THE MARTA RUDAT DDS JOURNAL

The Dr. Rudat Journal:

Dentistry, thoughtfully explained.

Insights, education, and perspective from Dr. Marta Rudat on cosmetic, restorative, and everyday dental care.

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Serving Patients Since 2012 Restoring Smiles With Personalized, Thoughtful Care

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COVER STORY

Dental implant shown within the jawbone between two natural teeth

Can You Get Dental Implants If You Have Bone Loss?

October 6, 2026/in Dental Implants/by Dr. Marta Rudat

Bone loss does not always rule out dental implants. Learn how available bone, implant location, grafting, and careful planning can affect your treatment options.

Natural tooth and dental implant shown side by side

Is It Better to Save a Tooth or Get a Dental Implant?

October 6, 2026

Is it better to save a natural tooth or get a dental implant? Learn what determines whether a damaged tooth can be restored or should be replaced.

Front tooth dental implant showing the implant post, abutment, and crown

Front Tooth Dental Implants: Why They Are Different

October 6, 2026

Replacing a front tooth with a dental implant requires careful planning of the implant, bone, gums, and final crown. Learn what makes front tooth implants different.

Porcelain veneer being placed on a patient's front tooth

Do You Have to Shave Your Teeth for Veneers?

October 5, 2026

Do teeth have to be shaved for veneers? Learn how much tooth preparation may be needed and why conservative planning can preserve more natural tooth structure.

Man experiencing sudden tooth sensitivity while holding a glass of ice water.

Sudden Tooth Sensitivity: When It’s Normal and When to Have It Checked

October 2, 2026

A tooth that suddenly becomes sensitive does not always mean something is wrong, but the way it reacts can offer important clues. Learn what can cause sudden tooth sensitivity, what may be temporary, and when it deserves a closer look.

Dentist comparing a porcelain veneer shade to a patient's front teeth

How Much Are Porcelain Veneers?

September 22, 2026

The cost of porcelain veneers isn't just about the number of teeth. Learn what goes into treatment, from planning and preparation to the ceramic restorations themselves.

Dental floss sitting on a bathroom counter as part of a daily oral hygiene routine

Do I Really Need to Floss Every Day? What Happens When You Don’t

September 13, 2026

Brushing cleans a lot of your tooth surface, but it does not clean every area between your teeth. Dr. Marta explains what flossing actually accomplishes, why gums may bleed when you start, and what to do if traditional floss is difficult to use.

Clear Invisalign aligner held in a woman's hand

How Much Is Invisalign With Insurance?

September 12, 2026

Insurance can reduce Invisalign costs, but coverage varies by plan. See how treatment fees, lifetime maximums, and benefits determine what you pay.

Man pointing to a chipped front tooth while smiling.

Can a Chipped Tooth Be Repaired?

September 11, 2026

A chipped tooth can often be repaired, but the right treatment depends on how much of the tooth was damaged and what remains underneath. Learn when bonding, veneers, crowns, or other treatment may be recommended.

Woman smiling after professional teeth whitening treatment

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

September 6, 2026

Teeth whitening doesn't last forever, but the results can last for years. Dr. Marta explains what affects longevity and when to touch up.

Close-up of a woman smiling while wearing whitening strips on her upper teeth

Are Whitening Strips Bad for Your Teeth?

September 4, 2026

Whitening strips can brighten surface stains, but sensitivity and overuse are real concerns. Dr. Marta explains what they actually do to your teeth.

Clear night guard resting on a folded cloth beside a glass of water

How to Clean a Night Guard: A Dentist’s Daily & Weekly Routine

August 28, 2026

Keep your night guard clean without damaging it. Dr. Marta explains the simple daily routine, deeper cleaning, storage, and what to avoid.

Clear and wire orthodontic retainers beside an open retainer case

You Better Wear Your Retainer. Here’s What Happens If You Don’t.

August 11, 2026

You finished braces or Invisalign, but somewhere along the way your retainer ended up in a drawer. Now your teeth are starting to look a little different. Here’s why teeth can shift after orthodontic treatment, what your old retainer can and cannot do, and when it may be time to straighten them again.

Hands holding a clear aligner and porcelain veneer

Should You Get Invisalign Before Veneers?

August 9, 2026

If you are considering both Invisalign and veneers, the order of treatment matters. Learn why moving the teeth first may sometimes reduce how much tooth structure needs to be changed and when veneers alone may be appropriate.

Can Porcelain Veneers Be Replaced?

August 7, 2026

Old veneers don't always need replacing. Learn when replacement may be appropriate and what matters before making the decision.

Dentist holding a porcelain veneer and dental implant with tweezers

Veneers vs. Implants: Which One Do You Need?

July 25, 2026

Veneers vs. implants isn't really a comparison. One upgrades a tooth you have, one replaces a tooth you've lost. Learn which your case calls for.

Woman holding her cheek during recovery after a tooth extraction

Tooth Extraction Healing: What Should a Healing Socket Look Like?

July 15, 2026

What should a healing tooth socket look like? Dr. Marta explains the healing stages, white tissue, dry socket, and when to call.

Several whitening toothpastes displayed on a bathroom counter with a toothbrush.

Can Whitening Toothpaste Damage Your Teeth?

July 13, 2026

Whitening toothpaste can remove surface stains, but some formulas are more abrasive than others. Dr. Marta explains how whitening toothpaste works, when it may contribute to enamel wear, and why more scrubbing does not always mean whiter teeth.

$Broken back tooth with a fractured cusp$

My Teeth Keep Breaking. Why Does This Keep Happening?

June 27, 2026

When teeth keep chipping, cracking, or breaking, fixing each tooth individually may not address the reason it keeps happening. Here is what we look for.

Woman smiling for an article comparing composite bonding and porcelain veneers

Composite Bonding vs. Porcelain Veneers

March 23, 2026

Composite bonding and porcelain veneers can both change a smile, but they do it very differently. Learn what separates the two and what matters when choosing between them.

Woman holding a dental crown while experiencing tooth pain after her crown fell off

Why Does My Crown Keep Falling Off?

March 7, 2026

A crown that comes off once may be repairable. When it keeps happening, the problem may be the tooth, the bite, decay, or the foundation beneath the crown.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Which Treatment Is Right for You?

February 23, 2026

Which cosmetic treatment is right for your smile? Dr. Marta Rudat explains the differences between whitening, bonding, veneers, Invisalign, and more.

Dr. Marta Rudat standing beside an outdoor staircase in Tustin, California.

Dr. Marta Rudat, DDS

Behind the Journal

Experience, distilled into every word.

Dr. Marta Rudat is a general, cosmetic, and restorative dentist with more than 15 years of experience and 495+ five-star reviews.

A Loma Linda University School of Dentistry graduate and AACD member working toward Accreditation, she brings the discipline of a clinician and the eye of an artist to every article she writes.

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The Dr. Rudat Journal:

Experience, distilled into every word.

Transformations

Services

About Dr. Marta

Tell me what you've been thinking about.

Tell me what you've
been thinking about.