Our Services
Sterilization/Safety
To protect our patients and staff we wear masks, gloves and goggles
during dental procedures. All instruments are cleaned, disinfected and
sterilized as required by the American Dental Association and the Centers
for Disease Control. Disposable single-use products are also used for
assurance of sterility and safety whenever possible. All surfaces of
the treatment room are sanitized after each patient. Dedicated water
supplies at each treatment room are also used to assure sterile water
is used in each procedure.
Comfort
So many of us feel anxious about going to visit the dentist, you are
not alone. We strive to take every measure to achieve your comfort in
the dental office. If there is anything you would like to request in
this department, ask. We will do what we can to accommodate your request.
Hygiene
An integral part of maintaining your teeth for life is the removal
of plaque and tartar on a regular basis. The frequency of your visits
is based upon your individual needs and oral health. During your visit
we will check all your teeth for decay and breakdown of any restorations
you have. We check the health of your gums by measuring the pockets
on each and every tooth. We also do a soft tissue exam for oral cancers.
We not only will scale your teeth, we also frequently use an ultrasonic
scaler which uses sound waves to clean even more thoroughly below the
gum tissue. Each visit is concluded with a tooth polishing and flossing
to assure all deposits are removed in the hard to reach in-between areas.
Cosmetic Surgery
This encompasses re-shaping of the teeth, filling in gaps, and changing
the shape or color. This can be done with bonded resin fillings or porcelain
veneers and crowns. Whitening can often times be done at home with a
bleaching kit.
Sealants
Sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic "coating"
is painted onto the surface of the tooth. They have been proven to be
highly effective in preventing decay that so commonly occurs in the
natural grooves of the teeth. This procedure is highly recommended for
children.
Orthodontics
For patients, adults and children who have crowded or crooked teeth,
spaces between their teeth or misaligned jaws, orthodontic therapy can
help reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma due to
protruding teeth. It is recommended that children are evaluated between
the ages of 7 and 10 years old for any necessary orthodontic treatment.
Twenty-five percent of all patients are adults, and while we cannot
offer therapy in our office, we can refer you to a trained specialist.
Implants
A remarkable procedure, implants can replace any or all of your teeth.
The implant becomes integrated with the bone and acts like a "bolt"
which will ultimately support a new tooth. The advantages of implants
for patients with dentures are: denture stability, increased patient
comfort and confidence. While implants themselves are inserted by an
oral surgeon or a periodontist, our role is planning the placement of
implants and restoring the integrated implants after surgery.
Crowns
A "cap" or crown, will restore a broken, heavily filled or
cracked tooth to its original size and shape. This may also be recommended
after root canal therapy has been completed as the tooth tends to become
brittle and is more prone to fracturing. Crowns can strengthen and protect
the remaining tooth structure and improve the appearance of your teeth.
Periodontal Disease
While seldom painful and frequently free of any obvious signs or symptoms,
periodontal disease can progress, undetected, to the point where supporting
bone is destroyed. With 80% to 90% of all teenagers having some form
of gingivitis (inflamed gums) and 75% of adult tooth loss for people
over the age of 35 due to periodontal disease, early treatment and prevention
is essential. While periodontal disease is caused by bacterial plaque,
any number of other factors including poorly fitting bridges, badly
aligned teeth and defective fillings contribute to the development of
this condition. We provide many periodontal services.
Oral Surgery
The goal of modern dentistry is to prevent tooth loss. When a tooth
cannot be saved, extraction (removal) of the tooth may be the only course
of treatment. Many extractions are performed in our office, however,
complicated cases, such as the removal of wisdom teeth, are frequently
referred to a specialist.
Bridges
A non-removal bridge can restore your teeth to normal function by replacing
missing teeth. It will improve the entire health of your mouth by keeping
the surrounding teeth in position and can also help maintain the structure
of your face and jaw.
Root Canal Therapy
If a tooth's pulp (nerve and blood supply) becomes infected or inflamed,
root canal treatment may be the only way to save the tooth, short of
removing it. Root canal treatment consists of removing the nerve that
lies within the root of the tooth. Many root canals can be performed
in our office, while complicated ones are referred out.