Loop
What to expect after surgery
- Bleeding is normal and may even ooze from the surgical site.
- Roll a piece of gauze and apply pressure change gauze every 20 mins or sooner as needed.
- Swelling near the surgical site is normal.
- You can apply an ice pack wrapped in a paper towel to the outside of your face to help reduce swelling
- Pain and discomfort will occur after any surgical procedure please follow the provided medication schedule for the next 48hrs
- Small pieces of bone may continue to be expelled from the surgical site as a normal part of healing
- After any SEDATION a driver must be present at the end of your appointment to help you to the car and strong enough to assist you into the car
- After leaving the office a caretaker must stay with you for the remainder of the day
Post surgical instructions
Do
- Rinse the site and adjacent teeth 5x daily for the first 5 days with the given antiseptic rinse and brush tip
- After first 5 days, continue to rinse the surgical site 3x daily until post-op appointment
- Brush teeth 3x daily until post op appointment
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth for 2 weeks
- Ice for 15-20 mins 4x daily if needed to reduce swelling
Do NOT
- Smoke or vape for 1 week
- smoking promotes bleeding and interferes with healing
- Spit or suck through a straw for 2 weeks
- as it may dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket
- Disturb the wound by touching the site or stiches with fingers or your tongue
- Exercise for 24hrs after procedure
- Sneeze or blow your nose after a sinus lift
Dental Surgery FAQs
What can I eat?
Eat soft foods the day of surgery. While your extraction site is healing avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and avoid crunchy and hard foods.
When can I return to work?
You should be able to return to work right away.
Can I drink Alcohol?
Avoid any alcohol consumption for 24hrs after any sedation.
Can I use THC?
No THC in any form for 24hrs post procedure.
Why is there still a hole where my tooth was removed?
It is normal for an extraction site to take up to 2 months to close completely and heal.
What is the white material coming out of my extraction site?
It is likely not an infection. We over pack the site with white graft material. It is a healthy part of healing for excess to be expelled.
There are a few different options to replace missing teeth. A popular method to replace teeth is through an implant bridge. Implant bridges use implants placed in the mouth and tooth-like pontics to replace missing teeth. Dr Clark uses state of the art technology and modern techniques to make the procedure a comfortable. Implant bridges has been found to a the preferred way to restore missing teeth- providing a long term solution.
Before & After
Dental care does not have to break the bank.
We do our best to make payment simple. We accept cash, checks, debit cards and all major credit cards at the time of treatment. Finance options are available through Care Credit. This is a great way to help you finance your necessary procedures when the above options are not available. You can often complete the process quickly at our office to meet your needs. Please call us to find out more.
We are contracted with the following dental insurance companies:
- Ameritas
- Assurant
- Blue Shield of CA
- Cigna (Radius Network)
- Delta Dental PPO/Premier
- Guardian
- Healthnet
- Lincoln National
- Met Life
- Premier Access
- Principal Financial
- Sun Life Financial
- Tricare
- United Concordia
- United Health Care Dental
Send us a message
Hours
What is an implant?
The number one question that I am asked about by my patients and friends is “what is a dental implant?” An implant is the best technology that we have today to replace a missing tooth. Previously the only options for replacing a missing or failing tooth was by placing a bridge or having the patient wear a removable partial denture. Removable partials or “Flippers” are cumbersome and frustrating to most patients. Bridges are cemented in and are more favorable than partial dentures, but in order to place the bridge the adjacent teeth to the missing tooth must be prepared by the dentist to be used as anchor teeth. Also cleaning under the bridge can be more difficult for the patient and can cause periodontal issues. Implants on the other hand are placed without harming adjacent teeth yielding a tooth that retains more of its natural form, feel, and look.
Does bleaching hurt my teeth?
Many of my patients and friends ask me about bleach because everyone is interested in having a bright youthful smile. As your dentist, I recommend treating with gel bleaches used in conjunction with a custom fitted tray. For most patients bleach is a safe effective way of removing coffee, tea, and soda stains, transforming your smile back to a bright one quickly. The side effects are few and are all reversible. They range from chemical burns from gel bleaching (if a high-concentration oxidizing agent contacts unprotected tissues, which may bleach or discolor mucous membranes), sensitive teeth, over bleaching (known in the profession as “bleached effect”, particularly with the intensive treatments (products that provide a large change in tooth color over a very short treatment period, e.g., 1 hour). Pain if you have “sensitive teeth” caused by open dentinal tubules. Risk of increased hot/cold sensitivity.
What is a Veneer?
