Replacing Missing Teeth with Implants with Escondido Dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

It is vital in modern dentistry to remain current through continuing education. One of the exciting new fields of dentistry is implantology, the use of tiny titanium posts that are seated in the jawbone below the gums. Titanium implants are exciting because titanium and bone tissue have a very close and compatible relationship. When implants are threaded into bone, a process called osseo-integration occurs where the titanium and bone fuse together. Not only is titanium biocompatible and strong, it knits to surrounding bone.

In the spaces where teeth are missing, underlying bone begins to deteriorate, literally wasting away. Bone is a tissue like muscle and must work to stay strong and healthy. When unemployed, bone weakens and erodes; however, when a replacement crown is fastened to an implant rooted in the jawbone, the work of biting and chewing hardens underlying bone and halts the erosive process. Teeth mounted on titanium implants look, feel and act like natural teeth.

In January, 2011 Dr. Kerbs entered a one-year residency program at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry to study the very latest in implant technology and technique. Dr. Kerbs successfully completed this course in December, 2011. With the completion of this exciting program, Dr. Kerbs has the advanced training to be certain that the surgical implant placement is correct and perfect for restoration. This insures the esthetic porcelain crowns can be placed over the implants so that they can look natural; so natural that it looks like the tooth grew there on its own.

With precision implants, Dr. Kerbs opens a whole new world of possibilities in helping those who have lost teeth achieve healthy, functioning, and beautiful smiles.

Dr. Kerbs will be happy to discuss the exciting possibilities of implants with you. If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to come in for a consultation.

#760-746-3663    240 South Hickory Street Suite #207  Escondido, CA 92025

**This patient came to Dr. Kerbs with a congenitally missing lateral tooth. This patient also presented with spacing between her teeth. She wanted the missing tooth replaced and her smile to look more even. Dr. Kerbs placed an implant and porcelain crown to replace the missing tooth and did composite chair-side veneers to lengthen and widen the teeth to create a more even look to her smile.**

Porcelain Veneers with Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

A veneer is a thin all porcelain cap that covers the face of the tooth in order to achieve a desired cosmetic result. A set of veneers can change the shape, length, width, edge, color, and ultimately the entire appearance of your smile.

When Dr. Kerbs is preparing a cosmetic case he takes your desires and needs, your face shape, as well as your smile shape, and sculpts and creates your new smile so that it is a custom fit. Dr. Kerbs has an artistic eye and his smiles turn out absolutely incredible, so natural looking that not one person would be able to tell that your veneers are not your natural teeth.

Dr. Kerbs is a perfectionist and it shows in his work. It is Dr. Kerbs artistry along with his advanced techniques that allows his veneers to stand out as the absolute best results available.

Dr. Kerbs uses only the highest quality materials. They are the most biocompatable materials with no metal, this makes them the healthiest option for restoring your smile. They are the strongest materials available, making them the longest lasting and durable veneers available. They are the most esthetic veneers available to give you the most natural looking teeth available.

Veneers are an option for many of our patients that are looking for a beautiful end result. With veneers we could be looking to fix several things:

• Veneers have the ability to permanently whiten your teeth.

We have some patients present with dark yellow spots, bright white spots, dark lines through their teeth, etc. Most of these conditions resulted from an interruption in the growth of the tooth or a permanent stain caused from a systemic condition and can not be corrected with traditional whitening options. When this is the case, veneers can be an option to permanently whiten your teeth.

• Veneers have the ability to straighten your teeth and widen your smile.

We have some patents that have crowding and narrow smiles that do not want to go through the Invisalign process or have braces. In this case, veneers can be an option to instantly straighten your teeth.

• Veneers can alter and improve the look of your teeth – change their width, length, shape, close spacing, and fix chipped and worn teeth.

We have some patients that have a desire to change the overall appearance of their smile. We can change the shape, width, length, and size of the teeth. With veneers we can create a more full looking smile and ultimately a better cosmetic result.

With veneers we are able to create a beautiful, youthful, healthy smile that you are happy to show off.

The above and below are examples of Dr. Kerbs Porcelain Veneers

Sedation Dentistry with Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

It is our goal at Dr. Kerbs Office to make you comfortable and have everything available for you to make your visits anxiety free. Our dental office offers sedation dentistry so that your visit is anxiety-free from start to finish. Unfortunately, for many of the population, anxiety is one of the main reasons why people stay away from the dentist. Regular dental care is what helps avoid major problems with the teeth and gums and is what helps prevent large dental treatment from being needed. We want you to feel comfortable and look forward to your dental visits, so that you stay regular with your care and have healthy teeth and gums for life. For this reason we offer sedation as an option to make your dental visits easy and stress-free.

