Conservative Porcelain Veneers For Fractured Teeth

A simple slip and fall can result in fractured teeth.  Sometimes the most conservative method for restoring the result of this kind of trauma is porcelain veneers, made in our in-house laboratory.

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

If You Are A New Patient, You Deserve...

...the best prosthodontic care we can give in Bakersfield, California!

Each dental office you may visit has its own character.  That character is often defined in the office's mission statement, which reflects the doctor's and team's attitudes towards patients, their dental health, and the manner in which they will be cared for.  In ours, our goal is to be empathetic regarding your dental wishes.

Time:  we strive to be well rested and have the patience to listen to all you have to say.

Objective:  we can't change your dental past and we won't make judgments about it.  We will use our energy in a positive direction for you.

Choices:  we offer the balance of current knowledge and techniques, up to date technology, and long term clinical experience.  Our specialty training offers you options to choose from.  We consider examination, diagnosis and treatment planning to be the foundation of our relationship with new patients and a key to successful treatment.

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

Sunburn Prevention

At the end of the summer and with Labor Day coming soon, there is that one last trip to take advantage of outdoor activities and to get that last bit of a tan from the summer sun.

There are ways of protecting your skin from UV rays and reduce your risk of melanoma:

• wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• use waterproof sunscreen
• reapply sunscreen often, usually every two hours
• cover all exposed areas
• "broad spectrum" protects against both UV_A and UV_B rays
• wear wrap around sunglasses to protect your eyes
• apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside

Source: CANCERCARE

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

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

Regular Tooth Scaling = Less Heart Disease

Recent study results showed an association between regular tooth scaling and a decreased risk of future cardiovascular events.  Using a nationwide, population-based study and a prospective cohort design, participants aged at least 50 years were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.  Authors of the study, published in the American Journal of Medicine, used 10,887 subjects who had received full-mouth or localized tooth scaling and compared them to 10,989 subjects who had not received any tooth scaling.

Tooth Scaling and Heart Disease  

After following the subjects for an average period of seven years, the group that had undergone tooth scaling had a lower incidence of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and total cardiovascular events.  "Furthermore, when compared with the nonexposed group, increasing frequency of tooth scaling correlated with a higher risk reduction of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and total cardiovascular events," the authors wrote. 

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

Childhood Tooth Care Has Lifetime Benefits

How you take care of your child's teeth now will determine what kind of smile they have when they are an adult.  Infants at birth already have 20 teeth under their gums.  The average age for teeth to start coming in is 6 months and by the age of 3 most children have all of their baby teeth.  Babies can get cavities.  The American Dental Association recommends you start cleaning a baby's gums when they are a few days old.

Cleaning Baby Teeth

Damp gauze or a soft wash cloth gently rubbed on the gums starts the process.  When teeth appear, use a child's toothbrush and water.  At the age of two, a pea sized amount of tooth paste can be used, twice a day, spitting out the paste afterward.  By the age of 6 or 7, children can usually take over the task on their own.  The ADA recommends the first dental visit around the first birthday, to get used to going to the dentist.  The dentist will inspect the mouth, check for cavities and clean the teeth.  Recommendations, such as not leaving a bottle in bed with a child, to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, may be given.

Starting Young

Baby teeth are important because they hold spaces for the permanent teeth.  If they are lost early, a spacer may be placed to hold open the spot so the permanent tooth comes in straight.  As soon as molars come in, fluoride treatments may be used and sealants may be placed to prevent cavities from developing.  Diet recommendations such as avoiding sugary drinks and sticky foods, and not eating after brushing at night help keep teeth healthy. Developing healthy dental habits in kids can benefit them for a lifetime! 

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

Healthy Implants, Healthy Smiles

This healthy young (40 years old) man, with a difficult dental history, finally found himself in the position to fix his mouth.  The one thing he knew for sure--he didn't want to have a denture.  His upper remaining teeth were failing, and the upper back teeth had been gone for such a long time that the bone had shrunk also. The idea of sinus lifts and bone grafts, a more serious surgical procedure, did not appeal to him.  Fortunately, the bone in the front of his upper jaw, examined by means of a CT Scan,  was more than ample for us to place six dental implants.  

Position of Implants

The positions of the implants, their distribution, and the "tilted" angulation of the most posterior implants, allow fabrication of a computer-designed, milled titanium framework to support a full complement of upper teeth and be screw retained.  The end result will be a permanent upperfixed bridge.  We have had great success for many years treating both upper and lower jaws with the All-on-4 technique.  More information is available on our website, with patient reports on their experiences. 

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

Prosthodontists Keep Baby Boomers Smiling!

A healthy, attractive looking smile increases your confidence and self esteem.  It speaks all languages.  It is contagious. 

Baby boomers keep smiling due to techniques practiced by prosthodontists--specially trained in beautiful smiles through the restoration and replacement of lost teeth.  Teeth become brittle and easier to break with age.  They have thinner enamel, a darker appearance and get worn down.  Bone loss and gum disease increases, roots become exposed by recession, and shifting of teeth can cause bite problems and jaw joint pain.

Prosthodontist Technology  

Your prosthodontist has the technology and knows how to turn back the clock and create and place natural looking teeth that are comfortable and function properly.  Crowns and bridges, veneers, dentures and dental implants are a prosthodontist's special focus.  Your prosthodontist is equipped to give you a thorough review of your dental condition and explain your options for restoring your 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

Live Well By Keeping Dentures Secure

Millions of people visit their dentist each year complaining of dentures "moving around."  They become loose over time because the jawbone supporting them becomes smaller and the denture has less to hold on to.  For many, relining them or making a new set makes them fit snugly again.  Unfortunately though, for some patients, relining or a new set doesn't help.  So what are the options for these patients?  What can be done to keep their dentures in place all day, without the use of messy adhesives?

Dental Implants Changed the World of Dentistry  

The introduction of dental implants has changed the world of dentistry and improved the lives of thousands of patients, including denture wearers.  Implants have been around for over 50 years and the technology has improved to a success rate of 95%.  They can be used in many different ways to aid in the form, function and aesthetics of a patient's smile. The implant is placed in the jaw to simulate the natural root of a tooth.  Once the implant is placed, a restoration is connected on top of it, depending on the need of the patient.  
In the case of denture wearers, implants provide much more stability.  They improve the ability to eat and speak.  Sore spots are reduced.  Most of all, they prevent further bone loss, maintaining facial structure over the years.  Normally, two implants are placed for a lower denture and four implants for an upper denture.  As seen in Living Well Magazine.     

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