We’d like to congratulate you on taking the first steps to enjoying a healthy, complete smile! Your next important decision will be deciding on a dental implant provider. For patients here in San Jose, you’ll find no better choice than Dr. Keith Cooper of Contemporary Dental Arts.

Dr. Cooper doesn’t just have years of experience under his belt, but he also has a strong education as the foundation of his skills in implantology. In addition to his Doctorate in Dental Surgery and Prosthodontist Residency at the Baylor College of Dentistry, he also completed training at the prestigious Misch International Implant Institute.

The Benefits of Choosing a Misch-trained Implant Provider

Choosing a dental implant provider that is well-versed in the implant process is crucial to the success of your treatment. With that being said, patients that choose a Misch-trained implant provider will enjoy the best care.

The Misch Institute has made its mark in the field of dentistry as a world-renowned provider of hands-on implant education. Since 1984, dental professionals have flocked to the institute to complete comprehensive dental implant training.

Some of the top reasons to consider a Misch-trained implant provider include:

Hands-on Experience: Unlike other continuums for dental implant education, the Misch Institute provides hands-on training. Instead of simply learning from a textbook, Misch students are able to experience the nuances of implant placement firsthand.

Scientific-based Curriculum: The Misch Institute is at the forefront of implant dentistry and prides itself on a scientific-based education program. Misch students learn techniques and principles that are backed by scientific study to give their patients the best treatment possible.

Led by Leaders in the Implantology Community: The Misch Institute was founded by Carl Misch who is a modern pioneer in the field of implantology and is now led by Dr. Randy Resnik who is a leading clinician, researcher, and author in the field of prosthodontics and oral implantology.

Contact Contemporary Dental Arts

Choosing an experienced and educated dental implant provider can make all the difference for your smile! Dr. Keith Cooper has transformed the smiles of countless patients here in San Jose. Find out for yourself and contact our office to schedule your no-obligation consultation with Dr. Cooper.

The post Choosing a Misch Graduate for Your Dental Implants appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

• Dental Public Health
• Endodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics

Depending on your individual concerns and the state of your dental health, you could benefit from choosing a specialist over a general dentist. For example, patients in need of braces would obviously want to choose an orthodontist — a dental professional specializing in the treatment of bites, occlusion, and the straightness of teeth. This same idea remains true for patients with other concerns, like periodontal disease, tooth replacement, and more.

Here at our San Jose office, Dr. Keith Cooper is proud to offer top-quality services backed by years of education in prosthodontics.

The Field of Prosthodontics

What is a prosthodontist? This area of dentistry pertains to the diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance of oral health for patients with missing or deficient teeth. A prosthodontist essentially specializes in treating and restoring dental health for patients who have experienced tooth loss.

To specialize in prosthodontics, dentists must complete dental school in addition to three extra years of training and certification in the restoration and replacement of broken teeth with crowns, bridges, dental implants or dentures. A prosthodontist also has a better understanding of dental and facial problems like temporomandibular disorders.
Why is it Important to Choose a Prosthodontist?
Whether you need a single tooth restoration or an entire arch, you’ll want treatment from a provider with extensive experience and education in dental restoration.

Dr. Cooper has devoted his career to implantology and prosthodontics. After completing his Doctorate in Dental Surgery degree, he went on to complete his Prosthodontist Residency at the Baylor College of Dentistry. To help bolster his formal education, Dr. Cooper also works to perfect his craft through continuing education courses.

Contact Dr. Cooper in San Jose

Don’t delay treating your tooth loss! Dr. Cooper and his talented team offer top-quality care to give you a healthy, complete smile. To get started, contact our office today to schedule your no-obligation consultation!

The post What is a Prosthodontist? appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

Are you considering restoring your smile with

Starting the dental implant process can seem pretty overwhelming at first. Prospective dental implant patients have to think about finances, recovery time, and their candidacy for the treatment.

One other important factor to consider is the dental implant provider you’ll choose. Since it’s legal for any licensed dentist to place dental implants, technically, any general dentist could complete your dental implant treatment. However, consider the fact that many general dentists don’t have extensive experience or training in implant placement.

Why Does Education and Training Matter?

Dentists with specialties in periodontics, prosthodontics, or oral and maxillofacial surgery typically have a more thorough understanding of the mouth and surrounding areas. Dental professionals that fall under this category also must complete additional education and training during their residency programs.

In fact, Dr. Cooper completed his prosthodontist residency at the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas and then continued to build upon his skills in dentistry. He has dedicated much of his training and experience to perfecting his skills in implantology. He completed implant training with the Misch International Implant Institute and Temple Dental.

Most impressive, Dr. Cooper is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Implantologists, a prestigious and difficult title to ear.

What is an ICOI Diplomate?

