Below is a list of dental services we provide. Look under Specialty Services for Invisalign (clear braces) and Sleep Apnea treatment. Please click on the term for more information.
Note: Patients with existing medical conditions should click on Pre-Med Conditions for dental treatment for important information.
Categories:
Preventive Care – Restorative Care – Cosmetic Services – Specialty Services – Sedation
Preventive Care
Our Hygienists will clean and polish your teeth to remove tartar and bacterial build-up on your teeth, and above/ below your gums. The doctor will do a thorough examination and discuss treatment options if needed.
When necessary, fluoride varnish is painted on children’s teeth to strengthen them and to help to prevent decay. This varnish can also be applied to the root surfaces of adult teeth that are cold sensitive. The fluoride sinks into the exposed surface, changing the chemical make-up of the root surface, which decreases the annoying cold sensitivity.
Sealants are a thin composite layer that bonds into the pits and deep grooves on children’s back teeth. Not all children need them so naturally we only recommend sealants for teeth that would benefit from them.
We use x-rays to help diagnose and determine the need for treatment. We now offer CAT SCANS which show targeted areas of the mouth in 3-dimension. This technology greatly improves the success of root canal procedures and placing implants.
X-rays are the best and simplest way to detect hidden decay, bone loss caused by periodontal disease and other potential problems. We strongly recommend bitewing x-rays be taken once a year to detect cavities between the teeth. Panoramic x-rays are taken once every 3-5 years.
Unfortunately, periodontal disease is a common condition. Symptoms include puffiness, redness and bleeding of the gum tissue. Following an examination, your dental hygienist will determine if you have this issue and may recommend root planning and scaling. This procedure will remove harmful bacteria that have formed in the pockets created by tartar and bacteria buildup. Once the treatment is complete, you will be re-evaluated and advised on how to keep the disease under control.
Early detection is important in the successful treatment of oral cancer. Examination of the mouth for lumps, lesions or discolored patches is done at regular hygiene appointments.
Restorative Care
Bonded Composite fillings are a resin-based material used to restore your broken, chipped or decayed teeth. Composites can be placed on any tooth. Composite fillings require 20 seconds to harden and you can chew on them immediately. These fillings look like your natural tooth. We do not use amalgam (silver) filling material.
Veneers are thin porcelain facings that are bonded on the front surface of a tooth. They are used for cosmetic correction of your teeth. A crown is a covering of the entire tooth and it helps to protect and strengthen a tooth. Crowns are used when a large portion of the tooth is lost to decay, fracture or can no longer support a restoration. It is also recommended on a tooth that has had a root canal treatment. Basically, a crown holds the tooth together and helps prevent tooth fracture.
Bridges are permanent restorations made to replace a missing tooth or teeth. They are either made out of all porcelain or gold covered with porcelain. A bridge can be attached to either teeth or implants. Like crowns, bridges are permanently attached and do not come out.
These are removable appliances that are made to replace missing teeth. Since they are not permanent, they tend to rock somewhat in your mouth because they are partly supported by your soft tissue. These can be made after your teeth are removed and the ridges have healed or they can be inserted the same day your teeth are removed. A full denture can wear down your jawbone over time. If you need more stability and would like to chew with more force, you could have implants placed into your jawbone in order to attach your denture to them. If you would like to discuss this, just give us a call.
An implant, is a titanium screw placed into your jaw to replace a missing tooth. Multiple implants can be used with a bridge, a partial or full denture to replace multiple missing teeth. Since implants are permanently attached to your jaw, they help to preserve your jawbone and they look and feel like your own teeth. With implant-supported dentures, you can chew with a biting force and your teeth will not loosen. The fear caused by loose dentures is gone forever!
Cosmetic Services
We now offer Zoom Quick Pro In-Office Whitening. This product is excellent. It is a quick start whitening varnish applied by a Dental Hygienist. It contains 20% Hydrogen Peroxide varnish gel-like material. (Note: This is not the light technique used to whiten teeth.) Zoom Quick Pro is a safe whitening process that is gentle on the gums. It lasts anywhere from 6 – 12 months depending on the patient’s lifestyle, habits, home care and teeth conditioning. Call the office for more information.
