Mini Dental Implants

When looking for a permanent tooth replacement, it is important to remember that not all mouths are the same. Some mouths have more room, some teeth are bigger, and patients have different types of needs. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS provides patients with mini dental implants here in his Fullerton, CA office when a full-sized implant will not work.

Sometimes a full-sized dental implant is too big to fill the space that is open. Still desiring the best option for replacement, our patients need a smaller size. This is why we offer mini implants. They are about half the size of the full-sized implants. They are able to fit into smaller spaces and since they are smaller, they do not require surgery to be placed. This means a much quicker healing time, so permanent replacement crowns are often able to be placed the same day as the implant.

Mini implants are also great for creating a stable base for dentures. For this purpose, four to six mini implants are placed along the gum line, and the dentures are made to clip onto them. They stabilize the dentures so they fit great and do not move around. They also slow down the degeneration of the jawbone.

If you have been told a full-sized implant will not work for you or you are interested in implant-retained dentures, do not hesitate to contact us. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS in our Fullerton, CA office, call us at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Fluoride Treatment

Without practicing proper oral hygiene habits and scheduling regular dental visits, teeth become more vulnerable to cavities. Cavities are caused by acid-producing bacteria that collect around the teeth and gums or plaque, as we like to call it. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth with floss helps remove this plaque. However, another key to excellent oral hygiene is fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent cavities and can repair teeth in the very early, microscopic stages of the disease. Here at the dental practice of Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, we can discuss professional fluoride treatments with you to see if you are a prime candidate.

Depending on your oral health status, fluoride treatments may be recommended every three, six, or twelve months. The fluoride preparation used in the dental office is a much stronger concentration than that in toothpaste or fluoride mouth rinses that you may find in the store. The fluoride may be in the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish and is typically applied with a cotton swab or a brush. It can also be used as a rinse or placed in a tray that is held in the mouth for several minutes. After the treatment, you may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride to start the tooth repair process.

If you have further questions about fluoride treatments, please give us a call. To learn more about services we provide at our 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.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Commonly called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a sedation technique that Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS utilizes to help our patients feel more relaxed in the dentist’s chair. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you feel calm during a dental procedure. If you suffer from dental anxiety, you as well may benefit from nitrous oxide. The next time you schedule a dental exam, ask Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for you.

Nitrous oxide is not intended to put you to sleep. After it’s administered, you will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directs that Dr. Meyer may have. He will ask you to breathe normally through your nose, and within a few short minutes, you should start to feel the effects. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off once the mask is removed, so you will be able to drive yourself home after the procedure is complete.

If you have questions about our sedation options, please give us a call. To learn more about services we provide at our 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. 

Gum Disease Stages

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS twice a year to avoid this condition.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you have sensitive gums, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

How an Apicoectomy Saves a Tooth

When root canals fail to completely clear up a tooth infection, it means the infection is very deep. To clear up the infection for good, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS can perform an apicoectomy here in our Fullerton, CA office. An apicoectomy is a procedure to clean out a root canal from the tip of the root.

An apicoectomy may be necessary to save a tooth if one or more root canal procedures failed to keep the infection away. An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that cleans out the infection from the other side of the tooth, directly through the tooth’s root. First, Dr. Meyer will make incisions in the gums to reveal the root’s tip. Sometimes bone tissue will need to be removed to access the root, so in that case, bone tissue removal will be the next step. Upon access to the root, any infected tissue surrounding the root will be removed. The last few millimeters of the root will also be removed so the root canal can then be cleaned out and sealed again. The bone and gum tissues are put back in place and the gums are stitched together to heal.

When root canals fail, an apicoectomy is the next step to make sure the patient does not lose the tooth. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, call our Fullerton, CA office at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

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. 

Dental Benefits of Xylitol

If you wish to reduce the bacteria in your mouth and have healthier teeth, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS suggests incorporating some xylitol into your diet. Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that helps prevent cavities and unlike regular table sugar (sucrose) that causes cavities, xylitol protects the teeth from decay. The next time you decide to sweeten your coffee or tea with some sugar, reach for the xylitol instead.

Xylitol is equal in sweetness and volume to sugar and the granular form can be used in many of the ways that sugar is used, including to sweeten cereals and hot beverages. Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth consume the sugars we eat. When we eat food that contains ordinary sugar, it gives bacteria on your teeth energy, allowing them to multiply and start producing acids that can eat away the enamel on teeth. Xylitol has the properties to reduce these cavity-causing pests because the bacteria are unable to digest it.  Xylitol is widely available in health food stores and since it comes in a variety of forms, you can use it for almost anything.

If you have further questions about the dental benefits of xylitol, please give us a call. To learn about our services we provide 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.