- Dental ExaminationThe American Dental Association recommends taking your child to his or her first dental exam within 6 months of when they get their first tooth. This might seem early, but it’s never too early to start forming a positive relationship with a dentist! Plus, children who have a good relationship with their dentist are more likely to be well-behaved at dental visits & form good dental habits that prevent costly dental work in the future.
- X-raysIn the past, dental x-rays were captured using a film process similar to an analog photograph. With the advent of digital imaging, computerized radiography has become the dental industry standard. Digital x-rays require up to 90% less radiation than conventional film-type x-rays, which were already fairly low risk to begin with. Instead of using the traditional silver-oxide x-ray film, which must be developed & then fixed in caustic & environmentally damaging solutions, the new system takes pictures via a small electronic sensor.
- Oral Cancer ScreeningEarly detection is key in the battle against cancer & this is no different with oral cancer. Even if you don’t smoke, keep in mind that 25% of oral cancer diagnoses are for non-smokers. It’s important that every patient receive a simple & pain-free oral cancer screening.
- Teeth CleaningWe have great hours & we are proud to offer our patients convenient appointments that fit even the busiest schedules. We understand that many of our patients work or go to school full time. Our friendly staff always strives to provide appointment times that don’t require time off or missing class. To help you stay on top of your preventive care, we will pre-appoint you for your next appointment at each teeth cleaning visit. Reminders are sent ahead of your appointment so you don’t miss it!
- Fluoride TreatmentAt our office, we offer professional fluoride treatments for children, who are often at higher risk for cavities as their teeth grow & develop & they learn good oral hygiene habits. We recommend fluoride as a preventive treatment for children. Fluoride treatments are usually done at six-month cleaning appointments. Treatment involves the dentist applying varnish to your teeth using a gel, foam, or a rinse. We may also recommend fluoride treatments for adults who are at high risk of tooth decay.
- Dental SealantsSealants are highly effective in preventing tooth decay on the biting surfaces of chewing teeth. These surfaces have natural pits & grooves, which can become filled with food particles & bacteria that can be difficult to remove with a toothbrush.
- Fillings
- Resin CompositeThe most common materials are gold, amalgam (silver), composite (plastic) resin & porcelain. Metal fillings are more common on back teeth (molars) because they don’t show when you smile. However, many patients prefer a tooth-colored, metal-free option, regardless of where in the mouth the filling will be. At our office we prefer to use new & advanced tooth fillings made of tooth-colored materials. This material is made of durable composite resin or porcelain. Tooth-colored fillings are used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. They can be used on the back teeth as well, depending on the location & extent of the tooth decay. Ultimately, the decision on which material to use for your dental filling will be the result of a well-informed discussion between you & the dentist.
- VeneersUnsatisfied with how your teeth look? Teeth that are chipped, stained or misshapen can take away from an otherwise beautiful smile. Veneers can rejuvenate your lackluster teeth & transform your smile.
- CrownsSevere tooth decay can sometimes destroy a tooth to the point where a filling cannot keep it intact. Left untreated, these teeth can break down even further. In these cases, dentists rely on dental crowns to protect what’s left of the tooth.
- BridgesDental bridges are designed to replace a missing tooth & to stabilize the teeth on either side of the gap. There are few types of bridges available, but in most cases, bridges consist of a fake tooth (known as a pontic) that is supported by one or more neighboring teeth. Unlike a dental implant, a tooth replaced by a bridge is not directly rooted in your jaw, but is instead attached to nearby teeth.
- Dental BondingThe most common kind of dental bridge is called a traditional bridge. This is a pontic tooth attached to two dental crowns that will cover the adjacent teeth. In order to fit the crowns over the other teeth, the dentist needs to file them down. The crowns (sometimes called abutments) are placed over your reshaped teeth & secured with a composite bonding resin.
- Restorative DentistryCalled gingivitis in its early stages, periodontal disease is caused by excessive toxic bacteria (found in plaque) that attack your mouth’s soft tissues. Early warning signs of this disease include red, swollen or bleeding gums. If caught early, we can help you reverse the damage. If detected late, we can use one of the many effective restorative dentistry procedures to restore your mouth to its healthy & beautiful state.
- Root Canal TreatmentPut simply, endodontic care is the term for the treatments & procedures a dentist will use to save a tooth if it becomes infected or injured. Endodontics involves treating the tissues inside your teeth that surround the root. Most commonly, this includes root canal therapy. But don’t worry, getting a root canal isn’t as painful as popular culture might lead you to believe. In fact, root canals are meant to get rid of pain, not cause it!
- Deep CleaningIn periodontal disease, swollen unhealthy gums start to pull away from the teeth because of pockets where infection-causing plaque & tartar accumulate. During a deep cleaning, the dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar & bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth & tooth roots. The dentist or hygienist then smoothes the surface of the tooth root to make it harder for bacteria to stick in the future & easier for the gums to re-attach.
- DenturesReplacing missing teeth with dentures is important for maintaining the aesthetics of your face. Without the structure of the teeth as support, your cheeks & jaw may start to sag, leading to a more aged appearance.
- Dental ImplantsWith today’s modern dental techniques & technologies, dental implants are the best choice for replacing missing teeth & restoring your smile to both beauty & functionality.
- Oral SurgeryAn oral surgeon specializes in working with the bone & soft tissue of your mouth. Their treatments range from wisdom teeth removal to facial reconstructive surgery. Oral surgery is more in-depth than your typical dental procedure, & normally requires local or general anesthesia, sedation & time for recovery. Below are a few of the services that oral surgeons provide.
- Maxillofacial SurgeryOral & maxillofacial surgery is a highly specialized area of dentistry. An oral surgeon must spend four extra years in a hospital residency to earn their degree. Because of their cross training with other kinds of doctors, oral surgeons can perform advanced procedures that general dentists cannot.
- Tooth ExtractionsThe kind of tooth extraction you are probably most familiar with is wisdom tooth removal. Because they often cause problems to nearby teeth & can get infected, wisdom teeth are often removed before or after they come in. Other causes for extractions include...
- OrthodonticsImproving your smile with orthodontics can increase your confidence & self-esteem. But straight teeth are beneficial for more than just your appearance. When teeth are not properly aligned, they can be difficult to clean well enough to prevent tooth decay. If you can’t get floss between your teeth to clean out plaque, you risk unchecked tooth decay & gum disease.
- Invisalign OrthodonticsIt is a powerful tool for treating minor to moderate orthodontic problems. If your problem is severe enough, we may not be able to treat your case with Invisalign
- BracesThe restrictive brackets & wires of traditional metal braces can trap bits of food & make cleaning your teeth more difficult. If you don’t thoroughly clean your teeth while wearing metal braces, you may end up with stains when they’re removed.
- Teeth WhiteningIf you want your teeth to be “pearly whites” again, your best bet is to talk to your dentist about teeth whitening. If you have tried over-the-counter whitening kits & been disappointed, you will have better results with either in-office or take-home teeth whitening.
- Cosmetic DentistryHaving a great smile can make a huge difference in the way you look & feel. We offer a complete range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to create the confident smile you’ve always wanted.
- General DentistryGeneral dentistry is the term we use for the most common dental procedures that we do for patients. Most of these treatments have to do with removing tooth decay & repairing the damage it has done to your smile.