Services
Comprehensive dental exam» Back to top
Our comprehensive dental exam includes an overall evaluation of your teeth, gums, bones and other soft tissues.
Oral Cancer screening» Back to top
There are two different types of oral cancer. Oral cavity cancer begins in the mouth. The other type of oral cancer is called oropharyngeal cancer which develops in the throat behind the mouth. Certain behaviors such as smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol excessively and sunbathing can put you at an increased risk for developing oral cancer. In addition, men are at twice the risk of developing oral cancer, as are people older than 35. Actually, more than half of oral cancer patients are 68 and older. However, it’s important to keep in mind that more than 25 percent of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors. The good news is that the earlier you get an oral cancer exam, the easier it is to treat. In fact, when oral cancer is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, the chances of a successful recovery rises dramatically.
Children’s dentistry» Back to top
Preventive dental care is very important to the future of your child’s dental health. Fluoride treatments and Sealants are available and are instrumental in preventive care. Children of all ages starting from their 1st birthday through their teen years all need different treatment and guidance by their dentist to avoid future problems.
Sealants
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Sealants are generally placed on your teeth at a young age since decay can start very early. When the first set of permanent molars develop, sealing these chewing surfaces will help keep them healthy and protect them from tooth decay. Once the second molars develop, they are just as vulnerable as the first set. The sooner these chewing surfaces can be sealed, the better it is for their long term protection. Although dental sealants are usually applied early in life, adults are also at risk for developing decay. They can also benefit from these treatment. Consult with your dentist to determine whether tooth sealants are right for you.
Non-surgical periodontal therapy
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Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that causes swelling, redness and attacks bone, gums and other supporting structures of the teeth. Dental plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease. When plaque is not removed, it can turn into dental tartar, which may cause periodontal disease. You can prevent dental plaque by practicing good oral hygiene. This means brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist for regular checkups and dental cleanings. Periodontal therapy is used to treat the early stages of periodontal disease. This technique utilizes scaling and root planning, antibiotics and bite correction.
Tooth-colored fillings
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Tooth-colored fillings are similar in color and texture to natural teeth. They are less noticeable and much more attractive than other types of fillings. This is because tooth-colored fillings are made from durable plastics called composite resins that your dentist is able to match closely to your original tooth color. You can smile, talk, and eat with confidence. Also, tooth-colored fillings are compatible with dental sealants. This allows a tooth to be filled and sealed at the same time to prevent further decay.
Root Canal therapy
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Root Canal therapy is a dental procedure that may save a tooth with a diseased nerve. Inside every tooth there is a part called the pulp. The pulp runs like a thread down through the root and provides the nerves and nutrients for your tooth. When the pulp of the tooth is diseased or injured, the tissue dies. If you don’t remove it, your tooth will be infected and there is a possibility you could lose it. Once the dentist removes the infected pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. A crown is then placed over the tooth to help make it stronger.
Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little to no discomfort. A root canal can take as little as one or as many as three visits to complete. This is a very crucial procedure to help keep your teeth looking and feeling healthy.
Cosmetic dentistry» Back to top
Traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene, preventing, diagnosing and treating of oral disease. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person’s teeth, mouth and smile. Cosmetic dentistry provides elective treatments and services such as inlays/onlays, composite bonding, teeth whitening, dental veneers and several other appearance enhancing options.
Full and partial dentures
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Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be placed and removed from your mouth whenever you wish. Dentures can take some time to get used to because they are not the same as your natural teeth. The modern dentures available today are natural looking and more comfortable than ever.
Dentures are custom made in a dental laboratory from impressions taken of your mouth by your dentist. The two main types of dentures are full or partial. We will help you choose the type of denture that best suits your needs. Partial dentures rest on a metal framework that will attach to your natural teeth. If crowns are on some of your natural teeth, they sometimes can serve as anchors for your denture. Full dentures can be provided in two different ways. The conventional full denture is placed in your mouth after any remaining teeth are removed and tissues have all healed.
Healing may take several months, during which time you are without teeth. Some people are not comfortable being without their teeth, so another choice of full dentures is called the immediate full denture. Immediate full dentures are inserted immediately after the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will have taken measurements and made models of your jaw during a prior visit.
While immediate dentures offer the benefit of never having to be without your teeth, they must be realigned several months after being inserted into your mouth. The reason for this is that the bone supporting the teeth reshapes as it heals, which may cause the denture to become loose.
Zoom!® Teeth Whitening» Back to top
Take a first step in feeling good and looking great with brighter, whiter teeth in less than an hour. Zoom!® teeth whitening is safe, effective and very fast, and performed only by a dental professional. Zoom!® safely whitens teeth an average of 8 shades.
Teeth whitening is used to help lighten teeth, remove stains and also discoloration. Whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures today. It can significantly improve how your teeth look. Every day, a thin coating forms on the outer layer of your teeth, known as enamel. The thin film on the enamel is what picks up stains. Tooth enamel can also pick up stains since the enamel in our teeth contains pores that can hold stains. Whitening is not a one-time solution. It is a repeated process that you will have to do from time to time if you want to maintain a brighter and whiter smile.
Dental Implants
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Implants are artificial tooth replacements that are used to counter tooth loss. The procedure is seen as a form of prosthetic dentistry. It is also known to fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry. In many cases, dental implants may be the only logical choice for restoration of all necessary functionality of the teeth and supporting structures. Although you have a number of restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as implants.
