Dr. Chun earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the renowned Loma Linda School of Dentistry and obtained her fellowship degree from the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, the premier post-graduate educational center for cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry.
Dr. Chun has completed hundreds of hours in continuing education, with an emphasis on head, neck, and facial pain treatment including treatment of TMD, dental cosmetics, and complex dental reconstruction. This training has allowed Dr. Chun to make a significant impact on patients lives by changing their overall physical health. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Tri-County Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics.
It is by focusing on comprehensive, individualized care that we can take care of our patients to the most exceptional level. I believe in treating patients the way I would want to be treated, both personally and professionally. Patients are our family, and we want them to know that its about more than just teeth. Its about you. Being exceptional begins by understanding our patients. Dr. Chun
Smiles matter, probably more than we realize. Volumes of research confirm the influential role of smiles in our relationships and our self-esteem. If you're confident, you smile more. If you smile more, you feel more confident. But what if you don't want to flash those pearly whites because you're embarrassed? The effects of a bad smile may ripple through your life. Fortunately, a growing range of options enables anyone to enjoy a stunning new smile. Dr. Melissa Chun's passion for enhancing smiles brings you the best in modern dentistry.
Custom-crafted to each tooth, veneers provide an artist's touch to your smile. Regardless of your vision for your smile, chances are veneers offer an answer. When today's modern materials meet our passion for cosmetic excellence, you'll be amazed at what you see smiling back at you in the mirror.
Cavities, chips, and fractures can occur on any tooth surface throughout the mouth. The composite filling material is tooth-colored and provides a versatile solution to many common problems. Blended into a prepared area, the composite polishes to a smooth, undetectable finish.
Nothing boosts your confidence like a terrific smile. Over time, yellow stains can dull the color of your teeth. Professional whitening systems provide the ultimate in whitening results, quickly removing years of discoloration leaving gleaming results.
Damaged teeth might seem hopeless, but there's often a solid foundation underneath. A crown, or cap, can bring a compromised tooth back to full function. Utilizing modern porcelain materials, you'll have a difficult time trying to find where the crown ends and the tooth starts.
Teeth rarely fracture predictably. Sometimes a break is too big for a filling, but not big enough for a crown. Porcelain onlays provide an excellent solution for teeth that need extra reinforcement without being covered entirely. Bonded into place, they provide years of natural feel, function, and esthetics.
Your gums are like a soft tissue framework around your teeth providing support and esthetic value. Sometimes a little gentle recontouring of the gum line brings a nice boost to your smile. Plus, properly shaped gums contribute to a healthy environment that is easy to maintain and helps support your overall dental health.
For ultimate camouflage, tray or aligner systems offer a modern straightening method. Designed with sophisticated software and 3D digital models of your teeth, a series of clear plastic trays are made. Medical-grade plastic without wires, metal, springs, or rubber bands gently moves your teeth into place. Gradual pressure on specific teeth with each aligner means less discomfort and, in many cases, shortened treatment times. Your provider dispenses several sets of aligners at a time, allowing you to change to a new one at home every two weeks.
Removable trays can be set aside for short periods allowing normal eating and cleaning. Enjoying an apple without the intrusion of brackets and wires works well for many patients. And the smooth plastic surface offers a comfort level to the tongue and cheeks unequaled by other forms of straightening.
Committing to consistent wear, at least 22 hours each day, helps ensure the success of your treatment. While clear aligners work extremely well for adults, a responsible teen can be a candidate too. And adults of every age have discovered the perks of straight teeth with aligners.
While aligner treatment works for 90% of straightening cases, some tooth movements may not be possible. Or you may prefer the security of fixed braces. Todays orthodontics offer more choices than ever. Dr. Chun can help you discover the path to a straighter smile.
You may discuss adding whitening to your plan, removing years of yellow stain accumulation. In some cases, the beauty of porcelain lifts a straight smile to another level or may even offer an alternative to orthodontics.
TMJ is the shortened name of the physical joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. They are the ball and socket joints that allow you to open your mouth to chew, talk, and yawn. The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body, and when it becomes inflamed, it can affect your ability to chew healthy foods and communicate clearly. A disorder of the TMJ is technically called TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, but TMD and TMJ have become interchangeable when referring to the swelling and pain related to the jaw joint.
Headaches that mimic migraines A dull ache or soreness in the jaw muscles Stiffness that radiates to the neck and back Ear pressure like the feeling you get when flying Tightness, clicking or popping in the jaw joint when yawning or eating soft foods The inability to open your mouth all the way Feeling like one tooth is suddenly out of place
While many cases of TMD are misdiagnosed, an exam by Dr. Chun can generally determine whether your symptoms are a result of a TMJ disorder. A physical examination by placing pressure on the muscles and joints to feel for tightness, a complete evaluation of your bite, and x-rays can help Dr. Chun figure out the cause of your pain. She may also order an MRI or CT scan to look for signs of joint deterioration that cant be seen on x-rays.
Once a diagnosis is reached, there are many treatment options available. NSAID pain relievers like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and using an oral appliance or nightguard can help prevent clenching and grinding. Hot and cold packs, swallowing your yawns, and a temporary soft food diet can also help while your muscles relax and heal. Other methods of treatment can include orthodontics, restorative dentistry like crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures to replace missing teeth, Botox to relax the facial muscles, and rarely, oral surgery.
Dr. Chun and the team at Exceptional Dentistry are here to help you. We can answer all your questions and get you out of pain. If you suspect a TMJ disorder is the cause of your discomfort call us today!