- Dental ExaminationThe condition is very common in our culture, so we evaluate every patient for TMJ dysfunction at their regular dental exam. If we detect a problem, our goals are to arrest it, protect teeth from further damage, and correct underlying bite misalignment. Therapy may involve fitting you with a physiologic bite appliance, suggesting ways to alleviate stress, and recommending symptom relief measures. Typically, TMJ patients need to avoid chewing gum or hard, chewy food, take small bites, and alternate chewing between both sides of the mouth. Good nutrition will help the joint heal more quickly; good posture will also help relieve discomfort. A straight back, relaxed neck, and side-sleeping position are also helpful. To relieve soreness, light temple and jaw massage will stimulate circulation and relax the muscles. If pain is present, we suggest alternating moist heat and cold for 20 minutes to further increase circulation. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or analgesics can be very helpful as well.
- X-rays
- Oral Cancer ScreeningWhile the statistics on oral cancer are discouraging, when the disease is found and treated in the early stages it has an 80 to 90-percent cure rate. Ask your dentist about whether you could benefit from a VELscope oral cancer screening.
- Teeth CleaningYour toothbrush and floss are essential to maintaining a healthy smile, but it’s only half the care your mouth needs. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends everyone over the age of three visits their dentist for a professional teeth cleaning in Norman twice per year. Besides good cleaning, you should also have a checkup every 6 months. Dr. Bobby J. Carmen will monitor your oral health to ensure your smile lasts for a lifetime.
- Fluoride TreatmentThe best treatment for sensitivity depends on its cause. If you have thin tooth enamel, you might need something as simple as a fluoride treatment or desensitizing toothpaste. If you have a cavity, gum disease, or an infection, you may need some restorative procedures.
- Dental SealantsMany people have deep pits and grooves in their teeth where bacteria and food particles can hide and cause decay. Children with poor brushing habits may also develop decay on hard-to-reach molars. For situations like these, dental sealants offer a means of protecting molar and premolar chewing surfaces from decay. Recognized by the American Dental Association as a key means of cavity prevention, dental sealants are simply a thin plastic film that can be applied to teeth.
- FillingsIf you're embarrassed about your smile because of decay or dark fillings in your teeth, you may be a good candidate for composite resins. A silicon dioxide-filled, tooth-colored plastic mixture, composite resins can restore teeth to an attractive, healthy state. Composite resins represent several advantages over traditional silver or amalgam fillings.
- Resin CompositeBecause composite resins are not made of metal, we can blend and mix shades to find the perfect color to match your natural teeth. This means only you and your dentist will know you have fillings. Another pro is that the tooth/composite bond actually supports the remaining tooth structure, deterring breakage and insulating against temperature changes. Medium and small composites can last seven to ten years – that’s as long as the tried and true amalgams. Best of all, composite resins allow us to keep more of your natural tooth structure intact than amalgams. We believe in conservative dentistry – the more natural tooth structure you keep, the better teeth you’ll likely have in the future.
- VeneersJust as an engineer creates a model to ensure that a machine will work correctly, the dentist often fabricates a wax-up model of jaws and teeth when working on more complex restorative or cosmetic cases. By building an accurate model of your mouth, we can test prosthetics, veneers, and other dental work to ensure a proper fit. You can also see what our proposed solutions will look like on the wax model, so you'll make a truly informed decision about your dental work. If adjustments are required, the dentist adapts the model to reflect changes before the case goes to the dental laboratory. Wax-ups provide us with a realistic projection of how your dental work will look and function, which results in more accurate restorations.
- CrownsAre you in need of a dental crown? With CEREC in Norman, Dr. Bobby J. Carmen can prepare, manufacture, and place a beautiful restoration in just one visit to our office. That means there is no need for a temporary crown and no unnecessary time away from work, school, or life. Learn more about the procedure for a one-visit crown, then schedule an appointment today!
- BridgesTo replace one or more consecutive missing teeth, a fixed bridge may be an effective option. Fixed bridges rely on dental crowns to support a replacement tooth or teeth. The dental crowns are fused to either side of the replacement teeth, and the entire prosthetic is attached to surrounding healthy teeth for support.
- Dental BondingIf you have a chipped, slightly misaligned, or otherwise imperfect tooth that needs cosmetic restoration, there’s no need to spend any extra money or time fixing it -- we may suggest one-appointment cosmetic bonding in Norman instead. With this procedure, Dr. Bobby J. Carmen applies liquid composite resin, shaded to blend with your tooth's color, to rebuild a pleasing shape to your tooth. After hardening the resin with a curing light, he will artistically sculpt and polish the restoration.
- Restorative DentistryAt the Norman dental office of Bobby Carmen, DDS, we are dedicated to helping patients keep their smiles health. If for any reason we’re unable to protect your smile from tooth decay or damage, our office also offers a wide range of restorative dentistry services to repair your smile and renew oral health. If you’ve experienced tooth decay or damage, call Dr. Carmen and his Norman dental team to find out more today. We’ll discuss your situation and help you determine whether or not you need immediate emergency dental care. Otherwise, we’ll schedule a treatment visit to get started on your personalized restorative dentistry plan.
