Restore Smiles with Dental Implants

Dr. Eric Meyer, DDS replaces teeth and restores patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

Implants are titanium screws inserted into the jaw bone. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second appointment. Sometimes, the doctor may need to expose the head of the implant in a second minor surgery.  When everything is healed, the crown will be screwed or cemented to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To schedule an appointment with Eric Meyer, DDS at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

A bone graft is the term for harvesting bone material from a healthy location and grafting it to a location that is broken or weakened.  The doctors of Fullerton Dental use this method to strengthen jaw bones in preparation for dental implants.

Missing a tooth for an extended period of time can leave the jaw bone vulnerable and compromise its structure.  When a patient needs an implant for a permanent replacement tooth, a bone graft reinforces the jaw bone so it is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant. 

In one procedure, bone material is harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth and grafted to the compromised area of the jaw bone.  This strengthens the weakened bone, and encourages growth of new bone material as it heals.  After the procedure, the bone graft will be monitored over the course of months.  When the jaw bone has strengthened enough to handle the placement of an implant, our doctors can move forward with the patient’s plan of care.

To learn more about bone grafting and all the services we provide, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Dental Implants

If you have missing teeth and desire a strong, sturdy replacement, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS has plenty of options to choose from. Dental implants, however, are the most popular option because they last up to ten years with proper care. Not only are dental implants aesthetically appealing, they provide restorative benefits because they feel, fit, and function like a natural tooth.  

To receive implants, you must have healthy gums and adequate bone structure to support the implant. Because implants fuse to the jawbone once placed, they provide stable support for artificial teeth if you desire a denture or a dental bridge. Dental implants don’t move, so you never have to worry about dentures sliding forward or coming loose. Dental implants allow you to build your confidence back up and allow you to enjoy everyday life.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implants or tooth-replacement options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Sinus Lift

Bone grafting can be necessary when a patient does not have enough bone material in their jawline to hold a dental implant. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS offers sinus lifts here in our Fullerton, CA office. This is a procedure that adds bone to the space between the upper molars and the sinus cavity.

Sometimes the jawbone right below the sinus cavity is too small to allow a dental implant to be successfully placed. When a tooth is missing for a while, the bone in the area where the tooth used to be can begin to deteriorate. In other cases, a patient may just be born with a smaller jawbone. Also, sometimes the sinuses on either side of the nose are just too low for placing an implant. A sinus lift adds bone to the area between the upper jaw and the sinuses.

The bone for the graft is usually taken from another area in the jaw or from a place like the hip bone or shin bone. Sometimes it is from a bone bank. The grafting process begins with cutting the tissue where the implant will be. The bone is exposed and a small opening is created. The membrane separating the sinus cavity from the jaw is pushed up and away. The bone graft material is then packed into the space. Afterward, the area is stitched closed. The area will need several months to heal and during this time, the new bone material will promote even more new bone growth. The end result is a large and strong jawbone that can hold a dental implant for life.

If you are interested in a dental implant or the process of bone grafting, be sure to visit our website or give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, call our Fullerton, CA office at (714) 879-7943. Appointments may also be requested through our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

How Smoking Affects Dental Implants

It isn’t news that smoking is bad for your health. However, did you know that smoking can also affect the success of a dental implant? Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA wants to inform his patients of the effects smoking has on oral health and why it can mean trouble for implants.

Smoking physically changes the gum tissues in your mouth and the blood vessels surrounding them. The top layer of skin cells in the gums develops a condition called keratosis, which is the thickening of the tissues. The salivary glands within these tissues become blocked off and damaged, which creates dry mouth. The superficial blood vessels in the mouth begin to constrict, so they do not supply enough blood to the area. These effects create problems with healing, immune strength, and bacteria. When there is decreased blood flow, the area can take longer to heal after implant surgery. In addition, a dry mouth promotes gum disease. Over time, these issues will cause more bone loss in the jawbone around an implant, increasing the risk of the implant falling out.

It is never to wrong time to quit smoking or better yet, never start. To learn more about dental implants, contact our Fullerton, CA office or set up an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS by calling (714) 879-7943. Appointments may also be requested through our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Dental Implant Failure

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In fact, they are one of the most reliable long-term methods of tooth replacement. However, as with any other surgical procedure, there are a variety of internal and external factors that cause complications or even total failure of treatment. If this ever were to happen to you, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS is here to assess the situation.

