If you’ve been living too long with a less-than-dazzling smile because you don’t want to wear metal braces for years or worry that other corrective procedures would be too invasive or expensive, you’ll be happy to know that there is now an effective, safe and affordable cosmetic solution that fits any lifestyle.

Through a revolutionary combination of proven orthodontic techniques, modern materials, and innovative thought - Six Month Smiles® braces, available now at Los Gatos Dental, utilize specialized clear braces to gently straighten and align teeth in an average time of just six months. Because of the use of clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, the braces are hardly noticeable. The really good news is that Six Month Smiles® cosmetic braces are typically less expensive than traditional braces, clear aligners or veneers.

Six Month Smiles® uses very light and safe forces to move teeth at the same rate as traditional braces. The fact is that your teeth are not being moved any faster or with any more force than traditional braces. The difference between Six Month Smiles® Braces and traditional braces is that, with traditional braces the focus of the treatment is to correct the bite of all your teeth.

With Six Month Smiles®  braces, the focus is on the teeth that show in your smile, giving you a fresh new look in a reasonable amount of time.  Your front teeth move faster than your back teeth. With Six Month Smiles® braces your Los Gatos Cosmetic Dentist will simply stop treatment once the front teeth are positioned in a cosmetically pleasing arrangement. The rate of tooth movement is the same, but the total treatment time is faster - usually about six to eight months. If you have spaces, gaps, or crooked, crowded teeth, Six Month Smiles® braces may be the perfect solution for you.

“Periodontal Disease” is a term that many people have heard but are often unaware of the nature of the disease, its causes, symptoms and treatment. At Los Gatos Dental we frequently see patients who don’t fully understand the seriousness of it or the potential it has to impact their lives. Let’s start with a simplified explanation of “Periodontal Disease”:

When bacteria in your mouth are allowed to go unchecked; they build up around your teeth at the gum line causing an infection of the gum tissue, ultimately leading to periodontal disease (gum disease). The lack of proper dental hygiene is the primary factor leading to gum disease, tut you may be surprised to learn that there are other contributing factors such as genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, poor diet, medications and tobacco use

Many people are unaware that they have Periodontal Disease because it often progresses without showing any signs or symptoms (such as pain) normally associated with other dental issues. Here are some of the more common symptoms of Periodontal Disease:

• Unexplained bleeding while brushing, flossing or eating
• Pain, redness or swelling of the gums
• Longer-looking teeth caused by receding gums
• Bad breath due to food particles stuck between teeth and under the gum line
• Loose teeth/change in bite pattern resulting from loss of gum tissue

If you experience any of the above, contact your dentist or Periodontal professional immediately. At Los Gatos Periodontal Dentist we have specialized training and education to treat gum disease. Your comfort is of the utmost importance to our team, and we use advanced, state of the art, non-invasive laser treatments to eliminate gum disease quickly.

Unfortunately, Periodontal Disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the developed world today. But you do not have to become one of the statistics! With proper dental hygiene and regular cleanings and exams, it is highly preventable and easily treated.