A preventive program is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve natural dentition and the supporting structures by preventing the onset or progression of dental disease.

Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet.  It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.  Prevention includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and radiographs.

Dental Radiographs

Dental radiographs (X-rays) are essential diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam.  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 and 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!

Are dental X-rays safe?

We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment.  Dental X-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered safe.  Dentists take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation when taking dental X-rays.  These precautions include using a lead apron to shield the body and using modern, digital imaging with minimal radiation.

Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc.  The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced.  They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.

A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size.  A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

Crowns are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced.  Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth, giving you a long-lasting, beautiful smile.

Reasons for crowns include broken or fractured teeth, cosmetic enhancement, decayed teeth, fractured fillings, large fillings or a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

What does getting a crown involve?

A crown procedure usually requires two appointments.  Your first appointment will include preparing the tooth and taking impressions that will be used to create your custom crown. A temporary crown may be placed on your tooth until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory, which  usually about two weeks.

At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures.  Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots (medical-grade titanium) that are surgically placed into the jaw bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking, strong and durable and can last many years.  On occasion, they may have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

Reasons for dental implants 

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
• Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
• Restore a patient’s confident smile.
• Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
• Restore or enhance facial tissues.
• Support a bridge or denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

What does getting dental implants involve?

The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months.

Scans and impressions are taken of the jaw and a custom template may be made. Occasionally, bone grafting may be required.   The implant is surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself for 3 to 4 months or more.   Once healing is sufficient, preparation is done for the artificial tooth/teeth which, once fabricated, is securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.

Good oral hygiene and eating habits, alongside regular dental visits, will aid in the life of your new implant.

A dental bridge is a non-removable appliance which can replace a missing tooth or teeth.

A “traditional bridge” consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth. 

Dental bridges are highly durable and can last many years; however, they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.

What does getting a fixed bridge involve?

Getting a bridge usually requires two visits.  At the first visit, the two anchoring teeth are prepared and impressions that will be used to create your custom bridge.  In addition, a temporary bridge may be placed until your next appointment.

At the second visit, your permanent bridge will be carefully checked, adjusted, and cemented to achieve a proper fit.  Proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new, fixed bridge.

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection.  The nerve and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with medicated, dental materials. Having a root canal done is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise have to be removed.  Root canal treatment is highly successful and can last a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.  Crown restoration is often recommended for teeth that have had root canal therapy.

What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

The term “periodontal” means “around the tooth.”  Periodontal disease (also known as periodontitis and gum disease) is a common inflammatory condition that affects the supporting and surrounding soft tissues of the tooth.  In it's most advanced stages, it affects the jawbone itself.

Periodontal disease is most often preceded by gingivitis which is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue which can irritate and inflame the gum tissues.  Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that can eventually lead to shifting teeth, loose teeth, and tooth loss.  Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the developed world and should always be promptly treated.

Prevention

Good oral hygiene practices, along with regular dental hygiene visits, including scaling (which involves the removal of bacteria and calculus) is essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control!

Diagnosis

Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination which is part of your regular dental check-up.  A small dental instrument is used to gently measure the pocket or space between the tooth and the gums.  Your dentist or hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a diagnosis.

Treatment

If Periodontal disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, regular cleanings will be recommended.  You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.

For more advanced cases of periodontal disease, your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate the type and severity of the disease and may refer you to a periodontist for appropriate treatment.

Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.  We offer a home teeth whitening system that can whiten teeth dramatically.  Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc.  Replacement of any restorations can be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.

Teeth whitening is not permanent.  A touch-up may be needed periodically - more frequently if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.

What does teeth whitening involve?

This type of teeth whitening usually requires two visits.  At the first appointment, impressions will be made of your teeth to fabricate custom trays.

At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for proper fit and instructions will be given for proper use.  It is normal to experience some tooth sensitivity during the time you are whitening your teeth, but it will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching.