staff.

Specialty is another important factor in choosing a dentist in Irvine. Some dentists specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Others specialize in corrective dentistry such as braces. Depending on your need, you may select a local California dentist who can solve your immediate concern. Bare in mind, however, that it is good to have a general dentist who can maintain your dental history and work with you to through the years.

If you are looking for a dentist in Irvine, please come by and speak with me. I can address your interest in any of these critical areas, and will be happy to introduce you to Scott L. Rice DDS, Inc.

I look forward to meeting you.

-Dr. Soctt L. Rice, DDS, Inc.

(949) 551-5902

I’m Dr. Scott L. Rice, a dental implant dentist in the 92604 area. In a recent post, I explained how traditional dental implants are used to dramatically improve the lives of my Irvine denture and cosmetic dentistry clients. Today’s topic is mini dental implants, sometimes called ‘immediate implants’.

Though they are not as well known as traditional tooth implants, mini implants are also being used successfully to improve smiles. Like their larger diameter counterparts, mini implants can support a restoration for one or more missing teeth or replace a bridge or fixed denture. Tooth restoration clients and denture wearers benefit greatly from these slip free dental implants that are anchored securely in the jaw bone.

In some cases, a patient is unable to receive traditional full-size dental implants due to insufficient bone thickness. There are also mini implant patients who are not able to undergo dental implant surgery due to health issues. These Orange County overdenture patients are often excellent candidates for the mini version.

The placement of toothpick-size mini dental implants can usually be done in one dental visit. The placement usually requires no incisions or stitches. Recovery time, if necessary, is usually very short. Most patients are able to eat dinner that evening.

Many Irvine aesthetic dentistry clients are happy to learn that mini implants are a lower cost dental implants option. Don’t let the word ‘mini’ fool you; Your smile can receive a maximum upgrade with mini dental implants.

Call Scott L. Rice DDS, Inc. at (949) 551-5902 to schedule a consultation.

Whether you have lived in California for a long time, or just moving in to the Irvine area; taking care of your teeth eventually involves a visit to the dentist. We are Scott L. Rice, DDS, Inc. located at 4330 Barranca Parkway, in Irvine, California, and our specialty is restorative dentistry.

You can reach Scott L. Rice, DDS, Inc. by calling (949) 551-5902.

Going to the dentist for the first time in Irvine, or if you have not been for while, can be an unsettling experience for both kids and adults. The very idea of a ‘dentist’ seems to hold negative connotation for many people. If you are an adult who is moving to the Irvine area, or your child is preparing to visit the dentist for the first time, here are a few tips that may help ease you into regular dental checkups and put you on the path toward increased oral health and wellness.

Choose an Irvine dentist who is appropriate for your needs. When you meet your new Irvine dentist for the first time, make an effort to ask questions about the care you will receive. Ask questions that are relevant to your situation including questions about experience, age range of patients, and recommended procedures for any conditions you may have. Get to know your Irvine dentist so you feel comfortable with the care you will receive.

Introduce yourself to your Irvine dentist and get to know the office staff. Visiting the dentist will seem less of a chore when you feel you have trusted friends who are there to help.

Be prepared to provide your Irvine dentist with information. Whether you are experiencing specific pain at that moment, or anticipating a problem, be sure to discuss everything with your dentist. Many patients become intimidated in the office environment and avoid expressing pain or discussing issues. As your dentist, I need to know everything you are experiencing and will be better prepared to help as you ask questions and express your concerns.

I understand that everyone is unique; what works for one person may not work for another. You know what works best for you, and the best way to have a good experience with a Irvine dentist is to communicate. Let me know what you are experiencing so that I can make adjustments and help you feel more comfortable and secure.

At Scott L. Rice, DDS, Inc. our leading edge treatment in a warm and friendly atmosphere staff will work to make your dental experience a pleasant one. We know it can be frightening to visit the dentist for the first time, or after a long while. We’ll do what we can to make you feel comfortable, secure, and among caring friends.

If you are in Irvine, California and are ready to visit the dentist again, give us a call at (949) 551-5902, or stop by to meet us; we’re excited to meet you.

-We’re your lifelong dental health partner

If you live near Irvine and experience severe anxiety when undergoing dental treatment, oral sedation is for you.

Conscious sedation dentistry is available in Irvine at Scott L. Rice DDS, Inc. We have been providing sedation dentistry in Irvine for several years with excellent outcomes. Whether it is called relaxation dentistry, oral conscious sedation or anxiety-free dentistry, it is completely safe and very popular for our nervous cosmetic and restorative dental clients.

Though it may sound impossible, with oral conscious sedation, dentistry patients can actually relax during dental visits. In addition, healing times for oral surgery and extensive cosmetic dentistry procedures are often shorter if the patient is sedated during treatment.

Sedation dentistry is great for alleviating anxiety for our Irvine patients, and oral conscious sedation can be effective for treating or working with the following:

* Teeth sensitivity;
* Fear of needles;
* A powerful gag reflex;
* Difficulty controlling body movement;
* Lengthy multi-procedure visits;
* Difficulty becoming numb with traditional injections.

If you need dental work more extensive than a filling; such as a root canal, tooth implant, crown replacement or wisdom tooth extraction; call Scott L. Rice, DDS, Inc. at (949) 551-5902. When you come to our office at 4330 Barranca Parkway, in Irvine, CA, we can give you more information about sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry is only one of the services we offer at Scott L. Rice, DDS, Inc., where your smile is our top priority!

Each separate restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedure performed in Irvine 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 Irvine 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 Irvine 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 Irvine 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 Irvine. Dr. Scott Rice 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 Scott L. Rice DDS, Inc. to discover the perfect combination of procedures to achieve your ultimate smile. Our phone number is (949) 551-5902.

Myth #1: Cosmetic Dentistry is Never Necessary for a Healthy Smile

Many so-called Irvine cosmetic dental procedures are not solely cosmetic. Dental procedures such as tooth replacement are smile-enhancing and, more importantly, prevent many potential problems such as tooth movement, bone loss and difficulty chewing and speaking.

Myth #2: A Newport Beach Dental Bridge is the Only Way to Replace a Missing Tooth

Dental bridges are an Orange County dental cosmetic procedure that have been used for many years with success. However, dental implants are often a better choice for replacing one or more missing teeth. Dental implants have many advantages for dental patients. They feel like natural teeth, they are stronger, and they are easier to clean than dental bridges. California tooth implants can also be used to anchor dentures or partial dentures.

Myth #3: At-Home Kits are as Effective for Irvine Tooth Whitening Than a Professional Dental Solution

At Scott L. Rice DDS, Inc., we offer our dental patients teeth whitening treatments that provide a much greater level of whiteness than at-home kits. At-home kits may remove surface stains, but they do not provide optimum results and can often lead to uneven coloring.

Myth #4: Dental Bonding is the Best Way to Fix a Chipped Tooth.

Dental bonding can restore the shape of a tooth, but may not be the best long-term solution. If you have a damaged tooth, you may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Call us at (949) 551-5902 to set up an appointment so we can determine the best solution for you.

Myth #5: Orange County Braces are the Only Way to Straighten Teeth

Braces are often part of a transforming dental makeover for our teens and adults alike. However, if your teeth are only slightly crooked, veneers can reshape your teeth and dramatically improve your smile. And the best thing about veneers? They offer instant results!