Common Procedures
Regular exams and cleanings
Regular exams are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular exam, we will:
- Check for any problems you may not see or feel
- Look for cavities or other signs of tooth decay
- Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
- Perform a thorough teeth cleaning
- Examine existing fillings and restorations for problems, wear, and decay
Your regular exam will take about 60 minutes. Each regular exam includes a detailed teeth cleaning, during which we will clean, polish, floss, and rinse your teeth to remove any tartar and plaque that have built up on the tooth's surface.
Visiting our office every six months gives you the chance to ask the doctor any questions you may have about your oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your next dental exam and teeth cleaning.
Bonding
Bonding is a conservative way to
repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a
white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling
“bonds” with your tooth. Because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades,
it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth.
Tooth bonding can also be used for tooth fillings instead of amalgam fillings. Many patients prefer bonded fillings because the white color is less noticeable than the silver amalgam. Bonding fillings can be used on front or back teeth depending on the location and extent of tooth decay.
Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and can usually be completed in one visit to our office. However, it can stain and is easier to break than other cosmetic treatments, such as porcelain veneers. If it does break or chip, tell your doctor. The bonding can generally be easily patched or repaired in one visit.
Bridges
A bridge may be used to replace
missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, or 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 lost. Your bridge is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.
The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, and bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it’s very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
CAD/CAM
We can create customized fittings of bridges, crowns, inlays, onlays, and other dental restorations using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). Through the CAD/CAM technology, our office can provide you with the most precise restorations possible.
By using CAD/CAM, your dentist is able to create durable, well-fitting, individual or multiple tooth restorations. CAD/CAM technology also features advantages when it comes to office visits; for instance, traditional tooth restorations may take several days and multiple office visits, but with CAD/CAM technology, we are able to perform most single-visit tooth restorations in just one visit!
To find out more about CAD/CAM technology and how it can benefit you, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment to learn more.
Crowns
Crowns are a restorative procedure
used to improve your tooth’s shape or strengthen it. Crowns are most often used
for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.
A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the look of natural teeth.
Crowns are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength to hold a filling. Unlike fillings, which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated outside of your mouth.
Your crown is sculpted just for you so your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed. Most crowns can be fabricated by use of CEREC technology in one visit.
Dentures
Dentures are natural-looking
replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and
partial. Full dentures are given to patients when all the natural teeth have
been removed. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame connected to your
natural teeth and used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed.
Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be properly cared for. Make sure to bring them with you during your routine visits to be inspected for possible issues.
Digital X-rays
Using the most advanced dental
technology is just as important as staying up-to-date on the latest treatment
techniques. Because our practice is dedicated to providing you with the safest
and most convenient treatment options available, we utilize advanced digital
X-ray technology in our office.
Digital X-rays provide several advanced imaging options that are designed to save time, provide clearer dental photos, and expose patients to less radiation than traditional X-ray technology.
Extractions
There are times when it is
necessary to remove a tooth. Sometimes a baby tooth is misaligned or has long
roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and the tooth must be
removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt. At other times, a tooth
may have so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth at risk, so your
doctor may recommend removal and replacement with a bridge or implant.
Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also
require removal of a tooth.
When it is determined that a tooth needs to be removed you and your dentist will discuss the options for removal. Depending on your choice of sedation, the difficulty of the extraction, your medical history, and your comfort level, you may be referred to see an Oral Surgeon.
Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend you replace the extracted tooth.
Fillings
Traditional dental restorations, or
fillings, may include gold, porcelain, or composite. Newer dental fillings
include ceramic and plastic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural
teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins
There are two different kinds of fillings: direct and indirect. Direct fillings are placed into a prepared tooth cavity and then curded. Indirect fillings are fabricated outside the mouth, then bonded into the tooth.
Implant restoration
If you are missing teeth, it is
crucial to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can
destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. When teeth are missing, your
mouth can shift and even cause your face to look older. Implants are a great
way to replace your missing teeth. If properly maintained, they can last a
lifetime!
An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of two main parts: One is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the other is the tooth-colored crown on top of the implant body. With implant treatment, you can smile confidently, knowing no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth.
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 you have a more natural-looking smile.
Intraoral camera
You know the importance of
prevention when it comes to your dental health, and we’re always looking for
new, improved ways to help you achieve a healthy smile for life. While X-rays
provide valuable information, they don’t give a complete view of everything
going on inside your mouth.
With an intraoral camera, we can see every aspect of your teeth and mouth with incredible detail, uncovering cracked teeth, plaque deposits, cavities next to fillings, and excessive wear. When we can discover oral problems early on, your treatment is much less invasive and much more cost-effective.
Our intraoral camera is small: about the size of the mirror we use during your regular hygiene appointments. You probably wouldn’t even notice we’re using it, except that with the intraoral camera, you have the opportunity to see everything we see on a monitor. This is a great tool to help you become more informed about your dental health, because it gives you a clear understanding of your teeth’s condition, and it allows you to make a more informed decision regarding your treatment options.
Fluoride
Fluoride is effective in
preventing cavities and tooth decay. It also prevents plaque from building up
and hardening on the tooth’s surface. A fluoride treatment in your dentist’s
office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not
to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to
absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or your doctor’s
recommendation, you may have a fluoride treatment every 3, 6, or 12 months.
Laser dentistry
Laser therapy in dentistry provides patients with a more comfortable dental treatment experience. Using laser dentistry, your dentist is able to deliver a precise treatment that is more comfortable, quicker, and provides more stunning results.
There are two different types of laser dentistry: hard tissue and soft tissue. Hard tissue includes treatments such as cavity detection, dental fillings, and improving tooth sensitivity. Soft tissue treatments include gum reshaping, gum surgery, and improving muscle attachment.
There are several benefits to receiving a laser therapy dental treatment.
- Many laser treatments do not require anesthesia, and the recovery time is much quicker than with traditional treatment methods.
- Treatments are more comfortable.
- There is less potential of bacterial infection because laser treatments are so precise.
Mouthguards
Whether you wear braces or not,
protecting your smile while playing sports is essential. Mouthguards help
protect your teeth and gums from injury. If you participate in any kind of
full-contact sport, the American Dental Association recommends you wear a
mouthguard.
Choosing the right mouthguard is essential. There are three basic types of mouthguards: the pre-made mouthguard, the “boil-and-bite” fitted mouthguard, and a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist. When you chose a mouthguard, be sure to pick one that is tear-resistant, comfortable and well-fitted for your mouth, easy to keep clean, and does not prevent you from breathing properly.
Your dentist can show you how to wear a mouthguard properly and how to choose the right mouthguard to protect your smile.
Root canals
In the past, if you had a tooth
with a diseased nerve, you’d probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special
dental procedure called “root canal treatment,” your tooth can be saved. When a
tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and
germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess
may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result.
This can not only injure your jawbones, but it is also detrimental to your
overall health.
During the treatment, the dentist will first remove the decay and access the interior of the tooth. Next, the interior of the tooth will be cleaned, shaped, disinfected, and sealed. Finally, the tooth is filled.
If your tooth has extensive decay, your doctor may suggest placing a crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from breaking. As long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, checkups, and new restorations if needed, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.
Sealants
Sometimes brushing is not enough,
especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth. It is
difficult for your toothbrush to get between the small cracks and grooves on
your teeth. If left alone, those tiny areas can develop tooth decay. Sealants
give your teeth extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities.
Dental sealants are plastic resins that bond and harden in the deep grooves on your tooth’s surface. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing your teeth becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.
Sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth as a preventive measure against tooth decay after the permanent teeth have erupted. However, adults can also receive sealants on healthy teeth. It is more common to seal “permanent” teeth rather than “baby” teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and your dentist will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.
Sealants last from three to five years, but it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealants come off, let your dentist know, and schedule an appointment for your teeth to be re-sealed.
Veneers
You no longer need to hide your smile
because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth. With veneers, you can
easily correct your teeth’s imperfections to help you have a more confident,
beautiful smile. Veneers are natural in appearance, and they are a perfect
option for patients who want to make minor adjustments to the look and feel of
their smile.
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from tooth-colored materials, such as porcelain. They are designed to cover the front side of your teeth. To prepare for veneers, your doctor will create a unique model of your teeth. This model is sent to the dental technician to create your veneers. Before placing your new veneer, your doctor may need to prepare your tooth conservatively to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
When your veneers are in place, you’ll be pleased to see that they look like your natural teeth. While they are stain-resistant, your doctor may recommend you avoid coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to maintain the beauty of your new smile.
Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth are molars
found in the very back of your mouth. They usually appear in the late teens or
early twenties, but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in
the jaw or angle of entry. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be
removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or
even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted
tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay,
recurring infections, and even gum disease.
Wisdom teeth are typically removed in the late teens or early twenties because there is a greater chance that the roots have not fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier as well as shorten the recovery time.
In order to remove a wisdom tooth, your dentist needs to numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. Since the impacted tooth may still be under the gums and embedded in your jaw bone, your dentist will need to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract it. In order to minimize the amount of bone removed with the tooth, your dentist will often “section” your wisdom tooth so each piece can be removed through a small opening in the bone.
Once your wisdom teeth have been extracted, the healing process begins. Depending on the degree of difficulty related to the extraction, healing time varies. Your dentist will share with you what to expect and provide instructions for a comfortable, efficient healing process.