Great oral health starts with dental exams and they should be scheduled every six months as recommended by your dentist. The first visit will typically involve a discussion with Dr. Kodali about your dental and medical history, followed by dental x-rays that can help reveal any potential problems with your teeth. Your dentist will also perform an inspection of your teeth and gums to evaluate their health.

If Dr. Kodali notices any problems during this dental exam, you will be given a treatment plan and walk through the next steps of treatment. If at any time during the dental exam you have a question, our dental team would be glad to help answer them for you.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and Dr. Kodali can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or more visible areas of the mouth.

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth tructure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. .

Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced

A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth.

for your particular case. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and can be made of porcelain fused to metal or all ceramic (metal free). Porcelain fixed bridges are most popular because they resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists to two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years; however, they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.

A denture is a removable dental appliance and a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

A complete denture can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed (usually takes 4 to 6 weeks). During this time, the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.

Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain shells that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile

Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.

Veneers are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful longlasting smile. However, are not permanent and may someday need replacement.

Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. Dr Kodali will discuss with your concerns with you and then can offer you either in-office or home teeth whitening system. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.

However, teeth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up may be needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.

Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a common inflammatory condition that affects the gums and surrounding soft tissues of the tooth, eventually affecting the jawbone itself in the disease’s most advanced stages.

A bacterial infection affects the gums when the toxins contained in plaque begin to irritate and inflame the gum tissues. Once this bacterial infection colonizes in the gum pockets between the teeth, it becomes much more difficult to remove and treat. Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that eventually leads to the destruction of the connective tissue and jawbone. If left untreated, it can cause shifting teeth, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the developed world and should always be promptly treated.

Types of Gum Diseases:

1. Bleeding gums – Gums should never bleed, during routine tooth cleaning.
2. Loose teeth – Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).
3. New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss.
4. Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
5. Pus around the teeth and gums – Sign that there is an infection present.
6. Receding gums – Loss of gum around a tooth.
7. Red and puffy gums – Gums should never be red or swollen.
8. Tenderness or Discomfort – Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.

When visiting your dentist for your dental cleanings twice a year, there are a few different procedures that will be performed. Dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your mouth including below the gum line. This gum cleaning will help ensure that you won’t be affected by gum disease later in life. Your dentist may also recommend a fluoride treatment during your cleaning to help strengthen your teeth. At the end of the visit, your dentist will inspect your smile and make sure there are no issues that need to be taken care of.

Scaling and root planing refer to the dental procedure of cleaning the tooth below the gum line. An instrument called a ‘scaler’ is used to clean below the gum line to remove tartar and plaque. This process ‘planes’ the root of the tooth and smooths it to allow the gum to re-heal around the surface of the tooth. Typically, local anesthetic is required.

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, completely safe dental materials, which restores the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Some patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or Periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!

Dental implants are strong and durable and will last many years. On occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

Orthodontics is one of many dental specialties. The word “orthodontics” is derived from the Greek words orthos, meaning proper or straight and odons meaning teeth. Orthodontics is specifically concerned with diagnosing and treating tooth misalignment and irregularity in the jaw area. Initially, orthodontic treatments were geared toward the treatment of teens and preteens, but these days around 30 percent of orthodontic patients are adults.

There are many advantages to well-aligned teeth, including easier cleaning, better oral hygiene, clearer speech and a more pleasant smile. Though orthodontic treatment can be effective at any age, the American Dental Association suggests that an orthodontic assessment should be performed around the age of seven. The earlier orthodontic treatment begins, the more quickly the problem can be successfully resolved.

One of the primary concerns people often have about dental braces is the aesthetic impact of the metalwork on their smile. Especially for adults, the prospect of wearing unattractive metal braces for long periods of time can be very discouraging. Invisalign® offers an almost invisible aligning system that straightens teeth fast and contains no metal.

Invisalign® treatment consists of a series of custom-made aligning trays. The dentist changes the trays every few weeks to fit the new tooth configuration. In addition to the reduced visual impact, Invisalign® aligning trays can be temporarily removed for important occasions – meaning that treatment duration is patient-controlled. A great number of people report complete satisfaction with both the Invisalign® treatment and the stunning results.