Osseointegration describes the formation of a direct functional and structural connection between a person’s bone and an artificial implant. There are two primary reasons for “later” implant failure after the osseointegration process has been successful. These include over-stressing implants with too much biting force or inflammatory disease of the gum tissues and/or bone around the implant. Prevention plays a tremendous role in avoiding implant failure. Once the implants are placed, it’s crucial to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Make sure you schedule regular dental cleanings to help keep the tissues around your implants healthy.

If you have questions about dental implants, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

When time has allowed jawbone to degenerate, it can become tough for a dental implant to be placed successfully. As we lose teeth, the jawbone will degenerate over time. Here in our Fullerton, CA dental office, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS can perform bone grafting to restore that jawbone and allow a dental implant to be placed.

It is common to not have enough bone for an implant. Maybe you were born with a small ridge or maybe your bone has degenerated after the loss of a tooth. When the jawbone is too small, a dental implant often cannot be placed. Or, if it can be placed, it is not big enough to let the implant stay for very long. Dental implants are supposed to have the ability to stay in place for a lifetime, so bone grafting is a popular procedure to give back patients the ability to have dental implants.

A bone graft consists of taking bone from another area and moving it to the area it’s needed in. The bone usually comes from an area in the jaw or another part of the body like the shin and is packed into the space it is needed. Over several months, the grafted bone will also promote bone growth. The grafted bone and original bone will grow together and create enough jawbone to place dental implants.

Bone grafting makes dental implants possible for those who have too small of a jawbone. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, call our Fullerton, CA office at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Are Dental Implants Painful?

If you are receiving dental implants in the near future, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS doesn’t want you to be frightened, he would rather you be informed on what to expect. Pain is a common concern among individuals who are considering dental implants and we want you to know that while some discomfort is expected, it shouldn’t be your primary concern.

As with any major dental procedure, or surgery in general, some discomfort is to be expected during the recovery process since it is a surgery that typically involves removing teeth, cutting gums, drilling into the jawbone and inserting a titanium post. The procedure itself is not painful since it is performed with either general or local anesthesia to completely numb your mouth. If you’re anxious about the discomfort during the procedure and being aware of drilling noises and forces being applied to your mouth, please ask us about our sedation options.

If you have missing teeth and would like to discuss your restorative options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Implant-Retained Dentures

Dentures are a common tooth replacement option; however, many patients do not like when dentures are ill-fitting or loose. For a more stable option, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS provides his patients with implant-retained dentures here in his Fullerton, CA dental practice.

Implant-retained dentures are a much stronger and more stable base for dentures. This is because the dentures are clipped onto implants that are inserted into your bone sockets. It is like giving the implants an anchor. To do this, Dr. Meyer will insert four to six mini implants into the upper or lower gum line. Mini implants are about half the size of traditional implants, so they do not require an incision. This means healing takes much less time; the dentures can be installed the same day as the implants. In addition, most denture sets are able to be altered to fit onto implants, so many patients can keep the dentures they are already using.

The dentures are able to be clipped in and out by the patient. Patients will now be able to enjoy talking, laughing, eating, and smiling all without worrying about their dentures moving around. Implants also slow down the degeneration of the jaw bone, which is a natural occurrence when teeth are missing. This means the dentures will remain fitting comfortably for a long time.

If you are experiencing ill-fitting dentures, it may be time to look into implant-retained dentures. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS in Fullerton, CA, call our office at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Mini Implants from Dr. Eric Meyer

While dental implants are a great solution for replacing missing teeth, in Fullerton, CA, we use mini dental implants as an effective alternative in situations where regular implants cannot be used, such as in narrow spaces. Roughly half the size in diameter as conventional implants, mini implants are often used to replace smaller teeth in the mouth, as well as serve as a base for dentures.

Because mini implants are so small, often no incision is needed to place them in the gums. They can usually be inserted by Dr. Eric Meyer through the gum and into the bone directly, which eliminates much of the recovery time and allows the restoration to be placed immediately or shortly after. Like regular implants, mini implants are made of titanium. However, they are one solid piece, which give them roughly the same strength as a regular implant.

