Restorative Services

Stress, aging, accidents, and everyday life can really take a toll on your teeth. However with today’s technology and materials we can transform decayed, cracked, chipped, worn, darkened, or even missing teeth into a strong, healthy smile. We approach restorations by first identifying the problem(s) within the context of your long-term dental health: identifying possible causes, and noting any related areas of concern. Then, we choose the most conservative solution while maintaining the maximum amount of tooth structure. Below is a list of our restorative services:

Tooth Colored Fillings
Bonding
Whitening
Fixed Bridges
Full & Partial Dentures
Inlays, Onlays, & Crowns
Single Visit Root Canals
Dental Implant Restoration
        

Periodontal Care Services

Periodontal or “gum” disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes degeneration and destruction of the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in your mouth. PD is not just a disease of the mouth. It has been shown to have wide-ranging systemic including lung disease, poor control of diabetes, low birth weight, poor wound healing, lowered immune function and an increased risk of heart attacks.
Our mouth forms plaque (a sticky film containing bacteria) on a daily basis. Plaque can be removed with brushing and flossing but, when it is not removed effectively, the plaque can thicken and harden onto your teeth forming tartar (calculus). Tartar is heavily contaminated with harmful bacteria and can not be removed with a brush or floss. As is begins to form, it causes irritation and inflammation that results in pockets of infection under the gum line. These pockets deepen over time, resulting in the deterioration of the bone and fiber supporting the teeth. Without these structures, the teeth become loose, infected and lost.
Intervention in the disease process is crucial if the teeth are to be saved. The tartar in these pockets must be entirely removed from the root surfaces and the root surface of the teeth must be smoothed. This procedure is called “scaling and root planing” or simply “deep scaling”. These procedures are done as an initial therapy for PD. In more advanced cases of PD, additional treatment can be needed and can include antibiotics or laser pocket surgery. PD that does not respond to these treatments may even require referral to a Periodontist (gum specialist). The Periodontist will provide a surgical procedure that can correct or control PD that is not responding well to other treatments.
Please remember that the most important element in managing PD is YOU!
The homecare that you do on a daily basis is what will make the biggest difference in stabilizing the tissues. Please follow the homecare routines that have been provided for you by your dentist or hygienist. Frequent maintenance visits are also crucial to monitor PD. At each visit, the hygienist will recheck pocket depths, bleeding, degree of inflammation, review home care and clean the root surfaces. This may need to be done at intervals of 3 months or less depending upon your situation.
The American Academy of Periodontology website is an excellent source of information.
The American Dental Hygienists Association has great information on how you can prevent dental diseases such as cavities and gum disease.

Cosmetic Services

Your smile says more about you than you might realize. More patients are taking the time to learn more about their options to improve their smile. You may want to change the color, shape or the overall alignment of your teeth. Whatever your needs may be, we would discuss your concerns and review your options together to obtain your goal through and educated process. Our cosmetic services include the following:

Tooth Colored Fillings
Porcelain Veneers
Whitening
Bonding
All Porcelain Crowns, Onlays & Inlays
Recontouring
Lumineers
Cosmetic Before and After Imaging

Dental Technology

While we recognize that technology can never replace warmth and caring, we feel that it is a useful means to the end result of providing superior patient service. We will do our best to keep up with new developments, as they become available, to help us give you the finest care possible. We have invested in the latest equipment including the following:

Digital Radiography
Intra-oral Camera
Light Cured Filling Options
Laser Diagnostics
Mini Dental Implants
Laser Therapy for Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Whitening Services

Many professional dental organizations warn against bleaching kits available at your local drug stores. Patient can experience sensitivity and irritation after bleaching their teeth. The gel may also damage the tooth’s enamel and pulp chamber. Whitening toothpastes, which use abrasive substances to “polish” away stains, can damage your tooth enamel. Dentist-prescribed kits are your best option for teeth whitening, where your progress can be closely monitored for adverse reactions. We also offer in-office bleaching which can be effect in just 2-3 short office visit.

Porcelain Veneers

If your teeth are discolored, crooked, stained by fillings, or have spaces between then you may want to consider veneers. We can change the shape, color and length of your teeth by using veneers. Veneers are thin, durable shells designed to cover the front of the tooth. They are typically made of porcelain and are extremely durable, stain resistant, natural-looking and easy to maintain.
Veneers are custom-fitted to your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel and bonding the veneer to your teeth using a safe, high tech polymer resin. You can expect veneers to stay bright and strong for many years by performing good oral hygiene.

Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is an affordable, quick and painless way to repair many cosmetic flaws or injuries, including gaps, stains and/or chipped teeth. If you have teeth that have stains that cannot be removed by bleaching, and veneers or crowns are not necessary, then cosmetic bonding might be a good option for you. Dental bonding sculpts individual teeth without requiring removal of any tooth structure. This technique bonds a composite material that looks, acts and feels like the real thing, to an existing tooth. This procedure usually doesn’t require the use of an anesthetic; is relatively quick to apply; gives an immediate result and is less expensive than veneers.

White Composite Fillings

Until recently, dentists used a silver and mercury amalgam to fill and seal cavities. Because a larger amount of the original tooth must be removed, these types of fillings often weaken teeth. Recent innovations now allow us to replace old silver fillings with composite or porcelain fillings that are stronger, safer and more natural looking. Say goodbye to “metal mouth” and hello to a beautiful new smile.

Crowns

Teeth are often restored using silver or composite plastic fillings. However, when too much of a tooth’s structure is removed to support a filling, a crown or “cap” may be needed. A crown may be needed to: Restore a tooth when it is unable to support a large filling

Attach bridges
Protect a weak tooth from fracturing or restore fractured teeth
Cover badly shaped or discolored teeth
Cover dental implants

A crown essentially covers a tooth to restore it to its natural shape and size. This permanent covering fits over your original tooth to strengthen or improve the appearance of the tooth. Fitting a crown generally requires at least two visits to the dentist’s office.

Bridges

Healthy and strong teeth support and maintain your jaw alignment. That is why when you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth may shift, and the ability to chew and speak may be affected. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, eliminating the gap where those teeth had been. The bridge is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. Regardless of the type of bridge recommended, its success depends on keeping the surrounding teeth healthy and strong.

Dentures

Missing teeth can create a host of aesthetic and functional problems including sagging facial muscles, inability to eat certain foods and speak. Dentures may be your best solution if you’ve lost all your natural teeth due to periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury.
Fitting a patient for dentures does not have to be a traumatic experience. During the preliminary visit, the remaining teeth are removed and a model is made of the patient’s jaw. An immediate denture may be fitted so the patient does not have to be without teeth while the mouth tissue heals. Once the mouth tissue is completely healed, the patient is fitted with their custom dentures.

Implants

When you lose a tooth, a dental implant may be needed to replace the tooth root and crown. Dental implants are simply “anchors” that permanently support replacement teeth. They are secure and durable and can be cleaned and cared for much like your natural teeth.
The procedure requires a titanium root be fitted into your jaw to replace the lost tooth’s root. Once the implant is anchored into the bone, the bone around the implant requires six weeks to six months of healing. Once the bone has healed, a support post and replacement tooth is anchored onto the implant.

Lumineers

Lumineers are contact lens-thin porcelain technology that provides beauty and strength while preserving your natural tooth structure. That means you can correct a wide variety of unsightly dental distortions or conditions such as: tooth discoloration, gaps, stains, and broken or misshapen teeth. Lumineers can even bond to existing crowns or bridgework without having to replace them. Just think.No drilling, shots or pain, no removal of sensitive tooth structure, and safe for sensitive patients.

TMJ Treatment

Do you experience jaw joint clicking or locking, ear pain, headaches or sensitive teeth? Temporomandibular joint diseases (TMJ) is usually characterized by a dull aching pain in the jaw joint, inability to comfortably open the mouth, clicking and popping in the jaw joint, teeth sensitivity, headaches and pain in the neck, shoulder or back. While many TMJ sufferers get better without treatment, TMJ can be responsible for persistent and debilitating pain. If you suffer from persistent TMJ, visit us for a thorough examination and individualized treatment plan.

Endodontic Treatment

Endodontic (root canal) treatment is indicated when the pulp, or nerve, of a tooth has died. This dead tissue inside the tooth will form an abscess resulting in pain and swelling. The goal of a root canal procedure is to remove the dead tissue, thoroughly clean out the internal chamber and canal and then place a sterile, inert filling. It’s not painful under most circumstances. We have up-to-date equipment to provide a comfortable procedure and a predictable result.
For information on root canal procedures, please visit the web site of the American Association of Endodontists. It’s an excellent source of information, presented without bias or comment. It is simply the truth about endodontic treatment.
www.aae.org/patients/faqs/rootcanals.htm
A great source of information is the American Dental Association at www.ada.org

Call today to schedule your appointment