- Dental ExaminationRegular dental exams, professional cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices at home are essential to detecting and strategically managing periodontitis.
- X-rays
- Oral Cancer ScreeningNext, full-mouth x-rays and a comprehensive exam of your teeth, gums, mouth, and jaws, will be performed, including a non-invasive oral cancer screening.
- Teeth CleaningWhile dental emergencies can strike anyone, our patients who commit to regular preventive care present with significantly fewer problems over time. Professional cleanings with a registered dental hygienist allow us to bring a blend of proactive efforts to you. Deposits of mineralized plaque, known as tartar, adhere to certain areas of the teeth, even with your best efforts. These deposits offer suitable housing for millions of harmful bacteria to reside. Left unchecked, they produce a flood of toxins into the gums. This frequently cascades into devastating chronic problems, even resulting in loss of the teeth.
- Dental SealantsSealants give us a tool that can dramatically reduce the number of fillings placed in permanent teeth during critical stages of growth and development. On the chewing surface of molars, deep grooves reach into the center of the teeth. Under a microscope, these crevices might look like a deep canyon. In fact, most of them are narrower than a single toothbrush bristle but wide enough for bacteria to hide. It’s easy to see how cavities can form in such a perfect hideout.
- Fillings
- VeneersVeneers display the ultimate in dental art and science, handcrafted and customized to fit your smile. Like a contact lens, these paper-thin pieces of porcelain bond to the outside of your natural teeth. But don’t be fooled by the thin characteristics of this material. Many unique features can be incorporated into the ceramics, replicating any look you want to create.
- CrownsSometimes teeth undergo significant damage due to cavities, heavy bite forces, trauma, or even normal functioning. Many situations can leave teeth in danger of loss if treatment is bypassed. While teeth may need to be fully “capped” with a dental crown, some smaller fractures can be perfectly formed back to health with an onlay. A crown requires a little more tooth preparation while onlays allow the unbroken portions of a tooth to be left uncut. A custom piece of porcelain, like a partial crown, is bonded to the damaged area.
- BridgesWhenever you cruise across a bridge over the water, you’re being supported by the same principles that hold a dental bridge. Critical stabilization on each side helps bear the load, year after year. Teeth on either side of a space support a replacement tooth engineered from durable materials and glued into place. While this often serves for many years, the load-bearing teeth may deteriorate after thousands of chewing cycles. In some cases, this leads to more missing teeth.
- Dental Bonding
- Restorative DentistryWe know it's not always easy for you to sort through the complicated possibilities. Dr. Ristuben’s background in restorative dentistry allows him to develop solutions for every scenario.
- Root Canal TreatmentA deep cavity can give bacteria access to the inner nerve bundle. A crack extending into the same region can create stress that will need additional care to relieve. In some cases, a significant infection may develop in your jaw without any symptoms at all. If Dr. Ristuben determines that the nerve won’t recover or infection is present, then root canal treatment may be suggested.
- DenturesPeriodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is the most common adult dental affliction. About 30% of the population experiences gum disease, and it’s the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Many denture cases begin as a result of the ravages of this condition. While not curable, it is controllable. But it requires a focused strategy, similar to managing other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Dental ImplantsA custom road map for your return to full dental function when incorporating implants must guide the way. Dr. Ristuben calls upon the best technology available to help him plan your restorative case. Digital x-rays, 3D mapping, models, photographs and case guides prove valuable. Dr. Ristuben uses highly regarded specialists as needed to bring the components of your case together. But at all times, he serves as the quarterback of the entire plan.
- Oral SurgeryMinor surgical procedures involving the teeth, gums and jaw bone may be needed to preserve or enhance long-term health. While our philosophy rests on maintaining teeth, each situation deserves consideration of all the factors involved. So when the discussion we have together leads to a surgical correction, Dr. Ristuben will take every step necessary to ensure your comfort and safety.
- Tooth ExtractionsIf you’re between the ages of 16-25 years, a discussion about your wisdom teeth should take place. Wisdom teeth, a third set of molars, appear in the very back of each area of your mouth: Upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right. In a few patients, enough space exists for these molars to move into place. But most commonly, they just don’t belong, or they’re not lined up correctly. Wisdom teeth can lay entirely on their sides or lean at various angles into the neighboring teeth.
- OrthodonticsA variety of tooth and jaw issues open up the door to orthodontics in a growing child. Dr. Ristuben may point out that your child’s baby teeth appear crowded, or the relationship between the jaws isn’t ideal. While not generally the time for treatment, it may help you prepare for the possibility of future corrective care. As permanent teeth start to appear, usually around age 6, Dr. Ristuben monitors the process further and helps you decide if early orthodontic treatment makes sense.
- Invisalign OrthodonticsFor ultimate camouflage, tray or aligner systems render a modern straightening method. Designed with sophisticated software and 3D digital models of your teeth, a series of clear plastic trays produce the straightening results. Medical-grade plastic without wires, metal, springs, or rubber bands gently moves your teeth into place. Gradual pressure on specific teeth with each aligner means less discomfort and shortened treatment times, in many cases. Your provider dispenses several sets of aligners at a time, allowing you to change to a new one at home every two weeks.
- BracesAlthough the majority of cases involve teenagers, braces can play a role for some kids in their earlier years. Since permanent teeth are typically larger than baby teeth, space may need to be opened with the gentle force of braces. This allows teeth to move into place properly, helping avoid more extensive treatment later.
- Teeth WhiteningSometimes a new smile emerges from the simplest steps. Teeth whitening removes years of dingy stains from your teeth. Coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and chocolate dull white enamel surfaces. A brilliant boost along with some gentle polishing and reshaping of chipped, uneven edges can create an easy transformation. Simple and safe, most patients don’t realize how much discoloration embeds into their teeth until they see a new shine emerge.
- Cosmetic DentistrySmiles matter, probably more than we realize. Volumes of research confirm the influential role of smiles on our relationships and our self-esteem. If you’re confident, you smile more. If you smile more, you feel more confident. But what if you don’t want to flash your smile because you’re embarrassed by bad teeth? It becomes a psychological short-circuit, with effects that may ripple through your life. Fortunately, a growing range of options opens doors for anyone to enjoy a stunning new smile. And Dr. Ristuben’s passion for enhancing smiles brings you the best in modern dentistry.