- Dental ExaminationBad breath caused by bacteria in the mouth can easily be treated. Brushing your teeth, tongue and gums after meals as well as flossing and rinsing with mouthwash will usually take care of the problem. Regular visits to the dentist should be made for dental examinations and for professional teeth and gum cleaning.
- X-rays
- Teeth CleaningDental hygienists traditionally perform scaling by hand. However, new and advanced technology has lead to more modern methods such as electric scalers. This sophisticated tool allows dental cleanings to be performed more efficiently and in less time. To achieve best results, both electric and manual scaling methods are combined for dental cleanings.
- Fluoride Treatment
- Dental SealantsSEALANTS Sealants are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because they're too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. These will develop cavities over time, and you don't want that. So the dentist will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.
- FillingsGold fillings are custom made in a laboratory and then cemented into place. While gold fillings are often the most expensive choice, many consider it the best filling material. Gold inlays are well-tolerated by gum tissues and may last more than 20 years.
- Resin CompositeBONDING Bonding involves adhering composite resin material that is matched to the color of the tooth, to the front of the tooth. This is done to repair damage done to the tooth by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, close gaps between the teeth, or for cosmetic purposes. First the surface of the tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding and hold it. A gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bond agent is applied so the material adheres to the surface. Then the material itself is placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. The composite resin material is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish as a last step.
- VeneersVENEERS Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.
- CrownsThese are restorations to repair a severely broken tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and all decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, composites, or even stainless steel. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as "crowns". However, patients often refer to the tooth-colored ones as "caps" and the gold or stainless steel ones as "crowns". back to top »
- BridgesCrowns and bridges are used to restore and enhance teeth that are damaged, or to take the place of missing teeth. A crown, also referred to as a cap, is used to entirely cover a damaged tooth. A crown not only strengthens a tooth, but it can dramatically improve a tooth's appearance, shape and alignment.
- Dental Bonding
- Root Canal TreatmentRoot canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to this pulp. (Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early) Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy, also. Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is an abscess). By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated, and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, not to mention very painful. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth.
- Deep CleaningNON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENT The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for ones teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium include: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these may be a sign of problem. With proper gum treatments, however, it may be possible to return gum tissue to a healthy state. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we may treat it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root plan done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to have it treated at the first sign of a problem.
- DenturesA denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures available, including partial and complete dentures. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain, while complete dentures are used to completely replace all teeth. Dentures are made to resemble your natural teeth so there should be no noticeable change to your appearance. In fact, dentures may even improve your smile!
- Dental ImplantsA dental implant is an ideal tooth restoration for people who are missing one or more teeth as a result of injury, periodontal disease, or any other reason. A dental implant is a metal post that a periodontist or oral surgeon surgically positions into the jaw. Once in place and bone surrounding the implant has had time to heal, a replacement tooth is attached to the post. While implants are typically more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement, they provide superior benefits. Implants are stronger than natural teeth and generally last 10-20 years. They are also a more favorable approach than bridgework since they do not depending on neighboring teeth for support.
- Oral Surgery
- Tooth ExtractionsTOOTH EXTRACTIONS Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Although dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there still sometimes necessary occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted. A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs...
- Ridge AugmentationDr. Gordon has been a practicing Periodontist for 9 years. He completed his dental training at the State University of New York at Buffalo, ranked as the #6 dental school in the US at the time of his attendance. He completed his residency in Periodontology at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, ranked as the #1 dental school in the US at the time of his attendance. Dr. Gordon is an expert in the diagnoses and treatment of Periodontal Diseases. In addition, he is an expert in the field of Implantology and routinely performs the placement of Dental Implants, Ridge Augmentation (Bone Grafting), Sinus Lift, and Periodontal Plastic Surgery procedures.
- Bone Grafting
- Orthodontics"In the many years that I have been practicing Orthodontics, I have seen technology transform the profession. Today we can move teeth in much less treatment time and with very little discomfort in adults as well as children. Good looks start with good smiles. A beautiful smile is the best gift I can give to a patient. My reward is when the patient smiles back at me."
- Invisalign OrthodonticsThe Invisalign System works begins by first creating a series of trays that will each moving your teeth gradually until the end result is achieved. At the end of each two-week period, you will switch trays. Throughout the process, you will visit your dentist every six weeks to ensure treatment is progressing as planned. Once your treatment is complete, you will likely wear a clear retainer to ensure your new smile stays in place.
- BracesAs with all orthodontic appliances, the cost of Invisalign varies according to the complexity of the case. However, Invisalign is generally more expensive than traditional braces. Insurance policies generally cover Invisalign to the same extent that they cover traditional braces.
- Teeth WhiteningPark South Dental has five wonderful hygienists who provide a very comprehensive dental prophylaxis. It is never “just a cleaning”. Good oral hygiene is the foundation of a beautiful, healthy smile. Our hygienists will educate you, go over every aspect of oral hygiene, and design a hygiene treatment plan customized to your specific dental needs. They will work in conjunction with our dentists to deliver the best possible treatment suited for you. Our hygienists will even help you determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening/bleaching.
- Cosmetic DentistryDr. Lam has been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry at Park South Dental since 2001. He is kind, compassionate, and known for his “gentle hands” and his “meticulousness”. Dr. Lam strives to change a patient’s previous bad dental experiences to positive ones with his calm and relaxing demeanor. He has a passion for aesthetics and takes pride in creating beautiful smiles. Upon meeting Dr. Lam, you will realize immediately that you have found the right dentist.