Invisalign®
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Invisalign® is a new orthodontic treatment system that works to straighten teeth through the use of a series of clear plastic molds also known as aligners. These invisible braces eliminate the metallic smile that is characteristic of traditional orthodontic braces.
To be sized for your Invisalign® aligners, your orthodontist will use computer imaging. After taking bite impressions of your mouth, the dentist will then use the Invisalign® three-dimensional computer imaging system to create a series of clear aligners. These aligners will act like invisible braces, using gentle pressure to move your teeth to their target alignment. The number of aligners you will need will depend on each individual case. The average number of aligners needed is between 18 and 30. Each aligner is removable and worn for two weeks (24 hours a day, except during meals) and then the next aligner is used.
This process is repeated until your teeth are in their desired position. The entire Invisalign® treatment will take the same amount of time as traditional orthodontic braces. Many patients find Invisalign® appealing because they can straighten their teeth without anyone knowing. Most adults would rather live with crooked teeth then spend two or more years with the metal braces that remind them of their teenage years.
Minor extractions» Back to top
A tooth extraction is a routine procedure that helps prevent more serious dental problems from occurring. The most common tooth extractions are the removal of wisdom teeth. There are many other reasons that a dentist might have to extract a tooth.
Your dentist may remove a tooth if it is coming in at an angle, threatening the position of other healthy teeth or contributing to overcrowding in the mouth. Some other examples are a broken tooth that may also need to be removed, as well as teeth with significant tooth decay that cannot be treated by a root canal. Patients with advanced gum disease may be considered for an extraction as well.
While it is your dentist’s goal to do everything they can to save your teeth, in the end, removing a potentially harmful tooth can spare you time, money and discomfort.
Emergency dentistry
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Accidents can occur, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. While injuries to the mouth may not be life threatening, they can be quite painful. A knocked out, broken, cracked or loose tooth can warrant a visit to your dentist as an emergency.
Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients. Call your dentist immediately and provide as much detail as possible about your condition. Remember, pain is a signal that something is wrong. Even if the pain subsides, this does not mean the problem will disappear. You must see your dentist and have them treat the injury.
Bonding
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Bonding is a composite resin filling that is used to restore decayed teeth, make cosmetic improvements and can even change the color of your teeth. It is also used for the reshaping of teeth. Bonding lightens any stains you may have and may also be used to close up minor gaps between your teeth. Bonding can correct crooked teeth as well as cover any natural flaws by applying a thin coating of a plastic material on the front surface of your teeth. After this, the next step is for your dentist to apply a bonding material that they will sculpt, color and shape to match your original tooth. Once that is done, they will use a high-intensity light to harden the plastic and then finely polish the surface.
Veneers» Back to top
Dental veneers are custom designed ceramic-like material that is applied over the surface of a tooth. Veneers are used to cover worn tooth enamel, straighten uneven teeth alignment or spacing as well as repair chips or cracks. Dental veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry because they create a bright, white smile with beautifully aligned, shapely teeth. The translucent ceramic of the veneers provide a more natural look. Dental veneers may solve most or even all of your cosmetic dental issues, including:
- Worn enamel – Over time, the white substance enamel covering your teeth may become worn, dulled, and discolored. Over the years wear and discoloration may occur and be the result of a genetic predisposition. However, it is often a result of your habits such as drinking soft drinks, tea or coffee. Smoking and medication can also contribute to the discoloration or wear of your teeth.
- Wear and tear – As you age your teeth will naturally wear down. Aged teeth are more likely to have or develop chips, cracks or a general uneven appearance.
- Genetics – Many people may be born with abnormal spacing between their teeth that grows wider as they age.
- Uneven teeth – Uneven teeth can be caused by trauma to the teeth caused by grinding your teeth. It can also be caused by general wear and tear over time.
Crowns
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A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a damaged, weak or cracked tooth. It is used to restore the shape and size, strength, and to improve its appearance. Once a crown is cemented into place the crown will fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. Crowns are made in many different materials such as metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, or ceramic. Crowns are also used to hold a dental bridge into place or to cover a dental implant.
Bridges
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Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. Bridges are important because missing teeth can cause a change in your bite, shifting of your teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), speech impediments, and an increased risk for periodontal disease or tooth decay.
- Traditional Fixed Bridge – The most common type of dental bridge is the fixed dental bridge that is permanently placed between two healthy teeth. The bridge i then held in place by porcelain dental crowns. Fixed dental bridges absorb light, creating a natural-looking smile.
- Resin Bonded Bridge – This type of bridge is done by having a false tooth fused to metal bands and bonded to abutment teeth with resin. This minimizes the amount of preparation needed for the adjacent teeth. This type of restoration will actually reflect light, creating an unnatural look unlike the traditional fixed bridge.
- Cantilever Bridge – The cantilever bridge is used in areas of your mouth that are under less stress, anchoring a false tooth on only one side over one or more adjacent teeth. The layout of a cantilever bridge is different then a traditional fixed bridge but it often uses the same number of dental crowns. The abutment crowns are placed next to each other, with the pontic placed on the end. In some cases only one dental crown is used but that depends on how much support the cantilever bridge will need.
Snoring/Sleep Apnea
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Medically, snoring can be the precursor of obstructive sleep apnea that has been linked to heart failure, high blood pressure and stroke. In its own right, snoring has been linked to Type II Diabetes. Sleep apnea usually interrupts loud snoring with a period of silence in which no air passes into the lungs. Eventually the lack of oxygen and the increase carbon dioxide will awaken you forcing the airway to open with a loud gasp. There are treatment options to help with this condition.