Initial Visit
We perform a complete oral examination: This includes digital x-rays, oral cancer screening, periodontal (gum) evaluation, examination of your teeth, and their occlusion (bite). We will check your health history and medicines to ensure your continued good health. We will discuss your past dental treatment and answer any concerns that you may have for the future dental well being of your teeth and smile.
Hygiene Program
We stress that teeth and their restorations thrive in a clean, healthy oral environment. Our licensed Dental Hygiene staff is very experienced and we can customize a hygiene plan to prevent new cavities, and maintain and keep teeth that have been restored before. We will inform you about which foods and habits will harm teeth and the gingival support, as well as review which medicaments and aids that we recommend to help your teeth last.
Depending on the severity of gingival disease we can attempt to treat and delay the loss of teeth to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease affects the bone and surrounding areas of our teeth. Food, bacteria, and their poisons can form pockets which can bleed and inflame an otherwise pink, healthy gum tissue. This can be painful, irritate, or loosen teeth and cause unhealthy bacteria and bad breath to overwhelm your mouth. We try to treat your gingival health in our office with deep cleanings like scaling and root planings. If necessary we will refer you to a periodontal specialist if we cannot further aid your periodontal health.
Dental Restorations
We use many different types of restorations to fill your teeth. These may include amalgam, composite (tooth colored) bondings, ceramic, and gold. The type and durability varies with the patient and where in the mouth they are placed. We try to make our restorations as cosmetic and natural looking as possible, not only with the front teeth, but with posterior teeth as well. Although more durable and less cosmetic material is sometimes more beneficial in a high load biting area, we will discuss the best options.
Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and caps are the same restoration. When a tooth is broken down or requires a large restoration, such as after a root canal procedure, it may need a crown coverage to protect it and ensure proper form and function. Our crowns are produced in our vetted laboratories, and made from newer materials like CAD/CAM all zirconium porcelains or traditional full gold crowns depending on the locations discussed above in Dental Restorations. Crowns can be used to restore an unaesthetic tooth and match the natural tooth colors surrounding them. Some crowns are linked together to form a bridge to replace previously extracted teeth for a fixed non-removable solution to open tooth spaces.
Removable and Partial Dentures
Removable bridges (partial and dentures) replace missing teeth and should be removed several times a day to clean under and around the missing teeth and to rest the gums at night. We offer many types of partials that you may be unfamiliar with, including non-metal flexible materials, that are lighter and more aesthetic, and may be right for you.
Veneers
Front teeth that have stains, chips, or gaps, or that are malformed, can be treated with porcelain tooth colored veneers. Sometimes referred to as “Hollywood Caps”, they are prepared by our crown labs, as thin customized facings or shells, to restore a beautiful smile.
Dental Implants
Many times if a tooth or several teeth are missing, they can now be replaced with dental implants, an alternative to bridges or partial dentures. A specialist we trust can place an implant in the space where a tooth was removed and we can restore this area with a crown over the implant support. Implants are strong and preserve the teeth adjacent to them by allowing flossing and preventing any unnecessary tooth reductions. Additionally, implants can be great aids in retention of partial and full dentures that may be anchored more securely when teeth are missing. Please ask us to show you what implants can do for you.
Extractions
Some teeth, because of damage by decay, accidental fractures, or periodontal (gum) disease, cannot be saved. When a tooth needs to be removed, we provide extractions utilizing local anesthesia.
Tooth Whitening
We offer an in-office system that patients can wear in the comfort of their home that will improve the shade of your teeth.
