JiaYLeeDDS

If gingivitis is left untreated, you are putting yourself at risk for more invasive dental procedures in the future, such as a deep cleaning of the gums, also known as scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gum line to treat gum disease after it’s evolved into periodontitis. If the gums develop pockets due to chronic periodontitis, Dr. Jia Y. Lee, DDS will suggest scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing work hand-in-hand to reverse periodontal disease. Dr. Jia Y. Lee, DDS will begin the procedure with dental scaling. Dental scaling uses manual hand instruments in addition to ultrasonic instruments to remove plaque from the teeth. Root planing involves a detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue. This process may take two to four visits depending on the patient’s condition. If you have questions or concerns regarding gum disease or scaling and root planing, please give us a call. To learn about ser...

We believe in improving patient education at Dr. Jia Y. Lee’s Rancho Cucamonga dental office, which is why we’re using this week’s blog post to provide information about different kinds of teeth. Understanding their function helps to understand different procedures associated with them. Normally, each jaw grows sixteen adult teeth. The incisors are the four flat teeth at the front of each. They shear food and are the most important teeth for speaking with. The upper (maxillary) ones are also the most likely to have a gap. On each side of the incisors are the cuspids, which are also called canines and eye teeth. They pierce food and the maxillary ones sometimes are prevented from erupting completely. In teenagers, this is a common reason for orthodontic treatment. The premolars and molars are the teeth used for chewing and grinding. The thick ligaments supporting them give them the stability they need to withstand bite pressure, but their enamel can be worn down by nighttime tooth grind...

If you’ve been experiencing teeth sensitivity and don’t know why, come to the Rancho Cucamonga dental office of Dr. Jia Y. Lee. While the small infections called caries are the most common reason for loss of enamel, patients also need to be on the look-out for acid reflux. This disease has consequences for oral health but is preventable through lifestyle changes. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more accurate term for what is commonly called heartburn. When the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus fails to close, stomach acid escapes upwards and burns tissues as it goes. When it reaches the mouth, it dissolves tooth enamel. The top back teeth are the first to be affected because of their position. They become discolored as they erode, acquiring a glazed look before small pits develop. GERD also puts patients at risk of developing esophageal cancer, providing one more reason to prevent it. Quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol as well as caffeine, fatty ...