Our hygienists are experienced, well trained, and state certified. Their main concern is the health and comfort of all their patients.
Children and adults are encouraged to have two routine cleanings and exams per year as these are the frontline tools in the prevention and treatment of tooth decay and gum disease. During this visit, one of our dental hygienists will remove plaque from your teeth, especially from places where your brush can’t reach, such as underneath the gum line and in-between teeth. We will then clean your teeth and if appropriate, apply fluoride to help protect your teeth once you leave the office. Studies show that exposure of teeth to fluoride helps to strengthen and rebuild tooth structure, and helps prevent future decay.
All patients receive comprehensive head and neck examinations and clinical oral cancer screenings at their initial exam appointments and at all checkup hygiene appointments. In addition, our hygienists and dentists use visual and palpation clues as useful tools in the detection of cancer.
Bitewing x-rays and full mouth series of x-rays are taken at proper intervals, and a panograph is taken when necessary. Our digital x-ray system and panograph are high tech, efficient, low exposure, and comfortable for the patient.
Daily brushing and flossing can keep plaque to a minimum and, in conjunction with professional cleanings 2-4 times a year, can keep your teeth healthy for life.
Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth causing inflammation, tooth loss, and bone damage. The infection usually starts when the gums become inflamed due to bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that forms on your teeth. Some other factors which can affect the health of the gums and bone are smoking or tobacco use, stress, genetics, pregnancy, medications, diabetes, poor nutrition.
Periodontal disease comes in many forms. Gingivitis, when the gums become red, swollen and bleed easily, is perhaps the mildest form of gum disease and typically there is very little to no discomfort. With a good oral hygiene regimen and treatment from your hygienist and dentist, the results of gingivitis can be reversed.
Periodontitis is another form of periodontal disease and can be aggressive or chronic. Aggressive periodontitis displays rapid bone destruction and attachment loss in clinically healthy patients. Chronic periodontitis, recognized by gum recession and pocket formation, progresses slowly and is frequently seen in adults. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing,) is sometimes recommended to reduce the risk of further destruction of the supporting tissue.
Daily brushing and flossing can keep plaque to a minimum and, in conjunction with professional cleanings 2-4 times a year, can keep your teeth healthy for life.
One way to protect children’s teeth is by having enamel sealants placed. Enamel sealants are whitish plastic coatings for the chewing surfaces of the molars where there may be tiny grooves and pits. The plastic coat keeps the bacterial plaque and food out of these areas since they might cause dental decay. They are usually placed on a child’s permanent back teeth or molars as soon as the crown top has fully erupted into the mouth. The average age for this process is initially around 6-7 years and then later, at around 12-14 years. Some adults may benefit from this treatment also.
Implants are frequently the replacement of choice for the roots of lost or extracted teeth. They are a wonderful alternative to bridges and removable dentures. Placed in the bone of the jaw, the implant acts as an anchor for the replacement tooth. Implants restore proper function and the patient has renewed confidence, comfort and the satisfaction of cosmetic success.
Zoom is an in-office, scientifically advanced teeth whitening system. After a smile evaluation, candidates for Zoom receive three 15-minute applications of a light activated whitening gel.
Sometimes, a post treatment program is appropriate and after-care instructions are provided. Most stains respond to Zoom, and the treatment produces an average change of eight shades of whitening.
Patients are delighted with the immediate results.
The temporomandibular joint functions best when the bone, cartilage, and ligaments are in proper relationship to each other. When the joint is displaced by injury, arthritis, or other factors, many unpleasant and debilitating symptoms can occur – headaches, neck and shoulder pain, clicking sounds, and dizziness among them. At our office we diagnose early, and we treat with splint therapy and other modalities. We have had many successes, and our patients are able to avoid surgery.
If orthodontia is indicated for a patient, we provide a free consultation so that together the doctor and patient can decide if Invisalign is the treatment of choice. Invisalign uses computer technology to create unique treatment for the individual patient.
A series of custom fit, clear, removable aligners are made, and the patient progresses through the series as the teeth are moved. Treatment usually lasts approximately one year.
The advantages of this method are many. Primary among them is that tooth movement is gradual with little trauma to the retentive structure of the tooth and bone.
Our patients particularly like the cosmetic advantage of the invisibility of the trays.
Today more and more people are retaining their natural teeth for life. Teeth may be worn down, stained, contain large insufficient fillings, or have had root canal therapy making them at risk for fracture.
Some teeth develop cavities which are most commonly detected by clinical (hands-on) and radiographic (x-ray) examinations. The goal of treating cavities involves two basic principals: removing the decayed portion of the tooth, and rebuilding the missing tooth structure with a filling material, usually tooth colored.
Today more and more people are retaining their natural teeth for life. However, teeth may be worn down, stained, contain large insufficient fillings, or have had root canal therapy making them at risk for fracture. Crowns and fixed bridges can restore the mouth to normal function and appearance.
When teeth require more coverage and support than a filling can provide, a crown is often recommended. A crown is a restoration that covers or caps a tooth so as to restore it to its normal color, shape, size, or strength.
A fixed bridge replaces one or more missing natural teeth. A bridge is a dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to prevent shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems (occlusion), jaw problems, and periodontal disease, The missing tooth is replaced with an artificial tooth connected between two crowns (caps) which are permanently cemented or bonded on the adjacent teeth.
Removable partial or full dentures may be indicated instead of bridges or implants in certain cases. These prostheses replace teeth which have been extracted or lost.
After one of these procedures is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums and crowns and dentures. All restorations are placed with the idea that they will be pleasing to the eye, easy to maintain with regular home care, and fully functional in the mouth.
Today more and more people are retaining their natural teeth for life. Teeth may be worn down, stained, contain large insufficient fillings, or have had root canal therapy making them at risk for fracture.
Implants are frequently the replacement of choice for the roots of lost or extracted teeth. They are a wonderful alternative to bridges, and removable dentures. Placed in the bone of the jaw, the implant acts as an anchor for the replacement tooth. Implants restore proper function and the patient has renewed confidence, comfort and the satisfaction of cosmetic success.
We stay on the leading edge of dental technology. In conjunction with traditional modalities, the laser is used to prepare teeth for filling, cut bone, and treat periodontal disease. Lasers are the ultimate in conservative dentistry as they remove material selectively, meaning that healthy tooth and tissue will not be removed.
The laser uses a small amount of light energy directed through a tiny fiber. Most of the time little or no local anesthesia is required, and patients are appreciative when the treatment typically reduces the time of a visit and often they can leave the office without being numb.
The laser has enabled us to enhance the comfort of our patients and at the same time be even more effective in meeting their dental needs with minimally invasive care.
Lasers can be used in conjunction with scaling and root planing. The laser removes inflamed gum tissue and allows access to the root. Calculus is removed from the root surface and rinsed out of the pocket. At the end of healing, approximately 4-6 weeks, the pocket depth is reduced through reattachment of the gum tissue to the tooth. Laser has many benefits in periodontal therapy such as: