JiaYLeeDDS

When you have teeth removed or missing, the jaw will start to weaken in that area. Dental implants are a common procedure for tooth replacement. But if your jaw isn’t strong enough to house the implant, you might need to undergo a bone graft. This will strengthen your jaw bone so you can accommodate an implant. Dr. Jia Y. Lee DDS offers bone grafting procedures to our patients.   At the first appointment with Dr. Lee, he will determine whether the bone graft is necessary. X-rays are used to see how much jaw is available and the condition of the bone. If it is needed, the next part of the process will begin. There are a few different ways to receive a bone graft. For some patients, bone is taken from another area of their mouth. Sometimes it’s taken from their hip or tibia. Grafts can also be received from tissue banks. Regardless of how the bone is collected, Dr. Lee will inspect it for size and functionality.   Dr. Lee will begin by placing you under general anesthesia. An incision wi...

This April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Jia Y. Lee provides oral cancer screenings at our practice in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to detect and diagnose oral cancer. You should not only schedule bi-annual checkups with Dr. Lee but come in anytime you experience strange oral symptoms.   If you notice anything new in your mouth, especially symptoms lasting over two weeks, you need to make an appointment ASAP. This is often an indicator of a serious medical condition. Make sure to be on the lookout for these symptoms:   Mouth sores or ulcers that take two weeks to heal, a strange coloring of the gums, lumps or hard spots, bumps that bleed easily, and/or a lump on the outside of your neck that has been present for at least two weeks.   The symptoms for HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer differ from the ones listed above. For this, you might experience a sore or hoarse throat, a constant cough, a lump on the neck, difficulties swallowing, and...

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic. It is a new, quicker version of creating and placing dental crowns and veneers. At our practice in Rancho Cucamonga, CA., Dr. Jia Y. Lee, D.D.S. understands that everyday life is busy. CEREC dental crowns keep you on schedule and out the door quick.   At your appointment with Dr. Lee, the two of you will discuss your eligibility for CEREC. This depends on the amount of healthy tooth structure that you have. The anesthetic will be applied and your tooth will be prepared for restoration. This just entails the removing of decay and weakened tooth tissue.   Next, a three-dimensional image of the tooth is taken. A digital scan is used. The computer converts this image into the model. The milling device takes this and creates your restoration in a few minutes. After we determine if the restoration fits right and feels okay, it will be polished and bonded to your teeth.   There are many advantages to CEREC. Dental restorat...

Endodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on the roots and nerves of the teeth. The most common of these procedures is the root canal. Dr. Jia Y. Lee, D.D.S. offers root canal services at our office in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. But unlike some dentists, Dr. Lee offers rotary endodontics, a newer and quicker type of root canal.   When a tooth becomes infected the cause is often in the roots. A root canal opens the tooth up, allowing us to remove the infected materials. At your appointment, Dr. Lee will use an electrically-powered instrument to drill into the root canal. This special rotary endodontic tool makes the procedure quicker and less painful. After drilling, the infected area will be thoroughly cleaned, with any damaged tissue being removed. A sealant will be applied and then a dental crown.   You should expect some soreness following the procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers should be more than enough for pain management. Make sure to follow any and all post-operative ins...

Modern day technology has made all the difference in the dental world. It makes procedures and routines easier, for both the patient and our staff. It’s a privilege to have, and it is a privilege that Dr. Jia Y. Lee, D.D.S. is happy to provide for our patients. Our intraoral camera is one of these pieces of technology.   The intraoral camera is used as a diagnostic tool, allowing us to see areas and angles in your mouth that were previously inaccessible. The camera projects what it sees onto the monitor. The patient and the staff both get an up-close view. From here, Dr. Lee can see any potential problems or issues. If you are struggling with your oral health, this can identify the problem. A diagnosis can be made from these images. Together you and Dr. Lee can create a treatment plan that works for you. These images can also be used to gain acceptance for procedures from your insurance company too.   There are other benefits to using an intraoral camera. These cameras are highly advan...

Inlays and Onlays are often thought of or referred to as partial crowns. They are similar to porcelain veneers, differing in their function as more of an extension rather than a replacement. Dr. Jia Y. Lee wants you to have a smile that you can be proud of. Which is why he offers inlay/onlay services. If you are interested in reshaping your smile, schedule your appointment at our office in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.   While veneers are more of a cosmetic procedure, inlays/onlays serve a more functional purpose. Inlays/onlays are used to strengthen your teeth by restoring its shape. This will prevent further damage from occurring. When there isn’t any previous damage to the tooths cusps an inlay is used. It can be placed directly on. For an onlay, the damage to the tooth is more extensive. It’s placed onto the chewing surface on the back of the tooth. This essentially replaces one or more of the cusps.   This procedure takes between 2-3 appointments with Dr. Lee. The procedure starts with th...

Dental hygiene shouldn’t be regarded as a luxury; it’s crucial to overall health. Scientists have made great progress in recent years learning about the connection between oral infections and non-oral diseases. We at Dr. Jia Lee’s Rancho Cucamonga dental practice have been pleased to see some unexpected areas in which dental health can improve a person’s life, including the management of cirrhosis. The liver plays a crucial role in filtering toxic substances out of the bloodstream. But if it becomes chronically inflamed it can develop scar tissue and won’t function as well. This is how people develop cirrhosis, and one of its consequences is that they suffer widespread inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the brain can cause a patient to develop mood swings and a cognitive haze. Gum disease is found in unusually high levels in people with cirrhosis. This is partly because both are associated with smoking and alcohol, but recent studies indicated that people with non-alcoho...