If you are experiencing extreme sensitivity or are suffering from advanced periodontal disease, you may be required to have a tooth extracted. With a simple extraction, the dentist can safely remove the affected tooth without the need for major surgery.

Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are usually the last four of 32 teeth to erupt (surface) in the mouth, generally making their appearance between the ages of 17 to 25. They are located at the back of the mouth (top and bottom), near the entrance to the throat. The term “wisdom” stems from the idea that the molars surface at a time typically associated with increased maturity or “wisdom”.

In most cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, the tooth can become impacted (stuck) in an undesirable or potentially harmful position. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, damage to other teeth, and possibly cysts or tumors.

Reasons to remove wisdom teeth

1. Damage to nearby teeth: Second molars (the teeth directly in front of the wisdom teeth) can be adversely affected by impacted wisdom teeth, resulting in tooth decay (cavities), periodontal disease (gum disease) and possible bone loss.
2. Disease: Although uncommon, cysts and tumors can occur in the areas surrounding impacted wisdom teeth.
3. Infection: Bacteria and food can become trapped under the gum tissue, resulting in an infection. The infection can cause considerable pain and danger.
4. Tooth Crowding: It has been theorized that impacted wisdom teeth can put pressure on other teeth and cause them to become misaligned (crowded or twisted). This theory isn’t universally accepted by all dental professionals, and it has never been validated by any scientific studies.

Dental emergencies can be quite frightening and often painful. Prompt treatment is almost always required to alleviate pain and to ensure the teeth have the best possible chance of survival.

Sometimes, teeth become fractured by trauma, grinding, or biting on hard objects. In other cases, fillings, crowns, and other restorations can be damaged or get dislodged completely. If there is severe pain, it is essential to contact our office immediately. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize physical health.

Types of dental emergencies

1. Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out)
2. Lost filling or crown
3. Cracked or broken teeth
4. Dislodged/loose teeth

Our staff at Bridge West Dental are kids friendly, maintain a warm and welcoming environment to make the experience of children at the dentist fun yet informative.

We offer a complete range of services for children including oral health exams, preventive care through regular check-ups to monitor growth and cleaning, filling cavities, assessment for orthodontics, and treating gum disease. We highly encourage parents of infants to bring their children for a visit with Dr. Kodali when the first tooth erupts. This happens usually between the ages of 6 and 12 months. It is essential to inculcate good oral habits in children which may go a long way.

If you experience anxiety when going to the dentist, even for regular visits – don’t worry! You are not alone! Anxiety or trepidation about the dentist is very common. Even though advancements in dental technology has drastically decreased the amount of pain experienced during treatment and increased the levels of comfort, some people are still anxious.

Sedation dentistry is a solution that we offer that can help to eliminate fear entirely! During the dental procedure, the patient is administered a type of sedation that reduces anxiety while in the dental chair, so that patient can get his / her treatment done comfortably.

Loss of natural teeth, failure to replace missing teeth or progressive tooth wear sometimes created by consumption of acidic soda based drinks or due to gastric reflux disorders create a complex problem in dental management. This leads to a poor unaesthetic smile and may be further complicated by frequent headaches and TM Joint pain.

Such patients with advanced dental bite problems require comprehensive dental care that aims at full mouth rehabilitation to restore the teeth to their ideal form and provide a good smile with a healthy joint. A full mouth rehabilitation allows you to not only regain functionality of your mouth, but also experience the beauty of a perfect smile.

One of the most significant advances in the dental industry over the past few years has been the development of Digital X-Ray processing. Digital X-Rays allow us to process and view your X-Rays much faster than traditional dental X-Rays. With digital X-Rays, the finished image is sent directly to our computer system so we can quickly inspect them.

Digital X-Rays also help the patient by allowing the dentist to complete their dental work faster, without needing to wait for conventional X-Ray films to develop. Because the final X-Ray is a digital file, X-Rays can easily be transferred to a new dentist should you ever move.

Digital X-Rays are a great improvement over traditional dental X-Rays. If it has been a while since you had a dental exam, visit our offices today to try digital X-rays for yourself.