Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry aims to restore the smile to a more natural and pleasing appearance through Bonding, Veneers, or Whitening.
General Pediatric Dentistry
As a family practice, we also treat children from the age of 4 and above. Our dentists and staff are trained to cater to children’s dental needs and are highly experienced and patient. Patients will find their environment to be friendly and welcoming.
Note that during their routine cleanings, children from the ages of 2 through 14 will receive a fluoride gel application. To increase the effectiveness of the fluoride, they will be asked not to eat or drink for 30 minutes afterward.
Extractions
An extraction, or tooth removal, is performed when a tooth is causing pain, damage and can no longer be saved.
Other reasons include:
- The patient may choose extraction over another option due to financial reasons.
- For orthodontic treatment, the removal of teeth allows crowded teeth to straighten.
- Third molars that do not grow straight or start to negatively affect surrounding teeth.
Teeth Whitening
It is normal for teeth to darken with time, especially if one’s diet includes food and drinks that stain. Although bleaching can lighten most discolorations, certain strains are difficult or impossible to eliminate.
Our office provides home whitening kits, custom-made, clear trays for each person, and the whitening gel is provided. Altogether, whitening is the most common and successful method used in creating a wonderful smile. This procedure is cosmetic so insurance does not cover it. Please call our office for pricing.
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Bonding
Bonding is a procedure where composite resin is placed to cover irregularities on teeth to restore them to the desired appearance. It is the most conservative technique to brighten one’s smile! The composite can repair chips, minor cracks, gaps between teeth, exposed roots, and so much more. The procedure is done in one appointment and usually doesn’t require the use of anesthesia. Regardless of its use, bonding can produce stunning results!
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Partial & Full Dentures
Replacing missing teeth is important if you want to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile! Dentures are custom made for each individual and replace multiple missing teeth or a full set of teeth if needed. Dentures function to restore your smile, chew your food, pronounce your words, and prevent facial sagging by providing support to your lips and cheeks.
There are many materials used to make full dentures, and you should consult your dentist about which ones are right for you.
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Complete Oral Examination
The purpose of this exam is to address any concerns or questions our patients may have. A visual and radiographic inspection of the mouth is conducted to determine each patient’s overall oral health. We are proud to provide our patients with digital x-rays, which emit less radiation than traditional x-rays. The individual’s treatment plan will be explained at this time, followed by a question-and-answer session.
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Routine Cleaning
Routine, superficial cleaning is done using an ultrasonic device to remove surface plaque and calculus around and between teeth. Calculus is plaque that has hardened over time. An overall polish follows this with a dental paste that leaves the mouth feeling refreshed.
Our pediatric patients receive only the polishing and a fluoride application, which strengthens the enamel. They are advised not to eat, drink, or rinse until after 30 minutes to ensure maximum absorption of fluoride into the enamel. Note that there is little fluoride absorption into the digestive system, and fluoride overdose in the body is not an issue.
After the procedure it is important to continue brushing and flossing regularly to maintain the cleanliness of teeth and gums. Mouth rinses facilitate the removal of debris from hard-to-reach areas.
Should there be plaque or calculus underneath the gums, a deep cleaning will be recommended to remove unwanted debris. This cannot be done during a simple cleaning because it would evoke discomfort, and anesthesia is often required.
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Deep Cleaning
Often referred to as ‘Scaling and Root Planning,’ a deep cleaning involves removing plaque and calculus below the gumline. Cleaning below the gums is important to preventing gum disease and stopping the progression of existing gum disease. Anesthesia is often used to make the procedure more comfortable for patients.
In patients with Periodontitis, or gum disease, the space between the gums and the teeth deepen to form pockets. Plaque could become trapped and impossible to remove via simple cleanings alone. Over several months, the plaque then hardens in the pockets, forming calculus, which can only be removed with special instruments. If the debris is not removed, the pockets could deepen further and propagate the gum disease. After deep cleanings, it is entirely possible for gums to heal, where pockets become shallower and more healthy.
After the procedure it is important to continue brushing and flossing regularly to maintain the cleanliness of teeth and gums. Mouth rinses facilitate the removal of debris from hard-to-reach areas.
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Fillings
There are two types of fillings offered in dentistry today:
Amalgam and Composite
Amalgam is a silver filling made of an alloy of metals, including silver, mercury, tin, copper, and zinc. The amount of mercury found in dental amalgam is minimal and, according to several studies, has been deemed safe for use by the American Dental Association. Amalgam has been used for several centuries in dentistry due to its strength and durability.
Composite is a resin or plastic material that is white. It is a popular alternative to amalgam due to its ability to blend in with surrounding teeth. Modern composites are as equally strong and durable as amalgam. Anesthesia is often used during both of these procedures to ensure the comfort of the patient.
For our pediatric patients, we offer preventative fillings called ‘sealants’ that help prevent cavities. Anesthesia is not required for this procedure.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is a procedure where the tooth’s pulp is removed, the internal surfaces cleaned and then filled with rubber. Reasons that necessitate root canals are deep cavities, trauma, fractures, repetitive dental procedures, or spontaneous infection from an unknown cause. This treatment provides an effective means of saving teeth that might otherwise require extraction. Anesthesia is always administered before this treatment.
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Post and Core Build-Up
A post is only placed in root canal treated teeth if there is not enough tooth structure to hold the permanent filling in place. It functions to retain the filling and crown. The core build-up material is then placed around the post to permanently seal the entrance of the canal(s) of the tooth. Materials used can vary from amalgam to varying types of composites.
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Crown Restorations
Crowns are used to cover teeth that have been root canal treated, fractured, chipped, or are misaligned. Materials used to fabricate crowns vary from steel to gold, to full porcelain, to porcelain fused to metal, which is most popular. Two main purposes why a crown is placed are to maintain the tooth’s integrity and restore it to a more pleasant appearance.
Placement of a crown requires the removal of some tooth structure. After administering anesthesia, a dental hand-piece is used to reduce the tooth size to a smaller version of itself. The reason for doing this is to ensure that the crown is not larger than the surrounding teeth. It needs to fit with the patient’s current bite in order to function successfully. After the tooth has been prepared, an impression will be taken and sent to the laboratory where the crown will be made. A temporary is placed on the tooth where it will remain until the permanent crown is cemented.
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Bridge Restorations
Bridges are multiple attached crowns that replace missing teeth. Unlike a denture, they are a permanently cemented restoration.
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Patient Education
All our dental services will be completed along with patient education. Most of the time, patient education is done before and after the procedure is done. Our doctors are very experienced and can complete the treatments quickly and efficiently. Our patients have and always will receive the best treatment dentistry offers. So, we welcome you to our office with a warm smile and many helping hands.
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