Monday, December 14, 2015

Don't wait.

I had a patient come in with a bad toothache. She told me that a filling had fallen out of her tooth about two years ago but since she did not have dental insurance she did not have it treated at that time.  The tooth continued to decay and at the time she finally came to see me in order to save the tooth she would need a root canal and a crown. Now that she had dental insurance she would "only" have to come up with about $1200.00 with insurance covering the other $1200.00. Sounds great, doesn't it? The problem is that if she had the filling replaced when it first come out, it would have cost her about $300.00 without any insurance. So waiting to have dental insurance will cost her an additional $900.00. My point is don't wait to have treatment done. Teeth problems do not get better on their own. They only get worse and more expensive.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Never Too Old

I had a very nice senior patient come in last month. She had a broken crown on her front tooth and wanted it "fixed." As I was discussing the treatment with her for that one tooth, she asked if I could do anything to make her other front teeth look better. I told her what different treatments we could do for her and she surprised me when she wanted not only her crown replaced but also another five veneers to improve her smile. We finished the treatment and about two weeks later I received this nice note,

Dear Dr. Moretta,
I am loving my new smile! Thank you very much for giving me a look I never expected to have - certainly not at 80. Looking forward to the smiling years ahead.
Sincerely, Diane.

So remember, it is never too late to improve yourself.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Protect your oral health during pregnancy

In honor of Mother's Day, we decided to dedicate this month's post to all of our supermoms and shed light on this amazing part of a woman's life. Pregnancy is exceedingly exciting for most woman and oral health can often be forgotten during this amazing time. However, it is more important to care for your teeth during pregnancy more than any other time of your life because of the changes your body will be going through in 9 months of gestation and afterwards.
If you are pregnant or are planning to becomes pregnant, our dentist recommends the following:
  • Advise your dentist as soon as you know you are pregnant. It is important that dental treatment in both the first and third trimester are avoided, as a precautionary measure. Routine dental care is safe for the second trimester.
  • Please advise us the names of any prenatal vitamins you are taking and the dosage amounts so that we may take this information into consideration for any required dental treatment.
  • Avoid any kind of X-rays during pregnancy, including X-rays of your mouth as this may harm your baby.
  • Practice good oral hygiene. Overall health is directly linked to oral health. If your teeth are taken care of so will you and your baby.
Congratulations on your quest to becoming a mother if you have decided to take that journey or on your pregnancy if you are already pregnant. Motherhood is a rewarding time in your life and as your dentist, we will be with you every step of the way for both you and your baby.

Robert J. Moretta, D.D.S, F.A.G.D - Sea Cliff Dental
18652 Florida St. #300
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.848.4247
http://rmoretta.com/

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Oral Cancer Symptoms

Oral cancer is tricky. It can sometimes be asymptomatic so that patients are unaware that there is anything to worry about and it can sometime create symptoms that can be mistaken for another condition. It's extremely important to be screened regularly for oral cancer and also to visit our dentist in order to ensure that there is nothing to worry about. Remember, the earlier the oral cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances of survival.

Some symptoms or signs of oral cancer include: 

  • Mouth sores that do not heal 
  • Lumps or thinking of lips and mouth tissues 
  • Loose teeth for unexplained reasons 
  • Pain of the jaw, including stiffness 
  • Difficulty chewing or speaking 

Over 43,000 people in the United States will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2015. In honor of oral cancer awareness month, please help us spread awareness of the disease. Schedule your screening today! It could save your life.\

Contact Information:


Robert J. Moretta, D.D.S, F.A.G.D - Sea Cliff Dental
18652 Florida St. #300
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.848.4247
http://rmoretta.com/



Thursday, April 16, 2015

Dental Implants, Veneers, Teeth Whitening & More in Huntington Beach


Our dental office is located in Huntington Beach, California and our cosmetic dentist provides a full range of dental services in Huntington Beach such as: dental implants, veneers, teeth whitening, bonding, root canals.

Call our dentist today and receive the best dental service at (714) 848 4247 or visit our dental office:
18652 Florida St., Suite #300
Huntington Beach, CA 92648


Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Dental implants offered by our dentist in Huntington Beach!



Dental implants are an excellent long-term option for tooth replacement when someone is missing one or more teeth.

Our dentist in Huntington Beach specializes in smile restorations with dental implants with a high success rate.

Dental implants are placed in a series of visits with our Huntington Beach dentist and require no special care other than regular brushing and flossing.

Contact our dental office today for more information on dental implants or to schedule an appointment with our dentist.

