Dental Cleanings/Checkups
In the absence of gum disease, a cleaning and checkup is recommended every 6 months. Tartar (calculus) may build up on the teeth, and can only be removed by instruments used by your hygienist. This buildup, which is formed when plaque on the teeth combines with components of saliva, provides a collection point for more plaque to accumulate. This can lead to inflamed gums and the initial stages of gum disease, as well as cavities.
At the cleaning appointment, you will also have a complete exam to determine the health of the teeth, gums, and surrounding soft tissues and bone. The doctor will even complete an oral cancer screening.
New Patient/Comprehensive Exams
Your initial visit as a new patient involves a comprehensive exam, unless you are being seen for a specific concern, in which case a “Limited, Problem-focused Exam” will be completed. A comprehensive exam is always recommended over a limited exam to be sure that all potential conditions are treated effectively. Focusing on only one tooth, or one specific area of the mouth can lead to a domino effect of more significant conditions that may have been prevented if a complete exam had been performed.
Emergency Exams
A “Limited, Problem-Focused Exam” is the approach taken typically when you are experiencing pain, or something happens in between your checkups that needs attention. When in pain, we clearly want to address that concern before anything else. Damage to front teeth can also lead to very critical aesthetic concerns. These can be addressed at a limited exam in order to get that presentable smile back intact as quickly as possible.
Fillings
After the decay has been removed, fillings are put in place to help replace the infected tooth structure. It is called a filling because new materials fill the hole that decay has left. It is more common for teeth to be treated with bonded tooth-colored composite resin fillings. If caught early enough, cavities can be handled quickly and painlessly. If not treated, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, and the tooth would need root canal treatment or extraction.
Extractions
When a tooth is damaged from decay or fracture so severely that it can not be restored (saved), it may have to be extracted (pulled). Simple extractions mean the tooth can be elevated and removed without removing bone. Surgical extractions are needed when teeth are more difficult to remove, and involve removing a small amount of bone around the tooth in order to successfully remove all of the root structure of the tooth.
Sealants
A sealant is used to fill narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn’t brush, but because they’re too narrow to allow any bristles in between them. These will develop cavities over time, and you don’t want that. So the dentist will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.
Deep Cleanings
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for one’s teeth. All these structures are referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten a house’s stability. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that have pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these signs may mean something is wrong. With the proper care, however, it may be possible to return them to a healthy state. This is where appropriate gum treatments come in. If you’re having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it immediately. The procedure usually involves a deep cleaning or root planning done under a local anesthetic. If the gum disease gets too severe, surgery or extraction may need to be used to treat this. It is essential to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.
Mouth-Guards/Night Guards
Custom athletic mouth-guards can be fabricated in our office. A custom mouth-guard insures that your teeth are better protected due to the fact that an impression is taken to ensure an exact fit. Various forms of protective night guards can be fabricated to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding/clenching habits while you sleep.
Bonding
Bonding involves adhering a tooth-colored composite resin material to the remaining tooth structure. Bonding can be used to repair the damage done to the tooth by decay, to alter the tooth’s alignment, close gaps between the teeth, or for cosmetic purposes. First, the surface of the tooth is roughened to accept the bonding and hold it. A gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bond agent is then applied, so the material adheres to the surface. Then the material itself is placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. The composite resin material is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish as a last step.