- Root Canal TreatmentWhen extensive damage compromises the internal structure of a tooth, root canal treatment can save the tooth from extraction. With modern tools and sedation dentistry, root canal treatment is more comfortable than in the past. At the dental office of Bobby J. Carmen, DDS, we are often able to perform root canal treatment in a single visit to our Norman, Oklahoma dental office. You can trust us with your smile. Call today to reserve your root canal consultation with Norman dentist Dr. Bobby Carmen. Patients from Norman, Moore, the University of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma, and beyond visit us for quality dental care.
- Gingivectomy and GingivoplastyBeautiful smiles are made of healthy pink gums and big, sparkling white teeth. Unfortunately, your teeth can just end up appearing short or stubby if there is too much gum tissue covering them up. What you may not know if you have a “gummy smile” is that beneath that overgrown soft tissue, your teeth are just waiting to be revealed! If you have a gummy smile, we may recommend a gum lift, otherwise known as a gingivectomy.
- Deep CleaningOur gentle hygienist will inspect your gums for periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss for American adults. They are specially trained to detect, deter, and treat gum disease. If we find cause for concern, we may recommend changes to your oral hygiene routine or the products you use at home. We may also suggest a deep cleaning, which involves scaling and root planing.
- DenturesYour teeth are an important part of your overall health, confidence, and appearance. Not only can missing teeth make you feel self-conscious about your smile, but they can also increase your risk of oral health problems and systemic conditions. In fact, studies show that those with missing teeth don’t live as long as people with a full set of pearly whites. Thankfully, Dr. Bobby J. Carmen can help you regain a complete, confident smile with dentures in Norman. Read on to learn more about these classic restorations and call us today to schedule your consultation!
- Dental ImplantsExtensive tooth loss can be devastating to every part of your day-to-day life. You may find it difficult to share a smile with a friend, eat a nutritious meal, and speak up with confidence in any personal or professional situation. At the Norman dental office of Bobby J. Carmen, DDS, we offer tooth replacement solutions to repair smiles no matter how many teeth you’ve lost. In addition to traditional tooth replacement options, we also offer advanced dental implant tooth replacement solutions. If you’re ready to repair your smile from the roots up, call Dr. Carmen and his dental team in Norman to schedule your tooth replacement consultation with our skilled and friendly dentistry team.
- Oral SurgeryAs with any procedure we perform, your physical safety remains our top concern. To prepare for an appointment in which you will receive IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to your procedure, except for prescription medications, unless advised otherwise. While you are under sedation, we closely monitor blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. After your dental work, we stop the IV and let you rest comfortably for 15 to 20 minutes before you leave our office. If necessary, we prescribe pain management medication after your visit, particularly after an oral surgery. You must arrange to have a responsible adult drive you home from your appointment and remain with you until drowsiness wears off. You should be able to resume normal activities the day after the appointment.
- Tooth ExtractionsWhen we’re unable to repair damaged teeth, we may need to proceed with tooth extraction. This is always a last recourse. Our team will only recommend the removal of teeth if maintaining the tooth will be more harmful to overall health than extraction. If we determine that extraction is your best option, our skilled team will offer safe, comfortable tooth removal.
- Bone GraftingFirst, Dr. Carmen will need to meet with you and perform a thorough examination of your mouth. He may also capture detailed images of your jaw using our advanced 3D cone beam / CT scanner. With this information, he can get a clear picture of whether you’re a good dental implant candidate, and if so, whether you’ll need preliminary work beforehand, such as bone grafting or gum disease therapy. He can also outline what the rest of your treatment will probably look like. If you have any questions about how dental implants work in Norman, your consultation would be the time to ask!
- OrthodonticsA full-mouth reconstruction plan can incorporate any number of restorative, orthodontics, or cosmetic dentistry treatments. The goal is to fully repair a severely damaged or decayed smile to complete form, function, and aesthetic appearance.
- Invisalign Orthodontics
- BracesBefore you purchase any mouthguard, talk to your dentist. Special mouthguards or mouth protectors are recommended for patients with braces, removable bridges or dentures, a protruding jaw, or a cleft palate.
- Teeth WhiteningDespite the fact that you brush and floss your teeth everyday, stains and discoloration are likely to accumulate over the course of years. Between foods and beverages that deposit stain-causing particles in micro-cracks of tooth enamel and other contributing factors such as smoking, teeth grinding and even genetics, you’re bound to see a change in the color of your smile as you age. However, the color you see now can be brightened with teeth whitening.
- Cosmetic DentistryCosmetic dentistry isn't just about improving the appearance of teeth. It's about creating a smile that exudes health and confidence. Dr. Carmen achieves this goal by addressing periodontal health first and foremost and then recommending cosmetic enhancements that are right for your personality and lifestyle.
- General DentistryThe Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is an organization dedicated to raising awareness about oral health and maintaining the proficiency of general dentists through quality continuing education. Dr. Carmen has taken hundreds of hours in continuing education courses and earned his Fellowship with the AGD. This prestigious designation sets him apart as a highly qualified general and family dentist.