Sedation dentistry is something that more and more people are opting for to create a relaxed experience in the dental chair. At our office we offer this to our patients at no charge in order to insure that we are doing absolutely everything that we can to help our patients achieve dental health.

Sedation dentistry at Dr. Kerbs office consists of a combination of laughing gas and xanax, this combination creates the mind and body to relax to the point of almost sleep. We offer warm blankets, heated neck wraps, and massage chairs to tuck you in before your appointment and make sure that you are comfortable and anxiety free throughout your entire visit.

Our patients become so relaxed that most fall asleep in the chair, or come very close to it. Don’t worry about falling asleep, we have a special way to relax your mouth in an open position while controlling the water and saliva so that you are comfortable. In this way, your appointment goes by fast while being relaxed throughout your procedures.

There are all kinds of reasons why anxiety can go along with dentistry, our goal is to alleviate that anxiety and help you through your dental appointments each step of the way.

Sedation dentistry can be the answer to help you overcome your dental anxiety and in this way lead you to a healthy mouth for life. Please let us know if you or a loved one could benefit from this, we are here to answer all of your questions.

240 South Hickory Street Suite #207, Escondido 92025 760-746-3663

Straight Teeth with Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

Invisalign is an incredible technology that has the ability to turn a crowded smile into a straight beautiful smile, all without the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces.

Dr. Kerbs has been treating his patients at his Escondido office with orthodontics (braces) for over twenty years and has been treating his patients with Invisalign for over ten years. He has a trained eye to evaluate your smile and perform the treatment needed to reach a beautiful cosmetic result.

We currently offer both options to our patients, traditional braces and Invisalign. With Dr. Kerbs expertise in the way teeth move he is able to take on most cases, even advanced cases, with Invisalign.

A straight, aligned smile can make a huge difference in your life. There are many health benefits as well as cosmetic benefits to having straight teeth, both are sure to impact your life.

Straightening teeth has many health benefits:

Crowded/Uneven teeth cause:

• Buildup of plaque and tarter
• Harboring of harmful periodontal bacteria
• Risk of periodontal disease, tooth, and bone loss

Spacing/Gaps between the teeth cause:

• Food lodging and packing between the teeth
• Risk of sore and tender gums
• Risk of periodontal disease

Deep Bite/Over Bite/Edge-to-Edge Bite/Mis-aligned Bite/ Mal-occlusion

• Over-erupted lower front teeth damaging the palate
• Wear and Chipping of the upper and lower front teeth
• Shortened/Worn down front teeth
• Mobile teeth
• Periodontal Disease
• Jaw/Joint pain

Straightening teeth has many cosmetic benefits:

• Crowded teeth look uneven and have the ability to look old
• Crowded teeth collect more stain and can look dark and dirty
• Collapsed teeth have the ability to create shadows in the back areas of the mouth – sometimes making it look like teeth are missing
• Collapsed teeth can make a smile look narrow
• Spacing can be distracting

The health and cosmetic benefits of straightening your smile are huge. We have patients that have had a history of either heavy tarter buildup, stain, periodontal disease, mobile teeth, and/or jaw pain that now, with straight and aligned teeth, have eliminated these conditions. Time and time again we have patients tell us that they had no idea how a beautiful smile could impact their lives, take years off of their face, and ultimately be the best cosmetic procedure that they have ever done.

We are so pleased with our patients results after they have finished with their treatment with either braces or Invisalign. We see a huge difference in health and appearance, it’s truly amazing.

A straight, beautiful smile is a possibility!  It could significantly change your life by improving your health, function, and appearance. We are here to answer any questions that you may have and to guide you through the process of achieving a new beautiful smile. You can call us at our Escondido office any time: 760-746-3663. We look forward to hearing from you!

Get Rid Of Cavities With Sugar?? YES! Xylitol!! Preventative Dental Care at Escondido Dentist, Dr. Kerbs Office

At Dr. Kerbs Office, located in Escondido, we are constantly looking for new and effective ways to prevent dental disease, such as cavities and gum disease. We have found something so amazing! It is safe, effective, and easy to use.

Imagine a sweetener that is widely distributed throughout nature and manufactured from natural sources such as:

• birch tress
• cane
• corn cobs and stalks
• fruits
• vegetables
• berries
• mushrooms
• and lettuce 

It has the same sweetness as sugar (sucrose) but with none of the negative tooth decay or insulin-release effects of sugar! Now imagine that it can reduce instances of tooth decay up to 80%! Fantasy? Not at all! It’s XYLITOL.

Pure xylitol, a white crystalline substance that looks like sugar, was discovered in the late 19th century. In the early ’70′s , the first dental significance of xylitol - IT’S ABILITY TO PREVENT CAVITIES - was discovered.

