Crown Lengthening

A dentist’s first goal is always to save your teeth, which means that they have developed many dental procedures that help prevent tooth extraction. In cases where cavities have decimated a tooth to a point where there is not enough tooth structure left upon which to fix a crown, our office will perform a crown lengthening.

If a tooth has broken below the gum line or if decay has developed underneath an existing crown or filling, crown lengthening allows a new crown to be placed rather than extracting the tooth.

While called crown lengthening, this common surgical procedure does not actually lengthen the crown. It actually lowers the gum line, and it does this by removing gum tissue, bone or both to expose more of the tooth and provide a foundation for the crown.

The procedure is performed with a local anesthesia to numb the area. When the area is fully numb, the Dr. Eric Meyer will make cuts to pull the gums away from the teeth and expose the roots and surrounding bone. In some cases removing a little of the gum tissue will expose enough of the tooth for placing a crown. However, it is more likely that some bone will also have to be removed from around the roots of the teeth. After removing the necessary amount of tissue and bone, the area will be washed and the gums stitched.

Our office works hard to always protect your teeth and to provide the best quality of dental care available. For more information about Dr. Eric Meyer and his services, visit www.FullertonDental.com. Call 714-879-7943 to schedule an appointment.

Periodontal (gum) care

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role in your health, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to your oral and health and overall wellness, and Dr. Eric Meyer provides the regular periodontal care checkups you need to maintain peak health and prevent gum disease.


With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. An infection of the gums, periodontal disease starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens into tartar and creates a suitable environment for bacteria to collect and attack the surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontis. Periodontis can destroy your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jaw bone, and hearth disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.


The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to our office for periodontal cleanings and treatment. We will make sure your gums are well cared for. Call 714-879-7943 to schedule an appointment. For more information about our practice, visit www.FullertonDental.com.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Dr. Eric Meyer in Fullerton commonly performs wisdom teeth extractions in Fullerton, CA. Wisdom teeth are your last set of molars to come in and usually emerge when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Since wisdom teeth can often become impacted, which means they come in at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is often necessary to remove them before they cause pain or begin to push on your other teeth.


If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. If this flap of skin forms, the tooth will be hard to clean and can be infected. This infection is called pericoronitis.


When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Meyer will extract the tooth. Many times all four are removed at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate the patient. It depends on the preference of the doctor and patient, as well as how far the wisdom tooth has emerged. After an anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured.


After the surgery, rest is required, and you will need to change the gauze applied to the incision. To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with us by calling 714-879-7943. For more information, visit www.FullertonDental.com.

Waterlase Technology

Waterlase® dental technology utilizes YSGG laser energy and a water spray to create a more comfortable experience during certain dental procedures. This technology allows Dr. Eric Meyer to use fewer shots and less anesthesia, which provides more comfort and eases patient anxiety while he performs corrective dentistry procedures. Because we always have our patients’ best interest in mind, our office chooses to use Waterlase®.


Waterlase® technology can be used to remove gum tissue, bone and decay in the tooth enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. It can do so without affecting surrounding areas, which means that you will be able to keep more of your healthy tooth structure if decay does need to be removed. The technology can also be used for root canals, smile design and bone and gum surgery. When used in preparation for cavity fillings, it can actually result in longer-lasting fillings.


This technology bypasses the pain caused by other dental tools by cutting without the use of heat, pressure or vibration, allowing dentists to cut teeth, gums and bone with less trauma. The benefits of the technology include less post-operative pain, bleeding and swelling. There is also usually less of a need for pain medication, and because it requires less anesthesia, Dr. Meyer can perform the procedures instead of referring you to an outside specialist.


For comfortable dental experience, schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Meyer by calling 714-879-7943. For more information, visitwww.FullertonDental.com.

Root Canals

While the thought of having a root canal procedure usually fills patients with dread, it is a necessary one for those who teeth become infected in the nerves. Besides causing pain, root canal infections, if left untreated, can become abscesses, which are much more serious and can spread the infection to the jaw, which can eventually lead to a loss of bone mass. At our office,  Dr. Eric Meyer can relieve your pain and save your tooth with a root canal.


Although root canals can be scary, they are well worth it to stop your pain and improve your oral health. There is some resultant soreness after the procedure, but it is only temporary and usually nothing over-the-counter painkillers cannot take care of.


During a root canal, Dr. Meyer removes the infection by applying a local anesthetic to the area and drilling into the tooth to create an opening in the canal. Then he is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area. Once the infection has been removed, your tooth will be filled with a sealant and then fitted with a crown to protect it from the infection in the future. The crown also helps improve the appearance and strength of the tooth.


Once the procedure is complete and you have healed, you will be able to eat without experiencing pain and sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure. If you’re in pain, you don’t need to suffer. Schedule an appointment with our office by calling 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!