Napa Dentist and Dental Implants & Dentures by Steven M. Mansfield

Since opening the practice doors in 1986, Valley Prosthodontics primary goal is to serve the patient with the highest level of professional dental care in an environment of compassion, courtesy, and confidence.

They are dedicated to keeping skills sharp and ears open. Valley Prosthodontics invites everyone to share their hopes and concerns, and to fully participate in the treatment process. The staff is hoping that your experience with them will lead to recommendation to your family and friends.

Why a Prosthodontics

Prosthodontists is a licensed dentist with two to three years of additional specialized training in dental prosthetics—the replacement and repair of missing or damaged teeth.

Prosthodontics’ routinely collaborate with general dentists and other specialists, and are specially qualified to provide advanced dental care involving crowns, bridges, implants, and removable dentures. We also perform routine screening for oral cancer and TMJ disorders, as well as more sophisticated reconstruction involving the teeth and hard and soft tissues of the mouth and face.

Services

An immediate denture is a full or partial denture which is placed immediately following the extraction of natural teeth. Extractions are performed very comfortably with local anesthesia or oral sedation. The principal benefit of an immediate denture is that it protects the patient from the inconvenience and possible embarrassment of being without teeth. The denture itself can also aid in the post-surgical healing process by protecting tissues and reducing bleeding.

Percelain Crowns, Bridges & Veneers

A crown is a dental restoration that covers all or most of the visible portion of the tooth. It is used when a tooth has become damaged by decay or trauma, or to improve appearance.

A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth, is non-removable and natural feeling. This useful procedure involves joining a prosthetic tooth to sturdy crowns on either side. These crowns are then cemented over a patient’s natural teeth, effectively “bridging” the gap in between. A bridge may also utilize dental implants for support when several teeth are missing.

Veneers are thin coverings of porcelain or composite which are placed upon the visible surface of the tooth. They are primarily applied to front teeth and are used for aesthetic purposes. They can restore, lengthen, brighten and reshape teeth, often dramatically improving a person’s smile.

Natural Looking Partial & complete Dentures

Full and partial dentures are removable prosthetic appliances used to replace missing teeth. They may allow a patient to enjoy a greater variety of foods, while promoting a more youthful and natural face structure and smile.

Extractions & immediate Dentures

An immediate denture is a full or partial denture which is placed immediately following the extraction of natural teeth. Extractions are performed very comfortably with local anesthesia or oral sedation. The principal benefit of an immediate denture is that it protects the patient from the inconvenience and possible embarrassment of being without teeth. The denture itself can also aid in the post-surgical healing process by protecting tissues and reducing bleeding.

Implant Prosthodontics

For most patients, dental implants provide the most attractive, permanent, and functional replacement for missing teeth. The implant is placed into the jaw where it serves as a sturdy and durable foundation upon which a prosthetic tooth (crown) is securely placed.

Implants can also be used to secure dentures, greatly improving their stability, comfort and function. The implant itself serves as an anchor to the jaw and aids in maintaining the natural shape of the face.

The computer and medical worlds are both working hard to develop small and smaller components. In similar fashion, a smaller version of the dental implant has been successfully utilized in selected cases.

These mini implants (1.8mm diameter) enable your dentist to broaden the spectrum of patients that can be treated. The Sendax MDI System was developed in order to provide greater denture stability for those patients who cannot withstand thee rigors of conventional implant surgery, do not have enough bone to allow for full-sized implants to be placed, or are in on-going therapy from one prosthetic system to another.

What are MDI Implants?

The MDI System consists of a miniature titanium implant that acts like the root of your tooth, and a retaining fixture that is incorporated into the base of your denture. The head of the implant is shaped like a ball, and the retaining fixture acts like a socket that contains a rubber O-ring. The O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force. When seated, the denture gently rests on the gum tissue. The implant fixtures allow for micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces.

TMJ Therapy

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge which connects the lower jaw to the skull. Trauma or disease to the TMJ can cause problems such as jaw pain, headaches and earaches. Special diagnostic skills are used to help determine the best treatment for TMJ dysfunction sufferers.