Earning Diplomate status with the ICOI is one of the most distinguished accomplishments an implant dentist can earn. The requirements of a Diplomate are intensive and they mandate applicants to demonstrate their expertise and success in the implant field.

Some of the requirements of a Diplomate include:

• Prerequisite require active ICOI membership, fellowship, or mastership
• Provide a list of 120 completed implant cases with extensive information on the type of implant, restoration, and current status of the implant.
• Provide documentation of at least 250 continuing education (CEU) hours in the preceding five years.
• Submit evidence of at least one article authored or co-authored or a case report on implant dentistry, or present at least two lectures at implant meetings within the last 5 years.
• Present two letters of recommendation from ICOI Diplomats or members of the ICOI’s Advanced Credentials Committee
• Attend an ICOI Diplomate examination
• Other requirements can be found on the ICOI website.

Contact Dr. Keith Cooper in San Jose

When it comes to the health of your smile, you want the most qualified and experienced implant dentist you can find to increase your odds of successful treatment. For patients here in San Jose, you won’t find a better option than Dr. Keith Cooper!

With decades of experience and a commitment to providing top-quality care, Dr. Cooper should be your top choice. To learn more about how dental implants can transform your smile, contact our office today to schedule your no-obligation consultation with Dr. Cooper!

The post The Importance of Choosing an Experienced Dental Implant Provider appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

Making time for daily exercise can benefit your life in more ways than you might expect!

From improving cardiovascular health to warding off systemic diseases, getting in just 30 minutes of daily exercise can make a world of difference. In fact, researchers also note that routine exercise can reduce anxiety and depression, and combat the detrimental effects of stress.

Despite all of the wonderful benefits of exercise, patients should still be wary of the potential danger working out can have on your smile.

Top 3 Ways Working Out Can Harm Your Smile

How can exercising harm your dental health? In most cases, damage to your teeth will occur for one of the following reasons:

Dry Mouth: Endurance athletes and those who breathe through their mouth are particularly at risk for dry mouth. Dental health can suffer from dry mouth because saliva is important for neutralizing acids in the mouth and protecting teeth from erosion.

Grinding or Clenching: Gym goers who grind or clench their teeth while working out should pay special attention to avoid this bad habit. Grinding or clenching your teeth, also known as bruxism, puts an excessive amount of pressure on the teeth, which can eventually lead to dental fractures or chips.

Sugary Sports Drinks: While most sports drinks are designed to replenish electrolytes, they are not as beneficial for your dental health. Since most sports drinks are filled with sugar, they can actually harm your teeth, especially when in combination with a dry mouth.

Are There Any Dental Benefits to Working Out?

Although there are some potential dental dangers to working out, researchers have also found that it could be beneficial. Data collected through the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that adults who exercised regularly were also less likely to have periodontal disease.

Researchers believe that the connection may be related to the connection between overall bodily inflammation and gum disease. Other hypothesize that it is more connected to self-care tendencies; adults who take care of their physical health are also more likely to take care of their dental health.

Contact Dr. Keith Cooper in San Jose

Don’t let your smile suffer due to your workouts! Here at Contemporary Dental Arts, we offer a variety of dental services to give you your healthiest smile. Contact our office today to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Keith Cooper.

The post The Impact of Exercise on Your Dental Health appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

As it turns out, your dental health can have more of an impact on your overall wellness than you may have realized! In fact, researchers continue to discover aspects of overall health that are closely linked to oral health.

Think of the mouth as the gateway to the rest of your body; neglecting it can eventually have severe repercussions on overall health. We strongly encourage our San Jose patients to pay close attention to their oral care routine to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and the numerous systemic conditions linked to poor dental health.

Systemic Diseases Connected to Poor Oral Health

The mouth can be the infection source that spurs on other health concerns around the body. Essentially, bacteria enter the mouth, make it’s way into the bloodstream, and wreak havoc in a number of ways. Some of the most common diseases linked to poor dental health include:

Cardiovascular Disease: Researchers believe that bacteria responsible for gum disease can enter the bloodstream and travel to the arteries. After making its way to the area, it causes atherosclerosis, which then causes plaque to develop in the walls of the arteries. With this decrease in blood flow, patients are significantly at risk of heart attack or stroke.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Like cardiovascular disease, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream or nerve channels. This will then cause an immune response that is believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Bacteria that cause gum inflammation can put patients at risk for other inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. According to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, people with gum disease are four times more likely to have this type of arthritis.

Respiratory Infections: Dental problems like gum disease have also been linked to infections in the lungs. Researchers believe that patients breath in bacteria from infected gums and teeth, which will eventually lead to a respiratory infection.

Contact Dr. Cooper in San Jose

Proper dental care doesn’t just mean you’ll have a beautiful looking smile. It can also translate to better overall health! If you’re in need of dental treatment, contact our office today to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Cooper. We offer a variety of services ranging from a simple routine cleaning to restorative treatment with dental implants.

