- Dental ExaminationA good number of people only see a dentist when something bothers them, but in an overwhelming majority, these problems do not happen overnight. Conditions that cause tooth pain happen over the course of years. These “crisis treatment” events can almost wholly be prevented by getting preventive care in the form of twice yearly cleanings and exams. Proper preventive care can help reduce cavities and gum disease and also detect existing cavities while they are small.
- X-raysMany of your examinations will include digital dental x-rays. This is because x-rays allow us to see what’s going on deep inside your teeth and beneath the gumline. In many cases, by the time a problem is visible to the naked eye, it’s already spread beyond the point where noninvasive, conservative treatment will help.
- Oral Cancer ScreeningThere are two different types of oral cancer. Oral cavity cancer begins in the mouth. The other type of oral cancer is called oropharyngeal cancer which develops in the throat behind the mouth. Certain behaviors such as smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol excessively and sunbathing can put you at an increased risk of developing oral cancer. In addition, men are at twice the risk of developing oral cancer, as are people older than 35. Actually, more than half of oral cancer patients are 68 and older. However, it’s important to keep in mind that more than 25 percent of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors. The good news is that the earlier you get an oral cancer exam, the easier it is to treat. In fact, when oral cancer is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, the chances of a successful recovery rises dramatically.
- Teeth Cleaning
- Fluoride Treatment
- Fillings
- Resin CompositeThe “Maryland” bridge is commonly used to replace missing front teeth and consists of a filler that is attached to metal bands that are bonded to the abutment teeth. The metal bands consist of a white-colored composite resin that matches existing tooth color.
- VeneersVeneers are thin, semi-translucent “shells” typically attached to your front teeth. Veneers are customized from porcelain material and permanently bonded to your teeth. Veneers are a great alternative to otherwise painful dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.
- CrownsA crown is a custom-made covering that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, acrylic resin or a mix of these materials. Porcelain generally has the most natural appearance, although it is often less durable.
- BridgesA fixed bridge is the most popular and consists of a filler tooth that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.
- Dental BondingOften, composite bonding is used to improve the appearance of your teeth and enhance your smile. As the name indicates, composite material, either a plastic or resin, is bonded to an existing tooth. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite bonding removes little, if any, of the original tooth.
- Restorative Dentistry
- Root Canal TreatmentEndodontic therapy is the proper name for what is commonly referred to as a root canal. The root canal is actually the naturally occurring canal that runs through the roots of each tooth, leading to a pulp chamber. These canals can become infected by microbes that eat away at your teeth. When this happens, endodontic therapy is used to clear out the infection with tiny files that scrape the infected tissue away.
- Gingivectomy and GingivoplastyThis procedure is done to reshape the gums for various reasons. If the gums are enlarged and overgrown, they create a breeding ground for plaque and bacteria. Sometimes there is too much gum tissue covering the teeth causing them to appear short. Certain medications can also cause gum enlargement. Most of these cases can be treated using a carbon dioxide laser. Using a laser will help the patient heal faster and experience less post operative pain.
- Periodontal SurgeryIn certain cases, periodontal surgery may be recommended to treat periodontal disease when non-surgical treatment is ineffective. We may advise procedures such as pocket reduction, soft tissue grafts or bone regeneration to treat periodontal disease. If a tooth has been lost due to periodontal disease, dental implants are always an option for permanent tooth replacement.
- Deep Cleaning
- DenturesA denture is removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures available, including partial and complete dentures. Partial denatures 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 in your appearance. In fact, dentures may even improve your smile!
- Dental ImplantsOver a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.
- Oral SurgeryThe I-CAT™ Cone Beam 3-D Dental Imaging System provides high-definition, in-office, three-dimensional, digital imaging at reduced cost and less radiation to the patient than traditional CT scans. It delivers quicker and easier image acquisition. It allows evaluation and analysis of critical anatomy for implants and oral surgery within minutes. It provides more anatomical information of bone structure and tooth orientation for optimum implant type selection, treatment, and placement. It detects and evaluates problems before they become serious by accurately measuring bone and jaw deformities, assessing bone lesions and changes of the jaw and detecting other pathologies such as cysts, tumors, and disease.
- Tooth ExtractionsAfter tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.
- Bone GraftingWith bone grafting, we now have the opportunity to not only replace bone where it is missing, but also the ability to promote new bone growth in that location! This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.
- Orthodontics
- Teeth WhiteningYour teeth will darken over time. Changes in the color of your teeth can be caused by such factors as the food and beverages consumed (like coffee, tea and soda). Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use or improper oral hygiene. Restoring your natural white smile is a priority for our dental whitening team. We can provide a variety of options for whitening your smile.
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- General Dentistry