Bonded Composite fillings are a resin-based material used to restore your broken or decayed teeth. Composites can be placed on any tooth. Composite fillings require 20 seconds to harden and you can chew on them immediately. These fillings look like your natural tooth. We do not use amalgam (silver) filling material.
Veneers are thin porcelain facings that are bonded on the front surface of a tooth. They are used for cosmetic correction of your teeth. A crown is a covering of the entire tooth and it helps to protect and strengthen a tooth. A crown is needed when a large portion of the tooth is lost to decay, fracture or can no longer support a restoration. It is also recommended on a tooth that has had a root canal treatment. Basically, a crown holds the tooth together and helps prevent tooth fracture.
Specialty Services
We are certified to treat people who have minor orthodontic problems with clear braces. If you don’t like the way your teeth are positioned or lined up, ask us to evaluate possible treatment solutions.
Closing spaces, correcting minor overlapping, tipped or rotated teeth are all problems we can address. We work with products from a company called Invisalign.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, we can make an appliance that you wear in your mouth at night that moves your jaw forward slightly. When your jaw moves forward, the base of your tongue is also moved forward. This allows easier passage of air in and out of your lungs thereby decreasing the number of Apnec events. Click here for the Sleep Apnea website or, as always, contact us for more information.
Implants are the best choice for replacing missing teeth if medically possible. An implant is a titanium cylinder that is placed into the bone to replace the root of a tooth. After healing, a crown is then placed on the implant. Implants are the best alternative to replace teeth instead of removable dentures or partial. Implants take approximately 5-7 months to complete. If you have any questions regarding implants please feel free to ask our skilled staff.
Root canal treatment or endodontic treatment is the removal of the nerves from inside the root of a tooth. This is done in an attempt to save an infected or abscessed tooth. After the doctor numbs the area to be treated, thin files are used to remove the nerves within the canals of the roots. Once the canals are clean, they are filled with a rubbery material called gutta percha. After the canals are sealed, a restoration is placed over them. A crown is routinely recommended to protect the now brittle tooth.
Teeth are extracted for many reasons such as severe decay, infection, fractures, and advanced gum disease, problematic wisdom teeth or upon recommendation from your orthodontist. The use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and/or oral medication such as Valium is commonly used to make the patient as comfortable as possible. If needed, the appropriate medication will be given to you for any post-operative pain or infection.
We can now rebuild the jawbone. This procedure is used to rebuild the jawbone that has been lost by infection around teeth (periodontal disease), long-term use of partials or full dentures or trauma.
This new procedure fills an extraction socket with material to preserve the surrounding wall of bone. It also helps maintain the height of the bone and soft tissues (gums). This is especially important in the front of your mouth.
We can remove the majority of wisdom teeth here. We will discuss the options with you and help you determine the best solution for you.
We use a soft tissue laser to shape and contour soft tissue. With no need for a scalpel, there is little or no bleeding and faster healing. If you have any questions regarding laser treatment feel free to ask the doctors.
Protecting your teeth is important to us. Mouth guards are custom-made from impressions we take of your teeth. We make mouth guards for all contact sports and also for our patients who grind or clench their teeth at night.
Sedation
Also known as laughing gas, our office offers this form of conscious sedation to patients of all ages. It is highly effective in reducing stress and anxiety. The patient inhales the anesthesia through a mask placed over the nose. If you have any questions regarding Nitrous Oxide and how it works, ask our staff.
To help make your visits less stressful and more comfortable, we may be able to help you by using nitrous oxide in combination with an oral medication like Valium. Together they help to reduce patient fear and anxiety. Of course we will check your medical history and if needed, speak to your primary physician, to be sure you are a good candidate for this type of treatment.
Who needs to take antibiotic prophylaxis “Pre-Med” precautions for dental treatment?
Many patients with medical conditions (i.e. artificial joints, screws, or plates and some heart conditions) should take antibiotics prior to dental treatment because they are at risk for developing infections. If you have any medical conditions, talk to your physician before your appointment to arrange for a prescription for antibiotics. If you have any questions, feel free to call us to discuss it at (518) 374-1935.