- Dental ExaminationPreventive dentistry involves establishing habits that will keep your teeth healthy help you avoid cavities, gum disease, enamel wear, and more. During your regular visit at Franklin Dental Center, your dental hygienist will point out any issues that you may be having with your oral hygiene. Your hygienist will perform a cleaning, dental exam, an oral cancer exam, and take any necessary X-rays.
- X-rays
- Oral Cancer ScreeningOral cancer claims one life every hour on average. While you may believe that only patients who smoke or use tobacco suffer from the disease, research shows that more than 25% of patients diagnosed do not engage in any of the high risk behaviors associated with oral cancer. That’s why it’s so important for every patient to receive regular screenings. Dr. Franklin-Pitts will screen for oral cancer as part of every regular six month checkup. If suspicious areas are detected, we’ll talk you through your next steps to help you get the care you need ASAP.
- Teeth CleaningCommonly referred to as gum disease, periodontal disease has two main types: gingivitis and periodontitis. In the gingivitis stage, periodontal disease has few warning signs, and patients may be completely unaware there’s a problem. That’s why regular dental checkups are so important. Dr. Donna Franklin-Pitts will monitor your gum health during every appointment, and intervene at an early stage with more frequent professional teeth cleanings in order to renew oral health and prevent the advancement of gum disease to more severe periodontitis. At this stage, patients need more invasive treatments and may experience numerous adverse oral and overall health effects.
- Fluoride TreatmentFluoride is a mineral found in tap water and certain foods that aids in the development of strong, healthy teeth and bones. Once teeth have erupted from the gums, ingested fluoride is only minimally effective in keeping tooth enamel strong and free from decay. Instead, you’ll need to rely on sources of topical fluoride to fortify your smile. Most patients receive adequate levels of fluoride from brushing with fluoridated toothpastes. However, people with weaker tooth enamel or who are prone to decay can benefit from professional, topical fluoride treatments at the end of their six month checkups and cleanings.
- Dental SealantsA single application of dental sealants can last for years — we simply apply a thin coat of liquid sealant to the surfaces of teeth. Then, a curing light hardens the sealant into position. Dental sealants are completely clear, and place an invisible barrier between the tooth enamel and decay-causing bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup. Dental sealants are especially effective in protecting smiles for patients who have deep pits and grooves in their teeth that are difficult to clean. Sealants seep into these areas, preventing the accumulation of bacteria and plaque that can lead to decay.
- Fillings
- Resin CompositeOnce Dr. Franklin-Pitts has carefully prepared the affected tooth, effectively cleaning out the decayed areas and filling it with a composite resin to create a tight seal, we will carefully scan it with a high-tech camera in order to create a comprehensive digital impression. The new restoration is then designed by using this scan before this information is sent to the in-house milling unit. CEREC restorations are crafted from dental ceramic, a high-quality substance that is highly biocompatible with the human body. In fact, it has the same basic characteristics as your original tooth enamel!
- VeneersSometimes, our patients can find themselves facing smiles with several cosmetic flaws at once. Thankfully, instead of having to undergo multiple procedures, veneers in Tyler can give your appearance the comprehensive transformation it deserves. A veneer is a high-quality, custom-made porcelain restoration that is extremely thin. This allows it to fit over just the visible surfaces of certain teeth, hiding years of aesthetic imperfections from view behind a new, flaw-free appearance. We look forward to helping you improve your self-confidence here at Franklin Dental Center!
- CrownsInlays and onlays are considered an excellent restorative solution for patients with dental damage that is too severe for a common filling but not quite advanced enough to require a dental crown. These custom-made restorations are designed to either fit within the cusps of your tooth (inlay) or cover one or more of them (onlay) in order to rebuild its structure and strengthen the overall shape.
- BridgesThis depends largely on how well you take care of them — anywhere from five to fifteen years. A patient who gets regular dental checkups and maintains good oral hygiene habits is much more likely to keep their dental bridge in good condition for longer than ten years.
