Dental Services
From cosmetic dentistry to full mouth rehabilitation, we are equipped to handle all of your dental needs. To help you understand more about our office, we have included brief descriptions of some of our most common services.
Initial Oral Examination
Your first visit at our office is very important in establishing your oral health baseline. We will perform a complete oral examination which includes an oral cancer screening, periodontal evaluation, an analysis of your occlusion (bite) and a thorough examination of your teeth, their supporting structures and of the oral anatomy.
The Preventive Program
Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where proper oral hygiene is maintained. Our dental hygiene program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit with our hygienist, oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and are reinforced at subsequent recall visits.
Crowns and Caps
We are now very excited to announce the availability of same day crown appointments. The terms dental crowns and caps are synonymous. Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth. Crowns are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, or to prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse. Crowns also serve an aesthetic use, and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance. Crowns are fabricated in a laboratory and are made either of porcelain baked onto a metal substrate, all-porcelain, or many of the new ceramic materials that have been developed.
Gum Treatment
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket, they cause infection and damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth. If the disease is caught in the early stages (known as Gingivitis) and no permanent damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings may be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings. However, if the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, where the infection has caused bone loss and diseased pockets have formed, your treatment options may include scaling and root planing, bone surgery or gum therapy.
Bridges and Dentures
A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress on your bite. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. There are two basic types of bridges. A fixed bridge which remains in your mouth at all times and is supported by your natural teeth. Removable bridges (partials and full dentures) are removed from the mouth several times a day for cleaning and rest on the gum where the missing teeth are being replaced.
Dental Implants
If a tooth is extracted or missing for some other reason, it is now possible to replace it using dental implants. An implant is like a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of two main parts: One part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. For patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so that you have a more natural-looking smile.
Tooth Whitening
We use the KOR whitening system. It is simply the world’s best. It combines an in-office bleaching system with take-home whitening as well as touch-up gel to use as time goes by. You can also choose our easy at-home-only applications which provide outstanding results in a matter of days.
Pediatric Dental Care
We take pride in creating and maintaining beautiful and healthy smiles for our younger patients in an environment that is lighthearted and fun. We focus on establishing oral health habits that last a lifetime, with education and prevention as our primary tools.
Fillings
Our office utilizes the latest ceramic, porcelain and composite materials to restore teeth that are decayed. These state-of-the-art materials are strong and durable and can withstand the extreme forces associated with chewing and grinding. In addition to their durability, however, these tooth-colored filling materials restore the original look of your teeth and enhance the patient’s smile.
Veneers
Our office utilizes the latest ceramic, porcelain and composite materials to restore teeth that are decayed. These state-of-the-art materials are strong and durable and can withstand the extreme forces associated with chewing and grinding. In addition to their durability, however, these tooth-colored filling materials restore the original look of your teeth and enhance the patient’s smile.
Extractions
When tooth removal is necessary, we can perform simple extractions using local anesthesia.
To learn more about Laser Dentistry and our "No Drilling Fillings," please contact us or call us at (207) 642-4300.