When used for dentures, four to six mini implants are placed along the gum line, and an entire set of uppers or lowers can be attached directly to the gums, which is advantageous to the patient since, unlike adhesive, implants do not shift or slip. This makes dentures more comfortable while eating, speaking and smiling.

If you want to know if implants or mini implants are the right solution for your missing teeth, call 714.879.7943 to schedule an appointment. For more information about our office, please visit www.fullertondental.com.

Sinus Lift in Fullerton, CA

If you lose posterior teeth, it causes an increase in force to be placed on your remaining teeth, which can affect both your bite and oral health. This is why replacing extracted teeth is so important. Dental implants provide a long-lasting solution to filling gaps in patients’ smiles, but sometimes there is not enough room in the upper jaw for dental implants to be placed. This can be because of the position of the sinus or because of bone loss.

A sinus lift or augmentation, allows the sinus floor to be repositioned and bone added so that there is enough space for the implant to be inserted. For this procedure, Dr. Eric Meyer uses a variety of grafting materials to encourage bone to grow more quickly into the area and help stabilize the dental implant.

The bone used in a sinus lift may come from your own body (autogenous bone), a donor (allogeneic bone) or from cow bone (xenograft). During the procedure, the doctor will cut the gum tissue where the missing back teeth used to be in order to expose the bone. Then he will open a small oval window to the bone to gain access to where the sinus meets the jaw. The sinus is pushed up and away from the jaw, and granules of bone-graft material are then packed into the space where the sinus was, adding several millimeters of bone to the jaw.

Once the bone is in place, the tissue is closed with stitches and left to heal. Implants are usually installed four to nine months later while the grafted material meshes with your bone.

To schedule an appointment with our office, call 714.879.7943. For more information about our practice in Fullerton, CA, please visitwww.fullertondental.com.

Dental Implants

If you have teeth missing or are in need of an extraction due to decay, disease or injury, dental implants provide an attractive and long-lasting solution for filling the gaps in your smile. While bridges and dentures can also solve the problem of missing teeth, these alternatives either require alteration to the teeth adjacent to the gap or are not permanent fixtures in the mouth. At our office in Fullerton, CA, Dr. Eric Meyer uses dental implant restorations to help patients achieve a complete smile that they can be proud of.

The implant process can take between three to six months to complete, and the first step is to implant a titanium screw in the jawbone through an incision in the gums. This screw serves as your replacement tooth root and keeps your jaw from deteriorating or changing shape. Once the screw is in place, the gums are sutured and the bone is left to heal around the implant. This healing process is called osseointegration, and while it takes place over the next several months, you may receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

Once the jaw has healed, an abutment will be placed on top of the implant to serve as the foundation on which your permanent crown will be fixed. The tooth restoration is then custom made for your mouth and is either screwed or cemented in place so that you may enjoy a complete smile that both looks and feels natural.

To schedule an appointment with our office, call 714.879.7943. For more information, visit www.fullertondental.com.

Bone Grafting

In some cases, our patients do not have the proper amount of bone mass in their jaw to allow for the placement of dental implants. However, thanks to recent developments in bone grafting, people who would not have qualified a few years ago can now receive dental implants. In Fullerton, CA, Dr. Eric Meyer performs bone grafting to increase the amount of bone in his patients’ jaw to allow for future implants.

There are several bone grafting techniques, but they can all be grouped into two types. The first type of bone grafting is the most extensive type and is performed only by an oral surgeon. Always done as a surgery separate from dental implant placement, this first type of grafting makes large changes to the shape and size of the dental ridge for the sake of implants, which are usually not implanted until several months later.

The second type of bone grafting is usually performed if the jaw has enough bone for implant placement but not enough to completely cover the sides of the implant. These grafts are usually small and performed when dental implants are placed.

Whether you need bone grafting or not, if you’re looking to receive dental implants, we can make it happen. To schedule an appointment, call 714.879.7943. For more information, visit www.fullertondental.com.