Make your health a priority and schedule your appointment at our San Jose office today!

The post Can Your Smile Affect Your Overall Health? appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

For most of us, we probably think of business ventures or retirement plans when it comes to investing. In reality, you can make an investment in any area of your life — including your oral health.

Here at our San Jose office, we encourage our patients to consider different ways they can either preserve or restore the health of their smile. Taking the time to invest in your dental health can help ensure you have a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

Why is Investing In Dental Health Important?

Did you know that the bulk of American spending goes into food, transportation, and housing? Since these three items make up roughly 62% of annual expenses, it’s easy to see how dental care can be put on the back burner.

Unfortunately, neglecting your oral health over a period of time can eventually catch up with you. Most common dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth loss occur after years, or even just months, of neglect.

The Best Ways to Invest in Your Oral Health

If you’re ready to take control of the health of your smile, you’re in luck! There are several easy ways the invest into the future of your dental health. Some of the top ways we recommend include:

Get Restorative Treatment Now: The longer you wait to receive restorative treatment, the worse shape your smile will be in. In the case of tooth loss, patients become more susceptible to bone deterioration and infections of the gums. Financially investing in proper restorative treatment will save you from dealing with complications that arise from untreated tooth loss.

Get the Right Tools: For a healthy smile, it’s crucial to brush your teeth twice a day and to floss at least once per day. Of course, a basic toothbrush and a pack of floss can get the job done, but consider upgrading your dental tools if you want to step up your oral hygiene routine. There are plenty of top-of-the-line choices when it comes to electric toothbrushes and water flossers. Spending the extra money on these tools can help you thoroughly clean your teeth and avoid tooth decay or gum disease.

Invest Your Time: Although we mention the financial ways to invest in your smile, investing your time is just as important. This can include spending extra time brushing your teeth or taking the time to go into your dentist’s office for routine cleanings.

Contact our San Jose Office

Whether you’re ready to achieve a healthy smile with a routine cleaning or restorative treatment, we’re here to help! Invest in your dental health today for a healthy smile for years to come.

Contact our office to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Cooper and our talented team here at Contemporary Dental Arts.

The post 3 Ways to Make a Financial Investment in Your Smile appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

Your smile is designed to last a lifetime if you take good care of it.  That means practicing a regimen of daily oral care and avoiding things that can hurt your smile.

Brushing and flossing are the cornerstone of good dental hygiene.  These two practices are essential for removing plaque, the filmy substance that forms on your teeth after a meal.  If this plaque is not removed daily, it can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Effective Brushing Habits

You’ve been brushing your teeth for a long time, and you might not realize that you could probably improve your technique by following all of these recommended practices:

• Brush all section of your mouth
• Find a brush which easily fits inside your mouth
• Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth
• Brush for at least two minutes
• Brush two times per day
• Apply firm pressure, but don’t press too hard
• Brush all exposed surfaces of your teeth

Don’t Forget to Floss

Flossing is extremely important for removing plaque and other substances from the regions between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. But a lot of people don’t floss because they find it difficult or painful.  In fact, studies report that “only 35 percent of patients occasionally use dental floss, and only 2 to 15 percent floss daily.”

Oral irrigators–also referred to as water flossers or by the brand name Waterpik–can be a great tool for people who don’t like to floss.  Advantages of oral irrigators include:

• Gentle on your gums
• Safe with dental implants
• Fun and easy to use
• Reduces your chances of getting of gum disease
• Cleans out deep pockets in gums damaged by gum disease
• Easier to use if you have braces

Smoking Can Destroy Your Smile

In addition to causing heart disease, lung disease, and various types of cancer, smoking will wreak havoc on your smile in several ways:

• Reduces your body’s ability to fight plaque and tartar which both cause gum disease
• Decreases the success rate of oral surgery
• Causes dry mouth which hampers your ability to fight tooth decay
• Causes several types of oral cancer
• Bad breath
• Reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to your gums

Limit Sugary Foods in Your Diet

Foods containing processed sugar can cause cavities and other health complications.  Try to limit your consumption of sugary foods, especially between meals.  Many parents find it effective to provide healthy snacks for their kids such as fruit.

Visit Your Dentist in San Jose

Here’s another great thing you can do for your smile in addition to practicing good oral hygiene every day:  Visit Dr. Cooper for regular checkups.  Call us to schedule a checkup in San Jose today.

The post 5 Ways to Protect Your Smile appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

Powered toothbrushes are fun and they offer a lot of fancy gadgets. But are they really more effective than old-fashioned manual toothbrushes.  In most cases, the answer is “no.”