Valley Prosthodontics with D.M.D. Steven Mansfield has offices in the towns of Napa and Sonoma.

For questions about Dental Implants and Dentures services call Valley Prosthodontics at (707) 252-1950  

Indian Restaurant, Taj of Marin in Downtown San Rafael, Marin County

For tourists and those wandering around San Rafael, one thing you should not miss is a dinner at Taj of Marin. Foodies and those who just have an empty stomach will both be satisfied here.

Taj of Marin is located in downtown San Rafael right on 4th Street.  Taj of Marin serves North and South Indian cuisine at a very reasonable price.  Indian art works gives the restaurant a touch of Indian culture. They even have live Indian music that compliments the Indian ambiance.

The restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch at a low price. There is a wide variety of Indian dishes to choose from. From mouthwatering appetizers to tandoori to desserts you'll enjoy eating lunch or dinner at Taj of Marin. Foods are labeled so you can choose vegan and gluten free options. Just right for vegetarian and health conscious people. Meat lovers also have many delicious choices.

 Come enjoy an awesome Indian food experience at Taj of Marin.

Rogers Remodel Promotes Green Projects!

When every last detail of bath or kitchen remodel is wrapped up, Northern California plumber and building contractor Jamie Rogers hopes his clients are happy with the way the room looks and works. Most of the time, the project also makes the home a whole lot greener.

Rogers brings a passion for both green plumbing and green building to every project. In construction for 18 years and plumbing for 15, he started Rogers Remodel, Inc. in 2003 in Novato in the San Francisco Bay Area. He studied civil engineering and worked as a journeyman carpenter in Washington State before moving to California.

Rogers Remodel primarily serves affluent Marin and Sonoma counties, San Francisco and the East Bay. The full-service plumber handles residential and light commercial work, from basic plumbing to full-on, ripped-down-to-the-studs renovations. The company does repairs, inspections, sewer and drain work, water audits, gas line and water heater installation, and bath and kitchen installation and remodeling.

Rogers is not shy about admitting he's a bit of an evangelist on the subject of conservation, saying that he's frankly touched when his efforts to educate homeowners and business clients hit home. Sometimes he's preaching to the choir. Customers do come to him with an eye to reducing immediate water and energy use and slicing utility costs for the long run.

He estimates that 75 percent of his remodels are green and 80- to 90 percent of his plumbing projects have a green component. Rogers has been able to reduce clients' water bills as much as 47 percent.

The company has benefited from the remodeling surge in recent years, Rogers said, as owners of older homes take on updating a single bath or knocking down walls to create expansive master suites or create double bathrooms. He cited projects where a total "remodel" budget has surpassed the value of the original space and his part of the job was significant. Most of his larger remodeling jobs have been in Sonoma and Marin Counties, where clients have had the funds to renovate.

Rogers is on a mission to convince more clients that a green remodel is within their budget. "If there's one thing consumers need to know, it's that green projects and products don't have to be any more expensive than traditional options. "They can get the look they want with products that do the job while saving water and energy," Rogers said.

As a plumber/building contractor, Rogers is hands-on during the design and specification stages of many projects, offering his input on sourcing green products.

He uses many of the same sources repeatedly because field experience has demonstrated what products best fit project needs, while being on constant lookout for new products and ways to improve on installation. For example, when possible, he configures piping in shorter runs to get water where it needs to go more quickly and efficiently.

One extensive remodeling project was the 4,500 square foot Courtney residence in Marin County's slightly posh Mill Valley. "The initial plan was to add a guest suite to the '70s era home, and push out to give the son a larger room and private bath," Rogers said.

The Mill Valley project's "in-law" suite included a kitchen, bath and laundry room. Rogers did the plumbing on those areas as well as remodeling three existing baths, five baths in all. The job stretched over eight months, with possibly the biggest challenge having to haul cast iron up about 90 steps, he said.

The plumbing work included interior re-piping in PEX and copper and exterior in Aquatherm, a very durable green pipe that uses heat to fuse pipes together, and installation of a whole-house circulation system with Metlund pumps. Hot water was provided via two A.O. Smith hybrids, a large one of the main house and a smaller one for the guest house. The advantage of the hybrids, Rogers explained was that they heat up water quickly like a tankless but also store water, and that an upgrade of the gas line wasn't required.