Sedation

At Eric Meyer General and Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe that patients should be comfortable at all times. Whether it’s just a normal cleaning or an invasive procedure, we offer different sedation methods for those suffering from dental phobias. Studies have shown that nearly 15 percent of Americans suffer from a dental anxiety issues. Dental fears can come from a number of situations. If you had a negative experience in the past, feel like you don’t have any control or even if you’re embarrassed about your teeth then it might be tough to make that follow-up appointment. Luckily, for these situations we offer a number of options when it comes to sedation.

The most common form of sedation is Nitrous Oxide (N2O), also known as laughing gas. N2O works very rapidly, reaching the brain within 20 seconds or so. Patients will be able to hear and respond to and directives or requests Dr. Meyer may have. You will feel like you’re in a euphoric state and may experience dreams as a result. IV sedation is another service we offer. The sedation will be administered through a vein and offer immediate effects. Patients will have less of a recovery time as well because once it is cut off the sedatives will leave the blood stream.

For patients who have trouble with needles or gas, there are other options available. We can offer you anxiolysis sedation, such as valium to reduce anxiety. The final way in which we utilize sedation is through oral conscious sedation. This local anesthetic will not knock you out completely, but will allow you to be treated without any anxiety. Oral sedations are often used for patients with mild to moderate anxiety and are not as powerful as the other sedation methods.

If you have a dental phobia and aren’t sure which sedation method is right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Meyer to discuss which option is best for you.

Sealants

Dental sealants are a great option for patients hoping to protect their teeth from developing decay in the depressions and grooves of their teeth. Sealants are most widely used by children and teenagers. Our Fullerton, CA office applies sealants to children regularly in order to protect their teeth from harmful bacteria that can lead to decay.

A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surface of the teeth, mostly the back molars and premolars. Children typically receive sealants once their permanent molars come in. Children are most at-risk for cavities between the ages of 6 and 14. These sealants typically last up to ten years but need to be checked regularly for chipping or wearing.

We can complete a full sealant procedure in one sitting. We have a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes children feel as comfortable as possible. Applying the sealant is a painless process. Dr. Meyer will first clean your child’s mouth, dry each tooth individually, apply a solution to the chewing surface to roughen them up (which helps the sealant bond), and finally apply the sealant to the tooth enamel.

Sealants are a great preventative measure for parents to take. Rather than risking possible decay, parents who choose to utilize sealants are assuring that their children will have a bright beautiful smile for years to come. As long as they have a great dental hygiene regimen, children with sealants will maintain a smile they can be proud!

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Meyer today to talk about sealants for your child!

Dental Hygiene

At our Fullerton, CA office, we love to promote proper oral hygiene to all of our patients! We will provide you with the tools to succeed when it comes to your oral hygiene routine. With a wide array of options available at any drug store, patients need to know what type of toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash or any number of other dental tools will work best for them.

Brushing techniques are also very important. The goal of brushing is to avoid cavities and to have a bright, beautiful smile; you should know what the proper technique is so you’re not doing it wrong. You should be brushing at least two minutes, twice a day. You should also be using the correct toothbrush, the best way to find out is to just ask, we’ll gladly point you in the right direction! When it comes to the brushing process, you should be using short, gentle strokes, paying close attention to the gum line and the hard-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth. Don’t forget to brush your tongue too! It helps avoid bad breath.

Now, most people think that just brushing will keep their teeth healthy and clean. While it’s certainly not a bad thing to do, brushing needs to be combined with flossing in order to optimize your oral health. Through flossing, you’re able to get to those hard-to-reach areas that often go unnoticed. Bacteria will build up in these areas and eventually lead to tooth damage if left untouched.

Regular cleanings should also be part of your dental hygiene routine. By having your teeth professionally cleaned and examined, you’re working to catch troubled areas before they become real problems. Schedule your cleaning today!

Digital X-Rays

We believe that early detection is the best way to treat our patients. With that being said, we have recently adopted digital X-ray technology into our practice. Digital radiography will better allow us to diagnose and treat patients the right way before it becomes a more serious issue.

Digital X-ray technology offers many benefits over traditional X-rays. The biggest difference is the amount of radiation it emits, about 90 percent less than traditional machines. While the radiation in traditional X-rays is not necessarily harmful, it’s never a good idea to expose someone to any type of radiation.

