Our staff will provide regular preventive dental care, including checkups and cleanings, to lay the foundations of strong health.
Comprehensive Dental Exam
Comprehensive dental examinations will include a visual examination of the state of the patients general oral health. Xrays of various aspects of the mouth and jaw are provided to provide a complete picture of the status of the patient’s oral health.
Cleaning and Polishing
For patients with healthy teeth and gums routine periodic cleaning and polishing of the teeth is provided and is recommended on a regularly scheduled basis to insure good ongoing oral health.
Fillings
Should a routine examination identify a cavity that requires attention a variety of filing options are provided.
Preventive Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis consists of a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. This is a preventive measure to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. The procedure also involves a thorough teeth cleaning removing tartar build up in hard to reach areas of the mouth. The latest equipment is used to provide scaling, polishing and debridement when needed. We recommends very strongly that patients have their teeth professionally cleaned every six months.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a very thin invisible plastic coating applied on the grooves on the surface of the back teeth where chewing occurs. This sealant protects them from decay. Some teeth have very deep crevices and grooves, which tend to collect germs and food particles unless they’ve been covered with a sealant. Most kids and teenagers who get cavities at an early age get them because of these food particles sticking to the surface in areas that are hard to clean.
When our dentists applies the dental sealant it takes very little time, is easy and pain free. First the tooth is thoroughly cleaned then a gel is applied on the chewing surface of the tooth for just a few seconds. The tooth is now washed and dried before the sealant is simply painted on the surface of the tooth. To help the sealant to harden a light is shined on it. The result is a shield on the tooth that protects it.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a natural mineral existing in food and water. Fluoride treatments help in the prevention of tooth decay as well as protecting the surface enamel of the teeth. Our dentist offers fluoride treatments as part of providing excellent dental care for our patients. The fluoride treatments carried out in our dental office contains a higher concentration of fluoride to make it more effective in fighting decay and in strengthening the enamel.
A dental sealant is a very thin plastic coating which is applied to the grooves on the surface of the back teeth where chewing occurs.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are used to replace a lost tooth or teeth. When people lose a tooth due to injury or disease they are often embarrassed about their appearance. Sometimes their speech or smile is adversely affected. It the tooth loss causes an irregular bite this can lead to other problems, even malnutrition. Tooth loss may also be caused by excessive wear and tear, gum disease or congenital defects. Whatever the cause of your tooth loss, you can discuss with your dentist whether or not a dental implant would be a good option for you.
Oral Cancer Screening
Early detection is the best way to combat any form of cancer and oral cancer is no different. Diagnosing oral cancer through regular screenings is key to preventing and effectively treating the condition. Our goal is to find oral, neck and head cancers as soon as possible when patients come in with symptoms of bleeding, pain, dysphagia or otalgia. Our dentist can carefully examine the mouth and neck, which usually only takes a few minutes. This short exam is critical to the prevention, treatment and cure of early stage oral cancer.
Endodontic Treatments (Root Canals)
An endodontic treatment is done on the inside of the tooth when it becomes inflamed or infected. This treatment is more commonly referred to as a root canal and the procedure is done to save the tooth. There have been major advancements in endodontics in recent years. Teeth that would have had to be pulled just a few years ago can now be rescued. If treating the infection on the inside of the tooth doesn’t work the patient can undergo endodontic surgery to save their tooth. There is a hallow space inside teeth where the pulp chamber lies. The pulp’s main purpose is to maintain the health of the tooth. Root canals inside the tooth lead up to the pulp chamber and in the center is where the nerve tissue runs. Over the years myths have developed as to how painful and dangerous having a root canal is, but these have been extremely exaggerated. The truth is having a root canal is no more painful than getting a filling.
Crowns
Crowns are meant to protect the part of the tooth that is seen above the gum line. They are placed there to strengthen the tooth or to enhance its appearance or size. They are also used to secure a bridge or dental implant. There are a quite few different kinds of crowns available, each serving a specific purpose. Our dentist can advise you on whether or not you will need a crown depending on the type of treatment you are receiving. Often a temporary crown is put in place until the permanent crown is made. Crowns are made of different substances such as porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, metal or resin.
Treatment for TMJ
The main joint in the jaw is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and it can develop a disorder or dysfunction, which can be very painful. The pain can affect the entire jaw, face and head. In severe cases the pain can spread to the neck and shoulders as well. Although TMJ is the name of this particular joint, but the acronym often refers to the painful disorder or syndrome. A more appropriate term would be temporomandibular disorder (TMD), but the two terms seem to be interchangeable. This painful joint disorder is certainly uncomfortable, but it also causes the teeth to erode slowly.
Extractions
When a tooth cannot be saved or the patient is at risk for developing an infection in surrounding teeth an extraction may be recommended by our dentists. A tooth with a severe crack may need to be extracted. There are other situations that make it totally impossible to save a tooth and therefore the dentist will be forced to extract it. For most people this would be a traumatic experience, however your dentist will discuss all your options with you so that you can decide which solution would be best for you under the circumstances.
Care for Canker Sores
Canker sores occur in the mouth and can be very painful. They are normally red, but they can also be white. They show up on the gums, inside of the cheek and/or under the tongue. These are not fever blisters, which show up on the outside of the lips and/or in the corners of the mouth. Anyone can get a fever blister since they can be caused by a number of different things including:
Poor nutrition
Stress
Injury to the mouth
Food allergies
Menstrual periods
Your dentist can advise you on the best treatment for relieving the pain.