A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by your dentist at your initial dental visit.  Regular check-up exams will include the following:

Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss.  X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.

Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.

Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.

Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.

Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.

Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are usually performed by Registered Dental Hygienists.  Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:

Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for sometime and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface.  Calculus forms above and below the gum line, and can only be removed with special dental instruments.

Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth.  It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva.  The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums.  This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease.

Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.

Dental radiographs (x-rays) are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam.  Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan.  Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.

Dental x-rays may reveal:

• Abscesses or cysts
• Bone loss
• Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
• Decay between the teeth
• Developmental abnormalities
• Poor tooth and root positions
• Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth!

In the past decade, there has been a dramatic interest in cosmetic dentistry.  We all realize that having a healthy, bright, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to smile with confidence.  Thanks to the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, we are able to improve our teeth and smiles with quick, painless, and surprisingly affordable treatments.

Cosmetic dentistry includes: Composite (Tooth-Colored)  Fillings, Porcelain Crowns (Caps), Porcelain Fixed Bridges, Porcelain Veneers, Tooth Whitening

Cosmetic dental treatments can:

• Change the size, shape, and alignment of certain teeth.
• Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth.
• Improve or correct bites.
• Lighten or brighten the color of teeth.
• Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth.
• Replace missing teeth.
• Replace old, unattractive dental treatments.

Remember, your smile speaks before you even say a word!

A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue.  Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

There are two types of dentures – complete and partial dentures.  Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.  A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

A conventional complete denture is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks.  During this time the patient will go without teeth.  Interim (temporary) dentures can be made to wear while you are healing and while the final dentures are being fabricated.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection.  In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth) is removed and the resulting space is filled with special dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed.  Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.

Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:

• An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Severe toothache pain
• Sometimes no symptoms are present
• Swelling and/or tenderness

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures.  While commonly referred to as sleep dentistry, patients using sedation are generally awake.  We offer pill sedation only.  While you are conscious during the procedure, our patients commonly don’t remember anything about the procedure afterward.

Sedation dentistry is ideal for patients who have a low pain threshold, cannot sit still in a dentist’s chair, have very sensitive teeth, or have a bad gag relax.  For more information on sedation dentistry or to see if it is right for you and your family, call our office today.