The Important Thing to Remember About Brushing

Manual toothbrushes are fine for practicing effective dental care at home provided you meet the following criteria:

1. You are able to apply adequate pressure to all sections of your mouth while brushing.
2. You are willing to brush for at least two minutes, providing equal attention to all sections of your mouth.
3. You brush your teeth twice per day.

What the Research Says about Toothbrushes

The consumer advocates at The Sweethome say that when it comes to the question of manual versus powered toothbrushes, “cleaning modes don’t matter, according to experts we spoke to and research we’ve seen.”  This means that you can effectively clean your teeth with either a powered or a manual toothbrush.

The Most Important Thing is How Long You Brush

Now here’s where it gets interesting: Research suggests that overall people who use power toothbrushes get better results than people who use manual toothbrushes.  But when these experiments are controlled for time, there’s no significant difference in performance.

Why do people who select powered toothbrush get superior results over people who buy regular toothbrushes? Researchers speculate that it’s because people who are willing to invest in a powered toothbrush are more likely to be committed to maintaining their healthy smile.

As the research suggests, time spent brushing is the key variable for determining how effective brushing will be.   In other words, the most important factor is how you brush, not the kind of toothbrush you select.

Powered Toothbrushes Encourage Healthy Habits

Why do people who choose powered toothbrushes tend to brush longer?  Brushing is more fun with a powered toothbrush, but the main reason is probably because many powered toothbrushes feature a timer.  This helps remind people to brush longer.

Healthy Brushing Habits

If you are already using effective brushing techniques, you might want to just use an egg-timer while brushing instead of going out and buying an expensive powered toothbrush.  Here’s a list of good brushing practices:

• Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
• Don’t press down too hard on your teeth.
• Gently brush back and forth in short strokes.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed.
• Select a toothpaste that contains fluoride for people who are more than two years old.
• Brush teeth twice per day.
• Brush all the surfaces of your teeth.
• Select a toothbrush that’s the appropriate size and shape to fit all areas of your mouth.

Some People Definitely Should Use Powered Toothbrushes

There are some people who are better served by using a powered toothbrush.  People who are unable to provide adequate pressure on their own are advised to use a powered toothbrush:

If you struggle with arthritis or limited mobility, a power toothbrush is probably a better choice. The toothbrush provides much of the brushing action for you, so you get a better clean with a lot less movement on your part.

Schedule a Checkup with Your San Jose Dentist

You should continue to practice effective dental care at home with whichever type of toothbrush you choose.  Visiting Dr. Cooper for regular checkups is another great thing you can do to protect your smile.  Give us a call to schedule your appointment today.

The post Powered Versus Manual Toothbrushes appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

The term oral cancer includes cancers in the back of the throat and the mouth. This serious disease will take the lives of over 10,000 people each day. According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, close to 49,500 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer each year with that number decreasing. This disease is a direct result of smoking, certain infections such as the human papillomavirus and more. Take a look at our infographic below and get a few detailed facts on this type of cancer.

If you have more questions about oral cancer, feel free to contact our office today.

The post Oral Cancer 101 – Facts You Should Know appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.

It’s not unusual to see patients with missing teeth choose to simply ignore the problem and not worry about it. Even if you do not find your missing teeth uncomfortable, it is important that you still pursue teeth restoration treatment because it can lead to oral complications requiring intensive treatments. Below you will find some of the problems that can come from not replacing a missing tooth.

Maintain A Great Oral Health

Whenever you lose a tooth, you are left with a large empty space that is not protected. It’s possible for food particles and debris to get caught in these empty places and creating further issues to your gums. This can lead to a condition called gum disease, symptoms of which can include chronic bad breath, bleeding or swollen gums, painful chewing, and gum recession which can result in further tooth loss.

You can also experience the shifting of surrounding teeth due to the empty gaps. This can lead to severely crooked teeth and some teeth falling out. The biggest of these potential issues is called tooth decay, and the main symptoms of it are chronic bad breath, black or brown spots on your teeth, and toothaches. If tooth decay is allowed to progress too far, the tooth will have to be removed, restarting the cycle.

One last potential problem associated with missing teeth is bone loss. What many people don’t realize is that every impact of food on your teeth sends vibrations down into your jawbone that serve to exercise the bone, keeping it healthy and strong. When you lose a tooth, that section of the jawbone is no longer getting the exercise it needs and will begin to deteriorate. Luckily, dental implants can be inserted into the jawbone and are capable of providing the exercise your oral structure needs to stay healthy.

Schedule a Consultation Today

The price of ignoring missing teeth is often much higher than what it would be if you had pursued teeth restoration treatment as soon as possible. Dental implants are the perfect solution to your missing teeth. If you have any questions about the cost of dental implants or what your financing options, contact us and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Keith Cooper today.

The post Dental Implants Are The Perfect Tooth Loss Solution appeared first on Dental Implants in San Jose.