- Dental BondingIf you’ve been wanting to correct minor flaws in your smile, you’ll be thrilled to learn about a procedure called dental bonding. Since it can be done in just one visit, it’s the perfect way to enhance your smile and self-confidence without having a more involved procedure done. If you’d like to improve the appearance of your teeth and want to know if dental bonding in Tyler is right for you, contact our team at Franklin Dental Center today. With years of experience as a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Franklin will create the perfect treatment plan for you!
- Restorative DentistryWhile our goal as your dentist in Tyler, TX is always to help patients keep their smiles whole and healthy, only the very luckiest patients go an entire lifetime without needing any type of dental repair. When patients do experience tooth decay or damage, we offer a wide variety of restorative dentistry services in order to return damaged dental structures to their full form and function. Call our team right away if you’re in need of any kind of repair. We’re here to help patients in Tyler, Bullard, and other nearby communities.
- Root Canal TreatmentRoot canals are necessary when tooth decay, a chip or crack, or other dental trauma reaches deep inside the tooth to the innermost layer. Known as the pulp, this soft tissue houses the entire nerve system of the tooth. Because the nerve is accessed directly by damage or decay, a painful toothache and sensitivity to temperature changes may occur. Root canal therapy is recommended in these situations to relieve pain and preserve what healthy dental structure remains.
- Deep CleaningThis kind of deep cleaning has been described as the gold standard of treatment for patients with gum disease. To get the gums healthy again, all that gunk needs to be cleaned out, which is what dental scaling and root planing does.
- DenturesFranklin Dental Center offers different types of dentures for patients with missing teeth. Is a large part of your smile missing? Are you missing an entire arch of teeth? We can quickly restore your confident, complete smile with dentures in Tyler! Dentures have been around for hundreds of years, and modern dental technology and materials have made this classic restoration more durable, lifelike, and comfortable than ever before!
- Dental ImplantsImplant dentures tend to be more expensive than traditional options because they rely on a series of dental implants to keep the denture stable. This makes your tooth replacement not only more reliable, but more permanent as well. It also allows you to eat a more expansive diet and smile with added confidence knowing your denture won’t slip or shift out of place. Compared to dentures, they last much longer too; dentures need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years, while implant dentures can last for decades.
- Oral Surgery
- Gum SurgeryWhile routine scaling helps prevent gum disease, scaling and root planing is a non-surgical treatment for existing gum disease. In cases of severe periodontitis, it may be recommended before gum surgery.
- Tooth ExtractionsIn most cases, Dr. Donna Franklin-Pitts tries her hardest to helping patients keep their teeth intact. However, despite our best efforts, tooth extraction is sometimes necessary. If we determine you’re in need of extraction, we’ll do our utmost to provide that service to you in our comfortable Tyler, TX dental practice. In extremely complex extraction cases, we’ll likely partner with a local specialist to ensure your safety and the longevity of your smile. If you have questions or concerns about tooth extractions, keep reading to find out more, or call Franklin Dental Center to schedule your appointment. Our centrally located family dentistry practice is open to patients from Tyler, Whitehouse, and all surrounding communities.
- OrthodonticsPorcelain veneers offer patients the ability to completely change the appearance of their smile without undergoing numerous treatments. Veneers are sometimes referred to as instant orthodontics.
- Invisalign Orthodontics
- BracesBraces: Braces and clear aligners can correct a variety of bite and alignment issues. Sometimes, dental insurance can offset the cost, but you’ll need to commit to wearing them for several years.
- Teeth WhiteningIf you’re ready to restore your smile’s former brilliance, teeth whitening is a great option here at Franklin Dental Center! The process is simple – our team will provide you with customized oral trays and professional-grade whitening gel that are designed to be used together. Then, in the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule, you’ll be instructed to wear the gel-filled trays for a certain amount of time each day. After a couple of weeks of diligent use, patients can expect to brighten their enamel by multiple shades.
- Cosmetic DentistryTo find out more or schedule an appointment with our team. If you want to learn more about cosmetic dentistry follow this link.
- General DentistryThe most crucial element of general dentistry is prevention, and dental sealants are one of the best treatments for keeping cavities away. We typically recommend sealants for younger patients, but adults who suffer from frequent decay can also benefit from the treatment.