Another great benefit of digital radiography is the immediacy of it. You don’t have to wait for the image to develop anymore. Right after the image is taken it is immediately displayed on a bedside monitor. This greatly cuts down on patient chair-time. The instant imaging software is a great way for us to “Go Green” because there’s no harmful chemicals used to develop the images and the image itself is not printed so there is no waster there. The image is displayed on an environmentally friendly monitor that files it away with your personal records for future use without printing.

In many cases, digital X-rays are able to detect early stages of tooth decay where traditional X-rays would not. The image we get is far more detailed than other imaging software. Catching decay early can prevent cavities, gum disease and other periodontal issues. By getting to these symptoms earlier, our staff is better equipped to stop it now and even prevent it in the future.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Meyers in Fullerton, CA today to get your digital X-rays taken!

Dentures

Here at our Fullerton, CA general and cosmetic dentistry practice, we providedentures for our patients who have multiple missing teeth and want to restore their smile. Not only do dentures allow our patients to have a complete smile, but it also helps them speak more clearly and eat what they want!

We offer several options of dentures, ranging from immediate and conventional full dentures. Conventional full dentures are completed after the tissue from the extracted teeth has healed completely, which can take several months. Immediate dentures are provided right after the teeth have been removed.

Another option we offer is partial dentures, which are a great choice for our patients who have multiple missing teeth, but not all of the teeth. Partial dentures are similar to a bridge, but are removable like dentures.
No matter what type our patients choose, all dentures are made to fit the patient’s mouth and their previous teeth if possible. If we know patients want dentures before removing their teeth, we take pictures and impressions to have them made close to what they had before in their natural teeth. There is a small adjustment period after getting their first set of dentures, but patients get used to them in no time.

Visit Dr. Eric Meyer to discuss the many benefits of having dentures.

Bridges

Here at Dr. Eric Meyer’s dental practice, we provide multiple ways to replace missing teeth, including dental bridges. One or multiple missing teeth are replaced using a bridge made of porcelain, gold, alloy, or metal. Besides improving our patient’s ability to chew and restoring their smile, bridges help to prevent their teeth from shifting.

Our patients are always curious as to the requirements and process of getting a bridge. The main requirement for bridges is that the patient has a tooth on either side of the missing teeth, as this is where the bridge is attached. There is an abutment tooth to replace the missing teeth, plus crowns on the adjacent teeth that act as the tether for the bridge. The teeth are filed down and covered with crowns, which helps stabilize and strengthen them, so that they can support the bridge.

The better a patient takes care of their teeth and crowns, the longer the bridge lasts. Bridges are brushed twice daily just like your other teeth. Like dentures and partials, there is an adjustment period for eating with a bridge, but it isn’t too difficult once patients learn proper chewing techniques.

Like crowns and other restorative care, bridges last around 10-15 years. Our patients appreciate that this is a long-lasting option.

Call our dentist Dr. Eric Meyer at 714-879-7943 here in our Fullerton, CA dental office to schedule an appointment. When you call, be sure to ask us about our patient specials.

Crowns

Having a beautiful smile is something many of our patients long for, but their teeth can become less than perfect over time. Gum disease, tooth decay, cracks, chips, discoloration, or trauma are all factors that can lead to an imperfect smile.

Luckily, crowns, which are often referred to as caps, are an excellent way to improve the smile by covering the tooth. Crowns here at our Fullerton, CA dental office are made from porcelain and match our patient’s other teeth so they don’t stand out and fit in perfectly.

The following steps depict how the crown procedure works:

1. The tooth is first prepared by being filed down and reshaped. This is done to make room for the crown.
2. Impressions are made, which are then sent off to the dental lab.
3. In about two weeks, the patient returns to our office, where our dentist Dr. Eric Meyer bonds the crown to their tooth.
4. The crown is polished once dry.
5. Our patient is instructed to be careful with what they chew for the first few days.

This entire process takes about 2-3 weeks, but our patients are thrilled that their crowns last around 10 years on average. Visit our dental office in Fullerton, CA to find out more about getting crowns placed by Dr. Eric Meyer.