The demand for cosmetic dentistry in El Dorado HIlls is high. For adults that want to have a perfect youthful smile without 2 years of braces, we can often do it in the matter of a couple of weeks. Sometimes this can be done with simple bleaching and bondings to whiten and brighten the smile.
Another option is porcelain veneers. Veneers are ceramic facings that we use to mimic enamel in aesthetics and strength. We can instantly correct mild crowding, discoloration, spacing, and enamel irregularities such as fluorosis and deep stains caused by antibiotic use like tetracycline. The process is simple, we have you come into to our dental office in Town Center for a consultation. You will receive a dental examine and a few photographs of your teeth. Then we can look at the pictures together and design the optimal smile. With the use of dental software I can show you a preview of your new smile.
Dr. Clark is passionate about Smile Designs and have spent years accumulating knowledge and experience.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are a plastic coating painted on the grooved, hard-to-reach surfaces of the back teeth. Pits and fissures on these surfaces are particularly susceptible to tooth decay. Dental sealants can be used to seal out cavity-causing bacteria from damaging the teeth. At Clark Dental we use sealants on children and adults to protect teeth that have a high susceptibility to dental decay.
Do you offer tooth-colored fillings? Can they replace my metal fillings?
The placement of tooth-colored composite and porcelain fillings is one of the most commonly performed general dentistry procedures by Dr Clark. In addition to filling new cavities, these beautiful restorations can replace old metal fillings that have blackened, fractured, popped out, or that simply take away from the beauty of your smile.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Nearly anyone who is missing one or more teeth, and desires a superior, long-lasting aesthetic result is a good candidate for dental implants. However, patients must have enough bone to support and stabilize the implant. Some individuals who have suffered bone loss as a result of gum disease or another condition may need bone grafting before a dental implant can be placed successfully. Dr Clark, your El Dorado Hills Dentist in the Town Center is skilled in the bone grafting and dental implant procedures and will be glad to work with you to eliminate the gaps in your smile. Contact our cosmetic dentistry practice in Astoria today to get started.
What is sedation dentistry? How can it help me?
Sedation (sleep) dentistry involves the use of sedative drugs so that patients who fear dental work can avoid the discomfort and anxiety associated with dental visits. With sedation dentistry, patients take a pill about an hour before their dental appointment. They arrive at our office relaxed and able to undergo treatment without feeling any pain or having any memory of the procedure. At Clark Dental we care a great deal about your comfort and will do just about anything to help you feel at home and have a pain-free experience.
If you have avoided getting dental care because of anxiety or fear of discomfort, sedation dentistry may be the ideal solution to allow you to get essential treatment.
How can I finance my general or cosmetic dentistry treatments?
We understand that times are tough and the current economy and recession have made it difficult for all of us and so for this reason we do everything that we can to take the sting out of the treatment that you need. We offer an array of financing options that allow patients to spread the cost of their general or cosmetic dentistry over time. We also accept payment by a variety of methods, including payment through dental insurance and several dental health care financing companies such as Care Credit. As an El Dorado HIlls Dentist Dr. Clark is committed to bringing you the best care that is available in the most affordable way.
What Causes Periodontal Diseases?
Plaque, a thin, colorless, sticky film containing bacteria, which constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria use carbohydrates—sugars and starches—to produce an acid that attacks the enamel covering the teeth. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel can be broken down and a cavity begins. Continued acid attacks eventually dissolve the enamel and penetrate the softer, inner layer of the tooth, where decay can spread rapidly throughout the tooth’s structure. Acid attacks begin immediately after every meal or snack and last about 20 to 30 minutes. We care about periodontal disease and are committed to its prevention so that our patients can enjoy there smiles forever.
Can Periodontal Diseases Be Prevented?
Teeth can be protected from acid attacks by removing plaque, reducing the number of times and the amount of sugar and starches eaten, using fluorides, having plastic sealants applied to teeth, and by regular professional cleaning of teeth by a dental hygienist.
How do I get rid of bad breath?
That depends on what is causing it. Often, bad breath results from less-than-optimal oral health, and sometimes people are not aware that they are not performing oral hygiene as effectively as they could be. A dental hygienist or dentist will be able to evaluate your oral health procedures and make recommendations for improvement; also, these professionals will be able to recognize any associated problems that might be contributing to an unpleasant mouth odor. In addition to evaluating and suggesting alterations to your brushing, flossing, and tongue deplaquing regimen, your dental hygienist may recommend products such as a mouthrinse that contains zinc. If it turns out that the problem isn’t in the mouth, a physician appointment is advisable. Sinus problems, stomach problems, certain foods and medications, and other factors can contribute to bad breath. Dr. Clark cares about his patients and is willing to sit down with you to discover the answers to problems like these and give you solutions that will improve your life.