Xylitol was approved by the FDA in 1986. It has been proven to reduce plaque, reduce the secretion of plaque acids, fight the development of cavities, facilitate the remineralization of tooth enamel, and even reverse existing cavities. It has been recommended as a natural replacement for fluoride.

Xylitol is readily available and can be found in

• mouthwash
• toothpaste
• mouth spray
• chewing gum
• tablets
• mints
• and even candy

Because it has little effect on blood sugar levels, it is safe for use by diabetics and by people who are hypoglycemic.

Now, imagine a health regimen that your children won’t resist! You are absolutely right…. It’s daily xylitol! We recommend 6 – 8 doses daily. You can use a combination of any of the xylitol products (toothpaste or mouthwash in the morning and at night, and 4-6 pieces of gum, mints, candy, or mouthspray throughout the day. It’s effective and simple!

We carry several different products in our office including: mouthwash, mouth spray, toothpaste, and gum. Our product flavors are mint, citrus, grape, and watermelon. Other xylitol products can be found in health food stores such as Jimbo’s, Henry’s, and Sprouts.

More information on xylitol to come….

If you have any questions about xylitol and how it can be beneficial to your family, call us! 760-746-3663

TMJ Treatment and Occlusion Treatment by Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

The Internationally Renowned Kois Center

Dr. Kerbs is committed to ongoing learning. He carefully seeks out the most qualified, state-of-the -art, and advanced education opportunities. As such, he has undergone in-depth training at the very prestigious Kois Center.

The Kois Center, located in Seattle, Washington, was founded by Dr. John C. Kois. Dr. Kois developed this institution as a means of supporting his mission of “enabling motivated dentists to achieve extraordinary levels, expanding both knowledge and application skills in restorative dentistry.”

The nine-course curriculum is designed to advance the use of implants, periodontics, restorations, and aesthetic dental care. By using a variety of learning tools, including computer animation and live video demonstration, participants experience a comprehensive view of all procedures.

When Dr. Kerbs attended the Kois Center two years ago, his focus was on Occlusion (the way the teeth come together and function in a bite). After successfully completing both stage one and two of the program, Dr. Kerbs has been applying all that he learned to help you achieve wellness and optimal balance.

Dr. Kerbs has a solid knowledge of handling occlusion issues. From diagnosis to treatment, to ongoing management, he is able to relieve the stress of temporomandibular disorder (TMJ/TMD) and protect the joints, teeth, and mouth tissues from further problems.

We have promised to always deliver you the most current care possible.  We continue to seek out the best learning opportunities in order to bring you the absolute best comprehensive care available.

Treatment of Grinding/Clenching – Preventative and Restorative Dentistry by Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

More than 80% of our patients show evidence of grinding and clenching their teeth. What we find is that most of our patients are unaware that they have this habit and are not able to see the evidence until it’s too late and treatment is needed to repair the damage.

• Tooth grinding and clenching can be very damaging to your individual teeth, creating a sawed-off look to the teeth, aged look to the teeth, and it can also crack the teeth resulting in a loss of a tooth.
• It can damage your joints and muscles, causing TMJ/TMD problems.
• Your bite can be altered which can cause traumatic occlusion, creating bone loss and pain, and eventually the proportions of your face can change, creating an old and collapsed look to the lower part of your face.

If left untreated, major reconstruction of the teeth and bite may be needed. If caught early, a simple night guard could be the solution to prevent major problems in the future.

**This patient had worn down her two front teeth, Dr. Kerbs restored her smile to its natural beauty with whitening and all porcelain veneers on her two front teeth. A nightgaurd was formed to prevent further damage and wear in the future.**

We are committed to your health and well-being. It is our goal to prevent damage to your teeth before it happens and to prevent major restorative bills in your future.

If you have any questions about this or know someone who may find value in this information, please pass it on!

The Mouth to Body Connection – Holistic Dentistry by Escondido Dentist – Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

In the last few years there has been an advance in knowledge on the connection between the health of the mouth and the health of the body. We are committed to each of our patients’ health and well-being and are committed to achieving and maintaining a healthy mouth in order to live a healthy life.

Research has found that the oral–systemic connection is one that should be taken seriously. There are many areas of the body that can be affected by poor oral health and dental disease. Here are some of the facts that are important to be aware of:

The Link Between The Mouth and Heart Disease

• When disease is present in the mouth, there is a direct path to the bloodstream which passes through the heart.
• This direct relation from the mouth to the heart has been linked to Coronary Artery Disease.
• Research has shown that treatment of dental disease – specifically gum treatment (also called periodontal treatment) has the ability to improve the condition of the arteries in the heart, therefore alleviating some health risks.

