Dentistry for Adults
The Importance of Hygiene Visits
One of the most important reasons to visit the dentist is to have your teeth cleaned by a professional hygienist. Plaque and tartar form on teeth over time. Plaque is soft and sticky, but regular brushing can usually remove most of it. But plaque hardens into tartar, which is beyond the scope of your typical toothbrush and floss. Tartar accumulates below the gumline as well as on the surface of the teeth. If you don’t remove plaque, you risk more serious problems with your teeth and gums later on. Recent research shows a definite link between untreated gum disease and other serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Having your teeth cleaned regularly is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy!
Amalgam Fillings
Bonded White Fillings
No Mercury! No Metals! No Kidding!
For years, the silver-mercury amalgam was the standard filling material used in dental practices, and many practices still use it. While they are a reasonable restoration, amalgams have certain shortcomings. Metal does not bond to teeth, so decay can and does eventually leak into the tooth. But the biggest reason many of our patients are choosing the white bonded fillings has to do with the way they look. Many people just don’t want an ugly black plug in their teeth. We offer modern restorations that are a natural-looking white, contain no metals, and can actually strengthen your teeth. They also bond very tightly with the healthy part of the tooth so there is much less chance of decay in the future.
Full-Mouth Rehabilitation
Oral health can have a far bigger impact on a person’s life than regular cleanings and the occasional filling can address. Many patients who’ve dealt with injury, illness, bite problems, and simple wear and tear can have chronic problems that they don’t even realize began in the mouth. Bruxism (tooth grinding), TMJ, periodontitis, crooked or misshapen teeth, and missing teeth can combine to cause headaches and migraines, toothaches, chronic bad breath, and an unattractive appearance. But you don’t have to live like that.
The doctor will sit down with you to discuss your concerns, symptoms, and goals. After taking digital X-rays, photos, and imprints of your mouth, he will present options for a treatment plan to address your issues and achieve a healthy, pain-free, beautiful smile. We can also discuss phased treatment and financial planning that will put your dream smile within reach.
Saving Hopeless Teeth
Teeth with roots that have been damaged or infected used to require extraction, which can cause a lot of problems and should be avoided whenever possible. The good news is that we are well experienced in advanced root canal therapy.
A root canal is a procedure to fix a tooth by removing the pulp chamber of a tooth and filling it with a filling material. This is often necessary when dental decay reaches the nerve of the tooth (or the tooth has become infected), and a simple filling will not be suitable. In the not-too-distant past, the situation mentioned above would have required the tooth to be extracted. When dentists started performing root canals, they were quite dreaded, and the root canal has received a reputation as something to be avoided. However, with modern anesthetics and technology, root canals are often manageable.
Dental Care in a Relaxing Environment
We are pleased to offer nitrous oxide sedation, also known as “laughing gas,” to our anxious or nervous patients. This sedation is commonly used to make treatment more comfortable. It is inhaled through a mask that allows you to breathe in the medication and induces a state of relaxation. Local anesthetic will be administered in conjunction with nitrous oxide to eliminate pain in most cases.
Senior Dental Care is Different
Just as our bodies change as we get older, our teeth and gums do too. Years of plaque buildup, as well as consuming coffee, tea, or tobacco, can make teeth turn dark. Ask us about procedures that can combat these problems. Reduced flow of saliva is sometimes a side effect of medications. There are simple products that can help this condition. Your fillings are getting older, too. They can weaken or crack. Regular check-ups will allow us to stay on top of your existing fillings. Gum disease and root decay can be major problems in seniors. Daily cleaning and good nutrition are critical for healthy gums. If your gums become red or begin to bleed or your teeth start to feel loose, contact us immediately.
Tired of Dentures Slipping?
For our patients for whom traditional dentures are the best option, we can design and fit natural-looking dentures that won’t slip! This breakthrough involves designing the denture plate to fit so securely you no longer have to worry about the foods you eat or that your dentures might shift or slip. If you are a denture wearer, be sure to ask us about this. It will make your life so much easier.
