A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning you receive from your dental hygienist and is usually completed in less than 30 minutes. Cleanings should be performed every six months to prevent excessive plaque buildup. Plaque left untreated can lead to unhealthy gums and tooth decay.

Good oral hygiene is a must. The loss of a single tooth can have major impact on overall oral health and appearance. Although dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still some occasions when a tooth needs to be extracted. A tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

• Severe decay

• Advanced gum disease

• Infection or abscess

• Orthodontic correction

• Malpositioned teeth

• Fractured teeth or roots

• Impacted teeth

The dentist may suggest an extraction after careful examination and treatment. X-rays are used to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone before extracting the tooth. Based on the degree of difficulty, a dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon.

A certain amount of pain and discomfort is to be expected following an extraction, but it can be minimized with painkillers and ice packs applied to the face for 15 minutes at a time. Discomfort should lessen within three days to two weeks.

If you experience prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever, call our office immediately.

Dental emergency? We’re here for you!

Severe pain or discomfort in the jaw, gums or teeth can often become unbearable. We offer same-day emergency dental services and appointments to provide immediate relief and long-term dental solutions!

If you are suffering from severe pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to call us! Our accommodating team will help you schedule an emergency exam as soon as possible. We’re here to help!

A filling is a way to restore a decayed tooth back to its normal shape and function. If you have a tooth that requires a filling, we will first remove the decayed tooth material, then clean the affected area and fill the cleaned-out cavity with a filling material. This filling will help prevent further decay by closing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria might enter.

It’s estimated that more than half of U.S. adults have gingivitis. Gingivitis, in some cases, can lead to periodontitis (gum disease) and host of other health problems.

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Gum disease can cause bleeding, swelling, bad breath, pain, receding gums and tooth loss. But it doesn’t always stop there. Your oral health is the beginning point for your whole body’s health and wellness. It is imperative that we stop problems before they even start!

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Gum disease causes a buildup of bacteria in deep pockets between the teeth and gums. That bacteria can transfer to your bloodstream when gums bleed, putting you at a much higher risk to develop the following health problems:

• Stroke

• Respiratory Disease

• Heart Disease

• Diabetes

• Ulcers

• Osteoporosis

• Arthritis

• Pre-Term Births

Periodontal treatment typically involves containing the infection through a deep cleaning like scaling and root planing, clearing buildup at the root of the teeth. We may also suggest specific toothpastes and mouth rinses or prescribe antibiotics to fight infections. Surgery is required for the most severe cases.

We examine gum health at every 6-month check-up. If you have been experiencing any symptoms like bad breath, bleeding or tender gums, please let us know. We will decide what is the best form of treatment to restore your gums to optimum health.

Wisdom teeth are the last molars, or "third molars" that develop on each side of the jaw. They usually emerge in the back of the mouth between the ages of 16-20.

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Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, they cause problems that require their removal. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way through the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.

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A wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively routine procedure. The dentist will numb the area in the mouth with a local anesthesia or use IV sedation so that the patient is asleep during the procedure.

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After the tooth (or teeth) is removed, the patient is given gauze to softly bite down on for a recommended amount of time to limit any bleeding. Some pain, bruising and swelling may occur, but it will usually go away after a few days.

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Please call our office if, after following post-op instructions, you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever.

Custom-designed mouth guards are made of flexible plastic and molded to fit the shape of your teeth. Mouth guards are recommended to protect the jaw, tongue, cheek lining and teeth during physical activity and sports such as boxing, football, basketball, or other activities where your mouth might get hit.

If you are active in athletics, we can help you determine if any kind of guard or appliance is a good option for you. If so, we will take an impression of your teeth to create a custom-fit product for your specific needs.

Nitrous oxide sedation, also known as "laughing gas," is commonly used to make treatment more comfortable. The nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask and produces a state of relaxation. Local anesthetic will be administered in conjunction with nitrous oxide to eliminate pain. Nitrous oxide is designed to make procedures easier for nervous patients and has been effective for many years.

Teeth clenching and grinding can damage teeth and be harmful to one’s long-term oral health. Night guards are recommended to protect patients who clench or grind their teeth during the night. These custom-designed appliances are made of flexible plastic and molded to comfortably fit the shape of your teeth.

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Custom-made oral appliances can also be used as part of treatment for conditions like sleep apnea and TMJ disorders. In general, plastic appliances can be used to correct a variety of problems.

If you clench or grind your teeth in the night or are experiencing any concerns about your mouth, teeth, or jaw, call us today. Let us help you determine if a night guard is right for you.

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Night guards are designed to protect your child’s teeth and jaw joints from any potential damage caused during sleep and are highly recommended for children who clench or grind their teeth at night.

Symptoms of nighttime clenching and grinding include:

• Tightness and stiffness in the shoulders

• Headaches

• Earaches

• Sleep disruption

• Tooth pain

• Stiffness in the jaw joint

• Muscle pain

Custom-made oral appliances can also be used as part of treatment for conditions like sleep apnea and TMJ disorders. In general, plastic appliances can be used to correct a variety of problems.

If your child regularly clenches or grinds their teeth in the night or is experiencing any concerning issues in their mouth, teeth or jaw, please let us know. If a night guard is a good option for your child, we can create a custom-fit product for their specific needs.

Root canal treatment, also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy, is used to save an infected or damaged tooth and avoid having it removed. A root canal becomes necessary when a neglected cavity reaches all the way to the pulp at the center of the tooth, causing the pulp to become infected. Regular cleanings and checkups detect and prevent problems early on.

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Trauma can also cause deep damage to the nerve of a tooth. Once this occurs, the pulp becomes infected and begins to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is called an abscess). By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system, making it very dangerous and painful.

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Symptoms of infected pulp may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain with biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms, and you are unaware of any problem until a checkup.

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A root canal is performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) is filled to prevent any further infection. Crowns are usually recommended to cover and restore a tooth after root canal therapy.

Crowns are used to restore and enhance teeth that are damaged, or to replace missing teeth. A crown, also called a cap, is used to entirely cover a damaged tooth. A crown not only strengthens the tooth, but it can also dramatically improve the tooth's appearance, shape and alignment.

Crowns may be used to…

• Replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining

• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing

• Restore a fractured tooth

• Attach a bridge

• Cover a dental implant

• Cover a discolored or poorly-shaped tooth

• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment

A bridge is an ideal method to fill the space created by missing teeth. A bridge is one or more artificial teeth that are cemented into place using the real teeth on either side for support—hence the name.

A bridge replaces the missing tooth both functionally and cosmetically. Bridgework is as much an art as it is an exact science. Bridge materials include gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all-ceramic material made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.

Sealants are a common preventive treatment in dentistry. Some teeth have fine grooves or pits that accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because the grooves are too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. When plaque accumulates, it can lead to cavities and other types of tooth decay. To apply sealants, a plastic material is brushed onto the tooth, filling these narrow grooves and preventing the cavity-causing buildup. Sealants make healthy teeth possible.

Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly-chipped, discolored or crooked teeth, often for cosmetic purposes. The process comprises placing a white filling on your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling "bonds" with your teeth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth.

Bonding can also be used in place of regular amalgam fillings. Many patients prefer bonded fillings, because the white color is much less noticeable than the silver of the amalgam fillings. Bonding fillings can be used on front and back teeth, depending on the location and extent of tooth decay.

Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and can usually be completed in one visit to our office. However, bonding can stain and breaks more easily than other cosmetic treatments like porcelain veneers.

If your bonding does break or chip, please let us know. We can generally patch or repair bonding in one visit.

Digital radiography uses an estimated 40-90% less radiation than conventional film x-rays. Digital x-rays use a digital image capture device in place of traditional film, sending an image immediately to a computer. The result is a highly-detailed image of the mouth, and its contrast and resolution can be enhanced to more easily diagnose dental problems and determine the very best treatment for each case.

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This means more safety and better accuracy for you.

Oral sedation is an excellent option for patients who suffer from dental anxiety. It is simply taken in pill or liquid form and ingested at a set time before treatment. The drug produces a calming effect to make the visit to our office a much less stressful experience. Oral sedation is simple, safe and has very few side effects.

Many offices utilize electronic claims processing. This means that rather than being sent through the mail, a dental claim is sent electronically to an insurance company with the click of a button. We can submit information more efficiently and with fewer errors. This benefits patients because the turn-around time on claims is faster and fewer claims are returned or denied.

We are happy to submit your dental claims to your insurance company on your behalf. Please let us know if you have any questions about the e-claim process.

Veneers are a cosmetic dental procedure in which a thin layer of porcelain or composite material is placed over the outside of the tooth. They are used to improve esthetics or help with tooth damage. Veneers are usually only performed on the front part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.

Paperless charting means more efficiency and more accuracy. An office that has “gone digital” records x-rays and charting with the aid of the computer and keeps all patients’ dental records electronically. Additionally, it cuts back on paper use. With traditional paper charting, information can be lost in translation from doctor to hygienist to assistant. Even handwriting differences and coding make the charts look different. The computer eliminates this problem by standardizing charting methods, making it easy to understand dental charts, view up-to-date information and keep records accurately. When needed, this method also allows dental offices to more easily share information with other healthcare providers.

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If you have any questions in regards to your records with us, please let us know.

Intraoral cameras, cameras about the size of a pen, help dentists see the condition of teeth and gums more clearly. This advanced technology allows us to zoom in on small diseased areas, cracks, chips and worn metal fillings to provide a more detailed view. The full-color images are sent to a computer screen, making it easy to see and diagnose dental problems much earlier than with traditional dental technology. Patients are also able to watch the whole process because the images are displayed on screens in treatment rooms.

A panoramic x-ray provides a very broad view of teeth, jaws, sinuses, jaw joints and nasal areas. They are not designed to find cavities like other x-rays. Rather, they reveal problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities and fractures, infections, cysts or tumors. Because of this, they are a staple technology in any oral or maxillofacial practice. Panoramic x-rays provide an accurate and trusted diagnosis so that the most viable treatment plans can be executed.

You deserve to be in the loop when it comes to your dental care. There are a variety of computer programs available to help patients better understand conditions, procedures and treatment options. Our office invests in patient education software because we want you to feel confident in every dental decision you make. This investment helps us clearly communicate and it helps you learn more.