The Link Between The Mouth and Diabetes

• When diabetes exists and is uncontrolled, there is a direct correlation to a slowed healing process and the risk of infection goes up.
• Properly controlled diabetes is extremely important, healthy blood sugar levels  promote health and healing, whereas uncontrolled blood sugar levels (specifically uncontrolled type 2 diabetes patients) have been found to be more likely to develop gum and periodontal disease.
• Studies have shown that keeping the mouth healthy and free from disease improves diabetic patients’ blood sugar levels. Furthermore, if gum and periodontal disease exists, studies have shown that with periodontal treatment, a healthier body and healthy blood sugar levels exist.

The Link Between The Mouth and Osteoporosis

• The medication that manages osteoporosis often includes bisphosphonate drugs. This type of medication has been linked to the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw.
• It is important when taking this type of medication to stay very regular with dental cleaning and visits. When the gums, bone, and teeth are kept healthy, the risk of large dental treatment needed goes down, therefore the risk of any procedure that could cause a jaw fracture goes down considerably.
• We recommend that if the treatment of Osteoporosis includes a prescription of a bisphosphonate drug by your medical doctor, regular dental exams and cleanings should be preformed as a prevention routine.

The Link Between The Mouth and Arthritis

• Patients suffering from Arthritis have been shown to be more likely to develop gum and periodontal disease, as well as be prone to losing teeth.
• This can be controlled with regular dental exams and cleanings. By catching the development of disease forming in the mouth at an early stage, we can take the proper preventative and early treatment precautions in order to maintain dental health.

The Link Between The Mouth and Cancer

• When the mouth is exposed to outside factors like smoking, alcohol, and sun exposure there is an increased risk of dental disease and oral cancer.
• Oral cancer starts small and often goes un-noticed until it is further along in the growth process resulting in a poor prognosis. Identifying the signs and symptoms early can help avoid disfiguring surgeries and can prolong your life. We have a dental scope that allows us to catch oral cancer at the earliest stage which allows for a much better prognosis.

Providing our patients with the best care available is our goal, we are able to do this with Dr. Kerbs expertise and his knowledge that he passes on to his team and his patients. We care about each one of our patients’ health and well being and look forward to serving each and every one of them.

Dr. Jeffry Kerbs – Escondido Dental Blog: You have a question… We have an answer!

 

All day long, my team and I answer your questions.. and we do so with care in knowing that if it is a concern of yours, it is our concern.

Educating and providing knowledge about dentistry and health is what we are here for and what we love to do. However, after initially meeting each of our patients and completing the needed restorative treatment, we mostly see our patients every 3 to 6 months. Dental health questions or knowledge on different dental procedures may be of concern before your next appointment, and you may not want to wait until then to gain the knowledge you are seeking.

It is for this reason that we have developed an office blog, in this way we can stay in touch more often and answer any questions that you or a friend or loved one may have about anything that encompasses dental knowledge.

We encourage questions, so that we may provide the answers you are seeking. Chances are if you have a question, others may be seeking the same knowledge, and by publicly writing on these questions and answering them we can benefit others and their dental health. In the end, we want everyone to live a happy and healthy life and we believe that keeping the mouth a healthy environment and smiling is one of the ways to do this.

You can write us with your questions right here on our blog, call us at 760-746-3663 or email us at drkerbsoffice@sbcglobal.net

Escondido Cosmetic Dentistry – BEWARE… EDUCATE YOURSELF!

Recently Dr. Kerbs opened up his browser online and saw this catching title on his home page “White Lies: Five Secrets Your Cosmetic Dentist May Not Tell You”. Curious, he clicked on the link and read the  article published by Daily Finance.

Dr. Kerbs then shared this article with our team… we thought we would share it with you. This article is relevent, and true. There are many misconceptions as to who is truly qualified to perform cosmetic dentistry and that there is a difference.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/white-lies-five-secrets-your-cosmetic-dentist-may-not-tell-you/19885966?a_dgi=aolshare_email

Dr. Kerbs has been practicing cosmetic dentistry in Escondido for over 20 years and has been Accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, has had extensive training at the LVI institute, and has trained under Dr. Kois at the Kois Center. Dr. Kerbs continues to dedicate himself to advancing his skills as a cosmetic dentist with art and science.

Dr. Kerbs works with a lab technician who is Accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and who shares Dr. Kerbs artistic eye and health standards of care. Together, they produce beautiful work that fuctions and lasts.

Cosmetic Dentistry has made so many advances in recent years and staying up and educated on all of the latest techniques and materials available is something that Dr. Kerbs is dedicated to. Dr. Kerbs is a leader in the field of cosmetic dentistry and brings his expertise to his patients in Escondido every day that he practices.

We reccommend that you do your research, find out what is being placed in your mouth and how it is being placed. Your teeth are important and your dentist should care about each of your teeth, how they look and function, as much as you do!