Diagnostic and Preventive

We perform a comprehensive head & neck and intraoral exam for every new patient to establish your individual needs and allow us to work together to create a treatment plan that works for you. The number and type of x-rays you need will be determined by the condition of your teeth. Oral Cancer Screenings are, at minimum, performed at each new patient exam and with your regular cleanings. For most patients, we recommend regular dental cleanings every six months. Depending on the health of your teeth and gums, we may want to see you more often. We also offer oral hygiene instruction, nutritional counseling for cavity prevention and periodontal health, fluoride treatments for children and adults, and sealants.

Restorative (Fillings, etc)
	While we try to prevent any cavities from forming, we treat them conservatively and as needed. Taking into consideration the condition of the tooth and cavity, we will recommend tooth-colored resin or silver amalgam to restore your tooth. Both materials have been extensively tested and are safe for your mouth.

Crowns and Bridges

If your tooth breaks or has fillings and/or cavities that cover more than half of the tooth, then you may need a crown (cap). Bridges are similar to crowns but used to replace missing teeth. Crowns and bridges both take two appointments to make. At your first appointment, we numb the tooth and trim it down, take an impression of the tooth and gums, and make a temporary crown(s) to protect your tooth. Then we send a model of your teeth to a laboratory where they make your custom crown or bridge out of gold and/or tooth-colored porcelain. At the second appointment, we remove the temporary and cement your new crown or bridge on the teeth. A successful crown or bridge will last about five years. With good oral hygiene, it’s not uncommon for them to last much longer.

Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)

Your teeth each have one to three roots with nerves and blood vessels running down the center. When a tooth becomes infected or the nerve tissue is exposed to the mouth, bacteria get stuck inside the root canals. Antibiotics cannot clean out this type of infection, so the tooth must have root canal therapy performed. Don’t worry! - this is usually a very painless procedure. The tooth is numbed, has a small hole made in the biting surface or back side, and the nerves and blood supply are removed. The insides of the canals are then cleaned and sterilized and filled with a special material. Most teeth that have had root canal therapy will need a crown to hold the tooth together. The alternative choice to treat an infected tooth is to extract it, but we believe that it is important to try to keep as many of your natural teeth as possible. Root canal therapy is over 95% effective. Some teeth (and their owners) may need to go to a root canal specialist because of their shape or place in the mouth or if the tooth needs a second treatment of endodontic therapy.

Dentures and Partials

When you are missing one, many or all of your teeth, we can make removable dentures or partial dentures to fill in the spaces and restore your confidence as well as your ability to speak and chew efficiently. Over four or more appointments, we take careful measurements and an evaluation of your mouth, jaws, former or existing teeth, and your opinion to create an appliance that feels and looks great. It may take some time for your mouth to adjust to your new denture or partial, usually 6-8 weeks. Even if your teeth are removable, we need to examine you and your dentures once a year to ensure that your mouth is healthy and that the fit is still ideal. If your dentures are loose or just don’t fit like they used to, please consult us to see if adjustments may help.

Implants

When you are looking for a more permanent solution to replace one or more missing teeth, implants may be at the top of your list. After a consultation with the dentist, you will be referred to a specialist for the placement of a titanium implant post in the jaw bone, then come back to our office after healing to finish the treatment with a special crown. Implants do not compromise the health of the teeth on either side of the space (like a bridge) and they are permanently in your mouth (unlike a removable appliance). Dental implants are becoming more and more common, have great success rates, and can last more than twenty years.

Oral Surgery

Many of your oral surgery needs can be fulfilled in our office. All teeth will be closely evaluated by exam and x-ray before being taken out, and you will be given other treatment options if they are possible. Sometimes you or your teeth will need to see an oral surgery specialist because of the individual tooth, the number of teeth needing extraction or if you want to be put to sleep for the procedure. In our office, routine extractions are performed under local anesthetic where you are awake and aware but don’t feel any pain.

Cosmetic Dentistry
	Veneers, bonding, tooth-colored fillings and whitening are all available. We want your teeth and mouth to be healthy, but we also want you to love your smile and use it! Sometimes your best result won’t happen overnight, but we can still get to that best result. If you want to change your smile, we can discuss all of your possibilities in a consultation.

Whitening

We offer two kinds of whitening procedures to brighten your smile. Custom trays that perfectly fit your teeth can be made in 24 hours and taken home to use with a carbamide peroxide whitening gel. Trays and gel are usually worn for at least 30 minutes or for about two weeks overnight for about two weeks to get an excellent result. Additional tubes of gel can be purchased at the office if you want to go even whiter or touch up from time to time. You can also have your teeth whitened in the office in about an hour. We use a concentrated whitening gel and light activation to achieve immediate results. This can also be combined with at home custom trays to get you to your desired shade. Whitening is safe for your teeth, but it can cause or exacerbate sensitivity. We often combine the whitening procedures with fluoride or other remineralizing treatments to alleviate your symptoms.

Children’s Dentistry

We are happy to see children in our office. We recommend that the first appointment be scheduled at about age 2. This visit allows them to get to know the dentist and the experience and is usually just an oral exam. We will also work with you and your child to learn how to take care of their teeth. “Baby” teeth are important to the overall health of your child and the condition of their permanent, “adult” teeth. Regular check-ups, fluoride and sealants on adult teeth as they erupt will help keep your child’s teeth in the best health.