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Dr. Dante Gonzales, DMD

Bio

Dr. Gonzales, Sharecare Editorial Advisory Board Member, received his bachelor's degree from U.C.L.A. and attended Tufts University School of Dentistry. His postgraduate residency and masters degree was completed at the orthodontics program in the University of the Pacific, in San Francisco. Dr. Gonzales is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists. Currently, Dr. Gonzales is in private practice in Dublin, California. Education: • Bachelor’s Degree: UCLA • Post Graduate: Tufts University School of Dentistry • Masters Degree: Orthodontics, University of the Pacific, San Francisco Residency: • University of the Pacific Certification: • American Board of Orthodontics • American Association of Orthodontists

Specialties:

Affiliation:

  • Dante A. Gonzales, DMD, MSD, Inc.

Location:

Activity

  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    How are clear plastic retainers different than other dental retainers?

    Clear plastic retainers, or vacuform retainers, are custom made just like all other retainers. They cover 80-90% of the tooth and hold the teeth in place. There are several different types of plastic that can be used. Some plastics are very clear and almost invisible when worn. There are some other

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  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    What causes canker sores?
    An Apthous ulcer, more commonly known as a canker sore, is a common recurrent ulcerative condition. The exact cause is unknown. These small sores usually appear in the tissue lining of our mouths. Our own immune system, triggered by a variety of factors, may affect the tissue lining of the mouth....  Full Post
  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    How do braces and retainers work?

    Braces work by applying a constant force on the teeth that induces tooth movement. The force is produced by the wire that is tied into the braces. The braces help direct the force that the wire is providing. The placement of the braces and the shape of the wires will determine how the teeth are moved.

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  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    What is Invisalign?

    Invisalign is a custom made series of clear trays (aligners) used to straighten the teeth and correct poor bites. The trays are made from a very accurate impression of your teeth. These impressions are scanned into a computer and then translated into a 3D image which can be manipulated with Align Techn

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  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    How can I help prevent tooth decay caused by frequent snacking?
    Tooth decay is related more to the frequency and duration of the exposure to food and sugars than the total amount eaten. Therefore, frequent snacking and drinking sweet drinks over a long period of time can increase the risk of tooth decay dramatically. If one cannot decrease the frequency of snacking...  Full Post
  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    Along with brushing and flossing, do I have to use a mouthwash?
    Any little thing you do will help. But using a mouthwash should be secondary to brushing and flossing. Most mouthwashes are only effective at the very surface. If plaque and bacteria are allowed to build up on the teeth and tissues, the mouthwash is not very effective at penetrating into the plaque....  Full Post
  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    What are the risks of not flossing?

    The risks of not flossing are cavities and gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) in addition to having bad breath. Flossing helps remove food and plaque between your teeth and deep into the pockets of your gums where your toothbrush cannot reach. Using other cleaning devices like a toothpick

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  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    What is tooth decay?
    Tooth decay is a process created by the bacteria that live in our mouths. The bacteria use the food that passes through our mouths to create a sticky substance called plaque. The plaque, which is full of bacteria, releases acid onto the teeth. The acid then starts to break down the outer layer of the...  Full Post
  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD has posted a blog entry: April is National Youth Sports Safety Month

    Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted

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  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    Are braces affordable?
    Affordable is a relative term, but most orthodontic offices will offer payment plans with no interest and spread the payments over the course of the treatment. Usually, this will bring the monthly payments into "affordability" for most patients, or parents. There are also third party financing options...  Full Post
  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    What tools can help me keep my braces and teeth clean?
    Keeping your teeth clean with braces can be difficult. The best tools to use are still a toothbrush and floss. Using a power toothbrush and floss threaders can make it much easier to get the teeth clean.  Other tools that can be very helpful are a Waterpik, proxy brushes (they look like little Ch...  Full Post
  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    How do braces work?
    Braces are the appliances that orthodontists use to straighten the teeth and correct the bite. They are cemented onto the surface of the teeth, however, the braces alone do not move the teeth. It is the wire, springs, or elastics (rubberbands) that provide the force that moves the teeth. The wires...  Full Post
  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    Are braces magnetized?

    Braces are not magnetized. They are usually made of stainless steel or porcelain composite. There have been orthodontic appliances made that use magnets as part of their "force system" but these are rare and not widely used. Using magnets can be advantageous because they provide a constant force

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  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    What are ClearCorrect braces?

    ClearCorrect is a clear aligner system similar in some ways to Invisalign. The clear aligners provide a directional force to the teeth and help move the teeth into an ideal position. Each ClearCorrect tray moves the teeth .25-.30 mm and after a whole series of trays the teeth move into the desired

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  • Dante Gonzales, DMD
    Dante Gonzales, DMD answered:
    How are canker sores treated?
    Canker sores appear on the tissues lining the mouth. There is no exact known cause for canker sores, so current treatments are all palliative. Using a topical agent with a mild anesthetic, like Orajel or Anbesol, will help decrease the pain of the sore, but will not decrease the time the sore is present. Gently...  Full Post