Your New Smile From Your Board Certified Prosthodontist

Your Board Certified Prosthodontist uses the latest techniques and technology to perfect your smile.  In our in-house laboratory, with its 3-D scanning capability and milled all- zirconia porcelain, we restore teeth to their natural form, color and function.

Aesthetic restorations can help you achieve a more natural looking smile and improve your teeth's natural beauty and strength.

We replace stained, chipped, worn or missing teeth with inlays, crowns, veneers, bridges, and implants using the most advanced aesthetic restorations to bring back your beautiful smile.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Overweight Equals Earlier Death

A paper in the New England Journal of Medicine that pooled data from 19 prospective studies that included 1.46 million white adults compared BMI Index and mortality.

The age of the adults ranged from 19 to 84, with a median of 58.  The studies ranged from 5 to 25 years in duration.  The researchers took into account differences in age, the nature of the study, physical activity, alcohol consumption, education and marital status.

The conclusion of the study was that overweight and obesity are associated with increased all-cause mortality.  All-cause mortality is generally lowest with a BMI of 20.0 to 24.9.

Source: N Engl J Med, DOI: 10,1056

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Fertility Drugs and Cancer Risk

HealthDay News, as quoted in ChemotherapyAdvisor, had reported a presentation to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

Nearly 10,000 women who underwent fertility treatment in the United States between 1965 and 1988 were followed for 30 years.

The researchers found "little evidence" that the use of conventional fertility drugs increased the long-term risk of breast, uterine or ovarian cancers. Given the popularity and wide-spread treatment for fertility issues in modern medicine, these results are reassuring.

For the details: www.chemotherapyadviser.com

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Since You Stuck Your Tongue Out...

From singers to sports players to personal selfies, there are a lot of people sticking their tongues out these days.

What about those spots on your tongue?  Are they the result of infection (causing swelling and redness) or ulcers (cold sores, herpes, gum disease, fungal infections, or chicken pox)?  Or are they allergic reactions to food that result in white and red spots?  Or are they caused by trauma, vitamin deficiencies, antibiotics, smoking, canker sores, or cancer?

If you have any questions or concerns, see our Board Certified Prosthodontist.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Amazing (Uneven) Front Teeth

If you have only three front teeth instead of four, nobody else has to know!  These beautiful all porcelain crowns were made in our own office laboratory by our master technician.  Which prominent movie star has the same condition?

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Sunscreen Reduces Melanoma Risk

A study in Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research reported the association of melanoma risk and the use of sun protection factor (SPF) 15 lotion.

Researchers at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute used opossum pups: 174 as controls, 289 with plain lotion and 325 with lotion containing SPF 15, and then exposed them to doses of ultraviolet B light.
They found that the use of SPF 15 sunscreen correlated with a 10-fold reduction in the incidence of melanocytic nevi.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Board Certified Prosthodontist: Recertification

In order to maintain his Board Certification in Prosthodontics, Dr. Tupac has to complete hours of continuing education yearly and in a ten year period, and pass a written recertification examination based on literature studies of the recent developments in the specialty of prosthodontics.

Dr. Tupac passed this recertification examination last year, and continues to be the only full time Board Certified Prosthodontist in Bakersfield and the Central Valley of California.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Implants Replace Missing Teeth

As a Board Certified Prosthodontist, my experience has shown that the most predictable and effective method of replacing missing natural teeth is with dental implants.  Here's an example of implants we have placed and restored in our office.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Guided Surgery: Upper Teeth In A Day

We have the technology to take you from a complete denture to an implant supported fixed bridge in a single appointment.

This denture patient had a CAT Scan of her upper jaw.  We applied a computer program to that scan to design implant locations, and a clear guide to be used in the mouth to place the implants without making any incisions. The guide was secured in her mouth and the implants placed.

The computer program also designed her fixed bridge in advance, and we made it in our own in-house laboratory.  After we placed the implants, the bridge was screwed into place.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Lipstick Time

When all of your upper teeth are missing, it's important that your implant supported fixed bridge give you the necessary lip support for a natural look.  Check out this physician's upper All-on-4 bridge that we made in our office.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Every Missing Tooth = Implant

As a Board Certified Prosthodontist, I believe that the ideal way to replace missing teeth is with dental implants.  In several lectures, I have postulated that every space can be filled with an implant.  Here's an example of implants we have placed and restored in our office.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

The Future: Lasers Repair Teeth

A Harvard team of researchers has used a low-power laser to induce human dental stem cells to form dentin, the internal structure of a tooth.  They also described how it worked on a molecular level.