Gingivectomy is performed when a patient is unhappy with their “gummy smile”. A dental laser is used in this procedure to do precise tissue contouring to achieve a more appealing smile. This quick procedure has a rapid healing process with immediate results. Excess gum can be removed to allow for a brighter smile and it can be life changing!
Before & After
Full Mouth Rehabilitation involves the restoration of severely worn dentition. Severe wear on teeth can be from grinding, clenching, and erosion from acidic foods. These factors can result in worn enamel, staining, and weakened teeth. To restore these weakened teeth, we do a full set of veneers and crowns on all teeth. This does not only strengthen all the teeth, but it can also perfect the bite, instantly align the teeth, and have amazing cosmetic results! We use a dental lab in El dorado Hills that specializes in making each crown custom for the patient, which allows the patient to customize their smile.
Before & After
Whitening is our most popular cosmetic treatment because it is cost effective and has quick results. We have two options for whitening teeth, one which is performed in the office and has same day results. Another option is our take home bleach trays, which are custom made for each patient and you can bleach on your own time in the comfort of your own home. When you purchase our bleach trays you automatically enter our whitening for life program which provides bleach at each cleaning appointment for the rest of your life! We have tested many products and selected the best whitening material for our patients.
White, tooth colored fillings can restore decayed and fractured teeth. Have older amalgam or mercury fillings? Those can be replaced as well to give you a white smile again. We use a combination of porcelain and composite materials to restore your teeth to their natural white appearance!
When the pulp of a tooth dies or becomes irreversibly inflamed a root canal may be needed. During the procedure of a root canal the pulp of the tooth is removed. After the pulp is removed the hollow canals are then cleaned and refilled with a filling material called gutta percha. Before the procedure, the area is numbed which makes the procedure painless. Doing root canals can help save a tooth that was once infected.
Dental hygiene is one of the most important services that we provide in our office. Our hygienists provide the most qualified and gentle care. Regular routine cleanings is important for healthy teeth and gums. Routine cleanings and check-ups are are essential to help prevent cavities and periodontal disease.
There are a few different options to replace missing teeth. A popular option is to replace a missing tooth with a bridge. Bridges consist of one or more pontics to replace missing teeth. Bridges can replace a missing tooth quickly and can be cost effective. Dr. Clark uses Zirconia for bridges, which a strong white metal that very cosmetic. We use a dental lab in El dorado Hills that specializes in making each bridge custom for the patient- to match the crown to the surrounding teeth.
Before & After
Crowns are used to cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. Crowns can be a good option to provide long term restorations. Dr. Clark uses porcelain material for crowns which creates a natural look and is very aesthetic. These porcelain crowns provide strength and longevity to restore damaged teeth. We use a dental lab in El dorado Hills that specializes in making each crown custom for the patient- to match the crown to the surrounding teeth.
There are a few different options to replace missing teeth. The most popular option is to replace a missing tooth is by doing an implant. Dr Clark uses state of the art technology and modern techniques to make the procedure a comfortable. The implant has been found to be the preferred way to restore a missing tooth- providing a long term solution.
Dr. Clark has spent many years perfecting individual smiles with the use of orthodontics, resin bonded and porcelain bonded veneers. Porcelain veneers are the latest material that we use to mimic your natural enamel. Porcelain veneers are thin, ceramic facings that can be used to replace cooked, chipped, or discolored teeth. In just weeks it is possible to have a beautiful smile.
Before and After
Dr. Clark – Your El Dorado Hills California Dentist
Dr. Clark has recently built a convenient dental office located in the El Dorado Hills Town Center. He has spent his career perfecting his skills as a cosmetic and general dentist. Dr. Clark is committed to providing the very best that dentistry has to offer to the people of the El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Cameron Park and surrounding Sacramento areas.
Who is Dr. Clark you ask? Dr. Clark was born in Provo, Utah into a large, creative family. He is one of 6 children, with 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Most of his childhood was spent in Great Britain and Houston, Texas. Dr. Clark attended Brigham Young University and studied Biological Science. After attending BYU, he moved on to dental school at the University of Texas with his wife and young family. Upon graduating he and his family moved to El Dorado Hills, California to set roots and establish himself as a respected part of this community. Dr. Clark and his wife, Sara have four children. They have been residents of El Dorado Hills since 2009.
Dr. Clark has been known to climb a few mountains, skateboard with his teenage son and loves a great fly fishing trip to Montana.