In the baths, Rogers put in Toto high efficiency 1.28 gpf toilets, lower flow Grohe valves and showerheads and low-flow Hansgrohe faucets. While they were at it, the homeowners added PV solar. Rogers' pride in the project is obvious when he talks about how cool the baths look with features selected from Restoration Hardware that give the baths a retro, yet modern feel.

For another large green project, the Kramer residence in Novato, the company remodeled a full kitchen and two baths. Rogers and his full-time crew of three not only did the plumbing but framing, electrical, cabinetry and lighting as well.

"What I liked about this kitchen is the use of recycled materials and natural light," Rogers said. The countertops are fabricated of recycled marble and granite and the backsplash of recycled glass. Natural light is brought in by a skylight and the space boasts energy-saving under-cabinet LED lighting. A non-demand circulation system feeds hot water to remodeled kitchen and two bathrooms.

An example of going green without sacrificing the "wow factor" is a bath from another Rogers Remodel project in Novato which included a full kitchen and two baths.

Green materials were used when possible. The master bath was plumbed with low-flow faucets and showerheads in the large shower and soaking tub with waterfall faucet, and the builder used recycled materials for the floor, and added a skylight and LED lighting. "In the master bath, we retained the tank heater. On a lot of projects we'll upgrade the tank or go tankless, depending on what they need what their peak flow is."

The large shower guest bath had both a rain-type showerhead and a handheld shower. The installer used a diverter so that only one low-flow showerhead or the other could be used at one time.

Green features in the kitchen included a recirculation pump, aerators on faucet, a low water use dishwasher, skylights, and LED under-cabinet lights. On projects like this, Rogers said, it's important to insulate everything well.

Rogers' efforts on the green plumbing front earned him the GreenPlumber of Year award or the Western states from GreenPlumbers USA and IAPMO. He was cited for "going above and beyond by collaborating with community partners to install water catchment systems in two local schools. Jamie has calculated that he has saved 2.4 million gallons of water this year [2011] in the Bay Area and has also promoted water conservation by serving on local job-building boards and green employment councils."

"We teamed up with local water districts for toilet change outs and did a lot of water audits the past year for clients in commercial buildings and we were able to calculate how much water was saved with the change outs and the other projects that I did," Rogers explained.

On the school projects, "we teamed up with RainwaterHog, a rainwater harvesting company out of Australia, to install rainwater capture systems in a couple of different schools," Rogers said. "We met them (RainwaterHog) at a trade show and signed on as distributor and installer of their products in the Bay Area."

Through GreenPlumbers, Rogers and the manufacturer put in seven rainwater tanks and a hand pump at McKinley Elementary School in San Francisco for the students to use to water their plants. They installed three tanks at Hall Middle School in Larkspur which were rigged to flush a toilet. "We donated most of our services for those first two projects. It's a great hands-on demonstration about conservation for the kids. We want to do more like them."

Rogers plans to keeping delivering the green message, whether with individual homeowners or business clients, working with local water districts in programs such as water audits and toilet change outs and through GreenPlumbers to help educate other plumbing and building professionals.

Even though he started on the construction side, Rogers said he loves plumbing. And, there's no greater compliment to plumber or builder than having a client say, "I love the work you did and I want you for my next project."

Check out the article written about Rogers Remodel in Reeves Journal, the oldest publication in the plumbing industry.

Maria Oliveira’s Language Learning offers Spanish and Portuguese Language Lessons in Bay Area California and Online Language Courses

Maria Oliveira Language Learning Center is a new and innovative school for adults who enjoy smaller and more personalized classes in Spanish and Portuguese. The philosophy of the school derives from Maria's personal, lifelong goal of helping people to become bilingual. In Maria's view, acquiring a second language enriches life and rewards the successful student in many ways. Whether you are seeking personal pride of accomplishment or need to expand your skills in the workplace, Maria Oliveira Language Learning Center provides affordable, comfortable classes in a non-threatening environment where you can learn at your own rate. Your success is our goal!