The procedure involves introducing the laser into holes in rodent molars, while they are in the mouth, to treat the tooth pulp that contains adult dental stem cells.  After twelve weeks, high resolution radiographic imaging confirmed the laser treatments triggered enhanced dentin formation.

Human clinical trials are proposed.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
 Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Removable Partials Are Terrific

Sometimes the easiest way to replace missing front teeth is with a conventional removable partial denture.  This patient's four front teeth are actually part of the partial.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Grandpa's New Front Tooth

Nature is kind to seniors, and while their teeth may not look ideal, they can still be very healthy.  Grandpa has good bone and gums, lots of stain and old fillings, but no active decay.  He needed a crown on the front tooth on the right of the picture.  So that's what we did.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Pretty Teeth

These porcelain veneers on the upper four front teeth make her smile perfect.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Sensational Veneers Change Lives

Looking for an instant fix to bad teeth in Bakersfield? New color, ideal shape, great smile, increased self confidence with porcelain veneers! JUST LIKE MAGIC, but much more dependable!


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309
.

Guided Surgery: Lower Teeth In A Day

Here's another example of a patient's teeth in a day experience in our office.  A patient who has upper natural teeth and no lower teeth is a classic dental cripple, because the lower jaw has limited ability to support and retain a denture, and the bone shrinks quickly when the upper natural tooth chewing forces are applied.

Special Equipment

He had a CAT Scan of his lower jaw, and a computer program was used to design implant locations and a clear guide to be used in his mouth.  After the guide was held securely, the implants were placed without making an incision.

The computer also designed a lower fixed bridge that was made in advance in our in-house laboratory.  When the implants were in position, the fixed bridge was screwed down.  The patient went from a lower denture to a lower fixed bridge in a single appointment.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
 Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Instant Fix: Veneers For Worn Out Teeth

Teeth, like any part of your body, are subject to wear and tear as the years go by.  When the enamel is worn away, porcelain veneers are a predictable and esthetic method of restoring the lost tooth structure.  With our in house laboratory, everything you need is taken care of in our office, and we have control over our schedule.  When other dentists are dependent upon commercial laboratories, the results are not always as customized as we would like.  Our master technician has 35 years of experience.  These veneers were placed just two days after the teeth were prepared.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

My First Published Article: Because Experience Matters

Ever get a new crown and the bite just doesn't feel right?  Like you bump into something when you grind around?  As a Board Certified Prosthodontist, I know that when you get a new crown, your bite has to be correct.  Not only when you bite all the way together, but also when you move from side to side.  In the laboratory, crowns are usually made on metal devices that do not reproduce jaw movements completely.
In this published article, my first in the dental literature, I demonstrated, by having done over 130 pantographic tracings of jaw movements, that the jaw's complete capacity to move when you move your teeth to the side and forward and back, needs to be induced, or aided by the prosthodontist.  That's how your new crown is tested in my office before it is placed.  You have the confidence of knowing your bite is right and will be comfortable.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

When It Comes To Dental Implants, Experience Matters

Osseointegrated dental implants were introduced to the profession by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon.  I had the honor of taking Dr. Branemark's first course in the western United States in 1983.  Since then, I have restored thousands of dental implants, and the audited success rate of those I have placed and restored is 97%.


Here's an example of a patient treated with multiple implants and fixed bridgework seventeen years ago.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Jaw Joint Problems Bugging You?

You use your mouth all the time, to eat, speak, even breathe, so you can't put it in a sling and let your jaw joints settle down when they are painful.  Take a look at this man's face--he doesn't look comfortable, does he?

Jaw joint problems are most often caused by bite irregularities.  Board Certified Prosthodontists are specifically trained to diagnose and treat this condition.  By restoring your teeth in a stable bite, the jaw joint problems can go from a loud roar to just a whimper.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
 Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309