Preventative services:

Initial dental exam: A more comprehensive dental exam will be performed by your dentist at your initial dental visit. We'll discuss your major concerns and get to know each other. Your exam will include: Full mouth x-rays, Oral cancer screening, periodontal charting (check for gum and bone disease), examination and charting of all of your existing restorations, evaluation for broken down restorations and decay.

Periodic exam: At regular check-up exams, your dentist will include the following: follow up x-rays on a as needed basis, gum disease evaluation, oral cancer screening, evaluate for decay, check existing restoration, and address any concerns you might have.

Radiographs (x-rays): Are an essential diagnostic tool that helps the dentist in the detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions. We use digital x-rays which require much less radiation and eliminate the use of developing chemicals.

Oral cancer screening: During your exam we will screen for precancerous lesions using a white light in conjunction with a new oral cancer screening system that uses a fluorescent light to indicate areas of potential dysplasia. Oral cancer is as prevalent in the US as cervical cancer, leukemia, and skin cancer. Early detection of oral cancer can double the 5year survival rate. For more information please visit: www.oralcancerfoundation.org


Prophylaxis Professional dental cleanings is recommended every 6 or 12 month if you do not have gum disease. 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 some time 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 biofilm 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.

Periodontitis: Periodontitis is a chronic disease that affects the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. It always begins with gingivitis which is inflammation of gum tissues without attachement loss. Periodontitis involves progressive loss of the ligaments and alveolar bone around the teeth leading to tooth mobility and loss of function.

• Mouth-body connection: Periodontitis has been linked to an increase risk of stroke, myocardial infarction and premature labor. For more information visit www.perio.org/consumer/gum-diseaser
• Diagnosis: A diagnosis of periodontitis is established by inspecting the gingival tissues around the teeth with a periodontal probe, checking for tooth mobility, and by evaluating the patient's x-rays to determine the amount of bone loss around the teeth.
• Treatment: In order to remove calculus and bacteria that harbor within pockets around the tooth, we recommend scaling and root planing which is a conventional non surgical treatment. In some cases referral to a periodontist and often a more aggressive surgical approach is necessary. Root planing removes bacteria and their toxins, tartar and diseased deposits from the surfaces of tooth roots. Root planing is typically one of the first steps in treating gum and bone disease (periodontal disease).
• Maintenance: Once diagnosed and treated for periodontitis, routine prophylaxis is no longer appropriate. You will need special care and professional maintenance every 3 month.

Sports Mouthguards:  Protecting those pearly whites is as important as putting on your uniform for the game.  Once a tooth sustains trauma from a ball, stick, hand or foot while playing sports, it becomes susceptible to a future root canal.  Trauma to a tooth can cause the nerve to bleed, giving it a pink, and later a gray appearance.  Over a period of time, the nerve of the tooth can die and become "necrotic".  It may not be noticible at first but at any point after sustaining the trauma, the dead nerve tissue may become infected requiring a root canal. 

Your family dentist can fabricate the right mouthguard for you to make it the most protective and comfortable while playing your favorite sport!

Fluoride Treatments:  Fluoride, referred to as "nature's cavity fighter", is a mineral that occurs naturally in food and water.  There are two different types of fluoride, (systemic fluoride) and (topical fluoride).

Systemic fluoride is ingested through the water we drink, foods we eat that have been cooked in fluoridated water and either liquid or tablet form that is usually given in infancy.  It plays an important role in beginning preventative care to a developing fetus.  It strengthens the enamel of a developing tooth, making it more acid and decay resistant when erupted.  Once the teeth are completely developed, systemic fluoride continues to protect them through our saliva.  The minerals in the fluoride pass through our saliva and help to remineralize the enamel on our teeth.

Topical fluoride is applied directly to your teeth through fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride mouth rinses (Act),  professional topical applications by your hygienist or by a prescription strength brush on gel that has been prescribed by your dentist.  Topical fluoride also plays an important role in remineralizing weakened enamel that has been attacked by acid, either from eating or drinking acidic foods or by acid producing bacteria that eventually can lead to a cavity.

Fluoride is also found in small amounts in our saliva from the sources of systemic fluoride that we ingest.  It is excreted through our saliva and becomes a topical fluoride.  It helps with the remineralizing process.  Saliva alone does not provide enough fluoride to continually keep our teeth strong; therefore extra topical applications are necessary. 

People who suffer from a "dry" mouth become more susceptible to the attack of acid on their teeth because they lack the salivary flow to provide the ingested fluoride as well as the "flushing away" our saliva does to keep food and debris from sticking to our teeth.

Children under 6 years of age should be supervised when using a fluoridated toothpaste because ingestion of the fluoride-containing toothpaste may cause a dental condition know as dental fluorosis, (permanent white spots) on their teeth.

Fluorides used in the dental office have been proven to be safe and effective when used as recommended.  Always let your dentist or hygienist know if you live in an area that has fluoridated water.

Sealants

Restorative services

Cosmetic: There are many options that address esthetic concerns for every individual from full smile make overs to single crowns. Laboratory fabricated veneers, crowns, implants, resin restorations, and chairside/take home professional whitening.

Fixed crowns (caps) or bridges can be made of many different materials that are tooth colored or made of full gold. Each individual is treatment planned according to specific need to restore function and esthetics.

Removable dentures partials or bridges can be taken out of the mouth easily for cleaning.

Resin are tooth colored restorations made of a resin material reinforced with glasslike particles that are sometimes used for esthetic reasons or to preserve tooth structure. Your dentist will help you decide if a resin restoration is appropriate in each situation.

Amalgam is a silver colored restoration that contains mercury, silver, copper, tin, and zinc. If placed properly amalgam restorations may last longer then resin restorations.

Implants: In many cases the ideal tooth replacement choice. The implant itself simulates the root of the tooth and a crown is then made to replace function.
Placement of implants usually requires a team approach with a general dentist and an oral surgeon or periodontist. The process may take month to complete.

Endodontics: We perform selective root canal treatment. In some cases, due to anatomy or presence of chronic infection we will recommend that a specialist treat your tooth.

Emergency treatment: We respond to emergency promptly and will make every effort to see you on the same day.