Through her education and teaching experience in adult schools, colleges, and for a wide variety of professional groups, Maria has addressed the challenges of adult learners by developing her own series of highly successful workbooks and audio materials that individuals and teachers use around the country. Now, in her Language Learning Center, Maria provides students with the same practical and efficient approach using teaching methods with proven, successful results. Classes at the Center provide what the large, institutional classes leave out; individual attention, rapid progress, successful retention, and a place to ask questions, make comments, and be more than a face in the crowd!

Enrich your life! ... Impress your friends! ... Become bilingual!

Learn Spanish, Portuguese, French and English with Maria Oliveira's Language Learning Center. Call Toll free: 877-251-8353 / Local: 510-223-3320

Contra Costa County Environmental Stewards: Generation Green

Since 1990, Generation Green, a 501c3 nonprofit, has sought to inform and encourage environmental action in CCC. Generation Green has hosted dozens of workshops and attended countless events. Their efforts have reached all segments of the community. From local arts and crafts classes to attendance at City Council meetings—their goal is to educate all residents in the county about environmental issues.

Generation Green empowers its citizens to voice their concerns and implement earth saving actions. Through heightened awareness they encourage wise choices that ensure sustainable living and the preservation of the environment.

Programs Supported by Generation Green

Dumpster Diversion

Discover the process of creative reuse through arts and crafts with the Dumpster Diversion Project (DDP). This programs promote the principles of conservation, recycling and reuse. Children and adults of all ages can enjoy using unique materials to create amazing works of art! DDP facilitates the construction of trash to treasures: unusual arts/crafts pieces made from found objects. Participants easily learn that it is important to think before you toss anything away!

The DDP also supply local artists and teachers with discarded materials for various projects. Recipients of DDP materials include the Early Childhood center of Martinez, the Martinez Arts Association, as well as the Boys and Girls Club of Martinez.

Green Rheem

Periodic Green Rheem film nights are a chance to socialize with friends at the historical Rheem Theatre in Moraga, CA. Participants savor local wine and appetizers before the film and then watch an educational documentary.

Think Global, Eat, Drink and Shop Local. Attendees are introduced to local vendors for food and wine and learn about key issues facing the health of our community.

Contra Costa County Climate Leaders Program

Local Governments are taking the lead to develop a livable community and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Contra Costa County (CCC). To facilitate, track and measure regional action, 4CL monitors activities, provides free resources and tools, and provides a multimedia communications strategy that ensures best practices are shared and implemented. Elected officials and staff receive a monthly newsletter, attend workshops and share successes on line.

Sustainable Schools Connection

Sustainable Schools Connection goal is to create and support sustainability with youth by developing environmental stewardship and encouraging individual, campus and community involvement.

Red, White and Blues Celebration

Generation Green holds its annual Red, White and Blues event to help raise money for their non-profit. This event features local food and wine and is held in July each year. For more information or to be a part of the celebration, send an email to info@generationgreen.com

Reduce Reuse Respect

Reduce

The program aims to reduce our impact on earth. Generation Green will cultivate and promote environmental sustainability for a healthy livable planet through education and community outreach. They provide forums, sponsor events, workshops and classes to inform and support the public on the benefit and need for a sustainable, reusable, low impact, healthy lifestyle.

Reuse

Generation Green’s goal is to reuse our materials and to reduce ecological footprint on the planet. They accommodate reuse collection centers and participate/coordinate events for promoting creativity through art and education using recycled and reuse materials.

Respect

The goal is to respect our planet to regain our connection to the planet and to abundance. Generation Green assists education and consultation on healthy living within the community and share the work of other cultures.

These include:

thoughts for working with native traditions, cultures, working for the next seven generations.

work in Ghana - educating and assisting third world countries.

restoration - native plants and habitat restoration, removing invasives.

conservation work - saving teaks, open space lands etc.

herbal medicine folklore and information and materials.

Links to education materials.


To get updates about Generation Green events and activities visit the website, http://generationgreen.com/  . Call 925-708-9686 for more inquiries.