18652 Florida St., Suite #300 New
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Phone: (714) 848-4247
Email: info@RMoretta.com
Website: http://rmoretta.com/

Monday, March 16, 2015

What to look for in a dentist:

Choosing a new dentist may make you uneasy. However, it shouldn’t have to be as long as you know what to look for. Depending on the kind of patient you are, whether you are an anxious patient who needs sedation or are a patient who does not, generally you will need to look for the qualities that suit you best when determining which dentist to go to. We’ve put together a list of qualities that you should look for in your future dentist:

  • Simplicity: Find a dental office that will place you first. This is important because as long as they place patients as a priority, their services should always be outstanding. Having a dentist that will answer your questions accordingly and recommend a solution quickly will make your dental experience much more pleasant. 
  • Good Office Etiquette: We all have busy lives. You shouldn’t have to wait more than 15 to 20 minutes to see the dentist when you have an appointment. Additionally, staff should be inviting and friendly since you will be in contact with them every time you go to the dental office. 
  • Professional: Look into the dentist’s credentials. Find out where he or she completed dental school and how long he or she has been practicing. It is your oral health we are talking about and you can never place quality of your dental treatment in question. 
  • Accepted insurances or financing options: Last but not least, make sure to choose a dentist that accepts your insurance, if applicable or one that has financing options that suit you. 
  • Specialized dental services: Look for a dentist that specializes in the type of treatment you are looking to get, ie. Dental implants, endodontics, periodontics, etc. 
  • Check for before & after photos: Especially if you are getting cosmetic procedures done like teeth whitening or any kind of smile restorations, take a look at the dentist’s smile gallery so that you get a feel for the kind of work he or she completes. You may want more natural results, but seeing dental work completed by the dentist will help you make a decision.  

Our Huntington Beach dentist has all of these qualities and more. Because Dr. Moretta is so passionate about dentistry, it is his priority to provide patients with outstanding results in the most comfortable environment possible. Call today for an appointment!

Contact Information:


Robert J. Moretta, D.D.S, F.A.G.D - Sea Cliff Dental
18652 Florida St. #300
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.848.4247
http://rmoretta.com/

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Does Whitening Toothpaste Work?

Whitening toothpastes contains ingredients that have the ability to whiten teeth. The easy answer is yes, whitening toothpaste does work; however, results may vary depending on how often it is used and the condition of your teeth when you begin using the whitening toothpaste. They are known to slightly whiten your teeth over time by removing surface stains on your teeth, but its important to refrain from consuming stain causing foods and liquids since this will contradict the whitening process.

In order to remove the surface stains, whitening toothpastes include:
  • Abrasives that polish teeth, gently 
  • Chemicals that breakdown stains Some whitening toothpastes include a special ingredient called blue covarine, which attaches to the surface of your teeth making them appear less yellow. 
Typically, you will begin to see results anywhere from two to six weeks if you use the whitening toothpaste at least twice a day. Be aware not to use the toothpaste too often and always read the labels for manufacturer’s warnings. Some toothpastes may cause sensitivity if used too often.

If you would like to know more information about whitening toothpaste or teeth whitening, please contact our Huntington Beach dental office. We’ll be more than happy to help you!

Contact Information:

Robert J. Moretta, D.D.S, F.A.G.D - Sea Cliff Dental
18652 Florida St. #300
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.848.4247
http://rmoretta.com/

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

How do I know if I need a root canal or filling?

Root canals and fillings are used to treat teeth that have some kind of tooth decay or cavity. Dental fillings are used for smaller cavities whereas root canal therapy may be needed for teeth that have more extensive damage. Untreated cavities will progress to infect the pulp, creating the need for root canal treatment in order to save the tooth.

Root canals are necessary because damage to the pulp is permanent and cannot be reversed. The tooth pulp will need to be cleaned and the damaged portion will need to be removed. If enough time goes by and the tooth is left untreated, you may lose the tooth and extraction is needed. Addressing the infected tooth in a timely manner is imperative to saving the tooth.

Signs and symptoms of needing a root canal include:
  • Constant, throbbing pain 
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot/cold foods or liquids 
  • Swelling of the gums around the tooth 
  • Tooth discoloration 
If you think you have a cavity or an infected tooth, contact our Huntington Beach dentist at 714-848-4247 for an appointment. Remember, the earlier you come in, the better chance there is that the tooth can be saved!

Contact Information:

Robert J. Moretta, D.D.S, F.A.G.D - Sea Cliff Dental
18652 Florida St. #300
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.848.4247
http://rmoretta.com/